Investigators: Obama Uses Connecticut Social Sececurity Number

Two private investigators working independently are asking why President Obama is using a Social Security number set aside for applicants in Connecticut while there is no record he ever had a mailing address in the state.

In addition, the records indicate the number was issued between 1977 and 1979, yet Obama's earliest employment reportedly was in 1975 at a Baskin-Robbins ice-cream shop in Oahu, Hawaii.

WND has copies of affidavits filed separately in a presidential eligibility lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia by Ohio licensed private investigator Susan Daniels and Colorado private investigator John N. Sampson.

The investigators believe Obama needs to explain why he is using a Social Security number reserved for Connecticut applicants that was issued at a date later than he is known to have held employment.

The Social Security website confirms the first three numbers in his ID are reserved for applicants with Connecticut addresses, 040-049.

"Since 1973, Social Security numbers have been issued by our central office," the Social Security website explains. "The first three (3) digits of a person's social security number are determined by the ZIP code of the mailing address shown on the application for a social security number."

The question is being raised amid speculation about the president's history fueled by an extraordinary lack of public documentation. Along with his original birth certificate, Obama also has not released educational records, scholarly articles, passport documents, medical records, papers from his service in the Illinois state Senate, Illinois State Bar Association records, any baptism records and adoption papers.

Robert Siciliano, president and CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a nationally recognized expert on identity theft, agrees the Social Security number should be questioned.

"I know Social Security numbers have been issued to people in states where they don't live, but there's usually a good reason the person applied for a Social Security number in a different state," Siciliano told WND.

WND asked Siciliano whether he thought the question was one the White House should answer.

"Yes," he replied. "In the case of President Obama, I really don't know what the good reason would be that he has a Social Security number issued in Connecticut when we know he was a resident of Hawaii."

Siciliano is a frequent expert guest on identify theft on cable television networks, including CNN, CNBC and the Fox News Channel.

Daniels and Sampson each used a different database showing Obama is using a Social Security number beginning with 042.

WND has further confirmed that the Social Security number in question links to Obama in the online records maintained by the Selective Service System. Inserting the Social Security number, his birth date and his last name produces a valid Selective Service number.

Daniels said she is "staking my reputation on a conclusion that Obama's use of this Social Security number is fraudulent."

More from WND

In Time For Summer: Lower Gas Prices

It may mean more money in vacationers' pockets

Gas prices are poised to fall as Memorial Day approaches, a welcome change for motorists who have gotten used to seeing increases cut into their summer vacation money.

Experts who had been predicting a national average of more than $3 per gallon by Memorial Day now say prices have likely peaked just beneath that threshold. Rising supplies and concerns about the global economy have helped send wholesale gasoline prices plummeting by 25 cents a gallon since last week.

"Gasoline supplies are about as good as they've ever been going into the summer driving season," says oil analyst Phil Flynn of PFGBest in Chicago.

GO HERE to read more.

Nightly News At 6 PM

Honoring Pete Cooper With Eastern Shore Drive Designation

Mayor James Ireton, Jr., announces the dedication of Eastern Shore Drive in Honor of First Salisbury Public Works Director Pete Cooper.

More to come tomorrow morning.

Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight

MIKULSKI AND O’MALLEY URGE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON CELL PHONE JAMMING LEGISLATION

SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI, GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY URGE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON CELL PHONE JAMMING LEGISLATION FOLLOWING RESULTS OF PRISON TEST

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 12, 2010) – U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the release of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) report from the February test of cell phone jamming technology at a Western Maryland prison. The test, performed by the NTIA at the request of Governor O’Malley and Senator Mikulski, showed no interference of the jamming technology with federal operations of the prison within the testing area. Senator Mikulski and Governor O’Malley urged Congressional action immediately, in light of these results, on legislation allowing the installation of this technology at U.S. prisons.

“NTIA’s report is proof positive that we can jam criminals and protect communities,” said Senator Mikulski. “I and all Marylanders were shocked and dismayed to hear about this outrageous organized crime practice of using cell phones in prison to conduct criminal activities in communities on the outside while criminals enjoy a lavish lifestyle on the inside. We must move forward to allow cell jamming technology to be used, giving prison officials another tool to protect citizens. The Senate has passed the Hutchison-Mikulski Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009, and I now call on the House to expedite action on it. The bill provides another means to stop the use of illegal cell phones by allowing prison on a case-by-case basis to use cell jammers. It will help make our neighborhoods safe and give prisons another necessary tool they need.”

“Law enforcement needs every tool available to fight the violent crimes that are being orchestrated by criminals using illegal cell phones behind bars,” said Governor O’Malley. “The results of this first-ever test show that this technology did not impact the areas surrounding prisons, and should indicate to Congress the need for federal legislation to allow for the installation of this technology at prisons across the country. We must give law enforcement quick access to every technological tool available -- including cell phone jamming -- to combat illegal cell phone use on the inside and protect our neighbors and families on the outside.”

In 2009, Senator Mikulski and Governor O’Malley formally requested approval for a test from the NTIA. In February of this year, the NTIA performed that test at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, MD.

Corrections departments across the country are reporting a sharp increase in the number of cell phones smuggled into prison facilities. In Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009, Maryland corrections officers confiscated more than 2,890 illegal cell phones, and more than 765 have been confiscated in FY2010 thus far. Prisoners are using these phones to orchestrate and commit crimes.

On October 5, 2009, the U.S. Senate passed the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009 (S.251), which allows states to petition the FCC for the authority to block the use of cell phones from prison. Senator Mikulski is an original co-sponsor of the bill. Under current law, the FCC does not allow cell phone jamming of any kind. The bill awaits action by the House of Representatives. Governor O’Malley introduced policy that was adopted by the National Governor’s Association in 2009 (16.2.5.1 Curbing Wireless Technology Use in Prisons) that expresses Governors’ collective commitment to curtailing this illegal practice.

The NTIA is seeking public comment on the technical approaches to preventing contraband cell phone use in prisons.

The NTIA report detailing the findings from the Cumberland test is available here.

S.C. Governor Meets Argentine Lover In Florida

Affair ruined his marriage, wrecked his political career

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday he spent last weekend in Florida with his Argentine lover, hoping to rekindle the affair that wrecked his marriage and his political future and brought a formal rebuke from legislators for embarrassing the state.

At a news conference on an unrelated issue, Sanford did not mention Maria Belen Chapur of Argentina by name when asked about a weekend trip out of state about which his staff has refused to provide details. But the governor, now divorced, left no room for doubt.

"As a matter of record, everybody in this room knows exactly who I was with over the weekend," Sanford said. "That is no mystery to anybody given what I said last summer. And, you know, the purpose was obviously to see if something could be restarted on that front given the rather enormous geographic gulf between us. And time will tell. I don't know if it will or won't."

GO HERE to read more.

A Comment Worthy Of A Post

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Wicomico County, Maryland Budget Public Hearing":

11:25 I hear you. It is a sad time in America not just here. People all want to talk about the problems. Yet they never do a darn thing. The same 10% go out and work to make change.

If the County Council and Rick could just look people in the eyes and tell the whole truth things would be a little better. The arrogant posture they are sooo much smarter then all the public. This just amazes me. Power is a strong drug. Every great leader that fell in love with his own image failed.

The fact that people who literaly stole from the county are still employed and those who did not have the right last name are gone is nothing more than political corruption.

What deal did Baker get. No one will talk about it. Well what ever it was it was wrong at the time they did it. Again corruption.

What happend to the Forensic Auditor. I understand Deputies escorted her out of the county building when she was terminated. What did they fear was this women a killer, insane ??? I guess they did not want any documentation getting out to the public that would hurt those who have stolen from tax payers for years. Try to ask the Seven Dwarfs about any of these issues you get NO answer. Rick will avoid it at all cost.

People it is time for new blood in office. Look at what impact Mike Lewis has by just standing up and telling people the facts. People love it. Mike for County Exec. That would solve a lot of problems.

Joe Albero has made more impact on the political community in the last four years then anyone has in twenty. Joe politicians cant stand someone willing to call them out. Keep the heat on them.

