Fredericksen’s Follies at County Council

The scene was something out of a French absurdist play. After weeks of budget deliberations and an attempt to keep county spending under control, the Wicomico County Council met for a regular session on Tuesday. The regular session went relatively smoothly. Two members of the County Health Department showed up to discuss their budget immediately after the regular session. Then the council broke for lunch. End of Act I.

Before we move to the second act, we need a little context: The county council has been struggling to cut spending. While they have not sought to cut jobs, they have not shirked their duty to the taxpayers either.

ACT II

After lunch, Wicomico Board of Education Superintendent John Fredericksen, several board members, a full complement of more than adequately-paid bureaucrats, and most of the School Building Commission strolled in to meet with the county council. Given the county’s current fiscal problems, you would think that the WCBOE would send a tight contingent sans entourage. If all of those BOE employees have time to hang out in council chambers we have to ask – are these people really necessary to the education of Wicomico’s children?

First up, the School Building Commission. While spending almost 45 minutes claiming that they didn’t want to discuss funding for the proposed Bennett Middle School, the message was clear – We need to build the school because costs will just continue to rise.

One of the more disturbing, and absurd, segments of ACT II came when the chairman of the School Building Commission (after repeatedly arguing that the school met the “reasonableness” test, whatever that is) told council that they should give the WCBOE a dollar amount that they want to spend on a new school and that the WCBOE would work towards that number.

Think about this for a moment. If the BOE can shave $1 million, $5 million, etc. from the proposed school’s cost, why don’t they? They should proposed to build what is absolutely necessary to educate kids rather than attempt to defend the bells and whistles associated with this homage to the WCBOE’s collective ego.

The commission’s chairman belittled the council’s attempts to spend tax dollars wisely by asking the rhetorical question:

We could put up a pole building, but would it be optimum for our students?

Former councilman, and current commission member, Marvin Long later made a similar, and equally insulting, statement:

I would hate to see us build a warehouse.

To these attempts to portray the council as the “bad guys” who are denying little school children a safe, secure, and productive educational environment, Councilman Joe Holloway stated:

I’ve been disappointed. This building has over 60 corners. I don’t think anyone is calling for a pole building. We all agree that we need a new school. It will be easier to get it if it costs less. The bottom line is can the cost be brought down by simplifying it?

Bizarrely, this segment of our little play was civil and intelligent compared with what follows in ACT III.

ACT III

Several weeks ago, the county council forwarded a series of questions to the WCBOE. Their hope was to receive responses in time for the council to study them prior to their meeting with the WCBOE on Tuesday. When did they receive them? Late Monday. The council received one copy, so that it was impossible to have the bundle of documents copied and distributed in time for Tuesday’s meeting. In addition to the requested documents and answers were two sheets. One contained the following memo from Supt. Fredericksen to the council:

As we prepare for Tuesday’s work session with the County Council, we hereby request that you provide responses to the attached list of questions. We believe that a give-and-take approach to solving the many issues of Wicomico County would lead to a fruitful discussion. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The second sheet contained nine questions which we will publish later.

Presumptuous? Oh yeah! Arrogant? Beyond words.
While the idea may be sound, there is little doubt that the intended spirit was not one of a genuine desire to fix problems. Last year it took the council four (4) weeks to receive copies of travel expenses. To add insult to injury, a member of the WCBOE staff admitted that it only took pressing a few buttons to retrieve the reports. If you are a member of the public, forget about receiving information about board spending.

Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman opened up the discussion by bringing up the questions submitted by the WCBOE. BOE member Ron Willey went ballistic. He argued that the council had no right to demand the information they periodically seek:

“We’re getting grilled. I feel like you are just looking to put your finger on something. You asked for travel last year and now you are asking for them again. You asked for salary information again.”

When it was explained to Willey that every county department had to undergo the same type of scrutiny, BOE president Michelle Wright piped in – “We’re not a county department!”

Technically, this is correct. However, the county’s charter states that the county council has a right to financial information from any department, agency, or organization which the county funds, or partially funds.

Councilman Joe Holloway made this observation:

“This is public information. What’s the beef with us asking these questions? We get this same information every month from other county departments. It took me FOUR months to get that information.”

While our elected officials have to fight to retrieve information, the BOE simply does not feel that they owe the taxpaying public either fiscal restraint or simple transparency. When Fredericksen stands before the county council, or any other group, and states that the BOE wants to “work with you”, or claims that the BOE will provide whatever information is requested, he is simply being disingenuous. If he wasn’t, the county council would not have to wait months for information that is readily available. While it took four months to deliver a computer report of BOE travel expenses to council, it was only the actual receipts which took time to copy. However, that request wasn’t made until AFTER the original report had been delivered to council and they combed through the report and specified which receipts he wanted to see.

One of the day’s highlights was Wright’s claim that she did not believe that they were there to discuss the budget. Either Mrs. Wright is too obtuse to serve on a school board, or she was attempting the usual BOE bait and switch. Council president Gail Bartkovich pointed out that it was the BOE’s office which determined that Tuesday would be the day to discuss the budget because the other dates offered by council weren’t convenient.

While Tuesday’s display saddened just about everyone there (except for the BOE employees, I’m sure), this should serve as a warning to the hard working taxpayers of Wicomico County. If the members of the county council won’t stand up to these wanna-be bullies, the taxpayers could well wind up paying more for a service that continues decline in perceived quality.

Citizens need to stand up now!

Dog Found On Riverside Drive: UPDATE

Small, male, non-neutered, mixed breed. Long tail. Black collar, no id tags. Extremely friendly, found off of Riverside Drive in Salisbury. Email  inquiries to amc98z@yahoo.com

Rt. 50 East Of Queenstown Closed Down

There has been a very serious accident just east of Queenstown on Rt. 50. We're told a mini van is involved along with several other vehicles and it doesn't look good. That being said, if you know of anyone heading towards the Eastern Shore, they may want to take Rt. 404 or find an alternative route. Rt. 50 East is closed at the moment. We'll try to keep you updated as time goes on.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES VETO OF FOUR BILLS

Governor announces an additional three bills will become law without signature

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 18, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today the veto of four bills passed by the General Assembly during the 2011 Legislative Session:

Senate Bill 330 / House Bill 262 – Frederick County - Nonprofit School Lease - Property Tax Credit requires Frederick County or a municipality in the county to grant a property tax credit for property leased to a nonprofit school and used exclusively for primary or secondary educational purposes.  The bill also requires the lessor of real property eligible for the property tax credit to reduce the amount of taxes for which a nonprofit school is contractually liable under the lease agreement by the amount of the property tax credit.  The intention of the bill was to exempt public charter schools from having to pay property taxes on property leased by a school from a private owner.  However, as amended, the bill grants a property tax exemption to all private schools that lease property in Frederick County.  Because of this unintended result, the sponsors have requested a veto.  Read Governor O’Malley’s veto letter for Senate Bill 330 / House Bill 262 here.

