Worcester County Liquor Control Board - Who Is To Blame?

Back in 2005 The Worcester County Liquor Control Board sought legislation to signficantly increase their borrowing authority pursuant to HB 91. In essense the Worcester County Liquor Control Board sought to increase their borrowing capability from 3,000,000 dollars to 5,000,000 dollars. The Maryland House Delegates responsbile for implementing this legislation were Bozman, Conway, and Elmore.

That is partially why they were able to purchase and stock the former Pilchard Brothers gigantic warehouse located in Snow Hill, Maryland. But the avenue was being paved back then for their agency to expand dramatically - as is visible today. At that time Wicomico's borrowing authority was $500,000, Somerset $50,000, and Harford County $75,000.

Background: In general most Maryland jurisdictions permit the sale of alcoholic beverages through a three-tier system in which retail alcoholic beverages licensees purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed Maryland wholesalers who purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed manufacturers and import companies. However, in Montgomery, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, the counties operate dispensaries through which they act as the wholesalers for retail alcoholic beverage licensees in their respective districts.

Shortly after HB 91 was sponsored I saw another interesting bill come about - HB 356 It was then that I alerted Worcester County Concerned Citizens group chairman - Joe Coleman - a group who incidentally was almost successful in implementing a Worcester County Tax Cap. They - in turn - alerted the Worcester Liquor Retailers Association who at the 11th hour was able to pursuade their elected officials to withdraw HB 356. HB 356 was sponsored by Delegate Bozman and Delegate Norm Conway.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/billfile/HB0091.htm
http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/billfile/HB0356.htm

Is The Race For Wicomico County States Attorney Over Before It Even Begins?

On December 25th 2009 we provided a Post here on Salisbury News, 11 Year Old Sarah Foxwell Murdered. The below comment was made and when I looked into the relationship between Seth Mitchell and Thomas Leggs, it was confirmed that Seth did in fact represent Thomas Leggs.

"I found 23 counts of sexual offenses and assualt plus a count of domestic assualt on this guy dating back to 1999. In most cases he used W Seth Mitchell as his attorney and Benjamin Ludlow to bond him out. I hope that these two men feel some sort of responsibility for Leggs actions. I was involved in a similar search for a 13yr girl in Oklahoma 1 yr ago with the same results. I know how you all feel...this "sucks". I am orginally from Salisbury and want to extend my thanks to all that helped in the search for Sarah. Please remember the names of at least two of the men that helped cause this girls death."

That being said, how can the citizens of Wicomico County even consider a man for States Attorney when there would be an immediate conflict of interest. Seth couldn't even handle the biggest case in the County's history. Unfortunately, there's no Sam Vincent either.

The other question I personally have is, just why in the hell did Seth even throw his name into the race?

Now that this has been exposed, sit back and watch the MSM, (asleep at the wheel) start providing more in depth information on Mitchell's relationship with Thomas Leggs.

In the mean time, we're still digging for additional information.

In reference to this exact matter, a representative of the Foxwell Family provides the following quote today.

"We can not put the most important case Wicomico County has seen in the hands of a lawyer who has defended the very monster that killed Sarah." Sheriff Mike Lewis said "This case screams for the Death Penalty" The Family went on to say, "and Davis Ruark is the only one that is capable of doing just that."

State Police Probed Home Invasion/ Sexual Assault

Location:
20000 block of Dove Road Seaford, De

DATE and TIME:
Sunday July 11, 2010, 3:40 a.m.

Victim(s):
46 year old female Seaford, De
49 year old male Seaford, De

Suspect(s):
3 black male suspects wearing masks and all black clothing, Haitian or Jamaican accent (no further description available)
Sus-1 is about 5’06”
Sus-2 is about 5’08”
Sus-3 is about 6’00”

Resume:
Delaware State Police is investigating an early morning home invasion/ sexual assault which occurred on Dove Road Seaford, Delaware.

The home invasion occurred around 3:40 a.m. when three black male suspects entered a residence on Dove Road Seaford. State Police believed the suspects may have entered through an unsecured window. Once inside the residence the suspects entered the victim’s room. The 46 year old female victim woke to one of the suspects assaulting her husband. The 49 year old victim was stuck on the head by one of the suspects who possessed a handgun. The male victim had a gun pointed to his head as one of the suspects sexually assaulted his wife.