The Disgusted Wicomican

Salisbury News To Auction Off Two V.I.P. Tickets To Dancing With The Stars

What a great way to show your support to the Wellness Center and get two V.I.P. Tickets to the greatest SOLD OUT show throughout the entire year here in Salisbury. What business would like to start the bidding at $100.00 per ticket? I'll tell you what, I'm going to TOP this deal off with my own offer to boot. Whomever makes the highest bid, (over $100.00 per ticket) and wins also gets a FREE ad for one month on Salisbury News. There's no better place on the Eastern Shore to run a business ad and we want to participate as well. If you're not a business and you bid independently, we'll advertise the business of your choosing.

Included with purchase: VIP seating and admission to afterparty. However, if bid exceeds $500 PER TICKET, the VIP seating will be in front row, plus VIP admission to afterparty.

winner needs to provide following info:
name of guest
mailing address
phone
email

*If tickets are to be transferred as gift, and winner's name is different than actual attendee, we need to know. Winner will have to provide info and release form.

The Wellness Community will mail a receipt for donation and form for tax deduction, after 5/22/10.

If you'd like to make a private bid contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 5/12 @ Kannapolis

Delmarva Shorebirds (16-15) @ Kannapolis Intimidators (16-16)
May 12, 2010 Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium Kannapolis, N.C. 7:05 PM
Series: Game 1
Radio Broadcast: Sportstalk960 www.sportstalk960.com PBP: Bret Lasky

PREVIEW: Following a 3-5 homestand and an off day, the Shorebirds open an eight-game road swing with game one against Kannapolis. The Shorebirds scored just 24 runs during the eight game homestand (3 per). The Shorebirds are nestled in third place in the Northern Division, 3.5 games back of Hickory.

TOP OF THE LEAGUE, BOTTOM OF THE ORDER: Shorebirds shortstop Garabez Rosa leads the South Atlantic League with a .357 batting average. Amongst the top 10 hitters in the league, Rosa has the second fewest at-bats (98). Only Brian Conley of the Shorebirds (7th in the league) has fewer at-bats (97). Rosa has hit in the nine slot in the order in all 27 games this season.

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE LEADER: Brian Conley continues to pace the SAL in on-base percentage (.441). Conley has reached base in 22 of the 29 games in which he has appeared. The Gaithersburg, Md. native leads the Shorebirds in walks and ranks tied for third in the SAL.

STEVE SHINES ON ROAD: Shorebirds centerfielder Steve Bumbry is batting .381 in 12 games away from Perdue Stadium. He is batting just .250 in 15 games at Perdue Stadium.

ONE RUN GAMES: 11 of the 31 games this season have been decided by one run (5-6).

HOMERLESS: The Shorebirds have not connected on a home run in the last nine games. The last player to hit a long ball was Brian Conley on 4/30 against the Asheville Tourists. The ‘Birds have gone 92 innings without a home run.

CONLEY TWO SHY FROM CAREER HIGH: In his third professional season, Brian Conley is two hits shy from matching his season high hit total of 33. He accomplished that in 38 games for the Bluefield Orioles back in 2008. Conley has never played in more than 38 games in any season.

72 DOUBLES LEADS LEAD: The Shorebirds pace the South Atlantic League with 72 team doubles. Rosa leads the team with 13, while Ty Kelly is second with 12. The ‘Birds have recorded a double in five consecutive games.

INJURED: Justin Dalles (Ankle) and Tyler Townsend (Hamstring) are not expected to play during the road swing. Dalles, a 6th rounder in ‘09, and Townsend, a 3rd rounder in ‘09, were both expected to play integral roles in the Shorebirds order. They have played in a combined 13 games.

TY KELLY’S IMPROVEMENT: In 61 games with the Aberdeen Ironbirds last season, Ty Kelly amassed 18 RBIs. This season, in 28 games, he has already eclipsed his total from a year ago (19). He leads the Shorebirds. Kelly hit just .234 with runners in scoring position a year ago. He had only two multi-RBI games. Kelly already has four multi-RBI games this season.

STAMPONE’S STREAK: First baseman Tyler Stampone has recorded a hit in three straight games. He is 5-for-12 over the last three games with two multi-hit games. Stampone has reached base in 10 of the last 11 games that he has appeared.

PLANETA STRUGGLING: Outfielder Mikey Planeta is 2 for his last 24 at the plate (six games). He has been fanned 10 times during the stretch. His batting average has dropped from .239 to .207.

LINEUP SHUFFLE: Many of the Shorebirds players have been placed in different spots within the order. For example, Steve Bumbry has hit in leadoff once, second once, fifth four times, sixth seven times and seventh 14 times. Mikey Planeta has hit third four times, fourth once, fifth 12 times, sixth seven times and seventh five times. T.J. Baxter has batted in six different spots in the order; first (18), second (1), third (1), sixth (1), seventh (3) and ninth (2). The only player that has been placed in the same spot in the order every game is Garabez Rosa (ninth).

24 STOLEN BASES: The Shorebirds are second to last in the South Atlantic League with 24 stolen bases. That being said, the Shorebirds stole eight bases in the last eight games.

SECOND IN LEAGUE IN TRIPLES: The Shorebirds are tied for second in the circuit with 14 triples. Savannah is at the top with 18.

O'Malley On The Chesapeake Bay Watershed

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE NEW FEDERAL
STRATEGY FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EXECUTIVE ORDER

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 12, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the Environmental Protection Agency’s newly released strategy to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay under President Obama’s Executive Order:

“We are very encouraged by President Obama’s Executive Order and the new federal strategy to improve the health of the Bay. The new strategy calls for an unprecedented level of federal cooperation and leadership for the Chesapeake Bay, and significantly raises expectations for success. In Maryland we are committed to accelerating the Bay restoration effort, and BayStat has given us a clear sense of the actions necessary to meet our objectives and the cost of meeting those objectives. Because of the tough choices we’ve already made as a State and as a region, many effective programs already exist and are accelerating progress, targeting our resources geographically to achieve the best results.

“Maryland’s recent actions on stormwater, taking steps to better manage poultry litter and power plant rules, put our State in a positive position to meet the objectives. The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund provides funding for our restoration efforts. And these efforts are already yielding results. Our action on blue crabs has resulted in increased populations for two years in a row. Maryland’s Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development plan will help us rebuild an abundant, self-sustaining native oyster population. And Program Open Space is targeting our most ecologically important lands for preservation, while other programs are funding upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and installation of best management practices on farm land.

“The next critical task is to integrate programming with federal, state, local and grassroots organizations, targeting resources and personnel to the same geographic areas wherever possible. Collectively, we can avoid creating new federal programs by enhancing existing state, local and grassroots actions that are well-suited to meet the goals of this ambitious strategy.

“The path ahead will not be easy, cheap or without controversy. However, with widespread public support for bold action to restore the Chesapeake, we can leave our national treasure to the next generation in better shape than when we inherited her.”

Kentucky Primary Shows Strength Of Tea Party

Reading the Tea Leaves in Kentucky
Mitch McConnell's handpicked candidate is in primary trouble, illustrating the Tea Party's growing strength in the GOP.

Next Tuesday's Democratic Senate primary in Pennsylvania is grabbing most of the advance attention, if for no other reason than the state's proximity to the New York–D.C. media corridor. The race also features the anguished tale of 80-year-old Sen. Arlen Specter's late-game conversion from Republican to Democrat. He may suffer a humiliating loss to Rep. Joe Sestak, but the outcome itself is not a game changer. Either Democrat would face a tough race in the fall.

The far more significant Senate primary race is elsewhere: in Kentucky, where Tea Party fave Dr. Rand Paul is poised to demolish the establishment Republican candidate, Trey Grayson. If you're looking for midterm tea leaves to read—pardon the pun—they're in the deepening red down in the Bluegrass State.

GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, NEWSWEEK has learned, is not planning to be in his hometown of Louisville on Tuesday night. The stated reason is the press of Senate business, but he also may not want to be in the vicinity of what most Kentucky handicappers are now assuming will be a loss by his handpicked candidate, Secretary of State Grayson. Paul, son of Rep. Ron Paul, has been endorsed by evangelical Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family, as well as by Tea Party types in and out of the GOP nationally.

