Do you think Teachers should be-friending students on Facebook?
High School or below.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
'Reduce Spending' By Raising Taxes
Our President just told us (and be sure you're sitting down, because this 'spin' might make you dizzy)--
"..The fourth step in our approach is to reduce spending in the tax code.
"In December, I agreed to extend the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans because it was the only way I could prevent a tax hike on middle-class Americans. But we cannot afford $1 trillion worth of tax cuts for every millionaire and billionaire in our society. And I refuse to renew them again.
"Beyond that, the tax code is also loaded up with spending on things like itemized deductions. And while I agree with the goals of many of these deductions, like homeownership or charitable giving, we cannot ignore the fact that they provide millionaires an average tax break of $75,000 while doing nothing for the typical middle-class family that doesn’t itemize.
"My budget calls for limiting itemized deductions for the wealthiest 2% of Americans – a reform that would reduce the deficit by $320 billion over ten years.."
(Source)
[So I think what he said was-- if we raise taxes, we're spending less. Is that what he said? --Editor]
"..The fourth step in our approach is to reduce spending in the tax code.
"In December, I agreed to extend the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans because it was the only way I could prevent a tax hike on middle-class Americans. But we cannot afford $1 trillion worth of tax cuts for every millionaire and billionaire in our society. And I refuse to renew them again.
"Beyond that, the tax code is also loaded up with spending on things like itemized deductions. And while I agree with the goals of many of these deductions, like homeownership or charitable giving, we cannot ignore the fact that they provide millionaires an average tax break of $75,000 while doing nothing for the typical middle-class family that doesn’t itemize.
"My budget calls for limiting itemized deductions for the wealthiest 2% of Americans – a reform that would reduce the deficit by $320 billion over ten years.."
(Source)
[So I think what he said was-- if we raise taxes, we're spending less. Is that what he said? --Editor]
Still Blaming Bush
Our President:
"..After Democrats and Republicans committed to fiscal discipline during the 1990s, we lost our way in the decade that followed. We increased spending dramatically for two wars and an expensive prescription drug program – but we didn’t pay for any of this new spending. Instead, we made the problem worse with trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax cuts – tax cuts that went to every millionaire and billionaire in the country; tax cuts that will force us to borrow an average of $500 billion every year over the next decade.
To give you an idea of how much damage this caused to our national checkbook, consider this: in the last decade, if we had simply found a way to pay for the tax cuts and the prescription drug benefit, our deficit would currently be at low historical levels in the coming years.
Of course, that’s not what happened. And so, by the time I took office, we once again found ourselves deeply in debt and unprepared for a Baby Boom retirement that is now starting to take place. When I took office, our projected deficit was more than $1 trillion. On top of that, we faced a terrible financial crisis and a recession that, like most recessions, led us to temporarily borrow even more..."
(Source)
"..After Democrats and Republicans committed to fiscal discipline during the 1990s, we lost our way in the decade that followed. We increased spending dramatically for two wars and an expensive prescription drug program – but we didn’t pay for any of this new spending. Instead, we made the problem worse with trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax cuts – tax cuts that went to every millionaire and billionaire in the country; tax cuts that will force us to borrow an average of $500 billion every year over the next decade.
To give you an idea of how much damage this caused to our national checkbook, consider this: in the last decade, if we had simply found a way to pay for the tax cuts and the prescription drug benefit, our deficit would currently be at low historical levels in the coming years.
Of course, that’s not what happened. And so, by the time I took office, we once again found ourselves deeply in debt and unprepared for a Baby Boom retirement that is now starting to take place. When I took office, our projected deficit was more than $1 trillion. On top of that, we faced a terrible financial crisis and a recession that, like most recessions, led us to temporarily borrow even more..."
(Source)
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO RELEASE 5-YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR MARYLAND
Governor to join Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Business Leaders to announce new tenants at Hopkins’ Science + Technology Park
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 13, 2011) – TOMORROW, just days after the end of the 2011 Legislative Session and the passage of InvestMaryland, Governor O’Malley will release a five-year economic development strategy for the State of Maryland. The Governor will join Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the Maryland Economic Development Commission, other local elected officials and small business owners to release the plan.
The Commission, which was re-launched by the Governor in 2009 after being inactive for several years, developed the plan over 18 months with input from more than 250 business owners and four regional roundtable discussions around the State. The plan outlines four key strategies to create and retain jobs and position Maryland as a leader in the new economy. The Governor will also announce new tenants at the Rangos Building, part of the Science + Technology Park at Johns Hopkins, and tour Cureveda, a woman-owned life sciences company focused on developing drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Maryland has an outstanding infrastructure to support an Innovation Economy. In January, the Milken Institute again ranked Maryland #2 in the nation for technology and science assets. According to study results, while Maryland received high rankings in human capital investment, research and development inputs, technology and science workforce, and technology concentration and dynamism, it lagged behind other states in risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure, demonstrating the need for Governor O’Malley’s InvestMaryland initiative, which the General Assembly just passed. The Index provides measurements of the technology and science assets for states, ranking them on their ability to foster and sustain a technology sector, which research has shown is a crucial factor in determining a region's future economic success.
Fight Escalates Over Teacher Fired For Bible On Desk
The Rutherford Institute is joining the case of an Ohio teacher who was fired for keeping a Bible on his desk and suggesting that students "think critically about the school's science curriculum, particularly as it relates to evolution theories."
The announcement from John Whitehead, the president of the organization, concerns the claims of teacher John Freshwater.
"The right of public school teachers to academic freedom is the bedrock of American education," Whitehead said. "What we need today are more teachers and school administrators who understand that young people don't need to be indoctrinated. Rather, they need to be taught how to think for themselves."
Freshwater, a 24-year veteran in the classroom, originally was suspended several years ago by the Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
One of the early allegations was that he "branded" students with a scientific machine called a Tesla Coil that demonstrates electrical current.
However, Dave Daubenmire, who served as a spokesman for the teacher, said the "cross branding" was nothing of the sort. He characterized it as a science experiment Freshwater had been conducting for 21 years in which he made X marks, not crosses, on the students' skin in the demonstration.
Daubenmire pointed out experts have affirmed the experiment causes no injury to students.
There were other issues involved.
Cited as reasons for his 2008 suspension and official termination in January 2011 were his actions of allegedly "improperly" injecting religion into the class by giving students "reason to doubt the accuracy and or veracity of scientists, science testbooks and/or science in general."
He also was accused of failing to remove "all religious articles" from his classroom.
But Freshwater never received a negative performance evaluation. And during the 2007-2008 school year, as the issues were developing, his students earned the highest state standardized test scores in science of any eighth grade class in the district.
According to the Rutherford Institute, "moreover, according to a federal judge's findings, Freshwater was the only science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School who got a 'passing' score on the Ohio Achievement Test."
But when the school board ordered him to remove "all religious items" from his classroom, including his personal Bible, which he kept on his desk, he agreed to remove the objects except for the Bible.
As the conflict between the teacher and district developed, students organized a rally in his honor, wore T-shirts with crosses painted on them and carried Bibles to class.
Even though the district's policies state that because religious traditions vary, teachers should give unbiased instruction so that students may evaluate it "in accordance with their own religious tenets," school officials got rid of him.
He's now appealing the termination in state court, alleging violations of his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and religious discrimination.
More
The announcement from John Whitehead, the president of the organization, concerns the claims of teacher John Freshwater.
"The right of public school teachers to academic freedom is the bedrock of American education," Whitehead said. "What we need today are more teachers and school administrators who understand that young people don't need to be indoctrinated. Rather, they need to be taught how to think for themselves."
Freshwater, a 24-year veteran in the classroom, originally was suspended several years ago by the Mount Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
One of the early allegations was that he "branded" students with a scientific machine called a Tesla Coil that demonstrates electrical current.
However, Dave Daubenmire, who served as a spokesman for the teacher, said the "cross branding" was nothing of the sort. He characterized it as a science experiment Freshwater had been conducting for 21 years in which he made X marks, not crosses, on the students' skin in the demonstration.
Daubenmire pointed out experts have affirmed the experiment causes no injury to students.
There were other issues involved.
Cited as reasons for his 2008 suspension and official termination in January 2011 were his actions of allegedly "improperly" injecting religion into the class by giving students "reason to doubt the accuracy and or veracity of scientists, science testbooks and/or science in general."
He also was accused of failing to remove "all religious articles" from his classroom.
But Freshwater never received a negative performance evaluation. And during the 2007-2008 school year, as the issues were developing, his students earned the highest state standardized test scores in science of any eighth grade class in the district.
According to the Rutherford Institute, "moreover, according to a federal judge's findings, Freshwater was the only science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School who got a 'passing' score on the Ohio Achievement Test."
But when the school board ordered him to remove "all religious items" from his classroom, including his personal Bible, which he kept on his desk, he agreed to remove the objects except for the Bible.
As the conflict between the teacher and district developed, students organized a rally in his honor, wore T-shirts with crosses painted on them and carried Bibles to class.
Even though the district's policies state that because religious traditions vary, teachers should give unbiased instruction so that students may evaluate it "in accordance with their own religious tenets," school officials got rid of him.
He's now appealing the termination in state court, alleging violations of his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and religious discrimination.
More
Bend Over America, Here It Comes
A friend of mine just sent me this image. He's driving a small box truck which cost him $208.50 to fill up his tank with diesel gas. $4.12 A GALLON!!!! $3.79 for regular gas!!!!
Yeah, I've got your "CHANGE" Mr. obama!
On The Budget, Obama's A Real (Mis)Leader
With his speech Wednesday, President Obama will try to claim leadership in the fight against the debt tsunami. But he's already had his chance to lead -- many of them, in fact -- and he blew it.
