I Just Don't Get It

Yesterday, GA Harrison made the trip to Kent Island to cover an event we thought would be one of the most controversial meetings/stories so far this year.

Because we know how much the Daily Times, WBOC & WMDT are O'Malley supporters, we felt it was very important to share what we knew none of these other news sources would cover. That is, until the vote passes, then they'll cleverly come back acting like so many are upset after the fact. You know, when it's too late.

In the past 24 hours we have provided three different posts about this matter and I just can't believe what I'm seeing. The lack of comments brought me to go to Site Meter on a regular basis to see if perhaps our hits were down. Nope, that's not the case.

The debate on this matter is minimal. $2.50 each way to $8.00 each way. Are you people SLOW? Do you just not get the FACT that the state promised to remove all tolls once the Bridge was paid for 20 some odd years ago and instead raised it from $1.25 to $2.50!

Did you NOT get the fact that one of the representatives called it THEIR Bridge. It belongs to the taxpayers, not the state. We have one of the larger chicken producers going bankrupt. I have a family member working in Ocean City on weekend, (not even full time yet and summer is here) and they're telling me how slow it is out there.

If people can't realize that you can now buy a condo in Ocean City for $75,000.00 because so many foreclosures are happening and the market isn't worth a damn, charging $8.00 to cross a Bridge is NOT going to help matters.

Sure, you get the every so often redneck commenting, good, keep those people off the shore. Well, when your taxes are similar to Potomac, perhaps then you'll start complaining why your elected officials screwed things up so bad there's no way to turn it around.

The Eastern Shore needs growth to survive, like it or not. If you sit back and support all the luxuries and services Rick Pollit is so passionate about, you better get traffic in from outside of Wicomico and Worcester County or your rates WILL go through the roof.

We have ONE, I'll repeat, ONE resource that draws the second largest tax base in the state and that's the beach. If it turns into a ghost town, (and it could, like Las Vegas) and you do not get involved in this $8.00 toll fee at the Bay Bridge, you'll be screwed.

Let me throw some facts at you real quick. At $2.50 round trip, did you know the state made a net profit of more than $10,000,000.00 last year. I'll repeat, a NET Profit of ten million dollars. That means, (should they get the same traffic) they'll net somewhere around $40,000,000.00 next year!!!!!!

Maybe I'm wasting my time on this issue. The idea, (or so we thought) was to provide you with news, information and opinions you'll not get elsewhere. However, in order to make it successful, your opinion is vital. Have you all become so passive you have no opinion on this increase? Have you simply given up in disbelief? Does it not anger you that the local MSM could give a rats butt about issues like this. So much so they refused to attend?

Let's see what happens with this post and comments.

Greenwood Man Arrested After Drug Sting Operation

A 21-year-old Greenwood man was arrested Wednesday following a sting operation in which Harrington police posed as drug dealers, police said today.

Russell R. Thomas was charged with possession with intent to deliver a narcotic Schedule I controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for keeping a controlled substance, possession of a Narcotic Schedule II controlled substance, marijuana possession and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, said agency spokesman Sgt. Earl Brode.

Officers posing as drug dealers contacted Thomas to set up a meeting, and he agreed to meet the would-be dealers on Benjamin Street near Smith Avenue.

When Thomas arrived, he was arrested.

During a search of his car, officers found 3.5 grams of heroin, 2.1 grams of cocaine, 2.7 grams of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia, Brode said.

READ MORE …

Frederick Commissioners – Outsource Core Services

A report delivered Wednesday night to theFrederick County Commissioners states that the county could save up to $109 million during a five-year contract period by outsourcing core services that it indicates are now provided by more than 500 government employees.

The core areas include management services, public works, interagency information technology, community development services, human resources, financial administration, parks and recreation, court and internal audit, according to a 27-page report by a Georgia-based company that has helped other local governments develop public-private partnerships.

More than $67 million went to those core services inFrederick County's fiscal 2011 budget, according to the report by PPP Associates LLC.

"Based upon the magnitude of the savings projected above, and the concurrent improvement in responsiveness to the citizens' needs that has been evidenced in other PPP governments, PPP Associates recommends that Frederick County begin the process of converting the array of 'core' services outlined herein at as early a date as possible," the report stated.

The county commissioners received the report at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, but it won't be available to the public until later today, when a consultant presents it to the commissioners. Commissioner David Gray gave a copy of the document to The Frederick News-Post on Wednesday night.

READ MORE …

STATE OF MARYLAND ASSISTS WORKERS AND BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY ALLEN FAMILY FOODS BANKRUPTCY

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 16, 2011) - Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the Administration will be working to assist employees and businesses impacted by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Allen Family Foods. 

“The poultry industry is critically important to Maryland, providing thousands of jobs and supporting many small businesses,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.  “Our Administration is working to pull together all available resources to help protect the growers and employees impacted by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Allen Family Food.  Poultry is Maryland’s top agricultural industry and critical to the economy, especially in communities on the Eastern Shore. We continue to fight for these jobs, preserve farmland and strengthen our family-owned farms and businesses.” 

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), Talbot County Economic Development, Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and Upper Shore DLLR (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) offices are prepared to offer a rapid response for displaced workers, and assistance with job training, information on job retention/creation incentives and marketing any Maryland industrial properties. The State is also working with the other poultry companies in Maryland to determine if they can hire additional employees and growers. 

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is looking into USDA programs that could benefit these producers as well – including the Poultry Loss Contract Grant Assistance Program (PGAP), which has provided up to $60 million in as­sistance to poultry growers whose contracts were terminated because of the bank­ruptcy of a poultry company. MDA is also in contact with Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit to determine available resources.

