Salisbury News: 11/17/11

Thursday, November 17, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Is Mayor Ireton In Bed With SAPOA

The title may be a bit confusing but one has to wonder, what's going on with these inspections on rental properties.

Laura Mitchell, (Idiot) actually believes that ALL residential properties in Salisbury should be subjected to inspection but we'll just chalk that up to her being an Idiot.

In the mean time, most are wondering what happened over the past 4 years. Under Barrie Tilghman in 2008 there were 812 inspections with less inspectors. Then in a split year Barrie had 589 inspections in 2009 but Jim Ireton had been elected that year when there was a change in guard, (many do not believe any guard changed today).

In 2010 there were only 166 inspections on rental properties and so far this year there's only been 89 inspections. SO, does this mean Mayor Ireton is now in bed with SAPOA?

Maybe, maybe not. Salisbury News is being told that the reason it has dropped so low is because SAPOA is refusing the allow these inspections by simply telling their tenants NOT to open the door. Are we dealing with back door politics, I''m not sure.

What I can tell you is that your Council Representatives aren't putting up with ANY part of it and will be discussing NEW legislation to stop this practice immediately. The City will make it a CONDITION they open that door and that will end whatever game is going on. Currently the code does not require them to OPEN the door.

O'Malley Finally Sees The Light On Worcester County Hudson Farm Lawsuit

In the past, Salisbury News held candidate interviews with state Delegates, Senators, Congressmen and even Governor, In our line of questions we actually brought up the Hudson Farm and challenged candidates wanting to know what they thought about the University of Maryland Law Clinic suing a Farmer. There wasn't a single candidate that supported this lawsuit. In fact, they all stated it was ridiculous.

Today, Governor O'Malley wrote a letter referencing this exact topic stating it was an injustice this group represent Waterkeepers Alliance and it was a misuse of state resources.

Here's what you WON'T hear from the MSM on this topic, unless and until they copy our story.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are flying in from Farm Bureau's in other states supporting this injustice and ridiculous lawsuit. One Farm Bureau from Oregon sent in $10,000.00. Another state sent in $2,000.00, the money is coming from everywhere and I think O'Malley saw he could no longer allow this lawsuit to continue.

Governor O'Malley stated the U of MD Environmental Law Clinic should have been representing Alan and Kristen Hudson and NOT Watershed. Funny thing is, it took O'Malley almost 2 years to spit that out.

Nevertheless, we are finally headed in the right direction with this horrible situation and the proper support is under way. Salisbury News is proud to have brought this to our legislators attention very early on and challenge them.

O'Malley's letter stated, "With vigor and determination our clinics should represent those who cannot afford representation. And in this case, it seems that this purpose would have been better served by the Clinic representing the Hudsons."

Hopefully the Dean takes O'Malley seriously and drops the case. The Watershed Alliance was charging that the Hudsons were illegally polluting the Pocomoke River. Of course the Hudson's have denied such charges from the very beginning.

Salisbury News would like to thank ALL of the Farm Bureaus across America for offering their support in such a ridiculous case. As many of you know, Farming isn't the most profitable business to be in and getting slapped with a bogus lawsuit and finding the funds to fight big government is just about impossible. Because of the Brotherhood of Farmers, the Hudsons and the Farm Bureaus put the fear of God in O'Malley's political future and with the right kind of luck with shut this case down once and for all.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO THE TALBOT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 17, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the appointment of Andrea Poe and Donna M. Matthews, Esq., to the Talbot County Board of Education. The Talbot County Board of Education is comprised of seven members and one student member. The seven Board members are elected by district to four-year terms. The Governor’s appointments fill two current vacancies on the board.

“I am proud to appoint Ms. Poe and Ms. Matthews to the Talbot County Board of Education,” said Governor O’Malley. “They each bring a diverse background of experience and expertise, and I am confident they possess the skills and leadership necessary to ensure every child in Talbot County receives the quality public education they deserve.”

Andrea Poe is a freelance writer and owner of a public relations firm. She taught writing and English as a Second Language and is a graduate of St. John’s College.

Donna M. Mathews, Esq. is lawyer, teacher, and a former member of the Board serving District 6 and also served two terms as president of the Board.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO LADY LIBERTY TODAY

NYPD, Occupy Wall Street

LT. GOVERNOR BROWN: MITT ROMNEY PRIVATIZATION PLAN WOULD DAMAGE CARE FOR VETERANS

ANNAPOLIS (November 17, 2011) – In response to Mitt Romney's proposal to privatize veterans’ health care by introducing a voucher system, Lt. Governor Brown, a Colonel in the Army Reserve and the nation's highest ranking elected official to serve a tour of duty in Iraq, issued the following statement:

“Our brave men and women in uniform have risked everything in service to their country, and it is our duty to provide them with the high quality care and support they have earned. Mitt Romney's private voucher scheme would push our veterans away from the specialized and experienced care that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been providing for decades and force them to find their own care through private insurers. Vouchers would increase costs for veterans and damage their quality of care, and have been strongly opposed by veterans’ organizations. While President Obama is fighting to protect benefits for our veterans and help put our returning servicemembers back to work, Mitt Romney would rather undermine the very resources they depend on.”

