A Comment Worthy Of A Post

Anonymous said...

I just wish you guys would make up your minds on the humane society. You write post telling us how crapy this place is run and how it needs new directors and stuff. Now your asking us to support them ? what gives ? make up your minds. I for one would never support any thing our local wchs does at this point just from reading what i have read on this blog in the past about the place .

Not to mention wasn't it just discovered our local humane society was diverting funds received from our county and city budgets and using the money to fund other nonprofits ? So we give them tax money and they in turn give that money to who ever they please and have the nerve to ask people for more.

Editors Response:

Dear Anonymous,

You made an excellent comment that absolutely deserves a response.

While you are 100% correct in everything you have stated, I'd like to make a point in which I'm hoping ALL of you will understand.

In case you hadn't noticed, I am ALL about the animals. They do not have a voice and in many ways we do everything we can to help and support their survival.

Much like my differences in the past with the Salisbury Zoo, it was NOT about Joe Albero vs. Jim Rapp, it was about the animals. Unfortunately, (to this very day) Ron Alessi and others REFUSE to accept ANY donations on our behalf.  Personal OR through Salisbury News.

As for how the Humane Society spends their money, I firmly agree, they should NOT be making a $6,000.00 donation to PAC 14, (another non profit).

Our attempt to participate is in support of Cathy's Pet Salon as well. Cathy has been a very long time supporter of the Humane Society and deserves ALL the support she can get. Remember, people are making donations through items for sale, all of which will go to the Humane Society.

So see it for what it is. Agree to disagree, just as we have done. The animals need our help and support. If you'd like to come up there and meet us in person, we'll be there and we'll be happy to discuss any of these issues face to face and not hide behind anonymous.

Disaster Team At Stephen Decatur High School

We're not exactly sure why the Royal Plus Disaster Team is at Stephen Decatur High School but we have been informed they are present with a ton of equipment.

More to come.....

DON'T FORGET!!!!

Burglary Tips

The Spring and Summer seasons in Salisbury have traditionally shown an increase in crime throughout the city, particularly burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles. The greatest increases have been in areas occupied by students that have relocated for the season, or spend very little time in their residence. In order to help prevent burglaries in these areas, the Salisbury Police Department will be utilizing additional patrols in off campus housing areas. All students are reminded to secure their residences by locking their doors and windows and to utilize deadbolt locks on doors while they are away from their residences during the break.

Valuables should be documented and put away out of sight or more preferably, stored at a different location. If a trusted neighbor is still in the area, have them keep an eye on your residence for suspicious activity.

Additional tips can be found on the Police Department’s website, http://www.salisburypd.com/. On the lower right side of the page is the burglary prevention tips link. A form is located at this link to notify the police department that the residence is vacant, so that the department can regularly check the residence during the time period reflected on the completed form.

These same precautions should also be taken in respect to leaving property in motor vehicles. Drivers are advised to secure the vehicles and to put all property out of sight, or better, into the trunk areas. Statistics show that most vehicles that are entered become targets when the suspect observes valuable property sitting in the vehicle in plain view.

Any questions can be directed to the Salisbury Police Department Community Affairs Division at 410-548-3165.

Is Shania Twain For Real?

As many of you know, Oprah started a new network on TV called OWN Network. One of the segments this new network is showing is the alleged comeback of Shania Twain.

Because I have always enjoyed her music I took interest in seeing what was actually going on. However, I watched a few of the shows and have come to the conclusion that this woman is trying to get the sympathy of Americans because she's too afraid to come back on stage and perform. One minute she does and the next she's saying, I can't do this.

If you have seen some of these shows, how do you feel about it. Am I not reading into it properly? Am I missing what Oprah is seeing by producing a show about Shania Twain as well as the Judds? I'm not a big TV fan but I'm wondering why anyone should be sympathetic for someone who is making millions of dollars performing and then going on national TV and crying the blues publicly because she's too afraid to move forward with her life.

IF I'm on the right track here, I do not feel sorry for her. IF Oprah is trying to come up with her own Reality TV version of the Judds and Twain, well, it sucks.

Man Builds A Working Hoverbike

Australian Chris Malloy has made an actual hoverbike that he claims can achieve speeds of 173 mph and altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet. Sounds like every "Star Wars" fan’s dream right?

Unfortunately, don’t expect to be dodging trees while blazing through the forest anytime soon. Thus far, it has done little more than hover three feet while tethered to the ground.

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Why The Black Housing Crisis Is About To Get Worse

Since June is National Homeownership Month, there's no better time to examine the state of homeownership in the U.S.

Unfortunately, for many blacks, the American dream of homeownership is quickly fading.

After peaking at 50 percent in 2006, the African-American homeownership rate has now fallen to 44.8 percent, Census Bureau data show. By comparison, the homeownership rate for whites in the U.S. is 74.1 percent, and the nation's overall homeownership rate currently stands at 66.4 percent.

Near-term, the outlook for black homeownership isn't good. Over the long run, it's downright scary, according to consumer advocates, civic leaders and others.

The Center for Responsible Lending calculates that about 11 percent of African-American homeowners are in some stage of foreclosure, and that 1.1 million black families will lose their homes by 2012.

Sadly, the alarmingly low number of black homeowners is likely to dip further this decade due to a variety of factors.

MORE

Delaware Senate Approves Gun Buyback Program

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Delaware's state Senate has approved a one-year program to give $100 to any person who gives up a gun.

Senate lawmakers approved the pilot "gun buyback" program on Thursday. Lawmakers set aside $100,000 for the program, which allows law enforcement agencies to buy back 1,000 guns. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

Source

Don't Forget The Farmers Market This Saturday In Salisbury

Ocean City to Host Flag Day Ceremony on Sunday

Ocean City will hold a special Flag Day ceremony at 12 noon on Sunday, June 12, at the opening of the O.C. Air Show.

A combined team of the U.S. Navy Seals and the 101st Airborne Jump Team will fly the National Colors to the drop zone in the vicinity of 16th Street on the beach. Once on the ground, the team will present the U.S. Flag to one of the country’s veterans.

