Army Says No To More Tanks, But Congress Insists

Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the Army's hulking Abrams tank is proving equally hard to beat in a budget battle.

Lawmakers from both parties have devoted nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer money over the past two years to build improved versions of the 70-ton Abrams

But senior Army officials have said repeatedly, "No thanks."

It's the inverse of the federal budget world these days, in which automatic spending cuts are leaving sought-after pet programs struggling or unpaid altogether. Republicans and Democrats for years have fought so bitterly that lawmaking in Washington ground to a near-halt.
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World War II Vet Who Provided Flag At Iwo Jima Dead At 90

A veteran of World War II credited with providing the flag in the famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima has died at his Los Angeles County home. Alan Wood died of natural causes April 18 at the age of 90, his son Steven Wood announced Saturday.

Wood was a 22-year-old Navy officer in charge of communications on a landing ship on Iwo Jima's shores on Feb. 23, 1945 when a Marine asked him for the biggest flag he could find.

After five days of intense fighting to capture the Japanese-held island, U.S. forces had managed to scale Mount Suribachi to hoist an American flag. Woods happened to have a 37-square-foot flag that he had found months before in a Pearl Harbor Navy depot.
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6 Months After Sandy, Thousands Homeless In NY, NJ

MANTOLOKING, N.J. (AP) -- The 9-year-old girl who got New Jersey's tough-guy governor to shed a tear as he comforted her after her home was destroyed is bummed because she now lives far from her best friend and has nowhere to hang her One Direction posters.

A New Jersey woman whose home was overtaken by mold still cries when she drives through the area. A New York City man whose home burned can't wait to build a new one.

Six months after Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey shore and New York City and pounded coastal areas of New England, the region is dealing with a slow and frustrating, yet often hopeful, recovery. Tens of thousands of people remain homeless. Housing, business, tourism and coastal protection all remain major issues with the summer vacation -- and hurricane -- seasons almost here again.
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Father Of Boston Bombing Suspects Postpones Trip To The United States

MAKHACHKALA, Russia — The father of the two Boston bombing suspects says he is postponing a trip to the United States because of poor health.

Anzor Tsarnaev told The Associated Press on Sunday that he is "really sick" and his blood pressure had spiked.

Tsarnaev said last week that he planned to travel from Russia to the U.S. with the hope of seeing his younger son, who is under arrest, and burying his elder son, who was killed in a clash with police.
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NYC Mayor Bloomberg: ‘You’ll Never Know Where Our Cameras Are’

New York City police officials intend to expand the already extensive use of surveillance cameras throughout town. The plan, unveiled Thursday, comes as part of a drive for increased security around the US following the Boston Marathon attack.

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Troopers Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Crash, Middletown

Location: Bethel Church Road, approximately 100 feet east of Maryland State line

Date of Occurrence: Sunday April 28, 2013 at approximately 2:20 a.m.

Operator and Vehicle Information:

Operator #1: Daniel E. Levinsky, 29, Middletown, DE
Vehicle #1: 2011 Kawasaki Z1J motorcycle

Resume:
Middletown, DE- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred early this morning near the Maryland State line.

The incident occurred around 2:20 a.m. this morning as Daniel E. Levinsky was operating a 2011 Kawasaki Z1J motorcycle eastbound on Bethel Church Road. Levinsky had just entered into Delaware from Maryland and failed to negotiate a slight left curve before traveling off the south side of the roadway. The motorcycle then struck a utility pole, ejecting the operator from the bike. Levinsky, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Traffic in the area was impacted for approximately two hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

A Brown-Ulman Ticket Could Shake Up Democratic Primary For Md. Governor’s Office

Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, who is poised to announce next month that he is running for governor, is in discussions with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman about joining his ticket, according to several people familiar with the talks.

The pairing of Democrats Brown and Ulman — who has been gearing up to run for governor himself — would shake up a highly competitive Democratic primary to succeed Gov. Martin O’Malley just as it gets underway in earnest.

By adding Ulman as the lieutenant governor candidate, Brown could erase much of a huge early fundraising advantage that Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) enjoys over all other 2014 gubernatorial hopefuls in both parties. As of January, Ulman had $2.1 million sitting in his campaign account, more than the$1.6 million Brown reported having on hand. 
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Online Sales Tax Legislation Could Crash In House of Representatives

Supporters of a bill that would broaden states’ ability to collect sales tax on online purchases acknowledge they face a tough battle in the House.

The measure, called the Marketplace Fairness Act, appears on a glide path toward passage in the Senate, with a final vote likely in early May.

