DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Attention
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Rare Photo Of Slave Children Found
RALEIGH, N.C. - A haunting 150-year-old photo found in a North Carolina attic shows a young black child named John, barefoot and wearing ragged clothes, perched on a barrel next to another unidentified young boy.
Art historians believe it's an extremely rare Civil War-era photograph of children who were either slaves at the time or recently emancipated.
The photo, which may have been taken in the early 1860s, was a testament to a dark part of American history, said Will Stapp, a photographic historian and founding curator of the National Portrait Gallery's photographs department at the Smithsonian Institution.
GO HERE to read more and see photo.
Handicapped 8th Grade Girl Denied Opportunity To Attend School Dance
I know against all the other problems in the world this probably is considered small. To my 8th grade daughter it is not. My daughter is a 8th grade student at Salisbury Middle School. Tomorrow is the Formal Farewell Dance. The deadline to purchase the tickets was earlier this week. It must have completely slipped our minds, we just forgot. Under any normal circumstances I would just explain to her you have to be responsible and remember. My daughter was in a car accident at an early age that left her in a wheel chair. She has adapted to this and become a wonderful young woman who is happy with her self and her life.
The past few months have been challenging for her. She is being tested for a condition called autonomicdysreflexia. This is caused by high blood pressure and has been causing her to have severe miagrane like headaches so she has missed a lot of school. Keep in mind that she herself is responsible for self cathing every 4 hours to drain her bladder, keep up with her bowel program, intense at home therapy and empi program every single night along with regular chores and homework.
I called the school and spoke to the vice principal and Mrs. Eskridge (the principal). They stand firm on the decision of NOT letting her go. She has prepared for this dance for a few weeks now. I was really upset so I called the board of education who will not return my call. I know that it is in the interest of being fair. If you give my child one then you have to give every other child one who wants to go and didn’t make the deadline.
All I asked for was a tiny break for my baby. Something she very rarely asks for. She has been dealt enough challenges in this life with appointments in Baltimore, Philly and so on. Was I really asking for to much?
Thank you
Upset mommy
SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 6/10 @ Lexington
FIRST HOME SERIES WIN: The Shorebirds won their first home series of the season this week over the Hagerstown Suns. It took them seven home series to win their first. They had lost three and split three prior to the win.
THREE ALL-STARS: Jesse Beal, Brian Conley and Garabez Rosa will represent the Shorebirds in the 51st SAL All-Star Game on June 22 in Greenville, S.C.
2008: The Shorebirds and Legends played a home-and-home in 2008. The ‘Birds beat the Legends three games to one between April 29 and May 2 at Perdue Stadium. They also took the series at Applebee’s Park two games to one between May 9 and 10.
FOUR IN A ROW: A win tonight would give the Shorebirds a four-game winning streak, tied for their longest such streak of the season. Delmarva won four games in a row between April 9 and 13. The Shorebirds have won consecutive games only six times this season.
BUMBRY’S ON FIRE: Steve Bumbry is hitting .406 in his last nine games (13-32). He had five hits in the Hagerstown Suns. Bumbry had a 4-for-4 day in the finale against Greensboro on June 4. The 22-year old ranks fourth in the Orioles farm system with a .296 batting average.
BAXTER’S FIVE-GAMER: T.J. Baxter has a five-game hitting streak, tied for a season high .
20 ONE-RUN GAMES: The Shorebirds have played 20 one-run games and 11 two run games this season. Therefore, in over half of their games, the final margin has been two runs or fewer. The ‘Birds are 10-10 in one-run games and 5-6 in two-run games.
1-FOR-14: Tyler Stampone is just 1-for-14 in his last four games. His batting average has dipped to .232.
1-1: The Shorebirds are 1-1 in games following scheduled off days. The Shorebirds beat Savannah on May 3rd and lost to Kannapolis on May 12.
638 MILES: According to Mapquest.com, the trip from Salisbury, Md. to Lexington, Ky. is 638 miles. This is the longest trip of the season and also the shortest stay on the road of the season.
Thousands Of Dead Fish At Local Marina
WKRG.com News
MOBILE, Alabama - Some disturbing pictures from Dog River Marina.
Thousands of dead fish have been floating along boats, buildings, and the shore line.
However, officials tell us they do not believe the fish kill is the result of the oil spill.
Jody Johnston came to the Dog River Marina Tuesday afternoon to eat at the River Shack Restaurant.
Johnston said he came "here to get some food, and saw all these fish. Nuts. I've never seen anything like it in my life."
Josh Edwards, an employee of River Shack Restaurant, said, "Literally, it looked like the whole river back there behind the restaurant had frozen up. It looked like snow and ice on top of the water."
Edwards said he first saw all the dead fish last night about 10:00.
He said, "Some of them were alive, some of them had already died and were floating on top. Some of them were dead on the bottom. Others were moving around."
The fish were all about an inch to an inch and a half.
Edwards said, "I really don't know what to think. I guess I've got just as many questions as everybody else that lives here."
An official at Alabama Marine Resources told News Five officials are aware of the situation and its nothing unusual.
He said the fish are Gulf menhaden, and fish kills like this happen around this time of the year because menhaden become so plentiful in an area that they use up all the oxygen in the water.
SOURCE
Dead Fish From Oil Spill
This was posted on one of my Facebook friend's wall yesterday. I thought I would share it with you.
How's this for scary? This white blanket on the water is made up of tiny dead fish. This is 20 miles from the mouth of mobile bay. Sickening. I am sure this is just the beginning of what we will see. I am guessing this is from the toxic dispersant.
Division St. Railroad Surface FINISHED!
Mayor to Test in Own Vehicle
Salisbury Public Works, in a joint effort with Norfolk Southern Railroad has removed an abandoned railroad track on North Division St. between Baltimore Ave. & Wilson St. The paving of this area is complete and the road will be opened by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010. Mayor Ireton will be on hand with Public Works staff to survey the railroad work and utilize his Mayoral truck to test out the new road surface. See you at 2:45 p.m.!