Air Show narrator, Larry Strain, will serve as the Master of Ceremony for the Flag Day ceremony, which will kick off Sunday’s air show. The fourth annual O.C. Air Show will fly over the skies of Ocean City on Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. both days. Rehearsal day for the air show is on Friday, June 10 from noon until 4 p.m.

FREE Coffee & Cigar Pairing

Hello Cigar Aficionados,

The Smoke Shop @ Etch-Art will once again be teaming up with Common Grounds Coffee Shop for an evening of relaxation.

Come on out Saturday June 25th 6-9pm for Live music, free coffee and Cigars!

Common Grounds: A Fair Trade Coffee House
701 D East Naylor Mill Rd
Salisbury, Maryland

We will be featuring 4 cigars The Carmelo Red and Blue and the HCT Claro and Maduro.

Hope you can join us.

Mike

Prince George's Schools To Charge $50 Sports Fee

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WUSA) -- Prince George's County high school students will pay $50 to play a sport in the coming school year. The school system approved the new rule Thursday.

Any student who is a member of an "Interscholastic Athletic Team" will be required to pay the fee. It will only be charged once. Students can play as many sports in a school year as they want without paying an additional fee.

MORE

Delaware City To Launch Curfew Center On June 20

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker says the June 20 launch of a new curfew center will keep juveniles from being on the streets at "inappropriate hours."

Baker said in a news release on Thursday that the center at the Walnut Street YMCA is not intended to punish children and parents and instead focuses on why children end up on the streets outside of curfew restrictions.

MORE

Anne Arundel Schools End Gymnastics Program

Only five schools had participated

When Broadneck High School gymnastics coach Danielle Mayne heard a rumor that the Anne Arundel County school system was discontinuing the sport, she initially laughed, figuring the talk would turn out to be false — as it always had.

The sport had often been beset by aging equipment, struggles to find coaches and waning interest from students. "Every year they said they were going to cancel us," Mayne said, "and then March rolls around, and like a phoenix we rise again and have another great season."
Apparently not this time.

More

A Letter To The Editor

Over the past month I have received up to three calls each week from the Daily Times.  After telling them how I'm not interested they continue to try to bully me into buying a subscription.  I have made it clear that I did receive it in the past and canceled it due to how unhappy I was with it.  The bullying continues telling me how my complaints of the past can be corrected, etc.  Why would it be corrected now yet not when I complained?  I also explained how after I canceled how long it took before they stopped delivering which I refused to pay for those papers.  Each time it's a different caller and a different phone number but always the same bully tactics.  This latest phone call (just hung up) I explained that I get my information from Salisbury News.  "Erik" informed me that this blog isn't accurate, how it doesn't cover local news, it's not a real news information site, etc.  I told him how something can happen and within a short amount of time it's posted on the blog and updated as information comes in.  I have to wait days to read it in the Daily Times if they bother to publish it at all.  I also told him how I can comment on something for or against the post, where I can't on the Daily Times if it's not what they want to hear.  As far as I'm concerned the Daily Times is part of the past and must be desperate or I wouldn't be receiving so many calls each week.  I've requested during each phone call to have my name and number taken off whatever list they are using.  Obviously this won't happen. 

Any suggestions?

FOR SALE BY OWNER

HERE’S YOUR PLACE ON THE CHOPTANK – IN CHOPTANK

But you’ll have to build it on this waterfront lot in Caroline County, just beyond the Dorchester County line.

This 1.2 acre lot has about 500 feet of shoreline, where the Choptank River is nearly one-half mile wide, and a nice pier, built several years ago. The existing house is not habitable.

Best part: the view down the river is about 2 miles (see photo), and the village of Choptank is quaint, charming and off the beaten track, but has a marina within easy walking/boating distance

The address is 2635 Choptank Main – tax map 63, parcel 47 – last sold in 2004 for $92,000 (before the pier was built).

It’s "for sale by owner" at a price to be negotiated – call 410-546-8412. An adjacent older home and 1.5 acres with no shoreline (Map 63, Parcels 48, 49 and 86) sold for $200,000 in March.

Did You Know About this New Maryland Law?

On July 1st, in 21 days, a new law will go into effect. Buried in HB 72 – the FY 2012 Maryland Budget – is a new set of regulations that could prevent you from registering your car or renewing your driver’s license.

The regulations require the MVA to “refuse to issue, renew, or transfer a vehicle registration, or to issue or renew a driver’s license, to an individual who has not paid, or made satisfactory arrangements to pay, all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions.”

On the surface, this doesn’t sound so bad. Why should someone who hasn’t paid their taxes be able to get or renew a driver’s license. Sounds pretty fair to me.

Think about it for a minute though. How are you going to get to work if you can’t drive? In addition, this is just another government boondoggle. According to the new law, MVA will have to verify through the Comptroller’s Office that each person coming in to renew a driver’s license or car registration is tax compliant. Of course, that means that Franchot will have to hire more people. We’ll have to GROW GOVERNMENT in order to rake in more money. However, as usual, it is unlikely that the uptick in revenue (Franchot estimates $20 million, but we all know how accurate government revenue and spending numbers are) will cover the added costs of enforcement.

Curiously, perhaps not so, this new law has received very little publicity. I guess you wouldn’t find out until you showed up at the MVA. And remember, if the Comptroller’s Office makes a mistake – TOO BAD! No license or tags until you get clearance from them. If they were wrong, someone MIGHT say they are sorry for the “inconvenience”.

STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE.

Wicomico Council – Bad Parents Spoil a Petulant Child

If you have kids you well know that reinforcing bad behavior only leads to MORE bad behavior. If you are firm, and let the child know that he (or she) will not be yielded to, EVENTUALLY the bad behavior will diminish or even cease. Unfortunately, this is a lesson that the Wicomico County Council has never learned. In fact, they seem hell bent on NEVER learning it.

For four and a half years, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt has promised to re-structure the county government. He has even claimed to have done so on more than one occasion. The reality is that he has NEVER even attempted to RE-STRUCTURE the county government. Instead, what he has done is make relatively minor changes in REACTION to flat or declining revenue.

