Wicomico Students To Have School Feb. 28 And May 2 To Make Up Weather Closing Days

Students and families of Wicomico County Public Schools can count on having school on Monday, Feb. 28 and Monday, May 2 to make up for weather closings this winter.

Schools were closed due to weather conditions on Friday, Dec. 17 and Wednesday, Jan. 12. Both Feb. 28 and May 2 were scheduled to be staff professional days, but are designated on the approved calendar as days that could become makeup days if needed. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said that while professional days are important, the best use of those days is for instruction for students.

"We will adjust our staff schedules to address the needs of the students who have lost two days of instruction," Dr. Fredericksen said. "Staff members will be informed soon of the schedule for making up the professional development days."

The Board of Education will vote on the calendar change at its monthly meeting on Feb. 8. Families who have already made and paid for travel plans for either Feb. 28 or May 2 may show documentation to the school for the student to have an excused absence.

Maryland Republicans Take Another Hard Right Turn

Annapolis, MD (January 21, 2011) - Maryland’s Senate Republicans today affirmed that they are out of touch and out of new ideas by choosing Nancy Jacobs to lead their dwindling State Senate caucus. This move is especially surprising considering that Jacobs was recently ousted as Minority Whip in the aftermath of a disastrous November for Senate Republicans.

After Senator Allan Kittleman failed the Senate GOP litmus test to remain minority leader, Senator David Brinkley - who ran against Jacobs - has similarly flunked. Rather than come together to help move Maryland forward, the elections of Jacobs and E.J. Pipkin  personify the Republican establishment’s unwillingness to build consensus in Annapolis.

Nancy Jacobs is wedded to positions that are far-right, divisive and out of the mainstream. Jacobs voted no on allowing judges to confiscate firearms from domestic abuse suspects in 2009 (HB 302). In 2007, she voted against the indoor smoking ban (SB 91) and the living wage (HB 430). In 2009 while the country was in the midst of an economic crisis, Jacobs was one of only nine state senators to vote against extending state unemployment benefits (HB 310).

In these tough times, Marylanders need their elected leaders to come together to make progress on their behalf. However, Maryland Republicans still haven’t learned the lessons of November 2010. The recent selections of Alex Mooney and Nancy Jacobs may sell in Sarah Palin’s Alaska, but Marylanders will see it as the hard-right turn that they rejected on Election Day.

Editors Note: I'll just keep my mouth shut and let comments do their thing. However, that's not easy.

Most Feel Obama Hurting Economy

A new Fox News poll shows most Americans believe the country's economy is in poor shape and that the president's policies since taking office have hurt rather than helped the economy.

GO HERE to read more.

Don't Miss The Rodeo Tonight

GO HERE to learn more.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY OUTLINES FY12 BUDGET FOCUSED ON JOB CREATION

Proposed budget closes deficit more than $1.3 billion, shrinks the size of government

Reforms state pension system, putting it on a path of sustainability; Includes no tax increases for Marylanders

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 21, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined today by Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Secretary T. Eloise Foster of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, outlined the FY 2012 budget for the State of Maryland, which closes a projected budget deficit of more than $1.3 billion, invests millions in job creating initiatives, and proposes new reforms to the state pension system, putting it on a path of sustainability.  The FY12 budget brings total reductions under the O’Malley-Brown Administration to $6.6 billion and shrinks the size of government to lower levels than four years ago.

“We are in a period of profound economic change, and these remain still uncertain times,” said Governor O’Malley.  “As Maryland businesses continue to add jobs at higher rates than the rest of the nation, we still must find ways to do more with less while protecting those priorities we share as One Maryland.  This budget is one that is painfully lean, but rightly focuses resources on jobs and innovation – the worthwhile costs of making the right choices and investments in our future.”

For the fifth consecutive year, the FY 2012 budget complies with the General Assembly’s Spending Affordability Guideline.  This year’s recommendation – to reduce the out-year deficit by one third – is exceeded with this budget proposal.  Spending cuts made in the FY 2012 budget reduce the standing deficit by 37%, improving the outlook for FY 2013 by more than $800 million while maintaining a healthy rainy day fund at 5% of revenues.

The proposed FY12 budget focuses more than $3.5 billion on jobs and job creating initiatives, including nearly 15,000 construction jobs supported through the FY 2012 capital budget. 

·         Creates InvestMaryland to grow the state’s knowledge-based industries and stimulate up to $100 million in venture capital investments, creating thousands of jobs.

·         Increases funding for the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund by 25%, helping to stimulate small business growth and job creation.

·         Funding for stem cell research, bringing the five-year total under the O’Malley-Brown Administration to $76.2 million.

·         Funding for the biotechnology tax credit and the Maryland Biotechnology Center, investing in the new economy.

·         $10 million in Sustainable Communities Tax Credits to promote urban redevelopment and create jobs.

See the Governor’s outlined FY12 budget, including budget history and context, here.

For an electronic copy of the entire FY12 budget, click here.

Education

The FY12 budget proposes a second year of record $5.7 billion in funding for K-12 public schools, bringing the five-year total to $27.4 billion.  This includes more than $128 million for the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI), the third consecutive year of full funding and the only administration to have funded any level of GCEI.

