Barrie Tilghman and Poogate

POOGATE

Tens of millions of dollars spent and the new waste water treatment plant just doesn't work.  Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman is doing all she can to spin this looming fiscal and political disaster.

"We're 99% compliant."  "The WWTP is 'substantially' complete."

There are just a few problems Barrie.  "Substantially complete" isn't complete.  "99% compliant" isn't good enough for Ivory soap, much less the Maryland Department of the Environment and the EPA.

At Tilghman's press conference today, she knew that she couldn't put enough lipstick on this pig by spinning those lines, so she pulled the same old tricks out of her old, shabby, tattered bag - she blamed it on the "blogs" and smeared the only two members of the city government that give a tinker's damn about the city's taxpayers and water and sewer ratepayers.

Without naming them directly, Tilghman implied that councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen violated privilege by "leaking" information about the city's Rube Goldberg WWTP and the fact that the city cannot meet it's state mandated May 1 permit deadline to those dirty, nasty blogs (like the one her son writes for).  As usual, the facts don't support Tilghman.

Stay tuned sports fans.  We'll have more (a lot more) at 8:30 AM.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

A New Record Day Has Arrived!

Salisbury News just blasted away our former record day and the night is still very young! You know something Folks. Even though this Mayor takes every opportunity to try to blast the Blogs, it always backfires on her and rewards us with mega hits. Mind you, she's getting smarter by not naming us by Salisbury News but once everyone Googles us or lets just say the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant, Salisbury News comes right up on top and guess what, there we are! Dee, Dee, Deeee!

In fact, when you do Google the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant we are the #1 Google Hit. So thanks again Barrie!

The above photo was taken today at the Press Conference and clearly shows one of the many faces of Mayor Barrie Tilghman. Lots of red in that face if you ask me. I don't know about you Barrie but I've had one of the best Birthday's I've ever experienced. Who would have ever dreamed my best present I have ever received would have actually come from you!

Two SPD Officers Escorted Out Of Police Department?

Word on the street is that a Cpl and a Lt were asked to turn in their guns and badges and were escorted out of the Salisbury Police Department today.

One source says they heard their was some suspensions today. The Roman Empire is crashing Folks. The SPD must be down quite a bit of Officers at this point and certainly Mr. Comegys can't actually believe the Department is fully staffed, as he likes to claim and Forums and Debates.

When I hear more in this I'll let you know.........

Voice Your Opinion On The Daily Times

The Daily Times has finally come up with a partial article, (brief as it may be) on the Salisbury WWTP. However, commenters are HOT. Their story says:

SALISBURY: City hires new consultant for WWTP, expects delays

Salisbury — Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman announced today the city has entered into contract with a new consultant for the completion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade and is requesting a permit extension from Maryland Department of the Environment.

Tilghman said certain filters within the system that drive the Biological Nutrient Removal process have slowed in efficiency and have delayed the testing of another new component.

See the full story in The Daily Times on Tuesday.

Here's ONE of the comments......

FriendWhosADem wrote:

Don't you people at the Daily Times realize how ridiculous your "slant" on these issues is? It can't be accidental that EVERY time these "leaders" screw up you choose to soft-pedal the situation....you cannot still believe that you have any credibility at all with the public, or that you're anything except a joke. I cancelled my subscription because of bad service a couple of years ago, and have since been trying to follow local issues online thru your website....the absolute mess that has been made of the city and the wasteful use of tax money should have been HONESTLY reported, instead you're just printing press releases issues from the foxes who are in the henhouse.

This is the last straw for me. You NEED to go out of business. I just feel sorry for some of your loyal employees, who have no control over your editorial position. Maybe their next employers will know the truth when they trip over it. You don't.

GO HERE to see more.

O M G!

Wait till GA Harrison puts up a Post tonight about the Press Conference! I know, this is a total tease but the lies and those caught in them today were just UNBELIEVABLE!

Whatever you do, watch 47 & 16 News tonight at 6:00 PM. Then come back and see the posts that follow here. There will be a Post tonight, one tomorrow and one the following day. Man, it just doesn't get any better than this Folks.

Salisbury's $84,000,000.00 Waste Water Treatment Plant Won't Work!

While many have wondered where the notorious Mayor Barrie Tilghman of Salisbury has been this past year, Salisbury News has the answer. She's been in hiding because she knew something none of you were aware of.

Ladies & Gentlemen, what you are about to hear is by far the biggest cluster, (you know what) the Eastern Shore has ever seen. The Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant could be a massive SCAM, costing Salisbury Taxpayers more than $40,000,000.00! That's right, it doesn't work and over the past 6 months your Mayor has known the system wasn't going to work!