But while Democratic leaders in the Senate supported the bill enough to bypass the Finance Committee and bring it straight to the floor, the GOP brass in the House has so far shown little interest in the measure. 
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Martin Richard Is Remembered On His Little League Team’s Opening Day

As the boys in blue baseball jerseys trooped over the Savin Hill bridge, led by the skirling of bagpipes and a slow-moving fire engine, they saw a row of men standing with hands over hearts, many with moist eyes and all wearing shirts that read, “We are Martin’s Firefighters.”

The Savin Hill Rangers -- one player short this year after 8-year-old Martin Richard was killed in the marathon bombings -- held up their hands and high-fived the firefighters, who chanted the team’s name and encouraged the boys to hit home runs.

For Nolan McKenna, 9, a teammate and friend of Martin’s, the outpouring of support at Saturday morning’s annual parade to start the Little League season left him with mixed feelings.
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Martial Arts Instructor Charged With Attempted Use Of Biological Weapon

A Mississippi martial arts instructor was charged on Saturday with attempting to use a biological weapon after a ricin-laced letter was sent to President Barack Obama earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

James Everett Dutschke, age 41, was arrested early on Saturday, following searches of his home and a former business as part of the ricin letter investigation.

Dutschke was taken into custody by FBI agents at his Tupelo home shortly after midnight FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden said in a statement.
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CPS Takes Baby After Parents Seek Second Medical Opinion

A Sacramento couple is without their 5 month old baby after Child Protective Services sent in the police to forcibly remove the child from their care.

A hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2013 on the incident which was triggered when Anna Nikolayev and her husband Alex took baby Sammy out of Sutter Memorial Hospital and sought a second opinion at Kaiser Permanente, a rival hospital, for Sammy’s flu-like symptoms.

Anna and Alex were concerned about the quality of care baby Sammy was receiving at Sutter where he was admitted nearly two weeks ago. At one point, Anna questioned the antibiotics Sammy was being given and was alarmed that the nurse administering the treatment didn’t know why the child was receiving them. Anna claims that a doctor later said that Sammy should not have been receiving the medication.
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Mom Guilty In Baseball Bat Attack On Son's Drug Dealer

In just a few short months, Sherrie Gavan said, her son went from a straight-A student who loved baseball and scuba diving to a listless teenager with a short fuse.

Then she figured out the cause: heroin addiction, an epidemic that has upended life for countless parents across the St. Louis area in the past five years.

Gavan told a court on Tuesday that she took desperate measures to get her son, Clayton, now 19, clean. She slept next to him as he shook and sweated through withdrawals. She enrolled him in a new school to keep him away from a bad crowd. She sent him off to live with relatives and even took him to work with her.

But a jury decided she went too far when she struck the 22-year-old man who helped supply heroin to her son with a baseball bat.
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FBI INFORMANT: TALIBAN ALREADY IN U.S.

A man who describes himself as an FBI informant and says he worked to infiltrate the world of terror sympathizers has told a Miami television station that members of the Taliban already are in the United States.

It was the Taliban that controlled the largely ungoverned Afghanistan when the U.S. coalition went into that nation to clean out the influences that allowed Osama bin Laden’s agenda to thrive before the 9/11 terror attacks on the U.S.

And the comments from South Floridian David Mahmood Siddiqui come just as the nation is breathing a sigh of relief over the death of one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, and the capture of the other.
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SBYNews Top Posts Of The Week

Every Sunday morning we publish all of the top stories of the week. Hence all of the articles from last week you see below this post. Have a great Sunday Folks and we'll pop up any current news throughout the day as it comes in.

Break Time Billiards To Close Their Doors

After many years of incredible service to the Salisbury community, Break Time Billiards will close their doors for good this Saturday. We wish Pat and his entire Staff the very best.

With Zia's recently closing and two other major local restaurants rumored to be closing in the near future, one would think Mayor Ireton would get his head out of his you know what and see what he can do to HELP these businesses before Salisbury has nothing left but McDonald's, Burger King and Chick-Fil-A. 

I know, let's just raise taxes again. 

Thank God Its Friday 4-26-13

What will you be doing this weekend?

A Comment Worthy Of A Post 4-26-13

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Where Is Salisbury Going?":

Joe this just in. Jim Ireton the mayor is using Wicomico County Board of Education time to continue to promote his political agenda. He is supposed to be teaching on our tax dollars, but he is using this time to promote his part time mayor's job. He should be fired from the BOE immediately. Please forward this to John Fredericksen and the entire Board of Education. If BOE employees can't access SBYNews.com while on the clock then Jim Ireton shouldn't be able to be working his part time job and sending out emails during his working hours with the BOE. This happened during his entire campaign and he got away with it. It is time to put this to a stop.

