Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dog Found In Delmar


My neighbor found this dog on Brittingham Road in Delmar. She is a very nice dog, listens well, and appears to be well kept at one time. My phone # is 443-373-1216. Please call if you are, or know the owner of this dog.

MSP & WCSO Capture Wanted Suspect On Rt. 13

The Maryland State Police Warrant Squad chased down a wanted suspect with the help of the WCSO on Rt. 13.

WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FY 2012 OPERATING BUDGET


The Wicomico County Council cordially invites the people of Wicomico County to participate in a public hearing on the County Executive’s Proposed Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2011-2012.  The public hearing will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the DaNang Room of the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. The hearing will follow the County Council’s first Legislative Session in May, which will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 3rd. at the same location in the civic center.

For the third consecutive year County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. is asking the County Council to approve a budget which will be lower than the budget for the previous year.  Unlike in previous years, the County Executive is asking the County Council to impose a 5 cent increase in the property tax rate and to increase fees for certain county services. If the tax and fee increases are approved the result will not be an increase in county services to residents, or any new programs. Instead, Mr. Pollitt’s budget message says the increases are needed to avoid deeper cuts in vital county services, including education and public safety.

The Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget can be reviewed in its entirety and can be downloaded from the county’s web site: http://www.wicomicocounty.org/ ; look under “What’s New.”  For purposes of the public hearing the Proposed Budget will be projected on a large screen in the civic center. Persons who may want their own printed copy of the Proposed Budget should download and print it from the website. Only a very limited number of printed copies will be made for the hearing.

For those who cannot attend the public hearing in person, it will be broadcast live on Comcast Cable, PAC 14 and by delayed replay on Mediacom.  In addition to the public hearing, interested persons may telephone, or email any member of the Wicomico County Council, whose contact information may be found on the county web site under County Council.

Comment Issues On Blogger


I was sitting here all morning wondering why we weren't seeing any anonymous comments. Then I got a phone call asking me if I had set the site back up to registered comments only.

The answer to that question is, no. I looked into it and everything is set up properly, so there has to be an issue with Blogger for the time being.

My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. I'm sure they'll have it back up and running soon.

Superman Renounces His Citizenship In 900th Issue Of 'Action Comics'

Photo not from original article.

Superman is no longer an American.

In "Action Comics’" new record-breaking 900th issue,  the fictional iconic super hero renounces his U.S citizenship following a clash with the federal government.

The Man of Steel, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938, has always been recognized as a devoted American warrior who constantly fought evil, but as of Thursday, he is no longer the country's own to claim.

No word yet if Superman will change his red and blue suit, or his longtime motto "truth, justice and the American way" -- but the landmark issue is certainly sparking controversy.

"Besides being riddled with a blatant lack of patriotism, and respect for our country, Superman's current creators are belittling the United States as a whole. By denouncing his citizenship, Superman becomes an eerie metaphor for the current economic and power status the country holds worldwide," Hollywood publicist and GOP activist Angie Meyer told FOX411's Pop Tarts column.

What's Behind Seniors' Fears Of GOP Medicare Plan?

'They kind of see themselves as guardians of the programs for their children,' says chief AARP strategist

The Republican plan to privatize Medicare wouldn't touch his benefits, but Walter Dotson still doesn't like the idea. He worries about the consequences long after he's gone, for the grandson he is raising.

"I'd certainly hate to see him without the benefits that I've got," said Dotson, 72, steering a high school sophomore toward adulthood.

The loudest objections to the GOP Medicare plan are coming from seniors, who swung to Republicans in last year's congressional elections, and many have been complaining at town-hall meetings with their representatives during the current congressional recess. Some experts say GOP policymakers may have overlooked a defining trait among older people: concern for the welfare of the next generations.

"I remember the days when we had poor farms and elderly people on welfare, before we had Social Security and Medicare for seniors, and I'm afraid it will lead right back to that situation," added Dotson, from the village of Cleveland in rural southwest Virginia.

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release


  On Sunday April 24th at about 0315 hrs., a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed a vehicle stopped partway on the roadway on St. Martins Neck Rd. north of Rt. 90. The vehicle was running and the driver was asleep in the driver’s seat. The Deputy woke the driver and could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath. The driver was identified as Ralphell Jamison 27 of Salisbury Md. Mr. Jamison did poorly on field test and was arrested. Mr. Jamison was charged with Driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while impaired by alcohol. Mr. Jamison was released pending trial. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 On April 24, 2011 around 11pm, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to Frontier Town Campground for a domestic assault.  After a short investigation, the suspect was identified as Sammy Ramos 43 of Bethesda Md. Mr. Ramos was arrested for assaulting his wife and charged with second degree assault. Mr. Ramos was seen by a District Court Commissioner and released on Personal Recognizance. 

   On April 25, 2011 at 10:20 p.m. the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the area of Old Furnace Road for a report of shots fired. Deputies in the area along with Natural Resources Police stopped a truck on Sand Road. Upon approach of the vehicle, a rifle was located in the front seat of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle both admitted to shooting at County Road signs with the rifle and were subsequently placed under arrest for Malicious Destruction of Property. A subsequent search of the vehicle found suspected marijuana inside the vehicle. Both the driver Cory Wodkins 19 of Snow Hill Md. and passenger, Syler Arvey 19 of Snow Hill Md., were charged with malicious destruction of 2 County Road signs and Poss. of marijuana. Additional charges were filed by the Natural Resources Police for the Weapons violation. Both were taken before a judicial officer and released pending trial.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “MARYLAND FORWARD” SERIES WITH TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND ROUNDTABLE


ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 28, 2011) – TOMORROW, Governor Martin O’Malley will join the Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding, business leaders, elected officials and stakeholders in transportation for an important roundtable discussion on Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund. The Governor will facilitate a discussion with attendees on the future of transportation funding in Maryland.

