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Monday, February 18, 2013

Tonight On WMDT

SALISBURY, Md. - Campaigning is underway for the two candidates vying for the office of Salisbury Mayor.

Known for their opposing views, incumbent Mayor Jim Ireton and opponent Joe Albero have a common goal, to help transform Salisbury into a business-friendly city.

Albero says it's time for a change and "a lot of people see a lot of empty spaces around Salisbury, a lot of homes for sale around Salisbury."

He says he will treat Salisbury like a company, trying to sell other big businesses on the positives of the city, including the local airport.
"Everyone agrees that for the last 16 years there have been very few images of either Mayor Barrie Tilghman or Mayor Ireton cutting a ribbon for a new business opening up in Salisbury."

*But Ireton says "the people that have left the downtown are people that didn't have a business plan that would work there. My opponent seems to want to blame Salisbury for that being a problem."

The mayor explains his plan of revitalizing downtown Salisbury, which would give incentives to businesses.
**"I want to draw a ring around the downtown and say 'this is an [equivalent dwelling unites] free zone,'' said Ireton. "It will make it less expensive for developers to build here and less expensive for development to happen.

"I'm going to be happy when I see cranes downtown building stuff."

The candidates will meet for a Public Forum on March 26th. It starts at 7:00 PM in the Wicomico Room at the Guerrieri Center of Salisbury University.


Source

Publishers Notes:
* I'll bet Mayor Ireton wouldn't be man enough to say that to Anne Taylor, (Parker Place) to her face or the numerous other businesses who were told false information by Ireton and Tilghman. Another prime example would be the Evolution Brewing Company, (aka EVO) who bought the old Union Station and were then hit up with a $170,000.00 impact fee. 

**As for Jim's EDU plan, HELLO, we already have EDU's for ALL of the buildings Downtown. Does the Mayor take the residents of Salisbury to be stupid enough to buy into that fairy tale that ANY new EDU would be for new businesses? NO! Jim is talking about his 500 Affordable Housing Units in Downtown, NOT businesses.

Does this guy have ANY clue what he's doing or talking about. This Mayoral Candidate thinks not. 

Facebook To Pay No Federal Taxes

Not only is Facebook stealing your privacy, but they're getting your tax dollars too. The company made over $1 billion in U.S. profits in 2012, but they won't be paying a single penny in federal or state income taxes. In fact, Facebook will be getting a refund of $429 million. Citizens for Tax Justice uncovered the social network's use of a single tax loophole, which reduced their income taxes by about $1 billion just in 2012 – and even got them an additional $451 million in refunds from earlier years. When the company was preparing to go public last year, democratic Sen. Carl Levin predicted this outcome, saying "When profitable corporations can use the stock option tax deduction to pay zero corporate income taxes for years on end, average taxpayers are forced to pick up the tax burden." And Facebook isn't alone. Between 2008 and 2011, 26 large corporations paid no federal corporate income tax, despite their combined $205 billion in profits. These corporations get the benefit of using our commons, and they make huge profits off of hard-working Americans like you and me. They need to be paying for those privileges. Call Congress and tell them to make Facebook pay up. Tell them to pass the Sanders-Schakowsky Corporate Tax Fairness Act now!

People Kill - Not Guns

Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my Stevens 320 right in the doorway. I gave it 6 shells, and noticing that it had no legs, even placed it in my wheelchair to help it get around. I then left it alone and went about my business. While I was gone, the mailman delivered my mail, the neighbor boy across the street mowed the yard, a girl walked her dog down the street, and quite a few cars stopped at the stop sign right in front of our house. After about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there in the wheelchair, right where I had left it. It hadn’t rolled itself outside. It certainly hadn’t killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn’t even loaded itself. Well you can imagine my surprise, with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people. Either the media is wrong, and it’s the misuse of guns by PEOPLE that kills people, or I'm in possession of the laziest gun in the world. Alright, well I’m off to check on my spoons. I hear they’re making people fat.

Just Like Crack In The 80s, The Police State Thrives On Gun Hysteria

From the moment it became known that 20 suburban, mostly white children had been massacred by a young white man in Connecticut, it was inevitable that Black America would pay the price. The nation’s reflexive response to crime and domestic mayhem – real or imagined, and regardless of the actual race of the perpetrators – is always to punish Black people. Whenever the symptoms of the national sickness – America’s endemic violence and alienation – become catastrophically acute, as in Newtown, the standard treatment is mass Black incarceration, by which huge proportions of the Black male population are expelled from the social body like foreign organisms.

The madness in a well-off town in Connecticut had nothing to do with Black inner city violence, which is overwhelmingly rooted in the absence of a legitimate economy, and a lack of social justice – and requires an economic and social justice response. But America is preprogrammed to treat violence as a Black phenomenon. As could be expected, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel – President Obama’s former chief of staff – proposed mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes. It is a huge step backward. Mandatory minimum sentences have been largely responsible for making the United States home to one out of every four prison inmates in the world, and many states have been backing away from the practice. Opposition to mandatory minimums has historically been strongest in Black America. However, in the current gun hysteria, Black activists and politicians have talked themselves into a corner. When President Obama shed tears over the tragedy in Connecticut, African Americans demanded that he show similar concern for young Black victims of gunfire. It was demanded that he “do something.”

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Gun Companies Refuse Sales To State Governments With Strict Gun Laws

Six gun companies have announced plans to stop selling any of their products to any government agency in states that severely limit the rights of private gun ownership.

