BREAKING NEWS: SRO Crowd Opposes Toll Hike at Kent Island High School

A crowd of 500 – 600 citizens from the Lower and Mid Shore showed up tonight to oppose the O’Malley administration’s proposed toll increases.  If adopted, the toll on the Wm. Preston Lane, Jr. (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge will rise from the current $2.50 per round trip to $8.00 by 2013.  If adopted, the toll would double to $5.00 on October 1, 2011.

A Full House at the Kent Island High School Auditorium

Overflow Crowd Stood Waiting for Their Chance to Speak

Giffords Released From Hospital

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords released from hospital five months after being shot in the head during deadly Tucson rampage.

Popular Seafood Chain To Take Phillips' Spot

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. To Move Into Baltimore's Harborplace

BALTIMORE -- Shrimp kabobs, shrimp kreole, shrimp gumbo, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp ...

A restaurant spawned by the Academy Award-winning movie "Forrest Gump" is coming to Baltimore's Harborplace.

Harborplace officials announced Wednesday that Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will take the place of Phillips Seafood Restaurant after it leaves its space at the popular Inner Harbor location.

The restaurant is expected to open in May 2012 and will offer tasty seafood in a casual family atmosphere.

"Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a great new restaurant and attraction for the Inner Harbor and Harborplace," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "Today's announcement builds upon the recent additions of Lenny's Delicatessen, H&M and this summer’s opening of IT’SUGAR."

The restaurant brings to life the 1994 hit movie “Forrest Gump,” featuring down-home decor reminiscent of the movie’s Alabama setting. Film memorabilia and still photos will decorate the walls, along with reproductions of script pages, storyboards and costumes.

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Franchot: I Don't Want To Enforce Premium-Cigar Law

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has reiterated that he did not intend recently passed legislation banning cigar shipments to apply to high-end cigars, and he has asked General Assembly leaders for permission to not enforce the law with regard to those products.

As previously chronicled, fans of fine cigars got angry over the ban on buying cigars over the Internet, passed in 2010 and effective this year. Franchot, who requested a wider law covering cigars, chewing tobacco and other non-cigarette products, got deluged with complaints last month from people who like to smoke $10 stogies on the golf course.

He quickly said that he didn't intend for the law to cover "premium" cigars and that he would suggest the General Assembly pass an exception for those products. The law was intended to crack down on smuggling of cigars, pipe tobacco etc. and to deter kids from making huge marijuana blunts by hollowing out cheap cigars. But smuggling and sales to minors aren't a big problem with high-end cigars, Franchot says.
Legislators are talking about amending the law in the special legislative session in the fall.

The question then became, Would Franchot's office enforce the new law with regard to premium cigars in the meantime? We now have a partial answer. Here are parts from a letter he sent to House Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller on Monday.

... it would be my preference to defer any further enforcement activity by my Office until the legislature has an opportunity to take action. Out of deference to the legislative branch,however, I would respectfully request your concurrence with this stay of enforcement.

Please keep in mind that this stay of enforcement would only apply to the sale of those products that meet the statutory definition of premium cigars, and it would only remain in effect until the legislature has had an appropriate opportunity to repeal the ban. Should the legislature choose to leave the terms of the current legislation intact, we would act promptly to enforce the letter of the law.

While I recognize that this is an uncommon request, I do believe it is warranted in this particular case.

Premium cigars, I have been told, are anything over $2. I'll call Miller's and Busch's offices to see what they say.

Source

BREAKING NEWS: Shooting Near Coverdale Crossroads

Delaware State Police have responded to reports that someone has been shot near Coverdale Crossroads, between Georgetown and Bridgeville.  Early reports are that a husband shot his wife and has now barricaded himself in his home.

As this post was going up, we learned that the on-scene officers had requested a breaching tool.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

Coast Guard Warns About Water Safety After 9 Deaths In 2 Weeks In Mid-Atlantic

Nine people have died in the waters of the mid-Atlantic in the past two weeks, according to the Coast Guard. The death of the 52-year-old boater in Ocean City last weekend was the latest in a string of drownings and boating accidents so far this summer - and technically, summer doesn't officially begin until June 21.

The Coast Guard notes that several of the fatalities involved boaters who were not wearing life jackets. According to Coast Guard statistics, such drownings caused 75 percent of all boating deaths in 2010 and of those who drowned, 88 percent were not wearing life jackets.

The dangers for swimmers are no less. On May 31 in Virginia Beach, a 9-year-old boy died after getting caught in a rip current. Another young swimmer died in a rip current at Bradley Beach, N.J., on June 9.

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Mr. Bernanke's Manipulation Nation

Historians have attributed the adjective of "great" to many periods of human activity. We've had a Great Potato Famine, Great Bull markets, a Great Depression, etc. I wonder if this period will go down as the Great Manipulation.

Before Congress, when asked if the Fed engaged in manipulation of the stock market, Mr. Bernanke sputtered a bit, then answered coyly that the Fed attempts to "influence the stock market". Disregarding semantics, his answer was unequivocally unacceptable. By trying to influence behavior on such a massive scale, regardless of whether it is in direct support of some altruistic mandate or charter, the Fed, by the Congress that utters such mandates, is elevated to a deity, albeit a critically flawed deity as it has omnipotence but lacks omniscience.

