Momentum In Favor Of Same-Sex Marriage In Md. Senate

A panel of state senators voted Thursday in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, and the measure appears to have enough votes to pass a a final Senate vote.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings approved the legislation 7-4 and added a clause designed to protect religious groups from having to perform gay marriage ceremonies or provide services for them.

"We've got all the momentum now," said Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, one of the bill's sponsors.

More than that, they've got the 24th vote -- the one they needed to secure passage.

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Woman Indicted In Baby-Snatching Case In N.Y.

Ann Pettway is being held without bail on charges she kidnapped Carlina White from a Harlem Hospital in 1987

NEW YORK — A North Carolina woman accused of snatching a newborn from a New York hospital more than two decades ago has been indicted on a kidnapping charge.

The indictment against Ann Pettway was returned Thursday by a federal grand jury in Manhattan.

She's been held without bail after her January arrest on charges that she kidnapped Carlina White from Harlem Hospital in August 1987. White is now 23.

Pettway's lawyer did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Carlina White's mother, Joy White, also did not immediately respond.

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FREE Fernando Guerrero Ticket Contest Starts NOW

When and where was the first U.S. Heavyweight Championship bout fought?

The first person to answer this question correctly will win 2 free tickts to tomorrow nights fight. You must give your full name as seen on your driver's license.

Let's Get RRRRRReady To RRRRRRummmble

The big fight is tomorrow night Folks. Derrick Findley and Fernando Gerrero faced off at the weigh in tonight at the Fountains. Both men are ready to put on a big show. Watch out Folks, this guy Derrick is big!

Breaking News-Perdue Farms Layoffs

Salisbury News has learned that Perdue Farms laid off 100 chicken catchers today. This clearly is horrible news for our local economy.

Senator Mathias To Deliver President’s Day Address

Annapolis, Maryland – State Senator James N. Mathias has been asked by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. to deliver the annual President’s Day address before the Maryland State Senate this President’s Day.

“President George Washington, our first President exercised many leadership qualities including Patriotism, Civility and Fortitude to save, lead and strengthen our country. These character assets are timeless and contribute to the strength of our country today,” Stated Senator Mathias. “I am humbled to represent my fellow citizens of the Eastern Shore on this historic evening and in this historic place, to pay tribute to the first President of the United States.”

Maryland has the oldest continuously working State House in the country, with Annapolis serving as the Nation’s capitol for a brief period. George Washington resigned his charge as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army to become the first President of the United States. This action took place in the old Maryland Senate Chamber, which has been preserved and will be the location of the evening speech.

Who: Senator James N. Mathias

What: Addressing the Senate chamber for the annual President’s Day speech

When: February 21, 2011 at 8PM

Where: Senate Chamber

Maryland State House

Annapolis, MD 21401

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TO NOMINATE MICHAEL D. BARNES TO WMATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Former Maryland Congressman to Represent Montgomery County

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 17, 2011) –  Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that he will nominate former Maryland Congressman Michael D. Barnes to serve on the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA).  Mr. Barnes will represent Montgomery County and will fill the seat of Peter Benjamin, who has completed his term.

“Mike Barnes brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to the WMATA board as the organization transitions to a new form of governance, the leadership of a new General Manager and the addition of new board members from our neighboring jurisdictions,” said Governor O'Malley.  “He has witnessed the evolution of Metro since its earliest days and was a strong supporter of WMATA during his time in Congress.  He understands Metro's past and has a clear vision of where the organization needs to go in the future regarding the key issues of safety, customer service and the maintenance of the system.”

Mr. Barnes is currently a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington, D.C. From 1978 through 1987, he was a member of Congress representing Maryland's 8th Congressional district.  While in Congress, Mr. Barnes chaired the Metropolitan Affairs Subcommittee of the House District of Columbia Committee, which oversaw issues involving WMATA.  Prior to his tenure in Congress, he served as Vice Chairman of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission and served on the Maryland Public Service Commission.  

Since leaving Congress, Mr. Barnes has practiced law and been active in the public policy arena.  He has served on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board, as well as on the boards of several private sector organizations including his service as Lead Director and Chair of the Governance Committee of WGL Holdings, Inc and its subsidiary, Washington Gas Light Company.  Washington Gas Light Company provides natural gas and electricity service to more than 1,000,000 customers in Maryland, Virginia and the District.

Mr. Barnes and his wife, Joan Pollitt, reside in Chevy Chase.  His nomination to the WMATA Board must be approved by the Maryland Senate.  Mr. Barnes will assume the seat on the WMATA Board currently held by Peter Benjamin.  Mr. Benjamin recently completed a one-year term as Chairman of the Board.  

“During his year as Chairman, Peter successfully guided the WMATA Board through one of the most challenging times in the history of the Metro system,” added Governor O'Malley.  “With the hiring of a new General Manager and a renewed emphasis on safety, Peter can be proud of his accomplishments.  I thank him for his years of service to Metro and its customers.”

Unions Want To Overturn Election Result

MILWAUKEE, Wis.-- Say you generally liked Gov. Scott Walker's move to rein in government labor costs but had a few doubts on his method. The last few days should have cleared that up nicely.

The public-sector union tantrums, meant to make lawmakers wobble, have an inadvertent message for the rest of us: Voters can vote all they want. We can elect a cheapskate governor and a Legislature to match. But come the moment, unions will have the last, loudest word.

They'll have it if takes marches. They'll have it if it takes what amounts to an illegal strike, with so many Madison teachers calling in sick Wednesday that the district closed schools. If it takes showing up for a we-know-where-your-family-is protest on Walker's Wauwatosa lawn while he was at work, the unions are sure they can outshout any election result.

This is exactly why Walker is right to limit the unions' power over government spending.

