MAYOR IRETON TO FILE FOR RE-ELECTION TODAY AT 12:15PM

Mayor Ireton will submit paperwork for re-election at 12:15 PM today (Friday), January 4, 2013 at the office of Kim Nichols, the City Clerk, at City Hall.

STATEMENT FROM SALISBURY MAYOR JIM IRETON: “When was the last time a politician could look you in the eye and tell you he did exactly what he promised when he ran for office? Well, I can and I’m proud of it. I'm proud of the coalitions I've built in making Salisbury a great place to do business, an exciting place to visit, and a safer place to live. Salisbury has $16 Million in surplus and I haven’t raised property taxes as mayor. We have torn down blighted houses as well as the Thrift Travel Inn and Linens of the Week.

I am looking forward to talking to citizens about how our city has significantly lowered crime rates, how we have created the first Wicomico River Watershed Plan, and how we have partnered with so many businesses and groups in the continued revitalization of our neighborhoods and our downtown.

Salisbury has made great strides by saying "YES" to so many partnerships with those who want our city to succeed and I am excited to ask our citizens to let me continue to lead on important issues. For all the times other elected officials have said "NO" to our citizens, I have said "YES" to moving Salisbury forward.”

Highlights of Mayor Ireton's First Term:

· Abandoned barges removed from the North Prong of Wicomico River

· Trash collection systems installed on many river outfall pipes

· 40% reduction in violent crime rates over 4 years, and 20% drop over the last decade

· Thrift Travel Inn and Linens of the Week blight torn down

· $16 Million dollars in city surplus funds

· City Audit done at the earliest in history

· 270 page Downtown Revitalization plan introduced

· Bateman/Onley Road Construction complete

· Tenants Bill of Rights is law

· Wastewater Treatment Plant lawsuit settled

· Salisbury named an All-America CityThank you, everyone, for your support!

-JIm

ICE Deports 1,215 Illegal Aliens Convicted of Homicide, 5,557 Sex Offenders in FY 2012, Limiting Deportations to Serious Offenders

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has announced the number of illegal aliens deported during fiscal year 2012, including 1,215 individuals who were convicted of homicide and 5,557 who were convicted of sexual offenses. At the same time, ICE announced that it was limiting deportations to serious criminals.

In all, 409,849 individuals were deported, according to ICE. Of these, approximately 55 percent, or 225,390 of the people removed, were convicted of felonies. This includes 1,215 aliens convicted of homicide, 5,557 aliens convicted of sexual offenses, 40,448 aliens convicted for crimes involving drugs, and 36,166 aliens convicted for driving under the influence.

"Smart and effective immigration enforcement relies on setting priorities for removal and executing on those priorities," ICE Director John Morton said in announcing the end-of-year announcement.
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Transocean Pleads Guilty, Agrees To Pay $1.4 Billion To Settle Charges Related To Gulf Oil Spill

Transocean, the offshore drilling company that operated, on BP’s behalf, the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon rig whose collapse resulted in multiple deaths and untold amounts of oil being released into the Gulf of Mexico, has agreed to plead guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and to pay a total of $1.4 billion in civil and criminal fines and penalties.
In addition to the civil consent decree that resolves the federal government’s claims against the company, Transocean Deepwater Inc. has signed a guilty plea agreement in which it admits its criminal conduct in the fatal incident.

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MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ‘GUNS ARE WELCOME’ SIGN: THE INTRIGUING BACKSTORY AND WHERE YOU CAN GET ONE

When Charles Vaught created the now viral “Guns Are Welcome” sign for his safety supply store in North Carolina, he thought it was a one time thing. Now, he’s stocking up as people from Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania and even Switzerland want to get their hands on the pro-Second Amendment signs.

In a phone interview with TheBlaze, Vaught explained that every couple months or so, the sign goes viral on social media and spurs sales. This is how it has been going since April 2012 when he and his wife posted a photo of Vaught giving the sign a thumbs up on Facebook. It’s that photo that has been recently blowing up on Twitter (see our original story about that here).
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OCPD Solves Nine Month Investigation Of Montego Bay Burglaries

Alexander George Ellis
On January 3, 2013, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) concluded a nine month multi-burglary investigation with the arrest of two suspects. In all, detectives have been investigating seven burglaries related to this case, all of which occurred in the Montego Bay residential area during the month of May 2012.
During the initial investigation, police developed information from evidence obtained at several crime scenes and enlisted the assistance of the Montego Bay Neighborhood Watch Association. The information obtained over the course of the investigation revealed a suspect responsible for one of the seven burglaries.
This suspect, who was identified as Alexander George Ellis, 20, of Ocean City, Maryland, was arrested and charged for one of the seven burglaries in June 2012. Ellis pled guilty to that crime and was later released after serving his sentence. During this time, the investigation into the remaining unsolved cases continued.
OCPD investigators began receiving analysis of forensic evidence obtained at several of the burglary scenes throughout the past several months. As a result of the forensic analysis, and in conjunction with other evidence obtained during the investigation, police have charged Ellis with the remaining six unsolved burglaries.
In addition, police have identified and charged a second suspect, a juvenile male, from Washington, DC, who was an accomplice of Ellis’during the commission of all seven burglaries. The juvenile has been charged through the Department of Juvenile Services.
After his arrest, Ellis was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and was released on a $50,000 bond.