Following the State of the State address, Governor O’Malley announced a series of “Maryland Forward” local policy forums. Today’s discussion continues a series of smaller groups of local stakeholders focused on specific policy areas that will help Maryland be a winner in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.



WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to host roundtable discussion on Transportation Trust Fund  

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Friday, April 29, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
                  
WHERE:         Slayton House
                        Wilde Lake Community Center
                        10400 Cross Fox Lane
                        Columbia, MD 21044

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET SCHEDULE




Tuesday, May 3 Fire Station #16 Training Room 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (with break for lunch)
  • Marina Fund
  • Water & Sewer Fund
  • Water & Sewer Rates
  • Debt Service & Other Uses
  • Parking Authority
  • Internal Services – Procurement
  • Internal Services – Human Resources
  • Government Office Building
  • Information Technology
  • City Council
  • City Clerk
  • Elections
  • Mayor’s Office
  • Community Promotions
  • City Attorney
  • General Discussion
  • K-9 Unit grant

Thursday, May 5 4:00 p.m. - ? Conference Room 300
  • General discussion

Monday, May 9 6:00 p.m. Regular Council Meeting
  • Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2150 – proposed FY2012 Budget
  • Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2151 – proposed water & sewer rates
  • Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 2152 – proposed parking rates

Tuesday, May 10 9:30 a.m. – noon Conference Room 306
  • Personnel Committees
  • NSCC (9:30 a.m.)
  • Police (10:00 a.m.)
  • Fire (10:30 a.m.)
  • Tax Rate
  • General discussion

Thursday, May 12 4:00 p.m. - ? Conference Room 306
  • General discussion

Tuesday, May 17 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Conference Room 306
  • General discussion

Thursday, May 19 To Be Determined (daytime) Conference Room 306
  • General discussion

Monday, May 23 or June 13 6:00 p.m. Regular Council Meeting
  • Ordinance No. 2150 – 2nd reading/adoption of FY2012 Budget
  • Ordinance No. 2151 – 2nd reading/adoption of water & sewer rates
  • Ordinance No. 2152 – 2nd reading/adoption of parking rates


Council reserves the right to convene in closed session as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)

Marines Trained On Accepting Gay Recruits

Nothing wrong with 'hanging around' a gay bar, troops are told as part of training

If a Marine spots two men in his battalion kissing off-duty at a shopping mall, he should react as if he were seeing a man and woman.

If he turns on the television news to see a fellow Marine dressed as a civilian and marching in a parade with a banner that reads, "Support Gays and Lesbians in the Military!" he should accept it as a free right of expression.

Prescriptions for those possible scenarios are being played out at Marine bases as the military prepares to allow gays to openly serve, ending a 17-year-old policy commonly known as "don't ask, don't tell." Training for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines began early this year and is expected to finish by summer's end.

The repeal goes into effect 60 days after the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that lifting the ban won't hurt the military's ability to fight.

"These changes are about policy," states briefing material for Marine instructors. "The policy is about adherence to orders and behavior, and not about beliefs."

Club For Growth Releases 2010 Scorecard

The Club for Growth adds "LifeScore" to Raings; Senator DeMint, Senator Coburn receive perfect scores in 2010
 Washington, DC - Today, the Club for Growth released its 2010 Congressional Scorecard, which ranks the voting behavior of members of Congres based on economic growth issues. The Club also added a new feature to the Club for Growth Scorecard: each member of Congress is now assigned a new liftetime rating or a "LifeScore", so that Club Members can determine who has been a consistent advocate for Economic Freedom throughout their career in Congress.
 
To view the Club for Growth's 2010 Congressional Scorecard and all prior Scorecards, click here, or go to: http://clubforgrowth.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0485d6c76337588f24c3cdbd1&id=cdff9c0eb5&e=5737d411be
 
"The Club for Growth values principle over political expediency," said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. "Our new 'LifeScore' will educate citizens on who has consistently defended economic freedom and pushed pro-growth policies in Congress. Club Members want their elected leaders to vote on the side of economic freedom every time, not just at election time."
 
With the additon of LifeScore, The Club for Growth has revised the criteria to receive the Club's Defender of Economic Freedom award. In past years, awards were given to anyone who scored 90 or better. Beginning with this year's scorecard, The Club for Growth required Representatives and Senators to not only score 90 or better on votes cast in 2010, but to also have a LifeScore of at least 90.
 
Highlights of the Club for Growth's 2010 Congressional Scorecard:
  • Two United States Senators received perfect scores: Jim DeMint (SC), and Tom Coburn (OK)
  • Senator Jim DeMint is the only Senator to have a 100 percent LifeScore
  • Five Congressmen have 100 percent LifeScores: Jeff Flake (AZ-06), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Paul Broun, (GA-10), and Jeb Hensarling (TX-05)
  • Senators Jon Kyl (AZ), Jim Inhofe (OK), and Jim Risch (ID) had 2010 scores and LifeScores high enough to qualify for the Defender of Economic Freedom award
  • Thirty House members who received scores of 90 percent or better in 2010 also had LifeScores of 90 or better to qualify for the Defender of Economic Freedom award. Seventeen of those also had scores of 100 percent in 2010
  • 24 Senate Democrats scored zero, including one Independent who caucuses with the Democrats. 47 scored below 10 percent
  • 195 out of 255 House Democrats scored lower than ten percent, and 128 scored zero percent

Salisbury Police Department Press Release

On April 27, 2011 at approximately 1:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspects on outstanding arrest warrants for a theft that occurred on March 15, 2011. On that date, the Salisbury Police responded to a residence on South Division Street for the report of a theft and met with the victim. The victim advised that she had let the suspects stay in her residence for one night, and found when they left the residence that property had been taken. The officers were able to positively identify the below listed suspects and obtained the warrants.

