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Friday, April 12, 2013

The First Donation to DPR's Campaign

"Where the libs go to get the dough"

by Delegate Mike McDermott

Lately the Times has been full of articles about Delmarva Public Radio. Despite a $135 Million in additional State Debt provided to Salisbury University to pay for a new “library” courtesy of Delegate Norm Conway and the Democrats, the school could find no more room for the station on campus. The paper provided a platform for this supposedly listener supported station to launch their fund raising drives and awareness summoning all liberals and progressives to come to the aid of one of their own (although many conservatives enjoy classical music, the vast array of programming does not just lean left…it falls over).

With all of this attention, I thought surely those folks would rise to the occasion or the school would throw them a bone from that $135 Million (that’s $49 Million for planning and design plus $51 Million for bricks and mortar this year alone). Boy was I surprised on the last Saturday of the 2013 Session when I looked through a supplemental budget debt appropriation that included an amendment to provide Delmarva Public Radio $900,000.00 to cover relocation, equipment, and whatever else they deem appropriate. Not a bad day’s work for a station that claims an annual operating budget of $1 Million.

It seems the station has an ardent supporter in Delegate Norm Conway, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Why let a little thing like “public input” stand in the way between friends? To say that I am appalled at this reckless disregard for public spending is putting is putting it mildly. To see the paper fail to mention this “modest” donation courtesy of the taxpayers of this state is disturbing.

There are other “listener supported” radio stations in our state. The vast majority of them are Christian stations such as WOLC (102.5 FM) in Princess Anne. They all conduct annual “share-a-thons” which often cover a number of days whereby they receive pledges and donations upon which they base their budget. I wonder what they could do with a million bucks.

Our airwaves are full of commercial radio stations all competing for those precious dollars of advertising that tend to go toward those that have the greater listenership and programming. Like every other business, they have had a tough go of it in this Maryland economy. I’m sure a cool million would quench a few thirsts from where they sit.

At a time when our local governments are struggling and many needs cannot be met, it’s no wonder this little million dollar gem tried to slip in unannounced through the back door. We must expect better from our leaders.

Marylanders…take back your state!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I vote no. They need to justify their own existence just as I. If they can't, goodbye! No one out there is going to save me, are they? If I lose my home to forclosure, will you pay my mortgage?

Anonymous said...

I don't like sneaky and I expected better from Norman Conway...not backdoor, snake-oil salesmanship...but upfront, and honest.....you want our votes, then earn them respectfully and honestly.

Many thanks to you Mike for keeping us informed. I really appreciate all you do for us. You are a trustworthy leader and I respect you.

Anonymous said...

Well, Norm and Jan are personally responsible for the Socialist takeover of the education system in Wicomico county.
All they know how to do is "appropriate" other people's money as they have both fed from the Government trough all their lives and quite well I might add.
Norm was double dipping from local and State coffers at the same time for years and failed miserably at both jobs!
Jan is a lowlife bleeding heart hypocrite like most of them.

They are Socialists. They really have had way too much negative influence on our community.
Time to retire.

Anonymous said...

6:19 I didn't expect any other from Conway. He is a rabid Democrat who walks the line for the Dems no matter how much it hurts his local people. He simply needs to be voted out because he will die in Annapolis otherwise. Go home Norm boy, go home.

Contributor said...

"not to do with this post, but, heard this earlier today, was waiting to see if you had anything."

Thanks for the link. We posted a story about this on Wednesday at 5:30pm. Enjoy your weekend.

Anonymous said...

Is he against the new SU library because of the radio station? If there was no radio station plan, would he approve this? Has he seen the condition of Blackwell currently? They've needed a new library for a long time. currently

Anonymous said...

The Conways are pulling down a fortune from their retirements as educators and with Norms 2nd check from taxpayers coming soon. They give socialist a bad name they are a bit more commie with only the burning of good wholesome books and bring on everything anti middle class or patriotic! The stories about her at Glen Avenue would make people want to have her hung from a tree downtown,

Anonymous said...

Jan works for the board on a contractual basis mentoring and training new administrators. Her skills will be passed on to the next generation of Wicomico County's educational leaders.

Anonymous said...

6:19 PM you expected wrong. Didn't you know Norman was a Democrat? Have you been living in a cave for the last 20 years??

Anonymous said...

April 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM

Jan is double dipping now. Collecting her lucrative retirement and work for the board of ed for $500/day to mentor.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Is he against the new SU library because of the radio station? If there was no radio station plan, would he approve this? Has he seen the condition of Blackwell currently? They've needed a new library for a long time. currently

April 12, 2013 at 8:46 PM

Why does anyone need a new library these days when everything is digital and can be found on the internet. This is the dumbest comment I've heard in a long time.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Jan works for the board on a contractual basis mentoring and training new administrators. Her skills will be passed on to the next generation of Wicomico County's educational leaders.

April 12, 2013 at 10:03 PM

That is sorta like Adolph mentoring and training Obama and Ireton.

Anonymous said...

Part of the library budget is $1 million for NEW BOOKS. Go figure. It's a digital age.

Anonymous said...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Mike Dunn the head of WSCL's corporate fundraising? Wasn't he doing a good job?