The suspects then walked the victims throughout their house looking for money. The suspects ransacked the victims residence then led them outside and removed money, cell phones, jewelry, liquor and a laptop from the victim’s cars. After rummaging through the vehicles the suspects fled on foot southbound on Dove Road. The male victim chased the suspects for a short while however lost sight of them.

Delaware State Police K-9 officers responded to the scene and conducted a track for the suspects. The K-9 officer was able to locate an item of clothing belonging to one of the suspects. (Particular item will not currently be disclosed) Attempts to locate the suspects proved unsuccessful. Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 3 black males 5’06”, 5’08” and 6’00” in height, these suspects had dark complexions, wearing mask dressed in all black clothing and also obtaining information related to this crime. The suspects had either Haitian or Jamaican accents.

Callers are asked to call Police with information concerning this crime. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call investigators at 302-856-5850 ext. 224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333

WHY WILL YOU VOTE FOR TOM TAYLOR?

As a non-incumbent, Mr. Taylor is running for Wicomico County Executive.

These rules apply to comments:

1. Only positive statements about the candidate will be posted. Comments that attack the candidate or anyone else will not be posted, and that includes “sneak attacks” – for example: “Because I want higher taxes and more spending.”

2. Long personal accolades will not be posted – the goal is to present the pertinent facts not a facade about the candidates. Short accolades (25 words or less) are OK.

PLEASE: if you do not plan to vote for the candidate, don’t send any comment for this post.

For BP, Multimillion-Dollar Fines Amount To A Day’s Worth Of Profit

OSHA and others have fined BP before, but does that punish a company that makes $2.8 million an hour?

A reader wrote in to point out that too often, the fines that BP has faced for safety and environmental violations over the years are rarely put into proper context: in proportion with profits.

We’ve noted some particularly small penalties [1] paid to offshore drilling regulators specifically, but it’s certainly worth pointing out that even the fines that are touted as being larger—such as the commonly cited $87 million fine [2] from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—hardly make a dent in the company when compared with profits.

GO HERE to read more.

Chase Freezes Long-Time Customer's Accounts With $9.9 Million Overdraft Fee

Chase froze Micah's checking accounts with a $9.9 million overdraft fee after he took the ultra-suspicious step of opening a joint checking account with his girlfriend. Rather than merely freeze the joint checking account, Chase decided to freeze all of Micah's assets until they could verify that their customer of thirteen years was really whom he said he was. Not even a letter from the Social Security Administration, handed to the local Chase branch and sent to Chase's fraud unit could stop Micah's debit card from being canceled. Now Micah has no access to his cash, a $9.9 million charge to his name, and still no joint checking account with his girlfriend.

More »

Old School Boxing Gym Closing

Old School Boxing is typically packed with a number of kids, many who live in foster care and group homes or who have already been in trouble with the law. The kids are learning the art of boxing as they spend their workouts sparring, doing floor exercises and working the punching bags.

The owner of Old School, Buddy Harrison, who is a convicted felon, wants to keep the kids in the gym and off the path that he went down. but the gym is being forced to close its doors by August 1st. It's located at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

"As a kid, I got in a lot of trouble," said Harrison. "I was in the juvenile system and then graduated to adult detention. And that's what gonna happen if we don't find a place."

Harrison says he's been offered grants and promises of help, but nothing has materialized.

An arrangement was made with Rosecroft that gave the school a break on rent, but now he's not sure he can find an affordable alternative that's big enough to serve the double-ring gym. The simple solution would be to raise the membership fees but many of the kids can't even afford to pay the already reduced rate, so they come to the gym for free. Others only pay $50 a month in membership fees.

GO HERE to read more.

No Fiscal Responsibility

The items you see above are either "like new" or "brand new" still in the wrappers. This upset some local politicians. The question, why can't these items be used in the new High School?

While I looked closely at many of the items being sold, I couldn't disagree. If you've ever been in the restaurant business, you know what it costs to purchase stainless steel counters, bowls, trays, you name it. These items were flying out of there for 2 cents on the dollar and they could have been re used in the new High School and probably saved tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to the taxpayers of Maryland.

When it comes to the Board of Education, the sky is the limit. Mr. Fredericksen was nowhere to be found yesterday as many of us would have enjoyed debating him on these issues. However, even Pete Richardson was having a difficult time finding representatives from the BOE to answer questions.

