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Monday, May 16, 2011

Andy Harris Travelling Upper Shore

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) will be holding town hall meetings in Elkton and Chestertown on Tuesday, May 17th.  Kudos to Harris for continuing to reach out to constituents.

11:15 – 12:15 p.m. – Meeting with Kentucky Derby winning trainer H. Graham Motion to congratulate him on his victory.  Derby winner Animal Kingdom will be present.

Fair Hill Training Center

715 Training Center Drive

Elkton, MD 21921

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. - Town Hall Meeting with residents of Kent County.

Chestertown Town Office

118 N. Cross Street

Chestertown, MD 21620

4:00- 5:00 p.m.– Meeting with Cecil County Mayors to discuss cooperation between the federal and local government. Attendees include: Elkton Mayor Joseph Fisona, Rising Sun Mayor Tom Mumey and Charlestown Town President Robert Gell.

Elkton Town Hall

100 Railroad Avenue

Elkton, MD 21921

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.– Town Hall Meeting with residents of Cecil County.

Elkton Town Hall

100 Railroad Avenue

Elkton, MD 21921

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUNDBREAKING OF FIRST-IN-THE-NATION PLANT AT GM POWERTRAIN BALTIMORE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 16, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley will join U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, GM executives, and leaders of the UAW for the groundbreaking of a new facility at GM’s Powertrain Baltimore, making GM the first U.S. automaker to develop and manufacture electric motors for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.

In January 2010, GM announced that it would build a manufacturing facility at the existing White Marsh plant to manufacture its Global Rear Wheel Drive motors for GM electric cars.  Through an innovative public-private partnership, the new facility is expected to create approximately 190 jobs.

Tomorrow, Governor O’Malley will participate in the groundbreaking of the new facility, making White Marsh home to America’s first electric motor manufacturing facility owned by a major automaker.


WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to participate in groundbreaking of America’s first electric motor manufacturing plan owned by a major U.S. automaker

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:         GM Powertrain Baltimore
10301 Philadelphia Road
White Marsh, MD 21162

78 Y/O Woman Struck By Car In O/C & Rt. 90 Update

A 78 year old woman was struck by a vehicle on Coastal Highway. She was crossing Coastal Highway in a Non Cross Walk area. She has been taken away via helicopter and her condition at this time is unknown.

Rt. 90 has re-opened in both directions after a 8 vehicle accident.

Judge Denies Bail To IMF Chief In Sex Assault Case

Image: IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn in federal court
Pool via Getty Images
NYC hotel maid alleges violent attack; Dominique Strauss-Kahn, at left, "denies any wrongdoing," his lawyer says. 

Trump Won't Run

Donald Trump announces he's not going to pursue the 2012 Republican nomination for president

BREAKING NEWS: RT. 90 BRIDGE SHUT DOWN

There has been an 8 car pile up on the Rt. 90 Bridge and the bridge has been shut down in both directions. Multiple injuries and quite the mayhem at the moment.

If you're traveling to and or from Ocean City, take Rt. 54 or Rt. 50 for the rest of the evening.

Supreme Court Won't Hear Challenge To 'So Help Me God' In Obama Oath

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court is brushing aside an atheist's challenge to religion in government, refusing to hear a complaint about President Obama adding "so help me God" to his inaugural oath of office.

The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from Michael Newdow, who argued that government references to God are unconstitutional and infringe on his religious beliefs.
Many presidents have added "so help me God" to the oath. 

US Dips Into Pension Funds As Debt Limit Hit

Treasury makes move to give country more room to borrow

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress he would start tapping into federal pension funds on Monday to free up borrowing capacity as the nation hits the $14.294 trillion legal limit on its debt.

The Treasury will issue $72 billion in bonds and notes on Monday, pushing the nation right up against its borrowing cap at some point during the day, a Treasury official said.

Geithner said he would suspend investments in two government retirement funds to give the U.S. Treasury additional room to borrow.

"I will be unable to invest fully" in the civil service retirement and disability fund and the government securities investment fund, he said in a letter to congressional leaders.

The Treasury has said the suspension of the investments and other measures it could take would give the government until about August 2 before it will start defaulting on obligations, such as paying bond investors.

Congress is in charge of increasing the debt ceiling, but Republicans are demanding deep cuts to federal spending for the price of their support in doing so.

Geithner reiterated previous pleas for action. "I again urge Congress to act to increase the statutory debt limit as soon as possible," he said.

Bad Accident On Rum Ridge Rd.

The wreck is by Gordy Mill Road and Rum Ridge. Rum Ridge is shut down. Vehicle into tree.

Four Years Ago Today


Click on image to enlarge.

Wood Creek, A Local Ghost Town

You finally get to a point in life where you're capable of retiring. You search out different communities to downsize and you pick Wood Creek, (A GOLFING COMMUNITY) to settle down to the good life. You buy a home, you play a round of golf every possible day you can and the next thing you know the developer goes bankrupt, building slabs lie dormant and the beautifully landscaped golf course is ruined by the lack of maintenance.