In addition, for the fifth straight year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has met or exceeded the Kopp Commission recommendations on school construction funding, bringing the total five-year funding level to more than $1.5 billion, a Maryland record.

Public Safety

Last year, together, we drove violent crime to its lowest rate in recorded history thanks to innovative programs that connected law enforcement to each other, traded information across borders, and focused resources on Maryland’s most violent offenders.  The FY12 budget proposal includes nearly $2.18 billion in public safety funding including $108 million for the Violence Prevention Initiative, targeting more than 2,000 of the State’s most dangerous offenders.

In addition, Governor O’Malley includes millions to advance law enforcement technology, including continued implementation of the Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System to assist law enforcement and emergency responders with real-time information, and the Offender Case Management System to track inmates from initial booking through community release.

And to keep police officers on the streets, Governor O’Malley’s FY12 budget includes funding for a trooper class of 80 new recruits, and more than $45 million in local police aid.

Environmental Protection

Since taking office, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has developed innovative tools to scientifically guide environmental policy, and ensure taxpayer dollars spent on environmental protection are done so efficiently and effectively while maximizing long-term impact.  Governor O’Malley’s FY12 budget continues increased funding for the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund, and more than $16 million for the cover crop program, which experiences record levels of participation in FY11.

In addition, the FY12 budget focuses investments on the continued expansion of Maryland’s “green job” sector, putting $7 million in Strategic Energy Investment Funds toward clean, renewable energy grants and $1 million to support climate change programs.  In addition, the budget provides more than $6 million for weatherization grants, enough to improve the energy performance of nearly 4,300 low income hones, and $4.7 million for other energy efficiency programs primarily to assist low and moderate income Maryland families.

Health and Wellness

Through a combination of expansion initiatives, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has expanded health care access to more than 247,000 Marylanders who were without health care four years ago, including 117,500 children.  Governor O’Malley’s FY12 budget proposes $7 billion to provide comprehensive health care coverage to more than 900,000 low-income, disabled, and chronically ill children and adults. 

In addition, the FY12 budget provides millions for programs for Marylanders with disabilities, including $17 million to expand placements for people with developmental disabilities, and $8 million to raise payment rates for providers of services to people with developmental disabilities.

State Employees

Over the last three years, employees have absorbed more than $580 million of reductions to salaries and benefits.  This year, by Executive Order, Governor O’Malley created a Voluntary Separation Program for state employees, attracting almost 1,400 applicants.  Governor O’Malley’s FY12 budget assumes $40 million in ongoing savings from approximately 1,000 accepted applications to the program. 

The FY12 budget includes provisions of a new, three-year contract with the State’s largest employee unions that ends the use of furloughs and provides for future cost of living adjustments and step increases.  In addition, the FY12 budget begins to put the public employee pension and retirement system on a path of sustainability.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO PUT PENSION SYSTEM ON PATH TO SUSTAINABILITY

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 21, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley outlined plans today to address Maryland’s unfunded pension and retirement liabilities and begin to put the public system on a path of sustainability.  In introducing the FY 2012 budget proposal today, Governor O’Malley committed approximately $1.5 billion to the pension system next year, nearly $1 billion more than in FY 2003.

“Some of the toughest choices we face in this legislative session are the choices we make to fix our pension system,” said Governor O’Malley.  “We owe it to our police officers, teachers and other hardworking state employees and we also owe it to our children and our taxpayers, to find a sustainable way forward that protects our commitments and maintains fiscal responsibility.  This is a bill that we have to pay and all of us have a vested interest in finding the most fair and equitable way to keep our pension commitments.”

Governor O’Malley has outlined the basic principles on which pension reform is based:

(1)                Continue to maintain a public system as a critical component of recruiting and retaining the best teachers.

(2)                Improve the funding level in the State and Teacher retirement system.

(3)                Reduce the pension and retirement liability, and therefore, we must ask current and future members of the system to contribute more to strengthen the system and preserve benefits.

(4)                Identify certain milestones so as our economic circumstances change, we can revisit some of these reforms.

Find the Governor’s full pension reform presentation here.

In each of his first four years, Governor O’Malley has submitted budgets that fully funded the State’s required pension contribution.  But despite rapid increases in this contribution, the funded status of the pension system has dropped from 95% ten years ago to a project 59% next year. 

The Governor’s proposed reforms will allow the state to reinvest more than $1 billion into the retirement system over the next six years.  These reforms will achieve 80% funding of the pension system by FY 2023 and require bi-annuals reports assessing the financial health of the pension system, including recommendation for adjustments to state funding and/or future benefits.

Current employees and retirees:

The Governor’s proposed pension reform has no impact on current retirees and no impact on benefits already earned by active or former employees and teachers.

For benefits earned for service in FY 2012 and future years, active employees and teachers are offered a one-time choice between:

1. Continue to pay 5% of salary towards retirement with adjusted benefit (1.5% benefit multiplier for each future year of service rather than current 1.8% benefit multiplier).
2. Increase contribution to retirement from 5% to 7% of pay and continue to earn benefits at the current level (1.8% benefit multiplier for each future year of service).

