SBYnews Predictions - Sounds Like A Broken Record

Remember last year after Pollitt unveiled the County's Proposed Operating budget for fiscal year 2012 - 2013.  Remember what his administration touted - Wicomico is well on its way to a remarkable economic recovery - signs of robust employment.  Even the BOE director -  John Frederickson was 'hoodwinked' into believing that Wicomico was poised for a quick recovery - as he even touted 'there are encouraging employment signs' at a public meeting held at Wicomico Senior High School.

GA Harrison, myself and a few others stood up and called him out on it. GA Harrison even held a public event warning the public about the 'Fictional Budget'. 

Guess what - here at SBYnews - all of our reporting staff - was DEAD ON THE BULLS EYE in predicting this economy's eventual outcome.  WICOMICO IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE DEEPEST RECESSIONS ON RECORD!

Highlights of County Administrator's proposed operating budget for 2013-2014

1.  Diminishing sales tax collections

2.  Declining real estate property valuations

3.  Declining state & local income collections

4.  County's pension fund seriously underfunded

5.  Impact of state shift of Schoolteachers pension fund will now escalate to unsustainable levels as county liability will soon double.

6.  Reduced local area workforce numbers continue downward spiral

I am not making this stuff up - see it for yourself

http://www.wicomicocounty.org/news/2013_news/April%202013%20Executive%20Public%20Hearing%20for%20FY14%20Budget.pdf

Posted by Beezer - SBYnews Contributor

Wayne Strausburg Responds To Above Post

Joe. I just read your comments. The County , in fact , surpassed its revenue projections in 2012 and underspent in expenses. We were able to place $ 8 million in Reserve funds as a result. 

Our 2013 budget revenue is on track with our projections. We will also once again underspend in expenses. 

Now, with that said , we are seeing a recent weakening is economic activity and a down tick in employment. As pointed out in our public presentation , there are conflicting indicators. 

Our budget philosophy is to , as best we can , balance recurring revenue with recurring expenses and utilize unanticipated revenue for one time capital investments in our infrastructure. And to maintain a strong fund balance so that we are prepared for possible negative impacts of sequestration or further economic weakening. 

I encourage the public to attend upcoming budget hearings and to express their opinions . A vigorous debate grounded in facts is critical to County leadership making informed and sound decisions as we continue to navigate a very challenging environment 

Wayne Strausburg

Gun Control Solution

In 1863 a Democrat shot and killed Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States .

In 1983 a registered Democrat shot and wounded Ronald Reagan.

In 2007 a registered Democrat named Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed 32 people in Virginia Tech.

In 2010 a mentally ill registered Democrat named Jared Lee Loughner shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed 6 others.

In 2011 a registered Democrat named James Holmes went into a movie theater and shot and killed 12 people.

In 2013 a registered Democrat named Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people in a school.

One could go on, but you get the point, even if the media does not.
Clearly, there is a problem with Democrats and guns.

SOLUTION: It should simply be illegal for Democrats to own guns.

Is This Police Brutality?

A Mechanicsburg, Pa. man claims he's the victim of police brutality after he was tasered by three police officers in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. But did the officers really cross the line or did they use necessary force? NBC10's Monique Braxton has the story. 

Original youtube video HERE (Language warning)

Awesome Trick

Landlord Joe Biden Pocketed $26,400 In 2012 Renting Cottage To The Secret Service

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, took in $26,400 in 2012 by renting a cottage on the property of their Delaware home to the Secret Service, tax records released by the White House revealed.

They netted $17,944 of that rental money.

The arrangement under which the vice president charged the Secret Service personnel for staying on his Delaware property was first reported by The Washington Times in 2011.

The 2012 payouts were part of the $385,072 in adjusted gross income the Bidens reported to the IRS in 2012, according to their 2012 tax returns.

They reported paying $87,851 in total federal tax for 2012. The amount was roughly the same as it was the previous two years.