This is pretty much the story for many of the Wood Creek residents today. Unfortunately these are the times ahead of us and the images above simply tell the story, it has come to a community near you.

Keep voting Democrat and maybe you too can pick up a piece of property for a penny on the dollar and interest rates so low you just can't refuse.

How Long Could You Survive on $50

Although poverty isn't much fun, it can be entertaining and informative to impose severe restrictions on spending for a short period, just to see what you're made of.
In a post on Serendipity's Guide To Saving, the author — who is saving up for braces — challenges herself to survive eight days on just $50. She writes about potentially avoiding a budget-killing trip to the movie theater and planning out meals covered by a single trip to the grocery store.
Bills aside, how long could you survive on $50 of spending money?
from The Consumerist

REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF WORCESTER COUNTY ARMED FORCES DAY

On May 21st at 1:00 PM the Democratic and Republican Women’s Clubs of Worcester County will be joining together to celebrate ARMED FORCES DAY at the Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial on Rt. 589 in Ocean Pines. In the event of inclement weather the event will be moved to the Community Church on Church Road off of Route 589. All those planning to attend, please plan to be there 15 minutes early and bring a chair. The entire community and others are invited to come help us honor our military in all branches of service.

A Letter To The Edtor: The Flying Crane Cafe

Hi Joe,
I was hoping you could post this to let make other people aware of the horrific experience I had at the Flying Crane Cafe in Princess Anne last night. My mother had 2 gift certificates for free pizzas which she won at a benefit for breast cancer in Crisfield a few weeks ago. Last night she was entertaining friends and ordered 6 pizzas from the Flying Crane. Upon arrival to pick them up, we found only 2 of our pizzas were ready since they had run out of pepperoni. So the young lady tending the counter asked us what other kind of pizzas we wanted. No one had called us before we got there to tell us about this.
Keep in mind we had a house full of guests at our home, waiting on us, and were told it would be another 15-20 minutes before our food was ready. I simply asked the girl how can a pizza place run out of pepperoni? I mean, Food Lion is right down the street, and I'm sure they knew well in advance if there food supply was running low. Also, I told her that us having 4 fresh pizzas and 2 not so fresh pizzas was not ok, and that I would like the other 2 remade also. I said nothing out of line and nothing to offend her. I was only trying to help resolve this situation so we cul get back to our guests and get them fed.
She began mocking me, getting smart with me saying "you know what, its been a really long day and I dont know what you want me to do", and seeing the shocked look on my face she said "what?, , what?" and began getting loud and irate with me for no reason. At that point I told her I didnt like her attitude, and  I tried to difuse the situation by going outside to sit on a bench while my mother stayed waiting for our food. While walking out the door she yelled "LOVE YOU!!". I returned inside after about 2 minutes and went up to my mother and quietly said "Mom, I dont think we should stay here and give these people our money after how rude we have been treated". At that point the young lady looked up and began yelling at me again, saying incredibly unkind things, screaming at me, and was creating a completely innappropriate scene. I asked if there was a manager available and as I said that an older man came out from the kitchen and grabbed her from behind by her shoulders to get her away from me. She broke free from him, continued screaming expletives at me, and he grabbed her again and was able to shove her away from the counter. All the meantime she's yelling "oh lets go girl, its gon' be real, its gon' be real!", which I interpreted as her wanting to fight maybe?? However even though the man was some kind of manager, he did nothing whatsoever to help resolve the situation.
Keep in mind, the restuarant is about a third full of customers, who had just spent their hard earned money to have their Friday evening dinner here. They also did not deserve this kind of treatment. I did nothing to deserve being treated this way, and my mother who is not in good health especially did not deserve this kind of treatment. The whole reason we were event here to begin with is because we had gift certificates that were won at a BREAST CANCER BENEFIT. How do you think the coordinators of the benefit would feel if they knew this is how the recipient of those certificates was treated? How do you think breast cancer vicitims would feel?
I want to make people aware of how poorly run this establishment is, and how awful my mother and I were treated last night. I hope the other patrons of the restuarant were a refund of some sort after having to witness that. I'm wondering if anyone else has had an experience with this young lady and if you havent had the pleasure of dealing with her of this place, I would highly suggest you spend your money elsewhere. After we left I called Dominos, quickly placed an order, picked them up and was treated with respect and gratidude. Thank you Dominos!!

SS Trust Fund - "We Lost $1.1 Trillion Last Year!"

Pit Bulls Kill 8 Sheep, Attack Farmer In Funkstown

FUNKSTOWN, Md. (AP) - State police say a pair of pit bulls attacked 20 sheep at a farm near Funkstown, killing eight of the animals before attacking the owner of the farm.

Police say Joseph Frey encountered the dogs Sunday morning and they chased him to a barn, where he shut himself inside. Frey then called his son, Justin Frey, who shot and killed one of the dogs with a rifle. Justin Frey will not be charged.

