At their May 24th, 2010 meeting, the Salisbury City Council recognized a $69,481 addition to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) from the Parking Authority to the General Fund. There was no agreement on appropriating those funds. They were applied to reduce the amount of surplus that the city was bringing forward to balance the General Fund budget. Due to the large number of unmet needs this year due to the tight economy, Mayor Ireton suggested that it would be better to utilize these additional funds than to go to surplus. In an email on Thursday May 27th, 2010 he suggested several possible uses for these funds and requested that Council Members indicate which of these possible uses they would favor. The suggestions were as follows:
Additional Police Vehicles ($30,429 per vehicle)
Additional Ambulance (lease purchase $47,135 annual cost)
Traffic Signal – Naylor Mill Rd./Northwood Dr. ($20,000 can be used to leverage $80,000 in State Aid.)
Paving West Rd. ($54,400 can be used to leverage $217,600 in State Aid)
Citywide Dam Safety Measures ($50,000)
Street Paving (Burton St. – Lake Street to City Limits $45,500)
Street Paving (Rose St. – Lake Street to City Limits $56,000)
His intent was for the Council to amend the budget to include these items before he took action on the budget. Two of the Council Members indicated that they were not interested in taking additional action on the budget at this time.
“I had hoped that we could come together, in the spirit of compromise and good faith – and modify our budget in view of the changes made last Monday evening. It would have meant that council would have to meet and vote on one of the many options that I put forth. Consistently, we have recognized that June 15, 2010 is the deadline for passage. Since that date is two and a half weeks away, it was my goal to continue working. Some of the options listed above are ones that we can fund and that address public safety in so many ways. Given the present situation, I will take the holiday and decide whether or not to force the council back to the table to negotiate using my veto power,” said Mayor Ireton.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wicomico County Residents Can Sleep Well At Night For Another Four Years
While no one in their right mind would ever challenge Sheriff Mike Lewis of the WCSO, Mike registered today to run for County Sheriff and only Salisbury News can deliver these exclusive images of him doing so.
Apparently the rest of the Press has no interest in Sheriff Lewis, nor did they want to record another part of history in the making.
If you'd like to send Sheriff Lewis a message of appreciation, please do so here.
Mayor To Engage Residents In Historic District Discussion
Mayor James Ireton, Jr. will be joined by Salisbury/Wicomico County Planning Director Jack Lenox at the Camden Neighborhood meeting this evening, 7:15 PM, at Bethany Lutheran Church on Camden Avenue.
Mayor Ireton will be leading a discussion on the boundaries of the Historic District lines in the most northern section of the Camden Neighborhood. Ireton will be asking residents, neighborhood leaders, Historic District Commission Members, and other interested parties to submit suggestions for redrawing the district.
"The Historic District in North Camden surrounds some of our most at-risk streets. Crime rates in the area are too high. While we have focused on beefing up code compliance, closing illegal conversions with far too many apartments, and tried with some success to increase home-ownership it becomes clear that other steps are required to address issues. Redrawing the Historic District lines will help property owners with reducing the costs to fix up properties, a step in the right direction according to property owners I have spoken to in the area. With proposals for bed and breakfast establishments, crime free lease addendums, and preliminary discussions with stakeholders in the area on-going, now is the time to have a serious, frank discussion with the neighborhood about changes that have to be made." said Mayor Ireton.
Mayor Ireton will be leading a discussion on the boundaries of the Historic District lines in the most northern section of the Camden Neighborhood. Ireton will be asking residents, neighborhood leaders, Historic District Commission Members, and other interested parties to submit suggestions for redrawing the district.
"The Historic District in North Camden surrounds some of our most at-risk streets. Crime rates in the area are too high. While we have focused on beefing up code compliance, closing illegal conversions with far too many apartments, and tried with some success to increase home-ownership it becomes clear that other steps are required to address issues. Redrawing the Historic District lines will help property owners with reducing the costs to fix up properties, a step in the right direction according to property owners I have spoken to in the area. With proposals for bed and breakfast establishments, crime free lease addendums, and preliminary discussions with stakeholders in the area on-going, now is the time to have a serious, frank discussion with the neighborhood about changes that have to be made." said Mayor Ireton.
Teacher Suspended After Students Dress Up As KKK
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No Pups For Sale? Cities Ban Pet Shops
Buying an adorable puppy or kitten at your local pet store may become a thing of the past, if more American cities join a small but growing movement to ban retail pet sales.
West Hollywood, Calif., became the latest city to put a leash on pet sales in February, when its city council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting sales of dogs and cats in retail stores. Albuquerque, N.M., and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., have also banned pet sales. Other cities in Florida, New Mexico, Missouri and elsewhere are considering similar bans on the sale of dogs and cats.
Animal advocates say pet store sales fuel the puppy mill industry, where dogs are bred and raised in cramped, unhealthy and inhumane conditions. They have similar concerns about "kitten factories," which are a smaller but growing problem. Efforts to crack down on animal mills have been hindered by limited enforcement resources, so ban proponents are shifting their focus from the supply side to the demand. Far better, they say, to adopt from a local shelter or buy directly from a reputable breeder.
GO HERE to read more.
West Hollywood, Calif., became the latest city to put a leash on pet sales in February, when its city council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting sales of dogs and cats in retail stores. Albuquerque, N.M., and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., have also banned pet sales. Other cities in Florida, New Mexico, Missouri and elsewhere are considering similar bans on the sale of dogs and cats.
Animal advocates say pet store sales fuel the puppy mill industry, where dogs are bred and raised in cramped, unhealthy and inhumane conditions. They have similar concerns about "kitten factories," which are a smaller but growing problem. Efforts to crack down on animal mills have been hindered by limited enforcement resources, so ban proponents are shifting their focus from the supply side to the demand. Far better, they say, to adopt from a local shelter or buy directly from a reputable breeder.
GO HERE to read more.
Gas Prices Dropping
The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:
MIKULSKI SEEKS OIL ASSESSMENT With oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill now reaching major ocean currents, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski asked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday to assess the threat to the Chesapeake Bay and the waters off Maryland. "The immediate impact on the communities closest to the spill is obvious," the Maryland Democrat wrote in a letter to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. "But my constituents are also asking – will they see oil on the beaches of Ocean City? Will the spill impact the Chesapeake Bay – which is already under great stress? This would affect the Bay and the jobs of people who work on the Bay. It would also affect our cultural identity." (Baltimore Sun)
GAS PRICES DROPPING Gasoline prices are dropping from spring highs for a second consecutive week. AAA Mid-Atlantic projects the downslide will be good news for the expected 28 million people planning to travel by car over the holiday weekend. (Frederick News Post)
TOLL BROTHERS "BUSINESS IMPROVING" Luxury home builder Toll Brothers says Washington is among markets where its homebuilding business is improving, and the company is buying more land for building for the first time in years. The Horsham, Penn.-based company also reported a narrower quarterly loss and says its buyer cancellation rate fell sharply (Washington Business Journal)
Source
MIKULSKI SEEKS OIL ASSESSMENT With oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill now reaching major ocean currents, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski asked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday to assess the threat to the Chesapeake Bay and the waters off Maryland. "The immediate impact on the communities closest to the spill is obvious," the Maryland Democrat wrote in a letter to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. "But my constituents are also asking – will they see oil on the beaches of Ocean City? Will the spill impact the Chesapeake Bay – which is already under great stress? This would affect the Bay and the jobs of people who work on the Bay. It would also affect our cultural identity." (Baltimore Sun)
GAS PRICES DROPPING Gasoline prices are dropping from spring highs for a second consecutive week. AAA Mid-Atlantic projects the downslide will be good news for the expected 28 million people planning to travel by car over the holiday weekend. (Frederick News Post)
TOLL BROTHERS "BUSINESS IMPROVING" Luxury home builder Toll Brothers says Washington is among markets where its homebuilding business is improving, and the company is buying more land for building for the first time in years. The Horsham, Penn.-based company also reported a narrower quarterly loss and says its buyer cancellation rate fell sharply (Washington Business Journal)
Source
Obama Fires Embattled Oil Agency Chief
Sources: U.S. oil agency chief quits
Departure follows criticism for lax oversight of BP, oil industry
WASHINGTON - The head of the troubled agency that oversees offshore drilling resigned under pressure Thursday, Democratic sources said, as President Barack Obama moved more aggressively to take charge of the Gulf oil spill.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar confirmed to NBC News that the head of Minerals Management Service resigned, despite earlier reports she was fired.
The departure of Minerals Management Service Director Elizabeth Birnbaum came just hours before Obama's planned White House
GO HERE to read more.