Walker, remember, is not removing unions' fundamental power to bargain for wages. He is demanding that state workers put 5.8% of their wages toward retirement and that they cover 12.6% of their health care premiums, which would still have them paying more than $100 less a month than the average schmoe. He is also proposing that elected officials determine the shape of employee benefits without having to bargain them, and this as much as the added cost has unions crying "unfair."

They insist this is the end of unionization in government, something to which they have as much right, they say, as anyone else.

But they miss a bedrock difference. Unions in the private sector are a way of organizing private interests, those of employees, against other private interests, those of a company's owners, for economic gain and for protection against unfairness. In government, workers are already protected against unfairness by civil service laws, and Walker has supported expanding those. Economically, government unions pit a private interest, that of employees, against the public's interest, that of taxpayers and voters.

We see the result. Walker's moves are prompted by the state's vast deficit. The alternative, he says, is to lay off thousands. Nonsense, charge the marchers: Just raise taxes. Unions and allies have for years been demanding more sales taxes, new business taxes and higher taxes on other people's incomes, all to keep the state flush and generous. We're taxed enough already, said a voting majority in November. Not yet, insist the unions that have become the largest players in Wisconsin politics precisely to counter any such voter sentiment.

Anyway, union leaders were conceding the pension and health care premiums by this week. They said they knew they'd have to pay more eventually - so when unions in December said such payments were tantamount to slavery, it must have been just maneuvering. Bygones, say unions, as long as Walker leaves them the power to set health benefits via bargaining. Leave that, they say, and it's peace.

Yeah? Recall how we got here. How is it that only in desperation will unions accept a deal that still leaves them better off than everyone else? How did we achieve not just next year's $3.3 billion deficit but the decade of structural deficits before? Easy: It's because labor costs for years have been outstripping taxpayers' capacity. That in turn was caused by officials, elected in a union-dominated political environment, buying labor peace via benefits, where it's harder for voters to see the costs adding up.

More here

SALISBURY BUSINESS INTERESTS DECIDE TO BECOME A SECRET "PAC"

The group of "like-minded" business types calling themselves "Citizens for a Better Salisbury" that have come together on the eve of this year’s election in Salisbury has decided that it is not appropriate to be an official "political action committee." They have now withdrawn their registration as such a group, filed about one month ago, apparently to avoid public disclosure of those who provide funding. A spokesperson says that such disclosure would not be "appropriate."

Thus, the voters will remain largely uninformed about who is involved in this group. However, it has been revealed that Charles Moore (accountant-the "Treasurer"), Gordon Gladden (insurance-now retired-the "Chairman") and Brad Gillis (real estate-a spokesperson) are involved, so it seems likely that the retinue may include segments of the Greater Salisbury Committee and Chamber of Commerce, if not the full support of those organizations.

Some and possibly most of the City Council candidates have refused to complete a questionnaire sent by this would be PAC because its leaders would not provide disclosure about its members – Muir Boda, who has met with members of the group, being an exception. It remains to be seen which candidates will decline to participate in a forum that "CBS" plans to conduct in March, after the primary. Based on a statement that the spokesperson recently made, they also may promote (fund, etc.) certain candidates in the election.

***EVENT POSTPONED***

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PRESENT 2011 FEDERAL PRIORITIES TO STATE’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

Due to scheduling changes in the House of Representatives, today’s planned presentation of Maryland’s federal priorities has been postponed to a later date to be announced

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 17, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley’s presentation of Maryland’s 2011 federal legislative priorities to the state’s Congressional delegation, originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, has been postponed due to scheduling changes in the House of Representatives.  The scheduled votes precluded many of Maryland’s delegation members from attending today’s meeting.  A rescheduled date will be announced. 

Mayor To Give State Of The City Address At Salisbury University

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to invite the public to his State of the City Address on February 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Nanticoke Room of the Guerrieri Center of Salisbury University.

The Salisbury City Charter states, “The Mayor shall prepare or cause to be prepared annually a report in the name of the government of the City of Salisbury. This report shall deal not only with the financial condition of the city, but also with the accomplishments of the various agencies and the city. This report shall be printed for general distribution.”

The State of the City, entitled “Salisbury – Turning a Corner”, will be divided into 5 sections: The Great News in Salisbury, Crime and Neighborhood Update, Wicomico River Update, Financial Update and City Technology Update.

Mayor Ireton will be welcomed by Dean of Students Ed Cowell – who also serves as chair of the Salisbury Crime Task Force, and by Ms. Julia Glanz, President of the Student Government Association of the University.

Mayor Ireton said, “I am ecstatic to be giving this address at Salisbury University. The relationship between the University and the city has never been stronger – so it is only fitting that I give it at S.U. I look forward to delivering this to the public on February 21st.”

Incident: Warrant Arrest
Date of Incident: 16 February 2011
Location: 25000 block of Quinton Road, Mardela Springs, MD
Suspects: Bobby Lee Wray, 42, Mardela Springs, MD


Narrative: On 16 February 2011 at 1430hrs, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 25000 block of Quinton Road in Mardela Springs for the purpose of located Bobby Lee Wray. A Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation had been issued for Wray that morning. Upon arrival, the deputy located Wray and took him into custody.

The warrant charged Wray with violating the terms of his probation in a Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute case.

Wray was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and subsequently held without bond on the warrant.

Charges: Violation of Probation

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 16 February 2011
Location: 1300 block of Jersey Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Theresa S. Kimble, 34, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 16 February 2011 at 7:46 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate a reported altercation at a residence in the 1300 block of Jersey Road. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a male victim who stated that he became involved in a verbal altercation with his girlfriend, Theresa Kimble. The victim stated that during the argument, Kimble punched him in the nose and then bit his chest. The victim advised that at this point he decided it was time to leave and while he was getting his things together, Kimble went outside and smashed out one of the windows in his truck.