The poultry industry is Maryland’s leading agricultural sector, accounting for $640 million (40 percent) of farm income in 2009.  Maryland broiler production ranked eighth among states in broilers produced in 2010.  Most of the grain grown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is used for chicken feed. According to the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., poultry companies operating on the Delmarva Peninsula employ 14,700 people.  There are over 1,660 family farms that raise chickens in association with the five poultry integrators operating on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Allen Family Foods, based in Seaford, Delaware, was founded in 1919.  An auction is scheduled at the end of this month to sell the company’s assets and the new ownership will determine the fate of the Cordova, MD plant.  According to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Allen Family Foods employs 500 people in Maryland and the Cordova facility is the largest private employer in Talbot County.

High School Students Win “Free Speech” Case

This past Monday the federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, En banc, that public schools cannot punish students for online speech made off-campus.

In two separate cases two students created online social profiles of their respective principals at the website Myspace.com. The profiles contained vulgar language and lewd suggestions.

In 2005, Justin Layshock, created a MySpace profile his principal’s name and completed a survey saying he was too drunk to remember his birthday, smokes “big blunts” and under “Interests” listed “Transgender, Appreciators of Alcoholic Beverages.”

The other student, named “J.S.” created a MySpace profile of her principal in 2007. J.S. said the principal’s interests are “detention, being a tight ass, spending time with my child (who looks like a gorilla).” And in the “about me” section said, “For those who want to be my friend, and aren’t in my school[,] I love children, sex (any kind), dogs, long walks on the beach, tv, being a dick head, and last but not least my darling wife who looks like a man (who satisfies my needs ) MY FRAINTRAIN….”

READ MORE …

It’s a sad commentary on our society that one of our most precious rights is litigated so that two brats can ridicule their teachers with impunity. – Ed.

CHAIR YVETTE LEWIS RESPONDS TO VOTER SUPPRESSION INDICTMENTS

ANNAPOLIS (June 16, 2011) –  Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis issued the following statement today after the indictment of Julius Henson and Paul Schurick. Each face three counts of conspiracy to violate Maryland election laws, one count of attempting to influence a voter's decision and one count of failing to provide an authority line on campaign material. Shurick also faces one count of obstruction of juctice. The charges stem from automated "robocalls" made to Maryland voters by the Ehrlich Campaign on Election Day intended to suppress voter turnout.

"Voter intimidation, voter suppression, and voter deception are cancers that threaten our Democracy, and they cannot be tolerated in our society. I was a target of this reprehensible call and remain outraged by any action intended to disenfranchise voters and subvert our democratic process."

"The Ehrlich campaigns have a long history of using dirty campaign tactics, including this automated call, false and misleading campaign materials, and the disgraceful episode in 2006 when homeless African-Americans were bused in from Philadelphia to confuse Maryland voters and suppress turnout.”

"The right to vote is at the heart of our American democracy and these types of dirty tricks and deceitful campaign tactics have no place in America. We must fight to ensure that every vote is counted, every voter is respected, and every person has the confidence that their vote will matter."

With New Job Numbers Out Tomorrow, O’Malley’s Policies Have MD Floundering

No matter what the new job figures are, Maryland’s job growth is among the worst in the Nation

Maryland ranks 49^th in private sector job creation over the past year

Maryland businesses have only created 500 private sector jobs between April 2010 and April 2011.  As of April 2010 Maryland’s private sector employed 2,010,300 individuals, a year later that number has only increased to 2,010,500.  (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/24/11)

Maryland’s lackluster private sector growth of 500 jobs ranks 49^th among all states, last among our neighbors , excluding Washington DC.  Private sector job growth in neighboring states over the past year: Pennsylvania (94,700); Virginia (25,600); West Virginia (9,800); Delaware (2,900). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/24/11)

Even Delaware created nearly six times more private sector jobs than Maryland.  Since April 2010,Delaware has created 2,900 private sector jobs compared to Maryland, despite having nearly five million less people.   (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/24/11)

Maryland  ranked 44^th total job creation

Maryland ranked 44^th  in the nation for percent change in job growth from March 2010 through March 2011; last among neighboring states. Pennsylvania (1.37%), Delaware (1.37%), Virginia, (1.02%), Washington D.C. (0.76%), West Virginia (0.71%), Maryland (0.22%).  (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11)?Maryland ranked 38^th  in the nation for annual employment gains through the end of the first quarter.  (G. Scott Thomas, “Maryland adds 5,400 jobs in the past year,” Baltimore Business Journal,  4/25/11)

Maryland  ranked 38^th in the nation for jobs created from March 2010 through March 2011, second to last among neighboring states.  Jobs created: Pennsylvania (76,500), Virginia (37,000), Delaware (5,600), Washington D.C. (5,400), Maryland (5,400), West Virginia (5,300). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11)

With more job losses coming…

Lockheed Martin to lay off 95 in Greenbelt. (“Lockheed Martin to lay off 95 in Greenbelt,” The Baltimore Sun, 6/15/11)

General Dynamics to close Aberdeen, Md. Office. The defense contractor says it will lay off 52 people. ("General Dynamics to close Aberdeen, Md. Office," Business Week, 6/14/11)

The parent company of Superfresh grocery stores warned the state on Monday it could cut nearly 1,500 jobs in Maryland if it closes 22 stores instead of selling them.  (Ryan Sharrow, “Superfresh could cut nearly 1,500 Maryland Jobs, Baltimore Business Journal, 5/16/11)

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. expects to lay off about 200 employees at the end of the month, most of them in the Baltimore area. (Jamie Smith Hopkins, “Northrop Grumman to lay off 200, mostly in Baltimore area,”  Baltimore Sun, 5/13/11)

Acme Markets announced Thursday that it is laying off about 900 of the 14,000 employees at its 117 stores in and around Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.  (Maria Panaritis, “Acme to lay off about 900 part-time workers,”  Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/28/11)

Making matters worse Maryland’s manufacturing earned a D in a recent report

Maryland gets 'D' in manufacturing ("Maryland gets 'D' in manufacturing," Baltimore Business Journal, 6/14/11)

But in O’Malley’s “Fantasy Land” 49^th worst and 44^th worst means Maryland Is still doing better than other states.

