LORA Meet & Greet Update

October 21:  The Local Owner Restaurant Association (LORA) and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce invite all interested voters to attend a candidate meet and greet for all statewide Maryland races including the Maryland General Assembly District 37 and 38 and the Wicomico County elected positions on Thursday, October 21 at Black Diamond & Adams Ribs in Fruitland from 6 to 8 p.m.  The LORA members will provide free appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages plus a cash bar.  This program will allow one on one contact between candidates and voters.

2010 Election Candidates    

US Senate from Maryland

1. Mikulski, Barbara A. Democratic Incumbent
2. Wargotz, Eric Republican                                         Yes
3. Brookman, Robert Henry Unaffiliated 
4. Adams, James Guy Libertarian 
5. David, Dennis Unaffiliated
6. Kaplan, Donald Unaffiliated 
7. Pettigrew, Natasha Green                                         Yes
8. Shawver, Richard Constitution                                Yes

US First Congressional District

Kratovil, Frank Democratic Incumbent                                Yes sending a rep       

Harris, Andy Republican                                                       Yes

Davis, Richard James Libertarian                                         Yes

Wilson, Jack N. Unaffiliated                                                 Yes

Maryland Offices

Governor & Lt. Governor

O’Malley, Martin  & Brown, Anthony Democratic Incumbent      Sending a representative

Ehrlich, Robert L. & Kane, Mary Republican                                Sending a representative

Allwine, Maria & Eidel, Ken Green

Vaugh, Corrogan R. & Crawford, Jim Green

Gaztanaga, Susan J. & McNeil, Doug Libertarian                          Yes for Gaztanaga

Knowles, Eric Delano & Hargadon, Michael Constitution            Yes both

Comptroller

Franchot, Peter Democratic Incumbent                                            Sending a Representative

Campbell, William Henry Republican                                              Yes

Maryland General Assembly

Senate District 37

Robinson, Chris Democratic                                                 No

Colburn, Richard F. Republican Incumbent                        No has a conflict

House 37A

Cane, Rudolph C. Democratic Incumbent                           Yes

Mills, Dustin Republican                                                       Yes

House 37B                                                                             

Stanley, Patrice L. Democratic                                             No conflict will send a representative

Eckardt, Adelaide C. Republican Incumbent                       No has a conflict

Haddaway-Riccio, Jeannie Republican Incumbent              No conflict

                                                                                            

Senate 38

Mathias, James Democratic Incumbent Delegate 38B         Yes

James, Michael Republican                                                   Yes

House 38A

McCready, Michael K. Democratic                                      Yes

Otto, Charles James Republican                                           Yes

House 38B

Conway, Norman H. Democratic Incumbent                       Yes

Williams, Gee Democratic                                                     Yes

McDermott, Mike Republican                                               Yes

Pusey, Marty Republican                                                      Yes

Wicomico County

County Executive

Pollitt, Rick Democratic Incumbent                                      Yes

Ollinger, Joe Republican                                                        Yes

County Council At Large

Cowell, David E. Democratic                                                Yes

Taylor, Edward Theodore Democratic                                Yes

Culver, Bob Republican                                                        yes

Holloway, Matt Republican                                                   Yes

District 1

Sample-Hughes, Sheree Democratic Incumbent                   Yes      

Goslee, David, Jr. Republican                                               Yes

District 2

Prettyman, Stevie Republican Incumbent                             Yes

Calpino, Michael Libertarian                                                 Yes

District 3

Bartkovich, Gail Republican  Incumbent Unopposed          Yes

District 4

MacLeod, David Democratic Incumbent                              Yes                 

Caldwell, Bob Republican                                                     Yes

District 5:  Holloway, Joe Republican Incumbent Unopposed yes

State`s Attorney

Mitchell, W. Seth Democratic                                               Yes

Maciarello, Matthew Republican                                          Yes

Judge of the Orphans’ Court   

Barkley, Norma Lee Democratic Incumbent                              Yes                 

Bright, Melissa Pollitt Democratic Incumbent                              Yes                 

Evans, Peter Democratic                                                             Yes                 

William Smith Republican Incumbent                              Yes   

TROOPERS INVESTIGATE MURDER-SUICIDE IN CARROLL CO.

(Finksburg, MD) – Maryland State Police are continuing their investigation of an apparent murder-suicide that left two Carroll County men dead early today.

The victim is identified as Steven W. Focht, 48, of the 1500-block of Pilgrim Lane, Finksburg, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body will be taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

The suspect is identified as Gregory A. Martin, 51, of the 4600-block of Doncrest Lane, Sykesville, Md. Martin was pronounced deceased where his body was found in the 2400-block of Shawnee Drive, Finksburg, shortly after 7:00 a.m. today. His body will be taken to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

At about 12:15 a.m. today, Maryland State Police at the Westminster Barrack received 911 calls reporting shots fired in the area of the 1500-block of Pilgrim Lane. Responding troopers found the victim lying in his driveway with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.