The deputy observed signs of injury on the victim that corroborated his account as well as the shattered window. The deputy placed Kimble under arrest and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Kimble in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Malicious Destruction of Property

Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 16 February 2011
Location: 27000 block of Ocean Gateway, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Brandon M. Pearmon, 20, NO FIXED ADDRESS


Narrative: On 16 February 2011 at 8:43 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint of a subject kicking on the door of a residence. Upon arrival, the deputy confronted the subject walking down the driveway towards the highway. Upon making contact with the subject, later identified as Brandon Pearmon, the deputy detected a pungent odor of marijuana emanating from Pearmon. During the subsequent encounter the deputy recovered three small baggies containing marijuana from Pearmon.

The deputy placed Pearmon under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Pearmon in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 17 February 2011
Location: 600 block of N. Westover Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Jerry E. Henry, 21, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 17 February 2011 at 2:34 AM, a deputy was sent to a residence in the 600 block of N. Westover Drive for a reported disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy could hear a female screaming from inside the residence. The deputy immediately entered the residence and found the source of the commotion in the rear bedroom. There, a subject later identified as Jerry Henry was on top of a female subject, holding her down on the bed while the female subject screamed for him to get off. The deputy grabbed a hold of Henry and removed him from the bed, placing him in handcuffs in the process.

The female victim informed the deputy that she was assaulted by Henry and held down on the bed in an attempt to keep her from getting away. The deputy placed Henry under arrest for assault and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner held Henry in the Detention Center without bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
False Imprisonment

Giant Food Donates $75K To The Salvation Army

Landover, Md. (February 17, 2010) – Last week, Giant Food of Landover, Md. began a year-long celebration of the company’s 75^th anniversary. In 1936 despite difficult economic times, N.M. Cohen and Samuel Lehrman together opened the first grocery store in the nation’s capital. In honor of Giant Food’s 75^th anniversary, the company presented a $75,000 check Wednesday to The Salvation Army at National Capital Area Command headquarters in Washington, D.C. The donation will help further the work of Salvation Army divisions and corps across Giant’s operating area in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware.

“The Salvation Army is thankful to Giant Food for this gift and congratulates them on their 75^th anniversary.  Giant’s commitment and partnership helps The Salvation Army to continue Doing the Most Good for people in need throughout the National Capital area and beyond; and for that, The Army is grateful,” said Captain Vance Murphy representing The Salvation Army.

“Giant Food supports The Salvation Army’s efforts to help our neighbors in need and is pleased to make this gift as we begin our 75^th anniversary celebration,” said Jamie Miller, manager of public and community relations for Giant Food.

Giant will continue to support The Salvation Army and hundreds of additional community partners throughout the anniversary year and in the years ahead.

About Giant Food of Landover, Md.
Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 179 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 22,000 associates. Included within the 179 stores are 163 full-service pharmacies. For more information on Giant, visit www.GiantFood.com.

Today's Survey Question

After $53 Billion, can Americans afford to travel on high speed rail?



Pittsburgh Area Man Refuses To Take Down Crosses

A Baldwin man is refusing to take down his lighted crosses.

Carl Behr said he isn’t going down without a fight at a Baldwin Borough Council.

“They’re not coming down,” he said. “Somebody’s gotta make a stand against these people and I’m here to make it.”

He pleaded his case at the meeting after they issued an order on Monday for the 25-foot cross to come down from his property within five days.

The council says Behr didn’t apply for a permit. Even if he does apply for one, he has to be in compliance with a new lighting ordinance council has been working on for the past four months.

“The lighting ordinance allows us to place restrictions on residential lighting that would be deemed a nuisance,” Baldwin Borough Manager John Barrett said.

More here

Can You Really Survive On Windshield Wiper Fluid For 5 Days?

An Arizona octogenarian was stranded in his car for five days, subsisting on nothing but leftover pasta and windshield wiper fluid, the Arizona Republic reported earlier this week. That's five days with nothing to drink but windshield wiper fluid. We're so glad Henry Morello survived -- but it's unbelievably lucky that he did, explains Dr. Eric Lavonas, a medical toxicologist from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, Colo.

"Five days with very little to drink would put most people in kidney failure," says Lavonas, who's a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Indeed, Morello -- who's a diabetic -- will be treated for kidney damage in a Phoenix hospital for a few days, doctors at John C. Lincoln Hospital said at a news conference Tuesday. His doctors also said that it wasn't immediately clear whether the wiper fluid had caused him any serious harm.

Lavonas explains that windshield wiper fluid usually contains methanol, a toxic substance that's often used as an antifreeze. "It’s a poisonous alcohol that can cause bad chemical derangements in the body and can cause blindness. If you drink windshield wiper fluid, you can expect to get very sick and go blind ... within a few hours to a day." (For extra clarity, he adds later, "Yeah, just don't drink windshield wiper fluid.")
Some reports have said that Morello used a napkin to filter the wiper fluid, but Lavonas says that's not a great idea. "The parallel of that would be saying, 'I've got a rum and Coke, and I'm going to filter the rum out.' Yeah, not going to work," he says.

An Arizona octogenarian was stranded in his car for five days, subsisting on nothing but leftover pasta and windshield wiper fluid, the Arizona Republic reported earlier this week. That's five days with nothing to drink but windshield wiper fluid. We're so glad Henry Morello survived -- but it's unbelievably lucky that he did, explains Dr. Eric Lavonas, a medical toxicologist from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, Colo.

"Five days with very little to drink would put most people in kidney failure," says Lavonas, who's a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Indeed, Morello -- who's a diabetic -- will be treated for kidney damage in a Phoenix hospital for a few days, doctors at John C. Lincoln Hospital said at a news conference Tuesday. His doctors also said that it wasn't immediately clear whether the wiper fluid had caused him any serious harm.

