A high school teacher in Howard County, Md., has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a student at school, and now police want to know if there are more victims.
Charles Ray Moore works as an JROTC instructor at Atholton High School in Columbia, Md. A 17-year-old student told her mother that twice this month she stayed late at school and engaged in sex acts with the 51-year-old teacher in a classroom, detectives said.
Moore was arrested Monday night, and has been charged with sexual child abuse and sexual abuse of a minor by a person in a position of authority.
GO HERE to read more.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
School Bus Driver Accused Of Taping Self With 7-Year-Old
A Prince George's County, Md., school bus driver is under arrest on charges of producing child pornography.
Scott Smallwood, 27, of Upper Marlboro, Md., is accused of videotaping himself engaged in sex acts with a 7-year-old boy, News4's John Schriffen.
Smallwood was arrested Friday, but police said the investigation began March 15, when Smallwood allegedly left a camera memory card on the counter of a 7-Eleven on Coventry Way in Clinton. According to court documents, another customer found the microSD card and took it home. The customer viewed the contents of the card and discovered 10 to 15 videos of an adult male engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a little boy.
GO HERE to read more.
Scott Smallwood, 27, of Upper Marlboro, Md., is accused of videotaping himself engaged in sex acts with a 7-year-old boy, News4's John Schriffen.
Smallwood was arrested Friday, but police said the investigation began March 15, when Smallwood allegedly left a camera memory card on the counter of a 7-Eleven on Coventry Way in Clinton. According to court documents, another customer found the microSD card and took it home. The customer viewed the contents of the card and discovered 10 to 15 videos of an adult male engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a little boy.
GO HERE to read more.
Montgomery County Maintenance of Effort Also Approved
Five counties have submitted maintenance of effort waivers - however - more may be forthcoming in light of recent waiver approvals for Montgomery and Wicomico Counties.
READ ON - Click Here
READ ON - Click Here
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANTS MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT WAIVER TO WICOMICO
Following a 9:30 A.M. appearance today by Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. and Director of Finance Patricia Petersen before the Maryland State Board of Education in Baltimore, the Board voted 8-to-4 in favor of granting a waiver on the county’s Maintenance of Effort requirement for education funding. The Wicomico County Board of Education will now receive an additional $1.5 Million in state funds.
Upon receiving the news of the positive vote, Mr. Pollitt said, “Against all odds, we were able to persuade the Board that Wicomico County would not be able to provide its required share of funding to our K-12 school children in next year’s budget. I suggested to them that they could mitigate the impact of county cuts somewhat by granting the waiver. We are delighted that the State Board agreed and that our school program will receive the extra funding.”
Upon receiving the news of the positive vote, Mr. Pollitt said, “Against all odds, we were able to persuade the Board that Wicomico County would not be able to provide its required share of funding to our K-12 school children in next year’s budget. I suggested to them that they could mitigate the impact of county cuts somewhat by granting the waiver. We are delighted that the State Board agreed and that our school program will receive the extra funding.”
New Public Awareness Campaign
The City of Salisbury’s Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance Department (NSCC)
is pleased unveil a new “Public Awareness Campaign” that will commence June 1, 2010.
The program will begin in combination with the utilization of the new code enforcement
software program – Comcate.
NSCC’s Code Enforcement Officers will be issuing door tags that are intended to inform
property owners of violations of the City of Salisbury Property Maintenance Code before
any enforcement action is taken. Utilization of the tagging program is at the officer’s
discretion and will not necessarily circumvent standard enforcement protocols.
This campaign is an initiative of Mayor James Ireton, Jr. to inform the public of code
violations and provide them the opportunity to bring the violations into compliance rather
then issuing a notice of violation.
In addition to the benefits of the courtesy tagging campaign, NSCC will also be tagging
properties that have shown recent improvement by placing a “You’ve been caught”
improving your property placard on the property.
Mayor Ireton states, “In an effort to be proactive in our code enforcement, I am pleased
that we have found a way to gently nudge properties toward the fixes they require in
complying with the Salisbury Housing Code. Additionally, we are now able to thank
residents for the efforts they have put into making their properties comply. This effort,
by staff at Neighborhood Service and Code Compliance, is a progressive step in the right
direction”
IRETON LOSES SELF-CONTROL AT SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Last night Jim Ireton became extremely upset by public comment remarks made by local landlords. The general tenor of their commentary was that Ireton has ignored attempts by SAPOA and landlords that began when he was elected as mayor last year to have a dialogue with him to address and resolve issues regarding rental properties.
Stu Leer, outraged because Ireton recently designated one of his firm’s rental homes as Salisbury’s “slum property of the week,” discussed his efforts during Ireton’s tenure as mayor to establish a working relationship with the City. He stated that he is still waiting for some meaningful response to his messages and that his offer of free space for a police substation is being withdrawn.
Later, the president of SAPOA discussed her effort to establish a working relationship with Ireton, again without response by him. At this point Ireton rudely interrupted her, suggesting that he was being wrongly portrayed and continuing to complain until Louise Smith silenced him so that the speaker could continue.
This is the second outburst by Ireton at a Council meeting or work session in recent weeks, and we understand there are earlier episodes. Hopefully, all of them are due to his watching Barrie Tilghman in action during her tenure as mayor. But if that’s not the case then medication or counseling may be needed.
Fruitland Police Vehicle Pursuit
DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT: 5/25/2010; 1423 hours
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Fleeing and Eluding
LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 100 block Staton Street, Fruitland, MD
1. NAME OF PERSON CHARGED: Jeffrey Lamore Jones Jr
AGE OF PERSON CHARGED: 36
ADDRESS OF PERSON CHARGED: 12084 College Place, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Charges:
1) Fleeing & Eluding Uniformed Police officer
2) Driving on Suspended License
3) Driving without a license
4) Reckless Driving
5) Negligent Driving
Disposition: Remanded to the custody of Wicomico County Detention Center central booking.
DATE & TIME OF ARREST: 5/25/2010 1427 hours
Details:
On May 25, 2010 at 2:23 pm, an officer from the Fruitland Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation. The above named defendant failed to stop and several officers engaged in a vehicle pursuit that concluded on the 100 block of Staton Street. One of the officers was involved in a minor collision with the suspect vehicle. The officer was transported to PRMC for minor injuries. Jones’ Maryland driver’s license was suspended. Jones was transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center where he was processed and taken before the District Court Commissioner.
POLLITT APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO STUDY FEASABILITY OF LEOPS
COUNTY EXECUTIVE POLLITT APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO STUDY FEASABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ PENSION SYSTEM (LEOPS) FOR WICOMICO COUNTY
Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. announced today that he has established a committee to study the feasibility and affordability of introducing the LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officer’s Pension System) retirement plan for Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputies.
The committee is composed of county staff directly involved in law enforcement and Human Relations. Committee co-chairs are Lieutenant Mark ‘Babe’ Wilson & Sergeant Mark Wagner. Both are with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department. Pollitt added that Fruitland Police Chief Mike Philips, who just secured LEOPS for his department with the blessing and support of the Fruitland City Council, has offered to assist in a consulting capacity. Fruitland is the latest jurisdiction to offer LEOPS to its police personnel, joining a growing number of municipalities and counties across the Eastern Shore which include Cambridge, Chestertown, Hurlock, Princess Anne, City of Salisbury (police & firefighters), and Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Worcester Counties.
Pollitt said that, “Despite the current economic climate, I think it is crucially important to provide a pension plan for the brave men and women who serve us in law enforcement. We need to recognize the unique risks involved with their profession. Unlike most of us, when they leave home to report to work, there is always a chance they may not return. We need to do all that we can to not only secure the conditions of their retirement years but we also need to make our law enforcement jobs attractive to top-level candidates.”
As a result of the committee’s work, Pollitt hopes to include the LEOPS pension plan in next year’s operating budget.
Westbound Route 50-Fatal
LOCATION: W/B Rte 50 @ Sixty Foot Rd, Pittsville, Wicomico County, MD
On the above date and time troopers responded to the above location in reference to an accident involving a motorcycle and a work truck. Upon arrival it was determined that Harry Singleton who was operating a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was travelling Westbound on Route 50 just East of Sixty Foot Road, when a 2008 Chevrolet truck, operated by Michael Nannini, was northbound on Sixty Foot Road crossing Westbound Route 50, when he pulled out in front of the oncoming motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle was unable to avoid a collision with the work truck resulting in the accident. Speed of the motorcycle does not appear to be a factor in the collision, nor was either operator under the influence of alcohol.
Singleton was later pronounced dead at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Nannini refused any medical treatment at the scene.
Charges are pending reference the driver of the 2008 Chevrolet truck upon consultation with the States Attorney’s Office.
Deceased: Harry E. Singleton, 70 YOA, of St. Augustine, FL
At Fault: Michael A. Nannini, 39 YOA, of Pittsburgh, PA 15227
On the above date and time troopers responded to the above location in reference to an accident involving a motorcycle and a work truck. Upon arrival it was determined that Harry Singleton who was operating a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was travelling Westbound on Route 50 just East of Sixty Foot Road, when a 2008 Chevrolet truck, operated by Michael Nannini, was northbound on Sixty Foot Road crossing Westbound Route 50, when he pulled out in front of the oncoming motorcycle. The operator of the motorcycle was unable to avoid a collision with the work truck resulting in the accident. Speed of the motorcycle does not appear to be a factor in the collision, nor was either operator under the influence of alcohol.
Singleton was later pronounced dead at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Nannini refused any medical treatment at the scene.
Charges are pending reference the driver of the 2008 Chevrolet truck upon consultation with the States Attorney’s Office.