Your recents posts (noted below) relentlessly hammer out an inescapable truth under which its weight the Great Manipulation is creaking and groaning. People are waking up to once arcane concepts only known to professional traders and money managers such as relative performance. Karl Denninger reports that while the stock market has risen rather quickly, purchasing power has actually gone down once taxes and fees are included. Dr. Marc Faber points out the history of stock market moves during periods of rapid money printing as net-net. A good hedge perhaps but not a money maker (but as Mr. Denninger points out it is a loss when fees and taxes are included). Chris Whalen uncovers another subtle manipulation: banking and home building cause economic recovery. In actuality real economic growth, which results in greater prosperity should be the reason for growth in banking and homebuilding.

You committed heresy not too long ago by pointing out that in most cases no wealth is accrued by owning a house. Adjustments for inflation do not create wealth (greater purchasing power), it just takes more currency to buy the same item. Interested persons, those owning houses, wish to make heretics like yourself drink a hemlock cocktail, after all, they have borrowed heavily against their so-called equity and thought they were being smart for doing so.

Few are so self-deprecating as to admit they were caught in the vortex of a decades-long mania in an equally decades-long and continuing Great Manipulation.

Oh yes, the Great Manipulation is continuing full steam. In 1983 Greenspan chaired a commission on how to fix Social Security. In 1985 Americans were convinced to pay higher taxes and all would be well. Today we are borrowing to make payouts. Today Congress and the Administration are trying to hammer out "a deal" that brings down deficits which will ultimately result in lower payouts and raised taxes. But no one wants to talk to the American people about what happened to all the money, the 15% of all incomes that was collected to make SS payouts (a point made on a Patrick.net post). Regardless of whether the money was diverted to other social programs (for our own good), this was a fraud committed by the American government on the American people. Instead of accountability, the bait is being dangled once more.

If I may digress, greater taxation and decreased spending will not work in the long run because debt must and does grow exponentially and greater taxation and spending cuts are linear events.

Ben Bernanke boldly pontificated in his Fed Chairman campaign speech in 2002 that he could, at least theoretically, force (manipulate) people to spend(borrow), by reducing interest rates and unleashing the power of the printing press. This was sweet Siren music to American politician's and debt holder's/seller's ears. They didn't hear or chose not to hear the "theoretical" caveat. All they knew was that this man would continue the Greenspan Put. They heard that he would transfer the savings of the prudent to the pockets of debt holders and speculators. They heard that they could continue to enjoy the political cover of increased public spending without having to raise taxes (and real economic output) to pay for it.

In the Great Manipulation, we are being told that if China allows its currency to appreciate, all will be well. Jobs will be more equally distributed globally and the masses will prosper and be happy.

In reality, population growth is bumping up against technology growth. Automation has replaced much of the manufacturing workforce. What's left are diametrically opposed niche industries that require either high levels of education (at the right schools), or nearly no education at all, resulting in fewer productive people bearing the responsibility of providing for an ever-growing number of unproductive people. Whether for populist reasons or just because humans seem to have a proclivity to simplify by slapping labels on things, or even more probably because of their addiction to conflict, this has been dubbed "class warfare".

The Great Manipulation is not necessarily a conspiracy. The flight crew of a passenger airliner is not engaging in a conspiracy when trying to keep passengers calm during an emergency. However, it is along this thin line where contradictions and perversions exist. State secrets in a democratic republic could be considered a necessary oxymoron. Completely incompatible and self-contradictory is the idea that a self-governing people need to be kept in the dark about the true aims of the state. However, we are to accept that it is necessary to protect us from our enemies, whoever they might be. This immediately opens to door to the perversions of greed and corruption and lessens the ability of the self-governed to govern wisely.

Economic truths cannot be plainly stated by any high-ranking public official lest a panic in the markets is set off. If a politician is so bold as to state the truth, especially one we do not wish to hear, they will most assuredly lose the next election. As you have pointed out in previous posts, this creates an atmosphere where lying becomes banal. The idea of a government by the people for the people becomes a cliche.

If the GM is a conspiracy, surely the conspirators must know that they will kill the golden goose (labor). As the wages of those who are productive are effectively reduced to that of subsistence, they will, at different points along this continuum, opt out. To conduct a reductio ad absurdum, there will be plenty of goods but nobody with the money to purchase them. Under this circumstance how do the wealthy stay as such?

To be balanced, we must consider the complexity of human beings. We are very critical of government but must acknowledge the fact that when some of the most enlightened economic bloggers got together, they could all agree on what was wrong but could not agree on the fix. We must also consider the nature of markets. Viewing the same set of data, two participants come to completely opposite conclusions, therefore, one will buy believing that they will be able to sell it at a higher price, and one will sell believing that they will be able to buy it back at a lower price. Given time horizon a person can be wrong but still win. Such is the complex nature of human interaction.

The biggest problem with the Great Manipulation is that it must increase in amplitude and complexity at an exponential rate in perpetuity. It cannot. They are not trying to land the crippled aircraft, they are trying to keep it aloft with all engines out and a glide ratio that's telling them "we're not gonna make it". It's hopeless, they just can't say it, or so they think.

Therefore, it must all come crashing down. It must because no one is consciously going to cause a mass die-off -- and if we are honest, that is what we are facing as economies cannot produce enough revenue to support unproductive sectors of the population and all resources become limited. This is something that most cannot or do not want to comprehend. Barring some technological breakthrough that doesn't get caught up in decades of testing and analysis, the human system will forcibly shrink to a level that is sustainable by its environment.

Perhaps, as a new renaissance emerges, the lessons learned from the Great Manipulation will lead to something better. If history is any guide and human nature remains fixed as it is, the only thing that will emerge is the beginning of another cycle that ends in catastrophe.