Departure follows criticism for lax oversight of BP, oil industry
WASHINGTON - The head of the troubled agency that oversees offshore drilling resigned under pressure Thursday, Democratic sources said, as President Barack Obama moved more aggressively to take charge of the Gulf oil spill.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar confirmed to NBC News that the head of Minerals Management Service resigned, despite earlier reports she was fired.
The departure of Minerals Management Service Director Elizabeth Birnbaum came just hours before Obama's planned White House
GO HERE to read more.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City Council has scheduled an additional work session for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2010.
The work session will be held in Conference Room 306 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).
MAYOR IRETON: NOW HEAR THIS . . .
It's past time for Mayor Jim Ireton to end the "Slum Property" nonsense and find a more effective way to deal with code compliance for rental properties in Salisbury.
Besides presenting a less-than-desirable image to visitors (potential residents and/or business relocations) on the city's website, there is no indication using a bludgeon rather than a "carrot and stick" approach is remotely effective.
I suggest Ireton make an overture to Salisbury Property Owners Association, asking to reinstate a program that was in place a few years ago: The city administration would notify SAPOA leadership of problems with specific properties. A committee of SAPOA members would approach the owner(s) of the subject property and attempt to get the problem resolved for the good of the city and the rental community.
More often than not, the problem was taken care of quickly and efficiently. Peer pressure can be a powerful incentive. It may not have created the level of drama some seem to desire, but it was effective. It also retains the bludgeon approach as an option for cases that were unsuccessful.
At the recent City Council meeting, we saw representatives of property owners practically begging for a cooperative effort at equitable code enforcement. The administration needs to reach out to those who are willing and able to help. They may be amazed at what a bit of quiet diplomacy can accomplish.
Full disclosure: I have no financial interest in rentals. I do not now nor have I ever owned any property other than the one occupied by me and my family.
Bob Caldwell
Salisbury
Editors Note: The City of Salisbury just forwarded this information I thought might be interesting for all to view.
"Please link that Properties Draining Resources press release yesterday to this new one…"
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/Portals/0/Press/Leer22710.pdf
SALISBURY’S NEXT "SLUM PROPERTY OF THE WEEK"
When I went to the library in downtown Salisbury today I happened to walk by the old fire house on the other side of the street, which I nominate for the next "Slum Property of the Week" on the City’s website. The following exterior items are code violations I believe:
1. A light fixture on the front wall has a missing "globe" cover, exposing the socket, and there is no bulb in the socket – potential life safety hazard!
2. There are weeds and grass on the sidewalks, parking pad and along the curbing.
3. Rubbish in various places.
4. Peeling paint, rotted and missing wood on the front of the building (1st level) and possibly elsewhere.
5. The load bearing concrete wall on the south side of the building has chipped and missing concrete that has exposed the rebar in various places.
6. Exposed wiring/open junction box on rear wall – potential life safety hazard!
PS to Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance: the property owner’s CEO is Mayor Ireton.
Editors Note: The City of Salisbury just forwarded this information I thought might be interesting for all to view.
"Please link that Properties Draining Resources press release yesterday to this new one…"
Princess Anne Forum: Can We Just Add All Six?
If only the City of Salisbury could be so lucky s to have SIX solid candidates to run for Office.
As always, it's a great pleasure making that ride from Delmar, DE. to Princess Anne to join in their political interests. Each candidate was sincere and answered tough questions. While I didn't like the format of this forum, a question to one candidate who had 2 minutes to respond and then a rebuttal from the next candidate, then they moved on to a new question. I would have enjoyed seeing each and every candidate answer each question, there was no need for a rebuttal.
Two things really stood out in this forum. One was, "Students from UMES feel discriminated and not welcome." That really blew my mind, considering all I have witnessed between the Commissioners and UMES. It's a shame ANY student would feel this way. However, the next thing that blew me away might answer why there are such problems.
The second was a quote another candidate made. "With the price of gas, none of us want to travel to Salisbury just to buy a shirt." Wow, I can relate! The discussion went on talking about how they need to bring retail business to Princess Anne and build on their economic and development.
Bringing more businesses to a now college town would be a very wise move. These businesses could provide more full and part time jobs, especially to those students at UMES.
I don't know about you Folks but one thing I can tell you from experience. I believe Princess Anne has a much bigger opportunity for successful businesses than ANY other location right now on the entire Eastern Shore. I said it years ago about Pittsville being yet another area with great potential. I personally bought 14 properties in Pittsville as an investment because I do believe when things turn around both Princess Anne and Pittsville will boom.
All is all, I enjoyed this forum. I also enjoyed seeing some 110+ people attending this event. As I mentioned earlier, all six of these candidates are good choices. My guess would be, the persons willing to work the hardest for your vote will fill the three seats open in this election.
Good Luck Folks!
Congressional Candidate Andy Harris Wow's Large AFP Crowd
More than 100 AFP Members and citizens came together at Brew River last night to hear what Congressional Candidate Andy Harris had to say. Andy gave a fantastic speech and opened the floor to questions. One young man stood up and shared his concerns about his generation failing to believe the United States was as great a Country as other generations believe it is. Andy thanked the young man and stated, America is still the greatest Country in the world. Why else would 250 million illegals be coming here if their Country was so great.
Another individual asked, if you're elected to Congress, I believe our government is too big. If you agree, what departments would you eliminate. Andy, (without hesitation) said, the Department of Education. How can the Feds know what your children here in Wicomico County want and need. They probably don't even know where Wicomico County is. They'd say, well, you drive to Ocean City and take that bypass, yeah, that's Wicomico County.
There were some 100+ people in the crowd and for what it's worth, none of them walked away disappointed. Great work AFP. You brought in a great crowd, great questions and as always Andy was direct and straight forward answering every one's questions. I'm glad I found the time to make it to this meeting after all.
"Checkpoint Strikeforce"
Law enforcement agencies from throughout Wicomico County will join forces to conduct a sobriety checkpoint. The operation will be conducted with the Five State and the District of Columbia Campaign, "Checkpoint Strikeforce". The goal is to reduce the number of drunk and drugged drivers on Wicomico County roadways.
More to come.....
More to come.....
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
Charles Deverett Townsend, 50yoa of Salisbury, MD was charged with 2nd degree Rape, 1st & 2nd degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and False Imprisonment.
On May 24, 2010 at approximately 10:41am, officers responded to the Railroad Tracks behind the business of Salisbury Brick in the 300 block of W Isabella St for a sexual assault in progress. As an officer approached the scene he heard a female scream, “Get off me!” The officer observed Townsend with his pants down to his knees and a female with her pants down to her ankles. The officer saw that the female was struggling with Townsend. The officer was able to detain Townsend for further investigation. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division responded and assisted by interviewing the witnesses, victim and the suspect. It was determined that the encounter was not consensual and that Townsend had punched the victim in her face as well during the assault. Townsend was released to Central Booking. #201000020834
Lester Craig Sadberry, 49yoa of Salisbury, MD was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Paraphernalia.
On May 24, 2010 at approximately 9:05pm, an officer was on patrol in the 1200 block of Old Ocean City Rd. The officer observed a suspicious subject on the property of SOS Auto. Upon the arrival of backup, the officers located Sadberry in the back seat of a disabled vehicle. Sadberry told the officers that he had permission to sleep in the vehicle from the owner as well as the business owner. The officers discovered that Sadberry had attempted to conceal a quantity of suspected cocaine and a smoking device from their view. The owner of SOS Auto was contacted and responded to his business. The officers were advised that no one should be on his property after hours sleeping in a customer’s vehicle. Sadberry was released to Central Booking. #201000020901
On May 24, 2010 at approximately 10:41am, officers responded to the Railroad Tracks behind the business of Salisbury Brick in the 300 block of W Isabella St for a sexual assault in progress. As an officer approached the scene he heard a female scream, “Get off me!” The officer observed Townsend with his pants down to his knees and a female with her pants down to her ankles. The officer saw that the female was struggling with Townsend. The officer was able to detain Townsend for further investigation. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division responded and assisted by interviewing the witnesses, victim and the suspect. It was determined that the encounter was not consensual and that Townsend had punched the victim in her face as well during the assault. Townsend was released to Central Booking. #201000020834
Lester Craig Sadberry, 49yoa of Salisbury, MD was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Paraphernalia.
