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Tuesday, March 08, 2011
MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
DATE & TIME: 03/08/2011 @ 1103 hrs C C. CARD NUMBER: 11-54-00-1680
Driver # 1/ Veh #1: Aqueelah Naimah Young, 29 YOA of Cambridge, Md.
2003 Pontiac, Silver
Injured-Transported to PRMC
LOCATION: W/B Rt. 50 W/B Hebron Woods, Hebron, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On March 8, 2011 at approximately 1103 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving personal injury. Initial investigation revealed that Vehicle #1 driven by Aqueelah Naimah Young was traveling westbound on Rt. 50 in the area of Hebron Woods when young lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway. During the collision the vehicle collided with a telephone pole causing wires to drop across both lanes of travel on Rt. 50. A tractor trailer traveling eastbound collided with the wires as they fell to the roadway. Young was transported to PRMC with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. The roadway in that area was temporary shut down for the safety of emergency personal. SHA responded to assist with traffic control. The roadway was closed for approximately one hour. All events occurred in Wicomico County, MD.
MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
DATE & TIME: 06/08/2010 @ 1403 hrs C C. CARD NUMBER: 10-54-00-5373
Driver # 1/ Veh #1: Marvin James McCaskill, 35 YOA of Salisbury, Md.
2006 Hyundai Corolla, Silver
Injured-Transported to PRMC
Driver # 2/ Veh # 2: Anne Marie Daniz, 30 YOA of Fruitland, Md
2006 Yamaha motorcycle
Injured-Transported to PRMC
LOCATION: Rt. 13 south bound, south of Lloyd St, Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On June 9, 2010 at approximately 1403 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving personal injury. Initial investigation revealed that Vehicle #2 driven by Anne Marie Daniz was traveling Southbound Rt. 13 attempting to make a left turn into a restaurant parking lot. Vehicle #1 driven by Marvin James McCaskill was traveling Southbound on Rt. 13 at a high rate of speed and failed to maintain a single lane striking Vehicle #2. As a result of Vehicle #1 striking Vehicle #2, Vehicle #1 continued and struck a curb, a parked vehicle, and a light support pole causing Vehicle #1 to flip end over end coming to rest in the parking lot. McCaskill was injured in the collision and attempted to flee the area on foot before being detained by Trooper’s. Both McCaskill and Daniz were transported to PRMC for their injuries. The roadway in that area was temporary shut down for the safety of emergency personal. All events occurred in Wicomico County, MD.
Driver # 1/ Veh #1: Marvin James McCaskill, 35 YOA of Salisbury, Md.
2006 Hyundai Corolla, Silver
Injured-Transported to PRMC
Driver # 2/ Veh # 2: Anne Marie Daniz, 30 YOA of Fruitland, Md
2006 Yamaha motorcycle
Injured-Transported to PRMC
LOCATION: Rt. 13 south bound, south of Lloyd St, Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On June 9, 2010 at approximately 1403 hours, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving personal injury. Initial investigation revealed that Vehicle #2 driven by Anne Marie Daniz was traveling Southbound Rt. 13 attempting to make a left turn into a restaurant parking lot. Vehicle #1 driven by Marvin James McCaskill was traveling Southbound on Rt. 13 at a high rate of speed and failed to maintain a single lane striking Vehicle #2. As a result of Vehicle #1 striking Vehicle #2, Vehicle #1 continued and struck a curb, a parked vehicle, and a light support pole causing Vehicle #1 to flip end over end coming to rest in the parking lot. McCaskill was injured in the collision and attempted to flee the area on foot before being detained by Trooper’s. Both McCaskill and Daniz were transported to PRMC for their injuries. The roadway in that area was temporary shut down for the safety of emergency personal. All events occurred in Wicomico County, MD.
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Camden Neighborhood Association PRESS RELEASE":
Joe, I have an interesting bit of information for you. I have a friend that was attending a SU sorority meeting tonight that was interupted by a SU fraternity guy with some flagrant SAPOA information. She told me that he stated that his landlord, by the name TJ (I'm assuming TJ Maloney), told him that he needed to get SU student renters registered to vote in the up coming Salisbury Council elections. He stated that he was told that student renters would be served eviction notices for failure to vote for Dryden, Dixon and Boda and blatantly denounced Cohen, Spies and Mitchell. He continued the explain how Cohen, Spies and Mitchell are going to force the 4-2 legislation upon college students making renting extremely expensive and unaffordable. He did not hand out any printed propaganda, but he did distribute voter registration forms.
This is clearly going to far legally, morally and ethically. SAPOA has made it perfectly obivious that they do not care for their tenants nor do they care to fight in a fair manner during this election. It is also interesting that SAPOA truly believes that they can get SU students to register to vote, but what they fail to realize is that a great majority are either not truly residents of Salisbury (most use their home address as their residence)or the students live in the County. Keep in mind that the Students dorm ARE NOT in the City so on campus residents are not considered residents.
To me, this is clearly voter intimidation and should not be tolerated. Is there any legal action that can be taken to curb these types of actions? I think that it would be adviseable for Cohen, Spies and Mitchell to hold open candidate forums on SU's campus to explain their platform and how it will truthfully affect SU students.
Joe, I have an interesting bit of information for you. I have a friend that was attending a SU sorority meeting tonight that was interupted by a SU fraternity guy with some flagrant SAPOA information. She told me that he stated that his landlord, by the name TJ (I'm assuming TJ Maloney), told him that he needed to get SU student renters registered to vote in the up coming Salisbury Council elections. He stated that he was told that student renters would be served eviction notices for failure to vote for Dryden, Dixon and Boda and blatantly denounced Cohen, Spies and Mitchell. He continued the explain how Cohen, Spies and Mitchell are going to force the 4-2 legislation upon college students making renting extremely expensive and unaffordable. He did not hand out any printed propaganda, but he did distribute voter registration forms.
This is clearly going to far legally, morally and ethically. SAPOA has made it perfectly obivious that they do not care for their tenants nor do they care to fight in a fair manner during this election. It is also interesting that SAPOA truly believes that they can get SU students to register to vote, but what they fail to realize is that a great majority are either not truly residents of Salisbury (most use their home address as their residence)or the students live in the County. Keep in mind that the Students dorm ARE NOT in the City so on campus residents are not considered residents.
To me, this is clearly voter intimidation and should not be tolerated. Is there any legal action that can be taken to curb these types of actions? I think that it would be adviseable for Cohen, Spies and Mitchell to hold open candidate forums on SU's campus to explain their platform and how it will truthfully affect SU students.
HUNDREDS Of " TANKS " .. APC's And Heavy Medical... Being Moved EAST Through TEXAS.. March 7,
Where do you think THEY are going?
HEADS ROLL IN QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT
County budget ax: 61 positions eliminated
$5 million cut from budget
By CHRIS KNAUSS Staff Writer
CENTREVILLE Queen Anne's County's Board of Commissioners pared $5 million from a projected $18 to $21 million FY 2012 budget deficit at a special meeting Tuesday, March 1.
The commissioners deliberated for an hour and a half in a closed executive session to discuss the first round of the county's departmental reorganization plan. The doors were open to the public at 7 p.m., a half hour later than scheduled. A packed room full of county employees and interested citizens then listened as the commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the $5 million in cuts.
The commissioners deliberated for an hour and a half in a closed executive session to discuss the first round of the county's departmental reorganization plan. The doors were open to the public at 7 p.m., a half hour later than scheduled. A packed room full of county employees and interested citizens then listened as the commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the $5 million in cuts.
White House Official Praises Muslim Brotherhood Leader
While visiting a mosque in the Washington area last week, a senior White House security official lavished praise on a Muslim cleric who happens to be a top leader of the radical Muslim Brotherhood in America, FBI investigators point out.
"They are so ignorant," said one FBI veteran regarding the White House. "This is unbelievable bullsh--."
White House sources explain that deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough was unaware of the cleric's radical ties, and added that the presidential assistant attended the outreach event as a show of support for the Muslim community ahead of Thursday's congressional hearings on Muslim radicalization. Led by New York Republican Rep. Peter King, the planned hearings have already generated charges of "bigotry" from Muslim activists.
During his speech at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va., McDonough singled out the mosque's imam, Mohammed Magid, for praise.
"Thank you, Imam Magid, for your very kind introduction. I know that President Obama was very grateful that you led the prayer at last summer¹s Iftar dinner at the White House," he said.
"Thank you, also, for being one of our nation's leading voices for the values that make America so strong, especially religious freedom and tolerance."
However, Sudanese-born Magid (aka Hagmagid Ali) is also president of the Islamic Society of North America – a terror-supporting organization and known front group for the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood's operations in America.
More here
"They are so ignorant," said one FBI veteran regarding the White House. "This is unbelievable bullsh--."
White House sources explain that deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough was unaware of the cleric's radical ties, and added that the presidential assistant attended the outreach event as a show of support for the Muslim community ahead of Thursday's congressional hearings on Muslim radicalization. Led by New York Republican Rep. Peter King, the planned hearings have already generated charges of "bigotry" from Muslim activists.
During his speech at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va., McDonough singled out the mosque's imam, Mohammed Magid, for praise.
"Thank you, Imam Magid, for your very kind introduction. I know that President Obama was very grateful that you led the prayer at last summer¹s Iftar dinner at the White House," he said.
"Thank you, also, for being one of our nation's leading voices for the values that make America so strong, especially religious freedom and tolerance."
However, Sudanese-born Magid (aka Hagmagid Ali) is also president of the Islamic Society of North America – a terror-supporting organization and known front group for the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood's operations in America.
More here
DON’T PRESS YOUR LUCK ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY – DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER
St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night to celebrate with family and friends.
Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, St. Patrick’s Day has also become a very dangerous night to be on the roadways.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37 percent of drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2009 had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. Additionally, NHTSA statistics show in 2009 alone, there were 103 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day across the country.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful time to celebrate in Ocean City,” commented Chief
Bernadette DiPino. “However, before you choose where you will go for your celebration,
you should choose a designated sober driver.”
The Ocean City Police Department recommends the following tips to ensure you have a
safe St. Patrick’s Day.
•
Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.•
Before you begin drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.•
If you are impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or take the bus so you are sure to get home safely.•
law enforcement agency.
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local•
Remember, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
Stop Hatin’ Campaign At Salisbury University
Salisbury University’s Student Government Association holds its third annual “Stop Hatin’” campaign March 7-11, culminating with a public awareness walk at 4 p.m. Friday, March 11.
SU’s events are part of a nationwide movement.
“Our hope is that after the campaign, the values we celebrate during the week will stay with SU and the surrounding area,” said Breanna Nunez, event coordinator and SGA Vice President of Diversity.
Beginning in Red Square, the walk will include areas surrounding campus. Community members are invited to walk with students, faculty and staff, sending a message to “Stop the Hate.” Parking is available at SU’s Wayne Street Garage, the Guerrieri University Center lot off Dogwood Drive and the Blackwell Library lot off of Camden Avenue.
To RSVP and for more information, contact Nunez at 410-548-4757 or bn13170@gulls.salisbury.edu
Update On Chuck Campbell NEW UPDATE
UPDATE:
UPDATE #2:
UPDATE #3: I am pleased to announce that Chuck Campbell is now OFF oxygen, completely! They are taking him out of ICU to the step down unit.
Man Killed By Police Was Informant Who Called In Tip
Family hasn't heard from detectives since day of shooting; police, prosecutors say investigation remains open
Every month since her brother was shot and killed by police last year, Priscilla Johnson has gone back to the Northwest Baltimore neighborhood where he died to hand out fliers, begging for anyone who saw something to come forward.What the family knows, gleaned largely from news reports, is that Dennis Gregory was a bystander who was shot by detectives who were aiming for his friend, Glenn Brooks. And they know from the autopsy that Gregory was hit four times in the back.
What they didn't know is that Gregory was acting as a confidential informant that night and that it was his call to police to report that Brooks had a handgun that summoned officers to the scene in the first place. The revelation is contained for the first time in court documents filed in federal court late last month and obtained by The Baltimore Sun.
More
Police Chief Who Fled Mexico Seeking Asylum In U.S.