Disappointed with New York State lawmakers and other jurisdictions around the country who have passed strict gun control legislation, the companies—composed of firearm manufacturers, gunsmiths, and sporting goods retailers—have announced these policies in the past week.

Their various statements emphasize that such laws create a class of government employees with rights and and a class of citizens without rights. Thus, they refuse to aid the enforcement of such inequality.

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FAA Is Failing To Report Regional Safety Information

The Federal Aviation Administration is failing an important oversight role to ensure the safety of regional airlines. That's according to the Transportation Department's inspector general. The IG found FAA wasn't making sure large airlines hold their regional partners to the same safety standards. FAA had promised to do so after the 2009 crash of a regional carrier Colgan Air near Buffalo. Nearly half the daily commercial flights are on so-called feeder airlines. They typically hire pilots with far less experience and training than those hired by the big carriers. The IG found that FAA rarely reviews the agreements between major airlines and their regional partners.

OYSTER SOUP LUNCHEON

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* CARRY OUTS ARE AVAILABLE
CALL 410-749-8607

Federal Pay Freeze Extension

The House voted Friday to extend the federal pay freeze through the end of the fiscal year. Republicans supporters said it would save $11 billion. Democratic opponents accused the GOP of anti-government bias and said Congress should be focusing on stopping sequestration. The freeze would affect only raises based on cost-of-living adjustments and not merit or longevity raises. The bill has little chance of making it through the Senate.

Vermont Man Surrenders Teaching License Over Assault Rifle

BENNINGTON, Vt. – A former Bennington high school teacher has surrendered his teaching license after being treated at a psychiatric hospital last month after he was spotted carrying the same kind of assault rifle used in December's school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and making comments about his school that some found disturbing.

The Vermont Agency on Education says Steven Davis surrendered his license Feb. 7.

Davis, a long-time science and math teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, was hospitalized Jan. 1 after neighbors spotted him carrying a semi-automatic rifle. Davis also posted videos online criticizing school administrators, the teachers union and co-workers.


2013 School Spelling Bee Champions Advance To March 9 Regional Bee At UMES

Thirty Wicomico County students who were named school spelling bee champions will advance to compete in the Maryland Eastern Shore Spelling Bee at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne on Saturday, March 9.
UMES is sponsoring and hosting the regional bee, which will involve almost 50 students from public schools in Wicomico and Somerset counties and St. Francis de Sales Catholic School. The bee was open to students in grades 3 through 8. The winner of the March 9 bee will win a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in the Washington area in May.
The bee at UMES will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held in the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center (PAC). The bee is open to the public to attend. Ample parking is available in the parking lots adjacent to the Fitzgerald PAC.
All Wicomico schools with students in grades 3-8 held classroom or team contests and then a school spelling bee, at the end of which the top two winners were named school champions. Congratulations to the spelling champions listed below; all of them will compete in the March 9 bee at UMES.
Delmar Elementary: McKenzie Hearn, Kody Jones
East Salisbury Elementary: Justin White, Alyssa Schoolman
Fruitland Intermediate: Macy Nesmith, Katelyn Nesmith
Glen Avenue Elementary: Matthew Waggoner, Alexia Phillips
North Salisbury Elementary: Madison Palmer, Osman Yaya
Northwestern Elementary: Jacob Long, Colton Lanham
Pemberton Elementary: Josh Kwak, Riya Mehta
Pinehurst Elementary: James Rhinvil, Sarah Augustin
Prince Street Elementary: Adrian Travers, Gabrielle Hunt
Westside Intermediate: Cameron Horner, Zora Nichols
Pittsville Elementary and Middle: Allyson Morris, Grace Perdue
Bennett Middle: Saige Oechsli, Khaled Mohamed
Salisbury Middle: Matthew Phillips, Yesenia Casique
Wicomico Middle: Gia Bautista, Jeffrey Dumpson
Mardela Middle : Alyssa Price, Grace Drehmer

Salisbury's Most Expensive Billboard

A week ago, some office space at the corner of North Division and West Main Streets lay vacant with a few Albero for Mayor signs in the window.

 

Last Friday a Salisbury businessman offered to pay twice the regular rent (over $1,000 per month) for a two month lease.  Is the Plaza going to host a new business?  Hardly.  When asked why he wanted the property, the replay was simple and straight forward, "There's an election!".  Now Jim Ireton and Jake Day campaigns are the beneficiaries of Salisbury's most expensive bill board:

Imagine it; supporters of Jim Ireton and Jake Day are so desperate that they are willing to pay almost any price to promote the campaigns of their chosen candidates. 


Stop CISPA: The Internet Spying Bill is Back in Congress

If at first you don’t succeed in implementing total state surveillance on your citizenry, try and try again. These guys are just unbelievable. From the EFF:

It’s official: The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives yesterday. CISPA is the contentious bill civil liberties advocates fought last year, which would provide a poorly-defined “cybersecurity” exception to existing privacy law. CISPA offers broad immunities to companies who choose to share data with government agencies (including the private communications of users) in the name of cybersecurity. It also creates avenues for companies to share data with any federal agencies, including military intelligence agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA).

As others have noted, “CISPA is deeply flawed. Under a broad cybersecurity umbrella, it permits companies to share user communications directly with the super secret NSA and permits the NSA to use that information for non-cybersecurity reasons. This risks turning the cybersecurity program into a back door intelligence surveillance program run by a military entity with little transparency or public accountability.”

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Repeal Of Septic Bill

The Board of County Commissioners wants all residents of Carroll County to know that Delegate Michael McDermott and Senator E.J. Pipkin have introduced legislation to repeal the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 also known as SB 236 or the Septic Bill.