The preliminary investigation developed information on Martin as a possible suspect. Troopers determined the suspect’s vehicle was one of the vehicles in the victim’s driveway.

Troopers established a perimeter around the area and conducted a search for the suspect throughout the early morning. The search for the suspect involved a State Police helicopter, K-9 units, a tracking team, the Special Tactical Assault Team Element, and troopers patrolling throughout the area.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was directed to respond and conduct the investigation. Homicide investigators were assisted by members of the Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section and crime scene technicians from the State Police Forensic Sciences Division.

As daylight appeared, a trooper on the perimeter saw the body of a man lying in the back yard of a residence in the 2400-block of Shawnee Drive, Finksburg. This is a short distance away from the victim’s home and in the same neighborhood. This was also identified as the suspect’s previous home and where his estranged wife still lives.

EMS personnel determined Martin was deceased. State Police investigators recovered a .357 caliber handgun next to Martin’s body.

The preliminary investigation indicates Martin and Focht had an ongoing dispute that apparently began when the two were neighbors. State Police had responded to the neighborhood on two separate occasions for disputes between the two in 2007 and 2008. No criminal prosecutions resulted in either incident.

Investigators believe from the initial evidence that Focht arrived home from work shortly after midnight today and Martin pulled into the driveway behind him. A confrontation occurred in the driveway and Focht was shot in the upper torso multiple times. Investigators believe Martin then ran to the backyard of his previous residence and took his own life.

The investigation is continuing.

A Letter To The Editor

Dear Joe,

Good Afternoon, I don't know how to get in contact with you so this was my only choice. I am concerned with the way Eden's Head Start program is being opperated. I am a father of a child attending that school. This afternoon 10/14/10 his bus (962) was involved in an accident, sending all the children to the hospital. Luckily my son was on the first wave of children going home not the second run. My problem(s) is if something like this happens w/ Tots on the bus it would be logical to inform the what?.... the parents. But Eden Headstart didn't deem it neccessary to do so. With that they caused stress and Turmoil to the parents. This is the straw that broke the camels back for me. The lack of professionalism, and the carelessness makes this school unfit for children. Point blank there is no organization at this school and no one cares. It's as if the employees there are just "playing" school and enough is enough. Please help Joe. Thank you for hearing me out.

Sincerely,
Local Parent

SBYNews At 6 General Election Interviews With Bob Culver

Sby News Interview Bob Culver from Jack Powell on Vimeo.

Third Friday October

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

10-11-10 Robert William Handy of Crisfield, arrested on a circuit court indictment regarding  two counts of cds possession not marijuana, two counts of cds intent to distribute narcotics. Handy was later held on a $75,000 bond. 

10-11-10 Clifton Ricardo Fields of Crisfield, arrested on a circuit court indictment regarding cds possession not marijuana, and cds intent to distribute narcotics. Fields was later held on a $75,000 bond.

10-12-10 Quinton Jerome Bailey of Princess Anne, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Bailey was later released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

10-12-10 Gregory Davis Sterling Jr. of Pocomoke , arrested on two bench warrrants regarding violation of probation. Sterling was later held without bond. 

10-13-10 Kenneth Martin Stachowski Jr. of Princess Anne, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Stachowski was later released after posting a $500.00 bond. 

10-13-10 Larry Kefford Linton of Pocomoke, arrested for driving on a suspended out of state drivers license.  Linton was later released after signing citations pending trial.

10-13-10 Stacey Paulette Holden of Withams Virginia, arrested for driving on a suspended out of state license. Holden was later released after signing citations pending trial.

10-13-10 Elizabeth Anne Cullen of Marion, arrested for driving on a suspended registration. Maryland Motor Vehicle placed a police pick up order on the tags for insurance violations. Cullen was later released after signing citations pending trial.

Ballot Questions

Hi Joe. 

I really enjoy reading your articles.  The other day you mentioned the ballot questions for Nov 2 election and the importance of voting on these questions, but more importantly, the importance of understanding the questions.  You can visit the following link for information about the questions, plus information should be mailed with the specimen ballot you receive from your local board of elections.  Keep up the good work! 

Patti
http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2010/ballot_question_index.html 

Salisbury Chamber Hosts Best Candidate Forum I've Seen To Date

Not only did we see all the major players show up at this debate, the questions were excellent and it truly put the candidates on the spot.

Dawn Tilghman celebrated her 29th Birthday last evening and brought up a question that not only threw me for a loop, her question brought up a topic I personally had no idea was going on.