From: "Jim Ireton"
To: "Jim Ireton"
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 9:56:29 AM
Subject: Come spend Saturday at the Festival with Jim!

Hey all - Don't know when I will see you this weekend. Wanted to let you know where I will be.

9:00 - 10:30 - Medals Day Ceremony for Salisbury Fire Department - City Hall Steps
10;30 - 1:00 - www.downtownsalisbury.org table in front of Health Department
1:00 - 1:30 - PAC 14 Interview in front of Chamber of Commerce
2:00 - 3:00 - Arbor Day Tree Planting at City Marina
3:00 - 4:00 - www.downtownsalisbury.org table in front of Health Department

I hope to see you out this weekend!

Thanks,

- Jim

You Think YOU Have It Bad, Watch This Video

Legislature Likely To Change “Rain Tax,” Say Some Democratic Lawmakers

The “rain tax,” as opponents have dubbed the stormwater runoff fees set to kick in July 1, is likely to be modified, key legislative leaders told a business group Thursday. The fees could amount to hundreds of dollars for residents of some counties and thousands more for businesses and even churches.

“As you see this thing played out, the legislature will do something,” Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman Ed Kasemeyer told a Howard County Chamber of Commerce breakfast. It’s unclear when that might happen, since the General Assembly is not scheduled to meet again until January, and tax bills will hit mailboxes in July.

“I think it’s not over yet,” said Kasemeyer, who had sought to delay implementation of the fees for two years, amending a bill exempting nonprofit groups and churches from the charges. The Senate approved the amendment on the last day of the General Assembly April 8, but a House committee let the bill die.
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Officials Found Guilty In Obama, Clinton Ballot Petition Fraud

A jury in South Bend, Indiana has found that fraud put President Obama and Hillary Clinton on the presidential primary ballot in Indiana in the 2008 election. Two Democratic political operatives were convicted Thursday night in the illegal scheme after only three hours of deliberations. They were found guilty on all counts.

Former longtime St. Joseph County Democratic party Chairman Butch Morgan Jr. was found guilty of felony conspiracy counts to commit petition fraud and forgery, and former county Board of Elections worker Dustin Blythe was found guilty of felony forgery counts and falsely making a petition, after being accused of faking petitions that enabled Obama, then an Illinois Senator, to get on the presidential primary ballot for his first run for the White House.

Morgan was accused of being the mastermind behind the plot.

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WCSO Press Release 4-27-13

• 4/25/2013 Disorderly - Jensen
• 4/25/2013 Burglary - Thompson, Hunsucker, Cephas, and Harris
• 4/25/2013 Assault - Messick
• 4/25/2013 Theft - Hinton

Today's Survey Question 4-25-13

Do you think Hillary Clinton 

lied about Benghazi?

2 Chainz Found Not Guilty On Marijuana, Paraphernalia Charges

EASTON - Grammy-nominated rapper Tauheed Epps, also known as 2 Chainz, was found not guilty Wednesday in Talbot County District Court on marijuana charges stemming from a traffic stop on Feb. 14.

Police stopped a 2013 Ford E-350 van, in which Epps and six others were traveling on a way to a concert at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, on U.S. Route 50 and Hiners Lane, for speeding.

Upon stopping and approaching the vehicle, police said, officers smelled burnt marijuana coming from the van, and then searched it under probable cause.
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Gang Leader Fathers Five Children With Four Female Prison Guards, Maryland Authorities Say

Tavon White of the Black Guerrilla Family allegedly 'took control' of the Baltimore City Detention Center, which is now under investigation.A gang leader awaiting trial for attempted murder has fathered five children with four of his female prison guards, it has emerged.

Tavon White, boss of the Black Guerrilla Family, allegedly "took control" of the Baltimore City Detention Center, in Maryland - which is now under investigation by federal prosecutors.

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A Letter To The Editor: School Bus Violations

Around 6am on my way home from work yesterday I was stopped by a cop that appeared out of no where on route 13 headed north (next to The super 8 and best value inn hotels). He said that I drove past a school bus with It's flashing lights on. This incident resulted in a $570 ticket. I told him I didn't see the bus and I was in the center lane. It didn't matter, all lanes have to stop. Today when I got off work I saw the cop hiding behind the bushes waiting for passing cars to drive past the stopped bus. Sure enough he pulled over two more people the exact same way. I noticed one car hesitated as if they didn't know whether to stop or go and The other two lanes drove on as normal. Sure, I'm really upset about the outrageous ticket and I'm going to have to go to court but I feel there needs to be more awareness of bus laws on a highway. Everyone I've talked to didn't realize the center and far lanes had to stop when a bus picks up a student on the highway. Not to mention the cop told me that they're working overtime to catch people and he's handed out over 15 tickets.

