Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

OCEAN CITY POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH BICYCLIST

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at approximately 9:00 a.m., a female, 20, cyclist attempted to cross coastal highway at 45th Street against the traffic light. The bicyclist was originally traveling from the east side of Coastal Highway at which point motorists who were traveling north on Coastal Highway had to avoid the bicycle. The bicyclist made it across the northbound lanes continuing east in front of the south bound lanes of traffic.

The cyclist then abruptly turned back into the eastbound traffic and was struck by an onduty Ocean City Police Officer operating a marked departmental vehicle at 45th Street and Coastal Highway. The officer, who was traveling southbound, and had the right of way, was unable to stop for the bicyclist, who was traveling from east to west.

The initial investigation reveals that the bicyclist was in the crosswalk, however, was crossing against the traffic signal. The bicyclist, who suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision, was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical for treatment. The investigation is ongoing, however, charges are pending.

The Ocean City Police Department reminds visitors and residents to be cautious on and
around Coastal Highway. Pedestrians are urged to use the sidewalks and designated
marked crosswalks. Citizens riding bicycles and/or scooters should ride in the bus lane and they must obey all traffic laws. This includes, obeying all lane markings, stop signs and traffic signals.

Meet The Candidates From District 37B & 37A

District 37A


Dustin Mills


Von Siggers


Rudy Cane



District 37B

Addie Eckardt

COUNCIL MEMBERS CAMPBELL AND COHEN TO HOST PUBLIC INPUT MEETING ON ANTI-CRIME LEGISLATION PACKAGE

The Salisbury 2010 Safe Streets Neighborhood Legislative Package will be the focus of a public input meeting on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m. in council chambers on the third floor of the Government Office Building, located in downtown Salisbury at 125 North Division Street.

Hosted by Salisbury City Council Members Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen, the meeting is open to all members of the public and is structured to encourage an informed community-wide dialog on the seven anti-crime initiatives contained in the package unveiled by Mayor Jim Ireton on August 2. The mayor, all other council members, all city staff and key agencies and institutions have been invited as well.

Council President Louise Smith and Member Shanie Shields have already declined the invitation and were joined by Council Vice President Gary Comegys in refusing the request to use the council chambers’ television capabilities to broadcast the meeting live or tape it for later broadcast to the public. That consensus is required by the Council Regulations and Rules of Order.

“While our colleagues’ response has been disappointing, I remain hopeful that even just one of them will reconsider, which would allow us to televise the meeting and achieve greater public education and transparency,” Campbell said.

“The public, of course, is welcome to bring audio and video recording devices,” Cohen stated, adding, “Sharing the entire meeting with others would be especially helpful to ensure that all comments and information are available in context.”

Citizens having special needs for attending or participating in the meeting are encouraged to contact the city clerk’s office at 410-548-3140 in advance so that efforts for reasonable accommodation can be made. Other questions or comments can be directed to Campbell at 410-860-0893 (debbiescampbell@comcast.net) or to Cohen at 410-845-0296 (Terry@TerryCohen.com), and additional information is available at a website they share, www.OnYourSideSBY.blogspot.com.

Bad Accident In Hebron

There was just a bad accident involving a car and a tractor trailer in Hebron. I received several immediate calls on this accident, all telling me it was really bad.

Then I got an actual phone call from one of the people actually in the accident. It was our very own G.A. Harrison and one of his Son's.

G.A. stated that he was 99% sure they are OK but they are on their way to the Hospital. We'll provide more details as they come in. You can expect delays on Rt. 50 in Hebron.

Phoebus Knocks Out The Competition

Say what you want about all of the Candidates running for State Delegate, John Phoebus is knocking each and every one of them out financially.

John's fundraiser this past weekend did in fact bring in just under $10,000.00. Page Elmore never raised more than $5,000.00 at any one given fundraiser and Phoebus is setting the bar for others to look up to.

John is proving to be the front runner and may just be impossible to catch.

The Government's New Right To Track Your Every Move With GPS

Government agents can sneak onto your property in the middle of the night, put a GPS device on the bottom of your car and keep track of everywhere you go. This doesn't violate your Fourth Amendment rights, because you do not have any reasonable expectation of privacy in your own driveway - and no reasonable expectation that the government isn't tracking your movements.

That is the bizarre - and scary - rule that now applies in California and eight other Western states. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which covers this vast jurisdiction, recently decided the government can monitor you in this way virtually anytime it wants - with no need for a search warrant.

It is a dangerous decision - one that, as the dissenting judges warned, could turn America into the sort of totalitarian state imagined by George Orwell. It is particularly offensive because the judges added insult to injury with some shocking class bias: the little personal privacy that still exists, the court suggested, should belong mainly to the rich.