A hearing on the House Bill introduced by Delegate McDermott (HB 106) will be held on Wednesday, February 6th at 1 pm while a hearing on the Senate Bill introduced by Senator Pipkin (SB 391) will be held the following week on Tuesday, February 12th at 1 pm. Anyone with an interest in having SB 236 repealed should attend these hearings and make their position known.
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GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PROMOTE CYBERSECURITY AGENDA TO CREATE JOBS AND FUEL INNOVATION

ANNAPOLIS, MD – TOMORROW, Governor Martin O’Malley will visit KEYW, one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in the State, where he will promote the Administration’s efforts to make Maryland the epicenter of cybersecurity.

In 2010, Governor O’Malley launched CyberMaryland - a statewide effort to make cybersecurity a top national security and economic development priority. Maryland is well positioned to be a leader in cybersecurity innovation and job creation with its proximity to the nation’s capital and unique convergence of government agencies, top educational institutions and corporate innovators.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranked Maryland #1 in the nation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Maryland has the eighth fastest job recovery rate in the nation, and remains a global leader in high-growth industries like life sciences and cybersecurity.

SALISBURY-OCEAN CITY: WICOMICO REGIONAL AIRPORT SETS 2012 RECORDS FOR PASSENGER TRAFFIC AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt is pleased to announce that the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) established two new records during 2012.

Wicomico County based Piedmont Airlines set a new, all-time annual airline passenger record for a total of 150,086 passenger movements through the airport in 2011. The previous record of 143,736 passengers was established in 2011.

In addition, Midwest Air traffic Control Services recorded a new all-time annual number of 13,520 Military aircraft operations during 2012. Overall, the combined numbers of aircraft operations (air carrier, air taxi, general aviation and military) recorded in 2012 totaled 45,625 aircraft operations. The combined numbers of 54,507 annual aircraft operations recorded in 2002 remains the airport’s record. SBY Airport’s proximity to numerous US Air Force and US Navy air bases results in a higher volume of military aircraft operations.

Fish Abnormalities Found In Three Rivers

Scientists have found reproductive abnormalities in yellow perch in three Maryland rivers that are either heavily suburbanized or rapidly developing, which they say helps explain why the distinctive black-striped fish are not thriving in those Chesapeake Bay tributaries and may be linked to toxic pollution.

Significant numbers of eggs produced by spawning female perch in the Severn and South rivers in Anne Arundel County and in Mattawoman Creek in Charles County failed to develop completely, according to a three-year survey conducted by federal and state researchers. Male perch in those rivers also displayed more abnormalities than did their counterparts from two mostly rural rivers in the upper bay.

The findings are "strongly suggestive of contaminant problems," said Jim Uphoff, a biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although no specific pollutant has been identified, he and other researchers say they suspect the abnormalities may stem from exposure to pharmaceuticals, heavy metals or polychlorinated biphenyls, a group of toxic chemicals once widely used in electrical equipment.

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McCain concedes: Hagel 'will Probably have the Votes Necessary'

President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Pentagon, former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel, will likely be confirmed next week, one of his most dogged opponents said Sunday.

"I'm confident that Sen. Hagel will probably have the votes necessary to be confirmed as secretary of defense," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

After Senate Republicans voted to sustain a filibuster and block the former Nebraska senator's nomination from advancing toward confirmation, McCain acknowledged that Hagel will likely win confirmation once the chamber returns from its recess.

Maryland Students Flash Mob At Duke Game

Sometime before Christmas break, Carrie Blankenship — an assistant athletics director of marketing at the University of Maryland — decided it would be cool to help facilitate a student flash mob at a men’s basketball game.

So she called the dance team coach for help.

“I’ve got the perfect person,” she was told, leading to the involvement of Megan Piluk. The senior had once helped plan a “So You Think You Can Dance” flash mob on the National Mall, and helped choreograph a Gangnam Style flash mob in College Park, so a basketball crowd was nothing. Piluk and Blankenship met several times, picking out songs and settling on the right moves.

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Bloomberg Says No More Jail Stays for Minor NYC Marijuana Busts

In his final state of the city address Thursday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that people caught with small amounts of marijuana in the city will no longer be subjected to overnight stays in the city's jails, but will merely be taken to the precinct for a desk appearance and then released.
The move is in response to increasingly loud criticism of the city's extremely high marijuana arrest rates, which are taking place despite New York state having decriminalized pot possession more than three decades ago. The NYPD managed to get its pound of flesh from marijuana users by intimidating them into removing baggies from their pockets, then charging them with the misdemeanor of public possession of marijuana, not the infraction of simple possession, and then making them sit in holding cells for up to 24 hours.

President Obama Hits The Links With Tiger Woods

President Barack Obama had some noteworthy company when he hit the links in Florida on Sunday: Tiger Woods.

The White House confirmed that Woods was among the president's foursome for a round of golf at the Floridian Yacht and Golf Club in Palm City, Fla. Rounding out the group were United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and resort owner Jim Crane.

The president is in the midst of a three-day retreat in the Sunshine State while First Lady Michelle Obama and the couple's children ski in Colorado. An avid golfer, Obama has played more than 100 rounds since entering the Oval Office, a statistic his political rivals have tried to use against him.

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Study Shows Black Men Receive 20% Longer Prison Terms Than White Men For Committing The Same Crime

Prison sentences of black men were nearly 20% longer than those of white men for similar crimes in recent years, an analysis by the U.S. Sentencing Commission found.