DOES THIS LOOK VOLUNTARY?

WATERTOWN, MA — On Friday, April 19, 2013, during a manhunt for a bombing suspect, police and federal agents spent the day storming people’s homes and performing illegal searches. While it was unclear initially if the home searches were voluntary, it is now crystal clear that they were absolutely NOT voluntary. Police were filmed ripping people from their homes at gunpoint, marching the residents out with their hands raised in submission, and then storming the homes to perform their illegal searches.

The Daily Times Refused To Allow Delegate Mike McDermott This Response

Some clarification is needed regarding the last minute funding of our local National Public Radio affiliate known as Delmarva Public Radio. In his letter, Mr. Pretl stated the following: “ Delegate Mike McDermott betrays an insensitivity toward the highest ideals of participatory democracy — the system which recently put him in office.” I beg to differ. 

The high ideals of such a democracy (expressed through our representative republican form of government) begin at the ballot box with a free and fair election. Those elected go to Annapolis to represent the people in our district to the best of their ability. We participate in and conduct bill hearings where we hear from the people regarding proposed legislation, including budgetary items and proposed bond bills.

Would Pretl or others be offended if money was appropriated on the whim of one delegate without any regard to a “participatory democracy”? Well, such was the case with the million dollars provided to DPR. There was no public hearing. There was no request made by the other delegation members. This appropriation merely appeared as a tack on amendment to the budget bill at the ninth hour of session. Last year, the hundred million dollar plus library project was done in similar fashion. If this does not sound like much participation to you, then we are on the same page.

Whether or not DPR receives tax payer money should be the subject of bill hearings and review through the full committee process where it can be vetted accordingly. This is in keeping with the concept and traditions of a “participatory democracy”. The way this money was appropriated was not the subject of any regular channels or participatory process. It was a back room deal.

I made no argument for the need of publicly funded radio (though it could certainly be debated), and I take no issue with a bond bill being requested by a delegate requiring the people of Maryland to provide a million dollars in tax money to support DPR. However, I do take issue with the process by which money like this is “appropriated”. All Marylanders should.

As Pretl stated regarding Delegate Conway, “Once again he has ‘brought home the bacon’”. Well, that “bacon” comes at a price. It increases our state debt and is part of the reason Gov. O’Malley and the democrats have increased our state spending by 29% during this recession. Our taxes continue to rise to pay for this pork.

Are selective new buildings and higher taxes the symbol of “success” in Annapolis? I will continue to be a voice for the people who desire an open government and have had enough of the tax and spend mentality which has controlled Maryland for far too long.
Marylanders, take back your state.

Wrong Direction?

Governor Wants To Reflect On Possible White House Run

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a rising star in Democratic politics, said Wednesday that he is considering making a run for the White House in 2016 and will likely make a decision later this year.

O'Malley, in Jerusalem on a Mideast tour, said he was still undecided but intends to dedicate "reflection time" on whether to seek the Democratic nomination.

"I plan for the latter half of this year to dedicate some more thought time - reflection time - to the question of whether or not I would run in 2016," O'Malley, a former mayor of Baltimore, told reporters.

"The key question in running for any office is having a clear and refined understanding of the shared reality we face," he said. "I arrived at that freedom and that clarity when I ran for mayor and when I ran for governor, and the interior challenge is whether or not I can arrive at that clarity, and that freedom and that sense of responsibility and urgency with regard to making a run in 2016."
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ARE THESE PICTURES OF MICHELLE OBAMA VISITING THE SAUDI STUDENT PUT ON A WATCHLIST LAST WEEK?

Photos of a visit Michelle Obama is alleged to have had with Abdul Rahman Alharbi — the Saudi national previously considered to be “person of interest,” “armed and dangerous,” and worthy of inclusion on a watch list — may have appeared on a Facebook page associated with an English language school in Boston or students who share a common bond of going to English schools in the area.
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'Boston Strong': Marching In Lockstep With The Police State

Caught up in the televised drama of a military-style manhunt for the suspects in the Boston Marathon explosion, most Americans fail to realize that the world around them has been suddenly and jarringly shifted off its axis, that axis being the U.S. Constitution.