“Last month’s jobs report shows that Maryland employers continue to outperform the rest of the nation.(Governor O’Malley, “Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Gain of 11,600 Jobs in April,”  Press Release, 5/20/11)

O’Malley is right about Maryland being better than most states in one area, big government spending

Maryland spending growth ranks fourth highest in nation. Maryland continuest to spend while other states cut back. (Dave Sherfinski, “Maryland spending growth ranks fourth highest in nation,” Washington Examiner, 6/2/11)

The “New” Anchor Babies

The question of children born of illegal immigrants - so-called “anchor babies” - was re-injected back into America’s national discourse late last year when a U.S. study found that an estimated 340,000 of 4.3 million babies born in the United States in 2008 – or every 1 in 15 - had an illegal-immigrant parent.

While much of the debate – and a healthy dose of vitriol – was focused on immigrants of Hispanic background,stories of upper-class Chinese women flying to the United States in style and staying at private clinics to have their babies to take advantage of citizenship laws soon began to appear in the news cycle.

With them, a new breed of anchor baby was born, and their very existence changed the dynamics of the controversy completely.

READ MORE …

Rep. Harris To Testify In Opposition Of Massive Job-Destroying Toll Hikes In Perryville

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Andy Harris will testify in opposition to the massive job-destroying toll hikes proposed by the O’Malley Administration at the MdTA public hearing in Perryville. The Hatem Bridge and the Interstate 95 toll will be raised from $5 to an outrageous $8 – a 60% hike. The popular and convenient decal system on the Hatem Bridge will be eliminated and users will be forced to purchase EZ Passes at a cost of $90 per year.

            “I oppose these massive, job-destroying toll hikes proposed by the O’Malley Administration, as they will disproportionately hurt rural and suburban Maryland families,” said Rep. Andy Harris. “We simply cannot afford another job-destroying tax hike in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression.”

Other toll locations will be affected as well – the Fort McHenry and Harbor Tunnels in Baltimore will double and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will more than triple, from $2.50 to $8.  All of these facilities have already fully paid for themselves and their maintenance. As a result, these are not user fees – this is a tax hike.

Pat McDonough – Extremist?

State Del. Pat McDonough says he’s been called a lot of things in his political career, but he takes exception to being characterized as an extremist who turns off Democrats and moderates.

Jon Herbst, a Baltimore County Republican Central Committee member, used words to that effect indiscussing the problems that led to chairman Tony Campbell's ouster this week:.

"We've got to address the underlying problem and it was not all Chairman Campbell's doing," Herbst said. "The reality is the Republican Party has been hijacked by the religious right, not just in Baltimore County but across the country. As long as Pat McDonough, Brian Murphy and Sarah Palin are the face of the Republican Party, the party is simply not going to appeal to mainstream voters."

McDonough points to his own efforts in leading the petition drive against the new state law that gives in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants, noting that he leads the ticket in votes in his district and attracts more Democrats and independent voters than any of his fellow Republicans.

READ MORE …

Are You Ready For 3rd World America?

Today, the Federal Government accounts for 35% of incomes and salaries in the US. That’s over one third of all income in the US coming from the Government’s ability to dole out funds.

What supports this largesse?

Money printing and our ongoing debt-orgy. And today, these are one and the same. The US Federal Reserve and Treasury have enacted policies so insane that the US Federal Reserve is now the single largest holder of US Debt with a balance sheet of $2.8 trillion.

Let’s give that number some perspective. Germany, the world’s FOURTH largest economy is only $3.3 trillion in size. At $2.8 trillion the Fed’s balance sheet is larger than the economies of France, the UK, and Brazil.

Why is the Fed’s balance sheet so huge? Because US Treasuries are so unattractive to foreign Governments that the Fed has had to pick up the slack and buy our debt (usually within a week or two of it being issued).

Let me rephrase that: the US Fed is now printing money so it can buy US Debt because other investors are no longer interested in buying it.

This is just one of the various schemes Washington is employing to maintain its fiscal insanity. Another is the active raiding of pension funds to buy new US Debt (YES, the Treasury is doing this).

So… the US Government is now paying over 1/3rd of US incomes… and it’s financing this by having the Fed buy new debt from the Treasury.

Do you think this entire system might end up collapsing in a horrific manner?

And this is just ONE ASPECT of the nightmare that is the US Financial system. I’m not even detailing the $600 TRILLION in derivatives, the clear insolvency of the big banks (you know who I’m talking about), the FDIC running a deficit (are our deposits REALLY insured?), erupting inflation in food and energy prices, (Fed data CLAIMS prices FELL in the last four months) and the hundred other issues all of which will end very, VERY badly.

Regardless of how we look at the US’s current situation, it is clear that 2008 will NOT go down in history as THE Financial Crisis for the US. No, 2008 will be considered the “warm-up.”

More

700 Cited in HOV Crackdown

More than 700 drivers were cited and two unlucky commuters were slapped with $1,000 tickets as part of a crackdown on HOV violators Tuesday, authorities said.

Police from a handful of jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia handed out tickets during the morning and evening rush hours on interstates 95, 66, 270, 395 and other major arteries. The enforcement effort was dubbed the “Capitol Region HOV Awareness Day.”

