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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Update On Fatality On Rte 50/Woodyard

***********UPDATE**********



SUSPECT: Malpico Alaniz Stephens of Dover, DE is in CUSTODY.

At approximately 1930 hours Malpico Stephens was arrested by the Maryland State Police and charged with the following:

Negligent Manslaughter-Auto (Two Counts)
Negligent Auto Homicide Under the Influence (Two Counts)
Negligent Homicide-Auto while Impaired (Two Counts)
Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol

Stephens is currently being transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center where he is awaiting disposition before a District Court Commissioner.

18-Wheeler Explodes At Texas Refinery

Authorities trying to account for all 100 employees at the AGE Refining Inc. facility in San Antonio and are evacuating residents within a one-mile radius

SAN ANTONIO
-- An 18-wheeler being loaded with fuel at a San Antonio refinery exploded Wednesday, setting off a chain reaction of smaller explosions and sending a towering plume of thick black smoke over the city's southeast side.

San Antonio fire spokeswoman Deborah Foster said authorities were trying to account for all 100 employees at the AGE Refining Inc. facility and were evacuating residents within a one-mile radius. It was not immediately clear whether anyone had been killed or how many were injured. Foster said some workers were being treated at the scene.

GO HERE to see and read more.

Post On The BOE/Onley Road Scam

UPDATE:

The Salisbury City Council has rescheduled this matter for further discussion.

We’ll be there to keep an eye on the BOE bureaucrats!

Dr. Freddy - You've been blogged!

DID THE BOARD OF ED. SCAM SALISBURY’S MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL?

At the recent work session of the City Council, its members approved the scheme fabricated by Mayor Ireton and Wicomico County officials to do a “stopgap” and poorly designed upgrade of the intersection of Onley Road and South Division Street to accommodate (in theory) the additional traffic, including school buses, that the new Bennett high school will generate after it opens later this year. Although that will occur much earlier than had been anticipated, both the BOE and the Daily Times are lambasting the City because it has not upgraded the intersection.

But the BOE is unwilling to put much money in the City’s hands to pay for the work. Of the estimated cost of the stopgap solution, only a pittance would be paid by the BOE, which of course makes its usual plea of poverty, But, is that really the case?

Street talk is that the BOE is now scrambling to spend a remaining surplus in excess of $500,000 in the construction funding for the new school. Proposed uses of that cash kitty include additional landscaping for almost $100,000 and other “goodies” that were not part of the initial plans. It is interesting that the Daily Times does not even mention this in its editorial.

Apparently neither the mayor nor the City Council were aware of the situation discussed above during their discussion with members and officials of the BOE. Simply stated, the Board has more than enough available funds to pay the entire cost of the stopgap solution ($450,000) or a significant part of the more costly but necessary and appropriate upgrade of the intersection.

Another little known fact is that the BOE has decided to modify the site so that traffic, including school buses can flow throughout the entire site from the entrance on College Avenue. The internal roadway is not simply a “detour” as described in the Daily Times.

Sex Offender Bills TOP Of The List In Annapolis Yesterday

With literally hundreds of Bills waiting to be signed yesterday, Governor O'Malley and many others had their work cut out for them yesterday.

Governor O'Malley expressed his gratitude to those who showed up for the Bill Signing Ceremony, recognizing Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell sitting in the front row.


Sheriff Lewis sat beside Jennifer and Tracey to offer his support.

Mike Smiegel, Norm Conway, Jim Mathias, Sheriff Lewis, Tracey Powell and Jennifer Foxwell gather for the official signing of these sex offender bills.

Governor O'Malley officially signs the Bills into Law.



Governor O'Malley graciously hands the pen used to sign the Bills to Tracey Powell, Sarah Foxwell's Aunt.

Governor O'Malley shakes Jennifer Foxwell's hand and thanks her for being present. He went on to say how proud he was to be a part of this new legislation.


Sheriff Lewis and Tracey Powell spoke to the Press immediately after the Bills were signed. Sheriff Lewis was given several pens, (in his hand) by the Governor.


As I'm sure all of you can understand, it was a very emotional time for both Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell. It was a long hard road but at this very moment it was now over.


Thousands of people gathered at the Capitol yesterday to witness hundreds of Bills being signed.

As we left the building I wanted one last chance to take this historic picture.


Many News Stations interviewed Jennifer and Tracey. However, this one was a little more special. This Reporter took the time to share her condolences with Jennifer Foxwell and kissed her on the cheek in support, a class act.

Folks, I stated from the very beginning I would not rest until these Bills were introduced, heard, debated, tweaked and ultimately passed. While there are too many names to mention, there isn't a single Delegate on the Eastern Shore that did not fight and battle to the very end in support of these new Bills.

A lot of time was spent in Annapolis but our time was nothing compared to all the time and effort that went into drafting this legislation. To Jim Mathias, Norm Conway, Mike Smiegel, Thank You! More importantly, if it were not for Governor O'Malley stepping in at the 11th hour and taking these Bills into the Governors Bills, they would have never seen the light of day, even after every one's hard work and dedication.

