State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
Maryland Joint Operations Center (MJOC)
"Weather Event 12 Mar 10"
SITUATION REPORT # 1
March 12, 2010 10:30 am
Situation Summary
In anticipation of the heavy rain due to hit the State, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency has activated to a Level 2 and initiated a staffing schedule through Monday, March 15. The State Core Plan has been activated. A schedule of conference calls with the National Weather Service has been formulated. MEMA executive staff has briefed Director Richard Muth.
WEATHER
An area of low pressure over the upper Mississippi Valley will continue to move slowly northeast moving over the area by Friday night. A second area of low pressure will form along the Virginia coast Friday night into Saturday bringing a round of heavy rain to the area. Low pressure will remain in the Mid Atlantic region into the early part of next week before high pressure builds in during the middle part of the week. A flood watch has been issued for the entire State of Maryland from Friday through Sunday evening.
Today: Periods of rain. High near 55. East wind between 9 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 50. Breezy, with a east northeast wind 14 to 17 mph increasing to between 22 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 54. Breezy, with a east wind between 14 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 47. Northeast wind between 7 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 42.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mayor Presents Proposal To Library Board
Valerie Murphy, Chair
Wicomico County Public Library Board of Trustees
122 S. Division St.
Salisbury, MD 21801
Dear Ms. Murphy:
In response to your letter of Thursday, March 11, 2010, requesting a specific proposal for the sale of Parking Lot#1 as the location of the new Library, I am offering proposals for not only Lot #1 but also for a site on East Main St and for the air rights over Lots #11 and 12. Please understand, however, that I have not had an opportunity to discuss these proposals with the City Council. Before any proposal can be considered official, we need to have the consensus of the Council as well. Despite the fact that I have not discussed this with the Council, I am forwarding these proposals to you in an effort to expedite the process so that we can meet the March 18, 2010 deadline stated in your letter. The City Council has a work session scheduled for Monday morning, March 15 and I have asked that Ms. Smith place this matter on the that agenda for discussion.
I am forwarding proposals for three separate sites because I believe that it is in the best interest of both the City and the Library, that we not restrict ourselves to just one site at this time. The three sites on which I have presented proposals are: Parking Lot #1, as requested by the Library; the privately owned property on East Main Street between the site of the old Boulevard Theater and Poplar Hill Ave.; and the air rights for Parking Lots #11 and 12.
My proposals for these sites are as follows:
Lot #1
City sells entire lot #1 to County for $1.55 million (as an option, the City could sell only approximately one-half of the lot and provide appropriate assurances that the rest of the lot would continue to be available as a parking lot.)
City receives current Library upon completion of construction of new Library
Construct Library on lower portion of lot
Parking lot would be open to the public as well as accessible to the Library
Library would be responsible for replacing parking lost during construction (City is willing to work with library on options)
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
E. Main Street Site
County purchases properties on block of East Main Street between old Boulevard Theater site and Poplar Hill Ave. ($2.2 million approximately)
City agrees to close Calvert St. between U.S. 13 and Poplar Hill Ave. to make Lot #10 more accessible to library and to create additional parking
City agrees to assure Library will have access to 50 parking spaces on Lot#10 on a long-term lease even if Lot #10 is ultimately sold by the City
City receives current library upon completion of construction of new library
Upon completion of construction of new Library, the City agrees to move out of Government Office Building
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
Lots #11 and 12
City has air rights over Lots #11 and 12 and Market Street appraised
City sells air rights for Lots #11 and 12 and Market Street for $750,000 (if necessary to expedite the purchase, the City will include a grounded footprint below the air rights)
Sale of air rights will not interfere with existing private property on Market Street
City agrees to escrow $750,000 and reinvest in the project
Library would be responsible for replacing parking lost during construction (City is willing to work with library on options)
Library would be responsible for replacing on-site any parking lost after construction as a result of the placement of the building on the site (the parking could be located on the deck that would be constructed over Lots 11 and 12 for the Library building).
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
I hope that these proposals will provide you with a basis and a starting point for your discussions with the City and County Councils and the County Executive.
Wicomico County Public Library Board of Trustees
122 S. Division St.
Salisbury, MD 21801
Dear Ms. Murphy:
In response to your letter of Thursday, March 11, 2010, requesting a specific proposal for the sale of Parking Lot#1 as the location of the new Library, I am offering proposals for not only Lot #1 but also for a site on East Main St and for the air rights over Lots #11 and 12. Please understand, however, that I have not had an opportunity to discuss these proposals with the City Council. Before any proposal can be considered official, we need to have the consensus of the Council as well. Despite the fact that I have not discussed this with the Council, I am forwarding these proposals to you in an effort to expedite the process so that we can meet the March 18, 2010 deadline stated in your letter. The City Council has a work session scheduled for Monday morning, March 15 and I have asked that Ms. Smith place this matter on the that agenda for discussion.
I am forwarding proposals for three separate sites because I believe that it is in the best interest of both the City and the Library, that we not restrict ourselves to just one site at this time. The three sites on which I have presented proposals are: Parking Lot #1, as requested by the Library; the privately owned property on East Main Street between the site of the old Boulevard Theater and Poplar Hill Ave.; and the air rights for Parking Lots #11 and 12.
My proposals for these sites are as follows:
Lot #1
City sells entire lot #1 to County for $1.55 million (as an option, the City could sell only approximately one-half of the lot and provide appropriate assurances that the rest of the lot would continue to be available as a parking lot.)
City receives current Library upon completion of construction of new Library
Construct Library on lower portion of lot
Parking lot would be open to the public as well as accessible to the Library
Library would be responsible for replacing parking lost during construction (City is willing to work with library on options)
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
E. Main Street Site
County purchases properties on block of East Main Street between old Boulevard Theater site and Poplar Hill Ave. ($2.2 million approximately)
City agrees to close Calvert St. between U.S. 13 and Poplar Hill Ave. to make Lot #10 more accessible to library and to create additional parking
City agrees to assure Library will have access to 50 parking spaces on Lot#10 on a long-term lease even if Lot #10 is ultimately sold by the City
City receives current library upon completion of construction of new library
Upon completion of construction of new Library, the City agrees to move out of Government Office Building
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
Lots #11 and 12
City has air rights over Lots #11 and 12 and Market Street appraised
City sells air rights for Lots #11 and 12 and Market Street for $750,000 (if necessary to expedite the purchase, the City will include a grounded footprint below the air rights)
Sale of air rights will not interfere with existing private property on Market Street
City agrees to escrow $750,000 and reinvest in the project
Library would be responsible for replacing parking lost during construction (City is willing to work with library on options)
Library would be responsible for replacing on-site any parking lost after construction as a result of the placement of the building on the site (the parking could be located on the deck that would be constructed over Lots 11 and 12 for the Library building).
There is consensus among Urban Salisbury, Greater Salisbury, and the Chamber of Commerce on this proposal
I hope that these proposals will provide you with a basis and a starting point for your discussions with the City and County Councils and the County Executive.
Wayne Barrall
Thursday's visit to the Sheriff's Department.
Wayne Barrall after he aproaches me with axe in hand.
Wayne rolls up fire hose after fire was put out.The Wayne Barrall saga continues. After having major issues with Firefighter Wayne Barrall a couple of years ago, my Wife and I truly thought we had resolved Wayne's issues with us as we shook hands and Wayne swore he'd never go back to that place that got him in trouble to start with, I/We were wrong.