Read more here

PUBLIC FORUM OF CANDIDATES FOR STATE’S ATTORNEY OF WICOMICO COUNTY

THE WICOMICO NEIGHBORHOOD CONGRESS, INC.
P.O. Box 145 * Sharptown, MD 21861


Sponsors a

PUBLIC FORUM OF CANDIDATES FOR
STATE’S ATTORNEY OF WICOMICO COUNTY


on

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 at 7:00 PM

In the
Bradford Activity Room at the New
MAC, INC. SENIOR SERVICES FACILITY

Adjacent to the Holly Center on Snow Hill Road

CANDIDATES FOR STATE’S ATTORNEY:

Matthew A. Maciarello
W. Seth Mitchell
Davis R. Ruark


TO BE INTERROGATED BY A DISTINGUISHED PANEL:

Joe Albero – Publisher, The Salisbury News
Sharahn Boykin -- Staff Writer, The Daily Times
Dr. Haven Simmons, SU Professor of Communications
George Strott – Prominent Salisbury Attorney


Moderated by Dr. Fran Kane – Co-Founder, PACE at Salisbury University

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, NAVY SECRETARY MABUS, EPA ADMINISTRATOR JACKSON MEET TO STRENGTHEN BAY RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP

Navy, Army and Air Force Representatives to work with Maryland officials to develop and implement water quality initiatives on military installations

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 25, 2010)
– Governor Martin O’Malley met today with U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Maryland’s Military Base Commanders to explore strategies to better engage Maryland’s military installations as full partners in the State’s Bay Restoration efforts. At the meeting, held on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Governor O’Malley outlined his vision for enhancing collaboration, tracking military efforts through BayStat, and making technical assistance from the State available to the bases.

“We are encouraged by President Obama’s new Executive Order Strategy, which calls for an unprecedented level of federal cooperation and leadership for the Chesapeake Bay, and significantly raises expectations for success,” said Governor O’Malley, addressing a group of State and federal stakeholders. “Strengthening our partnership with Maryland’s military bases, capturing the good work being done and identifying opportunities to leverage our shared capabilities, will strengthen our ability to meet our restoration milestones.”

Military lands comprise 1.3 percent of the total lands in Maryland -- approximately 77,900 acres out of a total of 5.9 million acres. A full 33% of those military installations lie within the Critical Area, including the Naval Academy.

“The goal to protect and restore the environment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed was put in place last year by President Obama, and recognizes the importance of the bay to our nation,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who is the Department of Defense Lead for the Lead Chesapeake Bay Executive Order. “The health of the Chesapeake depends on strong partnerships between all of the bay's stakeholders, and in particular the states which boarder the region. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the State of Maryland to ensure that the military's presence on the bay is in accordance with environmental and clean water standards, and that we strive to make the Chesapeake Bay clean and hospitable."

“To clean up the Chesapeake Bay, we must first lead by example. This begins with reducing water pollution from federal facilities and lands in the region,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “At EPA, we're working with our federal, state and local partners, including the Department of Defense, to meet and surpass our goals and ensure clean water for communities throughout Maryland and the region.”

Following a meeting of the principals, more than 50 State and Department of Defense officials participated in a two-hour work session to identify opportunities for future collaboration. These include upgrading wastewater treatment plants, addressing stormwater runoff from existing and new development and creating natural filters such as wetlands and reforestation on the military based located throughout Maryland. Moving forward, the State hopes to provide technical assistance for designing and implementing best management practices, help identify restoration opportunities, participate in joint federal/state implementation teams and assist in securing new federal funding for implementing these practices.

“Our ultimate goal is to work with our federa; partners to set specific, attainable goals, identifying new implementation opportunities, and get these practices in place,” said Governor O’Malley. “President Obama’s willingness to engage as a true federal partner in this effort is unprecedented, and its our obligation to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to fulfill our Bay restoration goals.”

Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, the State of Maryland developed BayStat, an innovative online tool to track and target Maryland’s Bay restoration progress and keep citizens informed. Maryland is currently on track to meet its first set of 2-year Bay restoration milestones, short term goals developed by the Governor and his BayStat team to increase on the ground action and accountability.

"Joe,

I find it highly unusual that Candace R. Pianka is still listed as a teacher on East Salisbury Elementary website after her arrest for allegedly molesting her own daughter."


http://sbynews.blogspot.com/search?q=Pianka

http://www.wcboe.org/schools/ese/grade/Fourth_Grade

Armed Robbery Berlin / Worcester County

Date & Time: 08/25/2010 @ 0105 A.M.
Case #:10-0185
Location Occurred: Shore Stop, 11121 Racetrack Rd., Worcester County, Maryland
Crime or Violation: Armed Robbery
Victim: Shore Stop
Accused: Unknown

Narrative:

On 08/25/2010
at 0105 Hrs, investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of
Investigation responded to the Shore Stop in Ocean Pines, Worcester County,
Maryland to investigate an armed robbery.

Investigation revealed that there were two suspects involved in the robbery.

Suspect #1 is described as a black male with a black shirt, dark blue jeans,
boots, and a black ski mask.
The suspect also displayed an unknown type black semi-automatic handgun.

Suspect #2 is described as a black male with a black shirt and light blue
jeans. He was also wearing a black ski mask. The suspects then fled the scene
with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
Investigators are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects and
if anyone has information regarding the robbery,
contact the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410-352-3476 or Trooper
First Class Clark at 443-783-0444.

Suspect #1 Black male, late teens-early twenties, 5’7” – 5’9”, medium build,
black shirt, dark blue jeans, black face mask, and brown boots

Suspect #2 Black male, 5’7” – 5’9”, small build, black shirt, black face mask,
light blue jeans

Break In At GOP Headquarters

"Joe,

Didn't know if you knew any info about the break in last night. When my daughter left work at Chipotle early this a.m. she noticed the break in and police were notified. She stayed until the police arrived and they stated it appeared as if they may have been looking to take something since the back door was open. It didn't appear to be just a hate throw a brick through a door situation. Anyone hear what they took, if anything? Are voter registration forms kept there? Today was the deadline to register if you want to vote so it concerned me that maybe the two were linked. My daughter for one just registered there last week upon turning 18. I would hate to think her personal info could be in the hands of someone. Would really like to hear more about this.