On May 24, 2010 at approximately 9:05pm, an officer was on patrol in the 1200 block of Old Ocean City Rd. The officer observed a suspicious subject on the property of SOS Auto. Upon the arrival of backup, the officers located Sadberry in the back seat of a disabled vehicle. Sadberry told the officers that he had permission to sleep in the vehicle from the owner as well as the business owner. The officers discovered that Sadberry had attempted to conceal a quantity of suspected cocaine and a smoking device from their view. The owner of SOS Auto was contacted and responded to his business. The officers were advised that no one should be on his property after hours sleeping in a customer’s vehicle. Sadberry was released to Central Booking. #201000020901
Photo Of The Day: Oil Ashore
A BP cleanup crew shovels oil from a beach on May 24, 2010, at Port Fourchon, La. (John Moore/Getty Images)With its one-month anniversary passed, the Gulf oil spill has reached the shoreline, and it isn't pretty. Today's photo depicts the onshore efforts of a BP cleanup crew as it took shovels and garbage bags to the shores of Port Fourchon, La. BP CEO Tony Hayward visited the beach on Monday with reporters in tow and said BP was committed to cleaning up "every last drop." But with 32 national wildlife refuges at risk of being affected by the BP oil spill, officials from Texas to Florida are worried that cleanup, if possible, may come too late.
Check out our slideshow of photos from the Gulf oil spill, which we update daily.
Read The Govt’s Report Blasting Drilling Regulators On Ethics, Drugs And Porn
When news of the Gulf oil spill first broke, we wondered if previously reported problems at the Minerals Management Service, the agency that regulates offshore drilling, extended to the Gulf.
The Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General released a report this morning indicating as much. At one Gulf Coast office of MMS, agency officials attended sporting events on the dime of oil companies, stored porn on company computers, used cocaine and crystal meth, and falsified inspection reports. (The above links go directly to the relevant pages in the report, thanks to our ever-handy document viewer.)
The ethical violations described in the IG report occurred between 2000 and 2008, around the same time as another sex, drugs and royalty scandal at the agency.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement that he found the behavior “reprehensible” and the report “deeply disturbing.” Salazar took over as head of the Interior Department—of which MMS is a part—in January 2009. He added that some of the employees cited have since “resigned, been terminated or referred for prosecution.”
How To Use Facebook's New Privacy Controls
Lifehacker has a handy guide to and analysis of the new, streamlined privacy controls just announced by Facebook. There's also the full version posted on Facebook. The new controls are simpler, but fall short in some respects.
More »
More »
Poor People Spend 9% Of Income On Lottery Tickets
A recent study found that poor folks - households earning under $13,000 per year - spend about 9% of all their income on lottery tickets.
Tesla, Toyota Give Jolt To NUMMI Plant
Japanese giant gets PR boost as electric car company moves into factory
When rival automakers Toyota and GM decided in the early 1980s to build cars together at the Northern California NUMMI auto plant, many questioned whether the unusual arrangement would work out.
Nearly 30 years later, and only a month after Toyota followed GM's footsteps in abandoning the NUMMI plant, Toyota has made another surprise decision: A $50 million investment in a small startup called Tesla, which plans to make electric cars at the NUMMI plant.
The 11th-hour deal announced last week marks the latest chapter in NUMMI's storied history. It also offers a rare piece of good news for Toyota, which has struggled in recent months with a spate of recalls and fallout from the wildly unpopular NUMMI plant closure.
GO HERE to read more.
When rival automakers Toyota and GM decided in the early 1980s to build cars together at the Northern California NUMMI auto plant, many questioned whether the unusual arrangement would work out.
Nearly 30 years later, and only a month after Toyota followed GM's footsteps in abandoning the NUMMI plant, Toyota has made another surprise decision: A $50 million investment in a small startup called Tesla, which plans to make electric cars at the NUMMI plant.
The 11th-hour deal announced last week marks the latest chapter in NUMMI's storied history. It also offers a rare piece of good news for Toyota, which has struggled in recent months with a spate of recalls and fallout from the wildly unpopular NUMMI plant closure.
GO HERE to read more.
Clock Ticking On 100,000 Teachers' Jobs
'We desperately need Congress ... to recognize the emergency for what it is'
Senior congressional Democrats and the Obama administration scrambled Wednesday to line up support for $23 billion in federal aid to avert an estimated 100,000 or more school layoffs in a brutal year for education budgets coast to coast.
As early as Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee expects to take up a bill that couples the school funding with spending for the Afghanistan war — a measure that has bipartisan support. But a parallel push in the Senate stalled this week after a leading proponent concluded that he couldn't muster enough votes to surmount Republican opposition.
"We desperately need Congress to act — to recognize the emergency for what it is," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday on Capitol Hill. "We have to keep hundreds of thousands of teachers teaching."
GO HERE to read more.
Senior congressional Democrats and the Obama administration scrambled Wednesday to line up support for $23 billion in federal aid to avert an estimated 100,000 or more school layoffs in a brutal year for education budgets coast to coast.
As early as Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee expects to take up a bill that couples the school funding with spending for the Afghanistan war — a measure that has bipartisan support. But a parallel push in the Senate stalled this week after a leading proponent concluded that he couldn't muster enough votes to surmount Republican opposition.
"We desperately need Congress to act — to recognize the emergency for what it is," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday on Capitol Hill. "We have to keep hundreds of thousands of teachers teaching."
GO HERE to read more.
Senate Republicans Demand Prosecutor For Sestak Deal
All seven Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee called Wednesday for a special prosecutor to probe whether White House aides broke the law by offering a Senate candidate a job if he quit his race.
At issue was Democratic Representative Joe Sestak's statement in February that the White House offered him a job to drop out of his ultimately successful primary challenge to veteran Senator Arlen Specter.
Republicans have charged that such an offer could have violated federal law, and Democrats have increasingly called on Sestak to clarify exactly what transpired ahead of critical November elections.
Republican senators -- led by the party's top member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeff Sessions -- urged US Attorney General Eric Holder to "appoint a special prosecutor to investigate this matter, which would avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest."
"Such an offer would appear to violate various federal criminal laws," the seven lawmakers wrote.
In a similar situation, the allegations that the White House offered Joe Sestak a job in exchange for dropping out of the Pennsylvania Senate race echo an earlier report of a job offer to candidate Andrew Romanoff in Colorado.
On September 27, 2009 the Denver Post reported that the Obama administration offered Senate candidate Romanoff a position if he canceled plans to run for the Democratic nomination against incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet.
The paper said the job offer, which specified particular jobs, was reportedly delivered by Jim Messina, Obama’s deputy chief of staff. One position cited by the Post was a job at USAID, the foreign aid agency.
Messina contacted Romanoff soon after news leaked in August 2009 that Romanoff, former Colorado House speaker, would make a primary run against Bennet.
Romanoff turned down the offer and announced his candidacy. Obama then endorsed Bennet, who had been appointed in January 2009 to fill the seat vacated when Ken Salazar became Secretary of the Interior.
But Romanoff trounced Bennet at last weekend's Colorado Democratic assembly, winning the top line on the August primary ballot.The White House denied that Romanoff had been offered a job.
NJ Governor Christie To Teacher: You Can Quit
New Jersey GOP Gov. Chris Christie told a disgruntled teacher that if she doesn’t like the pay, she doesn’t “have to do it.”
Christie was speaking to a small crowd in a church gymnasium in Rutherford on Tuesday when the Bergen County Record caught the exchange between Kearny teacher Rita Wilson and the governor.
Wilson claimed that if she were getting paid only three dollars an hour for the 30 students she teaches, her salary would be $83,000 a year, a much higher sum than her current take.
“You’re getting more than that if you include the cost of your benefits,” Christie pointed out.
The teacher responded by saying that she has a master’s degree and that her current salary isn’t compensating her for the value of her higher education as well as her experience.
To that, the governor responded: “Well, you know then that you don’t have to do it.”
Well said, Governor.
Christie was speaking to a small crowd in a church gymnasium in Rutherford on Tuesday when the Bergen County Record caught the exchange between Kearny teacher Rita Wilson and the governor.
Wilson claimed that if she were getting paid only three dollars an hour for the 30 students she teaches, her salary would be $83,000 a year, a much higher sum than her current take.
“You’re getting more than that if you include the cost of your benefits,” Christie pointed out.
The teacher responded by saying that she has a master’s degree and that her current salary isn’t compensating her for the value of her higher education as well as her experience.
To that, the governor responded: “Well, you know then that you don’t have to do it.”
Well said, Governor.