That racial gap has widened since the Supreme Court restored judicial discretion in sentencing in 2005, according to the Sentencing Commission's findings, which were submitted to Congress last month and released publicly this week.

In its report, the commission recommended that federal judges give sentencing guidelines more weight, and that appeals courts more closely scrutinize sentences that fall beyond them.

'Super Mega-Pod' Of Dolphins Spotted Off San Diego Coast

Thousands of dolphins spanning across seven miles of ocean were sighted off the coast of San Diego on Thursday, a boat captain told NBC 7 San Diego.

Capt. Joe Dutra of Hornblower Cruises said he saw a “super mega-pod” of common dolphins Thursday around noon while he was on his daily tour. He said the pod was more than seven miles long and five miles wide.

Dutra said the boat tour followed the pod for more than an hour and said he’s never seen anything like it.

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REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST IN THE MURDER OF UMES STUDENT

(PRINCESS ANNE, MD) – Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the murder of Edmond A. St. Clair, a University of Maryland Eastern Shore student.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call the Crime Solvers tips line at 410-548-1776. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police continue the search for those individuals responsible for the murder of St. Clair, 21, of Severn, Maryland. He was a student who died on February 16, 2013, of injuries sustained when he was assaulted during an apparent altercation on the Somerset County campus.

Three unidentified suspects are being sought by police for the murder of St. Clair, a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The suspects are described only as African American males in their late teens or early twenties.

The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 9:00 p.m. on February 16, a campus police officer was parked in her patrol car in the parking lot of the “Pavilion” on College Backbone Road, when a male, later identified as the victim’s brother, came running to her police car and reported his brother had been stabbed. The officer responded to the nearby scene and found the victim lying on the roadside next to his girlfriend’s car.

The officer saw the victim had sustained injuries to his upper torso. EMS personnel were summoned to the scene and the victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators have learned the victim was apparently a passenger in his girlfriend’s Honda that was being driven by his brother. Another male passenger was in the rear of the vehicle. Neither the victim’s brother nor the other male are students at the university, but both were visiting for the weekend.

According to witnesses interviewed so far, the three were driving through campus when they encountered three or four people walking in the street. Some type of altercation ensued and the victim was stabbed with an unidentified weapon.

Police have no reason at this time to believe this was a random assault. The motive appears to be the result of an argument or ongoing dispute. State Police are continuing to conduct interviews and serve search warrants as the investigation progresses. Anyone who witnessed this crime or has information is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Princess Anne Barrack at 443-260-3700. Callers may remain anonymous.

University students were warned of the crime through their campus security alert system. Students have been provided a number to call, 410-651-8484, if they have questions or concerns.

The investigation is continuing.

Delmarva Public Radio Gets A Valentine

SALISBURY -- Salisbury University's president sent a Valentine to Delmarva Public Radio (DPR) and its listeners: a proposal that, if approved by the Salisbury University Foundation Board, will provide a new home and continued operations of its two stations, WSCL (89.5) and WSDL (90.7) FM.

The university proposes to relocate DPR to space near the East Campus Complex, which houses other outreach facilities such as the Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture and the Small Business and Technology Development Center, with a tower nearby. The move would take place during the summer, prior to demolition of Caruthers Hall, where the stations are located now.


TRAFFIC ALERT - Woodland Ferry Out Of Service

Seaford -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced that the Woodland Ferry was taken out of service on Saturday, February 16 to inspect the source of a minor oil leak in one of the thruster units. On Monday and Tuesday, the failed thruster will be replaced and the ferry could be operational on Wednesday, pending weather or other mechanical issues which could delay the return of service.

Once the inspection is complete DelDOT will issue a service update for the ferry.

Jim Perdue Endorses Jake Day?

Joe,
Just wanted to bring this to your attention; Jim Perdue has sort of endorsed Jake Day in an article in delmarvanow.com
Interesting tidbit for those in the know, Jake's father Randall(Randy) is a Senior Executive for Perdue. This is nothing more than a good ol' boy endorsement, aka "Keep business as usual". Keep fighting the good fight Mr. Albero!

Revised Agenda For Wicomico County Council Meeting 02/19/13

COUNTY COUNCIL OF WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLANDRoom 301, Government Office Building, Salisbury, Maryland
LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2013-3

February 19, 2013 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. Matt Holloway, President

Call meeting to order

Opening Prayer

10:03 a.m. Matthew Creamer: Council Administrator:

1. Discussion with Charles MacLeod, Attorney with Funk and Bolton regarding the WIP

2. Discussion with Lori Brewster, Health Officer and Dennis DiCintio from the Health Department regarding the Septic Bill

3. Resolution 19-2013- Approving an agreement for payment in lieu of taxes between Wicomico County, Maryland, and Pine Bluff Estates, LLC and authorizing the County Executive to execute the agreement

10:30 a.m. Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:

a. Public Hearing and Approval: Resolution 21-2013- To authorize the County Executive to execute, on behalf of Wicomico County, Maryland, a license agreement with Calloway Brothers

b. Public Hearing: Capital Improvement Budget 2014

c. Introduction: Legislative Bill 2013-03- An act to amend Chapter 29 of the Wicomico County Code, titled “Director of Finance,” changing the title of the Chapter to “Finance” and adding Sections 29-18 through 29-21 to provide for appropriation of authorized grant revenues, conditional appropriation of unanticipated grant revenues, amendment of the budget for such conditional appropriations; certification of the availability of funds; and generally relating to Grants Revenue

10:50 a.m. Public Comments-Please limit all public comments to five minutes or less; any presented material may be submitted to Council members-Please include eight copies.