 

Senate Bill 270 – Alcoholic Beverages – Allegany County Board of License Commissioners – Vacancies alters the manner in which members of the Allegany County Board of License Commissioners are appointed, establishing a unique, if not unprecedented, process by subjecting an appointment by the Governor to the advice and consent of a local political central committee.  Senate Bill 270 injects a purely political body into a pivotal role in the appointment of a Board that performs a governmental function.  The process pursued in Senate Bill 270 politicizes the appointment, and presumably the Board, by empowering political central committees in a unique manner, and to an even greater extent than they are involved in the appointment of our local election boards.  Read Governor O’Malley’s veto letter for Senate Bill 270 here.

House Bill 22 – Courts – Attorneys – Subpoena Procedures and Forms of the Circuit Courts, as originally introduced, required the courts to adopt uniform subpoena procedures and forms to be used in circuit courts throughout Maryland.  It was later amended to allow attorneys and other officers of the court to obtain signed and sealed subpoenas and to photocopy those subpoenas and use the photocopies for service.  The Maryland Judiciary has voiced strong opposition to House Bill 22 and Chief Judge Robert Bell has urged a veto.  House Bill 22 relaxes carefully-constructed Rules, according to the Judiciary, and invites misuse of the legal process by removing the safeguard of the clerk and allowing access to court orders by anyone with a copier and a subpoena.

While Governor O’Malley is vetoing the legislation, he agrees with the intent behind its original introduction.  It is the Governor’s belief that there should be uniformity in the circuit court subpoena process to ensure that all parties, and their attorneys, have access to due process of law.  In the Governor’s official veto letter, he urges the Maryland Judiciary to continue to work towards a uniform process and to ensure that the current Rules, requiring the issuance of unlimited blank subpoenas, are being enforced.   Read Governor O’Malley’s veto letter for House Bill 22 here.

Senate Bill 947 / House Bill 1312 - State Retirement and Pension System - Vested Retirement Allowance - Members and Former Members prohibits a former member of a designated retirement and pension plan within the State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS) from receiving a retroactive vested benefit allowance if the member files for vested benefits after normal retirement age.  A member must submit a written application to the SRPS Board of Trustees that states the date on which the member wants to begin receiving a vested allowance.  Under the bill, any benefits that the member would have received from normal age of retirement to the time the member actually applies for benefits must be forfeited.  There are approximately 4,236 vested former members in the State plans who have not claimed their vested benefit despite being older than their normal retirement age. It is the Governor’s contention that this legislation unintentionally imposes a very harsh punishment on former teachers and State employees who do not file their application for benefits upon reaching normal retirement age.  Governor O’Malley, in his veto letter, expresses concern about the potential impact of lost benefits on seniors who are struggling on fixed incomes.  Further, there is no provision in the in the bill that allows former vested members to ask the SRPS Board of Trustees for a hardship waiver, such as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, to allow a member to collect past benefits.  Governor O’Malley has encouraged the Joint Committee on Pensions to consider an equitable and more workable alternative to the one proposed in this legislation.  Read Governor O’Malley’s veto letter for Senate Bill 947 / House Bill 1312 here. 

Additionally, Governor O’Malley announced today that three pieces of legislation will be allowed to become law without his signature:

House Bill 302, Inmates – Life Imprisonment – Parole Approval, as originally introduced, would have removed the gubernatorial approval process altogether and allowed the Parole Commission’s recommendations to grant parole to go into effect without this safeguard.  Governor O’Malley opposed this bill and ultimately, the bill was amended to retain the gubernatorial approval process, but provide that if the Governor does not disapprove the decision within 180 days, the decision to grant parole becomes effective.  Under current law, all recommendations to grant parole to inmates serving sentences of life imprisonment must be approved by the Governor before an inmate may be released.  This gubernatorial approval process ensures that our most serious offenders, convicted of offenses such as murder and rape, are not released into our communities without adequate safeguards.  Governor O’Malley understands that all involved in these cases deserve a timely decision process.  However, given the gravity of the offenses for which these inmates are serving life sentences, it is the Governor’s contention that Maryland citizens would be better served if the default provision in the legislation was to deny the parole request rather than to grant it.  Read Governor O’Malley’s letter for House Bill 302 here.

Senate Bill 367 – Alcoholic Beverages - Anne Arundel County – Entertainment Facility creates an entertainment facility license and an entertainment concessionaire license for a Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) facility in Anne Arundel County and for the concessionaires adjacent to, but independent of, that facility.  Earlier this month, the developer of the VLT facility in Anne Arundel County announced that it was abandoning its plan to open a temporary 2,000 machine facility in October of this year.  Currently, the developer’s plan is apparently to construct a temporary facility by June 2012 - eight months later than originally planned - and a permanent facility by October 2012.  The General Assembly was not aware of this change in plans at the time it passed Senate Bill 367.  If the original schedule had been adhered to by the developer, the decision to sign the bill – despite the fact that it does not completely address the issue of the sale of alcohol on Sundays - would be an easy one, as the licenses created by the bill would need to be available prior to the reconvening of the General Assembly.  With the current information on the developer’s change of plans, however, it is very likely that if Senate Bill 367 were to be vetoed, the flaw in the bill could be fixed by the General Assembly prior to the need for any licenses.  Governor O’Malley has concluded that consistent with the State’s desire to expedite the project, he will allow Senate Bill 367 to become law without signature.  Read Governor O’Malley’s letter for Senate Bill 367 here.