Seven Republicans Call For Special Prosecutor In Sestak Case
The seven Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee today called on Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Joe Sestak's suggestion that he was offered a White House job in exchange for dropping his (ultimately successful) challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Darrell Issa, who has been pressing this issue for months, called for a special prosecutor in April. He alleges that the White House may have violated anti-bribery provisions of the federal criminal code as well as prohibitions on government officials interfering in elections and using federal jobs for a political purpose if it made the offer.
Sestak has stood by his claim, made in an offhand fashion in February, that he was offered the job -- though he has refused to discuss it further. The White House has largely brushed off questions about the alleged offer, ultimately stating that the conversations were "not problematic" and that "nothing inappropriate" took place. White House senior adviser David Axelrod said that White House lawyers found any interaction to have been "perfectly appropriate."
On Monday, Issa said that wasn't good enough.
"No administration should be allowed to assume what they do and say is legal because they say it's legal," he said. "It's for Congress to decide whether or not this was inappropriate." He has suggested the situation could lead to President Obama's impeachment.
The seven Republicans calling for a special prosecutor are Tom Coburn, Orrin Hatch, Jon Kyl, Jeff Sessions, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley and John Cornyn. In a letter, they wrote that "the White House cannot possibly manage an internal investigation of potential criminal misconduct while simultaneously crafting a public narrative to rebut the claim that misconduct occurred."
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Darrell Issa, who has been pressing this issue for months, called for a special prosecutor in April. He alleges that the White House may have violated anti-bribery provisions of the federal criminal code as well as prohibitions on government officials interfering in elections and using federal jobs for a political purpose if it made the offer.
Sestak has stood by his claim, made in an offhand fashion in February, that he was offered the job -- though he has refused to discuss it further. The White House has largely brushed off questions about the alleged offer, ultimately stating that the conversations were "not problematic" and that "nothing inappropriate" took place. White House senior adviser David Axelrod said that White House lawyers found any interaction to have been "perfectly appropriate."
On Monday, Issa said that wasn't good enough.
"No administration should be allowed to assume what they do and say is legal because they say it's legal," he said. "It's for Congress to decide whether or not this was inappropriate." He has suggested the situation could lead to President Obama's impeachment.
The seven Republicans calling for a special prosecutor are Tom Coburn, Orrin Hatch, Jon Kyl, Jeff Sessions, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley and John Cornyn. In a letter, they wrote that "the White House cannot possibly manage an internal investigation of potential criminal misconduct while simultaneously crafting a public narrative to rebut the claim that misconduct occurred."
Rahm Emanuel Under 'Probe' In Israel
Nationalist activist and parliamentary aide Itamar Ben-Gvir is continuing “Operation Rahm Emanuel,” in which he probes the behavior of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who is in Israel for his son's Bar Mitzva. On Wednesday, Ben-Gvir charged that the hall in which the Emanuel family plans to celebrate the Bar Mitzva is not licensed to host such events.
The Emanuel family plans to celebrate in the Davidson Center in the archaeological park in Jerusalem's Old City, according to Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir has appealed to the Jerusalem District Court to call on the city of Jerusalem and on East Jerusalem Development Ltd to explain why the Emanuel family was given permission to use the center for a private event.
In addition, he has called to move the Bar Mitzvah to an alternate location. The “basic values of the state of Israel” determine that rules must be followed, even by the White House Chief of Staff, he said. “The principle of rule of law does not allow a Bar Mitzvah to be held in a place not meant for such events,” he added.
The Davidson Center is next to the Western Wall (Kotel) in the Old City of Jerusalem. The neighborhood is one of many in Israel's capital that was under Jordanian control between 1948 and 1967.
The Obama administration has publicly condemned Israel for building Jewish housing in such neighborhoods of Jerusalem, which the Palestinian Authority has demanded as the capital of a future PA state.
Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel, who serve as aides to MK (Member of Knesset) Michael Ben-Ari, wrote to Emanuel in January and suggested that he move the Bar Mitzvah away from the Western Wall, and added, “We will take care to remind you during the length of your stay in Israel that the State of Israel will continue to exist, no matter how much it angers you.”
The two later explained their demand that Emanuel move the celebration, saying, “A person who hopes to give up the Kotel itself should not be celebrating in Jerusalem.”
The Emanuel family plans to celebrate in the Davidson Center in the archaeological park in Jerusalem's Old City, according to Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir has appealed to the Jerusalem District Court to call on the city of Jerusalem and on East Jerusalem Development Ltd to explain why the Emanuel family was given permission to use the center for a private event.
In addition, he has called to move the Bar Mitzvah to an alternate location. The “basic values of the state of Israel” determine that rules must be followed, even by the White House Chief of Staff, he said. “The principle of rule of law does not allow a Bar Mitzvah to be held in a place not meant for such events,” he added.
The Davidson Center is next to the Western Wall (Kotel) in the Old City of Jerusalem. The neighborhood is one of many in Israel's capital that was under Jordanian control between 1948 and 1967.
The Obama administration has publicly condemned Israel for building Jewish housing in such neighborhoods of Jerusalem, which the Palestinian Authority has demanded as the capital of a future PA state.
Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel, who serve as aides to MK (Member of Knesset) Michael Ben-Ari, wrote to Emanuel in January and suggested that he move the Bar Mitzvah away from the Western Wall, and added, “We will take care to remind you during the length of your stay in Israel that the State of Israel will continue to exist, no matter how much it angers you.”
The two later explained their demand that Emanuel move the celebration, saying, “A person who hopes to give up the Kotel itself should not be celebrating in Jerusalem.”
Earlier this week, MK Ben-Ari criticized both Emanuel and the Tourism Ministry over reports that a ministry representative was handed the bill for Emanuel and his family after they dined in a non-kosher restaurant in Eilat. The Tourism Ministry denied that it paid the bill, however.
Feds Issue Terror Watch For The Texas/Mexico Border
The Department of Homeland Security is alerting Texas authorities to be on the lookout for a suspected member of the Somalia-based Al Shabaab terrorist group who might be attempting to travel to the U.S. through Mexico, a security expert who has seen the memo tells FOXNews.com.
The warning follows an indictment unsealed this month in Texas federal court that accuses a Somali man in Texas of running a “large-scale smuggling enterprise” responsible for bringing hundreds of Somalis from Brazil through South America and eventually across the Mexican border. Many of the illegal immigrants, who court records say were given fake IDs, are alleged to have ties to other now-defunct Somalian terror organizations that have merged with active organizations like Al Shabaab, al-Barakat and Al-Ittihad Al-Islami.
In 2008, the U.S. government designated Al Shabaab a terrorist organization. Al Shabaab has said its priority is to impose Sharia, or Islamic law, on Somalia; the group has aligned itself with Al Qaeda and has made statements about its intent to harm the United States.
In recent years, American Somalis have been recruited by Al Shabaab to travel to Somalia, where they are often radicalized by more extremist or operational anti-American terror groups, which Al Shabaab supports. The recruiters coming through the Mexican border are the ones who could be the most dangerous, according to law enforcement officials.
Security experts tell FOXNews.com that the influx of hundreds of Somalis over the U.S. border who allegedly have ties to suspected terror cells is evidence of a porous and unsecured border being exploited by groups intent on wrecking deadly havoc on American soil.
The DHS alert was issued to police and sheriff’s deputies in Houston, asking them to keep their eyes open for a Somali man named Mohamed Ali who is believed to be in Mexico preparing to make the illegal crossing into Texas. Officials believe Ali has ties to Al Shabaab, a Somali terrorist organization aligned with Al Qaeda, said Joan Neuhaus Schaan, the homeland security and terrorism fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, who has seen the alert.
More from FoxNews
The warning follows an indictment unsealed this month in Texas federal court that accuses a Somali man in Texas of running a “large-scale smuggling enterprise” responsible for bringing hundreds of Somalis from Brazil through South America and eventually across the Mexican border. Many of the illegal immigrants, who court records say were given fake IDs, are alleged to have ties to other now-defunct Somalian terror organizations that have merged with active organizations like Al Shabaab, al-Barakat and Al-Ittihad Al-Islami.
In 2008, the U.S. government designated Al Shabaab a terrorist organization. Al Shabaab has said its priority is to impose Sharia, or Islamic law, on Somalia; the group has aligned itself with Al Qaeda and has made statements about its intent to harm the United States.
In recent years, American Somalis have been recruited by Al Shabaab to travel to Somalia, where they are often radicalized by more extremist or operational anti-American terror groups, which Al Shabaab supports. The recruiters coming through the Mexican border are the ones who could be the most dangerous, according to law enforcement officials.
Security experts tell FOXNews.com that the influx of hundreds of Somalis over the U.S. border who allegedly have ties to suspected terror cells is evidence of a porous and unsecured border being exploited by groups intent on wrecking deadly havoc on American soil.