I was quite amazed to see the lack of county council members there to see what was being sold. Perhaps they previewed the items in advance, I don't know. All I know is, some other private schools took advantage of this sale in a big way and good for them.

If It Wasn't Anchored Down, It Was SOLD. Including The Anchor!

Pete Richardson had his work cut out for him yesterday as he auctioned off tens of thousands if items, most of which I call JUNK.

It simply amazed me to watch people buying complete junk. Mind you, there were a few prize items to be had but when I say few, I mean it.

Perhaps it was memorabilia, I don't know. There wasn't much there I would have considered buying but hundreds of people were there to scan through what they had. A friend of mine picked up an upright piano for $5.00. That's was a pretty good deal considering it was in tune and played quite well.

Two guys walked away with an anchor. Where the heck that thing came from, I don't know. It was there, it was for sale, it was sold. Lockers were selling for $12.00 a section, so even if it was nailed down it was sold.

Our next Post will discuss items some local politicians became quite upset over.

Deadly Disease

Subject: Gonorrhea Lectim (deadly disease)
Information about Gonorrhea Lectim

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new
virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called
Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is
a terrible obamanation.

The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior
involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims
contracted it in 2008...but now most people, after having been
infected for the past 1-2 years, are starting to realize how
destructive this sickness is.

It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug
just coming on the market called Votemout. You take the first dose
in 2010 and the second dose in 2012 and simply don't engage in such
behavior again; otherwise, it could become permanent and
eventually wipe out all life as we know it.

Several states are already on top of this, like Virginia, New
Jersey, Utah, West Virginia, and apparently now Massachusetts, with
many more seeing the writing on the wall.

Libyan Aid Ship Won't Change Course-- Heading For Gaza Now

Foreign Ministry announced earlier that organizers of Gaza-bound ship agreed to dock in Egypt rather than violate Gaza naval blockade.

A Libyan aid ship will head to Gaza's port in the coming hours and will not be diverted, Palestinian Legislative Council member Jamal Al-Khudari and Israeli Arab MK Ahmed Tibi told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an on Saturday.

Al-Khudari, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, told Ma'an that he had been in constant contact with the organizers of the ship, who are expected to bring 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza despite an Israeli naval blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.

Earlier Saturday, Israel's Foreign Ministry said that the Moldavian-flagged ship would not dock in Gaza, but would instead dock in Egypt's el-Arish on the coast of the Sinai Peninsula.

According to the ministry, the change in destination was agreed to by the ship's captain. It reportedly followed talks between Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and his Greek and Moldavian counterparts.

The ship - named the "Amalthia" – departed Saturday from the Greek port of Lavrio with 12 crew and 15 activists and supporters on board, and about 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid supplied by the Gadhafi International Charity and Development Association, headed by Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the second-born son of the Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

On Friday, Israel launched a diplomatic move at the United Nations in efforts to enlist the international community to help prevent the Libyan aid ship from sailing to Gaza.

In an official letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Israeli ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev wrote that "Israel calls upon the international community to exert its influence on the government of Libya to demonstrate responsibility and prevent the ship from departing to the Gaza Strip."

Shalev's letter to Ban went on to clarify that "Israel reserves the right under international law to prevent this ship from violating the existing naval blockade on the Gaza Strip."

Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza in 2007 following a bloody Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip. Israel recently eased the terms of the land blockade on the territory, following a deadly raid of a Turkish aid ship, but the naval blockade has so far remained in place.

Here is more>>

Obama to Abbas: I Will Make Every Effort To Ensure Palestinian Statehood

President Barack Obama phoned Mahmoud Abbas on Friday to brief the Palestinian president on the American leader's recent meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and voice his strong support for Abbas' leadership and commitment to peace.

Obama promised Abbas that he would exert every effort to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.

Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh told the Palestinian news agency WAFA following the phone conversation that Abbas expressed his commitment to a serious peace process that would "end the occupation" and result in an independent Palestinian state.

During the conversation, Obama noted the positive momentum generated by recent improvements on the ground in Gaza and in the West Bank, the restraint shown by both Israel and the Palestinians over recent months, and progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks.