Concerned Citizen"

RESPONSE TO GULYAS SMALL CLAIM

On Monday, August 23, 2010, Beau H. Oglesby was contacted by a member of the press advising that a small claim had been filed against him by Thom Gulyas. Mr. Oglesby has not seen the lawsuit and so can only speculate as to the details of allegations, but released the following statement:

In the Fall of 2006, Thom Gulyas was a big supporter of Beau Oglesby’s campaign for State’s Attorney. As such, he convinced Oglesby to use his services for a direct mailing in the closing days of the campaign. Gulyas was told to limit the scope of the mailing to that which would be covered by the balance in Oglesby’s campaign account. However, Gulyas insisted on expanding the coverage of the mailing, agreeing that his estimated $6000 in additional printing and mailing cost would be viewed as a campaign contribution from his wife and him. Nevertheless, over a year after the campaign had ended and the campaign account had been closed, Gulyas contacted Oglesby and requested additional payment for the work that had been contributed.

“Thom and Belinda made a generous donation to my campaign, and I was shocked to learn that a year later he was asking for his donation back, in effect. Despite our prior agreement which created no legal obligation to repay the additional money, I decided that I would refund his donation from my new account as soon as it became active. Despite the fact that the statute of limitations had already passed, a fact that Thom and I had discussed, I made a $2000 payment in July of 2010 after my first fundraiser for my new campaign account.

“Now that Thom has publicly endorsed my opponent, the timing of this frivolous lawsuit just 2 months before the election, a lawsuit that he knows is barred by the statute of limitations, speaks for itself.

“When all of the facts are made known, I believe the lawsuit will be dismissed whenever it goes to court. In the meantime, I will continue to focus my campaign in a positive direction.”

What The Double Dip Recession Will Look Like

“Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy has yet to hit bottom, a sharply higher percentage than the 53% who felt that way in January,” according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll.


A growing and vocal minority of economists believes that there will be a double dip recession primarily because of the intransigence of high unemployment and the rapidly faltering housing market. The notion of a “jobless recovery” has been around since the recessions of the 1950s and 1960s. It is a concept built on a relatively simple idea: employment lags during a recession but it is always part of a recovery cycle. Production rises as businesses see the end of a downturn and anticipate improving sales. They are reluctant to hire new workers until the recovery is confirmed, but once it has been, hiring picks up.


The 2008 – 2009 recession was – if it is indeed over – different from any other because of its depth and causes. The first trigger was the drop in housing prices, which robbed many people of their primary access to capital. As that access disappeared, so did the availability of credit. Consumer buying power evaporated and business cut inventory and production. Joblessness rose. Finally, consumer confidence plunged.


The last downturn was so great that in some months more than 500,000 people lost jobs. The unemployment rolls are now more than 8 million, and perhaps more gravely, over 1.4 million people have been out of work for over 99 weeks – which means they are no longer eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. This segment of the population has already begun to add to the number of indigent Americans and will continue to do so unless they can find homes with friends and family.


The second dip of the recession that ended in 2009, according to economists and the federal government, is likely to begin within the next two quarters.

Read more: What the Double Dip Recession Will Look Like - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2010/08/13/what-the-double-dip-recession-will-look-like/#ixzz0xcafXEYO


Read more: What the Double Dip Recession Will Look Like - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2010/08/13/what-the-double-dip-recession-will-look-like/#ixzz0xca6nkni

Louise Smith Needs To Cut The Crap


OK forgive me, folks. Even as busy as I am with everything I’m covering, and you know I’m busy doing what I do for you, I can’t get over Louise Smith’s unbelievable bull at Monday night’s Salisbury City Council meeting.

Let me explain just why this bothers me so much.

Louise, and Shanie Shields too, went on and on at that meeting about how they were left out of writing the crime legislation Mayor Jim Ireton proposed, how it was just two council members (Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen), the mayor, two attorneys and some staff. That’s what she said.

You know what, Louise? Tough!!!

I worked on your Doverdale and Church Street Cleanups. Remember those, called “President Smith’s Cleanup Campaign”? Don’t get me wrong. I at first thought it was a nice thing to do, so I even pitched in personally, carried garbage for you and gave it coverage.

But you put out a general invitation for everyone to join you in picking up trash, much like Jim Ireton’s invitation for anyone – ANYONE! – interested to join the Crime Task Force. (That means SAPOA, Stu Leer, ANYONE.) Did you join? NO! You and Shanie Shields ganged up with the Daily Times to put Terry Cohen down for joining, as if what she did was a CRIME!

What I want to know, Louise, is did you PERSONALLY INVITE any other council members, especially Debbie Campbell or Terry Cohen, to join you in the PLANNING of those cleanups? No, you did not, as far as I know. AND you got TOTAL support for those cleanups from Barrie Tilghman AND Jim Ireton.

How much did those cleanups (in which you gave up on them, I might add) cost the city taxpayers (like me) to do? I’d like to know the price tag on that whole FAILED campaign since you want to talk about the price tag on writing six or seven pieces of legislation.

How about that contract for the Bricks project you signed, Louise? Did you let the council know you were signing it when you didn’t even have them vote to move the project forward? Well, we certainly know TWO council members you didn’t tell, don’t we, Louise? What’s the price tag on that, Louise? Nearly $2 million in state tax dollars, Louise.