The DHS alert was issued to police and sheriff’s deputies in Houston, asking them to keep their eyes open for a Somali man named Mohamed Ali who is believed to be in Mexico preparing to make the illegal crossing into Texas. Officials believe Ali has ties to Al Shabaab, a Somali terrorist organization aligned with Al Qaeda, said Joan Neuhaus Schaan, the homeland security and terrorism fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, who has seen the alert.
More from FoxNews
Your Taxes Next Year?
This is part of the new Health Care Bill.
I contacted my Congressman about House bill HR3590 the health care bill just passed.
I asked for a summary of changes.The aid directed me to go to www: thomas.gov <
Enter HR3590 in the search Box and look for summaries.
Starting in 2011 (next year folks) your W 2 tax form sent by your employer will be increased to show the value of what ever health insurance you are given by the company.
It does not matter if that's a private concern or governmental body of some sort.
If you're retired? So what,
Your gross will go up by the amount of insurance you get.
You will be required to pay taxes on a large sum of money that you have.
Take the tax form you just finished and see what $15,000 or $20,000 additional gross does to your tax debt.
That's what for many also puts you into a new higher bracket so it's even worse.
This is how the government is going to buy insurance for the 15% that don't have insurance, and it's only part of the tax increases.
Not believing this I researched the summaries and here's what I'm reading:
On page 25 of 29: TITLE IX REVENUE PROVISIONS- SUBTITLE A: REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS-(sec .9001, as modified by sec. 10901)Sec.9002. "requires employers to include in the W-2 form of each employee.
The aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage
That is excludable from the employees gross income."Joan Pryde is the senior tax editor for the Kiplinger letters. Go to Kiplingers and read about 13 tax changes that could affect you. Number 3 is what I just told you about.
Why am I publishing this?
The same reason I hope you mention this to Every single person in your address book. People have the right to know the truth because an election is coming in November.
I contacted my Congressman about House bill HR3590 the health care bill just passed.
I asked for a summary of changes.The aid directed me to go to www: thomas.gov <
Enter HR3590 in the search Box and look for summaries.
Starting in 2011 (next year folks) your W 2 tax form sent by your employer will be increased to show the value of what ever health insurance you are given by the company.
It does not matter if that's a private concern or governmental body of some sort.
If you're retired? So what,
Your gross will go up by the amount of insurance you get.
You will be required to pay taxes on a large sum of money that you have.
Take the tax form you just finished and see what $15,000 or $20,000 additional gross does to your tax debt.
That's what for many also puts you into a new higher bracket so it's even worse.
This is how the government is going to buy insurance for the 15% that don't have insurance, and it's only part of the tax increases.
Not believing this I researched the summaries and here's what I'm reading:
On page 25 of 29: TITLE IX REVENUE PROVISIONS- SUBTITLE A: REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS-(sec .9001, as modified by sec. 10901)Sec.9002. "requires employers to include in the W-2 form of each employee.
The aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage
That is excludable from the employees gross income."Joan Pryde is the senior tax editor for the Kiplinger letters. Go to Kiplingers and read about 13 tax changes that could affect you. Number 3 is what I just told you about.
Why am I publishing this?
The same reason I hope you mention this to Every single person in your address book. People have the right to know the truth because an election is coming in November.
Terminology
It is wrong to call people "illegal immigrants."
The correct term is "unregistered Democrats."
The correct term is "unregistered Democrats."
All 7 Republicans On Senate Judiciary Committee Ask AG Holder To Appoint Special Prosecutor To Look Into Alleged Sestak Job Offer
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder today, all seven Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee "urge the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate Congressman Joe Sestak's claim that a White House official offered him a job to induce him to exit the Pennsylvania Senate primary race against Senator Arlen Specter."
The seven – Sens. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Jon Kyl or Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma – allege that the offer would appear to violate federal criminal laws, including 18 U.S.C. 600, which prohibits promising a government position “as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity” or “in connection with any primary election or political convention or caucus held to select candidates for any political office.”
Rep. Sestak, D-Penn., who defeated Specter in the primary last week, told Comcast’s Larry Kane in February that the White House had offered him a position in exchange for not challenging Specter. White House senior adviser David Axelrod said on Monday that White House lawyers had looked into it and judged everything “perfectly appropriate.”
GO HERE to read more.
The seven – Sens. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Orrin Hatch of Utah, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Jon Kyl or Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma – allege that the offer would appear to violate federal criminal laws, including 18 U.S.C. 600, which prohibits promising a government position “as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity” or “in connection with any primary election or political convention or caucus held to select candidates for any political office.”
Rep. Sestak, D-Penn., who defeated Specter in the primary last week, told Comcast’s Larry Kane in February that the White House had offered him a position in exchange for not challenging Specter. White House senior adviser David Axelrod said on Monday that White House lawyers had looked into it and judged everything “perfectly appropriate.”
GO HERE to read more.
International Red Cross Defends Giving First Aid Courses To Taliban
Geneva (AP) - The international Red Cross said Wednesday it would continue giving first aid training and kits to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, despite a media report on the practice that has drawn angry e-mails from around the world and criticism from an Afghan official.
The International Committee of the Red Cross trained "over 70 members of the armed opposition" in first aid last month, along with more than 100 Afghan police and civilians, including taxi drivers.
The courses started in 2006 and the neutral group will continue as long as they are needed, said Red Cross spokesman Christian Cardon.
"It's the core of the ICRC's mandate to make sure that people are cured whether they are from one side or the other side," he told The Associated Press.
Journey to Afghanistan's few functioning hospitals often are arduous or near impossible, meaning even basic first aid can help save lives, said Cardon. He added that the three-day courses also were an opportunity to show participants the need to abide by the Geneva Conventions that govern the conduct of war.
Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday quoted an unidentified official in Kandahar's local government as criticizing the first aid training, saying the Taliban did "not deserve to be treated like humans."
Cardon said the Red Cross also received angry e-mails from people around the world in response to the article. But he insisted that in Afghanistan most officials well understand and accept the group's 151-year history of treating all war wounded regardless of their background or affiliation.
Cardon cited as another example the Red Cross orthopedic hospital in Kabul where amputees are fitted with artificial limbs.
"We never ask the people who come about their background," he said. "This is the way we work everywhere in Afghanistan and all over the world."
Identical first aid courses have been held in Gaza with members of Hamas and other Palestinian groups, said Cardon.
Nevertheless, "if we get complaints from local authorities we will go and meet them to clarify that it's the way we have always worked and always will work," he said. "We are quite confident that it (the report) will not affect our operations."
Source
The International Committee of the Red Cross trained "over 70 members of the armed opposition" in first aid last month, along with more than 100 Afghan police and civilians, including taxi drivers.
The courses started in 2006 and the neutral group will continue as long as they are needed, said Red Cross spokesman Christian Cardon.
"It's the core of the ICRC's mandate to make sure that people are cured whether they are from one side or the other side," he told The Associated Press.
Journey to Afghanistan's few functioning hospitals often are arduous or near impossible, meaning even basic first aid can help save lives, said Cardon. He added that the three-day courses also were an opportunity to show participants the need to abide by the Geneva Conventions that govern the conduct of war.
Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday quoted an unidentified official in Kandahar's local government as criticizing the first aid training, saying the Taliban did "not deserve to be treated like humans."
Cardon said the Red Cross also received angry e-mails from people around the world in response to the article. But he insisted that in Afghanistan most officials well understand and accept the group's 151-year history of treating all war wounded regardless of their background or affiliation.
Cardon cited as another example the Red Cross orthopedic hospital in Kabul where amputees are fitted with artificial limbs.
"We never ask the people who come about their background," he said. "This is the way we work everywhere in Afghanistan and all over the world."
Identical first aid courses have been held in Gaza with members of Hamas and other Palestinian groups, said Cardon.
Nevertheless, "if we get complaints from local authorities we will go and meet them to clarify that it's the way we have always worked and always will work," he said. "We are quite confident that it (the report) will not affect our operations."
Source
INSIDE THE SPACE STATION
Hopefully, most of you will find this very interesting, in addition to being educational. A rare opportunity to visit and tour the inside of the space station.
For those who might not have seen the inside of the space station , here's a real treat.
The Wolves Are At The Door
I am reminded of a story/lesson that Lt. Col. Dave Grossman tells and is well known in the law enforcement community. Here are a few excerpts..
One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to Lt. Col. Grossman: "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Consider that the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another...
Let us call them sheep.
