Why City Of Salisbury Attorney Paul Wilber Needs More Money

Paul Wilber had a new home built on Shumaker costing $698,000.

Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
WICOMICO COUNTY
Real Property Data Search (2007 vw3.1) Go Back
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Account Identifier: District - 08 Account Number - 020043

TOTAL TRANSFER
Sale Date: 03/14/2008 Sale Type: IMPROVED ARMS-LENGTH
Sale Number: 80494 IMPROVED
WATERFRONT
From: HOMES BY BIJAN INC Consideration: $698,500
To: WILBER, PAUL D & JOANN H

Location Information
Location: 919 S SCHUMAKER DRIVE Liber/Folio 1: / 2907/ 533
SALISBURY Liber/Folio 2:
Use: R
RESIDENTIAL
Subdivision: Town: 001
SALISBURY
Status: 0 BPRUC:
Class: 000 TAXABLE

Map Grid Parcel Section Block Lot
48 5 558 A 4

Structure Data
Year Built Stories Grade Basement Type Exterior Enclosed Area
2007 2 ARCHITECT DESIGNED NO STANDARD UNIT SIDING 4,256 SF

Land Area:

American Democracy is Alive in Wicomico County

The People Have Spoken!



I was personally happy to see the people come together and present undisputable facts to our elected officials which helped them understand that we are watching and we will not tolerate wasteful spending of our money. I see that someone has offered property at $13,000 an acre. STILL to high. Negotiate Rick. Help the sellers understand the fair market value. You might be surprised how far it will go.

After giving it some thought last night, I was somewhat disappointed to hear Rick say that people were "pitted against their government". They weren't. The people merely exercised their right under the first amendment to publicly address their elected representatives to speak their mind relating to a purchase being made with public money. The statement made me feel that the citizens were somehow being viewed as ......revolutionary.....for speaking out against a pending purchase. It wasn't their govt. the people were speaking out against. It was the decision before the legislative body the citizens were addressing. I don't think Rick intended it to be taken any other way.

Prior to the press conference yesterday I had the occassion to speak with Gary Mackes. He still feels the inflated price of that land was something we should have tolerated. I told him that I don't care what those appraisals indicated, there is no way that land was worth $18,000 per acre. Mr. Mackes stated that he doesn't think that $7.00 for a sub is fair. He doesn't think that $4.00 a gallon for gas is fair.....but we have to spend it. Uh....NO we DON'T! I disagree with this mindset based on my position that we can choose to go home and make a sandwich for far less than $7.00. We have become dependant on fuel. We are NOT dependant on on parks. We have an obligation to be responsible with our finances. We cannot allow our govts. to tax and tax so that they can spend like there's no end to the money pit.

On a different note.....in the near future I hope to meet with Gary Mackes to find out what it will take to create a relationship between our schools and the mgmt. of the Civic Center to assure that the high school proms will be held here, in Wicomico County, in a building owned by the tax payers, built for the youth of Wicomico County. My understanding is that there are things most of us don't know which have created the situation as it currently exists.

Anyone care to provide any input so that I can have a more....."enlightened" conversation relating to this subject? If there are any reasonable questions people want asked relative to this matter.......let's get them up here so I can ask them. Keep in mind that Gary Mackes will be out of town for a few weeks so the meeting will have to take place upon his return.

Remember Joe Millionaire?

"Ahhhhh. Mwhah. Mmmmmm. Maybe it'll go better lying down? Slurp. Gulp. Slurp." Oooh, scandal!

I can see it now, Michael Shwartz gets his own show called, Who Wants To Marry The Most Influential Blogger?

Inside The Salisbury Zoo

It doesn't look like much has changed at the Salisbury Zoo. This shot was taken yesterday and just goes to show you, the Staff there just doesn't give a sh!t any more about that environment. Not that we haven't proven that in the past, it's simply a mess still today.

The new Zoo Director will have his hands full trying to convince these people to clean the place up and make it at least presentable, rather than playing games on the computer. Time to go back to work, eh guys?

One Year Ago Today

The Bethany Lutheran Church hosted a Candidates Forum on this day one year ago. As you can clearly see, Shanie Shields clearly showed her excitement about being there while also boasting her Uh Huh's and you got that right statements.

Sitting next to her was none other than Debbie Comegys, who confronted me in the parking lot before the event like a typical bully. Her Sister wanted to fight me, as I recall. "If I was a man I'd kick your ass," she said.