According to White House aide David Plouffe, Obama's speech will 'lay out his approach ... in terms of the scale of debt reduction he thinks the country needs so we can grow economically and win the future.'
That's a bit odd, since just two months ago Obama claimed that his 2012 budget plan 'lays out a path for how we can pay down these debts and free the American economy from their burden.' Is he now admitting what everyone else quickly figured out -- that his last budget was a complete sham?
It isn't just that the president hasn't been leading the fight for fiscal responsibility. It's that he's been consistently misleading the country about what he's doing. For more than two years, he has constantly talked about cutting spending and deficits while doing nothing to achieve those goals.
The topper came this February, when Obama produced a budget that he claimed (and the media mindlessly repeated) significantly cut federal spending. It didn't. In fact, Obama proposed spending $252 billion more in 2012 than the feds spent in 2010 -- at the height of the stimulus spending spree.
That budget also did nothing to address entitlements and made no attempt to balance the federal books. Instead, it proposed adding $6.7 trillion in red ink over the next decade, pushing the national debt to more than 75% of gross domestic product, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Obama might think that, with a nice new speech, he can wipe this sorry slate clean and redraw himself as a responsible and reasonable fiscal hawk. Republicans, and the public at large, would all do well not to take him at his word.
More
According to White House aide David Plouffe, Obama's speech will 'lay out his approach ... in terms of the scale of debt reduction he thinks the country needs so we can grow economically and win the future.'
That's a bit odd, since just two months ago Obama claimed that his 2012 budget plan 'lays out a path for how we can pay down these debts and free the American economy from their burden.' Is he now admitting what everyone else quickly figured out -- that his last budget was a complete sham?
It isn't just that the president hasn't been leading the fight for fiscal responsibility. It's that he's been consistently misleading the country about what he's doing. For more than two years, he has constantly talked about cutting spending and deficits while doing nothing to achieve those goals.
The topper came this February, when Obama produced a budget that he claimed (and the media mindlessly repeated) significantly cut federal spending. It didn't. In fact, Obama proposed spending $252 billion more in 2012 than the feds spent in 2010 -- at the height of the stimulus spending spree.
That budget also did nothing to address entitlements and made no attempt to balance the federal books. Instead, it proposed adding $6.7 trillion in red ink over the next decade, pushing the national debt to more than 75% of gross domestic product, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Obama might think that, with a nice new speech, he can wipe this sorry slate clean and redraw himself as a responsible and reasonable fiscal hawk. Republicans, and the public at large, would all do well not to take him at his word.
More
One Year Ago Today
There are many people to thank, especially Governor O'Malley for putting the bills into the Governor's Bills to assure success.
Delegates Mike Smigel, Jim Mathias and Norm Conway had a lot to do with creating and presenting this legislation for a vote. While the Delegation and the Senate couldn't seem to come to agreeable terms, Governor O'Malley knew how important this legislation was and adopted it.
Jennifer Foxwell was kind enough to ride with us to Annapolis on the final day. However, it was Sarah's Aunt Tracey Powell who took several trips with me to Annapolis over a several month period to push this legislation on behalf of Foxwell Family.
Today, because of such strong support from many, our children live in a slightly safer state, a state in which sent a very clear message, you mess with children you go away for a very long time.
A Letter To The Editor
MR. POLLITT: NO MORE STUDIES AND NO TAX INCREASE!
Yesterday Rick Pollitt and his "council of economic advisers" dispelled any doubt that Wicomico County voters were really snookered in last year’s election.
Now Rick is all for ("sold on") a study by a consultant – probably for a cost upwards of 6 figures or more – to tell him how to cut the budget by trimming the fat. Recall how he responded when his opponent, Joe Ollinger, proposed a similar "in-house" effort and even offered specifics such as a county police force and eliminating the "public information officer" that accompanies Pollitt almost every time he appears in public. Rick repeatedly ridiculed Mr. Ollinger’s suggestion that change was in order.
And just last week at his public input meeting at the Civic Cebter, when a speaker whined about possible closing of parks, Pollitt promptly told her not to worry because that was off the table.
No study by some hot-shot consultant is needed to match County expense to the lower revenue it will receive during the next few years. We know from having furloughed employees and, thanks to Mr. Pollitt and the last Council majority, giving them birthdays as a paid holiday, that the County’s work force is oversized and that some positions (including the "PIO") can and should be cut. And like many other employers are doing, pay levels can be reduced.
And that’s just for starters – let the public and the Council examine and "revise" a detailed budget proposal by making line item cuts and the rest will follow. We don’t need a study to tell us that we should raise taxes because we can’t cut costs, which may be the real reason why Rick is "sold on" getting a study.
Don’t forget that we got a similar study by some consultant about 10 years ago. And don’t forget last year’s budget, when Pollitt could have asked for a tax increase but did not do so, and what was different last year.
Delegate Mike McDermott On HB-1213:
“The process surrounding this bill was appalling”
(ANNAPOLIS)—“If we’re going to debate something let it be done fair and impartial and allow the views of the people of this state to be reflected in their citizen legislature. Not those that hide in the back room, making deals around a table deciding what the delegations are going to receive” said Delegate Michael A. McDermott(R-District-38B) on the House floor while discussing HB-1213 on Sine Die. HB-1213, Sales and Use Tax - Alcoholic Beverages - Supplementary Appropriation, will dramatically increase the sales tax rate on alcoholic beverages by 50 percent. Many Delegates, including Delegate Mike McDermott, were angered by the process of the floor proceedings when Speaker Michael E. Busch shut down debate for HB-1213 after only a few delegates had spoken.
“The people of Maryland are booing this process. That’s why they put so many freshmen in here: they’re tired of it! They’re tired of this process! They’re tired of not being heard! They’re tired of you deciding what’s right on a dark night and ramming this through at the eighty-ninth day. They’re tired of you not letting them have a voice in this chamber, where they say ‘You have taxed me enough!’ ” argued Delegate McDermott.
The bill will be particularly tough on border areas like Worcester and Wicomico Counties where prices are cheaper in neighboring states. According to the Fiscal Note on the bill, the increased tax will likley result in job losses and a decrease in overall business for Maryland at a time when our economy continues to suffer.
“The people are weary. They’re weary of your taxes. They’re weary of your intolerance. They’re weary of your opportunity to tyrannically run this house any way you choose” concluded McDermott.
The bill is a sweetheart deal for Baltimore City, Prince Georges County, and Montgomery County who will recieve $27 million of the cut while 8 Eastern Shore Counties will only receive $156,000. HB-1213 passed with a vote of 78-62 in the House.
Delegate Mike McDermott Press Release
(ANNAPOLIS)--With less than two hours to go in the 2011 session of the General Assembly, HB-39 was passed on Third Reader providing qualified Worcester County Non-Profit and Fratenal Organizations the ability to utilize slot machines in their establishments. A concerted effort by the Worcester Delegation, including Sen. Mathias, Del. Conway, and Delegation Chair McDermott, moved the bill over the finish line and ended a 5-year effort in victory.
“Passing this legislation for our fraternal organizations and the Ameican Legion was a priority this year for me in the House”, said freshman Delegate Mike McDermott. “Our non-profits desparately needed this and our communities will be the beneficiaries of their charity”.
The bill provides an opportunity for Worcester County to join the ranks of every other county on the Eastern Shore who have enjoyed this provision for over 20-years. Worcester County had asked to opt out of the law when it was first passed when leaders feared gambling coming to Ocean City would be a detriment. Much has changed since that time, including a state operated casino near Ocean Pines.
“The qualified organizations will be able to have up to 5 slot machines on site”, said Delegate McDermott. “One half of the proceeds from the slots must be donated to other non-profit organizations in the community. This is on instance where everybody is a
Who’s Scare-Mongering Now?
As Sine Die approaches will O’Malley and Democrat leaders admit they lied about taxes and fees? Or will they stand by their promises to Maryland Citizens and reject the massive hikes?
In 2010 Democrats denounced taxes and fees…
Gov. Martin O'Malley accused former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. of "scare-monger politics" Friday for continuing to claim that Democrats are plotting a major tax increase after the 2010 elections to help balance future budgets. (John Wagner, “Ehrlich's talk of tax increase is 'scare-monger politics,' O'Malley says,” Washington Post, 4/9/10)
“If it comes out of my pocket, it’s a tax.” (O’Malley Campaign Ad, “Credibility,” 9/8/10)
They said no new taxes and fees …
Gov. Martin O'Malley told Frederick business leaders Wednesday his budget for next year includes no new taxes or fees. (Meg Tully, “No new taxes, fees in 2011, O'Malley tells Rotary,” Frederick News Post, 9/30/10)
“I don’t see any appetite for any kind of revenue increases,” said House Speaker Mike Busch (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)
“They’re (Marylanders) not looking for any tax increases; they’re looking for less government,” Senate President Mike Miller said. (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)
On Wednesday (Governor O’Malley) told reporters and on Thursday he told his cabinet that next year’s budget would be trimmed with “a constant diet of cuts, cuts, cuts” rather than tax hikes. (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)
"Insanity personified." That's how Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) summed up his thoughts Wednesday morning on a proposal for a "dime-a-drink" increase in state alcohol taxes. (John Wagner, “Md. Senate president calls alcohol tax hike 'insanity',” Washington Post, 1/12/11)
In 2011 Democrats broke their promise, proposing hundreds of millions in new taxes and fees…
Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a series of fee increases. (Brian Hughes, “Md. House budget plan would increase fees, cuts,” Washington Examiner, 3/23/11)
Marylanders are likely to feel the impact in their wallets for years to come. Collectively, the proposals would raise hundreds of millions of dollars. . (Annie Linskey, Julie Bykowicz, “Lawmakers considering range of fees, taxes: With state facing $1.6 billion deficit, Marylanders likely to feel the pinch,” Baltimore Sun, 3/26/11)
(Speaker Busch) acknowledged that some will not distinguish between raising fees and raising taxes. (Annie Linskey, “House panel approves $67 million in new fees,” Baltimore Sun, 3/18/2011)
The increases would start in the cradle, with a boost in the cost of obtaining a birth certificate. They would hit passengers on a train or a bus, students paying for college, and residents buying a car or a house. Hospital patients would see their health insurance premiums go up, homeowners would pay more for energy, drinkers would owe more for that beer. (Annie Linskey, Julie Bykowicz, “Lawmakers considering range of fees, taxes: With state facing $1.6 billion deficit, Marylanders likely to feel the pinch,” Baltimore Sun, 3/26/11)
Democrat Senator Wants Internet Sales Taxes
A Democratic senator is preparing to introduce legislation that aims to end the golden era of tax-free Internet shopping.