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The influence Of Obama

Is the Pentagon discriminating against Christians?

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) said he’s been monitoring a steady stream of religious discrimination complaints over the past four years from Christian soldiers.

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“It’s been a steady attack on faith and religious freedom that we’ve seen in our military like we’ve never seen before,” Forbes told Fox News. “We are getting a lot of calls from soldiers saying ‘we’re afraid of going to church, we’re afraid to be seen praying, we’re afraid that would hurt our careers, our promotions.’”

Forbes grilled Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel about religious liberty issues during a House Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

Forbes asked questions about instances of the Christian faith coming under attack in the military including:
Commanders barred from disclosing any programs that are tied to the Chaplaincy or any programs involving religion;
The Air Force banning the word ‘God’ from an Air force patch logo – even though the reference had no religious connotation;
A Navy directive that banned Bibles at Walter Reed Hospital;
An Army Reserve training program that listed Evangelical Christians and Catholics as examples of religious extremism;
An Army email that listed prominent Christian ministries like the Family Research Council and American Family Association as “domestic hate groups.”

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TEXAS CONGRESSMAN’S NEW BUMPER STICKER IS GOING TO INFURIATE THE LEFT

Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas) may be new to Congress, but he’s making a splash with a new bumper sticker sure to get the left all riled up.

“If babies had guns they wouldn’t be aborted,” the pro-gun and pro-life sticker reads.
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Gorilla vs. Goose

Camp Barnes Stock Car Race Fan Appreciation Sponsorships

The 41st Annual Camp Barnes Stock Car Race will be held on Tuesday, July 9th 2013 at the Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, DE. 

The race has been an annual tradition for thousands of fans throughout the years. The proceeds from the race go directly towards the operation of Camp Barnes. 

This year we would like to celebrate our 41st Anniversary by offering “Fan Appreciation Sponsorships”.

We are asking individuals or families for a $25.00 donation to “Sponsor a Lap” for our feature races in the Big Block Modifieds, and Super Late Models. 

With your generous donation we will announce your name during the race as a “Sponsor”. At your request, that announcement can be made to your satisfaction such as: John Doe, John Doe and Family, in honor of John Doe, In Memory of John Doe, etc. We will also place your announcement in our race day program as a sincere “Thank You” for your sponsorship. Deadline for sponsorships is May 24th 2013. 

Any questions, please contact Detective Jeff Hudson of the Delaware State Police at 302-856-5850 Ext. 212. 

If interested, please mail cash/check for $25.00 to: 
Delaware State Police 
Attn: Detective Jeff Hudson 
23652 Shortly Rd. 
Georgetown, De 19947

Sickening Acts By Abortion Doctor

[Editor's note: This story includes a graphic photograph, taken from a grand jury report, that shows a murdered baby with its spinal chord severed.]

According to a Pennsylvania grand jury, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the wealthy Philadelphia abortionist now on trial for seven counts of murdering babies who had survived his late-term abortions, repeatedly sliced the necks of born babies in front of a teenage employee, and once told his long-time assistant (the teenager's mother) that a writhing born baby whose neck he had just severed was like a "chicken with its head cut off."

"Ashley Baldwin also saw Gosnell slice the neck of moving and breathing babies," said the report of the grand jury that recommended charging Gosnell with multiple counts of murder.
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Common Core Fascism In Education

Students in some Albany High School English classes were asked to participate in the unthinkable this week as part of a persuasive writing assignment. The objective? Prove why Jews are evil and convince the teacher of their loyalty to the Third Reich in five paragraphs or less.

“You must argue that Jews are evil, and use solid rationale from government propaganda to convince me of your loyalty to the Third Reich!” read the description on the assignment, which the school superintendent said reflects the kind of sophisticated writing expected of students under the new Common Core standards and was meant to hone students’ persuasive argument abilities.

