Well, take today as a perfect example. While we enjoyed an excellent Friday last Friday, today we're down so far by about 1,000 hits. OK, I know there's still plenty of time to get 1,000 more hits for the day, that's cool. But here's where I make my point.
The Daily Times & WBOC like to openly mention their Websites get 3,000,000 page views per month. In today's Daily Times they provided a link to Salisbury News. IF, let me repeat, "IF" the Daily Times was getting so much more traffic than Salisbury News, our hits today would reflect it. We have monitored this in the past and I have even made posts about the absolute fact that even with the additional Press, we did not see a spike in our hots for that day.
So the Daily Times can go on and on about how great their doing but we know here at Salisbury News that we own the local market, or at least share the same customer base. Granted, it would have been nice, (honestly, it would) if we did see a spike, because we would have at least known there would be that much more business out there to be had. After three times of having articles where a link or address was provided, no spike, no additional traffic, time to start selling more ad space.
The cool part about knowing this is that we now know we have just as much to offer to the local business people as the Daily Times does. We're fresher, we're faster, we're more enjoyable and we're very bias, LOL.
It only took 4 years to compete and capture the entire marketplace. Now let's see what we can do by going to the next level and proving to those advertisers we can get them more traffic than they had ever seen from the Daily Times.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 15, 2009
State Police On-Scene Of Serious Crash
Middletown – The Delaware State Police are currently on-scene of a serious crash located in the northbound lane of USRT 1 in the area of Bayview Road, north of Odessa.
Preliminary reports indicate one person has been ejected and is in critical condition. The northbound lane is closed and motorists should seek alternative routes. When additional information is known it will be provided.
UPDATE:
Middletown Crash a Confirmed Fatality
The Delaware State Police are confirming the female operator of the vehicle involved has died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Additionally, three children were inside the vehicle during the crash. One male juvenile was flown to Christina Hospital by DSP helicopter and is in serious condition. Two other juveniles, a male and female, were taken by ambulance to Christiana Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The single car crash remains under investigation and when additional details are confirmed they will be released.
Bad News For Princess Anne, Great News For Salisbury
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There aren't many Police Officers I have ever met that weren't genuinely great people. However, there are a hand full of them that I hold some of the greatest respect in the world for. Without expressing who all of them actually are, one of them you wouldn't have to take a split second to know it's Sheriff Mike Lewis. He's my favorite "White Cop." Now Ernie Leatherbury, he's my favorite "Black Cop." I know Ernie has a huge smile on his face right now reading this because he knows me better than most people out there and he knows I don't see color and can enjoy my warped sense of humor.
But seriously Folks, Ernie has just been made Barracks Commander right here in Salisbury and will be leaving Princess Anne to come join the ranks of all of the other fine Officers at the Salisbury Barracks.
Now Ernie knows that it has been my own personal desire to see him replace the Salisbury Police Chief Webster. In fact, every time I see Ernie I shake his hand and say, hello Chief. Ernie always responds with a slight punch in the arm, a smile and the old, come on Joe.
This is a fine young man and we're all very lucky to have him here in Salisbury. In fact, I'd like to welcome him by taking out the entire squad of Officers across the street to Sam's Club for a Nathan's Hot Dog and a Soda, my treat. LOL We'll call it a Carbonated Soda Party, then get right back to work.
Seriously though, Congratulations Ernie and even more so, Congratulations Salisbury Barrack! They just don't get any better than this fine gentleman and there's no question he'll fit right in with the rest of the fine Officers in Salisbury. Just think, finally, someone local to set the bar for the Sheriff's Department. LMAO!
Its Time To Win A FREE Pair Of Fernando Guerrero Fight Tickets
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OK Folks, the challenge is back on! The first person to answer the following question correctly will win a FREE pair of tickets to the upcoming Main Event at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Remember, during this contest you can only win once.
Fernando Guerrero is represented by Prize Fight Promotions. What record setting Mega Fight was co-promoted by Prize Fight Promotions?
Police Officers, Firefighters, EMS Paramedics and Military personnel with ID's, (the people that protect our country and communities) get a 20% discount to this fight.
Good Luck everyone! REMEMBER, you must use your full name to be included with your answer/comment.