Nolan Building In Salisbury On Fire

We're hearing the old Nolan Building now owned by SU had a fire. South Division and Bateman.

George McGovern: Abolish The TSA And Homeland Security

Former Sen. and Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern, who ran on an anti-Vietnam war platform, is calling for the Transportation Security Administration and the entire Homeland Security Department to be eliminated, reports The Hill.

In a new book, What It Means to be a Democrat he says that current airport security procedures are "ridiculous." He writes, further:

The whole silliness of our response is exemplified by what has happened at our airports. Once sources of architectural pride, air terminals are now barricaded behind concrete. Inside we are required to remove our shoes and belts, hand over our gels and liquids and submit to body scans — with the ante being raised each time there's a new scare.

What upsets me the most is when I see an elderly woman trying her dardedest to comply with these ridiculous rules. As if she could possibility harboring an explosive in her suitcase," he continued. "Now that our initial distress over 9/11 has dissipated, I suggest that we stop this needless hassle, a palliative that costs $7 billion a year and rising.

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Obama Pastor Offers Sanctuary For Occupy Protesters

Calls on churches nationwide to open ‘basements and halls’

A member of President Obama’s controversial faith council has offered his parish as sanctuary to Occupy protesters, calling on churches nationwide to similarly open their doors.

“It’s time to invite the Occupy Movement to church!” wrote Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners, a ministry professing a devotion to the pursuit of “social justice.”

Wallis penned an article in his church’s magazine, also entitled Sojourners, calling for a “church sanctuary for the Occupy movement.”

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A Very Damn Good Question From Judge Napolitano

Why are liberals who want the government to regulate their health care upset that the government wants to regulate their internet?

Gay-Marriage Foes Get Boost From Calif. Court

SAN FRANCISCO - The sponsors of ballot propositions can step in to defend their initiatives from legal challenges if the governor and attorney general refuse to do so, California's highest court said Thursday.

"It's good news of a sort for opponents of same-sex marriage," CBS News senior legal analyst Andrew Cohen said, referring to how the decision affects Proposition 8, the state's gay marriage ban. "The state court now has advised the federal appeals court that the supporters of Prop. 8 who want to appeal last year's adverse ruling may do so, even though California's attorney general and governor have backed out of the case."

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Smucker's Chunky Peanut Butter Recalled

Nov. 17, 2011 -- Smucker's is recalling some 16-ounce jars of Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall affects only Smucker's chunky style peanut butter. It does not involve Smucker's creamy peanut butter or other Smucker's products.

No illnesses have been reported. Smucker's says it voluntarily began the recall "as a result of a routine sampling program which revealed these finished products may contain the bacteria."

What The Banksters Fear

Yesterday, I reported that World Bank president Robert Zoellick is bullish on gold because of the financial uncertainty in the world.

Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin has pretty much the same message. At an event at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., Rubin said:

My own view is that the probability is likely somewhat better that, despite all the immense difficulties, they will wind up working their way through this, though it will be lengthy, volatile, there will be plenty of time for them to have a real risk of going off the road. The only reason I think that is because the alternative is so horrendous.

This is the sense I am getting from all these guys. I think what they expect is that the EZ will put together what Geithner calls a "fiscal union." They seem to have the politicians in line. As I have reported, both the new heads of Italy and Greece are bankster operatives.

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Dan Gilbert Asks, Why Are We Happy?

Go Here To See

Ron Paul Outplays Megyn Kelly

You know, the Ron Paul surge in the polls is for real, when even Meygn Kelly is treating Ron Paul with respect.

In the clip below, Dr. Paul, ever the gentleman, politely and cheerfully answers questions from Kelly.

Remarkably, she trashes CBS for giving Dr. Paul only 89 seconds of talk time during the recent debate and asks him what does he think is going on with the little debate time he is getting. Yet, I remember distinctly how she skipped over Dr. Paul, when she was asking questions during the FOX sponsored debate.

I would have never been able to hold my tongue and would have said to her, "Well, you did it to me during the FOX debate. Why did you do it?"

The ever cool congressman, on the other hand, turned the piece into another opportunity to just get his message out.

Well played, Dr Paul..

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1 In 12 Teens Deliberately Cut, Hurt Themselves

At age 14 or 15, a perfect storm of surging hormones, immature brains and unfamiliar emotions drive nearly one in 12 teens to deliberately hurt themselves, most often by cutting or burning their own flesh, or by trying to hang, electrocute, drown or suffocate themselves.

"The window of vulnerability for this experience of self-harm appears to open at around puberty," said Dr. Paul Moran, co-author of a study about self-harm published online Wednesday in The Lancet.

The Twisted Mind Of Jonathan Gruber

Capital New York describes M.I.T. professor Jonathan Gruber as " a key intellectual architect of President Obama's overhaul of the American health care system."

CapNy quotes an upset Gruber:

I'm frustrated that the future of the American health care system rests in the hands of one or two of these unelected people who might make the decision based on political grounds. It's very disturbing."
Well, blow me down. He's talking about the Supreme Court, of course.

So what is Gruber in favor of, giving choice back to the individual? Not exactly. He wants to be the decider on health insurance policies. How twisted can you get?