The TimesUnion reports that students were asked to digest Nazi propaganda material, then imagine that their teacher was an SS officer who needed to be persuaded of their loyalty by arguing that Jews are the root of all the world’s ills.

“I would apologize to our families,” Albany Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard said. “I don’t believe there was malice or intent to cause any insensitivities to our families of Jewish faith.”

The TimesUnion explains more of the reasoning behind the offensive assignment:

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Sharpsburg Man Unearths Live Civil War-Era Shell

A Sharpsburg man planting trees at his Powell Road home Thursday unearthed a live Civil War-era shell that authorities later disposed of by setting it off at a neighboring farm.

“When I saw it I knew what it was,” J.D. Taylor Jr. said. “It was the second one I found here.
“It was some kind of experience.”

Taylor said he at first thought he hit a rock with his steel shovel while digging in his yard about a mile from Antietam National Battlefield sometime between 8:30 to 9 a.m.

He pushed the shovel under the object, which was five or six inches deep, and knelt to pry it out.
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DAD FURIOUS AFTER FINDING THIS CRAYON-WRITTEN PAPER IN FLORIDA 4TH-GRADER’S BACKPACK: ‘I AM WILLING TO GIVE UP SOME OF MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS…TO BE SAFER’

Harvey’s son attends Cedar Hills Elementary in Jacksonville, Fla. Back in January, a local attorney came in to teach the students about the Bill of Rights. But after the attorney left, fourth-grade teacher Cheryl Sabb dictated the sentence to part of the class and had them copy it down, he said.

The paper sat unnoticed in Harvey’s son’s backpack for several months until last week, when his son’s mother almost threw it away. The words caught her eye in the trash, and she showed it to Harvey, who said he was at a loss for words. He asked his son, who said Sabb had spoken the sentence out loud and told them to write it down. Harvey said he asked some of his son’s classmates and got a similar answer.

“Everybody has their opinions,” Harvey told TheBlaze. “I am strongly for proper education, for the freedom of thought so you can form your own opinion and have your own free speech in the future… [but] the education is, ‘when was the Constitution drafted, when was it ratified, why did this happen, why did we choose to do this…all these things, why did they particularly choose those specific rights to be in our Bill of Rights.’”

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‘Kool-Aid Man’ Gets A New Look — And A Personality

Kool-Aid is unveiling a new look for its big red mascot Monday, as the powdered drink brand looks to refresh its image and tout a new liquid mix.

The Kool-Aid Man, known for busting through walls and his “Oh yeah!” tagline, will now be computer-generated and take on the personality of a celebrity trying to show he’s just a normal guy. In past ads, the character was played by an actor in foam costume and had little to say or do besides crashing through a wall with a big, smiley face.

The campaign comes as Kool-Aid plays up its liquid mix, which debuted in January and recently reached national distribution. The new mix reflects a push by Kraft Foods to adjust to changing tastes and replicate the success of its liquid flavor enhancer called MiO.
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OCPD Arrest Suspect In Connections With An Early Morning Stabbing

On April 11, 2013, Ocean City Police responded to 2611 Coastal Highway “7-Eleven” store, in reference to a fight. When officers arrived in the area, witnesses stated the fight had broken up and the persons involved in the altercation had left the area. 

Continue reading →

Medical Marijuana OK'd In Maryland, But Advocates Want More

Maryland liberalized its marijuana laws in this year's General Assembly session, including legalizing medical marijuana, but advocates say lawmakers fell short of the changes they wanted.

Lawmakers approved a bill to allow medical marijuana to be distributed through teaching hospitals attached to universities, where its effects can be studied. The General Assembly also passed a measure that allows caregivers of medical marijuana patients to get off the hook or get a $100 fine if they are arrested for pot possession. Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sign both.

Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia allow the use of medical marijuana. Advocates say they would be hesitant to call Maryland the 19th. Most other jurisdictions allow medical marijuana to be purchased at storefront dispensaries instead of academic medical centers.
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STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION AND THE OCEAN CITY POLICE HEIGHTENS PEDESTRIAN AWARENESS OF SAFE CROSSINGS IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Prior to the peak tourist season in Ocean City, the State Highway Administration (SHA) in partnership with the Town of Ocean City is installing curb-top markings along Coastal Highway (MD 528) between 52nd and 59th streets. About 100 yellow and black stencils advise “NO PEDESTRIAN X’ING” along Coastal Highway between marked crosswalks, where pedestrians may be tempted to cross unsafely. Crews will finish installing the curb markings this week. Efforts and programs to protect pedestrians are closely coordinated between SHA, the Town of Ocean City Public Works Department and the Ocean City Police Department. Continue reading →

Federal Poultry Regulations Relaxed In Spending Law

Advocates push Mikulski to revisit the issue
Farming advocates are pressing Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski to reverse a little-noticed measure approved by Congress last month that rescinded tough new rules on the poultry industry — a move that has strained the already rocky relationship between mom-and-pop chicken farmers on the Eastern Shore and Salisbury-based Perdue.

Under lobbying from the poultry industry, Congress quietly rolled back U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations that required chicken companies to give contract farmers 90 days' notice before yanking their business, mandated independent testing of scales used to weigh certain birds, and prohibited unfair or discriminatory business practices.

The provisions were tucked into a spending bill to fund the federal government through the end of September, enraging advocates for small farms who say it is only the latest move by the industry to undo federal regulations intended to strengthen the hand of independent growers.

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MERR Team Rescues Gray Seal Pup

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute stranding response team executed a daring rescue of a gray seal pup that had fallen into a crevice between the rocks at the south side of Indian River Inlet April 10.

The pup couldn't extricate herself from this predicament, so she decided to play dead, wedging her head under one of the rocks in hopes that everyone would just go away. To make matters worse, the tide was coming in rapidly, so the rescue team had to work quickly before the area became inaccessible.

Getting her into a net from her hiding place was no easy task, but the rescuers succeeded in pulling her out and subsequently crated her and drove her to a quiet release site north of the inlet. She made her way, albeit slightly reluctantly, back into the water and swam north. Rescuers hope she is well on her way back to New England after her Delaware adventure.
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Wicomico County Council Agenda

April 16, 2013 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Matt Holloway, President

Call meeting to order

Opening Prayer

10:03 a.m. Approval of minutes from March 18, 2013 and April 2, 2013

10:05 a.m. Matthew Creamer: Council Administrator:

1. Submission and Presentation of 2014 Operating Expense Budget

2. Resolution 34-2013- Appointing members to the Wicomico County Commission for Women

3. Resolution 36-2013- To authorize the County Executive to acquire 23.072 acres of land, more or less, located on the Northerly side and binding Allen Road, also known as County Road 344, for the establishment and construction of a transfer station

4. Resolution 37-2013- Approving the request to submit an application for the Sex Offender and Compliance Enforcement in Maryland (SOCM) Grant Program and to authorize the Executive to execute the SOCM grant application and accept the SOCM Grant Award

5. Resolution 38-2013- Approving the request to submit an application for the Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program (GVRG) and to authorize the Executive to execute the GVRG grant application and accept the GVRG Grant Award

6. Resolution 39-2013- Approving the request to submit an application for the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program (DVUP) and to authorize the Executive to execute the DVUP grant application and accept the DVUP grant award

7. Resolution 40-2013- Authorizing the County Executive to submit an application and accept a grant award from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space

8. Resolution 41-2013- Authorizing the County Executive to execute, on behalf of Wicomico County, a conditional loan agreement to borrow funds to renovate and upgrade an approximately 65,000 square foot airplane hangar currently occupied by Piedmont Airlines, Inc. located at the Salisbury-Ocean: Wicomico Regional Airport

