At a news conference in Midtown Monday afternoon, Representative Anthony D. Weiner tearfully confessed to sending a photo of himself in his underwear to a woman via Twitter and then lying about it.
Mr. Weiner said the indiscretion was part of a pattern of sending inappropriate and at times explicit photos and messages to women he met over the Internet.
Mr. Weiner, 46, a popular and brash Democrat from Queens who has been considering a run for mayor of New York City and is known for aggressive and sometimes intemperate political commentary on Twitter, apologized repeatedly.
“I have made terrible mistakes that have hurt the people I care about the most and I’m deeply sorry,” Mr. Weiner said. “I have not been honest with myself, my family, my constituents, my friends and supporters and the media.”
He said he had no intention of resigning, that he had broken no laws and that while his wife “made it clear that she thought that what I did was very dumb,” his marriage was not ending. He said he never met any of the women.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, June 06, 2011
Weiner Admits Sending Sexual Photos
Rep. Anthony Weiner admits sending sexual photos to women and conducting other inappropriate communications online.
Top Obama Economic Adviser To Quit
Austan Goolsbee, chairman of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, says he is quitting to return to a teaching position at University of Chicago.
Accident in West OC
Try to avoid the Keyser Point Rd area for awhile. Car vs tree just before the new firehouse.
Wake Up Call
To the American People,
Last week Mitt Romney announced his Presidential Candidacy and vowed to make the American economy his number one priority. As our 45th President, I will re-empower the American people and the private sector with the freedom's that they need to restore our economy and the American dream while my number one priority will be to protect and to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Period.
Thomas J. Miller
Registered Candidate R., President of the United States of America 2012
Federal Election Commission ID: P20001947
Principal Campaign Committee:
Reduce Government Miller for President ID: C00462010
Rep. Andy Harris Opposes Massive Susquehanna River Toll Hike
Perryville, MD – Today, Rep. Andy Harris joined Maryland State Senators Nancy Jacobs, E.J. Pipkin and Harford County Executive David Craig to oppose the massive 620% increase at the Hatem River Bridge and other toll hikes that will hurt Maryland families, businesses and job creators.
“I oppose the O’Malley toll hikes because they will destroy jobs and disproportionately hurt rural and suburban Maryland families”, said Rep. Andy Harris. “The State of Maryland does not have a revenue problem - it has a spending problem.”
The State of Maryland is proposing drastic toll increases, including:
· $5.50 per trip hike on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
· $2 per trip hikes for the Harbor and Fort McHenry Tunnels
· $2 per trip increase for John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
The $210 million tax hike comes at a time when Maryland families and job creators can afford it least.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHANGE TO WORK SESSION AGENDA
The agenda for today’s Salisbury City Council work session at 3:30 p.m. (Room 306 in the City/County Government Building, 125 N. Division St.) will be modified to include a discussion of possible amendments to the budget as the result of late-breaking developments that could affect agreed upon cuts and other decisions of the council made during its budget deliberations. Due to the time sensitivity of these matters, as well as that of other items on the agenda, the Tenants’ Rights Addendum will be moved to a later meeting. The council apologizes for any inconvenience.
DELMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE
Incident: Assault 1st
Location: 200 block of E. East St., Delmar, MD
Date: 06/06/2011
Arrested: 16 Y.O.A, Juvenile
On 06/06/2001 at approx. 1030 hours, officers of the Delmar Police Department responded to the 200 block of E. East St., Delmar, MD in ref. to two individuals who had been shot with a possible BB gun. Upon arrival officers met with two juvenile victims who had injuries consistent with that of a being shot with a BB gun. Delmar EMS responded and victims were transported to P.R.M.C for additional care. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a Juvenile and the recovery of a BB Gun.
DeMint is No Reagan, But …
In a recent piece for RealClearPolitics Carl Cannon discusses the pros and cons of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) running for President. The argument goes that conservatives would rally around DeMint but that he couldn’t win the general against Barack Obama. There is even a comparison to Ronald Reagan.
First of all, DeMint is no Ronald Reagan. There will never be another Reagan. DeMint is DeMint. That’s one reason why conservatives will flock to him if he chooses to run.
Jim DeMint, like Barry Goldwater, like Ronald Reagan, is the REAL DEAL. While we will witness candidate after candidate attempt to claim the mantle of Reagan (because it's fashionable to do so in today’s GOP), they will ring false. DeMint doesn’t need to do that. His record, as well as his rhetoric, speak for themselves.
To quote conservative leader Richard Viguerie:
"These candidates rush over to the right during the primaries, and then tack to the middle in the general election," complains Richard A. Viguerie, the longtime conservative direct-mail guru. "That's what ruling-class Republicans do. We're not interested in somebody who says, ‘I'm opposed to increased taxes.' That's all rhetoric. Government has gotten too big. If you don't want to roll it back, you're part of the problem."
Unlike candidates like former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, DeMint’s rhetoric doesn’t change with the perceived electoral fashion of the day. His record has shown that he would rather be voted out of office than compromise on a core principle.
IF DeMint decided to enter the race, and assuming he did so early enough to mount a credible campaign, it’s a game ender. People may support candidate X or Y, but they will WORK to secure the GOP nomination for Jim DeMint.
Cannon alludes that DeMint, if he ran and secured the GOP nomination, would be a general election disaster. I would argue that this isn’t the case. History is 50 – 50 on the proposition. In 1964 we nominated a true conservative and we went down in flames. In 1980 we won in a landslide! We haven’t nominated a movement conservative since.
One thing is certain, Jim DeMint will not alter his beliefs to accommodate the results of a tracking poll. The last time we ran a candidate who did the same, we won big.
Jim DeMint may not be Ronald Reagan; but he is a 21st century equivalent.
E Coli Outbreak Traced to Organic Bean Sprouts
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The terrifying E. coli outbreak in Europe appears to have been caused by vegetable sprouts grown in Germany, an agriculture official Sunday as the toll climbed to at least 22 dead and more than 2,200 sickened.
Preliminary tests found that bean sprouts and other sprout varieties from an organic farm in the Uelzen area, between the northern cities of Hamburg and Hannover, could be connected to infected people in five German states, Lower Saxony Agriculture Minister Gert Lindemann said.
"There were more and more indications in the last few hours that put the focus on this farm," Lindemann said at a news conference.
Many restaurants involved in the outbreak had received deliveries of the sprouts, which are often used in salads, Lindemann's spokesman, Gert Hahne, told The Associated Press.
German Health Minister Daniel Bahr puts on gloves and a mask during his visit at the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, northern Germany, on Sunday, June 5, 2011. Hospitals in northern Germany are being overwhelmed as they struggle to provide enough beds and medical care for patients stricken by an outbreak of E. coli, the German health minister admitted Sunday.
Definitive test results should be available Monday, Lindemann said.
Taking Flight
While the C-5 was turning over its engines, a female crewman gave the G.I.s on board the usual information regarding seat belts, emergency exits, etc.
Finally, she said, 'Now sit back and enjoy your trip while your captain, Judith Campbell, and crew take you safely to Afghanistan '
An old MSgt. sitting in the eighth row thought to himself, 'Did I hear her right? Is the captain a woman? '
When the attendant came by he said 'Did I understand you right? Is the captain a woman?'