The proposal--expected to be made public soon after Tax Day--would rewrite the ground rules for Internet and mail order sales by eliminating the ability of Americans to shop at Web sites like Amazon.com and Overstock.com without paying state sales taxes.
Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second most senior Senate Democrat, will introduce the bill after the Easter recess, a Democratic aide told CNET.
"Why should out-of-state companies that sell their products online have an unfair advantage over Main Street bricks-and-mortar businesses?" Durbin said in a speech in Collinsville, Ill., in February. "Out-of-state companies that aren't paying their fair share of taxes are sticking Illinois residents and businesses with the tab."
More
The proposal--expected to be made public soon after Tax Day--would rewrite the ground rules for Internet and mail order sales by eliminating the ability of Americans to shop at Web sites like Amazon.com and Overstock.com without paying state sales taxes.
Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second most senior Senate Democrat, will introduce the bill after the Easter recess, a Democratic aide told CNET.
"Why should out-of-state companies that sell their products online have an unfair advantage over Main Street bricks-and-mortar businesses?" Durbin said in a speech in Collinsville, Ill., in February. "Out-of-state companies that aren't paying their fair share of taxes are sticking Illinois residents and businesses with the tab."
More
Obamas Gas Price Speech
Mr. Obama,
You recently gave a speech explaining the cause of high gas prices within the United States. Please allow me to provide the truth to the American people. On 11/30/2010, the Congressional Research Service documented that the United States has more than 400 years of documented available energy resources today. This amount is 3 times greater than all of Saudi Arabia and more than double the resources of China. Our energy prices are high because the Federal government is restricting and controlling access to our own natural energy resources and technologies.
It is time to elect a President who will allow the private sector to bring the best energy products to the people and to our free market (without government interference, subsidies or quotas). By supporting the people and our economy to be free once again, we will not only be energy independent within a generation, we will be a global energy supplier.
Thomas J. Miller
Registered Candidate R., President of the United States of America 2012
Federal Election Commission ID: P20001947
Principal Campaign Committee:
Reduce Government w Miller for President ID: C00462010
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On April 12, 2011 at approximately 12:29 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Economy Inn Hotel on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a disorderly subject. Upon arrival the officers met with the hotel owner who advised that he had become involved in an argument with a guest which resulted in the guest breaking a window of the hotel. The guest (suspect) then fled from the hotel. Responding officers located the suspect walking on North Salisbury Boulevard in the area of The Car Store and took the suspect into custody, after a positive identification. Upon being taken into custody, the suspect made threats to burn the hotel.
ARRESTED: Chad Derick Powell, 27 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Malicious destruction of property
Threat of arson
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100013694
On April 12, 2011 at approximately 11:41 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant received for a theft that occurred in December of 2010. At that time officers met with a victim who advised that his bank debit card had been stolen and then used in a number of Salisbury area businesses. Detectives of the Salisbury Police investigated the usages and identified the below listed suspect as responsible for utilizing the stolen debit card. The total usages of the card were in excess of $ 250.00.
ARRESTED: Jennifer Lynn Hutt, 32 years of age
Crisfield, Maryland
CHARGES: Retaining a credit card of another
Unlawful use of a signature
Credit card fraud
Theft (under $ 1,000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000048544
On April 12, 2011 at approximately 6:13 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Boscovs Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who indicated that the below listed suspect had been observed by store personnel taking sunglasses from the store without making payment. The sunglasses were recovered and returned to the store.
During detention the suspect was found to be in possession of two (2) smoking devices, each containing suspected cocaine residue.
ARRESTED: Brianna Maureen Flint, 21 years of age
Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
Possession of cocaine (2 counts)
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia (2 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100013799
ARRESTED: Chad Derick Powell, 27 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Malicious destruction of property
Threat of arson
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100013694
On April 12, 2011 at approximately 11:41 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant received for a theft that occurred in December of 2010. At that time officers met with a victim who advised that his bank debit card had been stolen and then used in a number of Salisbury area businesses. Detectives of the Salisbury Police investigated the usages and identified the below listed suspect as responsible for utilizing the stolen debit card. The total usages of the card were in excess of $ 250.00.
ARRESTED: Jennifer Lynn Hutt, 32 years of age
Crisfield, Maryland
CHARGES: Retaining a credit card of another
Unlawful use of a signature
Credit card fraud
Theft (under $ 1,000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000048544
On April 12, 2011 at approximately 6:13 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Boscovs Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who indicated that the below listed suspect had been observed by store personnel taking sunglasses from the store without making payment. The sunglasses were recovered and returned to the store.
During detention the suspect was found to be in possession of two (2) smoking devices, each containing suspected cocaine residue.
ARRESTED: Brianna Maureen Flint, 21 years of age
Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
Possession of cocaine (2 counts)
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia (2 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100013799
40 Percent Of Ex-Cons Wind Up Back Behind Bars
More than 40 percent of ex-cons commit crimes within three years of their release and wind up back behind bars, according to a study released Wednesday.
Md. Has One Of The Country’s Richest Counties
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — You don’t have to go far to find one of the richest counties in the country—it’s right in our backyard in Howard County. Jessica Kartalija shows us what makes Howard County so attractive.
Money Magazine once ranked Howard County as one of the best places to live and now Forbes is ranking it as one of the most affluent in the country.
Delaware Judge Says State Police Lawsuit May Proceed
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- A Superior Court judge has ruled that a sexual harassment case against Delaware State Police may proceed.
State officials wanted to quash the lawsuit by state police secretary Diana L. Miller but Judge Jerome O. Herlihy rejected their arguments. But he ruled that she may not pursue claims of a hostile work environment or retaliation against the agency.
After the lawsuit was filed in 2008, state police officials said a former state police captain was suspended and later retired after having an affair with her.
More
State officials wanted to quash the lawsuit by state police secretary Diana L. Miller but Judge Jerome O. Herlihy rejected their arguments. But he ruled that she may not pursue claims of a hostile work environment or retaliation against the agency.
After the lawsuit was filed in 2008, state police officials said a former state police captain was suspended and later retired after having an affair with her.
More
THE PLAN:
A.. Back off and let those men who want to marry men, marry men. B.. Allow those women who want to marry women, marry women. C.. Allow those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies. D.. In three generations, there will be no Democrats. |
State's Bicyclists Cheer Driver-Negligence Bill
General Assembly approved creation of a new class of misdemeanor offense
Advocates for Maryland's bicyclists expressed delight Tuesday that the General Assembly passed a bill creating a new misdemeanor offense for drivers who kill people as a result of serious negligence, giving prosecutors an alternative that lies between traffic charges and felony manslaughter.The long-sought legislation passed both houses in the waning hours of the 2011 session Monday night after the House accepted a Senate amendment crafted to lessen the chance that a driver would serve time in jail for a death caused by routine driving errors.
Proponents say the charge of manslaughter by criminal negligence, punishable by up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine, fills a gap in the law between simple traffic offenses such as negligent driving and felony automotive manslaughter.
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A Host Of Dems Suddenly Backpedal On Debt Ceiling Votes
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer has joined President Obama in conceding that he blundered by voting against an increase to the government’s debt ceiling.
“I have voted against the debt limit in the past. That was a mistake,” Hoyer (Md.), the second-ranking House Democrat, said in an unprompted admission to reporters on Tuesday.
His comment came two days after White House adviser David Plouffe said Obama made a mistake by voting against raising the debt ceiling when he was a senator.
Democrats are urging Republicans not to jeopardize the economy and the full faith and credit of the nation with talk of voting against raising the $14 trillion debt ceiling before the borrowing limit is reached in July. But the Democrats' own votes against raising that ceiling during George W. Bush’s presidency are coming back to haunt them.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee attacked Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who voted against raising the ceiling in 2007, for “flip-flopping” on the issue when she called Republicans “profoundly irresponsible” for threatening to do the same thing.
Hoyer said he voted with other Democrats against lifting the debt ceiling when Republicans were in the majority to protest what he said were irresponsible GOP fiscal policies, such as tax cuts for the wealthy.
In the Senate, a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Reid has previously stated that he “believes he should have voted differently.”
Other Democratic senators stopped short of declaring their previous votes a mistake. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) voted against the debt-limit increase in 2006 “to demand a course correction from the Bush fiscal policies that had turned record budget surpluses into record deficits with no end in sight,” Kerry spokeswoman Whitney Smith said. “He'll cast this upcoming vote after considering the best way to influence our economic direction and after seeing what's attached to the bill.”
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) also defended his earlier vote.