The other dog ran away toward Funkstown. It was later found at a home there along with two other pit bulls, and police say the owner was told to keep the animals confined while the case is under investigation.

Police believe the two dogs attacked the sheep throughout the night.

Source

How Should Wait Staff Handle Rude Customers?

Anyone who's worked on a wait staff looks at their dining out experiences in a totally different way than the uninitiated. Understanding the pressures and perspective of servers can give you a deeper understanding of how to handle disappointments. For starters, you realize that customers have just as significant a role as servers in making it a pleasant dining experience. That's what I'm told, at least. Full disclosure: My food industry working experience is restricted to one hellish day working at a student union Chick-fil-A.

More »

Disney-Owned Studio Pays $3 Million For Violating Kid Gamers' Privacy

The Federal Trade Commission is not about to let anyone, even Disney, get all up in the U.S. Child Online Privacy Protection Act's business without paying dearly for it. Playdom, a social games studio owned by Disney, is in trouble to the tune of $3 million for collecting kids ages and email addresses without requiring parental consent.

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Gingrich Racist For Calling Obama A 'Food Stamp' President?

Gingrich says calling Obama most successful "food stamp" president in U.S. history isn't racist, but others argue racial undertones are his signature

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

The Affluent Elderly

WASHINGTON -- When House Speaker John Boehner calls for trillions of dollars of spending cuts, the message is clear. Any deal to raise the federal debt ceiling must include significant savings in Social Security and Medicare benefits. Subsidizing the elderly is the biggest piece of federal spending (more than two-fifths of the total), but trimming benefits for well-off seniors isn't just budget arithmetic. It's also the right thing to do.

I have been urging higher eligibility ages and more means-testing for Social Security and Medicare for so long that I forget that many Americans still accept the outdated and propagandistic notion that old age automatically impoverishes people. Asks one reader: Who are these "well-off" elderly you keep writing about? The suggestion is that they are figments of my imagination, invented to justify harsh cutbacks in Social Security and Medicare on the needy.

Just the opposite. We see every day that many people in their 60s and older live comfortably -- and still would if they received a little less in Social Security and paid a little more for Medicare. The trouble is that what's intuitively obvious becomes lost in the political debate; it's overwhelmed by selective and self-serving statistics that cast almost everyone over 65 as being on the edge of insolvency. The result: Government over-subsidizes the affluent elderly. It transfers resources from the struggling young to the secure old.

To correct the stereotype, consult a government publication called "Older Americans 2010, Key Indicators of Well-Being." It reminds us that Americans live longer and have gotten healthier. In 1930, life expectancy was 59.2 years at birth and 12.2 years at 65; in 2006, those figures were 77.7 and 18.5. Since 1981, death rates for heart disease and stroke have fallen by half for those 65 and over. In this population, about three-quarters rate their own health as "good" or "excellent."

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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Resist Arrest / Assault on Deputy
Date of Incident: 12 May 2011
Location: 1800 block of Thomas Lane, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 12 May 2011
at 1:17 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported incident of vandalism inside a residence in the 1800 block of Thomas Lane. Upon arrival, the deputy learned from the complainant that her grandson destroyed her recently purchased computer. The deputy located the grandson, a 17 YOA juvenile in a bedroom where the juvenile acted as if he was asleep. The deputy got the attention of the juvenile who denied committing the crime and refused to speak to the deputy. When the deputy told the juvenile he was under arrest, the juvenile resisted arrest and attempted to push the deputy away from him, telling the deputy that he was not going anywhere with him.

The deputy managed to place the juvenile into handcuffs and had to listen to the juveniles profanity laced tirade upon exiting the residence that drew the attention of several neighbors. Upon arrival at the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Services was contacted and a decision was made to detain the juvenile in the Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center pending adjudication.

Charges: Assault 2nd degree
Resist Arrest
Malicious Destruction of Property
Disorderly Conduct

Incident: Driving While Revoked
Date of Incident: 28 March 2011
Location: Wicomico County
Suspect: Michael Francis Barnett, 32, Upper Marlboro, MD

Narrative: On 28 March 2011
a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was outside of the District Court Building in Salisbury when the deputy observed a subject he recognized as Michael Francis Barnett enter into a vehicle, get behind the wheel and drive away. The deputy soon after confirmed that Barnett’s privilege to drive a vehicle in the State of Maryland had been revoked.

The deputy obtained a warrant for the arrest of Barnett and subsequently located him on 10 May 2011.

Upon arrest, the deputy transported Barnett to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Barnett on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Driving While Revoked

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 7 May 2011
Location: 8000 block of Athol Road, Mardela Springs, MD
Suspect: Bryan Adam Berg, 26, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 7 May2011
at 4:45 PM, a deputy responded to investigate an altercation at a residence in the 8000 block of Athol Road in Mardela Springs. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the resident who advised that he had been involved in a verbal altercation with his daughter’s boyfriend, Bryan Adam Berg, when Berg grabbed an ice scraper and struck him in the arm.
Berg was gone upon the arrival of the deputy. A warrant was obtained for the arrest of Berg and he was located on 10 May 2011 and taken into custody. Upon transport to the Central Booking Unit, Berg was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After his initial appearance, the
Commissioner detained Berg in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Injure

Incident: Theft
Date of Incident: 5 May 2011
Location: 31000 block of Shavox Road, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Traci Brooke Sterling, 28, Fruitland, MD

Narrative: On 5 May 2011
a deputy began an investigation into the theft of Oxycodone from a residence in the 31000 block of Shavox Road. During the ensuing investigation, the victim identified the suspect as Traci Sterling.