The $1,000 tickets were given to two Virginia drivers for their fourth HOV offenses, officials said. The penalty also includes three points on the drivers’ records.

Officers also cited 32 drivers for reckless driving, 25 drivers for speeding and one driver for drunk driving.

from Justin Jouvenal @ the Washington Post

BREAKING NEWS: Embattled N.Y. Rep. Anthony Weiner Resigns

N.Y. Rep. Anthony Weiner, caught in a growing online sex scandal, resigns.

BREAKING NEWS: Salisbury Politicians Threaten Racial Discord

At a press conference this morning, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton and Councilwoman Shanie Shields cited three members of the city council and threatened racial discord in the city because the council’s refusal to approve “The Bricks” project.

MORE TO FOLLOW…

Eastern Shore Citizens Pack Auditorium to Say NO! to O’Malley Toll Hike Plan

Wednesday evening over 500 people crammed into the auditorium of Kent Island High School to give their opinion of the Maryland Transportation Administration’s (MDTA) proposed toll hikes. Citizens from all over the Eastern Shore attended last night’s hearing, although the vast majority were from Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties.
The first speakers of the evening were elected officials. Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36) and delegates Mike Smigiel (R-36), Jay Jacobs (R-36), Steve Hershey (R-36), and Mike McDermott (R-38B) all spoke against the proposed toll hikes.

Del. Mike McDermott (R-38B) addresses the crowd at last night’s public hearing
After the elected officials spoke, the MDTA officials gave their presentation attempting to justify the toll hikes. Two statements stood out in the presentation – the claim by the MDTA that they “owned” the bridges and tunnels AND their admission (verbally and in writing) that the monies from higher tolls would be used for maintenance on the bridges and tunnels, and for “infrastructure projects” in the Baltimore / DC corridor.

When the folks from MDTA finished speaking, the ordinary citizen had his chance. Here are a few quotes:

Since O’Malley was elected my sales tax has gone up 20%. You’ve just raised my beer tax. Now you want to raise my tolls … BUT … you are going to give subsidized tuition to illegal aliens.
You want to raise our tolls and force us to subsidize the ICC (Inter-County Connector road). … Why don’t you put up toll booths on I-70, I-270, and I-68 and let the rest of the state share in the pain.
I’m convince you wake up every morning in Annapolis and say, “What can we do today to screw the Eastern Shore?”.
I do most of my shopping in Annapolis. It’s 25 minute from my home. If you raise this toll, I’m thinking seriously of starting to do my shopping in Middletown, DE. Middletown is 45 minutes from home. (members of the audience shouted, “And NO sales tax”) That’s right. I may burn an extra gallon or two of gas, but between the toll increase and no sales tax, it will be cheaper.

One gentleman that spoke to riotous applause had this to say:

I’m a businessman. I have to look after my customers. I don’t have the luxury of raising taxes to meet my payroll. If you worked for me (pointing to the MDTA commissioners), I’d fire each and every one of you!

The overflow crowd sat or stood patiently as each speaker took his or her turn.

While I wasn’t present for EVERY speaker on Wednesday night, I did not hear one speak in favor of the toll hike. Will the MDTA commissioners understand what the folks at last night’s hearing were saying? It’s doubtful.

STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE UNTIL 4 PM.

Concerned Citizens Rally Before Hearing on Toll Hikes

Wednesday evening the Maryland Transportation Administration (MDTA) held a public hearing on their proposed toll hikes at Kent Island High School in Stevensville. Prior to the hearing, a group of about 50 concerned citizens rallied outside the school to show their opposition to the proposed hikes.

Nick Loffer, of the Maryland chapter of Americans for Prosperity, organized the event.

Among the speakers was Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36). Sen. Pipkin, along with several other members of the Maryland legislature has been a leader in opposing the hikes and keeping citizens informed of the MDTA’s proposals.

Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36), another leader of the opposition movement, addresses the crowd at the pre-hearing rally organized by AFP. Smigiel, along with Sen. Pipkin, have been rallying Shore citizens to this issue, and others, through their jointly published blog War on Rural Maryland.

Del. Mike Mike McDermott (R-38B) and Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36) outside Kent Island High School after speaking against the MDTA’s proposed toll hikes.
In addition to Sen. E. J. Pipkin, Del. Mike McDermott, and Del. Mike Smigiel, Delegates Addie Eckhardt (R-37B), Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-37B), Del. Steve Hershey (R-36), and Del. Jay Jacobs (R-36) all attended last night’s rally to oppose the toll hikes.
Last evening’s speakers emphasized that opposition to the toll hikes isn’t just about one more example of Annapolis taking more from the Eastern Shore. These proposed hikes will also have an adverse affect on Maryland’s economy. Mid and Upper Shore citizens will be encouraged to shop in Delaware (with no toll, and NO SALES TAX) rather than travel across the Bay. Those that have to commute across the Bay will be forced to spend more of their income in commuting costs rather than with Maryland retailers. Money taken out of the pockets of Shore residents will be going to Annapolis rather being used to invest in new businesses which will employ people.

STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE UNTIL 4PM.

Officials say a 43-year-old Annapolis man has died while participating in the annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim.

Race director Chuck Nabit says Grahame Rice was pulled onto a rescue boat minutes after being found in the water during Sunday’s race. He was pronounced dead at Queen Anne’s Emergency Center in Queenstown.

Rice’s father-in-law, Bob Robinson, says doctors suspect a heart attack was the cause of Rice’s death. Robinson says Rice had been training for the race all year and had finished it two years ago.

Rice was married and had two children.