A young police chief who fled a violent Mexican border town is now seeking asylum in the United States, FoxNews.com has learned.
Marisol Valles-Garcia, 20, made international headlines last year when she accepted the post as top law enforcement official of Praxedis G. Guerrero in October. The town had been without a police chief since her predecessor was shot to death in July 2009.
Garcia was granted a leave of absence from March 2-7 to travel to the U.S. for personal matters, but she failed to return as agreed, city officials said. The town's mayor removed her from the post on Monday.
NPR Executives Caught On Tape Bashing Conservatives And Tea Party, Touting Liberals
A man who appears to be National Public Radio senior executive Ron Schiller, has been captured on camera savaging conservatives and the Tea Party movement.
“The current Republican Party, particularly the Tea Party, is fanatically involved in people’s personal lives and very fundamental Christian – I wouldn’t even call it Christian. It’s this weird evangelical kind of move,” declared Schiller, who runs NPR’s foundation.
In a new video released Tuesday morning by conservative filmmaker James O’Keefe, Schiller and Betsy Liley, NPR’s director of institutional giving, are seen meeting with two men who, unbeknownst to the NPR executives, are posing as members of a Muslim Brotherhood front group.
The men, who identified themselves as Ibrahim Kasaam and Amir Malik from the fictitious Muslim Education Action Center (MEAC) Trust, met with Schiller and Liley at Café Milano, a well-known Georgetown restaurant, and explained their desire to give to $5 million to NPR because, “the Zionist coverage is quite substantial elsewhere.”
On the tapes, Schiller wastes little time before attacking conservatives. The Republican Party, Schiller says, has been “hijacked by this group.” The man posing as Malik finishes the sentence by adding, “the radical, racist, Islamaphobic, Tea Party people.” Schiller agrees and intensifies the criticism, saying that the Tea Party people aren’t “just Islamaphobic, but really xenophobic, I mean basically they are, they believe in sort of white, middle-America gun-toting. I mean, it’s scary. They’re seriously racist, racist people.”
Schiller goes on to describe liberals as more intelligent and informed than conservatives. “In my personal opinion, liberals today might be more educated, fair and balanced than conservatives,” he said.
O’Keefe’s organization set up a fake website for MEAC to lend credibility to the fictitious group. On the site, MEAC states that its mission is combating “intolerance to spread acceptance of Sharia across the world.”
At their lunch, the man posing as Kasaam told Schiller that MEAC contributes to a number of Muslim schools across the U.S. “Our organization was originally founded by a few members of the Muslim Brotherhood in America, actually,” he says.
Schiller doesn’t blink. Instead, he assumes the role of fan.
“I think what we all believe is if we don’t have Muslim voices in our schools, on the air,” Schiller says, “it’s the same thing we faced as a nation when we didn’t have female voices.”
More details and the video here
“The current Republican Party, particularly the Tea Party, is fanatically involved in people’s personal lives and very fundamental Christian – I wouldn’t even call it Christian. It’s this weird evangelical kind of move,” declared Schiller, who runs NPR’s foundation.
In a new video released Tuesday morning by conservative filmmaker James O’Keefe, Schiller and Betsy Liley, NPR’s director of institutional giving, are seen meeting with two men who, unbeknownst to the NPR executives, are posing as members of a Muslim Brotherhood front group.
The men, who identified themselves as Ibrahim Kasaam and Amir Malik from the fictitious Muslim Education Action Center (MEAC) Trust, met with Schiller and Liley at Café Milano, a well-known Georgetown restaurant, and explained their desire to give to $5 million to NPR because, “the Zionist coverage is quite substantial elsewhere.”
On the tapes, Schiller wastes little time before attacking conservatives. The Republican Party, Schiller says, has been “hijacked by this group.” The man posing as Malik finishes the sentence by adding, “the radical, racist, Islamaphobic, Tea Party people.” Schiller agrees and intensifies the criticism, saying that the Tea Party people aren’t “just Islamaphobic, but really xenophobic, I mean basically they are, they believe in sort of white, middle-America gun-toting. I mean, it’s scary. They’re seriously racist, racist people.”
Schiller goes on to describe liberals as more intelligent and informed than conservatives. “In my personal opinion, liberals today might be more educated, fair and balanced than conservatives,” he said.
O’Keefe’s organization set up a fake website for MEAC to lend credibility to the fictitious group. On the site, MEAC states that its mission is combating “intolerance to spread acceptance of Sharia across the world.”
At their lunch, the man posing as Kasaam told Schiller that MEAC contributes to a number of Muslim schools across the U.S. “Our organization was originally founded by a few members of the Muslim Brotherhood in America, actually,” he says.
Schiller doesn’t blink. Instead, he assumes the role of fan.
“I think what we all believe is if we don’t have Muslim voices in our schools, on the air,” Schiller says, “it’s the same thing we faced as a nation when we didn’t have female voices.”
More details and the video here
Syrian Pilots Flying Libyan Warplanes, Rebels Charge
Libyan insurgents claim to have shot down two warplanes over the oil town of Ras Lanuf and that their pilots' identity cards and accents indicated they were from Syria.
The al-Tabu Front for the Salvation of Libya claims that the Syrian authorities were complicit in the participation of Syrian soldiers.
Muammar Qaddafi’s air force staged new raids on rebels on Tuesday as rebels said they rejected attempt by intermediaries for Qaddafi to talk with the provisional national council.
A council spokesman said there is nothing to talk about until Qaddafi leaves the country.
"We're not going to negotiate with him. He knows where the airport is in Tripoli and all he needs to do is leave and stop the bloodshed," the official said, according to Voice of America.
More
The al-Tabu Front for the Salvation of Libya claims that the Syrian authorities were complicit in the participation of Syrian soldiers.
Muammar Qaddafi’s air force staged new raids on rebels on Tuesday as rebels said they rejected attempt by intermediaries for Qaddafi to talk with the provisional national council.
A council spokesman said there is nothing to talk about until Qaddafi leaves the country.
"We're not going to negotiate with him. He knows where the airport is in Tripoli and all he needs to do is leave and stop the bloodshed," the official said, according to Voice of America.
More
State, Local Lobbyists Push To Save Programs From Budget Ax
State and local government officials are flooding Washington to lobby against spending cuts that they say fall disproportionately on domestic programs.
In interviews with The Hill, lobbyists for state and local governments said they understand that the ballooning federal deficit is likely to reduce federal support for roadwork, law enforcement and affordable housing.
But they argue that the sacrifice needed to reduce the deficit should be shared across the board — including by Medicaid, Medicare and defense programs — and not just fall on domestic programs.
“You can’t really solve the deficit by just cutting discretionary, non-military spending. It is such a small part of the budget,” Larry Naake, executive director of the National Association of Counties (NACo), told The Hill. “You end up destroying programs that help a lot of people at the local level.”
The county officials’ group is meeting in Washington this week for its annual legislative conference. Close to 1,600 NACo members will be in town, and many are expected to lobby their home-state delegations about the budget cuts.
One of the biggest priorities of county officials will be protecting funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs). NACo members are being encouraged to wear “Save CDBG” buttons on their suit lapels as they make the rounds on Capitol Hill.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development runs the grant program, which helps local government officials fund affordable housing and anti-poverty programs as well as infrastructure development.
Under the House Republican continuing resolution, the grant program would be reduced from about $4 billion to $1.5 billion. Other programs that face funding reductions under the legislation are the federal transit program, which would go from $10.7 billion to $10.2 billion; the high-speed rail initiative, which would see its current $3.7 billion in funding wiped out; and community health center grants, which would be reduced by $1 billion.
Naake said the budget cuts would only lead to more unemployment during the tough economic times.
“The counties are already facing tremendous layoffs. This would just exacerbate the problem and increase unemployment even more in the public sector and lead to reduced services,” Naake said.
More
In interviews with The Hill, lobbyists for state and local governments said they understand that the ballooning federal deficit is likely to reduce federal support for roadwork, law enforcement and affordable housing.
But they argue that the sacrifice needed to reduce the deficit should be shared across the board — including by Medicaid, Medicare and defense programs — and not just fall on domestic programs.
“You can’t really solve the deficit by just cutting discretionary, non-military spending. It is such a small part of the budget,” Larry Naake, executive director of the National Association of Counties (NACo), told The Hill. “You end up destroying programs that help a lot of people at the local level.”
The county officials’ group is meeting in Washington this week for its annual legislative conference. Close to 1,600 NACo members will be in town, and many are expected to lobby their home-state delegations about the budget cuts.
One of the biggest priorities of county officials will be protecting funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs). NACo members are being encouraged to wear “Save CDBG” buttons on their suit lapels as they make the rounds on Capitol Hill.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development runs the grant program, which helps local government officials fund affordable housing and anti-poverty programs as well as infrastructure development.
Under the House Republican continuing resolution, the grant program would be reduced from about $4 billion to $1.5 billion. Other programs that face funding reductions under the legislation are the federal transit program, which would go from $10.7 billion to $10.2 billion; the high-speed rail initiative, which would see its current $3.7 billion in funding wiped out; and community health center grants, which would be reduced by $1 billion.
Naake said the budget cuts would only lead to more unemployment during the tough economic times.
“The counties are already facing tremendous layoffs. This would just exacerbate the problem and increase unemployment even more in the public sector and lead to reduced services,” Naake said.
More
Hey, Unions: There's No Free Lunch
The biggest myth about labor unions is that unions are for the workers. Unions are for unions, just as corporations are for corporations and politicians are for politicians.
Nothing shows the utter cynicism of the unions and the politicians who do their bidding like the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act" that the Obama administration tried to push through Congress. Employees' free choice as to whether or not to join a union is precisely what that legislation would destroy.
Workers already have a free choice in secret-ballot elections conducted under existing laws. As more and more workers in the private sector have voted to reject having a union represent them, the unions' answer has been to take away secret-ballot elections.
Under the "Employee Free Choice Act," unions would not have to win in secret-ballot elections in order to represent the workers. Instead, union representatives could simply collect signatures from the workers until they had a majority.
Why do we have secret ballots in the first place, whether in elections for unions or elections for government officials? To prevent intimidation and allow people to vote how they want to, without fear of retaliation.
This is a crucial right unions want to take away from workers. The actions of union mobs in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere give us a free home demonstration of how little they respect the rights of those who disagree with them and how much they rely on harassment and threats to get what they want.
It takes world-class chutzpah to call circumventing secret ballots the "Employee Free Choice Act." To unions, workers are just the raw material used to create union power, just as iron ore is the raw material used by U.S. Steel and bauxite is the raw material used by the Aluminum Company of America.
The most fundamental fact about labor unions is that they do not create any wealth. They are one of a growing number of institutions that specialize in siphoning off wealth created by others, whether those others are businesses or the taxpayers.
There are limits to how long unions can siphon off money from businesses, without facing serious economic repercussions.
The most famous labor-union leader, the legendary John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers from 1920 to 1960, secured rising wages and job benefits for the coal miners, far beyond what they could have gotten out of a free market based on supply and demand.
But there is no free lunch.
An economist at the University of Chicago called John L. Lewis "the world's greatest oil salesman."
His strikes that interrupted the supply of coal, as well as the resulting wage increases that raised its price, caused many individuals and businesses to switch from using coal to using oil, leading to reduced employment of coal miners. The higher wage rates also led coal companies to replace many miners with machines.
The net result was a huge decline in employment in the coal mining industry, leaving many mining towns virtually ghost towns by the 1960s. There is no free lunch.
More from Dr. Thomas Sowell
Nothing shows the utter cynicism of the unions and the politicians who do their bidding like the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act" that the Obama administration tried to push through Congress. Employees' free choice as to whether or not to join a union is precisely what that legislation would destroy.
Workers already have a free choice in secret-ballot elections conducted under existing laws. As more and more workers in the private sector have voted to reject having a union represent them, the unions' answer has been to take away secret-ballot elections.
Under the "Employee Free Choice Act," unions would not have to win in secret-ballot elections in order to represent the workers. Instead, union representatives could simply collect signatures from the workers until they had a majority.
Why do we have secret ballots in the first place, whether in elections for unions or elections for government officials? To prevent intimidation and allow people to vote how they want to, without fear of retaliation.