GO HERE to read more.

Teacher Cleared Of Molestation: ‘Nobody Wins’

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Suspect Sought After Chase In Kent And Sussex Counties

Location: Main Street and SR 10, Camden, Kent County, DE
Date of Occurrence: Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 5:25 p.m.
Suspect: Norman W. Henry, 31, Lincoln, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police are search for the driver who took state troopers on a chase in Kent and Sussex Counties.

The incident began when a trooper was stopped for a red light on Main Street at SR 10 in Camden. When the light turned green the trooper along with other traffic began to move through the intersection when a 2010 Chevrolet Impala ran a red light coming from eastbound SR 10. The Chevrolet came dangerously close to striking the trooper’s car and other traffic.

The trooper activated his emergency equipment and attempted to stop the vehicle. The Chevrolet proceeded east of SR 10 disregarding the trooper’s lights and siren. The Chevrolet was swerving back and forth in the lanes on SR 10 and then turned south on U.S. 13. The Chevrolet began to drive in the northbound lanes for a period of time before returning to its proper lane.

A Georgetown Police Officer stopped at the intersection of S. State Street and Sorghum Mill Road to assist. The officer directed the Chevrolet to pullover however the Georgetown Police Officer had to jump out of the way in order to avoid being struck. Just south of the intersection a red Ford Taurus was attempting to move to the shoulder when it was struck by the Chevrolet. The suspect vehicle continued to flee at a high rate of speed when the trooper discontinued the pursuit. No one in the Taurus was injured.

Troopers in Sussex County began to receive numerous calls on the reckless driving of the Chevrolet. Milford and state police found the vehicle again on U.S. 113 in the area of Milford. Police eventually found the suspect vehicle at 21000 block of Cubbage Pond Road near Lincoln.

Evidence located implicated Henry as the operator. Warrants are on file at Troop 3 for the numerous traffic charges including failing to stop for a police officer, driving while suspended, reckless endangering and reckless driving.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Henry they are asked to call their local police and report his location. Calls may also be phoned in to state police at Troop 3 by dialing 302-697-4456.

Wicomico County, Maryland Budget Public Hearing

Cross posted from RightCoast

Last night's public hearing for the county budget had a less than steller turn out. Only about 55 to 60 people attended and I have to say without AFP participation, there maybe would of been a dozen or so, mostly from the school board. It seemed many had accepted the fate of large cuts to the county budget.

Some of our membership wondered why they should attend when most of what has to be said has been said and all the suggestions the could be suggested has been suggested, now it's up to county executive Rick Pollitt and the Wicomico county council to hammer out what and where to cut. There will be serval county budget meetings before July 1st, the date the budget will be finalized and filed.

As it was pointed out, I had a previous engagement and was a bit late, so I missed much of the presentation and council comments. However, it had to be one of the shortest council meetings, I have ever attended.

Heavy cuts are promised, it's just unclear exactly where and to what. Unfortunately Pollitt, who didn't show up, also didn't fill out a lot of the information when submitting his budget to the council. Council President Gail Bartkovich did say that after the admonishing in the Daily Times newspaper, Pollitt is providing the needed and requested information, and the council is meeting with various departments to gain a greater understanding of the needs and requirements of each indivigual department, so they can

properly assess Pollitt's budget proposal and make decisions.

I personally can not understand why a line by line detailed budget is not available to the public. It certainly would make understanding what specifically the money is going towards, and I don't just mean the county budget, I mean the Board of Education as well.

The council seems to be doing it's due diligence and trying to do the right thing. Why Pollitt has not provided the public or the council with detailed information is beyond me.

In any event, politics certainly makes strange bed fellows. I couldn't resist this picture.

For more detailed information, check out monoblogue

"Let’s begin with the constant yield hearing, where Director of Finance Patricia Petersen carefully explained the legalese which in essence told us that the county was choosing not to lower the property tax rate to that where the revenue yielded would be the same (constant yield) but instead maintaining the same rate as last year. Instead of lowering the rate to 74.91 cents per $100, the rate will stay at 75.9 cents per $100 – that extra penny gained by keeping a stable rate will net Wicomico County $683,364 in additional revenue, yet no one commented. That state-mandated hearing was over in about three minutes. So while Rick Pollitt can say he didn’t increase the tax rate, it proves the old adage that “your results may vary.”

HOW TO RESTORE VITAL FUNDING THAT IRETON WANTS TO ELIMINATE!

In his first budget, Mr. Ireton has proposed completely cutting the City’s funding for the Maryland Food Bank and the Village of Hope, which are non-profit organizations that furnish essential services to impoverished residents of Salisbury. Last year, almost 500,000 pounds of food were distributed by the Maryland Food Bank, including hot meals to children in after-school programs. It requested $5,000, which Ireton has totally unfunded in his proposed budget.

The Village of Hope requested only $2,000, also completely unfunded by Ireton despite its program that provides medical care to the uninsured poor and essential skills training to homeless women.

At the same time Ireton wants to maintain nearly the same level of funding for the Public Access Program (PAC-14) despite its recent reorganization to become more self sustaining rather than depending almost entirely on funding by the City and County governments. If Ireton would reduce funding for PAC-14 to the sum it received from the City in FY2009 ($91,500) that would generate sufficient funds to fully cover the requests by both the Maryland Food Bank and the Village of Hope.

Another means to generate those funds is cancellation of the proposed pay raise of almost $10,000 that Ireton has proposed for the Assistant City Administrator, Lore Chambers, who he wants to reclassify from pay grade 12 to 15 and a minimum salary of $61,000. That would be obscene in light of the hit being made to most other City personnel.

It will be interesting to see if Louise Smith or Shanie Shields (who is now on PAC-14’s board of directors if you can imagine that) will vote to provide City funding for the Maryland Food Bank and the Village of Hope. We can count on Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen to do the right thing, as usual.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On May 7, 2010 at approximately 2:14 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant charging the suspect with an armed robbery that occurred on May 6, 2010. On May 6, it was reported to the Salisbury Police that an adult male victim had been robbed of U.S. Currency at gunpoint during a meeting with the suspect in the parking lot near the Giant Food Store on South Salisbury Boulevard. Utilizing witness information, Detectives of the Salisbury Police were able to identify the suspect and obtain the arrest warrant.

ARRESTED: Jerry Lee Ellis, 31 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: First degree assault
Second degree assault
Handgun on person
Handgun in a vehicle
Use of a handgun in a violent felony crime
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000018066

On May 11, 2010 at approximately 9:23 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police responded to a vehicle storage lot on Upshur St. for the report of a subject damaging vehicles. Upon arrival the officers were able to locate the below listed suspect sitting on one of the vehicles impounded in the lot. An inspection of the vehicles in the lot revealed that the suspect had damaged one of the vehicles. It was also found that the suspect had made entry into an adjacent impound lot and damaged five (5) vehicles in that lot. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 14 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Fourth degree burglary
Malicious destruction of property (6 counts)
Rogue and vagabond
DISPOSITION: Released to Juvenile Services
CC # 201000018770

On May 11, 2010 at approximately 2:15 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the intersection of Waverly Drive and Carroll Street for the report of a motor vehicle accident. While investigating the accident, the driver of one of the vehicles (suspect # 1) became enraged and disorderly. Efforts to calm the suspect failed and during an attempt to take the suspect into custody, the suspect assaulted the officer investigating the accident. As the officers struggled with the suspect, a family member (suspect #2) became involved and interfered with the officers. This suspect also became disorderly and assaulted officers. With the assistance of a civilian bystander, this suspect was taken into custody. During the altercation with suspect # 2, suspect # 1 left the area. As suspect # 2 was taken into custody, suspect # 1 returned and again assaulted the officers at the scene. Suspect # 1 was then taken into custody. As the officers arrested Suspect # 1, a second family member (suspect # 3) became involved and was also taken into custody. The officer and suspect # 1 received minor injuries during the altercation.