11:00 a.m. Council Comments

11:05 a.m. Council President’s Comments

11:10 a.m. Adjourn

11:20 a.m. Open Work Session

Legislative Bill 2013-02- An act to amend Chapter 141, entitled “Fees,” adding subsection 141-4(A)(7) to the section entitled “Department of Public Works” to add provisions that will allow the Department of Public Works to charge fees for installing pipes

12:00 p.m. LUNCH

12:30 p.m. Open Work Session:
Legislative Bill 2013-01-An act to amend Chapter 203 of the Wicomico County Code, titled “Taxation,” Article VIII, titled “Commercial Inventory Exemption,” Section 203-21, titled “Percentage of assessed value changed,” to reduce the percentage of the assessed value of commercial inventory subject to county property tax from 35% to 0% phased over a 5 year period

County Council office Expense Budget

Capital Improvement Program

1:15 p.m. Closed Work Session:
Fraternal Order of Police

Internal Auditor

Director of Public Works

The County Council reserves the right to close a portion of this meeting as authorized by Section 10-(508)a of the State Government Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Dog Seen Running Loose

Joe, 

Just saw a beagle- maybe mixed with some type of hound, in Shadow Hills development in Delmar, off Connelly Mill rd. It was a male with two collars on, one was bright green. He would not come to me so I could get a look at the tags. He is not a neighborhood dog. Thought you might be able to post this. Is it rabbit season. Could be someones hunting dog?

Lottery For White House Easter Egg Roll Opens Thursday

WASHINGTON - The ticket lottery for this year's White House Easter Egg Roll opens this week.

Anyone can enter the online ticket lottery from 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 through 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25.

The White House expects more than 35,000 people at the 135th edition of the event, which will be held on April 1.

Tickets are free, and there is no cost to enter the lottery.

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Better Living Expo & Craft Show Returns To The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center February 22-24

Salisbury, MD – The Better Living Expo & Craft Show, presented by the Salisbury Optimist Club, returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Friday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24. The Expo, now a Salisbury tradition, will feature a multitude of area contractors, the newest innovations for home and garden and an entire room devoted to arts and crafts. There will also be entertainment for kids; prior events have included clowns, jugglers and animals from the Salisbury Zoo.

Expo Hours
Friday, February 22: 4pm-8pm
Saturday, February 23: 10am-8pm
Sunday, February 24: 11am-4pm

Tickets to the Expo are $4 per person and grant access to the event for the entire weekend. Children under 12 are free. Support of this event affords the Salisbury Optimist Club the ability to give back to the community and area youth.

For more information including a list of vendors, visit www.salisburyoptimist.org.

LIBRARY BOARD SEEKS TRUSTEE APPLICATIONS

The Library Trustees for the Wicomico Public Library are looking for residents of Wicomico County to fill vacancies on the Library Board. Terms for the Board begin July 1, 2013. The term of office is five years, with the possibility of being reappointed for a second five-year term. The Library Board meets from 4 PM to 6 PM on the second Tuesday of the following months: August, October, December, February, April, and June.

The responsibilities of the Wicomico County Board of Library Trustees include the following: determining policy; adopting reasonable rules, regulations, and bylaws; advising in the preparation of, and approving the library budget, selecting the location of and approving plans for library buildings, subject to County approval. Board members must be approved by the Wicomico County Council.

Applications are available at the Main Library in Downtown Salisbury, on the Bookmobile, at the Centre Branch, the Pittsville Branch, the Bivalve Station and atwww.wicomicolibrary.org.

First consideration will be given to applications received by Monday, March 11, 2013.

Va., Md.Going In Opposite Directions On Voting

Maryland and Virginia seem to be headed in opposite directions on their rules for voting.

Virginia's General Assembly is moving ahead with a proposal that will require a photo ID to vote.

That is just the opposite of what Maryland's Gov. Martin O'Malley is proposing. He wants legislation to allow same-day registration like Washington, D.C. and more early voting days.

Claire Gastananaga of the American Civil Liberties Union says what is being proposed in Virginia is a waste of money after the revisions made last year.

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Raccoon Problem

My grand kids were attacked by a raccoon on corner of park ave and chestnut. You might want to inform people who call animal control no one was there.

OBAMA - BEST GUN SALESMAN EVER

Guns And Ammo Production Maxed Out: “This is a Society Preparing For War”
President Barack Obama is, arguably, the best gun salesman ever. Over 65 million guns have been purchased since the President took office in 2009. FBI background check statistics indicate that, over the last twelve months, Americans purchased a new gun every 1.5 seconds, a figure which suggests there is much more to the recent panic buying than people just stocking up to go hunting or sports shooting.

The following guns and ammo industry report indicates that every major gun and ammunition manufacturer in the country is running at 100% capacity, with many so far behind that they’ve stopped taking new orders altogether.
Smith & Wesson-is running at Full capacity making 300+ guns/day-mainly M&P pistols. They are unable to produce any more guns to help with the shortages.

RUGER: Plans to increase from 75% to 100% in the next 90 days.

FNH: Moving from 50% production to 75% by Feb 1st and 100% by March 1. Remington-Maxed out!

Armalite: Maxed out.

DPMS: Can’t get enough parts to produce any more product.

COLT: Production runs increasing weekly…bottle necked by Bolt carrier’s.

LWRC:Making only black guns, running at full capacity…can’t get enough gun quality steel to make barrels.