This is a crucial right unions want to take away from workers. The actions of union mobs in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere give us a free home demonstration of how little they respect the rights of those who disagree with them and how much they rely on harassment and threats to get what they want.
It takes world-class chutzpah to call circumventing secret ballots the "Employee Free Choice Act." To unions, workers are just the raw material used to create union power, just as iron ore is the raw material used by U.S. Steel and bauxite is the raw material used by the Aluminum Company of America.
The most fundamental fact about labor unions is that they do not create any wealth. They are one of a growing number of institutions that specialize in siphoning off wealth created by others, whether those others are businesses or the taxpayers.
There are limits to how long unions can siphon off money from businesses, without facing serious economic repercussions.
The most famous labor-union leader, the legendary John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers from 1920 to 1960, secured rising wages and job benefits for the coal miners, far beyond what they could have gotten out of a free market based on supply and demand.
But there is no free lunch.
An economist at the University of Chicago called John L. Lewis "the world's greatest oil salesman."
His strikes that interrupted the supply of coal, as well as the resulting wage increases that raised its price, caused many individuals and businesses to switch from using coal to using oil, leading to reduced employment of coal miners. The higher wage rates also led coal companies to replace many miners with machines.
The net result was a huge decline in employment in the coal mining industry, leaving many mining towns virtually ghost towns by the 1960s. There is no free lunch.
More from Dr. Thomas Sowell
Rep. Chaffetz Introduces Legislation To Ensure Federal Employees Pay Their Taxes
Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced H.R. 828 which would terminate the employment of current federal employees and prohibit the hiring of future federal employees who have a seriously delinquent tax debt. Rep. Jason Chaffetz also introduced H.R. 829, The Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2011. (A similar bill was introduced in the 110th Congress by then Senator Barack Obama.) The bill prohibits any person who has a seriously delinquent tax debt from obtaining a federal government contract or grant.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz released the following statement:
"Federal employees, contractors, and grantees have an obvious obligation to pay their taxes," said Chaffetz. "Because they draw their compensation and funds from the American taxpayers, they owe it to the taxpayers themselves to be compliant. Those that do not, should be fired or lose funding."
According to the IRS, nearly 100,000 federal civilian employees owed $1.0 billion in unpaid federal income taxes in 2009. While the number of delinquent federal employees has remained fairly constant since 2004, the amount owed has increased nearly 70%.
Currently, only IRS employees can be terminated for non-payment of federal income taxes. HR828 would expand this to include all federal employees. This legislation would not impact federal employees who enter installment agreements to pay off their tax debts. Moreover, designating a taxpayer as “seriously delinquent” is a multi-step procedure that affords the federal employee due process.
HR 829, the Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2011 is designed to mandate tax compliance as a prerequisite for receiving a federal contract. In 2008, The Federal Acquisition Regulation was revised, requiring contractors to certify that they do not have a delinquent tax debt to the federal government. HR 829 would codify that regulation and provide a means to verify the contractor’s certification. The bill also defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records.
This bill was introduced in the 111th as HR 572 and in the 110th Congress as HR 4881. During the 110th Congress, the House passed HR 4881 by voice vote. Then Senator Barack Obama sponsored an identical Senate companion, S. 2519.
(Source)
Rep. Jason Chaffetz released the following statement:
"Federal employees, contractors, and grantees have an obvious obligation to pay their taxes," said Chaffetz. "Because they draw their compensation and funds from the American taxpayers, they owe it to the taxpayers themselves to be compliant. Those that do not, should be fired or lose funding."
According to the IRS, nearly 100,000 federal civilian employees owed $1.0 billion in unpaid federal income taxes in 2009. While the number of delinquent federal employees has remained fairly constant since 2004, the amount owed has increased nearly 70%.
Currently, only IRS employees can be terminated for non-payment of federal income taxes. HR828 would expand this to include all federal employees. This legislation would not impact federal employees who enter installment agreements to pay off their tax debts. Moreover, designating a taxpayer as “seriously delinquent” is a multi-step procedure that affords the federal employee due process.
HR 829, the Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2011 is designed to mandate tax compliance as a prerequisite for receiving a federal contract. In 2008, The Federal Acquisition Regulation was revised, requiring contractors to certify that they do not have a delinquent tax debt to the federal government. HR 829 would codify that regulation and provide a means to verify the contractor’s certification. The bill also defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records.
This bill was introduced in the 111th as HR 572 and in the 110th Congress as HR 4881. During the 110th Congress, the House passed HR 4881 by voice vote. Then Senator Barack Obama sponsored an identical Senate companion, S. 2519.
(Source)
WELL OWNERS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE WATER SAMPLED ANNUALLY
(Salisbury, MD) – March 6 – 12, 2011 is National Ground Water Awareness Week. Wicomico County environmental health officials are reminding residents to have their well water sampled annually. “Spring is the perfect time to have your water sampled and tested,” said Dennis DiCintio, Environmental Health Director for Wicomico County Health Department. “While most groundwater is suitable for human consumption, the potential still exists for the presence of contaminants, such as nitrates,” says DiCintio. High levels of nitrates in water may cause what is known as Blue Baby Syndrome, a potentially fatal blood condition sometimes occurring in children 6 months and under. “Having your well sampled annually is essential to knowing that your water quality is safe,” says DiCintio. The Health Department also recommends testing water if there is a change in taste, appearance, odor, or if residents in the household become pregnant.
Residents can become good stewards by protecting groundwater through the proper storage, use, and disposal of hazardous household substances. These include common products such as gasoline and oil, paints and paint thinner, fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, and cleaning products.
Some additional preventative measures are recommended to help homeowners safeguard their community’s water quality:
Maintain proper separation between well and buildings, waste systems, and chemical storage areas.
Periodically check well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
Periodically check well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. Its seal should keep out insects and rodents.
Be careful never to hit the casing with a lawn mower or vehicle, or strike it with any force.
Maintain your septic system. Improperly functioning septic systems are a major cause of well contamination.
Find any old wells on your property and have them abandoned and sealed by a licensed well driller.
Consult with a qualified well inspector to ensure your well is problem free.
Additional information on well maintenance and water quality is available by visiting http://www.wellowner.org/. For questions, to schedule a water sample, or inquire about related fees, county residents may call the Wicomico County Health Department Environmental Health Division at (410) 546-4446.
'Gun Day' Coming To House Committee
When the House Judiciary Committee meets tomorrow, just days after it finished wrestling with a contentious same-sex marriage proposal, lawmakers will be greeted by another lightning rod issue: Guns.
Tomorrow is the House committee's annual "gun day," when hundreds of Second Amendment and gun control advocates clash over bills intended to shape how Marylanders purchase, carry and use firearms. This year, a dozen gun bills are on the schedule, including a pair backed by Gov. Martin O'Malley.
But if recent history is any indicator, the vast majority of firearm proposals debated in the House committee are poised to fail. It's the product of what advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the issue have described as the General Assembly's long-running stalemate when it comes to guns.
More
Woman Charged For Keeping Son In Dog Crate
Boy was made to sleep in pet container for soiling his bed and acting out, police say
OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. — Police say a Connecticut woman is facing charges for making her son sleep in a locked dog crate because he was acting out and soiling his bed.
Kathlyn Anthony of Old Saybrook was released on $100,000 bond following an initial court appearance Monday on a charge of risk of injury to a minor.
The 54-year-old woman was arrested Sunday after an investigation. Police say the boy's sister told school officials that she was tired because she kept getting up at night to let her brother out of his "sleep locker."
Say So Long To The Credit Cad Swipe
First, we said goodbye to the floppy disk drive. Then, the Sony Walkman was unceremoniously buried.
Now, it’s time to prepare a eulogy to a gadget that's been an even bigger part of the American landscape for a much longer time -- the magnetic stripe credit card.
An ingenious technology in its time, the magnetic stripe was invented in the 1960s by marrying tape-recorder-like magnetic tape to a credit card. Magnetic tape itself was a remarkable invention, with its roots in the 1920s, when it was first used by musicians to record audio. In the 1950s, computer scientists began using it to record data, setting the stage for the “mag stripe card.”
In the 1960s, credit card fraud was skyrocketing, and clerks were stuck manually comparing account numbers embossed on cards with printed lists of accounts linked to fraud. The addition of the magnetic stripe allowed cashiers to automate this process -- one swipe and the number could be recognized by a computer. More importantly, the account number could be transmitted over a phone line to a centralized list of fraudulent accounts. The magnetic stripe had fraudsters on the run for quite a while.
But as the gadget is approaching its 50th anniversary, it's looking a little old -- as outdated, perhaps, as the IBM Selectric typewriter, which was introduced about the same time. . Criminals long ago figured out how to circumvent the mag stripe’s fraud-fighting features -- really, by the mid-1980s, when IBM killed the Selectric in favor of the Wheel Writer. And now, European banks seem to have positively murderous intentions for the old faithful mag stripe.
More
Now, it’s time to prepare a eulogy to a gadget that's been an even bigger part of the American landscape for a much longer time -- the magnetic stripe credit card.
An ingenious technology in its time, the magnetic stripe was invented in the 1960s by marrying tape-recorder-like magnetic tape to a credit card. Magnetic tape itself was a remarkable invention, with its roots in the 1920s, when it was first used by musicians to record audio. In the 1950s, computer scientists began using it to record data, setting the stage for the “mag stripe card.”
In the 1960s, credit card fraud was skyrocketing, and clerks were stuck manually comparing account numbers embossed on cards with printed lists of accounts linked to fraud. The addition of the magnetic stripe allowed cashiers to automate this process -- one swipe and the number could be recognized by a computer. More importantly, the account number could be transmitted over a phone line to a centralized list of fraudulent accounts. The magnetic stripe had fraudsters on the run for quite a while.
But as the gadget is approaching its 50th anniversary, it's looking a little old -- as outdated, perhaps, as the IBM Selectric typewriter, which was introduced about the same time. . Criminals long ago figured out how to circumvent the mag stripe’s fraud-fighting features -- really, by the mid-1980s, when IBM killed the Selectric in favor of the Wheel Writer. And now, European banks seem to have positively murderous intentions for the old faithful mag stripe.
More
Dad: I Will Kill My 5-Year-Old Son's Murderer
The father of a five-year-old boy slain in 1975 has vowed to murder the man who did it "as aggressively and painfully as he killed my son" if he is released from prison early.
MoreMcDonalds Dethroned As World's Largest Food Chain
Subway passes McDonalds in global presence
More stores worldwide, but hamburger chain is still the money champion
The sandwich chain surpassed the world's largest hamburger chain in terms of number of stores in the U.S. in 2002 and now it has taken the global lead.
Subway had 33,749 restaurants worldwide at the end of last year, according to the company. McDonald's Corp. had 32,737, according a regulatory filing.
Democrats Attack Republican Candidate's Children
By Art Robinson
In an effort to do my part in rescuing our country from the out-of-control Obama administration, last year I ran for Congress in Oregon's 4th District against 12-term incumbent, far-left Democrat Peter DeFazio, co-founder of the House Progressive Caucus.
Although I won the nominations of the Republican, Independent and Constitution Parties and the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, a massive media smear campaign by DeFazio, paid for with money raised by MoveOn.org and from special interests favored by DeFazio in Washington, resulted in a 54.5 percent to 43.6 percent victory for DeFazio in a race that was expected to be much closer.
Although I had never run for public office before, I immediately announced my candidacy for Congress again in 2012.
However, when you take a stand for what's right, sometimes there is retribution.
On Nov. 4, 2010, as soon as the election results were in and they were sure their candidate had won, faculty administrators at Oregon State University gave new meaning to the term "political payback."
They initiated an attack on my three children – Joshua, Bethany and Matthew – for the purpose of throwing them all out of the OSU graduate school, despite their outstanding academic and research accomplishments. OSU is a liberal socialist Democrat stronghold in Oregon that received a reported $27 million in earmark funding from my opponent, Peter DeFazio, and his Democrat colleagues during the last legislative session.