Now, we mean nothing negative by calling them this. Think of a pretty blue robin's egg. It is soft and gooey inside, but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now though, civilization needs warriors to protect them from the predators.
"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world who are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, you are an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who walks the hero's path. You are able to walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.
The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog that intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray-paint himself white, and go, "Baa."
That is, until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
In my opinion, the flock of sheep is getting larger by the day. In contrast, those of us who work for a living or strive to better ourselves will be working and providing for the sheep, the sheep that expect the government to provide for them.
As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, take a moment and say a prayer and thank the sheepdogs that are on the front lines fighting for our country. While you are at it, say a prayer for our country and hope that we can survive these troubled times. Stay safe and stay strong. God be with us.
One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to Lt. Col. Grossman: "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Consider that the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another...
Let us call them sheep.
Now, we mean nothing negative by calling them this. Think of a pretty blue robin's egg. It is soft and gooey inside, but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell. Police officers, soldiers and other warriors are like that shell, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now though, civilization needs warriors to protect them from the predators.
"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world who are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, you are an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who walks the hero's path. You are able to walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.
The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog that intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.
Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray-paint himself white, and go, "Baa."
That is, until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
In my opinion, the flock of sheep is getting larger by the day. In contrast, those of us who work for a living or strive to better ourselves will be working and providing for the sheep, the sheep that expect the government to provide for them.
As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, take a moment and say a prayer and thank the sheepdogs that are on the front lines fighting for our country. While you are at it, say a prayer for our country and hope that we can survive these troubled times. Stay safe and stay strong. God be with us.
Get 20% Off At Coldstone Creamery
It's been blazin' in New York all day. I've got two Vornados on me, a minimal amount of clothing, and I'm wearing a coldpack on my head. So, in the spirit of temperature abatement, I am delighted to share this printable 20% off anything coupon for Cold Stone Creamery, which I would totally use if everything on their menu didn't have a gazillion calories. [via Dealnews]
Arizona State Bird
To the Arizona-boycotting cities of Austin, Berkeley, Boston, Boulder, Dallas, Columbus, El Paso, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. And to the Arizona-bashers such as Felipe Calderón, Phil Gordon, Eric Holder, Steve Kerr, Janet Napolitano, Barack Obama, Al Sharpton and Antonio Villaraigosa. Allow me to present you with the Official State Bird of Arizona. Quit lying about our state. Quit lying about the law. And quit abdicating your duties.
Pemberton Park Announces June Program Line-Up
(Salisbury, MD) On Saturday, June 5 at 11 a.m., join Pemberton staff for a Tiny Tykes Hike. Explore the world around you and delve into the lives of frogs! Learn all about these creatures with fun activities like hiking, crafts, stories and more. This program is $6 per person or free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park and is for children ages 2-4. Come back at 1 p.m. for All About Honey. Learn from Master Beekeeper Dean Burroughs all about the ways of the bees and how honey is made! Take a hike to see the bees in action too. This program is $6 per person or $18 for a family of four and is free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park.
Join Pemberton Historical Park on Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. for another Third Wednesday Lecture. This monthly series celebrates all that the Eastern Shore has to offer with presentations on history, science, culture and art. This month, Dr. Edward Otter of Ed Otter, Inc., Archaeological Consulting will be giving a lecture titled “Archaeology as a Tool for Historical Research.” The lecture will be held in the Education Center and light refreshments will be served. This program is $6 per person and free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park and Friends of Pemberton Hall.
On Friday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m., join Pemberton Historical Park for a Cracklin’ Campfire. Celebrate the end of a long school year Pemberton Park style with friends and family and enjoy storytelling, jokes, skits and sticky s’mores! Stick around for a Night Hike at 9 p.m. through Pemberton forest. Explore the park with a Naturalist for foxes, bats, flying squirrels and more. These programs are $6 per person or $18 for a family of four and are free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park.
Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD. For more information, please contact Kerri Liming at (410)860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomicocounty.org.
Join Pemberton Historical Park on Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. for another Third Wednesday Lecture. This monthly series celebrates all that the Eastern Shore has to offer with presentations on history, science, culture and art. This month, Dr. Edward Otter of Ed Otter, Inc., Archaeological Consulting will be giving a lecture titled “Archaeology as a Tool for Historical Research.” The lecture will be held in the Education Center and light refreshments will be served. This program is $6 per person and free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park and Friends of Pemberton Hall.
On Friday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m., join Pemberton Historical Park for a Cracklin’ Campfire. Celebrate the end of a long school year Pemberton Park style with friends and family and enjoy storytelling, jokes, skits and sticky s’mores! Stick around for a Night Hike at 9 p.m. through Pemberton forest. Explore the park with a Naturalist for foxes, bats, flying squirrels and more. These programs are $6 per person or $18 for a family of four and are free for Members of Pemberton Historical Park.
Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD. For more information, please contact Kerri Liming at (410)860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomicocounty.org.
Greenwood Police Department News Release
On 05/26/10, the Greenwood Police Department charged Enos D. Massey Jr, 54 of Bridgeville with Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender within 3 Days after Change of Address. Mr. Massey turned himself into Greenwood Police for processing after learning of the warrant for his arrest. Mr. Massey was arraigned at JP#2 via videophone, and released after posting $1000 cash bond.
CRAWDADS TRIP UP SHOREBIRDS, 8-5, IN GAME THREE
Series Finale on Thursday Night at 7:00 p.m.
Hickory, N.C. – The Hickory Crawdads used a consistent attack to take the upper hand in the series with a 8-5 win over the Shorebirds in game three at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night.
Hickory tallied a run in each of the first three innings. In the first inning, Leury Garcia stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch. In the second, Ed Koncel hit an RBI triple to plate Matt Zaneski. The Crawdads plated two runs in the third to grab a 4-0 lead. Cristian Santana hit a two-run double to score Miguel Velazquez and Jared Prince.
The Shorebirds plated two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Brian Conley hit a one out single. Tyler Stampone then grounded back to the pitcher Joe Wieland, who fired wide to second, which advanced Conley to third. Steve Bumbry then knocked home Conley with a sharp single to right field. Stampone scored on a grounder to third by Mikey Planeta.
The Crawdads plated two runs in the fifth inning and two in the seventh inning to build a 8-2 lead.
In the ninth inning, the Shorebirds mounted a rally against Braden Tullis. Bumbry connected on a lead off double to deep center field. He advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a grounder by Michael Givens towards third. Then, Michael Ohlman smoked a double to the left field corner to score Givens from first, which cut the deficit to 8-4. Ohlman scored on a flare single to left field by T.J. Baxter. Tullis retired Ty Kelly to end the rally.
Crawdads starter Joe Wieland earned the win in six innings. He allowed six hits and two earned runs. Shorebirds starter Bobby Bundy was saddled with the loss in four innings.
The Delmarva Shorebirds will play the series finale on Thursday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Luis Noel will take the ball for the Shorebirds.
Hickory, N.C. – The Hickory Crawdads used a consistent attack to take the upper hand in the series with a 8-5 win over the Shorebirds in game three at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night.
Hickory tallied a run in each of the first three innings. In the first inning, Leury Garcia stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch. In the second, Ed Koncel hit an RBI triple to plate Matt Zaneski. The Crawdads plated two runs in the third to grab a 4-0 lead. Cristian Santana hit a two-run double to score Miguel Velazquez and Jared Prince.
The Shorebirds plated two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Brian Conley hit a one out single. Tyler Stampone then grounded back to the pitcher Joe Wieland, who fired wide to second, which advanced Conley to third. Steve Bumbry then knocked home Conley with a sharp single to right field. Stampone scored on a grounder to third by Mikey Planeta.
The Crawdads plated two runs in the fifth inning and two in the seventh inning to build a 8-2 lead.
In the ninth inning, the Shorebirds mounted a rally against Braden Tullis. Bumbry connected on a lead off double to deep center field. He advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a grounder by Michael Givens towards third. Then, Michael Ohlman smoked a double to the left field corner to score Givens from first, which cut the deficit to 8-4. Ohlman scored on a flare single to left field by T.J. Baxter. Tullis retired Ty Kelly to end the rally.
Crawdads starter Joe Wieland earned the win in six innings. He allowed six hits and two earned runs. Shorebirds starter Bobby Bundy was saddled with the loss in four innings.
The Delmarva Shorebirds will play the series finale on Thursday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Luis Noel will take the ball for the Shorebirds.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Announces Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley announced appointments to the African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors and other various State Boards and Commissions including: the Historical Trust Board of Trustees, the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County, the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors and the Consumer Council.