ARRESTED #1: Paul Joseph Kelly, 24 years of age Hebron, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Elizabeth Claire May, 21 years of age Hebron, Maryland

CHARGES (Both):
Theft (under $ 1,000)
Conspiracy to commit theft

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking CC # 201100009452

On April 28, 2011 at approximately 12:45 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of North Salisbury Boulevard and East Isabella Street for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with two (2) victims who advised that they had been threatened by the below listed suspect with a knife. The victims advised that they were approached on the street by the suspect who produced a knife and threatened both victims. The victims were able to escape from the suspect without injury. The officers were able to locate the suspect who was positively identified by the victims and arrested.

ARRESTED : Randolph (nmn) Joynes, 50 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
Poss. Of a deadly weapon with intent to injure

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100016089

Three Reasons To Quit Drinking

Statement On Federal Reserve's Press Conference

"Chairman Bernanke's press conference today was unprecedented, and it demonstrates that Federal Reserve officials are very concerned about growing public criticism of Fed policies. Although Mr. Bernanke predictably provided no substantive information, the American people want real answers about Fed bailouts, lending to foreign banks, and most of all inflation. Mr. Bernanke continues to ignore his culpability for the inflation all Americans suffer due to the Fed's relentless monetary expansion. Rising prices are the direct result of Fed devaluation of our dollar. Yet rather than addressing the Fed's loose dollar policy, Mr. Bernanke continues to assure us that inflation is not a problem.

Without the Federal Reserve's relentless expansion of credit throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, there could have been no excessive borrowing or explosion of subprime lending. Through easy credit, the Fed initiated the economic boom that created the dot-com bubble. When that bubble burst the Fed pumped additional liquidity into the system, which led to a new boom that created the housing bubble. Commodity prices have risen rapidly, producer prices have followed suit and consumers are already seeing the beginning of massive price increases passed on to them. And now the Fed's additional trillions of dollars in monetary pumping is creating yet another bubble. This is the exact opposite of stability in the marketplace and has nothing to do with free markets. It is central economic planning at its worst. And the end result may be hyperinflation and the destruction of our currency.

More

ExxonMobil 1Q Tops Views, Profit Up 69%


Fueled by soaring crude oil prices, profits at energy behemoth ExxonMobil (XOM) leaped by a stronger-than-expected 69% in the first quarter.

The Irving, Tex.-based blue-chip company said it earned $10.65 billion, or $2.14 a share, last quarter, compared with a profit of $6.3 billion, or $1.33 a share, a year earlier. Analysts had been calling for EPS of $2.07.

Revenue jumped 26% to $114 billion, slower than the prior-year’s 41% growth and just under the Street’s view of $114.85 billion.

“ExxonMobil’s earnings reflect continued leadership in operational performance during a period of strong commodity prices,” CEO Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES ROBERT M. SUMMERS AS MARYLAND’S SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 28, 2011) – At a meeting of the Executive Cabinet today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced the appointment of Robert M. Summers, Ph.D. as Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. Summers has served as Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Environment since January 2007 and has been Acting Secretary since December 2010. Throughout his 27-year career, Dr. Summers has been a key contributor to Maryland’s nationally prominent environmental programs, including the multi-jurisdictional Chesapeake Bay restoration effort.

“I am pleased to announce Dr. Summers as our Secretary for the Environment,” said Governor O’Malley. “With his highly-regarded expertise, straightforward approach to finding workable solutions, and passion for clean water, clean air and a healthy environment, we are confident that his continued leadership will serve the people of our State well as we work to protect our environmental priorities.”   

“I am honored to be asked to lead the Department’s work to safeguard drinking water, clean up the Chesapeake Bay and local rivers and streams, make our air healthier to breathe, and protect families from hazards -- including childhood lead poisoning,” said Dr. Summers. “I am committed to application of the best science, the best service using e-commerce, predictability and transparency in permitting, and encouraging innovative technologies to protect public health and the environment. We have an enormous opportunity to foster innovation and create jobs with the Bay and environmental restoration, just like we are doing with climate change and renewable energy.”
   
For 27 years, Summers has served in various capacities within Maryland’s progressive and nationally recognized environmental programs, with emphasis on scientific and technical issues related to water pollution control, drinking water protection and federal, State and local government environmental laws and regulations. Summers has worked at MDE since its creation in 1987 and has served as the Director of the Water Management Administration and Director of the Technical and Regulatory Services Administration.  

 “Dr. Summers’ history of dedication to the Chesapeake Bay and the State of Maryland, as well as his professional background and personal skills, will make him a valuable member of Governor O’Malley’s cabinet as Maryland moves forward in its ongoing role as a leader on environmental matters,” said Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

“Dr. Summers’ technical expertise as well as his leadership role in developing Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy reflects a sound understanding of the science involved and the steps necessary to achieve the Bay restoration and cleanup,” said Kathleen T. Snyder, President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “Dr. Summers has also shown the ability to balance numerous competing interests and broad-reaching requirements -- such an approach ensures environmental protection with consideration to impacts on all sectors.”

Dr. Summers currently serves as Maryland’s Commissioner on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and the Appalachian States’ Low Level Radioactive Waste Commission.