Two years ago Pollitt promised the council, and the public, that he was adopting zero-based budgeting. Again, he did not keep his promise. Pollitt TRIED to claim that he had instituted zero-based budgeting. However, when pressed for HIS definition of the concept his answer (we’re using last year’s numbers as “zero”) did not fit any generally accepted definition of the term.

Two months ago Pollitt rode in at the 11th hour and demanded that council adopt an “early retirement plan”. As we will be finding out in the next several weeks, this plan may be good for some county employees; but it is certainly not in the best interest of Wicomico taxpayers.

Pollitt insisted that the bill MUST be passed so that he could balance his budget. At the time, councilman Bob Culver asked a very important question – “Why did you wait until right before the budget process to submit this?”

Ted Shea’s response was that they didn’t do it last year because they knew a new council was coming in (a ridiculous response, there will always be new council members coming in), so they decided to wait until the new council came in. Culver noted that, “We’ve been here since December!”.

So, four councilmembers (Gail Bartkovich, Matt Holloway, Stevie Prettyman, and Sheree Sample-Hughes) all voted to pass the “early retirement bill” with only Culver and Joe Holloway dissenting.

Two weeks ago, Pollitt AGAIN rides in at the eleventh hour and demands level funding for his office so that he can “reorganize”. Initially, a majority of the council (this time, Culver, Joe Holloway, and Stevie Prettyman dissenting) agreed to give Rick what he wanted. Last Friday, they reversed themselves by a 6-1 vote. The council agreed to reduce Pollitt’s salary account by $100,000 (in my opinion it should have been $160,000) and recommended that it be placed in contingency.

RESULT?

Pollitt has an Iretonesque hissy fit as evidenced by the email below which was sent to all council members:

… The council and the executive can legitimately disagree over our budgetary priorities and our vision for the county. My sole issue today has to do with what I perceive as a deliberate and continuing rebuff of all of my advances to promote a sense of cooperation between the branches. As I have maintained from the beginning, I simply asked for the respect due my position and my office for level funding in next year’s budget. Even after our meeting last week, noting the concern that we may be moving too fast, without proper transparency, I immediately wrote to the council offering to invite the appropriate level of council input before moving forward with my plan. To have the council first agree to level fund the office and then to reconsider, moving the money to contingency, makes it clear to me that partnership is not the goal. If that is to be the tone of our relationship, then I prefer not to join and will fulfill my duties as required by charter but leave the bulk of my communication between me and the public I was elected to serve. (Note that the underlining and bold are my own emphasis)

NOW it appears that a majority of the council appears ready to reverse themselves AGAIN and give Pollitt what he wants.

Let’s be clear about a few things:

• Pollitt is NOT interested in promoting “a sense of cooperation between the branches”. He is only interested in getting what HE WANTS!
  
• Pollitt REFUSES to meet with council unless HE wants something.
  
• He will not even meet with the council president and / or vice president to discuss the agenda, UNLESS HE WANTS SOMETHING.
  
• His statement – “If that is to be the tone of our relationship, then I prefer not to join and will fulfill my duties as required by charter but leave the bulk of my communication between me and the public I was elected to serve.” – is simply a re-statement of the same threat that he has made multiple times to this council. “GIVE ME WHAT I WANT OR I WILL CUT LOOSE MY PALS ON THE DAILY TIMES TO ATTACK YOU”.

Pollitt is behaving like a spoiled child. The council seems insistent on re-enforcing that behavior. Who should we hold accountable? The supposed adults - any and all council members who insist on giving Pollitt what he wants.

Why?

Like the petulant child he is, Pollitt is only doing what he has learned to be a successful behavior. UNTIL the council is willing to teach Pollitt that he WILL NOT be rewarded for bad behavior his will continue to act this way.

Now, as the Salisbury City Council is learning with their executive (Mayor Jim Ireton), it can be a while before the poorly behaving child begins behaving properly. I thought Ireton handled himself well after the budget veto override but was right back at this morning by denying the city council access to the city attorney.

What Can We Do?

We, as ordinary citizens, can do nothing other than call our council members or send them e-mails. They are scheduled to meet and discuss this Monday at 9AM. Call or email them. Unfortunately, one council member has a penchant for not returning phone calls or e-mails. Perhaps he’ll learn as he matures.

Ultimately, this rests on the council. If they insist on allowing Pollitt to bully them, FOR SHAME! Any future complaints about Pollitt’s actions or behavior from ANY member who votes to fully fund his office in this budget will fall on deaf ears here. Just as a parent who coddles their child and makes excuses for every bad behavior has no right to be upset when Junior winds up in the lock-up, these council members have no right to be upset when Rick Pollitt continues to bully them at each and every turn.

STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE.

The National Archives Opens New Exhibit Today

The National Archives is opening a new exhibit today - all about food!! It's offering visitors a closer look at presidential recipes including Lyndon Johnson's chili, John Kennedy's chowder and Dwight Eisenhower's three-page guide to vegetable soup. The exhibit is called, "What's Cooking Uncle Sam?" It includes a collection of posters showing the importance of food during wartime, plus more than 100 original documents, images, and government videos. There is an amusing look at food marketing, including a company's pitch for branding "Vitamin Donuts," and many antiquated nutrition guidelines. A new restaurant will accompany the exhibit. America Eats Tavern is named for the 1930s Works Progress Administration project that documented the nation's food traditions. It's scheduled to open as a pop-up restaurant on July 4.

A Former National Security Agency Official Pleads Guilty

A former National Security Agency official has agreed to plead guilty in a case that pitted the government's need to keep secrets versus the public's right to know. Thomas Drake had been charged with 10 felony counts, including obstruction of justice, lying to the FBI and illegal possession of classified NSA documents. Drake had pleaded not guilty, and called himself a "whistle blower." Under the agreement, he'll plead guilty to a much lesser charge: exceeding authorized use of a computer. The court documents in the plea deal contain no recommendation on sentencing for Drake, but misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

Mary Washington Accidently Releases Info on 7,500 Students

About 7,500 University of Mary Washington students' personal information was accidentally disclosed on an online portal that only students and faculty can access.

The Free Lance-Star reports that Mary Washington Chief Information Officer Dana German told students in a memo that the information was removed from the EagleNet portal May 23 after a student notified the university.