Senate Bill 685 – Unemployment Insurance – Messenger Services Drivers – Delivery modifies and clarifies an exemption from coverage under the State unemployment insurance laws for drivers who perform work for messenger delivery businesses.  Under current law, this exemption applies only to drivers who work under certain specified arrangements for about 25 small Maryland companies which deliver mail, messages and documents by foot, bicycle or motor vehicle.  The bill expands the types of products these companies will now be permitted to deliver to include “emergency medical supplies, records, parcels, or similar items.”   At the same time, however, the bill sets forth more specific and stringent requirements which must be satisfied by the businesses in order for their drivers to qualify for the exemption.  In allowing the bill to become law, Governor O’Malley has expressed his reliance on the General Assembly’s intent, as demonstrated by its decision to increase and make more specific the requirements regarding the business model to which the exemption applies, that the bill only expand the services these companies may provide without also expanding the types of businesses which can utilize the exemption.  Governor O’Malley has made clear that this bill should not result in additional Maryland workers falling under this exemption or enable national companies to change business practices to deprive their workers of unemployment insurance and other protections.  Read Governor O’Malley’s letter for Senator Bill 685 here.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTHONY BROWN, SENATE PRESIDENT MILLER, HOUSE SPEAKER BUSCH TO HOLD BILL SIGNING CEREMONY TOMORROW

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 18, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and House Speaker Michael Busch will hold a bill signing ceremony tomorrow.  Among legislation to be signed tomorrow is Governor O’Malley’s signature economic initiative this session, InvestMaryland, a $100 million tax credit designed to fuel at least $70 million in venture capital investment in high-tech start ups and job creation.

And just days before the 136^th running of the Preakness Stakes, Governor O’Malley will add his signature to legislation he sponsored which redistributed existing slots revenues to assist in the operations of Maryland’s racetracks, salvaging the racing season for next year and preserving thousands of jobs associated with Maryland’s horse industry. 

An official list of bills to be signed has been posted to the Governor’s website.

WHAT:           Governor, Lt. Governor, Senate President, House Speaker to hold bill signing ceremony

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:        Maryland State House

                        Second Floor

                        Governor’s Reception Room

Dog Shot After Attacking School Children On Bus

CLINTON, Md. - A normal day at a bus stop turned into a terrible scene when a strange dog appeared and started attacking children.
 
Witnesses in the Clinton, Md. neighborhood say a dog was sniffing the children at the bus stop at Windbrook Drive and Deka Road. When the children got on the bus, the dog followed..
 
That's when 11-year-old Mikhail Andrews, who attends Fort Washington Forest Elementary School, says the dog started biting and scratching the kids.
 
Prince George's County police say some of the frightened and injured children got off the bus. That's when the dog, a male American Bulldog, also came off the bus and started biting more children, including Andrews.
 
Andrews was bit and scratched on his arm and bit on his leg. There's at least one puncture wound on his arm.
 
He says he was scared. He also says, "I didn't know what to do, I was like running to the car so I could get in so I wouldn't get bit but he bit me."
 
Police say at least four children were injured and taken to an area hospital.
 
Hilda, a neighbor watched the attack in horror. She says it was the worst thing she's ever seen in the neighborhood.
 
She says she was screaming, "Shoot the dog, shoot the dog."
 
Police officers did shoot and kill the dog. At least two witnesses say the dog was shot three times before he died.

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Most Fed Officials Want To Raise Rates Before Selling Assets

But in notes from April meeting, they caution talking about doesn't mean hike is imminent

WASHINGTON — Most Federal Reserve officials prefer to raise benchmark interest rates before selling assets when the time comes to tighten policy, minutes of their April meeting showed on Wednesday.

During an extensive discussion of how the central bank might pull back its massive support for the world's largest economy, officials agreed they would eventually shrink the Fed's much expanded portfolio over the medium term, and getting rid of mortgage-related debt would be a priority.

"A majority of participants preferred that sales of agency securities come after the first increase in the (Fed's) target for short-term interest rates," the Fed said.

"And many of those participants also expressed a preference that the sales proceed relatively gradually, returning (Fed holdings) to all Treasury securities over perhaps five years," the minutes said.

Policymakers felt that holding off on asset sales would allow them to get their target for overnight rates up from its current level near zero sooner than otherwise, the minutes showed. Feds official have long felt discomfort that their main policy tool was essentially exhausted.

The Fed stressed the discussion of the removal of monetary stimulus should not be seen as an indication the Fed is ready to start down that road any time soon.

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Rep. Andy Harris Opposes Toll Hikes

Kent Island, MD – Today, Rep. Andy Harris held a press conference with members of the business community to oppose the proposed 320% Bay Bridge toll hike and other toll increases that will hurt Maryland families, businesses and job creators.

“Maryland families and job creators, particularly on the Eastern Shore, cannot afford another tax hike by the big spenders in Annapolis,” said Rep. Andy Harris. “Governor O’Malley’s administration does not have a revenue problem - they have a spending problem.”

The O’Malley Administration is proposing drastic toll increases, including a tripling of the Bay Bridge toll (adding $5.50 per trip), and $2 hikes for the Harbor and Fort McHenry Tunnels and $3 for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. While Maryland families and small businesses continue to struggle with making ends meet in this difficult economy, the $210 million tax hike comes at the worst possible time.

Sarah Foxwell Would Have Been 13 Years Old Today

Sarah Foxwell would have turned 13 years old today.

Always in our thoughts and always in our prayers.

Obama Camp Raises Cash With Birth Certificate T-Shirt

With T-shirt, Obama camp raising money off birth certificate controversy

The Obama reelection campaign is raising money off of the controversy surrounding President Obama’s birth certificate.

With a donation of at least $25 to the Obama campaign, donors can get a long-form birth certificate T-shirt.

The “limited edition” T-shirt on the front proclaims, “Made in America” beneath a picture of the president.

On the back, is a picture of the long-form birth certificate.

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Why Salisbury is Wrong in Ending Practice of Prayer

If you live anywhere near Salisbury, you know by now that a majority of the city council wishes to end the 52 year old practice of reciting the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of each regular session. If you read last Sunday’s Baltimore Sun, you now know about it as well – even if you live across the Bay.

In addition to Salisbury, this practice is also performed by the Wicomico County Council, the county commissions / councils of the surrounding counties, and several municipal councils. While Salisbury is eliminating their traditional prayer, the Frederick County Commissioners have just announced that they will take up the practice of a public prayer prior to their meetings.

Short of being ordered by a court, should the city of Salisbury end the half-century old practice? No, it should. However, my reasons for wanting to keep the Lord’s Prayer in council meetings may surprise you.