Springfield Armory: Only company who can meet demand but are running 30-45 days behind.

AMMO: Every caliber is now Allocated! We are looking at a nation wide shortage of all calibers over the next 9 months. All plants are producing as much ammo as possible w/ of 1 BILLION rounds produced weekly. Most is military followed by L.E. and civilians are third in line.

MAGPUL is behind 1 MILLION mags, do not expect any large quantities of magpul anytime soon.

RELOADERS… ALL Remington, Winchester, CCI & Federal primers are going to ammo FIRST. There are no extra’s for reloading purposes… it could be 6-9 months before things get caught up. Sorry for the bleak news, but now we know what to expect in the coming months. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted…

Week Seven: Death Penalty, Gun Control & Pit Bull Bills To Get Votes

The House of Delegates this week is expected to debate and vote on a bill that is designed to reverse the impact of a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that finds pit bulls an "inherently dangerous" breed of dog, and automatically holds their owners and landlords legally responsible for any dog bite.

Floor debate is expected to begin as soon as Tuesday on a bill that increases protections for dog bite victims by creating a presumption that all dog owners should know the pet presented a danger. A dog owner who becomes a court defendant after a bite will have a chance in court to try to prove the dog was not dangerous.

The bill does not define any breed of dog as "inherently dangerous."

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Darlene Erma Johnston of Baltimore, criminal citation issued for possession of suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The arrest was the result of deputies responding to the Eastern Shore Correction facility ECI, for a visitor found to be in possession of a small amount of suspected marijuana. Johnston was later released on citations pending court actions.

Shalicia Ann Hall of Princess Anne, arrested 2-11-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in Wicomico Court. Hall was processed, and released to the Fruitland police Department.

Deandre Lemon, Dominic Wilson, and William Graves of Westover, criminal summons’s served for possession of contraband in place of confinement, and possession of a telecomminucation device in jail. The defendants were released back to ECI officers pending court actions.

James Simmons of Westover, criminal summons served 2-11-13 for 1st. and 2nd degree assault on a DOC employee. Simmons was released back to ECI officers pending court actions.

Kirkland Jon Hall 3rd. of Salisbury, arrested 2-12-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Hall was released back to the Wicomico County Detention Center pending DOC transfer.

Kenneth Joseph William Bryd sr. of Crisfield, arrested 2-12-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Bryd was later released after posting bond.

Melvin Leon Brunson of Westover, arrested 2-13-13 on a warrant for failing to register and or change address under the sex offender laws. Brunson was held without bond.

Koneca Marquita Dixon of Princess Anne arrested 2-14-13 for possession of suspected crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of cds within a 1000 feet of a school zone, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order, and 2nd degree assault. The arrest stemmed from a traffic stop conducted by deputies in the area of the Somers Place Apartments in Princess Anne. Deputies report that the still at large male operator of the vehicle ran from the scene after striking a police car, and that Dixon had become disorderly after deputies saw her remove items from inside the suspects vehicle. Deputies later recovered 81 individual packets of suspected crack cocaine from Dixon, estimated street value of $1,600. Dixon was later held on a $50,000 bond. The investigation is continuing for the apprehension of the male driver.

Terri Lynn Dennis of Crisfield, arrested 2-14-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Dennis was later held without bond.

Fed's Money Printing 'Going To End Badly'

The Federal Reserve’s massive easing campaign will produce a crisis for the economy, says famed investor Jim Rogers.

“The central bank has been printing staggering amounts of money, and the government has been spending a lot of money because they wanted Mr. Obama to get re-elected,” he tells Newsmax TV in an exclusive interview. “That's still spilling over into the economy.”

Central banks across the world are matching each other virtually ease for ease, notes Rogers.
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Thousands Rally In D.C. Against Keystone Pipeline

Thousands of protesters took to the National Mall on Sunday for a climate rally that organizers touted as the largest of its kind in U.S. history. The group’s top priority was to urge President Barack Obama to reject the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would carry tar sands from Canada through the United States.

“When you are in a hole stop digging. Above all, stop the keystone pipeline. The president can do that with the stroke of his pen,” said Bill McKibben, founder of the environmental activist group 350.org.

Although the crowd count could not be independently confirmed, organizers estimated nearly 40,000 people from across the country descended on the nation’s capital to gather near the Washington Monument and then march to the White House for the “Forward on Climate” rally. 

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Lost Dog

Joe, 

I'm hoping you can help my 1 yr old shih tzu escaped from my yard this am on Morris Leonard Rd in Parsonsburg. She's a female and does have a microchip , black and white. Please contact me at (410)202-9814 or 410-742-0075 Thank you.

SECOND SESSION OF LIFESTYLE BALANCE PROGRAM IN SALISBURY

Learn How to Eat Healthy and Become More Active
(Salisbury, Maryland) If you are interested in losing weight, preventing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, or just want to work toward better health, join our Lifestyle Balance Program starting March 19. The Wicomico County Health Department and the Mid-Shore Family YMCA are partnering to offer this second 16 week session on Tuesday evenings at 5:15pm at the Y in Salisbury. 
Certified Lifestyle Coaches will lead weekly educational sessions on healthy eating and physical activity, monitor participants’ weight loss, and provide individual support and coaching. Cost is $24 for Y members and $48 for non-members and includes program notebook, tracking journals, incentives, and use of the Y gym, pool and exercise classes. 
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Y and again offer the Lifestyle Balance Program for our county residents. I encourage those adults struggling with weight loss or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to sign up.” says Lori Brewster, county Health Officer. 
“This program gives people the tools to change their behavior with a focus on good nutrition and increased activity. Many people will lose weight, but more importantly, they will reduce their risk of serious disease,” states Melissa Denault, Y Executive Director. 
Lifestyle Balance is a Center for Disease Control National Diabetes Prevention Program and partially funded through a grant from the Community Health Resources Commission. Register at the Y, 715 S. Schumaker Drive, Salisbury or for more information call the health department at (410) 334-3480.