Here's Gruber on his plan for forcing people to buy health insurance:

The mandate is really the glue that holds this act together.
Oh yeah, coercion holds a lot of things together, including Guantanamo. How is it not the ultimate in hypocrisy for Gruber to be upset about the Supremes choosing for everyone, when he simply wants to be the chooser instead?

But wait, it gets worse. He also says:

Basically, this is the last hope for a free-market solution for covering the uninsured.

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Justice Dept. In Deadlock With Alabama Over Illegal Immigration Law

The Obama administration’s legal campaign against restrictive state immigration laws has led to a bitter standoff in Alabama, where Justice Department attorneys are investigating possible civil rights violations.

The federal government already has sued Alabama over its new law, one of three such lawsuits against states that have cracked down on illegal immigration. Now, the Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation to monitor potential discrimination as parts of the Alabama law take effect.

Imminent Threat

Longtime readers know that I don’t spend much time in the United States; I usually swing by for a month or so each year to visit friends and family, and the period in-between visits can often stretch 6-months or more.

This is sufficiently long enough that I notice a lot of changes… some so drastic that they hit me in the head like a baseball bat.

For example, just last week when I was at Los Angeles International Airport, the police set up a checkpoint outside the main entrance as if we were in downtown Baghdad driving into the Green Zone.

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Why Kids With High IQs Are More Likely To Take Drugs

People with high IQs are more likely to smoke marijuana and take other illegal drugs, compared with those who score lower on intelligence tests, according to a new study from the U.K.
"It's counterintuitive," says lead author James White of the Center for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement at Cardiff University in Wales. "It's not what we thought we would find."

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QUOTES OF THE DAY 11-17-11

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.Thomas Jefferson

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.Thomas Jefferson

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.Thomas Jefferson

A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.Thomas Jefferson

11 Year-Old Boy Helps Bust Parents For Marijuana Possession

(CBS) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn - An 11-year old boy helped authorities bust his mother and stepfather for drug possession after becoming fed up with the constant smell of their marijuana habit.

CBS Minneapolis reports that the boy told his biological father about what he had seen and smelled in his home that he shared with mother Heidi Siebenaler, stepfather Mark Siebenaler and 8-year-old brother. Using his phone, he photographed a Walmart bag full of a "leafy green substance" and handed the photo over to police.

Special Ed Student Bullied By Teacher: A Must See Video

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

First Felony Charges Brought Against Robosigners

Up until now, fraudclosure and robosigning were both merely civil offenses, and as such the banks were actively doing all they could to bury any and all pending litigation under a large settlement umbrella, wash their hands of the whole affair and move on, with nobody in danger of actually walking the plank and certainly not in danger of going to jail. That has all changed as of now, following a Nevada Grand Jury handing down criminal indictments against two title officers employed by Lender Processing Services Inc. for allegedly directing and supervising a robo-signing scheme, in which documents filed in foreclosure cases were signed without proper legal review, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Wednesday. The case which, if won on behalf of the plaintiffs, could easily mean several lifetime sentences for one Linda Green, is likely just the beginning of a wave of criminal charges against the thousands of robosigners involved at every stage of housing bubble, and quite possibly is starting as a midlevel fishing expedition which will see gradual escalation up the ranks as the "robotic" ones rat each other out in succession until the elevator goes to the very top floor. Just which floor that is remains to be see although somehow we have a feeling it will be found in the Bank of America tower.

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Peruvian Authorities Reopen Investigation Into Forced Sterilizations

Lima, Peru (CNN) -- For the last 15 years, Victoria Vigo has been trying to find the truth about her infertility. After her third child was born dead, the 49-year-old leadership skills instructor who lives in Lima, the Peruvian capital, was never able to conceive again.

Three months after losing her child, a doctor confirmed her worst fears: her tubes had been tied without her knowledge or consent. "I felt mutilated. That's the truth. My rights as a mother and woman were violated," Vigo said.

Salisbury News will have a breaking news Post coming in the next hour, (or so). One in which Salisbury residents are going to really want to see. Stay tuned. We'll keep it up as a top Post until midnight tonight.

Jackson Brothers Sue Over 'Thriller' Jacket Deal

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Three of Michael Jackson's brothers claim in a lawsuit filed this week that they've been "duped" by a company selling replicas of jackets worn by the pop icon.

The endorsement deal was the first involving Michael Jackson's oldest son, Prince, who posed for pictures with his uncles as they autographed the limited-edition jackets.
The "Thriller" and "Beat It" jackets went on sale online last week, but Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging the marketer bounced a check to them for travel expenses.

America's State of Mind

More than 1 in 5 American adults now takes at least one type of medication to treat a psychological disorder, a 22% rise since 2001, according to new statistics released by Medco Health Solutions, which monitors drug trends in insurance claims.

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Obama Admits To Being Born In Asia?

COMMENTARY President Barack Obama is campaigning in Hawaii this week.

During a news conference for the 19th annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leader's summit on Sunday, the president gave birthers the answer they have been waiting for, that Obama was not born in America.

The media seemingly focused on the "magic beans" statement Obama made during the speech but completely glossed over the part where the president said of his birth state of Hawaii, "Here in Asia."

If Hawaii is in Asia, then the president was not born in the U.S. You win, birthers.