Today's Zoo Wildlife Photo

Surface-Water Quality At The Newland Park Landfill Site

In response to recent public inquiries into the County’s surface-water management practices at the Newland Park Landfill on Brick Kiln Road, the County asked Geosyntec Consultants (Geosyntec) to perform an audit of the surface-water quality monitoring program at the landfill site. Geosyntec, located in Columbia, Maryland, is an earth sciences consulting firm that specializes in landfill engineering and environmental quality assessments. Geosyntec has provided such services at over 20 different landfills in Maryland over the past 18 years, including the Newland Park Landfill, where Geosyntec has been implementing groundwater and landfill gas monitoring programs at the landfill for many years.

Surface-water quality at the landfill site is being monitored by the County in accordance with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is administered under the Federal Clean Water Act. The Newland Park Landfill currently holds two separate NPDES permits. One addresses surface-water quality in relation to landfill activities and the other addresses surface-water quality in relation to the landfill’s on-site borrow source. As required by these permits, water discharged from the landfill and the borrow source to surface-water features is sampled monthly by landfill employees for the parameters defined in the State-issued NPDES Permit. Geosyntec reviewed the laboratory test results of surface-water samples collected by landfill personnel dating back to 2003 and evaluated the results for compliance with the requirements of the NPDES permits. The data show that surface water leaving the landfill site has a nearly neutral pH, is free of suspended soils, and has a temperature similar to that of the water in the receiving stream. These sample results indicate that the facility is currently in compliance with the requirements of the NPDES permit, although over the years a few results have been slightly outside of the required range (but within about one percent of the normal value). Geosyntec’s finding is consistent with the findings of the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE’s) surface-water evaluation of the site in March 2008, which confirmed that the site is in compliance with the requirements of the permit.

Based on the review of the surface-water quality data that Geosyntec was provided, Geosyntec concludes that surface-water quality complies with the requirements of the NPDES permits.

Another Local Reporter Bites The Dust

Daily Times Reporter Joe "G" Gidjunis will be leaving the Daily Times on April 11th to head off to Cherry Hill, New Jersey where he will finally team up with his Wife/Bride. They plan on residing in Philly and make the trip over the state line to work for yet another Gannett Publications Newspaper.

As many of you know, Joe and I didn't see eye to eye all the time but in all fairness, he's a very good Reporter and since I'm called an expert in anything and everything, I should know. LOL

It was fun teaming up with you in the earlier days Joe and I personally wish you the very best. Keep them honest and no matter what else you do out there, don't let the likes of Greg Bassett or Joe Carmean edit your work.

WICOMICO COUNTY EXECUTIVE RICHARD M. POLLITT, JR., ON WEST METRO CORE PARK PROJECT

On Tuesday evening of this week the Wicomico County Council hosted a public hearing on a proposal to purchase land familiarly known as The Humphries Farm for future use as a community park serving the West Metro Core, a district defined by the county’s comprehensive plan for recreation and parks and adopted several years ago by the then-county council. The hearing followed a meeting of my own held last year at the Rockawalkin Methodist Community Hall which was itself preceded by a hearing at the Civic Center sponsored by the county recreation and parks department.

That a community park designed to serve the growing needs of a population center expected to top 14,000 residents in the next several years is not in dispute. For a period of ten years, county officials have been attempting to identify property that would comply with established criteria for a park and meet State requirements for funding under Program Open Space. The Humphries property, subsequently known as the Davis property fit all of the criteria.

From the start there were significant and well-grounded concerns expressed about traffic control and roads conditions that caused many to oppose location of a park at this particular location. Following my own hearing last year I believed if we could address the traffic safety issues satisfactorily, much of the opposition would turn to support. That has not happened. In fact, other issues have been raised since that time that have turned what should be a positive exercise in community improvement into a serious dispute pitting neighbor against neighbor and citizens against their government. The tone of the discussion has taken an ugly tone and quite, frankly, it’s time to bring it to a stop.

Without getting into the merits of the various elements of this debate I will say simply that a project such as this, the development of a community park to serve the recreational needs of a specific segment of our population should be one that is embraced by the hosting neighborhood with enthusiasm and excited anticipation. It should be an occasion for neighborhoods to come together, united in a common cause…a positive cause, rather than one based on suspicion and distrust. For whatever reason, we have lost that opportunity in this case and I announce today that I am withdrawing our proposal to purchase the property.

We are often taught that when one door closes another opens. One of the benefits of Tuesday’s public hearing is that several other property owners have contacted the county indicating their interest in selling land for the West Metro Core Park. Indeed, through the last year, I have held conversations over other potential sites. Some of these alternatives are quite promising and I assure you that we will follow every lead until we can identify and secure a place to provide for the legitimate recreational needs of our citizens.

In closing I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. John Davis for their patience and forbearance over this past year as we confronted the challenges before us. I expect they will proceed to build upon their preliminary approval from planning and zoning for a residential subdivision and, of course, we wish them well in that regard.