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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office - Press Releases

Incident: Rogue and Vagabond

Date of Incident: 13 June 2011

Location: 300 block of Brewington Avenue, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Christopher A. Jones, 36, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 13 June 2011 at 11:22 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded for a reported fight in the 300 block of Brewington Avenue in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a subject holding Christopher Jones. The deputy was informed that the residents came outside and observed Jones attempting to break into a vehicle. The deputy observed that Jones was intoxicated.

The deputy placed Jones under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the

Commissioner released Jones on Personal Recognizance.
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Charges: Rogue and Vagabond

Date: 14 June 2011

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

Incident: Driving Under the Influence

Date of Incident: 14 June 2011

Location: W/B Ocean Gateway at Hobbs Rd., Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Bobbie R. McCormick, Jr., 22, Frederick, MD

Narrative: On 14 June 2011 at 4:56 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office clocked a vehicle on W/B Ocean Gateway ay 80 miles per hour heading in to Salisbury at Hobbs Road. Upon stopping the vehicle and approaching the driver, Bobbie McCormick of Frederick, MD, a strong odor of alcohol was detected. The deputy administered roadside field sobriety tests which led to a conclusion that McCormick was severely impaired by alcohol.

The deputy discovered that McCormick’s MD Driver’s license had been suspended for a recent arrest in April 2011 that was a second offense with a breath result greater than .15. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located the Order of Suspension that was issued by the officer in that recent arrest.

McCormick declined to take a breath test for the deputy.

The deputy placed McCormick under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained McCormick in the Wicomico County Detention Center in lieu of $30,000.00 bond.
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Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Suspended
Speeding

Date: 14 June 2011

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Incident: Possession of Crack Cocaine

Date of Incident: 13 June 2011

Location: East Railroad Avenue, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Charles S. Fontaine, Jr., 46, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 13 June 2011 at 3:11 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Charles Fontaine for an equipment violation. During the encounter with Fontaine, the deputy had reason to suspect that CDS might be present in the vehicle. During the ensuing search, the deputy located a crack pipe on the floorboard that had been used and still had the remnants of the drug in it.

The deputy placed Fontaine under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Fontaine in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Possession of Crack Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Date: 14 June 2011

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

Incident: Assault

Date of Incident: 13 June 2011

Location: 100 block of S. Railroad Avenue, Hebron, MD

Suspect: Dupree M. Crosell, 19, Hebron, MD

Narrative: On 13 June 2011 at 5:58 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported altercation inside a residence. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that the resident became involved in an argument with her 19 year old foster child, Dupree Crosell, when the altercation turned physical. The victim stated that Crosell struck her and that was corroborated by contusions that the deputy observed on the victim.

The deputy placed Crosell under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Crossed in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree

Date: 14 June 2011

Housing Collapse Steeper Than During Great Depression

The author of a study claiming the U.S. housing collapse is now worse than during the Great Depression warned Wednesday that the market likely will continue to fall for the rest of the year before going stagnant.

Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist for Capital Economics, predicted home prices would fall another 3 percent over the rest of 2011 before potentially hitting bottom.

"Even when that happens, I don't think we're going to see any significant or sustained rises," he told FoxNews.com Wednesday, predicting "a couple years of pretty much no recovery whatsoever."

The bleak prediction comes after he released a report estimating that since the collapse began from the pricing peak of 2006, prices have fallen 33 percent -- more than the 31 percent dive recorded between the 1920s and 1930s.

The data underscores the trouble the U.S. economy is having emerging from what is described as the worst recession since the Great Depression. "The sharp fall in house prices in the first quarter provided further confirmation that this housing crash has been larger and faster than the one during the Great Depression," the analysis said.

Dales said the collapse has eclipsed that of the Great Depression because the boom that preceded it was much bigger. Unlike during the 1920s, access to the housing market was far more open leading up to 2006.

"This boom was characterized by homeownership becoming the norm for pretty much anyone," Dales said, noting that the boom has effectively been thrown in reverse.

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2 $250K Mega Millions Tickets Sold In Md.

A pair of $250,000 tickets was sold in Maryland for Tuesday night's Mega Millions drawing.

Maryland Lottery officials said the tickets were the 10th and 11th second-tier Mega Millions winners in Maryland in 2011. The tickets were sold in Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County.

The winning numbers were 9, 10, 20, 51, 53, and the Mega Ball was 24.

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Montgomery Co. to firefighters: Fundraise elsewhere

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. -- Come Labor Day, the campaign signs are everywhere. Firefighters stand in the street, collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through their annual Fill the Boot initiative.

But the Montgomery County Council worries the roadside fundraising is unsafe, and is attempting to prevent the practice.

"Sure, it's a great cause," says Councilmember Phil Andrew. "But it needs to be done in a way that's safe."

"In California and Texas, firefighters who were conducting Fill the Boot campaigns were hit by cars."

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BREAKING NEWS: Greek Unrest, Economic Gloom Slam Stocks

The Dow tumbled as much as 200 points as traders reacted to bleak economic data and concerns over the volatile situation in Greece.

Vice President Biden To Discuss Administration Effort To Develop And Deploy A Nationwide, Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, June 16^th, Vice President Biden will deliver remarks to representatives from public safety, state and local officials, and private industry as well as issue a report detailing the Administration’s effort to develop and deploy a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network. To kickoff the event, Vice President Biden will be joined by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, John Brennan; Attorney General Eric Holder; Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Governor Martin O’Malley. New York City Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly will also participate. This event, hosted by the White House, is being held in coordination with the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, and Justice.

On February 10^th, 2011, President Obama announced his support for a wireless broadband network to afford public safety agencies with greater levels of effectiveness and interoperability. For more information on this announcement, click HERE.

This event will be open press. Additional media details are below.