Deceased: Harry E. Singleton, 70 YOA, of St. Augustine, FL
At Fault: Michael A. Nannini, 39 YOA, of Pittsburgh, PA 15227
O'MALLEY ON GULF OIL LEAK
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL IMPACT OF
GULF OIL LEAK ON MARYLAND AT HURRICANE RESPONSE EXERCISE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 25, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley will host a cabinet level hurricane preparedness table-top exercise tomorrow, where he will use a portion of the planned proceedings to discuss the potential impact of the Gulf oil leak on Maryland waters and beaches. The drill, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in the State House, will feature Cabinet officials and staff charged with disaster response as preparedness, as well as Governor O’Malley’s Bay Cabinet. The exercise will also include officials from the National Weather Service.
The first hour of the exercise, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will be open press. The actual tabletop exercise is closed press, beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m.
GULF OIL LEAK ON MARYLAND AT HURRICANE RESPONSE EXERCISE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 25, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley will host a cabinet level hurricane preparedness table-top exercise tomorrow, where he will use a portion of the planned proceedings to discuss the potential impact of the Gulf oil leak on Maryland waters and beaches. The drill, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in the State House, will feature Cabinet officials and staff charged with disaster response as preparedness, as well as Governor O’Malley’s Bay Cabinet. The exercise will also include officials from the National Weather Service.
The first hour of the exercise, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will be open press. The actual tabletop exercise is closed press, beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident In Pittsville
Salisbury News has come to learn of a fatal accident involving a Salisbury man, 49 yoa. We're told a truck pulled out in front of him. More to come.....
UPDATE: We are well aware, (at this time) of the deceased age. When the tags were run on the motorcycle the information came back registered to a 49 yo Salisbury man. We have since come to learn it was the Father of the owner of the motorcycle.
UPDATE: We are well aware, (at this time) of the deceased age. When the tags were run on the motorcycle the information came back registered to a 49 yo Salisbury man. We have since come to learn it was the Father of the owner of the motorcycle.
U.S. Fails To Crack Down On Puppy Mills
WASHINGTON - An internal government report says dogs are dying and living in horrific conditions due to lax government enforcement of large kennels known as puppy mills.
Investigators say the Department of Agriculture often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn't adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs. In one case cited by the department's inspector general, 27 dogs died at an Oklahoma breeding facility after inspectors had visited the facility several times and cited it for violations.
The review, conducted between 2006 and 2008, found that more than half of those who had already been cited for violations flouted the law again.
GO HERE to read more.
Investigators say the Department of Agriculture often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn't adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs. In one case cited by the department's inspector general, 27 dogs died at an Oklahoma breeding facility after inspectors had visited the facility several times and cited it for violations.
The review, conducted between 2006 and 2008, found that more than half of those who had already been cited for violations flouted the law again.
GO HERE to read more.
A Promise Kept - Obama
The struggle over gays in the military offers an important lesson about Washington: When public opinion moves, politicians follow, even on the most seemingly toxic issues. And with the proper patient and, yes, political approach, "do overs" are possible.
As the finishing touches are being put on a major revision of "don't ask, don't tell," it's not yet time for opponents of the 17-year-old discriminatory policy to rejoice; the Pentagon hasn't completed its review. But the signs are good that DADT will be effectively dead soon.
Give some credit to the Obama White House, which angered many gay-rights activists by putting the issue on the back burner last year. As I try to explain in The Promise, Obama and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel applied a policy of "no distractions" in 2009 amid the debate over health-care reform. They also didn't want to roil relations with the Pentagon while policy toward Afghanistan was under review.
GO HERE to read more.
Crime Drops In D.C.
The FBI reported the District was safer in 2009. Crime has dropped 7.2 percent from 2008 to 2009 in D.C., according to a preliminary crime report.
The Examiner reports that the number of homicides in the District fell from 186 to 143, and the number of rapes dropped from 186 to 150.
These numbers matched the drops in crime in Maryland and Virginia.
GO HERE to read more.
The Examiner reports that the number of homicides in the District fell from 186 to 143, and the number of rapes dropped from 186 to 150.
These numbers matched the drops in crime in Maryland and Virginia.
GO HERE to read more.
Cash for Clinton - In The U.N.'s New Haiti Peacekeeping Budget
The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in battered Haiti is one of the most expensive in the world — and it's about to get even more so. One of the reasons being given this time is the need to add support for the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti, former President Bill Clinton.
The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in battered Haiti is one of the most expensive in the world — and it's about to get even more so. One of the reasons being given this time is the need to add support for the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti, former President Bill Clinton.
Just exactly how much more expensive, however, the U.N. is not prepared to say. It now claims the situation is too "fluid" for the world organization even to produce a detailed budget covering the next six months — half the period normally covered in its normal financial calculations.
Nevertheless, in a back-of-the-envelope estimate that he has sent to the U.N. General Assembly, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is asking for $380.4 million to cover the period from July 1 to December 31 of this year.
That would be $760.8 million at an annualized rate — roughly double what the U.N. allocated for the mission in its first full year of operations, starting in 2004.
GO HERE to read more.
The United Nations' peacekeeping mission in battered Haiti is one of the most expensive in the world — and it's about to get even more so. One of the reasons being given this time is the need to add support for the U.N.'s special envoy to Haiti, former President Bill Clinton.
Just exactly how much more expensive, however, the U.N. is not prepared to say. It now claims the situation is too "fluid" for the world organization even to produce a detailed budget covering the next six months — half the period normally covered in its normal financial calculations.
Nevertheless, in a back-of-the-envelope estimate that he has sent to the U.N. General Assembly, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is asking for $380.4 million to cover the period from July 1 to December 31 of this year.
That would be $760.8 million at an annualized rate — roughly double what the U.N. allocated for the mission in its first full year of operations, starting in 2004.
GO HERE to read more.
Ex-Detroit Mayor Gets Up To 5 Years In Prison
DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to up to five years in prison Tuesday for violating the terms of his probation stemming from his conviction for lying under oath about an affair with his chief of staff.
Kilpatrick, 39, asked Judge David Groner to show him compassion during the hearing, but Groner said "that ship has sailed."
Groner said Kilpatrick would have to serve at least one-and-a-half years in prison, but that he would be credited for 120 days of time served from his original sentence. He is still obligated to pay back the remaining balance of his $1 million debt to the city of Detroit.
Kilpatrick, the father of three young sons, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Groner ruled last month that Kilpatrick failed to report all of his assets and meet other conditions of his probation. In court Tuesday, Groner scolded Kilpatrick for his continued lack of candor about his finances.
GO HERE to read more.
Kilpatrick, 39, asked Judge David Groner to show him compassion during the hearing, but Groner said "that ship has sailed."
Groner said Kilpatrick would have to serve at least one-and-a-half years in prison, but that he would be credited for 120 days of time served from his original sentence. He is still obligated to pay back the remaining balance of his $1 million debt to the city of Detroit.
Kilpatrick, the father of three young sons, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Groner ruled last month that Kilpatrick failed to report all of his assets and meet other conditions of his probation. In court Tuesday, Groner scolded Kilpatrick for his continued lack of candor about his finances.
GO HERE to read more.
Obama Spurns War Dead
Obama chooses to Disrespect our Military
and our War Dead......
Our intrepid Commander in Chief has chosen to fly to Chicago on Memorial Day to attend a political party. As a consequence Obama will not be attending ANY Memorial Day ceremonies.
and our War Dead......
Our intrepid Commander in Chief has chosen to fly to Chicago on Memorial Day to attend a political party. As a consequence Obama will not be attending ANY Memorial Day ceremonies.
He will not be making any speeches or laying any wreaths recognizing our War Dead at any National Cemetery......
"HAIL TO THE CHIEF"
"HAIL TO THE CHIEF"
Mathias Files For State Senate
Recognized civic leader vows to continue to put the Eastern Shore's values first in Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland- Delegate James N. Mathias, Jr. filed paperwork to run for the Maryland Senate in District 38, which includes all of Somerset and Worcester Counties and parts of Wicomico County.
"Our government's top priority must be keeping our communities safe. I worked across party lines to give prosecutors and police officers stronger tools to fight gang violence, and to crack down on sexual predators who prey on our children," said Delegate Mathias. "I stood up to those in my own party who wanted to repeal the death penalty, because I believe the most heinous crimes deserve the ultimate penalty."
Jim Mathias has served the citizens of Worcester and Wicomico County in the Maryland House of Delegates since June 12, 2006, when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late Delegate Bennett Bozman. Mathias earned a reputation as a law-and-order legislator, who works with members of both parties to put public safety first. A strong fiscal conservative, Mathias has voted to cut the size of government and to give small businesses incentives to create jobs.
"Fiscal conservativism starts at home. I gave back ten days of pay this year to help the state close its budget gap, I cut spending in my own office, and I voted to block legislative pay raises," said Delegate Mathias. "I am grateful for the opportunity that the people of the Eastern Shore have given me to represent them and the values they hold dear in the legislature. I will continue to lead by example as we work to reduce the size of state government."
Jim Mathias is a family man with deep roots in Worcester County. He and his wife Kathy have been married for 32 years, and they have two children - Lauren, 28, and Trevor, 19. Mathias previously served as Mayor of Ocean City, as Chair of the Worcester County Ambulance Service Committee, and as a member of the Ocean City Police Commission. He is a life member and former chaplain of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, and a member of various organizations, including the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He worships at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Parish.
"This Memorial Day weekend, people across our nation will honor the sacrifices of the men and women who protect our freedom and ensure our fundamental rights," Delegate Mathias added. "The most humbling part of my work is doing my part to help those who keep us safe at home and abroad. I look forward to continuing to fight for our veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other public safety officers in the Maryland Senate."
Mathias added that a formal announcement and campaign kickoff events will be held in the coming weeks.
Seaford Middle Lockdown This Morning?