That double-digit tax increase you and Shanie Shields supported your first year on council was “crafted,” “drafted” or “whatever” by Gary Comegys in private with the help of Finance Director Pam Oland. Did you and Shanie know that was going on? You didn’t invite Debbie Campbell or Terry Cohen to join in, did you, Louise? Oh, that’s right, you rejected every compromise they offered! If I recall, you praised Gary to the ceiling for his hard work on that double-digit tax increase budget.

So, cut the “I’m so disrespected” crap, Louise, you and Shanie both. You’re just mad because someone other than you or your allies is doing something good for Salisbury and YOU CAN’T STAND seeing anyone else get credit for that. It’s just that plain and simple. You would rather lick your ego wounds in public and play victim than do what’s good for the city. Your whining is just plain hypocritical, just see my examples above.

If you were ANY kind of decent leader, Louise Smith, you’d give credit where credit is due, no matter who it is, as I have often done for you. But you don’t and you won’t. Heaven forbid you should share the spotlight with Debbie or Terry EVER when all they’re trying to do is find ways to keep people safe. Jim Ireton may not have invited you to this party, but as I said he supported “your” cleanups all the way. And here you can’t even give his crime legislation the time of day, in which it is your job to do!

So I’m here to say, CUT THE CRAP, Louise Smith, and DO YOUR JOB!

And P.S.: YOU’VE BEEN BLOGGED!

Salisbury Hangs Its Head In Shame

Monday night Salisbury citizens had an opportunity to see one of the saddest displays on record.  Salisbury councilwomen Louise Smith and Shanie Shields proved to be living arguments for a drastic restriction of the franchise.  Not only are these two women unfit to hold public office, they are unfit to vote for others!

Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton has proposed a comprehensive crime package.  I have not read the entire piece of proposed legislation but there are already several areas where I disagree with my friend the Mayor.  That said, the package deserves a public hearing.  Smith and Shields refuse to allow such a hearing.  If that weren’t bad enough, there reasoning (if one can call it that) is embarrassing (to put it kindly).

Smith demands public input “from all stakeholders”.  On this, she is correct.  One of Ireton’s greatest mistakes as mayor, and there have been quite a few, has been his refusal to meet with representatives of the SAPOA (the slumlords’ guild).  However, this isn’t about that.  Even if Ireton had done this Smith would not want to bring it forward.  I’m not aware of Smith demanding that “stakeholders” be given a seat at the table for any legislation.  The only stakeholder she seems to be concerned about is SAPOA.

Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen are hosting a public forum on the issue on September 15th.  There will be an opportunity for SAPOA to have its say then.  Smith also wants a “Task Force”.  That is simply another delaying tactic.  Smith’s true intentions are proven by her refusal to allow the September 15th forum to be televised on PAC-14.  Hopefully there will be someone there to record for later broadcast on PAC-14.  I can only guess what Louise’s rants will sound like then.

Mrs. Shields is the more embarrassing of the two (an admittedly tough call).  She was adamant that she would not support this legislation.  Unsurprising since her vote is bought and paid for by SAPOA.  To add insult to ignorance, she played the race card on Monday night.  I was also amused that Shields now fancies herself a constitutional scholar.

Both Smith and Shields showed their complete ignorance of the council’s own rules and the legislative process.  Ms. Cohen asked that Ireton’s package be put on a work session agenda for October.  Their argument was that they wanted to be able to craft their own legislation with additional input.  That would be fair on something as sweeping on Ireton’s proposal.  However, their refusal to allow this to go to work session shows that they simply want to kill any bill that may impede the wishes of SAPOA.

The mayor put forward legislation.  Council should then carry it to a work session and discuss it.  If Smith and Shields want public input, they could then schedule one or more public forums (or fora, if you choose).  Some of us might even be willing to forgive the fact that Smith has never been worried about such input before.  To appease Ms. Shields, at least one of the forums could be held over at the firehouse so that here constituents don’t have to make that long trek across the river.  Personally, I’d be very interested to see how many folk show up at such a forum on the west side and then hear Shanie’s new excuses for not supporting it.  These things could be taken care of in less than a month!  If Campbell and Cohen refused to agree to a series of input sessions (no more than four), then the responsibility for this would fall on their shoulders.

It doesn’t really matter though.  The bottom line is that this whole thing will never pass.  Louise’s ego has been bruised; plus she is counting on heavy slumlord support to help her overcome her tax hiking, big spending, cop furloughing, deceitful image in a re-election bid.  Shanie is already owned – lock, stock, and residence – by SAPOA.

To see two of Salisbury’s dimmest minds in action, I heartily recommend the following videos:

Salisbury Council I

Salisbury Council II

Salisbury Council III

Salisbury Council IV

Salisbury Council V

Enjoy them.  If you live in Salisbury, feel sorry that you have two such minds on your city council; and remember, you can get rid of Louise and Gary Comegys (if he chooses to stand for re-election) next spring.

U.S. Visa Violators Unlikely To Be Fingered

The Department of Homeland Security is not expected to implement a congressionally mandated program that would confirm the departure of foreign visitors from the United States through electronic fingerprint scans — a so-called biometric exit system.

Two department officials, who asked not to be named because the matter involves internal deliberations, told The Washington Times that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will discuss options about the system at a special meeting Wednesday. But the officials said Ms. Napolitano is strongly leaning toward an exit-control system based on gathering the names of departing foreigners, rather than their fingerprints — an option known as a biographical solution.

Abandoning plans for biometric exit would require Congress to reverse repeated legislative mandates for such a system, designed by lawmakers to solve one of the thorniest problems in immigration control and enforcement: knowing whether foreign visitors are leaving the country when they should.