Thus, Democrat activist David Hamby and militant feminist and chairman of the nuclear engineering department Kathryn Higley are expelling four-year Ph.D. student Joshua Robinson from OSU at the end of the current academic quarter and turning over the prompt neutron activation analysis facility Joshua built for his thesis work and all of his work in progress to Higley's husband, Steven Reese. Reese, an instructor in the department, has stated that he will use these things for his own professional gain. Joshua's apparatus, which he built and added to the OSU nuclear reactor with the guidance and ideas of his mentor, Michael Hartman, earned Joshua the award for best Masters of Nuclear Engineering thesis at OSU and has been widely complimented by scientists at prominent U.S. nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, faculty member Todd Palmer notified four-year Ph.D. student Bethany Robinson (OSU grade point average 3.89) that he was terminating her thesis work and taking all of her work in progress for himself. Some of Bethany's graduate work has already been used, without credit to Bethany, in the thesis of another favored student now recently hired on the department faculty.
Palmer, until recently married to a member of the OSU psychology faculty, is now married to former OSU student Camille Lodwick. They are both faculty members in the nuclear engineering department.
It is also rumored that Higley, a long-time associate of Palmer's and who is adamant that Bethany leave OSU, may dislike Bethany because of criticism Higley received when department students complained of sexual assault at wild drunken parties of OSU nuclear engineering students during taxpayer-financed trips to scientific meetings. These incidents may have been more likely because Higley had failed to report to OSU authorities an earlier instance of milder sexual harassment against Bethany, probably because Bethany – a brilliant but very mild-mannered, conservative, homeschooled Christian young lady – does not share Higley's views.
My children and I attempted to counter all these actions against us as they unfolded, but were initially uncertain as to their ultimate intent. All became clear, however, when OSU faculty administrators abruptly took a further and very serious prejudicial action toward Joshua. At that point, OSU Professor of Nuclear Engineering Jack Higginbotham, who was privy to all of the meetings and actions, warned us and came to our defense.
Professor Higginbotham, who also serves as president of the OSU Faculty Senate and director of the Oregon NASA Space Science Consortium, has been a member of the OSU faculty for 24 years. He has held many responsible positions in the university and has received numerous professional awards. Moreover, he is very widely admired for the many instances in which he has given special help to students at OSU. This is a man who thinks always of his students and never of himself.
Professor Higginbotham warned us that faculty administrators at OSU were working to make certain that Joshua, his sister Bethany and, if possible, his brother Matthew never receive Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from OSU, regardless of their examination, academic and research performance. Professor Higginbotham then reviewed with us the details of the plan to destroy the education of these students and advised me to do anything I could to protect my children.
Since November, a remarkable battle has been raging within OSU. I considered an immediate public exposure of this plot and warned the faculty of this possibility, but instead my family and I decided to try to prevent a scandal at OSU and save the students within the confines of OSU. We fought these unprincipled academics on their own ground and held them off for four months. That effort is, however, now failing, and Joshua and Bethany are both slated for dismissal from the department of nuclear engineering very soon. Also, unless action is taken immediately, Professor Higginbotham's career will be completely destroyed.
Read more
In an effort to do my part in rescuing our country from the out-of-control Obama administration, last year I ran for Congress in Oregon's 4th District against 12-term incumbent, far-left Democrat Peter DeFazio, co-founder of the House Progressive Caucus.
Although I won the nominations of the Republican, Independent and Constitution Parties and the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, a massive media smear campaign by DeFazio, paid for with money raised by MoveOn.org and from special interests favored by DeFazio in Washington, resulted in a 54.5 percent to 43.6 percent victory for DeFazio in a race that was expected to be much closer.
Although I had never run for public office before, I immediately announced my candidacy for Congress again in 2012.
However, when you take a stand for what's right, sometimes there is retribution.
On Nov. 4, 2010, as soon as the election results were in and they were sure their candidate had won, faculty administrators at Oregon State University gave new meaning to the term "political payback."
They initiated an attack on my three children – Joshua, Bethany and Matthew – for the purpose of throwing them all out of the OSU graduate school, despite their outstanding academic and research accomplishments. OSU is a liberal socialist Democrat stronghold in Oregon that received a reported $27 million in earmark funding from my opponent, Peter DeFazio, and his Democrat colleagues during the last legislative session.
Thus, Democrat activist David Hamby and militant feminist and chairman of the nuclear engineering department Kathryn Higley are expelling four-year Ph.D. student Joshua Robinson from OSU at the end of the current academic quarter and turning over the prompt neutron activation analysis facility Joshua built for his thesis work and all of his work in progress to Higley's husband, Steven Reese. Reese, an instructor in the department, has stated that he will use these things for his own professional gain. Joshua's apparatus, which he built and added to the OSU nuclear reactor with the guidance and ideas of his mentor, Michael Hartman, earned Joshua the award for best Masters of Nuclear Engineering thesis at OSU and has been widely complimented by scientists at prominent U.S. nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, faculty member Todd Palmer notified four-year Ph.D. student Bethany Robinson (OSU grade point average 3.89) that he was terminating her thesis work and taking all of her work in progress for himself. Some of Bethany's graduate work has already been used, without credit to Bethany, in the thesis of another favored student now recently hired on the department faculty.
Palmer, until recently married to a member of the OSU psychology faculty, is now married to former OSU student Camille Lodwick. They are both faculty members in the nuclear engineering department.
It is also rumored that Higley, a long-time associate of Palmer's and who is adamant that Bethany leave OSU, may dislike Bethany because of criticism Higley received when department students complained of sexual assault at wild drunken parties of OSU nuclear engineering students during taxpayer-financed trips to scientific meetings. These incidents may have been more likely because Higley had failed to report to OSU authorities an earlier instance of milder sexual harassment against Bethany, probably because Bethany – a brilliant but very mild-mannered, conservative, homeschooled Christian young lady – does not share Higley's views.
My children and I attempted to counter all these actions against us as they unfolded, but were initially uncertain as to their ultimate intent. All became clear, however, when OSU faculty administrators abruptly took a further and very serious prejudicial action toward Joshua. At that point, OSU Professor of Nuclear Engineering Jack Higginbotham, who was privy to all of the meetings and actions, warned us and came to our defense.
Professor Higginbotham, who also serves as president of the OSU Faculty Senate and director of the Oregon NASA Space Science Consortium, has been a member of the OSU faculty for 24 years. He has held many responsible positions in the university and has received numerous professional awards. Moreover, he is very widely admired for the many instances in which he has given special help to students at OSU. This is a man who thinks always of his students and never of himself.
Professor Higginbotham warned us that faculty administrators at OSU were working to make certain that Joshua, his sister Bethany and, if possible, his brother Matthew never receive Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from OSU, regardless of their examination, academic and research performance. Professor Higginbotham then reviewed with us the details of the plan to destroy the education of these students and advised me to do anything I could to protect my children.
Since November, a remarkable battle has been raging within OSU. I considered an immediate public exposure of this plot and warned the faculty of this possibility, but instead my family and I decided to try to prevent a scandal at OSU and save the students within the confines of OSU. We fought these unprincipled academics on their own ground and held them off for four months. That effort is, however, now failing, and Joshua and Bethany are both slated for dismissal from the department of nuclear engineering very soon. Also, unless action is taken immediately, Professor Higginbotham's career will be completely destroyed.
Read more
Rally In Support Of Hearings On US Muslim Radicalization
Human rights activists of all stripes took to the streets on Sunday afternoon, March 6th in a rally supporting the upcoming proposed congressional hearings in which Rep. Peter King (R-NY) will discuss the increased radicalization of American Muslims and the potential for an implementation of Sharia law in the United States.
Members of the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, the Liberty Alliance, the Coalition to Honor Ground Zero, Americans For a Safe Israel, Liberty Rocks, Blue Collar Corner, and Women United International gathered in the pouring rain near Times Square to make their voices heard. Rep. King is the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress and has represented New York's 3rd congressional district since 1993. His district includes parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties in central Long Island.
According to their press release, the Liberty Alliance stated that their gathering comes as a "counter-protest in response to a rally being held by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan, Imam Shamsi Ali and others in Times Square, entitled “Today I am a Muslim, too.” Couched in language of “interfaith dialogue,” Imam Rauf and his supporters attack decent Americans as “Islamophobic” for expressing their legitimate concerns about terrorism, Sharia law and jihad. The focus of their attack are Congressman Peter King’s upcoming Homeland Security Hearings."
The Kuwaiti born Imam Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan had spearheaded the building of the controversial mosque near Ground Zero in New York, which they dubbed as the "Park51" project.
More
Members of the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, the Liberty Alliance, the Coalition to Honor Ground Zero, Americans For a Safe Israel, Liberty Rocks, Blue Collar Corner, and Women United International gathered in the pouring rain near Times Square to make their voices heard. Rep. King is the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in Congress and has represented New York's 3rd congressional district since 1993. His district includes parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties in central Long Island.
According to their press release, the Liberty Alliance stated that their gathering comes as a "counter-protest in response to a rally being held by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan, Imam Shamsi Ali and others in Times Square, entitled “Today I am a Muslim, too.” Couched in language of “interfaith dialogue,” Imam Rauf and his supporters attack decent Americans as “Islamophobic” for expressing their legitimate concerns about terrorism, Sharia law and jihad. The focus of their attack are Congressman Peter King’s upcoming Homeland Security Hearings."
The Kuwaiti born Imam Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan had spearheaded the building of the controversial mosque near Ground Zero in New York, which they dubbed as the "Park51" project.
More
Dems Seek Budget Vote Game Change
Senate Democrats and Republicans will face off Tuesday on critical votes that will be a key marker on the budget negotiations aimed at averting a government shutdown.
Leaders in the chamber are expected to hold a vote Tuesday on a House-passed Republican proposal to cut $57 billion from 2010 spending levels, as well as a Democratic alternative that would cut $6.5 billion.
After losing round one of the budget battle last week, Democrats are hoping that the votes will represent a turning point in the budget talks. The competing bills have little chance of attracting the necessary 60 votes for passage, but Democrats are hopeful they’ll get more yes votes than the GOP. If that happens, Democrats argue, Republicans need to come closer to their budget-cutting number.
Both sides have targeted centrists in the other party to encourage defections. But leaders are playing defense as well, nervous about mavericks in their own caucuses who could give rhetorical ammunition to the enemy.
More here
Leaders in the chamber are expected to hold a vote Tuesday on a House-passed Republican proposal to cut $57 billion from 2010 spending levels, as well as a Democratic alternative that would cut $6.5 billion.
After losing round one of the budget battle last week, Democrats are hoping that the votes will represent a turning point in the budget talks. The competing bills have little chance of attracting the necessary 60 votes for passage, but Democrats are hopeful they’ll get more yes votes than the GOP. If that happens, Democrats argue, Republicans need to come closer to their budget-cutting number.
Both sides have targeted centrists in the other party to encourage defections. But leaders are playing defense as well, nervous about mavericks in their own caucuses who could give rhetorical ammunition to the enemy.
More here
Commission Urges Pentagon To Let Women Serve In Combat
U.S. military officials should reverse a long-standing policy and allow women to serve in ground combat units, largely because it will help their uniformed careers, a commission on military diversity said Monday.
In a new 20-point report, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC) called for the extermination of the “Combat Exclusion Policy.”
“Current [Department of Defense] and service assignment policies prohibit women from being assigned to units that may be involved in direct ground combat. … This means that, for a given occupation, the policies determine to which units a female servicemember may be assigned to do the job for which she has been trained,” the report states.
“However, given the nature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” the commission found, “women are currently engaged in direct combat, even when it is not part of their formally assigned role.”
This finding led all the group’s members to reach a “near-unanimous agreement that this aspect of the combat exclusion policies should be eliminated immediately because, given current practices for employing women in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it seems obsolete,” states the report. “The assignment policies constitute an unnecessary barrier to women’s advancement.”
More here
[What do you think? Should women be assigned to combat units? Editor]
In a new 20-point report, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC) called for the extermination of the “Combat Exclusion Policy.”
“Current [Department of Defense] and service assignment policies prohibit women from being assigned to units that may be involved in direct ground combat. … This means that, for a given occupation, the policies determine to which units a female servicemember may be assigned to do the job for which she has been trained,” the report states.
“However, given the nature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” the commission found, “women are currently engaged in direct combat, even when it is not part of their formally assigned role.”