It seems the state of Maryland has hired on several new Inspectors who are now hammering businesses all over the eastern Shore with unbelievable violations. They are fining businesses like there's no tomorrow for very simple items. I'm talking an extension cord plugged into an outdoor outlet. According to them, it's wrong and they're fining them. Another case I heard was the state going after a local roofing company for not having proper restraints on. Here's the catch. The state had allegedly planted themselves on the top floor of the Downtown Parking Garage for three days and took a long range picture of the violation. However, they had completed the work and there was nothing left to attach their harnesses to and that's where they got them.

The charges are not only bogus, they're very trying on the businesses, proving once again that Maryland is absolutely NOT business friendly. O'Malley is really sticking it to small businesses and if you're like me, I just wasn't aware of the increase of 7 new Inspectors throwing out these fines left and right.

Now, as for the candidates. The only candidate that really impressed me with their answer was Dustin Mills. He too expressed his commitment to make positive changes with small businesses in Maryland and this was one of his main reasons for running. Most candidates skirted around any real answer at all. Chris Robinson really didn't answer the question. Rudy Cane was just in left field with pretty much all of his answers last night, (in my opinion). For a guy who stated people should vote for him because of his experience, his answers lacked evidence of such. He seemed to talk more about being the first black to be elected from the Shore. Rich Colburn invited Dawn to come to him after the debate and he would do what he can to help out and place pressure on that department to back off.

All in all is was a well run debate. There were around 50 people there not related to the candidates, that was unfortunate. I'm sure GA Harrison will chime in later with his views and more details. For me, I was impressed, yet felt disappointed that more people aren't attending these events.

In closing, I find it most interesting that while many republicans are stating this is the biggest election year of our lives, I just don't see the participation. We have provided candidate interviews that are not drawing the kind of numbers we'd like to see, especially after so much work is put into them. Not that it's a big deal to me personally, I enjoy the experience and practice. The question remains, are these candidate interviews slowing down these forums and debates?

I personally think people would rather sit at home and watch the candidates platforms at your own convenience. However, we'd like to know your thoughts on this matter.

MARYLANDERS: BUBBA COMEGYS WANTS YOU – TO PAY MORE TAXES!

In a slick letter published in the Baltimore Sun this week “By Gary Comegys” that was surely drafted by some political consultant, the tax scheme being perpetrated on the public by the Maryland Municipal League is presented in a manner that uses the loss of state funding for local governments as a foil for trying to get state “enabling legislation” for new types of city taxes – which are cleverly called “new revenue tools” in that letter. The Comegys’ game plan is to get the towns and cities to pass resolutions begging the General Assembly to do their bidding next year.

Comegys’ mouthpiece suggests that these new taxes might include a sales tax on deeds and mortgages, energy consumption (gas & electric service) and telecommunications (telephone, etc., bills) but does not mention others that the “MML” has on its wish list, including a “local option” (“piggyback”) tax of one or more kinds, and a food (“restaurant”) tax. Those and other taxes not mentioned in Comegys’ letter are specified in an earlier letter that he sent to towns and cities across Maryland.

Not mentioned in either of Comegys’ letters is the burden that these taxes would impose on businesses and residents in Maryland. Where’s the “T-Party” when we really need it? And why has this scheme and Comegys’ leading role in it not been reported in the Daily Times?

In Case You Missed The Debate

Can You Keep Absorbing The Pain Obama Inflicts On Us?

Every American president ends up owning one word or phrase that tends to define him. Kennedy had “Camelot.” Johnson had “Great Society.” Nixon was “Watergate.” Ford was “Pardon.” Carter was “Malaise.” Reagan was “Shining city upon a hill.” George H.W. Bush was “Thousand points of light.” Clinton was “Slick.” George W. Bush was “Dubya.”

Barack Obama’s words have been “Hope and change.” But shortly before the midterm elections, we’ve heard another word association with Obama that may be more fitting.

In Bob Woodward’s book, “Obama’s Wars,” President Obama is quoted as saying, "We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever . . . we absorbed it and we are stronger."

Obama’s key word is “absorb.” He sees America getting stronger to the extent that it can “absorb” pain—crises, loss, costs and consequences.

We have seen Obama’s “absorb the pain” philosophy and policies in service of what he contends will make the country stronger.

GO HERE to read more.

Facebook Users Can No Longer Delete Chat History

It's starting to feel like anyone with anything to hide needs to find better hiding spots. For instance, people trying to keep their Facebook chats from prying eyes best find another IM program, because they can no longer erase chat history.

I discovered this while chatting the other day. Anyone who's ever IM'd knows those conversations can go all over the place, and frankly, I like to think of each conversation as a fresh start.

Nick O'Neill on AllFacebook also noticed, and linked to a forum where there are 132 posts complaining about the removal of the popular feature.

Sheesh, what's with this need to keep things? We just found out yesterday "deleted" photos stay on Facebook servers far longer than we ever would have imagined. Now, we find out conversations linger, too.

GO HERE to read more.