ARRESTED #1: Florence Virginia Harris, 48 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault on a police officer
Disorderly conduct
Disturbing the peace
Failure to obey a lawful order
Obstructing and hindering an investigation

ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 16 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Assault on a police officer
Second degree assault
Resisting arrest
Disorderly conduct
Failure to obey a lawful order
Obstructing and hindering an investigation

ARRESTED #3: Cinderella Yasmain White, 20 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES (Both): Disorderly conduct
Disturbing the peace
Obstructing and hindering
DISPOSITION: Suspects #1 and #3 released to Central Booking
Suspect #2 released to Juvenile Justice
CC # 201000018810

MARYLAND’S HIGH COURT IS HIGHLY UNFRIENDLY TO BUSINESS!

Maryland Reclamation Associates, Inc. v. Harford County
(Court of Appeals of Maryland)
Filed: March 11, 2010.
Opinion by Judge Sally D. Adkins.

Holding: The expenditure of over a million dollars to purchase property and obtain state permits does not, by itself, grant a vested right to a landowner or permit a landowner to succeed in an equitable estoppel claim against a government which has revised its zoning code in a manner that precludes a landowner's intended use of the property.

Facts: Landowner sought to construct a landfill in Harford County. After being included in the County's solid waste management plan, Landowner purchased property for proposed landfill. While the Maryland Department of Environment processed its permit (and just four days after settlement), a new Harford County Council passed a resolution to remove the property from its plan. With litigation pending, the County revised its zoning code in a manner that resulted in the property being disqualified for its Landowner's intended use as a landfill.

Analysis: Landowner argued, among other theories, that it had obtained a vested right in the zoning use and that County should be estopped from applying its new zoning regulation based on equitable and zoning estoppel.

"In order to obtain a vested right in an existing zoning use that will be protected against a subsequent change in a zoning ordinance prohibiting that use, the owner must initially obtain a permit" and must make a substantial beginning in construction to commit the land to its permitted use before the zoning ordinance has been changed. Landowner asserted a substantial change in relation to the land had been made as it purchased the land, made over a million dollars in expenditures (acquisition, engineering and legal fees) and incurred obligations in proceeding with the the engineering development plans for the State's permitting process. The Court rejected Landowner's argument holding that neither the purchase of property nor expenditure of funds in preparation for development is sufficient to grant a vested right in an existing zoning use.

The Court denied Landowner's theory of equitable estoppel because a court must first make a finding that plaintiff had a vested right. While declining the opportunity to adopt the doctrine of zoning estoppel, the Court discussed the theory in length and recognized "as zoning and permitting processes become more complex, the need for such a doctrine grows." Yet, the Court opined that even if zoning estoppel was recognized, Landowner would not succeed because it could not prove it relied in good faith on an act or omission by the government that caused Landowner to make a substantial change because Landowner "knew of facts that should have given it notice that it should not rely on the government action in question."
Dissent: Judge Glenn T. Harrell, Jr., provided a dissenting opinion, which Chief Judge Robert M. Bell joined. Judge Harrell contended that the Court of Appeals had "again wimp[ed]-out on adopting the doctrine of zoning estoppel." He would have held "that [Harford County] is estopped from applying the provisions of Bill 91-10 to the [Landowner's] proposed rubble landfill, based on [County's] prior approvals of the . . . Site Plan, its inclusion of [the Landowner's] rubble landfill in the [County’s] Solid Waste Management Plan (“SWMP”), the official assurances it gave to [the Landowner] that construction could proceed, and [Landowner's] substantial expenditures made in good faith reliance upon such assurances."

Source:

Caption This Photo

How Many Times Do Hebron Officials Have To Be Told They're Wrong?

How many agencies and governmental bodies have told Hebron that they are wrong in almost every planning methodology and proposal the town (and its two attorneys and also a paid planning consultant) have brought forth? Let's name them--: Maryland Department of Planning, County Council, Maryland Department of Environment (numerous WWTP violations), ordinary citizens and environmental groups, Circuit Court for Wicomico County--approval of Waller Landing reversed and remanded.

It's time to start connecting the dots--isn't it strange that this 400-acre project never even went before Hebron Planning when it was annexed and not one person at any of the many meetings and hearings has ever said they wanted this project in their town, but it is always approved............, as one person said at the hearing last month, the only ones who are for it are on the Town Commissioners and Planning. This is not passing the Smell Test!

Five years of this, and Hebron is still clueless. The Wilmington developers continue to pay the Hebron attorney and consultant--all the while, Hebron is becoming known far and wide as the poster-child for Dumb Growth.


This letter from MDP is strong in fully setting out the many points on which Hebron fails the test.

Astute Observation

The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the presidency. It will be easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to an electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails us. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president." -- Author Unknown

USDA Tightens Chicken Rules

Yesterday the USDA announced new poultry safety rules intended to slightly reduce the number of poisonings annually from salmonella and campylobacter. An agency official says that the new rules should prevent about 65,000 cases of food sickness a year, which is only a fraction of the over a million cases annually. However, most of the other food products that contribute to that number fall under FDA regulation, so the USDA can't say anything. "This is something we can do, so we're doing it," the spokesman told the Los Angeles Times.

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Five Years Ago Today

Just to give you an idea of how long Salisbury News has been around serving the Salisbury community, it was five years ago today English's Diner closed their doors for good. The Diner was bought, relocated and a Walgreen's now sits in that very location.

Law Review Article Could Spell Trouble For Kagan At Confirmation Hearing

Senators who will be trying to pry Kagan's closely held views out of her at the upcoming confirmation hearing will almost certainly confront Kagan with her own words from long ago

Tony Mauro
The National Law Journal
May 12, 2010

Several news profiles of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan in recent days have intimated that she has had her eye on a Supreme Court seat almost since high school, and that her longstanding reticence about taking strong stands on issues may have been calculated to help smooth her path.

But that degree of foresight can't have been at work when she wrote http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/111thCongressExecutiveNominations/upload/KaganSG-Question13A-Part10.pdf a book review that was published in a 1995 edition of the University of Chicago Law Review. In the process of commenting on Stephen Carter's book on the sorry state of Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Kagan offered an analysis that lights up like neon now that she herself is a nominee.

At the time she wrote the article, Kagan was a visiting professor at the University of Chicago Law School, following a stint as special counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee during Ruth Bader Ginsburg's confirmation hearing.

The process has taken on "an air of vacuity and farce," she wrote, in part because senators have gotten away from "the essential rightness -- the legitimacy and the desirability -- of exploring a Supreme Court nominee's set of constitutional views and commitments." Another phrase she used to describe modern-day confirmation hearings: "vapid and hollow charade."

There's more. Senators at confirmation hearings, she said, engage in a "peculiar ritual dance, in which they propound their own views on constitutional law, but neither hope nor expect the nominee to respond to in like manner." She praised the stormy 1987 hearing on Robert Bork's nomination -- which resulted in his defeat -- as the model for the kind of meaty, substantive hearing the Senate should conduct.

Along the way, by comparison, Kagan also called the confirmation hearing of Clarence Thomas a "national laughingstock," and said the hearings for Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer were "lovefests" in which they "stonewalled the Judiciary Committee to great effect." Ginsburg, in particular engaged in a "pincer movement" by refusing to answer questions that she viewed either as too specific or too generally.

Fifteen years later, unsurprisingly, the article has come back to haunt Kagan more than anything else she has written -- at least in terms of its impact on the confirmation hearing she will soon face. As senators try to pry her closely held views out of her, they will almost certainly confront her with her own words, Tim Russert-style, and ask her how she can say so little, when she said then that nominees should say a lot more?

It's already begun among commentators. "I hope very much that the nominee means now what she wrote then," http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/just-answer-the-question/ wrote Linda Greenhouse in The New York Times this week.

"We have waited a long time for a nominee willing to give answers." In The Wall Street Journal, George Mason University professor of law Neomi Rao http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703880304575236120480093754.html said, "Ms. Kagan is right." She urged Kagan to be forthright in answering questions about how she approaches judging.

A preview of how Kagan's words may haunt her came least year during her confirmation hearing for the job of solicitor general. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, asked Kagan about the article and how it squared with a judge's pledge of impartiality.