Clearly these Bills were the most important Bills of the entire session because Governor O'Malley addressed them first. While we had expected to be the 16th Bill to be signed, Governor O'Malley wasted no time putting the Sex Offenders Bills right on top.

I want to also thank Sheriff Mike Lewis, Chief Gary Baker and Wicomico County States Attorney Davis Ruark for taking the time to travel to Annapolis and fulfill our goal of having these Bills passed. As mentioned in other Posts here on Salisbury News, if Sheriff Lewis and Chief Baker were not present last month knocking on Delegates and Senators doors, these Bills and or our Governor may not have recognized just how strong we all were in our passion to get them passed.

I also want to thank the MSM for gathering together that Monday morning when Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell plead to the Governor to please step in and make it happen.

Yesterday I was also very pleased to see that WBOC was present. I had to laugh when I saw their broadcast last night, (no disrespect) and there I was. In fact, when they scanned into the video screen image of the camera that was getting the best footage, that was my camera. I never intended to be in their way, I just happened to be in the front row and at the end of the isle. The rest of the Press was in the very back of the room in a roped off area making it very difficult to cover the event in any way. Even with my camera being right up front, you could clearly see that no position was an ideal position as things were very hectic.

Nevertheless, history was made yesterday. Sex Offenders are now subjected to a minimum of 15 years, no chance for parole, no time off for good behavior and screw Valario and Frosh, (criminal defense attorneys and State Delegates) for trying to stop these bills from passing. All they were concerned about was the money attorneys will lose trying to defend their clients. Now they can't defend them and now they are exposed for the scum bags that they are. Hopefully in their next run for Delegate, their constituents will throw them to the wolves and find Delegates who are more concerned for our children than they are for their LEGAL INDUSTRY.

To Delegate Jim Mathias who worked so hard, telling Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell that Sarah Foxwell will not die in vain, Thank You Jim. One thing we know for sure, Delegate Mathias worked his tail off and together, all of us, as a team, made history yesterday.

To any Sex Offender reading this Post, you better find another State to run to because Maryland is about to take you off the streets, lock you up and forget you ever existed for the next 15 years.

In closing, may God Bless you little Sarah Foxwell. (Every one's Daughter of the Eastern Shore)

Today's Survey Question


Who Used More Profanity, Barrie Tilghman Or Jim Ireton?

Neighborhood Vandalism

Joe,

I just spoke to my husband who is the President of our HOA. He is with the police right now discussing vandalism to homes and vehicles in our neighborhood. It is ridiculous to hear that people are still writing such horrific statements on other people’s property. A vacant home for sale had “Hate Niggers” written on the garage door and also written on a van parked on the street. Right now, he is combing the neighborhood looking for other acts of vandalism in the community. To respect the privacy of these homeowners, I don’t want to release the name of the neighborhood. I will say our community is located in the western part of the county around Nanticoke and Pemberton area. Community watch needs to be stepped up all over the area.

This attack probably won’t be the last one in the area.

A very Concerned Citizen Against Racism

Delmar Firefighter Wayne Barrall Is At It Again


Salisbury Fire Department Press Release
If you have any trouble viewing the attachment, please do not hesitate to call.

Melissa L. Brown, B.S., FF/NREMT-P
Public Information Officer
Salisbury Fire Department

mbrown@ci.salisbury.md.us
443-235-7134 cell
410-548-3120 work ext. 111
410-548-3121 fax

Salisbury Fire Department
325 Cypress Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21801


Joe


your story was taken from my site word for word. You gave me my site no credit!
Please remove my story from your site! I will not allow you to steal info from my site any longer! If not I will do what I have to do. I have a screen shot of your site as proof!


Wayne Barrall


No, Wayne, this was NOT your story to start with. This was a Press Release from the Salisbury Fire Department. Making claim to being the author of something you did not write, well, I'll just leave it at that Wayne.


By the way Wayne, do not call me, do not text me, do not come to my property in another rage because the end result this time around will be quite different. So you also know Wayne, don't flatter yourself into believing I ever go to your Site. It just doesn't happen.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY SIGNS COMPREHENSIVE SEX OFFENDER LEGISLATION


GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY SIGNS COMPREHENSIVE SEX OFFENDER LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MARYLAND CHILDREN, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY



Governor, Presiding Officers sign comprehensive sex offender reform and tough new gang law Governor meets with Correctional Officers prior to signing Correctional Officers Bill of Rights New Legislation Provides Added Protection to Maryland’s Parole Agents Education Reform Act of 2010 improves Maryland’s #1 ranked public school system

ANNAPOLIS, MD
– Governor Martin O’Malley joined Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., and House Speaker Michael E. Busch in signing tough new laws improving the public safety and protecting Maryland children from sexual predators. Today, legislation was signed into law instituting mandatory lifetime supervision for violent and repeat sexual offenders, increasing mandatory minimums for child predators, and updating the sex offender registry in Maryland.

“With my signature today, Maryland is moving forward with tough new laws to monitor and supervise sex offenders and increase mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders in our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “This comprehensive, tough and bipartisan legislation will help to ensure that every child in Maryland is protected.”