Future employees and teachers:

New employees will automatically be required to contribute 7% of salary and receive a 1.5% benefit multiplier.  In addition, year of benefit vesting will move from the current five years of service to ten years.  Early retirement age will increase from the current 55 to 60, and the benefit will be calculated on the highest five years of salary rather than the highest three years.  Finally, cost of living adjustments will be based on investment benchmarks.

In addition, the Governor announced plans to direct the appropriate Compensation Commissions to review pensions for elected officials for sustainability and fairness.

Health benefits:

Almost half of the unfunded liability associated with retiree health benefits relates to Maryland’s prescription drug benefit.  For current retirees, the proposes reform plan establishes a state-run Medicare Part D-like plan that mirrors the federal program but fills the current coverage gap.  In 2020, the plan transitions these retirees to Medicare Part D coverage in 2020 when the coverage gap is phased out. 

For active employees, the proposed plan aligns co-pays with national trends and raises out-of-pocket caps from $700 to $1,000 for individuals and $1,500 for couples.

The current unfunded liability of retiree health insurance stands at $16 billion.  After the proposed reforms, that figure drops by almost 50%.

The Peace & Quiet!

We have gone to registered comments only. Thanks for the support and understanding Folks.

Rep. Harris Selected By Colleagues To Leadership Role On Energy And Environment

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Andy Harris was chosen by his colleagues on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to be Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. This assignment will allow Rep. Harris to foster an environment for long-term job growth in Maryland, protect our Bay and help secure America's energy future.

"I am humbled to have been selected by my colleagues," said Rep. Harris. "I feel that my background as a physician and service for the last 12 years on the Maryland State Senate Health, Education, and Environment Committee have prepared me for this role. I want to secure America's energy future, enhance research on new and existing energy technologies and to look for environmentally safe methods of obtaining the energy that our economy needs to grow and create jobs. This role will also give me a larger voice in regards to the unique relationship that this district has with our bay and its precious tributaries.”

           

The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has partial or complete jurisdiction over the following federal agencies: NASA, the Department of Energy, EPA, ATSDR, NSF, FAA, NOAA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, FEMA, the U.S. Fire Administration, and United States Geological Survey.

Congressman Andy Harris represents Maryland’s 1st Congressional District which includes: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties and parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties.

Traffic: Through The Roof. Comments: Not So Good.

The timing couldn't be better for this particular Post because we have been contemplating making a decision here at Salisbury News we'd like your input on.

Before 2011 hit, one of the things we had discussed changing this year was having everyone register to comment. Other sources require it and we're getting the feeling we should consider the same.

Right now our average daily traffic has never been so high. Week after week we continue to grow and quite frankly I don't think making a comment change is really going to hurt us in any way.

The purpose behind it is the HOPE that down the road we can stop moderating each comment and simply allow registered users to put comments through at their will.

Take today, for example. We have been rejecting comments like there's no tomorrow. If we had everyone register to comment, anyone abusing our rules could be marked as spam and when they attempt to comment again it would be automatically rejected without our having to do anything. If you only knew how much time this would free up.

There are days we get over 800 comments in a day and every single one of them has to be read and moderated. That's 24/7. Registering doesn't mean you have to use your real name, so you know. You can make up any name you like. However, when you abuse the comments and we mark you as spam, well, you go away, like it or not.

We want 2011 and beyond to be more responsible reporting. No personal attacks and we'd like the same out of comments. This doesn't mean we won't bring you the news and information like we had in the past. We'll just do so in a much more responsible way, that's all.

So the question to ALL of you is, would you be willing to register with Blogger in order to make comments. Keep in mind, there's a very strong chance we're going that direction anyway but we'd like to hear what your thoughts are. Perhaps you can sell me on not making the change.

Since comments have slowed down anyway but the traffic has grown, it's hard not to consider making such a change.

Doubling The Flush Tax Is Proposed, With McIntosh As Possible Sponsor

House Environmental Matters Committee Chairwoman Maggie McIntosh said she will introduce legislation doubling the annual flush tax from $30 to $60 per household “if no one else will do it.”

Maryland’s Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee is proposing the hike. The new revenue is needed, the committee says in its new annual report to the legislature, because the estimated cost of cleaning up the wastewater treatment plants has doubled from $750 million when Gov. Bob Ehrlich first proposed the annual $30 “fee” in 2004 to almost $1.5 billion today.

“This is a tough time to be raising fees and taxes on anyone,” McIntosh told several hundred people on Friday at the “Maryland Forward” forum on sustainability at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills hosted by Gov. Martin O’Malley. But she felt the increase was needed to improve the bay.

MarylandReporter.com reported on the discussion about raising the flush tax in August.

The flush tax hike would apply both to households connected to sewer systems and to those with septic systems. Under pressure from Democrats, Ehrlich accepted amendments to include rural septic systems, a move that was very unpopular among his more rural conservation base.

McIntosh, a Baltimore City Democrat who chaired the coordinated campaign for O’Malley and statewide Democrats last year, repeatedly referred to the “flush tax,” saying it was not really a fee, as the Bay Fund advisory panel still calls it.

The O’Malley campaign had slammed Ehrlich for raising what the ex-Republican governor insisted on calling “fees,” but in a televised debate at The Washington Post in October, O’Malley actually complimented Ehrlich on the flush tax.