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

Public Hearing and Adoption: Legislative Bill 2013-04- An act to amend Chapter 90 of the Wicomico County Code, titled “Tax Exemptions,” Section 90-1, titled “Manufacturer’s Tax Exemption” to exempt from County property taxation manufacturing equipment under certain conditions by reducing the percentage of the assessed value of such property subject to County property tax from 100% to 0%

Introduction: Legislative Bill 2013-05-Annual Budget and Appropriation Bill

Discussion of Open and Closed Work Session Minutes

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:

Tier Assessment Discussion with County Executive and Planning and Zoning

12:00 p.m. LUNCH

12:30 p.m. Open Work Session:

Personal Property Tax Decoupling

1:15 p.m. Closed Work Session:

Internal Auditor

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.

OC Student Workforce Conference Set For April 16

OCEAN CITY -- With the onslaught of the latest batch of foreign summer workers near, an international student workforce conference is set for next week to outline everything from the complexities of the J-1 visa and potential impacts of the Affordable Health Care Act to the prevention of sunburns and the dangers of rip currents.

With the next few weeks, the first of thousands of international student workers will arrive in the resort for the summer season often ill-equipped for the dramatic employment and cultural differences they are about to experience. Often equally in the dark are their employers and landlords not entirely certain of the complexities of their visa requirements, pay scales, available training and working hours and living conditions.

To that end, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and its Seasonal Workforce Committee next Tuesday are hosting a seminar to get employers and nearly everyone else who interacts with the international student workforce up to speed on changes to the laws and visa requirements related to what will ultimately make up the majority of the seasonal labor pool. Most of the international student workforce arrives in Ocean City and other locations around the country on a J-1 visa and the laws governing the requirements are somewhat of a moving target.
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Maryland Moves Forward With Controversial Chicken-Waste Electricity Project

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) announced his approval of a project to turn chicken waste into electricity, but the idea still faces opposition from consumer advocates and some environmentalists.

Environmental Benefits Asserted
Green Planet Power Solutions presented a bid to state officials to turn chicken waste, containing chicken droppings and incidental waste products such as feathers and chicken feed, into electricity. Electricity generated by the project would count toward the state’s 15 percent renewable power mandate. Proponents claim the chicken-droppings electricity project will benefit the environment and the economy by turning waste into valuable electricity.

“Converting poultry litter into energy helps Maryland prevent nitrogen from the polluting the [Chesapeake] Bay and fills an important need for power generation on the Eastern Shore,” Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler said in press statement. “This plant built as a result of this commitment will benefit Eastern Shore farmers, our economy, and the Bay.”

Farmers currently use chicken waste to fertilize crops organically. Rainfall washes some of the residue into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which elevates nitrogen levels there.

High-Pollution Electricity
Environmental activists, however, warn turning chicken waste into electricity may transform a modest water pollution problem into a larger air pollution problem. Environmental activist groups such as Food & Water Watch, Green Planet, and the Sierra Club have expressed concern or outright opposition to the proposal.

A new study on the potential environmental impact of chicken-droppings electricity adds weight to environmental activists’ concerns. Environmental scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University conducted a 15 month study of a similar proposal in Virginia, finding chicken-waste electricity would produce substantial pollution and any chicken-waste electricity plant would have to be located in an area currently devoid of much air pollution in order to avoid creating a serious air pollution problem.

“Although use of technologies that convert poultry litter into energy could potentially limit the amount of nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, it could also introduce a new air pollution source,” the scientists warn in the report. “Both small- and large-scale combustion processes increase ambient air concentrations of potentially harmful substances such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), dioxins/furans, and other substances. In addition to harming air quality, the alternate use of poultry litter to generate energy could also potentially affect current poultry litter management practices—such as its transport and the income and employment that its use generates—which could subsequently affect the health of the population in the Valley.”

“Whether this solution is indeed better for the environment or public health is uncertain,” the scientists observed.