Dr. Summers received his B.A. (1976) and Ph.D. (1982) in Environmental Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, under the tutelage of the late Dr. M. Gordon (“Reds”) Wolman.

Some of the Department’s achievements under the O’Malley-Brown Administration include:
·         Leading development of a strong State Watershed Implementation Plan, as part of EPA’s plan to restore the Chesapeake Bay;
·         Enacting new regulations to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff, the fastest-growing source of Bay pollution;
·         Issuing new regulations and a permit on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to, for the first time, implement manure handling requirements on 85 percent of poultry litter generated from Maryland’s poultry operations;  
·         Jump-starting the Bay Restoration Fund septic upgrades program;
·         Aggressively enforcing the State’s lead laws, testing more children for lead poisoning and reporting fewer children with lead poisoning than ever before;
·         Implementing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2009, which calls for a 25 percent reduction in state greenhouse gas emissions by 2020;
·         Leading Maryland’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the country’s first cap-and-trade program, which has raised $162.4 million for programs to promote cleaner energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation, and provide rate relief for low and moderate income households; and
·         Implementing Maryland’s Clean Cars legislation, implementing stricter vehicle emission standards targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Kendall Earl Snead of Crisfield, arrested 4-21-11 on two warrants regarding failure to appear in court. Snead was later held on a $1,000 bond.

Jacob Raphael White of Chance, arrested 4-22-11 on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. White was later held on a $ 500.00 bond.

Kevin Roger Lee Fisher of Pocomoke, arrested 4-23-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Fisher was later held on a $ 50,000 bond.

Tikera Nichole Harris of Princess Anne, Criminal summons served for theft under $ 500.00. harris was later released pending court actions.

George Edward Bennett 4th of Princess Anne, arrested 4-26-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Bennett was later released on a $ 5,000 unsecured bond.

Hector Hernandez of Marion, arrested 4-26-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Hernandez was later released on personal recognizance.

Carolyn Renee Collins of Princess Anne, arrested 4-27-11 on a warrant regarding escape. Collins was later held without bond.

Thousands Of USPS Managers Take Early Retirement

  • The Postal Service offers buyouts, and managers flock to sign up. More than 2,000 USPS administrators accept an early-retirement deal that pays them $20,000. Federal Times reports they have to clear out by the end of May. USPS launched the buyout plan last month, the first for managers in 19 years. The 2,003 applicants means USPS still has 1,500 managers to shed. They could be laid off, according to H-R chief Tony Vegliante.
  • STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN CONSTELLATION ENERGY AND EXELON


    ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 28, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement on the proposed merger of Constellation Energy and Exelon:

    “The announcement today of Exelon and Constellation Energy’s intent to merge marks a significant development in the ever changing energy industry.

    “In addition to being the largest operator of nuclear plants in the United States, Exelon operates two utilities in Pennsylvania and Illinois. If the proposed transaction closes, ownership of the State’s largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric, will change, thereby subjecting the transaction to the approval of the Public Service Commission. 

    “We will participate actively in those proceedings to ensure that the transaction is in the best interest of Maryland ratepayers.

    “This announcement follows yesterday's news that BGE's rates will be falling even further beginning in June 2011.”

    Royal Wedding Seen As Teaching Moment For National Etiquette Program

    (Salisbury, Maryland) – The Eastern Shore Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions, the nation’s largest etiquette training organization, is urging young people to observe social graces at their finest by watching the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011.

    “The royal family demonstrates the highest standards of manners and protocol,” says Elizabeth Anne Winters, NLJC National Director. “This once-in-a-lifetime event is a wonderful occasion to observe how to treat others with honor, dignity, and respect.”

    The Eastern Shore Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions, is a program that teaches etiquette, character education, and social dance to students of all ages. The organization currently has directors operating hundreds of chapters in 34 states. To learn more about the Eastern Shore Chapter in this area, please call Ann Wiseman at 410-341-0065 or send an email to Ann.Wiseman@nljc.com. Nominations for students are now being accepted for the 2011-2012 Cotillion Season.  Website: www.nljc.com

    Help Wanted


    Experienced screen printer for a busy, air-conditioned screen printing shop. Full-time, paid holidays and vacation. Medical, dental, vision insurance available. Send resume to annette@uniformsunlimited.us.

    Uniforms Unlimited, Inc.
    118 South Boulevard
    Salisbury, MD 21804

    Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

    Incident: Reckless Endangerment / Handgun Violation
    Date of Incident: 26 April 2011
    Location: 600 block of Kelvington Avenue, Salisbury, MD
    Suspects: 1. David J. Cannon, 19, Salisbury, MD
    2. Quintin R. Horton, 23, Salisbury, MD

    Narrative: On 26 April 2011
    at 1:12 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of shots fired in the 600 block of Kelvington Avenue in Salisbury, MD. Upon arrival, the deputy heard what he recognized as gunshots coming from the wooded area adjacent to Kelvington Avenue. Upon entering the woods, the deputy located David Cannon and Quintin Horton and discovered they were shooting a 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the woods. The pair was using a plastic bag hanging from a branch as a target. The deputy observed that they were not utilizing any type of backstop to catch the bullets and were firing in the direction of occupied dwellings and passing vehicles on the roadway.

    Upon inquiry to the ownership of the pistol, Cannon advised that he had bought it on the “street” for “$200.00.”

    Cannon was also found to be in possession of what the deputy recognized as marijuana.

    The deputy arrested Cannon and Horton and transported them to Central Booking where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Cannon was detained in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond. Horton, who was only charged with Reckless Endangerment, was
    released on Personal Recognizance.