The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Ehrlich created is coming up dry because of increased construction costs for the plants and equipment for “enhanced nutrient removal.” There are also higher payments for principal and interest after state lawyers determined the Bay Fund would have to sell standard 15-year state bonds, not 20-year bonds as envisioned.

McIntosh said the tax hike was also essential to help meet the stricter new guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve the health of the Chesapeake, the largest estuary in North America.

GO HERE to read more.

Flawed EPA Plan Burdens States, Violates Federal Law

The American Farm Bureau recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenging the agency's "pollution diet" for this 64,000-square-mile watershed. The response of some critics, including this publication's editorial board, might lead readers to believe that the Farm Bureau is opposing the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Despite the rhetoric of critics, the Farm Bureau's lawsuit is not about whether to clean up the bay. Farmers remain committed to working to achieve clean water for the Chesapeake. A recent draft study by the Natural Resource Conservation Service found that farmers were actively implementing erosion controls on about 96 percent of producing cropland acres in the watershed. As a result of these practices, the Conservation Service found that farmers were reducing sediment contributions to the region's rivers and streams by 64 percent, nitrogen by 36 percent, and phosphorus by 43 percent. The Farm Bureau and its members will continue to work with the states and other stakeholders to adopt practical solutions for a healthy Chesapeake Bay. Those efforts have nothing to do with this lawsuit.

This lawsuit is about a particular plan — officially, the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load for nutrients and sediment — that violates federal law in three ways: it violates the Clean Water Act by binding states to a federally imposed prescription and timeline; the mandatory "load reductions" calculated by the EPA have no valid scientific basis and therefore violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); and the EPA did not allow adequate time for the public to respond to its highly technical proposal (also in violation of the APA).

GO HERE to read more.

Maryland Casinos And Table Games

For anyone wagering the over/under on how long it would take one of Maryland’s fledgling slot machine operators to seek permission to run table games, you can now tear up tickets that predicted three months or longer. Representatives of Penn National Gaming say their Hollywood Casino at Perryville needs blackjack and the like to stay profitable.

After a better-than-expected opening month in October, the machine-only casino’s revenues plunged by more than 42 percent to $6.5 million in December. The owner says the state will need to make fixes by permitting longer hours of operation and complimentary food and drink to patrons, which is banned by state law. But officials would also really like to see table games if they are to compete with neighboring states.

That should come as no surprise to anyone even vaguely aware of what’s been going on with gambling in this country. Casinos in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware now offer tables games and are open on a 24-hour basis.

The shock is that table games were so little discussed when Gov. Martin O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly moved to approve slot machines four years ago. Even Mr. O’Malley’s predecessor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., demonstrated little interest in table games despite his strong advocacy for slots when he was governor.

Perhaps there was some thought that slot machines are the beer and wine of gaming and blackjack, roulette, poker, etc. are the hard liquor. In reality, table games broaden the customer base to include more affluent players and offer more employment opportunities, as the games require dealers and supervising pit bosses, not just machines and a few technicians.

Frankly, it’s a modest change. Some slot machines already offer the equivalent of a blackjack game, down to the life-size image of a dealer and video table where players sit. The only difference is the dealer would be human, the cards real.

GO HERE to read more.

The Pension Cost Dilemma

Gov. Martin O’Malley acted wisely in deciding to address fundamental issues in the state pension system before making any move to shift teacher pension costs to local governments.

This was an especially tough call in a year when the state is facing a $1.6 billion budget deficit and there is pressure from all sides to cut costs and raise revenues. But it was the right call.

In all likelihood, any comprehensive plan to address Maryland’s fiscal problems will include a provision to shift some portion of the cost of teacher pensions to local governments — possibly as early as next year. The state has shouldered this immense financial burden — now approaching $1 billion annually — for years, but the financial reality of post-recession America will probably force this to change.

GO HERE to read more.

O'Malley In A Dress Rehearsal For What?

Politics is a funny business. Just ask Martin O'Malley. On the same day he had his four-year contract as governor renewed, O'Malley started auditioning for his next job.
 
His 11-minute inaugural address set the tone for that job quest. He expressed pride in his accomplishments and a determination to make further progress. O'Malley came across as a confident, conciliatory leader but one who understands that uncomfortable moments lie ahead.
 
Just how uncomfortable became apparent after the governor released his budget today, closing a $1.6 billion fiscal gap without seeking higher taxes. The protests in anticipation of those budget cuts have been heard in the State Houses since the Jan. 12 opening of the General Assembly session.
 
In his inaugural speech, the governor called this the "tough but fiscally responsible choice" and cautioned — as if anyone needed reminding — "the next four years will not be easy."
 
His second term will require "a different level of leadership" both from himself and from state legislators. Then he laid out the unspoken but obvious truth that too many officeholders have avoided: "We must be willing to make the tough decisions."
 
Hey, isn't that what we elected them to do?

GO HERE to read more.

2011 One World Currency?? ...The Year The $ Dies???

I report / you decide....... 

This is a radio interiew with the belief that this year is the year the dollar dies...food and water..survival supplies are our best investment.

Part 1

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1woXHlG1CQ

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CEvwoQ2Y6I&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_770107

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_vPs7cf4fM&annotation_id=annotation_922454&feature=iv

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlViVy_fKn8

Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Tw3GY3FFg

Note: This information was sent in by a reader.