As an evangelical Christian, I believe in a personal relationship with my Savior. Neither I, nor Christ’s church, needs the Salisbury City Council to validate my / our faith. From that point of view, I could honestly care less whether or not the Salisbury council stands up and recites the Lord’s Prayer. My opposition to this move comes from two other directions: a respect for tradition and the evermore predominant theory that religion should be divorced from the public square so that our fellow citizens will not be offended.

For over 52 years, the Salisbury City Council has begun each meeting with the Lord’s Prayer. Since that time, council members have participated regardless of whether they were Gentile or Jew. No one is suing the city. No one has publicly complained. Certainly no one has been harmed. Why, then, would we wish to change the practice?

Besides the attack on tradition, another aspect of this concerns me greatly. Should a public prayer be prohibited because someone might be offended or because government is separated from religion to the point of actually being anti-religion?

Councilwoman Laura Mitchell is quoted in the Sun, asserting:

"It doesn't belong in a governmental meeting," said Laura Mitchell, a Salisbury councilwoman who questioned the practice of reciting the Lord's Prayer before meetings. "Religion is a private matter. How someone prays, who they pray to, that's their private business."

Mrs. Mitchell, who believes that “it doesn’t belong in a governmental meeting”? Religion is a private matter, but only to the extent that our government must respect our right to worship as we please. However, that worship can be either individual or corporate, private or public.

While too many modern secularists believe that there is a “separation of church and state”, these same individuals ignore the very Judeo-Christian principles upon which this country was founded. Hindu’s, Sikhs, and even the guy who worships his cat should be allowed to worship as they see fit. That does not translate into abolishing religion from the public square.

Others argue that we should eliminate the practice because someone might be offended. Again, I don’t see anyone coming up to public comment and claiming that they are somehow harmed by this practice. There is no constitutional right to not be offended. If there were, a lot of people would be out of business. For that matter, I couldn’t even do what I do. Not all of my readers are fans.

The Salisbury council should re-examine the majority’s desire to end this practice. Tradition is not a bad thing; neither is opening a meeting with a prayer regularly said, publicly and privately, by the very people who founded this country.

G. A. Harrison is a frequent contributor to SbyNEWS. “Delmarva Dealings” appears each Wednesday and Sunday at Noon on SbyNEWS.

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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Sex Offense
Date of Incident: 13 May 2011
Location: 4000 block of Joseph Drive, Eden, MD
Suspect: John Joseph Buckley 4th, 33, Eden, MD

Narrative: On 14 May 2011 a deputy began an investigation into the an encounter between a 33 year old man, John Joseph Buckley of Eden and a 15 year old girl. Investigation revealed that the pair had been exchanging text messages when Buckley solicited from the girl and subsequently received photos sent via cell phone of the girl’s naked body. The pair then met with other near the girl’s residence and engaged in physical contact in Buckley’s vehicle.

The deputy applied for and received a warrant for the arrest of Buckley for the solicitation of the photos and inappropriate contact. Buckley was subsequently arrested the following day and transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner.

After an initial appearance, Buckley was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $200,000.00 bond.

Charges: Child Pornography
Contributing to the Condition of a minor
Sex Offense Fourth Degree

Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 15 May 2011
Location: Salisbury Blvd. at College Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: John M. Miller, 21, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 15 May 2011 at 10:21 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by John Miller of Salisbury for an equipment violation. Upon making contact with Miller, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from within the passenger compartment of Miller’s vehicle. The deputy began an investigation of the sobriety level of Miller.

After roadside Standardized Field Sobriety testing, the deputy concluded that Miller had consumer too much alcohol and was Driving Under the Influence. The deputy arrested Miller and transported him to the Maryland State Police barrack for a breath test. Miller was released upon signing citations.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol

Incident: Indecent Exposure
Date of Incident: 16 May 2011
Location: 31000 block of Old Ocean City Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Luther T. Joudrey, 49, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 16 May 2011 at 4:29 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded for the report of a nude male standing in a yard. Upon arrival, the deputies met with the complainant who advised that Luther Joudrey came to their house at 4:25 AM knocking on their door.
When the door was opened, the complainant found Joudrey standing there, his jeans around his ankles and holding his penis.

The investigating deputy located Joudrey on an adjacent property and after an interview placed him under arrest.

Post arrest, the deputy discovered Joudrey to be in possession of a pipe used to ingest crack cocaine that had recently been used and still held the remnants of that drug.

Joudrey was transported 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 Joudrey in the Detention Center in lieu of $3,000.00 bond.

Charges: Indecent Exposure / CDS Possession

Incident: Possession of Crack Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
Date of Incident: 13 May 2011
Location: West Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jack M. Braboy, 19, Rhodesdale, MD

Narrative: On 13 May 2011 at 9:00 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office observed an individual later identified as Jack Braboy discard refuse in the street while walking. During the ensuing
encounter with Braboy the deputy located two small baggies in Braboy’s possession that held what the deputy recognized as Crack Cocaine. Braboy attempted to flee from the deputy who chased him on foot.

After a foot chase of several blocks, the deputy managed to catch Braboy who continued to resist arrest, which required the deputy to take steps to ensure Braboy’s compliance.

Due to the separate packaging of the crack cocaine it appeared destined for sale on the street.

Braboy was transported to the Central Booking unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Braboy was detained in the Detention Center without bond by the Commissioner.

Charges: Possession of CDS
Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute
Littering
Resisting Arrest

Incident: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
Date of Incident: 16 May 2011
Location: Rum Ridge Road

Narrative: On 16 May 2011 at 10:36AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision on Rum Ridge Rd just prior to Dagsboro Road. Upon arrival, the deputies located a single vehicle that had left the roadway. The driver, Jessica Webb, 19, of Delmar, DE was pronounced dead on the scene. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded for the investigation. The investigation is still on going.