'Yes,'! said the attendant, 'In fact, this entire crew is female.'
Somerset Commissioners to Adopt FY 2012 Budget
The Somerset County Commissioners will meet tomorrow afternoon to adopt the FY2012 budget. A closed session will begin at 1PM. The regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 2PM.
To see the agenda: CLICK HERE
2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run
Statewide- The 25th annual statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Delaware, which involves over 500 law enforcement officers and spans over 160 miles, will be held between Wednesday, June 8, 2011 and Friday June 10, 2011.
Special Olympics Delaware provides a year-round program of quality sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. A family of over 4,000 volunteers makes this program possible for more than 3,500 athletes who compete in the Special Olympics Delaware. In its 25 year history, the Torch Run will have raised over $3 million for Special Olympics Delaware.
"The impact of Law Enforcement's efforts over the past 25 years can't be calculated in terms of the number of miles run or the amount of money raised. Instead, the most accurate way to truly realize their impact is understanding the thousands of lives they have touched, and by doing so, have changed," says Ann Grunert, executive director of Special Olympics Delaware.
As in the past, this year’s Torch Run will be a three-day event, starting in Rehoboth Beach on Wednesday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. The First State Force band will perform at the gala Torch Run sendoff from the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. The first mile of the run will be dedicated in the memory of Corporal Christopher Shea of the Delaware State Police.
On Thursday, June 9th, three separate torches will be lit and run from Lewes, Georgetown, and Delmar before converging in Harrington, where the one “Flame of Hope” will then travel through Dover, Smyrna, and Odessa. The run includes a stop at Legislative Hall in Dover at approximately 2:00 p.m. with a presentation before the full House of Representatives.
On Friday, June 10, the run will continue from Troop 9 in Odessa at approximately 9:40 a.m. and head to the city of Wilmington with a celebration at the Wilmington Police Department Headquarters at 1:20 p.m. It will then continue on to Newark, DE and head up Main Street for the leg of the run that is dedicated to Officer Gary Summerville of the University of Delaware Police Department. The final leg, which will be dedicated in the memory of all fallen law enforcement officers, will arrive at the Special Olympics Family Picnic at 5:15 p.m. in front of the UD football stadium. From there the torch will be run by 2011 Torch-Runner of the Year, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Randal W. Lee, into the Bob Carpenter Center as part of the Opening Ceremonies at 7 p.m.
McDermott Argues Against Toll Hike
Del. Mike McDermott (R-38B) has written a great op-ed in Sunday’s Daily Times (and which previously appeared in SbyNEWS). Unlike those who simply parrot the arguments of the O’Malley administration or some who simply oppose any toll hike at all, McDermott makes a reasoned argument as to why the proposed hike is excessive and will harm our local / regional economy.
I encourage our readers to examine McDermott’s piece, not only for its arguments but as an example of McDermott’s thoughtfulness. During his race for the 38-B House seat, many opponents attempted to portray McDermott as a “dumb cop” or some kind of hack. Yet, as someone who was involved (albeit tangentially) with his campaign, I was constantly amazed at his thoughtfulness and intelligence. I was particularly impressed by the fact that McDermott insisted on writing his own material (including positions on very complex issues) and even his own commercials (his radio ads were among the best that aired on the Lower Shore during last year’s election).
It’s important that our elected officials take thoughtful positions on issues which affect us; rather than marching lock-step with a political party, or pandering to the lowest common denominator. I believe that McDermott is exhibiting that trait and we should be thankful for it.
Join Me In Fighting For The Rule Of Law
In case you missed it, a petition drive has been started to overturn a terrible bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly this year. Known as the “DREAM Act”, Gov. O’Malley signed a bill that would give in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants at all of our community colleges and universities. I am OPPOSED to giving illegal immigrants any government subsidies and urge you and your entire family to join me in signing this petition.
If we’re able to muster 56,000 signatures by the end of the month, the DREAM Act will go to a referendum on the 2012 election ballot where the voters of Maryland can decide if they would like to grant illegal immigrants the same rights as legal citizens. Activists across the state have already collected more than half the necessary signatures! To sign the petition, please go to MDPetitions.comand follow the instructions very carefully (print and sign your full name and birthdate).
As the son of immigrants who fled Communism, I take this issue very seriously. My parents worked hard to become productive, LEGAL American citizens – and I expect others to do the same. We should NEVER reward those who broke the law and want to jump ahead of other immigrants who have come here legally.
Recently, the out-of-touch chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee derided conservatives for believing illegal immigration “should in fact be a crime.” Someone needs to alert the chairwoman that illegal immigration IS a crime.
Please take a minute to go to MDPetitions.com, print out the petition, urge your entire family to sign it and send it to the designated PO Box to let the people decide if in-state tuition for illegal immigrants is a good idea. Remember – you must mail the signed petitions back by June 30th! Thanks and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Andy
We Are All Libertarians Now
Recently, I was asked to explain whether or not it was "a common libertarian belief that any government is bad." This sticking point was one that in the questioners' own words caused them to "lose interest," and despite being "in agreement with a lot of libertarian thinking...talking about deregulating everything," turned them off. I was asked this because of my support for and recent article about Ron Paul, who despite decades of serving as a Republican Congressman, is still consistently labeled as a libertarian in almost every media interview with him or discussion about him. The subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, implication by the media is that either the word libertarian in and of itself (or perhaps just the idea of being a libertarian) is somehow not quite right, maybe even unacceptable, and most certainly not electable.
At this point I would like to make it clear that the people posing their questions seemed genuinely concerned with simply understanding better the issue of greatly reducing the size of government and not with deriding libertarianism. In fact, they assured me that they "like a lot of libertarian principles," but deregulation and "pursuing an idealized notion of a free market," is not an answer they understand and this, I assume, could affect their vote in 2012. However, their wording of the overarching question first asked shows how successful the media campaign against libertarian ideals over the years has been. The application of the label "libertarian" to someone's political character these days insinuates that said person is not only promoting an absence of any government whatsoever, but is almost eagerly awaiting the advent of anarchy and its chaotic and bloody results. Somalia is often used to demonstrate how such kooky libertarian ideals will end.
Libertarians, as with any other group, have beliefs that are wide and varied. I won't pretend to know them all, or purport to having done a deep or intensive study of the matter. "Libertarian ideas are like stones dropping into a body of water, making waves in so many directions that no one is sure where they come from," says Lew Rockwell in The Case for Libertarian Hope. An exact list of what libertarians believe in, stand for, or wish to attain might theoretically be compiled, but in reality would not be applicable to all its advocates. That said, there are at least two basic concepts that appear to be foundational to libertarianism: individual liberty and doing no harm. Everything else, in my opinion, is just extrapolation and lends to a general confusion that inevitably dilutes their strength.
More
At this point I would like to make it clear that the people posing their questions seemed genuinely concerned with simply understanding better the issue of greatly reducing the size of government and not with deriding libertarianism. In fact, they assured me that they "like a lot of libertarian principles," but deregulation and "pursuing an idealized notion of a free market," is not an answer they understand and this, I assume, could affect their vote in 2012. However, their wording of the overarching question first asked shows how successful the media campaign against libertarian ideals over the years has been. The application of the label "libertarian" to someone's political character these days insinuates that said person is not only promoting an absence of any government whatsoever, but is almost eagerly awaiting the advent of anarchy and its chaotic and bloody results. Somalia is often used to demonstrate how such kooky libertarian ideals will end.