SPD Investigating 3 Armed Robberies Of Convenience Stores
On June 8, 2010 at approximately 11:01pm, employees (victims) of the Thirsty's located at 1120 E Church Street were closing for the night when two black males (suspects) entered into the store. One black male was in possession of a shotgun and the other black male was in possession of a revolver. The victims were ordered to the floor. One victim wrestled with one of the suspect's and was knocked unconscious, temporarily. The black males fled from the store with an undisclosed amount of currency. The black males are described as approximately 24yoa, thin builds, wearing dark clothing, dark ski masks covering their faces and gloves. #201000023044
On June 8, 2010 at approximately 11:15pm, an employee (victim) of the Shore Stop located at 1020 Eastern Shore Drive was working in the store office when he observed two black males (suspects) enter into the business via the cctv. The black males displayed what is described by the victim as a "snub-nose shotgun" at him and demanded the store's money. The victim complied and the black males fled from the store with an undisclosed amount of currency. The black males are described as 21-25yoa, approximately 5-09 in height, 150 pounds, wearing black hooded jackets, and bandannas over their faces and black pants. #201000023046
On June 9, 2010 at approximately 9:56pm, two black males (suspects) entered into the Thirsty's located at 444 Snow Hill Rd. One of the black males was in possession of a sawed off shotgun or rifle. The black males demanded the store's money. An employee (victim) complied and the black males fled with an undisclosed amount of currency. The black males are described as follows:
Suspect #1: 5-09 to 5-10 in height, thin build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black scarf over the face, black jeans, black sneakers with white soles and grey over the toe.
Suspect #2: 5-09 to 5-10 in height, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a 1" white logo on the right shoulder, black scarf over the face, blue jeans, and wearing gloves.
Anyone with information concerning the above robberies is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410.548.3165 or Crime Solvers at 410.548.1776
A Tip To Save You A Lot Of Money
If you're in an accident within the City Limits, (per the City's Charter) there is no owners request. If the Police make the call for you in the County you will be charged a minimum of $125.00 to $150.00.
So it's wise to take the time to store their number into your cell phone and call them right away if you unfortunately have a problem with your vehicle.
This Just In From Another Advertiser On Salisbury News
Official: Taliban Execute Boy, 7, As Spy
Suspected Taliban militants publicly hanged a 7-year-old boy for spying in the militant stronghold of Helmand province, an Afghan official told the Associated Press.
The child was placed on trial by the Islamic extremist group and later found guilty of working for Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, the local official said.
Karzai on Thursday condemned the alleged act, calling it a "crime against humanity".
GO HERE to read more.
Ban On Gay Blood Donors Revisited
Should gay men be allowed to donate blood? A government health committee is re-examining that question today.
A regulation created at the height of the 1980s' AIDS epidemic banned men who have had sex with another man since 1977 from ever giving blood.
Advocacy groups, blood-collection organizations and some members of Congress are calling for the Food and Drug Administration to revise the lifetime ban, which has been reviewed twice in the past 10 years, but left unchanged.
GO HERE to read more.
U.S. Arrests 2,000 In Mexican Drug Trade Probe
WASHINGTON - Law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 2,000 people in a 22-month investigation targeting Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States.
The probe, called Project Deliverance, focused on the transportation of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana along the Southwest border.
Over 400 of the 2,000 arrests were made Wednesday. Attorney General Eric Holder has scheduled a news conference on the operation Thursday.
GO HERE to read more.
BREAKING NEWS: BP Will Expedite Claim Payments, U.S. Says
GRAND ISLE, La. - The Obama administration said Thursday that BP has agreed to expedite the payment of claims to businesses and individuals whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Fishermen, property owners and businesspeople have complained that delays and skimpy payments from BP for damage claims have put them on the verge of financial ruin as the toll of the Gulf of Mexico disaster grows.
Tracy Wareing of the National Incident Command office, told reporters in Washington that the understanding on payment of claims came in a meeting Wednesday with BP executives, including CEO Tony Hayward.
GO HERE to read more.
Update On 11 Year Old After Critical Crash
This crash remains under investigation. Witnesses to this accident are asked to call Troop 2 investigators at 302-834-2620 ext. 278.
THE PROBLEM CENSUS TAKERS ARE HAVING
I JUST SPOKE MOMENTS AGO WITH A WONDERFUL SWEET OLDER MAN CONDUCTING THE CENSUS IN THE PRESIDENTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOC., AND HE SHARED WITH ME ON SOME OF THE RENTAL PROPERTIES OWNERS IN THIS AREA WILL NOT EVEN GIVE THEM THEIR NAMES, SO THAT THE CENSUS TAKERS CAN JUST DO THEIR JOBS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE LANDLORDS THAT ALL THEY DO IS COLLECT MONEY, AND TRY SO HARD TO HIDE WHO THEY ARE, THEY HIDE BEHIND ASSOCIATIONS AND PROPERTIES THIS AND THAT. IF THEY HAVE TO USE THESE METHODS THEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OWN PROPERTY IN SALISBURY AND WICOMICO COUNTY. MAYBE WE NEED TO HAVE RECORDS CHANGED THAT THERE NAMES AND CORRECT ADDRESSES ARE ACTUALLY LISTED OR BE FINED . SORRY I'M ON THAT PREVERBIAL SOAP BOX AGAIN.
North Carolina Billboard Emits Steak Scent
Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com
Grocery store Bloom aims to entice drivers with a highway billboard ad for steak that you can see — and smell. Is this the future of advertising?
Being A Sheriff's Deputy Is A ROUGH Job
Folks, if I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, the Eastern Shore needs people in Office with business experience. Good money after bad money is all you get from the elected officials you voted for.