This finding led all the group’s members to reach a “near-unanimous agreement that this aspect of the combat exclusion policies should be eliminated immediately because, given current practices for employing women in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it seems obsolete,” states the report. “The assignment policies constitute an unnecessary barrier to women’s advancement.”
More here
[What do you think? Should women be assigned to combat units? Editor]
Military Diversity Group Says There Are Too Many White Men On Top
As if the military did not have enough to worry about with two wars, troops around the globe and members of Congress calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya (a defacto act of war), the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC) Monday released a report informing those in uniform that there are too many white men in their uppermost ranks.
Ordered by Congress in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, the report seeks to increase diversity.
“The commission’s recommendations support two overriding and related objectives: (1) that the Armed Forces systematically develop a demographically diverse leadership … and (2) that the services pursue a broader approach to diversity that includes the range of backgrounds, skill sets and personal attributes that are necessary to enhancing military performance,” the report reads.
According to the document, 77 percent of active duty senior officers are white, 8 percent are black, 5 percent are Hispanic and 16 percent are women — something that needs to change, according to the MLDC.
“Leveraging diversity as a vital strategic military resource will require the commitment, vision, and know-how of leaders at every level,” the report continues. “Without this commitment to instill respect for diversity as a core value, the needed cultural change may not take place.”
Read more
Ordered by Congress in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, the report seeks to increase diversity.
“The commission’s recommendations support two overriding and related objectives: (1) that the Armed Forces systematically develop a demographically diverse leadership … and (2) that the services pursue a broader approach to diversity that includes the range of backgrounds, skill sets and personal attributes that are necessary to enhancing military performance,” the report reads.
According to the document, 77 percent of active duty senior officers are white, 8 percent are black, 5 percent are Hispanic and 16 percent are women — something that needs to change, according to the MLDC.
“Leveraging diversity as a vital strategic military resource will require the commitment, vision, and know-how of leaders at every level,” the report continues. “Without this commitment to instill respect for diversity as a core value, the needed cultural change may not take place.”
Read more
Support For Israel High In US
The annual Gallup poll finds that support among Americans for Israelis is almost as high as it’s ever been.
A BBC poll finds different numbers around the world.
The latest Gallup poll, carried out by phone in early February on 1,015 randomly-selected adults living in the continental U.S., finds that Americans are nearly four times as likely to side with Israel as with the Palestinian Authority. While 17% said they sympathize more with the Palestinians, some 63% said their sympathies lie more with the Israelis. Only in 1991 was there more support for Israel: 64%.
Gallup carries out surveys of this nature every year. The first poll, in 1988, found a 37-15 margin in favor of Israel. In ’91, during the Persian Gulf War, this shifted to a lopsided 64-7, when sympathy with the Arab cause was the lowest ever. In ’94, it was 43-15, then 54-8 in 1998, and 52-18 in 2005. By 2009, Israel had gained again, “leading” by a 59-18 margin, and it is now 63-17.
In addition, separate poll questions in the survey found that about two-thirds of Americans have a favorable opinion of Israel and 19% have a favorable opinion of the Palestinian Authority -- largely unchanged from February 2010.
Republicans continue to be Israel's strongest U.S. supporters: 80% sympathize more with the Israelis in the conflict, substantially higher than the 57% of independents and Democrats who incline toward Israel.
All major U.S.population subgroups show greater sympathy for the Israelis than for the Palestinians. However, on a relative basis, the PA's greatest support is found among liberals (30%), followed by Democrats and those with postgraduate education (24% each). Liberals are the least supportive of Israel among the groups measured by Gallup.
More details
A BBC poll finds different numbers around the world.
The latest Gallup poll, carried out by phone in early February on 1,015 randomly-selected adults living in the continental U.S., finds that Americans are nearly four times as likely to side with Israel as with the Palestinian Authority. While 17% said they sympathize more with the Palestinians, some 63% said their sympathies lie more with the Israelis. Only in 1991 was there more support for Israel: 64%.
Gallup carries out surveys of this nature every year. The first poll, in 1988, found a 37-15 margin in favor of Israel. In ’91, during the Persian Gulf War, this shifted to a lopsided 64-7, when sympathy with the Arab cause was the lowest ever. In ’94, it was 43-15, then 54-8 in 1998, and 52-18 in 2005. By 2009, Israel had gained again, “leading” by a 59-18 margin, and it is now 63-17.
In addition, separate poll questions in the survey found that about two-thirds of Americans have a favorable opinion of Israel and 19% have a favorable opinion of the Palestinian Authority -- largely unchanged from February 2010.
Republicans continue to be Israel's strongest U.S. supporters: 80% sympathize more with the Israelis in the conflict, substantially higher than the 57% of independents and Democrats who incline toward Israel.
All major U.S.population subgroups show greater sympathy for the Israelis than for the Palestinians. However, on a relative basis, the PA's greatest support is found among liberals (30%), followed by Democrats and those with postgraduate education (24% each). Liberals are the least supportive of Israel among the groups measured by Gallup.
More details
Wisconsin Labor Education Requirement Used For Union PR Push
The 2009 law that requires Wisconsin teachers to teach labor union and collective bargaining history to the state’s kids is seen by union bosses in the state as a means to promote their cause, frame labor’s message in a favorable light and increase membership.
When The Daily Caller reported that the state passed such a law in December 2009, it wasn’t clear that union organizers planned to utilize it to further their agenda. Newly uncovered information from an April 2010 conference, the Wisconsin Labor History Society, a pro-union group that pushed the new law through the all-Democrat state government in 2009, shows the state’s labor organizers and union bosses do indeed plan to use the controversial new law as a propaganda tool.
“I believe we are in the midst of an irrepressible labor conflict that has pitted the haves versus the have-nots,” said University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, history professor Andrew Kersten at the conference. “As Warren Buffett has said recently, ‘There is a class war, alright, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s waging it, and we’re winning.’ It’s not merely the money or the political power they crave, they seek to transform the way we think and act on a daily basis.”
At the conference meant to help teachers prepare new curricula to comply with the new AB 172 law, Kersten went on to say that teaching union history and “the struggles of working men and women and of unionists is vital to maintaining a healthy democracy.”
More here
When The Daily Caller reported that the state passed such a law in December 2009, it wasn’t clear that union organizers planned to utilize it to further their agenda. Newly uncovered information from an April 2010 conference, the Wisconsin Labor History Society, a pro-union group that pushed the new law through the all-Democrat state government in 2009, shows the state’s labor organizers and union bosses do indeed plan to use the controversial new law as a propaganda tool.
“I believe we are in the midst of an irrepressible labor conflict that has pitted the haves versus the have-nots,” said University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, history professor Andrew Kersten at the conference. “As Warren Buffett has said recently, ‘There is a class war, alright, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s waging it, and we’re winning.’ It’s not merely the money or the political power they crave, they seek to transform the way we think and act on a daily basis.”
At the conference meant to help teachers prepare new curricula to comply with the new AB 172 law, Kersten went on to say that teaching union history and “the struggles of working men and women and of unionists is vital to maintaining a healthy democracy.”
More here
The Return Of The Balanced Budget Amendment
"The balanced budget amendment has good aspects, but it is simply not good enough in dealing with fundamental constitutional change for our country." And thus with that 23-word statement in 1997, Democrat Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey sunk conservative spirits. No longer did the U.S. Senate have the two-thirds it needed to enshrine a fundamental principle of governing into the highest law of the land: that politicians should pay for what they spend.
Controversial, I know.
Due to Democrat Torricelli's jellyfish backbone, the 1997 Balanced Budget Amendment fell one vote short of hitting the needed threshold, which was the same margin of failure as just one year before. And liberals couldnt have been happier. Their penchant for obligating the taxpayers of tomorrow to pay for the spending binges of today remained unbroken.
Not that the dissenting senators worded their objections that way. Nope. To Vermont's incorrigible leftist Sen. Patrick Leahy, inserting a mechanism into the Constitution that would enable our government's books to mirror the realities American businesses and families face daily was "bumper sticker politics" and "sloganeering." The way toward rectifying Uncle Sam's balance sheet was, according to Leahy, "political courage," not tinkering with the Constitution. Thirty-three of Leahy's Democratic colleagues agreed.
Thanks to the midterm elections, the time for real political courage is now: The balanced budget amendment is making a comeback thanks to one veteran and one freshman senator.
"The people are calling for it. They are clamoring for it. They're demanding it," said newly elected Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who has 19 of his colleagues, including Jim DeMint and Rand Paul, rallying in support of his balanced budget amendment. "The American people overwhelmingly demand it, and if members of Congress value their jobs, they are going to vote for it," he told Human Events in an exclusive interview.
Lee's a Tea Party faithful who believes his job boils down to this bare-bones task: produce a government in the original mold of the Constitution, which is to say, one whose legislative reach is restricted and clearly defined. In other words, a federal government that looks absolutely nothing like what we have today.
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Controversial, I know.
Due to Democrat Torricelli's jellyfish backbone, the 1997 Balanced Budget Amendment fell one vote short of hitting the needed threshold, which was the same margin of failure as just one year before. And liberals couldnt have been happier. Their penchant for obligating the taxpayers of tomorrow to pay for the spending binges of today remained unbroken.
Not that the dissenting senators worded their objections that way. Nope. To Vermont's incorrigible leftist Sen. Patrick Leahy, inserting a mechanism into the Constitution that would enable our government's books to mirror the realities American businesses and families face daily was "bumper sticker politics" and "sloganeering." The way toward rectifying Uncle Sam's balance sheet was, according to Leahy, "political courage," not tinkering with the Constitution. Thirty-three of Leahy's Democratic colleagues agreed.
Thanks to the midterm elections, the time for real political courage is now: The balanced budget amendment is making a comeback thanks to one veteran and one freshman senator.
"The people are calling for it. They are clamoring for it. They're demanding it," said newly elected Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who has 19 of his colleagues, including Jim DeMint and Rand Paul, rallying in support of his balanced budget amendment. "The American people overwhelmingly demand it, and if members of Congress value their jobs, they are going to vote for it," he told Human Events in an exclusive interview.
Lee's a Tea Party faithful who believes his job boils down to this bare-bones task: produce a government in the original mold of the Constitution, which is to say, one whose legislative reach is restricted and clearly defined. In other words, a federal government that looks absolutely nothing like what we have today.
Keep reading
Bachmann Stands By ‘Gangster Government’ Description
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) refused Sunday to retreat from her characterization of the Obama administration as a "gangster government."
The House Tea Party Caucus founder said, "I don't take back my statement on gangster government," a phrase she used at a tea party gathering in April. "I think that there have been actions that have been taken by this government that I think are corrupt," she said during her appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
She hammered at the administration Sunday for $105 billion included in last year's health care overhaul law for its implementation, regardless of the questions put to her. Bachmann called on the White House last week to apologize for the funding, which the Congressional Research Service reported in October.
The money was "hidden in various parts of the bill," she said Sunday. "Members of Congress didn't even know this money was in the bill, because we couldn't read the bill before it was passed, because it wasn't given to us but hours before we had to vote for it," she said.
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The House Tea Party Caucus founder said, "I don't take back my statement on gangster government," a phrase she used at a tea party gathering in April. "I think that there have been actions that have been taken by this government that I think are corrupt," she said during her appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
She hammered at the administration Sunday for $105 billion included in last year's health care overhaul law for its implementation, regardless of the questions put to her. Bachmann called on the White House last week to apologize for the funding, which the Congressional Research Service reported in October.
The money was "hidden in various parts of the bill," she said Sunday. "Members of Congress didn't even know this money was in the bill, because we couldn't read the bill before it was passed, because it wasn't given to us but hours before we had to vote for it," she said.