The information included Social Security numbers, students' names and dates of birth.

According to the memo, three students accessed the information before it was removed.

Based on talks with students and the information's limited exposure, German said she doesn't believe there's any threat to students' privacy.

She said university officials regret the incident and have taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.

from the Washington Post

IRS Warns Congress, Cutting The Tax Agency's Budget Could Increase The Deficit

The IRS boss has warned Congress, cutting the tax agency's budget could increase the deficit. Commissioner Douglas Shulman tells a Senate appropriations subcommittee that a proposed cut of $2 billion would result in fewer collections and therefore less revenue into federal coffers. GovExec reports, Shulman set out to defend the administration's request for a 9.4 percent increase to the IRS budget for 2012, or $13.6 billion. Shulman says an insufficient budget could also cause a decrease in tax compliance in the long term. He says the IRS has saved $190 million in an efficiency drive. IRS has closed five of 10 data centers, and it stopped automatic mailings of 1040 forms since most taxpayers file electronically.

OC Comcast Subscribers Must Get Adapters

Comcast television customers in Ocean City had many questions and complaints regarding the upcoming switch to all-digital programming, and they were not pleased by the responses from a Comcast representative who attended Monday’s City Council meeting.

Comcast is switching all its programming to a digital signal, and this will begin in the Ocean City service area starting July 12. A second phase of channels will be converted Aug. 16, and the remaining channels still broadcasting using the old analogue signal will be converted to digital by Oct. 5.

This will affect some, but not necessarily all, Comcast television customers, according to Tom Worley, area director of government relations and public affairs for Comcast. He said everyone should prepare for the switch as soon as possible.

The majority of Comcast customers already have some level of digital service, either the basic digital starter pack or a more expensive and extensive digital package, though some people have the limited non-digital service that only offers a handful of channels. Worley said everyone will be able to receive the new digital signals, but customers will have to make some changes.

READ MORE …

If Only Salisbury Could Get Such A Candidate!

TO: City of Crisfield

June 1, 2011

Crisfield Chamber of Commerce Crisfield Events Planner Board

I would like to take this time to share the interest I have in the "Crisfield Events Planner" position that recently became vacant due to the resignation of Allison Castellana. Allison did an admirable job over the past three years building a strong foundation with events that our city needs to increase visitors, tourism and provide things for our local citizens to do at a reasonable cost.

I believe it would be a great disappointment for Allison and the City of Crisfield if the Chamber and City didn’t take the necessary and immediate steps to insure these events will continue and GROW in the future.

While it's one thing for someone to volunteer to take over an event and go through the motions to make sure the event takes place, event planning really requires one's time and commitment - exactly what Allison had to do to get where we are today with several events.

Having been born and raised in Crisfield along with my entire family, I personally have been involved as a volunteer with many city events and organizations such as the National Hard Crab Derby, Boat Docking Committee (12 years), Master of Ceremonies for the Crab Picking Contest (7 years). Lower Somerset Rescue Squad, Crisfield Salvation Army, Crisfield Fire Dept, Elks Lodge 1044, American Legion Post 64, Relay for Life, Women Supporting Women, Crisfield Heritage Foundation and the Crisfield Lions Club.

These organizations and associated events are just a few for which I have volunteered, and I feel that my participation contributed greatly to the success enjoyed by these events. I have recently made calls to the Mayor of Crisfield and the President of the Chamber to inform them of my desire to take "Crisfield Events" to the next level. With my Crisfield heritage and my extensive experience in many of the community's events as noted above, I am a natural fit for the position.

I sincerely believe that timing is of the essence in replacing Allison such that responsibility for the events remains with the Events Planner position and not a cascade of time limited volunteers. Accordingly, I will make myself immediately available to assume the Events Planner position and to fully plan for and respond to the many responsibilities that comes with our upcoming tourist season.

Please consider my offer carefully as I know that I'm fully capable of bringing skilled management to the Events Planner position as well as new event ideas, new revenue opportunities and increased tourism to the City. 

Sincerely,
Erik Emely

Heather Glen Community Yard Sale

Heather Glen, off Parker Road between Old Ocean City Road and Salisbury Christian School, is hosting their community yard sale on Saturday, June 11 from 7AM until …

Come one. Come all.

For directions, CLICK HERE

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Two Juveniles arrested on 6-2-11 regarding malicious destruction of property and trespassing. Deputies were called to the Upper Fairmont Post Office on 5-31-11 regarding unknown suspects painting graffiti on the rear post office walls and sidewalk. Deputies later arrested and charged two neighborhood juveniles. Both juveniles were later released to their parents pending juvenile court actions.

Robert Johnson Jr. of Crisfield, arrested 6-2-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Johnson was held on a $25,000  bond.

Two criminal summons’s served for theft and trespassing. On 6-3-11 Deputies were called to a residence on Farm Market Rd, Marion regarding a theft of a farm tractor. After a neighborhood canvas was conducted, Deputies recovered the stolen tractor from a neighbor. Deputies charged Henry George Single, and Freda Marie Burke of Farm Market Rd, Marion with theft over $1,000, and trespassing on posted property. Both subjects were released pending court actions.

Damonta Victor Rhodes of Baltimore, arrested 6-3-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Rhodes was held on a $250.00 bond.

Michael Eugene Ingram of Baltimore, arrested 6-3-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Ingram was held on a $250.00 bond.

Eric Eugene Ballard of Princess Anne, arrested 6-3-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Ballard was held without bond.

Andre Tyrone Fisher of Crisfield, arrested 6-6-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Fisher was held without bond.

Criminal Summons served. Tammy Anne Carter of Princess Anne, charged with harassment. Carter was released pending trial.

Michael Milton Smith of Crisfield, arrested 6-6-11 on charges regarding driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, consuming alcohol while driving, and driving without a seatbelt on. The arrest was a result of a traffic stop conducted by Deputies in the area of Cove Street, Crisfield. Smith was released on citations pending trial.

Ronald Francis Rhodes Jr. of Parkville Maryland, arrested 6-7-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Rhodes was held on a $500.00 bond.

Jacki Lynn Crockett of Crisfield, arrested 6-7-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Crockett was held on a $1,000 bond.