This is not the first gaffe the president has made regarding his birth state and the U.S. in general. During his campaign, Obama claimed to have visited 57 states, not including Alaska and Hawaii.

Compounding these gaffes with others such as when he stated his approval ratings were dropping but are still "very high in the country of my birth," one can almost hear the wheels grinding back to life in the birther movement.

Obviously, this is not the first presidential gaffe of the Obama administration. It's not even the first gaffe this month.

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How Leona Helmsley Is Revolutionizing Health Care In The Midwest

The South Dakota prairie is a world away from the luxury hotels of New York City, where the late Leona Helmsley ruled a $5 billion real estate empire. But it is here, in the grassy plains and rugged hills of the upper Midwest, that $100 million of her fortune is driving new development.

It's not an investment in real estate. Rather, the Helmsley Trust is building "telehealth" programs, designed to bring high-quality health care to sparsely populated areas. Much of the money is going to developing virtual trauma and intensive care units in remote locations, all linked to a state-of-the-art medical center in Sioux Falls. With the push of a red alarm button, for example, a lone nurse at a tiny 26-bed hospital, working in the dead of night, can now beam an image of herself and her patient to a screen at the Sioux Falls hub. Trauma specialists and clinical pharmacists can use the electronic portal to help the nurse make a diagnosis and prescribe the proper treatment; patients' vitals can be monitored remotely 24/7.

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Why Radical Pro-Lifers Are Wasting Their Time

Now that voters in Mississippi have rejected the so-called personhood agenda — the radical anti-abortion effort to make the moment of conception the legal beginning of human life — the movement says it plans to take its referendum to a number of other states in 2012, including mine, Florida. But as a Roman Catholic, part of a church whose hierarchy insists its members are anti-abortion rights by default, what I’d really like to know is why the Colorado-based Personhood USA isn’t going to Rhode Island. Small though it may be, Rhode Island’s population is 63% Catholic, the highest share of any state. A pro-life plebiscite victory there should be a slam dunk, right?

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REPUBLICAN AUDIENCE MEMBER HECKLES HERMAN CAIN: ‘YOU HAVE A MORAL CRISIS!’

Man Wearing "I'm A Drunk" T-Shirt Hits Cop Car, Arrested for DWI

A man wearing a t-shirt reading "I'm A Drunk" crashed into a police car early Thursday on Long Island and is being charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

Kevin Daly, of Coram, N.Y., was driving a 2000 Saturn on County Road 83 at about 1:45 a.m. when he hit the patrol car.

"Joe you better keep your blinds closed. When I ride by and they are open I can see you inside and it is easy to get zeroed in on you."

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. You know where I'm at, my door is always open but you better be prepared for the wild west. Just ask JR.

Gingrich: The Most Unlikely Non-Romney Candidate Yet

Being the non-Mitt Romney candidate in the Republican field is like being the No. 3 leader of al-Qaida: You don't keep the job for long. Newt Gingrich's rise starts a Doomsday clock, which counts down the minutes from the time a campaign begins to rise until it collapses. This unscientific number is based on the flameout rate of Romney's opponents. According to theRealClearPolitics poll averages, it took two months from when Michele Bachmann started her rise to when she started to fall. That was about the same amount of time it took for Herman Cain (though his zoom back to earth is still ongoing and presumably could reverse). For Rick Perry, it took three months for the turnaround.

Chu: Taxpayers Unlikely to Recover Much From Solyndra Loan

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Thursday he doesn't think taxpayers will recover much of their $528 million loan to bankrupt solar firm Solyndra, calling the situation "extremely unfortunate" while continuing to defend his actions to prop up the company before its failure.

Chu testified Thursday for the first time before the House committee investigating the Solyndra loan. He insisted that the decision in late 2009 to approve the loan guarantee was his own and "absolutely was made only on the merits." He said it was not influenced by political considerations.

BREAKING NEWS: Attempted Assassination Charge In Shooting At White House

Shooting suspect charged with attempted assassination of Obama for allegedly firing at White House while president was on overseas trip.

From Fox News

I Think We'll Stick Around For A While

Thanks to Butch Gardner, (Gardner Signs) we were able to put up the signs in our window just in time for 3rd Friday. Not that pretty much anyone and every one didn't already know where we were located, well, now those that don't, do.

Who Do You Believe?

A GOP plan to reduce the deficit would limit tax deductions for mortgage interest, charitable donations and state and local taxes. Some workers could also see their employer-provided health benefits taxed for the first time. The provisions are part of a plan by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who serves on the debt supercommittee working to reduce government borrowing. The plan would limit tax breaks claimed by people who itemize their deductions and use the additional revenue to lower overall tax rates and to reduce the budget deficit. Republicans say the plan would raise $290 billion over the next decade. Democrats say it would cut taxes for the wealthy, increase taxes for the middle class and generate less revenue than advertised.

Congress About To Kill High-Speed Train Program

WASHINGTON - Congress is on the verge of killing funding for President Barack Obama's signature high-speed rail program, but it may have some life in it still.
Republican lawmakers are claiming credit for killing the program. But billions of dollars still in the pipeline will ensure work will continue on some projects. And it's still possible money from another transportation grant program can be steered to high-speed trains.