“I am proud to announce the appointments to the African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors and the other various Boards and Commissions across the State. Each appointee brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will serve as an asset to the Boards they will serve on,” said Governor O’Malley. “We have worked hard to compile a list of individuals from across our State with diverse educational, career, geographic, gender and ethnic backgrounds to continue to help protect Maryland’s priorities.”
Background information on each of the appointees is below:
African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors:
Victor C. March, Sr. – Mr. March has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. He is the CEO of March Alliance, a family owned full service network of funeral home establishments in the Baltimore metro area. Mr. March is also a Certified Public Accountant, and a licensed funeral director and embalmer. March Alliance has served over 2000 families annually since 1978 and remains the largest family owned African American funeral home in the country today. Mr. March graduated from Loyola College of Maryland with a Bachelors degree in accounting in 1978. He worked at Coopers & Lybrand upon graduation and specialized in service and manufacturing clients. In 1980, he returned to his family business, and in 1988, he assumed the reins of the company, including the daily financial oversight. Mr. March is a resident of Baltimore County.
Rosalyn Fugett Wiley, Ed.D. – Dr. Wiley has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. Wiley is currently the Unit Leader for the Infants and Toddlers Program at Baltimore City Public Schools, where she has served since 2007. From 2004 to 2007, she was the Interim Director at the Judy Center for the Baltimore City Public School System, and from 1995 to 2004 she was a Special Educator for the Infants and Toddlers Program for the Baltimore City Public School System. Ms. Wiley is also currently the Secretary and Treasurer of REJ & Associates, a communications company in Baltimore. She received her Associate’s degree in Arts from Villa Julie College in 1978, received her Bachelor of Science from Towson State University in 1980, and received her Master of Science from the Johns Hopkins University in 1986. In 2006, she obtained her Doctorate of Education from Morgan State University. She has been a Board member of the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a resident of Baltimore County.
Roslyn L. Smith – Ms. Smith has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Ms. Smith is currently the Human Resources Manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation where she has served since 1987. From 1981 to 1987, she was the Manager of the Westinghouse Corporation, Electronic Systems Group Socio-Economic Procurement Program. Prior to that, she was the Assistant to the President of the East Baltimore Community Corporation, and prior to that served as a Community Organizer for the organization. She currently serves on the Walters Art Museum Board for the African American Steering Committee and Women’s Committee, and has served on a number of other boards including the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, the United Way of Central Maryland, the NAACP – Baltimore Chapter, the Baltimore City Mental Health Systems, the Child Welfare League of America, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among many others. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland College Park and received her Master of Education from Coppin State University. She has received certificates in Executive Coaching, Human Resources Management and Executive Leadership. She is a resident of Baltimore City.
Constantine Grimaldis – Mr. Grimaldis has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Mr. Grimaldis is the owner and director of the C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore’s oldest contemporary art gallery. The gallery specializes in post World War II, American and European Art. He has been a member of the Executive Board for the Maryland Art Place since 2005. He attended the American Language Center at Columbia University in 1961, attended Alma College in Michigan from 1962 to 1963 and attended the University of Baltimore from 1965 to 1967. He is a resident of Baltimore City.
Theodore Mack – Mr. Mack has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Mr. Mack is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Officer, owner of T&B Custom Framing and Fine Art, and owner of TBM Travel Agency. He is a member of Prince Hall Masons, 33 Degree, is a charter member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a former board member of the Associated Black Charities, and a founding member and treasurer of the Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society. He received his Bachelor of Science from Mt. St. Mary’s College. He is an Anne Arundel County resident.
Cheryl LaRoche, Ph.D. – Dr. LaRoche has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. LaRoche is a Professor at University of Maryland University College where she teaches African American History, Visual Culture and Identity. She is also a historical and archaeological consultant, focusing primarily on 18th and 19th century African American history. She served as a cultural heritage specialist for the URS Corporation on the President’s House archaeological site for the National Park Service in Philadelphia. She has been a consultant for a number of historical, archaeological, and preservation projects, including the Josiah Henson site for Montgomery County, the Boston African Meeting House and UMass Boston Project, and the Duffield Street Project in Brooklyn, New York. She served on the “Preserve America Summit” panel and was an adviser/participant for the African American National Historic Landmark Assessment Survey. She was one of the authors of the National Significance of the Harriet Tubman Historic Area for the National Park Service. She received her PhD in American Studies as a Ford Fellow from the University of Maryland College Park in 2004, received her Masters of Arts in Museum Studies, Objects Conservation from the State University of New York, Fashion Institute of Technology in 1994, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art from the State University of New York, Buffalo in 1982. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture which has oversight of the Banneker Douglas Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a resident of Montgomery County.
Charles M. Christian, Ph.D. – Dr. Christian has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. Christian currently is a Professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that, he was a Professor of Social and Population Geography at the University of Maryland College Park where he taught for more than 35 years. He earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. He also has a Masters of Teaching and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education from Northeastern State University. Dr. Christian has served on a number of national and state commissions, boards and task forces, and committees, including the White House Task Force on Saving Young Black Men, the Governor’s Commission on the Commemoration and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum Task Force on Education, and the University of Maryland President’s Commission on Minority Issues, among others. He is also the founder of the Black Saga Competition, a learning activity that helps elementary and middle schools teach the African American experience. He is a resident of Baltimore City.
Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees
David Turner – Mr. Turner has been appointed to the Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees. Mr. Turner is a historian, and preservationist of African American, Indian and agricultural heritage. Since 1995, he has served on the Prince George’s County Local Advisory Committee, and has served as Chair of the Historic Preservation Society (HPC) in 2003.Under his leadership, the HPC successfully acquired $500,000 annual fund HPC/Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission grants for Prince George’s County. He also successfully created the African American Heritage Preservation Group for the local chapter of the NAACP. He was re-appointed to Chair the HPC in 2009. Mr. Turner is a native Texan, and studied southern history at the University of Texas at Austin and government at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. He has served as a national spokesman and as a speechwriter for the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Energy, the Office of Management and Budget and also worked for two White House administrations. He is a resident of Prince George’s County.
Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County
Hong Suk “Paul” Chung – Mr. Chung has been appointed to the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County. Mr. Chung is currently an attorney at Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. where he has worked on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation since 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Chung worked for the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County where he was an Assistant State’s Attorney. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland where he serves as the Chair Emeritus for the Judicial Selection Committee, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Korean American Bar Association of the District of Columbia, the Maryland State Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1992 and received his Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1996. He is a resident of Montgomery County.
Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors:
Laura Esquivel – Ms. Esquivel has been appointed to the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors. Ms. Esquivel is the Founder and Principal of Esquivel Strategies, a company that develops and implements legislative and advocacy strategy, outreach, coalition and strategic communications for progressive issue and advocacy campaigns. From 2008 to 2009, she was the Senior Vice President of Political Affairs for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute. From 2005 to 2007, she was the Director of Issues of Marketing and Research for the People for the American Way and People for the American Way Foundation. Ms. Esquivel has also served as an adjunct professor in the Political Science departments at California State University, Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Community College District. From 1993 to 1999, she served as the legislative aide to City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg in Los Angeles. She was named one of the twenty most important LGBT Latinos/as in the US by Adelante magazine in 2008 and she won the LACE award for Outstanding Public Service from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 2000. She is also the Founder of the National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization (LLEGO). She received her Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1994, received her Master of Arts in Political Science from the California State University, Los Angeles in 2001, and was a National Hispana Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Senior and Executive Leadership Program. She is a resident of Montgomery County.
Consumer Council:
Jessica Contreras – Ms. Contreras has been appointed to the Consumer Council. Ms. Contreras is currently a Social Worker for Baltimore Medical System and previously served as the Hispanic/Latino Community Liaison for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods for Baltimore City. Prior to that, she served as a social worker for Casey Family Services from 2001 to 2008, developing and coordinating Casey’s Educational programming which included GED instruction and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. From 2004 to 2005, she was a group facilitator for St. Michael’s Outreach Center and was responsible for the facilitation of “Si Puedo” a male batterer intervention group. From 2000 to 2001, she was an In-Home Interventionist at the Annapolis Family Support Center, and from 1998 to 2000, she was the Assistant for Programs and Leadership for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She currently serves on the Johns Hopkins Community Advisory Board and the University of Maryland Black and Latino Alumni Committee. She also previously served on the Latino Providers Network. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 1998, and received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2000. She is a resident of Baltimore City.
Announces Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley announced appointments to the African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors and other various State Boards and Commissions including: the Historical Trust Board of Trustees, the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County, the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors and the Consumer Council.