More>

Law Sabotages Collective Bargaining In Md. Education

THE NATIONAL Education Association has named Maryland's Martin O'Malley (D) America's greatest education governor. Little wonder. Just days before Mr. O'Malley picked up his award, a new law took effect in Maryland that undercuts local control in collective bargaining by giving a significant new advantage to teachers unions, one they had been seeking for decades.

The Fairness in Negotiations Act attracted little attention when it was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law in May by the governor. But it has major implications for school labor contracts, and they are not positive. The measure, which took effect July 1, strips the Maryland State Board of Education of authority to resolve labor disputes between local school boards and unions representing school employees. Instead it creates a Public School Labor Relations Board, which will consist of two members nominated by unions, two members recommended by school boards and superintendents and a fifth to be independent but with experience in labor relations. The Maryland State Education Association, the NEA affiliate that represents employees in 23 of the state's 24 school districts, ardently sought the change, framing it as an issue of fairness to employees working in kindergarten through 12th grade.

This new board's decisions on wages, benefits and even what matters can be collectively bargained will be binding. That is a power that the state education board never had in resolving disputes. Local school boards and counties, which opposed the bill, are right to worry that binding awards could force counties to accept contracts they can't afford.

Maryland, as Mr. O'Malley likes to boast, leads the nation in education. Part of the equation for success was a system for resolving labor issues that asked the question "what is best for education" and not "what is right for labor." As it happens, the system resulted in Maryland teachers being among the most highly compensated in the nation, which is a good thing; teachers should be highly compensated. But their compensation must be affordable, too.

GO HERE to read more.

Dashcam Footage Of Officer Being Shot

GO HERE to view video.

Obama Spoils For Immigration Fight

When President Barack Obama could have passed comprehensive immigration reform, when he still had 60 Senate Democrats, he didn't lift a finger to push it.

Now that he can't pass it — it is too late in the year, he doesn't have 60 votes, and many Democrats will defect — he aggressively pushes it in a national speech.

The opportunism and hypocrisy of his attempt to manipulate America's Latinos into forgetting his previous inaction is transparent and obvious.

Polls show him losing Hispanics because of high and continuing unemployment and losing congressional seats in the bargain, so Obama has dug up the immigration proposals of former President George W. Bush, dusted them off, and made them his own.

He knows the proposal won't pass. But he hopes that it will reignite Latino enthusiasm for his failing presidency and anger at Republicans for frustrating immigration reform.

In the process, Obama is neglecting the real answer to immigration. It is ridiculous to speak of sealing the border. A border of more than 1,500 miles can't be sealed. It can't even be controlled. As long as people want to cross, they will be able to get over. Some won't make it. They will just keep trying until they do.

GO HERE to read more.

Caption This Photo

Helping Local Schools!!!!

Vote Now!

We're donating $500K to 20 schools each for a total of $10M. Your school could win. Click the Kohl's Cares tab on our Facebook page to vote today!

http://www.facebook.com/kohls

Health Care Rationing Headed Your Way

Click on image to enlarge.

Oasis Truck Stop Robber Apprehended

Location:
30759 Sussex Highway (Oasis Travel Plaza) Laurel, De

DATE and TIME:
Friday July 2, 2010 12:46 p.m.

Victim(s):
63 year old male Laurel, De

Defendant(s):
Dontrez L. Archer-21, 100 block Pennsylvania Ave. Delmar, De

Charge(s) and Bond Information:
Robbery First Degree
Archer was remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $10,000 secured bond.

Resume:
Delaware State Police Friday July 2, 2010 investigated a robbery in the parking lot of the Oasis Travel Plaza 30759 Sussex Highway Laurel, Delaware.

The robbery occurred around 12:46 p.m. when a black male later determined to be Dontrez L. Archer of Delmar, Delaware approached a 63 year old male victim from Laurel. The victim was seated in the passenger side of his friend’s truck who was inside the travel plaza. Archer asked the victim if he could use his cellular phone. The victim was counting money when Archer approached. As the victim placed his money under his leg Archer reached inside the vehicle and grabbed the victim’s money. Archer fled the scene to an unknown destination. The victim was not injured.

Delaware State Police Evidence Detection Unit responded to the robbery scene and was able to lift several latent prints from the side of the vehicle. Delaware State Police Bureau of Identification returned results of the prints as those of Archer. Friday July 9, 2010 Archer was arrested for Robbery 1st degree for his role in the July 2, 2010 robbery.

Working Families And Labor To Move Maryland Forward

O'Malley, Brown to Join Dozens of Labor Leaders, Supporters Outside Government House; Continue Making Progress in Tough Times

Annapolis, MD (July 10, 2010) -- On Monday, July 12, Martin O'Malley and Anthony Brown will join with Maryland's working families and labor leaders outside of Government House to move Maryland forward.

Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown will join with labor leaders from around the State including the UA Plumbers and Steamfitters, Washington Building Trades, UFCW 400 and the Letter Carriers to continue making progress in tough times.

The Governor and Lt. Governor are meeting with labor leaders on the same day the O'Malley-Brown campaign begins airing the first TV ad of the campaign, "Tough Choices."

"Tough Choices" focuses on the leadership Governor O'Malley has shown in protecting the priorities of Maryland's working families during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression - including record investments in our schools, tax credits for small businesses, a partnership at the Port of Baltimore to create 5,700 new jobs, and his efforts to cut government spending by $5.6 billion.

Who: Governor O'Malley, Lt. Governor Brown to Join Labor Leaders Outside Government House on Lawyer's Mall

When: Monday, July 12, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Lawyers Mall Annapolis, MD

JAMES’ SINGLE IN TENTH LIFTS BLUECLAWS TO 3-2 WIN

Steve Bumbry Hits Second Homer of the Season

Salisbury, Md. – Jiwan James knocked a single up the middle and Alan Shoenberger scored the winning run from second in the bottom of the tenth inning as Lakewood defeated Delmarva 3-2 at FirstEnergy Park on Saturday night. Steve Bumbry was the lone Shorebirds player with multiple hits.

Lakewood took an early lead in the first inning. Jonathan Villar hit a lead off single. Then, on a chopper to first by Jiwan James, T.J. Baxter sailed the throw to second into left-center to put runners at second and third. Leandro Castro followed with an RBI groundout to second. Jonathan Singleton hit a ground ball to first to score James.

Shorebirds starter Bobby Bundy did not allow a run in his final five innings on the hill. The right-hander allowed just two hits in six innings. Both runs in the first went unearned.

In the fifth inning, the Shorebirds trimmed the lead to one. Steve Bumbry ripped a double down the right field line. Justin Dalles then dropped a single into shallow right field to advance Bumbry to third. Two batters later, Gary Helmick hit a high chopper over the mound to score Bumbry.

The Shorebirds knotted the game at 2-2 in the seventh. With two outs, Bumbry hit a towering homer to right field. It was his second home run of the season and first since June 6.

Lakewood walked off with a win in the tenth inning. Alan Shoenberger hit a one out single through the right side of the infield. He reached second on a groundout to first by Jonathan Villar. The next batter, Jiwan James, hit a line drive single up the middle to score Shoenberger.

The Shorebirds are now 4-6 in extra inning games.

James Brandhorst tossed two scoreless innings while Josh Dowdy was pinned with the loss in 1.2 innings.

Lakewood reliever Luke Wertz earned the win in two scoreless innings.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws play game two of the series on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m. RHP Matt Hobgood makes the start.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/10 @ Lakewood

PREVIEW: The Shorebirds look to grab the upper hand in game three of the series against Lakewood. Delmarva led 3-2 on a homer by Ty Kelly in the top of the eighth. Lakewood responded with two runs in the home half of the eighth, aided by a throwing error and a wild pitch to take the lead last night.

62 GAMES: Ty Kelly hit his first homer last night in 62 games. His last home run came on April 25 against the Hagerstown Suns. All three of his home runs have come on the road.

16 RUNS IN LAST SIX: The Shorebirds have plated only 16 runs in their last six games (2.67). In 10 games against Lakewood, the ‘Birds have scored only 36 runs.

A POWER STROKE: In the ninth inning of game one, Garabez Rosa belted his first home run since April 20th and his second of the season. He went 65 games without a homer until last night. He also went 226 at-bats without a home run. The Higuey, DR native hit six home runs in 64 games last season for Aberdeen.

LOCAL PRODUCT BAXTER ACTIVATED: On Thursday afternoon, T.J. Baxter was activated off the Disabled List while Mikey Planeta was placed on the DL. Baxter played his high school baseball at nearby Toms River East. In 2004, he was the Ocean County Player of the Year and he was also the Offensive Player of the Year in the Shore Conference.