Those who remain after their visas expire represent as much as 40 percent of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and many lawmakers see exit controls as an essential component of any effort to restore integrity to the troubled immigration system.

There is no comprehensive departure control at U.S. land border crossings, and no real planning for any — although Homeland Security is piloting a biometric exit system for certain classes of temporary agricultural worker visa holders at two southern border crossing points this year.

More

Caption This Photo


56-Year-Old Chimp Gives Birth At Zoo In Kansas

Suzie may be oldest known chimpanzee to give birth in captivity

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A 56-year-old chimpanzee has surprised officials at a zoo in northeast Kansas by giving birth.

Officials at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan announced Monday that Suzie the chimp gave birth to a female on Aug. 18 and that the mother and baby are in good health.

Zoo director Scott Shoemaker says Suzie was taken off birth control because of medical concerns — and because zoo officials didn't think she would get pregnant at her age.

Zoo curator Mark Ryan says he hasn't heard of any older chimpanzee who has given birth anywhere in the country.

GO HERE to read more.

Race To The Top Reforms Won’t Be Easy To Implement, Particularly Teacher Evaluations


The federal education department gave Maryland a $250 million grant Tuesday to implement school reforms designed to improve the performance of both students and teachers.


But a testy exchange between school superintendents and representatives of the teachers union on Saturday showed that actually putting the changes in place may be contentious and difficult to achieve, particularly new standards for evaluating teachers.


“I worry that teachers will be evaluated for factors beyond their control,” said Betty Weller, vice president of the Maryland State Education Association. Once a new measure is developed for judging how teachers perform, “let’s make sure it’s not used in a punitive manner. … I don’t think it should be held as a sledgehammer over teachers.”

Credit Card Interest Rates Hit 9-Year High. Thanks, CARD Act!

Average interest rates have hit a new 9-year high of 14.7%, and we have credit card reform to thank for that. Por-kay? Unable to keep soaking you on the backend with hidden fees, tricks, and traps, issuers now have to push their profit-taking to the fore.

More »

Tips On Tipping Everyone From Your Pizza Guy To Your Sherpa

We all that know that tipping your waiter 15-20% is the standard (though some of you will surely disagree) or that you usually throw the pizza guy at least a couple bucks, especially if he braves flood waters to deliver your order. But what about your tattoo artist, or your salmon fishing guide or your sherpa?

More »

Burglary - Beauchamp Rd. Berlin

Date & Time: March 5, 2010 Case #: 10-0182
Location Occurred: Dolly Circle, Berlin, MD (area of Ocean Pines)
Crime or Violation: Burglary
Victim: N/A
Charges: N/A

Narrative:


On Monday, August 23, 2010, at approximately 1530 hours, Officers from the Maryland State Police, Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Ocean Pines Police Dept responded to Dolly Circle, Berlin, MD in reference to a Burglary.

Upon their arrival, they determined that the suspects had forced entry into the
residence and had since fled the area.Several Police K-9 Units were called to conduct a track in an attempt to locate the suspects.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation was contacted and Detectives
responded along with a Forensic Investigator.

The victims were debriefed and the residence and surrounding area was processed
for potential latent evidence.

The home involved in this crime is situated along side of Beauchamp Road,
between River Run and Whitehorse Trailer park and is visible from both lanes of
traffic.

The burglary occurred between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00 PM and the suspect(s)
may have used a vehicle, which was believed to have been parked in the front
grassy area of the residence along Beauchamp Rd.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations is asking from the public, if they
were traveling along Beauchamp Rd during this time and may have seen something
suspicious to please contact the WCBI investigator, Det. Kagan, at 443-783-5227 or WCBI at (410) 352-3476.