Governor O’Malley introduced legislation this session mandating lifetime supervision for violent and repeat sexual offenders, as well as legislation reconstituting and recharging the Sexual Offender Advisory Board, which will be chair by former Attorney General Joseph Curran. In addition, the Administration introduced legislation to make changes to Maryland’s sex offender registry system, coming into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act including increases to certain mandatory minimum sentences under Jessica’s Law.

“When we first took office four years ago, Governor O’Malley and I set ambitious goals to improve public safety and public education. During difficult economic times, we protected our investments and forged new partnerships that have reduced violent crime across the state and made our public schools the best in the country,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Together with the General Assembly, we built on the progress that we have made over the last four years and passed important legislation to keep moving Maryland forward.”

Building on the success of the 2009 legislative action to remove guns from the hands of domestic abusers, Governor O’Malley signed a bill today providing victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault with additional protections. HB1382, introduced by Delegate Cheryl Glenn, allows a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault to terminate a residential lease or request that their locks be changed with certain written notice, including a final protective or peace order. Lt. Governor Brown, the administration’s point person for domestic violence policy, worked with legislators and stakeholders to pass the bill.

In addition to tough new sex offender regulations, Governor O’Malley signed additional legislation to improve public safety and assist law enforcement. The State Correctional Officers’ Bill of Rights establishes a defined set of rights for the employment, investigation and discipline of state correctional officers in Maryland. In the last fiscal year we drove down serious assaults against correctional staff to 50% of where they were in fiscal year 2006. The Safe Schools Act of 2010, sponsored by Speaker Busch, improves communication between law enforcement and school officials and addresses gang-related activity in school.

“This is the most comprehensive package of legislation to protect children in the past twenty years,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “Our children are our State’s most precious resource and, as the father of two daughters, I commend the Governor and the legislature for taking a tough stance against sex offenders and criminal gangs.”

“While our top priorities this session were to manage the state’s finances responsibly and to create and protect jobs, we also took critical steps to protect Maryland’s children and to keep neighborhoods across the State safe. Today we are signing some of the toughest laws in the nation against sexual predators,” said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. “This session we also gave prosecutors additional tools in their effort to protect communities in every county from the scourge of gang violence.”

In addition to public safety legislation, Governor O’Malley signed the Education Reform Act of 2010, which extends the probationary period of employment for public school teachers from two years to three and requires that student achievement data be used in educator evaluations. The Governor also signed into law an Administration-sponsored bill creating the Maryland Longitudinal Data System, a statewide system that contains individual-level student and workforce data allowing Maryland’s schools to trend student progress and curriculum based on workforce trends in our State.

In addition, Governor O’Malley signed the Higher Education Investment Fund, legislation the Governor introduced following four straight years of zero increases in tuition for in-state students. The bill will create a dedicated account within the Higher Education Investment Fund called the Tuition Stabilization Trust Account to help stabilize costs of in-state students and avoid the types of peaks and valleys in tuition costs volatile economic times can create.

In April, the Governor signed emergency legislation to strategically cut taxes for small businesses in Maryland that hire unemployed Marylanders. Last month, Governor O’Malley signed legislation to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in public health plans and improve quality of care throughout Maryland.

Funeral Home Closed After Bodies Found In Garage

A Prince George's County funeral home has lost its license and will be closed after the discovery of what appears to be 40 bodies in bags in its garage.

The cadavers were found after an unannounced two-day inspection at Chambers Funeral Home & Crematorium in Riverdale, Md., late last month.

Inspectors with the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors and the Prince George's County Health Department took part.

GO HERE to read more.

U.N. Treaty To Give American Land Back To Indians

The Obama Administration is weighing whether to sign off on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which could pose a problem to anyone who's purchased property in the United States in the past several centuries.

The declaration was overwhelmingly adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007 largely by rich, European countries whose indigenous peoples triumphed over the Romans and by poor, non-European countries whose indigenous populations either never were, have long since vanished or are now relatively small and powerless.

For a wealthy country like the United States with large numbers of politically connected Indian tribes, formal adhesion to the declaration might be just a little more consequential.

The declaration starts off by affirming the rights of indigenous peoples on a number of worthy fronts, such as self-determination, freedom, peace, human rights and native languages. But then there's Article 26, which states that, "Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired."

You don't have to be Christopher Columbus to see how this might raise a few red flags. About 500 years ago -- circa 1491 -- the United States was wholly occupied by indigenous peoples, also known as American Indians. If they now have a legal claim to the lands they have "traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired," this could place a significant wrinkle in New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's redevelopment plans for Lower Manhattan.

U.S. adhesion to the Declaration should be uplifting for the fees of international “public interest” lawyers, who’ve been increasingly encouraged by proliferating references federal judges have made to transnational “norms,” “customs,” and standards in their decisions.