James Andrew Horner of Wenona Maryland, arrested 6-8-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Horner was released on personal recognizance.

Nichole Marie Albrecht of Crisfield, arrested 6-8-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Albrecht was released after posting $500.00 bond.

MD BOE Names Interim Chief

The Maryland State Board of Education on Thursday named a former Queen Anne’s County schools chief as the interim state superintendent of schools.

Bernard J. Sadusky, who was the Queen Anne’s chief until 2007, will replace Nancy S. Grasmick, the longtime state superintendent who is retiring in July.

Sadusky led the Queen Anne’s schools for 13 years before becoming a state liaison to local school systems. He said in a statement that he intends to focus on the state’s Race to the Top program, an effort to build a “transparent and fair” teacher evaluation system with a $250 million federal grant. The state recently applied for a 12-month extension to implement the program after struggling to create such a system.

“Job number one must be to maintain our educational progress,” he stated. “My plan is to continue the work that the State Board and Dr. Grasmick have started.”

State Board President James DeGraffenreidt called Sadusky ‘’the right leader for this transitional period.”

from Robert Samuels @ the Washington Post

Berlin Man Pleads Guilty to Greene Turtle Robbery

The man who burglarized the Greene Turtle in North Ocean City on Halloween night last fall will spend three months in jail. When he gets out of jail, he should find a job.

“There’s no reason you can’t work for a living,” said Judge Richard Bloxom in Circuit Court in Snow Hill on Monday.

Bloxom found it difficult to comprehend that Justin McCargo, 22, of Berlin, had barely worked since graduating from Stephen Decatur High School in 2008.

READ MORE …

Town Of Custom Golf Carts

Social Services Offices Drastically Understaffed While Needs Increased, Study Says

As state dollars got tighter and average incomes got lower, the state’s social services offices were nearly 1,100 employees and $50 million short of what was needed to meet demand according to a new study from the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute.By the institute’s calculations, the state needs 640 more case managers and 241 more clerks, along with 94 more supervisors. Many of these missing employees would work for the state in local offices, and they are most likely to work for the Department of Human Resources.

Continue Reading...

Today's Survey Question

Is it right for the state of Maryland to withhold a driver’s license or car tag because you have not fully paid your taxes?

Thank God Its Friday

What will you be doing this weekend?

Jail Comes Before Graduation

A former Ocean City resident who asked to be able to graduate from a university before going to jail was told no.

“The sentence starts immediately,” Judge Richard Bloxom told Maxwell Tyler Press, a senior at Temple University, on Monday in Circuit Court in Snow Hill.

Press, 22, had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

“I realize this makes me look like a foolish person,” Press said.

“It makes you look like a drug dealer and a thief,” Bloxom said in return.

Press’ crime started with “stiffing some taxi driver on Christmas Eve who was trying to make a living,” Bloxom said.

Although Press refused to pay the taxi fare, he had more than $2,000 cash with him. He had asked to be picked up at a 28th Street bar and taken to 11th Street. The fare was $6.20. After asking the taxi driver if he was going to cry about $6, Press ran away.

The taxi driver called police, who saw Press at 11th Street and Edgewater Avenue. He had a backpack with him. A chase ensued.

READ MORE …

YARD SALES

CLICK HERE for upcoming area yard sales.

Have a nice weekend! Stay cool.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

JUNE 13, 2011 6:00 p.m.

Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. MEDITATION – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:03 p.m. CONVENE

6:05 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:07 p.m. CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr.

• James M. Bennett High School baseball team - 3A Maryland State Champions

6:12 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove

• May 2, 2011 work session minutes 1a
• May 3, 2011 budget work session minutes 1b
• May 5, 2011 budget work session minutes 1c
• May 9, 2011 work session minutes 1d
• May 10, 2011 budget work session minutes 1e
• May 12, 2011 budget work session minutes 1f
• May 17, 2011 budget work session minutes 1g
• May 18, 2011 budget work session minutes 1h
• May 23, 2011 regular meeting minutes 1i
• May 27, 2011 special meeting minutes 1j
• May 31, 2011 closed session minutes separate envelope
• June 6, 2011 special meeting minutes (public hearing) 1k
• June 6, 2011 special meeting minutes 1l
• June 8, 2011 special meeting minutes 1m
• Resolution No. 2058 - appointment of Rachel S. Polk to the Ethics 1n

Commission for a term ending December 31, 2013

• Resolution No. 2059 - appointment of Patricia Derrick to the Recycling 1o

Advisory Committee for a term ending May 31, 2012

• Resolution No. 2060 - appointment of Matthew Drew to the Traffic and 1p

Safety Advisory Committee for a term ending July 31, 2014

• Resolution No. 2061 - accepting grant money from the Maryland State 1q

Firemen’s Association by the three Salisbury Fire Department Corporations

for training and educational materials

• Ordinance No. 2153 - 2^nd reading - abandonment of an existing utility 1r

easement that is proposed to be relocated and for which the City will be

granted a replacement easement on property owned by Walgreen Company

located at 917 Mt. Hermon Road

• Ordinance No. 2154 - 2^nd reading - approving an amendment of the 1s

FY11 Public Works-Traffic Control, Streets and Lighting, Sanitation

and Recreation and Culture budgetary accounts and the FY11 General

Fund budget to appropriate additional funds to pay the projected cost

of fuel during the remaining portion of FY11

• Ordinance No. 2155 - 2^nd reading - approving an amendment of the 1t

FY11 Public Works Fleet Management and Recreation and Culture

budgetary accounts and the FY11 General Fund budget to appropriate

additional funds to pay the projected cost of electricity during the

remaining portion of FY11

• Ordinance No. 2156 - 2^nd reading - approving an amendment of the 1u

FY11 General Fund budget to address a projected shortfall in the City

Attorney budget

• Ordinance No. 2157 - 2^nd reading - approving an amendment of the FY11 1v

General Fund budget to appropriate funds for the establishment of a K-9

Unit and the purchase of a K-9 and related equipment for the Police

Department

• Resolution No. 2067 – accepting equipment, supplies and services from 1w

the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force for the establishment of a