Nabit says there has been only one other fatality in the race’s 20-year history.

from the Associated Press

BREAKING NEWS: Embattled Rep. Weiner To Announce Resignation

New York Congressman Anthony Weiner expected to announce resignation in press conference at 2:00 p.m.

Northside Park Paving Project to Begin on June 22nd

Ocean City, MD – Paving of the Northside Park pathway will begin on Wednesday, June 22. Paving is expected to be completed on Thursday, June 23. Northside Park will remain open during the project and public access will be limited only where work is being performed.

Eastern Shore Senator Laments Loss of Poultry Jobs

State Sen. Richard Colburn is sounding the alarm on the recent bankruptcy filing of a Delaware poultry company with operations on Maryland's Eastern Shore -- calling it "devastating" news for his district.
Allen Family Food's Cordova plant is Talbot County's second-largest employer, Colburn said, behind only the Memorial Hospital at Easton. The bad news comes as the Delmarva Poultry Industry prepares for its annual Chicken Festival this weekend in Georgetown, Del.
Seaford, Del.-based Allen filed for bankruptcy last week and announced plans to close its facilities in Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina, according to delmarvanow.com. The 92-year-old company is seeking to sell assets to Mountaire, another Delaware poultry company.
The state Department of Business and Economic Development reports that about 500-600 employees work at the Cordova plant, not including farmers with Allen-contracted chicken houses.
Colburn, an Eastern Shore Republican, said in a statement that he does not believe Maryland's two other major poultry producers, Perdue and Mountaire, will take over any of Allen's chicken houses north of Route 301.
READ MORE …

Appoquinimink School District Gets New Chief

The Appoquinimink School District will get a new superintendent next month. Matt Burrows, the current principal of Louis L. Redding Middle School, will assume the position after the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education named him to the post Tuesday.

"I'm very excited," Burrows said in a statement. "Appoquinimink has a tradition of academic excellence, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that. I can't wait to get to work."

Burrows will take over after Tony Marchio retires after 16 years as superintendent. Under Marchio, the district grew and consistently ranked as one of the top performing districts in Delaware. Burrows said he wants to build on that good reputation by working closely with students, staff and residents. Burrows said he will host a series of meet-and-greet events with the Appoquinimink community.

READ MORE …

NC Legislators Continue Push for ID at Polls

Republicans at the North Carolina General Assembly are intent on passing restrictions on voters who come to polls to prove whom they say are, despite a potential veto by Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue.

The Senate approved legislation Wednesday night mandating people offer one of eight forms of photo ID before their votes can count. Otherwise, a person must cast a provisional ballot and prove identity later.

The bill now returns to the House, which passed the bill last week on party lines but fell short of overcoming any potential veto. GOP Sen. Debbie Clary of Cleveland County says it's not too much to ask someone prove their identity before voting. Democrats say the bill is all about Republicans suppressing votes to help the GOP's political fortunes.

from Gary Robertson @ the Associated Press

Two Men Arrested For Malicious Destruction Of Property

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011

, at approximately 12:22 a.m., Ocean City Police responded to the Town of Ocean City Public Works complex located on 65th Street, for a report of malicious destruction of property.

Officers located a Town of Ocean City bus, which had been sprayed with paint and marked with a grease pen. According to a witness, a white male with short hair, wearing a grey t-shirt and grey hooded sweatshirt, committed the malicious destruction of property in the area of 94th Street at approximately 11:45 p.m.

As officers continued to investigate the initial report, a description of the suspect was broadcast to additional officers. At approximately 2:10 a.m., Seasonal Officer Hayes and Corporal Yeager located two suspects, who were later identified as Howard Milton Kuhn Jr., 33, and Daniel Edward Lorden, 28, both from Baltimore, in the area of 12th Street and Washington Avenue writing on a Town of Ocean City dumpster. One of the suspects, Kuhn, matched the description of the suspect from the previous incident.

Kuhn was positively identified by the witness as the suspect from the malicious destruction of the city bus.

Kuhn and Lorden were placed under arrest for malicious destruction of property. Further investigation revealed similar graffiti on four Town of Ocean City buses, in addition to multiple Town trash receptacles.

Currently, there are 50 different locations that are being processed
involving graffiti matching that of graffiti allegedly made by Kuhn and
Lorden.

Kuhn and Lorden were charged five counts of malicious destruction of property, scheme to commit malicious destruction of property, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. They were seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and released on their own personal recognizance. Ocean City Police are continuing the investigation, as well as identify additional victims. If you have property that has been damaged by graffiti, Ocean City Police are asking that you call 410.723.6610.

McDonnell Expects Surplus of At Least $100 Million

The state appears to be heading toward a budget surplus of $100 million to $200 million, Gov. Bob McDonnell estimated Wednesday.

McDonnell estimated the surplus for fiscal 2011 in an exchange with reporters after he announced that revenue collections in May increased by 17.9 percent over the prior year. It was the 14th month out of the past 15 months in which tax collections exceeded the prior year's amount.

The 2010-11 fiscal year ends June 30.

Tax collections in June must total about $1.6 billion to attain the forecast of a balanced budget for the year. Receipts in June 2010 were $1.8 billion.

Jim Regimbal, an independent economist, said it is difficult to predict, but "if I had to guess, I would say a surplus of around $300 million."

Last fiscal year, the state had a surplus of $403 million, but that was inflated by $220 million in accelerated sales tax receipts. Sales taxes owed by merchants for July 2010 sales were pulled into June to avoid severe budget cuts.