Field Notes 2-18-13

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermott
Week 5 Feb.11-Feb. 15, 2013

Tuesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
HB-244 would provide subpoena power to the Office of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Secretary Maynard and his staff spelled out the administrative and enforcement needs that they have which requires the need for subpoena authority. This was allowed to the former Sec. of Corrections but this position was done away with under consolidation last year.
HB-247 seeks to codify current procedures in place within the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository (CJIS) and which are required by the FBI for agencies acting as a repository for this criminal and civil data.
HB-480 would require the courts to explain whether or not their crime upon conviction would be eligible for an expungement by the court. There was some debate on this issue with some thinking that the notification is already being done and others saying that there may be times when this does not occur. It would seem prudent for a defendant to know their rights concerning possible expungement or the lack thereof in these instances.
HB-688 would create a new class of victims of assault by specifying Transit Operators as a particular class of victim that require their own statutory protection under the Assault statute. This is already covered by existing law.
HB-700 would create a new class of victims of assault by specifying Transit Vehicle Passengers as a particular class of victim that require their own statutory protection under the Assault statute. This is already covered by existing law.
HB-292 would repeal the sunset date on the DNA Collection Program which has been very effective in Maryland at brining criminals to justice. We heard about DNA convictions and exonerations of the innocent.
HB-478 creates a separate crime for the commission of an act of violence in the presence of a child. We heard from folks who were concerned about these instances stemming from domestic violence incidents.
HB-60 would require criminal background checks for professional counselors and therapists. The failure to have this done has resulted in persons previously convicted of felonies being allowed to practice in Maryland. This bill would make it a crime for a therapist to have sexual relations with a patient.
HB-326 would require the state to maintain a Vulnerable Adult Abuse Registry for those who have been convicted of these types of offenses. It would also place people on the registry if there is a finding of fault by an oversight board.
HB-699 would increase the statute of limitations for the solicitation of a crime to be the same as the primary crime. Currently, the limitation is only 1-year.
HB-594 seeks to make Tampering with Evidence a crime in and of itself. There was much discussion on the overlap of various current statutes including accessory charges and obstruction charges.
HB-473 would create a task force on the way that defendants are sentenced in Maryland.

Bill Hearing for HB-104:
The Economic Matters Committee heard my Good Faith Business Actions/Penalty Forgiveness bill. I felt it was well received by the committee with several members asking great questions. The Secretary of Labor and Licensing came out against the bill and stated that his department already practices the measures prescribed by the bill. Several members on the committee took exception to the Secretary’s view of his department’s dealings with businesses in Maryland. I had previously asked for a letter stating the Secretary’s operating policy in this regard in exchange for withdrawing the bill. I have not received such a letter. I will be meeting with Chairman Davis of the committee to see what can be worked out.
“A Minute With Mike”-Promoting a Better Business Climate in Maryland.

Gun Bill Work Group:
Today we heard from members of the NRA. It was a tough place for dialogue as they are generally viewed as “the enemy” by those on the left. The position of the NRA can seem rigid, but they staunchly defend the 2nd Amendment and make no apologies for doing so. This found great conflict with many on the committee who view firearm ownership as a “privilege” to be regulated by the government as opposed to a “right” to be enjoyed. We discussed training issues (the NRA is a big supporter and provider of training) with the NRA encouraging a voluntary approach as opposed to a government mandate. One of the delegates how important he thought it was from a safety standpoint to mandate extensive training components in the bill and I asked him if he wanted to do the same thing for chainsaws and other power equipment folks buy at the hardware store. He did have to concede the point. While there were some ruffled feathers, I thought the meeting went as well as it could under the circumstances.

Wednesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
HB-393 would change the law regarding revoked or suspended driver’s licenses by making it acceptable for certain notifications by the DMV to be acceptable in court as evidence that someone should have known they were suspended or revoked.
HB-458 would allow a relaxing of evidentiary rules as it relates to private documents (such as banking or credit card records). There was quite a bit of discussion on this bill. It was questioned about authenticity of records while the banking lobby testified that these records are rarely, if ever, challenged. It does require bank authorities to spend a lot of wasted time in court to never be called to testify.
HB-83 is a request from the Maryland judiciary to increase the number of judges on the Court of Appeals and the number of Circuit Court judges in various jurisdictions. One of those areas where there would be an increase is Wicomico County (this will be shared with Dorchester County as well).
HB-586 would require that any appeal made as a result of a District Court case would be “on the record” for any non incarcerable offenses. While this would seem to have a minimal impact on case loads for Circuit Courts, it may be worth consideration.
HB-627 would require someone who receives medical attention following a motor vehicle accident to submit to mandatory alcohol testing. There was some discussion about whether we should require this for “serious injury” accidents as opposed to merely being transported for treatment.
HB-309 is a technical means of applying a District Court rule to a Circuit Court case when it comes to obtaining information in civil cases where monetary judgments are made.
HB-556 would extend unsupervised probation to all persons convicted for misdemeanor traffic violations. There may be some amendments to this bill which would take out some charges that the State’s Attorney Association to exception to in the bill. It is said this bill would help redeploy assets in the field to spend more of their time covering violent offenders.
HB-197 would expand and toughen the laws governing illegal dumping of trash and littering in general in Baltimore City. We saw pictures of sting operations where large scale haulers of trash were dumping their loads right on top of city streets or in neighborhoods. The bill calls for greater sanctions.