The report explained, “The decision made … on how to manage poultry litter could affect social, economic and environmental factors that impact health. In preliminary community meetings, residents and environmental groups expressed concerns about effects of the potential facility on health and the area economy.”

The study noted citizen opposition was strongest in areas where chicken-to-waste facilities are being considered.

Food & Water Watch Opposition
Although any asserted water quality benefits may be outweighed by negative air quality impacts, the project’s net economic harms are more certain. As Food & Water Watch pointed out in a fact sheet on the project, Maryland taxpayers will be paying Green Planet Power Solutions $600,000 in subsidies every year. These subsidies will be in addition to state officials obligating Maryland consumers to purchase the chicken-waste electricity at substantially higher prices than conventional electricity.

Food & Water Watch described the project as “greenwashing corporate welfare.”

“Burning poultry litter may actually produce as much or more toxic air emissions than coal plants,” and, “The negative impacts of poultry litter incineration are likely to be borne disproportionately by already vulnerable communities,” Food & Water Watch claimed in its fact sheet.

Wide-Ranging Economic Harm
In addition to taxpayers and consumers worrying about the negative economic impacts of taxpayer subsidies and higher electricity prices, farmers fear the diversion of rich organic fertilizer to electricity production will create fertilizer scarcity and drive up fertilizer prices.

“The high nutrient content makes poultry litter an excellent organic fertilizer for crops,” the VCU scientists noted in their study. “Due to the relative scarcity of phosphorus in agricultural areas that lack livestock production, demand for poultry litter outside of the watershed is high.”

“I have a positive opinion of turning poultry waste into energy where it is cost-effective,” said Daniel Simmons, director of regulatory and state affairs at the Institute for Energy Research. “But the real key is that these projects should compete in the market for electricity like everyone else and not receive above-market rates for their electricity.

“Sadly, it looks like Maryland is subsidizing waste-to-energy and costing Marylanders in the process,” Simmons added. “This facility would not be built if government allowed free-market pricing mechanisms to work without government intrusion.”

Simmons said poultry litter-to-energy facilities should be held to the same environmental standards as other power plants.

“If they meet the requirements, they should be allowed to operate,” he said. “The state, however, shouldn't overlook any pollution issues associated with poultry waste-to-energy facilities simply because their advocates claim these facilities are ‘green.’ Air pollution is air pollution, regardless of what energy source is responsible.”

Humane Society To Get $60K For Renovations

OCEAN CITY – The Worcester County Humane Society received a pleasant surprise this week from the Mayor and Council when it granted $60,000 to renovate the building.

According to Public Works Director Hal Adkins, funding was set aside in July of 2006 by the Mayor and City Council at the time. There was $60,000 allocated in an account titled “Humane”, which was supposed to be used as seed money to design and relocate the Worcester County Humane Society.

“I don’t see the building going anywhere anytime soon,” Adkins said. “In the meantime, I happen to be the guy that built it in 1989, and we really haven’t put much time or effort into the upkeep.”
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FSA MARCHES ON!

U.S. Labor Secretary Weighs In On MD Jobs

When it comes to the national labor picture, Maryland is faring well.

Unemployment in Maryland is 6.7%, about one point below the national average, according to the state.

"We're seeing growth in construction, we saw growth in professional and business services. Temporary help agencies are hiring right now," according to acting U.S. Labor Secretary Seth Harris. "We saw retail sales shrink a bit. Government jobs are also down."
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The IRS Claims It Can Read Your Email Without Warrant

Truly remarkable how the establishment views the citizenry. They quite clearly and openly view themselves as having full ownership of our lives, our work and our privacy. Actually, they do not think we deserve to have privacy at all. This is the exact mindset of all tyrannical regimes throughout human history, which is precisely why the founders made sure to include the 4th Amendment in the Constitution of these United States. For those of you that need a reminder.