For those like myself who have studied emerging police states, the sight of a city placed under martial law – its citizens under house arrest (officials used the Orwellian phrase “shelter in place” to describe the mandatory lockdown), military-style helicopters equipped with thermal imaging devices buzzing the skies, tanks and armored vehicles on the streets, and snipers perched on rooftops, while thousands of black-garbed police swarmed the streets and SWAT teams carried out house-to-house searches in search of two young and seemingly unlikely bombing suspects – leaves us in a growing state of unease.

Mind you, these are no longer warning signs of a steadily encroaching police state. The police state has arrived.

Equally unnerving is the ease with which Americans welcomed the city-wide lockdown, the routine invasion of their privacy, and the dismantling of every constitutional right intended to serve as a bulwark against government abuses. Watching it unfold, I couldn’t help but think of Nazi Field Marshal Hermann Goering’s remarks during the Nuremberg trials. As Goering noted:It is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.

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NOT BACKING DOWN: 8TH GRADER SUSPENDED, ARRESTED OVER HIS NRA T-SHIRT RETURNS TO SCHOOL…WEARING THE EXACT SAME SHIRT

Disciplined 8th-grader Jared Marcum returned to class on Monday after being suspended from school and arrested for refusing to change his NRA t-shirt at the request of one of his teachers. The shirt apparently pictured a firearm and the words “protect your rights.”

However, he apparently hasn’t learned his lesson — assuming that there was even any lesson to be learned. Fresh off his suspension, Marcum showed up to school on Monday wearing the exact same NRA shirt that sparked what many have labeled “t-shirt control.”

There were also other people wearing matching shirts in support of Marcum, WOWK-TV reports.
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Give The Man His Due

While there are many out there criticizing the formal promotion of Mr. Rick Hoppes to Fire Chief, give the man his due.

You cannot deny Rick's passion and dedication to the Salisbury Fire Department. Quite frankly, I'm not so sure I would have stuck around for the past three years as Acting Fire Chief and being subjected to less pay.

When someone puts in as many years as Rick Hoppes has with the SFD, don't you believe that's worth a promotion? After all, isn't that what YOU strive for when you go to work every day?

Yes, there is a pending charge of discrimination against the City and yes, there are rumors of the SFD being racist. Until that case is heard and there's a ruling, these cases can be very damning in the mean time.

Our job here at Salisbury News is to bring you the news and information out there. We have stated a case was pending but as I also stated, I have never seen Rick Hoppes treat anyone poorly over the many years I have known him. I believe Bryan Records said it best in this Post, A Comment Worthy Of A Post 2-3-12.

We also provided this Post, 

Rick Hoppes Is Looking Good, Should Becomes Salisbury's Next Fire Chief.

This is America. Rick has put in his time and has proven himself. I think Mayor Ireton made a great choice and I'm glad to see the City Council move Rick forward. The City should hire from within more often. Ivan Barkley got screwed.

Breaking News In The Troy Durham Case

We here at the DPW watch have just learned that the United States District Court greenlighted Troy Durham’s lawsuit against disgraced Sheriff Bobby Jones, Somerset County, County Attorney Kirk Simpkins, and against John and Jane Does who are “Somerset County Commissioners and/or the County Administrator and personnel specialists.” This unnamed County Administrator is, of course, none other than Dan Powell.

Somerset County and Kirk Simpkins had tried hard to get this lawsuit thrown out, but this court decision denies their motions to dismiss, meaning that the county, Kirk Simpkins, the former county commissioners, and Dan Powell personally are potentially liable for both standing by while Bobby Jones unlawfully fired Troy Durham and also the current county leadership for allowing the continued mistreatment of Troy Durham.

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Are The Citizens Of Salisbury Stupid? I Don't Think So.

It's budget season and right out of the election gate Mayor Jim Ireton wants to raise your taxes by 8%, yet he wants you to believe with the reduction of water and sewer fees it will balance things out. 

Considering there was a surplus in the water and sewer funds this past year, Ireton wants you to believe that his 8% tax increase won't hurt as bad but that's just not true. 

You see, during one of our debates with the Chamber of Commerce, (not televised) I asked Mayor Ireton if it was true that we're only paying INTEREST in the waste water treatment plant at this time. The Mayor openly agreed. 

That means right now we are only paying a minimal amount of money towards the now $140,000,000.00 final product. Once we have to start paying the REAL principal towards the new plant, our payments will go through the roof. 

So now you'll have an 8% tax increase and a massive new payment in the near future on the WWTP. Did Ireton think we were just going to roll over and play dead on this one? What happened to the $16,000,000.00 surplus? Yes, it was your election to lose Salisbury.