WHAT:                     Vice President Biden will deliver remarks and issue a report detailing the Administration’s effort to develop and deploy a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network

WHO:                        Vice President Joe Biden 

                                   Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, John Brennan

           Attorney General Eric Holder

           Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano           

                                   Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski

           Governor Martin O’Malley

           New York City Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly

WHEN:                     Thursday, June 16^th, 2011
                                   Camera pre-set: 9:30 AM, Brady Press Briefing Room

                                   Press gather time: 10:00 AM, Brady Press Briefing Room

                                   Vice President Biden remarks: 10:30 AM, open press

                                   Panel discussions: 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM, open press

                                      

WHERE:                   Eisenhower Executive Office Building

                                   South Court Auditorium

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.

Walmart Workers Try Non-Union Organization Effort

Walmart users are again trying to band together and pursue better pay, benefits and treatment on the job, but the new organization effort won't involve a union. The Organization for United Respect at Walmart, or OUR Walmart, has reportedly signed up thousands of members in an attempt to unionize workers without actually unionizing.

The New York Times reports the group has received funds from the United Food and Commercial Workers, which has paid members to go door-to-door to get Walmart workers to join OUR Walmart. The fledgling group has organized meetings of employees in several major cities to mull over ways to improve their work experiences.

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Wisconsin Supremes Reinstate Collective Bargaining Law

Wisconsin's state labor activists suffered a major setback Tuesday. The Wisconsin state Supreme Court overruled a county judge and reinstated a law that strips tens of thousands of public workers of most of their collective bargaining.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports new legal challenges to the legislation, which has drawn national attention and protests, are expected to emerge.

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Police Say Spotsylvania Man Killed By His Pit Bull

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (AP) - Police say a Virginia man found dead in his home was killed by his pit bull.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Department says in a news release that an autopsy found indications of paw marks on the victim's body and defensive wounds on the fingers and hands.

Police say the body of 38-year-old David Quyon Haigler was found Saturday in his home by his 18-year-old son.

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Americas Hottest Dad

The votes are in, and America's "Hottest Dad" is an Air Force man from North Pole, Alaska. Fuel Specialist James Tritle of Eilson Air Force Base beat out 700 other dads in an iVillage competition. Tritle received his award on a national TV show. Tritle and his wife Angela won a weeklong vacation to the Bahamas. It'll take place over their 10th anniversary. The Tritles have three children, ages 4 to 8.

Lockheed Martin Is Laying Off 1,200 Employees

The aerospace and defense contractor is trying to cut its workforce by 8 percent. Lockheed Martin says these cuts come as the budget pressures force the Obama administration to pare back defense spending. That means an end to certain contracts.

Social Security Made $6.5 Billion In Overpayments In 2009

The Social Security Administration made $6.5 Billion in overpayments in 2009. That includes $4 Billion under a supplemental income program for the very poor. The Inspector General for Social Security says that, in all, about ten percent of the payments made by the agency's Supplemental Security Income program were improper. If you include the $1.5 billion dollars in underpayments, Social Security made a total of $8 billion in improper payments in 2009.

Officer Pleads Guilty To Hiding Camera In Girl's Closet

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A former police officer who hid a video camera in a girl's closet has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.

Thirty-eight-year-old Edward Charles Schmitt of Laurel, who had been a police officer in Laurel, entered the plea on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. He will be sentenced in September; if the court accepts his plea agreement, Schmitt will be sentenced to seven years in prison.

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Ex-Postal Worker Admits To Stealing Money Orders

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - Federal authorities say a former Postal Service employee has pleaded guilty to stealing $78,000 in money orders.

Forty-two-year-old Lamonica Henderson of Oxon Hill pleaded guilty on Tuesday to misappropriation of postal funds. She faces a maximum of 10 years in prison at sentencing in September.

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Budget’s Over – Take a Short Break and Get Back to Work

Like other counties and municipalities, Wicomico County has just finished its budget process for FY 2012. Our councilmen and women worked incredibly hard; even if I didn’t agree with every one of their decisions. The deserve a break – but not for very long..

Between now and Christmas the Wicomico Council needs to tackle a few issues. Delay on some of these is tantamount to a tax increase.

• PENSION REFORM – the county’s current defined benefit pension plan is a disaster waiting to happen. Just look at numerous localities in California as well as the states of California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. While little can be done regarding current employees, changing the system for all new hires to a DEFINED CONTRIBUTION system will not only save the taxpayers money, but will eliminate the possibility of unfunded liabilities being left to our children and grandchildren.
  
  
• ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD – the council must vote to send a letter to the county’s legislative delegation NO LATER THAN October 1. There is no point going through the fiasco we went through this year. Sending a letter to the delegation in early October does not permit them to hide behind the excuse of it being late again. The 2012 session will be our last chance to get the measure on the 2012 ballot. If we wish to have an elected school board by 2014 we need to pass a referendum in 2014.
  
  
• WORKING WITH THE COUNTY EXEC – it is important that the county council become an EQUAL partner in county government. This means that the County Executive must be willing to work with the council, and they with him. To date, Rick Pollitt has only been willing to meet with council when it suits HIS agenda. That must end. One suggestion by Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman (R-2) is to have Pollitt personally bring all legislation from his office before the council and field questions. This isn’t a bad idea. In fact, it’s a darn good one. If Pollitt doesn’t want to comply or wants to cite “separation of powers”, then the council can simply stick his legislation in a drawer. As for council working with Pollitt, they need to be honest brokers. Because Pollitt has been so reluctant to work with council for the last 4 1/2 years, any claim that the council has refused to work with Pollitt is nothing more than political grandstanding.
  