Who's Watching Our Fruits Now?

The Agriculture Department has shut down a small program with a big food-safety mission. Food Safety News reports the Microbiological Data Program officially ended Monday. Its scientists have been reassigned. The program conducted nearly 80 percent of all federal testing on fruits and vegetables, checking for dangerous bacteria like salmonella. But neither the department nor political leaders wanted to fund it. USDA said the Food and Drug Administration should have the responsibility instead.

Treasury Department Gets Extension

The Treasury Department, under pressure from local members of Congress, has backed off a plan to relocate 450 employees in Prince George's County, Md.. The employees originally had until January 2015 to relocate or lose their jobs. But Treasury officials agreed to push it back to 2019. Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced the delay along with Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) and John Sarbanes (D-Md.) The affected employees work for the Financial Management Service in Hyattsville. Treasury wants to consolidate FMS operations to Parkersburg, W.Va.

County Ignores Travel Freeze For Vegas Convention

SNOW HILL -- Hoping to attract new business to Worcester County, Economic Development Director Bill Badger will be heading to Las Vegas to attend the International Council for Shopping Centers (ICSC), Global Retail Real Estate Convention (RECON) this spring.

While the event should offer opportunities to promote Worcester to new retail, according to Badger, County Commissioner Jim Bunting voted against the excursion after noting Worcester still has a freeze on out-of-state travel due to the recession.

“This is an event where everyone involved in the development community attends,” Badger said Wednesday. “It’s a world-wide event.”
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FEMA Update

The House is expected to approve today more money for FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA said it needs nearly $10 billion to pay claims from Superstorm Sandy. Otherwise, the program will run out of funds next week. The agency says it has received about 140,000 Sandy-related claims. Many flood victims have received partial payments. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) scheduled the vote after intense criticism from Northeast Republicans. They accused him of stalling on a larger $60 billion Sandy relief package. Boehner has scheduled a vote on the rest of the aid package in two weeks.

Ex-FEMA Official To Plead Guilty To Steering Contracts to Gallup During Job Hunt

A former top official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will plead guilty to a felony conflict of interest charge for helping arrange millions of dollars in contracts to the Gallup Organization at the same time he was negotiating a $175,000 job with the polling firm.

A nine-page “criminal information” document filed by federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., this week charges that Timothy Cannon, 64, who served as the director of FEMA’s “human capital division” between 2007 and 2009, “knowingly and willfully” participated in the award of contracts to Gallup while he was arranging to accept employment with the firm.

Lawyers familiar with the matter say the new case against Cannon is noteworthy because it provides an unusual window into the world of federal contracts – complete with explicit email exchanges among Cannon and Gallup executives, including the firm’s chief executive officer, James Clifton. 
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Post Office Closure

Joe, 

Can you publish something about the USPS wanting to close or reduce the hours of operation for the Deal Island/Chance Post Office? There is a public hearing at the Post Office on Feb 12th.

Update On Congress & USPS

Top lawmakers from both parties pledged their commitment to fixing the worsening financial problems at the Postal Service. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) is the new chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Rep. Darryl Issa (R-Calif.) chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform committee. In a joint statement, they promised to work together. They acknowledged that last year each chamber passed laws with totally different approaches to stop the hemorrhaging. Carper and Issa said they've made progress in narrowing their differences. The Postal Service reports, it's losing $25 million a day.

BOSTON MAYOR SAYS BIDEN ‘GUARANTEED’ HIM OBAMA WILL PASS MAJOR GUN CONTROL REFORM BY END OF JANUARY

Vice President Joe Biden “guaranteed” that President Barack Obama will pass sweeping gun control legislation by the end of January, according to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

“He said, ‘Tommy, I guarantee you, we’ll get it done by the end of January,’” Menino reportedly said at City Hall on Thursday. “They’re going to get it done.”

Menino, a leading gun control advocate, has been recovering from a myriad of health issues over the last two months, but said Biden has called him a number of times while he was in the hospital. One of the calls came after the Newtown, Conn. school shooting and concerned gun control, the Boston Herald reports.
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Clinton Back To Work Soon

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to return to work next week. Clinton has been sidelined for nearly a month by a string of medical problems. Late last year, she caught a stomach virus, which led to dehydration. She fainted, fell, bumped her head and got a blood clot as a result of the concussion. But now, her spokeswoman said Clinton is upbeat. She checked out of a New York hospital yesterday. While recuperating at home, she reviewed paperwork and phoned into a meeting of the foreign policy advisory board. She won't be on the job long, though. Secretary Clinton plans to retire when President Obama begins his second term.