"It is a great question, Senator, and I am not sure that sitting here today I would agree" with what she had written in the article, Kagan replied (see page 118 http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_senate_hearings&docid=f:55828.pdf.

"I wrote that when I was in the position of sitting where the staff is now sitting and feeling a little bit frustrated that I really was not understanding completely what the judicial nominee in front of me meant and what she thought. But I think that you are exactly right, of course, that ... this has to be a balance. The Senate has to get the information that it needs, but as well, the nominee for any particular position, whether it is judicial or otherwise, has to be protective of certain kinds of interests."

In a http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/111thCongressExecutiveNominations/upload/Kagan-QFRs.pdf written answer to a follow-up question on the same issue asked by Hatch, Kagan elaborated on her new view of the matter: "I do think now, more than I did then, that significant considerations (even apart from specific rules of judicial conduct) support some real reticence from judicial nominees on these matters; I am also less convinced than I was in 1995 that substantive discussions of legal issues and views, in the context of nomination hearings, provide the great public benefits I suggested. Yet that leaves the question just what these hearings should be about -- what matters Senators should explore with the nominee and how the nominee should be evaluated. I confess to finding these questions very difficult."

FCC To Control What You Can/Can't Record From TV

At the MPAA's behest, the FCC granted Selectable Output Control, which means you won't be able to record certain "high value" stuff off your TV, ZeroPaid reports:

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One Of The Biggest Health Frauds EVER Perpetrated On The American People

Animals in southern Iceland are at risk of fluoride poisoning if they inhale or ingest the ash from the recent volcanic eruption. Fluoride poisoning can lead to internal bleeding, long-term bone damage and tooth loss.

According to BBC News:

“The fluoride in the ash creates acid in the animals' stomachs, corroding the intestines and causing hemorrhages. It also binds with calcium in the bloodstream and after heavy exposure over a period of days makes bones frail, even causing teeth to crumble."

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Many may see this story and never connect the dots between the tragic poisoning of these animals due to a natural event, and the intentional poisoning of human beings through excessive fluoride exposure each and every day.

This story is another clue that just because something exists in nature doesn't necessarily mean it is good for you. And this is certainly true for the seriously misguided use of fluoride to prevent dental cavities.

The practice of adding fluoride to your tap water began in 1945. With more than 60 percent of U.S. water supplies currently fluoridated, chances are you’re one of the 170 million Americans who drink fluoride on a daily basis.

Most likely, your dentist – along with countless government and public health officials -- has praised and promoted the use of fluoride, both in toothpaste and drinking water, as one of your must-do regimens to promote strong and healthy teeth.

Unfortunately, they’ve all bought the public deception, and have unwittingly participated in and perpetuated perhaps one of the grandest public health frauds and toxic cover-ups in U.S. history

GO HERE to read more.

Side By Side, But Divided Over Immigration

Arizona and New Mexico diverge sharply on borders, illegal workers

ALBUQUERQUE - As the Arizona Legislature steamed ahead with the most stringent immigration enforcement bill in the country this year, this state's House of Representatives was unanimously passing a resolution recognizing the economic benefits of illegal immigrants.

While the Arizona police will check driver's licenses and other documents to root out illegal immigrants, New Mexico allows illegal residents to obtain driver's licenses as a public safety measure.

And if Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, a Republican, has become, for now, the public face of tough immigration enforcement, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democrat, has told any interviewer who will listen about his effort to "to integrate immigrants that are here and make them part of society and protect the values of our Hispanic and multiethnic communities."

GO HERE to read more.

Arizona Referendum Drives Dropped

The two proposed referendum drives challenging Arizona's new sweeping law targeting illegal immigration are being abandoned, organizers said Monday. Andrew Chavez, a professional petition circulator involved in one of the efforts, said its backers pulled the plug after concluding they might not be able to time their petition filings in such a way as to put the law on hold pending a 2012 public vote.

Jon Garrido, the chief organizer of the other drive, attributed its end to a belief that the law would have been subject to legal protections under Arizona's Constitution if approved by Arizona voters.

The law takes effect July 29 unless implementation is blocked by court injunctions requested under at least three of the four pending legal challenges already filed by an Hispanic clergy group, police officers and other individuals.

Its provisions include requiring that police enforcing another law must question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the United States illegally. It also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.

Critics have said the law will result in racial profiling of Hispanics. Supporters deny that and say the law will pressure illegal immigrants to leave the country on their own.

Chavez said his clients, whom he would not identify, launched the effort in the belief that they could put the law on hold until 2012 by not filing petition signatures until it was too late for state elections officials to place a referendum on the November ballot.

Read the rest here

GOP Bill Prevents Geithner From Voting For IMF Loans To EU Members

House Republicans are drafting a bill that would force Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to vote against IMF loans to European countries.

The legislation is a response to the European Union and International Monetary Fund’s bailout of Greece, and possible future aid to other debt-ridden European countries.

The IMF and EU have agreed to create a nearly $1 trillion fund that would offer loan guarantees to any country that needs the help. The idea is to prevent turbulence in financial markets and currencies given the wariness with which traders are viewing Europe.

The U.S. has not offered any direct assistance to Europe, but House Republicans say the U.S. should stand against IMF assistance as well. The U.S. has a nearly 17 percent voting share in the IMF based on its annual contributions.

Republicans question whether the bailout will work, and stress that U.S. tax dollars should not be wasted.

President Barack Obama’s administration has supported the EU-IMF effort, and over the weekend Obama made it clear that a larger support program was necessary to ensure the Greek crisis didn’t cause more severe global economic problems.

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Elena Kagan: Government Can Ban Political Pamphlets

Solicitor General Elena Kagan, nominated Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Barack Obama, told that court in September that Congress could constitutionally prohibit corporations from engaging in political speech such as publishing pamphlets that advocate the election or defeat of a candidate for federal office.

Kagan’s argument that the government could prohibit political speech by corporations was rejected by a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court in the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in that case, and in a scathing concurrence Chief Justice John Roberts took direct aim at Kagan’s argument that the government could ban political pamphlets.

“The Government urges us in this case to uphold a direct prohibition on political speech. It asks us to embrace a theory of the First Amendment that would allow censorship not only of television and radio broadcasts, but of pamphlets, posters, the Internet, and virtually any other medium that corporations and unions might find useful in expressing their views on matters of public concern,” wrote Roberts. “Its theory, if accepted, would empower the Government to prohibit newspapers from running editorials or opinion pieces supporting or opposing candidates for office, so long as the newspapers were owned by corporations—as the major ones are. First Amendment rights could be confined to individuals, subverting the vibrant public discourse that is at the foundation of our democracy.”

Justice Kennedy described the law Kagan had defended as an illegitimate attempt to use “censorship to control thought.”

Read on

Lawsuit: Woman Claims She Was Attacked By Big Black Walmart Snake

It's really quite shocking how often we found ourselves typing the words "lawsuit," "snake" and "Walmart" in the same headline.

Anyhow, here we go again. A woman is suing Walmart after she says a giant black snake attacked her as she was choosing plants.

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Happened At A Bar

Having already downed a few power drinks, she turns around, faces him, looks him straight in the eye and says, "Listen here good looking, I screw anybody, anytime, anywhere, your place, my place, in the car, on the ground, standing up, sitting down, naked or with clothes on, it doesn't matter to me. I just love it."

Eyes now wide with interest, he responds, "No kidding. I'm in Congress too. What state are you from?"

Nail in The Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He
discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.

I'm Thankful For

The partner who hogs the covers every night, because he is not out with someone else.

The child who is not cleaning his room, because that means he is at home and
not in the streets.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow, that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaints I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I'm alive.

And finally, for too much email because it means I have friends who're thinking of me.

WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL: Stinko de Mayo

On May 5, five students at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Calif., were sent home for wearing clothing featuring the American flag. Their offense: trespassing on Mexican heritage during Cinco de Mayo. Administrators called the flag-wearing "incendiary" and likely to cause violence.