The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 9 May – 15 May 2011

Arrest Warrants

1. Traci Brooke Sterling, 28, Fruitland, MD; Theft / CDS Possession, held WCDC $20,000.00 bond.

2. Bryan Adam Berg, 26, Salisbury, MD; Assault 2nd degree / Deadly Weapon, held WCDC $25,000.00 bond

3. Michael Francis Barnett, 32, Upper Marlboro, MD; Driving While License Suspended, released on Personal Recognizance

4. Christian Lynn Auman, 24, Salisbury, MD; Driving Uninsured Vehicle, released on Personal Recognizance

5. Stacy Lauren Sparrow, 20, Telephone Misuse, Released on Personal Recognizance.

6. John Francis Russell, 40, Westover, MD; Theft / Rogue and vagabond, held WCDC $15,000.00 bond

7. Kathleen M. Schaufert, 49. Salisbury, MD; Failure to Report to WCDC to serve sentence, held WCDC without bond

8. John Joseph Buckley 4th, 33, Eden, MD; Child Porn / Assault, held WCDC $200,000.00 bond.

9. John Christopher Parsons, 27, Jessup, MD; Burglary 1st Degree, held WCDC $75,000.00 bond

Failure to Appear Bench Warrant

1. Leroy Nathaniel Cannon, 46, Severn, MD; FTA – Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Held WCDC without bond.

2. Katherine Lindsay Marino, 29, Newark, DE; FTA – Theft, held WCDC $1,000.00 bond.

3. Karen Foracre, 50, Delmar, MD, FTA – Juvenile Review Hearing, Held WCDC $500.00 bond.

4. Traci Brooke Sterling, 28, Fruitland, MD; FTA – Theft, held WCDC, $1,000.00 bond.

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 16 May 2011
Location: 100 block of Morris Mill Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Female Juvenile, 13, Salisbury, MD
2. Female Juvenile, 14, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 16 May 2011 at 9:30 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported altercation on a school bus. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that the bus was travelling in the 100 block of Morris Mill Road in Salisbury when a fight broke out in the aisle way between two teenage girls. Once this happened, the bus driver was forced to pull to the side of the road and deal with the altercation. The bus remained on the side of the road pending the arrival of a deputy and a representative of the Board of Education. Both juveniles were removed from the bus.

The deputy charged both juveniles with Assault and completed a juvenile referral. Both juveniles were released to guardians pending formal adjudication by the Department of Juvenile Services.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree

Incident: Burglary
Date of Incident: 16 May 2011
Location: 1900 block of Pine Way, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Female Juvenile, 11, Salisbury, MD
2. Female Juvenile, 12, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 16 May 2011 at 7:34 PM a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported residential burglary in the 1900 block of Pine Way in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that two female teens were seen entering the residence via a window. Investigation revealed that after the teens entered the residence they painted their fingernails and ate food that was in the house. It was also discovered that one of the juveniles left with a pair of shoes.

The juveniles were both identified by the witness.

Both juveniles were located and interviewed and both admitted to skipping school and perpetrating this incident. Furthermore, the stolen shoes were left behind at Boscov’s by one of the juveniles and replaced with a pair of flip-flops stolen from the store. The shoes stolen from the residence were located in a restroom at Boscov’s by the investigating deputy.
Both juveniles were charged with Burglary in the First Degree and Theft and were charged on a juvenile referral pending formal adjudication.

Charges: Burglary 1st Degree
Theft

Dad: Motorcycle Sale To Pay For Daughter's Funeral

Jimmy Jones Jr. can't afford to bury his 2-year-old daughter, who died when two brick buildings collapsed in a small town in Arkansas

MORRILTON, Ark. — Jimmy Jones Jr. has to bury his 2-year-old daughter, and may have to trade in his motorcycle to pay for it.

With not much else to his name, the 20-year-old father said that may be the only way he can afford funeral arrangements for Alissa, who died Monday in the rubble when two brick buildings collapsed in a small town in central Arkansas.

Jones Jr. talked briefly about his daughter Tuesday, sitting in a Morrilton park where he last played with her two days before. He rolled up his shirt sleeve to show a tattoo of Alissa's image on his left arm. And he thought of his friends with young children.

"I hope they never have to go through this," he said.

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Missing Dog: UPDATE

Missing Monday, May 16th, near Mt Hermon & South Kaywood Drive, he had a collar on with his name and the phone number. He answers to Charlie, is VERY friendly- please call 410 742 6772 if found!

Fundraiser For Robbie Ennis

It is a fundraiser for Robbie Ennis. He was badly burned May 1st. trying to put out a grease fire in his home. He has 3rd degree burns on 30% of his body. We have put together a pool tournament to help him and his family with medical expenses. The tournament is only open for APA members but the raffles, 50/50 , chinese auction is open to everyone ..We will also take donations.

Rookie Operator Of The Year Award

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is proud to announce the Maryland Rural Water Association presented Edward Watson with the Rookie Operator of the Year Award at their annual convention in Ocean City, Maryland on Tuesday May 17, 2011. Edward Watson is an operator for the City of Salisbury Water Plants.

He has demonstrated exceptional grasp of the operator tasks and made serious efforts to learn the principals and practices of water treatment operations. Mr. Watson has shown a high level of dedication and commitment to his job and has proven to be an asset to the City of Salisbury Water Plants.

Salisbury Public Works Director, Teresa Gardner said, "The Water Treatment Plant is a 24-7 operation that requires sharp, dedicated individuals to supply our water to our customers. Ed has been a great addition and has a lot of potential."

Mayor Ireton said, "Our thanks goes out to the Maryland Rural Water Association for choosing a Salisbury employee, and a hearty congratulations goes to Mr. Watson."

Today's Survey Question

Do you follow any celebrities on Twitter?

Illegals Get Special Treatment From Colleges

Critics argue Dream Act will give illegal immigrants better treament at universities over American students

This week, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a bill to require the state's public universities to give undocumented aliens -- generally illegal -- in-state tuition privileges.

The bill, known as the Dream Act, is already the law in ten other states, including California, New York, Texas and Illinois.

But critics argue that the bill will give illegal aliens better treatment than Americans and legal immigrants -- thanks to existing diversity policies at universities.

University of Maryland (College Park) computer science Prof. James Purtilo told FoxNews.com that, during his time as an associate dean, he frequently saw admission officers favor students because of their “undocumented” status.

"They favor students with special circumstances. 'Undocumented alien' would be one of these special circumstances... They help fill out the diversity picture for the admissions office."

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Mastermind of one of the biggest financial scandals in history moving to halfway house

HOUSTON — Federal prison officials have moved the former finance chief of failed energy giant Enron Corp. from a prison in Louisiana to a halfway house in Houston.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Andrew Fastow was moved from a Pollack, La., prison to a low-security community corrections facility in Houston. The Houston Chronicle reports he'll likely remain there until Dec. 17.