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATOR: WE NEED TO 'RESTRICT FREEDOMS' OF CONSERVATIVES

A New Hampshire legislator wants her constituents to know that she feels conservatives are the "single biggest threat" her state faces today, and she wants to use her powers to legislate to "pass measures that will restrict" the freedoms of Granite State conservatives.

In a blog post made last month on the left-wing site Blue Hampshire, 3rd District State Representative Democrat Cynthia Chase advised her fellow legislators to use their positions to make New Hampshire less welcoming to any conservative or libertarian planning on moving to her state—not to mention those already in residence.

For those unaware, a conservative project of sorts has been underway in New Hampshire since 2001. The idea is that Americans of conservative ideals are to move to New Hampshire, gather in communities, run for office, and work to drive the state toward libertarianism and conservatism. It is called the "Free State Project" and adherents are called "Free Staters."
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Suit Claims Officer Faked D.U.I. Cases

There was a time not so long ago when Lisa Steed’s stock as a corporal in the Utah Highway Patrol was soaring.
Passionate about police work, with a wide smile and a notable number of driving-under-the-influence arrests to show for her diligence, Corporal Steed was named trooper of the year by her superiors in 2007, her career seemingly heading toward the inevitable promotions.

In November, however, the once promising officer was fired amid a haze of misconduct allegations.

Though the Highway Patrol would not discuss Ms. Steed’s dismissal, a lawsuit claims she falsified dozens of those arrests during her 10-year career.

According to the suit, filed Dec. 14 in District Court in Salt Lake County, Ms. Steed made a career of pulling over drivers who she claimed were driving drunk or under the influence.

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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 1-4-13

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "MAYOR IRETON TO FILE FOR RE-ELECTION TODAY AT 12:1...": 

Let's set the record straight on the "Highlights of Mayor Ireton's First Term:"

· Abandoned barges removed from the North Prong of Wicomico River
- That could have only hapened with a "yes" vote by the council.

· Trash collection systems installed on many river outfall pipes
-Debbie Campbell was the one that got the attention focused on this when the city was planning the Waverly Dr. stormwater system without any filtration before release of the water into the river. That was before Ireton was elected. Again, the council voted "yes" in support of the plan that Ireton advanced.

· 40% reduction in violent crime rates over 4 years, and 20% drop over the last decade
-Thank you Terry Cohen for identifying the Safe Streets as a source of funding and collaboration for crime reduction. Thank you members of the Crime Task Force, especially the sub-committee that Debbie Campbell worked with, for all of the time that was spent in the assessment of the core problems - including high turnover from an inadequate police pay scale. Again, a "yes" vote by council was required to make this happen.

· Thrift Travel Inn and Linens of the Week blight torn down
-Again, "yes" votes by the council and insistance by Cohen that the bank that owed Thrift pay for the demo instead of the taxpayers. Ireton wanted to go straight to a budget amendment and pay for it with our tax dollars.

· $16 Million dollars in city surplus funds
-Yet, if the Mayor had his way there would have been a huge tax increase. The surplus is largely due to Campbell's work on transparency in the budget process and a sharp pencil. Don't forget how the Mayor tries to keep financial information from the council and from us even though we are the taxpayers. Does he forget that it's our money. 

· City Audit done at the earliest in history
-Who raised the issues of the sloppiness and lateness around the audit when she was first elected and has pushed ever since to get a timely audit and to reslove the weaknesses that are identified during the process. It is Debbie Campbell. Does he think that we don't pay attention?

· 270 page Downtown Revitalization plan introduced
-Didn't seem like much more than a plan to give away downtown assets that belong to us taxpayers. 

· Bateman/Onley Road Construction complete
-It was the council that worked hard to make that happen and to reduce the cost to the taxpayers. The council voted "yes" even though Ireton held press conferences and called them names -I suspect to try to make them mad enough to say no. Instead they took the high road and considered public safety first.

· Tenants Bill of Rights is law
-An idea advanced by Campbell for years, but Smith, Dunn, Cathcart and the rest wouldn't support it because they really didn't seem to care about tenants. Again, a "yes" vote by the council.

· Wastewater Treatment Plant lawsuit settled
-As I recall, Ireton used that as an opportunity to pick a fight over the letterhead that the press release would be printed on. At any rate, again, the council voted "yes."

*So in conclusion, none of what Ireton is taking credit for would have been possible without the council, yet he condemns them on a regular basis and doesn't have enough class to even share the credit...let alone give credit where it's due. I hate to think where Salisbury would be if the council had been a rubber stamp for all of Ireton's ill conceived plans. 

Ireton keeping his campaign promises what nonsense. I can think of several right off the bat that were broken within weeks or months of his election. What about reducing the cost of the Mayor's office or council access to department heads? Did someone write Ireton's announcement as a spoof?

Jim, if someone else wrote that for you, you should be questioning their motives. To make your filing announcement one of the biggest falsehoods of your time in office - why would someone who really supports you do such a thing?