NJ Abortion Doctor's License Is Suspended

TRENTON, N.J. — A doctor who ferried patients to Maryland for late-term abortions that he wasn't authorized to perform in New Jersey had his license suspended Wednesday by regulators who called his actions manipulative and deceptive.

Dr. Steven Brigham started late-term abortions with medication in Voorhees, N.J., and finished them in Elkton, Md., where state law is more permissive, authorities said. He has no hospital privileges in New Jersey and is not authorized to perform abortions past the 14th week of pregnancy because New Jersey does not consider him qualified to do so.

"Dr. Brigham has consistently and repetitively engaged in manipulative and deceptive behavior designed to circumvent the requirements of the board's termination of pregnancy regulation and to eviscerate the protections that those regulations seek to afford to New Jersey patients," the state Board of Medical Examiners said in its ruling after hearing nearly nine hours of testimony.

Brigham plans to appeal the board's suspension of his only remaining medical license. He said during testimony that he believed everything he did was legal.

"Why, when you had the option to perform perfectly legal abortions, you found it necessary to schlep patients to other states?" board member Paul Mendelowitz asked Brigham.

"I only did these things because I thought I had the approval of the New Jersey medical board," Brigham said.

The New Jersey attorney general's office said Brigham was "grossly negligent" in transporting the patients, who were instructed to follow him by car.

GO HERE to read more.

Police: Calif. Mom Kills 3-Year-Old Twin Daughters

Woman taken to hospital after attempting to take her own

FAIRFIELD, Calif. — A California mother accused of stabbing her twin 3-year-old daughters to death before attempting to take her own life and setting fire to her apartment has been arrested.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Monica McCarrick, 28, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder, two counts of child abuse resulting in death and one count each of arson and destruction of evidence.

The newspaper reported that McCarrick was to be booked at Solano County Jail after being treated at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for non-life-threatening injuries.

GO HERE to read more.

O'Donnell, Coons Square Off In Feisty Senate Debate

NEWARK, Del. — Trailing by double-digits in most polls, Republican Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell went on the offensive Wednesday, attacking Democrat Chris Coons as a career politician with Marxist views who would raise taxes and rubber-stamp Democratic policies.

Coons, meanwhile, during a nationally televised debate portrayed O'Donnell as an extremist more interested in clever sound bites than offering solutions to the problems confronting the nation.

O'Donnell, a tea party favorite, has drawn attention for her comments years ago that she dabbled in witchcraft as a teenager and opposed masturbation in a crusade against premarital sex. She frequently sought Wednesday to distance herself from her past views, softening her rhetoric on issues such as homosexuality and evolution.

"We're moving past that; were talking about the issues," O'Donnell said when asked by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer why she had opened a recent television ad by declaring "I'm not a witch."

GO HERE to read more.

Dollar Hits Fresh 15-Year-Low Against Yen

TOKYO — The dollar has hit a fresh 15-year-low against the yen.

The U.S. currency was quoted at 81.07 yen in late Thursday trading in Tokyo.

GO HERE to read more.

EPA Funnels Taxpayer Money To Dozens Of Liberal Community Activist Groups

The Environmental Protection Agency recently listed 76 community groups and government agencies that will share almost 2 million taxpayer dollars in the form of "environmental justice grants."

The grants – around $25,000 each -- will fund projects that help people living in poor, minority communities increase recycling, avoid heat stroke, improve indoor air quality, "reduce carbon emissions through weatherization," and participate in "green jobs" training programs.

But beyond the EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment, the grant money will boost the coffers, and perhaps the influence, of some far-left groups.

The EPA defines “environmental justice” as the notion that minority, low income and indigenous communities deserve the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, equal access to the decision-making process and a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work as wealthier communities do.
Here are just a few of the 76 groups getting taxpayer money for various “environmental justice” projects.

U.S. Taxpayers Spend Twice As Much Globally On AIDS As On All Other Diseases, GAO Reports

U.S. taxpayers spend almost twice as much to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide as they do on all other global health-related assistance programs combined. Also, U.S. funding to other countries for HIV/AIDS has gone up sharply since 2004.

According to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. spending worldwide on HIV/AIDS has gone from $204.1 million in 2001 to $3.3 billion in 2008 – an increase of more than 1,500 percent over seven years.

At the same time, U.S spending worldwide on all “other health” programs, which includes “maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention and malaria control,” according to the GAO, went from $1.3 billion in 2001 to $1.7 billion in 2008.

Since 2003, meanwhile, payments to foreign countries for HIV/AIDS have grown significantly, in comparison with spending on other health programs, which have gone up and down over the same time period, the government watchdog reported.

Here's more

Poll: Majority Of Voters Favor Third Party

A pox on both their houses: that’s apparently the thinking of American voters. A new poll from The Hill  shows that a majority would favor a third party. As for Democrats, 49 percent say they favor a third party, while the total is 46 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of independents.