OK, so who in this entire County is doing a good job? My personal answer is, Mike Lewis & Chief Ivan Barkley. Who's getting the biggest CUTS. Need I say more. So far the Sheriff's Department has been cut more than $900,000.00. The Humane Society has been cut $79,000.00. Now, you tell me. What do YOU think are the most bothersome calls the Humane Society gets on a daily basis. My guess is, barking dogs.
The County Executive now wants the Sheriff's Department to take all of those kinds of calls for the Humane Society. Truthfully Folks, I just don't know why Sheriff Mike Lewis puts up with this kind of crap. I've always said he's a better man than me because I know I would take a walk in an instant if this was shoved down my throat.
We ALL know animal rescue is WAY DOWN with the Humane Society because almost every time an animal is lost it's sent to Salisbury News and 100% of the animals posted are reunited with their owners. They do NOT end up at the Humame Society! Here's an even funnier part. Rather than the Humane Society working with Salisbury News, they're now running ads in the Guide. Remember what I always say Folks, "Don't ever forget where you came from."
When the Humane Society was overloaded with animals and funding was tight, Salisbury News ran ads on a weekly basis and guess what happened. The Humane Society actually ran out of animals instantly. Now this doesn't look good for the Humane Society because they're in the business of sheltering animals and they've got that big facility with all that Staff to keep filled and employees busy. Hence no longer seeing ANY more animals from the Humane Society for almost 2 years now on Salisbury News.
So there are political games being played all the time. I had suggested to County Executive Rick Pollitt in a special meeting ways the Humane Society could relieve the taxpayers from 100% of the funding they receive from County Taxpayers. Was anything done about it, NOPE, nothing at all. Three of us got together and offered proposals that could save and raise big money for the Humane Society and we were thrown under the Bus. Why, because they WANT to use your tax money. They don't want to make certain departments work for it.
So now take all the BS calls away from the Humane Society and make the Sheriff's Department go on all those calls. Crime is not UP in the County, right? A dog gets loose, where do people go, Salisbury News. We find the owners so do tell me, what's left for the Humane Society to do?
They won't send us pictures of the animals THEY have in their inventory, they don't want to. So Burden the Sheriff's Department because the Humane Society got cut $79,000.00 vs. the Sheriff's Departments $900,000.00. Now this is a difficult business decision but if I were in charge I think I'd have taken Joe Albero's advice in that special meeting and placed enough pressure on the Humane Society to send more photos to Salisbury News, hold more fundraisers and relieve the taxpayers so the Humane Society could reduce their Staff even more and save the taxpayers a bundle of money, perhaps more than $300,000.00 a year. I mean, if your inventory was reduced 100% because Salisbury News advertised the animals for months and it worked, wouldn't YOU take this seriously?
So for those of you out there who say I just sit here and criticize without providing solutions, you're dead wrong. You just don't see what I do on the inside on a regular basis. Now you'll come back saying I'm just angry because they didn't take my advice. No, I'm not angry at all. My advice is FREE. If they take it, good for them. If they don't, well, you pay in the end, no sweat off my back. At least I'm out there trying. How about YOU Daily Times!
Oh, to you Sheriff Lewis, at least I tried many months ago to make a difference BEFORE any of this was shoved down your throat. Your County Executive not only refused to take our advice, he never returned the promised phone call and or additional meeting he assured us would happen. In fact, when I told them how much money they were giving to the Humane Society every year they ALL shook their heads and said I was wrong. I held my ground, confident I was right and when they left the room to research my numbers they came back with a look of amazement that I was right. The next thing we know they gave the Humane Society additional cuts and threw the BS responsibilities onto the Sheriff's Department instead.
Let me close with this. Director Linda Lugo stated they are doing everything they can. NO THEY ARE NOT! Salisbury News has absolutely proven we, (and others, should they choose to join us) can reduce their overhead by probably 50%, if not a whole lot more.The Humane Society is purposely NOT providing information to news outlets because they want to stay just as large as they are right now at a huge expense to YOU the taxpayers.
Now you know what's really going on.
LOCAL BEACHES SEE SURGE IN BUSINESS
Text Message Saves Life
This Just In From One Of Our Advertisers
Scandals At Arlington Cemetery Prompt Firings
WASHINGTON - A number of scandals at Arlington National Cemetery, including one in which a service member's body was buried on top of another, are costing the top two administrators their jobs, Pentagon officials said Thursday.
Army Secretary John McHugh is set to announce Thursday that he will replace Arlington National's superintendent, John Metzler, and his deputy, Thurman Higgenbotham, after accusations of poor management and an investigation that Higgenbotham had illegally hacked into the computer files of a former Arlington employee.
Over the past couple of years, officials said, some of the 300,000 graves at Arlington were improperly marked and in some cases bodies were buried in the wrong graves.
GO HERE to read more.
Serious Accident In Pittsville
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Virginia Heath has left a new comment on your post "47 News Director Dawn Mitchell Has Passed Away":
When I found out just this week that Dawn had passed, I was speechless! I sat quietly and no words could come out. I fought back tears. But remembering when she first arrived at Channel 47 in 1988 or 1989 as secretary. She came in with lots of energy. We always worked well together. We always made time to just sit and chat for a couple of moments during the day to make sure each of us were good to go.
Our pass crossed later and she was still the same. Full of life and always giving of herself. I will always remember her.
I surely will pray that God wraps his arms around Freddie & the girls.
"Look to the hills from which cometh your help, your help comes from the Lord"
LOCAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CAGEFIGHTER WINS HIS 2nd PROFESSIONAL TITLE
Primal Fighting Systems in Delmar, MD would like to congratulate it owner and Head instructor "Choctaw" Brad Pole on his recent victory at Caged Kumite in Pittsburgh, PA. On May 29th Brad fought for the Caged Kumite 155 lb. Title, and won in impressive fashion, defeating his opponent in 1:29 of round #1 with a Guillotine Choke. This is Pole's 2nd Professional title he has held in his fighting career, with the first being in 2001 in Rage in the Cage in AZ, where he won the RITC Lightweight title while still competing as an amateur.