Libertarians, as with any other group, have beliefs that are wide and varied. I won't pretend to know them all, or purport to having done a deep or intensive study of the matter. "Libertarian ideas are like stones dropping into a body of water, making waves in so many directions that no one is sure where they come from," says Lew Rockwell in The Case for Libertarian Hope. An exact list of what libertarians believe in, stand for, or wish to attain might theoretically be compiled, but in reality would not be applicable to all its advocates. That said, there are at least two basic concepts that appear to be foundational to libertarianism: individual liberty and doing no harm. Everything else, in my opinion, is just extrapolation and lends to a general confusion that inevitably dilutes their strength.
More
Worcester County Commissioners to Adopt FY2012 Budget
AGENDA
WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
June 7, 2011
9:00 AM - Meet in Commissioners’ Conference Room - Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland - Vote to Meet In Closed Session
9:01 - Closed Session: Discussion regarding personnel matters at Department of Liquor Control; reviewing Board of Education candidates; considering appointments to various County Boards and Commissions; receiving legal advice from Counsel and performing administrative functions
10:00 - Call to Order, Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance
10:01 - Report on Closed Session; Review and Approval of Minutes
10:10 - Chief Administrative Officer: Administrative Matters
10:20 - D. Wilson - Maryland Coastal Bays Program: MCBP Policy Committee Briefing
10:30 - Public Hearing - Amendment to Worcester County Water and Sewerage Plan - to increase the Capacity of the Ocean Landings II Sanitary Service Area - on US 50 east of MD 589
10:40 - Public Hearing - Requested FY 11/12 Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund Budgets and Assessments
10:50 - Public Hearing - Requested FY 1 1/1 2 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Operatin g Budget and Fees
11:00 - Public Hearing - Requeste d FY 1 1/1 2 Liquor Control Enterprise Fund Opera tin g B u d g et
11:40 - Adopt FY 11/12 County Operating Budget
12:00 - Questions from the Press
Lunch
1:30 PM - Chief Administrative Officer: Administrative Matters (continued - see above)
AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING
Florida Governor Defends Measure Requiring Drug Tests For Welfare
(CNN) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday defended recent legislation that requires adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug screenings, saying the law provides "personal accountability."
"It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction," Scott told CNN's T.J. Holmes on Sunday. "On top of that, this is going to increase personal responsibility, personal accountability. We shouldn't be subsidizing people's addiction."\
But the ACLU of Florida, which has already filed suit against Scott over a measure requiring government employees to undergo random drug testing, disagrees, and may sue over the welfare law as well.
"What (Scott) is doing is giving ugly legitimacy to an unfortunate stereotype that has been in this country for a couple of decades -- that all welfare recipients are a bunch of drug abusers," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.
Scott told CNN he wants to ensure that welfare funds go to their primary target -- to disadvantaged children -- and provide people with an incentive not to use drugs. He signed the measure on June 1, calling it "the right thing for taxpayers."
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"It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction," Scott told CNN's T.J. Holmes on Sunday. "On top of that, this is going to increase personal responsibility, personal accountability. We shouldn't be subsidizing people's addiction."\
But the ACLU of Florida, which has already filed suit against Scott over a measure requiring government employees to undergo random drug testing, disagrees, and may sue over the welfare law as well.
"What (Scott) is doing is giving ugly legitimacy to an unfortunate stereotype that has been in this country for a couple of decades -- that all welfare recipients are a bunch of drug abusers," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.
Scott told CNN he wants to ensure that welfare funds go to their primary target -- to disadvantaged children -- and provide people with an incentive not to use drugs. He signed the measure on June 1, calling it "the right thing for taxpayers."
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BREAKING NEWS: Sprouts Not Cause Of Deadly E. Coli Outbreak
German officials say initial tests show sprouts from an organic farm are not the cause of the deadly E. coli outbreak that has killed at least 22 across Europe.
Elks Camp Barrett
The Salisbury Elks Lodge #817 will be sending local boys and girls ages 9-13 to camp in Crownsville, MD for a week. See attached flyer.
Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come first serve basis. There is no charge for this camp however parents are responsible for filling out all forms in advance and for transporting the children to and from camp. This is NOT limited to Elks members.
For more information contact Mark Filipplli at 410-726-3289 or filippelli@comcast.net
Florida Man in Custody After Saturday Shooting Rampage
A Florida man went on a shooting rampage Saturday night, killing his teenage daughter and ex-wife’s boyfriend, police officials told FoxNews.com. His ex-wife was shot multiple times during the incident.
Police say Jose Antonio Negron confronted the three at a home in Lakeland, Fla. The argument began in the garage and moved into the house. Negron allegedly shot dead his daughter, Marta Negron, 15, and Luis Fernandez, 46. The two were pronounced dead at the scene.
His ex-wife, Olga Gonzales, 46, who was shot more than once, was able to walk to a neighbor’s home and call police. Police were unable to confirm where the shooting took place.
Plane That Landed In Hudson Visits Delaware On Monday
NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) -- The US Airways plane that landed safely in the Hudson River in 2009 will soon travel through Delaware and Maryland on its way to a North Carolina museum.
The 120-foot fuselage of the plane set off from Harrison, N.J., on Saturday and is expected to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge around 10 a.m. Monday. The wings were shipped separately to the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, N.C.
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The 120-foot fuselage of the plane set off from Harrison, N.J., on Saturday and is expected to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge around 10 a.m. Monday. The wings were shipped separately to the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, N.C.
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U of Delaware President Seeks Help From Alumni
NEWARK, Del. (AP) -- The president of the University of Delaware is again calling on alumni to help fill in the gaps caused by budget cuts.
President Patrick Harker told alumni over the weekend that the school has reduced administrative budgets by $3.3 million, faces cuts of about 4 percent in state funding and will soon be without $9 million in federal stimulus funding.
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President Patrick Harker told alumni over the weekend that the school has reduced administrative budgets by $3.3 million, faces cuts of about 4 percent in state funding and will soon be without $9 million in federal stimulus funding.
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Man Fatally Shoots Pit Bull To End Dog Fight In Severn
Police investigating whether man had permit for weapon
Anne Arundel County police say a 32-year-old man shot and killed a pit bull terrier to end a fight between the dog and another pit bull in a field near a residential neighborhood in Severn on Sunday morning.A 4-year-old pit bull named Kayne and a 7-year-old named Gyno started to fight as their owners walked them about 11 a.m. in a field at the end of Stillmeadows Drive near Oriole Court.
As the dogs fought, the owner of Gyno ran home to alert his parents, according to police. Moments later, a man appeared with a semiautomatic handgun and fired one shot, striking Kayne in the torso, witnesses told investigators.
The dog later died at a local veterinarian office. No charges have been filed.
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What About Our Future?