A Letter To The Editor

"SAFE STREETS" WORK SESSION NEEDS A LARGER MEETING ROOM

In her wisdom, Louise Smith has put Mayor Ireton’s legislative package on the agenda for a work session of the Salisbury City Council to be held on January 27 in its small meeting room (306) at the Government Office Building, not in the larger Council Chambers (Room 301). The Council’s meeting room cannot hold more than 15-20 people, and it is likely to be jam packed from the beginning by SAPOA members and landlords, so that city residents will be unable to observe the discussion. This insult would be in addition to the injury that Ms. Smith has perpetrated by refusing to schedule the matter for many months.

Perhaps Ms. Smith is ignorant of the fact that the public input sessions on the "safe streets" package were attended by dozens of people – after all, Louise did not bother to attend any of those sessions – or she may want it to be impossible for City residents to participate as observers. And the small meeting room is not conductive to good coverage by the mainstream media, which should – if they do their job – cover the work session and report it in detail.

We call upon Ms. Smith to move the work session of the legislative package either to the Council Chambers or, if it is not available, to the meeting room at the fire department headquarters station. If she acts promptly, the new location can be announced at the City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, January 24.

Obama's Pimping WalMart

Since when is it OK for our President and his Wife to openly market one particular company? In recent days we saw the Obama's pushing WalMart because they're going to demand healthier products. If an orange goes down in price by five cents, will you really notice the difference? WalMart will!

Corporate influence in the Oval Office is just wrong! Companies like Giant, Super Fresh, Food Lion and others have proven to give back to the community. Mind you, WalMart should be recognized for doing the same but you don't see the White House pimping these other businesses.

What's worse is, WalMart will force smaller companies to step up and demand the same, yet they can't purchase in the volume WalMart does, so we'll soon see WalMart being the only source out there selling any kind of grocery items. We've seen this kind of crap in the past. Show me a local Hardware Store any more. The Home Depot's and Lowe's crushed them.

What's the end result, cheaper products with far less quality. And why is that, because after placing multi million dollar orders in the beginning, the Home Depot Corporate Buyers started demanding lowers prices AFTER each company expanded their Plants to keep up with the demand. IF the manufacturer didn't do what Home Depot demanded they'd simply cancel further orders and work with another company willing to bow down to their demands.

So instead of getting a quality door, (for example) with three hinges, the new door would only have two hinges. One way or the other, in the end YOU lose out. Competition is a very healthy thing in America but we're seeing less and less of it because of the buying power of these large corporations.

Here's the real kicker though. These large companies then start demanding tax breaks from our government and guess what, they get it! The wet pants liberals in Washington just have no clue what they've done to corporate America and now the Obama's are leading the pack to make things worse now in the food industry!

As the WalMart's of this country take over the Giant's, Food Lion's etc., people will lose jobs and it trickles all the way down to the Farmers being forced to lower their prices OR go out of business. It forces Farmers to hire illegals to pay them less and take the risk so they can continue to sell to the WalMart's.

Yeah America, we're in really deep trouble when the White House starts pimping businesses like WalMart, you mark my words.

Third Friday Hype And Photos

Joe/SBY News Readers,

With the recent unfortunate closing of Escape Restaurant, I have been fielding questions as to whether or not Third Friday was still happening. 

Allow me to reassure your readers as loudly and poignantly as possible that, THIRD FRIDAY IS GOOD TO GO! 

This month meet us at the City Center Building  and Seasons Best Antique Shop for the all ages, family friendly event. 

Expect Dancing from a professional dance instructor, Ms Pam Woods of Ballroom Made Simple. A new artist on the scene Pam Nichols with Cupcake Girl Photography who has combined her passion for photography and cupcakes.  As well as a THIRD FRIDAY party at your favorite antique store Seasons Best. Featuring local Baker Dana Fraula serving up the sweets next to PNC Bank hosting a game where everyone is a winner! 

Oh and don't forget the always amazing live music and entertainment! Alex and Shiloh will be performing as well as other musicians and entertainers. 

All that on top of Black Diamond Catering's always amazing food selections and of course they will be serving up the suds! 

Check out the last month I photographed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smdiphotography1/sets/72157625337457199/

Thanks for your help  keeping Downtown alive! 

Sincerely,

Stephen DiCarlo

SMDi Photography

SMDiPhotography@gmail.com

The Black Gold Potato Plant Fire

President Obama Goes To Maryland -- What Will He Say To Democrats?

On Friday, President Obama will meet with Congressional Democrats at their yearly retreat. What should the president say to his Party? Here's what I think he should say and also what I think he will say.

“We should take one step backwards and two step forwards. Our goal as a Party is to hold our gains but retrench a bit.” “Look” the president might say,” We have made gains on health care and the Republicans can’t take that back even though they are trying. We repealed 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.' The FCC did what it needed to on net neutrality. Have perspective, we made a lot of gains.”

The president needs to tell the elected Democrats how they are going to hold on to their gains. He will say to the assembled elected about how they going to defend the gains, and how the Republicans have no place to go since they are marooned in the Senate. He needs to tell them that he is not a fool on a dream.