"Hey Joe,
I got a recorded message this @ about 8:45am that Seaford Middle was on lockdown & the State police were there searching all students & premises. I got a politically correct answer when I finally got thru to the secretary she gave a answer that almost sounded like the recording & said nothing happened just a practice exercise. I smelled the bull. I called the state police myself he told me it was a sweep for drugs. If you find out what happened can you let us parents know since the school can't tell me."
I got a recorded message this @ about 8:45am that Seaford Middle was on lockdown & the State police were there searching all students & premises. I got a politically correct answer when I finally got thru to the secretary she gave a answer that almost sounded like the recording & said nothing happened just a practice exercise. I smelled the bull. I called the state police myself he told me it was a sweep for drugs. If you find out what happened can you let us parents know since the school can't tell me."
BREAKING NEWS
N. Korea to sever all ties with Seoul, expel S. Koreans working at joint venture. More to come.
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Law Enforcement on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is teaming up together in an effort to stop AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. Law Enforcement will be out on area roadways enforcing the speed limit and other AGGRESSIVE DRIVING laws.
An intense enforcement initiative called, SUMMER HEAT, will begin Memorial Day weekend and will continue through September. This enforcement effort is a part of Maryland’s SMOOTH OPERATOR program that targets aggressive drivers. Speeding is AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
SPEEDING SHATTERS LIVES.
SUMMER HEAT will be out in force from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ocean City Beach to slow drivers down and save lives.
FROM THE BEACH TO THE BAY ITS 55 EACH WAY
BEAT THE HEAT DRIVE
55
An intense enforcement initiative called, SUMMER HEAT, will begin Memorial Day weekend and will continue through September. This enforcement effort is a part of Maryland’s SMOOTH OPERATOR program that targets aggressive drivers. Speeding is AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
SPEEDING SHATTERS LIVES.
SUMMER HEAT will be out in force from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ocean City Beach to slow drivers down and save lives.
FROM THE BEACH TO THE BAY ITS 55 EACH WAY
BEAT THE HEAT DRIVE
55
Princess Anne and the Daily Times
As the sleepy little town of Princess Anne heads to its town elections, our local arm of Gannett seems determined to have a disproportionate say in who gets elected. By controlling access to its editorial pages, and slanting its news coverage, the Daily Times and its sister publication, the Somerset Herald, refuse to provide more than one side of the story. Should Salisbury residents be surprised?
Before anyone starts, this IS NOT a “defend Frank White” piece. In fact, that’s why I was given the assignment.
Scandal Upon Scandal
The Daily Times and company have seemed to have no problem going after town governments like Princess Anne and Berlin. I’ve got no problem there; what dismays me is their unwillingness to hold other elected officials like Salisbury councilwoman Louise Smith or former mayor Barrie Tilghman.
Case in point – on March 11 the DT ran an op-ed criticizing the Princess Anne Town Commission for “being defensive” about criticism regarding $900 expenditure. Fair enough. It’s just odd that there has been NO criticism when Smith (or her predecessor, Mike Dunn) gaveled citizens out of order for criticizing them. (Of course, slumlords where perfectly free to attack Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton and councilwoman Debbie Campbell last night.)
Double Standard
On April 28, the Somerset Herald published a letter to the editor from a Mr. Donald Price attacking town commissioner Garland Hayward. I know neither Mr. Price nor Mr. Hayward. However, it has been brought to our attention that the Herald’s Liz Holland refused to run a letter countering Mr. Price’s assertions from town commissioner Frank White.
In Mr. Price’s letter (p1), he writes:
For over 20 years, you (Hayward) have been a do-nothing commissioner, but you never missed a chance to accept credit for hard work done by someone else.
Again, I think that Mr. Price has a right to his opinion. His opinion may even be correct. However, I am deeply disturbed that Ms. Holland refused print a counter-letter from White without some heavy editing (highlighted portions on pp 2-3).
Mr. Price neglected to state that he was a former commissioner (and the Somerset Herald did not note it either). White asserted that Price’s service on the commission was less than notable. He also answered an assertion by Price regarding a contracting matter. Yet, Holland deleted this and stated that White should “take the high road”.
It’s interesting that former Princess Anne town manager Jay Parker (who was mentioned in White’s original letter) is now a candidate for the town commission. It’s also interesting that Ms. Holland claims that she couldn’t verify certain claims made by White.
Try this one Liz -
It appears that Parker allowed the town’s fund balance to slip into the red 3 out of 5 years he served as town manager. This is in direct violation of town’s code AND Maryland law.
Of course, to the best of my knowledge, the Somerset Herald (nor the Daily Times) has reported that commission candidate Joey Gardner is also an employee of our local arm of Gannett. Well, that’s the rest of the story.
NOTICE
MEMORIAL DAY
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2010
THERE WILL BE NO BULK/LEAF or CARDBOARD PICK UP ON MONDAY, MAY 31st.
THE NEXT BULK/LEAF and CARDBOARD PICK UP WILL BE MONDAY, JUNE 7th.
TO SCHEDULE A PICK UP, PLEASE CALL THE SERVICE CENTER AT 410-548-3177
BEFORE 6 a.m. ON MONDAY, JUNE 7TH.
Boy Scouts Slow To Respond To Abuse Allegations
You may have seen the headlines recently about how a jury in Portland, Ore., ordered the Boy Scouts of America to pay $18.5 million to a victim of sexual abuse -- in part to spur the organization to change its ways. A series of stories in The Oregonian paints a picture of how the Boy Scouts have been slow to respond to allegations of sexual abuse for decades.
In at least one instance uncovered by the paper, a convicted abuser remained as a scout leader for months before being banned. Scout volunteers weren't subject to background checks until 2003, and a training program to help prevent abuse isn't mandatory.
Read More…
In at least one instance uncovered by the paper, a convicted abuser remained as a scout leader for months before being banned. Scout volunteers weren't subject to background checks until 2003, and a training program to help prevent abuse isn't mandatory.
Read More…
Inform Your Opinion On Arizona’s New Law By Reading It First
Got an opinion about Arizona’s new immigration law, based on what you’ve heard?
Well, if you haven’t already, here’s your chance to read the law itself. It’s not very long, and The Arizona Republic has posted the full text online, with helpful annotations from University of Arizona law professor Gabriel “Jack” Chin.
If you read it yourself, you’ll have done better than several top Obama administration officials who’ve expressed disagreement with the law, while admitting they’ve only glanced at it.
Read More…
Well, if you haven’t already, here’s your chance to read the law itself. It’s not very long, and The Arizona Republic has posted the full text online, with helpful annotations from University of Arizona law professor Gabriel “Jack” Chin.
If you read it yourself, you’ll have done better than several top Obama administration officials who’ve expressed disagreement with the law, while admitting they’ve only glanced at it.
Read More…
Another Sex Scandal In S.C.?
Just as state Rep. Nikki Haley (R) was beginning to gain momentum in South Carolina's competitive four-way June 8 gubernatorial primary -- especially after winning Sarah Palin's endorsement -- this story has the potential to dramatically alter the race to succeed Gov. Mark Sanford (R).
Will Folks, a prominent South Carolina Republican blogger who was Sanford's former press secretary, admits to having an "inappropriate physical relationship" with Haley "several years ago." Haley has been married to her husband, Michael, for 13 years, and they have two children.
Folks suggests that he's revealing his past relationship with Haley because it's being leaked to news organizations. "It is what it is, and aside from the Haley family – Michael, Nikki, Rena and Nalin – I feel no need to apologize or explain myself to anyone. People are human. We make mistakes. And as I have learned from experience, the key to life isn’t the mistakes we make, it’s how we choose to handle them."
GO HERE to read more
Will Folks, a prominent South Carolina Republican blogger who was Sanford's former press secretary, admits to having an "inappropriate physical relationship" with Haley "several years ago." Haley has been married to her husband, Michael, for 13 years, and they have two children.
Folks suggests that he's revealing his past relationship with Haley because it's being leaked to news organizations. "It is what it is, and aside from the Haley family – Michael, Nikki, Rena and Nalin – I feel no need to apologize or explain myself to anyone. People are human. We make mistakes. And as I have learned from experience, the key to life isn’t the mistakes we make, it’s how we choose to handle them."
GO HERE to read more
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team concluded a ten month cocaine distribution investigation in the Berlin, Maryland area. An individual identified in this investigation as Tyrone Darnell Lawson, age 37, Berlin, Maryland, was subsequently indicted on April 26, 2010 by the Grand Jury for Worcester County for various controlled dangerous substance violations to include distribution of cocaine. On May 20, 2010, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement executed search and seizure warrants at three separate locations in the Berlin, Maryland area that were utilized by Tyrone Darnell Lawson. At one these locations, investigators recovered 1,750 grams of cocaine and 59 grams of marijuana along with packaging materials that are indicative to distribution of cocaine. Tyrone Darnell Lawson was also taken into custody on this date regarding to the Grand Jury indictment as well. Also arrested in this investigation was an individual identified as Tony DeAngelo Lawson, age 43, Berlin, Maryland.
Tyrone Darnell Lawson was charged with the following offenses:
Charges stemming from Grand Jury Indictment:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine
3) Distribution of Cocaine
*Committed to Worcester County Jail on $100,000.00 Bond
Charges stemming from Search and Seizure warrants May 20, 2010:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession of Marijuana
3) Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
4) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
5) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
6) Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
7) Conspiracy - Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
8) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
9) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
10) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
*Committed to the Worcester County Jail on $100,000.00 Bond
Tony DeAngelo Lawson was charged with the following offenses:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession of Marijuana
3) Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
4) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
5) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
6) Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
7) Conspiracy - Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
8) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
9) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
10) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
*Committed to the Worcester County Jail on $75,000.00 Bond
This cocaine seizure is considered to be one of the most significant cocaine seizures in recent history for Worcester County, Maryland. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted during the investigation and execution of these search and seizure warrants by the Worcester County States Attorney’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, Worcester County Narcotics Task Force, Berlin Police Department, Maryland State Police Canine Unit, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and Drug Enforcement Administration. This investigation is still ongoing.