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USPS Now Has Enough Cash To Resume Payments To Its Federal Employees Retirement System

The cash-strapped Postal Service says it will refill its FERS coffers, starting in December, Government Executive reported. Postal Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett says his agency has enough cash on hand to soon resume payments to its Federal Employees Retirement System account. The agency suspended the payments this summer to save money because it already had a surplus in the FERS account. That and other moves didn't completely stemmed the bleeding. The Postal Service posted a $5.1 billion loss for FY 20-10. It could also go insolvent if it can't pay a $5.5 billion bill to prefund retiree health benefits due tomorrow. But, a continuing resolution in Congress includes a provision to extend the deadline on that payment. The CR is on pace to pass.

Report: Math Teacher Let Students Buy Grades

Students, tests and cash were the perfect variables to fatten high school math teacher Jeff Spires’ wallet, officials said, but administrators pulled the plug on him after several students brought his alleged pay-for-grades scheme to their attention.

Spires, who taught at Charlotte County High School in Charlotte County, Fla., was suspended without pay on Oct. 14 and resigned two weeks later.

He had been a teacher in the district since 2002 and told school officials he changed grades for money because he was having financial trouble amid a bankruptcy, arrests and jail time.

Business Interests Were The Major Campaign Contributors To Governor And Comptroller

The top campaign contributors to Gov. Martin O’Malley and Comptroller Peter Franchot for last year’s election were “business interests and fat cats,” according to a detailed analysis by the Maryland Tax Education Foundation released Wednesday.

Continue Reading...

School Threatens Suspension For Naked Quad Runners

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Tufts University is threatening to suspend any student who participates in the traditional naked quad run, which has been officially banned by the school.
The decades-long tradition, during which students ran through the school's quad without clothes, had taken place every December as way for students to "relieve steam" before exams.

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Senate Tax Chairman Favors Lowering Corporate Rate

Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman Edward Kasemeyer told a Howard County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Wednesday that he personally favored rolling back Maryland’s corporate income tax by 1/4% a year for several years. This would bring Maryland’s 8.25% corporate tax rate – raised four years ago from 7% – closer to Virginia’s 6% rate.

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Survey: Did Churches Do Enough During Economic Downturn?

Washington (CNN) -- Americans are divided over whether churches and clergy have provided enough moral leadership on the country's economic problems, according to a recent survey.

Forty-six percent of respondents in a Public Religion Research Institute poll released Thursday indicated that churches have not provided enough leadership during the financial crises. Forty-five percent indicated the opposite.

Purchase Of Steinway Pianos For Bowie State Strikes Sour Note For Franchot

The $552,000 purchase of 32 Steinway pianos by Bowie State University for its new $79 million performing arts center opening next year is “out of touch” with the current economy, Comptroller Peter Franchot said at the Board of Public Works Wednesday. “Given the challenges that these universities face, I think it’s a luxury at this point that the taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for,” said Franchot, who voted against the purchase.

Steven Chu Under The Microscope

Energy Secretary Steven Chu is likely to face sharp questions as the House Energy and Commerce Committee continues investigating a half-billion-dollar federal loan received by solar panel maker Solyndra, the Associated Press reported. The company later declared bankruptcy and laid off 11-hundred workers. Besides the initial loan, Chu also may be asked to explain why he approved a restructuring of Solyndra's debt that allowed two private investors to move ahead of taxpayers for repayment in case of default. While disappointed in Solyndra's bankruptcy, Chu says the U.S. should continue to support clean energy.

Eastern Shore Wind Energy Plans Pose Challenge To Navy Testing

Farmers see clean energy boon; Pax River fears radar clutter

In the 400-foot-plus turbines that a wind energy company wants to build on his tree farm on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Hall Coons sees a chance at a steady stream of income — and an opportunity to untether his economic fortunes from the ups and downs of the lumber market.

But to the radar system at the Navy base across the Chesapeake Bay, the spinning blades of the towering pylons would look like aircraft — and interfere with the test range where the Navy studies how its planes appear to enemy radar, military officials say.

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Fill In The Blank 11-17-11

I believe in _____.

Walmart Offers $27 Million Settlement In Netflix Class-Action Suit

If you've received an email saying you're entitled to make a claim in a class-action lawsuit against Netflix and Walmart, don't toss it. Walmart has thrown in the towel and is offering to settle with customers who sued the retail giant and Netflix after the two companies made a deal to promote each other's DVD businesses.

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Airline Passengers Asked For Extra Cash For Fuel

LONDON (AP) - Airlines used to provide free refreshments. Now at least one wants passengers to cough up extra cash for fuel.

That's what happened to angry passengers traveling from India to Britain who found themselves stranded in Vienna by a charter airline that wanted them to kick in money for fuel.

Passengers said Comtel airline staff told them they would be stuck in Vienna until they could raise more than 20,000 pounds ($31,000) to fund the rest of the flight to Birmingham.

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Survey: More Expecting To Retire In Their 80s

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Workers are growing to accept the idea that they may be working long after they've become eligible for senior discounts. Yet rather than fixate on their target retirement age, they're increasingly focused on how much money they'll need to retire, according to a new national survey by Wells Fargo & Co.