Four Israeli Tech Firms To Open Maryland Offices

Four high-tech Israeli firms on Tuesday unveiled plans to open offices in Maryland.

The news comes as Gov. Martin O'Malley and state business leaders are in the midst of an economic trade mission in Israel and Jordan.

The companies, Shekel Scales, Askimo, Roboteam and Hybrid Security, range from a global provider of electronic scales and weighing systems to a startup developing web fraud detection solutions.
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BREAKING NEWS: CHIEF HOPPES CONFIRMED TODAY

Mayor James Ireton, Jr., is proud to inform the public that the Salisbury City Council has accepted the nomination of Richard Hoppes as Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department.

Maryland Looks For Ideas To Restore Streams

State officials say they are seeking proposals for Maryland's Stream Restoration Challenge.

The program started last summer seeks to establish 1,000 acres of forested stream buffers by 2015. The buffers help keep stormwater runoff and sediment from entering waterways and eventually the Chesapeake Bay, where they can cause oxygen-robbing algae blooms and harm plant life and other bay species.

The program provides up to $6 million in grants to local governments, school systems and other groups for bay restoration, service learning and environmental education projects. Proposals are chosen based on factors including effectiveness, cost and student participation.
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Name Our Bird

VOTING IS NOW OPEN! We are the Chesapeake Bay Trust, an independent non-profit grantmaking organization based in Annapolis, MD that focuses on restoration and environmental education, and we need your help! We need you to help us name our famous blue heron that can be seen on our logo and license plates. The winner will receive a grand prize package with Southwest Airlines ticket vouchers and tickets to upcoming events!

*Voters also have a chance to win! One randomly chosen voter will also win a grand prize package!

The search has been narrowed to three names:

Wade
"It's simple and descriptive, as herons wade in the water to fish."
- Megan Flickinger, Frederick, Md.

Hattie the Heron
“Hattie was my 4 Greats back Grandmother's name. I looked at your picture of the Heron and Hattie just popped into my head. She was a strong woman and so is our beautiful bird. It just seemed to fit to me.”
- Janet Dimalanta, Jessup, Md.

Seemore D. Bay
“A reminder to all to 'see more of the bay' and protect our treasure each day!”
- Lesley Ann Smith, Chester, Md.

 More information available HERE

SALISBURY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTIBUTE HEROIN

On April, 18, 2013, The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force (WINTF) executed search warrants on two properties in Wicomico County in connection to a narcotics investigation: 508 Tony Tank Lane, Salisbury, Maryland and 800 Suite L, South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland (Jones Craft International).

Officers seized 23.9 grams of suspected heroin, one .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and one H&K Shotgun from the business known as Jones Craft International (800 Suite L, South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland). When officers searched the Tony Tank Lane residence they found an additional 2.7 grams of suspected heroin, 48.2 grams of suspected marijuana, and two .45 caliber handguns.

Officers have charged Caleb Wesley Jones, III, age 64, of Salisbury, Maryland, with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm with a Nexus to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia. Jones was taken to the Commissioner and was processed and released on $75,000.00 bond.

The following agencies assisted in this investigation: Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, SERT, K-9 and Uniform Patrol, Salisbury Police Department, Salisbury Safe Streets Team, Somerset County Narcotics Task Force, DEA and FBI.

The charges contained in the statement of charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Pressure

A Letter To The Editor 4-23-13

Hi Joe,


I had first hand experience today at the intersection at the Exxon station and Rt 50 where there are so many accidents. I'm heading eastbound on 50 going to make a left onto the road that leads to the Exxon. I'm watching the west bound side making sure no traffic comes as I make my turn, as I have already checked the intersection to make sure I can safely turn, as I return my eyes from looking at west bound I see this blue SUV coming straight at me. Evidently she didn't want to wait at her stop sign any longer and intended to make a left onto east bound 50 in FRONT of me. After seeing her coming at me I moved to the right more so she could get in the middle of intersection BEHIND me. She moves the same way as I. For a brief second I really wanted to hit her dumb butt. I had to jump on my brakes so she could get past and out of my way. What really got me she starts flapping her gums like it's my fault. Maybe they changed the law and didn't tell me but when I got my license people on a side road had to wait and YIELD to the traffic on the road they wish to cross, especially a major route like Rt 50. Impatience and ignorance of the law is what is causing accidents at that intersection, not the intersection itself. That is one of the better intersections I have seen. No traffic light will improve anyone's driving skills which they lack to begin with. All that because I was hungry and wanted a sandwich. Geesh. So if your readers see a dark haired younger? woman driving a blue SUV, they might want to give her extra room. Might save them some pain and damage.