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A Letter To The Editor
Joe,
Sunday 3-6-2011 was the usual big supper followed by watching 60 minutes as we have done for years. This past Sunday was somewhat different and quite heart wrenching at times. For those who didn’t view this weeks episode the show told a true story of hard times in America of families loosing their homes to foreclosure and children facing poverty rate that will soon hit 25%. Scott Pelley interviewed children whose parents have lost jobs causing their homes to fall into foreclosure who now struggle to keep a roof over their head living week to week in hotels. One child said they lived in the family van in the Wal-Mart parking lot where the children used Wal-Marts bathroom to wash and brush their teeth. After watching the story I have come to terms our country is in horrible shape worse than ever. Hearing these children talk of going to bed hungry because their wasn’t any food waiting till the following day to eat on the school lunch program breaks my heart. After watching the program I became painfully angry seeing so much federal funding being wasted on useless programs while good American people are loosing their homes and starving. As my mind turned in frustration I couldn’t help but think of waste right here in Salisbury. Right away I remember last Monday night Salisbury city council approving the purchase of a million dollar fire boat that I frankly don’t think is necessary. How many children might enjoy a hot meal if that million dollars were better utilized. I know its political but this really caught my attention.
Sunday 3-6-2011 was the usual big supper followed by watching 60 minutes as we have done for years. This past Sunday was somewhat different and quite heart wrenching at times. For those who didn’t view this weeks episode the show told a true story of hard times in America of families loosing their homes to foreclosure and children facing poverty rate that will soon hit 25%. Scott Pelley interviewed children whose parents have lost jobs causing their homes to fall into foreclosure who now struggle to keep a roof over their head living week to week in hotels. One child said they lived in the family van in the Wal-Mart parking lot where the children used Wal-Marts bathroom to wash and brush their teeth. After watching the story I have come to terms our country is in horrible shape worse than ever. Hearing these children talk of going to bed hungry because their wasn’t any food waiting till the following day to eat on the school lunch program breaks my heart. After watching the program I became painfully angry seeing so much federal funding being wasted on useless programs while good American people are loosing their homes and starving. As my mind turned in frustration I couldn’t help but think of waste right here in Salisbury. Right away I remember last Monday night Salisbury city council approving the purchase of a million dollar fire boat that I frankly don’t think is necessary. How many children might enjoy a hot meal if that million dollars were better utilized. I know its political but this really caught my attention.
A Letter To The Editor
Sir, I am writing to you today and beg of you to clear up statements made by Delagate Mike McDormett in regards to hb 594. In your blog he stated """ The only opposition was from, of course, two registered sex offenders. Of course, they painted themselves as "victims" and did not feel this approach was needed."" I must inform you that there was in fact 6 speakers that day against the bill. 2 R.S.O.'s , 1 Family Member , 1 FAIR Member , 1 A.C.L.U. and the Public Defenders Office. And not only is this a Budget matter , but also a Clear Violation of not only U.S. , but also Md. Constitution Law against EX-POST-FACTO Clause. As Mike is making this Law retroactive to include possibly thousands of offenders who have been off P.P. for years and have never ran into Legal problems since. As we all know once a Police Officer and or Politician loses their CREDIBILITY they are no good for nobody and it is clear if anyone should know this rule. Mike should know it first hand being as he is both and he admit to his wrongs and make it right by stepping down and issuing a apology to all involved. I would hope that you will do right in correcting the statement in your blog and hopefully allow FAIR to issue a statement in your blog.If you allow FAIR to comment , I can assist you in contacting the person in charge. Sincerely , Marc Friend Sr. |
'Milestone' Budget Vote On Tap In Senate
Senate test votes on Republican and Democratic budget initiatives to fund government for the rest of the year could happen as early as today. Both plans are expected to fail and the idea behind the votes is to prod both sides towards keeping the government running after a short-term funding measure expires in two weeks. Another bill would be necessary to prevent a government shutdown, which neither side claims is desirable.
Fewer Than 5 Percent Of New Jobs Went To Women
Not only are women not making as much as men with equal education, but employers are filling hardly any new jobs with females.
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Landlord Wouldn't Fix Leak For 5 Months. This Letter Got Him To Do It in 5 Days.
Raymond and his wife had a leak in their master bedroom ceiling that they begged their landlord to fix for five months, with no result. With a baby due in a month, they really needed full use of their bedroom. Then Raymond wrote a very good complaint letter specifically citing his state's landlord-tenant law and proposing a retroactive rent reduction for all the months the leak wasn't fixed. That got their attention.
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Is The 30-Year Mortgage On Death Row?
Plans are in the works to dismantle Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that could mean that what many Americans had assumed came fourth after "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," the 30-year mortgage, could be on the outs.
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Flight Attendant Fired For Stowing Baby In Overhead Bin
A flight attendant for Virgin Blue, Richard Branson's Australian airline, has been fired over allegations that he placed a passenger's infant child in the overhead bin during a flight from Fiji to Sydney.
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Christian Group Says May 21 is Judgment Day
Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com
A Christian ministry from Oakland, California believes the end of the world is upon us. It says the May 21, 2011 is judgment day.Michael Moore: "America Is NOT Broke"
America is not broke.
Contrary to what those in power would like you to believe so that you'll give up your pension, cut your wages, and settle for the life your great-grandparents had, America is not broke. Not by a long shot. The country is awash in wealth and cash. It's just that it's not in your hands. It has been transferred, in the greatest heist in history, from the workers and consumers to the banks and the portfolios of the uber-rich.
Today just 400 Americans have the same wealth as half of all Americans combined.
Let me say that again. 400 obscenely rich people, most of whom benefited in some way from the multi-trillion dollar taxpayer "bailout" of 2008, now have as much loot, stock and property as the assets of 155 million Americans combined. If you can't bring yourself to call that a financial coup d'état, then you are simply not being honest about what you know in your heart to be true.
Watch Video: Michael Moore Speaks in Wisconsin
Contrary to what those in power would like you to believe so that you'll give up your pension, cut your wages, and settle for the life your great-grandparents had, America is not broke. Not by a long shot. The country is awash in wealth and cash. It's just that it's not in your hands. It has been transferred, in the greatest heist in history, from the workers and consumers to the banks and the portfolios of the uber-rich.
Today just 400 Americans have the same wealth as half of all Americans combined.
Let me say that again. 400 obscenely rich people, most of whom benefited in some way from the multi-trillion dollar taxpayer "bailout" of 2008, now have as much loot, stock and property as the assets of 155 million Americans combined. If you can't bring yourself to call that a financial coup d'état, then you are simply not being honest about what you know in your heart to be true.
Watch Video: Michael Moore Speaks in Wisconsin
Why Employee Pensions Aren't Bankrupting States
Washington - From state legislatures to Congress to tea party rallies, a vocal backlash is rising against what are perceived as too-generous retirement benefits for state and local government workers. However, that widespread perception doesn't match reality.
A close look at state and local pension plans across the nation, and a comparison of them to those in the private sector, reveals a more complicated story. However, the short answer is that there's simply no evidence that state pensions are the current burden to public finances that their critics claim.
Pension contributions from state and local employers aren't blowing up budgets. They amount to just 2.9 percent of state spending, on average, according to the National Association of State Retirement Administrators. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College puts the figure a bit higher at 3.8 percent.
Though there's no direct comparison, state and local pension contributions approximate the burden shouldered by private companies. The nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates that retirement funding for private employers amounts to about 3.5 percent of employee compensation.
Nor are state and local government pension funds broke. They're underfunded, in large measure because — like the investments held in 401(k) plans by American private-sector employees — they sunk along with the entire stock market during the Great Recession of 2007-2009. And like 401(k) plans, the investments made by public-sector pension plans are increasingly on firmer footing as the rising tide on Wall Street lifts all boats.
Md. Congressman To Announce Funeral Protest Bill
TIMONIUM, Md. (AP) -- Maryland Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger says he plans to introduce legislation to prevent protests during military funerals.
The Baltimore County congressman says the bill is in response to a recent Supreme Court decision that funeral protests are permitted under the First Amendment.
Ruppersberger says the bill seeks to allow groups like the Westboro Baptist Church to exercise their right to free speech without disrupting funerals or forcing funeral participants to encounter protesters.
Ruppersberger plans to announce the bill Tuesday at the Linthicum Veterans Memorial in Linthicum.
Source
The Baltimore County congressman says the bill is in response to a recent Supreme Court decision that funeral protests are permitted under the First Amendment.
Ruppersberger says the bill seeks to allow groups like the Westboro Baptist Church to exercise their right to free speech without disrupting funerals or forcing funeral participants to encounter protesters.
Ruppersberger plans to announce the bill Tuesday at the Linthicum Veterans Memorial in Linthicum.
Source
Senate Passes Ban On Reading Texts While Driving
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Senate has approved a measure banning people from reading text messages while they are driving.
The Senate passed the bill Monday night 35-11. Violators could be fined up to $500. Drivers also could not read a text message while stopped at a traffic light.
The House of Delegates approved a similar bill last week.
Current law prohibits a driver from using a hand-held device to send a text message while driving, but it still allows a driver to read one.
Source
The Senate passed the bill Monday night 35-11. Violators could be fined up to $500. Drivers also could not read a text message while stopped at a traffic light.
The House of Delegates approved a similar bill last week.
Current law prohibits a driver from using a hand-held device to send a text message while driving, but it still allows a driver to read one.
Source
Animal Advocates Of The Eastern Shore
Hi Mr. Albero.
I am a representative of the Animal Advocates of the Eastern Shore. I am a big reader of sbynews.com, and use it to trace local events. I was wandering if ths would be of interest to you and your readers.
Traveling Zoos are fun for the kids, but not for the animals that are abused, forced to perform, and forced to go on a cross country road-trip from hell. Animals of this particular traveling attraction have been trained by pain, humiliation, and physical abuse.
A zoo is supposed to be a place where you can observe animals in imitations of their natural habitats, not gawk at animals and get circus-like attractions, such as elephant or camel rides or rent giraffes or kangaroos for commercial events that will be bound to stress out the animal..
And as citizens of Maryland's Eastern Shore, we have the right and responsibility to raise awareness of the injustice on wheels that is coming to the Wicomico County civic Center from March 12 and 13th from 10 til 7 the first day, and 10 til 6 the second day. Come show your support for the animals who don't deserve the pain and suffering of a traveling zoo show.
I am a representative of the Animal Advocates of the Eastern Shore. I am a big reader of sbynews.com, and use it to trace local events. I was wandering if ths would be of interest to you and your readers.
Traveling Zoos are fun for the kids, but not for the animals that are abused, forced to perform, and forced to go on a cross country road-trip from hell. Animals of this particular traveling attraction have been trained by pain, humiliation, and physical abuse.
A zoo is supposed to be a place where you can observe animals in imitations of their natural habitats, not gawk at animals and get circus-like attractions, such as elephant or camel rides or rent giraffes or kangaroos for commercial events that will be bound to stress out the animal..
And as citizens of Maryland's Eastern Shore, we have the right and responsibility to raise awareness of the injustice on wheels that is coming to the Wicomico County civic Center from March 12 and 13th from 10 til 7 the first day, and 10 til 6 the second day. Come show your support for the animals who don't deserve the pain and suffering of a traveling zoo show.
SDHS ROTC
Is it true that this program is being taken away from the kids? I was told WBOC reported it but I am not sure if it is true. That saddens me, my son is going into the 9th grade and signed up for it, he wants to follow on his grandfathers footsteps. His grandfather, Austin Cox is the last living survivor of Normady on the eastern shore. I hope this is not true
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO TESTIFY ON FORECLOSURE PREVENTION BEFORE U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will testify today before a field hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of which Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings is a Ranking Member. The hearing will focus on mortgage servicer abuses and the role servicers have played in perpetuating the foreclosure crisis.
Last September, at the urging of Governor O’Malley, Congressman Cummings, and Maryland’s Congressional delegation, the Maryland Court of Appeals approved a set of emergency rule changes that enable the court to conduct detailed reviews of foreclosure files and authorize judges to require parties who file questionable documents to appear and prove the legitimacy of the documents.
In addition, last year, Governor O’Malley successfully fought for legislation to give every Maryland family facing foreclosure the legal right to mediation with the lender seeking the foreclosure.
WHAT: Governor O’Malley to testify on mortgage servicer abuse before U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 9, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: University of Maryland School of Law
Moot Court Room
500 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore
ESBL Sports Spring & Summer Programs
Sat. March 19th, 2011 -12pm-2pm/ 12th Annual Men’s Summer League Basketball Registration.
Men’s & Co-ed Softball Registrations will be progress, Kickball & Flag football Registrations also must be 18 an over.