The 4th Amendment:The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

So with that in mind, this is what the IRS thinks. From the Huffington Post:NEW YORK — IRS documents released Wednesday suggest that the tax collection agency believes it can read American citizens’ emails without a warrant.

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Lawmakers Revise Campaign Finance Laws

An extensive revamping of Maryland's campaign finance laws is raising donation limits for individuals, while emphasizing disclosure and enabling the state elections board to fine violators.

Those are just some of the main parts of the 63-page measure that passed in the last couple of hours of the Maryland General Assembly's legislative session, which ended Monday. The bill is the product of a commission that studied potential changes to campaign finance law, and it also includes new rules for super political action committees - outside organizations that can collect unlimited contributions from corporations, unions and individuals.

"This completely overhauled the structure and enforcement and disclosure mechanisms in the state of Maryland," said Jared DeMarinis, director of the candidacy and campaign finance division for the Maryland State Board of Elections.
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A Letter To The Editor From Andrea Berstler Director, Wicomico Public Library

As the Director of the Wicomico Public Library, I want to invite you join me in applauding the work of the following individuals and organizations who received awards at the 2013 Friends of Wicomico Public Library’s Light of Literacy Awards breakfast, held April 11, 2013 at the Fountains in Salisbury, MD. These 11 award recipients are shining examples of the best and brightest of our community. Their work to promote the power of literacy to improve and transform lives should not only be recognized, but imitated.

Business Luminary– Dollar General for their work support literacy through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the contributions of the local Dollar General Stores.

Local Author Luminary– Larry Points for his children's nature books about the Eastern Shore and his work visiting classrooms to promote reading and nature.

Adult Luminary– Judy Burns for her 20+ years as an ESL volunteer, holding twice a week classes, open to all, to encourage and promote English Language instruction.

Non-Profit Organization Luminary- The Salisbury Jaycees for their Yearly “Read Across America” program and their continuing work promoting reading through their Safe Treats and Christmas Shopping programs.

Higher Education Luminary– Dr. Elinor Cubbage who has been teaching English at Wor-Wic for 36 years and is responsible for initiating many writing and reading programs during that time.

Educator Luminary– Jane Long for promoting reading through her work with the Wicomico Middle School and the Family Literacy Council.

Youth Luminary- Cleon Deal, Roman Fuentes, Caleb Grall, Jock Simon, and Quincy Todd for their work through “Athletes as Readers & Leaders” at Parkside High School. These five young men travel to area primary schools to promote reading, character development and to provide strong male role models for the students in the area.
Wicomico Public Library joins County Executive Rick Pollitt, Mrs. Mitzi Perdue, Mrs. Lisa Bryant, the Friends of the Library and members of the local community in celebrating the positive impact made all 25 nominees for these awards. A list of all our nominees can be found at the awards website – www.lightofliteracy.org.

One Nation Under God - Jon McNaughton

The One-Chart Summary Of All That Is Wrong With The US Financial System: JPM Deposits Over Loans

The chart below may be the best one-chart summary of all that is wrong with the US financial system. It is a very simple chart - it shows total JPMorgan deposits, loans and the excess difference of deposits over loans.

Why is it a good summary? Because as the blue bar shows, total loans issued by the biggest US bank were $723 billion in Q1 2013: about $30 billion less than in the quarter Lehman blew up. Four years later, and the US commerical bank lending apparatus is still in a state of depression. Or so it would appear on the books.

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Home Depot Customer Grabs Saws, Tries To Cut His Own Arms Off In Store

We’ve heard of nightmarish customer service experiences, but one Home Depot shopper created a nightmare of his own making when he reportedly grabbed a saw and tried to hack off his own arms inside the store. His fellow customers were apparently a bit disturbed at the scene because a man was trying to cut his own limbs off in public. Yikes.

The Los Angeles Times says the man calmly walked into the store yesterday afternoon and grabbed a couple of handsaws.

“He just began sawing away,” an officer told the LAT. ”He was pretty much intent on doing what he did.”

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