FISCAL CLIFF HOLLYWOOD HANDOUT COULD SPARK MORE SMALL TOWN BANKRUPTCIES

Deep inside the fiscal cliff compromise passed Tuesday night is an item that could lead more cities into bankruptcy.

Allen Park, Mich. is an idyllic American town in the heart of the Rust Belt, the kind of place that far-left filmmaker Michael Moore claims he grew up in. A population of 28,210, and median household income around $56,000 a year puts it solidly in the middle class. It somehow escaped the ravages of Urban Blight that left other Michigan cities destitute as auto plants idled over the past thirty years; its poverty rate is only 6.6 percent.

That is, until the town caught show biz fever. The first Canadian Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, passed a tax credit that would pay back movie producers up to 42 percent of any money they spent in Michigan. (It’s kind of like going to Canada for the exchange rate, only better).

Hollywood rushed into the state to take advantage of the offer. Michigan paid out $110 million in 2010, before Governor Rick Snyder capped the subsidy at $25 million. Moore even got $830,000 for (ironically) filming portions of "Capitalism: A Love Story" there. For a while it looked like the new Hollywood was going to be in Michigan.
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Monkey Barrel Owner

Owner of Federal Hill restaurant charged with raping patron on New Year's Eve

By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun

5:28 PM EST, January 2, 2013

Police have charged a Federal Hill restaurant owner with rape after a patron said he sexually assaulted her in a bathroom there on New Year's Eve.

Matthew Lasinski, 29, was taken into custody on New Year's Day and has been charged with second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense, and assault charges in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred after midnight in Blue Agave Restaurante in the 1000 block of Light St., according to police spokesman Vernon Davis.

Court records show he was ordered held without bond by a District Court commissioner.

Co-owner Brian Acquavella, who along with Lasinski took over the restaurant about nine months ago, told The Sun that he had reviewed camera footage from the restaurant and "after looking at everything that occurred, it doesn't seem like it's even feasible that the accusations are credible at all." Asked if he believed Lasinski would be cleared, he said, "Absolutely."

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State Assessments Show 7% Dip In Values

The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation said this week it had recently mailed out 678,763 assessment notices to property owners that reflect another decrease in real estate values, averaging 7 percent.

The last time these properties were assessed was 2009.

Under state law, properties are assessed every three years. They are assessed at current market value, to try to make sure owners pay state and local property taxes on accurate amounts.
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Registration Opens For Wicomico Recreation’s Junior Girls Spring Softball League This Weekend

Register at Dick’s Sporting Goods on Saturday & Receive Store Coupons

Wicomico Recreation will open registration for the Junior Girls Spring Softball League on Saturday, January 5 from 11am-2pm at Dick's Sporting Goods in Salisbury. Junior Girls Softball offers six different leagues for girls ages 4-18 that focus on teaching softball skills, player participation, being part of a team and sportsmanship. Girls of all skill levels and experience are invited to join in the tradition.

Participants will be divided into the following leagues:

Li'l Miss T-Ball: Ages 4-6, Ponytail Coach Pitch: Ages 7-9 (9/1/04 - 8/31/06), Pre-Minor: Ages 9-10 (9/1/02 - 8/31/04), Minor: Ages 12 & Under (9/1/00 - 8/31/02), Major I: Ages 14 & Under (9/1/98 - 8/31/00), Major II: Ages 18 & Under (9/1/94 - 8/31/98).

Ponytail, Pre-Minor, Minor and Major league teams will begin practice at the end of March / early April. The season begins in May and runs through the end of June. Girls must bring their own glove, all other equipment will be provided. Games will be held at Optimist Park, Winterplace Park, Henry Parker Complex, Billy Gene Jackson, Harmon, Fruitland, Pittsville and Hebron.

The program fee for Li'l Miss, Ponytail and Pre-Minor is $40; the fee for Minor and Major leagues is $45. Registration will open Saturday, January 5 at Dick's Sporting Goods in Salisbury from 11am-2pm. Those registering onsite will receive store coupons and be entered for a chance to win a store bonus gift certificate. Registration will open at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm) and online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org beginning Monday, January 7 through the end of February. Registration after February will be based on availability.

Volunteer coaches, umpires and team sponsors are needed. To volunteer or for more information on Junior Girls Softball, please contact Kelly Rados, Program Director at 410-548-4900 x108 or krados@wicomicocounty.org.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Maryland Residents Affected By Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON – Maryland residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy between Oct. 26 and  Nov. 4 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills announced today.

Administrator Mills made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. Martin O’Malley, dated
Dec. 21, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Worcester County and the adjacent counties of Somerset and Wicomico in Maryland; Sussex County in Delaware and Accomack County in Virginia.

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Maryland with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes with federal disaster loans,” said Administrator Mills.  “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.   Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.  SBA’s customer service representatives are on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue applications and assist survivors with completing their applications,” Skaggs added.