On Saturday I received an email from a reader:
Last night I attended Parkside High School’s graduation. During the 2+ hour event I could not help but think about the future of all of Wicomico County’s graduating seniors. What advice would I give our child and all graduates regarding their future. I think it would be interesting if SBYNews posted a topic asking what advice your readers would offer all Mardela, Wicomico, Bennett, and Parkside graduating seniors.
These young people are our future. It’s an interesting idea, so here goes:
What advice would you give to our county’s graduating seniors about their individual and collective futures?
Firefighter Wears Pink To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
Moneymaker's friends at Station Six in Bethesda say he worked hard to support his sisters in their fight against breast cancer. Wearing Pepto-Bismol pink firefighter's gear, Moneymaker works to raise both awareness and money in a battle to defeat this form of cancer.
The story of Moneymaker's three sisters - Vicky, Penny, Valessa - is told at his website, For3Sisters.blogspot.com.
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Man Cited After Paying Bill With 2,500 Pennies
VERNAL, Utah (AP) - A Utah man has been cited on a charge of disorderly conduct after paying for a disputed medical bill with 2,500 pennies.
The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reports Jason West went to Basin Clinic in Vernal on May 27 prepared to dispute an outstanding $25 bill.
Assistant Vernal Police Chief Keith Campbell says that after asking staff members whether they accepted cash, West dumped 2,500 pennies on the counter and demanded that staff count them.
Campbell says the incident upset staff because pennies were strewn about the counter and floor, and West's action served "no legitimate purpose."
Police later issued the 38-year-old West a citation for disorderly conduct. That carries a fine of as much as $140. Or 14,000 pennies.
Source
The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reports Jason West went to Basin Clinic in Vernal on May 27 prepared to dispute an outstanding $25 bill.
Assistant Vernal Police Chief Keith Campbell says that after asking staff members whether they accepted cash, West dumped 2,500 pennies on the counter and demanded that staff count them.
Campbell says the incident upset staff because pennies were strewn about the counter and floor, and West's action served "no legitimate purpose."
Police later issued the 38-year-old West a citation for disorderly conduct. That carries a fine of as much as $140. Or 14,000 pennies.
Source
Live Blog Event – TONIGHT – Salisbury Budget
Join us TONIGHT as SbyNEWS hosts another LIVE BLOG EVENT.
Time: 6PM
Place: A computer near you.
What: Salisbury City Council’s 2nd Budget Public Hearing followed by the debate, amendment, and adoption of the FY 2012 Salisbury City Budget.
This event will prove to be either a snoozer or full of fireworks. If you can’t come out to the hearing, tune in on PAC-14 and follow the hearing and meeting with our always insightful play by play.
Don’t forget; you get to participate as well. Comments are live. Just remember, the same rules apply.
Live Blogging software courtesy of CoverItLive.com
Gay Couples Seek Green Cards Despite Likely Denial
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (AP) - Faced with losing the life they've built together in the dusty California desert town of Cathedral City, Doug Gentry and Alex Benshimol are making a last-ditch effort to stave off the looming threat of deportation.
To a large degree, the couple is stuck. While the American information technology consultant and Venezuelan pet groomer wed at a romantic Connecticut ceremony last year, the federal government won't recognize the marriage between the two men _ and as a result, won't approve their application for a green card.
But the couple, and others facing a similar predicament, are still trying. The men don't expect to actually obtain a green card any time soon and have already been shot down once but hope filing an application might convince an immigration judge to at least refrain from deporting Benshimol while the fiery legal debate over the country's same-sex marriage laws simmers.
"There have been so many ups and downs on this roller coaster. I really don't know what to expect," said Gentry, 53. "It can't hurt (to refile). All they can do is deny it again."
For years, immigration attorneys warned gay couples not to bother seeking a green card for their foreign spouses since there was no chance they'd get one. Now, in select cases, they're starting to rethink that advice.
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To a large degree, the couple is stuck. While the American information technology consultant and Venezuelan pet groomer wed at a romantic Connecticut ceremony last year, the federal government won't recognize the marriage between the two men _ and as a result, won't approve their application for a green card.
But the couple, and others facing a similar predicament, are still trying. The men don't expect to actually obtain a green card any time soon and have already been shot down once but hope filing an application might convince an immigration judge to at least refrain from deporting Benshimol while the fiery legal debate over the country's same-sex marriage laws simmers.
"There have been so many ups and downs on this roller coaster. I really don't know what to expect," said Gentry, 53. "It can't hurt (to refile). All they can do is deny it again."
For years, immigration attorneys warned gay couples not to bother seeking a green card for their foreign spouses since there was no chance they'd get one. Now, in select cases, they're starting to rethink that advice.
More
The Coming Double-Dip Recession
On June 1, stock markets in New York and around the world declined in levels not seen since summer 2010. Days and weeks immediately ahead will likely register even further significant market declines, as the obvious becomes increasingly evident: the US and other major global economies are once again on the cusp of a significant slowdown.
In a recent post a few weeks ago, entitled "Why March-April's Job Gains Will Collapse This Summer," this writer warned that the official hype about job recovery promoted by the business press and distorted US government data was grossly inaccurate. Behind the false jobs data lay a growing picture of imminent economic relapse. The US Labor Department's jobs numbers due this Friday, June 3, will likely further corroborate this view.
But the coming economic slowdown is not simply a result of the failure to create a sustained recovery of jobs in the US for the past two years of so-called economic recovery. Nearly all economic indicators have been deteriorating since the beginning of 2011, even though policy makers and Wall Street investors have been diligently ignoring the fact.
Consumption growth, which represents 70 percent of the US economy, early in 2011 fell by half compared to the previous period in 2010, from 4 percent to 2.2 percent. Real spending, adjusted for inflation, has been mostly flat so far in 2011. Rising gas prices have accounted for 60 percent of consumption gains in 2011. Escalating prices for food, health care, local taxes and education costs have taken a further toll. The wealthiest 10 percent of consumer households now account for 60 percent of spending - buoyed by the past year of stock market gains that are now about to be reversed. High-end retail stores, like Tiffany's, rake in record sales while low-end retailers like Wal-Mart struggle for sales. Apart from the wealthiest households, there has, thus, been no real sustained recovery of consumer spending in the US economy for the past two years. Retail sales have fallen the last three months in a row. And the lack of job growth, falling home values, rising core inflation (food and energy) and declining real incomes for the 95 million households earning less than $100,000 a year means a "flat" scenario, at best, for consumer spending for 2011.
Housing, which accounts for another 10 percent of the US economy, is in a deep depression, a condition comparable only to the 1930s. So, no help here. Housing starts, sales, building permits are off by 75 percent from 2007 highs. After having dropped by 25 percent in the first phase of the recession, then briefly leveling off, home prices are in decline once again. Another 15 percent drop is predicted. There's never been a sustained recovery from any of the ten post-1945 US recessions without a housing recovery; and the latter is clearly more unlikely than ever today, given the nearly ten million foreclosures and 16 million - i.e. more than a third of the total - homes in negative equity.
More
In a recent post a few weeks ago, entitled "Why March-April's Job Gains Will Collapse This Summer," this writer warned that the official hype about job recovery promoted by the business press and distorted US government data was grossly inaccurate. Behind the false jobs data lay a growing picture of imminent economic relapse. The US Labor Department's jobs numbers due this Friday, June 3, will likely further corroborate this view.