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Wi Hi Reunion

There will be a Wi Hi Reunion for anyone that graduated from 1980-1989 on July 30th at the Pittsville Fire Hall. Cost is $20 per person before June 1st and $25 after. There will be music and reminiscing from 5pm-11pm. Food will be provided by Whitey's BBQ. There will be a cash bar.

 

For more information or to make payment and reserve your spot, please call 443-235-5981.

Hormone Levels Rise At The National Zoo

Scientists at the National Zoo say they have detected a rise in hormone levels in the female giant panda. That could mean Mei Xiang is pregnant. Or, it might not mean anything. Zoo veterinarians are conducting ultrasounds twice a week, but haven't found a fetus yet. A Chinese panda breeding expert helped zoo scientists artificially inseminate Mei Xiang in January. Their only cub, Tai Shan, was born in 2005.

Should Veterans Have To Wait So Long For Disability Claims?

Some veterans are waiting 400 days to have their disability claims processed as they muster out of the Defense Department. In some cases, their lives are on hold while they wait for their status to change from soldier to veteran. At issue is the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. It started as a pilot in 2007, and now is in place at 80 military locations. It's designed to speed up disability processing by consolidating DOD and VA processes. But the system is meeting its nine-month goal for only 15 percent of active-duty cases. That's according to documents obtained by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and shared with The Associated Press.

Pottery Classes

CHILDREN'S POTTERYINSTRUCTOR:  Erik Hertz
DAY:      Tuesdays
DATES:  May 10, 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14
TIME:     4:00pm-6:00pm
COST:    $135.00
(AI&G Members receive 10% off of tuition for classes, not Supply Fees)
SUPPLY FEE:  $20
AGE OF STUDENTS:  5-Teens

DESCRIPTION:  This class is open to students of all ability levels.  In hand building, students will be introduced to techniques of working with clay.  These disciplines will be taught and applied to projects involving pinch, coil and slab techniques.  Students will also learn about glazing and firing pieces. 

Intermediate students will move on to more intricate projects.

WHEEL THROWING AND HAND BUILDING FOR ADULTSINSTRUCTOR:  Erik Hertz
DAYS:  Tuesdays
DATES:  May 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21
TIMES:  7:00 - 9:00 PM
COST:  $155.00
(AI&G Members receive 10% off of tuition for classes, not Supply Fees)
SUPPLY FEE:  $20
AGE OF STUDENTS:  Adults

DESCRIPTION OF CLASS:  This class is open to students of all ability levels.  In hand building, students will be introduced to techniques working with clay.  These disciplines will be taught and applied to projects involving pinch, coil and slab techniques.  Students will also learn about glazing and firing pieces. 

Intermediate students will move on to more intricate projects.

more information call the AI&G at (410) 546-4748 or Erik Hertz at (410) 641-8769

Looks At Prince Georges, Montgomery County Employment Picture - WOW!

Northrop Grumman to cut 500 jobs

Northrop Grumman Corp. said Tuesday that it is cutting about 500 jobs in the Baltimore region — through buyouts and 70 layoffs — as a result of defense spending slowdowns and international economic pressures. The jobs are primarily engineering and manufacturing in the electronic systems sector, headquartered in Linthicum.

• Lockheed Martin laying off 38 at Middle River plant

• Superfresh closings could spell up to 1,500 layoffs

Carper Wants To Help USPS

Delaware Senator Tom Carper has reintroduced a bill to help the U.S. Postal Service back to solvency. The bill would grant USPS more flexibility over its mail delivery schedule. And it would allow reductions in payments to the employee retirement pension funds. The Postal Service reported losses of $2.6 billion for the first six months of the current fiscal year. It expects to lose $8 billion for the year unless it can make changes. Managers want to end Saturday mail delivery. And they say they are forced by law to over-fund the retirement system.

Will Federal Employees Get Their Paychecks On Time?

One lawmaker suggests the next step in the debt ceiling crisis could be a delay in pay checks for federal employees. The Treasury Department is already tapping federal retirement funds and delaying investments into those funds - to stay off the federal debt limit until August 2nd. Senator John Kyl of Arizona tells the National Journal, the government will not default on it's debt. If the U.S. passes the August deadline without raising the debt ceiling, Kyl says the money could delay pay checks to federal employees and members of Congress.

Delaware Pastor Convicted Of Theft In Mortgage Scheme

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- A Delaware pastor accused in a mortgage rescue fraud scheme has been convicted of felony theft and misdemeanor charges of tax evasion and falsifying business records.

A Superior Court jury returned the verdict Tuesday against Jamaar Manlove, co-pastor of the Vision Builders Christian Center in Bear.

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The Good, The Bad And The Ugly - Part 3

The economic peril that we find ourselves confronted with, has been ninety-eight years in the making. The confluence of debt, demographics, delusion, and denial has left the country at the precipice of annihilation. There are two kinds of people in the world, those who control the money and those that are controlled by those who control the money. The last century has been marked by a methodical looting of the good (working middle class) by the bad (Federal Reserve & bankers) and supported by the ugly (Washington D.C. politicians). When historians pinpoint the year in which the Great American Empire began its downward spiral they will conclude that year to be 1913. In this dark year for the Republic, slimy politicians, at the behest of the biggest bankers in the country, created a private central bank that has since controlled the currency of the United States. This same Congress staked their claim as the most damaging group of politicians in US history by passing the personal income tax in the same year. These two acts unleashed the two headed monster of inflation and taxation on the American people.

The government began keeping official track of inflation in 1913, the year the Federal Reserve was created. The CPI on January 1, 1914 was 10.0. The CPI on January 1, 2011 was 220.2. This means that a man’s suit that cost $10 in 1913 would cost $220 today, a 2,172% increase in ninety-eight years. This is a 95.6% loss in purchasing power of the dollar.  The average American does not understand the insidious nature of central bank created inflation. It makes you think you are wealthier while you are driven into abject poverty. The Federal Reserve and politicians have pulled the wool over your eyes. The CPI was 30.9 in 1964.
Today, it is 223.5. This means prices have risen 723% since 1964. The only problem is your wages have not risen at the same rate, even using the government manipulated CPI. Using a true CPI figure, average weekly earnings are 64% below what they were in 1964. This explains why a family of five could live well with one parent working in 1964, but even with both parents working and accumulating debt in prodigious amounts, the average family cannot live as well today.