Lavonas explains that windshield wiper fluid usually contains methanol, a toxic substance that's often used as an antifreeze. "It’s a poisonous alcohol that can cause bad chemical derangements in the body and can cause blindness. If you drink windshield wiper fluid, you can expect to get very sick and go blind ... within a few hours to a day." (For extra clarity, he adds later, "Yeah, just don't drink windshield wiper fluid.")

Some reports have said that Morello used a napkin to filter the wiper fluid, but Lavonas says that's not a great idea. "The parallel of that would be saying, 'I've got a rum and Coke, and I'm going to filter the rum out.' Yeah, not going to work," he says.

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Monica Lynn Walker of Salisbury, arrested 2-10-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Walker was later released after posting bond.

 

Juvenile arrested at Washington High school 2-11-11. Deputies responded to the Washington High School regarding a juvenile who refused to get off a school bus. After several attempts by school staff and deputies, the juvenile was arrested and charged with disturbing school functions and failing to obey a lawful order. The juvenile was released to parents pending juvenile court actions.

 

 

Cleo Yolanda Williamena Charles of Princess Anne, arrested 2-14-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Charles was later released after posting bond.

 

 

Marques Javon Downing of Parksely Virginia, arrested 2-15-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Downing was later released on a unsecured bond.

US Amazingly Clueless About Egypt

A senate hearing Wednesday revealed that top US intelligence agencies are largely ignorant about the current situation in Egypt and unfamiliar with the agenda of the country’s radical Islamists.

"It's hard to at this point to point to a specific agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood as a group," National Intelligence Director James Clapper told senators. When asked about the group’s attitude to Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, he said this was a difficult question before assessing “they are not in favor of the treaty.”

However, he then noted that the Muslim Brotherhood was “only one voice in the emerging political milieu," adding that the group is “a large, heterogeneous global organization whose agenda and impact differ from country to country.”

"It also has different factions, including a conservative wing whose interpretation of Islam runs counter to broad electoral participation and a younger, more liberal wing who is more inclined to work through a secular political process," he said.

Asked about the Muslim Brotherhood’s position on weapons smuggling to Hamas in Gaza, Clapper said he was unaware of the group’s declared stance on the issue. He said that a wait-and-see attitude was also required before determining the Muslim Brotherhood’s position on Iran.

CIA Director Leon Panetta added: It is clear that within the Muslim brotherhood there are extremist elements that we have to pay attention to and that's something we watch very closely to make sure that they are not able to exert their influence on the directions of governments in that region."

Intelligence officials also conceded in the hearing that they did not pay enough attention to social media networks, and that they were not closely monitoring Tunisia, where the wave of ongoing regional unrest started.

“Frankly, Tunisia was probably not up there in our top 10 countries we were watching closely,” Clapper said. “So there is the aspect of the spread, the balance of our collection priorities. Obviously, we’re going to work on that. ... We’re going to pay a lot more attention to social media and what we can do to extract warning.”

YNet News

Don't Miss Today's Weigh In At The Fountain's

If your not too busy, stop by the Fountain's today between 4-6 PM and witness the weigh ins. The Fountain's will also be hosting the official "After Party" on Friday night after the fights. If you have a ticket to the fight, you get in for free.

This will be the ONLY location in which the Fighters will be attending Friday evening.

Who's Ready For Another Pair Of Fernando Guerrero FREE Ticket Giveaway

We're just around the corner to yet another big fight here in Salisbury, Maryland where Fernando Guerrero will defend his perfect 20-0 record.

Salisbury News has been giving away FREE tickets to each and every match held here in Salisbury and today we want to make at least two people happy by holding more contests where the winner walks away with two FREE tickets to the main event.

So sit tight and keep watching Salisbury News throughout the day as we will hold at least one, (if not two) FREE ticket giveway contests.

No Bail For Mom In Duct-Taped Girl Case

BROOKHAVEN, Pa. - A southeastern Pennsylvania woman accused of duct-taping her toddler daughter to a chair is being held without bail.

Police arrested 21-year-old Caira Ferguson on child endangerment and other charges Wednesday, days after she showed a photo of the bound and gagged child to police as part of an identity theft complaint.

Nether Providence Township police say Ferguson admitted taping the girl to a chair about seven months ago.
Ferguson denied the allegations to reporters as she was transported to jail.

Ferguson's mother says she thinks another child was responsible.

MORE HERE

Feds Arrest 20, Including 3 Doctors, In $200M Medicare Fraud Case

Authorities this week charged three doctors in Florida, along with 17 others, in an alleged Medicare fraud scam that involved authorizing psychotherapy for Alzheimer patients and other phony mental health treatments in a scheme to steal $200 million.

Justice Department prosecutors allege that American Therapeutic Corp., the nation's largest chain of community mental health centers, and its sister companies, faked medication and care charts for therapy sessions that were never held. 

The charges also claim that the group paid the owners of assisted living facilities and halfway houses to bring patients to their seven mental health centers in south and central Florida.

MORE HERE

FDA OKs Stomach-Shrinking Surgery For Less Obese

Roughly 37 million American patients meet the new criterion for the device

WASHINGTON — Cosmetic drug and device maker Allergan Inc. says it has received approval to market its stomach-shrinking Lap-Band to millions more patients who are less obese than those currently using the device.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded approval to patients with a body mass index between 30 and 40 and one weight-related medical condition, such as diabetes. Patients must also have previously attempted other weight loss strategies, like diet and exercise.

MORE HERE

Washington Animal Rescue League: An Animal Shelter Like No Other

57% Of Voters Favor Repeal Of Health Care Law

Most voters continue to strongly favor repeal of the national health care law and they’re evenly divided as to whether the new law will force them to change insurance coverage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care law while 38% are at least somewhat opposed. Those figures include 45% who Strongly Favor repeal and 31% who Strongly Oppose repeal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Earlier polling has shown that 75% of voters want the health care law changed, but even most of those who want it repealed would like something new to replace it.