Lame Duck Scare For Union Pension Bailout

New rules expected from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are causing massive heartburn for Big Labor and fueling a new backroom push in Congress for a taxpayer bailout of underwater union pensions.
With nine Republican co-sponsors of the House bill, Big Labor is pushing for passage during a lame duck session after the November elections.
The proposed FASB rules would require a company to report as a liability on its books the amount of the withdrawal penalty from its union multiemployer pension plan.
The penalties are pricey. One of the largest of these multiemployer funds, Central States Funds, is in such bad shape that UPS paid a $6.1 billion penalty to extricate itself from employee participation in the fund.
The current unreported liability has long been cause for concern as in some cases the amount of the withdrawal penalty exceeds the value of company assets.
A bill introduced by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and a bill from Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) in the House, would for the first time put taxpayers on the hook for these underwater union pension plans.
The union multiemployer pension distress was not caused by the recent economic woes but by mismanagement. The economic downturn has only exacerbated the problem.
The proposed bailout would create a new fund at the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC). The PBGC is a government entity currently using premiums paid by private pension funds to insure a minimum pension benefit guarantee ($12,870 annually) to participants should a plan become insolvent. The PBGC itself already sports a reported $21 billion deficit.
The Casey and Pomeroy bills would inaugurate the use of taxpayer dollars to guarantee the minimum benefits -- which Casey’s bill ups to $21,000 annually -- creating incentives for the multiemployer union pension fund trustees to dump the plans on taxpayers.
Moody’s Investors Service estimates a whopping $167 billion price tag for these underfunded union pensions.
As previously reported on HUMAN EVENTS, the multiemployer plans were designed to let union members move from union job to union job and keep the same pension plan. But if a company participating in the plan as part of its collective bargaining agreement were to go bankrupt, the other participating companies in the plan are forced to fully fund these Cadillac union pensions.
The vested members with no participating company are called “orphans.” The Casey bill seeks to partition out these “orphaned” union members, putting taxpayers on the hook for the retirement benefit funding.
The proposed FASB rules bring new Big Labor-backed bailout urgency to the situation and a new co-sponsor to the Casey bill: Senate Democrat Whip Dick Durbin.
The Senate bill has no Republican co-sponsors but the House bill has nine:
Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio), Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), John Linder (R-Ga.), Tim Murphy (R-Penn.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.).
Brett McMahon of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national trade association, told HUMAN EVENTS the bailout would provide a disastrous drain on the public treasury.
“There is nothing stopping a union from demanding all form of benefits knowing that at the end of the line the person actually paying it is the U.S. taxpayer,” McMahon warned.
We've already seen that formula in the government union pensions in states like California.
McMahon also cautioned that the Casey bill does not offer a one-time bailout but a new, taxpayer-funded entitlement with no set time limit.
“Most bailouts have a dollar figure attached, this much money over this period of time,” McMahon said. “That’s not the case here. It’s as much money as needed to solve the problem -- which is the definition of an entitlement program.”
The failed, Big Labor multiemployer Ponzi-scheme would continue in the shadows funded by a taxpayer guarantee as the high-dollar benefits are touted to bring in new union members.
YRC Worldwide Trucking is a Teamster shop and part of the troubled Central States Fund that saw its assets shrink by 25% in 2007 -- well before the financial meltdown. In 2009, YRC sought over $1 billion in pension bailouts. McMahon says the union pension rules haven’t changed since YRC was purchased and bought up all its competition.
“The multiemployer pension withdrawal penalty was the rule in 1980, in 1990, in 2000 and it’s the rule today,” McMahon said. “These companies have had 30 years to do something about this.”
The new FASB rules will expose the extent of underfunded pensions.
“The amount of information available on union pension plans is so slim,” McMahon said. “There is no question the new FASB rules would have an impact. All they’re really doing is recognizing the liability that has existed for a long time.”
The comment period for the new FASB accounting rules was extended by one month last week to September 20.
Congress returns the week after Labor Day.

A Little Help For Senator Andy Harris

The House Conservatives Fund has endorsed a slate of 21 candidates. One of them is Maryland's First District candidate, Dr. Andy Harris. The fund has launched an online poll competition allowing people to vote for their favorite conservative on the slate. The winner will receive a $5,000 donation from the Fund. The Harris campaign could make good use of this additional contribution from the fund.

Please blast this out to everyone you know (supporters, friends, family) and get as many votes as possible for Andy. Make it your Facebook status, put it at the bottom of all your emails, tell people in the grocery store, whatever you can do! You don't have to be a Marylander to vote for Andy.

To vote, click http://houseconservatives.com/candidatevote.php. The contest ends September 6th.

Scrutiny Grows As U.S. Pays Staffers' Student Loans

WASHINGTON -- Congress and federal agencies are expected to spend as much as $60 million in fiscal 2009 on a little-known taxpayer-funded perk: repaying government employees' college loans.

Paying off staffers' old student loans is rare in the private sector. And while total spending on the benefit in the federal government remains relatively small, it has multiplied since the program began seven years ago, according to federal records and government officials.

Mike Orenstein, spokesman for the Office of Personnel Management, which handles human-resources policy for the federal government, said the repayment program was adopted across all agencies in the 2002 fiscal year amid competition for professionals at the time. Now, he said, "agencies need to review their staffing levels, their overall needs and resources, and determine whether or not it makes sense to use this program at the current time."

GO HERE to read more.

Monday Night City Council Meeting









STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO BREAK GROUND FOR NEW HAGERSTOWN BARRACK

(Hagerstown, MD) – Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan and Department of General Services Secretary Alvin C. Collins will be joined by state and local officials as they mark the commencement of construction of the new, multi-purpose, Hagerstown Barrack.

In addition to remarks, officials will participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking to help get the job started. Construction is beginning on a new 33,000-square feet building that will more than triple the size of the existing facility. The new building will provide office space for the Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. It will also expand the available space for the Western Regional Forensic Sciences Laboratory to more than six times its existing space and enable scientists to increase services provided to state and local law enforcement in Western Maryland.

Something To Make Your Day


Now this is really funny....
Cosby does Groucho Marx and He really gets into it.
Click on the link below:
IMIGpro Friday HAHA, Understanding Southern??

ADVICE FROM LARRY The CABLE GUY



Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in Our Country lately: Illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida . . . . Not me -- I concentrate on solutions for the problems -- it's a win-win situation.


* Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.

* Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levees.

* Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

August 3rd Friday Photos

Joe,

I was hoping you and your readers would like to see the photos from August's Third Friday!
Go here to see all the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smdiphotography1/sets/72157624783469470/with/4925322820/

August's Third Friday had creativity flowing down East Main Street this past Third Friday!

The local artist known as, WHY HATE? replicated the cover photo from July's Third Friday (here) on the sidewalk using the most basic tools...a sponge and mud! He is also the extraordinarily talented gentleman who donates his time to make the chalk murals every month.

Enza's Organic Salon was having a sale, and Habanera Farms was selling their all-natural remedies. Everything from seasonal allergy relief to Sleep aids.

Down at Lot 10, SWAC was holding their Dog Days of Summer event that featured contests and doggy line dancing! It was very entertaining and a relaxing environment.

That is just a small taste of all of the events and happenings going on at Third Friday. Hope to see you next month!