The deputy was able to ascertain that Sterling had both the opportunity and the ability to commit the theft and concluded she was the likely suspect.
During the investigation, the deputy learned that Sterling was currently wanted on a Circuit Court Failure to Appear Bench Warrant in an unrelated theft case.

Sterling was arrested on 10 May for the theft of the Oxycodone and brought to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance on this case, Sterling was initially held on a bond of $5,000.00. That bond was subsequently raised at Bail Review to $20,000.00.

Sterling was held on an additional $1,000.00 bond on the Circuit Court warrant.

Charges: Theft
Possession of CDS

Incident: Burglary Arrest
Date of Incident: 10 May 2011
Location: 500 block of West Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Edwin S. Bacon, 45, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 11 May 2011
at 7:45 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate a commercial burglary of a building in the 500 block of West Road. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy learned the entire incident was captured on the business’ surveillance
system. Upon viewing the surveillance video, the deputy observed a subject he recognized as Edwin Bacon enter the building by smashing out the glass in the door, enabling Bacon to then open the door. The deputy observed that Bacon damaged a total of four doors during this incident and also recovered the pipe
left behind by Bacon that the deputy saw Bacon on the video utilize to smash out the glass.

The only item taken during the burglary was a safe that Bacon managed to force open using a fork lift prior to leaving.

The deputy located Bacon at his residence in Salisbury at 7:00 AM on 12 May and took Bacon into custody for this crime. The deputy transported Bacon to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Bacon in the Detention Center in lieu of $35,000.00 bond.

Charges: Burglary 2nd Degree
Theft
Malicious Destruction of Property

Incident: CDS Possession
Date of Incident: 13 May 2011
Location: 200 block of Eden Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Juliana N. Baines, 30, Delmar, DE

Narrative: On 13 May 2011
at 1:38 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported noise complaint in the 200 block of Eden Street in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy located an individual identified as Juliana Baines, who was reportedly blowing her vehicle’s horn
while in front of a residence. The deputy made contact with Baines and upon running a warrant check, discovered an open warrant for Baines from Worcester County for theft. Upon being taken in to custody, Baines requested that the deputy grab Baines’ purse so Baines could take it to the jail with her. The
deputy searched the purse before giving it to Baines and discovered what the deputy recognized as marijuana inside.

Baines was transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed on the Marijuana Possession charge and brought in front of a District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Baines on Personal Recognizance on this charge.

Upon being seen on the Worcester County warrant, the Commissioner detained Baines on a bond of $5,000.00 in the Detention Center pending transfer to Worcester County.

Charges: Possession of CDS

Critical Needs First In DHS IT Modernization

A day after the Department of Homeland Security cancelled its $450 million contract to modernize and unify its backoffice IT systems, the department's acting CFO told Congress DHS will focus first on modernizing the infrastructure of the department's components that are severely out of date. A new strategy for an integrated, departmentwide system has yet to be determined, she said.  

Read Full Story

Advocates Of Raw Milk Lobby Congress Today

Advocates for raw milk are lobbying Congress on Monday, and they won't come empty handed. The "Grassfed on the Hill" group is bringing a cow with them, and plan to milk it near the Russell Senate building. The group is protesting federal action against a Pennsylvania dairy farmer. He's accused of distributing un-pastuerized milk to clients in other states. Farmers in the group say that private contracts with clients for milk is outside federal jurisdiction.

Here's A Twist

A former employee of the Agriculture Department might be making a return to the Department, but this time as a contractor. The Agriculture Department is expected to issue a contract to a group co-founded by former employee Shirley Sherrod. Sherrod was forced to resign last year after controversy over video of a speech made her appear racially biased. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack tried to re-hire Sherrod after her full remarks were made public, but Sherrod chose not to return. Sherrod's organization will be contracted to conduct civil rights assessments of the USDA's agricultural loan services.

Federal Inspectors Don't Like What They See At U.S. Nuclear Power Plants

Federal inspections, spooked by post-earthquake events, have completed their inspections of U.S. nuclear power plants. And they don't totally like what they see. The Wall Street Journal reports, many U.S. reactors are found to be vulnerable to severe earthquakes, floods or fires. Reactors are hardened against hazards, but in some cases the emergency cooling and firefighting systems are not. In all, the NRC finds safety gaps at 104 reactors. The agency promises to post reports from all of its inspections on the agency Web site.