Mighty Mites Sports Training Team Sign-Ups (soccer, basketball, t-ball, exercising) ages 2-6… Sports Camp ages 6-11
Location: The Plaza Gateway Building Salisbury Downtown Plaza 4th floor, more info: 443-735-5139 http://www.corporate31.com/
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On March 6, 2011 at approximately 9:54 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the McDonalds Restaurant on South Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with store management who advised that a lone suspect had attempted to rob the restaurant. The suspect entered the restaurant and got into one of the service lines. When the suspect reached the counter, he told the cashier that he was in possession of a handgun and attempted to take U.S. Currency from the register. The cashier was able to close the register, prohibiting the suspect from taking any currency. The suspect then fled from the restaurant on foot, toward Bateman Street. There were no injuries and the suspect did not actually display a weapon. The suspect was described as:
Black male, approximately 30-35 years old, 6’3” to 6’5” in height, weighing approximately 280 pounds, and wearing a blue hoody type sweatshirt, a dark hat and wire framed glasses. The suspect had a mustache with a distinct break above the middle of his lip.
CC # 201100008340
On the same date, at approximately 10:01 pm, officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shore Stop Store on Pemberton Drive for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with the cashier who advised that a lone suspect had robbed the store. The suspect entered the store then produced a silver in color handgun before vaulting the counter. The suspect entered the cash register and took an amount of U.S. Currency, placing the currency into a bag. The suspect then fled from the store toward the rear of the business. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as:
Black male, wearing a black ski type mask, black gloves, a black long sleeved shirt, grey or white sweatpants, and black shoes. The suspect possibly has a pony tail or long braid in his hair.
CC # 201100008341
The Salisbury Police Department received assistance during the investigation of these robberies by the Delmar Police Department K-9 unit, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police.
If anyone has any information concerning these robberies, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be left with each agency anonymously.
Black male, approximately 30-35 years old, 6’3” to 6’5” in height, weighing approximately 280 pounds, and wearing a blue hoody type sweatshirt, a dark hat and wire framed glasses. The suspect had a mustache with a distinct break above the middle of his lip.
CC # 201100008340
On the same date, at approximately 10:01 pm, officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shore Stop Store on Pemberton Drive for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with the cashier who advised that a lone suspect had robbed the store. The suspect entered the store then produced a silver in color handgun before vaulting the counter. The suspect entered the cash register and took an amount of U.S. Currency, placing the currency into a bag. The suspect then fled from the store toward the rear of the business. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as:
Black male, wearing a black ski type mask, black gloves, a black long sleeved shirt, grey or white sweatpants, and black shoes. The suspect possibly has a pony tail or long braid in his hair.
CC # 201100008341
The Salisbury Police Department received assistance during the investigation of these robberies by the Delmar Police Department K-9 unit, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police.
If anyone has any information concerning these robberies, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be left with each agency anonymously.
GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TO WADE INTO POLLUTED LAKE TO HIGHLIGHT SEPTIC SYSTEM POLLUTION
Governor to wade in Lake Bonnie in Goldsboro
ANNAPOLIS, MD - On Wednesday, Governor O'Malley will wade into a private lake closed to swimming due, in part, to failing septic systems to highlight the urgent need to curb septic system pollution.
Maryland has approximately 426,000 septic systems on developed parcels and roughly 411,000 of these are on residential parcels. Lake Bonnie, where high bacteria levels in the lake have been linked to failing septic systems, is an example of how failure to manage the long-term and far-reaching consequences of septic systems can impact the public health and economic health of Maryland's rural communities. Goldsboro is a community that has suffered for more than a decade with the problems of septic systems, and the town has endured water pollution and financial and legal difficulties as a result.
To demonstrate the past and current problems with septic systems and urge action to limit future growth of pollution, the Governor will wade into the lake.
WHAT: Governor O'Malley to wade into Lake Bonnie to demonstrate urgent need to curb septic system pollution
WHEN: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 3:15 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Bonnie in Goldsboro
14736 Poplar Street
Goldsboro, MD
Plan Ahead: March 28-31 Registration Fair For 2011-12 Kindergarten/Prekindergarten
A Registration Fair to enroll students in kindergarten and prekindergarten for the 2011-12 school year will take place March 28-31 in the lobby of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
The Registration Fair is for families of children who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten next year, and children not in public kindergarten now who will be enrolled in the first grade for the 2011-2012 school year. The Registration Fair will be open in the Civic Center lobby from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the following schedule:
Monday, March 28: Willards Elementary, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, West Salisbury Elementary and Prince Street Elementary
Tuesday, March 29: Beaver Run Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Fruitland Primary
Wednesday, March 30: Delmar Elementary, Westside Primary, Pinehurst Elementary, Northwestern Elementary
Thursday, March 31: For any family that has not been able to register on the assigned day
Individual schools will not handle enrollment for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. (The March 24 date published in the 2010-11 school system calendars is no longer valid; no registration will take place on that date.)
Any parent or guardian who is not able to enroll a child during the Registration Fair should contact the Centralized Enrollment Office at 410-677-4448 or 410-677-4476 to schedule an appointment after the Registration Fair. The Centralized Enrollment Office is located in Annex 2 of the Board of Education Office.
What to Bring
For the Registration Fair, parents or guardians will need to bring immunization records (please see a doctor or the health department to ensure that the child’s vaccination record is complete), birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of residency (utility bill with address served, or a lease or property tax bill) for each child. Income verification is needed for prekindergarten registration ONLY.
The flier on prekindergarten/kindergarten registration is posted online at www.wcboe.org, under Quick Links. Forms for registration are available online at www.wcboe.org, and in the Centralized Enrollment Office. Forms will be available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Other forms and information, such as immunization requirements, Early Entrance Request and Kindergarten-Level of Maturity Waiver Form are also posted online and available in the Centralized Enrollment Office.
Kindergarten
Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2011. Kindergarten is mandatory for all Maryland children who are 5 by this date unless the parents or guardians have completed a Kindergarten-Level of Maturity Waiver Form. Forms will be available at the schools or the Board website after Feb. 28. Completed forms should be forwarded to the attention of Mrs. Susan Jones, Director of Elementary Education.
Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten is not mandatory, and is offered to qualified children who will be 4 by Sept. 1, 2011. (For families in the Judy Center catchment areas of Beaver Run and Pemberton elementary schools only, prekindergarten services are also available to qualified children who will be 3 by Sept. 1, 2011.)
Maryland and Delmar, Del., neighborhood children who come from low-income or at-risk situations, have prior participation in Head Start or who experience challenges like emergency or health problems, limited English proficiency, homelessness, or other home or family circumstances, will be given priority admission to prekindergarten. Children may also be recommended for the program by government or court referral.
Parents or guardians whose child does not meet those criteria can put the child’s name on a waiting list, which will be used to fill any remaining slots. Documentation must be submitted prior to a child’s acceptance into the program.
Early Entrance Requests
Parents/guardians may seek early admission to prekindergarten, kindergarten or grade 1 for a child whose birth date falls between Sept. 2 and Oct. 15. The parents/guardians must submit an Early Entrance Request Form giving a reason for the request. The request form must be submitted to the Director of Elementary Education by July 31st of the year in which the parents/guardians would like the child to begin school. The child will be assessed and a determination will be made on eligibility for early admission as outlined in the Board of Education policy for the requested grade level.
The Board policy on early admission to kindergarten and prekindergarten is on the web site at www.wcboe.org; Look for Board of Education in Quick Links and click to go to Policies.
The Registration Fair is for families of children who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten next year, and children not in public kindergarten now who will be enrolled in the first grade for the 2011-2012 school year. The Registration Fair will be open in the Civic Center lobby from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the following schedule:
Monday, March 28: Willards Elementary, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, West Salisbury Elementary and Prince Street Elementary
Tuesday, March 29: Beaver Run Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Fruitland Primary
Wednesday, March 30: Delmar Elementary, Westside Primary, Pinehurst Elementary, Northwestern Elementary
Thursday, March 31: For any family that has not been able to register on the assigned day
Individual schools will not handle enrollment for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. (The March 24 date published in the 2010-11 school system calendars is no longer valid; no registration will take place on that date.)
Any parent or guardian who is not able to enroll a child during the Registration Fair should contact the Centralized Enrollment Office at 410-677-4448 or 410-677-4476 to schedule an appointment after the Registration Fair. The Centralized Enrollment Office is located in Annex 2 of the Board of Education Office.
What to Bring
For the Registration Fair, parents or guardians will need to bring immunization records (please see a doctor or the health department to ensure that the child’s vaccination record is complete), birth certificate, Social Security card and proof of residency (utility bill with address served, or a lease or property tax bill) for each child. Income verification is needed for prekindergarten registration ONLY.
The flier on prekindergarten/kindergarten registration is posted online at www.wcboe.org, under Quick Links. Forms for registration are available online at www.wcboe.org, and in the Centralized Enrollment Office. Forms will be available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Other forms and information, such as immunization requirements, Early Entrance Request and Kindergarten-Level of Maturity Waiver Form are also posted online and available in the Centralized Enrollment Office.
Kindergarten
Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2011. Kindergarten is mandatory for all Maryland children who are 5 by this date unless the parents or guardians have completed a Kindergarten-Level of Maturity Waiver Form. Forms will be available at the schools or the Board website after Feb. 28. Completed forms should be forwarded to the attention of Mrs. Susan Jones, Director of Elementary Education.
Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten is not mandatory, and is offered to qualified children who will be 4 by Sept. 1, 2011. (For families in the Judy Center catchment areas of Beaver Run and Pemberton elementary schools only, prekindergarten services are also available to qualified children who will be 3 by Sept. 1, 2011.)
Maryland and Delmar, Del., neighborhood children who come from low-income or at-risk situations, have prior participation in Head Start or who experience challenges like emergency or health problems, limited English proficiency, homelessness, or other home or family circumstances, will be given priority admission to prekindergarten. Children may also be recommended for the program by government or court referral.
Parents or guardians whose child does not meet those criteria can put the child’s name on a waiting list, which will be used to fill any remaining slots. Documentation must be submitted prior to a child’s acceptance into the program.
Early Entrance Requests
Parents/guardians may seek early admission to prekindergarten, kindergarten or grade 1 for a child whose birth date falls between Sept. 2 and Oct. 15. The parents/guardians must submit an Early Entrance Request Form giving a reason for the request. The request form must be submitted to the Director of Elementary Education by July 31st of the year in which the parents/guardians would like the child to begin school. The child will be assessed and a determination will be made on eligibility for early admission as outlined in the Board of Education policy for the requested grade level.
The Board policy on early admission to kindergarten and prekindergarten is on the web site at www.wcboe.org; Look for Board of Education in Quick Links and click to go to Policies.
March 7, 2011
Documents
Highlighted Events This Week And Next Week In Wicomico Schools
March 8-9, March 15-16
Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Testing
All students in grades 3-8
The 2011 Maryland School Assessment (MSA) testing begins Tuesday in Wicomico County Schools for all students in grades 3-8. Testing will be on March 8-9 for MSA Reading and on March 15-16 for MSA Math. (Grades 5 and 8 will take the MSA Science assessment later this spring.)
Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Monthly Meeting of Wicomico County Board of Education
Board of Education Auditorium
The March meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Board of Education auditorium. The agenda is posted at www.wcboe.org. 410-677-4561.
Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 17
Free Football Clinics with SU Head Football Coach Sherman Wood
Wicomico County Public Schools are pleased to announce that boys ages 8-13 who registered by the deadline for each clinic will be able to attend a free football clinic with Sherman Wood, Salisbury University head football coach. Coach Wood wants to give back to the community by providing free clinics on football techniques, including offensive and defensive drills. Wear sneakers and bring a football if you have one; no special equipment is needed. Parent/guardian or other responsible adult must be present for student to participate. The flier was available at each school. Clinics were also held Feb. 28 and March 3. The schedule of remaining clinics and who may attend each clinic is below.
Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., come at 6 p.m. for registration that night, gymnasium of Westside Intermediate School: For students of Northwestern Elementary, Westside Intermediate and Mardela Middle. Registration was due Feb. 25.