Mayoral Candidate Gary Comegys prides himself on voting yes to a "Proprietary System." Here's the thing. Under accomplishments on his Campaign Website it says, " New Waste Water Treatment Plant (many years in the planning and design)" During debates and forum's he's constantly taking the position of just how proud he is on the new WWTP and how he was instrumental in the process, yet he has known there were some very serious issues at hand with it and kept it quiet.

This proprietary system has NEVER been made before, other than a model, (whatever that means) it has never been proven to work. It's a patented system, (so we were all told) in which, should ANYTHING ever go wrong, you can only rely on ONE company, (the company that designed this pipe dream) to fix it. Guess what, they can't fix it either!

At this very moment the company that was handling the OVERSIGHT of the Contractor has in fact been suspended. This is NOT good Folks. I have documents below proving the system will NOT work and your Mayor and Gary Comegys have known about this problem for quite some time. This is not the kind of people you want running your City, that's for sure. They want ALL of this to slide by all of you in the hopes of getting it past the election and then start pointing fingers later.

However, while Salisbury News has been aware of this situation since late Friday night, I held off exposing it so it would gain the biggest impact on Monday. To put it frankly with all of you, YOU'RE SCREWED! Mayor Tilghman sold you snake oil and Gary Comegys was the Vice President.

The Tilghman Administration has in fact contacted the MDE and have asked for yet another extension. Even though Mayor Tilghman stated we'd all be on line last September, even though she recently went so far as stated we're on time with the WWTP, SHE LIED! Her own State of the City Address said, it "was substantially completed in 2008." This was said on March 13, 2009.

A Consultant has been hired for the sum of $20,000.00 to come in and help figure out what has happened and what they currently have. In his letter dated 3-13-09 he stated, "It sounds like your treatment plant has been plagued with both process and physical/mechanical problems since start up." He goes on to expand on his rates both for engineering AND litigation. His litigation fees as an experts are $400.00 an hour, not included in his $20,000.00 fee. When "I" read litigation fees, someone is getting sued! Read between the lines Folks!

In a memorandum to the Mayor and Council dated 3-16-09 Mr. Messick states that "the City's engineering consultant, O'Brien & Gere Engineers, has been unable, after 6 months, to start up the new WWTP processes for compliance with the NPDES Permit Limits which are to come into effect on May 1, 2009." He goes on to say, "The City has selected another Engineer / Operations Expert (suspending O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc.) to assist the City in wastewater-treatment-process engineering, functional operations and adjustments for the upgraded and expanded WWTP processes and facilitate compliance with NPDES limits within the remaining approximate 1.5 - month time period, to avoid enforcement measures from MDE and EPA and prevent a non-compliant discharge to the environment from the Salisbury WWTP."

Just how much more of this crap are you people going to take. Here you have Comegys and Tilghman agreeing to pay out $40,000,000.00 for a system that has never been proven. They told you this thing would do things no other Plant could achieve, yet they never researched a finished product and now it will not work.

Ladies & Gentlemen, ANY good business person would NEVER hire a company to install a unique product for $40,000,000.00 that has never been proven! This is not a simple mistake. The Mayor, (through these letters) has been well aware that the system is NOT WORKING, yet she says nothing. The system was supposed to be up and running last September, it is not. Now, through Salisbury News you are learning for the very first time that things are not just bad, they're very bad.

This Mayor should be impeached immediately as ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The images below are the recent series of letters going back and forth on this matter, proving what I'm saying is accurate. You can click on these images and enlarge them and read for yourself just what's going on.

Gary Comegys rubber stamped far too many items as a Councilman. Developer reimbursements, the old mall, Sassafras annexation, the WWTP, can someone please tell me what this guy has done right? Muir Boda challenged Debbie Campbell for voting "NO" too often. Hey Muir, Debbie voted "NO" on most of the WWTP items too, what say you now?

If you want the entire Eastern Shore laughing at the City of Salisbury because the citizens were so stupid they actually voted this guy into office as Mayor, my God, give Gary Comegys your vote. If you want to wise up and throw these bums out of office once and for all, make a stand April 7th Ladies & Gentlemen and send these people the right kind of message, vote Jim Ireton.

Clearly this will be all over the local news by 12:00 today and if it isn't, well, then you'll know just how much power Barrie Tilghman has over the media. The documents I have provided clearly show this has been an issue for at least the past 6 months and nothing was said to you. The cover ups are over. The election is over. Get this woman out of the way because Jim Ireton has a lot of work ahead of him. Shame on you Barrie Tilghman AND Gary Comegys!