As many of you know, (and we have now learned) Wayne has a temper problem. He tends to like to bully people, UNTIL he is bullied back. It takes a bit but when Wayne learns someone is not going to back down, he becomes one of those apologetic people who acts really sorry for what they did. You know the "Eddie Haskel" kind of guy from Leave It To Beaver.
A very good friend of mine had applied 3 1/2 months ago to the Delmar Fire Department as a Volunteer. Soon after he had applied he sent me a couple of pictures of a crime scene, (I believe) and wanted me to credit his images, in which we did. Once Wayne Barrall saw these images and his name on Salisbury News, Wayne freaked out. He contacted this friend of mine and told him, (more or less) he better choose who he wants to work with, the cancer of society Joe Albero or Wayne Barrall. He went on to say he would never use his images again if he ever sent anything more to Joe Albero.
OK, while this was pretty stupid, I asked my friend, what does Wayne pay you? He replied, NOTHING! I suggested, (seriously) that he simply respond with a kind message that you have received his message and thank you for your concerns. Considering this friend was trying to get on board with the Delmar Fire Department, I thought it best he keep cool about it and move on.
Low and behold, Wayne starts writing this friend back telling him that if he continued to work with Joe Albero and stay associated with me, his chances of getting involved with the Delmar Fire Department would, (more or less) become non existent.
When I personally saw these letters I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. My first thought was, man, this guy has one hell of a discrimination lawsuit not only against the Fire Department, he has one hell of a case against Wayne Barrall. Then I started thinking, just what in the hell had I done to Wayne to get him to stab me in the back like that, especially after we had Wayne by the ba((s in Court and he begged to resolve the case in a recess. Because my Wife and I felt he was so sincere, we chose to come to a settlement and stay on a friendly basis, or so we thought.
After seeing these letters several weeks ago and being in somewhat shock, two days later I got a desperate phone call from Wayne Barrall saying the roof was about to cave in on the Delmar Fire Department, could I come up there with my snow blower and help them clear the snow off the roof. As I stated in a Post last week, the first thing that came to my mind was, Kiss My A$$. Not only had this man Wayne Barrell stabbed me in the back, he was holding my friend hostage with his application and proving the Good Old Boy Network was still alive and well in Delmar.
However, as I had stated to you last week, I put those thoughts aside for the better good of the Fire Department and I went up there and fulfilled their request. When the letters continued to my friend from Wayne I made contact with a former Chief of the Delmar Fire Department and expressed my concern over the possibility of a discrimination lawsuit, based on Wayne's threats.
While I expected them to follow up on the information I provide, as well as my offer to show them the letters so they could see I was in fact telling the truth, the Delmar Fire Department chose not to look at the letters and instead spoke to Wayne. Wayne told them it wasn't true and they believed him. Mind you, I have these letters, they could have read them and they chose to believe Wayne once again. Can you say, Good Old Boys. I should add, the person I was talking to said that they were the person who handled applications and was NOT familiar with this particular applicant. Funny, my friend has been calling every single week to see if there's been an update and has YET to get a call back after 3+ months. Makes you wonder why this person never received his application, eh? My friend of course became concerned after the first 30 days because he was told it would be complete within 30 days.
Very soon after this I received a phone call from Wayne Barrall demanding that I never make contact with the Fire Chief again. I simply told Wayne that I was not a 14 year old wanna be Firefighter that he could bully around, I'm a grown man who will not be told what to do. I simply hung up the phone on Wayne.
Moving forward to yesterday. I received a text message there was a barn fire at my neighbors farm so I immediately went over there to see if I could help them move things or whatever they needed. When I arrived there were no Firefighters there and they were pulling equipment away from the barn. I took some early pictures and once the Fire Departments started arriving I stepped back away from the fire and away from any one's path to the fire. That's when Wayne came around the corner and started towards the fire. He then stopped, went well out of his way, turned around and demanded, (while yelling and axe in hand) you better not take any damn pictures of me Albero. I immediate replied, you better get out of my face Wayne. He continued to demand I not take any pictures and I told him to shut up and get out of my face. I'm sure the rest of the Firefighters on the scene were shocked that someone would stand up to a man yelling at me with an axe in his hand but everyone stayed away from what was going on as they, (professionals) had a job to do and they got it done.
Wayne finally turned around and went to the Chief and demanded I be removed from the scene. The Chief told me to leave and I said, I'm NOT in any one's way. He then said, look Joe, I don't want to have problems with you, can you just not take any pictures of Wayne. I replied, he takes pictures of me, he's at a fire scene, with all due respect I'll take any pictures I want of Wayne or anyone else for that matter. He again, (very politely this time) asked if I'd work with him so they could get their job done and I agreed to move away from where I was standing.
Mind you Folks, where I was standing I was in no ones way. When they asked me to move to another spot, I was then right in the middle of everything. That's when I chose to simply leave. The fire was very small and with the crews they had there, I knew nothing was going to spread and further.
For those of you wondering what the first picture is all about. Another friend of mine happened to be at the Sheriff's Department and saw Wayne Barrall pull in and go inside yesterday. I then received a phone call after the fire scene from the Sheriff's Department stating they had just had a visit from Wayne Barrell asking if they could talk to me about calling the Fire Chief and so forth. I listened to what they had to say and when it was my turn I then explained just how Wayne had treated me, (with axe in hand) at the fire scene, soon after his meeting at the Sheriff's Department.
You see Folks, Wayne Barrall is nothing short of a bully. However, just like any other bully, if you stand your ground, two things will happen. One, they'll become physical or two they'll back down. As an adult, it would be extremely stupid for any one of these bully's to get physical as they will certainly find themselves behind a jail cell, and for what? To prove you're the tougher guy!
I have had enough experience with Wayne Barrall to know the man needs anger management help. The man may also need to get slapped with a lawsuit and feel the pain for his actions. He may even need to be charged criminally with his threats, something I am seriously considering since he continues to prove he's a loose cannon.
Some have said there are two sides to every story. Well, you have mine. I never once said a single word to Wayne yesterday to bring him towards me or to boil. I was standing well out of every one's way when Wayne went out of his way to start his threats. I provoked nothing. The Delmar Fire Department needs to truly reassess their situation with Wayne Barrell. The fact that the man takes pictures of everyone else for a living and then tries to demand other people cannot take Wayne's photo is beyond me. To be quite honest with you, I had no real interest in taking Wayne's picture anyway. I mean, does this guy think he's a celebrity that everyone wants to see in print? I think not.
Removing snow off the roof of the Delmar Fire Department.
St. Patricks Day Parade Cancelled
The Ocean City St. Patrick's Day Parade has been cancelled. www.oceancitymd.gov
Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight
Better news in less time.
By the way, did I mention the Fernando Guerrero Showtime Free Ticket Giveaway?
You better be watching right at 6:00 PM because the first one to answer this question correctly wins 2 Free Tickets to the upcoming fight. Remember Folks, you must give your FULL NAME as shown on your Driver's License in order to win. I'm excited about this one, how about you?
All answers will go up tonight and we'll announce the winner some time later this evening. You cannot win twice, please remember that.
Fire Truck Accident Sends 3 To Hospitals
A serious accident involving a D.C. fire truck sent three people to the hospital Friday morning. It happened around 7:30 a.m. near 14th Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest.
A fire truck was reportedly heading west on Constitution Avenue to a report of a fire when there was a collision involving two other cars.
Two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. A third was transported in serious condition.
GO HERE to read more.
A fire truck was reportedly heading west on Constitution Avenue to a report of a fire when there was a collision involving two other cars.
Two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. A third was transported in serious condition.
GO HERE to read more.