    Charges: Possession of a Regulated Firearm While Under 21
    Reckless Endangerment
    Possession of Marijuana

    Incident: Burglary Investigation
    Date of Incident: 26 April 2011
    Location: 7000 block of Perdue Street, Pittsville, MD
    Suspects: Pending

    Narrative: On 26 April 2011
    at 6:19 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the attempted burglary of a residence in the 7000 block of Perdue Street in Pittsville.

    Upon arrival, the deputy met with the resident who advised that he left at 7:00 AM that day and returned around 2:00 PM to discover that an unknown suspect had inserted an instrument, possible a small screwdriver, into the locking mechanism on the front door knob in an apparent attempt to pry the lock open. The unknown perpetrator was unsuccessful but did damage the lock.
    Anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed anything is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
    Reference Case 11-1637

    Incident: Burglary Investigation
    Date of Incident: 26 April 2011
    Location: 1200 block of West Road, Salisbury, MD
    Suspects: Pending

    Narrative: On 26 April 2011
    at 0845hrs, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated the burglary of a shed located in a backyard in the 1200 block of West Road in Salisbury.

    Investigation revealed that the resident discovered the padlock missing from the shed door and his bicycle missing that had been stored there. The bike is described as a black and silver “Cruiser” style bike that had a child seat attached.

    During the ensuing investigat6ion, the deputy located the child seat in the Indian Village playground after it had been removed from the bike.

    The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating, anyone who has information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
    Reference Case 11-1627

    Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
    Date of Incident: 26 April 2011
    Location: Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD
    Suspects: Ronshea Parker, 34, Frankford, DE

    Narrative: On 26 April 2011
    at midnight, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Ronshea Parker for making an erratic U-Turn in the middle of Snow Hill Road.

    Upon making contact with Parker, the deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Parker’s breath. The deputy also noticed that Parker had a very pungent odor of alcohol about his whole person too. Parker denied consuming alcohol when asked by the deputy while slurring his words.

    Parker became belligerent and began yelling at the deputy who was trying to ascertain Parker’s level of sobriety. After Parker refused to cooperate or properly submit to any roadside field sobriety testing, the deputy placed him under arrest. Parker continued to be belligerent towards the deputy during the arrest process.

    The deputy transported Parker to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Upon his initial appearance, Parker was initially detained in the Detention Center without bond. At a later court appearance the same day, Parker’s bond was set at $5,000.00.

    Charges: Driving Under the influence of Alcohol

    Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Leaving The U.S.

    Skilled immigrants are returning to their native countries to start businesses. The author of a new study examines the motivations of Chinese and Indian returnees—and urges the U.S. to fix immigration policy to get them back
    In a speech last week to Facebook employees, President Obama discussed the role immigrant entrepreneurs play in U.S. economic competitiveness. "We want more Andy Groves here in the United States," he told the crowd, touching on the Hungarian-born entrepreneur's startup success. "We don't want them starting Intel in China or starting it in France."

    Sadly, our President didn't back his words with action. He simply said he would support "comprehensive immigration reform," which is legislation that has no chance of passing. This is because it tries to fix all the problems with immigration at the same time. Most Americans will support legislation to admit more doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs, but they are deeply divided on the issue of amnesty for illegal immigrants. So we're in a messy stalemate.

    Our leaders don't seem to understand the urgency of the situation. They fail to recognize how much the world has changed. Entrepreneurs see abundant opportunities in places like India and China now. The world's best and brightest can stay home and achieve as much success as they could in the U.S. Skilled workers who immigrated to the U.S. are optimistic about these opportunities; many are headed back home.

    More

    Jobless Claims In U.S. Unexpectedly Rise To Three-Month High

    New applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level in three months, a sign the labor market will be slow to recover.

    Jobless claims increased by 25,000 to 429,000 in the week ended April 23, the most since late January, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The government anticipates a drop in unadjusted applications during the Good Friday holiday week, something that didn’t happen this year, a Labor Department spokesman said.

    1 In 4 American Children Raised By A Single Parent

    Percentage rising and higher than other developed countries, report finds

    One in four children in the United States is being raised by a single parent — a percentage that is higher than other developed countries, and expected to rise, according to a report released Wednesday.

    Of the 27 industrialized countries studied by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. had 25.8 percent of children being raised by a single parent, compared with an average of 14.9 percent across the other countries.

    Ireland was second (24.3 percent), followed by New Zealand (23.7 percent). Greece, Spain, Italy and Luxemborg had among the lowest percentages of children in single-parent homes.

    By 2025 to 2030, that percentage is expected to rise by 8 percent, the report indicated.

    Today's Survey Question

    Who would be more likely to get your vote for president in 2012?

    Obama

    or

    Trump

    Poodle Club Of America In Salisbury

    The Poodle Club of America is still in Salisbury through Friday...There is no admission. There is a silent auction on baskets filled with items donated from different states. In addition to the baskets auction, there are tables with other items for auction. One basket from New Mexico has a birdhouse with a NM license plate as the roof! The entire Midway room of the Civic Center is overflowing with venders with all sorts of pet supplies, and awesome people items....there is even clothes for you and your dogs!!!

    Come out and support the Poodle Club of America with their National Speciality. You won't even recognize the Civic Center.

    West To Hecklers: ‘You’re Not Going To Intimidate Me’


    U.S. Rep. Allen West's first town hall meeting since voting for a controversial Medicare proposal saw three hecklers removed -- one in handcuffs -- from a generally supportive crowd of about 500.