Early Morning Crash Claims Dover Woman’s Life

Dover – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating an early morning fatal crash that has killed a 78-year-old Dover woman. Troopers responded to the 3-car crash today at 7:43 am on Lebanon Road (State Route 10) at Blades Drive.

Investigators learned a 1995 Nissan Altima, operated by Kenneth L. Owens, 18 of Dover was traveling westbound on SR 10 in the left lane approaching Blades Drive. A 2001 Ford Focus, operated by Brian A. Lucykanish, 17 of Dover was traveling westbound on SR 10 behind the Altima.

A 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, operated by Emily M. Thompson, 78 of Dover was stopped on Blades Drive, waiting to cross over the westbound lanes of SR 10, when she entered the roadway in the path of travel of the Altima. As a result of this act, the Altima struck the Grand Am in the left rear causing the crash.

After the impact, the Focus then struck the Altima eventually leaving all vehicles coming to rest in the roadway. Because of the crash, the operator of the Pontiac Grand Am, Ms. Thompson, died at Kent General Hospital as a result of injuries sustained. She was wearing a seatbelt.

The other two operators were transported to Kent General Hospital, treated, and released for minor injuries. Currently, their seatbelt use in unknown. Alcohol is not a factor in the crash. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours and has been reopened.

The crash remains under investigation.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON FISCAL YEAR 2010 OPERATING BUDGET

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. announced today that his annual meeting to present his operating budget to the public is set for Thursday, April 2nd, at 7:00 P.M. in the Flanders Room of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Mr. Pollitt commented, “To say the least, preparing this year’s budget in the current economic atmosphere is challenging. I expect county revenues to be down by about $12 Million. That equals an operating budget of approximately $117 Million. Just two years ago, when I struck my first budget, we were at $132 Million. At the same time, the county tax rate has decreased. In Fiscal Year 2010, the tax rate will be below what it was in 1989. The major portion of the county budget is dedicated to education and public safety. There isn’t much left after that.”

“I am eager to share the details of my proposed budget with all of our citizens at the meeting on April 2nd,” continued Pollitt, “we have many challenges in front of us and we need to move forward together.”

Mr. Pollitt will submit his budget proposal to the County Council by April 15th. Per the Wicomico County Charter, the Council may delete from line items of the proposal but they may not add to line items or the total. If deletions are made, the executive may allocate that amount to other items. If the Council fails to approve the original or amended budget by June 15th, the budget as submitted goes into effect on July 1st.

Ireton Responds to Announcement of Tilghmans Press Conference on WWTP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 23rd, 3:45 pm

Ireton responds to announcement of Tilghman Press Conference on Wastewater Treatment Plant

--Salisbury--Candidate for Salisbury Mayor, Jim Ireton, today responded to yet another last minute, end of term, press conference by Salisbury Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman. Ireton said "It is my hope that someone in the media here in Salisbury will just ask the simple question: The plant cost taxpayers 40 million dollars. Mrs Tilghman, how much more will it cost to get this working?" This news at the Wastewater Treatment Plant comes on the heels of the Environmental Task Force recommending filtration systems for outfall pipes (that Ireton testified in favor of, and Mr. Comegys voted twice in the same night against) and the news that no report is due out from the Mayor's Crime Task Force. "We have 14 days until this kind of governance by drama ends. I encourage our citizens to listen carefully to what Mayor Tilghman has to say about taking full responsibility, you'll notice that we have heard it all before." Ireton added.

Wicomico Sheriff's Office Respond Quickly To Threatening Text Messages

Wicomico School System and Wicomico Sheriff's Office Respond Quickly to Threatening Text Messages, Arrest Suspect

Today at noon, the Wicomico County Public Schools received the same threatening electronic messages which were received in Delaware last week, with the addition of Parkside High School and Wicomico High School to the message. We have been working closely since we became aware of this situation in cooperation with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office which has determined that the threats were unfounded.

We are pleased to announce that, through fast response and diligent investigation, a suspect was apprehended, interviewed and, subsequently, confessed and was arrested. The suspect is a 16-year old male Wicomico County student living in Salisbury.

“The Wicomico County Public Schools would like to thank the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for its excellent work on this matter and wishes to assure the parents and guardians of students in the school system that safety is our first priority,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools. Parents and guardians with questions or concerns should contact their child’s principal.

“We will investigate incidents like these very aggressively. We take our students’ safety absolutely seriously,” Dr. Fredericksen said. “The school system would also like to thank the student body and parents who assisted with the investigation for the safety of all students.”

