It's another unfortunate day on Delmarva as Delegate Page Elmore lost his battle today with cancer.
Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Elmore Family.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Page Elmore Has Passed Away
It's another unfortunate day on Delmarva as Delegate Page Elmore lost his battle today with cancer.
Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Elmore Family.
2nd Biggest Day In Salisbury News History
Salisbury News experienced a monstrous day yesterday. Friday's usually drop off quite a bit in the evening but Sam Vincent must have known a LOT of people because our visits soared.
We take no real pleasure in such days like yesterday other than knowing when people want to know what's really going on they rely on Salisbury News to provide such information.
That being said, yesterday was an extremely frustrating day but it was also a day of growth. No, not in numbers but in learning to be more patient and understanding when tragedies such as Mr. Vincent's accident.
When this accident happened, I received an immediate phone call. I then started receiving photos like there was no tomorrow. The stories varied from one call to the other. I received 161 text messages yesterday on this matter and while I did reply via text message as to what happened, we chose to stop all comments, removed the Survey Question Post and when we were confident the Vincent Family had been made aware of Sam's unfortunate death, we started allowing comments to resume.
So we can clear the air on this matter, let me explain what REALLY happened yesterday, (to a point).
Sam was traveling 55 mph west bound on Rt. 50. A vehicle crossed onto Rt. 50 striking the right rear end of Sam's vehicle. Sam's vehicle went into a spin and the pressure from the hit and weight dug into the pavement and his vehicle started flipping over, (probably 5 times) before coming to a stop. That's all I have to say about that. The driver of the other vehicle had no injuries.
I'm not sure why this particular tragedy has hit home so deeply for me personally but I'd have to say it has reminded me that we just never know when our time is up. I knew Sam more as an associate, not a friend. EVERY single experience I have had with Sam over the past 7 years has been respectful. What I enjoyed the most was that smirk/smile Sam would give me, (no words necessary) whenever someone would say something about an article on Salisbury News and he was around.
There was a part of Sam that seemed to want to jump out and start cracking up laughing but he had complete control of those emotions. I had always heard wonderful things about his Bride Jill. Jill, if you are reading this article, Sam was a wonderful man to those of us on the outside. We are so truly sorry for your unexpected loss. Again, as an outsider, allow me to say this. Of the hundreds of messages I have received in the last 24 hours, if you hadn't realized the Family you have in the Law Enforcement community, you do now. You will never be alone. Sam was a BROTHER to so many.
I'll close with this. There's something to be said about a person who joins special groups like the States Attorneys Office, Law Enforcement, Firefighters and or the Military. There's a special bond many people do not know of. There's a Family/Brotherhood outside your own and one thing I have witnessed over the many years I have been on this earth, that outside Family NEVER goes away, unless you want them to.
If there's ANY comfort I personally hold out of this tragic event it's knowing Jill Vincent will not be alone the rest of her life. She will be asked to join others at Christmas, Thanksgiving, cook outs weddings and so forth. I truly envy that Brotherhood/Family, as we all should, it's earned.
Our numbers yesterday clearly showed Sam Vincent was loved by many and for what it's worth, I hope it means something to the Vincent Family.
5-Year-Old Injured in Dirt Bike Crash
Location: 6000 block of Carpenter Bridge Road, Frederica, Delaware
Date of Occurrence: Friday, June 25th, 2010, at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Involved Parties:
Victim: 5-year-old Frederica, Delaware boy
Suspect: James R. Edge, 46, of Frederica
Resume: Yesterday evening, Troopers were called to an address along the 6000 block of Carpenter Bridge Road in Frederica in reference to a motorbike crash with injury.
This investigation revealed the accused James R. Edge was in the yard of the aforementioned property when he was showing his friend’s soe, a 5-year-old boy, how to ride a 70cc dirt bike. It has been alleged that Edge had been drinking alcohol and was impaired while he was explaining to the little boy how to ride the bike.
The boy had the throttle wide open while Edge was holding up the back of the bike as the back wheel was spinning. Edge let go, the back wheel came down and the boy and the bike took off headed right for Carpenter Bridge Road. The bike struck a 1995 Plymouth Neon traveling along Carpenter Bridge Road.