Press Conference At 5:00 Today

County Executive Rick Pollitt is expected to announce today at 5:00 PM the County will terminate their agreement to purchase the controversial Crooked Oak Park project.

I have not been informed any details but considering the timing, that would be my guess. The $18,000.00 per acre project brought out what Gary Mackes states as being the most controversial project he's ever been involved with in all the years he's worked with Wicomico County.

Personally, IF this is the case, my hat is tipped to Mr. Pollitt for recognizing Fiscal Responsibility and while this brought out a ton of negative reaction from the Taxpayers of Wicomico County, it also raised enough attention to bring out other people who own property in which they wanted to be recognized and considered by the county as well.

Also expected to be brought up in this meeting is the water quality coming from the Landfill to the Wicomico River. It is my understanding that the quality is in a good range, therefore the Mayor of Salisbury cannot point a finger at the County for participating in the controversial pollution spills so frequently in the recent past.

Keep in mind, the Mayor stated it had to do with Dog poop and Pigeon poop, not the WWTP spills. I'm sorry Folks, I'm trying to stay away from the word Idiot but what an Idiot!

I'll be back after 5:00 to fill you in on the update from the Press Conference but this would be my best guess on what we're going to hear.

Wanna Hear The Fireworks?

GO HERE and listen to the MP3 Audio File of last Monday night's City Council Meeting where Debbie Campbell & Terry Cohen tore the Mayor, Pick, Oland, Smith & Comegys a new one.

God Bless Our United States Marines

Young Republicans Hold A Successful Meeting

Last night the Wicomico County Young Republicans met at the Chamber of Commerce. Quite frankly, their group has almost as many in attendance as the regular Republican Club Meetings. It's truly a great sight to see these young people getting so involved. More Power To Them!

The Wicomico County Mobile Command Unit

Well, it's been a year since they received the unit from the Wicomico County Library and let me assure you, they put good money after good money on this project.

Today the Press had the pleasure of getting an exclusive tour through this unit, which is quite impressive. Cameras everywhere, inside and out. Internet access throughout the unit so Officers can set up with their laptops and get immediate information on suspects on the scene. It truly is an impressive piece of work, all for around $61,000.00!

The paint job alone is impressive, let alone the interior cabinets and flooring. The mounted lights on the rear have tripods where they detach from the unit and can be set and directed just about anywhere to illuminate the area.

This unit isn't just for emergency situations. It will also be used as a command center for events like Porqueena In The Park and other large events. A new Unit would have cost the Taxpayers at least $300,000.00, so retrofitting this unit was certainly a great taxpayer investment and once again the Sheriff's Department has proven fiscal responsibility and we should all be very proud of such an example.

This unit was paid for three different ways. Community Policing grant money, Wicomico County tax dollars and most importantly, Forfeiture money from drug arrests.

One Year Ago Today

Thanks to Linda Kent and several others, one year ago today she settled an agreement with the Old Mall Owners to make a donation to the Public Library as well as a reduction of units to be built on that location. Linda was also instrumental in taking these same owners to Court and getting a decision in her favor referencing the zoning for this property. Thank You Linda!

League of Women Voters Founding Meeting

Good Morning Folks.

Hope you all are ready for our second "founding" meeting for the League of Women Voters of Wicomico County. We were applauded for our "interest" meeting at the Market Street Inn, now we have a reputation to uphold; which should not be difficult with our group.

Please save the date of the 22 ND of April,In the evening, We have not worked out the details, however, some have requested a late in the month date, and this looks promising so far. The end of the month will be our permanent date for meetings. Honestly how often, where etc will be up to the group, we need your input.

If we continue along with a schedule we might be able to so something ambitious like have a 1st district debate prior to the election. (that would be wonderful to be able to establish Salisbury as a hub for 1st District political activities.)

We would appreciate it if you would invited friends to this meeting since it is
"Getting to Know You" meeting, and we will begin the process with the help of our mentor Carole Conors, VP of the State of Maryland League. Whom some of you all met at our dinner. Wonderful speaker and very committed person and so gracious to put her precious time into helping us.

You all have my e-mail,and most my phone number. 410-334-2344 please feel free to call me, with names if you want me to notify friends of the meeting, with ideas, with anything you wish to contribute.

Thank you, and happy spring.

Capitals Still In The Hunt For Postseason

With a 4-3 shootout overtime win against Tampa Bay last night the Washington Capitals remained in contention for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in a 5 way battle. The Boston Bruins won last night to bring them in a tie for 7/8th place with The Flyers with 88 points. Washington is only two points behind with 5 games remaining. The Caps have another game with Tampa Bay who are currently tied for the least number of points and have the fewest wins in the NHL. Two games are with the Florida Panthers who are mathematically still alive in the playoff hunt with 81 points.