READ MORE …

In A Currency Tug-Of-War, The U.S. Dollar Loses…

I imagine sometimes in my most optimistic moments that one day I will live in the midst of a true free market economy, where the tides of trade and investment, the ebb and flow of commerce, are a rather beautiful thing. A marketplace without centralized manipulation, were legitimate supply and demand are elevated instead of obscured, and toxic financial instruments, crooked corporate institutions, and even faulty currencies, are allowed to finally meet their long deserved demise because they no longer serve the needs of our nation and our culture. I imagine an economy that is not only continuously shedding off old skins and renewing itself as our society grows, but one whose primary purpose is to nurture and expedite that growth. I imagine an economy that works FOR the people, not against them. Like I said, “optimistic”.

In today’s economy, we have something quite different. We are imprisoned in a labyrinthian deathtrap of a mainstream system, one that feeds endless fiat formaldehyde into the crusted veins of a long since corpsified infrastructure; a financial golem, a wraith, a thing that creeps across the dark horizon of our country’s future waiting to unleash a special kind of hell. A thing that should not exist.

We live in an unnatural and monstrous economy. A Frankenstein creation…

This creation owes its wretched life to the efforts of a relatively small number of international bankers, corporate financiers, and of course, the private Federal Reserve; the mad scientists of our age, consumed with a lust for power over everything. One day, in the distant future, we will finally understand and appreciate their “brilliance”, or so they tell themselves. The “plan” is simply too complex and wondrous for we nearsighted and frightened villagers to comprehend.

In fact, the plan is very easy to comprehend, and not driven by brilliance, but hubris (one does not necessarily lead to the other). The key to grasping the mangled workings of our economy lay in the lifeblood of our commerce; the dollar itself. If you know the dollar, you’ll know just about everything else. Ignore the dollar, or assume comprehension without ample study, and you will find yourself completely lost in the fog and chaos of the markets.

This brand of confusion is very evident amongst a majority of investors, who seem bewildered by the seesaw activities in global indexes, Treasury Bonds and currency exchanges, and more specifically, the tug-of-war between the dollar and the euro. Why does debt instability keep cycling in the EU like a tornado? How could commodities decouple from currencies and act independently of “normal” market indicators? How could the U.S. economy still be on the verge of complete meltdown after three years of bailouts and quantitative easing measures? Where is all this headed?

Many of these questions can be answered by examining the battle going on between major developed and developing nations, including their currency policies, which appear to be at odds. However, there is indeed a concerted and focused effort in play underneath all the supposed “bumblings” and catastrophes around us, and this effort is not being implemented for our benefit…

More

Harris, Cardin, Wealthiest Members in Maryland Congressional Delegation

The newest member of Maryland’s congressional delegation, it turns out, might also be its most wealthy.

Rep. Andy Harris, the Baltimore County Republican elected last year to represent the Eastern Shore along with several Baltimore suburbs, holds assets valued between $1.5 million and $4 million, according to annual financial disclosure statements by members of Congress that were made available to the public Wednesday.

Harris, an anesthesiologist, appears to have surpassed Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, who is worth between $1.4 million and $3.5 million and has frequently turned up as one of the state’s most well-off elected officials. Because lawmakers report the value of assets in broad ranges, it’s impossible to assess actual net worth.

Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, meanwhile, who also typically reports significant financial holdings, received a one-month extension to file his report.

Harris’ disclosure statement shows that he earned $123,705 last year from Johns Hopkins, where he practiced medicine. The statement also documents $40,011 in salary he received from his time as a state lawmaker and $27,000 from his private medical practice, Tidewater Anesthesia Associates. A spokesman said Harris has taken a leave of absence from Hopkins but still sees patients at his practice in order to maintain his medical license.

READ MORE …

SUSPECT APPREHENDED BY POLICE AFTER ATTEMPTED RAPE

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Ocean City Police were dispatched to the area of 134th Street and the beach to assist a citizen who was screaming for help. Officers located the victim, whose name is not being released, who explained that an unknown male assaulted her.

The victim told police that she was walking back to her hotel when she was approached by the suspect, who was later identified as Chase Daniel Bucy, 21, of Falling Waters, WV.

According to the victim, Bucy stated that he knew a short cut to the victim’s hotel, at which time he led her through some condominium parking lots near the 10th block of 130th Street.

Bucy, who was walking a short distance behind the victim, then allegedly attacked her from behind. During the course of the assault, the victim continued to resist the attack. Bucy finally fled the area when nearby citizens began to call out to the victim for assistance.

A description of Bucy was broadcast through Ocean City Police Communications, and moments later Pfc. Flanagan located him at 123rd Street. After a positive identification of Bucy by the victim, Bucy was placed under arrest. He was charged with attempted firstdegree rape, attempted second-degree rape, first degree assault, second degree assault
and false imprisonment. After being seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Bucy was transferred to Worcester County Jail to be held without bond.

Ocean City Police are reminding citizens to be vigilant and call the Ocean City Police Department if you see or hear suspicious or criminal activity. The courageous nature of the victim and the assistance of the citizens thwarted the possibility of an increasingly serious assault.

Government More to Blame for Failing Economic Recovery

Just as economists have debated the causes of the financial crisis, they are now debating the causes of the slow, almost non-existent, recovery. Topping my list of causes are the so-called stimulus packages -- which empirical work shows did little to stimulate -- and other government interventions, which have left an overhang of uncertainty impeding private investment.

As my colleagues Gary Becker, George Shultz, Michael Boskin, John Cogan and I explained last summer:

The 2008 tax rebate and the 2009 spending stimulus bills failed to improve the economy. Cash for clunkers and the first-time home-buyers tax credit merely moved purchases forward by a few months. Then there's the recent health-care legislation, which imposes taxes on savings and investment and gives the government control over health-care decisions. ... Hundreds of new complex regulations lurk in the 2010 financial reform bill with most of the critical details left to regulators. So uncertainty reigns and nearly $2 trillion in cash sits in corporate coffers.