The school district overrode the decision, and the boys were allowed to return to school. In response yesterday, about 200 students staged a walkout carrying Mexican flags. The question is: Who taught these kids to hate America so much?
There should be nothing disrespectful about the U.S. flag to Americans of Mexican descent or to any other immigrant group. Teaching children that their heritage is at odds with their citizenship promotes disunity and divisiveness. While the high school's administrators may have been responding to a real public-safety threat, that threat was the product of their failure to instill a sense of national pride in their students.

Identity politics has become such a staple of public life and education in recent decades that incidents like this illustrate the poisonous effects it has on the nation. In the past, immigrant groups would attempt to outdo each other in demonstrating their patriotic attachment to the country that gave them safety, opportunity and freedom. Today, immigrant activist groups think patriotism is at best an inconvenience, at worst a sellout. They have replaced the melting pot with hardening battle lines in a struggle for power.

It is odd that Cinco de Mayo has become a focus of conflict. In Mexico, it is a relatively unimportant, mainly local holiday. But in the United States, it has become the de facto Mexican nationalist day, a far cry from its origins in the 1980s as a marketing gimmick by beer importers to sell brews that taste best with lime wedges.

This is only the latest instance of Old Glory being forced into the closet. In 2006, a Colorado school seeking to placate Mexican nationalists banned the American flag. After a mass student protest, Mexican flags were banned as well. In 2008, Dos Palos, Calif., high school student Jake Shelly was forced to remove a red, white and blue tie-dyed American-flag T-shirt he had worn to school because he was in violation of a dress code banning "shirts/blouses that promote specific races, cultures, or ethnicities."

In 2007, students at Hobbton High School in Sampson County, N.C., were not allowed to wear American-flag-themed clothes on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks because of a general school prohibition on garments featuring flags. The superintendent of schools said that "educators didn't want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible."

Not all flags are created equal. Some flags may be fashion statements, but the American flag is the patriotic symbol of the nation in which we live. This is why the American flag flies outside schools as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe's.

Schools should spend less time telling patriotic students not to cause a ruckus simply by wearing the national colors and more time teaching the kids who are offended by the American flag how wrongheaded their views are. This might require teachers and administrators to begin making value judgments and moral choices for the benefit of the children they are charged with educating. The Stars and Stripes should be a proud statement of unity for all.

Bailing Out Greece With Dollars We Borrow From China

Senator Jim DeMint: "U.S. Taxpayers Are Helping Finance Greek Bailout"
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 05/06/2010 06:04 -0500

From Senator Jim DeMint

The International Monetary Fund board has approved a $40 billion bailout for Greece, almost one year after the Senate rejected my amendment to prohibit the IMF from using U.S. taxpayer money to bailout foreign countries.

Congress didn’t learn their lesson after the $700 billion failed bank bailout and let world leaders shake down U.S taxpayers for international bailout money at the G-20 conference in April 2009. G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors asked the United States, the IMF’s largest contributor, for a whopping $108 billion to rescue bankers around the world and the Obama Administration quickly obliged.

Rather than pass it as stand-alone legislation, President Obama asked Congress to fold the $108 billion into a war-spending bill to send money to our troops.

It was clear such an approach would simply repeat the expensive mistake of the failed Wall Street bailouts with banks in other nations. Think of it as an international TARP plan, another massive rescue package rushed through with little planning or debate. That’s why I objected and offered an amendment to take it out of the war bill. But the Democrat Senate voted to keep the IMF bailout in the war spending bill. 64 senators voted for the bailout, 30 senators voted against it.

Only one year later, the IMF is sending nearly $40 billion to bailout Greece, the biggest bailout the IMF has ever enacted.

Right now, 17 percent of the IMF funding pool that the $40 billion bailout is being drawn from comes from U.S. taxpayers. If that ratio holds true, that means American taxpayers are paying for $6.8 billion of the Greek bailout. Although the $108 billion extra that Congress approved for the IMF in 2009 hasn’t yet gone into effect, you can bet that once it does Greek bankers will come to the IMF again with their hat in hand. And, if other European Union countries see free money up for grabs they could ask the IMF for bailouts when they get into trouble, too. If we’ve learned anything from the Wall Street bailouts it’s that just one bailout is never enough.

To hide the bailout from Americans already angry with the $700 billion bank bailout, Congress classified it as an “expanded credit line.” The Congressional Budget Office only scored it as $5 billion because IMF agreed to give the United States a promissory note for the rest of the bill.
As the Wall Street Journal wrote at the time, “If it costs so little, why not make it $200 billion. Or a trillion? It’s free!”

Of course, money isn’t free and there are member nations of the IMF that won’t be in a hurry to pay it back. Three state sponsors of terrorism, Iran, Syria and Sudan, are a part of the IMF. Iran participates in the IMF’s day-to-day activities as a member of its executive board.
If the failed bank bailout and stimulus bill wasn’t enough to prove to Americans the kind of misguided, destructive spending that goes on in Washington this will: The Democrat Congress, aided by a few Republicans, used a war spending bill to send bailout money to an international fund that’s partially-controlled by our enemies.

America can’t afford to bail out foreign countries with borrowed dollars from China and certainly shouldn’t allow state sponsors of terror a hand in that process.

This has to stop if we are going to survive as a nation. Congress won’t act stop such foolishness on its own. The only way Americans can stop this is by sending new people to Washington in November who will.

Sen. Jim DeMint is a Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina.

W.Va. Congressman’s 28-Year Run Ends

Democrat Mollohan is first House member to be ousted in primary season

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Democrat Alan Mollohan became the first member of the U.S. House to be ousted this spring primary season after his opponent mounted a campaign that questioned the 14-term congressman's ethics and support for federal health care reform.

Mollohan conceded after unofficial returns showed that with 82 percent of precincts reporting, state Sen. Mike Oliverio was ahead 56 percent to 44 percent. It ends his 28 years in the House.

Mollohan was dogged by ethical questions, and the more conservative Oliverio ran an aggressive campaign portraying him as corrupt and out of touch. Conservative media rallied around Oliverio, along with anti-abortion groups angry over Mollohan's support of health care reform.

GO HERE to read more.

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus

Biden's Son Recovering After 'Mild Stroke'

Doctor: Del. attorney general expected to make 'complete recovery'

WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden's oldest son is expected to make a full recovery after suffering an apparent "mild stroke" Tuesday.

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, 41, is in stable condition, according to Dr. Timothy Gardner, Medical Director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Surgery at Christiana Care Health System.

"He is in good spirits and talking with his family at the hospital," Gardner said. "He is fully alert, in stable condition and has full motor and speech skills. We expect him to make a complete recovery."

GO HERE to read more.

Thieves Steal Mojave Desert Memorial Cross In Nighttime Heist

The 7-foot-tall metal cross in a 75-year-old war memorial that withstood the heat of the Mojave Desert and a blazing battle in the Supreme Court over its legality was ripped down and stolen Sunday night, according to federal officials.

The 7-foot-tall metal cross in a 75-year-old war memorial that withstood the heat of the Mojave Desert and a blazing battle in the Supreme Court over its legality was ripped down and stolen Sunday night, according to federal officials.

"This is an outrage, akin to desecrating people's graves," said Kelly Shackelford, president of the Liberty Institute, which represents the caretakers of the Mojave Desert War Memorial. "It's a disgraceful attack on the selfless sacrifice of our veterans. We will not rest until this memorial is re-installed."

GO HERE to read more.

UVA Murder Suspect's Mother Breaks Silence

"I never expected to be in a situation like this."

That's part of the first statement out from Marta Murphy, the mother of George Huguely, 22, the University of Virginia lacrosse player charged with murdering fellow student-athlete and former girlfriend Yeardley Love.

Love was found dead in an off-campus apartment May 3. Huguely was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. In the days after his arrest, disturbing allegations that he'd abused Love in the past came to light

GO HERE to read more.

Where's The BUDGET?

Somerset County Commissioners Refuse to Release Budget

Claim Copies available at the door May 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Although a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2010, the finance director has refused to release copies of the budget in advance of the meeting. Hearing is to be in County Commissioners offices in county office building (old Washington H.S.)