  
• OVERSIGHT – Executives always scream “micro-managing” when the legislative body attempt to provide the oversight which is part of their duty to the people who elected them. Next year’s budget is going to be far more severe than FY 2012. The time is now to begin exercising meaningful oversight over all county departments and agencies as well as the Wicomico County Board of Education. If cost cutting measures can be found, they should be suggested. The council cannot FORCE anything upon the Executive – except through the county purse. However, drawing attention to needed change is good for the citizens of Wicomico County, and ultimately good for the Executive.

That should get them started. Let’s see what they are able to accomplish. While I don’t always agree with each member of council, we should all recognize them as the decent, hardworking people that they are.

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

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Mother To Donate Uterus To Her Daughter

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

After her daughter was diagnosed with a syndrome that prevents her from conceiving, Eva Ottsson has offered her uterus for transplant.

Miracle-Gro Wants To Help You Grow Your Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is legal in 16 states and will reportedly account for nearly $2 billion in sales this year. And even though marijuana growers use any number of major brand-name plant products on their crops, the big companies have shied away from acknowledging this fact... and they certainly don't openly market to them. But the CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro wants to change that.

"I want to target the pot market," said Scotts CEO Jim Hagedorn. "There's no good reason we haven't."

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Horne Blasts Obama Administration For Pushing For Illegals To Vote

PHOENIX -- Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne today blasted the Obama Administration for filing a late amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals that would push for the ability for illegal immigrants to vote.

In the Gonzalez v State case, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled that Arizona could not require persons registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship. The Ninth Circuit has granted en banc review and Attorney General Horne will personally be arguing the case before an eleven-judge panel on June 21, 2011. Late Friday afternoon, the Obama Administration filed a late, eleventh-hour amicus brief arguing that Arizona should not be able to request information to check if applicants wanting to vote are citizens.

Horne stated: "First, the Obama Administration fails to do its job on the border. Then it sues Arizona to prevent us from helping to fight illegal immigration. Then it tries to create a false sense of complacency by arguing that the border is safe, when it isn't. Now it argues that persons should be able to register to vote without providing adequate information enabling verification of citizenship, thus enabling illegal aliens to register to vote. This is contrary to the interests of the people of the United State of America."

Gas Drilling

Let people see what's happening to people, the land and the water in Pennsylvania. Maryland is smart to stay away from this. Money isn't everything.

More on Fracking Chemicals Used

http://www.earthworksaction.org/hydfracking.cfm

http://8020vision.com/2011/04/17/congress-releases-report-on-toxic-chemicals-used-in-fracking/

http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/04/17/investigation-yields-list-of-chemicals-used-in-fracking-many-are-known-carcinogens-regulated-pollutants/

Maryland Gets ‘D' In Manufacturing

2011 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card from Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research reviewed several areas that underpin the success of manufacturing and logistics.

Maryland received its highest grade, a "B+," for its venture capital, and its lowest grade, a "D" for logistics and tax climate.

"Prior to the recession, business location and expansion decisions were almost wholly driven by the availability of skilled workers,"

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What Are The Social Implications Of Economic Collapse?

For the last few days, we’ve been having an important discussion about the magnitude of the economic challenges in the west; if you didn’t read yesterday’s letter, I really encourage you to do so before proceeding because it’s important to understand why the west has truly passed the point of no return.

Simply put, the United States and much of Europe are borrowing an extraordinary amount of money now just to pay interest on the money they’ve already borrowed. They cannot even self-fund their mandatory entitlement programs without going into the hole, and their options are limited:

Option 1: Continue borrowing, keep the party going.

As long as the government CAN do this, they WILL do this.  Regardless of their intentions, though, more debt only worsens the situation, creating higher borrowing costs in the long run, and even more debt. As this happens, the pool of buyers begins to dry up, especially from overseas.

Option 2: Inflation

The more buyers stop purchasing Treasury securities, the more the Federal Reserve will mop up the excess liquidity. In doing so, the Fed essentially conjures up money and loans it to the government.

No matter what the government monkey statistics say, this is inflationary, plain and simple. The more money they print, the greater the level of inflation in the long-term. Meanwhile, as foreigners simultaneously reduce their US dollar holdings, this inflation will become more acutely felt in the US.

Option 3: Austerity

There’s going to come a time when the US government is forced to face its economic reality and make some incredibly deep cuts that would be felt across society, from Wall Street and the military industrial complex to project housing on the other side of the tracks.

Option 4: Default

Eventually, the debt burden is simply going to be too much, and the most obvious solution will be to default. Politicians will make China out to be the enemy and they will probably invent a war just to have an excuse to default on Chinese owned debt. Americans will wave the flag and celebrate defaulting on their enemies.

Option 5: Economic Cannibalism

In the best traditions of Atlas Shrugged, the government will continue its persecution of the productive class– professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers. Existing taxes will rise, new taxes will be created, trade barriers will be enacted, and a maze of cost prohibitive regulations will be passed.

The first option (keeping the party going) is what has been happening for years. Politicians make small concessions to show they’re “serious” about fiscal discipline, cutting laughably small programs while dumping hundreds of billions of dollars into wars and entitlement programs.

The worse the debt situation becomes, though, the higher the borrowing costs become, and the worse the debt situation becomes. It’s not an enviable position. Existing lenders will continue backing away from the US Treasury market, giving option 1 a half-life measured in months at best.

In the longer term, only options 2-5 remain: inflation, austerity, default, and cannibalism. Each of these remaining options will shake the financial system to its core. More importantly, each of these has the power to create widespread social upheaval.