The Capitals will also face the current playoff bound Carolina Hurricanes who are leading the Southeast Division. All Carolina is looking to hold on to their playoff spot and currently have 88 points. If Carolina falls from the top of the division Washington will secure their first playoff birth since 2002-03 season. The Caps need to get at least 7 points coupled with a loss or two by one of the teams. It's going to be a grinding final leg of the regular season.

Washington travels to Florida Saturday to play the Panthers at 7pm and will be aired on Comcast Sports.

The Criteria To Become An "All American City"

You tell me, does Salisbury qualify?

CRITERIA
For a community to be named an All-America City, it must be able to demonstrate successful resolution of community issues through collaborative effort. Award winning criteria include the following: active citizen involvement, effective and efficient government performance, maximized local philanthropic and volunteer resources, a strong capacity for cooperation and consensus building, community vision and pride, inter-group relations, community information sharing, and intercommunity cooperation.

All-America City Award Criteria

Participation of the public, private and nonprofit sectors and key constituencies to the maximum extent possible; Recognition and involvement of diverse segments and perspectives (ethnic, racial, socio-economic, age, etc.) in community decision-making; Creative use and leveraging of community resources; Significant and specific community achievements; Projects that address the community’s most important needs;
Cooperation across jurisdictional boundaries; Clear demonstration of project results and impacts (dollars raised or lives impacted); Projects which have impacted the community significantly within the last three years, and have potential to continue improving the quality of life; and at least one project should document ways in which the lives of children and youth have been tangibly improved.

110 Years Later....United States vs. Wong Kim Ark

A historic decision was handed down by the Supreme Court on March 28,1898, a decision that decreed any child born inside the United States to foreign parents who were NOT American citizens was indeed a U.S. citizen by virtue of birth.While it might have seemed like a good idea at the time,over a century later it is an economic,societal and diplomatic disaster.School systems,social services and other community resources are overburdened by the very large families of illegal immigrants who are taking advantage of Americas benevolence.They know that any children born inside American borders is an "instant citizen" and therefore qualifies them for food stamps,cash assistance,Medicaid and a host of other programs.Their children are also entitled to a public education and since many of them do not speak English,all of these taxpayer funded agencies have to hire extra people who can translate.A friend of mine who lives in a distant state reported that in her school district,public Pre-K is strictly limited to a)children in a home under the poverty level or b) children who do NOT speak English!Her tax dollars are good enough to support Pre-K instruction but her child is not welcome!The only alternative is expensive private school Pre-K or pre-school.Similar tales come in from those who have worked in a welfare office or hospital or clinic.Since Medicaid picks up the tab for prenatal care and childbirth,there is no incentive NOT to keep breeding more "citizens".As a country,when do we stand up and say we have had enough?Considering the horrific treatment that Chinese and other Asian immigrants received in the 1800's I can understand why it happened.(the decision)Although they worked long hours building railroads and working in mines among other things,they were severely discriminated against.Like the immigrants of 2008,they did jobs that were deemed too dangerous or difficult for anyone else.Unlike 2008 immigrants,these were proud immigrants who wanted to adapt to their new country,rather than force it to adapt to them.They were anxious and grateful for the opportunity they perceived to be here and they struggled to learn the language and understand the American culture.They did not demand to have Chinese or Cantonese translators-or run through the streets waving Peoples Republic of China flags and flaunting their illegal status.They paid their own way because there was no welfare back then.Older,more established immigrants networked to help new arrivals from their homeland to assimilate and survive.So the Supreme court could not possibly foresee the impact the decision would have decades later.As a Mother,the reality of this decision hits my heart-The Baltimore Sun did a story not too long ago about the American-born children of illegal immigrants who have had one or both parents deported.What happens to these young Americans when their father is picked up by INS?Unfortunately this issue never came into play when the historic decision was made in 1898.What do we do about it now?Do we give immunity to the parents,even though they are illegal,in an attempt to preserve families?Do we deport the minor children with the parents,although they are Americans just like you or I?

Dog Park Soils

The photo map has the Kiwanis Pavilion at the upper left of the colored box; N. Park drive goes thru diagonally from the lower left.

The soil classifications are:

KgB Klej-Galloway complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes, Partially
Hydric
LO Longmarsh and Indiantown soils, frequently flooded, All
Hydric
W Water, Unknown, Hydric

Hydric soils are defined by the National Technical Committee for Hydric
Soils (NTCHS) as soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding,
or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in
the upper part (Federal Register, 1994). Under natural conditions, these
soils are either saturated or inundated long enough during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of hydrophytic vegetation.

The dog park would be in the KgB soil area for the most part