The center is located in the following community and is open as indicated:

Worcester County

Worcester County - Ocean Pines Library 

11107 Cathell Road

Berlin, Maryland 21811 

Opening:         Friday, Jan. 4

                        10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

                        Saturday, Jan. 5

                        9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed:            Sunday, Jan. 6

Open:              Monday, Jan. 7

                        10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

                        Tuesday, Jan. 8 - Thursday, Jan. 10

                        10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closing:          Thursday, Jan. 10 at close of business

-more-

“Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said Steve Umberger, SBA‘s Maryland district director.

The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the Center may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.  Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 4, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 2, 2013.

The Enemy Within: Soldier Suicides Outpaced Combat Deaths In 2012

More soldiers took their own lives than died in combat during 2012, new Department of Defense figures show. The Army's suicide rate has climbed by 9 percent since the military branch launched its suicide-prevention campaign in 2009.

Through November, 177 active-duty soldiers had committed suicide compared to 165 during all of 2011 and 156 in 2010. In all of 2012, 176 soldiers were killed in action -- all while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, according to DOD.

Army suicides have increased by at least 54 percent since 2007 when there were 115 — a number the Washington Post then called "an all-time record." An Army spokesman said Wednesday it is uncertain if 177 marks a new annual high (with December numbers still to come), or if suicides have ever outpaced combat deaths in a single year, because the Army has not always tracked suicides.
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2013: Welcome To Very, Very Scary Times

On the One Hand…

These should not be foreboding years. The U.S. is in the midst of a veritable energy revolution. There is a godsend of new gas and oil discoveries that will help to curtail our fiscal and foreign policy vulnerabilities — an energy bonanza despite, not because of, the present administration.
Demographically, our rivals — the EU, China, Russia, and Japan — are both shrinking and aging at rates far in excess of our own.

In terms of farming, the United States is exporting more produce than ever before at record prices. Americans eat the safest and cheapest food on the planet.

As far as high-tech gadgetry, the global companies that have most changed the world in recent years — Amazon’s online buying, Google search engines, Apple iPhones, iPads, and Mac laptops — are mostly American. There is a reason why Mexican nationals are not crossing their border into Guatemala — and it is not because they prefer English speakers to Spanish speakers.

Militarily, the United States is light years ahead of its rivals. And so on…

The New Poverty Is the Old Middle Class

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‘HANNITY’ GUEST BECOMES SO FURIOUS THAT HE LITERALLY COVERS HIS EARS & REFUSES TO RESPOND DURING HEATED GUN RIGHTS DEBATE

On Wednesday night, Fox News’ Sean Hannity tackled gun rights, an ever-controversial issue that continues to stand at the forefront of public discussion and debate following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The popular television and radio host spoke with civil rights attorney Leo Terrell and conservative lawyer Jay Sekulow — two individuals with divergent ideas about how to handle gun ownership.

As the men discussed The Journal News’ recent decision to publish the names and addresses of pistol permit holders in two New York Counties, Terrell became to frustrated by Hannity’s questioning that he literally covered his ears and refused to respond. But before this odd behavior took form, the host asked Terrell, who agreed with the newspaper’s actions, if he believes in privacy rights.

“This information will alert the neighborhood of people who are mentally ill,” the civil rights attorney responded.
Continue to videos and story HERE 

Bad Inventions

I am bored with politics, refuse to pay attention to the news and am watching only True Crime TV shows and Turner Classic Movies these days. With the Democrats controlling the Senate and presidency, nothing good can possibly come out of Washington for at least another two years. So I thought I’d start the new year with something useful, like a short list of bad inventions.

(1) SILENT DISHWASHERS

Are people installing dishwashers next to their beds? I’ve checked my “Top 500 Daily Irritations” list and dishwasher noise is not on it.

What possible benefit derives from having a dishwasher that makes absolutely no noise? Was that gentle whooshing sound driving some homeowners bonkers? Is this a product designed by the same people who gave us the electric car, a vehicle so silent that the first sign of its approach is the sound of your pelvis breaking as the car hits you?

Not only are the virtues of a silent dishwasher elusive, but there’s one big disadvantage: You can’t tell if it’s running. A dishwasher doesn’t have to sound like the Concorde blasting off to provide some indication that the thing is working.

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Catfish Farm

Must see, Catfish Farm In Viet Nam. If you eat catfish, you should watch.

You should know how Basa, Pacific Dory and Catfish from Asia, specifically Vietnam, is born, fed and reared for, predominately, Western markets.

I bet most of the Asian markets and restaurants use these fish from that Mekong River!

Now I know what Basa is, I have often seen it on menus in Asian Restaurants.

Just look for the "Made in Vietnam label" in supermarkets.

Click to watch...

http://www.vimeo.com/11817894

Local Scores Veterans Designation

OCEAN CITY -- A new policy adding an armed forces veteran’s designation on Maryland driver’s licenses went into effect this week and an Ocean City resident was likely the first in the state to acquire the honor.