A joint press conference with the Superintendent of Schools and Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis will take place at the board at 3 p.m. Monday, March 23.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!!

Everyone drop what you're doing, Mayor Barrie Tilghman has called for an emergency Press Conference to wish me a Happy Birthday. No, seriously, she's called for a Press Conference TODAY at 3:45 at the GOB in room 306 referencing the Salisbury WWTP. Oh, this is going to be soooooo good! Mrs. I take full responsibility will find a way to blame this on the Blogs, you just wait and see.

Happy Birthday, Joe

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Possession of a Handgun
Date of Incident: 22 March 2009
Location: U.S. 13 S/B at St. Luke’s Road, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Donnell S. Dixon, 32, Newport, VA

Narrative: On 22 March 2009 at 11:35 PM, a deputy stopped a Ford SUV operated by Donnell Dixon of Virginia for erratic driving on the U.S. 13 bypass. Upon stopping the vehicle, the deputy discovered that the New York registration plates displayed on the Ford were supposed to be displayed on a Chevrolet sedan. Because of Dixon’s overt nervousness, the deputy investigated further and discovered that Dixon was in possession of both a loaded .45 cal handgun and a loaded 12 gauge shotgun. Both were transported concealed within the vehicle. The deputy placed Dixon under arrest for the illegal transport of the weapons.

Dixon was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Dixon was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.


Charges:
Wear/Carry a handgun in a vehicle
Wear/ Carry a handgun upon and about person
Wear/ Carry a Concealed dangerous Weapon (handgun)
Wear/ Carry a Concealed dangerous Weapon (shotgun)

The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 16 March – 22 March 2009

Arrest Warrants
Gerald Lynn Todd Jr., 25, Delmar, DE; CDS Poss w/ Intent Distribute/ Robbery, held $250,000.00 bond
James Lee Elliott, 60, Fruitland, MD; Sex Offense 2nd/3rd/4th degree, held without bond
Clarie Marie Hendrix, 25, Pittsville, MD; Theft less $500, theft scheme, held $3,000.00
Andrew C. Cannon, 18, Delmar, DE; Conspiracy to Armed Robbery, held $200,000.00 bond
Manuel Kevin Diaz, 43, Salisbury; Att. Burglary / MDOP, held $35,000.00
Latoya Cherie Blake, 18, Salisbury; Assault 2nd Degree, Released personal recognizance

Failure to Appear Bench Warrant
Georgia Lee Moffitt, 42, Eden, MD; FTA Robbery, held no bond
Latrina J. Coverdale, 20, Salisbury; FTA, Theft under $100.00, held $1,000.00
Kirk E. Holden, 38, Salisbury; FTA for VOP hearing, Escape 1st Degree, held without bond
Kenneth Lee McMillion, 34, Salisbury; FTA Drive Suspended, held Without Bond
April C. Figgs, 24, Salisbury; FTA Motor Veh Theft / Poss CDS, held $5,000.00
Tyrus Mel Davis, 29, Salisbury; FTA Theft under $500, held $5,000.00

Violation of Probation Bench Warrant
David M. Arvey, 49, Georgetown, DE; VOP Theft/Assault 2nd, held $10,000.00
Brian Edward Tribeck, 34, Fruitland, MD; VOP DUI, Drive Revoked, held $25,000.00
Luis Edward Colon, 21, Salisbury; VOP Burglary, held $50,000.00
Iberson Marcelus, 20, Salisbury; VOP Theft under $100, held $5,000.00
Mary V. Hutchins- Lake, 50, Baltimore; VOP Assault 1st Degree, held $25,000.00

Circuit Court Bench Warrant – Child Support Non Compliance
James C. Grady, 29, Salisbury; Child Support Non Compliance, held $1,000.00
Kevin James Corbin, 41, Child Support Non Compliance, held $1,000.00
Edward S. Seehafer Jr., 31, Child Support Non Compliance, held $1,000.00
Kenneth lee McMillion, 34, Salisbury; Child Support Non Compliance, held $2,000.00

Circuit Court Indictment
Darrell Wayne Jones, Jr., 16, Salisbury; Robbery / Assault 1st Degree (charged as adult) held without bond

Fugitive from Justice
Michael Shane Eskridge, 35, Fugitive from Delaware, Held without Bond pending extradition back to DE

WMDT Raises Another $1,200.00 For Women Supporting Women

WMDT & Mitchell's Martial Arts opened up the old Skate Land Roller Rink and raised $1,200.00 more towards Women Supporting Women. Mitchell's gave 100% of the take at the door for this event and quite frankly, everyone had a blast. I'll give WMDT one thing, they sure know how to give back to their community.