Among voters who have health insurance, 44% say it’s likely they will have to change their insurance coverage while 46% think it’s unlikely.  These findings are broadly consistent with findings for most of the past two years. However, last month, following a wave of publicity about new provisions of the law taking effect, only 34% were concerned that they might be forced to switch coverage.

Consistent with findings for the past several years, 79% of voters with health insurance rate their current coverage as good or excellent. 

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Maryland’s Debt Per Resident Twice Virginia’s

Maryland's soaring pension deficits are racking up $3,069 in debt for every taxpayer in the state, while their Virginia neighbors are paying only $1,362, according to a report from Moody's credit-rating agency.

Maryland taxpayers also owe nearly twice as much as Virginians in state-issued bonds, or long-term debt, the report found.

Maryland's total debt adds up to $4,677 per resident, while Virginia's is $2,257.

The statistics make Maryland residents the 13th-most-indebted taxpayers in the nation, ahead of Californians, New Yorkers and again, Virginians -- who ranked 31st the report.

Maryland's pension system -- unpaid benefits owed to current and future retirees -- is underfunded by roughly $18 billion, after the state promised teachers and state workers higher benefits packages while repeatedly failing to pay what was owed for years.

Virginia owes its pension system roughly $11 billion.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has proposed a combinations of reforms that include requiring employees to pay more in contributions or reduce their benefits, increasing the retirement age and tweaking cost-of-living adjustments.

But a number of lawmakers have said those measures don't go far enough.

"I can't justify why we should be subsidizing tax dollars for [Boards of Education's] cushiony commitments to pensions," Del. Kathryn L. Afzali, R-Frederick County, said at a Ways and Means Committee hearing.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says O'Malley "punted" on the state's pension problems.

Moody's published the numbers as credit analysts call for greater scrutiny over states' pension liabilities, which are ballooning out of control across the nation.

"I'm glad [Moody's] is doing this," said Hugh McGuirk, head of municipal investments for T. Rowe Price. "To the extent that it will require additional disclosure of pension liabilities and put further pressure on municipalities to address the gap in their long-term liabilities."

Moody's is now backing a measure before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee that would require states to annually submit detailed financial information on their pension liabilities to the Treasury Department.

More at the Washington Examiner

Texas Republican: 'Intentional Ambush' Of ICE Agent Is A 'Game Changer'

A Republican lawmaker from Texas called the slaying of a federal agent in Mexico a “game changer” and is pushing for the U.S. to “respond forcefully.”

Gunman launched an attack on two agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday as the men drove through Mexico on routine business.

Rep. Michael McCaul said on Wednesday that it “was an intentional ambush” and that the two men - special agent Jaime Zapata, who died, and special agent Victor Avila, who was wounded – had their vehicle with diplomatic license plates run off the road by members of a drug cartel.

“When the agents identified themselves as American diplomats, the cartel members responded by opening fire on the officers,” said McCaul in a statement.

“This tragic event is a game changer. The United States will not tolerate acts of violence against its citizens or law enforcement and I believe we must respond forcefully. This should be a long overdue wakeup call for the Obama administration that there is a war on our nation's doorstep."

Here is more

Expert: Revolution In Iran Is Possible

As violent protests continue to shake up the Arab world and specifically Iran, the west has expressed optimism that there will be a regime change in the Islamic Republic.

But is there room for hope? According to Dr. Eldad Pardo, an expert on Iran and a researcher at the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, there certainly is.

Pardo told Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew website on Wednesday that there are significant changes in the Iranian arena between the current riots and the wave of riots which occurred in the country following the elections in 2009. He said that he believes one of the main changes lies in the nature of the Egyptian revolution.

“The Egyptian revolution was a democratic revolution and not an Islamist revolution, and until now what has prevented the demonstrators in Iran to go all the way was the fear of a new dictatorship. But Egypt has shown them that they now have the possibility of a different revolution,” said Pardo, adding that there has also been a change in the public mindset in Iran, who thought until now that demonstrations should be carried out peacefully and therefore achieve nothing, and now understands that demonstrations can and should go all the way.

In addition to the above, Dr. Pardo noted that the Iranian regime's conduct in light of the riots will have an impact on the prospects for change. He highlighted the cracks in the Iranian leadership and said that this encourages the masses in their struggle. He added that this can continue to work so long as the leadership does not unite against the protesters.

More from INN

In Major Reversal, U.S. Agrees To Rebuke Israel In Security Council

The U.S. informed Arab governments Friday that it will support a U.N. Security Council statement reaffirming that the 15-nation body “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity,” a move aimed at avoiding the prospect of having to veto a stronger Palestinian resolution calling the settlements illegal.

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Boyd Demands More From Government For Black Farmers

In December, when President Barack Obama signed the “Claims Resolution Act of 2010,” which appropriated $1.15 billion to black farmers who said the U.S. Department of Agriculture had discriminated against them, many thought the matter had been laid to rest.

Dr. John W. Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, has a message for America though: The black farmers need more — especially as they initially sought $2.5 billion.

Boyd appeared at the National Press Club Tuesday to say his fight is far from over.

“We contributed to this country,” Boyd declared. “The black farmers been wronged in this country and if anybody here today is confused about that, I want to shed a little clarity on that.”

Boyd fears that the claims process will result in many farmers who deserve government money being “left out in the cold,” especially as so many have come out alleging fraud on the part of those seeking settlement money. Indeed, USDA employees and FBI officials estimate that the number of fraudulent claims ranges from 50 to 95 percent. Boyd takes issue with those statistics, though.

“So when I read the reports talking about, ‘There are no black farmers’ — people, you confused,” Boyd said. “You know what we were doing in this country in the first place? Every black person in this country is over one or two generations from somebody’s farm … So when I hear of reports about, ‘Where are all these black farmers comin’ from?’ Hell, you brought them here, you brought them here and after we were free you didn’t know what to do with us.”