“Sen. Lieberman stands by that vote because he believed the [Bush administration] failed to demonstrate that they were going to take serious steps to reduce the national debt which today threatens our economic future,” spokesman Jeremy Kilpatrick said. “The 2006 vote was the fourth time the debt ceiling was raised during the Bush administration.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) did not respond to requests for comment.
Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) said through a spokeswoman: “My vote was in protest of Bush’s unwise and obscene tax cuts. The circumstances today are entirely different.”
Obama voted against raising the debt ceiling as an Illinois senator in 2006.
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“I have voted against the debt limit in the past. That was a mistake,” Hoyer (Md.), the second-ranking House Democrat, said in an unprompted admission to reporters on Tuesday.
His comment came two days after White House adviser David Plouffe said Obama made a mistake by voting against raising the debt ceiling when he was a senator.
Democrats are urging Republicans not to jeopardize the economy and the full faith and credit of the nation with talk of voting against raising the $14 trillion debt ceiling before the borrowing limit is reached in July. But the Democrats' own votes against raising that ceiling during George W. Bush’s presidency are coming back to haunt them.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee attacked Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who voted against raising the ceiling in 2007, for “flip-flopping” on the issue when she called Republicans “profoundly irresponsible” for threatening to do the same thing.
Hoyer said he voted with other Democrats against lifting the debt ceiling when Republicans were in the majority to protest what he said were irresponsible GOP fiscal policies, such as tax cuts for the wealthy.
In the Senate, a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Reid has previously stated that he “believes he should have voted differently.”
Other Democratic senators stopped short of declaring their previous votes a mistake. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) voted against the debt-limit increase in 2006 “to demand a course correction from the Bush fiscal policies that had turned record budget surpluses into record deficits with no end in sight,” Kerry spokeswoman Whitney Smith said. “He'll cast this upcoming vote after considering the best way to influence our economic direction and after seeing what's attached to the bill.”
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) also defended his earlier vote.
“Sen. Lieberman stands by that vote because he believed the [Bush administration] failed to demonstrate that they were going to take serious steps to reduce the national debt which today threatens our economic future,” spokesman Jeremy Kilpatrick said. “The 2006 vote was the fourth time the debt ceiling was raised during the Bush administration.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) did not respond to requests for comment.
Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) said through a spokeswoman: “My vote was in protest of Bush’s unwise and obscene tax cuts. The circumstances today are entirely different.”
Obama voted against raising the debt ceiling as an Illinois senator in 2006.
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BP, Government Win 1st Amendment Muzzle Awards
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Oil giant BP and the Obama administration were among the winners of the Jefferson Muzzle awards, given Wednesday by a free-speech group to those it considered the worst First Amendment violators in 2010.
BP and the government appeared on the list, compiled by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, for their roles in restricting news media access to the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Other recipients included the Transportation Security Administration, which arrested a passenger who stripped to his shorts to protest security measures; a Mississippi judge who jailed a lawyer or refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Virginia prisons agency for banning a "Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook."
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BP and the government appeared on the list, compiled by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, for their roles in restricting news media access to the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Other recipients included the Transportation Security Administration, which arrested a passenger who stripped to his shorts to protest security measures; a Mississippi judge who jailed a lawyer or refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Virginia prisons agency for banning a "Jailhouse Lawyers Handbook."
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Transgender 'Man' Sues Over Firing From Job Requiring Men Only
A transgender employee hired to oversee urine tests administered to men has filed a discrimination lawsuit against a Camden drug treatment center that fired him after it confronted him about his gender last summer.
El'Jai Devoureau, 39, said Urban Treatment Associates questioned him about his gender a day after he started working in the position, which had been open only to male candidates.
"Is El'Jai a male? The employer says no, and El'Jai says he is," said Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York, which filed the lawsuit Friday. "He's undergone hormone treatment and surgery."
The case challenges an employer's right to eliminate transgender candidates for positions that the law says may be gender-specific. Silverman said he was unaware of any previous transgender-discrimination case that addressed the issue.
When his employer asked about his gender after he began work, Devoureau responded, "I am a man, and I can do the job. They said, 'You're fired,' " he said during an interview Monday.
According to the lawsuit, Devoureau, of Gloucester County, was hired in June to observe men depositing urine in cups for drug analysis. The supervision is to assure that the sample is fresh and not from a different person.
The employer may require male workers for such a job, Silverman said.
In documents filed in January, after Devoureau filed a discrimination complaint with the state, the treatment center stated that it fired Devoureau because he was not a biological male. But it disputed that the termination was discriminatory.
"I've always lived as a male," Devoureau said. He has identified as male since about age 5 and has undergone treatment to transition, he said.
In 2006, Devoureau completed the documents required to change his gender for Social Security and for his New Jersey driver's license. Georgia also amended his birth certificate, he said.
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El'Jai Devoureau, 39, said Urban Treatment Associates questioned him about his gender a day after he started working in the position, which had been open only to male candidates.
"Is El'Jai a male? The employer says no, and El'Jai says he is," said Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York, which filed the lawsuit Friday. "He's undergone hormone treatment and surgery."
The case challenges an employer's right to eliminate transgender candidates for positions that the law says may be gender-specific. Silverman said he was unaware of any previous transgender-discrimination case that addressed the issue.
When his employer asked about his gender after he began work, Devoureau responded, "I am a man, and I can do the job. They said, 'You're fired,' " he said during an interview Monday.
According to the lawsuit, Devoureau, of Gloucester County, was hired in June to observe men depositing urine in cups for drug analysis. The supervision is to assure that the sample is fresh and not from a different person.
The employer may require male workers for such a job, Silverman said.
In documents filed in January, after Devoureau filed a discrimination complaint with the state, the treatment center stated that it fired Devoureau because he was not a biological male. But it disputed that the termination was discriminatory.
"I've always lived as a male," Devoureau said. He has identified as male since about age 5 and has undergone treatment to transition, he said.
In 2006, Devoureau completed the documents required to change his gender for Social Security and for his New Jersey driver's license. Georgia also amended his birth certificate, he said.
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50 Years Since Space Travel Began: What's Next?
Half a century after the first man was launched into space, scientists predict what space travel will be like in another 50 years.
Senate Bill To Require Federal Manager Training
Tight budgets are forcing agencies to do more with less. But federal supervisors aren't getting the training to understand how to manage with limited resources. A bill introduced Tuesday in the Senate would require training for federal managers within their first year of appointment and additional training every three years.
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Pacific Homeschool Presidential Straw Poll Results
The California Home Educators Association and the Home School Legal Defense Association joined together Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the first Pacific Homeschool SuperConference. Some 1,200 homeschoolers from California, Nevada, and Oregon gathered just south of San Francisco to hear from homeschool experts, buy school supplies, and participate in the straw poll and presidential forum.
Candidates vying for support of the influential homeschool vote brought messages of educational freedom and family values. Former Senator Rick Santorum won the straw poll with 28%. Tim Pawlenty posted a strong second place with 20%, followed by Herman Cain holding 16%.It is easy to see why Rick Santorum, himself a homeschool father, registered a strong win. In his speech he pointed to his time in the Senate where he championed family issues, including the right to life. He told the audience it is because of the freedom established by the Founding Fathers that the world has changed.
Candidate Tim Pawlenty encouraged parents to stay involved in the education of their children, saying “parental involvement is the number one determining factor in a child’s academic success” and reminding the audience of the importance of strong families.
Herman Cain, the last candidate to address the crowd, ended the conference with a rousing call to action. “The Founding Fathers got it right,” Cain proclaimed. He encouraged people to return to the basics and praised the “people’s movement” that has taken form in the Tea Party.
All the candidates who came to speak were well received. The results of the straw poll reflected the wide range of homeschool families’ opinions including write-in votes for Marco Rubio and votes cast for President Obama. In the end, the results clumped around a few strong candidates, indicating the direction homeschoolers are leaning this election cycle. Complete results are as follows: Santorum 28%, Pawlenty 20%, Cain 16%, Huckabee 13%, (Ron) Paul 7%, Palin 5%, Bachmann 3%, Trump 3%, Gingrich 3% and Obama, Barbour, Thune, Rubio, Daniels, and Johnson all with less than 1%.
(Source)
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a 28-year-old, 85,000 member non-profit organization and the preeminent national association advocating the legal right of parents to homeschool their children.
Republicans Will Wait 72 Hours For Vote
Under pressure to comply with a Republican House rule to make all bills available “for three days” before voting on them, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced Tuesday morning he would wait until Thursday to bring the fiscal year spending bill to the floor.
“To comply with our three-day rule, the CR agreement will be brought to the floor on Thursday,” Cantor’s press office announced on Twitter.
Republicans last year campaigned on a promise to give members of Congress “72 hours” to read bills before putting them to a vote. Party leaders recently shifted their rhetoric to say that “three days” — which is the language used in their “Pledge to America” — would be defined as three “calendar” days. So technically, they would be within the bounds of the rule if they posted a bill at 11:59 p.m. on a Monday and voted on it at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
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“To comply with our three-day rule, the CR agreement will be brought to the floor on Thursday,” Cantor’s press office announced on Twitter.
Republicans last year campaigned on a promise to give members of Congress “72 hours” to read bills before putting them to a vote. Party leaders recently shifted their rhetoric to say that “three days” — which is the language used in their “Pledge to America” — would be defined as three “calendar” days. So technically, they would be within the bounds of the rule if they posted a bill at 11:59 p.m. on a Monday and voted on it at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
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Hume: Congressional Brinksmanship Not Pretty, But Effective
Last week’s budget deal soured many on the political process – that it takes pushing things to the brink to make progress. But such brinkmanship produces results.
On Tuesday’s “Special Report” on the Fox News Channel, senior political analyst Brit Hume observed this might be the only way to achieve results.