Mikulski & Sarbanes Want To Suspend Outsourcing Of Federal Work

Two Democratic lawmakers want to suspend the use of OMB's Circular A-76 outsourcing process. Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative Paul Sarbanes introduced companion bills detailing changes to how agencies should outsource work. If passed, the bill would temporarily suspend outsourcing of federal work at the five largest agencies until they make the changes outlined in the bill.

Black Lab Found On Old Ocean City Road


Black Lab, Found 3200 area of Old OC Rd. the evening of Saturday May 5th. Very friendly. Anyone that may think this is your dog please call 302-249-8583.

BREAKING NEWS: Space Shuttle Endeavour In Final Liftoff

Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully launches from Kennedy Space Center on its
final mission, and NASA's second-to-last shuttle launch.

Steep Increase In Maryland Tolls Proposed

Users of Maryland toll facilities face what could be the most dramatic across-the-board increases in the state's history under a plan being developed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.

FUND-RAISER FOR MARDELA HIGH SCHOOL BAND

ZUMBA NIGHT

Tuesday May 24th @ 7pm

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Come out for a night of music and dancing led by ZUMBA instructors Camille and Marilyn from Powerhouse Gym in Seaford.  There will also be a performance by the MHS Marching Drumline.  You won't want to miss out on this night!  Show your support for the MHS Warrior Marching Band, bring your friends and your dancing shoes!

Tickets may be purchased in advance through Mardela High School (see Cory Boltz), students may buy tickets during their lunch period.  They may also be purchased at the Sharptown Town Hall, or through either of the instructors.

Hope to see you there!




A Labor Strike Against Economic Reality

In 1977, Boeing was the target of a strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents its workers in Puget Sound, Wash. and Portland, Ore. The aircraft manufacturer had another strike in 1989. In 1995, workers went out for 69 days. In 2005, they struck again. In 2008 ... well, you see the pattern.

Strikes are an expensive luxury. The last one, which went on for nearly two months, was estimated to cost Boeing more than $2 billion. "Based on previous strike experience," reported The Seattle Times, "Boeing will not recoup that money for many years."

At some point, a light bulb went on in the heads of those running the company: If we can't avoid union walkouts, we can't make aircraft deliveries. If we can't make aircraft deliveries, we don't get paid, we alienate customers and we endanger our livelihood.

After the 2008 walkout, Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson voiced exasperation. "If union leaders and management can't get their act together to avoid strikes," he said, "we're not going to come back here again. We're already thinking, 'Would we ever risk putting another order with Boeing?' It's that serious."

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DelMarVa Republican Women

DRW 27 April "First Ladies" Banquet at the Carousel Hotel

Event:  The DelMarVa Republican Women Scholarship in Memory of founder Ann Horner Granados for $500 was presented to Rachael Winafield.  Rachel, 23, a nursing student at Wor-Wic Community College. Rachel works two part time jobs in Ocean City/West OC to help achieve her dream. It was our pleasure to award her with this scholarship as she exceeded the requirements!

Pictured (L to R):  Judy Baehman, Liz Mumford, Rachel Winafield, Rose Brous, Jennifer Greenlaw and Gloria Bassich. Rachel is pictured with the scholarship committee for the DRW.

Homeland Security

Delmar Nursing And Rehabilitation

Dear Editor

In response to your recent Letter to the Editor, Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation is very proud to be one of the highest rated nursing and rehabilitation facilities on the Eastern Shore. With a four star rating from the Federal Government, the facility provides state of the art care in a clean and comfortable setting. Our nurses, aides, and other staff are dedicated hard working members of the community who take great pride in caring for our frail & elderly. Our rehab patients are discharged to home greater than 90% of the time. Delmar Nursing and Rehabilitation was named last year as the Quality Improvement recipient for 2010 in the state of Delaware. I might note that MAHC purchased the facility several years ago and has made a tremendous investment of dollars and human energy to transform the center into one of the nicest facilities in the state.

While we respect the rights of the press to publish stories, we can not comment on a personnel matter. Such issues occur unfortunately throughout the public and private sector work forces. We do test employees for substance abuse as well as perform background checks. Incidents, as have been alleged, are fortunately very rare in nursing facilities due to the extensive measures we take to screen for employees with such issues.

Scott Rifkin, MD

Obama’s Hypocritical Rhetoric on Immigration Reform

Barack Obama's immigration speech in El Paso May 10 was an exercise in electioneering and hypocrisy. Hypocrisy because while Obama complained about "politicians" blocking comprehensive immigration bills, he was one of them himself.

In 2007, when such a bill was backed by a lame duck Republican president and had bipartisan backing from Senate heavyweights Edward Kennedy and Jon Kyl, Sen. Obama voted for union-backed amendments that Kennedy and Kyl opposed as bill-killers.

In 2009 and 2010, President Obama acquiesced in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to pass cap-and-trade and bypass immigration and in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's decision not to bring an immigration bill to the floor.

Both times the votes were probably there to pass a bill. Obama did not lift a finger to help.