In sworn testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Boyd estimated the number of America’s black farmers at 18,000. However, more than 94,000 individuals have filed claims.

Despite the high number of claimants Boyd says there is no fraud in the system as the law contains “anti-fraud provisions.”

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Nowhere Left To Go?

Your pay's already frozen...your step increase, your bonus or your promotion might be next. Republican congressman Todd Rokita of Indiana is introducing an amendment to the continuing resolution the House is working on, that would kill step increases, promotions, bonuses, and raises from pay-for-performance systems. President Obama's pay freeze left those alone.

Its Time For You To Leave

The White House is says agencies need to prepare for a wave of federal worker retirements. The fiscal 2012 budget cites an aging workforce combined with a recovering economy as factors that could push more feds to retire now. The White House says the government will likely see 230,000 retirements in 2011, and that number could jump to more than 300,000. Federal Times reports the White House is encouraging agencies to start collecting important information from potential retirees and transferring that knowledge to younger workers.

Two DC Youth Fight On Metro After School

(Ed. Note: Video is graphic in nature and may not be safe to watch at work.)

Prince William To Sue Homeland Security

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Prince William County is expected next week to sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
 
Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart says the suit comes after Homeland Security turned down the county's request for records related to an illegal immigrant charged with murdering a nun.
 
"They outright refused to provide us the Carlos Montano report, this after promised twice before to provide it to us," Stewart says.
 
The county had filed a Freedom of Information request trying to get details on both Montano. The county also wants to know what happened to more than 3,000 illegal immigrants local police arrested and then sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Stewart says the county wants to know how many of those arrested have been released and how many have been deported.
 
Homeland Security spokeswoman Cori Bassett says the Montano report is not yet finished. In a written response for this story, she says DHS has responded to the county.
 
"The results of the FOIA in requesting the disposition of aliens was sent to Prince William County officials on February 11 via email. The results of the FOIA on the Montano case are not yet complete."

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Why I Hate My Little Brother

Blog: Educators Inflated Cost Of Financial Literacy Requirement, Franchot Claims

State Comptroller Peter Franchot had some tough words for the state Department of Education, which said his proposal for a financial literacy course in all high schools would cost $16 million to implement. “The state bureaucracy spiked this thing,” Franchot told reporters at a news conference before a hearing on the bill. “It’s a phony fiscal note.”

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In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants: A Dream For Some, A Nightmare For Others

Debate over whether young illegal immigrants living in Maryland and graduating from the state’s high schools should get in-state tuition to public colleges rocked an hours-long hearing Wednesday on a bill proposed by Sen. Victor Ramirez.

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Woman Says Mall Made Her Leave For Breastfeeding In Public

Rhonda B. is none too pleased with her local mall for giving her the boot because she was breastfeeding. She says security workers at Fairfield Commons Mall in Beavercreek, OH, told her other shoppers had complained that she was feeding her two-month-old daughter and she'd have to leave.

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TSA Screeners At JFK Admit To Stealing $160K From Passengers

It must be tempting to be a TSA screener, seeing bags full of expensive goodies going through your scanner and knowing how easy it would be to make those bags disappear. Two TSA agents at JFK Airport in NYC gave into that temptation, swiping at least $160,000 from travelers.

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Cell Phone Tax Rates Are Highest Ever

Cell phones are crafty little tax machines for local, state and federal governments, now raking in their largest amount of taxes ever and posting sizable increases each year.

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Government Employee Dies At Desk, No One Notices

It's the nightmare of every employee who feels undervalued and isolated at work: you could die at your desk and no one would ever notice. This actually happened to a 51-year-old employee of Los Angeles County: she passed away at her desk sometime on Friday, and wasn't discovered until a security guard found her on Saturday. She had last been seen alive at 9 AM on Friday.

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New California ZIP Code Rule Results In Landslide Of Lawsuits

It's been less than a week since the California Supreme Court issued a ruling forbidding retailers from asking for your ZIP code when making a purchase. In that short time, more than a dozen different lawsuits have been filed against retailers as a result.

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Coca-Cola Says Revealed Recipe Is Not The Real Deal

The internet has been abuzz this week with reports that Coca-Cola's secret recipe had been inadvertently leaked in a 1979 newspaper story. But the beverage behemoth is attempting to kill that buzz by saying that the revealed recipe isn't authentic.

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O.J. Beaten - Laughable Rumor Or Prison Secret?

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

The National Enquirer reports O.J. Simpson’s former business partner says Simpson was brutally beaten in his Nevada correctional institution.

Breaking News:

New Jobless Benefits Increase One Week After Falling to Lowest Level in 3 Years

People For The American Way Condemns Abortion Provider Murder Bill

South Dakota’s House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on a bill that would legalize the killing of abortion providers. The bill, reported today in Mother Jones, would expand the state’s definition of “justifiable homicide” to include killings meant to protect the life of a fetus. This is not a hypothetical issue: according to Mother Jones, eight abortion providers have been assassinated in the United States since 1993, and 17 more have suffered assassination attempts.

The South Dakota bill is part of a nationwide effort by anti-choice extremists to all but eliminate access to abortion services by asserting the “personhood” of fetuses. One such bill, introduced in the Ohio legislature, would make it illegal for women to seek abortions as soon as 18 days after conception—all but eliminating the constitutional right to access abortion services.

The forces against independent journalism are growing. Help Truthout keep up the fight against ignorance and regression! Support us here.

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Community Groups Balk At Cuts In Obama's Budget

By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline Staff Writer

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: President Obama's budget puts the squeeze on social programs, drawing fire from community groups ... Maine investigates the distribution of weatherization funds ... Connecticut considers an earned income tax credit, and other social policy news.