Tyrone Darnell Lawson was charged with the following offenses:
Charges stemming from Grand Jury Indictment:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine
3) Distribution of Cocaine
*Committed to Worcester County Jail on $100,000.00 Bond
Charges stemming from Search and Seizure warrants May 20, 2010:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession of Marijuana
3) Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
4) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
5) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
6) Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
7) Conspiracy - Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
8) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
9) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
10) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
*Committed to the Worcester County Jail on $100,000.00 Bond
Tony DeAngelo Lawson was charged with the following offenses:
1) Possession of Cocaine
2) Possession of Marijuana
3) Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
4) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
5) Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
6) Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
7) Conspiracy - Possession of Narcotics – Large Amount
8) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine
9) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute in school zone – Cocaine
10) Conspiracy - Possession with the intent to distribute – Cocaine Large Amount
*Committed to the Worcester County Jail on $75,000.00 Bond
This cocaine seizure is considered to be one of the most significant cocaine seizures in recent history for Worcester County, Maryland. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted during the investigation and execution of these search and seizure warrants by the Worcester County States Attorney’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, Worcester County Narcotics Task Force, Berlin Police Department, Maryland State Police Canine Unit, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and Drug Enforcement Administration. This investigation is still ongoing.
Former Tilghman Administration Running Things In Gary's Absence?
While Councilman Gary Comegys remained a "no show" at Monday night's very important Budget Session Council Meeting, Salisbury News has been informed that former Council President Mike Dunn has been sitting by Gary's side going over their strategy.
I told you Gary wasn't in the right frame of mind to make decisions. Call in the troops and show your loyalty, right Gary. Some have said Gary is simply milking the City for the income, knowing he will not return to the City Council.
Obama To Snatch Up To 75% Of Your Income?
If President Obama repeals the Bush tax cuts and imposes a 20 percent value added tax, or VAT, on the U.S., Americans may be facing tax rates where more than half of everything earned is confiscated by the federal government in the form of income taxes, Jerome Corsi's Red Alert reports.
Add Social Security taxes and the tax burden quickly advances to more than 60 percent.
"Adding state property and income taxes to the burden, the amount government confiscates could be in the 75 percent range before Americans have a chance to vote Obama out of office in 2014," Corsi wrote. "Are Americans willing to be taxed 75 percent of every dollar earned?"
That is the current tax burden in Scandinavian countries as the table below demonstrates:
Add Social Security taxes and the tax burden quickly advances to more than 60 percent.
"Adding state property and income taxes to the burden, the amount government confiscates could be in the 75 percent range before Americans have a chance to vote Obama out of office in 2014," Corsi wrote. "Are Americans willing to be taxed 75 percent of every dollar earned?"
That is the current tax burden in Scandinavian countries as the table below demonstrates:
"In a five-day work week, will Americans be willing to work four days for the government?" Corsi asked.
He said as Obama moves the U.S. in the direction of becoming a European-style social welfare state, it is important to consider taxation levels typical in Europe.
Corsi noted that even high levels of taxation are not sufficient in Europe to prevent debt levels from rising to crisis proportions, as has been seen in Greece and is looming on the horizon in Portugal, Spain and Italy.
New Financial Rules Might Not Prevent Next Crisis
The most sweeping changes to financial rules since the Great Depression might not prevent another crisis.
Experts say the financial regulatory bill approved by the Senate last week, and a similar bill that passed the House, include loopholes and gaps that weaken their impact. Many provisions depend on the effectiveness of regulatory agencies — the same agencies that failed to foresee the last crisis.
A big reason for the bill's limitations is that banks and industry groups lobbied against rules they felt would reduce their profit-making ability.
The financial sector's influence in Washington reflects its enormous donations and lobbying. Over the past two decades, it's given $2.3 billion to federal candidates. It's outdone every other industry in lobbying since 1998, having spent $3.8 billion.
Experts say the financial regulatory bill approved by the Senate last week, and a similar bill that passed the House, include loopholes and gaps that weaken their impact. Many provisions depend on the effectiveness of regulatory agencies — the same agencies that failed to foresee the last crisis.
A big reason for the bill's limitations is that banks and industry groups lobbied against rules they felt would reduce their profit-making ability.
The financial sector's influence in Washington reflects its enormous donations and lobbying. Over the past two decades, it's given $2.3 billion to federal candidates. It's outdone every other industry in lobbying since 1998, having spent $3.8 billion.
Senate Bill Allows Govt To Collect Addresses, ATM Records Of Bank Customers
Senate Democrats united to pass a financial regulatory bill that allows the government to collect data on any person operating in financial markets at any level, including the collection of personal transaction records from local banks that list customers’ addresses and ATM receipts.
The Senate voted 59-39 on Thursday to pass the bill, the chief aim of which is to more-heavily regulate the financial industry. The bill now goes to a conference committee in the House of Representatives, where differences between the House and Senate versions will be ironed out.
The bill, if it becomes law, would create the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and empower it to “gather information and activities of persons operating in consumer financial markets,” including the names and addresses of account holders, ATM and other transaction records, and the amount of money kept in each customer’s account.
The new bureaucracy is then allowed to “use the data on branches and [individual and personal] deposit accounts … for any purpose” and may keep all records on file for at least three years and these can be made publicly available upon request.
Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said that Democrats who claim this new bureaucracy will protect consumers are misleading the public.
“[T]he American people are being misled,” Shelby said on the Senate floor on Thursday night. “The authors of this bill are telling them that this legislation has been drafted to address the recent financial crisis and that it will ‘tame’ Wall Street. I am afraid that they are going to be disappointed.”
Shelby slammed the new consumer bureaucracy, saying that it was meant not to protect consumers but to “manage” them by monitoring their behavior.
The Senate voted 59-39 on Thursday to pass the bill, the chief aim of which is to more-heavily regulate the financial industry. The bill now goes to a conference committee in the House of Representatives, where differences between the House and Senate versions will be ironed out.
The bill, if it becomes law, would create the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and empower it to “gather information and activities of persons operating in consumer financial markets,” including the names and addresses of account holders, ATM and other transaction records, and the amount of money kept in each customer’s account.
The new bureaucracy is then allowed to “use the data on branches and [individual and personal] deposit accounts … for any purpose” and may keep all records on file for at least three years and these can be made publicly available upon request.
Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said that Democrats who claim this new bureaucracy will protect consumers are misleading the public.
“[T]he American people are being misled,” Shelby said on the Senate floor on Thursday night. “The authors of this bill are telling them that this legislation has been drafted to address the recent financial crisis and that it will ‘tame’ Wall Street. I am afraid that they are going to be disappointed.”
Shelby slammed the new consumer bureaucracy, saying that it was meant not to protect consumers but to “manage” them by monitoring their behavior.
'Tea Party' Favorite Surges In Nevada
The Nevada Republican primary battle to challenge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has morphed from a two-candidate race to a three-candidate race with the stunning recent surge of "tea party" favorite Sharron Angle.
Early voting began Saturday in the race to take on Mr. Reid, and Mrs. Angle, a former four-term Assembly member, has momentum on her side after winning the Tea Party Express endorsement in April. Since then, her poll numbers have jumped by double digits, placing her in a virtual dead heat with front-runner Sue Lowden.
"I think a lot of people thought that by the end of May there would be a much clearer front-runner, but that hasn't been the case," said Kenneth Fernandez, a political scientist at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
The race has attracted outsized attention as early polls showed Mr. Reid, one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, facing double-digit deficits against his leading Republican opponents in his bid for a fifth term in the Senate. The polls have been so negative that speculation is already rampant on Capitol Hill over who might succeed Mr. Reid if he is ousted.
A Mason-Dixon Research poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review Journal showed Mrs. Lowden with 30 percent of the vote to Mrs. Angle's 25 percent. The margin of error on the survey, released May 13, was 4.5 percentage points.
Early voting began Saturday in the race to take on Mr. Reid, and Mrs. Angle, a former four-term Assembly member, has momentum on her side after winning the Tea Party Express endorsement in April. Since then, her poll numbers have jumped by double digits, placing her in a virtual dead heat with front-runner Sue Lowden.
"I think a lot of people thought that by the end of May there would be a much clearer front-runner, but that hasn't been the case," said Kenneth Fernandez, a political scientist at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
The race has attracted outsized attention as early polls showed Mr. Reid, one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, facing double-digit deficits against his leading Republican opponents in his bid for a fifth term in the Senate. The polls have been so negative that speculation is already rampant on Capitol Hill over who might succeed Mr. Reid if he is ousted.
A Mason-Dixon Research poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review Journal showed Mrs. Lowden with 30 percent of the vote to Mrs. Angle's 25 percent. The margin of error on the survey, released May 13, was 4.5 percentage points.
TROOPERS CHARGE MAN WITH DUI AND CDS POSSESSION
On May 24, 2010 at 2326 hours, A Trooper from the Salisbury Barrack of the Maryland State Police stopped a Ford F 350 on Powell Road near 60 foot Road in Pittsville for a traffic violation. Upon contacting the driver, the Trooper noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle. The Troopers asked the driver to step from his vehicle at which time the Trooper noticed the driver discard a plastic baggie of suspected MARIHUANA. The Trooper continued his investigation and subsequently arrested the driver, Neal Robert Pope, 42, of Willards, with DUI/DWI and possession of MARIHUANA. Pope was turned over to a District Court Commissioner pending a hearing.
SEIU Protesters Descend On Bank Exec’s Home , Terrifying His Son
Big Journalism has been all over this, including the odd detail that D.C. cops evidently escorted the Purple People-Beaters to the Bank of America executive’s home in Rockville, Maryland. Fox News regular Nina Easton was on the scene, with good reason: She lives right next door.
Quote:
"Last Sunday, on a peaceful, sun-crisp afternoon, our toddler finally napping upstairs, my front yard exploded with 500 screaming, placard-waving strangers on a mission to intimidate my neighbor, Greg Baer. Baer is deputy general counsel for corporate law at Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), a senior executive based in Washington, D.C. And that — in the minds of the organizers at the politically influential Service Employees International Union and a Chicago outfit called National Political Action — makes his family fair game.
"Waving signs denouncing bank “greed,” hordes of invaders poured out of 14 school buses, up Baer’s steps, and onto his front porch. As bullhorns rattled with stories of debtor calls and foreclosed homes, Baer’s teenage son Jack — alone in the house — locked himself in the bathroom. “When are they going to leave?” Jack pleaded when I called to check on him…
"Now this event would accurately be called a “protest” if it were taking place at, say, a bank or the U.S. Capitol. But when hundreds of loud and angry strangers are descending on your family, your children, and your home, a more apt description of this assemblage would be “mob.” Intimidation was the whole point of this exercise, and it worked-even on the police. A trio of officers who belatedly answered our calls confessed a fear that arrests might “incite” these trespassers."
According to Easton, Baer is … a lifelong Democrat. For her trouble in reporting on this, she’s naturally been smeared by the left. As for why SEIU is singling out Bank of America for thug tactics, supposedly it’s a protest of foreclosures by banks generally but Big Journalism notes that the union apparently owes BoA $90 million, which, per Easton, means $4 million in outstanding interest and fees. Terrorizing an exec’s family might make them think twice about being too insistent in collecting.
More on this, including video at HotAir
Quote:
"Last Sunday, on a peaceful, sun-crisp afternoon, our toddler finally napping upstairs, my front yard exploded with 500 screaming, placard-waving strangers on a mission to intimidate my neighbor, Greg Baer. Baer is deputy general counsel for corporate law at Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), a senior executive based in Washington, D.C. And that — in the minds of the organizers at the politically influential Service Employees International Union and a Chicago outfit called National Political Action — makes his family fair game.
"Waving signs denouncing bank “greed,” hordes of invaders poured out of 14 school buses, up Baer’s steps, and onto his front porch. As bullhorns rattled with stories of debtor calls and foreclosed homes, Baer’s teenage son Jack — alone in the house — locked himself in the bathroom. “When are they going to leave?” Jack pleaded when I called to check on him…
"Now this event would accurately be called a “protest” if it were taking place at, say, a bank or the U.S. Capitol. But when hundreds of loud and angry strangers are descending on your family, your children, and your home, a more apt description of this assemblage would be “mob.” Intimidation was the whole point of this exercise, and it worked-even on the police. A trio of officers who belatedly answered our calls confessed a fear that arrests might “incite” these trespassers."
According to Easton, Baer is … a lifelong Democrat. For her trouble in reporting on this, she’s naturally been smeared by the left. As for why SEIU is singling out Bank of America for thug tactics, supposedly it’s a protest of foreclosures by banks generally but Big Journalism notes that the union apparently owes BoA $90 million, which, per Easton, means $4 million in outstanding interest and fees. Terrorizing an exec’s family might make them think twice about being too insistent in collecting.
More on this, including video at HotAir
Well For The City Of Salisbury
"I'm curious what information you have on the new well that the City is having drilled. The information that I heard ( I have no idea how accurate ) is that they are not using traditional drilling methods, but have decided to go with the "latest and greatest" methods used in Europe. I understand these to, of course, be far more expensive that traditional methods, in addition to being unnecessary, since the existing water table/aquifer is well documented.
My understanding is that there are only 2 companies bidding on the project since it must be "sonically drilled" and neither of them are local companies. If my information is at all accurate, my two questions are: Why are we spending more money than necessary? and Why are we taking work away from Shore Companies that are perfectly capable. Let's keep our spending local if possible and cost effective."
My understanding is that there are only 2 companies bidding on the project since it must be "sonically drilled" and neither of them are local companies. If my information is at all accurate, my two questions are: Why are we spending more money than necessary? and Why are we taking work away from Shore Companies that are perfectly capable. Let's keep our spending local if possible and cost effective."
SHOREBIRDS KNOCK OFF DIVISION LEADERS HICKORY, 4-3
Beal Earns Staff High Fourth Win of Season
Hickory, N.C. –The Shorebirds grabbed the lead in the sixth inning and held firm for a 4-3 win over Northern Division leaders Hickory on Monday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. Gary Helmick notched the eventual winning hit in the sixth inning.
The Crawdads pounced to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leury Garcia led off with a bunt single to the right side. Garcia then stole his 22nd base of the season to get into scoring position. Two batters later, Jared Prince singled up the middle to give the Crawdads a 1-0 edge.
The Shorebirds took the lead in the third inning. Michael Ohlman drew a lead off walk. Garabez Rosa followed with a single to right field. Then, Gary Helmick dropped a bunt to the first base side and pitcher Matt Thompson fired wide, allowing Ohlman to score on the throwing error. Rosa advanced to third on the throw and scored on a Ty Kelly ground out to third to give the Shorebirds a 2-1 lead.
In the home half of the third, the Crawdads regained the lead. Jared Prince connected on a two out double. Then, Cristian Santana hit a towering two-run homer over the left field wall to give the ‘Dads a 3-2 advantage.
The Shorebirds tied the score in the fourth inning. Tyler Stampone hit a single to start the frame. Steve Bumbry then ripped a double to deep center field to send Stampone to third. Michael Ohlman drew a one out walk to load the bases. Then, with two outs, Gary Helmick walked to force home Stampone
In the sixth inning, the Shorebirds regained the lead. Mikey Planeta hit a lead off double to the right field corner. After two outs were recorded, Gary Helmick hit a sharp single into left field to give the ‘Birds a 4-3 edge.
Jesse Beal earned his staff high fourth win of the season. In six innings, Beal allowed eight hits and three runs. Jake Smith and Brent Allar held the Crawdads in check in the seventh and eighth innings. Josh Dowdy came on in the ninth inning and nailed down his fifth save of the season.
The Shorebirds and Crawdads will square off in game two of the series on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Kenny Moreland makes his first start of the season for the Shorebirds. He will be opposed by RHP Neil Ramirez.
Hickory, N.C. –The Shorebirds grabbed the lead in the sixth inning and held firm for a 4-3 win over Northern Division leaders Hickory on Monday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. Gary Helmick notched the eventual winning hit in the sixth inning.
The Crawdads pounced to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leury Garcia led off with a bunt single to the right side. Garcia then stole his 22nd base of the season to get into scoring position. Two batters later, Jared Prince singled up the middle to give the Crawdads a 1-0 edge.
The Shorebirds took the lead in the third inning. Michael Ohlman drew a lead off walk. Garabez Rosa followed with a single to right field. Then, Gary Helmick dropped a bunt to the first base side and pitcher Matt Thompson fired wide, allowing Ohlman to score on the throwing error. Rosa advanced to third on the throw and scored on a Ty Kelly ground out to third to give the Shorebirds a 2-1 lead.
In the home half of the third, the Crawdads regained the lead. Jared Prince connected on a two out double. Then, Cristian Santana hit a towering two-run homer over the left field wall to give the ‘Dads a 3-2 advantage.
The Shorebirds tied the score in the fourth inning. Tyler Stampone hit a single to start the frame. Steve Bumbry then ripped a double to deep center field to send Stampone to third. Michael Ohlman drew a one out walk to load the bases. Then, with two outs, Gary Helmick walked to force home Stampone
In the sixth inning, the Shorebirds regained the lead. Mikey Planeta hit a lead off double to the right field corner. After two outs were recorded, Gary Helmick hit a sharp single into left field to give the ‘Birds a 4-3 edge.
Jesse Beal earned his staff high fourth win of the season. In six innings, Beal allowed eight hits and three runs. Jake Smith and Brent Allar held the Crawdads in check in the seventh and eighth innings. Josh Dowdy came on in the ninth inning and nailed down his fifth save of the season.
The Shorebirds and Crawdads will square off in game two of the series on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Kenny Moreland makes his first start of the season for the Shorebirds. He will be opposed by RHP Neil Ramirez.
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress - 4/27
Please note that due to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s conference room being previously booked; our next meeting location has changed. Kurt Drechsler, WNC member, President of Harbor Pointe HOA has lined up the use of the conference room at the Assisted Living Facility on Tressler Drive in Harbor Pointe. This actually works well in keeping with the WNC bylaws; having different WNC member neighborhood host our meetings. Thank you to Kurt to volunteering our fist meeting at Harbor Pointe! Directions are below.
We are also very happy to announce our guest speaker for the evening, Jennifer Hicks with Sustainable Delmarva. Ms. Hicks will be presenting a visioning proposal on how her firm might help develop ways to identify and address the wide range of issues confronting our community. She currently has a project underway in Chestertown, Md and has also worked with Accomack County in Virginia. Ms. Hicks wanted to see if Wicomico County might be interested in a similar exercise. Please plan on joining us Tuesday evening, May 25th, at 6:30PM to hear more about how we might benefit through this program.
Have a good evening!
Cindy Pilchard
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
Interim Chairman
(410)-742-5224
1-(800)-509-9461
Thank you for contacting us!
Driving Directions would be if coming from West of Salisbury:
Rt 50 East into Salisbury Business; at first major intersection (traffic signal) turn right on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
Driving Directions from South/East of Salisbury:
Rt 50 West through Salisbury; at major intersection with 7-11 on left, turn left on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
Driving Directions from North of Salisbury:
Rt 13 North to 50 West; at major intersection with 7-11 on left, turn left on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
We are also very happy to announce our guest speaker for the evening, Jennifer Hicks with Sustainable Delmarva. Ms. Hicks will be presenting a visioning proposal on how her firm might help develop ways to identify and address the wide range of issues confronting our community. She currently has a project underway in Chestertown, Md and has also worked with Accomack County in Virginia. Ms. Hicks wanted to see if Wicomico County might be interested in a similar exercise. Please plan on joining us Tuesday evening, May 25th, at 6:30PM to hear more about how we might benefit through this program.
Have a good evening!
Cindy Pilchard
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
Interim Chairman
(410)-742-5224
1-(800)-509-9461
Thank you for contacting us!
Driving Directions would be if coming from West of Salisbury:
Rt 50 East into Salisbury Business; at first major intersection (traffic signal) turn right on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
Driving Directions from South/East of Salisbury:
Rt 50 West through Salisbury; at major intersection with 7-11 on left, turn left on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
Driving Directions from North of Salisbury:
Rt 13 North to 50 West; at major intersection with 7-11 on left, turn left on Nanticoke Road; bear left at first left on Pemberton Drive. At traffic signal stay straight on Pemberton Drive. Approximately one mile on Left – turn left into Harbor Pointe; at first right (Assisted Living Facility) turn right on Tressler Drive and follow around curve to large building.
ENFORCEMENT, ESTABLISHMENTS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS RECOGNIZED
Partnership critical to reducing underage drinking
(Salisbury, MD) On May 11, 2010, thirty-six people were recently recognized by the Wicomico County Prevention Committee and the Cigarette Restitution Fund for their work and commitment to reducing underage alcohol and tobacco usage at the 10th Annual Wicomico County Underage Substance Use Reduction Awards Luncheon. The luncheon was held at the Black Diamond Lodge from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. The keynote speaker was Rebekka Twilley, a student member of “Involved Parents Productive Students” who informed and educated award winners, guests, and community leaders on the risks of smoking. Rebekka plans to become a teacher in the future.
“We greatly appreciate our community members, our local establishments and all of the local enforcement agencies for continuing to enforce the underage drinking and tobacco use laws in Wicomico County,” said Cindy Shifler, Wicomico County Drug Prevention Coordinator. “These laws can seem inconsequential compared to the many other important things that they do every day, but they are saving the lives of our young people and that is very important.”
Underage Drinking Leadership Awards were given to those enforcement officers who gave out the most underage alcohol citations during 2009:
Sergeant Daniel T. Long
Detective Barry Tucker
Lieutenant Paul Simon
Officer Michael Loring
Detective Richard Engle
Officer Christopher Devoe
(Salisbury, MD) On May 11, 2010, thirty-six people were recently recognized by the Wicomico County Prevention Committee and the Cigarette Restitution Fund for their work and commitment to reducing underage alcohol and tobacco usage at the 10th Annual Wicomico County Underage Substance Use Reduction Awards Luncheon. The luncheon was held at the Black Diamond Lodge from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. The keynote speaker was Rebekka Twilley, a student member of “Involved Parents Productive Students” who informed and educated award winners, guests, and community leaders on the risks of smoking. Rebekka plans to become a teacher in the future.
“We greatly appreciate our community members, our local establishments and all of the local enforcement agencies for continuing to enforce the underage drinking and tobacco use laws in Wicomico County,” said Cindy Shifler, Wicomico County Drug Prevention Coordinator. “These laws can seem inconsequential compared to the many other important things that they do every day, but they are saving the lives of our young people and that is very important.”
Underage Drinking Leadership Awards were given to those enforcement officers who gave out the most underage alcohol citations during 2009:
Sergeant Daniel T. Long
Detective Barry Tucker
Lieutenant Paul Simon
Officer Michael Loring
Detective Richard Engle
Officer Christopher Devoe
Main St Gym Boxer Goes For National Title
At 15 years of age Abdiel Rivera, a Wi Hi sophomore and honor student is virtually unknown, much in the same way that Fernando Guerrero's name was unknown at the same age, but there are other similarities beyond that.
Rivera, like Guerrero is bi-lingual, of Spanish descent(Puerto Rican), and started boxing at Salisbury's Main St Gym at a young age, even earlier than rising star and role model, Guerrero.
Another similarity is the noticeable transformation in maturity as they started to excel in the sport. " Fernando had much to learn before he could expect to make a serious bid for the top back in those days", Said Coach Hal Chernoff, "But for the most part, he was open to learn, Abdiel was different, he didn't know how to deal with situations and certain emotions. If he got frustrated or angry about something, he would go into a shell or do things that that were basically unacceptable in the gym, or in the ring. Even Fernando would get upset with him and loose faith that he could change. It's taken a long time and lots and lots of long talks, but this young man has come far and I am as proud of his maturity outside the ring as I am of his improvements inside the ring. The icing on the cake is that the mental improvements have been the key to his physical ones."
This weekend Abdiel traveled to Pittsburgh, Pa. to compete in the USA Boxing's Regional Junior Olympics, where he fought the best young fighters in the six state region, to reach the Championship Round. It was the second time he has travel to compete in a regional Jr tournament, coming up short in his 2008 bid in Augusta Ga.
"I sent Abdiel up on Thursday evening with Fernando to work his corner and stayed back a day to attend the wedding of a friends son. But my wife and I woke up early Saturday to travel the six hours to Pittsburgh. Six hours up and back in one day for six minutes and it was worth every mile, when a great kid steps up like Abdiel did".said Chernoff, "you have to let them know how important this is to you as a coach, if you expect them to see the importance of it them self".
In an ironic twist Rivera would go up against Parris Chisholm of Washington D.C. He is trained by Barry Hunter out of Headbangers Gym. If that name sounds familiar it should. Hunter co-trains Fernando and is a intricate part of Team Guerrero. He has also produced some of the best amateurs in the country, year after year. Chisholm is no different, he is a standout amateur with national titles to his name and is expected to achieve much in the sport. " We knew we would have our hands full, he's fast, strong, experienced and well coached, a lethal combination to overcome but that's what made the win all that much better." Said Chernoff
"Abdiel has really buckled down in the gym and dedicated himself to improving and getting in tip top condition. I think his conditioning was the key to his confidence. He went out and listened to his corner, he pressed the pace and performed like a champion". Said Chernoff. And so, when it was time to raise the hand of the winner, Rivera realized what it felt like to be crowned a champion as well, much in the same fashion as his predecessor and second man in the corner, Fernando.
Rivera will now travel to the JR Olympic Nationals to be held this year at Camp Lejeune, N.C. " I hope that Abdiel can keep it rolling and when he fights in Salisbury at our armature shows, people will be able to come out and watch the progress of how it all happens at this level, sort of give everyone a birds eye view of what you go through to get where Fernando is."
Winning at the the national level is a huge thing and very hart to do. It would also give Guerrero and Rivera one more thing in common.
Rivera, like Guerrero is bi-lingual, of Spanish descent(Puerto Rican), and started boxing at Salisbury's Main St Gym at a young age, even earlier than rising star and role model, Guerrero.
Another similarity is the noticeable transformation in maturity as they started to excel in the sport. " Fernando had much to learn before he could expect to make a serious bid for the top back in those days", Said Coach Hal Chernoff, "But for the most part, he was open to learn, Abdiel was different, he didn't know how to deal with situations and certain emotions. If he got frustrated or angry about something, he would go into a shell or do things that that were basically unacceptable in the gym, or in the ring. Even Fernando would get upset with him and loose faith that he could change. It's taken a long time and lots and lots of long talks, but this young man has come far and I am as proud of his maturity outside the ring as I am of his improvements inside the ring. The icing on the cake is that the mental improvements have been the key to his physical ones."
This weekend Abdiel traveled to Pittsburgh, Pa. to compete in the USA Boxing's Regional Junior Olympics, where he fought the best young fighters in the six state region, to reach the Championship Round. It was the second time he has travel to compete in a regional Jr tournament, coming up short in his 2008 bid in Augusta Ga.
"I sent Abdiel up on Thursday evening with Fernando to work his corner and stayed back a day to attend the wedding of a friends son. But my wife and I woke up early Saturday to travel the six hours to Pittsburgh. Six hours up and back in one day for six minutes and it was worth every mile, when a great kid steps up like Abdiel did".said Chernoff, "you have to let them know how important this is to you as a coach, if you expect them to see the importance of it them self".
In an ironic twist Rivera would go up against Parris Chisholm of Washington D.C. He is trained by Barry Hunter out of Headbangers Gym. If that name sounds familiar it should. Hunter co-trains Fernando and is a intricate part of Team Guerrero. He has also produced some of the best amateurs in the country, year after year. Chisholm is no different, he is a standout amateur with national titles to his name and is expected to achieve much in the sport. " We knew we would have our hands full, he's fast, strong, experienced and well coached, a lethal combination to overcome but that's what made the win all that much better." Said Chernoff
"Abdiel has really buckled down in the gym and dedicated himself to improving and getting in tip top condition. I think his conditioning was the key to his confidence. He went out and listened to his corner, he pressed the pace and performed like a champion". Said Chernoff. And so, when it was time to raise the hand of the winner, Rivera realized what it felt like to be crowned a champion as well, much in the same fashion as his predecessor and second man in the corner, Fernando.
Rivera will now travel to the JR Olympic Nationals to be held this year at Camp Lejeune, N.C. " I hope that Abdiel can keep it rolling and when he fights in Salisbury at our armature shows, people will be able to come out and watch the progress of how it all happens at this level, sort of give everyone a birds eye view of what you go through to get where Fernando is."
Winning at the the national level is a huge thing and very hart to do. It would also give Guerrero and Rivera one more thing in common.
Honor The Servicemen & Women Of Wicomico County This Memorial Day
(Salisbury, MD) Area residents are invited to honor those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country at a Memorial Day Ceremony to be held on Monday, May 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the Wicomico War Veterans' Memorial in front of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event, which is organized by members of the Wicomico War Veterans’ Memorial Committee. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the Civic Center.