More

Chicken Farm

John was in the egg business. He had several hundred young layers (hens), called 'pullets', and ten roosters to fertilize them. He kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.

This took a lot of time, so he bought some tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each  bell had a different tone, so he could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing. Now,  he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

John's favorite rooster, Obama, was a very fine specimen, but this morning he noticed Obama's bell hadn't rung at all! When he went to investigate, he saw the other roosters were busy chasing  pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.

To John's amazement, Obama had thought of a way to do it without work, he had his bell in his beak,  so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one.

John was so proud of Obama, he entered him in the Chicago County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded Obama the No Bell Piece Prize but they also awarded  him the Pulletsurprise as well.

Clearly Obama was a politician. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the  most highly coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Vote carefully next fall, the bells are not always audible.

WHY?

Justin Allen, 23
Brett Linley, 29
Matthew Weikert, 29
Justus Bartett, 27
Dave Santos, 21
Chase Stanley, 21
Jesse Reed, 26
Matthew Johnson, 21
Zachary Fisher, 24
Brandon King, 23
Christopher Goeke, 23
Sheldon Tate, 27

These are the names of the 12 US Marines killed in Afghanistan in the last 4 days. Can anyone tell me why they had to die? Can anyone tell me why we are in Afghanistan? Can anyone give me a single good reason why we should not follow Ron Paul’s advice and just leave? How many more have to die for nothing?

Today's Survey Question

How do you rate President Obama's handling of the economy?

Boonies B.Y.O.B. Wednesday Special

Coastal Bays to Celebrate 15 Years of Conservation Work

The Coastal Bays Program will celebrate its 15th year of conservation work and release the 2010 Coastal Bays report card on Jun 17 at 4:30 PM at Fager’s Island on 60th Street in Ocean City.  The party is open to the public.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Incident: Flee and Elude
Date of Incident: 13 June 2011
Location: Ocean Gateway, Hebron, MD
Suspect: Joshua L. Sample, 25, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 13 June 2011 at 8:15 PM, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a group of motorcycles on Ocean Gateway eastbound entering Wicomico County at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Additional reports stated that the motorcycles were driving recklessly, cutting off motorists and passing on the shoulder. Multiple deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the motorcycles that all split off and went in separate directions in an attempt to elude law enforcement. Because of the high rate of speeds, the deputies were unable to catch these motorcyclists. One of the motorcycles was last seen in the Hebron area heading northbound towards Log Cabin Road. Several minutes after discontinuing the pursuit, the WCSO received a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on Log Cabin Rd.

Upon the arrival of the deputies, they confirmed it was one of the motorcyclists that had fled from the deputies.

The operator of the motorcycle, Joshua L. Sample, was placed under arrest and transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Sample in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.

Charges: Flee and Elude
Reckless Driving
Negligent Driving
Speed Greater than Reasonable
Operating a Motor Cycle with a learner’s permit
Operating a Motor Cycle without a Motor Cycle license

Rabies Clinic TONIGHT in Snow Hill

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.

Registration Open For Wolverines Youth Wrestling Camp

Summer Camp to Take Place July 18-22

(Salisbury, MD)  The Wicomico Wolverines Youth Wrestling program will offer an evening wrestling camp July 18-22. Camp sessions will be held from 6 – 8pm at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and will be led by Wolverines head coach John Horwat and coaches Alan Hogg and Dan Catron. The camp is open to children in grades 1 through 8 and will focus on fundamental wrestling skills, sportsmanship, competition and pure enjoyment of the sport.

Registration is now open at the Civic Center Box Office and online at www.wicomicorecandparks.org.  The cost of the program is $40 per child for the week.  For more information, contact Steve Miller at 410-548-4900 ext. 105 or email smiller@wicomicocounty.org.

Maryland Should Go Slow on Health Insurance Exchanges

Gov. Martin O'Malley has said he wants Maryland to be a "national leader" in health care reform. Sometimes it's good to be a leader, but sometimes being a leader means you are the first to make costly mistakes. Following the lead of other states in implementing the new federal health care law would be better for both taxpayers and health care consumers in Maryland.

Governor O'Malley made his "national leader" remarks when he appointed officials to the board of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. This entity is a health insurance exchange, something the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) directs each state to set up. A health insurance exchange will provide a one-stop location for health insurance to be sold and is supposed to lower the cost of insurance through more choice and greater purchasing power for consumers.

Every state faces the question of whether to establish an exchange. Maryland is one of only a handful that have decided to implement one. Some states, such as Florida and Louisiana, have flatly refused. Others are still mulling their options. These holdout states have made a much wiser choice than Maryland.

READ MORE …

Marc Kilmer is a Senior Fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute.  He lives in Wicomico County with his wife and daughter.  This article was originally published in the Baltimore Sun.

BREAKING NEWS: Gloomy Manufacturing Data Spook Wall Street

The Dow tumbled by more than 100 points in early trading after a dismal manufacturing report from the New York Federal Reserve rekindled fears about the strength of the economic recovery.

BREAKING NEWS: Consumer Prices Rise 0.2% In May

Inflation at the consumer level increased 0.2% in May, slightly higher than expected. Excluding the food and energy component, prices were up 0.3% on the month, also higher than expected.

Church Ladies With typewriters

Church Ladies With typewriters . . . They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:   The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. -------------------------- The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' -------------------------- Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. -------------------------- Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you. -------------------------- Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. -------------------------- Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. -------------------------- For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. -------------------------- Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. -------------------------- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. -------------------------- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.. -------------------------- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. -------------------------- Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. -------------------------- Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. -------------------------- Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.. -------------------------- The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. -------------------------- Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. -------------------------- The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. -------------------------- This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. -------------------------- Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done. -------------------------- The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. -------------------------- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door. -------------------------- The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. -------------------------- Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.. Please use large double door at the side entrance. -------------------------- The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

Shooting Advice

Cops carry guns to protect themselves, not to protect you.