With the calls for fiscal responsibility counties are not exempt from trimming their spending. Citizens of Somerset expect a budget reflective of at least a 2% cut across the board. Wasteful spending and county expeditures for marinas and parks must be curtailed. Somerset is a rural county, dotted with marinas, boating facilities, and fields at dozens of schools, some abandoned, not an over crowded, over built urban area. Were the citizens involved in these million dollar acquisitions that removed valuable properties permanently from the tax rolls?
Why is the county subsidizing the GOLF COURSE $75,000.00 every year?

Commissioners must curtail spending. Demand a 2% cut across the board!

Revenue Cap for Somerset County

Let's lower TAXES BELOW the Constant Yield. With higher assessments, some taxes may still go up.
Somerset County should have a "Revenue Cap". After all, this is an election year so the Commissioners did not raise taxes. Without a Revenue Cap there is nothing to prevent a tax spike next year.

How high will taxes jump next year?

You live on and within your budget. Government must too.

Ticked Off About Contract Negotiations, Nurses Hit Street

When you are unhappy with contract negotiations, what do you do? Picket!

Tuesday night dozens of nurses took to the streets outside Washington Hospital Center to show their unhappiness with contract negotiations.

Members of Nurses United picketed for three hours at the corner of Irving Avenue and First Street Northwest.

GO HERE to read more.

What's Obama Thinking

Top Obama advisers Jarrett and Axelrod given car privileges traditionally reserved for national security officials

Those who get it automatically include the president and vice president, cabinet members and their deputies, the national security adviser and the White House chief of staff.

There are some distinctions. The president, the vice president, the treasury secretary, the secretary of homeland security, the national security adviser and the chief of staff all get Secret Service protection, so their cars are driven by service agents.

The secretary of defense and secretary of state have their own security apparatus, who ferry them around town. The rest of the cabinet and their deputies get “portal to portal” cars driven by military aides from the White House motor pool.

In addition to all these, President George W. Bush designated the deputy national security adviser and his homeland security adviser to receive “portal to portal” privileges as well, Joe Hagin, who was Bush’s deputy chief of staff for operations, said.

On Aug. 16, 2007, Bush added Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, his “war czar” for Iraq and Afghanistan, to the list of those on the “portal to portal” list, according to a copy of a letter sent by Alan Swendiman, special assistant to Bush in the office of administration, to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

GO HERE to read more.

Egypt Detains NY Passenger With Guns In luggage

CAIRO - Airport officials in Cairo say police have detained an American-Egyptian man who arrived on a flight from New York with several weapons in his luggage.

The officials say the man was taken into custody as he tried to pass through customs with a metal box containing two 9 mm handguns, 250 bullets, several swords, daggers and knives.

They say customs officials had been alerted after the weapons were discovered when the box was examined upon arrival Wednesday on an Egypt Air flight from New York's JFK International Airport in Cairo

GO HERE to read more.

Two Vehicle Crash Kills Seaford Man

Location: Southbound U.S. 13 north of Cannon, south of Bridgeville. Sussex County, DE
Date of Occurrence: Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 7:25 a.m.

Resume:

Delaware State Police are investigating a two car crash that killed a Seaford man.

The crash happened today on U.S. 13 southbound when Aaron C. Rust, 40, of Milford, was operating a 1999 International concrete mixer and stopped for a red light in traffic in the right lane. For unknown reasons a 1998 GMC Sonoma also traveling southbound failed to stop for traffic and struck the rear of the concrete mixer.

Killed in the crash was Charles C. Bryant, 46, of Seaford.

All operators were wearing their seat belts and alcohol has not been ruled out as a factor in the crash on the part of Rust. Alcohol and drug involvement is pending review by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours.

Jim Rutledge Denounces Withdrawal Rumor in Maryland Senate Race

Rutledge Proud To Be Leading Conservative Movement to Retire Barbara Mikulski

FOREST HILL, Maryland- U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Rutledge denounced the rumor that he might withdraw from the U.S. Senate race and instead seek to become Maryland’s Attorney General. The Rutledge for Senate Campaign believes this is probably the first of many desperate acts that voters will see from liberal opponents. Jim Rutledge said, “You know you’re winning when your opponents start spreading rumors about you.”

Taxpayers are standing firm across the nation in the effort to reform Washington and bring career politicians like Barbara Mikulski home. Election results continue to show proof that Americans are sick and tired of corporate bailouts and deficit spending. Uncontrolled spending supported by Barbara Mikulski is leading our nation down the path of financial ruin. The Congressional Budge Office projects that the federal budget will show a deficit of 1.3 trillion dollars for 2010. Barbara Mikulski remains unapologetic for the financial disaster she has helped create. Mikulski and her Washington friends are driving America further into debt by borrowing and spending an estimated 600 billion dollars a year above revenue.

The Rutledge Campaign continues to gain momentum as Jim Rutledge’s conservative message of fiscal responsibility spreads throughout Maryland. Unlike Eric Wargotz, Jim Rutledge does not have a liberal track record to defend. Jim Rutledge has accepted the responsibility to lead Marylanders in this fight to end Barbara Mikulski’s spending spree. The constitutional principles set forth by our Founding Fathers will continue to guide Jim Rutledge in his campaign to help restore Washington and lead our nation out of debt.

Jim Rutledge said, “I’m humbled by the support I’m receiving from conservatives, from Tea Party activists, and from working men and women who are tired of a Senator that does not listen to them.” In the coming months the Rutledge for Senate Campaign will persist in its efforts to provide a clear alternative to the liberal practices of Eric Wargotz and Barbara Mikulski.

He's My Brother

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day......picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"
"Eight," the boy replied.
The man continued, "Do you know what these are used for?"
The boy replied, "not exactly....... but they aren't for me....they're for him.
He's my brother..... He's four..... We saw on TV ,that if you use these ,you would be able to swim and ride a bike.
Right now, he can't do either."

Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools

Through May 14
AP Testing
Wicomico County High Schools

Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be administered in Wicomico County high schools to students who took AP classes this year and signed up to take the end-of course test that could earn them college credit.

Tuesday, May 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
HSA Rally
Wicomico High School

Wicomico High will hold an HSA (High School Assessment) Rally in the media center, with prizes and refreshments. Students and parents are invited to attend. More information to come. 410-677-5146.

Wednesday, May 12
Free Playgroup for Age 3
Ben’s Red Swings

A free Parent Connection playgroup for children age 3 will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Ben’s Red Swings in Salisbury. In partnership with the Wicomico Early Learning Center (WELC), Infants and Toddlers welcomes the 3-year-old class. This playgroup, part of the Parent Connection offered by the Wicomico Infants and Toddlers Program, provides the opportunity for parents to meet other families while the children and their parents enjoy some fun in an outdoor play area. Each child who attends will receive lunch. Space is limited, so please RSVP by May 7 to Maleasa at 410-677-5250.

May 12-13
Olympic Athletes Visit Wicomico Schools
Mardela Middle and High, Westside Intermediate

Olympic gold medal-winning diver Laura Wilkinson will visit Mardela Middle and High May 12 along with other top athletes, and Westside Intermediate May 13. Wilkinson, who won diving gold at the 2000 Olympics despite having broken her foot earlier that year, will speak on motivation, focus and giving 100 percent to reach your goals. She will speak with Mardela Middle students at 8:15 a.m. and Mardela High students at 9:15 a.m. Wilkinson and two other top athletes will return to Mardela Middle and High for a luncheon with students from 1-1:45 p.m. 410-677-5142. Wilkinson will also visit Northwestern Elementary for an assembly on May 12.

On May 13, Wilkinson will visit Westside Intermediate School to speak to all girls about motivation, focus and reaching your goals. She will speak with grades 2/3 from 9-9:45 a.m., and grades 4/5 from 10-10:45 a.m. 410-677-5118.

Thursday, May 13
Arts Integration Parade
Willards Elementary School

Students at Willards Elementary School have been engaged this year in arts integration studies on the art, culture and history of India. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 13, students will parade from the school through the town of Willards and back to school to display what they’ve learned. When Willards School did its first arts integration parade last year, it was heartwarming to see all the bank employees, fire department volunteers and family members who lined the streets to cheer the children as they marched along. 410-677-5819.