“Many Americans were dismayed at the brinksmanship displayed at the narrowly averted government shutdown that was headed off by last week’s budget deal,” Hume said. “They will doubtless be dismayed again at the prospect of another such showdown over raising the debt limit. But such deadlines are actually proving a blessing. They’re forcing agreements that would not have occurred without them.”
Hume alluded to the extension of the Bush tax cuts late last year as one example of achieving an ends, and said that was the case with this budget deal that a Democratic majority squandered two years to act.
“Remember last December with only days to go before a major tax increase that would hit nearly every American – the president finally agreed to leave all the Bush tax rates in effect,” Hume said. “Mr. Obama and congressional Democrats had had two years to address the issue, but nothing got done until it absolutely had to. In this latest instance, the president and his party in Congress did not want any spending cuts in the budget for the rest of this year. Only the specter of a government shutdown without uncertain political consequences resulted in a round of cuts in which both sides gave ground.”
The real fight according to Hume lies ahead with the FY2012 budget, which the sides already have seemed to have staked out their positions.
“In the much larger struggle to come over next year’s budget, Democrats will try to raise taxes, cut defense and protect nearly everything else,” he said. “Republicans will try to do just the opposite. Their differences spring from strongly held beliefs and neither side will yield if they avoid it. But the prospect of the breach of the debt limit and subsequent default will mean that they cannot avoid it. Something big may at last be done about spending and debt.”
More details and video
On Tuesday’s “Special Report” on the Fox News Channel, senior political analyst Brit Hume observed this might be the only way to achieve results.
“Many Americans were dismayed at the brinksmanship displayed at the narrowly averted government shutdown that was headed off by last week’s budget deal,” Hume said. “They will doubtless be dismayed again at the prospect of another such showdown over raising the debt limit. But such deadlines are actually proving a blessing. They’re forcing agreements that would not have occurred without them.”
Hume alluded to the extension of the Bush tax cuts late last year as one example of achieving an ends, and said that was the case with this budget deal that a Democratic majority squandered two years to act.
“Remember last December with only days to go before a major tax increase that would hit nearly every American – the president finally agreed to leave all the Bush tax rates in effect,” Hume said. “Mr. Obama and congressional Democrats had had two years to address the issue, but nothing got done until it absolutely had to. In this latest instance, the president and his party in Congress did not want any spending cuts in the budget for the rest of this year. Only the specter of a government shutdown without uncertain political consequences resulted in a round of cuts in which both sides gave ground.”
The real fight according to Hume lies ahead with the FY2012 budget, which the sides already have seemed to have staked out their positions.
“In the much larger struggle to come over next year’s budget, Democrats will try to raise taxes, cut defense and protect nearly everything else,” he said. “Republicans will try to do just the opposite. Their differences spring from strongly held beliefs and neither side will yield if they avoid it. But the prospect of the breach of the debt limit and subsequent default will mean that they cannot avoid it. Something big may at last be done about spending and debt.”
More details and video
UN Document Would Give 'Mother Earth' Same Rights As Humans
Bolivia will this month table a draft United Nations treaty giving "Mother Earth" the same rights as humans — having just passed a domestic law that does the same for bugs, trees and all other natural things in the South American country.
The bid aims to have the UN recognize the Earth as a living entity that humans have sought to "dominate and exploit" — to the point that the "well-being and existence of many beings" is now threatened.
The wording may yet evolve, but the general structure is meant to mirror Bolivia's Law of the Rights of Mother Earth, which Bolivian President Evo Morales enacted in January.
That document speaks of the country's natural resources as "blessings," and grants the Earth a series of specific rights that include rights to life, water and clean air; the right to repair livelihoods affected by human activities; and the right to be free from pollution.
It also establishes a Ministry of Mother Earth, and provides the planet with an ombudsman whose job is to hear nature's complaints as voiced by activist and other groups, including the state.
"If you want to have balance, and you think that the only (entities) who have rights are humans or companies, then how can you reach balance?" Pablo Salon, Bolivia's ambassador to the UN, told Postmedia News. "But if you recognize that nature too has rights, and (if you provide) legal forms to protect and preserve those rights, then you can achieve balance."
Bolivia is a country with a large indigenous population, whose traditional belief systems took on greater resonance following the election of Morales, Latin America's first indigenous president.
In a 2008 pamphlet his entourage distributed at the UN as he attended a summit there, 10 "commandments" are set out as Bolivia's plan to "save the planet" — beginning with the need "to end capitalism."
Reflecting indigenous traditional beliefs, the proposed global treaty says humans have caused "severe destruction . . . that is offensive to the many faiths, wisdom traditions and indigenous cultures for whom Mother Earth is sacred."
It also says that "Mother Earth has the right to exist, to persist and to continue the vital cycles, structures, functions and processes that sustain all human beings."
In indigenous Andean culture, the Earth deity known as Pachamama is the centre of all life, and humans are considered equal to all other entities.
The UN debate begins two days before the UN's recognition April 22 of the second International Mother Earth Day — another Morales-led initiative.
Canadian activist Maude Barlow is among global environmentalists backing the drive with a book the group will launch in New York during the UN debate: Nature Has Rights.
"It's going to have huge resonance around the world," Barlow said of the campaign. "It's going to start first with these southern countries trying to protect their land and their people from exploitation, but I think it will be grabbed onto by communities in our countries, for example, fighting the tar sands in Alberta."
More here
The bid aims to have the UN recognize the Earth as a living entity that humans have sought to "dominate and exploit" — to the point that the "well-being and existence of many beings" is now threatened.
The wording may yet evolve, but the general structure is meant to mirror Bolivia's Law of the Rights of Mother Earth, which Bolivian President Evo Morales enacted in January.
That document speaks of the country's natural resources as "blessings," and grants the Earth a series of specific rights that include rights to life, water and clean air; the right to repair livelihoods affected by human activities; and the right to be free from pollution.
It also establishes a Ministry of Mother Earth, and provides the planet with an ombudsman whose job is to hear nature's complaints as voiced by activist and other groups, including the state.
"If you want to have balance, and you think that the only (entities) who have rights are humans or companies, then how can you reach balance?" Pablo Salon, Bolivia's ambassador to the UN, told Postmedia News. "But if you recognize that nature too has rights, and (if you provide) legal forms to protect and preserve those rights, then you can achieve balance."
Bolivia is a country with a large indigenous population, whose traditional belief systems took on greater resonance following the election of Morales, Latin America's first indigenous president.
In a 2008 pamphlet his entourage distributed at the UN as he attended a summit there, 10 "commandments" are set out as Bolivia's plan to "save the planet" — beginning with the need "to end capitalism."
Reflecting indigenous traditional beliefs, the proposed global treaty says humans have caused "severe destruction . . . that is offensive to the many faiths, wisdom traditions and indigenous cultures for whom Mother Earth is sacred."
It also says that "Mother Earth has the right to exist, to persist and to continue the vital cycles, structures, functions and processes that sustain all human beings."
In indigenous Andean culture, the Earth deity known as Pachamama is the centre of all life, and humans are considered equal to all other entities.
The UN debate begins two days before the UN's recognition April 22 of the second International Mother Earth Day — another Morales-led initiative.
Canadian activist Maude Barlow is among global environmentalists backing the drive with a book the group will launch in New York during the UN debate: Nature Has Rights.
"It's going to have huge resonance around the world," Barlow said of the campaign. "It's going to start first with these southern countries trying to protect their land and their people from exploitation, but I think it will be grabbed onto by communities in our countries, for example, fighting the tar sands in Alberta."
More here
IMF: U.S. Deficit Largest Among Major Economies
The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.
The U.S. shortfall will reach 10.8 percent of its gross domestic product this year, ahead of Japan and the U.K., the Washington-based IMF said in a report released today. It estimates that President Barack Obama will need to cut the deficit by 5 percentage points of GDP in the next two fiscal years, the largest adjustment in “at least half a century,” to meet his pledge of halving it by the end of his four-year term.
“Market concerns about sustainability remain subdued in the U.S., but a further delay of action could be fiscally costly, with deficit increases exacerbated by rising yields,” the IMF wrote in its Fiscal Monitor report, published several times a year to analyze public finance development.
The IMF recommended “a down payment” in the form of deficit reduction this year that would make the government goal “compatible with a less abrupt withdrawal of stimulus later.”
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The U.S. shortfall will reach 10.8 percent of its gross domestic product this year, ahead of Japan and the U.K., the Washington-based IMF said in a report released today. It estimates that President Barack Obama will need to cut the deficit by 5 percentage points of GDP in the next two fiscal years, the largest adjustment in “at least half a century,” to meet his pledge of halving it by the end of his four-year term.
“Market concerns about sustainability remain subdued in the U.S., but a further delay of action could be fiscally costly, with deficit increases exacerbated by rising yields,” the IMF wrote in its Fiscal Monitor report, published several times a year to analyze public finance development.
The IMF recommended “a down payment” in the form of deficit reduction this year that would make the government goal “compatible with a less abrupt withdrawal of stimulus later.”
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Delmar Firefighter Killed In Motorcycle Accident Yesterday
A member of the Delmar Fire Department EMS was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday. Perhaps someone can update this Post with additional information.
CHAIR PETER O'MALLEY LAUDS SUCCESSFUL 2011 SESSION
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Democratic Party Chair Peter O’Malley released the following statement today congratulating the Governor and members of the General Assembly on a successful legislative session:
“The focus of Maryland Democrats this session was, is, and continues to be on creating and saving jobs, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and continuing record investments in education and in our future.
Democrats – led by Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., and House Speaker Michael E. Busch – continue to make the tough decisions to solve problems and move Maryland forward despite these challenging economic times. This year Maryland Democrats have chosen a responsible path that protects our priorities, creates jobs and improves our long-term fiscal health.”