The 5-year-old was thrown from the bike. He was not wearing a helmet and sustained head and leg injuries. He was airlifted from the scene to Christiana Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.
The Neon was driven by John H. Davis, III, 25, of Smyrna, Delaware. He was found to have been driving on a suspended license. He was cited with Driving While Suspended. He was not injured in the collision.
James Edge was arrested and formally charged with Reckless Endangering 1st (felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (felony). Bail was set at $3,500 unsecured and Mr. Edge was released from custody.
Open Forum On Sam Vincent
If you'd like to share your thoughts and experiences with Sam Vincent, please do so.HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER
Camden AvenueCamden Avenue was once referred as the road to Noah Rider’s mill. Noah Rider had the mill at Tony Tank because it had belonged to his family for generations. The Rider family was originally from Quantico but relocated near Salisbury and became very influential in the growth of both the city and what was then Somerset County. One of the Riders, Thomas F. J. Rider, was instrumental in the formation of Wicomico County in 1867. His sister, Nannie, married Elihu E. Jackson, another prominent Salisburian who became the Governor of Maryland in 1888.
Originally, it was just a dirt country road that ran through W. F. Allen’s extensive property. A growth plan was adopted in 1920 that was supposed to suffice until 2000. Then two events quickly overloaded the system. The first was the building of a college from land purchased from the Allen family in 1922. The school was built and opened in September, 1925. Second was the building of Route 13 in 1939. The expansion of the Camden area between Camden Avenue and the railroad was to be a mixture of residential and commercial properties. The limit south was to be Tony Tank Lake with the town of Fruitland eventually expanding northward to meet there. All this land from what is now College Avenue belonged to the W. F. Allen Co. Over the years, they have sold off parcels for the college and to Asbury Methodist Church for their new structure. Many other lots were sold off over the years and individual families built there.
The college was not anticipated in the original growth plan, so for a sewer system, a pipe was laid down College Avenue that drained directly into the Wicomico River. Eventually it was incorporated into the city system. The system also extended southward paralleling Camden Avenue along the back of the several residences facing Camden Avenue. The water main down Camden Avenue that serviced the same houses was built by prisoners-of-war from Rommel’s Africa Corps. That had to be during the Second World War. Surprisingly, the recipients of this municipal service received it with no cost to them. Some things never change.
The paving of Camden Avenue came about as a result of a great debate in 1906. The downtown had their streets paved with a light buff-colored brick. Since this was before the automobile was used extensively, the iron-rimmed wagon wheels were deemed too noisy on brick for a residential area. The debate ensued over the use of brick or the new material called asphalt. Asphalt won out or we would have had a brick Camden Avenue now. It was just a matter of timing. Apparently, the dirt roads handled the wagon wheels to everybody’s satisfaction and, if they had waited a few short years, the pneumatic tires on cars and trucks would have been quiet enough.
Houses on Camden Avenue started appearing even before the street was paved. The first house was situated between Pennsylvania and Virginia Avenues across from North Boulevard. It was the home of Col. Marion A. Humphreys. Other large homes soon appeared on the west side of Camden Avenue that earned that section the term “millionaire’s row”. The homes built on the east side of Camden were more modest by comparison. Most of the homes south of Winder Street were built later than the early homes of prominent Salisburians. The Jackson mansions were built at the end of the 19th Century. They are both now gone. The homes of Wm. B. Tilghman and L. W. Gunby remain, however.
IAF Hits Gaza Terror Targets After Mortar Barrage
Israel responded late on Thursday night to a series of terrorist mortar shell and rocket attacks from Gaza that took place earlier in the day. IAF planes hit three terror-related targets in the area.
The targets were a weapons storage facility in northern Gaza and two smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza. Arab sources stated that one person was injured in the strike on the tunnels.
IDF spokespeople confirmed that the operation was a response to Thursday's attacks. “The IDF will not tolerate attempts to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” they said.
"The IDF will respond with force and determination to any element using terrorism against the state of Israel. The IDF sees the Hamas terrorist group as bearing sole responsibility for what happens in Gaza,” they continued.