Salisbury Police Department K-9 Unit

6:17 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland 2

• Declaration of surplus - turnout gear
• Award of Bid for RFP 106-11 for Paleo Filter Media Replacement

6:23 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – City Attorney Paul Wilber

• Ordinance No. 2159 - amending Chapter 5.64 - Towing Companies to 3a

amend licensing requirements; towing and storage lot operation requirements; setting fees for towing and storage; and penalties for violation of Chapter 5.64

• Ordinance No. 2160 - establishing a schedule of fees and charges applicable 3b

to vehicles towed as dispatched by the Police Department

6:50 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber

• Ordinance No. 2162 - 1^st reading - amending Chapter 15 Housing of the 4a

Salisbury Municipal Code relating to the Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals

• Ordinance No. 2163 - 1^st reading - amending Chapter 15.26 of the Salisbury 4b

Municipal Code, Rental of Residential Premises, to modify the fees for failure

to renew, re-register or obtain a Rental Dwelling Unit Owners License and/or

a Rental Dwelling Unit Registration

• Ordinance No. 2164 - 1^st reading - establishing a fee schedule to obtain a 4c

rental unit owner license, registration of a rental dwelling unit and non-

compliance or delinquency of such license or registration

7:30 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick

• Resolution No. 2057 - accepting funds awarded through a grant from the 5a

Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the Disproportionate

Minority Contact Coordinator

• Resolution No. 2062 - approving and accepting the Ninth Amended and 5b

Restated Trust Agreement of the Local Government Insurance Trust

• Resolution No. 2063 - to establish committed fund balances and designate 5c

the Director of Internal Services to assign fund balances

• Resolution No. 2064 - adding two vehicles to the Salisbury Police 5d

Department’s vehicle fleet that have been forfeited by the Circuit Court of 

Wicomico County

• Resolution No. 2065 - renewal of a memorandum of understanding 5e

between the City of Salisbury Police Department and Salisbury University

Police to allow for the Salisbury University Police to routinely patrol

off-campus student housing areas and roadways surrounding the Salisbury University campus

• Resolution No. 2066 - accepting funds awarded through a grant from the 5f

Maryland Affordable Housing Trust for the rehabilitation of The Bricks

8:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

BREAKING NEWS: Economic Fears Hit Wall Street

The Dow slumped more than 100 points in morning trading as disappointing Chinese trade data and an unexpected increase in import prices added to lingering economic concerns.

Express Shuttle to OC Airshow

The O.C. Air Show on Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12, will fill the area of Baltimore Avenue from 12th Street to 20th Street with activity.

Parking will be restricted on side streets between the Boardwalk and Baltimore Avenue in the vicinity of 12th through 20th Streets for air show exhibits. The 100 block of 17th Street also will be closed during the entire event.

With very limited parking in the vicinity, visitors attending the O.C. Air Show from the north and south of town are strongly encouraged to ride town buses. Bus fare is $1 per boarding or $3 ride-all-day. Visitors attending the O.C. Air Show from the west of town should take advantage of the Town of Ocean City special event express shuttle that will offer direct service from the West Ocean City Park and Ride to Baltimore Avenue and 17th Street approximately every 20 minutes, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12. This express shuttle service will cost $3 ride-all-day or $1 per boarding.

For more information about bus service to and from the air show, call the Transportation Division at 410-723-1606.

New DelDOT Chief Confirmed

The state Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gov. Jack Markell's nominee to manage Delaware's transportation agency -- Shailen Bhatt, a 35-year-old native of Ontario, Canada, who now works as an associate administrator with the Federal Highway Administration.

Bhatt, now a U.S. citizen, said he will wrap up his work at the federal agency in a few weeks. No date has been set for his swearing-in ceremony.

In testimony Wednesday before the Senate Executive Committee, Bhatt said his management style would be marked by transparency, ethics, efficiency, accountability and managed performance.

Markell chose an outsider for the job of restoring credibility to an agency rocked by controversy over questionable land deals recently uncovered by The News Journal and by concern over its financial future.

READ MORE …

Eagles Idol

Worcester Commissioners Pass FY2012 Budget

Over the past few years, each of the Worcester County Commissioners has commented, sometimes at length, on the county’s operating budget.

On Tuesday, however, they voted to pass the $163.5 million budget with no comments. The budget is $335,333 or .2 percent higher than the present $163.2 million budget because of a minimal increase in anticipated revenues.

County and board of education employees will not receive an increase in salaries or longevity bonuses. To reduce personnel costs, the county is offering an early retirement incentive program for the third consecutive year.

Property taxes, the largest source of revenue, account for $120.9 million, down $763,151 or .6 percent of the current $120.2 million. Federal grants decreased more than any other category. They declined by $1.069 million or 62.1 percent from $1.71 million to $653,564.

Interest on investments is estimated at $200,000, a decrease of $50,000 or 20 percent.

READ MORE ….

Maryland Health Officials Warn About Measles

Maryland health officials are reporting the state’s first measles case since 2009 and warning that people may have been exposed while the person was infectious.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced Wednesday that people may have been exposed last week at the following locations: a Giant grocery and liquors store in Catonsville on May 31, Catonsville High School graduation on June 1, an Applebee’s in Easton on June 2 and Oriole Park at Camden Yards and MTA Light Rail on June 3.

Officials say out of an abundance of caution, infants, unvaccinated pregnant women and unvaccinated persons with weakened immune systems who might have been exposed on June 3 should contact their health care provider.

from the Associated Press

Delaware Bill Would Hide Names of Victims, Witnesses

Legislation that would allow the names of crime victims and witnesses to be replaced with pseudonyms in police and court records ran into opposition Wednesday amid concern that it would unduly restrict the public's right to know.

"Is this a case where rich, powerful people could avoid having their name [made public]?" Sen. Liane Sorenson, R-Hockessin, asked during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Senate Bill 99.

John E. Murphy, executive director of the Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association, of which The News Journal is a member, said that without public access to victim and witness information, "basic public accountability would be lost."

READ MORE …

Rabies Clinic in Snow Hill–June 15th

The Worcester County Health Department, along with Worcester County Animal Control, have added three additional rabies vaccination clinics to those already held in the County in an effort to assist citizens in keeping their pets’ rabies vaccinations up-to-date.