As part of the ceremony, there will be a lowering of the colors by the Wicomico County Jr. ROTC, ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers, and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department. Veterans, as well as their families, will be recognized during the ceremony…including a special family tribute to Gold Star Mothers. War Memorial Committee Member Sgt. Ed Tattersall, US Army, will perform the Reading of Veterans Names, which recognizes those Wicomico County residents who have fallen in the line of service.
In 2002, a group of veterans from all branches of the military came together to honor and preserve the memory of Wicomico County’s fallen heroes. As a result, the Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial was erected at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, which is itself a living war memorial to all veterans. Flags from each service branch, along with a United States, Maryland, Wicomico County and the POW-MIA flag, now proudly fly over a brick wall displaying bronze plaques with the names of Wicomico County’s fallen veterans beginning with World War I.
The Wicomico County War Memorial Committee has continued the work it began in 2002. Committee members are actively seeking information on those listed on the memorial. If you have information to share about a fallen serviceperson please email Ed Hearthway at hearthwaye@aol.com. To help preserve the Memorial and honor a loved one who has or is serving, citizens can purchase a Tree of Honor Gold Leaf. Engraved with his or her name and a short message, the leaf will be displayed on the Veterans' Tree of Honor in the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center lobby. Leaves are $100 each. Please contact Tammy Taylor at 410-548-4900 ext. 115. All proceeds are placed in a fund designated to maintain the War Memorial into perpetuity.
To learn more about the Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial and the men and women it was built to honor visit www.wicomicorecandparks.org/war_memorial.htm.
As part of the ceremony, there will be a lowering of the colors by the Wicomico County Jr. ROTC, ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers, and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department. Veterans, as well as their families, will be recognized during the ceremony…including a special family tribute to Gold Star Mothers. War Memorial Committee Member Sgt. Ed Tattersall, US Army, will perform the Reading of Veterans Names, which recognizes those Wicomico County residents who have fallen in the line of service.
In 2002, a group of veterans from all branches of the military came together to honor and preserve the memory of Wicomico County’s fallen heroes. As a result, the Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial was erected at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, which is itself a living war memorial to all veterans. Flags from each service branch, along with a United States, Maryland, Wicomico County and the POW-MIA flag, now proudly fly over a brick wall displaying bronze plaques with the names of Wicomico County’s fallen veterans beginning with World War I.
The Wicomico County War Memorial Committee has continued the work it began in 2002. Committee members are actively seeking information on those listed on the memorial. If you have information to share about a fallen serviceperson please email Ed Hearthway at hearthwaye@aol.com. To help preserve the Memorial and honor a loved one who has or is serving, citizens can purchase a Tree of Honor Gold Leaf. Engraved with his or her name and a short message, the leaf will be displayed on the Veterans' Tree of Honor in the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center lobby. Leaves are $100 each. Please contact Tammy Taylor at 410-548-4900 ext. 115. All proceeds are placed in a fund designated to maintain the War Memorial into perpetuity.
To learn more about the Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial and the men and women it was built to honor visit www.wicomicorecandparks.org/war_memorial.htm.
Camden Neighborhood Association Meeting On Thursday
The Camden Neighborhood Association will meet this Thursday, May 27th, at 7:15,
Bethany Lutheran Church
This will be the last meeting before our usual summer break.
Join us this month to welcome Mayor James Ireton and Salisbury-Wicomico Planning Director Jack Lenox,
who will discuss proposed changes to the Salisbury Historic District boundaries, changes affecting portions
of the northern aspect of the Camden district.
A Parable For All Parents Of Teenagers
A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.
His father said he'd make a deal: 'You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car.'
The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, 'Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have
been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut.
The boy said, 'You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair...and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair.'
His father replied, 'Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?
His father said he'd make a deal: 'You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car.'
The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, 'Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have
been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut.
The boy said, 'You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair...and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair.'
His father replied, 'Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?
Charity Sale At Applebee's
We are getting remodeled!!!
Applebee’s Salisbury
2703 North Salisbury Blvd.
Join us for a sale of our artifacts on June 12th starting at 7 a.m. in our parking lot.
All money raised that day is going to Wicomico County Relay for Life!
Any questions email them to 3303gm@therosegroup.com
Thank you!
Come Meet Andy Harris Wednesday Night
"Americans for Prosperity Job Interview with Andy Harris" tomorrow.
Event: Americans for Prosperity Job Interview with Andy Harris
Event: Americans for Prosperity Job Interview with Andy Harris
What: Informational Meeting
Start Time: Tomorrow, May 25 at 7:00pm
End Time: Tomorrow, May 25 at 8:00pm
Where: Brew River
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES BIOTECH TAX CREDIT AWARDEES
State program has leveraged $50 million for Maryland’s bio industry
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development today announced that 14 Maryland biotechnology companies received investments in FY 2010 from the state’s Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Program, which encourages investors to provide seed and early-stage funding to qualified, privately held Maryland biotechnology companies. Investors, many of whom have benefitted from the program since it was first funded in FY 2007, received a portion of the $6 million in credits that was available this fiscal year. The program, which is being funded in FY 2011 at $8 million, is a key part of the BioMaryland 2020 plan, the 10-year, $1.3 billion strategy for which the Governor was recently honored as BIO Governor of the Year.
“The Biotech Tax Credit program has become one of State’s most important tools for giving fledging biotechnology companies the chance to mature and commercialize oftentimes life-saving discoveries,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Over the past four years, we have invested $24 million in this program, which has leveraged more than $50 million in private investment for Maryland’s biotechnology community.”
“Through follow-up surveys with the companies who have received investments through this program, we have found that many have been able to create new jobs, increase their revenues and access additional capital to conduct clinical trials and research and development,” said Secretary Christian Johansson.
Many of the biotechnology companies that have received investments from the tax credit year after year have been able to leverage the funding to attract venture capital, private investments and federal grants.
For example, Sequella Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm based in Rockville, has used the biotech tax credit to raise $5.4 million, which paid for significant toxicology studies required by the FDA and Phase 1 clinical trials for a promising new drug candidate for tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB). In addition, the company was able to secure additional equity investments of $7 million, NIH grants worth $6.3 million, and a €12 million grant to pay for Phase 2 clinical studies in Africa later this year.
“The Biotechnology Investor Tax Credit was critical for us and we simply would not be where we are today as a company without it,” said Marty Zug, Sequella’s CFO. “In an environment where capital is tight and tough to find, the tax credit reduces the investment risk and results in significant company-saving infusions of equity to an industry that is the growth engine of Maryland. In our case, the tax credit gave us the ability to secure funding to continue to develop one of the first new TB drugs in 40 years, reduce the spread of multi-drug resistant TB, and potentially save the 2 million people who die from TB each year.”
Baltimore-based Gliknik, which started operations in 2007, has already identified drug candidates for cancer and autoimmune diseases from a newly developed platform that improves upon existing cancer drugs and from synthetic equivalents of IVIG, a $3 billion product derived today from pooled human blood.
“Making new drugs like these is challenging to finance in the current economic environment,” said Dr. David Block, founder and CEO of Gliknik. “The Biotech Tax Credit lessens the financial risk for our early investors and provides the necessary lifeline that has allowed us to get to the point where numerous potential corporate collaboration partners are engaged.”
Companies receiving investments from the program in FY 2010 include BioMarker Strategies (Baltimore City); Zymetis (Prince George’s County); Sequella Inc. (Montgomery County); Gliknik (Baltimore City); FASgen (Baltimore City); 20/20 Gene Systems (Montgomery County); Noxilizer (Montgomery County); MaxCyte (Montgomery County); Blue Torch Medical Technologies (Montgomery County); Arginetix (Baltimore County); Alper Biotech (Montgomery County); Creatv MicroTech (Montgomery County); Rafagen (Montgomery County); and A&G Pharmaceutical (Howard County).
To qualify, companies are required to: be less than 12 years old; have their headquarters in Maryland; employ fewer than 50 people, and have a valid certification from the Department of Business and Economic Development. Investors are required to submit applications prior to making an investment. DBED reviews the applications and issues initial credit certifications within 30 calendar days. For more information on the program, visit www.marylandbiocenter.org.
###
ABOUT DBED
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. For more information, visit www.choosemaryland.org.
ABOUT THE MARYLAND BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Maryland Biotechnology Center (MBC), part of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, is a newly created organization by Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board. The MBC is a portal to resources and coordinated programs of entrepreneur and biotechnology infrastructure development, workforce training, connection to federal facilities, and marketing Maryland’s bioscience community. For more information, visit www.marylandbiotechnologycenter.org.
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development today announced that 14 Maryland biotechnology companies received investments in FY 2010 from the state’s Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Program, which encourages investors to provide seed and early-stage funding to qualified, privately held Maryland biotechnology companies. Investors, many of whom have benefitted from the program since it was first funded in FY 2007, received a portion of the $6 million in credits that was available this fiscal year. The program, which is being funded in FY 2011 at $8 million, is a key part of the BioMaryland 2020 plan, the 10-year, $1.3 billion strategy for which the Governor was recently honored as BIO Governor of the Year.
“The Biotech Tax Credit program has become one of State’s most important tools for giving fledging biotechnology companies the chance to mature and commercialize oftentimes life-saving discoveries,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Over the past four years, we have invested $24 million in this program, which has leveraged more than $50 million in private investment for Maryland’s biotechnology community.”
“Through follow-up surveys with the companies who have received investments through this program, we have found that many have been able to create new jobs, increase their revenues and access additional capital to conduct clinical trials and research and development,” said Secretary Christian Johansson.
Many of the biotechnology companies that have received investments from the tax credit year after year have been able to leverage the funding to attract venture capital, private investments and federal grants.
For example, Sequella Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm based in Rockville, has used the biotech tax credit to raise $5.4 million, which paid for significant toxicology studies required by the FDA and Phase 1 clinical trials for a promising new drug candidate for tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB). In addition, the company was able to secure additional equity investments of $7 million, NIH grants worth $6.3 million, and a €12 million grant to pay for Phase 2 clinical studies in Africa later this year.