But the coming economic slowdown is not simply a result of the failure to create a sustained recovery of jobs in the US for the past two years of so-called economic recovery. Nearly all economic indicators have been deteriorating since the beginning of 2011, even though policy makers and Wall Street investors have been diligently ignoring the fact.
Consumption growth, which represents 70 percent of the US economy, early in 2011 fell by half compared to the previous period in 2010, from 4 percent to 2.2 percent. Real spending, adjusted for inflation, has been mostly flat so far in 2011. Rising gas prices have accounted for 60 percent of consumption gains in 2011. Escalating prices for food, health care, local taxes and education costs have taken a further toll. The wealthiest 10 percent of consumer households now account for 60 percent of spending - buoyed by the past year of stock market gains that are now about to be reversed. High-end retail stores, like Tiffany's, rake in record sales while low-end retailers like Wal-Mart struggle for sales. Apart from the wealthiest households, there has, thus, been no real sustained recovery of consumer spending in the US economy for the past two years. Retail sales have fallen the last three months in a row. And the lack of job growth, falling home values, rising core inflation (food and energy) and declining real incomes for the 95 million households earning less than $100,000 a year means a "flat" scenario, at best, for consumer spending for 2011.
Housing, which accounts for another 10 percent of the US economy, is in a deep depression, a condition comparable only to the 1930s. So, no help here. Housing starts, sales, building permits are off by 75 percent from 2007 highs. After having dropped by 25 percent in the first phase of the recession, then briefly leveling off, home prices are in decline once again. Another 15 percent drop is predicted. There's never been a sustained recovery from any of the ten post-1945 US recessions without a housing recovery; and the latter is clearly more unlikely than ever today, given the nearly ten million foreclosures and 16 million - i.e. more than a third of the total - homes in negative equity.
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Salisbury Council to Hold Work Session, Public Hearing, AND Adopt Budget Today
The Salisbury City Council will hold a work session beginning at 3:30 PM on Monday, June 6th in Conference Room 306 of the Government Office Building (GOB). At 6PM, the council will move over to the council chambers to hold a public hearing for the proposed FY 2012 budget.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER the public hearing, the council hold a special meeting. The agenda for the special meeting is:
- Ordinance No. 2161 – 2nd reading – amending and adoption of FY2012 Budget
- Ordinance No. 2151 – 2nd reading – amending and adoption of Water and Sewer rates
- Ordinance No. 2152 – 2nd reading – amending and adoption of City parking rates
This public hearing is a repeat due to a failure by the administration to meet the advertising requirements for the first public hearing.
The agenda for the work session is:
| 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM | Ethics Ordinance, New State Requirements – Paul Wilber |
| 3:50 PM – 4:10 PM | Tenants’ Rights Addendum Follow-up – Council & Paul Wilber |
| 4:10 PM – 4:40 PM | Council Rules of Order - Prayer - Agenda Items - Phone In Rule |
| 4:40 PM – 5:00 PM | Disproportionate Minority Contact Grant – Mayor’s Office |
| 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM | GASB Requirement – Definition of General Fund Surplus – Pam Oland |
| 5:20 PM – 5:25 PM | Update on CDBG Requests for Information – Council President Cohen |
| 5:25 PM – 5:30 PM | General Discussion |
| 5:30 PM | Adjournment |
Did The Cable Industry Pay Ralph Reed Millions Of Dollars To Orchestrate Tea Party Opposition To Net Neutrality?
As the New York Times and ThinkProgress have reported, Ralph Reed has returned as a force in the political world. A decade ago, Reed was a kingmaker in Republican politics and a corporate lobbyist who counted Fortune 100 companies like Enron and Microsoft as clients. His fall from grace, starting with the Jack Abramoff scandal and culminating in a humiliating loss in his run for lieutenant governor of Georgia, is apparently now behind him. Times reporter Erik Eckholm points out that Reed has successfully revived his work as an operator within the Republican Party, most notably with his ability to ensnare nearly every Republican presidential contender to a conference he’s hosting this weekend.
However, little is known about Reed’s work reviving his business as an astroturf lobbyist. According to documents obtained by ThinkProgress, the National Cable and Telecom Association (NCTA), a trade association that represents cable providers like Comcast and Qwest Communications, has provided Reed’s lobbying firm with at least $3,462,117 worth of contracts in the last three years alone. Century Strategies, the firm founded by Reed and fellow astroturf lobbyist Tim Phillips in 1997, received the contracts for what NCTA deemed “legal and advertising” services. View a screenshot of the relevant documents here and here.
ThinkProgress has queried several staffers at Reed’s lobbying firm to learn about the contract. At CPAC this year, one employee for Reed told us that he did not work on the NCTA account and knew little about it. I spoke to another staffer in Reed’s Atlanta office this week and asked if the firm ever provides any kind of legal or advertising work for clients. “None at all,” she replied to the legal question. “Nope, we don’t,” she said in response to a question I had about Century Strategies creating or purchasing advertisements for clients. Why did the cable industry pay Reed millions for advertising work, then?
I asked Brian Deitz, the vice president for communications and public affairs at NCTA, about the over $3 million given to Reed. “We do not comment on specific financial matters related to NCTA,” was his only response.
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However, little is known about Reed’s work reviving his business as an astroturf lobbyist. According to documents obtained by ThinkProgress, the National Cable and Telecom Association (NCTA), a trade association that represents cable providers like Comcast and Qwest Communications, has provided Reed’s lobbying firm with at least $3,462,117 worth of contracts in the last three years alone. Century Strategies, the firm founded by Reed and fellow astroturf lobbyist Tim Phillips in 1997, received the contracts for what NCTA deemed “legal and advertising” services. View a screenshot of the relevant documents here and here.
ThinkProgress has queried several staffers at Reed’s lobbying firm to learn about the contract. At CPAC this year, one employee for Reed told us that he did not work on the NCTA account and knew little about it. I spoke to another staffer in Reed’s Atlanta office this week and asked if the firm ever provides any kind of legal or advertising work for clients. “None at all,” she replied to the legal question. “Nope, we don’t,” she said in response to a question I had about Century Strategies creating or purchasing advertisements for clients. Why did the cable industry pay Reed millions for advertising work, then?
I asked Brian Deitz, the vice president for communications and public affairs at NCTA, about the over $3 million given to Reed. “We do not comment on specific financial matters related to NCTA,” was his only response.
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MDTA Board Schedules Nine Public Hearings on Proposed Toll Hikes
The Maryland Transportation Authority has scheduled nine (9) public hearings on the proposed toll hikes. They are:
| June 9, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Shady Grove Middle School 8100 Midcounty Hwy., Gaithersburg, MD |
| June 13, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Digital Harbor High School 1100 Covington St., Baltimore, MD |
| June 14, 2011 | 5:30 PM | High Point High School 3601 Powder Mill Rd., Beltsville, MD |
| June 15, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Kent Island High School 900 Love Point Road Stevensville, MD |
| June 16, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Perryville High School 1696 Perryville Rd., Perryville, MD |
| June 20, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Severn River Middle School 241 Peninsula Farm Road Arnold, MD |
| June 21, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Dundalk Middle School 7400 Dunmanway, Baltimore, MD |
| June 22, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School 12872 Rock Point Rd., Newburg, MD |
| June 27, 2011 | 5:30 PM | Havre de Grace Activity Center 351 Lewis Ln., Havre de Grace, MD |
Sign up for comment will begin at 5:30 PM. Presentation and testimony will begin at 6 PM. Registration for public comment will end at 7:45 PM
TRAFFIC ALERT
Nighttime Signalization Project Will Require Lane Closures on Route 13
Camden -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that signal construction at Route 13 and the Thomas Harmon Drive intersection at the Camden Town Center & Price Honda will require the closure of the left lanes northbound and southbound. During this construction, no left turns will be allowed.