Last year, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the addition of a veteran’s designation on the state’s driver’s license for those who are serving or have served in the past. Among other things, the designation creates a viable database of veterans in the state and allows those who are eligible to display their newly adorned Maryland driver’s licenses to take advantage of benefits and other discounts offered to veterans.

The law officially went into effect on Jan. 1, and early Wednesday morning, Ocean City resident and most recent Past Commander of American Legion Post 166 Sarge Garlitz arrived at the MVA offices in Salisbury with the appropriate paper work in hand.
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Deadline Fast Approaching For Delaware Hunting Photo Contest Entries

DOVER – The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds Delaware photographers that the Jan. 12, 2013 deadline to submit that great photo of young hunters in action for the 2012 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest is fast approaching.
The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must depict youth participating in hunting activities and must have been taken in Delaware. Adults may be included in the photo, such as a parent or grandparent hunting with a child. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2013-14 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published next year.
A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff and professional photographers will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Carrying on the Tradition.” Judges also will be looking at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.
Photos must be 8 x 10 paper prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.
The contest opened on Sept. 1. Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Attention: Amanda Belford, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, and must include a completed and signed entry form and photo release form. Information and forms are available on the Division’s website at Fish and Wildlife photo_contest and the Fish and Wildlife Facebook page (search Delaware Fish & Wildlife), or may be requested by calling Amanda Belford at 302-739-9910, or email amanda.belford@state.de.us.

Opportunity Shop Re-Opens Saturday Morning

After a complete internal renovation the Opportunity Shop in Downtown Salisbury will swing their doors Saturday morning. 

Reminder:

2nd Marking Period Ends Jan. 18; Report Cards Distributed Jan. 29

BREAKING NEWS: House Approves $9.7B For Flood Insurance Claims For Sandy Victims

Bill addressing 115,000 insurance claims from superstorm Sandy is sent to the Senate after it passes in the House by a 354-67 vote. 

From Fox News

Ocean City Shop Owner Pleads Guilty To Selling Counterfeit Goods

BALTIMORE — A Delaware man has pleaded guilty trafficking in counterfeit goods for selling counterfeit merchandise at his two shops on the Ocean City boardwalk.

Thirty-four-year-old Liang Lin entered the plea Thursday in federal court in Baltimore. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine at sentencing March 27.
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Next Superintendent's Open Door Session Set For Jan. 16

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen will hold a Superintendent’s Open Door Session from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 in the Administrative Conference Room of the Board of Education Building, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury.
Open Door Sessions provide the opportunity for people to meet one-on-one with the superintendent. People may express concerns, offer comment, or ask questions on any issue involving Wicomico schools. No appointment is needed. Each visitor will have approximately 15 minutes to meet with the superintendent. Follow-up sessions will be held if there are more visitors than there is time on the scheduled night. 
Additional Open Door Sessions for this school year are scheduled for Feb. 13, March 13, April 24 and May 15. 410-677-4495.

Commissioners Support Farmers In Clean Water Case

SNOW HILL -- In the wake of last month’s ruling in favor of a local farm family in its case with the Waterkeeper Alliance last month, several Worcester County Commissioners came out in favor of the judgment and discussed the future of the poultry industry on the Eastern Shore.

“This case seems to have losers all the way around and I hope that we can go forward,” Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell told the commissioners Wednesday.

The case, which also included Hudson Farm’s contract employer Perdue Farms, has been in the works since 2009 and has been considered controversial from the start. In 2009, the Waterkeeper Alliance claimed that chicken litter containing pollutants was illegally discharged into a tributary of the Pocomoke River through a pile of assumed chicken manure. However, subsequent investigation revealed that the pile was actually bio-solids obtained from the Ocean City Wastewater Treatment plant.
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Dog Found In Hebron 1-4-13

Very sweet female pit or pit mix. Appears to be about 1 year old and spayed. Found in Hebron on 1/4 in the early am. Was wearing a collar but if someone wants to claim her they must correctly describe it! 

My contact info: 410-463-2098

Tickets On Sale Now For James M. Bennett High's Rock & Roll Revival Feb. 8-10 And 14-17

Students sing, dance, play instruments, and work in many areas behind the scenes to put on this highly successful show, which this year returns to the stage of the James M. Bennett Auditorium in Salisbury. Show directors are Christie and Larry Wersen, and net proceeds benefit the JMB PTSA.
Shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, and then 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Tickets are $15 for the Thursday night show and $20 for the weekend shows. Tickets are available at the Bank of Delmarva branch on Eastern Shore Drive. 
For ticket information, e-mail jmbrockandrollrevival@gmail.com or call Chris Wilde at 410-430-8634. Check out the show news on Facebook at RockRoll Revival.

The 10 Least Stressful Jobs In 2013

Most employees dream about working at a low-stress job with a substantial salary.
CareerCast.com rated the stress levels of 200 jobs based on physical demand and danger, growth potential, deadlines, travel, environmental conditions, time in the public eye, competitiveness and the possibility of having to save your own or somebody else's life.