Thursday, May 13
Environmental Education Event
Pemberton Historical Park

More than 300 Wicomico students from North Salisbury Elementary and Pemberton Elementary will participate in an Environmental Education Event from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury. Wicomico science and service-learning supervisor Brian Raygor, Park Naturalist Kerri Liming, and many community partners have worked for months to design a day of fun and informative environmental activities. Community partners who will participate in the event include Pemberton Park, Salisbury Zoo, Ward Museum, Department of Natural Resources, James M. Bennett High Environmental Science students, Historical Society, Coastal Bays, 4-H, and the University of Maryland Horn Point Laboratory.

May 13 and 14
6 p.m. May 13, 2 p.m. May 14
8th Multicultural Talent Show
East Salisbury Elementary

East Salisbury Elementary presents its 8th annual Multicultural Talent Show for families at 6 p.m. May 13, and for students at 2 p.m. May 14. The theme for this year is "East Salisbury's American Idol Show III". Individuals and groups will have the opportunity to display a variety of talents (dancing, singing, reading of poems etc.) on that evening. There is an admission charge of $3 adults, $1 students for the evening show. The show will also be performed for the entire student body at 2 p.m. May 14.

Coming Up Soon oOn The Wicomico School Calendar

Beginning May 17
High School Assessments (HSAs) and Modified High School Assessments (Mod-HSAs)
All Wicomico Secondary Schools

Students enrolled in HSA-assessed courses, and students who previously took but did not pass one or more of the HSA/Mod-HSA exams, will take the HSAs/Mod-HSAs starting on May 17. HSAs/Mod-HSAs will be administered in high schools and in middle schools. Passing all four HSAs/Mod-HSAs, or achieving a combined score of 1602 or successfully completing a Bridge Plan for Academic Validation , is a Maryland requirement for graduation.

The HSA and Mod-HSA paper tests will be administered May 17-21, excluding May 19. A single date has been designated for each content-area test. Schools administering the paper/pencil HSAs must give the HSAs on the following schedule: May 17 Biology, May 18 Algebra/Data Analysis (HSA/MSA), May 20 Government, May 21 English (HSA/MSA). On-line testing for the HSAs and Mod-HSAs will be administered according to a flexible schedule set by each school within the state-mandated testing window of May 17-June 4.

Schools have planned to give the HSA as follows:

All computer testing for HSAs and Mod-HSAs: Wicomico High, Mardela Middle and High, all other middle schools.

Computer and paper/pencil testing for HSA: Parkside High students will take the paper/pencil test except those students who are being retested and Mod-HSA, who will take the tests on computer. James M. Bennett High will administer the paper/pencil test for all students except those receiving special education services and others taking the MOD-HSA; these will be done on the computer.

Check with the school guidance office for additional information.

Wednesday, May 19
Evening High School Commencement
Beaver Run Elementary

Evening High School students who have successfully completed the requirements to earn a Maryland high school diploma will participate in commencement at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at Beaver Run Elementary School. 410-677-4537.

Wednesday, May 19
Eastern Shore Reading Council Spring Dinner
Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

Don't miss the Eastern Shore Reading Council's Spring Dinner at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (home of the Delmarva Shorebirds) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19. Hear Kathy Bumgardner speak on Reading IS Thinking: Comprehension Strategies and Literacy Tools That Really Work! Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Please make checks payable to ESRC. For more details or a flier, email gsmith@wcboe.org.

Thursday, May 20
Public Budget Hearing
Location TBD

The Wicomico County Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at a location to be determined. The Board will take input on the budget for fiscal year 2010-11 as it prepares to adopt a final budget by June 30. More details to come.

Tuesday, May 25
Arts Integration Guitar Workshop
Willards Elementary School
On Tuesday, May 25, 3:15-4:15 p.m., Dr. Diana Wagner of Salisbury University will conduct a music integration professional development workshop at Willards School to teach faculty some principles of music integration and give them some ideas for integrating a new set of child guitars into their instruction. Teachers who have never played guitar before will be playing one by the end of the hour! Teachers who have already completed Guitars in the Classroom training with Wagner will be there to help and participate. This wonderful day of collaboration will exemplify both the importance and the success of university-school-community partnerships.
Last fall, Willards Elementary PE teacher and SU alumna Nikki Rittling and Wagner, Assistant Professor, Director, Guitars in the Classroom @ SU Vice Chair, Human Subjects Committee (IRB), wrote a small Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council grant which has made it possible to purchase four child-sized guitars for Willards School. Willards boasts the largest number of teachers who have completed the Guitars in the Classroom program with Wagner since the inception of the program in fall 2008. As one of the first arts-integrated schools in Wicomico County, Willards is taking the lead in arts-infused instruction.
May 25-June 4
Senior Schedule
All Wicomico County High Schools

Tuesday, May 25: Exams in periods 6 and 7
Wednesday, May 26: Exams in periods 4 and 5
Thursday, May 27: Exams in periods 1, 2 and 3
*Makeup exams will be on the day following the original scheduled exam day

Friday, May 28: Final day for all seniors

Saturday, May 29
James M. Bennett High Prom
The Commons, Salisbury University

Following the Grand March at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, the JMB Prom will be held at the Commons at Salisbury University.

Tuesday, June 1
Wicomico High School Commencement
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Commencement for Wicomico High School seniors will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Seniors must arrive by 6:15 p.m. Commencement practice will be at noon that day.

Wednesday, June 2
James M. Bennett High School Commencement
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Commencement for James M. Bennett High School seniors will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Practice is at 9 a.m.

Thursday, June 3
Parkside High School Commencement
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Commencement for Parkside High School seniors will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Commencement practice will be at 9 a.m. that day.

Friday, June 4
Mardela High School Commencement
UMES

Commencement for Mardela High School seniors will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4, at the Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne. Commencement practice will be at 9:30 a.m. that day.

Thursday, May 27
Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament
Salisbury University Commons

The annual Math 24 Game Tournament for Wicomico elementary and middle students will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 27, in the Commons at Salisbury University. (This event was originally scheduled for May 20.)

Thursday, May 27
Closing the Minority Achievement Gap
Mills Memorial Baptist Temple, Salisbury

Dr. Judylynn Mitchell, supervisor of elementary education, Education that is Multicultural, and school library/media centers K-5 for Wicomico County Public Schools, will facilitate a discussion on Closing the Minority Achievement Gap at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at as NAACP meeting at the Mills Memorial Baptist Temple in Salisbury. The public is invited to join this discussion. For more information, please call Mary Ashanti at 410-543-4187.

Monday, May 31
Schools and Central Office closed for Memorial Day holiday

Tuesday, June 8
Maryland Blue Ribbon School Tour of Excellence
Northwestern Elementary School

Maryland Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick brings the Maryland Blue Ribbon School Tour of Excellence to Northwestern Elementary School in Mardela Springs at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 8.

Tuesday, June 8
Board of Education Monthly Meeting
Board of Education Auditorium

The Wicomico County Board of Education will hold its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, in the Board of Education Auditorium. An agenda will be posted at www.wcboe.org the Friday before the meeting. 410-677-4561.

Tuesday, June 8, at 7 p.m.
Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night
Parkside High School

The final Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night of the 2009-10 school year will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at Parkside High School. Outstanding students, staff, schools, programs and community partners will be recognized.

June 14
Flag Day Celebration
Charles H. Chipman Elementary

Students of Charles H. Chipman Elementary will celebrate Flag Day on June 14 with patriotic songs, readings and poems about America and the flag. They will honor veterans and relatives of the school family who are presently serving our country. The program will begin in the cafeteria at 10:30 a.m. 410-677-5814.

Friday, July 16
School Readiness Fair
Pemberton Elementary School

The annual School Readiness Fair for young children and their families will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Pemberton Elementary School. This will be an opportunity for children and their parents/guardians to meet representatives of their schools and local community organizations, pick up teaching materials, and learn about school bus safety from Buster the Bus. The Readiness Fair will include free dinner, door prizes, real school bus rides, games and crafts. Call 410-677-4580 to register as an exhibitor or to get more information.