“That’s probably the strongest number I’ve seen in a poll of people in America saying that they're interested in a third party,” says Democratic pollster Mark Penn of Penn Schoen Berland, which conducted the survey.

Read more

This Guy Is Funny!

New Study Shows Maryland’s Business Climate Lags Behind Neighboring States

Ehrlich Pledges to Create Jobs for Families by Improving Business Climate

Baltimore– While visiting Maryland Thermoform, Bob Ehrlich today pledged to change the business climate in Maryland after a new study by the Maryland Chamber Commerce reinforced how uncompetitive Maryland is with the neighboring states of Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.  The study, done by Ernst and Young, measured corporate taxes in three important Maryland industries: financial services, bio-tech research and manufacturing, and professional services. Maryland ranks dead last in tax rates for each industry except one.

“In our debate on Monday, Governor O’Malley said, when it comes to being competitive with other states, there are winners and losers,” said Ehrlich.  “It is now clear that, under four years of Martin O’Malley, Maryland is now losing. Under my Administration, this will change on Day One.”

The Chamber study concludes that:

·         Maryland has the highest tax rates for both financial services and professional services,

·         Business taxes in Maryland are higher for both the professional and financial services industries

·         Maryland has the highest state and local taxes paid by middle-class families,

·         Maryland is ranked worst in combined individual income tax rates,

·         Maryland has the highest electricity cost for both commercial and industrial users.

·         The study shows Maryland is competitive in biotechnology, thanks in part to Bob Ehrlich authoring an enacting the biotech tax credit in his first term.

BACKGROUND: According to a recent study of business confidence done by the Jacob Francis Institute, Maryland’s business confidence has declined 58% over the last four years.  A study done by the Tax Foundation concluded Maryland has dropped 21 spots in the Business climate index over the last four years to 45^th worst in the nation.

O'MALLEY RELEASES PLAN ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Will continue commitment to Maryland's children and working families

Baltimore, MD -- Governor O'Malley joined with members of the Maryland Family Network and other community advocates to announce a new early childhood education plan.  
 

Governor O'Malley said, "Science tells us that 90% of a human's brain development is completed by age 3.  Early childhood education could not be more important for Maryland's future--for education, for our workforce, for jobs, for our ability to compete and win in the global economy."

During the next legislative session, Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown will convene the Forward Ahead Summit on Early Care and Education to build on existing initiatives and continue to move forward on early childhood education.  

The Governor acknowledged the importance of partnering with experts in the field.  He said, "We have heard your voices and taken your advice about early care and education.  And we want to hear more from you--and we hope you'll participate in our Summit.  Together we can make a difference for Maryland's youngest children and their families"

Under the leadership of Governor O'Malley, Maryland has made progress on early education.  Maryland is the only state in the country that administers a kindergarten assessment and this year, 78% of children entering kindergarten are evaluated as "fully ready" to learn by their teachers compared to 58% five years ago.

Governor O'Malley set big goals to reduce infant mortality 10% by the end of 2012 and under his leadership, Maryland is on track to become the first state in the country to end childhood hunger within its borders.

After Bob Ehrlich failed to provide adequate funding for the Infants and Toddlers Program, Governor O'Malley made the important decision to increase investment in the program by 71%--facilitating a 50% increase in the number of children receiving early intervention services since 2003. 

These funds not only help prepare our children for the future, they also save taxpayers money.  In the last fiscal year alone, because 44% of students exiting the Infants and Toddlers program were able to forgo expensive preschool special education, Maryland taxpayers have been able to save nearly $27 million. 

After Bob Ehrlich chose to freeze the subsidy for the Child Care Subsidy Program allowing the number of children on the waitlist to outnumber those receiving services, Governor O'Malley made the important decision to increase investments in the Child Care Subsidy.  As a result, today, there is currently no waiting list. 

But while progress has been made, Governor O'Malley knows that more needs to be done.  And that is why he plans to hold The Forward Ahead Summit on Early Care and Education in order to bring together experts from the early childhood education field so that we can continue to move forward for Maryland's children. 

BREAKING NEWS

Parsonsburg EMS dispatched to WOR-WIC for an accidental shooting at the Police Academy. More to come....

UPDATE: We're told one cadet did in fact shoot himself in the foot. He will be fine.

Correction- It was a Salisbury University Officer that shot himself in the foot.

Charles Otto Fundraiser

FOP Fundraiser

Find The Perfect Gift At Quota Club’s Christmas Craft Fair

(Salisbury, MD) On October 30^th and 31^st, 2010 the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center will be transformed into a shopper’s paradise as the Quota International of Salisbury holds its 24^th Annual Christmas Craft Fair.  More than 180 vendors from far and near have the opportunity to display their crafts while shoppers can take advantage of finding one-of-a-kind unique gifts for the special person on their list. 