Scheduled clinics will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

• Wednesday, June 15, 2011, Worcester County Animal Control, Timmons Rd (Off Rt. 113), Snow Hill, MD

Reminders for rabies clinics:

• Cost:  $5 per pet for Worcester County residents and $10 per pet for out-of-county residents.  Please bring your driver’s license, rabies vaccination certificate, utility or other bill that has your name and address on it to verify Worcester County residency.
• If this is not the pet’s first rabies vaccination, written proof of the previous shot (rabies vaccination certificate) must be provided in order to receive a three-year booster shot. Otherwise, the vaccination will expire in one year.  
• To receive a vaccination, dogs must be on a leash under the control of an adult, and cats and ferrets must be in a carrier or box with air holes.

Maryland law requires that cats, dogs and ferrets are adequately vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and that those vaccinations are to be kept current.  Rabies continues to be a threat in Worcester County and was laboratory confirmed in raccoons, foxes, groundhogs, and cats.  Since January 1, 2011 there have been 6 confirmed rabid animals in Worcester County and there were 26 confirmed animals in 2010. For more information about protecting against rabies or the scheduled clinics in Worcester County, visit www.worcesterhealth.org, or you may call 410-641-9559.

Please report all animal bites or other contact and exposure to wild animals to the Worcester County Health Department at 410-352-3234 or 410-641-9559. If an incident occurs after normal business hours, contact your local law enforcement or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111.

Schools Closed, Power Out, Due to Storms, Heat

More than 1,000 customers are in the dark and two schools are closed in the D.C. area following a day of record heat and violent storms.

Dominion Power is reporting more than 1,000 outages in Northern Virginia. Pepco and Baltimore Gas and Electric are reporting only a handful of outages in Maryland and the District.

Stonewall Middle School in Manassas is closed because of an air conditioning problem. Georgetown East Elementary School in Annapolis is also closed because of a power outage.

Check the Capital Weather Gang for today’s forecast and The Buzz for some great ways to beat the heat. We’ll update this entry with any other heat-related problems.

from Justin Jouvenal @ the Washington Post

Salmonella Outbreak in Maryland, 14 Other States

Health officials say 39 people have been sickened from a salmonella outbreak spread through handling baby chicks or ducklings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the cases occurred from late February to late May and are spread through 15 states. Ohio had the most cases, with eight. The other states were Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

No deaths have been reported but at least nine were hospitalized. People who got sick ranged from small children to elderly adults, but nearly half were kids ages 5 and under.

A mail order hatchery was identified as the source of infected birds, but CDC officials on Thursday did not name the business.

from the Associated Press

Ocean City Must Postpone Budget Adoption

NOTE – It just goes to show that the Salisbury city government isn’t the only boo-boo prone show on Delmarva. – Ed.

The Ocean City Council has to wait two more weeks to adopt its new budget, because of an oversight regarding the required legal advertising.

The council passed the first reading of the $73.8 million budget May 16 and the second and final reading was scheduled to take place during Monday’s meeting. The council was told by City Solicitor Guy Ayres, however, that the vote would have to be postponed until the June 20 meeting.

The law requires that the budget and proposed ordinances must be advertised in a local newspaper. When the budget is first presented, it must be advertised in the newspaper two weeks in advance, for example.

Ayres said this was done properly when the budget was presented in April, but different requirements were not met in time to adopt the budget this week.

The budget is adopted as an ordinance, which goes through two readings, typically two weeks apart. Ordinances must be advertised in the paper between the first and second readings, Ayres said, and that did not happen for the budget.

READ MORE …

Accomac Man Pleads Guilty to Ocean Pines Robbery

An 18-year-old Accomac, Va., man who robbed the Shore Stop near Ocean Pines in December apologized Monday for his part in the crime, but had little else to say in Circuit Court in Snow Hill.

Judge Richard Bloxom, however, had more to say about Dalton Entzminger’s participation in the armed robbery.

“These are extraordinarily serious crimes,” Bloxom said. “I don’t know how an otherwise law abiding citizen got involved in this.”

Entzminger and Akeen Samir Mason entered the Shore Stop on Route 589 late at night on Dec. 1. Mason, who wore tan latex gloves, approached the cash register and pointed a gun at the store clerk. When he demanded money, the clerk handed him cash.

READ MORE …

Liquor Prices Still a Concern for Worcester Liquor Licensees

Bud Church, president of the Worcester County Commissioners, is hoping to receive fewer calls about rumors regarding the prices that government’s liquor-supply operation charges bar and restaurant owners.

Worcester is one of four counties in Maryland where government acts as the middleman between distilled spirits wholesalers and bars and restaurants, with some of its pricing practices causing almost two decades of licensee anger and resentment.

The most recent flare-up occurred just weeks ago, when license holders believed the county commissioners would offer no price breaks after they take over the dispensary system from the autonomous but soon-to-be defunct Liquor Control Board (LCB).

“I’m looking forward to the first week of not getting a call from a licensee” about something that’s not true, Church said during Tuesday’s budget meeting. “We’re working for you and we’re working with you.”

Some of the licensees at the meeting on the $14.8 million Liquor Control Enterprise Fund had led the charge to eliminate the state-sanctioned LCB. Their complaints of unfair pricing and questionable business practices resulted in an investigation by the state Comptroller’s Office and to state legislation this year to abolish the board and turn over its operations to the county.

READ MORE …

Car-Sharing Taxed At Higher Rates

Car-sharing services are a great way to save on all the expenses of owning a car while still getting to use it for short trips. But they would save you even more money if they weren't being taxed at sometimes more than double than the going sales tax rate. That's because many states are taxing car-sharing services just like they were rental cars, a new study comparing taxes on car-sharing services across the nation shows.

The taxes and surcharges were designed for regular car rentals whose daily rates are several times what you would pay for a few hours with a car-sharing service. But when you're just renting a car for an hour in New Jersey, an $8 rental becomes a $13 rental after a $5 per transaction fee that was created for rental cars gets levied. That $5 fee is more than half of the base price.