New Images Of Counterfeit Suspects
If anyone has any information regarding the above suspects they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Book Em Chief!
If this part of today's DT editorial is true, Barrie & Ireton have infringed on the Council's turf (not to mention the total irresponsibility and secrecy).
The Library Board was told by former Mayor Barrie Tilghman that it could purchase any available downtown lot it wanted; a proposal could be written to meet the needs of the library. And before he was sworn in as mayor, Jim Ireton reiterated that offer.
In May, Mayor Ireton was told that Lot 10 -- the site of the Saturday morning flea markets, was the board's first choice. A presentation was made to the City Council in June 2009. In August, council approval was secured in a work session with a 3-2 consensus. But in January, the mayor told the board Lot 10 was not available. Ireton said the library could acquire any other downtown lot it wanted.
The Library Board was told by former Mayor Barrie Tilghman that it could purchase any available downtown lot it wanted; a proposal could be written to meet the needs of the library. And before he was sworn in as mayor, Jim Ireton reiterated that offer.
In May, Mayor Ireton was told that Lot 10 -- the site of the Saturday morning flea markets, was the board's first choice. A presentation was made to the City Council in June 2009. In August, council approval was secured in a work session with a 3-2 consensus. But in January, the mayor told the board Lot 10 was not available. Ireton said the library could acquire any other downtown lot it wanted.
No Allies — But Plenty of Enemies
by Victor Davis Hanson
Tribune Media Services
Almost 30 years after losing a war over the Falkland Islands, Argentina is once again warning Britain that it still wants back what it calls the Malvinas.
Argentina is now angry over a British company's oil exploration off the windswept islands in what it considers its own South Atlantic backyard.
Although nominally democratic, the unpopular Kirchner government in Buenos Aires has claimed that the sparsely settled islands are a symbolic matter of Spanish-speaking pride throughout Latin America — and is theirs because the islands once belonged to Spain in the 19th century.
In response to all this, the Obama administration announced that it would remain neutral. Aside from the fact that the Falkland Islanders wish to remain British, and our prior support for the Thatcher British government during the 1982 war, there are lots of reasons why our neutrality here is a bad idea.
Britain is a longstanding NATO member. It has bled side-by-side America in two world wars, Korea and two conflicts in Iraq, as well as presently in Afghanistan. And the United Kingdom still shares close linguistic, cultural and historical affinities with the United States.
We do not support all the British do; nor do they always support us. But our centuries-old friendship should earn Britain special support in its disputes, even in the relatively unimportant Falklands mess. If Britain is not considered an ally, then America no longer has real allies.
And perhaps that is the point, after all. The Obama administration does not wish to see the world so divided between allies and the rest.
The president rather abruptly cancelled missile defense with the allied Czech Republic and Poland in order to woo the antagonistic Russians.
Dictatorial Syria and the anti-Western Palestinians gain as much American outreach as does pro-American and democratic Israel.
Obama seems more eager to mollify Venezuela's Hugo Chavez than to strengthen our alliance with a democratic and pro-American Uribe government in neighboring Colombia.
The list goes on. Meanwhile, Obama has symbolically tried to downsize the profile of the U.S. by downplaying the idea of an "exceptional" America, bowing to foreign leaders, and apologizing for supposed past American sins.
All that raises the question of what exactly are advantages these days of being a friend of the U.S., when neutrals and enemies garner as much of our sympathies?
We have seen such naive attitudes before in the West.
After the horrific carnage of the First World War, utopians wrongly swore that rival European alliances had alone caused the war, and so created the League of Nations. Enlightened world citizens would do better legislating peace than prior nationalist politicians who crudely had once sought security through balancing power and forging alliances. Hitler and the far more lethal Second World War followed instead.
After 1945, a much wiser United States talked grandly about the new United Nations, but, in reality, its own alliances kept much of Europe and Asia free from an aggressive Soviet Union.
Today there are many Falkland-like hot spots throughout the world. Yet the United States, not the International Court at The Hague, keeps North Korea from attacking our ally South Korea. The power of America, not the international community, persuades China not to squeeze our friend Taiwan. Europe is safe because of an American-led NATO — not due to any concern from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
In other words, America and its alliances keep friends safe. And the world is more peaceful and prosperous than at any time in history because dozens of nations count on our support and share our values.
So until human nature changes, there are always going to be some nations that are more aggressive than others, seeking to take what they can by force. Groups of like-minded others will resist them both for principle and their own self-protection. And the majority of "neutral" countries will keep quiet, waiting to see who proves the stronger — and then opportunistically joining the eventual winner.
An idealistic America may now decide that it does not want or need special allies like Britain. But that diffidence will eventually mean we have more enemies than ever — as the watching world makes the necessary adjustments and joins those who unabashedly promise them support and protection.
Tribune Media Services
Almost 30 years after losing a war over the Falkland Islands, Argentina is once again warning Britain that it still wants back what it calls the Malvinas.
Argentina is now angry over a British company's oil exploration off the windswept islands in what it considers its own South Atlantic backyard.
Although nominally democratic, the unpopular Kirchner government in Buenos Aires has claimed that the sparsely settled islands are a symbolic matter of Spanish-speaking pride throughout Latin America — and is theirs because the islands once belonged to Spain in the 19th century.
In response to all this, the Obama administration announced that it would remain neutral. Aside from the fact that the Falkland Islanders wish to remain British, and our prior support for the Thatcher British government during the 1982 war, there are lots of reasons why our neutrality here is a bad idea.
Britain is a longstanding NATO member. It has bled side-by-side America in two world wars, Korea and two conflicts in Iraq, as well as presently in Afghanistan. And the United Kingdom still shares close linguistic, cultural and historical affinities with the United States.
We do not support all the British do; nor do they always support us. But our centuries-old friendship should earn Britain special support in its disputes, even in the relatively unimportant Falklands mess. If Britain is not considered an ally, then America no longer has real allies.
And perhaps that is the point, after all. The Obama administration does not wish to see the world so divided between allies and the rest.
The president rather abruptly cancelled missile defense with the allied Czech Republic and Poland in order to woo the antagonistic Russians.
Dictatorial Syria and the anti-Western Palestinians gain as much American outreach as does pro-American and democratic Israel.
Obama seems more eager to mollify Venezuela's Hugo Chavez than to strengthen our alliance with a democratic and pro-American Uribe government in neighboring Colombia.
The list goes on. Meanwhile, Obama has symbolically tried to downsize the profile of the U.S. by downplaying the idea of an "exceptional" America, bowing to foreign leaders, and apologizing for supposed past American sins.
All that raises the question of what exactly are advantages these days of being a friend of the U.S., when neutrals and enemies garner as much of our sympathies?
We have seen such naive attitudes before in the West.
After the horrific carnage of the First World War, utopians wrongly swore that rival European alliances had alone caused the war, and so created the League of Nations. Enlightened world citizens would do better legislating peace than prior nationalist politicians who crudely had once sought security through balancing power and forging alliances. Hitler and the far more lethal Second World War followed instead.
After 1945, a much wiser United States talked grandly about the new United Nations, but, in reality, its own alliances kept much of Europe and Asia free from an aggressive Soviet Union.
Today there are many Falkland-like hot spots throughout the world. Yet the United States, not the International Court at The Hague, keeps North Korea from attacking our ally South Korea. The power of America, not the international community, persuades China not to squeeze our friend Taiwan. Europe is safe because of an American-led NATO — not due to any concern from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
In other words, America and its alliances keep friends safe. And the world is more peaceful and prosperous than at any time in history because dozens of nations count on our support and share our values.