This shift is coupled with their growing frustration that they're not saving enough, and the reality that many haven't created a detailed retirement plan.

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Don't Park On The Sidewalk Downtown

Japan Finds Radioactive Rice, Bans Shipment

(AP)

TOKYO - Japan has banned shipments of rice grown near a tsunami-hit nuclear power plant for the first time after detecting radiation exceeding the legal limit.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Thursday that a sample of rice from a farm contained 630 becquerels of cesium per kilogram. Cesium is among the radioactive materials that leaked from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant after it was damaged by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Under Japanese regulations, rice with more than 500 becquerels of cesium per kilogram is not allowed to be consumed.

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announces the City of Salisbury won a major victory in District Court last week. On November 7, 2011, District Court Judge Bruce Wade found the owners of the Feldman’s property downtown, guilty of not complying with the City’s demolition order dated May 19, 2011. The Judge ruled that the property owner failed to comply and gave the property owner until March 2012 to abate the infraction – which was demolition of the Feldman’s building.

The Feldman’s building was originally condemned by the City of Salisbury on October 31, 2008.

“I want to make it clear that this administration has worked from every direction for the redevelopment or demolition of this property. I believe that this building or the property this building is located on, is essential to kick-starting a revitalization wave downtown. Recent City Council action on Station 16 stalled development talks with Mr. Palmer Gillis on the Feldman’s property. During this time, we proceeded in court and were victorious. One way or another I will move the City toward a resolution through which this property realizes its full potential and is an anchor in downtown revitalization,” said Mayor Ireton.

New Posts to fall below.

Long Neck Pill-Wrestling Bandits Leave With Goods

Police are searching for man and woman who knocked on the door of a Long Neck home and then wrestled a bottle of pills from the 60-year-old resident after he dropped them.

A man went to a home in the 26000 block of Autumn Road at 9:15 p.m. Nov. 15, asking if a specific person was in the home, said Cpl. Jeffrey Hale of the Delaware State Police.

Smokers, Obese Workers Penalized With Higher Health Insurance Premiums

More and more employers are demanding that workers who smoke, are overweight or have high cholesterol shoulder a greater share of their health care costs, a shift toward penalizing employees with unhealthy lifestyles rather than rewarding good habits.

Pilot Locked in Bathroom Causes Terror Scare on New York-Bound Plane

He was caught with his pants down.
A pilot who accidentally locked himself in the bathroom of his LaGuardia-bound plane caused a terror scare last night when a helpful passenger with an accent tried to come to his rescue by banging on the cockpit door.
The embarrassing comedy of errors began when the captain of a Chatauqua Airlines flight from Asheville, N.C., decided to take a bathroom break before landing.

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Today's Survey Question 11-17-11

Do you think City taxpayers should foot the bill to tear down Feldman's?

The reason I mention this is because, I look further into the future. I can see a developer doing pretty darned well off the City taking down those buildings. You see, WE can't take down the three story portion of that building but the City can.

That being said, is someone getting the deal of a lifetime? I'm keeping a keen eye on this deal, let me tell you.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA

NOVEMBER 21, 2011
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

1:30 p.m. Economic development discussion with Dave Ryan, Executive Director, Salisbury/Wicomico Economic Development, Inc. (SWED)

2:30 p.m. Follow-up discussion on changes to Title 15 regarding rental inspections – Tom
Stevenson/Council

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Election redistricting/reapportionment planning

4:30 p.m. Policy development for off-duty uniformed police security

4:50 p.m. Onley/Bateman matrix review

5:15 p.m. Break

5:30 p.m. Follow-up discussion on Towing RFP for police towing Licensing/regulations for general towing

6:15 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas

6:30 p.m. Adjournment

House Passes Concealed Weapons Permit Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) - A state permit to carry a concealed firearm would be valid in almost every other state in the country under legislation the House passed Wednesday.

The first pro-gun bill the House has taken up this year and the first since Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was severely injured in a gun attack in January, it had the National Rifle Association's backing and passed by a comfortable margin. The vote was 272-154, with only seven Republicans voting against it and 43 Democrats supporting it.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has no parallel bill. But two years ago, GOP Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and David Vitter of Louisiana nearly succeeded in attaching a similar measure to a larger bill.

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MontCo's Last Dry Town May Get Wet

After decades of supporting the concept of prohibition, Montgomery County's last dry community could be about to get “wet.”

State Sen. Karen Montgomery (D-14) plans to introduce a measure to the Maryland General Assembly that would allow for the sale of some alcoholic beverages in Damascus, Md.
Montgomery told the Gazette newspaper that she had received more than 20 emails from residents in the town seeking to have the current ban overturned.

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Arts & Crafts Show

The Rain Is Disappearing On Delmarva

Your Grocery Bill Is Getting Higher, And Higher

Paula McGowan has cut out soda, switched to store brands for other foods and even sent her boyfriend hunting for deer so she can put food on the table.

Still, she finds herself struggling with higher food prices.

“It’s milk, bread, just the basic stuff,” she said. “We’re looking at basics and it’s all going up.”

After two years in which overall food prices barely budged, groceries are getting more expensive.

The price of food at home is projected to rise by 4 to 5 percent this year, and another 2 to 3 percent next year, according to the Agriculture Department. That’s adding another financial worry for many people already living with tight budgets thanks to the weak economy and high jobless rate.