    The Tuesday night meeting was West's first meeting with constituents since his April 15 vote for a Republican budget that includes a revamping of Medicare. For those now under 55, the plan drafted by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would change Medicare from a defined-benefit program to one in which the government subsidizes premiums paid to private insurance plans.

    The plan -- which is considered doomed in the Democrat-controlled Senate -- has drawn criticism from Democrats, who have targeted West and other House Republicans with radio ads and phone calls blasting the vote.

    Earlier Tuesday, a town hall meeting in Orlando hosted by freshman Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Orlando, was disrupted by hecklers and audience members shouting at each other.

    At roughly the same time in Wisconsin, Ryan faced a packed town meeting, occasional boos and a skeptical audience as he tried to lay out his party's rationale for overhauling the health insurance program for retirees, according to The New York Times.

    Outside the sprawling campus of Calvary Chapel, where West's meeting was held in a theater, about 15 demonstrators carried signs criticizing the Medicare proposal.

    Inside the meeting, West was less than a minute into his remarks tonight when two or three men began shouting from the audience.

    "How about our Medicare that you're stealing?" shouted one.

    "How about allowing questions from the audience?" shouted another man, apparently dissatisfied with West's decision to answer written questions submitted by audience members before the meeting.

    At West's previous town halls, members of the public lined up to ask him questions in person, sometimes waiting 30 minutes or more to do so.

    "What you have seen happen previously is you get such a line of people and a lot of folks want to come up and proselytize for six or seven minutes and you're really not getting to the questions that people want to have answered," West said after the meeting.

    West, who has gone back and forth with critics at his previous meetings, said the written format was not an effort to avoid tough questions.

    "I don't duck," West said.

    During the meeting, West had responded to a question about Medicare when Nicole Sandler of Coral Springs, a former radio host on the liberal Air America network, began shouting from the audience.


    Read more here

    Indiana House Cuts Funds To Planned Parenthood

    A bill cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood of Indiana is headed to the governor's desk after the House approved the measure 66 to 32.

    The bill was a victory for those who say they do not want to see their tax dollars go to an organization that provides abortions.

    "I believe that with passage of this legislation, we will become one of the most pro-life states in America, and I'll be proud of that," said the author, Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero.

    It takes effect immediately. Planned Parenthood says it will seek an injunction to keep it from being enforced.


    IndyStar

    Budget Coup Feared

    Following a preemptive strike  by Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee warning Democratic Chairman Kent Conrad against trying to quickly pass his resolution through the panel in a kind of budget blitzkrieg, speculation is growing that Conrad and the so-called “gang of six” might try to skip right over the committee.

    “I am becoming concerned that Chairman Conrad may bypass the committee process altogether,” the committee’s top Republican, Sen. Jeff Sessions, said.

    In response to a Tuesday letter from the committee’s Republicans, Conrad’s communications director, Stu Nagurka, sent a statement to The Daily Caller that seems to provoke more questions than it answers.

    “The Budget Committee has always had a completely open mark-up process for the budget resolution,” Nagurka said. However, that assurance is off topic: The top request of the Republicans was allowing 72 hours to review the proposal, not an open process. It says nothing about what will happen going forward.

    The next part of the statement regards how Conrad hopes a group of bipartisan senators negotiating a spending deal, called the gang of six in classic Washington parlance, will come to an agreement that could comprise the “framework for the Senate budget resolution.”

    “And Chairman Conrad understands the urgency of dealing with our nation’s long-term deficits. That’s why he has been working hard for months on a bipartisan, comprehensive deficit reduction plan. He wants to give the Group of 6 a chance to reach agreement so that he could consider using that bipartisan plan as a framework for the Senate budget resolution,” Nagurka said.

    To summarize, Nagurka offers a throwaway line about past committee practices and does not make assurances about what will take place in the committee that Conrad chairs.

    Nagurka did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls asking for clarification over the past 24 hours.

    Why is this important?

    Read more

    Cain Wants To ‘Unravel All Unfunded Mandates'

    Potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain dismissed concerns about what some see as his campaigns biggest weakness, his lack of political experience, in remarks at a Wednesday Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) luncheon.

    Despite a successful corporate career, Cain’s only political experience was a lost bid for Senate a few years back. American Spectator publisher Al Regnery asked Cain how he’s handling the fact that most Republican presidential candidates are current or former elected representatives? Cain responded that he’s already got 100,000 “boots-on-the-ground” grassroots activists from all around the country signed up to help him, and that several straw polls have shown he’s hanging in there with the political juggernauts.

    “Most of the other potential presidential nominees have ‘honorable former senator, former governor, former Speaker,’” Cain said. “They just call me Mr. Cain.”

    Cain doesn’t view his lack of political experience as a drawback, though. He sees it as a way to reconnect the American people with Washington.

    Cain described how he’d go about making budget cuts using business terms. He’d start by making a “horizontal cut,” or cutting a certain percentage from the budget across the board. Then, he said he’d make vertical dives into each executive agency with the goal of finding and eliminating obsolete programs and parts of programs that address problems another area of the government already address.

    Cain dropped new a policy position at the ATR lunch, too. When explaining what he means by his statement that he wants to change America into an “empowerment society” from an “entitlement society,” Cain said he wants to “unravel all unfunded mandates.” By that, he means he wants to remove any and all pre-requisites states have to fulfill in order to receive federal funding. Cain talks often about “empowering” states to make their own decisions, but he hasn’t gone as far as saying all unfunded mandates need to go until Wednesday.