Perhaps recognizing this, the Bush Administration voted against the resolution when it was introduced in 2007, as did three other nations: Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In March, however, Canada broke ranks and announced that it would support the declaration, albeit with what Ottawa termed a “qualified endorsement.” Australia confirmed its endorsement April 3, while New Zealand announced its support April 20.

Not wanting to be seen as an international killjoy, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice jumped on the bandwagon in an April 20 address to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, saying she was "pleased to announce that the United States has decided to review our position" on the declaration.

"There is no American history without Native American history. There can be no just and decent future for our nation that does not directly tackle the legacy of bitter discrimination and sorrow that the first Americans still live with," said Rice in her remarks. "Let there be no doubt of our commitment. We stand ready to be judged by the results."

The result, of course, could be legal chaos as tribes attempt to renegotiate treaties, exercise control over development, and litigate ancestral lands and trusts claims, potentially far beyond their current reservations. The declaration is non-binding, meaning that it technically has no legal force, but it's already being viewed by advocates as a potent legal weapon.

Read more here

Gulf Oil Spill Plan In Place, But Not Followed

If U.S. officials had followed up on a 1994 response plan for a major Gulf oil spill, it is possible that the spill could have been kept under control and far from land.

The problem: The federal government did not have a single fire boom on hand.

The "In-Situ Burn" plan produced by federal agencies in 1994 calls for responding to a major oil spill in the Gulf with the immediate use of fire booms.

But in order to conduct a successful test burn eight days after the Deepwater Horizon well began releasing massive amounts of oil into the Gulf, officials had to purchase one from a company in Illinois.

When federal officials called, Elastec/American Marine, shipped the only boom it had in stock, Jeff Bohleber, chief financial officer for Elastec, said today.

At federal officials' behest, the company began calling customers in other countries and asking if the U.S. government could borrow their fire booms for a few days, he said.

A single fire boom being towed by two boats can burn up to 1,800 barrels of oil an hour, Bohleber said. That translates to 75,000 gallons an hour, raising the possibility that the spill could have been contained at the accident scene 100 miles from shore.

"They said this was the tool of last resort. No, this is absolutely the asset of first use. Get in there and start burning oil before the spill gets out of hand," Bohleber said. "If they had six or seven of these systems in place when this happened and got out there and started burning, it would have significantly lessened the amount of oil that got loose."

In the days after the rig sank, U.S Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry said the government had all the assets it needed. She did not discuss why officials waited more than a week to conduct a test burn.

More on this

EMP Could Leave '9 Out Of 10 Americans Dead'

There is renewed alarm about the possibility of an EMP attack – electromagnetic pulse – on the United States because of Iran's work on a multi-stage Space Launch Vehicle, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

And experts forecast if such an attack were a success, it effectively could throw the U.S. back into an age of agriculture.

"Within a year of that attack, nine out of 10 Americans would be dead, because we can't support a population of the present size in urban centers and the like without electricity," said Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy. "And that is exactly what I believe the Iranians are working towards."

A recent launch of an SLV by Iran has sparked renewed concern of an attack that could send an electromagnetic pulse powerful enough to wipe out computer controls for systems on which society has come to rely, officials say.

As the G2 Bulletin reported last week, Ronald Burgess, director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, revealed that Iran successfully launched a multi-stage SLV, the Simorgh. The device ultimately could be equipped with a nuclear bomb, which the U.S. intelligence community assesses Iran is developing.

More from WND

Haddaway Announces $3,000 Scholarship Contest!



Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio is teaming up with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) on their thirteenth annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest for college-bound female high school juniors and seniors. This year, the contest will be entitled "Freedom and Civic Virtues". In addition to receiving a $3,000 college scholarship, seven contest winners from across the nation will win an all-expenses-paid trip to NFWL's Annual Conference (November 18-22, 2010) which will be held at The Ritz - Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, winners will be able to network with, be mentored by and speak to hundreds of women lawmakers from across the United States.

"This is an excellent opportunity for local members of the Class of 2010 and 2011," said Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio who is the NFWL Education Coordinator for Maryland. "This contest will allow seven young women from across the nation to enhance their understanding of the role of women in politics through experience-based learning. It also provides them with an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills and get assistance with college tuition expenses."

"I think programs such as this are important because the Millennial Generation is the future of American politics and they are a great way to engage young women," said Haddaway-Riccio. "Understanding and explaining the importance of American virtues and rights puts these same young women in a position to have a lasting impact on our nation's policies in the near future. The essay contest is also a great opportunity for young women to win a college scholarship while making their voices heard on the true intentions of the Bill of Rights."

Entries must be received or postmarked no later than July 30, 2010, after which an NFWL selection committee will judge each essay and determine the seven winners. The judges will primarily weigh the factors of storytelling, understanding of the Bill of Rights and original insight.

How to Enter the Contest:

To enter the contest, visit www.votehaddaway.com and click on the link for the application. Questions can be directed to Delegate Jeannie Haddaway's office at (410) 820-8043 or to the NFWL Office at (202) 293-3040 ext. 1005.

25 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA

25. U.S. Post Office
They are pricing themselves out of existence. With e-mail, and online services they are a relic of the past. (refer to #9) Packages are also sent faster and cheaper with UPS.