And in seven of the 25 largest cities included in the study, taxes on a one-hour reservation were around 30%.

Car-sharing services take a significant burden off the community by taking more cars off the road, which leads to less wear and tear on roads, fewer accidents and is better for the environment. It would behoove forward-thinking municipalities to encourage car services, a market that is highly price-sensitive, by making the taxes on them more reasonable and fairer relative to daily car rentals.

Taxes on Car Sharing Outpace Sales Tax Rates, Study Finds [NYT] (Thanks to Barbara!)

from Ben Popken @ The Consumerist

Worcester County Health Dept. Sponsors Diabetes Education Program

The Worcester County Health Department offers a multi-session diabetes self management education program in Snow Hill and Pocomoke this summer.The program is scheduled for:

• 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, July 7-Aug. 11 at the Pocomoke Health Center, 400A Walnut St. 

• 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 17-Sept. 21 at the Worcester County Health Department, 6040 Public Landing Road in Snow Hill.  

Anyone interested in learning more about diabetes and its treatment is invited to attend. A team comprised of a registered nurse, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator,and an American College of Sports Medicine certified clinical exercise physiologist provide the educational sessions. The American Diabetes Association and the Eli Lilly and Company, a major pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.,provide resource support.

Sessions include information about managing the disease, reducing complications, goal setting, nutrition, lifestyle change, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, sick day management, dental care, stress, medications and preventive care.A $10 donation is requested for the entire program. Please call the Worcester County

Health Department at 410-632-1100 ext. 4 for more information or to register.

Some Chicken May Contain Small Amounts of Arsenic

The Food and Drug Administration says some chicken meat may contain small amounts of arsenic, though the agency is stressing that the amount is too tiny to be dangerous to people who eat it.

The FDA said Wednesday that a new study developed by the agency shows that an ingredient in chicken feed that contains arsenic, called Roxarsone, may make its way into parts of the bird that are eaten. Previous studies have indicated that the arsenic was eliminated with chicken waste.

READ MORE …

BREAKING NEWS: Germany Confirms E. Coli Source

German disease control center says locally grown vegetable sprouts are to blame for the deadly E. coli outbreak.

Partnership Acquires Residences at River Marsh

Note – yesterday we ran a small post announcing this purchase.  This is the press release from the partners who purchased this parcel surrounding the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge. – Ed.

Crimson Partners, in partnership with The Bernstein Companies and Rock Creek Property Group, announced today that they have acquired the land known as The Residences at River Marsh – approximately 73 acres of land surrounding the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort in Cambridge, Md. The partnership, River Marsh LLC, purchased the land from Wachovia Bank at a deep discount to the original loan amount.

The land was originally entitled in 1999 as for-sale residential product and part of a master- development plan that included the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, which boasts a 400-room full-service hotel with a golf course, marina, spa and more than five dining facilities.

Beazer Homes and GMAC acquired the land in 2005 in a partnership from the original developer, with the intent of selling finished lots to Beazer Home’s home-building division. That business plan stalled with the economy in 2008, and Wachovia eventually foreclosed on the land in 2009.

The strategy of River Marsh LLC is to hold and market the land to builders that are capable of delivering residential product that embodies the best of the Eastern Shore. The acquisition includes 357 lots with a diverse mix of single-family sites, townhomes, villas and one 48-unit condominium pad located on the waterfront.

The majority of the sites are “shovel-ready” or nearly shovel-ready with roads, utilities and infrastructure already in place. All of the home sites either have either golf course views, Choptank River views – or both. During its ownership, Beazer Homes successfully delivered 48 condominium units and 20 townhomes, before the residential market turned.

“This is a very exciting deal,” says Crimson Partner’s Christian Chambers, one of the firm’s partners. “An acquisition like this will take patience and foresight.” Chambers is quite familiar with the property, as he was a key member of the original 1999 development team that acquired the initial 440-plus acres of land from the state of Maryland and developed the resort. That same team then ultimately sold the residential land to the Beazer Homes/GMAC venture.

Says Chambers, “We decided to acquire the land a second time, because this property is a real gem and well-worth the time and effort it will take to complete. However, with our low basis in the project, we offer an opportunistic plan in the short term.

“The River Marsh community is world class – with a fully constructed and operational 18-hole golf course, Hyatt Regency resort and unparalleled river amenities with deep water boat access,” he continues. “In addition, the Cambridge, Md., location equally draws buyers from the Washington, DC, metro area and to Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It’s really an ideal central point on the map – all without the horrendous beach traffic.”

The original business plan from 1999 called for a slower, more methodical and intentional build-out; employing builders and ultimately delivering to homebuyers who will appreciate the lifestyle that the Eastern Shore offers inside the walls of a world-class resort.

“We plan to pick up the pieces with that in mind, all at a much lower cost to the builder and, ultimately, to the end-user homebuyer as well,” Chambers says.

About Crimson Partners:

Crimson Partners, started in 1991, is a real estate development and investment firm, specializing in land, adaptive reuse, speculative and build-to-suit commercial, residential and industrial projects. The firm is dedicated to delivering high quality, sustainable environments and superior management to its institutional and private sector clients and investors.

About The Bernstein Companies:

The Bernstein Companies is a vertically integrated, full service operating company that services specific client accounts by drawing on its resources to execute a comprehensive approach to its business that creates value for its clients by driving the value of its real estate. Founded in 1933, the third generation entrepreneurial based development, investment and management firm’s historical transactions have included 3,000 apartments and condominium units, 2,000 hotel rooms owned, developed and operated, and 5,000,000 square feet of commercial office space.

About Rock Creek Property Group:

Rock Creek Property Group is a commercial real estate investment company based in Washington, DC, and with a second office in Bethesda, Md. Its principals own a diverse portfolio of office, industrial, multi-family and retail properties in the Mid-Atlantic Region totaling several hundred million dollars in value. The firm is currently in the process of deploying capital from its Opportunity Fund, targeting value-add assets in the $2 million to $50 million range, notes purchases, partnership interests and joint ventures.

For more information, please visit the ownership online at www.crimsonpartners.net, www.thebernsteincompanies.com and www.rockcreekpg.com.