Lawmakers Seek To Outlaw Reading Texts While Driving

By Julie Bykowicz, The Sun (Baltimore)

 

Proposals this year include a ban on reading texts or electronic messages such as e-mails while driving, and enabling officers to pull over drivers talking on their handheld devices even if they are not breaking any other laws.

O'Malley Supports Tightening LLC Loophole

By Annie Linskey, The Sun (Baltimore)

Gov. Martin O'Malley today said he wants to cut back the amounts of money that limited liability corporations can pour into Maryland political races and threw his support behind a bill that would make it more difficult to use them to funnel money into campaigns.

Celebrate Your Community! Contest for Wicomico County Middle School Students; Entries Due By March 11

In 2010, the city of Salisbury was named an All-America City for being one of the best cities in the nation for its inclusiveness, collaboration, civic engagement, and innovation!

Also in 2010, Salisbury and Wicomico County were named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in the country, for the fourth time!

That makes this the perfect time to Celebrate Your Community! Middle School students in Wicomico County Public Schools are invited to enter the Celebrate Your Community! Contest. Say or show why this is a great place to live, for a chance to win great prizes!

Wicomico County Public Schools students in grades 6-8 may submit Celebrate Your Community! entries celebrating Salisbury and/or Wicomico County in one of three categories:

• Words (poem, prose, essay)
• Visual Arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, photographs)
• Digital (slide show, graphic arts, video, PowerPoint)

Date: Entries will be accepted until March 11. Finalists will be announced by March 25 and will be displayed downtown from April 1-17. Winners in each of the three categories will be announced on Friday, April 15, during the All-America City/100 Best Communities for Young People Celebration in Downtown Salisbury.

Winners: Prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category. First-place winners will receive a $50 Visa gift card provided by PNC Bank and $10 Local Owners Restaurant Association (LORA) gift card. Second-place winners will receive a $25 savings bond valued at $50 on maturity, from First Shore Federal Savings and Loan and Hebron Savings Bank, and a $10 LORA gift card. Third-place winners will receive three $10 LORA gift cards.

Entries, accompanied by the permission slip, may be sent to:

• By e-mail: celebrateyourcommunity@gmail.com
• By pony from schools: To the Communications Office, Annex 3, Central Office
• By mail or by delivery: To the Mayor’s Office, Celebrate Your Community! Contest, 125 N. Division St., Salisbury, Md. 21801

For information, please contact Tracy Sahler at 410-677-4465 or tsahler@wcboe.org.   

February 16, 2011

Documents

• [559]AACcontestFINAL.pdf

Statement From Assistant Superintendent Dr. Margo Handy On The Wicomico Middle School Alternative Governance Plan

An important milestone was reached this week in the school improvement process at Wicomico Middle School when the Wicomico County Board of Education approved the Alternative Governance Plan required under No Child Left Behind. This plan, developed by Wicomico Middle School staff and leadership, outlines the many steps to improve achievement and school climate that the school is already taking and will continue to take during the two years covered by the plan. The more than 120 staff members at Wicomico Middle School are actively engaged in moving the school toward the goal of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), with the support of the school system and the Board of Education.

Unfortunately, the headlines on two newspaper stories gave a very different and very inaccurate impression of what the Alternative Governance Plan means for Wicomico Middle School. The first story (Feb. 8) ran under the headline “Wicomico Middle may see major staffing changes,” despite the fact that the story itself clearly stated that staffing changes occur every year at every school, and that Wicomico Middle had already had 22 percent turnover for this school year, including a new principal and assistant principal. Wicomico Middle School has a dedicated and experienced team of professionals in place to lead the school out of school improvement status.

A second headline, above the Feb. 10 story, was more inflammatory and even more off the mark: “Wi-Middle set to replace staff: BOE approves school shake-up plan as mandated by No Child Left Behind.” No one at the Board of Education level or at the district level, from the superintendent on down, has ever called for zero-based staffing or a wholesale “shake-up” at Wicomico Middle. The focus, even without an Alternative Governance Plan, has been and will continue to be on improving achievement for students, particularly in the areas of Reading/English/Language Arts and Mathematics. The Alternative Governance Plan, developed by the school itself, is all about ways of building success, not engaging in a “shake-up.” The current staff is a key part of the future success of Wicomico Middle School.

The school system and the Board of Education support Wicomico Middle School as its staff members and students continue to work for success each and every day. I hope this explanation helps the community better understand what the school improvement process means for Wicomico Middle School. The Alternative Governance Plan the Board approved this week will now go to Maryland State Department of Education staff for review, with a vote by the Maryland State Board of Education in April. The final Alternative Governance Plan will take effect for the 2011-12 school year.

Dr. Margo Handy
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Student Services
Wicomico County Public Schools

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PRESENT 2011 FEDERAL PRIORITIES TO STATE’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley will present Maryland’s 2011 federal legislative priorities to the state’s Congressional delegation Thursday at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington.  Senator Barbara Mikulski, Chair of the Maryland Delegation, will offer opening remarks.  The entire meeting is open press.

Legislative priorities presented by Governor O’Malley will include transportation, education, job creation, environmental protection, and public safety initiatives.

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE, HOUSE ON BILL TO CREATE JOBS, FUEL INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION ECONOMY

InvestMaryland would infuse $100 million in seed, early-stage companies at no up-front cost to taxpayers

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Surrounded by hundreds of supporters, Governor Martin O’Malley testified before Maryland Senate and House committees in support of InvestMaryland, his 2011 signature legislative initiative to create thousands of jobs and fuel investment in Maryland’s Innovation Economy. InvestMaryland - SB 180/HB173 - seeks to create a public-private partnership to invest $100 million in Maryland’s start-up and early stage companies, effectively quadrupling the State government’s previous investment and spurring a culture of organic growth in the State.