So until human nature changes, there are always going to be some nations that are more aggressive than others, seeking to take what they can by force. Groups of like-minded others will resist them both for principle and their own self-protection. And the majority of "neutral" countries will keep quiet, waiting to see who proves the stronger — and then opportunistically joining the eventual winner.
An idealistic America may now decide that it does not want or need special allies like Britain. But that diffidence will eventually mean we have more enemies than ever — as the watching world makes the necessary adjustments and joins those who unabashedly promise them support and protection.
House GOP Bans Earmarks For Members ( For Now..)
In a move to break with Republicans' big-spending past, House Republicans voted Thursday to ban their members this year from requesting earmarks, or pork-barrel spending projects.
House Republicans, who passed the moratorium by voice vote in a closed-door meeting, said they have now put pressure on the rest of Congress -- Republicans in the Senate, and Democrats in both chambers -- to follow their lead.
"Today, House Republicans took an important step toward showing the American people were serious about reform by adopting an immediate, unilateral ban on all earmarks," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "But the more difficult battle lies ahead, and thats stopping the spending spree in Washington that is saddling our children and grandchildren with trillions of dollars in debt."
The House GOP's ban applies to earmarks in spending, tax and authorization bills. It lasts for the rest of this year.
Rep. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, who has for years conducted a lonely fight against earmarks, said Republican leaders will enforce the ban by refusing to forward any earmark requests from their members to the committees that write the bills.
More from the Washington Times
House Republicans, who passed the moratorium by voice vote in a closed-door meeting, said they have now put pressure on the rest of Congress -- Republicans in the Senate, and Democrats in both chambers -- to follow their lead.
"Today, House Republicans took an important step toward showing the American people were serious about reform by adopting an immediate, unilateral ban on all earmarks," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "But the more difficult battle lies ahead, and thats stopping the spending spree in Washington that is saddling our children and grandchildren with trillions of dollars in debt."
The House GOP's ban applies to earmarks in spending, tax and authorization bills. It lasts for the rest of this year.
Rep. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, who has for years conducted a lonely fight against earmarks, said Republican leaders will enforce the ban by refusing to forward any earmark requests from their members to the committees that write the bills.
More from the Washington Times
Mom And Peppie Update
Mr. A.,
I wanted to give you an up date on my Mom. She went to the Doctor today and she has to wait 2 weeks before she can have the skin graft. Something about her skin isn't right for it. Mom is walking around pretty good. Her heart on the hand is breaking. She got a call yesterday that someone had seen Peppie on John Hastings Road by the trailer park. My brother and her went over there, but they were unable to find him. Mom and I tried today with no luck. She is blaming herself for not being able to go after him. So once more I am asking if anyone comes across him please call my cell 443-359-2599.
Thank you,
Millie
I wanted to give you an up date on my Mom. She went to the Doctor today and she has to wait 2 weeks before she can have the skin graft. Something about her skin isn't right for it. Mom is walking around pretty good. Her heart on the hand is breaking. She got a call yesterday that someone had seen Peppie on John Hastings Road by the trailer park. My brother and her went over there, but they were unable to find him. Mom and I tried today with no luck. She is blaming herself for not being able to go after him. So once more I am asking if anyone comes across him please call my cell 443-359-2599.
Thank you,
Millie
Obama Justice Department Shut Down Federal ACORN Investigation
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced Thursday that it has obtained documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) detailing federal investigations into the alleged corrupt activities of Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). The documents reference serious allegations of corruption and voter registration fraud by ACORN as well as the Obama administration’s decision to shut down a criminal investigation without filing criminal charges.
The documents include background information on two specific complaints filed in October 2008 by Lucy Corelli and Joseph Borges, Republican Registrars of Voters in Stamford and Bridgeport, Connecticut, respectively, during the 2008 election season.
According to Corelli, on August 1, 2008, her office received 1,200 ACORN voter registration cards from the Secretary of State’s office. Over 300 of these cards were rejected because of “duplicates, underage, illegible and invalid addresses,” which “put a tremendous strain on our office staff and caused endless work hours at taxpayers’ expense.” Corelli claimed the total cost of the extra work caused by ACORN corruption was $20,000. Likewise, Borges contended that: “The organization ACORN during the summer of 2008 conducted a registration drive which has produced over 100 rejections due to incomplete forms and individuals who are not citizens…”
Among the examples cited by Borges was a seven-year old child who was registered to vote by ACORN through the use of a forged signature and a fake birth certificate claiming she was 27-years old.
The FBI and Department of Justice opened an investigation. However, the Obama Justice Department, while noting that ACORN had engaged in “questionable hiring and training practices,” closed down the investigation in March 2009, claiming ACORN broke no laws.
By contrast, the documents also include records related to a federal investigation of ACORN corruption in St. Louis, Missouri, involving 1,492 allegedly fraudulent voter registration cards submitted by Project Vote, a liberal non-profit organization affiliated with ACORN on voter registration drives, during the 2006 election season. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith initiated the investigation with “concurrence” from the Department of Justice and the participation of the FBI. According to a Justice Department memo, Goldsmith “advised he would prosecute any individual responsible for submitting fraudulent voter registration cards.”
Goldsmith identified the statute for prosecution: Title 42, USC 1973 (gg), which provides for criminal penalties for fraudulent voter registrations. In April 2008, eight former ACORN employees from the St. Louis office pled guilty to voter registration fraud.
More here
The documents include background information on two specific complaints filed in October 2008 by Lucy Corelli and Joseph Borges, Republican Registrars of Voters in Stamford and Bridgeport, Connecticut, respectively, during the 2008 election season.
According to Corelli, on August 1, 2008, her office received 1,200 ACORN voter registration cards from the Secretary of State’s office. Over 300 of these cards were rejected because of “duplicates, underage, illegible and invalid addresses,” which “put a tremendous strain on our office staff and caused endless work hours at taxpayers’ expense.” Corelli claimed the total cost of the extra work caused by ACORN corruption was $20,000. Likewise, Borges contended that: “The organization ACORN during the summer of 2008 conducted a registration drive which has produced over 100 rejections due to incomplete forms and individuals who are not citizens…”
Among the examples cited by Borges was a seven-year old child who was registered to vote by ACORN through the use of a forged signature and a fake birth certificate claiming she was 27-years old.
The FBI and Department of Justice opened an investigation. However, the Obama Justice Department, while noting that ACORN had engaged in “questionable hiring and training practices,” closed down the investigation in March 2009, claiming ACORN broke no laws.
By contrast, the documents also include records related to a federal investigation of ACORN corruption in St. Louis, Missouri, involving 1,492 allegedly fraudulent voter registration cards submitted by Project Vote, a liberal non-profit organization affiliated with ACORN on voter registration drives, during the 2006 election season. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith initiated the investigation with “concurrence” from the Department of Justice and the participation of the FBI. According to a Justice Department memo, Goldsmith “advised he would prosecute any individual responsible for submitting fraudulent voter registration cards.”
Goldsmith identified the statute for prosecution: Title 42, USC 1973 (gg), which provides for criminal penalties for fraudulent voter registrations. In April 2008, eight former ACORN employees from the St. Louis office pled guilty to voter registration fraud.
More here
Don't Look Now! Amnesty Is Back
Supporters of comprehensive immigration reform are demanding immediate legislative action from the Obama administration with a planned mass demonstration in Washington scheduled for March 21, billed as "March for America: Change Takes Courage."
Meanwhile, Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, RINO-S.C., have been meeting with the White House to reintroduce immigration legislation. The bipartisan effort is reminiscent of twice-failed attempts by Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., during the administration of President George W. Bush.
Yet, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, does not expect any comprehensive immigration reform legislation to be pushed by the Obama administration in Congress this year.
In a controversial move that recalls the effort to create a Real ID national identity card and the current E-Verify system, Schumer and Graham have announced their intention to create a biometric national ID card that workers would need to present to employers to demonstrate their legal status to work.
Krikorian considers this a ruse. "The point of Schumer and Graham's new verification scheme is to kill the existing E-verify so illegal immigrants can get work right now," he said. "It's a tactical measure that has nothing to do with actually preventing illegal immigrants from getting jobs."
"The Obama administration has been saying for six months that comprehensive immigration reform legislation will be introduced in the Senate any time now, and there is still no bill forthcoming from the White House," Krikorian said.On Monday, the White House canceled a meeting initially announced with Schumer and Graham to discuss comprehensive immigration reform, allegedly because of scheduling difficulties.
HR 4321, known as the Gutierrez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill after immigration reform advocate Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, D–Ill., currently has 94 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
More
Meanwhile, Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, RINO-S.C., have been meeting with the White House to reintroduce immigration legislation. The bipartisan effort is reminiscent of twice-failed attempts by Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., during the administration of President George W. Bush.
Yet, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, does not expect any comprehensive immigration reform legislation to be pushed by the Obama administration in Congress this year.
In a controversial move that recalls the effort to create a Real ID national identity card and the current E-Verify system, Schumer and Graham have announced their intention to create a biometric national ID card that workers would need to present to employers to demonstrate their legal status to work.
Krikorian considers this a ruse. "The point of Schumer and Graham's new verification scheme is to kill the existing E-verify so illegal immigrants can get work right now," he said. "It's a tactical measure that has nothing to do with actually preventing illegal immigrants from getting jobs."
"The Obama administration has been saying for six months that comprehensive immigration reform legislation will be introduced in the Senate any time now, and there is still no bill forthcoming from the White House," Krikorian said.On Monday, the White House canceled a meeting initially announced with Schumer and Graham to discuss comprehensive immigration reform, allegedly because of scheduling difficulties.
HR 4321, known as the Gutierrez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill after immigration reform advocate Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, D–Ill., currently has 94 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
More
The Obama Moratorium: No Offshore Drilling While He’s In Office
The Obama administration’s six-month delay in approving new offshore drilling leases in federal waters will become a new three-year ban, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar quietly told reporters last Friday. Which means that no new oil and gas leases will be approved during President Obama’s term even though two –thirds of the American public supports such activity, according to a December 2009 Rasmussen poll.
Sixty percent also believe that gas and oil prices will drop if the government allows offshore drilling, opening up an estimate 14 billion barrels of oil and 55 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
On July 14, 2008 President George W. Bush lifted an executive ban on Outer Continental Shelf leasing. On October 1, 2008, in a bipartisan agreement, Congress lifted another longstanding ban on new oil and gas leasing in the OCS.
Drilling was supposed to begin this July. But Salazar said he intends to discard the 2010-2015 lease plan developed by the Bush administration in favor of a new plan that won’t even go into effect until 2012.
“Secretary Salazar has finally confirmed what had long been feared – that the Obama Administration has no intention of opening up new areas for offshore drilling during his four-years in office,” said Rep. Doc Hastings, the ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee.
So for the next three years and probably more, trillions of dollars in domestic energy assets will remain untouched while billions of dollars more are spent on foreign oil.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/The-Obama-Moratorium-No-offshore-drilling-while-hes-in-office-87246077.html#ixzz0hvPYWJOJ
Sixty percent also believe that gas and oil prices will drop if the government allows offshore drilling, opening up an estimate 14 billion barrels of oil and 55 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
On July 14, 2008 President George W. Bush lifted an executive ban on Outer Continental Shelf leasing. On October 1, 2008, in a bipartisan agreement, Congress lifted another longstanding ban on new oil and gas leasing in the OCS.
Drilling was supposed to begin this July. But Salazar said he intends to discard the 2010-2015 lease plan developed by the Bush administration in favor of a new plan that won’t even go into effect until 2012.
“Secretary Salazar has finally confirmed what had long been feared – that the Obama Administration has no intention of opening up new areas for offshore drilling during his four-years in office,” said Rep. Doc Hastings, the ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee.
So for the next three years and probably more, trillions of dollars in domestic energy assets will remain untouched while billions of dollars more are spent on foreign oil.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/The-Obama-Moratorium-No-offshore-drilling-while-hes-in-office-87246077.html#ixzz0hvPYWJOJ
Activist NYC Judge Says Govt Must Stop Blocking Money To ACORN
A federal judge who found it unconstitutional that Congress tried to cut funding to the activist group ACORN has rejected a government request to change her mind and has ordered government agencies to make it clear the funding isn't blocked.
In a written ruling Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon made permanent her conclusion last year that the cutoff of funding was unconstitutional. She ordered all federal agencies to put the word out about it.
The Brooklyn judge said ACORN was punished by Congress without the enactment of administrative processes to decide if money had been handled inappropriately. She said the harm to ACORN's reputation continues because the government never rescinded its advice to withhold funding after it was distributed to "hundreds, if not thousands, of recipients."
ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, describes itself as an advocate for low-income and minority home buyers and residents.
Critics of the group say it has engaged in voter registration fraud and embezzlement and has violated the tax-exempt status of some of its affiliates by engaging in partisan political activities.
More here
In a written ruling Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon made permanent her conclusion last year that the cutoff of funding was unconstitutional. She ordered all federal agencies to put the word out about it.
The Brooklyn judge said ACORN was punished by Congress without the enactment of administrative processes to decide if money had been handled inappropriately. She said the harm to ACORN's reputation continues because the government never rescinded its advice to withhold funding after it was distributed to "hundreds, if not thousands, of recipients."
ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, describes itself as an advocate for low-income and minority home buyers and residents.
Critics of the group say it has engaged in voter registration fraud and embezzlement and has violated the tax-exempt status of some of its affiliates by engaging in partisan political activities.
More here
O'MALLEY TO ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF MARYLAND EXPORT INITIATIVE
ANNAPOLIS, MD – In an effort to help Maryland’s small businesses increase their exports, create jobs and take advantage of trade opportunities in the global marketplace, Governor Martin O’Malley today will announce the launch of the Maryland Export Initiative. Created to complement the National Export Initiative, which President Barack Obama recently announced to increase the nation’s exports and create two million jobs over the next five years, Maryland’s export initiative will focus on increasing export assistance to small businesses, creating jobs and leveraging the resources of existing federal and nonprofit partners. The Governor will officially unveil the initiative tonight at the 14th Annual World Trade Center Institute International Awards at the American Visionary Art Museum, where he will also present the Governor’s International Leadership Award.
“While international trade supports well over 600,000 jobs in Maryland, only 3 percent of our businesses are actively exporting and taking advantage of the tremendous opportunities that exist in overseas markets,” said Governor O’Malley. “This initiative will give Maryland’s small businesses the resources and support they need to explore new avenues for growth, market their products and services globally and ultimately create new jobs.”
As part of the Maryland Export Initiative, Maryland will fully fund in FY 2011 Export MD grants, a program within the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) that awards $5,000 grants to small and mid-sized companies to assist them with doing business overseas. The program, which awarded a record number of 40 grants in FY 2009, was temporarily suspended this fiscal year due to the State’s budget challenges. As of April 1, DBED will again be accepting applications for the program and information is available at www.choosemaryland.org
In addition, through the Export Initiative, the State will work with its federal partners, including the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, on a new campaign to educate Maryland companies on how to access foreign markets and develop export markets for their products. In 2009, Maryland exported $9.2 billion in goods and services, which was down from $11.3 billion in 2008. To assist in growing Maryland’s exports, Baltimore’s USEAC Director Bill Burwell will join the Governor’s International Advisory Council as an ex-officio member to coordinate the Export Initiative.
“The U.S. Commercial Service is proud to partner with the State of Maryland on this important initiative,” said Burwell. “The Maryland Export Initiative will provide Maryland businesses with the support they need to compete in the global marketplace and we look forward to working with the State to grow this economic driver.”
Over the past year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has taken significant steps to ramp up the State’s international outreach, including opening a number of number of foreign offices in targeted countries, convening the Governor’s International Advisory Council to provide strategic direction and develop a plan to enhance Maryland’s global profile and creating the State’s first International Incubator at the University of Maryland, College Park to assist foreign-owned companies launch their U.S. operations.
The efforts have produced significant results. Since July 1, 2009, Maryland has attracted 20 foreign-owned companies from a number of countries, including China, Brazil, Korea, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This is twice the number of foreign companies the State attracted the previous fiscal year, and quadruple the number in FY 2008. More than half of the foreign-owned companies have located in the Maryland International Incubator.
To attract foreign-owned companies, the State has opened nine foreign offices since August 2008 on a contingency basis, with any future funding from the State based solely on the individual foreign office representatives’ ability to attract companies and jobs to Maryland. The offices are located in target counties of Japan, Canada, South Korea, Colombia, Sweden, Taiwan, India, Vietnam and the Western Balkans (Montenegro). The State also has three paid foreign offices in China (Shanghai), Europe (Paris) and Israel.
Maryland is well-positioned for growth in the global market, with more than 300 foreign-owned companies from 30 countries currently calling Maryland home. Roughly 105,000 Marylanders, or 3.5 percent of the workforce, are employed by foreign-owned firms, with companies headquartered in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany as the top three foreign employers in Maryland.
Through its main office in Baltimore and 12 offices around the globe, Maryland’s Office of International Investment and Trade works to stimulate foreign direct investment in Maryland, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Maryland companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Maryland companies. For more information on Maryland’s international efforts, visit www.choosemaryland.org
“While international trade supports well over 600,000 jobs in Maryland, only 3 percent of our businesses are actively exporting and taking advantage of the tremendous opportunities that exist in overseas markets,” said Governor O’Malley. “This initiative will give Maryland’s small businesses the resources and support they need to explore new avenues for growth, market their products and services globally and ultimately create new jobs.”
As part of the Maryland Export Initiative, Maryland will fully fund in FY 2011 Export MD grants, a program within the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) that awards $5,000 grants to small and mid-sized companies to assist them with doing business overseas. The program, which awarded a record number of 40 grants in FY 2009, was temporarily suspended this fiscal year due to the State’s budget challenges. As of April 1, DBED will again be accepting applications for the program and information is available at www.choosemaryland.org
In addition, through the Export Initiative, the State will work with its federal partners, including the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, on a new campaign to educate Maryland companies on how to access foreign markets and develop export markets for their products. In 2009, Maryland exported $9.2 billion in goods and services, which was down from $11.3 billion in 2008. To assist in growing Maryland’s exports, Baltimore’s USEAC Director Bill Burwell will join the Governor’s International Advisory Council as an ex-officio member to coordinate the Export Initiative.
“The U.S. Commercial Service is proud to partner with the State of Maryland on this important initiative,” said Burwell. “The Maryland Export Initiative will provide Maryland businesses with the support they need to compete in the global marketplace and we look forward to working with the State to grow this economic driver.”
Over the past year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has taken significant steps to ramp up the State’s international outreach, including opening a number of number of foreign offices in targeted countries, convening the Governor’s International Advisory Council to provide strategic direction and develop a plan to enhance Maryland’s global profile and creating the State’s first International Incubator at the University of Maryland, College Park to assist foreign-owned companies launch their U.S. operations.
The efforts have produced significant results. Since July 1, 2009, Maryland has attracted 20 foreign-owned companies from a number of countries, including China, Brazil, Korea, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This is twice the number of foreign companies the State attracted the previous fiscal year, and quadruple the number in FY 2008. More than half of the foreign-owned companies have located in the Maryland International Incubator.
To attract foreign-owned companies, the State has opened nine foreign offices since August 2008 on a contingency basis, with any future funding from the State based solely on the individual foreign office representatives’ ability to attract companies and jobs to Maryland. The offices are located in target counties of Japan, Canada, South Korea, Colombia, Sweden, Taiwan, India, Vietnam and the Western Balkans (Montenegro). The State also has three paid foreign offices in China (Shanghai), Europe (Paris) and Israel.
Maryland is well-positioned for growth in the global market, with more than 300 foreign-owned companies from 30 countries currently calling Maryland home. Roughly 105,000 Marylanders, or 3.5 percent of the workforce, are employed by foreign-owned firms, with companies headquartered in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany as the top three foreign employers in Maryland.
Through its main office in Baltimore and 12 offices around the globe, Maryland’s Office of International Investment and Trade works to stimulate foreign direct investment in Maryland, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Maryland companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Maryland companies. For more information on Maryland’s international efforts, visit www.choosemaryland.org
THE WEDDING TEST
I was a very happy man. My wonderful girlfriend
and I had been dating for over a year, and so we
decided to get married. There was only one
little thing bothering me.It was her beautiful
younger sister.
My prospective sister-in-law was twenty-two, wore very
tight miniskirts, and generally was bra-less. She
would regularly bend down when she was near
me, and I always got more than a nice view. It had to
be deliberate. Because she never did it when she was
near anyone else.
One day her 'little' sister called and asked me to
come over to check the wedding invitations. She was
alone when I arrived, and she whispered to me that she
had feelings and desires for me that she couldn't
overcome. She told me that she wanted me just once
before I got married and committed my life to her sister.
Well , I was in total shock, and couldn't say a word.
She said, 'I'm going upstairs to my bedroom, and if
you want one last wild fling, just come up and get me.'
I was stunned and frozen in shock as I watched her go
up the stairs. I stood there for a moment, then turned
and made a beeline straight to the front door. I
opened the door, and headed straight towards my car.
Lo and behold, my entire future family was standing
outside, all clapping!
With tears in his eyes, my father-in-law hugged me and
said, 'We are very happy that you have passed our
little test. We couldn't ask for a better
man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.'
And the moral of this story is:
Always keep your condoms in your car.
and I had been dating for over a year, and so we
decided to get married. There was only one
little thing bothering me.It was her beautiful
younger sister.
My prospective sister-in-law was twenty-two, wore very
tight miniskirts, and generally was bra-less. She
would regularly bend down when she was near
me, and I always got more than a nice view. It had to
be deliberate. Because she never did it when she was
near anyone else.
One day her 'little' sister called and asked me to
come over to check the wedding invitations. She was
alone when I arrived, and she whispered to me that she
had feelings and desires for me that she couldn't
overcome. She told me that she wanted me just once
before I got married and committed my life to her sister.
Well , I was in total shock, and couldn't say a word.
She said, 'I'm going upstairs to my bedroom, and if
you want one last wild fling, just come up and get me.'
I was stunned and frozen in shock as I watched her go
up the stairs. I stood there for a moment, then turned
and made a beeline straight to the front door. I
opened the door, and headed straight towards my car.
Lo and behold, my entire future family was standing
outside, all clapping!
With tears in his eyes, my father-in-law hugged me and
said, 'We are very happy that you have passed our
little test. We couldn't ask for a better
man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.'
And the moral of this story is:
Always keep your condoms in your car.
O’MALLEY PRESENTS 2011 FEDERAL PRIORITIES TO MARYLAND’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
WASHINGTON, DC – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by members of the Executive Cabinet, travelled to Capitol Hill to formally present Maryland’s FY2011 federal priorities to the State’s Congressional delegation. Hosted by Senator Barbara Mikulski, who arranged the meeting, the members were presented with priorities including public health and safety projects, assistance for Maryland farmers, and investment in highway and infrastructure projects. In addition, Governor O’Malley urged support for allocating ten percent of the $30 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) fund to state small business loan guaranty programs throughout the country.
“One year after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we are here today in a unique position to capitalize on the progress we’ve made with the support of our federal partners in our Congressional Delegation,” said Governor O’Malley. “As the American economy is recovering from a global recession, the federal government plays an important role investing in important infrastructure projects, safety and health programs, and expanding access to credit for small businesses.”
“Team Maryland’s number one priority is fighting for jobs today and jobs tomorrow in our state,” Senator Mikulski said. “That means creating jobs, saving jobs and creating expanded opportunities. Team Maryland fought for jobs when it passed the economic recovery bill. We fight for jobs every time we fight for federal facilities, fight for BRAC and fight to make Maryland the Global Center of Excellence for Cyber Security. We are pleased to have the Governor with us today to tell us how we can help meet the day to day needs of Marylanders. We stand ready to help him meet our state’s greatest needs.”
The Governor highlighted specific projects for federal investment, including:
Job Creation/Credit for Small Business:
Following on a letter Governor O’Malley spearheaded to President Obama and signed by 27 other Governors, Governor O’Malley urged members of Maryland’s Congressional delegation to support efforts to allocate up to ten percent of the $30 billion TARP fund to help stabilize state loan guaranty programs, which 34 states maintain to assist local small businesses gain access to the credit they need. It is estimated that for every dollar in additional loan guaranty investment, six dollars or more in private lending can be unlocked by expanding guarantees and minimizing the lending risk.
Emergency Preparedness
Governor O’Malley outlined a number of important initiatives related to the public health and emergency preparedness, including $2.5 million for a regional emergency response initiative in the National Capital Region. The partnership between Prince George’s Hospital Center, Malcolm Grow Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base, and the University of Maryland Medical System will fill a gap in the region’s ability to respond to a large-scale emergency by ensuring adequate resources, communications capacities, and IT infrastructure.
Public Safety
The Governor also highlighted the need for investment in the state’s efforts to develop a completely interoperable communications network for local and state first responders and law enforcement agencies. The State is requesting federal investment to begin the phased built-out of the interoperable communications system.
In addition, Governor O’Malley requested funding to complete the installation of license plate readers at all of the Baltimore area’s critical bridge and tunnel highway infrastructure. The license plate recognition technology assists law enforcement in recovering stolen or suspect vehicles by instantly scanning traveling vehicles at a rapid rate to identify vehicles law enforcement may be searching for.
Water and Wastewater
Governor O’Malley outlined two waste water treatment plant projects for federal investment, including funding for a portion of the costs to upgrade the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide Enhanced Nutrient Removal and control combined sewer overflows to reduce the nitrogen loading into the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant would go towards construction of Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal technologies at the plant.
Infrastructure
The Governor also highlighted funding for specific BRAC-related improvements in Harford, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. The Governor also requested federal funding for bus and bus facilities projects to enhance transit services for commuters throughout Maryland; and a second installment of the $1.5 billion recently authorized for WMATA in the Rail Safety bill.
A complete list of projects the Governor submitted to the Delegation is available here.
“One year after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we are here today in a unique position to capitalize on the progress we’ve made with the support of our federal partners in our Congressional Delegation,” said Governor O’Malley. “As the American economy is recovering from a global recession, the federal government plays an important role investing in important infrastructure projects, safety and health programs, and expanding access to credit for small businesses.”
“Team Maryland’s number one priority is fighting for jobs today and jobs tomorrow in our state,” Senator Mikulski said. “That means creating jobs, saving jobs and creating expanded opportunities. Team Maryland fought for jobs when it passed the economic recovery bill. We fight for jobs every time we fight for federal facilities, fight for BRAC and fight to make Maryland the Global Center of Excellence for Cyber Security. We are pleased to have the Governor with us today to tell us how we can help meet the day to day needs of Marylanders. We stand ready to help him meet our state’s greatest needs.”
The Governor highlighted specific projects for federal investment, including:
Job Creation/Credit for Small Business:
Following on a letter Governor O’Malley spearheaded to President Obama and signed by 27 other Governors, Governor O’Malley urged members of Maryland’s Congressional delegation to support efforts to allocate up to ten percent of the $30 billion TARP fund to help stabilize state loan guaranty programs, which 34 states maintain to assist local small businesses gain access to the credit they need. It is estimated that for every dollar in additional loan guaranty investment, six dollars or more in private lending can be unlocked by expanding guarantees and minimizing the lending risk.
Emergency Preparedness
Governor O’Malley outlined a number of important initiatives related to the public health and emergency preparedness, including $2.5 million for a regional emergency response initiative in the National Capital Region. The partnership between Prince George’s Hospital Center, Malcolm Grow Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base, and the University of Maryland Medical System will fill a gap in the region’s ability to respond to a large-scale emergency by ensuring adequate resources, communications capacities, and IT infrastructure.
Public Safety
The Governor also highlighted the need for investment in the state’s efforts to develop a completely interoperable communications network for local and state first responders and law enforcement agencies. The State is requesting federal investment to begin the phased built-out of the interoperable communications system.
In addition, Governor O’Malley requested funding to complete the installation of license plate readers at all of the Baltimore area’s critical bridge and tunnel highway infrastructure. The license plate recognition technology assists law enforcement in recovering stolen or suspect vehicles by instantly scanning traveling vehicles at a rapid rate to identify vehicles law enforcement may be searching for.
Water and Wastewater
Governor O’Malley outlined two waste water treatment plant projects for federal investment, including funding for a portion of the costs to upgrade the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide Enhanced Nutrient Removal and control combined sewer overflows to reduce the nitrogen loading into the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant would go towards construction of Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal technologies at the plant.
Infrastructure
The Governor also highlighted funding for specific BRAC-related improvements in Harford, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. The Governor also requested federal funding for bus and bus facilities projects to enhance transit services for commuters throughout Maryland; and a second installment of the $1.5 billion recently authorized for WMATA in the Rail Safety bill.
A complete list of projects the Governor submitted to the Delegation is available here.
Pemberton Park Has Several Programs On Tap To Welcome Spring
(Salisbury, MD) Join Pemberton Historical Park on Wednesday, March 17 for another presentation from its Third Wednesday Lecture Series at 7:30 P.M. This month features Pat Taylor, an associate from the Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Light refreshments will be served. This program is $6 per person and free to Friends of Pemberton Historical Park and Friends of Pemberton Hall.
On Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 A.M., join a Park Naturalist for a Map and Compass Hike. Have you ever wondered how to really use a compass? Now’s your chance! Learn about the history of navigation, the basic skills of compass use, finding your way and how to read a map. A great program for scouts! This program is $6 per person, $18 for a family of four and free for Friends of Pemberton Historical Park.