Then President Obama needs to say that he is not going to make the members of his Party walk the plank for him. He has lost as many Democrats as he can and he is surely more aware of the issues that could sink lawmakes in 2012. -- Of course, those issues include gun control, immigration and Gitmo. He will say that he is not going to make the survivors make any additional sacrifices.

GO HERE to read more.

Nation's Mayors Urge Obama To Help With Jobs, Maintain Federal Grants For Cash-Strapped Cities

Grappling with a brutal economic climate, more than 200 of the nation's mayors have descended upon Washington to urge President Obama to help cities out of the fiscal morass they find themselves in as state and federal aid dries up. 

Several mayors, attending the annual National Conference of Mayors,  met behind closed doors with the president  and Vice President Biden on Thursday afternoon. Job creation is high on the agenda as the local executives push the administration to help find work in America's cities and townships, where 85 percent of the nation's population resides. 

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the group had a "great meeting" in which the president said he would focus on economic development and "the need for the federal government to partner with cities."

"What was clear to me, this is a president who is focused on our cities," Villaraigosa said after the meeting.

More than one-third of the nation's 363 metro areas are expected to have unemployment rates higher than 10 percent at the end of 2011, according to a report released by the conference and Global Insight.  

GO HERE to read more.

NYT Reports States Looking For Ways To File Bankruptcy, Muni Bondholders To Be GMed

A few days ago we reported that Newt Gingrich was pushing for legislation [1]to allow states to file for bankruptcy, "allowing Them To Renege On Pension And Benefit Obligations." As we speculated back then "obviously what this means for equity investors in assorted muni investments is that a complete wipe out is becoming a possibility, as Meredith Whitney's prediction, which everyone was quick to mock and ridicule, is about to come back with a vengeance." Sure enough, this most recent development in the states' path to insolvency was quickly ignored as it was not a dipping mushroom cloud that could be bought. Until tonight: the NYT has just rehashed [2]the post in an article that would not only validate the Whitney thesis if true, but make a Cramer-Bove out of everyone who has been caught on tape in the past two weeks kicking and screaming that there is no chance in hell the carnage predicted by the scourge of Citigroup (and yes, back in 2007 everyone said that Citi could never fail either). From the NYT: "Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers." Which means that up to $3 trillion in muni debt has a high probability of being GMed, precisely as we predicted: "proponents say some states are so burdened that the only feasible way out may be bankruptcy, giving Illinois, for example, the opportunity to do what General Motors did with the federal government’s aid." Oh, and since all this constitutes an EOD, readers are strongly urged to re-read the primer [3]on what pervasive state bankruptcies will mean for muni CDS (hint: the MCDX is cheap).

Source

Obama Celebrates JFK's 'Unfinished Life'

'(Kennedy) knew that we, as a people, can do big things,' Obama says

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday paid tribute to the "unfinished life" of John F. Kennedy and said his inauguration 50 years ago and his accompanying call for Americans to serve their country still "inspires us and lights our way."

"We are the heirs of this president, who showed us what is possible," Obama said. "Because of his vision, more people prospered, more people served, our union was made more perfect.

Because of that vision I can stand here tonight as president of the United States."

Obama spoke at a gala marking the anniversary of the inauguration of America's 35th president.

Kennedy held the office for little more than 1,000 days before an assassin's bullet took his life in November 1963 at age 46 as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas.

GO HERE to read more.

Mass Bird Die-Off: Feds Poisoned Them

South Dakota birds were eating from cattle feed lots, leaving waste on equipment

YANKTON, S.D. — When birds started falling dead in Yankton on Monday, there was understandable alarm.

There have been several recent mass die-offs of birds in various parts of the United States and even Sweden, and explanations have ranged from some sort of climate change-related cause to the birds running into each other aloft.

But there's an absolute explanation for the Yankton event: The U.S. government poisoned them.

GO HERE to read more.

Thank God Its Friday

What will you be doing this weekend?

Plans Being Drawn Up To Let States Declare Bankruptcy

Pensioners and investors in state bonds could lose out

Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts, including the pensions they have promised to retired public workers.

Unlike cities, the states are barred from seeking protection in federal bankruptcy court. Any effort to change that status would have to clear high constitutional hurdles because the states are considered sovereign.

But proponents say some states are so burdened that the only feasible way out may be bankruptcy, giving Illinois, for example, the opportunity to do what General Motors did with the federal government’s aid.

Beyond their short-term budget gaps, some states have deep structural problems, like insolvent pension funds, that are diverting money from essential public services like education and health care.

GO HERE to read more.

GOP Blasts Hypocritical Union Waivers In Obamacare

The Obama administration has granted over 220 healthcare-reform waivers to unions, corporations, and nonprofits in order to stave off massive policy cancellations and rate hikes affecting 1.5 million workers, according to documents posted online by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Republicans charge the scores of waivers reflects fatal flaws in the legislation.

“I think it tells you everything you need to know about this law,” Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., told Newsmax in an exclusive interview. “The very fact that they had to immediately grant these waivers so that these people wouldn’t lose their health insurance tells you that if they should be exempt from the law, the rest of us should be exempt from the law too.”

In an exclusive interview, constitutional scholar and patient advocate Betsy McCaughey tells Newsmax.TV: “The key issue is that under our system of government, the law is supposed to apply equally to everyone. But unfortunately, the Obama administration is moving in the totalitarian direction: It’s who you know, rather than whether you are duty-bound to obey the law.