Among its benefits, the program has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Innovation Economy sectors – life sciences and biotechnology, cyber security/IT and clean/green tech and attract billions of follow on capital, all with no immediate cost to taxpayers. Joining Governor O’Malley at the witness table were a number of Maryland business and education leaders and industry experts, including Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels, Greater Baltimore Committee CEO Don Fry, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson and Dr. Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor and national expert on state-sponsored venture capital programs.

“As a global hub of innovation – a leader in science, security, health, discovery and information technology – Maryland is well-positioned to transform the challenges we face into jobs and opportunity,” said Governor O’Malley. “With our highly-educated workforce and the skills and talents of our people, InvestMaryland will help us take a significant step forward in generating capital for our businesses and creating jobs for our families as we fight for our economic future.”

“Two aspects of InvestMaryland make it particularly strong and a great model for other states to emulate,” said Dr. Sass Rubin, a professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. “First, the program requires private venture funds that receive investments through this program to return all of the State’s principal investment and 80 percent of the profits, as they would do for any private-sector investors.  Second, the program uses an auction to monitize the tax credits, which increases competition and efficiency.  Both of these provisions ensure that Maryland’s taxpayers are getting the most for their investment.”

InvestMaryland is a premium tax credit program designed to fuel $100 million in venture capital investment in Maryland businesses by auctioning premium tax credits to insurance companies that would bid between $.70 and $1.00 on each credit. The funds would be split, with $50 million deposited into the State’s 15-year-old Maryland Venture Fund (MVF), with a portion of those funds allocated to the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA). Over its life, the MVF has invested $25 million into hundreds of start up and early stage technology and life sciences companies, generating a $61 million return. The remaining $50 million would be placed with three to four private venture capital firms that will be selected by an independent third-party, which will return 100 percent of the principal investment to the State and 80 percent of the profits. Insurance companies will be able to claim tax credits beginning in 2015.

“The structure of InvestMaryland is unique in that it seeks the maximum benefit for taxpayers, while investing in our Innovation Economy, fueling the jobs and companies of tomorrow and creating in an economic climate where entrepreneurs can thrive,” said Secretary  Johansson. “Our goal is to invest in the most promising companies, so that we can create an evergreen fund that will ensure a continuous supply of capital for future investments.”

To galvanize support for today’s hearings, InvestMaryland Day was held earlier today and drew hundreds of legislators, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business leaders. The advocacy event featured keynote remarks by Steve Dubin, CEO of Martek Biosciences Corp., one of Maryland’s home-grown companies and a product of the University of Maryland System. The company recently announced its sale for more than $1 billion to Royal DSM N.V., the global life sciences and materials sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands.

“The InvestMaryland program excites me not only because we will be helping to fund many promising start-up companies, but because of the impact that the State can have by leading deals and encouraging other investors to co-invest with and within the State,” said Dubin, who is also Co-Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission. “InvestMaryland will attract venture funding to Maryland as well as companies that will want to locate in a State where early-stage money is more readily available.”

Throughout the morning, InvestMaryland Day attendees heard from successful entrepreneurs like Dr. Joseph Amprey, Chief Business Officer of Gaitherburg-based biotherapeutics company Zyngenia who formerly ran MedImmune’s venture fund and Carol Nacy, Founder and CEO of Sequella and a recognized leader in the bioscience industry who is working on a cure for tuberculosis. Sponsors of InvestMaryland Day included Comcast; Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber, P.A; Venable, LLP; Chesapeake Regional Technology Council; Greater Baltimore Technology Council; Maryland Business Incubator Association; Mind Over Machines; Tech Council of Maryland and TEDCO.

Maryland has an outstanding infrastructure to support an Innovation Economy. Last month, the Milken Institute again ranked Maryland #2 in the nation for technology and science assets. According to study results, while Maryland received high rankings in human capital investment, research and development inputs, technology and science workforce, and technology concentration and dynamism, it lagged behind other states in risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure, demonstrating the need for InvestMaryland. The Index provides measurements of the technology and science assets for states, ranking them on their ability to foster and sustain a technology sector, which research has shown is a crucial factor in determining a region's future economic success. The previous study was conducted in 2008.

MDGOP Launches Stopthegastax.com

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Republican Party has launched http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1296-2832-125-11454, a new website initiative aimed at informing Marylanders about the negative impacts of a Gas Tax increase. According to Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex X. Mooney, the new site will help shed light on the outrageous attempts to raise taxes on average Marylanders instead of controlling spending.

“The audacity of Maryland Democrats to propose increasing the Gas Tax, shows why we need a two party political system in Maryland.” said Mooney. “Democrats expect Maryland Taxpayers to pay for their raids on the Transportation Fund and their out-of-control spending - we will not stand for it.”

Stopthegastax.com will include information and current events about the negative impacts of any Gas Tax increase while allowing Marylanders to contact their legislators and sign a petition to show their opposition to the proposed tax hikes. 

“If we don’t stop them, everything from driving to work, taking your kid to school, to running a business is about to get more expensive – all because Democrats think they know how to spend our money better than we do,” Mooney said.

City Council Work Session February 22, 2011

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

- - - - - - - - - - -

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

1:30 P.M.

COFERENCE ROOM 306

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

1:30 p.m. Introduction of U.S. 50W/Wicomico Housing Authority Annexation – Chris Jakubiak

2:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion - Neighborhood Legislative Package

• Crime Free Lease Agreement
• “Three Strikes” Ordinance

3:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion - Onley Road/Bateman Street/S. Division Street project – Teresa Gardner

3:30 p.m. Princeton Avenue Neighborhood Service Center quarterly report – Barbara Duncan

4:00 p.m. Early Retirement Incentive Plan – Pam Oland

4:30 p.m. Discussion of right of first refusal for Pemberton Manor Apartments – Loré Chambers

5:00 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas