The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says it wants as many as 20 percent of its workers to "telework," use an "alternative work schedule," or do both, in order to "reduce green house gas emissions," decrease "employee stress," and give these government workers more time for "planning and preparing healthy meals."
So says one of the HHS "performance measures" detailed in an appendix to the department's latest strategic plan.
HHS's performance measure "4.D.05" says: "Increase the percent employees on telework or on Alternative Work Schedule."
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Maryland Law Punishes Those Who Wreak 'Fiscal Terror'
The law stemmed from cases where anti-government "sovereign citizens" had filed fraudulent liens against public officials -- often prosecutors and law enforcement -- in retaliation for perceived wrongs.
Montgomery County Assistant State's Attorney Carol Crawford, head of the Special Prosecutions Division, was the target of one of those liens.
More
WILL RETIRED OLYMPIC SWIMMING LEGEND MICHAEL PHELPS PART THE WATERS AGAIN?
The three-paragraph story on the station’s Web site was posted by news anchor Peter Busch, who is the son of Frank Busch, director of the U.S. national swim team.
“The greatest Olympian of all time isn’t hanging up his swimsuit, after all,” yesterday’s report said, without citing any sources.
More
THE AMAZING MOMENT WHEN A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL THREW OUT THE FIRST BASEBALL PITCH…AND THE CATCHER WAS HER DAD HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN
Nine-year-old Alayna Adams got a big surprise when she was told she would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Thursday’s Tampa Bay Rays game. She had no idea the even bigger shock she was in for.
It started when her dad, Lt. Col. Will Adams, appeared on the video screen to say hello and that he would be home soon. Alayna didn’t know how true that was; she threw the ball right down the center and watched it bounce. The man in the Ray’s uniform and catcher’s gear reached up to snag it — then pulled his mask off, revealing himself as her father.
Alayna ran to her dad, home from Afghanistan after a one-year deployment, and the two embraced before the roaring crowd.
More
It started when her dad, Lt. Col. Will Adams, appeared on the video screen to say hello and that he would be home soon. Alayna didn’t know how true that was; she threw the ball right down the center and watched it bounce. The man in the Ray’s uniform and catcher’s gear reached up to snag it — then pulled his mask off, revealing himself as her father.
Alayna ran to her dad, home from Afghanistan after a one-year deployment, and the two embraced before the roaring crowd.
More
James Dobson: IRS Stonewalled Christian Family Org for Being 'Critical of the President'
When his lawyer called the IRS to find out what the problem was, an IRS rep named Medley told him, “we don’t think we’re going to approve your application.” When he asked, why, she answered, "because you’re a right wing organization, and you’re political, and you’ve been critical of the President and we don’t think you give other people an opportunity to express their views, and besides that – you’re not educational.” An answer Dr. Dobson took great umbrage at.
More
UPDATED: IRS tax exemption/Obamacare exec got $103,390 in bonuses; Did Obama OK them?
Sarah Hall Ingram, the IRS executive in charge of the tax exempt division in 2010 when it began targeting conservative Tea Party, evangelical and pro-Israel groups for harassment, got more than $100,000 in bonuses between 2009 and 2012.
More recently, Ingram was promoted to serve as director of the tax agency's Obamacare program office, a position that put her in charge of the vast expansion of the IRS' regulatory power and staffing in connection with federal health care, ABC reported earlier today.
Ingram received a $7,000 bonus in 2009, according to data obtained by The Washington Examiner from the IRS, then a $34,440 bonus in 2010, $35,400 in 2011 and $26,550 last year, for a total of $103,390. Her annual salary went from $172,500 to $177,000 during the same period.
More
More recently, Ingram was promoted to serve as director of the tax agency's Obamacare program office, a position that put her in charge of the vast expansion of the IRS' regulatory power and staffing in connection with federal health care, ABC reported earlier today.
Ingram received a $7,000 bonus in 2009, according to data obtained by The Washington Examiner from the IRS, then a $34,440 bonus in 2010, $35,400 in 2011 and $26,550 last year, for a total of $103,390. Her annual salary went from $172,500 to $177,000 during the same period.
More
Stock Up NOW
Joe, I sometimes post about still being able to find ammo cheap.
Here a gift for some other lucky blog readers: .22lr 1,000 rounds at cabelas.com for $49.99. Even after shipping, it's under $.06 cost per round.
Tea Party Hero Cuccinelli Is Va. GOP Gov Nominee
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia's activist conservative attorney general beloved by the tea party for his aggressive challenges to federal mandates has won the Republican Party's gubernatorial nomination by acclamation.
At the GOP's statewide convention, thousands of conservatives and tea party followers who dominated the Richmond Coliseum Saturday roared their unanimous support for Ken Cuccinelli, who was unopposed for the nomination.
Cuccinelli is an abortion foe who was the first state attorney general to challenge President Barack Obama's health care reforms in 2010.
More
At the GOP's statewide convention, thousands of conservatives and tea party followers who dominated the Richmond Coliseum Saturday roared their unanimous support for Ken Cuccinelli, who was unopposed for the nomination.
Cuccinelli is an abortion foe who was the first state attorney general to challenge President Barack Obama's health care reforms in 2010.
More
Officials announce 1 winning ticket sold in Fla. on record Powerball jackpot topping $590M
DES MOINES, Iowa — A lottery official says 1 winning ticket has been sold in Florida for a record Powerball jackpot of more than $590 million.
Terry Rich, a lottery official in Iowa, confirmed the ticket matching all six numbers was sold in Florida. Rich told The Associated Press by telephone that details were expected to be announced later by Florida lottery officials about the actual ticket sold.
More
Terry Rich, a lottery official in Iowa, confirmed the ticket matching all six numbers was sold in Florida. Rich told The Associated Press by telephone that details were expected to be announced later by Florida lottery officials about the actual ticket sold.
More
Ocean City Weighing Humvee Acquisition For Storm Response
OCEAN CITY – Many municipalities across the country have been taking advantage of the government’s program that provides surplus military equipment free of charge, and Ocean City is looking into acquiring military vehicles to operate emergency rescues during inclement weather.
During a Police Commission meeting Monday morning, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Captain Gregory Guiton presented the opportunity to acquire military Humvees.
“It’s free but we all know that free is never free, there is always associated costs,” Guiton said, explaining the costs will begin with transporting the vehicle to Ocean City and whatever work to be done to the vehicle afterwards, such as paint and equipment.
More
During a Police Commission meeting Monday morning, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Captain Gregory Guiton presented the opportunity to acquire military Humvees.
“It’s free but we all know that free is never free, there is always associated costs,” Guiton said, explaining the costs will begin with transporting the vehicle to Ocean City and whatever work to be done to the vehicle afterwards, such as paint and equipment.
More
Mayor Ireton Following The Lead Of Former Mayor Barrie Tilghman
Mayor Ireton's horrible behavior at MoJo's a few months ago was the final straw for many. Most of the Department Heads have seen enough and are jumping ship because they simply cannot work with a maniac for Mayor.
When you have someone working for you like Lore' Chambers, like her or not, she has the experience to fill in John Pick's shoes, especially in an interim position. If you don't want to hire her for the job, at least let her do what she's been paid for and trained for over all these years.
What does it say when your second in command isn't appointed! "Yes Men" will do whatever the Mayor says. If Jimmy wants 500 affordable housing units Downtown, well, with his rubber stamp Council, perhaps now he'll get it. When Jimmy wants to override the Liquor Board so he can take back riverfront parking lots and sell them off to his developer friends, perhaps now he'll get it.
Clearly former Department Heads saw that an Albero Administration would have moved the City forward and the Ireton Administration will only head us down the same failure path of Barrie Tilghman and they bolted.
Barrie Tilghman did the same thing years ago. She got rid of all the quality people working for the City. Anyone who seemed to disagree was removed and "Yes Men" were put in their place to do whatever she liked. Hence why I stated if elected I'd entertain rehiring those people who had been terminated for the good of the City.
Ireton hired Rick Hoppes to become the full time Fire Chief. Ireton accepted a BS NON ACCREDITATION DEGREE from an ON LINE COLLEGE that isn't recognized by ANY College in America. You didn't read that in the Daily Times. You didn't hear about that on WBOC or WMDT. Your local media covers up such stories and endorses a clown and asks, please give this immature Mayor without ANY business background another chance.
I have read so many stories over the years about people in high places buying these degrees and getting caught. Interesting how no one has said a word about Jim's new "Yes Man" in the SFD.
It's my understanding you've seen nothing yet. Ireton is restructuring the City Staff. I hear Lore' Chambers might fill the position of Jim's Downtown Revitalization Advisor, or whatever he calls it.
Ireton/Obama/O'Malley, what's the difference. Liberal jackasses screwing the taxpayers and the sheeple do absolutely nothing about it.
Protective Order Filed Against City Manager
OCEAN CITY -- Allegations that City Manager David Recor was suicidal and violent during a recent encounter with his wife were included in court documents filed this month.
On May 10, Maria Recor obtained a temporary protective order against her husband after an incident on May 5 in Fort Meyers, Fla., where the couple was with family for their daughter’s college graduation.
In her written petition for protection from her husband of 23 years, Maria Recor wrote, “On Sunday evening, May 5, David was angry and upset at me for not paying him enough attention. We were at a vacation house and he climbed to the roof top and was threatening to jump. I told him to come back over, his daughters could hear and see. I had hold of his arm, keeping him on the railing. He said you don’t love me and I said no I don’t. He swung at my face and hit me near the eye. He then came over the railing and pushed me violently to the ground twice, my head slamming into the ground. He then arrived to our home and took my car.”
City manager since June of last year, David Recor issued a statement this week after the court records were made public.
More
On May 10, Maria Recor obtained a temporary protective order against her husband after an incident on May 5 in Fort Meyers, Fla., where the couple was with family for their daughter’s college graduation.
In her written petition for protection from her husband of 23 years, Maria Recor wrote, “On Sunday evening, May 5, David was angry and upset at me for not paying him enough attention. We were at a vacation house and he climbed to the roof top and was threatening to jump. I told him to come back over, his daughters could hear and see. I had hold of his arm, keeping him on the railing. He said you don’t love me and I said no I don’t. He swung at my face and hit me near the eye. He then came over the railing and pushed me violently to the ground twice, my head slamming into the ground. He then arrived to our home and took my car.”
City manager since June of last year, David Recor issued a statement this week after the court records were made public.
More
Major Milestone Made In The MD School Breakfast Program
As the director of Maryland Hunger Solutions, Cathy Demereto said she and her colleagues have closely witnessed the intensity of this statistics through their regular interactions with students who they find out are not getting daily meals.
“We know that so many families are struggling to make ends meet and [struggling] to put adequate food on the table,” she said. “And [we know that although] many children are participating in school lunch, they aren't receiving the benefits of school breakfast.”
More
Ireton Appoints Tom Stevenson As Interim City Administrator
While I believe in Tom Stevenson's abilities and professionalism, I see a lawsuit in the making from Lore' Chambers, don't you?
Tom is the head of Neighborhood Code and Compliance but I don't think Tom has the wisdom and experience Lore' has gained internally as an administrator.
Interesting move.
Local Raids Linked To Cigarette Smuggling Ring That Funded Terrorist Groups
The Ramadan family owns several local businesses in the area, including convenience stores in Berlin and Ocean City, the Village Market in Ocean City and has at least partial stakes in several local franchises, such as Subway and Ledo’s Pizza, according to business records.
In Ocean City Wednesday morning, authorities stormed a condominium above the Subway on Sunset Drive and Coastal Highway and were seen confiscating items and seemed to be working a crime scene. In West Ocean City, in the Oyster Harbor community, a similar scene played out at the home of Basel and Samir Ramadan. Personal property was seized and vehicles were stripped and seized during searches.
More
MASS. POLICE CATCH 7 ‘CHEMICAL ENGINEERS’ FROM PAKISTAN, SAUDI ARABIA, & SINGAPORE TRESPASSING MAJOR RESERVOIR
A group of individuals from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore were caught early Wednesday morning trespassing at the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts, one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the county, CBS Boston reports.
The trespassers, five men and two women, were caught in one of the no-trespassing zones of reservoir, according to Massachusetts state police.
Police also said that the trespassers “cited their education and career interests” for being in the area and claimed they are “chemical engineers” and “recent college graduates,” CBS Boston reports.
More
The trespassers, five men and two women, were caught in one of the no-trespassing zones of reservoir, according to Massachusetts state police.
Police also said that the trespassers “cited their education and career interests” for being in the area and claimed they are “chemical engineers” and “recent college graduates,” CBS Boston reports.
More
Professor Vs Student
Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
Student : Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Is satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor: Where does satan come from ?
Student : From … GOD …
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter. )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
Student : Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Is satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor: Where does satan come from ?
Student : From … GOD …
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter. )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
Alleged Gang Leader Wants Better Jail Conditions
Apparently, the bare necessities, state-issued jump suit, sandals, undies and a bed sheet are not cutting it for Tavon White.
His lawyer, Gary Proctor, has petitioned the court for more of his personal effects after his move to a prison in western Maryland.
More
Ireton Department Heads Jumping Ship
Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announces today that the Director of Salisbury Public Works, Teresa Gardner, is leaving Salisbury for the State of Virginia. Mayor Ireton is appointing Deputy Director of Public Works, Amanda Pollack to serve as Interim-Director of Public Works until a national search can be undertaken. Ms. Gardner is relocating to VA and will be serving both the Culpeper and Staunton districts as the Regional Traffic Engineer. Ms. Gardner said today, “This has been a broadening experience for me and I wish everyone in the City of Salisbury organization much success in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the City and the
pleasure to work under this administration.”
Amanda H. Pollack, P.E. has 17 years of engineering experience. She worked in the private sector for 16 years before starting with the City of Salisbury in July 2012. Mrs. Pollack is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland and Delaware. Her specialties are water, wastewater and municipal engineering. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University. She grew up in Salisbury and attended Parkside High School.
Mayor Ireton thanks Ms. Gardner for her service and dedication to the City, most especially her work during the Wastewater Treatment Plant lawsuit and wishes her well on her future endeavors.
pleasure to work under this administration.”
Amanda H. Pollack, P.E. has 17 years of engineering experience. She worked in the private sector for 16 years before starting with the City of Salisbury in July 2012. Mrs. Pollack is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland and Delaware. Her specialties are water, wastewater and municipal engineering. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University. She grew up in Salisbury and attended Parkside High School.
Mayor Ireton thanks Ms. Gardner for her service and dedication to the City, most especially her work during the Wastewater Treatment Plant lawsuit and wishes her well on her future endeavors.
WHITE FAMILY (INCLUDING 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER) REPORTEDLY ATTACKED FOR BEING IN THE ‘WRONG NEIGHBORHOOD’ OF BATON ROUGE
A white family getting gas in Baton Rouge, La., was attacked by three people who said the family was in the “wrong neighborhood,” police say.
The altercation occurred Sunday night at a Chevron gas station.
WAFB-TV provides the shocking details:
[Cpl. Tommy Stubbs, a spokesman for the Baton Rouge Police Department] said a man wearing a pink shirt was in line trying to pay for gas when Donald Dickerson, 41, started making fun of him, leading to an argument.More
JOHN PICK ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE AFTER LONG TENURE
Among his many accomplishments, Pick cited the naming of the City as an All-America City in 2010 as one of his proudest moments. He has also introduced the Capital Improvement Planning process to the City, has helped improve the City’s financial condition, developed the Annexation Policy and procedures, assisted with the successful effort to continue rail service to businesses along the North Prong of the River, assisted with the development of the Performance Evaluation System currently used by the City, assisted with the development of the shared GIS system between the City and County, assisted with agreement with the County to televise City and County meetings, and assisted with the development of thousands of city ordinances.
Pick began his career with the City on January 23, 1995. Before coming to Salisbury he had served as City Manager of the City of Fort Madison, IA. Previous work experience included Assistant City Manager for the City of Jacksonville, NC; Town Manager for the Town of Hope Mills, NC, and Personnel Director for the City of Rocky Mount, NC. Pick holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Arizona. He is a credentialed manager through the International City–County Management Association. In 2000, he was elected President of the Maryland City County Managers Association.
After his retirement from the City of Salisbury, Pick will assume the responsibilities of the position of City Manager with the City of Northglenn, CO. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the citizens of the City of Salisbury for the past eighteen and one-half years,” said Pick. While I am looking forward to the new challenges I will be facing in the future, I will greatly miss the many friendships and associations I have had in Salisbury, particularly with the tremendous employees who work for the City.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I accept John Pick’s leaving for Colorado. He has been a respected leader in the community and has been at the heart of the change from town to city that we have experienced over the past twenty years. Having served with the past three mayors of Salisbury, Mr. Pick has shown incredible flexibility, patience, and professionalism for each, and has served to keep our city on the beaten path to progress. It is on behalf of all of our citizens that I wish him, and his wife Vickie, the best in all they do as they start the next phase of their lives. Salisbury is a profoundly better place for having them here. The Pick’s will be missed,” said Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
The Daily Times Will No Longer Publish A Memorial Page Of Local Fallen Soldiers On Memorial Day
It's no wonder when you walk into the Daily Times main office, (photo above) it's empty. Forgetting where you came from will destroy any one or any thing. What a shame.
HERE’S WHY THIS NAACP OFFICIAL THINKS IT’S GOOD THE IRS TARGETED TEA PARTY GROUPS (HINT: IT INVOLVES THE TALIBAN)
And he doesn’t think the comparison is in any way unfair or over the top.
Bond’s Taliban remarks were made in response to a question posed by MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts.
Roberts noted that the NAACP official was outraged in 2004 when his organization came under heavy IRS scrutiny.
More
Almost 5,700 State Employees Make $100,000 Or More
This total is slightly higher than last year’s number, when 5,552 people — about 6% of state work force — made $100,000 or more, but 500 more than calendar 2010 when furloughs reduced all state salaries. The state employed close to 94,828 total full-time employees in 2012, according to budget documents (pages 144-146) including figures for higher education, non-budgeted agencies and contractual employees.
The median household income in Maryland was $72,419, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning half of Maryland homes make less than that amount.
Here is the complete list of state employees making more than $100,000 per year.
Read more
County Council Member Bob Culver Speaks Out On New States Attorney Office
The meeting that started this entire situation was a closed meeting where during that meeting I asked Mr. Ed Baker, County Attorney, how was someone supposed to challenge a bid if they felt they were not treated fairly. Mr. Baker told the council that there was a process to oppose the bid and that the individuals in question had not done so. Another council member then asked where this process was spelled out because they could not find on our County’s website. Mr. Baker then said it was in a book on Mr. Rick Konrad’s (Wicomico County purchasing manger) desk.
After the closed meeting the next day I explained to the bidder that there is a process to oppose a bid and they would have to go through Mr. Baker’s office to do so. The next day Mr. Baker received a request from a local attorney representing clients and asking how to protest the bid process. Because the exact word “protest” was used by the inquiring attorney that was considered information leaked from a closed meeting. On March 8, 2013 at a regular meeting with the council & executives office it was decided by Mr. Rick Pollitt, Mr. Wayne Strausburg, Mrs. Sharon Morris, Mr. Ed Baker, Ms. Maureen Lanigon, Mr. Matt Creamer & Mr. Matt Hollaway that I had released information that was confidential so a special meeting was held on March 18, 2013 to reprimand me for my actions.
I personally do not feel that the information I gave the bidders of having to go through Mr. Bakers office to oppose the bid was a serious breach of confidentially. Both bidders opposed and challenged the winning bid because in there opinion it did not meet all criteria set forth in the RFP. Mr. Konrad had expressed to both bidders if their specs did not meet the RFP requirements word for word they would not be considered.
I believe when it all comes down to the truth the building chosen was picked before the request for bids even got published in the paper. We were presented plans by the architect hired by Wicomico County showing a date that pre dated the RFP.
The other parties both spent monies on plans and attorneys that in fact were a waste of time and money for all involved. I do not feel this is a good practice and I do not feel that this is how we should treat our constituents, and in the end the tax payers of Wicomico County lose in this process.
The new States Attorney’s office will be a first class building and I have no problem with the location or successful bidder. I only have a problem with the process that was followed. Bob Culver
Ireton Was Clueless About Public Works Director Quitting
So today Ireton was squirming wondering if what we had published was in fact true. There was a press conference for the new water tower ribbon cutting and Teresa Gardner was nowhere to be found.
Then on WBOC tonight they did a segment on the pollution in the River. In fact, they went so far as to catching the ducks swimming through the crud and then interviewed Ireton who claimed it's all because of all the massive rain we've had recently. Hmmmmm, didn't we say the images were taken today? How many days ago did we have massive rain???
It seems Jimmy will say just about anything to try to make himself look better. The bottom line is, he has no clue what his Staff is doing and clearly he could give a crap about the River, yet he swears that it's one of the most important topics in his two campaigns.
His partnership with WBOC is just disgusting as well. Even funnier though is that WBOC will copy just about ANYTHING Salisbury News does that gains a lot of comments. Who's Delmarva's News Leader again Mr. Jahelka?
Put On Your Seat Belts Pittsville
Your rates will increase another 9% next year as well. That's a total of 18% over the next two years.
Public Works Director Teresa Gardner Leaving Salisbury And Going To V-DOT
During my campaign I assured City Employees one of the first things I'd do would be to terminate Mrs. Gardner's position immediately. Her reputation and actions mirrored that of a bully. Many employees came to me with unbelievable stories I came to learn were true. She has the mouth of a drunken sailor, I've been told multiple times.
Not only will Salisbury have the open position of the Public Works Director, they still haven't filled the Zoo Director position. I'm told the interim Director is not interested in the position and that the City has had several great interviews, hopefully that position will be filled soon.
Public Works is far more important though. Here's the actual Press Release that wasn't supposed to go public yet.
I am pleased to announce that effective June 10, 2013, Teresa Gardner, P.E. will begin employment at VDOT as the Regional Traffic Engineer for NWRO. Teresa will be relocating to the Valley from Salisbury, MD where she most recently held the position of Director of Public Works for the City of Salisbury. Teresa has over 25 years of engineering experience in both the Public and Private sectors, including various positions with Delaware Department of Transportation. Her management, financial and traffic engineering background will be a great asset to our division. Teresa is a graduate of University of Delaware where she received a BSCE specializing in transportation. Teresa will be serving both the Culpeper and Staunton districts as the Regional Traffic Engineer. Her office will be in the Traffic Operations Center in Staunton. Please join me in welcoming Teresa to VDOT and to NWRO.
MattMatthew W. Shiley, P.E.
Regional Operations Director
VDOT Culpeper & Staunton Districts
A Letter To The Editor 5-14-13
I fished the Wicomico River yesterday and thought I would send you some pictures. The Mayor and Council of this city should be ashamed of their part in allowing this once great river become so polluted with one sewage spill after another and garbage so thick on the water that duck's can't swim thru it. Salisbury must hold the World Record for sewage spills for no one is held accountable.Why do the folks living along this river and the restaurants and businesses put up with it? Have you ever wondered why the cancer rate is so high here? Just look closely at the water. MDE is totally worthless and does nothing to help and rarely hands down the fines this city deserves for ruining the river!
Publishers Notes: Mayor Ireton wants the River to look bad so he can shove that new rain tax, (or whatever he wants to call it these days) down your throats. I agree, the Mayor should be ashamed that he lied to the public. He doesn't care about the River. He only cares about taxing people as a liberal. Just like O'Malley, they'll invent ways to tax people. Unfortunately there was a day when the conversation was actually about the well being of the wildlife and not the eyesore that River now creates.
Remember Ladies & Gentlemen, Jim Ireton spent around $10,000.00 per pipe coming into the River to catch this debris. How's it working for you now? Oh, by the way, do you see the Daily Times, WBOC or WMDT covering this pollution, ever? Yeah, that pesky Joe Albero, he's such a mean man for exposing such things and telling the TRUTH.
UPDATE: The Skimmer Boat remains in dry dock. Photo taken around 9:00 AM this morning.
FATHER DIES AFTER HE ‘BEGGED FOR HIS LIFE’ WHILE COPS STRUCK HIM WITH BATONS — CELLPHONE VIDEOS SEIZED
The Bakersfield Californian reported 33-year-old David Sal Silva died early Wednesday morning in the hospital after he was struck an unknown amount of times by nine authorities seeking to subdue him. Silva was considered possibly intoxicated and an autopsy is expected to reveal if he was killed by injuries sustained in the beating or other complications.
Police and county sheriffs were responding to a call regarding a possibly intoxicated man outside Kern Medical Center Tuesday night and say Silva resisted them.
More
Dear Shopper: My Son Has Autism, So Please Stop Judging My Parenting
Dear Shopper,
Yes, I know. I’m well aware that my child is screaming. Not just a regular scream, but an ear-piercing, sanity-shattering screech. Even if I wasn’t seeing and hearing it, I would know by the expression on your face.
Clearly, you have raised your children better than me.
That is what you were wanting to say, right? There certainly can’t be any other purpose to you stopping in your tracks to stare or elbow your companion or better yet — give knowing looks to other shoppers passing by.
I have no doubt that you have wonderful, well-behaved children. Grown, tax-paying, law-abiding citizens who would never have dreamed of screaming like this in public when they were children. Judging by your expression and utter exasperation, you’ve never hesitated to let them know who was boss.
More
Yes, I know. I’m well aware that my child is screaming. Not just a regular scream, but an ear-piercing, sanity-shattering screech. Even if I wasn’t seeing and hearing it, I would know by the expression on your face.
Clearly, you have raised your children better than me.
That is what you were wanting to say, right? There certainly can’t be any other purpose to you stopping in your tracks to stare or elbow your companion or better yet — give knowing looks to other shoppers passing by.
I have no doubt that you have wonderful, well-behaved children. Grown, tax-paying, law-abiding citizens who would never have dreamed of screaming like this in public when they were children. Judging by your expression and utter exasperation, you’ve never hesitated to let them know who was boss.
More
Traveler From Saudi Arabia Arrested At Detroit Metro With Pressure Cooker
Detroit — Federal agents have arrested a Saudi Arabian traveler who arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with a pressure cooker, a key component used in the Boston Marathon bombings last month.
Hussain Al Khawahir appeared for a brief hearing at 1 p.m. in federal court on charges he allegedly used an altered passport and lied to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent about the pressure cooker.
It was unclear Monday whether his arrest is terrorism related or a misunderstanding. But the prosecutor handling the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel, who prosecuted the terror case against underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
More
Hussain Al Khawahir appeared for a brief hearing at 1 p.m. in federal court on charges he allegedly used an altered passport and lied to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent about the pressure cooker.
It was unclear Monday whether his arrest is terrorism related or a misunderstanding. But the prosecutor handling the case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel, who prosecuted the terror case against underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
More
SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST 'HAS SEX WITH DOG'
Woman indicted for 'unnatural or perverted sexual practice'(ABC2NEWS) — BEL AIR, Md. – Stephanie Mikles was hired in 2009 to be the behavioral specialist for Harford County Schools … but it is her behavior that may very well get her fired and did get her indicted.
The child advocacy center of Harford County began investigating Mikles last year, but did not anticipate finding evidence that would lead to the shocking indictmentAccording to court records and evidence of still photos, a grand jury indicted Mikles with “unnatural or perverted sexual practice.”
The indictment lacks a lot of detail but does say she had “sexual intercourse with a dog.”
The child advocacy center of Harford County began investigating Mikles last year, but did not anticipate finding evidence that would lead to the shocking indictmentAccording to court records and evidence of still photos, a grand jury indicted Mikles with “unnatural or perverted sexual practice.”
The indictment lacks a lot of detail but does say she had “sexual intercourse with a dog.”
Recent Incident
Miss Lube Rack 1955
You'll NEVER guess who it is.
Who was Miss Lube Rack 1955? [ Try guessing who it is before scrolling down too far. ]Now They Want to Take Away the 8-Hour Day and 40-Hour Week
Republicans are trying to pass an "alternative" to overtime pay. This is really about taking away the eight-hour workday and 40-hour workweek. Will weekends be next? What about an "alternative" to paying workers at all?
House Republicans are pushing a bill that takes away extra pay for overtime, substituting "comp" time instead. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is the law that brought us the eight-hour workday and the 40-hour workweek. This law does not prohibit employers from requiring workers to work over 40 hours. Instead, it gives employers an incentive to instead pay extra or hire more people, and gives employees a premium if they do have to work longer. (Note that this is also the law that brought us a minimum wage and outlawed child labor.)
There is proof that overtime pay works: workers like domestic workers and agricultural workers - jobs not covered by the FLSA - are twice as likely to have to work more than 40 hours in a week. And even with this law, Americans already work more hours than in almost any other industrialized country.
There is proof that overtime pay works: workers like domestic workers and agricultural workers - jobs not covered by the FLSA - are twice as likely to have to work more than 40 hours in a week. And even with this law, Americans already work more hours than in almost any other industrialized country.
BREAKING NEWS: Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In Florida
One winning ticket sold in Florida for record Powerball jackpot of more than $590 million, lottery official says.
From Fox News
From Fox News
The Trick To Suppressing Revolution: Keeping Debt/Tax Serfdom Bearable
The 30 million whose labor funds the parasitic status quo don't have to rebel; they simply have to stop going to work, stop starting enterprises, stop being productive.
Parasites must balance their drive to maximize what they extract from their host with the risk of losing everything by killing their host. This is the dilemma of the parasitic partnership of the central state and financial Elites everywhere: to extract the maximum possible in debt payments and taxes without sparking rebellion and revolution.
I have often commented on the current class structure, which paradoxically unites the interests of the top 1/5% of 1% and their political-class toadies and the bottom 50% who are drawing transfer payments/benefits from the state: both support the status quo because both receive direct benefits from it.
The 20% who pay most of the tax and service much of the debt are in the middle, a political minority of debt/tax serfs who finance the status quo, i.e. cartel-crony capitalism owned and operated by the financial and political Elites:
The Three-and-a-Half Class Society (October 22, 2012)
Entitlements, Taxes, Inequality and Three-Way Class Warfare (September 20, 2010)
Tyranny of the Majority, Corporate Welfare and Complicity (April 9, 2010)
Two Americas: The Gap Between the Top 5% and the Bottom 95% Widens (August 18, 2010)
Parasites must balance their drive to maximize what they extract from their host with the risk of losing everything by killing their host. This is the dilemma of the parasitic partnership of the central state and financial Elites everywhere: to extract the maximum possible in debt payments and taxes without sparking rebellion and revolution.
I have often commented on the current class structure, which paradoxically unites the interests of the top 1/5% of 1% and their political-class toadies and the bottom 50% who are drawing transfer payments/benefits from the state: both support the status quo because both receive direct benefits from it.
The 20% who pay most of the tax and service much of the debt are in the middle, a political minority of debt/tax serfs who finance the status quo, i.e. cartel-crony capitalism owned and operated by the financial and political Elites:
The Three-and-a-Half Class Society (October 22, 2012)
Entitlements, Taxes, Inequality and Three-Way Class Warfare (September 20, 2010)
Tyranny of the Majority, Corporate Welfare and Complicity (April 9, 2010)
Two Americas: The Gap Between the Top 5% and the Bottom 95% Widens (August 18, 2010)