But that did not stop the president who is constantly calling for civility to heap scorn on those who seek stronger enforcement. "They'll want a higher fence. Maybe they'll need a moat," he said to laughter from the largely Latino audience. "Maybe they'll want alligators in the moat. They'll never be satisfied."

Was that on the teleprompter, or was it ad-libbed? In either case, Obama was showing his contempt for those who bitterly cling to the idea that the law should be enforced.

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VA Settle Long Dispute with Muslim Inmate

GREENVILLE, Va. (AP) - A state prison inmate in Virginia has won a seven-year legal battle with the state, allowing him access to Muslim reading materials, CDs and DVDs.

Rashid Qawi Al-Amin's settlement also means he'll receive $2,000 and the library at Greenville Correctional Center will stock the Muslim religious tracts and recordings.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reports that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's office settled the dispute this month after a series of court rulings in Al-Amin's favor. As part of the settlement, the state admitted no wrongdoing.

Al-Amin was convicted in 1989 in Norfolk of murder and use of a firearm. He was sentenced to 52 years in prison. He is scheduled to be released in 2016.

The New York native was once known as Donald Tracey Jones.

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May 19, 2011 - Wicomico Planning Commission

The Salisbury – Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Commision will hold their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 19th at 1:30 PM.  The meeting will be held in the council chambers.

The only item on the agenda for this meeting is discussion of the draft county comprehensive plan.  If you are concerned about minor issues like property rights then you are encouraged to attend.  Just as you should be concerned with how the county spends your tax dollars; you should be concerned with whether or not the most basic of liberties is protected (or not).

Busch Predicts First-Rate Gerrymander for Maryland

Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch predicts Frederick County will be "cobalt blue" after state redistricting lines are drawn in time for the 2014 election.

Busch, a Democrat, said he expectsFrederick County will have one Democratic senator and three Democratic delegates by the time redistricting is complete. He was speaking at the Frederick County Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner Thursday evening at Ceresville Mansion.

Currently, only one Democratic senator, Ron Young, and one Democratic delegate, Galen Clagett, serve in the eight-personFrederick County delegation to Annapolis.

"We will have a senator and three delegates that are cobalt blue, and they are going to be the future of this area," Busch said.

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Only Buy What You Can Carry

If your cupboards are anything like mine, they're filled with food you have no intention of eating anytime soon and enticing snacks that you wish weren't there. The reason you've got too much food is you were able to mindlessly toss too many extra items into your cart or basket.

27 and Frugal offers an easy suggestion on how to slash grocery costs and excess food — only buy what you can carry.

The technique may nullify some savings by causing you to make more trips to the grocery store, but definitely forces you to buy only the necessities.

What's the most mystifying food you keep around, and how long has it been there?

from The Consumerist

Salisbury Man Pleads Guilty to First Degree Murder

Marquis Cortez Williams, age 20, of Salisbury, Maryland, pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder in connection with the shooting of Jackie Dewayne Hopkins which occurred on June 28, 2010 in close proximity to the VFW on West Main Street and Mitchell Road.

The guilty plea was announced by Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello and Salisbury City Police Chief Barbara Duncan.

Detectives with the Salisbury City Criminal Investigation Division state that witnesses to the incident told them that the victim, Jackie Hopkins, was attempting to enter his vehicle which was parked on the 800 block of West Main Street when the Defendant, Marquis Cortez Williams and Taquez Price (a co-Defendant) approached Hopkins and demanded money.  Salisbury City Police  officers stated that Marquis Williams pulled out a handgun during the robbery and shot Jackie Hopkins.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Court sentenced the Defendant to life imprisonment with all but 30 years suspended.  Notably, the Defendant’s co-conspirator, Taquez Price was tried and convicted of First Degree Murder in a jury trial on January 27, 2011.  After the verdict, the Court sentenced Taquez Price to life imprisonment with all but 28 years suspended.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney, Matthew A. Maciarello stated “this was a senseless act of violence committed by two individuals without any regard for the life that they took on June 28, 2010. One can only hope that these two criminals will gain some appreciation for their actions while spending a few decades in prison”  Mr. Maciarello commended the Salisbury Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Maciarello also thanked Deputy State’s Attorney, Ella M. Disharoon for prosecuting the case.

Press Release from the Office of the Wicomico County State’s Attorney

Are Shore Residents Subsidizing the ICC?

Last week Maryland Delegate Mike Smigiel (R-36) argued that Eastern Shore residents will be forced to pay higher tolls as a result of the new Inter-County Connector road (ICC):

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced they are looking at raising the tolls on the bridges leading into the Eastern Shore.  The proposal is to raise the  toll on the bridges going into Cecil County to $6 on the Hatem (Route 40) Bridge and the I-95, Tydings Bridge. Then on both bridges the toll  will go up to $8  by July 2013. On the lower end of the Shore, the plan is to raise the Bay Bridge Fee up to $5 this year and then $8 in 2013.

Those who currently use the commuter stickers on the windows of their vehicles and pay a reduced $10 per year to go over the Route 40 Bridge will now have to pay $36 per year and $1.50 per month, for an EZ Pass.