The work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 7 and extend to Wednesday, June 8. Right turns will only be permitted at Thomas Harmon Drive and Price Honda. The lane closures will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., daily. These work hours are adjusted to accommodate heavy traffic conditions. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.
The contractor for this project is Kriss Contracting and DelDOT's Traffic Signal Construction Section.
Camden -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that signal construction at Route 13 and the Thomas Harmon Drive intersection at the Camden Town Center & Price Honda will require the closure of the left lanes northbound and southbound. During this construction, no left turns will be allowed.
The work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 7 and extend to Wednesday, June 8. Right turns will only be permitted at Thomas Harmon Drive and Price Honda. The lane closures will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., daily. These work hours are adjusted to accommodate heavy traffic conditions. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.
The contractor for this project is Kriss Contracting and DelDOT's Traffic Signal Construction Section.
Final Exam Schedule For 2010-11
Final exams for students in grades 9 through 11 will be administered as follows:
June 8 – (early dismissal day) exam schedule for classes 1, 2, 3 and 4; followed by
dismissal from period 5; last day for ATEX and CTE I
June 9 – (early dismissal day) exam schedule for classes 5, 6 and 7; followed by
periods 4 and 1 (dismissal) for JMB, PHS, WHS; followed by periods 4 and 5
(dismissal) for MMHS
June 10 – (early dismissal day) make‐up exam schedule
Final Day for All Wicomico Students – June 10
June 8 – (early dismissal day) exam schedule for classes 1, 2, 3 and 4; followed by
dismissal from period 5; last day for ATEX and CTE I
June 9 – (early dismissal day) exam schedule for classes 5, 6 and 7; followed by
periods 4 and 1 (dismissal) for JMB, PHS, WHS; followed by periods 4 and 5
(dismissal) for MMHS
June 10 – (early dismissal day) make‐up exam schedule
Final Day for All Wicomico Students – June 10
Come Have Lunch Courtesy of “Salisbury News”
Come on down to Panni Pit Pizza on Tuesday, June 7th between 11AM – 1PM. SbyNEWS will be giving away free slices of pizza
Take a break. Come on down to Panni and enjoy some great pizza and meet some of your neighbors.
Panni Pit Pizza is located at 2657 N. Salisbury Blvd. It’s in the same shopping center as Old Navy and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Just a couple of doors down from Coldstone Creamery
First come, first served. So don’t miss out.
Ocean City Council to Meet This Evening
The Ocean City Council will meet this evening at 6PM.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PRAYER AND PLEDGE
3. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER ON UPCOMING WORK SESSION
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Work Session – dated May 10, 2011
B. Regular Session #10 – dated May 16, 2011
C. Pension Meeting – dated May 18, 2011
5. ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
6. PRIVATE EVENT PERMIT REQUESTS
A. Military Concerts – Wednesday, June 29, 2011 and Friday, July 1, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and SSG Patrick S. Murphy, 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band
B. 5th Annual Kentland Volunteer Fire Department Beach Volleyball Tournament – Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Timothy J. Moore, Kentland Volunteer Fire Department
C. National Guard Senior Week Set Up – June 8 – 14, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Sgt. Jones, Maryland Army National Guard
D. Ocean City Tip to Tip Clean Up – Monday, June 20, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Daniel Ritz, K-Coast Surf Shop and Shelly Dawson, Surfriders Foundation
E. West End Assembly of God Youth Choir – Friday, June 17, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Stephen Poore, West End Assembly of God Church
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Report on Govdeals.com
Presented by: Joe Sobczak, General Services Director
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation on Changes to Comcast Cable System
Presented by: Tom Worley, Area Director of government Relations and Public Affairs
B. Presentation on Taxi Driver Drug Testing
Presented by: Christine Parks, Risk Management
10. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
11. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CITY ORGANIZATIONS
12. ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE CITY SOLICITOR
A. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-18 Establishing FY 2012 Budget
B. First Reading – Ordinance Declaring Certain Personal Property as Surplus Property No Longer Needed for Public Use and Authorize its Sale
C. First Reading – Ordinance to Amend Chapter 102 – Entitled Vehicles for Hire (Allows interior advertising in taxis)
D. First Reading – Ordinance to Amend chapter 58 Entitled Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions (allow private property owners to sign up for trespassing enforcement)
E. First Reading Authorizing Additional Parking Spaces (increases paid parking on Philadelphia Avenue from S. Division to N. Division)
F. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City to Participate in the ICMA Retirement Corporation Governmental Money Purchase Plan and Trust
13. ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
A. Recommendation of Bid Award for Northside Park Pathway Paving
B. Recommendation of Bid Award Lighting Retrofit
C. Recommendation for Skate Park Pool Repair Bid Wavier
D. Recommendation of Bid Awards for Microsoft Office and Toughbooks
14. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS – 5 MINUTE TIME LIMIT
15. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
BREAKING NEWS: Rick Santorum Running For President
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania says he is entering the GOP field for the 2012 presidential election.
Former NM Governor Tied to NEW Pay-to-Play Allegations
The whiff of scandal cost Democrat Bill Richardson a job in President Barack Obama's administration, but the former New Mexico governor's reputation and political legacy are threatened again because of federal and state investigations into separate pay-to-play schemes, including allegations that campaign contributions influenced his appointment of judges.
Richardson has denied any wrongdoing, just as he did two years ago when he withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary because of a federal grand jury investigation into the awarding of a state contract to a political donor.
That investigation ended with no charges against Richardson or his top aides, but the cloud from pay-to-play allegations never went away during the rest of Richardson's term. If anything, the cloud darkened in New Mexico where there's been a steady stream of news reports during the past two years about another federal investigation -- this one focusing on state investments -- and the possibility of corruption in the Richardson administration.
Sussex County to Host 34th Annual Prayer Breakfast
Tickets are now on sale for the 34th annual Sussex County Prayer Breakfast, to be held Tuesday, June 14, 2011, with Pastor Bob Carey of Delmarva Teen Challenge as this year’s featured guest speaker. The theme of this year’s event will be ‘Changing One Life at a Time.’
Pastor Carey, of Seaford, Del., is executive director of Delmarva Teen Challenge, a program that provides second chances to young men affected by drugs, alcohol and other social ills by introducing them to a personal relationship with God. Pastor Carey, who once had a promising corporate career, will discuss his own personal transformation through the Teen Challenge program and how it saved him from a life of alcohol abuse, bringing him peace and to a new life of ministry.