Four out of 10 of these jobs are in the healthcare industry, where hiring is expected to rise in 2013.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare and social assistance industry is expected to generate the "largest number of jobs, 5.6 million, at an annual rate of 3.0 percent" between now to 2020.

The rest of the jobs on this list do not typically require workers to be under tight deadlines and they can often work out of the public eye and without much distractions.

Click here to see the jobs >

Thank God Its Friday 1-4-13

What will you be doing this weekend?

The Rationally Misinformed Voter

In the sub-discipline of economics known as public choice, an important concept is the theory of "rational ignorance." First articulated by political scientist Anthony Downs in the 1950s, and expanded upon by economist Gordon Tullock and others, the theory of rational ignorance holds that it is perfectly rational for individuals to largely ignore politics, or even not to vote. There are only twenty-four hours in a day, and we all spend most of our time doing our jobs, pursuing an education, raising families, paying bills, and planning our private lives. We rationally spend very little time becoming informed about politics and government policy.

From an economic perspective, it is irrational for most people to vote in presidential elections since, in a country as big as the United States, the probability that your vote will "make a difference" is about 1/100,000,000, with the denominator being the number of voters. The main reason people vote, therefore, is similar to the reason why they cheer for their favorite sports team. Or, they have been so bombarded with government propaganda for their entire lives that they believe it is their "patriotic duty" to legitimize the state and all that it does by "voicing their consent" at the voting booth.

One consequence of the rational ignorance effect is that, since the general public is largely ignorant of the machinations of the state, political outcomes are controlled by special-interest groups, the largest of which is the state itself and all of its functionaries. This is true as far as it goes, but it is much worse. The average citizen in a democracy is not only rationally ignorant, but rationally misinformed, thanks to the relentless statist propaganda that is drummed into the heads of nearly everyone beginning in pre-school. The entire educational system in America has become one gigantic, state-funded statist brainwashing operation.
Once Americans have been thoroughly indoctrinated in statism for at least twelve years, that indoctrination is then reinforced by the lapdog media, Hollywood, and the popular culture in general. It is much easier to plunder and exert totalitarian control over a society in which at least half of the adult population is comprised of brain-numbed morons who will believe in almost any lie or superstition as long as it has a governmental imprimatur.

Hence we have millions of people who believe that disarming all the law-abiding citizens so that only dangerous criminals can possess firearms will make us safer. They believe that their children are safer in public schools if there is no one there – not a single person – who could protect them from a crazed murderer by carrying a firearm and knowing how to use it.

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Warren Buffett Buys Plants from Company that Received 1.2 Billion in Stimulus Funds

It’s good to be the king. And if you can’t be the king, it’s good to be the guy who sticks close to the king and gets his leftovers.

Sun Power came under fire during the election for the 1.2 billion dollars in stimulus fund loan guarantees that it received from Obama Inc. The problem was that Sun Power was completely nonviable as a business.

Republican lawmakers on two House committees are seeking details about the loans given to First Solar, SunPower Corp. and ProLogis. Of those three companies, troubling financial revelations have emerged about SunPower, which received a $1.2 billion loan, more than twice the money approved for Solyndra, which filed for bankruptcy last month after receiving a $528 million loan.

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Joshua Boston To Sen. Feinstein's Gun Control

The U.S. is awash in well-trained warriors fresh from the military as it faces off on gun control issues.
There are 5.1 million Post 9/11 vets alone, and they're not all going to take new gun-control laws lightly.

Any servicemember knows their mission is to kill people, in the end, during conflicts, it's why we're there.

Even in my "soft," non-infantry unit, a cadence we exercised to included a line, "Blood, blood, bright red blood it makes the green grass grow." The warrior ethos is kneaded into the psyche from day one.

That's a bit of context from a former service-member who never relied on a series of weapons for immediate survival or survival of my friends. From someone who never developed relationships with the tools of the battlefield; who never slaved to keep a weapon performing endlessly and without question. The maintenance and care required to achieve that security in the harsh gritty environments of Iraq and Afghanistan is profound.

An eight-year Marine veteran named Joshua Boston feels very strongly about California Sen. Dianne Feinstein's plan to require him to register his assault rifle and ban him from selling or buying any more. Joshua would likely have been one of the guys who developed those relationships with his weapons.

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Two Men Arrested In Connection With Shooting In Sussex County

Location: Laurel Road, Laurel, DE

Date of Occurrence: Thursday December 27, 2012 at approximately 3:51 a.m.

Victim:

35 year old male, Laurel, DE

Defendant, Charges, and Bond Information:

Orrin D. Joudrey, 20, Delmar, MD (Photo Attached, Green Shirt)
Attempted Murder 1st
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 counts)
Reckless Endangering 1st (3 counts)
Conspiracy 1st
Criminal Mischief
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
No Proof of Insurance
Expired Tags

Arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $320,500.00 cash only bail.