Wicomico MOE Waiver Denied - State Gives Finger to Wicomico Citizens
The Maryland State Board of Education has denied Wicomico County's request for a waiver of the state's Momentum of Effort rule. County Executive Rick Pollitt, along with the Wicomico County Council will now be forced to come up with approximately $2 million in additional cuts to the county's budget.
Council Joe Holloway (R-5) responded to the state's decision:
This is the heart of the problem. According to the Wicomico county charter it is the responsibility of our County Executive and seven elected members of the county council to determine how our tax money is to be spent. Yet, Fredericksen seems to believe that he and a group of appointees should be able to dictate the county's spending priorities. The arrogance of some just never ceases to amaze me.
I'm quite confident that Sheriff Mike Lewis is grateful that Fredericksen, an appointee of appointees, will find the goodness in his heart to help fund law enforcement in Wicomico County. I'm sure that our county council is grateful to now find out that they are irrelevant. Fredericksen and his school board pals will now take care of the county legislature's most important duty - appropriating our tax dollars and providing fiscal oversight to the county executive. As for my friend Rick Pollitt, I'm sure that he's happy to know that he can now take a long vacation until his term has ended. County Administrator Ted Shea and the department heads can handle business while the WCBOE dictates how they will spend the taxpayers' money.
We need to look long and hard at the school budget for this year. IF Fredericksen can honestly find $2 million in cuts, then why haven't they? Why did they oppose the MOE waiver? The answer is simple - POWER. Fredericksen and his merry band of bureaucrats want us - the voters and taxpayers - to be somehow grateful for them WASTING OUR MONEY! This makes it that much easier to keep kowtowing to their employee unions.
Wicomico County is facing a legitimate fiscal crisis. As someone who is opposed to the revenue cap on principle, I have been willing to entertain the notion that repeal should be, at least, discussed. However, given the actions of the WCBOE I am forced to admit that the revenue cap (as a practical matter) cannot be repealed. Today's decision shows that a group of appointed individuals, who have nothing but contempt for the Wicomico taxpayer, already have FAR TOO MUCH control over how our tax dollars are spent.
In the next few weeks we will see how the county fairs. If even deeper cuts are required to public safety and infrastructure, remember -
cross posted on Delmarva Dealings
Council Joe Holloway (R-5) responded to the state's decision:
I'm disappointed. I was hoping that as a county, the Board, Rick Pollitt and the County Council could work as a team to solve our current fiscal dillemma. Unfortunately, Dr. Fredericksen's efforts seem to have derailed our attempts to weather the county's current financial situation.Councilwoman Gail Bartkovich believes that the WCBOE should find a solution within their own budget:
I think that the board of education needs to find those cuts in their own budget. Our county departments can't make any more cuts this year. While county employees are receiving no pay increase this year, and we're even talking about furlough days, the board is able to increase benefits for their retirees.On Tuesday night, in response to comments I made before the board, Supt. John Fredericksen claimed that he was working with the county to find cuts. He even made a comment that, "If the Sheriff's department needs $100,000 we could find it for them."
This is the heart of the problem. According to the Wicomico county charter it is the responsibility of our County Executive and seven elected members of the county council to determine how our tax money is to be spent. Yet, Fredericksen seems to believe that he and a group of appointees should be able to dictate the county's spending priorities. The arrogance of some just never ceases to amaze me.
I'm quite confident that Sheriff Mike Lewis is grateful that Fredericksen, an appointee of appointees, will find the goodness in his heart to help fund law enforcement in Wicomico County. I'm sure that our county council is grateful to now find out that they are irrelevant. Fredericksen and his school board pals will now take care of the county legislature's most important duty - appropriating our tax dollars and providing fiscal oversight to the county executive. As for my friend Rick Pollitt, I'm sure that he's happy to know that he can now take a long vacation until his term has ended. County Administrator Ted Shea and the department heads can handle business while the WCBOE dictates how they will spend the taxpayers' money.