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Congress About To Kill High-Speed Train Program

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress is on the verge of killing funding for President Barack Obama's signature high-speed rail program, but it may have some life in it still.

Republican lawmakers are claiming credit for killing the program. But billions of dollars still in the pipeline will ensure work will continue on some projects. And it's still possible money from another transportation grant program can be steered to high-speed trains.

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Speed Cameras The #1 Business In Wicomico County

Perhaps Craig Jahelka had the heads up on what the City of Salisbury might receive in revenue from the school speed cameras and that's where they came up with businesses doing so well on the Shore.

What I can tell you is, there are a TON of flat out Idiots getting nailed, (in the hundreds) per day passing by speed cameras in Salisbury. If you average it to 100 per day, that's $4,000.00 in fines. The City Police Department gets 60% of that revenue, $2,400.00.

Now who is this County wouldn't like to make $2,400.00 per day. Mind you, these profits will go to relieve the taxpayers of the City but man oh man, that's some cool cash. It just amazes me how many people go 12 miles per hour over the speed limit in school districts.

Think about this one though. How about the school on Rt. 50. That camera system should being the City $5,000.00 per day. Rt. 50 is, (I believe) 35 mph and you and I both know, no one does 35 in that area. Imagine all the transient summer time traffic coming through there.

I need to get into the camera business.

Cubes To Go

ARREST FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN ANNE ARUNDEL CO.

(GAMBRILLS, MD) – Members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit today arrested an Anne Arundel County man in connection with the distribution of child pornography.

The suspect is identified as Robert J. Hudson 2nd, 24, of the 1000-block of Christmas Lane in Gambrills, Md. He is charged with two counts of distributing child pornography. If convicted of the charges, Hudson could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or fined up to $50,000.

Yesterday, a state trooper assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was conducting an undercover operation on a file sharing network known for distributing child pornography. The trooper located a suspect computer and was able to download several videos of child pornography.

The trooper also engaged in a chat with the suspect concerning child pornography. The suspect agreed to meet with the undercover trooper and exchange files of child pornography. Today, the suspect, later identified as Hudson, met with the undercover trooper at a public library in Crofton and was arrested.

Simultaneously, additional investigators executed a search warrant at Hudson’s Gambrills residence and seized a computer and several items of removable media. The seized equipment will undergo a forensic examination by the State Police Computer Forensics Laboratory.

Hudson was processed at the Glen Burnie Barrack and was taken before a court commissioner for a bond hearing. Hudson was held on a $275,000 bond.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.

Man Delivers Dead Body To Tampa Police In Trunk Of Car

TAMPA - A man brought a dead body to the District 3 Headquarters of Tampa Police this afternoon in the trunk of a car, according to investigators.

PUBLIC'S HELP SOUGHT IN SEARCH FOR SUSPECT IN MULTIPLE CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERIES

(PERRYVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are working with law enforcement agencies in three counties in an ongoing search for a suspect who is believed to have committed multiple armed robberies during the past week.

The suspect is described as a white male, believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, with short brown hair, and a light mustache. He is estimated to be 5’7” to 5’9” tall, and about 150 to 160 pounds, with a slender build.

On November 9, 2011, State Police believe this suspect entered the Exxon station at the Maryland House rest area on I-95 in Harford County and displayed what appeared to be a handgun tucked in his waistband to the clerk as he announced a robbery.
The suspect left the area in a silver car with two other males who were waiting outside in the vehicle. No one was injured in the incident and no shots were fired.

Since then, similar armed robberies have occurred in Cecil, Harford and Baltimore counties. Police departments in Baltimore County, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, and Perryville are investigating those incidents. Detectives from each department are working together and sharing information regarding their ongoing investigations.

Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-866-7-LOCKUP. Persons with information may also call the Maryland State Police JFK Highway Barrack at 410-537-1163 and speak with a criminal investigator.

Karl Rove Flips Out At Protesters: ‘Who Gave You The Right To Occupy America?’

Last night, former Bush official Karl Rove appeared at Johns Hopkins University to speak as a part of the annual Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium. Rove soon discovered that he wasn’t going to deliver his right-wing rhetoric unopposed, as a cry of “Mic Check!” rang out among the audience.

Coming Up Soon In Wicomico Schools

Dec. 5-9Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble Performs for Wicomico Students

The Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will present assemblies on “Keeping the Beat: Contemporary American Traditional Dance” at Wicomico schools Dec. 5-9; some schools already had Footworks assemblies in November. Footworks is a professional touring company that has dazzled audiences throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan, since 1979. Their repertoire is a cornucopia of dances ranging from step dancing in the Southern Appalachian Mountain tradition to African Boot dancing, French Canadian and Irish step dancing, along with hamboning, hoofing, and original choreography, all performed to live acoustic music. Performance dates are as follows:

Dec. 5: East Salisbury/WELC, Beaver Run
Dec. 6: Delmar, Westside Primary
Dec. 7: Salisbury Middle, Fruitland Primary
Dec. 8: Wicomico Middle, Prince Street
Dec. 9: Westside Intermediate

Friday, Dec. 9Mid-term Progress Reports sent home

Obama Prosecuting Fewer Financial Crimes Than Under Reagan or Either Bush

Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton Each Prosecuted Financial Crime More Aggressively than Obama

Top economists and financial experts agree that our economy will never recover unless Wall Street fraud is prosecuted. See this and this.