24. Yellow Pages
This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination search/listing services like Reach Local and Yodel Factors like 20 an acceleration of the print 'fade rate' and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught.

One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.

23. Classified Ads
The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them.

22. Movie Rental Stores
While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a quest of Circuit City . Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost already.

21. Dial-up Internet Access
Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up Internet access.

20. Phone Land Lines
According to a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was cell-only and, of those homes that had land lines, one in eight only received calls on their cells.

19. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
Maryland 's icon, the blue crab, has been fading away in Chesapeake Bay . Last year Maryland saw the lowest harvest (22 million pounds) since 1945. Just four decades ago the bay produced 96 million pounds. The population is down 70% since 1990, when they first did a formal count. There are only about 120 million crabs in the bay and they think they need 200 million for a sustainable population. Over-fishing, pollution, invasive species and global warming get the blame.

18. VCRs
For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller and staple in every American household until being completely decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be found. They served us so well.

17. Ash Trees
In the late 1990's, a pretty, iridescent green species of beetle, now known as the emerald ash borer, hitched a ride to North America with ash wood products imported from eastern Asia . In less than a decade, its larvae have killed millions of trees in the Midwest , and continue to spread. They've killed more than 30 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Ohio and Indiana . More than 7.5 billion ash trees are currently at risk.

16. Ham Radio
Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communications if necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory. However, proliferation of the Internet and its popularity among youth has caused the decline of amateur radio. In the past five years alone, the number of people holding active ham radio licenses has dropped by 50,000, even though Morse Code is no longer a requirement.

15. The Swimming Hole
Thanks to our litigious society, swimming holes are becoming a thing of the past. '20/20' reports that swimming hole owners, like Robert Every in High Falls, NY, are shutting them down out of worry that if someone gets hurt they'll sue. And that's exactly what happened in Seattle . The city of Bellingham was sued by Katie Hofstetter who was paralyzed in a fall at a popular swimming hole in Whatcom Falls Park . As injuries occur and lawsuits follow, expect more swimming holes to post 'Keep out!' signs.

14. Answering Machines
The increasing disappearance of answering machines is directly tied to No 20 our list -- the decline of landlines. According to USA Today, the number of homes that only use cell phones jumped 159% between 2004 and 2007. It has been particularly bad in New York ; since 2000, landline usage has dropped 55%. It's logical that as cell phones rise, many of them replacing traditional landlines, that there will be
fewer answering machines.

13. Cameras That Use Film
It doesn't require a statistician to prove the rapid disappearance of the film camera in America . Just look to companies like Nikon, the professional' s choice for quality camera equipment. In 2006, it announced that it would stop making film cameras, pointing to the shrinking market -- only 3% of its sales in 2005, compared to 75% of sales from digital cameras and equipment.

12. Incandescent Bulbs
Before a few years ago, the standard 60-watt (or, yikes, 100-watt) bulb was the mainstay of every U.S. home. With the green movement and all-things-sustainable-energy crowd, the Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL) is largely replacing the older, Edison-era incandescent bulb. The EPA reports that 2007 sales for Energy Star CFLs nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for approximately 20 percent of the U.S. light bulb market. And according to USA Today, a new energy bill plans to phase out incandescent bulbs in the next four to 12 years.

11. Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys
Bowling Balls. US claims there are still 60 million Americans who bowl at least once a year, but many are not bowling in stand-alone bowling alleys. Today most new bowling alleys are part of facilities for all types or recreation including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, video game arcades, climbing walls and glow miniature golf. Bowling lanes also have been added to many non-traditional venues such as adult
communities, hotels and resorts, and gambling casinos.

10. The Milkman
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 1950, over half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by 1963, it was about a third and by 2001, it represented only 0.4% percent. Nowadays most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the rounds in pockets of the U.S. , they are certainly a dying breed.

9. Hand-Written Letters
In 2006, the Radicati Group estimated that, worldwide, 183 billion e-mails were sent each day.. Two million each second. By November of 2007, an estimated 3.3 billion Earthlings owned cell phones, and 80% of the world's population had access to cell phone coverage. In 2004, half-a-trillion text messages were sent, and the number has no doubt increased exponentially since then. So where amongst this gorge of gabble is there room for the elegant, polite hand-written letter?

8. Wild Horses
It is estimated that 100 years ago, as many as two million horses were roaming free within the United States . In 2001, National Geographic News estimated that the wild horse population has decreased to about 50,000 head. Currently, the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory board states that there are 32,000 free roaming horses in ten Western states, with half of them residing in Nevada . The Bureau of Land Management is seeking to reduce the total number of free range horses to 27,000, possibly by selective euthanasia.

7. Personal Checks
According to an American Bankers Assoc. report, a net 23% of consumers plan to decrease their use of checks over the next two years, while a net 14% plan to increase their use of PIN debit. Bill payment remains the last stronghold of paper-based payments -- for the time being. Checks continue to be the most commonly used bill payment method, with 71% of consumers paying at least one recurring bill per
month by writing a check. However, a bill-by-bill basis, checks account for only 49% of consumers' recurring bill payments (down from 72% in 2001 and 60% in 2003).