Many returning venders request the same location in the Civic Center because their loyal customers look for them each year, while new vendors are excited to participate in one of the East Coast’s largest craft fairs.  Because of its diversity of crafts and vendors, this Craft Fair offers a wide variety of items to suit everyone’s taste.  Whether you’re beginning your holiday shopping or looking for a birthday, anniversary or other personal gift, the Quota Christmas Craft Fair is the place to shop.  Parents, remember to bring your cameras to capture that special moment with your child and Santa Claus.

Check us out at our website:  http://www.quotacraftfair.com/ for more information.  Please join us on Saturday, October 30^th from 10:00am to 5:00pm and on Sunday, October 31^st from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Admission is $5.00 per person and children under 12 are free.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

OCTOBER 19, 2010
1:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
WORK SESSION

Naylor Mill Road/MBAS Annexation – Chris Jakubiak
FY11 Bond Issuance – Pam Oland/Teresa Gardner
School zone speed cameras – Ivan Barkley
Amendment to the Fire Prevention Code – Bill Holland
Adoption of 2009 Codes into the Property Maintenance Code – Tom Stevenson
Downtown fire protection ordinance – Rick Hoppes/Tom Stevenson

General discussion/upcoming agenda

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE CITY COUNCIL HAS SCHEDULED A CLOSED SESSION FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010 FOR A PERSONNEL MATTER AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND SECTION 10-508(A)(1).

THE CLOSED SESSION WILL BE HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N. DIVISION STREET) FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE COUNCIL’S 1:30 P.M. WORK SESSION.

Halloween Bus Tour – Haunted Eastern Shore – October 31, 2010

Sponsored by Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD – Tour Guide is Mindie Burgoyne

MARION STATION, MD – Chesapeake College has just announced a Halloween Ghost Tour - the third in a series of bus tours across the Upper Shore.  This ghost tour will focus on East Dorchester County and include sites associated with the Eastern Shore's two most famous ghostly characters - Big Lizz and Patty Cannon.  The tour includes sites in Reliance, Vienna, Elliotts Island, and Greenbriar swamp, and will be led by author, Mindie Burgoyne, from Marion Station, who wrote the popular book, Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake.

Guests will meet the bus in Cambridge and venture out on a four hour, spine tingling tour of both desolate and populated spots known to be haunted by ghosts or associated with tales of the dead.  First stop on the tour will be the Patty Cannon properties in Reliance where Burgoyne will detail the life of kidnapper and murderer, Patty Cannon.  She’ll show guests the sites where Cannon’s house and tavern once stood as well as where she buried the bodies of her victims.  The bus will also pass Indian settlements, the town of Vienna, the area once known as Ghost Island and visit Elliotts Island.

The last stop will be Decoursey Bridge, because who wouldn't want to meet up with Big Lizz on All Hallows Eve?  Burgoyne will tell guests how people have seen Big Lizz emerge from the swamp her bloody head in hand, and how she motions to folks asking them to follow her to the where her master's treasure is buried.  But so far no one who followed has ever returned. If time allows, Burgoyne will have the bus take guests "down below" to Andrews and Bishops Head to hear about Wild men haunting the swamps and residents who vanished without a trace.

This is the third bus tour was added after the first two offered sold out and left a waiting list of half a bus load. This will be the sixth haunted tour Mindie Burgoyne has led this year - five of which sold out their 50 available seats.  Burgoyne's book, Haunted Eastern Shore, published by History Press, just went into its third printing after being released only one year ago on October 1st 2009.  She has also put up a Facebook page for fans of her book which now has over 5400 fans that check it for updates on tours and occasion postings of haunted stories.

When asked about the success of her books and tours, Burgoyne states, "Ghosts are hot. Any time of the day or night you can flip through the TV channels and find at least one program airing on ghosts or the paranormal. The Eastern Shore has such a rich heritage, with a landscape that's largely unchanged. Our ghosts are images in that landscape and easy for a visitor to visualize them if given a little information." 

Cost of the Halloween Ghost Tour is $29 per person - Advanced Registration Required

Passengers will meet at the Cambridge campus of Chesapeake College. For more information or to register, contact Marci Leach at 410-827-5833 or http://www.blogger.com/.

NOTE:  Copies of Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake will be available for sale after the tour.  $17.99 + tax = $19.06.  Author will sign copies.

Frank Kratovil Dodges The Discussion On Jobs

SEVERNA PARK, Md. – Even with the American economy stagnant, higher taxes to come in January, and a grim outlook for the future, Frank Kratovil’s television ads still do not mention jobs.

Forced to stop running his phony ads against Andy Harris, Politician Frank Kratovil reveals something in his new television commercial: He has absolutely nothing to talk about.