Gun Bill Work Group:
We heard from State Superintendant of Schools Lillian Lowery and some of her staff. They spoke of security reviews and measures that could be part of the $25 million appropriation in the governor’s budget. I inquired as to their position on providing protection through trained personnel with firearms, but they reject this out of hand. They also reject the use of electronic control devices. In fact, they rejected the idea of allowing off duty law enforcement or LEO retirees from having their restrictions lifted so they could carry on campuses across the state. I confronted them by pointing out that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun on the other side of their fixed fortifications is a good guy with a gun. They seem to recoil at this notion and are very rigid in their approach. I am always fascinated by folks like this who reject proposals that would merely allow them some options simply because they do not agree with the premise. It disturbs me that those who are charged with providing a safe environment for our children refuse to do the one thing that would provide some reasonable measure of protection beyond a locked door. I had a similar discussion with Superintendant Fredrickson of the Wicomico Public Schools on Monday which ended with similar results. It is interesting that I have received an entirely different reaction from many teachers and some administrators in our schools.

Thursday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
Today was Death Penalty Day. Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown came into to testify on HB-295 which is the administrations repeal of the Death Penalty. I had an interesting exchange with them(begins at 22:08) on the bill. The governor believes it is ineffective and costly. The lieutenant governor believes we must end the practice in the interest of justice. I asked the governor why he had not commuted the sentences of the 5-inmates currently on Maryland’s Death Row seeing his advocacy for Life Without Parole as the preferred option. His answer was a dodge. Likewise, I asked the lieutenant governor what justice we could offer in the case of a murdered correctional officer at the hands of a Life Without Parole inmate. He also did not answer the question. The governor points to the Death Penalty and says it does not work, yet we have 4 of the 5 inmates sitting under this form of sentence for 30-years. His position might have more credibility if he had ever exercised the use of the penalty. Since we simply do not use it, how can one say it does not work? The testimony went on for many hours, most saying the same thing. We did have several prosecutors and a compelling correctional officer testify against the repeal.

Taste of the Eastern Shore Event:
A large crowd turned out for this annual gathering at the Loews Hotel. Elected officials and business owners from all over the Eastern Shore turned out to rub elbows with many of the members of the General Assembly in attendance. It was nice to see so many from the lower shore. I had a chance to speak with Comptroller Franchot about a bill I am asking him to support and I also spoke with Sec. Murray of the Dept. of Business and Economic Development about the extensive delays in start-ups for new poultry houses. He agreed that waiting 1-2 years to get a house build approved is terrible.

Friday Morning Session:
There is little movement with Third Reader Bills on the floor at this point, but this should pick up next week as bills have begun clearing the committees. I took a few minutes to have photos taken with one of the Pages from Worcester County, Casey Knerr. She is a senior at Worcester Prep. and spent the week working for the House of Delegates. Although it was a relatively quiet week for Casey, she will be back at the end of session when things will really be hopping. The Page Program is a great chance for students who are selected to spend two weeks in Annapolis learning and serving the General Assembly.

Gun Bill Work Group:
Today we heard from Police Commissioner Anthony Batts of Baltimore City and some of his staff. The Commissioner addressed the 800 pound Gorilla in the room when he spoke about the “two Maryland’s”: one where urban citizens grow up seeing guns as tools of violence and destructive acts; and the other where guns are respected as part of tradition as tools for sport and hunting. How difficult it is to try and build consensus when we come at this issue from such polarized positions. The Commissioner favors many of the governor’s proposals, but we had a candid conversation about the many difficulties to make it work for all Marylanders.

Saturday 2nd Amendment Discussion in Ocean City:
Hundreds turned out for a Town Hall Meeting held by Congressman Andy Harris at the Holiday Inn on 67th Street in Ocean City. The Congressman explained the federal approach and I addressed the O’Malley-Brown bill to those assembled. We then took questions for over an hour. Most were concerned with losing or having their 2nd Amendment Rights infringed upon by government actions. There were a few folks there who supported additional gun control measures. There was some agreement by all on the need to address mental health issues to a greater degree. It was also very clear based upon the statistics available that the government is not doing a very good job of enforcing the current firearm laws already on the books. At times, the meeting was vitriolic as folks spoke passionately, but everyone was generally well mannered and patient. It was a great meeting. I was glad to have Delegate Charles Otto (R-Somerset) upfront with us as well. Other elected officials in attendance included Worcester SA Beau Ogelsby, Worcester County Comm. Jim Bunting and Ocean City Councilman Doug Cymek.

Flyer In Tot-Slapping Incident Out Of Job

MINNEAPOLIS — A man charged with slapping a toddler on a Minneapolis-to-Atlanta flight is out of a job, his former employer said Sunday.

Joe Rickey Hundley, 60, of Hayden, Idaho, is no longer an employee of AGC Aerospace and Defense, Composites Group, Daniel Keeney of DPK Public Relations confirmed Sunday night.

Al Haase, president and CEO of AGC, issued a statement early Sunday that, while not referring to Hundley by name, called reports of behavior by one of its executives on recent personal travel "offensive and disturbing" and said he "is no longer employed with the company." Keeney would not say whether Hundley was fired or resigned. Hundley was president of AGC's Unitech Composites and Structures unit.

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