Fruitland Police Department Press Release

Case #: 2009-9226
Incident: Domestic Assault/CDS Violation
Date March 22, 2009
Location: S. Camden Avenue Fruitland, Md.

Charged:
Joy Ellen Cabral
Cauc. Female DOB 04/14/1981
S. Camden Avenue
Fruitland, Md.

Charges:
2nd Degree Assault
Reckless Endangerment
Possession of CDS Paraphernalia

Disposition: Remanded to custody of the Wicomico County Detention Center

On Sunday, March 22, 2009 at approximately 0100 officers responded to S. Camden Avenue in response to a domestic assault complaint. Upon arrival, officers observed the complainant to have several bleeding scratches on his nose and around his eye, scratches on his chest, neck, back and stomach area and a bruise on his back. The complainant advised he was in bed when his girlfriend, Joy Ellen Cabral, came home after having been gone for several days. He advised that Cabral began doing drugs in the bathroom and wanted to use his cell phone in order to get some more. The complainant refused at which time Cabral launched into a tirade that resulted in the complainant being punched, scratched and struck with fists, hands and thrown objects which included knives, forks and a radio.

During the course of the investigation, officers observed a glass pipe containing CDS residue which had been used and left in a chair by Cabral when she returned home.

Cabral was arrested and charged with Domestic Violence and Violation of CDS laws.

Camden Neighborhood Forum Update

Joe,

Just to keep everyone abreast of who of the candidates will be attending, here's the current tally and responses:

Comegys - regrets
Ireton - confirmed
Boda - confirmed
Campbell - confirmed
Polk - confirmed
Shields - not yet responded

Tim Spies

Obrien & Gere WWTP Brochure

Link to an Obrien & Gere promo that touts its design on the WWTP here - http://www.obg.com/media/File/brochures/EnhancedNutrientRemovalBrochure.pdf

Are You A Militant?

If you're an anti-abortion activist, or if you display political paraphernalia supporting a third-party candidate or a certain Republican member of Congress, if you possess subversive literature, you very well might be a member of a domestic paramilitary group.

That's according to "The Modern Militia Movement," a report by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a government collective that identifies the warning signs of potential domestic terrorists for law enforcement communities.

"Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created," the Feb. 20 report reads. "Unemployment rates are high, as well as costs of living expenses. Additionally, President Elect Barrack [sic] Obama is seen as tight on gun control and many extremists fear that he will enact firearms confiscations."

GO HERE to see more.

Suspect’s Identity Sought In Over the Counter Medication Theft Case

Location of Incident: Acme, 2098 Naamans Road, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Friday, March 20, 2009, at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Suspect(s): White female, 20 – 30 years old, average build, brown hair pulled back in a pony tail, wearing a black and gray horizontally striped shirt

Resume: Troopers assigned to the Troop 1 Retail Theft Unit are seeking the identity of a theft suspect.

On March 20th, a white female walked into the Acme in the F&N Shopping Center, on Naamans Road, and made her way to the over-the-counter medication section. She selected multiple bottles of pain relievers (11 total and valued at approximately $150.00) from display and concealed them in her purse. She then exited the store without paying.

Anyone who may recognize this subject, captured on surveillance video, is asked to call 302-761-6677 ext. 322.

Help Mayoral Candidate Jim Ireton Reach $10,000.00

Jim has passed the $9,000 mark in donations, and we have YOU to graciously thank for it! From the beginning of this campaign, Jim has actively sought out supporters and friends to help fund his run for Mayor, and you have stepped up to the plate, time and time again. To all of you, Jim says THANK YOU!

We have less than one thousand dollars to go in reaching our goal of $10,000 before the election, and we still have literature, postage, mailers, advertisements, etc. to purchase, in order to get Jim's message out to ALL of the voters of Salisbury.

Will do donate to help us reach, and possibly exceed, this goal? With 2 weeks to go, THIS is 'crunch time'.

Please go to the website and donate directly:

http://jimireton.com/donate.html

Or you can make a check payable to "Jim Ireton For Mayor" and mail it to:

Jim Ireton For Mayor
c/o Michael Elliott, Treasurer
1111 Fairview Ln
Salisbury, MD 21801

Thank you for your continued support. Jim could not have done any of this without you! LET'S HIT THAT $10,000.00 GOAL!

Thanks,
Campaign Committee for Jim Ireton

In accordance with Title 1.12.030 A. No candidate for mayor or for member of the city council shall receive campaign contributions in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per individual or entity per campaign in cash and/or in-kind services of a commercial nature. Authority: Michael W. Elliott, Treasurer