    Cain said he’d block grant all education funding, or give each state the power to choose how it spends education money. “Long term, the amount of money coming from the federal government relative to education going to the states would gradually decrease over time such that the states would be responsible, starting at the local level, for developing better education in their states,” he said. Cain said he doesn’t know if he would push for the Department of Education to be completely eliminated as president, but he does know that, at least, “it would be dramatically smaller.”

    Cain said the unfunded mandates, including education funding, “cripple the states from doing what they deem best.”

    “I’m a big believer in ‘take the problem closest to where the problem is,’ and you’ll find a better solution,” Cain said. “Good education, in my view, starts at home and at the local level and it works its way up, not the other way around.”

    More here

    Reid To Force Vote On Republican Budget Plan

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saidWednesday that he will force Republicans in his chamber to vote on a House plan to cut popular healthcare programs while trimming taxes for corporations and the wealthy.

    "We'll see how much Republicans like it here in the Senate," Reid, a Democrat, said of the budget written by House Republicans, which passed that chamber on April 15 without Democratic support.

    The House budget has drawn fire because in future years it would deeply cut Medicare and Medicaid healthcare for the elderly and poor, while also paring taxes for corporations and the wealthy.

    "It would be one of the worst things that could happen to this country if that came into effect. It would have an adverse effect immediately and long term," Reid said.

    The House plan would likely be defeated in the Democratic-led Senate. But in bringing it to a vote, Reid would be forcing Senate Republicans to either go on record in favor of controversial spending cuts or abandon their House Republican colleagues.

    The Senate's Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, has said the House-passed budget addresses "our most pressing problems head-on at a moment when the president and other Democrat leaders simply refuse to do so themselves."

    Read more

    BOONIES: Buy One, Get One For A Penny

    Tonight is the last night of this great deal.

    SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

    MAY 2, 2011
    COUNCIL CHAMBERS (ROOM 301)
    GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING



    3:00 p.m. - Closed Session
    • Pending litigation/consult with legal counsel as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Sections 10-508(7)(8)
    Work Session (following conclusion of closed session)
    • Lord’s Prayer issue – Paul Wilber
    • Manufacturing exemption request
    • Mandatory vs. discretionary treatment of requests
    • Spartech Polycom
    • DiCarlo Precision Instrument
    • Tenants Bill of Rights
    Individuals or organizational representatives may come prepared
    to give or submit brief comments.
    • Financial results quarterly report – Pam Oland
    • U.S. 50E/Moore Annexation – Chris Jakubiak
    • Items for reconsideration:
    • The Bricks”
    • Linens of the Week property (CDBG funding)
    • Onley Road/Bateman Street/S. Division Street project
    • Health care for elected officials
    • Other
    • City Council Rules of Order
    • General discussion/upcoming agendas

    Mass. House Votes To Restrict Unions

    Massachusetts House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns.

    The 111-to-42 vote followed tougher measures to broadly eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in Ohio, Wisconsin, and other states. But unlike those efforts, the push in Massachusetts was led by Democrats who have traditionally stood with labor to oppose any reduction in workers’ rights.

    Unions fought hard to stop the bill, launching a radio ad that assailed the plan and warning legislators that if they voted for the measure, they could lose their union backing in the next election. After the vote, labor leaders accused House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and other Democrats of turning their backs on public employees.

    “It’s pretty stunning,’’ said Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “These are the same Democrats that all these labor unions elected. The same Democrats who we contributed to in their campaigns.
    More

    Three Men Arrested For Reading Bible

    A lawsuit has been filed in California to protect the rights of three men who were arrested after being accused of "impeding an open business" even though the "business" was the local department of motor vehicles, and it was closed.

    Oh, and the men were standing at least 50 feet from the entrance, impeding no one, according to the case that has been filed on behalf of the three men by the Advocates for Faith and Freedom.

    The action is being brought on behalf of Mark Mackey, Edmond Flores Jr., and Pastor Brett Coronado.

    The legal team at Advocates explained that "impeding an open business" was created to protect businesses against protesters who block doors of facilities. But the team explained that when the three men were arrested the DMV office was closed.

    The arrests happened on Feb. 2, 2011, when the assistant pastor from Calvary Chapel of Hemet and two church elders went to the public property. Mackey then started reading the Bible aloud.

    He was arrested less than 30 minutes later, and the two others were arrested a short time after that, even though they had not actually been reading the Bible aloud.

    The men believed they had a First Amendment right to free speech and they were standing in a planter in the parking lot and were on public property.

    A member of the California Highway Patrol approached Mackey, grabbed his Bible and arrested him. Then Coronado and Flores asked the officer, "What law was he breaking?"

    Instead of getting an answer, Coronado and Flores were arrested by another highway patrol officer.

    "This is an abuse of power on the part of the CHP," said Jennifer Monk, associate general counsel for Advocates. "The arresting officer could find no appropriate penal code to use when arresting these men. The purpose of the arrests appears to have been to censor them."

    The organization reported that the men were released and prosecutors have not pursued any charges, and the federal lawsuit alleges violations of the men's right to free speech and unlawful arrest.
    More here

    'Obama Blinked. Now Game Begins'

    Author suggests disputed presidency won't survive publication of book's information

    After this morning's surprise release by the White House of what it claims is Barack Obama's long-form birth certificate, an author challenging Obama's legal eligibility to be president – whose upcoming book has become a No. 1 bestseller a month before its release – summarizes his response to the day's events in two words: "Obama blinked."

    Jerome Corsi, Ph.D., whose two previous No. 1 New York Times best-sellers – "Unfit for Command" and "The Obama Nation" – both have dramatically affected the presidency, is the author of the forthcoming WND Books release "Where's the Birth Certificate: The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be President." After a major story on "The Drudge Report" last week, the book shot up to No. 1 on Amazon's best-seller list and remains one of the nation's hottest-selling books three weeks before its official debut.