6. Drive-in Theaters
During the peak in 1958, there were more than 4,000 drive-in theaters in this country, but in 2007 only 405 drive-ins were still operating. Exactly zero new drive-ins have been built since 2005. Only one reopened in 2005 and five reopened in 2006, so there isn't much of a movement toward reviving the closed ones.

5. Mumps & Measles
Despite what's been in the news lately, the measles and mumps actually, truly are disappearing from the United States . In 1964, 212,000 cases of mumps were reported in the U.S. By 1983, this figure had dropped to 3,000, thanks to a vigorous vaccination program. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, approximately half a million cases of measles were reported in the U.S. annually, resulting in 450 deaths. In 2005, only 66 cases were recorded.

4. Honey Bees
Perhaps nothing on our list of disappearing America is so dire; plummeting so enormously; and so necessary to the survival of our food supply as the honey bee. Very scary. 'Colony Collapse Disorder,' or CCD, has spread throughout the U.S. and Europe over the past few years, wiping out 50% to 90% of the colonies of many beekeepers -- and along with it, their livelihood.

3. News Magazines and TV News
While the TV evening newscasts haven't gone anywhere over the last several decades, their audiences have. In 1984, in a story about the diminishing returns of the evening news, the New York Times reported that all three network evening-news programs combined had only 40.9 million viewers. Fast forward to 2008, and what they have today is half that.

2. Analog TV
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 85% of homes in the U.S. get their television programming through cable or satellite providers.. For the remaining 15% -- or 13 million individuals -- who are using rabbit ears or a large outdoor antenna to get their local stations, change is in the air. If you are one of these people you'll need to get a new TV or a converter box in order to get the new stations which will only be broadcast in digital.

1. The Family Farm
Since the 1930's, the number of family farms has been declining rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census is just now being published). Ninety-one percent of the U.S. FARMS are small Family Farms.

Both interesting and saddening, isn't it?

May God Bless All Who Serve This Great Country

Charley, a new retiree greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn’t seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their “Older Person Friendly” policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. “Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome.”

“Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it.”

‘’Well good, you are a team player. That’s what I like to hear. It’s odd though you’re coming in late. I know you’re retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say if you came in late there?”

“They said, ‘Good morning General, can I get you coffee, sir?’”

Update On Fatal Accident On Woodyard Rd

LOCATION: W/B Rt. 50 East of Woodyard Rd, Willards, Wicomico County, MD

Vehicle #1: 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe DE (PC207167)
Driver: Malpico Alaniz Stephens B/M DOB: 08/28/1983

Vehicle #2: 1991 Honda Civic MD (8EAK02)
Driver: Vanessa Ellen Timmons B/F DOB: 02/21/1961 (Deceased)
Passenger #1: Charles Edgar Timmons B/M DOB: 10/27/1962 (Deceased)


BRIEF RESUME:

On 05/05/2010 at approximately 0310 hours, Troopers from Salisbury Barrack responded to westbound Rt. 50, just east of Woodyard Rd for a head-on motor vehicle collision. The investigation revealed Vehicle #1 was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane and collided head-on with Vehicle #2, who was traveling westbound on Rt.50. As a result of the collision the driver of Vehicle #2 was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger of Vehicle #2 was transported to PRMC with life threatening injuries, and was later pronounced deceased. The driver of Vehicle #1 was transported to PRMC for non-life threatening injuries. Due to the collision, Rt. 50 in that area was shut down for the safety of emergency responders. The driver of Vehicle #1 was suspected to be under the influence of Alcohol. Maryland State Police CRASH team responded to the scene and the investigation is continuing. All events occurred in Wicomico County, MD.

Salisbury Fire Department Battles Afternoon House Fire


The Salisbury Fire Department Stations 16 and 2, along with Delmar Station 74, were alerted for a reported house fire on Wellington Circle off of Jersey Road at 1258 hours Tuesday, May 4th. While en route, Assistant Chief 1, (Gladwell), could see heavy smoke conditions in the distance and thus requested additional resources from Stations 74 (Delmar) and Station 5 (Hebron). 

Upon arrival, a working fire was reported with heavy fire and smoke emanating from the “C” side of a single story, wood-frame residential structure.  Assistant Chief 1 established Wellington Circle Command and checked with observers to ensure all civilian occupants were out of the structure.  Engine 16-1 arrived on scene and was instructed to initially attack the fire from the outside until additional resources could arrive and an interior attack could be mounted.
 
Upon the arrival of additional engines from Stations 16, 74, and 5, an aggressive interior attack was initiated.  Command noted heavy fire in the attic area and instructed crews to attempt to gain access to that area.  Crews pulled ceilings and found the access door and affected an effective knockdown of the fire.  The fire had self-vented the roof area on the “C” side and the gable vents on either end were removed by crews to affect further ventilation.
 
Units from Stations 5 and 74 were instructed to relieve initial attack crews and to perform extensive overhaul.  Tankers from both stations also assisted with water supply.
 