Why is the Eastern Shore of Maryland being forced to make up for the ICC inability to pay for itself?  If the MDTA  charges what it needs to make up for the cost of this controversial, 12 mile stretch of highway, no one would pay to travel on it.  So, once again, the rural areas of the State are being forced to subsidize the cost of an urban area’s extravagant transportation project.

Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) officials are now countering that this simply isn’t true:

Large increases in tolls on Maryland’s bridges and tunnels were proposed last week, but Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley said angry motorists should not be directing their blame at the new Intercounty Connector.

They should look around at the state’s other toll roads, bridges and tunnels, and see the maintenance that needs to be done on them. Swaim-Staley, who also chairs the Maryland Transportation Authority, told MarylandReporter.com that people are not looking at the bigger picture. The Maryland Transportation Authority operates and maintains all of the state’s toll roads, bridges and tunnels.

Who is correct?  There is little question that the toll on the ICC does not cover the roads true costs.  Perhaps that is the case for every toll road / bridge / tunnel in the state.  The state government can make the cost accounting for any given project to reflect almost whatever they wish.  However, to inflict Maryland drivers with a MASSIVE toll increase seems more than coincidental.

Smigiel is a first rate delegate who represents his district well.  It has been my experience that he doesn’t bend the truth to score political points.  Can the same be said for the O’Malley administration?

We’ll take Smigiel’s argument on this one.

Western Sussex Byway Earns Federal Grant

Georgetown, DE: The Western Sussex Byway is moving forward on the road from concept to reality, thanks to a recent federal grant.

The Delaware Department of Transportation announced this month that the Federal Highway Administration  has approved a $78,000 grant to byway organizers  to develop a corridor management plan. That plan will identify ways to draw attention to the historical and cultural landmarks along the path, a 35-mile route in the area of U.S. 13, snaking its way on existing back roads from Seaford to Bethel and Laurel.

The federal grant was the only one of its kind awarded to a Delaware applicant in 2011.

“The committee and I are thrilled that this project has earned this endorsement and this critical funding,” said C. Daniel Parsons, Sussex County’s Historic Preservation Planner and a member of the Western Sussex Byway Citizens committee. “This will go a long way to ensuring that the history and character of this very special area is highlighted and preserved for coming generations.”

The committee, with support from Sussex County government, can  now move forward in hiring a consultant to help draft the corridor management plan. It will identify strategies for maintaining, enhancing and marketing the byway, such as limits on the placement of billboards, and using signage, brochures, and interpretive tours to boost tourism.

The byway effort  has been moving forward in earnest since 2009, when Sussex County government agreed to sponsor the initiative to showcase the area’s rich history and promote rural tourism. Since then, DelDOT in March 2010 officially designated the route a Delaware byway, making it one of only six such routes in the First State.

The path, once complete, will link  well-known and some not-so-well-known landmarks in Western Sussex County, including sites such sites as the Cannon-Maston House, Old Christ Church, Trap Pond State Park and others.

Arts Alive Celebration Set for June 18 - 19

Ocean City, MD — Art’s Alive celebrates its 11th year of offering fabulous fine arts in the beautiful setting of Ocean City’s Northside Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19. Admission is free.

Northside Park is the perfect setting for an art show with winding paths around a beautiful lagoon. Stroll along the paths to see beautiful works in the artist tents. Browse through more than 100 artist tents, listen to the music of Silver, Wood & Ivory, and enjoy lunch at the Artists’ Café.

Children can participate in free artistic activities while parents shop for art treasures.
Painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, glass, graphics, mixed media, fiber, furniture, jewelry and fine wood are among the fine art categories. All artwork is available for purchase. Artists compete for $5,250 in prizes awarded to the “Best in Show” and seven other categories.

Northside Park is located on 127th St. and the bay. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department at 410-250-0125 or visit www.ococean.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Nasdaq, ICE Withdraw Offer for NYSE

Nasdaq OMX Group and IntercontinentalExchange withdrew  their  joint bid for NYSE Euronext following discussions with antitrust regulators. NYSE shares were lower in pre-market trading on the news.

Wicomico Sheriff Press Releases

Incident: Driving While Revoked

Date of Incident: 28 March 2011

Location: Wicomico County

Suspect: Michael Francis Barnett, 32, Upper Marlboro, MD
                                
Narrative: On 28 March 2011 a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was outside of the District Court Building in Salisbury when the deputy observed a subject he recognized as Michael Francis Barnett enter into a vehicle, get behind the wheel and drive away. The deputy soon after confirmed that Barnett’s privilege to drive a vehicle in the State of Maryland had been revoked.

The deputy obtained a warrant for the arrest of Barnett and subsequently located him on 10 May 2011.