On Thursday, Gaza terrorists fired nine mortar shells and one rocket at Israeli towns in the western Negev. Several of the shells fell short and exploded within Gaza. No injuries were reported in either the Negev or Gaza.
IsraelNationalNews
The targets were a weapons storage facility in northern Gaza and two smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza. Arab sources stated that one person was injured in the strike on the tunnels.
IDF spokespeople confirmed that the operation was a response to Thursday's attacks. “The IDF will not tolerate attempts to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” they said.
"The IDF will respond with force and determination to any element using terrorism against the state of Israel. The IDF sees the Hamas terrorist group as bearing sole responsibility for what happens in Gaza,” they continued.
On Thursday, Gaza terrorists fired nine mortar shells and one rocket at Israeli towns in the western Negev. Several of the shells fell short and exploded within Gaza. No injuries were reported in either the Negev or Gaza.
IsraelNationalNews
Arizona Governor: Most Illegal Immigrants Smuggling Drugs
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday most illegal immigrants entering Arizona are being used to transport drugs across the border.
Brewer said the motivation of "a lot" of the illegal immigrants is to enter the United States to look for work, but that drug rings press them into duty as drug "mules."
"I believe today, under the circumstances that we're facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in," Brewer said.
"There's strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of the drug cartel," she said.
Brewer spoke Friday when asked about comments she made in a recent election debate among Republican candidates for governor.
She said during the June 15 debate that she believed that most illegal immigrants were not entering the United States for work. She then associated illegal immigrants with drug smuggling, drop houses, extortion and other criminal activity.
Read more
Brewer said the motivation of "a lot" of the illegal immigrants is to enter the United States to look for work, but that drug rings press them into duty as drug "mules."
"I believe today, under the circumstances that we're facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in," Brewer said.
"There's strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of the drug cartel," she said.
Brewer spoke Friday when asked about comments she made in a recent election debate among Republican candidates for governor.
She said during the June 15 debate that she believed that most illegal immigrants were not entering the United States for work. She then associated illegal immigrants with drug smuggling, drop houses, extortion and other criminal activity.
Read more
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY PRESS RELEASES
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY PARTICIPATES IN AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS LISTENING SESSION
Maryland well-positioned to partner in national conservation movement
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 25, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today joined U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other senior representatives of the Obama Administration for a public listening session and discussion on land conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors. The second such session under President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative was attended by approximately 300 land and recreation managers, outdoor educators, sportsmen, landowners and conservationists from across the 64,000-square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“I want to thank President Obama, Secretary Salazar and the other members of the President’s “green” cabinet for their leadership on this important issue and for bringing this public discussion to the great State of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are also pleased that the President has selected the Chesapeake as one of America’s first Treasured Landscapes, and believe Maryland is especially well poised to partner with the Administration and public and private sectors in conserving our great rivers and related landscapes as our legacy for future generations.”
President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in April to develop a conservation and recreation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors.
“Governor O’Malley and the citizens of Maryland have set a high standard in their efforts to conserve and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Their strong commitment to the health of the Bay and to opening up more opportunities for outdoor recreation for people who have not in the past had the opportunity to enjoy its wonders embody the spirit and purpose of the President’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.”
During his remarks Governor O’Malley offered his own recommendations on the process for preserving the Bay region’s treasured landscapes, defined as targeted conservation areas – important ecosystems, working and recreation lands, historic, cultural and scenic resources, water access and trails -- that connect people to rivers or the main stem of the Bay. These included:
§ a request for full funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCS) -- the principal means by which land conservation is achieved at the federal level;
§ a funding formula that would direct at least 40% of revenues to State and local governments;
§ a refocus of state share funding priorities to support, in addition to land acquisition, green projects such as trail development, passive recreation amenities, natural play areas, nature centers, water access, resource restoration on public lands and youth conservation corps;
§ the creation of a Federal-State GIS Land Conservation Map for the Bay Region based on concepts used in Maryland’s GreenPrint; and
§ a bottom-up process for designating conservation lands through a federally-sponsored competition to States in partnership with their local governments and private organizations.