'The average response time of a 911 call is over 23 minutes… the response time of a .44 magnum is 1400 feet per second.'

Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch, is a drill instructor (Thunder Ranch is a firearms training facility in Arizona ). Here are a few of his observations on tactics, firearms, self-defense and life as we know it in the civilized world.
"The most important rule in a gunfight is: Always win and cheat if necessary."
"Don't forget, incoming fire has the right of way.."

"If you're not shooting', you should be loading'. If you're not loading', you should be moving', if you're not moving', someone's going to cut your head off and put it on a stick."

"Shoot what's available, as long as it's available, until something else becomes available."

"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That's ridiculous. If you have a gun, what in the hell do you have to be paranoid for?"
"Don't shoot fast, unless you also shoot good."

"You can say 'stop' or 'alto' or use any other word you think will work, but I've found that a large bore muzzle pointed at someone's head is pretty much the universal language."


"Thunder Ranch will be here as long as you'll have us or until someone makes us go away, and either way, it will be exciting.""You have the rest of your life to solve your problems.. How long you live depends on how well you do it."

"You cannot save the planet, but you may be able to save yourself and your family." "When you reload in low light encounters, don't put your flashlight in your back pocket.. If you light yourself up, you'll look like an angel or the tooth fairy... and you're going to be one of 'em pretty soon."

"Do something. It may be wrong, but do something." "Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets. You may get killed with your own gun, but he'll have to beat you to death with it, cause it's going to be empty."
Never let someone or thing that threatens you get inside arm’s length and never say "I’ve got a gun". If you feel you need to use deadly force for heaven’s sake let the "first sound they hear be the safety clicking off", and they shouldn't have time to hear anything after that if you are doing your job.

Michelle Malkin – Capitol Hill’s “Other Dirty Laundry”

The same congressional panel that launched a preliminary inquiry into Weiner-gate this week has been diddling around with several other Democratic ethics scandals for years. These aren't foxes guarding the henhouse. They're sloths guarding the foxhole.

The House Ethics Committee now is reportedly probing Twitter-holic Democratic New York Rep. Anthony Weiner's possible abuse of government resources while sending pervy messages and photos to young women across the country. The latest batch of Weiner's leaked social-media self-portraits -- more cheesecake than beefcake -- showed him in various states of undress at the congressional gym. From what other public buildings has Ick-arus tweeted his junk? And how much time on the public's dime did his government staff spend coaching Weiner girls to assist with damage control?

Don't expect an answer from the House ethics watchdogs until after Weiner's first child enters kindergarten. The wheels of justice grind more slowly there than a dial-up modem.

READ MORE …

Brooks Robinson Released From Hospital; Goes Home

BALTIMORE – Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson has been released from the hospital after receiving follow-up treatment for a fever and infection.

Anne Arundel Buys New Rides for County Executive

Anne Arundel County recently purchased three new SUVs for $80,000 and two of the vehicles will replace the small fleet of county-owned vehicles that County Executive John R. Leopold and his security detail drive.

The three 2011 Ford Expeditions will replace similar, older-model vehicles that were assigned to the police and fire departments and to Leopold and the security detail as part of a “normal replacement cycle,” Leopold’s spokesman Dave Abrams said Tuesday. The vehicles were ordered late last year and arrived in the county in April – before the County Council in May voted to prohibit the Police and Fire Departments from purchasing any new vehicles – but have not been used because they are being outfitted with emergency equipment

Leopold typically has three county-owned vehicles at his disposal: a Chevrolet Impala, which he drives on a daily basis; a Ford Expedition assigned to the police bureau overseeing his executive protection unit; and a third Expedition that is assigned to the Fire Department, but serves as a spare for Leopold’s use.

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BREAKING NEWS: NY Fed Manufacturing Index Plummets

The NY Fed’s Empire State survey, a key reading on the health of the manufacturing sector, fell sharply in June, to -7. 8. Economists had been expecting a reading closer to 12. New orders also fell. Stock futures headed lower on the news.

MVA Sets Up Emergency Contact Registry

Holders of Maryland driver's licenses can now list on their driving records the names of people to be contacted in the case of an emergency, under a program launched Monday by the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Using the voluntary Emergency Contact Information Registry, Marylanders can store information with their electronic driving records about who law enforcement officials should contact in the event of a traffic crash or similar emergency. Holders of state driving licenses or identification cards can list up to three persons to be notified.

Emergency contact information can be submitted online at http://www.mva.maryland.gov or at kiosks at MVA offices. According to the agency, the information will be available only to law enforcement.

MVA officials said the idea for the program was advanced in legislation sponsored by Del. Gail Bates and former Sen. Sandra B. Schrader, both Howard County Republicans. The legislation did not pass the General Assembly but was eventually adopted by the agency.

The MVA said the need for the registry was underscored by cases such as that of Karen Knight of Ellicott City, whose son Andrew Knight was killed in a 2005 crash that left his wife incapacitated. Because the wife was listed as next of kin, his parents did not learn of the fatality until 10 hours later through a voice mail message.

from Michael Dresser @ the Baltimore Sun

To Enter Your Emergency Contact Info Online – CLICK HERE

“Too Big To Fail” May Exist Despite New Regulations

Christy Romero, the acting Special Inspector General for the TARP bank bailout program, told the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday that the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory law may not end the “too big to fail” policy and the moral hazard surrounding it.

Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee’s Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, Romero said that as far as the market is concerned, too big to fail is not dead.

“The mere enactment of the Dodd-Frank act did not end the concept of ‘too big to fail’ in the market’s eyes,” Romero said. “So long as the financial institutions, counterparties, and ratings agencies believe there will be future bailouts, competitive advantages associated with ‘too big to fail’ institutions will almost certainly persist.”

Romero noted that shortly after the passage of Dodd-Frank – which gave the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) the power to wind-down large financial institutions – two major credit-rating agencies announced they would permanently incorporate the likelihood of government bailouts into their ratings of major bank bonds.

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Sen. Nancy Jacobs Responds to Toll Hike

The toll increase proposal for the Hatem Bridge is “Cruel” but it is not “Fair”.  You have not done enough research for your column and taken into consideration factors that make a rise in tolls at the Hatem honestly difficult for a number of families there.  

The Hatem Bridge divides two communities where there are many low income earners, retirees and Veterans who use Perry Point VA Hospital. They will not just have to come up with 36 dollars the first year of a toll hike as you say, but 100 dollars to first buy in to EZ Pass’ Hatem Plan.  Most people we speak with in Cecil County do not own an EZ-Pass now. 

My Senate office has received an overwhelming amount of mail from people who say this will be hard to afford. It’s not because they feel “entitled” as you say, but because they honestly don’t have the money.  One single mother in North East says she works the night shift across the Hatem Bridge in Aberdeen and cares for a disabled son.  She fears eviction if she is forced to give up her job because she can’t afford the expense. 

Another retiree from Perryville says she must take care of her elderly brothers and sisters who frequently are admitted to Harford Memorial Hospital over the bridge. She gets teary on the phone talking about barely making it now on Social Security especially without a COLA increase.

At my News Conference last week in Perryville you would have heard from people like this but you didn’t attend. 

There are economic issues of concern for Cecil and Harford Counties as well.  Fishermen, horse owners, and owners of campers will be charged huge amounts because they have three axles.  A Harford County resident who wants to go fishing will have to pay 36 dollars to get to Cecil County waterways for the day and get back home. 

The MdTA Board should not lump this group in with commercial trucks.  It’s not good for our tourism industry to discourage this recreational activity.  The hike will also affect the positive growth at Aberdeen Proving Ground under BRAC and businesses anywhere near the bridge will suffer.  You can already see at the Perryville Outlets there are a lot of vacant storefronts since the toll went from $2.50 to 5 dollars.

Sincerely,
Senator Nancy Jacobs
Minority Leader (R-Cecil/Harford) 

Maryland Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-34) represents Cecil and Harford Counties.  She also serves as Minority Leader of the Maryland State Senate.  This letter originally appeared in the Baltimore Sun.

Troopers Investigate Single Vehicle Injury Accident

Location: I-95 southbound south of DE Rt. 141 (Churchman’s Marsh), Newark, DE

 

Date of Occurrence: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.

 

Operator/Vehicle: Unknown at this time.

 

Resume:   

Newark- The Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of a single vehicle crash on I-95 southbound south of DE Rt. 141.

 

Initial information is that the crash involved a single vehicle, described as a large passenger van, which rolled over. There were over a dozen persons injured in the crash.

 

The left lane and left shoulder of southbound I-95 is currently closed and all southbound lanes may be closed periodically as the crash is investigated and cleared. Commuters should expect delays in the area and should also consider alternate routes.

 

This crash is still under investigation at this time. More information will be released after the investigation is complete.

Damaged Communication Lines Force Closure Of Wilmington DMV

Customers Asked To Use Other DMV Facilities

 
Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) Greater Wilmington offices located at 2230 Hessler Boulevard, New Castle, will be closed for the remainder of today (June 14) due to damage done overnight to fiber optic lines near the facility. The facility will reopen for business tomorrow (June 15).

"The damage has cut all computer and phone links to the building," said DMV Director Jennifer Cohan. "Staff members are being redirected to other facilities to serve customers."

DMV is asking that customers who were planning on visiting the facility please use one of our other DMV locations until repairs have been made. Other locations include the New Castle DMV (Airport and Churchmans Road, New Castle), Dover DMV (303 Transportation Circle, Dover), and Georgetown DMV (23737 DuPont Boulevard, Georgetown).

For more information, please call 302-744-2534 or visit dmv.de.gov.

Sussex County Avoids Property Tax Increase

Sussex County residents will not be paying more in property taxes next year under a $140 million budget approved Tuesday.

For the 22nd year, the county's financial plan includes no property tax increase, but it does eliminate annual raises for county workers while restoring cuts to firefighter and police grants.

The budget for fiscal year 2012, starting July 1, is projected to see a 7 percent increase in real estatetransfer tax income, once the county's largest revenue source but which has slipped in recent years.

The economy continues to pose a challenge to budget-writers, said County Administrator David Baker, but recent signs make officials optimistic.

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Mikulski, Cardin Oppose Ending Ethanol Subsidies

The state's two Democratic senators joined with a majority of their party on Tuesday to block a symbolic effort to end federal ethanol tax subsidies, even though both lawmakers said they ultimately support doing away with the controversial tax credits.

Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin said they opposed the measure on procedural grounds Tuesday but expressed support for the underlying policy. Democratic leaders were upset by the way the proposal, offered by Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, was brought to the floor.

The measure failed on a 40-59 vote, falling far short of the 60 votes needed to advance.

But although the Coburn version of the legislation did not pass, the debate Tuesday suggested that there is bipartisan support in the Senate for limiting the ethanol breaks. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate will take up another version of the measure in a matter of days.

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