Brad defeated Joe Demore from Pittsburgh, who had defeated Pole in their first encounter one year ago. When asked, Pole said, "it was his most satisfying win to date. I was able to get redemption and erase a loss that should have never happened."
Up next for Brad is his first fight ever on Delmarva June 19th at the Ocean City Convention Center versus the hard hitting Nah-Shon Burrell from Philadelphia. Brad will be moving up in weight for this fight to 170 lbs. and hopes to impress the crowd and solidify his place as a top pound for pound fighter in the region.
Also, making the trip to Pittsburgh was Primal Fighting Systems, Jacob Estep. Estep, in his final amateur appearance, thoroughly dominated his opponent David Shim, who is a 3rd degree Tae Kwon Do Blackbelt and 2nd Dan Judo Blackbelt for 3 rounds. After the victory Estep said, "He felt great in the fight, he felt like he could have done anything he wanted to, and it was a great tune up fight before turning Pro."
If you want to see Jacob in action, he makes his Pro Debut June 19th at the Ocean City Convention Center versus 22-2 professional boxer from Baltimore Jessie "The Beast" Nicklow.
Tickets are on Sale now through Ticketmaster or at the Ocean City Convention Center Box office. Cage Time 2 June 19th Fights begin at 7pm.
Sorry, Boss-- We're Too Busy To Look Into That Right Now
Though the Office of Special Counsel is specifically charged with investigating instances of illegal political activity by federal employees under the 1939 Hatch Act, the Obama administration has yet to appoint somebody to run the independent agency, which in its 2008 report to Congress acknowledged struggling with the volume and "seriousness" of the cases referred to it.
On Wednesday, Rep. Darrell Issa, California Republican, formally asked the office to investigate whether White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's involvement in the Democratic Senate primary race in Pennsylvania violated the Hatch Act. Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat who defeated White House-backed Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary last month, said he had been offered a federal post by the administration if he abandoned his challenge.
Mr. Issa, ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said in a four-page letter to the agency's acting special counsel, William Reukauf, that Mr. Emanuel was "leveraging the power and access of his official position to advance the political interests of the Democratic Party."
The White House has denied any impropriety in the maneuvering around the primary.
The Office of Special Counsel report, its most recent to Congress, stated that the agency's Hatch Act Unit received a record 445 complaints in 2008 and "recent surges in both complaints and advisory opinion activities, coupled with task force responsibilities, have made the HAU's workload nearly overwhelming."
Mr. Issa previously asked Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to appoint a Justice Department special prosecutor to investigate the matter. Mr. Holder declined.
FBI Documents ACORN Election Day Confusion Plot, Multiple Voting, ID Theft, Threats
Judicial Watch, a corruption-fighting legal group, obtained the notes related to the 2007 investigation and arrest of eight St. Louis, Mo., ACORN workers for violating election laws and committing voter fraud.
The FBI investigators interviewed ACORN canvassers working with Project Vote, an ACORN affiliate. Among the documents obtained by Judicial Watch were handwritten notes by FBI officials outlining the group's fraudulent activities. The following are some highlights from the FBI notes:
* ACORN "told employees not to talk to the FBI," saying the FBI is "trying to intimidate you." Staff members were restricted on what they were allowed to say to the FBI.
* ACORN accepted "fraudulent cards" "to cause confusion on Election Day to keep polls open longer," "to allow people who can't vote to vote" and "to allow voters to vote multiple times."
* "Project Vote will pay them whether cards fake or not – whatever they had to do to get the cards was attitude."
* The FBI investigators noted that workers were constantly threatened.
* The FBI noted that ACORN had been "poverty pimpin.'"
* The notes stated that ACORN headquarters was "working for the Democratic Party."
* Project Vote "pays ACORN $6 per card" and said "you treat the cards like (cash)$."
* Some registrant names were collected from the phone book and workers made up the rest.
* Canvassers were often homeless, volatile, drug users, drunks, etc.
* "Anyone who was against PV (Project Vote) or ACORN's goals was 'right wing.'"
* Canvasser "thought if she used a completely fake name it would be less like ID theft." She said, "Yeah, it's against the law, I know," but "the fake cards would get her paid."
Congressman: Administration Details Of Sestak-Romanoff Cconfirm Illegal Activity
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, wrote in letters to William Reukauf, the acting U.S. special counsel, that the statements by the White House and the two candidates involved – Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., and former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff – are "prima facie" evidence of violations.
The act prohibits "the use of official authority or influence by federal employees for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election," Issa's letters dated yesterday – one referring Emanuel and one referring Messina – explained.
"In the White House's June 3, 2010, public statement, Mr. [Robert] Gibbs claimed that clearing the field for a candidate preferred by the White House was not problematic because 'there was no offer of a job.' There is evidence to the contrary," wrote Issa.
"Additionally, a finding of a Hatch Act violation does not require that a job was formally offered; any use of official authority by a restricted federal official to interfere with or affect the outcome of anelection is unlawful," he wrote.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, Issa's statement explained.
The letter about Sestak said evidence of a violation came from White House Counsel Robert Bauer and Sestak himself.
Sestak reported the White House job offer came in July as he was preparing to formally announce his Senate candidacy in August.
Sestak's account "is prima facie evidence that an individual in the White House violated the Hatch Act's prohibition against using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of anelection," Issa's letter said.
Further, the facts later were confirmed by the White House, Issa charged.
Hawaii Elections Clerk: Obama Birth Not Here
A college professor who worked as a senior elections clerk for the City and County of Honolulu in 2008 is making the stunning claim Barack Obama was definitely not born in Hawaii as the White House maintains, and that a long-form, hospital-generated birth certificate for Obama does not even exist in the Aloha State.
"There is no birth certificate," said Tim Adams, a graduate assistant who teaches English at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky. "It's like an open secret. There isn't one. Everyone in the government there knows this."