David M. Watson II, 24, Laurel, DE (Photo Attached, Black Shirt)
Attempted Murder 1st
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 counts)
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Reckless Endangering 1st (3 counts)
Conspiracy 1st
Criminal Mischief

Arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $330,500.00 cash only bail.


Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting of a Delaware law enforcement officer’s house.

Orrin D. Joudrey, 20 of Delmar, Maryland was arrested near Laurel early Wednesday morning around 12:30 a.m. after a traffic stop and investigation revealed he had been operating his car under the influence of alcohol. A search of the vehicle upon his arrest yielded, shotgun and rifle ammunition possibly used in the shooting of a Dewey Beach Police Officer’s residence located west of Laurel. Joudrey gave an address in the 10000 block of County Seat Highway in Laurel where he was staying with David M. Watson II over the last several days.

Through comprehensive investigative measures, it was determined that Joudrey and Watson had driven around Maryland and western Sussex County in Delaware firing numerous rounds of shotgun and rifle ammunition at law enforcement officer’s houses. One of the incidents occurred on Thursday December 27, 2012, in which shots were fired at a Dewey Beach Police Officer’s residence located on Laurel Road west of Laurel. No one was injured in this incident.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, David M. Watson II, 24 of Laurel, Delaware, who is on Level III probation, was contacted at his residence and taken into custody by Delaware State Police Sussex County Governor’s Task Force (GTF) without incident. Detectives from Troop 4 and Probation Officers assigned to GTF conducted a search warrant on Watson’s residence and located a 12 gauge shotgun and a 7.62 mm rifle, along with shotgun and rifle ammunition.

Joudrey was transported back to Troop 5 in Bridgeville where he was charged with the above listed crimes. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Center on $320,500.00 cash only bond.

Watson was transported to Troop 4 in Georgetown where he was charged and arraigned on the above charges. He was committed to SCI on $330,500.00 cash only bond.

The incident that occurred in the 9000 block of Sharptown Road on December 30, 2012 is still under investigation. If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Det. Kelly at 302-856-5850 ext. 219 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

***Information pertaining to the investigations in Maryland should be directed to Sheriff Mike Lewis of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4960.***

Tax Bill Great For Federal Employees

The tax hike bill President Obama signed yesterday has a goodie for federal employees. Their mass transit subsidy rises to $240 per month, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012. Congress reduced the subsidy in 2011 to $125 per month, although at the time it raised the parking allowance to $240. Under the new law, employees can receive up to $240 pre-tax a month if they use subways, buses or commuter trains to get to work.

WCSO Press Release 1-4-13

• 01/03/2013 DUI - Wilkinson
• 01/03/2013 Disorderly - Jones
• 01/03/2013 Assault - Blake
• 01/03/2013 Strong Armed Robbery
• 01/03/2013 Warrant - Weeks
• 01/03/2013 Warrant - Campbell
• 01/03/2013 Burglary Arrest - Stephens
• 01/03/2013 Assault - Lecates
• 01/03/2013 Assault - Robinson
• 01/03/2013 Assault - Jones
• 01/03/2013 Assault - Gibson
• 01/03/2013 Trespassing - Enos
• 01/03/2013 CDS - Trader
• 01/03/2013 CDS - Wilhide

Dog Found In Hebron 1-3-13 UPDATE

Hello, we live in Hebron MD and this dog was found this afternoon between cedar drive and farm house drive. If you could post this to help us find the owner we would appreciate it. Contact info email tanyadickson8@gmail.com or call/text 443-614-4772. Thank you

Department Heads Want More

Two powerful department heads are saying, "Thanks, but we need more," to Congress. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he's pleased lawmakers reached an agreement to prevent a spike in dairy prices. But he quickly adds that he's "disappointed" they still haven't passed a food, farm and jobs bill. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took a similar tack yesterday, telling Congress he's grateful for the sequestration delay, but he still wants to see a permanent solution.

NAACP Meet The Candidates Forum

 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
          Wicomico County NAACP Branch #7028
      P. O. Box 1047       Salisbury, MD  21802       (410)543-4187
                          Chartered December 11, 1944


December 29, 2012

Contact: Mary Ashanti, President
Telephone: 410-543-4187
Email: wcnaacpbranch7028@yahoo.com          For Immediate Release


Topic: Meet the Candidates Forum for the Offices of Salisbury City Council and Mayor of  the City of Salisbury.

     The Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP will hold a Meet the Candidates Forum for the Offices of City Council and Mayor for the City of Salisbury. The forum will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Salisbury, Md. The Church is located at the intersection of Booth and Delaware Avenues.

     The entire community is invited to attend and participate in the forum. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet each of the candidates, and share concerns or ask questions of the candidates. Candidates will have the opportunity to share their positions on issues that affect the City of Salisbury,

      If you would like more information about the forum you may contact Mary Ashanti at the contact information cited above.

About the NAACP: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members, throughout the United States and the world, are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in public and private sectors.