    "Public pressure finally forced Obama to do what he did today. Now the game begins," said Corsi. "Nixon thought he could stop the Watergate scandal from unfolding by releasing a few tapes. All that did was fuel the fire."

    Suggesting that Obama's presidency will not survive the revelations contained in his book – which goes beyond the birth certificate controversy to document the multiple legal problems with Obama being a U.S. president – Corsi said, simply, "When people read the book, they will see that Obama is not eligible to be president."

    More

    From Leashes To Singlets:

    Wicomico Youth & Civic Center makes transformation from Poodle Show to Wrestling Championship

    (Salisbury, MD) On Friday, April 29th the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center will bid a fond farewell to poodles and their handlers as they prepare to welcome over 1500 wrestlers and their families for the Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) Eastern Nationals this weekend.  Wrestlers from all over the Mid-Atlantic Region will converge on the mats of the Normandy Arena as they compete for the championship in a wide range of age and weight classes. 

    In just one week’s time, the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, and Wicomico County as a whole will have played host to visitors traveling from as close as the Mid-Atlantic Region to as far as international locales including Japan.  Both the Poodle Show and MAWA Wrestling Eastern Nationals, brought to the County by Wicomico Tourism, have just about sold out the area’s hotel rooms according to the local Hotel/Motel Association and will have an estimated $3.5+ million economic impact. 

    For the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center (WY&CC), such large events back to back are not out of the norm.  Although well-known for its entertainment events such as the upcoming Barney’s Birthday Bash or the Broadway in Salisbury season finale Fiddler on the Roof, the WY&CC hosts multiple sporting events and trade shows throughout the year. 

    As such, the building is accustomed to short turnover windows.  The transformation from poodles to wrestlers will be completed in as little as twelve hours.  On Friday evening, WY&CC staff and a crew of supervised community service workers will begin intensively cleaning the building and parking lot, removing the field of sod which was laid in the Normandy Arena for the poodles and their handles to have the best footing possible and replace the sod with large wrestling mats.  They will work late into the night so that when the first wrestlers arrive on Saturday morning the building is ready to welcome them. 

    Fruitland Police Department Press Release

    DATE & TIME: April 26, 2011
    INCIDENT: Fugitive Arrest

    LOCATION: Hopewell, Virginia
    CASE NO.: 2010-983


    PERSON CHARGED: TOMAL KAHEEM THOMPKINS

    AGE: 33

    ADDRESS: Dover, Delaware
    CHARGES: Possession of Forged/Counterfiet currency
    Theft under $1,000.00

    DISPOSITION: Remanded to custody of Central Booking, WCDC


    Resume:

    On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, Fruitland officers travelled to the detention facility located in Hopewell, Virginia to pick up and transport the above named subject back to Maryland. The subject was wanted by the Fruitland Police Department for an October 10, 2010 theft in which he allegedly “bought” merchandise from a local business and “paid” for it with counterfeit U.S. currency.

    The subject was also wanted by the Salisbury Police Department for similar offenses and had an active Fugitive warrant issued by Sussex County, Delaware.

    FBI: 247 People On Terror Watch List Bought Guns In U.S. In 2010

    WASHINGTON -- More than 200 people suspected of ties to terrorism bought guns in the U.S. last year legally, FBI figures show.

    The 247 people who were allowed to buy weapons did so after going through required background checks as required by federal law.

    It is not illegal for people listed on the government's terror watch list to buy weapons. For years, that has bothered Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who is trying again to change the law to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

    Circumcision ban in San Francisco considered

    Enough votes collected for a proposal to ban the practice, group says

    SAN FRANCISCO — A group opposed to male circumcision said on Tuesday they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify a proposal to ban the practice in San Francisco as a ballot measure for November elections.

    But legal experts said that even if it were approved by a majority of the city's voters, such a measure would almost certainly face a legal challenge as an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of religion.

    Circumcision is a ritual obligation for infant Jewish boys, and is also a common rite among Muslims, who account for the largest share of circumcised men worldwide.

    The leading proponent of a ban, Lloyd Schofield, 59, acknowledged circumcision is widely socially accepted but he said it should still be outlawed.

    "It's excruciatingly painful and permanently damaging surgery that's forced on men when they're at their weakest and most vulnerable," he told Reuters.

    5 Government Statistics You Can't Trust

    Widely watched economic gauges have some serious flaws

    As pattern-seeking creatures, statistics have a peculiar hold on our minds. Quite a large number of decisions are undertaken on the basis of what statistics tell us. That is certainly true when it comes to government economic data and the blizzard of stats that come out every month.

    Billions of dollars’ worth of value appears or vanishes on the basis of what these numbers say about the health, growth and direction of the economy, and the implications for company profits, interest rates and so on.
    Some of that faith seems to be misplaced. While great reliance is placed on government economic numbers and the financial media report on them at length, in-depth discussions of how the numbers are created — and where the weaknesses may lie — is relatively rare.

    Unfortunately, those gaps are significant.

    Unemployment

    Two surveys examine employment — the household survey and the payroll survey. While many seem to think that the larger sample size of the payroll survey makes it more accurate and reliable, from a statistical standpoint the household survey's design is more sound, and the margin of error is usually better.

    That said, the unemployment numbers give a few examples of the problems of government statistics. Starting during the 1960s, the methodology was changed to exclude discouraged workers — people who are out of work and have met with so little success in finding a new job that they have quit trying. This had the instant effect of lowering the unemployment number.