“Working together, Maryland Democrats have reduced our state’s structural budget gap by 42% and cut $6.8 billion in spending over the last five years; funded public schools and school construction at record levels; ensured higher education remained affordable and accessible; passed Invest Maryland to fuel venture capital investments that will create jobs and spur economic activity; and made the forward thinking decisions to make Maryland’s pension system more sustainable.”
“In Maryland, voters have entrusted Democrats to manage the state’s finances responsibly and make the right choices to protect our progress. That is the reason why Maryland Democrats – as they did during the last 90 days - will continue to work together, build consensus and keep our state best positioned to win the future for all Marylanders.”
Eric Wittman To Inspire Community To Landscape The Native Way
Eric Wittman of Adkins Arboretum will share his experience and enthusiasm for native landscaping on April 28 in Salisbury.
Eric Wittman to Inspire Community to Landscape the Native Way
Eric Wittman, horticultural expert, owner of Terra Firma Plantcare, and past consultant for national garden clubs, arboretums, governmental entities, and celebrities, is coming to Salisbury on Thursday, April 28 to share his expertise and advice for gardening the native way. His presentation will take place at Brew River Restaurant in Salisbury, beginning at 6pm. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres while learning about the beauty and benefits of landscaping with natives, a term which encompasses perennials, shrubs, and trees that grow and thrive naturally in our area because they are well adapted to our climate and soils.
Eric, who can frequently be found volunteering for Adkins Arboretum, is as passionate about native landscaping as he is knowledgeable. He brings a contagious excitement for selecting and growing the best plants for each gardener and garden setting, whether that means picking the perfect perennials for a shady woodland garden, attracting birds and butterflies with fragrant flowers, or planting a garden that naturally deters deer and rabbits. Whether you’re new to gardening or have a well-worn green thumb, this presentation will inspire you to get your garden back to its native roots.
Just over a week later, on Saturday morning, May 7, you can make your native garden design a reality by checking out the Lower Shore Land Trust’s 4th Annual Native Plant Sale & Celebration at the Ward Museum in Salisbury. The event will feature over 65 varieties of native perennials, ferns, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees to browse and buy, Master Gardeners to offer expert advice, heirloom & organic tomato seedlings from Greenbranch Organic Farm, and a demonstration beehive!
RSVPs for the presentation are requested by April 26. Donations are welcome and appreciated. To RSVP, or for more information about the presentation or the Native Plant Sale, contact Christy Hallman at 410-641-4467 or e-mail CHallman@lowershorelandtrust.org. Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for their generous financial support of both Eric Wittman’s presentation and the Native Plant Sale & Celebration.
OCEAN CITY POLICE MOUNTED PATROL EXPANDING
The Ocean City Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit has significantly expanded over the past year, not only adding a few new horses to their group but also adding additional riders. Most recently, Officer Joseph Zurla completed his training program and was officially added as a member of the unit.
Zurla, who recently completed over 320 training hours with the Mounted Unit, joins three additional full-time unit members and two part-time riders.
Officer Zurla, who began his full-time police career with the OCPD in fall 2007, is proud to be a member of one of OCPD’s most popular units. “I am very excited to be a part of such a prestigious unit,” said Zurla. “I look forward to greater interaction with the Ocean City community and my fellow police officers.”
The OCPD Mounted Unit also added “rookie” horses this year. Some of these new mounts have already seen one summer of duty and are being used as lead-training horses to get the new “rookie” horses up to speed for the upcoming summer season.
The Ocean City Police wishes to thank the community for all its support during the yearlong building process. The mounted patrol group is looking forward to continued success as an integral part of enforcement and crime prevention strategy of the OCPD.
“We are continuing to pursue new and innovative strategies that incorporate our mounted patrol in both pro-active and reactive enforcement roles,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “The Mounted Unit will support every facet of our departmental deployment strategy, not to mention it is wonderful to see these beautiful animals on our boardwalk.”
Zurla, who recently completed over 320 training hours with the Mounted Unit, joins three additional full-time unit members and two part-time riders.
Officer Zurla, who began his full-time police career with the OCPD in fall 2007, is proud to be a member of one of OCPD’s most popular units. “I am very excited to be a part of such a prestigious unit,” said Zurla. “I look forward to greater interaction with the Ocean City community and my fellow police officers.”
The OCPD Mounted Unit also added “rookie” horses this year. Some of these new mounts have already seen one summer of duty and are being used as lead-training horses to get the new “rookie” horses up to speed for the upcoming summer season.
The Ocean City Police wishes to thank the community for all its support during the yearlong building process. The mounted patrol group is looking forward to continued success as an integral part of enforcement and crime prevention strategy of the OCPD.
“We are continuing to pursue new and innovative strategies that incorporate our mounted patrol in both pro-active and reactive enforcement roles,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “The Mounted Unit will support every facet of our departmental deployment strategy, not to mention it is wonderful to see these beautiful animals on our boardwalk.”
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, SENATE PRESIDENT MILLER, SPEAKER BUSCH HOLD FIRST BILL SIGNING FOLLOWING 2011 SINE DIE
Governor signs groundbreaking health benefit exchange bill
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr, House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown to sign important legislation aimed at advancing innovation and creating jobs in Maryland. The Governor signed into law legislation creating a governance structure of a Health Benefit Exchange, becoming one of the first states to establish this framework establishing a new online marketplace to allow Marylanders a choice of plans, and information on rates, benefits and quality.
“As a global hub of innovation – a leader in science, security, health, discovery and information technology – Maryland is well-positioned to transform the challenges we face into jobs and opportunity,” said Governor O’Malley. “This legislative session, we found ways to work together to lead the way for other states by being a winner in this new economy and taking a significant step forward in generating capital for our businesses, expanding healthcare to more Marylanders, and creating jobs for our families as we fight for our economic future.”
The Health Benefit Exchange legislation was a recommendation of the Health Reform Coordinating Council, of which Lt. Governor Brown served as co-chair.
“Maryland has a long tradition of health care innovation and leadership, and we are continuing our record of success by becoming one of first states in the nation to establish the framework for a health benefit exchange,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “When up and running, Maryland’s health benefit exchange will provide seamless, one-stop shopping for individuals and small businesses to find high quality health coverage at an affordable price. By bringing all stakeholders together, we have developed a national model for implementing federal health care reform in order to reduce costs, expand access, and improve the quality of care for all Marylanders.”
Implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act will extend health insurance to 350,000 Marylanders and save the state approximately $800 million over ten years. The O’Malley-Brown Administration proposed a package of legislation to move this effort forward in Maryland this year, and Lieutenant Governor Brown successfully shepherded this legislation through the General Assembly.
Maryland has an outstanding infrastructure to support an Innovation Economy. In January, the Milken Institute again ranked Maryland #2 in the nation for technology and science assets. According to study results, while Maryland received high rankings in human capital investment, research and development inputs, technology and science workforce, and technology concentration and dynamism, it lagged behind other states in risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure, demonstrating the need for InvestMaryland, which the General Assembly passed last night. The Index provides measurements of the technology and science assets for states, ranking them on their ability to foster and sustain a technology sector, which research has shown is a crucial factor in determining a region's future economic success. The previous study was conducted in 2008.
US Appeals Court Rules Against Arizona's Immigration Law
Back in July, federal district court judge Susan Bolton imposed a preliminary injunction on parts of the controversial immigration law passed by Arizona last year, SB-1070. She enjoined provisions relating to warrantless arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants and document requirements, and also struck down the requirement that police check the immigration status of anyone they stop, detain, or arrest if they reasonably suspect the person is in the country illegally.
Today, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Bolton’s preliminary injunction on several major provisions of SB-1070. In their stinging legal critiques, 9th Circuit Judges Richard Paez and John Noonan wrote that each of the provisions blocked by Bolton are outright “unconstitutional” and that SB-1070 is preempted by federal law and foreign policy:
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Today, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Bolton’s preliminary injunction on several major provisions of SB-1070. In their stinging legal critiques, 9th Circuit Judges Richard Paez and John Noonan wrote that each of the provisions blocked by Bolton are outright “unconstitutional” and that SB-1070 is preempted by federal law and foreign policy:
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Radiation Detected in Milk, Air and Water - Is America Safe?
Radioactive material from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan has fallen in rain on major cities across the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency has also detected radioactive materials in milk, air and drinking water. The EPA and other government agencies continue to insist that they expected to see some level of radiation on US soil after the Daiichi disaster, and the current radiation levels are not a cause of public health concern. Truthout has identified gaps in the government's data, however, and nuclear watchdogs are concerned that public officials are not telling Americans the whole story.
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State Employees Can't Be Immune From Cutbacks
The state's workers and teachers should not be surprised that a sour economy would eventually erode their pensions. When a thriving economy brought new revenue to the state, employees and their unions negotiated better benefits and higher pay. So when times are bad, isn't it reasonable that their compensation be adjusted accordingly?
Church Group To Pray At Gas Station For Lower Fuel Prices
For the third time, members of a church group in Georgia will gather to pray for stability in the economy, lower fuel prices, and peace in the Middle East. Where will they gather? The gas station of their local Kroger, where else?
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Former Sears CEO's Compensation Tripled In 2010
Back in February, the Sears Holding Company named Louis J. D'Ambrosio, formerly of IBM and of Avaya, its new CEO. As the company continues to struggle for profits and relevance, the Associated Press determined that W. Bruce Johnson, interim CEO from 2008 until this year, got a huge raise in 2010, which more than tripled his pay. For what? Not improving customers' satisfaction with Sears, if our mailbox is any indication.