“I am proud to announce the appointments to the African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors and the other various Boards and Commissions across the State. Each appointee brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will serve as an asset to the Boards they will serve on,” said Governor O’Malley. “We have worked hard to compile a list of individuals from across our State with diverse educational, career, geographic, gender and ethnic backgrounds to continue to help protect Maryland’s priorities.”
Background information on each of the appointees is below:
African American Museum Corporation Board of Directors:
Victor C. March, Sr. – Mr. March has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. He is the CEO of March Alliance, a family owned full service network of funeral home establishments in the Baltimore metro area. Mr. March is also a Certified Public Accountant, and a licensed funeral director and embalmer. March Alliance has served over 2000 families annually since 1978 and remains the largest family owned African American funeral home in the country today. Mr. March graduated from Loyola College of Maryland with a Bachelors degree in accounting in 1978. He worked at Coopers & Lybrand upon graduation and specialized in service and manufacturing clients. In 1980, he returned to his family business, and in 1988, he assumed the reins of the company, including the daily financial oversight. Mr. March is a resident of Baltimore County.
Rosalyn Fugett Wiley, Ed.D. – Dr. Wiley has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. Wiley is currently the Unit Leader for the Infants and Toddlers Program at Baltimore City Public Schools, where she has served since 2007. From 2004 to 2007, she was the Interim Director at the Judy Center for the Baltimore City Public School System, and from 1995 to 2004 she was a Special Educator for the Infants and Toddlers Program for the Baltimore City Public School System. Ms. Wiley is also currently the Secretary and Treasurer of REJ & Associates, a communications company in Baltimore. She received her Associate’s degree in Arts from Villa Julie College in 1978, received her Bachelor of Science from Towson State University in 1980, and received her Master of Science from the Johns Hopkins University in 1986. In 2006, she obtained her Doctorate of Education from Morgan State University. She has been a Board member of the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a resident of Baltimore County.
Roslyn L. Smith – Ms. Smith has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Ms. Smith is currently the Human Resources Manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation where she has served since 1987. From 1981 to 1987, she was the Manager of the Westinghouse Corporation, Electronic Systems Group Socio-Economic Procurement Program. Prior to that, she was the Assistant to the President of the East Baltimore Community Corporation, and prior to that served as a Community Organizer for the organization. She currently serves on the Walters Art Museum Board for the African American Steering Committee and Women’s Committee, and has served on a number of other boards including the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, the United Way of Central Maryland, the NAACP – Baltimore Chapter, the Baltimore City Mental Health Systems, the Child Welfare League of America, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among many others. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland College Park and received her Master of Education from Coppin State University. She has received certificates in Executive Coaching, Human Resources Management and Executive Leadership. She is a resident of Baltimore City.
Constantine Grimaldis – Mr. Grimaldis has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Mr. Grimaldis is the owner and director of the C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore’s oldest contemporary art gallery. The gallery specializes in post World War II, American and European Art. He has been a member of the Executive Board for the Maryland Art Place since 2005. He attended the American Language Center at Columbia University in 1961, attended Alma College in Michigan from 1962 to 1963 and attended the University of Baltimore from 1965 to 1967. He is a resident of Baltimore City.
Theodore Mack – Mr. Mack has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Mr. Mack is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Officer, owner of T&B Custom Framing and Fine Art, and owner of TBM Travel Agency. He is a member of Prince Hall Masons, 33 Degree, is a charter member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a former board member of the Associated Black Charities, and a founding member and treasurer of the Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society. He received his Bachelor of Science from Mt. St. Mary’s College. He is an Anne Arundel County resident.
Cheryl LaRoche, Ph.D. – Dr. LaRoche has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. LaRoche is a Professor at University of Maryland University College where she teaches African American History, Visual Culture and Identity. She is also a historical and archaeological consultant, focusing primarily on 18th and 19th century African American history. She served as a cultural heritage specialist for the URS Corporation on the President’s House archaeological site for the National Park Service in Philadelphia. She has been a consultant for a number of historical, archaeological, and preservation projects, including the Josiah Henson site for Montgomery County, the Boston African Meeting House and UMass Boston Project, and the Duffield Street Project in Brooklyn, New York. She served on the “Preserve America Summit” panel and was an adviser/participant for the African American National Historic Landmark Assessment Survey. She was one of the authors of the National Significance of the Harriet Tubman Historic Area for the National Park Service. She received her PhD in American Studies as a Ford Fellow from the University of Maryland College Park in 2004, received her Masters of Arts in Museum Studies, Objects Conservation from the State University of New York, Fashion Institute of Technology in 1994, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art from the State University of New York, Buffalo in 1982. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture which has oversight of the Banneker Douglas Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a resident of Montgomery County.
Charles M. Christian, Ph.D. – Dr. Christian has been appointed to the African American Museum Board of Directors. Dr. Christian currently is a Professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that, he was a Professor of Social and Population Geography at the University of Maryland College Park where he taught for more than 35 years. He earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. He also has a Masters of Teaching and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education from Northeastern State University. Dr. Christian has served on a number of national and state commissions, boards and task forces, and committees, including the White House Task Force on Saving Young Black Men, the Governor’s Commission on the Commemoration and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum Task Force on Education, and the University of Maryland President’s Commission on Minority Issues, among others. He is also the founder of the Black Saga Competition, a learning activity that helps elementary and middle schools teach the African American experience. He is a resident of Baltimore City.
Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees
David Turner – Mr. Turner has been appointed to the Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees. Mr. Turner is a historian, and preservationist of African American, Indian and agricultural heritage. Since 1995, he has served on the Prince George’s County Local Advisory Committee, and has served as Chair of the Historic Preservation Society (HPC) in 2003.Under his leadership, the HPC successfully acquired $500,000 annual fund HPC/Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission grants for Prince George’s County. He also successfully created the African American Heritage Preservation Group for the local chapter of the NAACP. He was re-appointed to Chair the HPC in 2009. Mr. Turner is a native Texan, and studied southern history at the University of Texas at Austin and government at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. He has served as a national spokesman and as a speechwriter for the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Energy, the Office of Management and Budget and also worked for two White House administrations. He is a resident of Prince George’s County.
Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County
Hong Suk “Paul” Chung – Mr. Chung has been appointed to the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 – Montgomery County. Mr. Chung is currently an attorney at Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. where he has worked on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation since 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Chung worked for the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County where he was an Assistant State’s Attorney. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Maryland where he serves as the Chair Emeritus for the Judicial Selection Committee, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Korean American Bar Association of the District of Columbia, the Maryland State Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1992 and received his Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1996. He is a resident of Montgomery County.
Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors:
Laura Esquivel – Ms. Esquivel has been appointed to the Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors. Ms. Esquivel is the Founder and Principal of Esquivel Strategies, a company that develops and implements legislative and advocacy strategy, outreach, coalition and strategic communications for progressive issue and advocacy campaigns. From 2008 to 2009, she was the Senior Vice President of Political Affairs for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute. From 2005 to 2007, she was the Director of Issues of Marketing and Research for the People for the American Way and People for the American Way Foundation. Ms. Esquivel has also served as an adjunct professor in the Political Science departments at California State University, Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Community College District. From 1993 to 1999, she served as the legislative aide to City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg in Los Angeles. She was named one of the twenty most important LGBT Latinos/as in the US by Adelante magazine in 2008 and she won the LACE award for Outstanding Public Service from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center in 2000. She is also the Founder of the National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization (LLEGO). She received her Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1994, received her Master of Arts in Political Science from the California State University, Los Angeles in 2001, and was a National Hispana Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Senior and Executive Leadership Program. She is a resident of Montgomery County.
Consumer Council:
Jessica Contreras – Ms. Contreras has been appointed to the Consumer Council. Ms. Contreras is currently a Social Worker for Baltimore Medical System and previously served as the Hispanic/Latino Community Liaison for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods for Baltimore City. Prior to that, she served as a social worker for Casey Family Services from 2001 to 2008, developing and coordinating Casey’s Educational programming which included GED instruction and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. From 2004 to 2005, she was a group facilitator for St. Michael’s Outreach Center and was responsible for the facilitation of “Si Puedo” a male batterer intervention group. From 2000 to 2001, she was an In-Home Interventionist at the Annapolis Family Support Center, and from 1998 to 2000, she was the Assistant for Programs and Leadership for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She currently serves on the Johns Hopkins Community Advisory Board and the University of Maryland Black and Latino Alumni Committee. She also previously served on the Latino Providers Network. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 1998, and received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 2000. She is a resident of Baltimore City.
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