“It's obvious in his new ad Frank Kratovil is running away from Nancy Pelosi and his poor record on jobs,” said Bill Lattanzi, Campaign Manager-Andy Harris for Congress.  “Kratovil says many fictitious things in his ads, but not once does he mention what he will do to create jobs or jumpstart our economy.”

Kratovil to date has run six television commercials without once mentioning out-of-work Marylanders.

Sugary Drink Makers Push Back At Government Curbs

State and local governments across the nation are increasingly using the government's power to battle rising obesity rates by taxing sugar-sweetened drinks, changing food labeling and promoting exercise.
But food and drink lobbyists and special interest groups are starting to push back.
"Government is getting too big and too involved in our lives," said American Beverage Association (ABA) spokesman Chris Gindlesperger, whose group's products are being targeted by some of the latest initiatives.
Last May, D.C. lawmakers approved a measure that would add sports drinks, soda and other sweetened beverages to the list of food items subject to the city's 6 percent sales tax. The money from the D.C. tax would be used to fund physical education programs in local schools. A similar bill was passed in Colorado in February.

Americans Against Food Taxes (AAFT) has begun ad campaigns in Washington and elsewhere nationwide featuring moms at grocery stores saying, "I can decide what to buy without government help. The government is just getting too involved in our personal lives." One radio ad also makes it political, though not personal — saying voters need to send Congress a message, but giving no names of anyone on any ballot.
The food fight has indeed gone national, though the results have been mixed.
• In Philadelphia, restaurants are now required to display nutritional information on menus, and Mayor Michael Nutter proposed a soft-drink tax, but the Philadelphia City Council decided not to consider it for a vote.• In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom instituted a citywide policy that removed Coke, Pepsi and Fanta Orange from all vending machines on city property, but allowed the diet versions of the drinks to stay.
• In New York City, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently sent a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ban sugared drinks from being purchased in the city with food stamps. Bloomberg also was an early pioneer both of mandating nutritional information on menus and using city government's power to ban restaurant use of trans fats.

More from The Washington Post story.

Dignity Denied

ARLINGTON, Va. - Tim Langowski was working for Lane Construction at Arlington National Cemetery clearing away brush and debris with a bulldozer when he found something odd.
 
"I was working at the Cemetery in late spring, early summer of 2005. I was clearing some paths so we could do our survey work on the job and stuff, and I was coming around one of the small roads when I happened upon what I thought originally was a ball off a flag pole."
 
"I got off the [bulldozer] and I went and picked it up, and it actually had a cap on one side, and I turned it over, and on the other side the cap was not on it."
 
"It" was not what he thought it was. Langowski, 50, from Frederick, Md., was caught off guard and deeply affected by what he saw when he peered inside the ball.
 
"Inside that ball were actually some ashes," he says. "It was a sad thing to see."

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Debate Questions For Governor O’Malley – Marylander’s Still Deserve The Truth

1.      You have repeatedly said that you do not  plan on raising taxes but with an estimated $6 billion structural deficit facing Maryland, what is your plan to fix the budget?

2.      In the first debate you said that your tactic of arresting thousands of innocent people in Baltimore saved lives.  Do you stand by this statement?

3.      You also referred to illegal immigrants as “new Americans.” Do you believe that people who enter America illegally should be made citizens automatically?

4.      You repeatedly stated in the first debate that you are fighting to protect the Chesapeake Bay. If so, why did you raid $155 million from the Bay restoration fund?

5.      A recent Maryland Chamber of Commerce report ranked Maryland worst for business taxes in two out of three industries in comparison to our neighbors.  Do you think high business taxes are hurting employment here in Maryland?

6.      If 100,000 Marylanders have lost their jobs since you took office, how exactly have you created 33,000 jobs?

7.      In the first debate you admitted there are winners and losers when states compete. Did Maryland win or lose when Northrop Grumman decided to move their headquarters to Virginia and not Maryland?

8.      How do you plan to close the budget gap you created by using one time federal stimulus dollars on mandated programs like education and Medicaid?

9.      You said in the first debate “I’ve made college more affordable.” How is that possible when costs went up 35%?

10. Why did you give your senior staff raises totaling over $600,000 in the middle of a recession?

Let’s Get Flip: Dems Pursue Ehrlich On Video

Patrick O’Brien follows Bob Ehrlich everywhere he can, taping the Republican ex-governor with a little flip cam. Blogger Amy Becker is on the same beat, and shows up at lots of Ehrlich events.

We got to see some of their handiwork Tuesday as the Maryland Democratic Party released a video titled “Bashful Bob.” The Democrats released the spliced together video because O’Brien and Becker are not independent journalists, as the tape implies. They work for the Democratic Party as part of its opposition research, and the video has an authority line from the party in the last few seconds.

The tape gives the impression that Ehrlich wouldn’t talk to any reporters the day of Monday’s debate. The ex-gov did inexplicably scoot out the back door of WJZ and would not talk to a few reporters who had staked out his SUV. “No questions right now. Happy, very happy,” he says on the tape.