Upon arrest, the deputy transported Barnett to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Barnett on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Driving While Revoked

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Incident: Assault

Date of Incident: 7 May 2011

Location: 8000 block of Athol Road, Mardela Springs, MD

Suspect: Bryan Adam Berg, 26, Salisbury, MD
                                
Narrative: On 7 May2011 at 4:45 PM, a deputy responded to investigate an altercation at a residence in the 8000 block of Athol Road in Mardela Springs. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the resident who advised that he had been involved in a verbal altercation with his daughter’s boyfriend, Bryan Adam Berg, when Berg grabbed an ice scraper and struck him in the arm.

Berg was gone upon the arrival of the deputy. A warrant was obtained for the arrest of Berg and he was
located on 10 May 2011 and taken into custody. Upon transport to the Central Booking Unit, Berg was
processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After his initial appearance, the
Commissioner detained Berg in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2ndDegree
                Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Injure

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Incident: Theft

Date of Incident: 5 May 2011

Location: 31000 block of Shavox Road, Parsonsburg, MD

Suspect: Traci Brooke Sterling, 28, Fruitland, MD
                                
Narrative: On 5 May 2011 a deputy began an investigation into the theft of Oxycodone from a residence in the 31000 block of Shavox Road. During the ensuing investigation, the victim identified the suspect as Traci Sterling. The deputy was able to ascertain that Sterling had both the opportunity and the ability to commit the theft and concluded she was the likely suspect.

During the investigation, the deputy learned that Sterling was currently wanted on a Circuit Court Failure
to Appear Bench Warrant in an unrelated theft case.

Sterling was arrested on 10 May for the theft of the Oxycodone and brought to the Central Booking Unit
where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance
on this case, Sterling was initially held on a bond of $5,000.00. That bond was subsequently raised at Bail
Review to $20,000.00.

Sterling was held on an additional $1,000.00 bond on the Circuit Court warrant.

Charges: Theft
                Possession of CDS

**********************************************

Incident: Burglary Arrest

Date of Incident: 10 May 2011

Location: 500 block of West Road, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Edwin S. Bacon, 45, Salisbury, MD
                                 
Narrative: On 11 May 2011 at 7:45 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate a commercial burglary of a building in the 500 block of West Road. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy learned the entire incident was captured on the business’ surveillance system. Upon viewing the surveillance video, the deputy observed a subject he recognized as Edwin Bacon enter the building by smashing out the glass in the door, enabling Bacon to then open the door. The deputy observed that Bacon damaged a total of four doors during this incident and also recovered the pipe left behind by Bacon that the deputy saw Bacon on the video utilize to smash out the glass.

The only item taken during the burglary was a safe that Bacon managed to force open using a fork lift prior to leaving.

The deputy located Bacon at his residence in Salisbury at 7:00 AM on 12 May and took Bacon into custody for this crime. The deputy transported Bacon to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Bacon in the Detention Center in lieu of $35,000.00 bond.

Charges: Burglary 2ndDegree
                Theft
                Malicious Destruction of Property

Medicaid Block Grant Plan Would Shrink Rolls

A new 50-state study by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured assessed the impact of the idea proposed by Congressional Republicans to repeal the national health care law and replace it with a Medicaid block grant to states. The study says that plan would force as many as 44 million poor and disabled Americans out of the program over the next 10 years. Close to 60 million people receive Medicaid coverage now; the national health law is expected to expand that number to more than 70 million, with the federal government paying most of the costs.

from Stateline.org

Does Barack Obama Really Believe in America?

Ken Falkenstein, over at Bearing Drift, has a great post about a bumper sticker he saw the other day.  Our friends on the left will attempt to dismiss such observations; but for those of us who truly believe in the principles upon which the world’s greatest nation was founded, Ken’s observations ring true:

Obama 2012 Bumper Sticker: “It’s the 21st Century, Not The 18th Century”

Today I saw a car with a bumper sticker that said “Obama 2012:  It’s the 21st century, not the 18th century.”  In fairness to Obama, I checked his campaign web site and did not see this bumper sticker in the campaign store, so it does not appear to be an official Obama campaign bumper sticker.  Nevertheless, from the other bumper stickers in support of Obama displayed on this car, this bumper sticker clearly was meant to be supportive of Obama and reflective of his worldview.

So, what does this pro-Obama slogan mean?  Well, the reference to the 18th century clearly is a reference to the American Revolution and founding of the United States of America.  And the only possible meaning of this bumper sticker is that Obama believes (or at least his supporters understand him to believe) that the principles on which this country was founded are outdated and irrelevant to 21st-century America.  It further means that Obama’s governing principles are different than and supposedly superior to those founding principles.

READ MORE …

East Main Street Neighborhood Association Meeting

DATE:  May 19, 2011

TIME:  6:30 PM

PLACE:  Epilepsy Association, 688 East Main Street

The East Main Street Neighborhood Association will be holding it’s bi-monthly meeting on Thursday 19 May 2011 at the Epilepsy Association office located at 688 East Main Street. All neighbors are invited and we look forward to seeing you in attendance.

Please email us at LWD7734@comast.net with any items you would like added to the agenda. If you have any questions please call 410-430-8900.