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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON HIS DECISION TO SIGN SENATE BILL 690

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today regarding Senate Bill 690 - Renewable Energy Portfolio - Waste-to-Energy and Refuse-Derived Fuel:

“After careful deliberation, I have decided to sign Senate Bill 690.  Our State has an aggressive goal of generating 20% of our energy from Tier I renewable sources by 2022 and we intend to achieve that goal through as much in-state energy generation as possible.  This will require a diverse fuel mix including onshore and offshore wind, solar, biomass including poultry litter, and now waste-to-energy if we are to realize our 20% goal. 

“Maryland is not alone in this determination.  Over half of the states that have a renewable energy goal classify municipal solid waste as a renewable fuel.  European countries that are many decades ahead of the United States in reducing their carbon footprint and their reliance on fossil fuels make broad use of modern waste to energy facilities and employ comprehensive recycling efforts in order to land fill as little waste as possible.  In fact, Sweden, a leader in this arena, sends 45% of it’s waste to waste-to-energy facilities, recycles 41%, and has reduced the quantity of waste going to land fills by 50% over a 1994 baseline.

“Despite the success of recycling programs in our State, including in Harford and Montgomery counties, where existing waste-to-energy facilities coexist with robust recycling programs, the reality is that Marylanders generate tons of solid waste each and every day.  If there is no waste-to-energy facility available, these tons of trash are simply dumped into landfills, no value is derived from the waste, and our State continues to rely on coal-fired generation to account for 55% of our energy needs. 

“Therefore, the question is not whether waste-to-energy facilities are better for the environment than coal-fired generation or better for the environment than the land filling of trash, but rather whether waste-to-energy facilities are better than the combination of coal and land filling, based on the best available science.  The answer to that question is a qualified ‘yes.’

“On carbon emissions, those greenhouse gases that degrade our environment and contribute to global warming, waste to energy facilities are better for the environment than the combination of coal generated electricity and land filling of solid waste. With regard to sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions, waste-to-energy facilities are generally lower per megawatt hour electricity generated than coal fired generation.  And on mercury emissions, the answer depends on how thoroughly mercury containing items are sorted out from the waste stream before the combustion process occurs. 

“Mercury emissions are the most worrisome aspect of waste-to-energy facilities, but can be limited through vigorous regulation.  To this end, I have instructed Maryland’s Department of the Environment to strictly regulate the amount of mercury emanating from both existing and proposed waste-to-energy facilities in our State.  This is not enough, however.  We must also remove mercury from the waste stream altogether; my Administration is considering legislative proposals to ensure that happens.

“This legislation is but one part of a comprehensive solid waste management approach.  We made progress last week, when I signed into law House Bill 817, which increases our education efforts on composting and requires the Department of the Environment to conduct additional study of the issue.  I want to keep moving forward, however, to a zero waste environment.  Last year, the General Assembly created a study group to evaluate additional steps that can be taken to increase commercial recycling and reduce plastic bag usage.  The group is also looking at electronic recycling measures, bottle deposits, beverage container recycling issues, and long-term funding for such measures.  A final report is due in December of 2011.  I am hopeful that recommendations from the study group will be implemented through the regulatory and legislative process.

“With this decision, I also reaffirm my commitment to bringing offshore wind to Maryland.  It is only through a diverse, renewable fuel mix that we will be able to reach our aggressive goals, protect our precious environment, and create the economic engine to move Maryland forward.”

Twilight Cockpit Landing View

May 18, 2011 - Wicomico County Council Budget Session

The Wicomico County Council will hold another budget session this morning at 10:30 AM in council chambers. Two of the agencies up for discussion today are the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore.

John Deere - When Your Gal's Too Big For A Harley

Do You Have  A Better Caption?

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN GANTECH, INC. RIBBON CUTTING AND GRAND OPENING

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor O’Malley will join business leaders and special guests at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for GANTECH, Inc. headquarters in Columbia, MD.

GANTECH, Inc. is a systems integrator specializing in optimizing data centers and modernizing IT infrastructures while reducing the environmental impact through innovations of virtualization technologies. The company has been recognized as both an Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 company, a Washington Technology Fast 50 winner, one of Baltimore’s best places to work, a two-time SmartCEO Magazine Future 50 winner and a top 100 MBE. Currently, GANTECH’s President, Thomas Laskowski, is a finalist for the Maryland Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.   

WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to participate in GANTECH, Inc. Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

WHEN:           Today, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:         GANTECH, Inc.

                         9175 Guilford Road

                         Columbia, MD

How To Change Your Oil

Oil Change instructions for Women:

1. Pull up to GM Dealership when the mileage reaches 3,000 miles since the last oil change.

2. Drink a cup of coffee.

3. 15 minutes later, scan debit card and leave, driving a properly maintained vehicle.

Money spent:

Oil Change:$24.00

Coffee: Complementary

TOTAL: $24.00

---

Oil Change instructions for Men:

1. Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree; use your debit card for $50.00.

2. Stop by Beer Store and buy a case of beer, (debit $24), drive home.

3. Open a beer and drink it.

4. Jack truck up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.

5. Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.

6. In frustration, open another beer and drink it.

7. Place drain pan under engine.

8. Look for 9/16 box end wrench.

9. Give up and use crescent wrench.

10. Unscrew drain plug.

11. Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.

12. Crawl out from under truck to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.

13. Have another beer while watching oil drain.

14. Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.

15. Give up; crawl under truck and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off..

16. Crawl out from under truck with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.

17. Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.

18. Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.

19. Remember drain plug from step 11.

20. Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.

21. Drink beer.

22. Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.

23. Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.

24. Crawl under truck getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.

25. Begin cussing fit.

26. Throw stupid crescent wrench.

27. Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit truck and left dent.

28. Beer.

29. Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.

30. Beer.

31. Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.

32. Beer.

33. Lower truck from jack stands.

34. Move truck back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.

35. Beer.

36. Test drive truck.

37. Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.

38. truck gets impounded.

39. Call loving wife, make bail.

40. 12 hours later, get truck from impound yard.

Money spent:

Parts: $50.00

DUI: $2,500.00

Impound fee: $75.00

Bail: $1,500.00

Beer: $20.00

TOTAL: $4,145.00



But you know the job was done right!