Teen Challenge participants have a chance to rebuild their lives through education, counseling, and spiritual guidance designed to turn them away from a life of temptation and toward one that builds hope, strengthen families and supports communities. Since its first center opened in New York in 1960, the Teen Challenge program has grown to more than 400 centers worldwide.
Pastor Carey is a graduate of the Central Bible College – Detroit Campus, where he completed his ministers’ certification with the Assemblies of God. He began his full-time ministry in 1994 at Life Challenge of Southeastern Michigan, where he eventually served as assistant to the executive director. He joined Delmarva Teen Challenge as executive director in 2008.
Joining Pastor Carey as this year’s musical entertainment will be ‘The Reminders’, with their eclectic mix of original and familiar gospel music, as well as the Teen Challenge Praise Team and vocalist Greg Fuller.
The Sussex County Prayer Breakfast is held each year to bring citizens and community leaders together for a morning of ministry, music, and personal reflection. The event is attended by business professionals, community leaders, and various representatives of local, County, State and federal governments.
This year’s breakfast is once again hosted by the Sussex County Council. Ticket sales and community sponsorships from individuals, organizations and businesses – not County funding – pay for this annual event. Again this year, former County Councilman Dale R. Dukes is volunteering his time to coordinate the breakfast.
The breakfast will begin at 6:45 a.m. June 14 at Crossroad Community Church, Del. Route 404 and State Forest Road, west of Georgetown. The ministry and music portion of the program will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.
Tickets are $15 per person, or $110 per table of eight, and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
For tickets or more information, call (302) 855-7743 or (302) 875-7551.
Delayed Opening For Preston Middle School
Opening for the middle school in Preston well be delayed Monday morning for 90 minutes.
According to officials, a car hit a telephone pole and damaged a transformer, which lead to a power outage at Preston Plains Middle School.
According to officials, a car hit a telephone pole and damaged a transformer, which lead to a power outage at Preston Plains Middle School.
Baltimore Teacher Decry Transfers
When Joan Gardiner began teaching at Patterson High School 18 years ago, she knew she'd found her niche in the family-like school community that served students from one of Baltimore's largest and most tightly knit neighborhoods.
But the school system recently informed her in an email that she was no longer "a good match" for Patterson, sending the 27-year, national board-certified educator to a city schools job fair.
Gardiner described in a recent interview where, with a stack of resumes, she stood among the hundreds of new and displaced teachers in a sweltering gymnasium at Polytechnic Institute, vying for a position at a city school next year.
"It was so hot, so crowded, so demoralizing, very cattle-call-ish," recalled Gardiner, who has served as the English department leader at the school for the past eight years. "It was so humiliating; you just felt like you shouldn't be there, going after the same jobs as those new to the system, getting the same amount of feedback: 'We'll call you if we're interested.' "
Gardiner's experience highlights a growing concern in the district, as hundreds of teachers — a large number reported to be veterans —await word on whether they will enter a city classroom next year or enter a pool of certified educators who do not have a permanent placement.
Deadline Nears for Sussex County Youth Employment
Application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday for the First State Community Action Agency 2011 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program begins June 27 until August 12 and is open to youth ages 14 to 20 years old. Working permits and parental guardian consent forms will be required for youth 17 years of age and younger. Participants receive the minimum hourly wage of $7.25 per hour. Applications are available at First State’s office located at 308 North Railroad Ave., Georgetown. For more information, call 856-7761 exts 115.
Port Re-Structuring Started a 30 Year Success Story
Seldom do we here a story of a government program or initiative HELPING a local, regional, or national economy. Sure, we will hear tales of some program helping one group; but it is usually at the expense of others. VIT is a success story that doesn’t fit your typical bill.
30 years ago the Commonwealth of Virginia formed Virginia International Terminals and merged the competing ports of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News. At the time, Virginia ranked 30th in cargo handled. Today, it is ranked 6th.
To learn more, read this article from the Daily Press.
BREAKING NEWS: 5 U.S. Soldiers Killed
U.S. military says 5 American soldiers have been killed in central Iraq.
OC Residents Sought for Maryland Coastal Bays Citizen Advisory Committee
Ocean City residents are being sought to serve on the Maryland Coastal Bays Citizens Advisory Committee. CAC members are involved with environmental planning, clean up, restoration and/or education projects. All meetings are open to the public. CAC meets the first Wednesday of the month in various locations. Ocean City residents interested in serving on the CAC can contact Gail Blazer, Ocean City Environmental Engineer, at 410-289-8825 for more information.
Four Roman Catholic Women “Ordained” in Rump Ceremony
Defying canon law and a Vatican decree that promised excommunication, four Roman Catholic women took vows as priests Saturday during an elaborate ordination ceremony full of song and messages of inclusiveness at a Protestant church in Catonsville.
Andrea Johnson, presiding as bishop, ordained two women from Maryland, Ann Penick and Marellen Mayers, one from Pennsylvania and one from New York in the sanctuary of St. John's United Church of Christ. The church was filled with family members — including husbands of three of the ordinands — and friends, including some who are employed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore but who support the ordination of women. Photography was limited to protect the privacy of those attending the ceremony.
In 1994, Pope John Paul II said the church has no authority to ordain women, "and this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful." In 2008, the Vatican further decreed that women who seek ordination or any bishop who attempts it immediately excommunicate themselves from the Roman Catholic Church.
Note – the photo above is NOT of the ordination which took place in Catonsville. It is of another ceremony organized by the same group, “Roman Catholic Womenpriests. – Ed.
Ocean City Building Department Receives Higher ISO Rating
The Town of Ocean City’s building code enforcement has earned the town’s Building Department a higher rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). The Ocean City Building Department received a rating of 3 for both residential and commercial buildings. Only two out of 81 agencies reviewed in the State of Maryland have been graded 3 and no agencies have thus far graded above that level.
The ISO evaluates building code enforcement and effectiveness of municipalities on a rotating basis. Each municipality is evaluated at least once every five years. The ratings are used as one of many factors that determine insurance premiums in the jurisdiction. Communities are graded 1 – 10 with 1 the highest a municipality can receive. The building department received a 4 rating in 2005.
The grade received by a community is based on code administration (adoption of the latest codes, modifications to codes, record keeping, training and overall administrative policies and procedures); plan review and field inspection.
While individual insurance companies may use different credits or effective dates, the ISO program will apply the credits to new construction that has been issued a certificate of occupancy in 2011 and forward.
“This rating reflects the Mayor and Council’s strong commitment to the adoption and enforcement of building codes and the hard work and effort on the part of Chief Building Official Kevin Brown and the entire Building Department staff,” said City Engineer Terry McGean.
Confederate Memorial Day at Arlington
The United Daughters of the Confederacy are marking Confederate Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Richmond-based group has events scheduled Sunday morning and afternoon at the Confederate Monument on the cemetery grounds.
Confederate Memorial Day is recognized on various dates across the south.
The monument at Arlington dates to 1914 and it remains a controversial landmark.
American presidents have traditionally marked the day by sending a wreath to the site. In 2009, several dozen university professors and scholars asked President Barack Obama to end the tradition, which they considered offensive.
Obama refused but began another tradition of also sending a presidential wreath to a Washington monument honoring African-Americans who fought in the Civil War.