But the government has more or less made it official policy not to prosecute fraud, and instead to do everything necessary to cover up for Wall Street.

Indeed, Business Insider writes today:

Awards & Recognitions Night

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its Awards & Recognitions Night Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Beaver Run Elementary School, honored outstanding students, staff members and schools for their achievements.

Cast Members of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Several Wicomico students were among the performers in Salisbury University’s October production of the Tennessee Williams’ play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Seven local children were cast as the “No-Neck Monsters,” and dressed as if they were attending a summer party in the South in 1955. They rehearsed with director and actor Dr. Paul Pfeiffer and the cast of university students, and appeared in eight performances at the Black Box Theatre over two weeks. These students spent 25 to 30 hours as cast members of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and were an important part of the production by The Department of Theatre and Dance and The Bobbi Biron Theatre.

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Mayor Ireton Removes Blight Properties From City Website

Even though this was one of the TOP platform items Jim Ireton ran on to get elected as Mayor of Salisbury, all of a sudden the Mayor has pulled the blight property of the week. Now let me see here. Didn't Jim just hold a meeting with Tilghman, Dunn, Cathcart and other SAPOA members?

All of a sudden the Mayor has flip flopped. All of a sudden the DT's is attacking City Council Members again, like it used to be before Ireton was elected. All of a sudden Ireton removes the blight property and we're right back to where we used to be before Ireton was elected. In fact, here's some of the verbiage Ireton spoke of soon after he was elected...

To the members of SAPOA: this city desires your help, but it will not wait for it. It is a shared responsibility we have to keep the citizens of this city, both renter and homeowner, safe. We, as a city government, do our best to provide police protection, fire protection, emergency medical assistance, parks, playgrounds, clean streets and working street lights.

But property owners must do their part to keep houses in our neighborhoods safe and in good standing with the city’s requirements. Clean streets aren’t enough – properties must be maintained by their owners. Houses with dozens of calls for service for our police department and code enforcement office, houses with too many people in too small a space, houses illegally being used with too many units help create as unsafe a neighborhood as any broken street light.

The city’s government and the mayor’s office have been criticized by many in the rental community in the past year. Yet, I say to the renters and homeowners that elected me that my stance has not changed. I will say again: Police your own, and the city of Salisbury won’t have to. If rental owners, homeowners, and renters follow the law, they won’t be subject to its consequences. But there will be no negotiations with those who fail to follow the law.

The vast majority of rental owners in this city provide safe, affordable housing to many of our city’s residents. But we will continue to strive for every house, apartment, townhome and living space in this city to be in good standing with this updated code. And if they’re not, this city will not shy away from its responsibilities and the city will take action. The legislation announced today will make the city’s housing code clearer and its consequences appropriate for the conditions our neighborhoods face today.

More on this topic HERE.

Signing that petition gets more interesting by the second. Be careful what you ask for Folks.

Congress’ Approval Problem In One Chart

It’s no secret that people don’t like — ok, loathe — Congress.

The latest Gallup monthly survey pegged Congressional approval at just 13 percent, the second straight month it has hit that all-time low.

“The 2011 average is on track to be the lowest annual rating of Congress in Gallup’s history,” wrote Gallup’s Frank Newport in a memo on the results.

Police charge Mother In Death Of Missouri Tot

AFFTON, Mo. — A suburban St. Louis woman who claimed her 13-month-old son had vanished from his crib was charged Wednesday with murdering him, after prosecutors say she admitted beating him because he wouldn't stop crying.

Shelby Dasher, 20, was arrested less than 16 hours after she reported her son, Tyler, was missing. People walking their dog found Tyler Dasher's body on Tuesday near a cemetery about a mile from his home.

More Americans Expecting To Retire In Their 80s

DES MOINES, Iowa — Workers are growing to accept the idea that they may be working long after they've become eligible for senior discounts. Yet rather than fixate on their target retirement age, they're increasingly focused on how much money they'll need to retire, according to a new national survey by Wells Fargo & Co.

Mississippi Sorority Sisters Placed on Probation After Dressing in Blackface

Hey, college students: Just so you know, blackface hasn’t been “in” for a while.

But that didn’t stop a few members from the Phi Mu sorority at the University of Southern Mississippi from doing it. The six students, who since have been placed on probation, were attending a 1980s-themed party as the Huxtables from The Cosby Show. (Okay, even NewsFeed must admit Bill Cosby is pretty cool, but seriously?)

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Today's Weather- 11/17/11

Salisbury,Maryland

Today

High
48°F

Precip
70%

Tonight

Overnight Low
32°F

Precip
0%

Weather Channel

Salvation Army Bell Ringers Will Accept Credit Card Payments With Their Smart Phones

The Salvation Army has announced that they are testing Square, a service that allows a smart phone to accept credit card payments. The test will take place at 40 locations in Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Previous attempts at accepting credit cards weren't successful, but the Army is feeling optimistic that consumers will adopt this new way of paying.

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

America's State of Mind