“Wherever possible the federal agencies and their State and local government counterparts need to work together to conserve, manage and operate lands within these targeted areas,” said Governor O’Malley, citing the the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park as an example. “On the Harriet Tubman Project, we are jointly acquiring land, jointly developing the project and will jointly manage it. This is the new model for the future -- one that taxpayers deserve and should expect – a more efficient way of combing resources to get the job done.”
Prior to the public break out sessions, during which federal leaders had an opportunity to hear from people across the region, Salazar facilitated a panel discussion on Sharing Examples of Innovative Land Conservation, Recreation & Citizen Stewardship. The panel included: Jacqueline M. Carrera, President & CEO, Parks & People Foundation; Robert Etgen, Executive Director, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy; Chris Miller, President, Piedmont Environmental Council/Treasurer, Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership; and Annette Gantt, President and CEO, Earth Conservation Corps.
"Maryland has a strong and long-standing track record in land conservation, including protecting farms, forests, environmentally sensitive areas, and culturally and historically significant lands," said David O'Neill, president, Chesapeake Conservancy. "Governor O'Malley has built on this tradition and strengthened the state's conservation initiatives with the creation of Maryland Greenprint, a land conservation targeting tool that has quickly become a national model. The President's America’s Great Outdoors Initiative will build on the fine work of Maryland the GreenPrint program."
Earlier in the day, federal representatives held a special listening session for about 50 young people, aged 16-20, to receive their in put on the issues.
Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Harris Sherman, Under Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture also participated in the event.
“As we seek to preserve our national treasures and provide meaningful outdoor opportunities and connections for all of our citizens, we must remember that all of these investments and bear heavily on sustainable economies,” added the Governor. “Nature based recreation such as hunting, birding, ecotourism, and boating are vital economic drivers for Maryland, and every dollar spent on land preservation has a multiplier effect, supporting jobs, and increased property values.”
According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, tourism accounts for $14.5 billion in sales and more than 146,000 jobs in Maryland. The total impact on the Maryland economy from recreational boating alone is estimated to be about $2.03 billion by the University of Maryland.
Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, Maryland has maintained land conservation as a top priority, fully funding our premier land conservation program for the 4th year in a row, and made land conservation programs work smarter through the advent GreenPrint, a cutting edge GIS tracking and targeting tool. Governor O’Malley also the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, which developed one of the nation’s first comprehensive plans for expanding outdoor opportunities for young people and bringing environmental literacy to the classroom. The State Board of Education is currently considering a proposal to require Maryland young people to be environmentally literate in order to graduate from high school. This summer 500 at risk young people will have paid jobs performing conservation work in our State Parks through the Civic Justice Corps – a program inspired by the Maryland Conservation Corps that has nearly tripled since it was launched three years ago.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES DHR SECRETARY BRENDA DONALD TO STEP DOWN, ACCEPTS LEADERSHIP ROLE AT ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 25, 2010) – Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald has accepted a new senior position at the Annie E. Casey Foundation after three years of reforms at the historically troubled agency. Together, Governor Martin O’Malley and DHR Secretary Brenda Donald endeavored to radically reform Maryland’s child welfare system, resulting in drastic reductions in foster care and group home placements, reforms to Maryland’s outdated child support system, and increases in family setting placements for foster children.
“I want to thank Brenda Donald for her service to the people of Maryland over the past three years. Her professionalism and reform-minded approach to leading DHR has benefited children and adults throughout our state,” said Governor O’Malley. “Brenda was appointed to lead one of our largest and most complicated state agencies. Her steady leadership will be missed.”
Donald will step down as Secretary of Human Resources effective July 23, 2010. She has accepted the role of Vice President for the Center for Effective Family Services and Systems at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charitable organization dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States.
“It has been my distinct honor to help the O’Malley/Brown Administration achieve notable outcomes for foster children, improve the way we process benefit applications and work to strengthen our child support collections,” said Donald. “I am excited to move onto the next phase of my career and help other states implement some of Maryland’s successful strategies.”