It is not often that I agree with President Obama. However, he was dead-on with this action. Honoring the Confederate dead is about a region’s culture and history, good and bad. Unlike some who insist on displaying a replica of the battle flag (which they usually, and mistakenly, refer to as the Confederate flag), choosing to honor those who gave their lives for the “sacred cause” is being reverent of their culture rather than attempting to offend or intimidate others. The President exhibited wisdom by choosing to honor BOTH the Confederate dead AND those African-Americans who also paid the ultimate price in that horrible war.
Passwords Stolen from FBI Partner
Nearly 180 passwords belonging to members of an Atlanta-based FBI partner organization have been stolen and leaked to the Internet, the group confirmed Sunday.
The logins belonged to members of the local chapter of InfraGard, a public-private partnership devoted to sharing information about threats to U.S. physical and Internet infrastructure, the chapter's president told The Associated Press.
"Someone did compromise the website," InfraGard Atlanta Members Alliance President Paul Farley said in a brief email exchange. "We do not at this time know how the attack occurred or the method used to reveal the passwords."
Copies of the passwords -- which appear to include users from the U.S. Army, cybersecurity organizations and major communications companies -- were posted to the Internet by online hacking collective Lulz Security, which has claimed credit for a string of attacks in the past week.
Wampler Announces Retirement from VA Senate
In a surprise, Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, announced Friday that he plans to retire from the General Assembly after 24 years.
"Six terms is a long time," he said. "There have been many trips to Richmond and many nights away from home. There is a time for everything."
If Republicans gain control of the Senate in this fall's elections, Wampler would have been in line to become chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
First elected in 1987, Wampler represents the 40th District. He is the senior Republican member in the Senate.
It is considered a safe Republican district, but, in a brief interview, Wampler said the district is competitive. He said he expects several Republicans as well as a Democrat to run.
"It is the 'Fightin' Ninth,'" he said, referring to the region's 9th Congressional District, long known for two-party competition.
Gov. Bob McDonnell praised Wampler on Friday as a legislator who never forgot about his constituents in Southwest Virginia. "Through his service on the budget conference committee, William consistently advocated for the best interests of the entire commonwealth," McDonnell said.
Wampler's father, Willam C. Wampler Sr., represented the 9th District in Congress for 16 years.
Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, announced Friday that he would seek re-election. Obenshain, who has represented the 26th Senate District for eight years, is considered one of the Senate's most conservative members.
"I have fought for jobs and economic growth, and the principles of limited government, individual responsibility and family values," he said.
Ocean City to Offer Rain Barrels
The Town of Ocean City is again offering a limited number rain barrels to citizens to be used on property within Ocean City corporate limits.
A rain barrel is a water tank positioned at a downspout to collect water and used to water plants or attach to a soaking hose to water a garden. Rain barrels are not meant to be used for drinking water. There is a fee of $20 to purchase the barrel, which is subsidized by the Critical Area Mitigation fund. If you are interested in obtaining a rain barrel, contact Ocean City Environmental Engineer Gail Blazer at 410-289-8825 or email gblazer@oceancitymd.gov.
Deadline for application is June 27.
Tax Hikes Not Always “Kiss of Death” for Economic Growth
Cutting taxes creates jobs, and raising taxes destroys them. That's the view of policymakers, from President Barack Obama to his Republican adversaries.
Evidence from the last two decades, however, suggests that conventional wisdom is wrong.
In the five years after a $241 billion tax increase in 1993, which Republicans criticized as the largest ever, the U.S. economy created more than 15 million jobs and grew at an average annual rate of 3.8 percent.
In the five years after President George W. Bush's 2001 tax cuts -- which reduced marginal rates, raised the child tax credit, phased out the estate tax and gave "marriage penalty" relief to two-income households -- the economy added about 6.5 million jobs and grew at an annual 2.7 percent pace.
A Small Hint That The Economy May Be Improving
We all read or see the big economic news. However, it is oftentimes the subtle indicators that tell us volumes. One such indicator could be the boat traffic through the Great Bridge lock, along the Intercoastal Waterway.
Jeff Hampton of the Virginian-Pilot gives a great analysis of an apparent boost in traffic.
Virginia Children’s Museum Moves Into New $14 Million Home
If there's one thing that the Children's Museum of Virginia has shown repeatedly over the years, it's a keen understanding of the business of having fun.
Thinking and doing have been the hallmarks of its kid-friendly exhibits since the museum started out in the basement of the Portsmouth Library in the early '80s. So has its persistent faith in the power of giving children and their parents the chance to learn and have fun.
That simple philosophy led to instant success in 1994, when the museum opened a new $3.5 million home inside a renovated department store building. It generated still more fans in 1998, when a $3.5 million expansion doubled the museum's size and added a nationally known model train collection.
Kodak Wants Your Old Camera
If you've got a drawer full of old camera equipment, you can turn it into money by selling it to Kodak, which has introduced a trade-in program in which it's seeking digital and film cameras and accessories, digital video cameras, digital picture frames and printers.
Kodak, which is entering the trade-in territory occupied by the likes of Amazon and Best Buy, assesses the value of your items and cuts you a check, along with coupons for the company's products, and provides a label for free shipping. It also offers to recycle items it deems to have no value.
If you've used the Kodak problem, what do you think of it? And what do you think is the best way to squeeze some cash out of unused electronics?
Kodak offering cash for old electronics [Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY)]
Sussex Sheriff Discusses County Council’s Approach to Budget
As the nation continues to struggle due to difficult economic times, one office in Sussex County that is not feeling the pinch in a traditional way is the sheriff’s.
Sheriff sales, the result of bank foreclosures, are plentiful in number and the office is struggling with a substantial backlog.
Most of that backlog, Sheriff Jeff Christopher said, is because his office lacks the staff necessary to bring the process up to date. In his proposal to Sussex County Council weeks ago, Christopher requested the addition of two clerical positions and a fulltime deputy to assist with the backlog. He also requested another fulltime deputy to be part of what he called a “crime prevention” initiative.
Council, in its proposed fiscal 2012 budget, allotted for the two clerical positions – which were transferred into the office during the current fiscal year – and a part-time deputy.
“What the deputy’s duty is was never specified, but where we need the most help is with sheriff sales, so that’s where he’ll be,” Christopher said of the possible new hire. “We’ll readdress the situation in the next few months, see where we are and go from there.”
The additional help, while appreciated, however, might not be enough to address the backlog, the sheriff said. During his campaign for the office, Christopher’s main stump was to make it more efficient, but he said with his current employees nearing “burnout” and less help than requested possibly arriving, it will be challenging to live up to the promise.
“One of my biggest concerns is for the great staff I have here now, which is voluntarily working through breaks because they just don’t have the time to take them,” Christopher said. “I have to remind them they are people, not machines, and that if they don’t take breaks they are going to burnout.”
He added that cross-training is not a viable solution for his limited staff, because the person who would have to fill in at someone else’s position would then fall farther behind at his or her own work.
The other fulltime deputy position that Christopher wanted for “crime prevention” was not addressed at all in the county’s budget proposal. That deputy, Christopher said, would have been used to brief county residents on what they can do to assist local law enforcement and what to look for in an effort to prevent crime.
Council will revisit the budget following a public hearing at its June 14 meeting. By law, the county must adopt a budget by June 30.