Kick of the beginning of Spring Pemberton Park style! Celebrate the end of cold weather at Pemberton Park’s Springfest on Saturday, March 20 from noon until 1:30pm. Join us for spring crafts, a live animal show, scavenger hunts, prizes and more. This program is $6 per person or $18 for a family of four. For Friends of Pemberton Historical Park, the program is $4 per person or $12 for a family of four.
Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD. For more information, please contact Kerri Liming at 410-860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomicocounty.org.
On Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 A.M., join a Park Naturalist for a Map and Compass Hike. Have you ever wondered how to really use a compass? Now’s your chance! Learn about the history of navigation, the basic skills of compass use, finding your way and how to read a map. A great program for scouts! This program is $6 per person, $18 for a family of four and free for Friends of Pemberton Historical Park.
Kick of the beginning of Spring Pemberton Park style! Celebrate the end of cold weather at Pemberton Park’s Springfest on Saturday, March 20 from noon until 1:30pm. Join us for spring crafts, a live animal show, scavenger hunts, prizes and more. This program is $6 per person or $18 for a family of four. For Friends of Pemberton Historical Park, the program is $4 per person or $12 for a family of four.
Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD. For more information, please contact Kerri Liming at 410-860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomicocounty.org.
The Men's Rules
We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the
male side.
These are OUR rules:
Please note... these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!
1. Breasts are for looking at and that is why we do it. Don't try to change that.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We
need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Saturday = sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
* Subtle hints do not work!
* Strong hints do not work!
* Obvious hints do not work!
* JUST SAY IT!
1. 'Yes' and 'No' are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done, not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what
mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't
want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine, Really
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as:
* Sex,
* Sport,
* Cars,
* or Computers
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.
1. Thank you for reading this; Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that, it's like camping.
male side.
These are OUR rules:
Please note... these are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!
1. Breasts are for looking at and that is why we do it. Don't try to change that.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We
need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Saturday = sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
* Subtle hints do not work!
* Strong hints do not work!
* Obvious hints do not work!
* JUST SAY IT!
1. 'Yes' and 'No' are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for
1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done, not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what
mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't
want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine, Really
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as:
* Sex,
* Sport,
* Cars,
* or Computers
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.
1. Thank you for reading this; Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight, but did you know men really don't mind that, it's like camping.
Obama
Joe
Is it just me or does it seem like obama is still campaining. Did he miss the memo that the election is over and there is REAL work to attend to? I just see so many photos and news blogs that show him promoting himself and his ideas. He obvously has many idiots that will listen to his babble about what MUST be done. He never allows open questions (that were not pre-screned/ rehersed). Do his advisors think we are all idiots, and can't see what is going on? I hope there are others out there that agree with me that there is a huge waste of money used for his "Promoting" apperences. Think of all the money blown on travel, security, and the pre/ post events. We could use this to help fill the debt instead of adding to it. I hope when the elections come around those with a desire to preserve the american vision, as it was in its origin, vote in his opposers or we are screwed. I know you get lots of E-mails and responses with posts on Obama politics. Do you think we as a nation we can stop this guy from destroying this country? Do you think Obama's brainwashed followers will continue to listen to him?
Is it just me or does it seem like obama is still campaining. Did he miss the memo that the election is over and there is REAL work to attend to? I just see so many photos and news blogs that show him promoting himself and his ideas. He obvously has many idiots that will listen to his babble about what MUST be done. He never allows open questions (that were not pre-screned/ rehersed). Do his advisors think we are all idiots, and can't see what is going on? I hope there are others out there that agree with me that there is a huge waste of money used for his "Promoting" apperences. Think of all the money blown on travel, security, and the pre/ post events. We could use this to help fill the debt instead of adding to it. I hope when the elections come around those with a desire to preserve the american vision, as it was in its origin, vote in his opposers or we are screwed. I know you get lots of E-mails and responses with posts on Obama politics. Do you think we as a nation we can stop this guy from destroying this country? Do you think Obama's brainwashed followers will continue to listen to him?
Update On Car Stolen From Church
Joe- Just to give an update on my daughters car that was stolen from church on Sunday 03/07. I located the car myself today and reported the location to the salisbury police. The good thing is the car was unharmed just a little empty on gas. I located the car in the parking lot of the townhouses on the corrner of Jefferson and Kent . My daughters purse, bookbag and a tool set was all that was missing. Approx at 5 pm this afternoon I received a call that had found her social security card at the christian shelter but at this point nothing else has been recovered. I just want to thank everyone who helped with looking for her car... She is one happy teenager !!!!
Thanks for all your help
Thanks for all your help
Andy Harris Supports U.S. House GOP Agreement On Earmarks
Harris calls on House Democrats to follow suit
ANNAPOLIS—State Senator Andy Harris, M.D., today, (yesterday) announced his support for the U.S. House Republican Conference's agreement to ban earmarks for all 2011 spending legislation. Harris has made ending wasteful Washington spending a priority in his campaign to be the next U.S. Representative for Maryland's First Congressional District. Harris released the following statement:
"I am pleased that the House Republican Conference has taken a strong stand against earmarks. Earmarks have come to represent the broken system in Washington and how the process of appropriating federal tax dollars needs to be completely reformed. In recent years earmarks have wrongly evolved into money being doled out by a few powerful members and have resulted in corruption, unseemly deals like the 'Cornhusker Kickback' and the 'Lousiana Purchase' and the loss of the public trust. While I support this stance by the GOP Conference, it is my hope that additional steps will be taken to ensure that taxpayers are funding only projects that have been vetted by the entire Congress and appropriate federal agencies. Now is the right time for this stance in light of the record-breaking federal deficits being racked up by Washington and the economic recession still bearing down on many American families. I call on the U.S. House Democratic Conference to take the same strong stand as House Republicans have done today."
The U.S. House Democratic Conference announced yesterday a ban on for-profit earmarks. According to the Baltimore Sun: "The exceptions were Democratic Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, who sought funds only for nonprofit or governmental projects. In many of those cases, however, private companies ultimately benefited." (House Democrats act to ban corporate earmarks, West, March 10, 2010)
ANNAPOLIS—State Senator Andy Harris, M.D., today, (yesterday) announced his support for the U.S. House Republican Conference's agreement to ban earmarks for all 2011 spending legislation. Harris has made ending wasteful Washington spending a priority in his campaign to be the next U.S. Representative for Maryland's First Congressional District. Harris released the following statement:
"I am pleased that the House Republican Conference has taken a strong stand against earmarks. Earmarks have come to represent the broken system in Washington and how the process of appropriating federal tax dollars needs to be completely reformed. In recent years earmarks have wrongly evolved into money being doled out by a few powerful members and have resulted in corruption, unseemly deals like the 'Cornhusker Kickback' and the 'Lousiana Purchase' and the loss of the public trust. While I support this stance by the GOP Conference, it is my hope that additional steps will be taken to ensure that taxpayers are funding only projects that have been vetted by the entire Congress and appropriate federal agencies. Now is the right time for this stance in light of the record-breaking federal deficits being racked up by Washington and the economic recession still bearing down on many American families. I call on the U.S. House Democratic Conference to take the same strong stand as House Republicans have done today."
The U.S. House Democratic Conference announced yesterday a ban on for-profit earmarks. According to the Baltimore Sun: "The exceptions were Democratic Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, who sought funds only for nonprofit or governmental projects. In many of those cases, however, private companies ultimately benefited." (House Democrats act to ban corporate earmarks, West, March 10, 2010)