The State Fire Marshal’s office was requested to the scene as well as a representative from the Red Cross to assist the family as needed. The fire was controlled in approximately 20 minutes and no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Wellington St House Fire Response

The American Red Cross Lower Shore Chapter Disaster Action Team volunteers responded and assisted the family of 4 (2adult & 2 children) that were displaced by the house fire yesterday on Wellington Circle in Salisbury.

Troy McCabe
Emergency Services Director
American Red Cross
Lower Shore Chapter
1505 Emerson Ave
Salisbury, MD 21801
410.749.5331 Office

OCPD 2010 Community Crime Prevention Seminar


The summer season is quickly approaching
and as business owners and residents gear up for the visiting tourists, the
OCPD wants to make sure that everyone in the
community has current crime prevention knowledge that will keep our
citizens, neighborhoods and businesses safe.
The Crime Prevention Seminar will provide beneficial information for
residents, hotel managers, restaurant owners and visitors . Please join us
as we discuss current crime trends, homeland security,
gang awareness updates and the best crime prevention practices for
a safe summer!
Ocean City Police Department’s
Community Crime Prevention Seminar
May 10 &11, 2010
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Or
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Ocean City Convention Center,
41st Street & Coastal Highway
For Further information please contact:
PFC Michael Levy or PAS Jessica King at:
410-723-6665 or 410-520-5395
or email: mlevy@oceancitymd.gov or jking@oceancitymd.gov

Lower Shore Young Republicans To Host Food Drive

The Lower Shore Young Republicans, in conjunction with the Christian Shelter in Salisbury, will be holding a food drive on Saturday, May 8th. From 10am-2pm, donations will be accepted at two local grocery stores: Food Lion on Snow Hill Road and Food Lion on Nanticoke Road. One hundred percent of the food and money donated will be directly given to the Christian Shelter, located in Salisbury, MD.

“With the nature of the economy, it is even more critical for local organizations to give back to the community,” said Mark Biehl, President of the Lower Shore Young Republicans. The Young Republicans are a local group founded on the principle of promoting conservative ideals throughout the area. However, giving back to the community is a large part of their priorities. “Politics is about the community, not the politicians,” commented Biehl.

For more information about the food drive or the Young Republicans, contact Dustin Mills at 262-909-6922 or e-mail at lowershoreyoungrepublicans@gmail.com.

Recent Real Estate News From Adam & Harry Roop


Housing Starts Rise in January 2010
Nationwide housing production hit its strongest pace in the last six months this January, posting a 2.8% gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 591,000 units, according to..
more >>


Government Urges Short Sales; Experts Aren’t Sure They’ll Help
With the highly touted federal mortgage-modification program falling short of its target numbers, the government has looked into alternatives to foreclosure and come up with a.
more >>


Study Shows More Immigrants Buying Homes in Mid-Size Cities
In the first study of immigrants buying homes in mid-size areas across the United States, researchers at the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate showed..
more >>


Homeowners: Build a WaterSense Home
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its final WaterSense single-family new homes specification, creating the first national, voluntary,...
more >>


Movie: Strategies for Staging a Vacant Home
Movie Title: Strategies for Staging a Vacant Home ...
more >>

adam@exitshorerealty.com

New Bill Would Mandate Event Data Recorders

Dear NMA Member,

In the Mar/Apr issue of Driving Freedoms, we noted that there would be upcoming developments regarding the installation of Event Data Recorders (EDRs or black boxes) in North American vehicles. NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the insurance industry have been pushing for a mandate to add EDRs to all vehicles, as opposed to the current voluntary compliance by car and light truck manufacturers.

A new bill, as yet unnumbered but titled, "The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010", would require (among other things) EDRs in all vehicles. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold an initial hearing on the bill on Thursday May 6th in Washington, D.C.

Among the many problems with such a bill, NHTSA had taken a weak stance on who owns the data collected by EDRs. The agency gives some lip service to getting the vehicle owner's consent before accessing the EDR information, but stops miles short of being definitive. Only twelve states currently have laws that address the ownership and use of black box data. Passing a law such as The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 without proper national legislation in place to control the contents of EDRs is irresponsible and dangerous to motorists.

Contact your representative in Congress and, in particular, let every member of the Energy and Commerce Committee know that you are opposed to The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010, especially with the mandate of EDRs in all vehicles without corresponding protection for vehicle owners as to the use of such data. Here is a link to a discussion draft of the proposed bill.

Thank you.

Gary Biller
National Motorists Association

State Police Investigate Shooting Death Of A Maryland Man

Location: Rodney Village Bowling Alley parking lot, U.S. 13 south of Dover, Kent County, DE

Date of Occurrence: Tuesday May 4, 2010 at 8:08 p.m.

Suspects: Two Black Males

Resume:

Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide of a 31 year-old man that occurred in the parking lot of a Dover area bowling alley.