The bulk of the more than 30 reporters and videographers covering the event, including me, were out in front of the WJZ building waiting to be spinned by both campaigns. Gov. Martin O’Malley got to put his spin on the event, after other top Democrats had heaped praise on him.

It was left for Ehrlich communications director Andy Barth, who apparently lost the coin toss, to try to explain why Ehrlich wasn’t there, and that “he always takes questions from reporters.” But not today.

Ehrlich usually does take questions from reporters after most events – and O’Malley often doesn’t. But the party video, out of sequence, shows Becker pursuing Ehrlich as he enters the back door of the building. She asks him, “Are you uncomfortable with the O’Malley supporters?” as if he were some bad guy in a “60 Minutes” ambush interview. Ehrlich and his team laugh at the question.

GO HERE to read more.

Why Do These Guys Hate Each Other So Much?

The personal animosity between Bob Ehrlich and Martin O’Malley was visibly displayed in Monday’s televised debate. We may or may not see more of it in today’s encounter at the Washington Post to be webcast and broadcast on WAMU-FM, WUSA TV and Maryland Public Television.

In that light, a long essay written by Len Lazarick in August for the October issue of What’s Up? Annapolis and What’s Up? Eastern Shore magazines holds up pretty well. These men have so much in common in their backgrounds, but are so different in philosophy. What led them to this grudge match? Was their anger a product of their clashing ambitions or something more personal?

GO HERE to read more.

House Of Delegates Candidates Question

Joe,

I have noticed this sign for several weeks now.  It is located on Camden Ave. Southbound just past Cedar Lane.  I was always under the impression that candidate signs had to come down 7 days or sooner if the candidate does not win the primary.  I just checked the MD ballot, Ms. Brewington is not listed there.  I then went to the MD code regarding candidate signs and per  § 11B-111.2. Candidate or proposition sign.  I have attached it below.  Just wondering if these rules just don't apply to her???§ 11B-111.2. Candidate or proposition sign.

(a) In general. -- In this section, “candidate sign” means a sign on behalf of a candidate for public office or a slate of candidates for public office.


(b) Exceptions. -- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision in the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association may not restrict or prohibit the display of:

(1) A candidate sign; or

(2) A sign that advertises the support or defeat of any question submitted to thevoters in accordance with the Election Law Article.

(c) Restriction. -- A recorded covenant or restriction, a provision in a declaration, or a provision in the bylaws or rules of a homeowners association may restrict the display of a candidate sign or a sign that advertises the support or defeat of any proposition:

(1) In the common areas;

(2) In accordance with provisions of federal, State, and local law; or

(3) If a limitation to the time period during which signs may be displayed is not specified by a law of the jurisdiction in which the homeowners association is located, to a time period not less than:

(i) 30 days before the primary election, general election, or vote on the proposition; and

(ii) 7 days after the primary election, general election, or vote on the proposition.

Verizon To Charge You $3.50 To Pay Your Bill

Starting October 16, all Verizon Communications landline, FiOS, and DSL customers will have to pay a $3.50 fee if they pay their bills by credit or debit card. (Currently there are no plans to apply to same to wireless customers). The only way to get around it is to sign up for auto-billing. Verizon says the new fee is because they have a new vendor for processing credit and debit transactions, and they're passing on the lack of savings to you.

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Delusional Thieves Caught Stealing Entire Mansions

A ring of confused folk in Georgia are stealing entire million-dollar homes, deeding themselves the property with bogus paperwork and squatting inside.

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Insurers Denied Health Coverage To 1 In 7 People, Citing Pre-Existing Conditions

The nation’s four largest for-profit health insurers denied coverage to more than 651,000 people over a three-year period, citing pre-existing conditions, according to an analysis of insurer data detailed in a Congressional investigation.

Between Aetna, Humana, UnitedHealth Group, and WellPoint, that averages out to a denial of coverage for one out of every seven applicants, according to an Energy and Commerce Committee memo about the investigation.

The memo, released by Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak [1], both Democrats, touts provisions in the health care reform bill that address pre-existing condition denials.
But all politics aside, the investigation contains some interesting figures and information culled from thousands of pages of documents provided by the insurers. The memo points out, for instance, that since 2007, the number of denials on the basis of pre-existing conditions has risen each year, outpacing the increase in applications for insurance coverage:

A year-by-year analysis shows a significant increase in the number of coverage denials each year. The insurance companies denied coverage to 172,400 people in 2007 and 221,400 people in 2008. By 2009, the number of individuals denied coverage rose to 257,100.Between 2007 and 2009, the number of people denied coverage for pre-existing conditions increased 49%. During the same period, applications for insurance coverage at the four companies increased by only 16%.

GO HERE to read more.