GO HERE to read more.

Five-Year Pay Freeze, More Federal Job Cuts Proposed

House Republicans want to reduce federal spending for all non-security agencies back to 2008 levels for 2011 and to 2006 levels for the next nine years. Lawmakers want to make significant cuts to the federal civilian workforce and eliminate the Agency for International Development.
 

In a bill called the Spending Reduction Act of 2011 introduced Thursday, Republic lawmakers take aim at several federal employee benefits including, eliminating automatic pay increases for civilian federal workers for five years and cutting the civilian workforce by a total of 15 percent through attrition by letting agencies hire one new worker for every two that leave until the reduction target is met.

 

The Republic Study Committee introduced the bill on the heels of a resolution passed by the Rules Committee Wednesday night calling for the same decrease in spending.

 

Lawmakers estimate the reduction in spending would save $80 billion.
 
Federal employee unions came out strongly against the bill.
 

"Many agencies already are struggling with insufficient resources and staffing shortages in the face of expanding workloads and expectations on the part of the American people," said Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union in a press release. "These proposals will jeopardize the ability of agencies to protect the public and do the work they have been charged with. Even if drastic reductions such as these are ultimately not enacted into law, proposals like these get in the way of vital agency recruitment and retention efforts. This is an unnecessary and unwise step backward for our nation."

 

Kelley said that a funding cut would undermine the operations of the IRS, the Food and Drug Administration, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Patent and Trade Office.

GO HERE to read more.

Bill Seeks To Extend Racial Reporting Of Traffic Stops

Sen. Lisa Gladden wants to renew race-based reporting on Maryland’s traffic stops, but Sen. Nancy Jacobs, a fellow member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, said it would create more work for law enforcement for no reason. The bill would continue the reporting statute that went into effect nine years ago, “when race-based traffic stops was a major issue across the state,” Gladden, a Democrat from Baltimore City, told the committee Thursday. The statute expired last year.

Continue Reading...

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On January 19, 2011 at approximately 6:40 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers observed the below listed suspect under detention in the parking lot area by an off duty Salisbury Police Officer. Employees of Walmart advised that the suspect was observed taking merchandise from the automotive section of the store then exiting the store without making payment. When the employees made contact with the suspect, the suspect became confrontational and resisted. The off duty officer came to the assistance of the employees and was pushed by the suspect, who then fled into the parking lot. The off duty Officer caught the suspect and detained him until the arrival of the responding Officers. The merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Lovelle Frederick Dashield, 24 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100002359

On January 20, 2011 at approximately 4:30 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of the Wawa Store on South Salisbury Boulevard and observed the below listed suspect in a vehicle involved in a possible CDS transaction. The officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle for a traffic violation and due to the action of the driver requested a K-9 check. A K-9 responded from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and gave a positive indication on the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and a quantity of suspected "crack"/cocaine was located beneath a seat.

ARRESTED: Derrick James Wynn, 38 years of age
Fruitland, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of cocaine

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100002363

On January 20, 2011 at approximately 4:45 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Charles Street and stopped the below listed suspect for investigative purposes. The suspect gave the officers consent to search his person which resulted in the recovery of a smoking device containing suspected "crack"/cocaine.

ARRESTED: Andre (nmn) Dennis, 36 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (2 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100002359


On January 20, 2011 at approximately 11:43 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant for a theft and assault that occurred on January 3, 2011. On that date officers received a call to respond to the Walmart Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of shoplifter that had assaulted security personnel. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed taking merchandise from the store without making payment. When approached, the suspect assaulted the personnel and threatened the personnel with a knife. The suspect then fled from the area in a vehicle. Officers were able to positively identify the suspect and obtain the warrant.

ARRESTED: Shawn Joseph Simon, Jr., 39 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault (2 counts)
Possession of a deadly weapon
Theft (under $ 1000)

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201100000311

Massive Propane Recall: Feds Warn Of Explosion Danger

A massive propane recall was launched today after it was discovered some of the fuel did not contain the substance normally injected that would allow people to smell a leak, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The government warned of the risk of explosion.

The fuel was distributed by Aux Sable Liquid Products -- an Illinois-based company that distributed the fuel to 14 states in the East and South. The CPSC could not estimate how many consumers might already have the affected fuel, but said it was enough to fill 70 railroad tanker cars and was sold between February and September of last year.

The fuel was sold to consumers under a variety of brands in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

If your most recent purchase of propane occurred between Feb. 25 and Sept. 30, you are urged to contact Aux Sable at (866) 473-7612 or visit the recall site to see if you're affected and eligible for a free inspection.
GO HERE to read more.

OLDER BUDDIES

This guy is 72 years old and loves to fish.

He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, "Pick me up."

He looked around and couldn't see anyone..

He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say a gain, "Pick me up."

He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog.

The man said, "Are you talking to me ?"

The frog said, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have

ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride !"

The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket.

Then the frog said, "What, are you nuts ? Didn't you hear what I said ? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride."

He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said,   "Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog."