The latest entry in the debate over the anemic recovery comes from a recent column by Paul Krugman, which Amity Shlaes responded to earlier this week. He argues that "As the stimulus has faded out, so have hopes of strong economic recovery."

READ MORE …

Boonies Thursday Night Special

Today's Wildlife Photo

School Surveys 7th-Graders On Oral Sex

A middle school in Massachusetts is under fire for requiring children to complete a graphic sex survey -- without parental knowledge or consent -- that included questions about sexual partners and oral sex.

The Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties organization, filed a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education against the Fitchburg School Committee. They are representing the two middle school-aged daughters of Arlene Tessitore.

Tessitore said her daughters, both students at Memorial Middle School, were told they had to complete a Youth Risk Behavior Study.

“Kids were actually told to sit down and take them,” said John Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “The parents here are very upset.”

Whitehead said the girls were deeply disturbed by the subject matter of the study – including questions about suicide, drug use and sexual behavior.

“One of the questions is, ‘have you ever had oral sex,’” Whitehead said. “You’re talking about kids who probably don’t even know what oral sex is.”

He said the survey also delved into even more graphic language.

“It’s adult material,” he told Fox News Radio, noting that one question asked students what method they used to prevent pregnancy during their last sexual encounter.

“It goes down a whole list, including birth control pills, condoms and one of the answers is ‘withdraw,’” Whitehead said. “Adults know what this is, but kids have to imagine or go online to find out what it means.”

Principal Fran Thomas told Fox News Radio that students were indeed given the survey – and admits it was graphic. But Thomas said the school has nothing to do with the content and they were required to administer the survey to fulfill a grant requirement.

More

LED Lighting Prices To ‘Plummet’ By 2015, VantagePoint Says

June 16 (Bloomberg) -- VantagePoint Capital Partners, the Silicon Valley investor that helped bring Tesla Motors Inc. public, expects prices for LEDs to “plummet” within three years as competition intensifies to satisfy surging demand for energy-efficient lights.

Prices for LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, may fall 90 percent by 2015, said Alan Salzman, chief executive officer of the San Bruno, California-based venture capital company, said in an interview.

Incandescent bulbs are being phased out in Europe. In the U.S., efficiency policies will eliminate the 100-watt bulb in 2012. LED makers stand to gain a bigger share of the $40 billion a year global lighting market.

Bulb companies including General Electric Co. and Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV are producing LEDs, and Salzman said startups that are developing low-cost LEDs will take a slice of the market.

“We’re just at the beginning of the LED phase,” Salzman said. “There’s very little quality product yet even on the shelves.”

More

Texas Man Convicted In Death Of Delaware Woman

SNOW HILL, Md. (AP) -- A Worcester County jury has found a Texas man guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a Delaware woman who went missing from a Pocomoke City home in 2007.

Justin Michael Hadel, of College Station, Texas, was convicted Wednesday of killing 26-year-old Christine Marie Sheddy. Her skeletal remains were found in February of 2010 on the grounds of a bed and breakfast in Snow Hill, Md. The 20-year-old was also found guilty of first-degree assault. No sentencing date has been set.

According to court documents, Hadel and Sheddy were both guests at the Pocomoke home in November of 2007. Sheddy, whose mother lives in Bowers Beach, Del., was reported missing on Nov. 14. She and her two children were staying with her mother before going to the Pocomoke home.

Source

New York Assembly Approves Same-Sex Marriage

(CNN) -- New York's state Assembly Wednesday night approved a same-sex marriage bill, sending it to the Senate, where it faces a closer vote.

The Marriage Equality Act passed the Assembly 80-63.

It would grant same-sex couples equal rights to marry "as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that are currently limited to married couples of the opposite sex," according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

"This is an immense step toward achieving true equality for all here in New York," said Democratic Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, who argued that he and his partner should be allowed to marry.

Wednesday night's debate included discussion of religious, traditions, customs and families. Small gay rights flags decorated many desks in the chamber.

Same-sex marriage is a fundamental human right, said Democratic Assemblyman Richard Gottfried during the debate.

More

7th D.C. Officer Arrested In 5 Months, Charged With Stealing Thousands

WASHINGTON - A police sergeant arrested Tuesday for stealing $43,000 from an elderly woman is the seventh D.C. officer to be arrested in the last five months.
 
Aisha Hackley, 35, is charged with scamming an 85-year-old woman by forging checks she stole from the woman's house while on assignment and cashing them to herself and her son, according to court documents.
 
The allegations against Hackley are just the latest in a string of embarrassments incurred by the police department as six other officers have been charged with crimes ranging from buying stolen merchandise to murder.
 
In one instance, an officer is charged with killing a woman in Prince George's County and leaving her baby to die in a hot car.
 
In another, an officer is charged with helping her boyfriend break into several houses.
 
Three other officers were charged buying stolen electronics.
 
According to figures from D.C. Police, a total of 16 officers have been arrested in 2011 to date. The number matches the total amount of officers arrested in 2010.

More

Lawmakers Sue Obama Over Libya

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

Ten U.S. Congressmen have sued President Obama, asking a federal judge to stop air strikes against Libya.

Today's Survey Question

DO YOU THINK THE PROPOSED TOLL HIKES ON MARYLAND BRIDGES AND TUNNELS ARE NECESSARY OR JUSTIFIED?

Pohanka Toyota Makes It Official

With close to 200 cars already sold this month, Pohanka Toyota is proving to be the leader in sales here on the Eastern Shore.

Yesterday's Grand Opening was an impressive event with dignitaries everywhere you turned. The buzz throughout the large crowd was talk about how unbelievable this Dealership is.