“The Biotechnology Investor Tax Credit was critical for us and we simply would not be where we are today as a company without it,” said Marty Zug, Sequella’s CFO. “In an environment where capital is tight and tough to find, the tax credit reduces the investment risk and results in significant company-saving infusions of equity to an industry that is the growth engine of Maryland. In our case, the tax credit gave us the ability to secure funding to continue to develop one of the first new TB drugs in 40 years, reduce the spread of multi-drug resistant TB, and potentially save the 2 million people who die from TB each year.”
Baltimore-based Gliknik, which started operations in 2007, has already identified drug candidates for cancer and autoimmune diseases from a newly developed platform that improves upon existing cancer drugs and from synthetic equivalents of IVIG, a $3 billion product derived today from pooled human blood.
“Making new drugs like these is challenging to finance in the current economic environment,” said Dr. David Block, founder and CEO of Gliknik. “The Biotech Tax Credit lessens the financial risk for our early investors and provides the necessary lifeline that has allowed us to get to the point where numerous potential corporate collaboration partners are engaged.”
Companies receiving investments from the program in FY 2010 include BioMarker Strategies (Baltimore City); Zymetis (Prince George’s County); Sequella Inc. (Montgomery County); Gliknik (Baltimore City); FASgen (Baltimore City); 20/20 Gene Systems (Montgomery County); Noxilizer (Montgomery County); MaxCyte (Montgomery County); Blue Torch Medical Technologies (Montgomery County); Arginetix (Baltimore County); Alper Biotech (Montgomery County); Creatv MicroTech (Montgomery County); Rafagen (Montgomery County); and A&G Pharmaceutical (Howard County).
To qualify, companies are required to: be less than 12 years old; have their headquarters in Maryland; employ fewer than 50 people, and have a valid certification from the Department of Business and Economic Development. Investors are required to submit applications prior to making an investment. DBED reviews the applications and issues initial credit certifications within 30 calendar days. For more information on the program, visit www.marylandbiocenter.org.
###
ABOUT DBED
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. For more information, visit www.choosemaryland.org.
ABOUT THE MARYLAND BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Maryland Biotechnology Center (MBC), part of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, is a newly created organization by Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board. The MBC is a portal to resources and coordinated programs of entrepreneur and biotechnology infrastructure development, workforce training, connection to federal facilities, and marketing Maryland’s bioscience community. For more information, visit www.marylandbiotechnologycenter.org.
“JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND TOUR”
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND TOUR”
WITH VISIT TO CECIL COUNTY SLOTS FACILITY CONSTRUCTION
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will continue his “Jobs Across Maryland Tour” today with a visit to the construction site of the Cecil County slots facility in Perryville, which is slated to open in the fall. The facility supports 510 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, and is expected to support 350 employees when fully operational.
WITH VISIT TO CECIL COUNTY SLOTS FACILITY CONSTRUCTION
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will continue his “Jobs Across Maryland Tour” today with a visit to the construction site of the Cecil County slots facility in Perryville, which is slated to open in the fall. The facility supports 510 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, and is expected to support 350 employees when fully operational.
FIRST LADY KATIE O’MALLEY DECLARES MAY 24-28 BULLYING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK
First Lady Partners with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick to Engage Schools
Across the State to Prevent Bullying; Talks to Students and Educators at Pikesville Middle School
Annapolis, MD – First Lady Katie O’Malley declared the week of May 24th-28th as Maryland Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, while visiting with students and educators at Pikesville Middle School in Baltimore County. During her visit, First Lady O’Malley discussed the importance of preventing harassment and highlighted the state’s recommitment to curtail the harmful effects of bullying on a child’s ability to learn. The efforts of Pikesville Middle School, including the creation of a “bully-free” zone, have worked toward this state-wide initiative. Pikesville students were given the opportunity to present their school’s bullying prevention programs and thoughts to the First Lady during her visit.
“Continued dedication to bullying intervention is an essential element to Maryland’s educational mission and our state’s future,” said First Lady Katie O’Malley. “Informing children of harassment’s long term impacts and providing them the tools to take action against it is a vital responsibility of our communities and schools in our effort to prevent bullying. I am honored to meet with the students of Pikesville Middle School who have already taken steps towards confronting this issue and are eager to share their ideas.”
“All students throughout Maryland’s public schools have the right to a safe learning environment allowing them to succeed academically, free of any form of harassment,” said Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. “The bullying awareness and prevention program highlighted at Pikesville Middle School represents one of the many effective programs across the State that has been developed to prevent and intervene in bullying and harassment.”
Last school year, 2008-2009, the Maryland State Board of Education reported 1,686 incidents of bullying, representing 2 reports filed for every 1,000 children in the state. It is likely that the extent of bullying is underreported because of the need for victims or parents to take the initiative to file a report. The most reported incidents of bullying involve middle school students between 11 and 14 years of age. While a little over half of these incidents are committed “just to be mean” or “to impress others,” 24.3 percent were motivated by actual or perceived personal characteristics, such as physical appearance, sex, race, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
In reaction, the state and counties are taking corrective action to reduce the prevalence of bullying within its schools. First Lady O’Malley in partnership with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, sent a letter to all local Maryland superintendents asking them to set aside time for the topic of bullying and harassment prevention during this special week.
“It is our responsibility, as parents, coaches, mentors, guardians and family members, to ensure that our children have the safest possible environment in which to learn each and every day,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “I commend First Lady O’Malley on recognizing the importance of bullying awareness and working to keep our children safe from the effects of harassment.”
During the legislative session this year, Speaker Busch advocated for The Safe Schools Act of 2010, which breaks down communication barriers between school personnel and law enforcement, in order to prevent incidents of bullying and violence in schools. The legislation requires that intervention and prevention programs be identified so that children can be redirected into more positive activities.
During Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, schools across the state will be engaging students in events stressing non-tolerance towards bullying. Cecil County school counselors will be visiting classrooms and giving lessons which include the use of trivia games, videos, books, role-playing strategies, and written reflections. Anne Arundel County schools just released a new data system which will allow students to log in and easily report information about bullying.
Other schools across the state are celebrating bullying prevention by designating each day of the week to a different awareness activity. Others are encouraging students to participate in anti-bullying poster contests, school-wide assemblies, and other team-player activities. In addition to these special events, schools will also refocus their attention on their long-term bullying prevention programs.
Across the State to Prevent Bullying; Talks to Students and Educators at Pikesville Middle School
Annapolis, MD – First Lady Katie O’Malley declared the week of May 24th-28th as Maryland Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, while visiting with students and educators at Pikesville Middle School in Baltimore County. During her visit, First Lady O’Malley discussed the importance of preventing harassment and highlighted the state’s recommitment to curtail the harmful effects of bullying on a child’s ability to learn. The efforts of Pikesville Middle School, including the creation of a “bully-free” zone, have worked toward this state-wide initiative. Pikesville students were given the opportunity to present their school’s bullying prevention programs and thoughts to the First Lady during her visit.
“Continued dedication to bullying intervention is an essential element to Maryland’s educational mission and our state’s future,” said First Lady Katie O’Malley. “Informing children of harassment’s long term impacts and providing them the tools to take action against it is a vital responsibility of our communities and schools in our effort to prevent bullying. I am honored to meet with the students of Pikesville Middle School who have already taken steps towards confronting this issue and are eager to share their ideas.”
“All students throughout Maryland’s public schools have the right to a safe learning environment allowing them to succeed academically, free of any form of harassment,” said Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. “The bullying awareness and prevention program highlighted at Pikesville Middle School represents one of the many effective programs across the State that has been developed to prevent and intervene in bullying and harassment.”
Last school year, 2008-2009, the Maryland State Board of Education reported 1,686 incidents of bullying, representing 2 reports filed for every 1,000 children in the state. It is likely that the extent of bullying is underreported because of the need for victims or parents to take the initiative to file a report. The most reported incidents of bullying involve middle school students between 11 and 14 years of age. While a little over half of these incidents are committed “just to be mean” or “to impress others,” 24.3 percent were motivated by actual or perceived personal characteristics, such as physical appearance, sex, race, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
In reaction, the state and counties are taking corrective action to reduce the prevalence of bullying within its schools. First Lady O’Malley in partnership with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, sent a letter to all local Maryland superintendents asking them to set aside time for the topic of bullying and harassment prevention during this special week.
“It is our responsibility, as parents, coaches, mentors, guardians and family members, to ensure that our children have the safest possible environment in which to learn each and every day,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “I commend First Lady O’Malley on recognizing the importance of bullying awareness and working to keep our children safe from the effects of harassment.”
During the legislative session this year, Speaker Busch advocated for The Safe Schools Act of 2010, which breaks down communication barriers between school personnel and law enforcement, in order to prevent incidents of bullying and violence in schools. The legislation requires that intervention and prevention programs be identified so that children can be redirected into more positive activities.
During Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, schools across the state will be engaging students in events stressing non-tolerance towards bullying. Cecil County school counselors will be visiting classrooms and giving lessons which include the use of trivia games, videos, books, role-playing strategies, and written reflections. Anne Arundel County schools just released a new data system which will allow students to log in and easily report information about bullying.
Other schools across the state are celebrating bullying prevention by designating each day of the week to a different awareness activity. Others are encouraging students to participate in anti-bullying poster contests, school-wide assemblies, and other team-player activities. In addition to these special events, schools will also refocus their attention on their long-term bullying prevention programs.
Lost Finale Had 107 Commercials: More Than 45 Minutes Worth
So, Lost ended, as you may have heard, and you also may have heard your friends complaining about the number of commercials that were in the finale. EW says there were 107 of them in 2.5 hours -- or more than 45 minutes worth.
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