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Wicomico Rec Softball League
Joe,
I just wanted to send a short message about a great act of sportsmanship and fellowship tonight on the softball field at the Parker Complex in Salisbury. I play for Oak Ridge Baptist Church. We play in the recreational league instead of the church league to be a witness to Christ and testify to his unconditional love for everybody. This gives us the hope of bringing someone to know and have a relationship with Jesus that was previously void. As we were waiting for the 6:30 game to finish, our opponents coach came over and excahnged lineups. Various members of our team introduced ourselves and he shortly left to go back over to the visitors side. A few minutes later, the whole visiting team started to walk over to our side. They came over to pray WITH us before the game. The best part is they asked us. This was truly a great act of fellowship by the Sherwood team. Sherwood has some great players representing them in Salisbury and it is truly a breath of fresh air from a society that is so negative. Once again a huge thumbs up to Sherwood and their ballplayers.
God Bless,
Mark
I just wanted to send a short message about a great act of sportsmanship and fellowship tonight on the softball field at the Parker Complex in Salisbury. I play for Oak Ridge Baptist Church. We play in the recreational league instead of the church league to be a witness to Christ and testify to his unconditional love for everybody. This gives us the hope of bringing someone to know and have a relationship with Jesus that was previously void. As we were waiting for the 6:30 game to finish, our opponents coach came over and excahnged lineups. Various members of our team introduced ourselves and he shortly left to go back over to the visitors side. A few minutes later, the whole visiting team started to walk over to our side. They came over to pray WITH us before the game. The best part is they asked us. This was truly a great act of fellowship by the Sherwood team. Sherwood has some great players representing them in Salisbury and it is truly a breath of fresh air from a society that is so negative. Once again a huge thumbs up to Sherwood and their ballplayers.
God Bless,
Mark
UPDATE: TROOPER INVOLVED SHOOTING FATALLY WOUNDS CARROLL CO. WOMAN
(HAMPSTEAD, MD) – A Carroll County woman armed with a handgun who was threatening suicide was fatally wounded by a Maryland state trooper last night after she refused repeated orders to surrender and repeatedly pointed the loaded gun at him.
The deceased woman is identified as Satina D. White, 40, who was living with her sister and her sister’s teenaged daughter in the 4600-block of Upper Beckleysville Road, Hampstead, Md. White was pronounced dead last night at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
The trooper involved in the shooting is identified as Trooper John Warchal, a road patrol trooper assigned to the Westminster Barrack. Trooper Warchal is a three-year-veteran of the Maryland State Police.
White’s sister called 911 shortly before 6:00 p.m. yesterday and requested police respond for a domestic situation involving White, whom she said had been drinking and was threatening suicide. The caller said she did not feel safe with White in her home.
While troopers were en route to the scene, a second call was received informing troopers White had armed herself with a handgun and was threatening suicide. Her sister told the barrack police communications operator that White said she was going to commit suicide when the police arrived. In fear for their safety, the sister and her teenaged daughter locked themselves in an upstairs bathroom and waited for police to arrive.
Two troopers, a Hampstead Police officer and a Carroll County deputy sheriff arrived at the two-story home at about 6:00 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicates White first appeared at an upstairs window which she knocked the screen out of and then went to a downstairs window that was open and had no screen in it. White repeatedly pointed the handgun at the police officers, who continued to tell her to put it down. Neighbors in the area told investigators they heard repeated police commands to drop the weapon.
White refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and continued to repeatedly point the gun at the trooper. In fear for his life, Trooper Warchal fired his Department-issued .40 caliber pistol, wounding White.
Emergency care was immediately provided and EMS units were summoned to the scene. White was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead.
No law enforcement officers were injured. Trooper Warchal was the only police officer on the scene who fired his weapon.
Police went through the home and found White’s sister and her daughter locked in the upstairs bathroom. They were unharmed.
White’s sister told investigators White had been drinking alcoholic beverages Sunday evening and again on Monday. She said she and her sister had argued Sunday evening and again late Monday afternoon. She said she had told her sister she would have to leave her residence and could no longer live there.
Investigators believe White obtained the .45 caliber pistol from a pickup truck parked in the driveway of the home. The truck belongs to the boyfriend of White’s sister. He was not at the scene at the time of the incident. Police believe the gun belonged to him. Investigators will follow up to verify information about the handgun. When police searched the truck, they found several loaded magazines and ammunition for a .45 caliber handgun in the console area.
Members of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section, Internal Affairs Unit, and crime scene technicians from the State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to the scene to conduct investigations. The scene was searched and processed after investigators obtained a search warrant.
Trooper Warchal has been placed on administrative leave. This is routine while the investigation into the police-involved shooting continues.
The deceased woman is identified as Satina D. White, 40, who was living with her sister and her sister’s teenaged daughter in the 4600-block of Upper Beckleysville Road, Hampstead, Md. White was pronounced dead last night at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
The trooper involved in the shooting is identified as Trooper John Warchal, a road patrol trooper assigned to the Westminster Barrack. Trooper Warchal is a three-year-veteran of the Maryland State Police.
White’s sister called 911 shortly before 6:00 p.m. yesterday and requested police respond for a domestic situation involving White, whom she said had been drinking and was threatening suicide. The caller said she did not feel safe with White in her home.
While troopers were en route to the scene, a second call was received informing troopers White had armed herself with a handgun and was threatening suicide. Her sister told the barrack police communications operator that White said she was going to commit suicide when the police arrived. In fear for their safety, the sister and her teenaged daughter locked themselves in an upstairs bathroom and waited for police to arrive.
Two troopers, a Hampstead Police officer and a Carroll County deputy sheriff arrived at the two-story home at about 6:00 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicates White first appeared at an upstairs window which she knocked the screen out of and then went to a downstairs window that was open and had no screen in it. White repeatedly pointed the handgun at the police officers, who continued to tell her to put it down. Neighbors in the area told investigators they heard repeated police commands to drop the weapon.
White refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and continued to repeatedly point the gun at the trooper. In fear for his life, Trooper Warchal fired his Department-issued .40 caliber pistol, wounding White.
Emergency care was immediately provided and EMS units were summoned to the scene. White was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead.
No law enforcement officers were injured. Trooper Warchal was the only police officer on the scene who fired his weapon.
Police went through the home and found White’s sister and her daughter locked in the upstairs bathroom. They were unharmed.
White’s sister told investigators White had been drinking alcoholic beverages Sunday evening and again on Monday. She said she and her sister had argued Sunday evening and again late Monday afternoon. She said she had told her sister she would have to leave her residence and could no longer live there.
Investigators believe White obtained the .45 caliber pistol from a pickup truck parked in the driveway of the home. The truck belongs to the boyfriend of White’s sister. He was not at the scene at the time of the incident. Police believe the gun belonged to him. Investigators will follow up to verify information about the handgun. When police searched the truck, they found several loaded magazines and ammunition for a .45 caliber handgun in the console area.
Members of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section, Internal Affairs Unit, and crime scene technicians from the State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to the scene to conduct investigations. The scene was searched and processed after investigators obtained a search warrant.
Trooper Warchal has been placed on administrative leave. This is routine while the investigation into the police-involved shooting continues.