Under Secretary Donald’s leadership, the Department of Human Resources implemented Place Matters, an ambitious initiative that promotes safety, family strengthening, permanency, and community based services for children and families in child welfare. As a result:
Nearly 20 percent fewer children have been placed in foster care.
More than 50 percent fewer foster children are placed in group homes.
77 percent of children placed in the foster system are now placed into family settings, a 10 percent increase from four years ago.
More than 2,225 foster families have been recruited under the O’Malley-Brown Administration.
Nearly 2,000 adoptions have been finalized under the O’Malley-Brown Administration.
The reforms implemented by Governor O’Malley and Secretary Donald aimed to improve the lives of children who find themselves within the social work system, include:
Fought for legislation to update the state’s child support guidelines for the first time in 22 years.
Provided all front-line social welfare and child welfare workers with cell phones, improving efficiency and communications.
Improved compliance rates for benefit applications such as food stamps and cash assistance.
Reformed the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and strengthened its management.
Collected $1.5 billion in child support payments and redistributed to custodial parents, continuing the upward trend in collections, even in a tough economy.
Invested federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to create 100 full time jobs for previous Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) customers.
Restricted new group homes from opening unnecessarily, allowing new group homes to open only if there is a specific need in an area, focusing resources on family-setting placements instead.
Donald will serve as Vice President for the Center for Effective Family Services and Systems at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In her new position as a member of the Foundation’s senior leadership team, Donald will be leading the Center’s work of improving outcomes for children living in the country’s most fragile families. The focus of the Center is to promote policies and identify best practices that support family-strengthening interventions, provide data-driven accountability for public systems, and bring evidence-based interventions to scale.
“Brenda Donald is a recognized leader who has dedicated her career to improving children and family services and leading governmental reform efforts,” said Patrick McCarthy, president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. “We are confident that her extensive knowledge and experience will help build on our work for years to come.”
Prior to being appointed DHR Secretary in February of 2007, Donald was Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders for the District of Columbia. She directed nine agencies that provided an array of social services to more than 200,000 residents. She was also the director of the District's Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), with 950 employees serving 6,000 abused and neglected children.
Governor O’Malley announced that Brian Wilbon will serve as Acting Secretary of DHR while a national search takes place for a new secretary. Wilbon currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the agency.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
8:20 a.m. Governor O’Malley to appear on WICO, 92.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City
Location: 92.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City
8:35 a.m. Governor O’Malley to appear on WSCL, 89.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City Public Radio
Location: 89.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City Public Radio
9:30 a.m. Governor O’Malley to hold roundtable discussion on potential impact of Gulf Oil Spill on Maryland waters and businesses
Location: Fish Tales, 2207 Herring Way, Ocean City
11:30 a.m. Governor O’Malley to walk through floor displays at Maryland Municipal League Convention
Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City
5:30 p.m. First Lady Katie O’Malley will join Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to formally dedicate the newest attraction at the Maryland Zoo, The Jones Falls Zephyr
Location: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore
Note: Reception begins at 4:30pm, Dedication is at 5:30pm
7:00 p.m. Governor O’Malley to deliver keynote address at Maryland Municipal League Convention
Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City
Maryland well-positioned to partner in national conservation movement
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 25, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today joined U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other senior representatives of the Obama Administration for a public listening session and discussion on land conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors. The second such session under President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative was attended by approximately 300 land and recreation managers, outdoor educators, sportsmen, landowners and conservationists from across the 64,000-square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“I want to thank President Obama, Secretary Salazar and the other members of the President’s “green” cabinet for their leadership on this important issue and for bringing this public discussion to the great State of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are also pleased that the President has selected the Chesapeake as one of America’s first Treasured Landscapes, and believe Maryland is especially well poised to partner with the Administration and public and private sectors in conserving our great rivers and related landscapes as our legacy for future generations.”
President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative in April to develop a conservation and recreation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors.
“Governor O’Malley and the citizens of Maryland have set a high standard in their efforts to conserve and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Their strong commitment to the health of the Bay and to opening up more opportunities for outdoor recreation for people who have not in the past had the opportunity to enjoy its wonders embody the spirit and purpose of the President’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.”
During his remarks Governor O’Malley offered his own recommendations on the process for preserving the Bay region’s treasured landscapes, defined as targeted conservation areas – important ecosystems, working and recreation lands, historic, cultural and scenic resources, water access and trails -- that connect people to rivers or the main stem of the Bay. These included:
§ a request for full funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCS) -- the principal means by which land conservation is achieved at the federal level;
§ a funding formula that would direct at least 40% of revenues to State and local governments;
§ a refocus of state share funding priorities to support, in addition to land acquisition, green projects such as trail development, passive recreation amenities, natural play areas, nature centers, water access, resource restoration on public lands and youth conservation corps;
§ the creation of a Federal-State GIS Land Conservation Map for the Bay Region based on concepts used in Maryland’s GreenPrint; and
§ a bottom-up process for designating conservation lands through a federally-sponsored competition to States in partnership with their local governments and private organizations.
“Wherever possible the federal agencies and their State and local government counterparts need to work together to conserve, manage and operate lands within these targeted areas,” said Governor O’Malley, citing the the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park as an example. “On the Harriet Tubman Project, we are jointly acquiring land, jointly developing the project and will jointly manage it. This is the new model for the future -- one that taxpayers deserve and should expect – a more efficient way of combing resources to get the job done.”
Prior to the public break out sessions, during which federal leaders had an opportunity to hear from people across the region, Salazar facilitated a panel discussion on Sharing Examples of Innovative Land Conservation, Recreation & Citizen Stewardship. The panel included: Jacqueline M. Carrera, President & CEO, Parks & People Foundation; Robert Etgen, Executive Director, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy; Chris Miller, President, Piedmont Environmental Council/Treasurer, Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership; and Annette Gantt, President and CEO, Earth Conservation Corps.
"Maryland has a strong and long-standing track record in land conservation, including protecting farms, forests, environmentally sensitive areas, and culturally and historically significant lands," said David O'Neill, president, Chesapeake Conservancy. "Governor O'Malley has built on this tradition and strengthened the state's conservation initiatives with the creation of Maryland Greenprint, a land conservation targeting tool that has quickly become a national model. The President's America’s Great Outdoors Initiative will build on the fine work of Maryland the GreenPrint program."
Earlier in the day, federal representatives held a special listening session for about 50 young people, aged 16-20, to receive their in put on the issues.
Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Harris Sherman, Under Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture also participated in the event.
“As we seek to preserve our national treasures and provide meaningful outdoor opportunities and connections for all of our citizens, we must remember that all of these investments and bear heavily on sustainable economies,” added the Governor. “Nature based recreation such as hunting, birding, ecotourism, and boating are vital economic drivers for Maryland, and every dollar spent on land preservation has a multiplier effect, supporting jobs, and increased property values.”
According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, tourism accounts for $14.5 billion in sales and more than 146,000 jobs in Maryland. The total impact on the Maryland economy from recreational boating alone is estimated to be about $2.03 billion by the University of Maryland.
Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, Maryland has maintained land conservation as a top priority, fully funding our premier land conservation program for the 4th year in a row, and made land conservation programs work smarter through the advent GreenPrint, a cutting edge GIS tracking and targeting tool. Governor O’Malley also the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, which developed one of the nation’s first comprehensive plans for expanding outdoor opportunities for young people and bringing environmental literacy to the classroom. The State Board of Education is currently considering a proposal to require Maryland young people to be environmentally literate in order to graduate from high school. This summer 500 at risk young people will have paid jobs performing conservation work in our State Parks through the Civic Justice Corps – a program inspired by the Maryland Conservation Corps that has nearly tripled since it was launched three years ago.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES DHR SECRETARY BRENDA DONALD TO STEP DOWN, ACCEPTS LEADERSHIP ROLE AT ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 25, 2010) – Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald has accepted a new senior position at the Annie E. Casey Foundation after three years of reforms at the historically troubled agency. Together, Governor Martin O’Malley and DHR Secretary Brenda Donald endeavored to radically reform Maryland’s child welfare system, resulting in drastic reductions in foster care and group home placements, reforms to Maryland’s outdated child support system, and increases in family setting placements for foster children.
“I want to thank Brenda Donald for her service to the people of Maryland over the past three years. Her professionalism and reform-minded approach to leading DHR has benefited children and adults throughout our state,” said Governor O’Malley. “Brenda was appointed to lead one of our largest and most complicated state agencies. Her steady leadership will be missed.”
Donald will step down as Secretary of Human Resources effective July 23, 2010. She has accepted the role of Vice President for the Center for Effective Family Services and Systems at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charitable organization dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States.
“It has been my distinct honor to help the O’Malley/Brown Administration achieve notable outcomes for foster children, improve the way we process benefit applications and work to strengthen our child support collections,” said Donald. “I am excited to move onto the next phase of my career and help other states implement some of Maryland’s successful strategies.”
Under Secretary Donald’s leadership, the Department of Human Resources implemented Place Matters, an ambitious initiative that promotes safety, family strengthening, permanency, and community based services for children and families in child welfare. As a result:
Nearly 20 percent fewer children have been placed in foster care.
More than 50 percent fewer foster children are placed in group homes.
77 percent of children placed in the foster system are now placed into family settings, a 10 percent increase from four years ago.
More than 2,225 foster families have been recruited under the O’Malley-Brown Administration.
Nearly 2,000 adoptions have been finalized under the O’Malley-Brown Administration.
The reforms implemented by Governor O’Malley and Secretary Donald aimed to improve the lives of children who find themselves within the social work system, include:
Fought for legislation to update the state’s child support guidelines for the first time in 22 years.
Provided all front-line social welfare and child welfare workers with cell phones, improving efficiency and communications.
Improved compliance rates for benefit applications such as food stamps and cash assistance.
Reformed the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and strengthened its management.
Collected $1.5 billion in child support payments and redistributed to custodial parents, continuing the upward trend in collections, even in a tough economy.
Invested federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to create 100 full time jobs for previous Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) customers.
Restricted new group homes from opening unnecessarily, allowing new group homes to open only if there is a specific need in an area, focusing resources on family-setting placements instead.
Donald will serve as Vice President for the Center for Effective Family Services and Systems at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In her new position as a member of the Foundation’s senior leadership team, Donald will be leading the Center’s work of improving outcomes for children living in the country’s most fragile families. The focus of the Center is to promote policies and identify best practices that support family-strengthening interventions, provide data-driven accountability for public systems, and bring evidence-based interventions to scale.
“Brenda Donald is a recognized leader who has dedicated her career to improving children and family services and leading governmental reform efforts,” said Patrick McCarthy, president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. “We are confident that her extensive knowledge and experience will help build on our work for years to come.”
Prior to being appointed DHR Secretary in February of 2007, Donald was Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders for the District of Columbia. She directed nine agencies that provided an array of social services to more than 200,000 residents. She was also the director of the District's Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), with 950 employees serving 6,000 abused and neglected children.
Governor O’Malley announced that Brian Wilbon will serve as Acting Secretary of DHR while a national search takes place for a new secretary. Wilbon currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the agency.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
8:20 a.m. Governor O’Malley to appear on WICO, 92.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City
Location: 92.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City
8:35 a.m. Governor O’Malley to appear on WSCL, 89.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City Public Radio
Location: 89.5 FM, Salisbury-Ocean City Public Radio
9:30 a.m. Governor O’Malley to hold roundtable discussion on potential impact of Gulf Oil Spill on Maryland waters and businesses
Location: Fish Tales, 2207 Herring Way, Ocean City
11:30 a.m. Governor O’Malley to walk through floor displays at Maryland Municipal League Convention
Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City
5:30 p.m. First Lady Katie O’Malley will join Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to formally dedicate the newest attraction at the Maryland Zoo, The Jones Falls Zephyr
Location: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore
Note: Reception begins at 4:30pm, Dedication is at 5:30pm
7:00 p.m. Governor O’Malley to deliver keynote address at Maryland Municipal League Convention
Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City
SHOREBIRDS OPEN SECOND HALF WITH TWO LOSSES TO LAKEWOOD
Moreau Matches Career High With Nine Strikeouts
Salisbury, Md. – The Lakewood BlueClaws produced two big innings on Friday night to take two games from the Delmarva Shorebirds at Perdue Stadium to begin the second half. The Shorebirds have dropped three straight dating back to the end of the first half.
The BlueClaws won the completion of the suspended game, 5-2, and took a seven-inning game two, 2-1. Tyler Townsend notched three hits and two RBIs over the two games in his return from injury.
The two teams resumed the suspended game from Thursday night in the top of the third. Lakewood took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Leandro Castro and Jonathan Singleton connected on back-to-back singles. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Sebastian Valle delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to center field.
The ‘Birds tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth. Steve Bumbry blasted a lead off double to right field. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a bounce out to first off the bat of Tyler Townsend.
The BlueClaws scored three runs in the sixth inning to build a 4-1 lead. Anthony Hewitt, Stephen Batts and Alan Shoenberger each recorded RBI hits as eight batters came to the plate.
The Shorebirds were unable to recover as Jonathan Pettibone tossed six strong innings to earn the win. He allowed just two hits and two runs. Pat Kantakevich was pinned with the loss in three innings. He surrendered eight hits and four runs.
In game two of the day, Nate Moreau and Josh Zeid were locked in a pitcher’s duel for the first three innings. Josh Zeid went through the third and allowed one hit and no runs. He struck out five. Nate Moreau held the BlueClaws hitless through four and tied his career high with nine strikeouts in six strong innings.
The BlueClaws finally deciphered Moreau in the fifth inning. Three consecutive hits produced the lone two runs for Lakewood. Stephen Batts hit an RBI single up the middle while Jiwan James doubled down the left field line.
The ‘Birds plated their only run in the sixth inning. Brian Conley led off with a flare double down the left field line. He advanced to third on a ground out to first by Ty Kelly and scored on a grounder to short by Tyler Townsend.
Eric Massingham earned the win in three stellar innings on the hill. He gave up just two hits and a run. Nate Moreau was pinned with the loss.
The Shorebirds return to action on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Kenny Moreland will make the start for the Shorebirds.
Salisbury, Md. – The Lakewood BlueClaws produced two big innings on Friday night to take two games from the Delmarva Shorebirds at Perdue Stadium to begin the second half. The Shorebirds have dropped three straight dating back to the end of the first half.
The BlueClaws won the completion of the suspended game, 5-2, and took a seven-inning game two, 2-1. Tyler Townsend notched three hits and two RBIs over the two games in his return from injury.
The two teams resumed the suspended game from Thursday night in the top of the third. Lakewood took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Leandro Castro and Jonathan Singleton connected on back-to-back singles. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Sebastian Valle delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to center field.
The ‘Birds tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth. Steve Bumbry blasted a lead off double to right field. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a bounce out to first off the bat of Tyler Townsend.
The BlueClaws scored three runs in the sixth inning to build a 4-1 lead. Anthony Hewitt, Stephen Batts and Alan Shoenberger each recorded RBI hits as eight batters came to the plate.
The Shorebirds were unable to recover as Jonathan Pettibone tossed six strong innings to earn the win. He allowed just two hits and two runs. Pat Kantakevich was pinned with the loss in three innings. He surrendered eight hits and four runs.
In game two of the day, Nate Moreau and Josh Zeid were locked in a pitcher’s duel for the first three innings. Josh Zeid went through the third and allowed one hit and no runs. He struck out five. Nate Moreau held the BlueClaws hitless through four and tied his career high with nine strikeouts in six strong innings.
The BlueClaws finally deciphered Moreau in the fifth inning. Three consecutive hits produced the lone two runs for Lakewood. Stephen Batts hit an RBI single up the middle while Jiwan James doubled down the left field line.
The ‘Birds plated their only run in the sixth inning. Brian Conley led off with a flare double down the left field line. He advanced to third on a ground out to first by Ty Kelly and scored on a grounder to short by Tyler Townsend.
Eric Massingham earned the win in three stellar innings on the hill. He gave up just two hits and a run. Nate Moreau was pinned with the loss.
The Shorebirds return to action on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Kenny Moreland will make the start for the Shorebirds.
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