Adams, who says he's a Hillary Clinton supporter who ended up voting for John McCain when Clinton lost the Democratic nomination to Obama, told WND, "I managed the absentee-ballot office. It was my job to verify the voters' identity."
He says during the 2008 campaign when the issue of Obama's constitutional eligibility first arose, the elections office was inundated with requests to verify the birthplace of the U.S. senator from Illinois.
"I had direct access to the Social Security database, the national crime computer, state driver's license information, international passport information, basically just about anything you can imagine to get someone's identity," Adams explained. "I could look up what bank your home mortgage was in. I was informed by my boss that we did not have a birth record [for Obama]."
At the time, there were conflicting reports that Obama had been born at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, as well as the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children across town. So Adams says his office checked with both facilities.
"They told us, 'We don't have a birth certificate for him,'" he said. "They told my supervisor, either by phone or by e-mail, neither one has a document that a doctor signed off on saying they were present at this man's birth."
To date, no Hawaiian hospital has provided documented confirmation that Obama was born at its facility.
WND confirmed with Hawaiian officials that Adams was indeed working in their election offices during the last presidential election.
"His title was senior elections clerk in 2008," said Glen Takahashi, elections administrator for the City and County of Honolulu.
Takahashi also confirmed Adams' time frame at the office from spring until the month of August.
"We hire temporary workers, because we're seasonal," he said.
However, when WND asked Takahashi if the elections office could check on birth records, he said, "We don't have access to that kind of records. [There's] no access to birth records."
Adams responded, "They may say, 'We don't have access to that.' The regular workers don't, the ones processing ballots; but the people in administration do. I was the one overseeing the work of the people doing the balloting."
Adams stressed, "In my professional opinion, [Obama] definitely was not born in Hawaii. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he was not born in Hawaii because there is no legal record of him being born there. If someone called and asked about it, I could not tell them that person was born in the state."
More from WND
Photo Of The Day: Mired In Oil
Today’s photo shows yet another fish thickly coated in oil. The count of wildlife affected by the Gulf oil spill continues to rise. As of Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that 622 birds, 265 sea turtles and 26 mammals, including dolphins, have been found dead. They’re not offering numbers on fish.
Banks Face Short-Sale Fraud As Home ‘Flopping’ Schemes Spread
Sergio Natera and Anna McElaney are scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford’s federal court in August after pleading guilty to fraud. Their crime involved persuading lenders to approve the sale of homes for less than the balance owed -- known as a short sale -- without disclosing that there were better offers. They then flipped the houses for a profit.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Real Estate and mortgage finance company Freddie Mac have warned that such schemes may be spreading after a plunge in values left homeowners owing more than their properties are worth. The scams threaten to deepen losses for lenders that are increasingly agreeing to short sales as an alternative to more costly foreclosures.
“Short sales are an important tool that can help both the bank and the borrower,” said Morgan McCarty, executive vice president for mortgage servicing at Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank, which lost money in the Connecticut case. “It’s just that criminals are always trying to find ways of profiting.”
GO HERE to read more.
Corexit Sprayed By BP Tops One Million Gallons
BP's latest oil spill response update for June 4th says the total amount of the dispersant used in the Gulf of Mexico more than 1,021,000 gallons.
But what most people don't know is that the active ingredient of the toxic chemical dispersant, which is up to 60% by volume, being sprayed by BP to fight the Gulf oil spill is a neurotoxin pesticide that is acutely toxic to both human and aquatic life, causes cancer, causes damage to internal organs such as the liver and kidneys simply by absorbing it through the skin and may cause reproductive side effects.
In fact the neurotoxin pesticide that is lethal to 50% of life in concentrations as little as 2.6 parts per million has been banned for use in the UK since 1998 because it failed the UK "Rocky shore test" which assures that the dispersant does not cause a "significant deleterious ecological change" or to put that in layman's terms it can kill off the entire food chain.
Corexit has also earned the highest EPA warning label for toxicity which means the effects of the toxic chemicals to the eye are corrosive resulting in irreversible destruction of ocular tissue and other tissue with corneal involvement along with an burning that can persist for more than 21 days and effects to human skin are corrosive resulting in tissue destruction into the dermis and/or scarring.
Corexit was widely used after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill and according to a literature review performed by the group the Alaska Community Action on Toxics was later linked with widespread long lasting health impacts in people including respiratory, nervous system, liver, kidney and blood disorders.
The "Human Health Hazards" are said to be "Chronic" for Corexit EC9527A according to the EPA.
GO HERE to read more.
Philadelphia No Longer A Total Buzz Kill For Marijuana Consumers
State Approves Last-Minute Slots Deal
Comptroller Peter Franchot objected strenuously to the deal, which was submitted to the state spending panel late Tuesday. The deal will pay for 1,062 slot machines from six suppliers, and lasts nearly five years.
The BPW also approved an extension of the deal that puts Baltimore Ravens logos on state lottery tickets, as well as the transfer of the Pride of Baltimore II to a private nonprofit. The clipper ship replica makes its home in the Inner Harbor, but regularly travels abroad to promote area tourism and shipping.
Maryland Port Administration Spokesman Richard Scher said the transfer will save the state $164,000 each year.
GO HERE to read more.
State Loses Federal Grant For Key Student Tracking Study
The national Department of Education last month rejected an expanded proposal from the University System of Maryland to measure student progress from kindergarten beyond college, in order to evaluate Maryland's school systems. Legislators nationwide have made tweaks to their educational systems to seem more attractive to judges who award shares of the $3.4 billion Race to the Top stimulus funding
Lawmakers passed legislation during the 2010 General Assembly to enhance the state’s "longitudinal data" program, but without the immediate $13.1 million requested in grants, officials are looking to other options. The state will likely pursue “less expensive, less efficient” ways to implement the plans for the research system, according to authorities who worked on the proposal. They are holding out hope that help will come from the Race to the Top program, but it's not clear how much money will come to Maryland.