Top Singers Represent Wicomico Schools In All Shore Chorus
All Shore High School Chorus
April 14-15
At Easton High School
James M. Bennett High School:
Kaitlin Evans, 10, alto
Leah Carpenter, 12, alto
Chani Banks, 12, alto
Missy Caton, 10, alto
Jada Dale, 10, alto
Natalie Filipov, 11, alto
Claire Morris, 12, alto
Jon’Mel Davenport,11, alto
Grace Choi, 12, soprano 1
Chelsea Bonenberger, 11, soprano 1
Hadas Bienstock, 12, soprano 1
Emily Rainey, 12, soprano 1
Kate Gutosky, 12, soprano 2
Megan Harmon, 9, soprano 2
Kathryn Filipov, 9, soprano 2
Christina Garlington, 11, soprano 2
Jenessa Dover, 12, soprano 2
Riley O’Brien, 12, soprano 2
Syed Jaffrey, 10, tenor
Terrell Dennis, 12, tenor
Daniel Bishop, 10, tenor
Mardela High School:
Maggie Jones, 9, alto
Sarah McGarity, 12, soprano 1
Courtney Galtarossa, 9, soprano 2
Parkside High School:
Alexandra DeMartin, 11, alto
Brittany Swift, 12, soprano 1
Lori Rash, 11, soprano 2
Ian McNamara, 9, tenor
Wicomico High School
Kewanna Taylor, 11, alto
Katherine Ross, 10, alto
Susannah Jones-Hochmuth, 10, soprano 1
Ashley Baer, 12, soprano 2
Myleah Lofland, 9, soprano 2
Jenna Miles, 9, soprano 2
Connor Hudson, 11, tenor
Corey Burrell, 11, tenor
All Shore Chorus Middle School
April 15
At Easton High School
Bennett Middle School:
Tara Ward, 8, alto
Monroe Parker, 7, baritone
Brooke Bennish, 6, soprano
Elizabeth Hobbs, 6, soprano
Sandra Zelaya, 6, soprano
Mardela Middle School:
Sydney Goertzen, 6, alto
Hanna Nechay, 7, alto
Jack Goertzen, 8, baritone/tenor
Austin Grey, 8, baritone/tenor
Robert Wallace, 6, baritone/tenor
Pittsville Middle School:
Jessica Graver, 7, alto
Tori Kinsell, 7, soprano
Salisbury Middle School:
Rylee Baker, 6, alto
Jayla Bowen, 7, alto
Jeremiah Copeland, 7, alto
Elysa Craft, 6, alto
Emily Della Ratta, 7, alto
Samantha Gordy, 6, alto
Erin Langan, 6, alto
Kaitlyn Longest, 7, alto
Cassidy Rhoads, 7, alto
Brandy Williams, 7, alto
Clark Mitchell, 7, baritone
Abi Anderson, 8, soprano
Nicole Bonenberger, 7, soprano
Agustina Cortes, 7, soprano
Rachel Dennis, 6, soprano
Sara Dennis, 6, soprano
Aubrey Ferruccio, 8, soprano
Allie Mertensotto, 6, soprano
Wicomico Middle School:
Tamera Wilson, 8, alto
Zack Eskridge, 8, baritone
Jai Horsey, 8, baritone
Sharif Young, 8, baritone
Mairin Jabagat, 6, soprano
Grace Kim, 8, soprano
Elena Overton, 8, soprano
April 14-15
At Easton High School
James M. Bennett High School:
Kaitlin Evans, 10, alto
Leah Carpenter, 12, alto
Chani Banks, 12, alto
Missy Caton, 10, alto
Jada Dale, 10, alto
Natalie Filipov, 11, alto
Claire Morris, 12, alto
Jon’Mel Davenport,11, alto
Grace Choi, 12, soprano 1
Chelsea Bonenberger, 11, soprano 1
Hadas Bienstock, 12, soprano 1
Emily Rainey, 12, soprano 1
Kate Gutosky, 12, soprano 2
Megan Harmon, 9, soprano 2
Kathryn Filipov, 9, soprano 2
Christina Garlington, 11, soprano 2
Jenessa Dover, 12, soprano 2
Riley O’Brien, 12, soprano 2
Syed Jaffrey, 10, tenor
Terrell Dennis, 12, tenor
Daniel Bishop, 10, tenor
Mardela High School:
Maggie Jones, 9, alto
Sarah McGarity, 12, soprano 1
Courtney Galtarossa, 9, soprano 2
Parkside High School:
Alexandra DeMartin, 11, alto
Brittany Swift, 12, soprano 1
Lori Rash, 11, soprano 2
Ian McNamara, 9, tenor
Wicomico High School
Kewanna Taylor, 11, alto
Katherine Ross, 10, alto
Susannah Jones-Hochmuth, 10, soprano 1
Ashley Baer, 12, soprano 2
Myleah Lofland, 9, soprano 2
Jenna Miles, 9, soprano 2
Connor Hudson, 11, tenor
Corey Burrell, 11, tenor
All Shore Chorus Middle School
April 15
At Easton High School
Bennett Middle School:
Tara Ward, 8, alto
Monroe Parker, 7, baritone
Brooke Bennish, 6, soprano
Elizabeth Hobbs, 6, soprano
Sandra Zelaya, 6, soprano
Mardela Middle School:
Sydney Goertzen, 6, alto
Hanna Nechay, 7, alto
Jack Goertzen, 8, baritone/tenor
Austin Grey, 8, baritone/tenor
Robert Wallace, 6, baritone/tenor
Pittsville Middle School:
Jessica Graver, 7, alto
Tori Kinsell, 7, soprano
Salisbury Middle School:
Rylee Baker, 6, alto
Jayla Bowen, 7, alto
Jeremiah Copeland, 7, alto
Elysa Craft, 6, alto
Emily Della Ratta, 7, alto
Samantha Gordy, 6, alto
Erin Langan, 6, alto
Kaitlyn Longest, 7, alto
Cassidy Rhoads, 7, alto
Brandy Williams, 7, alto
Clark Mitchell, 7, baritone
Abi Anderson, 8, soprano
Nicole Bonenberger, 7, soprano
Agustina Cortes, 7, soprano
Rachel Dennis, 6, soprano
Sara Dennis, 6, soprano
Aubrey Ferruccio, 8, soprano
Allie Mertensotto, 6, soprano
Wicomico Middle School:
Tamera Wilson, 8, alto
Zack Eskridge, 8, baritone
Jai Horsey, 8, baritone
Sharif Young, 8, baritone
Mairin Jabagat, 6, soprano
Grace Kim, 8, soprano
Elena Overton, 8, soprano
Top Middle, High School Musicians Represent Wicomico Schools In All Shore Band
Congratulations to all of the 2011 All Shore Band representatives from Wicomico County middle and high schools.
James M. Bennett High School:
Kelly Okerblom, 11, flute
Chris Eyo, 9, flute
Christina Atchison, 10, flute
Nick Pino, 11, bassoon
Christina Rodriguez, 12, clarinet
Chandler Raffa, 12, clarinet
Elizabeth Crofoot, 12, bass clarinet
Minilik Addis, 12, alto saxophone
Ryan Greene, 11, alto saxophone
Abdulaziz Siddiqui, 11, French horn
Matt Bellistri, 11, trumpet
Beth Rosen, 10, trumpet
Matt Morris, 12, trumpet
Lizzie Weaver, 12, trumpet
Matt Lee, 11, trombone
Donald Burton, 11, trombone
Walker Skeeter, 11, trombone
Robert Reynolds, 12, tuba
Trey Mason, 10, percussion
Mardela High School:
Rebecca Early, 11, French horn
Parkside High School:
Emily Harris, 12, flute
Neve McClymont, 9, flute
Sarah Ha, 10, flute
Hannah Shockley, 12. oboe
Sarah Shockley, 12, clarinet
Kathryn Bryant, 11, clarinet
Kayla Judd, 10, clarinet
Molly Stephens, 10, clarinet
Sarah Skolka, 10, bass clarinet
Erick Miranda, 11, alto sax
Tiffany Biles, 11, trumpet
Mardelle Davis, 12, French horn
Zach Goodman, 11, trombone
Harry Mowery, 12, tuba
Wicomico High School:
Minee Ryum, 12, clarinet
Kyle Buchanan, 11, trombone
Christine Mesadieu, 11, flute
Bennett Middle School:
Catherine Skeeter, 8, percussion
Ryan Shannaha, 8, trombone
Sarah Stuchlik, 8, flute
Jamie Mandelson, 8, flute
Brandon Camarena, 8, clarinet
Nicole Schlegel, 8, clarinet
Kieran Murphy, 8, clarinet
Mariam Mahgoub, 8, bass clarinet
Mardela Middle School:
Megan Roy, 7, clarinet
Gabby Franks, 7, baritone saxophone
Samantha Rozaieski, 8, trumpet
Andrew Boltz, 8, trombone
Abigail Boltz, 6, oboe
Matthew Adams, 7, percussion
Pittsville Middle School:
Yunie Pak, 7, flute
Will Davis, 8, alto saxophone
Tylik Downing, 8, tenor saxophone
Hannah Lewis, 6, French horn
Ben Davis, 8, tuba
Zane Carter, 8, trombone
Salisbury Middle School:
Christian Frey, 8, mallets
Wicomico Middle School:
Zachary Fink, 7, alto saxophone
Soo Bum Jeong, 6, trumpet
Matthew Scott, 8, tuba
James M. Bennett High School:
Kelly Okerblom, 11, flute
Chris Eyo, 9, flute
Christina Atchison, 10, flute
Nick Pino, 11, bassoon
Christina Rodriguez, 12, clarinet
Chandler Raffa, 12, clarinet
Elizabeth Crofoot, 12, bass clarinet
Minilik Addis, 12, alto saxophone
Ryan Greene, 11, alto saxophone
Abdulaziz Siddiqui, 11, French horn
Matt Bellistri, 11, trumpet
Beth Rosen, 10, trumpet
Matt Morris, 12, trumpet
Lizzie Weaver, 12, trumpet
Matt Lee, 11, trombone
Donald Burton, 11, trombone
Walker Skeeter, 11, trombone
Robert Reynolds, 12, tuba
Trey Mason, 10, percussion
Mardela High School:
Rebecca Early, 11, French horn
Parkside High School:
Emily Harris, 12, flute
Neve McClymont, 9, flute
Sarah Ha, 10, flute
Hannah Shockley, 12. oboe
Sarah Shockley, 12, clarinet
Kathryn Bryant, 11, clarinet
Kayla Judd, 10, clarinet
Molly Stephens, 10, clarinet
Sarah Skolka, 10, bass clarinet
Erick Miranda, 11, alto sax
Tiffany Biles, 11, trumpet
Mardelle Davis, 12, French horn
Zach Goodman, 11, trombone
Harry Mowery, 12, tuba
Wicomico High School:
Minee Ryum, 12, clarinet
Kyle Buchanan, 11, trombone
Christine Mesadieu, 11, flute
Bennett Middle School:
Catherine Skeeter, 8, percussion
Ryan Shannaha, 8, trombone
Sarah Stuchlik, 8, flute
Jamie Mandelson, 8, flute
Brandon Camarena, 8, clarinet
Nicole Schlegel, 8, clarinet
Kieran Murphy, 8, clarinet
Mariam Mahgoub, 8, bass clarinet
Mardela Middle School:
Megan Roy, 7, clarinet
Gabby Franks, 7, baritone saxophone
Samantha Rozaieski, 8, trumpet
Andrew Boltz, 8, trombone
Abigail Boltz, 6, oboe
Matthew Adams, 7, percussion
Pittsville Middle School:
Yunie Pak, 7, flute
Will Davis, 8, alto saxophone
Tylik Downing, 8, tenor saxophone
Hannah Lewis, 6, French horn
Ben Davis, 8, tuba
Zane Carter, 8, trombone
Salisbury Middle School:
Christian Frey, 8, mallets
Wicomico Middle School:
Zachary Fink, 7, alto saxophone
Soo Bum Jeong, 6, trumpet
Matthew Scott, 8, tuba