Warren Buffett Exiting Print Media

Warren Buffett is selling his shares of Gannett Publications - GCI Trading Symbol - (The Daily Times Parent Company). According to the latest Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) filings from Sept. 30, 2010, Buffett held 1.74 million Gannett shares. That’s roughly half the 3.4 million GCI shares as of Sept. 30, 2009 – a sign Buffett may not be too keen on print media.

To read more about Buffett's divesture of GCI - Click here

Bingo

Imigration

This is worth viewing. GO HERE.

The World's Smallest Walmart Opens On A College Campus

America, please welcome the world's smallest Walmart. It opened last week on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. Of course, the concept of "small" is relative when it comes to Walmarts: the new store is about 3,500 square feet of retail space, and replaces the former campus health center pharmacy.

More »

Would You Pay $200 To Watch The Super Bowl On TV?

Never at a loss for new ways to make more money off its overeager fan base, the NFL will charge $200 for spectators to watch the Super Bowl on a giant screen outside the stadium.

More »

Texting Woman Who Fell Into Fountain May Sue Mall

A woman who was so focused on texting that she fell into a fountain is suing is hinting that she may sue the mall after leaked security footage of the incident went viral.

More »

Do Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Really Last 10 Years?

Now that you've replaced every bulb in your home with those twisty compact fluorescents, you can relax for a while, right? They last 10 years, so by the time you have to change another bulb, you'll be ready to replace them with LEDs. Not so fast, says California utility PG&E, which insists that CFLs don't last nearly as long as claimed. But our brighter brethren at Consumer Reports state that some of them really do, and they've got test results to prove it.

More »

Reasons It's Not So Great To Rent

Two weeks ago we told you about a couple of reasons it's not necessarily super-awesome to own your own house. Well, now here's the flip side of the coin. Renting has plenty of financial drawbacks too.

More »

Guy Makes Comedy Videos Asking For $1 Million... And Gets It

Comedian Craig Rowin made a series of videos asking for random rich strangers online to give him $1 million. He made no attempt to justify his need or worthiness for this bequest. He simply and emphatically outlined the rules for giving him the money and went through the various options of individuals and companies who might possibly give him the money. And now, by some insane kinky power of the internet, a millionaire has stepped up and will give him the cash. By all accounts, this is not a joke. It is actually happening.

More »

Wendy's To Sell Off Arby's Chain

Just three years after combining in a $2.2 billion merger, Wendy's and Arby's are about to part ways. The supersized 2008 deal created the world's third-largest fast-food chain, but Arby's has struggled and parent Wendy's/Arby's Group is now ready to slice the roast-beef chain out of the family.

More »

Ally Bank Withdraws Maryland Robosigner Foreclosures

If you're one of 250 Maryland homeowners with a foreclosure order signed by Ally Bank's Jeffrey Stephan, you've just been granted a reprieve. The bank is withdrawing all Maryland foreclosures authorized by Stephan, who admitted that he casually signed off on thousands of foreclosures each month. But homeowners aren't completely off the hook. Ally plans to restart the foreclosure process with new filings.

More »

Boeing Biggest Winner Of Hu's Visit

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

 

Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the U.S. saw prosperity for American Companies. Boeing signed the biggest deal, worth $19 Bn.

China's Economy Grew 10.3 Percent In 2010

Beijing - China's economy continued to accelerate in the fourth quarter, as inflation is easing only slightly, showing that a series of cooling measures by Beijing over the last year have had only a limited effect.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday put the pace of growth at 10.3 percent for the full year, up from 9.2 percent in 2009.

The pace of growth in the last three months of 2010 — 9.8 percent — accelerated from the 9.6 percent recorded for July-September quarter. Both the quarterly and annual figures were significantly above what analysts had expected.

Taken together, the data and a number of other statistics in recent days supported the view of many economists who believe that the government will have to further tighten monetary policy, which could eventually lead the Chinese currency to appreciate against the dollar.

The American government would welcome a stronger renminbi and has been pushing China to allow its currency to appreciate more rapidly.

The exchange rate has been a major topic of President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States this week.

And yet, while Beijing has allowed some appreciation against the dollar since mid-2010, the change has been small and is likely to remain so in the near future, analysts say.

The Chinese economy, buoyed by ample lending and significant state investment projects, powered ahead last year, overtaking Japan to become the world's second-largest, after the United States.

GO HERE to read more.

Chicago Basement

This truly is a sight to see. GO HERE.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO OUTLINE FY12 BUDGET PROPOSAL

Governor’s budget will close $1.3 billion deficit, invest in job creation, reform pension system

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley and members of the Governor’s budget team will outline the FY12 budget proposal, which will be submitted tomorrow to the General Assembly.  The Governor’s FY12 budget proposal will close a budget deficit of more than $1.3 billion, focus valuable resources toward job creation initiatives, and propose a series of reforms to put the state’s pension system on a path of sustainability.

Earlier this month, Governor O’Malley delivered remarks to local leaders before the Maryland Association of Counties Annual Winter Conference, where he directly addressed one of the most pressing challenges in the upcoming budget debate – pension reform.

Over the past four years, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has cut $5.6 billion from the state budget, including 4,200 state positions.  The state faces an approximate $1.3 billion budget gap for FY12, which the Governor has committed to closing with a budget proposal depending on cuts rather than new taxes.

Tomorrow’s budget briefing will be broadcast live on the Governor’s website, accessible here.