Open Forum On Tonight's City Council Meeting

This Post will allow you to make comments throughout the meeting this evening. 

Traitors

Two independents no Republicans, the rest Democrats.
On March 23, 2013, we were four votes away from the United States Senate giving our constitutional rights over to the United Nations. In a 53-46 vote, the senate narrowly passed a measure that will stop the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

The Statement of Purpose from the bill read:
To uphold Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

The U.N. Small Arms Treaty, which has been championed by the Obama Administration , would have effectively placed a global ban on the import and export of small firearms. The ban would have affected all private gun owners in the U.S., and had language that would have implemented an international gun registry on all private guns and ammo.
Astonishingly, 46 of our senators were willing to give away our constitutional rights to a foreign power.

Here are the senators that voted to give your rights to the U.N.:
Baldwin (D-WI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cowan (D-MA)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Franken (D-MN)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hirono (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kaine (D-VA)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Leahy (D-VT)
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Please note: None are Republicans!

Connecting The Dots.......

A few months ago Acting Chief Hoppes and dozens of on and off duty Firefighters came to a Council Meeting in support of requesting Rick Hoppes as their next Fire Chief.

I found this somewhat peculiar because I had been at a City Council Meeting years earlier when Barrie Tilghman was Mayor and Mike Dunn was Council President. Firefighter Larry Dodd had come directly from work to come to the Council Meeting to express his disappointment in the City threatening to raise taxes again. Larry is a City resident.

Talk about retaliation! Barrie Tilghman almost fired Larry Dodd because of his statements that night, stating he could NOT come to a Council Meeting in uniform. The fact was, he was simply wearing his jacket.

So when I saw so many Firefighters recently in uniform at a Council Meeting I thought, this isn't right. Not according to what I had seen in the past anyway. 

Along came Jim Ireton not saying a word. A Mayoral Election was in the works and quite frankly I thought this was quite a risk for so many Firefighters to come in uniform but it was almost as if many had already known that far in advance that Jim Ireton was going to be their next Mayor anyway and they knew there was no trouble ahead. Interesting.

During the election, (if you'll recall) I ran into Shanie Shields who had spilled the beans about Lorenzo Cropper filing an EEOC complaint/lawsuit against the City for discrimination. It had been rumored that Rick Hoppes was allegedly a racist and that most if not all black Firefighters had been systematically removed from the SFD, hence the rumor that this is why the former City Council refused to move him forward as Fire Chief.

I guess when your a Mayor who does inappropriate things like the incident at MoJo's, it's no wonder someone like Jim Ireton would insist that Mr. Hoppes become the next Fire Chief of Salisbury. Mind you, I have never witnessed Mr. Hoppes ever acting inappropriate towards anyone, let alone a black Firefighter. I just happen to know of information stating these are the charges.

Salisbury could be in for a world of trouble IF someone wants to join the department and they are black. Then again, as Shanie Shields clearly stated a few weeks ago directly to me face to face, my people don't want to be no Firefighter or Police Man. 

It's always comforting to know you have an election in the bag so far in advance. Remember, Jim Ireton doesn't see color.

Mayor Ireton Forwards Rick Hoppes To City Council For Fire Chief

Mayor James Ireton, Jr., is pleased to announce that he is forwarding the name of Richard Hoppes to the Salisbury City Council for consideration for the position of Fire Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department. “It has been an honor to have Acting Chief Hoppes as our Chief since 2010 and twice since I came into office. He is an exceptional public servant and is committed to fire and EMS service for our citizens. It is with that service to others in mind, that I nominate this exceptionally qualified man for the position of Chief,” said Mayor Ireton. 

Acting Fire Chief Rick Hoppes began his career with the Salisbury Fire Department as a volunteer in 1985. He began his career service with the Department in 1988. Rick has held many operational and administrative positions during his 28 year career, including Firefighter/EMT, Firefighter/Cardiac Rescue Technician, Lieutenant and Training Officer, Captain, Assistant Fire Chief, and Deputy Fire Chief of Operations. He has spent the last 3 years as Acting Fire Chief of the SFD.

Chief Hoppes currently holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University and an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Business Management from Wor-Wic Community College. He is a graduate of the National Fire Service Staff and Command curriculum and he has continuously strived to increase his education and training in the fire service throughout his career.