Thursday, March 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., come at 6 p.m. for registration that night, gymnasium of Prince Street Elementary School: For students of Prince Street Elementary, Fruitland Primary, Fruitland Intermediate, Pinehurst Elementary and Bennett Middle. Registration was due by March 4.
Saturday, March 12
STEM Saturday
Ward Museum and Parkside High School
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes will be offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The next STEM Saturday will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 12, with students in grades 4-5 exploring Flying Wild: Bird Science and Conservation at the Ward Museum, and middle schoolers working on Fossils of the Chesapeake: A Hands-On Exploration at Parkside High. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. The last STEM Saturday will be held on April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.
News of Note
Plan Ahead: March 28-31 Registration Fair for Kindergarten/Prekindergarten
A Registration Fair to enroll students in kindergarten and prekindergarten for the 2011-12 school year will take place March 28-31 in the lobby of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. A flier is posted at http://www.wcboe.org/resources/documents/PreK_2011.pdf.
The Registration Fair is for families of children who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten next year, and children not in public kindergarten now who will be enrolled in the first grade for the 2011-2012 school year. The Registration Fair will be open in the Civic Center lobby from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the following schedule:
Monday, March 28: Willards Elementary, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, West Salisbury Elementary and Prince Street Elementary
Tuesday, March 29: Beaver Run Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Fruitland Primary
Wednesday, March 30: Delmar Elementary, Westside Primary, Pinehurst Elementary, Northwestern Elementary
Thursday, March 31: For any family that has not been able to register on the assigned day
Forms are available online at www.wcboe.org. Individual schools will not handle enrollment for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. (The March 24 date published in the 2010-11 school system calendars is no longer valid; no registration will take place on that date.) Any parent or guardian with questions should contact the Centralized Enrollment Office at 410-677-4448 or 410-677-4476. The Centralized Enrollment Office is located in Annex 2 of the Board of Education Office.
Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Testing
All students in grades 3-8
The 2011 Maryland School Assessment (MSA) testing begins Tuesday in Wicomico County Schools for all students in grades 3-8. Testing will be on March 8-9 for MSA Reading and on March 15-16 for MSA Math. (Grades 5 and 8 will take the MSA Science assessment later this spring.)
Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Monthly Meeting of Wicomico County Board of Education
Board of Education Auditorium
The March meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Board of Education auditorium. The agenda is posted at www.wcboe.org. 410-677-4561.
Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 17
Free Football Clinics with SU Head Football Coach Sherman Wood
Wicomico County Public Schools are pleased to announce that boys ages 8-13 who registered by the deadline for each clinic will be able to attend a free football clinic with Sherman Wood, Salisbury University head football coach. Coach Wood wants to give back to the community by providing free clinics on football techniques, including offensive and defensive drills. Wear sneakers and bring a football if you have one; no special equipment is needed. Parent/guardian or other responsible adult must be present for student to participate. The flier was available at each school. Clinics were also held Feb. 28 and March 3. The schedule of remaining clinics and who may attend each clinic is below.
Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., come at 6 p.m. for registration that night, gymnasium of Westside Intermediate School: For students of Northwestern Elementary, Westside Intermediate and Mardela Middle. Registration was due Feb. 25.
Thursday, March 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., come at 6 p.m. for registration that night, gymnasium of Prince Street Elementary School: For students of Prince Street Elementary, Fruitland Primary, Fruitland Intermediate, Pinehurst Elementary and Bennett Middle. Registration was due by March 4.
Saturday, March 12
STEM Saturday
Ward Museum and Parkside High School
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes will be offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The next STEM Saturday will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 12, with students in grades 4-5 exploring Flying Wild: Bird Science and Conservation at the Ward Museum, and middle schoolers working on Fossils of the Chesapeake: A Hands-On Exploration at Parkside High. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. The last STEM Saturday will be held on April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.
News of Note
Plan Ahead: March 28-31 Registration Fair for Kindergarten/Prekindergarten
A Registration Fair to enroll students in kindergarten and prekindergarten for the 2011-12 school year will take place March 28-31 in the lobby of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. A flier is posted at http://www.wcboe.org/resources/documents/PreK_2011.pdf.
The Registration Fair is for families of children who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten next year, and children not in public kindergarten now who will be enrolled in the first grade for the 2011-2012 school year. The Registration Fair will be open in the Civic Center lobby from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the following schedule:
Monday, March 28: Willards Elementary, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, West Salisbury Elementary and Prince Street Elementary
Tuesday, March 29: Beaver Run Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Fruitland Primary
Wednesday, March 30: Delmar Elementary, Westside Primary, Pinehurst Elementary, Northwestern Elementary
Thursday, March 31: For any family that has not been able to register on the assigned day
Forms are available online at www.wcboe.org. Individual schools will not handle enrollment for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. (The March 24 date published in the 2010-11 school system calendars is no longer valid; no registration will take place on that date.) Any parent or guardian with questions should contact the Centralized Enrollment Office at 410-677-4448 or 410-677-4476. The Centralized Enrollment Office is located in Annex 2 of the Board of Education Office.
Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar
Wednesday, March 23
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office
A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, March 23 from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. Other Superintendent Open Door Sessions for this year are scheduled for April 27 and May 25. 410-677-4495.
Thursday, March 24
9th-Grade Career Day
Salisbury University
The Young Professionals Committee of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE), The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will host the 5th Annual Career Day on March 24. All ninth-graders from Wicomico County Public Schools, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will visit Salisbury University to gain a deeper understanding of career fields they are interested in pursuing. Many presenters from the community will be participating. Students from James M. Bennett High, Mardela High, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will be at Career Day from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Students from Parkside High and Wicomico High will explore careers from 12:15-2:15 p.m.
Friday, April 1
Secret Keeper Girl LIVE - The Pajama Party Tour
Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene, Salisbury
The Secret Keeper Girl LIVE – The Pajama Party Tour will stop in Salisbury Friday, April 1 with an exciting show for tween girls (typically ages 8-12) and their mothers about modesty, peer, pressure, fashion and true beauty. The show is the creation of author Dannah Gresh, who wrote the Secret Keeper Girl book series. This national show, which will be hosted locally by Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene, will feature dramatized stories about meaningful friendships, fun fashion shows that demonstrate modesty, incredible balloon sculptures, mother/daughter conversation time and colorful confetti cannons. A few girls from the area have been pre-selected to serve as models for the tour’s hallmark, a seasonal tween fashion show featuring Gresh’s Truth or Bare Modesty Tests. Tickets for the Secret Keeper Girl LIVE – The Pajama Party Tour show are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are on sale now at Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene (Nanticoke Road, Salisbury) and The Gospel Shop, and online at http://www.itickets.com/events/255402/Salisbury_MD/Secret_Keeper_Girl_LIVE!_Pajama_Party_Tour.html.
Thursday, April 14
Summer Camp Expo
Prince Street Elementary
The annual Summer Camp Expo for students of Wicomico County Public Schools and throughout the community will be held at Prince Street Elementary School from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Summer camp vendors are welcome; please contact Beth Sheller at msheller@wcboe.org to sign up. More details to come.
Saturday, April 16
Community Connections Day
HALO Homeless Shelter, Salisbury
The Wicomico County Board of Education has teamed up with HALO Ministry to organize a Community Connection Day. This event at the HALO Homeless Shelter at 119 S. Salisbury Blvd. is a rare opportunity to access many resources at one central location. Representatives will be available to assist with life skills such as resumes, budgeting, and parenting. In addition there will be representatives for food stamps, birth certificates, Maryland Identifications, Veteran housing, emergency housing, food resources and so much more! Free transportation and lunch will be provided. For more information please contact the Wicomico County Board of Education at 410-677-4549 or Halo Ministry at 410-742-9356.
Monday, April 18
Rededication Ceremony
James M. Bennett High School
A rededication ceremony for the new James M. Bennett High School will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, at the school. More details to come.
Monday, May 2
Professional Day changed to Regular School Day
All Wicomico County Public Schools
Monday, May 2 will be a regular school day in Wicomico County Public Schools, to make up a weather closing day. 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. Staff members will be notified of how the professional days will be made up.
Thursday, May 26
Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament
Salisbury University Commons
The annual Math 24 Game Tournament for Wicomico elementary and middle students will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, in the Commons at Salisbury University. Mathletes will be in the spotlight at the school system's 5th annual Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament. The event is free and open to the public. Each elementary school will send to the tournament one champion per grade level (grades 1-5) for a total of 55 contestants, and middle schools will send two student winners per grade level (grades 6-8) for a total of 30 contestants. These grade-level champions from throughout Wicomico County will compete for the title of county champion, with winners announced at the end of the night.
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office
A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, March 23 from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. Other Superintendent Open Door Sessions for this year are scheduled for April 27 and May 25. 410-677-4495.
Thursday, March 24
9th-Grade Career Day
Salisbury University
The Young Professionals Committee of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE), The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will host the 5th Annual Career Day on March 24. All ninth-graders from Wicomico County Public Schools, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will visit Salisbury University to gain a deeper understanding of career fields they are interested in pursuing. Many presenters from the community will be participating. Students from James M. Bennett High, Mardela High, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will be at Career Day from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Students from Parkside High and Wicomico High will explore careers from 12:15-2:15 p.m.
Friday, April 1
Secret Keeper Girl LIVE - The Pajama Party Tour
Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene, Salisbury
The Secret Keeper Girl LIVE – The Pajama Party Tour will stop in Salisbury Friday, April 1 with an exciting show for tween girls (typically ages 8-12) and their mothers about modesty, peer, pressure, fashion and true beauty. The show is the creation of author Dannah Gresh, who wrote the Secret Keeper Girl book series. This national show, which will be hosted locally by Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene, will feature dramatized stories about meaningful friendships, fun fashion shows that demonstrate modesty, incredible balloon sculptures, mother/daughter conversation time and colorful confetti cannons. A few girls from the area have been pre-selected to serve as models for the tour’s hallmark, a seasonal tween fashion show featuring Gresh’s Truth or Bare Modesty Tests. Tickets for the Secret Keeper Girl LIVE – The Pajama Party Tour show are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are on sale now at Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene (Nanticoke Road, Salisbury) and The Gospel Shop, and online at http://www.itickets.com/events/255402/Salisbury_MD/Secret_Keeper_Girl_LIVE!_Pajama_Party_Tour.html.
Thursday, April 14
Summer Camp Expo
Prince Street Elementary
The annual Summer Camp Expo for students of Wicomico County Public Schools and throughout the community will be held at Prince Street Elementary School from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 14. Summer camp vendors are welcome; please contact Beth Sheller at msheller@wcboe.org to sign up. More details to come.
Saturday, April 16
Community Connections Day
HALO Homeless Shelter, Salisbury
The Wicomico County Board of Education has teamed up with HALO Ministry to organize a Community Connection Day. This event at the HALO Homeless Shelter at 119 S. Salisbury Blvd. is a rare opportunity to access many resources at one central location. Representatives will be available to assist with life skills such as resumes, budgeting, and parenting. In addition there will be representatives for food stamps, birth certificates, Maryland Identifications, Veteran housing, emergency housing, food resources and so much more! Free transportation and lunch will be provided. For more information please contact the Wicomico County Board of Education at 410-677-4549 or Halo Ministry at 410-742-9356.
Monday, April 18
Rededication Ceremony
James M. Bennett High School
A rededication ceremony for the new James M. Bennett High School will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, at the school. More details to come.
Monday, May 2
Professional Day changed to Regular School Day
All Wicomico County Public Schools
Monday, May 2 will be a regular school day in Wicomico County Public Schools, to make up a weather closing day. 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. Staff members will be notified of how the professional days will be made up.
Thursday, May 26
Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament
Salisbury University Commons
The annual Math 24 Game Tournament for Wicomico elementary and middle students will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, in the Commons at Salisbury University. Mathletes will be in the spotlight at the school system's 5th annual Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament. The event is free and open to the public. Each elementary school will send to the tournament one champion per grade level (grades 1-5) for a total of 55 contestants, and middle schools will send two student winners per grade level (grades 6-8) for a total of 30 contestants. These grade-level champions from throughout Wicomico County will compete for the title of county champion, with winners announced at the end of the night.
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