A special thanks to DaveyJoe Video, WHY HATE? and Eric Davidow.
Enjoy!

-SMDi

Magazine Scam Working Neighborhoods Report

To all –

Last week an e-mail was sent out from WNC member Shelton Lankford, President of Pemberton Ponds HOA regarding two young men supposedly selling magazines for the troops overseas. They told him they lived in his neighborhood but when asked where they lived, they gave him an incorrect house number and when asked for identification he said he had just lost his drivers license. Because of Shelton’s intuitive checking and finding on line that is was a scam going on across the county to get your bank account numbers and routing numbers from your checks to wipe out your checking accounts the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress was able to send out an e-mail alert which resulted in we’re happy to report, this crew being caught and put out of business. Congratulations to all on forwarding this important information enabling our Wicomico County Sherriff’s Department to make the arrest and head off their destructive mission.

Thank you to our neighborhood leaders for forwarding this information to their neighbors and to our Wicomico County Sherriff’s department for catching the bad guys.

The Wicomico Neighborhood Congress RULES!!!

Great job everyone!!!

Cindy Pilchard
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

Getting Old


Community Carnival At St. Francis de Sales


Community Carnival This Week!
On the grounds of St. Francis de Sales Church

Admission is free.
30% off advanced ride tickets.August 26th through 28th, 2010
Call Main Office Phone: 410-742-6443

Now only $12.00 per person each night for all rides
$18 each night if purchased at the carnival (height restrictions may apply for some rides)

We Must Retire Nancy Pelosi


We must retire Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.


I have an important deadline approaching in less than 36 hours. At midnight tomorrow, we have to start closing our camapign finance books before the September primary, and report our fundraising totals to the Federal Election Commission. People across the country will be watching to see if we are raising enough money to win this seat and to help retire Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House!


The Democrat's House Campaign Committee, run by one of Nancy Pelosi's lieutenants, has reserved over $750,000 worth of TV time against me—and I need your help to match them on the air.


I've said all along that as Congressman I will cast my first and most important vote against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. After casting that vote I will roll up my sleeves and get to work doing the business of the people of the First District.


For too long we've watched our economy worsen and our unemployment rate go up while Congressional Democrats sit by and do nothing.


I need your help to change that. Thank you for your support.Andy Harris M.D.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, U.S. NAVY SECRETARY TO CONVENE MEETING OF BASE COMMANDERS ON EFFORTS TO RESTORE CHESAPEAKE BAY

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, and military commanders of Chesapeake Bay-area bases to discuss Bay restoration efforts, and ways the commanders and their bases can assist in restoring the Bay. Media representatives wishing to cover the conference, beginning at noon, should contact the U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs Office by 5 p.m. today for access information 410-293-2292.

During the conference, media may attend opening remarks by Governor O’Malley, Secretary Mabus, and EPA Administrator Jackson at noon. Following opening remarks, these officials will be available for the media at 1:00 p.m. After the media availability, media representatives are invited to see two examples of Chesapeake Bay restoration projects and hear from subject matter experts in the field associated with U.S. Naval Academy’s research on oyster aquaculture and Naval Support Activity Annapolis’ storm water run-off project.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON MARYLAND’S SELECTION AS A ‘RACE TO THE TOP’ WINNER

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement, following the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that Maryland is among 10 winners in President Obama’s “Race to the Top” grant initiative, bringing up to $250 million in education investments to Maryland’s public schools:

“I want to congratulate the students, teachers, and administrators of Maryland’s public schools for demonstrating that among the 50 states, Maryland does indeed stand at the top. We are honored to have been selected as a winner of this prestigious competition.

“While our participation in the federal ‘Race to the Top’ initiative culminated today with the receipt of up to $250 million in education investments, this process has always been part of a long-term strategic policy initiative aimed at reforming Maryland’s public schools and ensuring every child receives the world-class education they deserve. Maryland remains the nation’s number one public school system and it’s our goal to continue implementing strategic reforms, allowing our students to not only compete with their peers across the nation, but to be globally competitive as well.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to advance these reforms with the assistance of federal investments from President Obama and the U.S. Department of Education.”

MSP Press Release

Trooper’s arrest suspects for C.D.S. violations.
DATE & TIME: 08/24/10 @ 2159 hours C C. CARD NUMBER: 10-54-007635
LOCATION: Strawberry Way, White Cove Development Salisbury Wicomico County, Maryland
BRIEF RESUME:


On 08/24/10 at approximately 2159 hours the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack was contacted by a complainant who advised that he and his neighbors had observed three juveniles who were trespassing and possibly committing malicious destructions to residences in the White Cove Development. Several neighbors in the development caught up to and detained the three juveniles and held them until State Troopers responded to the area. All three suspects were placed under arrest and charged with several counts of trespassing, disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct. The investigation is continuing at this time in reference to any m.d.o.p. that may have happened to any of the residences and property. Residents in the area are asked to notify the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack if any damage is discovered. All juveniles were released back to the custody of their parents at the direction of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Arrested:
1. Juvenile w/m age 15 of Salisbury Maryland
juvenile w/m age 15 of Salisbury,Maryland
juvenile w/m age 16 of Salisbury, Maryland

New Smoking Cessation Class

Health Department begins New Smoking Cessation Class
“ARE YOU READY TO QUIT SMOKING FOR GOOD?”


Are you or someone you know ready to quit smoking for good? Do you live or work in Wicomico County?