“It’s hard to say right off the top of our heads,” said Ben Passmore, director of policy research and analysis for the University System of Maryland. “This is stuff that we have to do. We have to come up with solutions to this stuff anyway.”
GO HERE to read more.
BOE Honors Outstanding Students, Staff, Schools And Community Partners At June 8 Awards Night
The Wicomico County Board of Education honored outstanding students, staff, schools and community partners Tuesday, June 8, at the final Awards & Recognitions Night of the 2009-10 school year.
Outstanding STEM Partner
The STEM initiative in Wicomico County Public Schools, part of Wicomico County Secondary Initiatives, aims to help students explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through special programs and events, and partnerships with companies and organizations in the community. The school system piloted a STEM Academy at Salisbury Middle School last year, and Bennett Middle School will offer students the opportunity to participate in its new STEM Academy next year. Wicomico County Secondary Initiatives would like to recognize the Becker Morgan Group for its continued support of the STEM Initiative in our public schools. The company has volunteered staff for support of such activities as the Eastern Shore Regional LEGO Tournament, STEM Engineering Expo at Wicomico High School, STEM Discovery Day at Bennett Middle School, and our STEM Saturdays. They have provided educational materials to be distributed to our students, and have been guest speakers to classes while promoting careers in engineering. Award sponsor is Coordinator of Secondary Initiatives David Harner. In appreciation for the company’s ongoing support of the STEM Initiative in Wicomico County Public Schools, the Wicomico County Board of Education is pleased to recognize the Tom Becker, Vice President, and the Becker Morgan Group a certificate as an Outstanding STEM Partner.
The Wicomico County Board of Education presented a certificate of recognition to Tom Becker and the Becker Morgan Group as an Outstanding STEM Partner.
2010 Wicomico County Board of Education Retirees
GO HERE to read the list.
Board of Education, Superintendent Announce Administrative Appointments And Transfers For 2010-11
At its June 8 monthly meeting, the Board of Education approved the following appointments:
Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services: one-year, interim appointment of former assistant superintendents Charlie Bounds, Allen Brown, Tom Field and William Cain (retiring June 30) to fill the position as a team on a rotating basis effective July 1. During the next school year, as the team handles the duties of the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, the school system will study the position offering, recruit candidates, and carefully screen and interview candidates with the goal of identifying the best person for the position. The permanent Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services would begin serving by July 1, 2011.
Elementary Assistant Principal: Lisa Forbush, an educator in Somerset County Public Schools, was appointed as an elementary assistant principal. Forbush has 16 years of experience in education, including as a special education teacher, reading specialist, Migrant Education reading coach and Coordinator/Principal for the Migrant Education Program, coordinator of Academic Support, and coordinator/reading coach of Reading First for Somerset Schools. She was the Marion Sarah Peyton Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2004, and has served on school committees for school improvement and special education plans. Forbush will be assistant principal at Westside Primary School.
Secondary Principal: Don R. Brady, currently the Director of Middle School, SEED School in Baltimore. He designed and worked with staff to implement the academic program for SEED School. Brady received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Salisbury University in 1994, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Hood College in 2003. He served as assistant principal of Frederick High School from 2003-08, and assistant principal of Monocacy Middle School (also in Frederick County Public Schools) from 2008-09. Brady will be principal at Wicomico High School.
The Superintendent announced the following administrative reassignments for the 2010-11 school year:
GO HERE to read more.
ICE To Make Detention Centers More 'Humane'
The changes, detailed in an internal ICE e-mail obtained by the Houston Chronicle, were welcomed by immigrant advocates who have been waiting for the Obama administration to deliver on a promise made in August to overhaul the nation's immigration detention system.
The 28 changes identified in the e-mail range from the superficial to the substantive. In addition to “softening the look of the facility” with hanging plants and offering fresh carrot sticks, ICE will allow for the “free movement” of low-risk detainees, expand visiting hours and provide unmonitored phone lines.
ICE officials said the changes are part of broader efforts to make the immigration detention system less penal and more humane.
But the plans are prompting protests by ICE's union leaders, who say they will jeopardize the safety of agents, guards and detainees and increase the bottom line for taxpayers. Tre Rebstock, president for Local 3332, the ICE union in Houston, likened the changes to creating “an all-inclusive resort” for immigration detainees.
“Our biggest concern is that someone is going to get hurt,” he said, taking particular issue with plans to relax restrictions on the movement of low-risk detainees and efforts to reduce and eliminate pat-down searches.
The changes outlined in the ICE e-mail are planned for nine detention centers owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America, including the 900-bed Houston Contract Detention Facility on the city's north side.
Some of the changes will be implemented within 30 days; others may take up to six months, said Beth Gibson, ICE's senior counselor to Assistant Secretary John Morton and a leader of the detention reform effort.
Other major changes include:
• Eliminating lockdowns and lights-out for low-risk detainees.
• Allowing visitors to stay as long as they like in a 12-hour period.
• Providing a unit manger so detainees have someone to report problems to other than the guard.
• Allowing low-risk detainees to wear their own clothing or other non-penal attire.
• Providing e-mail access and Internet-based free phone service.
Gibson said the improvements are part of ICE's efforts to detain immigrants in the least restrictive manner possible while ensuring they leave the country if ordered to do so.
“When people come to our custody, we're detaining them to effect their removal,” Gibson said. “It's about deportation. It's not about punishing people for a crime they committed.”
At the CCA facilities that have agreed to ICE's changes, detainees will see more variety in their dining hall menus and have self-serve beverage and fresh vegetable bars.
CCA also plans to offer movie nights, bingo, arts and crafts, dance and cooking classes, tutoring and computer training, the e-mail states.
[This sounds like a real hellhole, doesn't it?-- Editor]
Putting It In Perspective
If still more proof is needed that the border needs to be secured, the latest threats emerging from Mexico should do the trick. Together, they signal that the country's war could advance to a more savage stage.