The incident occurred just after 8 p.m. this evening when the victim drove up in his white Chevrolet Suburban. He exited his SUV and meet with two males in the parking lot. Some type of disagreement ensured when one of the suspects pull out a hand gun and fired at the victim. The victim began to chase the suspect to the front of the bowling alley when he, the victim collapsed. The suspect continued to flee the area.

The second suspect entered the victim’s SUV and fled. The SUV was later recovered in the 300 block of Samuel Paynter Drive.

The victim was taken to Kent General Hospital in Dover where he died of a gun shot wound. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone who may have any information is asked to call “Crime Stoppers.” Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-333 3 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.

SHOREBIRDS DROP 12-4 DECISION ON TUESDAY

SALISBURY, Md. – Savannah used a five-run first inning and a one-hit, five-inning performance from right-hander Armando Rodriguez to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds, 12-4, in front of 4,817 fans at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Tuesday.

The Sand Gnats (17-9) got first- and second inning home runs from Juan Lagares and Jefry Marte, respectively to drop the Shorebirds to 14-11 on the season.

Rodriguez (2-3) allowed three runs and three walks with three strikeouts for the win. Four players had two hits apiece for Savannah, led by Marte who went 2-for-5 with three runs scored, the home run and two RBI.

Mikey Planeta was 2-for-4 with a run and double.

Savannah sent nine men to the plate in the top of the first against Delmarva starter Tony Butler (1-2). The Sand Gnats got on the scoreboard with a two-run home run to right field off the bat of left fielder Lagares.

Butler then allowed a single to left by Wilmer Flores and a walk from Sam Honeck to put runners on first and second with no outs. After a flyout, Cesar Puello doubled to center, scoring Flores for a 3-0 lead.

Savannah added to its lead with an RBI infield single to third by Alex Gregory and a Butler wild pitch that chased Puello in from third.

Butler lasted two innings, surrendering six hits and eight earned runs. He walked three and struck out one.

Delmarva battled back to make it 8-2 in the bottom of the second. The Shorebirds loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and an error, before catcher Michael Ohlman lifted a flyball to center for a sacrifice fly to plate Tyler Stampone. Steve Bumbry later scored on Marte’s second error of the inning.

Marte dropped a routine popup in the bottom of the third, allowing Tyler Kolodny to reach with two outs. Kolodny moved up when Stampone was hit by a pitch and scored as Bumbry hit behind the runner in the hole on the right side to cut the deficit to 8-3.

The ‘Birds picked up one in the bottom of the sixth to pull within four at 8-4. Planeta started the inning with a double down the left-field line off Savannah relief pitcher Erik Turgeon. After a lineout by Ohlman, T.J. Baxter bounced a ball up the middle that second baseman Alonzo Harris misplayed, scoring Planeta.

The Sand Gnats got the run back in the top of the seventh on a two-out RBI single through the left side by catcher Dock Doyle off righty reliever Randy Henry.

The Shorebirds and Sand Gnats square off in the third game of the series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Ryan Berry (0-1, 2.76 ERA). Savannah counters with lefty James Fuller (3-1, 1.87).

Jim Rutledge Pledges Support To Pat McDonough

Jim Rutledge Pledges Support to Pat McDonough in Maryland Effort to Fight Illegal Immigration

Jim Rutledge Criticizes Barbara Mikulski for Supporting Amnesty Bill


FOREST Hill, Maryland
- Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Rutledge of Maryland joins Delegate Pat McDonough in the fight to defeat amnesty legislation for illegal immigrants and secure the Southern border with Mexico. McDonough is encouraging Marylanders to sign a petition in support of the Citizens of Arizona. Candidates for office in Maryland along with members of the General Assembly will be provided surveys asking them whether they agree with Arizona’s approach. Jim Rutledge said, “We have a responsibility to enforce the laws and secure our borders.”

The Rutledge for Senate Campaign believes that Maryland should end the present policy of “catch and release” which continues to heighten the growing number of gang related problems. Barbara Mikulski continues to sit idle while the safety of our communities is in jeopardy. The cost of not enforcing the immigration laws combined with liberal spending practices supported by Barbara Mikulski is forcing Maryland deeper into debt. Jim Rutledge said, “Last year, Maryland spent in excess of 1.4 billion of taxpayer money supporting the illegal population in the state.”

Jim Rutledge who possesses years of experience with constitutional law and criminal procedure believes the new Arizona law is reasonable and constitutionally sound. States like Maryland and Arizona have waited for years for Washington to enforce immigration laws but have failed to do so. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said, “But decades of inaction and misguided policy have created an unacceptable situation.” Jim Rutledge opposes the attempt by Barbara Mikulski and Harry Reid to pass the Amnesty Bill. Washington needs to enforce federal laws and not reward those who break our laws and threaten the security of our nation.

Fatal Collision With Road Closure

On 5/5/10 @ 0310 hours, troopers responded to w/b US Rt. 50 @ Woodyard Road
Wicomico Co., Md. for a two vehicle head on fatal collision. Troopers are still
on the scene and westbound Rt. 50 is closed at this time. Maryland State Police
Crash Team is responding for further investigation. More information will be
forthcoming this morning.