The Wicomico County Health Department is pleased to announce a new smoking cessation class. The class will meet for ten Thursday evenings, running from August 26 - October 28, 2010. Each session will run from 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. Classes will be located at Wor-Wic Community College, Room AAB213.

The program offers free education and support. Participants are also eligible for quit smoking medication vouchers. These are available for nicotine replacement patches, Zyban, and Chantix.

Anyone interested in the program should call (410) 546-5311 for more information or to sign up.

Runners Drawn To Wicomico Tourism’s Hidden Treasures Half Marathon & 5K

Top Male & Female Runners Split $2000 in Prize Money

(Salisbury, MD)
The inaugural Hidden Treasures Half Marathon & 5K presented by Gateway Subaru will take place in Salisbury, Maryland on Sunday, September 12, 2010. The marathon, open to runners locally and from the surrounding region of all skill levels, will start and end at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

The marathon weekend will kick-off with a Family Sports & Fitness Expo at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Saturday, September 11 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Runners, families and friends can enjoy children's activities and perusing the booths of running/health related vendors. Runners are also required to pick up their participant packets during this time. Vendor applications are currently being accepted with prices for booth space ranging from $125 for non-profits to $350.

On Sunday, runners will return to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for opening ceremonies at 7:45am. OC TriRunning Sports, Inc. has been selected as the timing company for the event and those participating in the Half Marathon can take advantage of the IPICO tag timing system. While on the course, runners can enjoy a flat, scenic loop that follows the Wicomico River through the Salisbury City Park and Downtown Salisbury. The route follows the Wicomico along Riverside Drive before making its way back to the finish via historic city neighborhoods.

The top male and female finishers of the Half Marathon will split a $2000 prize pool, while others will receive awards based on placement within their age categories. All finishers of the Half Marathon will take home a medal, and those completing the 5K will receive a ribbon.

Registration fees are $55 for the Half Marathon and $35 for the 5K. Runners will receive an Under Armour Tech Shirt as well as food at the conclusion of the race. For more information and to complete the online registration process, please visit www.WicomicoTourism.org. Additional inquiries can be directed to Michelle Wainwright at 410-548-4914 or 1-800-332-TOUR. The event is presented by Gateway Subaru and sponsored in part by Fresh n Fruity, Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates and Healthy U.

For more information on the Hidden Treasures Half Marathon & 5K or any of Wicomico Tourism’s signature events please visit www.WicomicoTourism.org.

‘BIRDS PLATE SIX RUNS IN NINTH TO TOP CRAWDADS, 11-6

‘Birds Earn Series Split With ‘Dads

Hickory, NC
– The Delmarva Shorebirds overcame a one run deficit with six runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Hickory Crawdads 11-6 in the series finale at Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds earn their first positive result in a series since mid-July. Delmarva is 0-7-1 in their last eight series.

The Shorebirds used a home run to build an early lead in the first. With two outs, Ty Kelly hit a 2-2 pitch from Robbie Erlin over the left field. It was his first home run of the season batting from the right side of the plate. It was also Kelly’s first home run since July 9th (40 games).

In the third, the Shorebirds added another run. Garabez Rosa led off with a single. Kyle Moore then ripped a double down the left field line to push Rosa to third. T.J. Baxter followed with a sacrifice fly RBI to deep left field to give the ‘Birds a 2-0 edge.

After notching just one hit through the first three innings, the Crawdads bats woke up in the fourth. Leury Garcia led off with a single. After stealing second, Garcia scored on a double by Jared Bolden. Then, Zach Zaneski hit a double to plate Bolden. Matt West followed suit with a third straight double to usher home Zaneski to give the ‘Dads a 3-2 edge.

The Crawdads plated two more runs in the fifth inning to build a 5-2 lead.

The Shorebirds went into the top of the ninth down 6-5. In the top of the ninth inning the Shorebirds plated six runs to build an 11-6. Ty Kelly broke a 6-6 tie with a two run single into center field. Later in the inning, Mikey Planeta hit a bases clearing double the left field line to plate three runs.

T.R. Keating earned the win while Ovispo De Los Santos was pinned with loss.

The Shorebirds travel to Hagerstown, Maryland to being a four-game series with the Hagerstown Suns on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.

The ‘Birds return to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on A­ugust 30 to begin the final homestand of the 2010 season. For tickets and information, call the Shorebirds Box Office at 410-219-3112.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 8/24 @ Hickory

PREVIEW: The Shorebirds surrendered two home runs in game three and fell 5-1 on Monday. The ‘Birds managed only four hits against Miguel De Los Santos and Matt Thompson. With 13 games left, the Shorebirds are 11.0 games behind first place Lakewood. The Shorebirds are 6-16 in the month of August with a league high staff ERA at 5.06.

KELLY ON-BASE STREAK: Shorebirds third baseman Ty Kelly has reached base in nine straight games dating back to August 15. In 16 games batting third in the order, Kelly is hitting .298 (17-57).

BUNDY TREMENDOUS: In his last two starts, Bobby Bundy has thrown 16 innings and has allowed just eight hits and two runs. He threw a nine-inning complete game against Lakewood on 8/16. Through four starts in August, Bundy has only issued six walks. In five starts in July, he walked 14 batters in 25 innings.

FIVE-GAMER: Mike Flacco takes a five-game hit streak into the series finale against Hickory. He is 6-for-21 during the stretch. Flacco has hit safely in 20 of the 27 games he has appeared in this season.

FOURTH STRAIGHT: The Shorebirds will finish the season at home for a fourth straight year. The last time they ended on the road was 2006.