Other discussions were about "Paying It Forward" and how they are committed to pleasing every customer in sales and service. As I've stated before, you have to experience it to really understand that Pohanka HAS done what no other Dealer has ever done in all my years and experience dealing with car dealers.

Salisbury News is proud and honored to enjoy our main sponsor, Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury. We strongly encourage you to personally experience what they have to offer as they have set the bar in new and used car sales and service in the Tri-State area.

Many members of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to celebrate this Grand Opening. It was fun to see so many of those guests there with Pohanka emblems on their vehicles.

Brink of Humanitarian Disaster

Sanaa, Yemen - Even before demonstrators began demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh five months ago, Yemen's future looked bleak.

A third of its people couldn't be certain when they'd next eat.
The oilfields that provide 70 percent of government revenues and more than 30 percent of the country's economic activity were expected to go dry in 10 years. Experts even were betting that Sanaa would be the first world capital to run out of water.

But now, with Saleh lying wounded in a hospital in Saudi Arabia after an assassination attempt, the political system paralyzed by armed conflict and disagreements about what should happen to his government, and economic activity grindi
ng to a halt, the future may be now.

"While it may not be plainly visible yet, I would say that Yemen is on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe," said Geert Cappelaere, the Yemen representative for UNICEF, the United Nations children's aid agency.

Throughout the country, Yemen's infrastructure has buckled under the months of conflict. Oil supply lines have been disrupted since March, following an attack on Yemen's main oil pipeline suspected to be the work of anti-government tribesmen. Across the country, prices of basics like food, water and gasoline have increased exponentially, placing further strain on the already struggling poor. Electricity has gone from unreliable to nearly nonexistent. Fearing further outbreaks of violence, many city dwellers have fled to the countryside, stretching the already meager supplies and services in those areas.

More

Free And Reduced Meal Benefits Application FAQ’s For The 2011-2012 School Year

Q: Who can get free or reduced price meals?

A: All children in households receiving benefits from Food Stamps or TCA, foster and homeless children, and children in household’s with gross income at or below the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Guideline.

Q: I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals?

A: Children

may be eligible. Please fill out and turn in ONE application per household.

Q: What happens if a family does not submit a Meal Benefits Application?

A: Children pay full price for breakfast and lunch unless categorical eligibility is determined.

Q: My child(ren) received free or reduced lunch last year. Will they automatically get the same status eligibility for the upcoming school year?

A:

No! Each year households must complete ONE new 2011-2012 school year Meal Benefits Application form – ONLY ONE PER HOUSEHOLD. If a new application is not submitted and processed, you will have to pay the full price for school meals.

Q: How long does it take to get approved?

A: Applications are approved or denied within 10 business days of receipt in the Food and Nutrition Services office. Applications are denied if they are missing needed information. Notification letters are sent home with students indicating the status of the application submitted and processed.

Q: Where can I get an application?

A: New applications are sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year, or they will be available in school offices and the Food and Nutrition Services office. BUT ONLY FILL OUT ONE APPLICATION PER HOUSEHOLD!!!

Q: Why would a child’s status change from free/reduced at the beginning of the year to full pay?

A: This can occur for different reasons:



No application was submitted and processed.



The family completed an application reporting NO income (you MUST list some type of income - see below for 'types').



The family was selected for verification/audit and did not return the required paperwork.



The application is missing required information and cannot be processed.

Q: Can I fax application to Food and Nutrition Services?

A:

No! All applications are scanned by an automated process and read by computer software.

Q: If I move to Wicomico County Public Schools from another school district where my children received free or reduced meal benefits, do I have to reapply here?

A:

YES! BUT, if you moved after the start of the 2011-2012 school year, and can provide your new 2011-2012 school year 'proof of eligibility' letter from the other school district, we can accept a copy. Call 410-677-4419 if unsure.

Q: What income do I need to list on the application?

A: Income is any money received on an ongoing, regular basis. List the

gross income each person earned from work. Gross income is all money earned before any taxes or other deductions. If the hours you work vary from week to week, take two of your paychecks and average them together to get your total income for the period. If you are a 10 month WCBOE employee, list your YEARLY income. Income includes: cash withdrawn from savings, regular contributions from persons not living in household, wages, salaries, tips, child support, alimony, TCA payments, pensions, retirement, Social Security, disability benefits, interest, dividends, income from estates, trusts, investments, net royalties, annuities, net rental income, strike benefits, unemployment compensation, workers compensation, net income from self-owned business or farm, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans benefits (VA).

Q: What if more than one family lives in the house?

A: All members of the household and their income should be included on the application, even if more than one family lives in the same household. Call 410-677-4419 if you have questions.

Q: Do I need to list the income of an adult that lives in the home, but is not a parent to one of the children?

A:

Yes, any income received by any adult in the house must be listed.

Q: Will the information I give be checked?

A:

Yes, and we may also require you to provide proof.

Q: We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income?

A: If you get an off-base housing allowance, yes, include as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include this type of income.

Q: My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is their combat pay counted as income?

A: No, if the combat pay is received in addition to their basic pay because of their deployment and it wasn’t received before they were deployed, combat pay is not counted as income.

Q: Should I fill out an application if I receive a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals?

A:

No! Please read the letter carefully. Follow the instructions. Call the Food and Nutrition Services office at 410-677-4419 if you have any questions.

Q: I am enrolling another child in our household and my other children

are already free/reduced. Do I fill out another application?

A: No! Call our office and we will add the student to your household

and they may receive the same eligibility as your other children.

Wicomico County Board of Education

FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES

101 Long Ave., P.O. Box 1538, Salisbury, MD 21802

410

‐1538‐677‐4419 x4819~ FAX 410‐677‐5804 x4878