The threat is no longer just over smuggling routes. Last Tuesday, the Washington Examiner quoted Mexican and U.S. intelligence sources as saying Mexico's Ejercito Popular Revolucionario (EPR), a Marxist terror organization aligned with drug cartels, is secretly receiving funds from Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez.
The group seeks to overthrow the Mexican government while engaging in drug trafficking, much as the FARC guerrillas do in Colombia. What's disturbing here is not just EPR's growing ties to the drug trade — which in time could lead to an alliance with the Los Zetas paramilitary drug cartel. It's the threat to Mexico's democracy, as well as the group's expertise in destroying infrastructure like gas lines, which EPR did in 2007.
These blood-chilling scenarios aren't fantasies. They are signs of an emerging threat that gets little attention from U.S. lawmakers. Instead of focusing on making the border secure, they play partisan political games, pandering to potential voting blocs by dangling amnesty in front of illegal immigrants, grandstanding against Arizona's effort to enforce federal law and coming up with one excuse after another for not erecting a border fence.
As illegal armed groups plot to blow up infrastructure even in this country, Democrats in Congress are more concerned about an illegal immigrant getting his feelings hurt if a police officer in Arizona asks him to show some ID."
Pence: Obama's Iran Sanctions Lack Teeth Needed To Stop Rising Dictatorship
But Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, chairman of the House Republican Conference, is unimpressed by the administration’s actions on Iran.
“The failure to get a unanimous vote at the UN Security Council behind what was a weak set of economic sanctions represents a failure of leadership by this administration,” Pence told Newsmax on Wednesday. The vote also represents “a failure by the United Nations to live up to its historic charter of confronting rising threats by dictatorships.”
Far from deterring Iran, Pence said he believed that the failure of the Obama administration to convince Turkey, Brazil and Lebanon to vote for the resolution “is likely to embolden Iran in its nuclear ambitions.”
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on an official visit in Tajikistan, dismissed the new resolution.
"From right and from left, they adopt sanctions, but for us they are annoying flies, like a used tissue," he said.
Arizona Charges Dismissed Against Polygamist Sect Leader
GO HERE to read more from CNN.
Worth A Repeat: Wal-Mart Cake
Walmart Employee: 'Hello 'dis be Wal-Mart's, how can I hep you?'
Customer: ' I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.'
Wal-Mart Employee: 'What you want on da cake?'
Customer: 'Best Wishes Suzanne' and underneath that 'We will miss you'.
STOP LAUGHING!
You can't fix stupid.
Teen Car Crashes Tied To Early Classes
When high schools start too early, sleep-deprived teenagers are more likely to crash their cars, suggests new research.
The study, which compared accident rates among teenagers in two adjacent counties in Virginia — one with schools that started extra early and one that started at a reasonable hour — confirms that teenagers are not designed to be morning people.
The finding also adds to a growing body of evidence that later start times can help adolescents earn better grades, get along better with their peers, gain control over their emotions, steer clear of drugs, avoid depression and even lower their risk of suicide.
GO HERE to read more.
Great Service
Monday, Andrea and I went to Famous Dave's in Salisbury for some pig slingin, bone throwing good BBQ. We had no idea that we would also get the ABSOLUTE BEST server that she and I have EVER experienced.
Ashlee (or Famous Ashlee as the name tag says) was without a doubt the best server I personally have ever had at ANY restaurant! She was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and on target with drinks and food.
Just before Andrea and I entered the building a large party (around 15 people) and another party of 5 were seated in Ashlee's section. Ashlee handled it all with ease with a smile on her face!
The food was great, the service was even better!!!
I was so impressed I left her a 35% tip, along with a gift card of 50.00 to our store. I would urge ANY and all locals to visit Famous Dave's and ask for Ashlee!
And to other servers at other establishments... you should visit as well and learn a few things.
Kudos to Ashlee!
Ric Thornton
Pulse Car Audio
443-944-0691
www.pulsecaraudio.org
"give your car some life!"
McDonald's DOUBLE POUNDER
Australian male successfully attempts to eat a McDonald's double pounder. This video was made in early 2005 making it the first video of its kind. This man was also probably the first to attempt such a feat.
In light of recent publicity, I would like to express the following. (1) This should not be attempted at home (2) McDonald's Australia, and the store in which this video was taken, in no way supports the making of this clip. (3) Healthy eating and exercise are fundamental in good health. (4) Today I am not 160kg as one user has suggested, I am around 70kg, the same weight as I was when this video was created. (5) I am not an unhealthy person, I play football, go to the gym and am a volunteer firefighter. (6) I did not starve myself to eat this burger, my eating habits before and after this did not change. (7) Congratulations must be given to Zac White for successfully eating the triple pounder.. in time the 5 pounder will be attemped!(8) This video is now the property ...
Rt. 13 Accident Update
Driver # 1/ Veh #1: Marvin James McCaskill, 35 YOA of Salisbury, Md.