Currently holding certifications as a Maryland and National Firefighter II, Fire Officer IV, Fire Service Instructor III, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Hazardous Materials Technician and Incident Commander, Chief Hoppes is an adjunct instructor for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency where he is credentialed to teach all of the National Incident Management (NIMS) courses.

Chief Hoppes has received numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Unit Citations, Department Commendations and Meritorious Service Awards. He has been married for twenty-nine years and has three children. He and his family are very active in their church and in his spare time, Rick enjoys woodworking and golf.

SAUDI NATIONAL'S DEPORTATION RECORD ALTERED

Breitbart News has learned that the Saudi National questioned after the Boston Marathon Bombing had his deportation order records altered, rescinding his deportation order.

The alteration occurred the night before Secretary Napolitano vehemently denied the existence of any deportation order in testimony before the House of Representatives. Sources with knowledge of these matters says the change occurred subsequent to Secretary John Kerry's closed door meeting on Tuesday with the Saudi Minister and around the time of the meeting between the Saudi Minister and Obama later on Wednesday evening.

The Saudi National has been identified as Abdulrahman Ali Al-Harbi. There is no evidence that Al-Harbi is connected to the Boston Marathon Bombings. 
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SHOCKING NEWS - BOMBERS DIDN'T REGISTER THEIR GUNS

Or explosives permits, for that matter. A perplexed Associated Depress reluctantly reports:

Massachusetts police official say the brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon before having shootouts with authorities didn’t have gun permits.

Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas tells The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that neither Tamerlan Tsarnaev (tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) nor his brother Dzhokhar had permission to carry firearms.

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Mother of Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects: 'My Family Is in the Dirt'

(Makhachkala, Dagestan) -- The mother of the Boston bombing suspects said in a tearful phone call with ABC News on Saturday evening that she and her husband plan to travel to the United States to visit their younger son, who was arrested on Friday.

Zubeidat Tsarnaeva said she fears 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is suspected of planting two bombs at Monday's Boston Marathon along with his older brother Tamerlan, will receive the death penalty.

"I lost two sons," she said. "My family is in the dirt."

The mother did not say when she plans to travel to the United States. She fears being unable to do so, despite holding an American passport, because she is now the parent of a suspected terrorist.
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Police: Bombing Suspects Planned More Attacks

BOSTON (AP) -- As churches paused to mourn the dead and console the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing Sunday, the city's police commissioner said the two suspects had such a large cache of weapons that they were probably planning other attacks. The surviving suspect remained hospitalized and unable to speak with a gunshot wound to the throat.

After the two brothers engaged in a gun battle with police early Friday, authorities found many unexploded homemade bombs at the scene, along with more than 250 rounds of ammunition.

Police Commissioner Ed Davis said the stockpile was "as dangerous as it gets in urban policing."
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MASS. POLICE: BOMB SUSPECTS DIDN'T HAVE GUN PERMIT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts police official say the brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon before having shootouts with authorities didn't have gun permits.

Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas tells The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that neither Tamerlan Tsarnaev (tsahr-NEYE'-ehv) nor his brother Dzhokhar had permission to carry firearms.

He says it's unclear whether either ever applied and the applications aren't considered public records.
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US Doubles Aid To Syrian Rebels, Who Want More

ISTANBUL (AP) — The United States said Sunday that it will double its non-lethal assistance to Syria's opposition as the rebels' top supporters vowed to enhance and expand their backing of the two-year battle to oust President Bashar Assad's regime.

Yet the pledge fell far short of what the opposition had made clear it wanted: weapons and direct military intervention to stop the violence that has killed more than 70,000 people. The Syrian National Coalition had sought drone strikes on sites from which the regime has fired missiles, the imposition of no-fly zones and protected humanitarian corridors to ensure the safety of civilians.

Instead, the Obama administration's pledged to provide an additional $123 million in aid, which may include for the first time armored vehicles, body armor, night vision goggles and other defensive military supplies. It was the only tangible, public offer of new international support as the foreign ministers of the 11 main countries supporting the opposition met in a marathon session in Istanbul.
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Maryland Offers Glimpse At Obamacare Insurance Math

In the latest preview of prices for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Maryland’s dominant insurer says proposed premiums for new policies for individuals will rise by 25 percent on average next year.

That’s lower than what some had predicted. Just three weeks ago, the insurer, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, had been looking at a proposed 50 percent increase. But the company revised that initial estimate, citing worries about affordability for consumers.

“Not only were we concerned about a potential hit to subscribers, but we were also concerned about price levels that were unattractive” to young customers seen as an important stabilizing force for the market, CareFirst CEO Chet Burrell said in an interview Wednesday.

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