Don't Miss The Air Show In Ocean City

USPS Warns Of Default On Retiree Benefits

Without action from Congress, the Postal Service will default on its obligations to future retirees' health care accounts. Next up are payments to employees and vendors, the postmaster general told Congress Tuesday.  

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Pigford vs Glickman

"In 1997, 400 African-American farmers sued the United States Department of Agriculture, alleging that they had been unfairly denied USDA loans due to racial discrimination during the period 1983 to 1997."
  
The case was entitled "Pigford vs. Glickman" and in 1999, the black farmers won their case. The government agreed to pay each of them as much as $50,000 to settle their claims.

But then on February 23, 2010, something shocking happened in relation to that original judgment:  In total silence, the USDA agreed to release more funds to "Pigford".
  
The amount was a staggering...... $1.25 billion.  This was because the original number of plaintiffs - 400 black farmers had now swollen, in a class action suit, to include a total of 86,000 black farmers throughout America .

There was only one teensy problem:   

The United States of America doesn't have 86,000 black farmers!!!!
  
According to accurate and totally verifiable Official USDA 2007 Census census data, the total number of black farmers throughout America   is only 39,697. 
 
Hmmm... by the Official USDA 1992 Census data the US had only 18,816 black farmers!! Oops!!
  
Well, gosh - how on earth did 39,697 explode into the fraudulent 86,000 claims??    

And how did $50,000 explode into $1.25 billion??
  
Well, folks, you'll just have to ask the woman who not only spearheaded this case because of her position in 1997 at the "Rural Development Leadership Network", but whose family received the highest single payout  (approximately $13 million) from that action -  Shirley Sherrod. Oops again!!
  
Yes, folks it appears that Ms. Sherrod had just unwittingly exposed herself as the perpetrator of one of the biggest fraud claims in the history of the United States   - a fraud enabled solely because she screamed racism at the government and cowed them into submission.   And it gets even more interesting...
Ms. Sherrod has also exposed the person who aided and abetted her in this race fraud.  As it turns out, the original judgment of  "Pigford vs. Glickman" in 1999 only applied to a total of about 16,000 black farmers.
But....in 2008, a junior US Senator got a law passed to reopen the case and allow more black farmers to sue for funds.
  
The Senator was Barack Hussein Obama.

Because this law was passed in dead silence, and because the woman responsible for spearheading it was an obscure USDA official,  American taxpayers did not realize that they had just been forced in the midst of a worldwide recession to pay out more than $1.25 billion to settle a race claim.

But Andy Breitbart knew.  And on Monday, July 22, 2010, he cleverly laid a trap which Sherrod  - -  and Obama + his  cronies  - -  stumbled headfirst into which has now resulted in the entire world discovering the existence of this corrupt financial judgment.  As for Ms. Sherrod??  Well, she's discovering too late that her cry of 'racism' to the media which was intended to throw the spotlight on Breitbart has instead thrown that spotlight on herself and the huge corruption.     Sherrod has vanished from public view.    
  
But the perpetrator of that law passed in dead silence leading to unlawful claims & corruption..... is still trying to fool all of US.
  
Go to Google and read for yourself "Pigford vs. Glickman", or "Pigford Obama".

http://frontpagemag.com/2011/01/10/obama-carries-on-the-pigford-fraud/  

Fantasies About Immigration

Several surveys about immigrants show that the French economy gets more out of immigrants than immigrants themselves receive. They might even have "absorbed" the social shock of the crisis.

Nicolas Sarkozy espouses the views of the National Front and suddenly reneges on his "green card" immigration policy. "Considering how difficult it is to provide jobs for all our nationals and in view of the 23% unemployment rate among non-Community foreigners, we cannot but ask whether legal immigration makes sense." Xavier Chojnicki, an INED researcher [1], co-author of a survey on the costs of immigration for the French economy, exposes the fallacy of these fantasies. "This passionate debate about foreigners periodically revives, swells and eventually slips out of control," he observes confidently: statistics prove his point. Whereas the yearly number of fresh arrivals (of foreigners born outside France) in the 1920s averaged 300,000, the number of immigrants now averages 100,000 at most, far less than in other developed countries like the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, Spain or even Italy.

Another finding in these surveys is that immigrants receive far less than they pay out. In 2009, for instance, 12.4 billion euro flowed into the State’s coffers thanks to immigrants. If France spent 47.9 billion euro on social and family benefits, foreigners, as wage-earners and consumers, paid 3.4 billion euro in income taxes, 18.4 billion in VAT and other consumption taxes, and 26.4 billion in social contributions…

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Sugar Ray Leonard: Olympic Boxing Coach Sexually Abused Me

Sugar Ray Leonard was sexually abused as a teenager by a “prominent Olympic boxing coach,” the ex-fighter turned sports broadcaster and “Dancing with the Stars” alum reveals in a new autobiography due out next month.

Leonard, 55, writes in “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring” that he was 15 when the first “inappropriate” incident occurred in 1971, The New York Times reported.

The unnamed coach had taken him and another young fighter to a boxing event in Utica, N.Y. and watched as both teenagers later bathed together in a tub, according to the Times.

Leonard recounts how the same coach abused him several years later in a parked car while they were discussing the upcoming 1976 Olympics. Leonard would later win a gold medal at the games.

“Before I knew it, he had unzipped my pants and put his hand, then mouth, on an area that has haunted me for life,” Leonard writes, according to the Times. “I didn’t scream. I didn’t look at him. I just opened the door and ran.”

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Delaware Educators Discuss Parental Involvement

NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) -- Educators from across Delaware are gathering to discuss ways to encourage more parents to become involved in their children's school lives.

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn was to welcome school superintendents, teachers and parents and PTA members on Wednesday to a workshop on parental involvement and student success.

The workshop at the Buena Vista center in New Castle is being moderated by Mavis Sanders, a research scientist at the Center for the Social Organization of Schools and an education professor at Johns Hopkins University.

Maryland Governor To Sign Bill Limiting Lawn Fertilizer Use

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A bill limiting the use of lawn fertilizers, a growing source of Chesapeake Bay pollution, is to be signed into law this week.

State, federal and industry officials plan to be in Annapolis on Thursday for the signing by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Lawns are being eyed in bay cleanup efforts because grass covers more acres in the bay watershed than any other crop, and is expected to soon exceed all other crops combined. And while fertilizers help lawns grow, they also harm water quality when they reach the bay.

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