2006 Hyundai Corolla, Silver
Injured-Transported to PRMC
Driver # 2/ Veh # 2: Anne Marie Daniz, 30 YOA of Fruitland, Md
2006 Yamaha motorcycle
Injured-Transported to PRMC
BRIEF RESUME: On June 9, 2010 at approximately 1403 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack were in the area of Rt. 13 and Lloyd Street, Salisbury, Maryland when they observed the above Hyundai driving in a reckless manner. Within seconds the vehicle was involved in a collision. Initial investigation revealed that Vehicle #2 driven by Anne Marie Daniz was traveling Southbound Rt. 13 attempting to make a left turn into a restaurant parking lot. Vehicle #1 driven by Marvin James McCaskill was traveling Southbound on Rt. 13 at a high rate of speed and failed to maintain a single lane striking Vehicle #2. As a result of Vehicle #1 striking Vehicle #2, Vehicle #1 continued and struck a curb, a parked vehicle, and a light support pole causing Vehicle #1 to flip end over end coming to rest in the parking lot. McCaskill was injured in the collision and attempted to flee the area on foot before being detained by Trooper’s. Both McCaskill and Daniz were transported to PRMC for their injuries. The roadway in that area was temporarily shut down.. McCaskill was charged with multiple motor vehicle citations and released as he was admitted to P.R.M.C. for his injuries.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:07 p.m. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Recognizing EMS Provider of the Year
6:15 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
May 24, 2010 minutes
June 7, 2010 Special Meeting minutes
Ordinance No. 2109 - 2nd reading - approving a Service and Equipment Lease Agreement between the City of Salisbury and the Wicomico County Board of Elections
Resolution No. 1925 - accepting funds awarded through a grant from the Injured Workers Insurance Fund for the purchase of defensive driving training materials
Resolution No. 1926 - accepting a donation of used office furniture from the Wicomico County Health Department to the Salisbury Police Department for use in the Neighborhood Service Centers
Resolution No. 1927 - appointments to GASB 45 Trust as Community members
Resolution No. 1928 - appointment to City Park Committee
Resolution No. 1929 - reappointments to Recycling Advisory Committee
6:20 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland 2
6:35 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2112 - 2nd reading - adoption of water & sewer rates
Ordinance No. 2113 - 1st reading – establishing the fee schedule for
a sidewalk café permit fee and an annual sidewalk café renewal fee
7:00 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 1930 - approving the City’s Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for CDBG Program Year 2010
Resolution No. 1931 - agreeing to remove the East Side Men’s Club properties from the June 16, 2010 tax sale
Resolution No. 1932 - extending acting status for Lieutenant Ivan Barkley
Resolution No. 1933 – extending until December 31, 2010 the agreement between the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County for the delivery of fire, rescue and advanced operations and emergency medical services
Resolution No. 1934 – selecting the conventional Four Stage Bardenpho wastewater treatment process for submission to Maryland Department of the Environment as the treatment process
for the Corrective Action Plan for the Wastewater Treatment facility
7:45 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
8:00 p.m. ADJOURN
WICOMICO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO OFFER FREE HIV TESTING ON JUNE 28, 2010
(Salisbury, MD) —The 16th National HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2010, sponsored annually by the National Association of People with AIDS. In recognition of the event, Wicomico County Health Department will offer anonymous and confidential HIV testing on a walk-in basis on Monday, June 28th, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 300 West Carroll Street in Salisbury. TESTING IS FREE!
On a per capita basis (per 100,000 population) in 2007, Maryland ranked 4th in the Nation in AIDS case report rates. There were 31,931 Maryland residents living with HIV/AIDS as reported through June 30, 2008. Today, early detection provides advanced treatment options that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system.
Robbery Suspects Sought
Date of Occurrence: Wednesday June 9, 2010 12:30 a.m.
Suspect:
Black Male
Second Male Suspect no further description on either suspect
Resume:
Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery that occurred outside the town of Rehoboth Beach.
The robbery occurred early this morning just after midnight when a 22 year-old and a 21 year-old women were riding their bikes down Scenic Drive when the 22 year-old victim was accosted by a male suspect and another male who drove up in a green Dodge Caravan. The suspect punched the 22 year-old in the stomach and face and then forcibly removed her purse. The suspect and the other male got back into the minivan and fled.
The victim did not require medical attention at the scene. The victim could not provide any additional suspect information.
Greening Your Workforce
Thursday, June 17, 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m.
Village at Harbor Pointe
611 Tressler Drive, Salisbury
The City of Salisbury and Telamon Corporation wanted to remind you to sign up for the Greening Your Workforce outreach, Thursday, June 17, from 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m. Enjoy fresh fair-trade coffee from Common Grounds and a special brunch catered by The Village at Harbor Pointe’s own chef.
Come learn ways you can not only help create sustainability in your business and employees but do your part in sustaining the world around you.
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS….
Dave Hoffman is a Senior Vice President at Gipe Associates - Easton Office. As the Principal-in-Charge of the Easton Office and with over 18 years of experience, Dave is responsible for surveys, studies, and preparation of specifications, production of designs, quality reviews and contract administration for various projects for the firm. Dave has been the person responsible for promoting design of geothermal systems, as well as consultation regarding geothermal issues throughout the Eastern Shore. He is an invaluable resource on the topic of sustainable energy sources. He not only talks the talk, but he walks the walk – in business, in community and in his personal life.
The Delmarva Power C&I Energy Savings Program promotes and encourages energy efficiency projects, large and small to Delmarva Power commercial and industrial customers throughout Maryland. From changing out light fixtures to replacing major mechanical equipment, the program plays a vital role in helping to make your building more efficient, provides cash incentives for your energy efficient upgrades, and helps you keep your energy costs down! A representative from the program will be on hand to share with you how you can maximize energy efficiency, reduce on-going energy cost and ensure that your projects are eligible to receive program incentives.
Rafael Cuebas, Program Manager, from the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board and member of the Green Job Industry Workgroup will be present to comment on the State of Green in Maryland and what this means to business owners. He will provide resources and insight on how to set sustainable business goals that will benefit your business and your employees.
In order to plan accordingly, we need to hear from you by this Friday, June 11. Thank you. The event flyer is attached for your convenience.
NO COST TO ATTEND. DOOR PRIZES/GIVEAWAYS, PROJECT OVERVIEW, RESOURCES, CATERED BRUNCH, AND MORE!
To learn more about or register for this very exciting event,
email mailto:iulrichbonk@telamon.org.
Deadline to RSVP is June 11.
ALL attendees will receive a resource CD including information on TAX INCENTIVES.
Lawsuit: Land O'Lakes Must Pay $25 Million For Massive Egg Price-Fixing Conspiracy
Angry Driver Buys Police Department's Website, Launches Anti-Speed Camera Site
More »