We need to look long and hard at the school budget for this year. IF Fredericksen can honestly find $2 million in cuts, then why haven't they? Why did they oppose the MOE waiver? The answer is simple - POWER. Fredericksen and his merry band of bureaucrats want us - the voters and taxpayers - to be somehow grateful for them WASTING OUR MONEY! This makes it that much easier to keep kowtowing to their employee unions.
Wicomico County is facing a legitimate fiscal crisis. As someone who is opposed to the revenue cap on principle, I have been willing to entertain the notion that repeal should be, at least, discussed. However, given the actions of the WCBOE I am forced to admit that the revenue cap (as a practical matter) cannot be repealed. Today's decision shows that a group of appointed individuals, who have nothing but contempt for the Wicomico taxpayer, already have FAR TOO MUCH control over how our tax dollars are spent.
In the next few weeks we will see how the county fairs. If even deeper cuts are required to public safety and infrastructure, remember -
- If your house is burning down and the fire truck doesn't get there in time - call John Fredericksen
- If your spouse clutches their chest in pain and the ambulance doesn't arrive in time - call Michelle Wright
- If the wheels fly off your car because the roads are nothing but a series of potholes - call Mark Thompson
- When someone robs your house and the deputies can't respond with their usual speed - call Ron Willey
cross posted on Delmarva Dealings
CITY MAYOR HELPS RAISE MONEY FOR WESTSIDE BASEBALL LEAGUE AND SALISBURY SKATEPARK
Mayor James Ireton, Jr., will help raise funds for the Westside Baseball League by participating in the West Salisbury Little League’s Annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the West Salisbury Little League Field located on Pemberton Drive. There will be moon bounces, water slides, carnival-type games, and a dunking booth. Mayor Ireton will make a special guest appearance in the dunking booth at 11:00 a.m. Practice your pitching skills at the dunking booth!
Mayor Ireton will then be attending the Salisbury Skatepark Committee’s Second Annual Fundraising event on Saturday, May 16th, at Emmanuel Weslyean Church, located near the intersection of Route 50 and Beaglin Park Drive. Admission is $5.00. The skate session starts at Noon. There will be a Best Trick contest, 50/50 raffle, food, and more. Come support the Salisbury Skatepark Committee’s goal of raising the money necessary to build and operate a free public skateboarding facility, and see the Mayor’s skills on a skateboard!
The public is encouraged to attend these events and support the Salisbury Skatepark and the Westside Baseball League.
TAKE PRIDE IN BERLIN COMMUNITY MEETING
THURSDAY MAY 21 7:00 P.M.
MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING
FLOWER STREET
Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel Todd is sponsoring A community wide meeting at the Multi-Purpose Building on Flower St. on Thursday May 21 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss law enforcement plans to permanently remove open-air drug dealing from the streets of Berlin. This meeting is open to all. The plan will involve a completely new approach to responding to drug dealing and community problems.
Please join us for this important meeting. You will have an opportunity to confront drug dealers and community leaders to let them know the effect criminal activity is having on your life and the lives of your family and community.
Please attend and help us remove open air drug dealing from our community!
Two Easton, MD Men Arrested For Burglaries
Laurel – The Delaware State Police have arrested two Maryland men for two Burglaries and related offenses after Laurel Police Officers apprehended them during a suspicious person investigation.
The investigation began yesterday at approximately 5:00 am when a concerned citizen called 911 reporting two suspicious persons wearing masks in the parking lot of the Shop and Stop in Laurel. When Laurel Officers arrived, the two persons fled on foot and were apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
Police later located a red Ford Ranger Pick-up parked on the side of the store that belonged to the pair. Located in plain view of the bed of the pick-up were several new fishing poles, tackle boxes and chicken grilling grates. Police also located inside the vehicle $39.00, crowbars, gloves, masks, wire-cutters, bolt-cutters and several tools.
Shortly before this apprehension, at 3:59 am a burglar alarm was activated at the Laurel VFW, located at 12168 Laurel Rd. Investigating troopers learned the business was broken into and the rear door was pried open. Additionally, several wires to lights and the alarm system were cut. Fishing poles, tackle boxes and chicken cooking grates were removed.
Furthermore, on the same date at 4:41 am a burglary was reported at Carey’s Garage located at US 13 and SR 24 in Laurel. In this case, a lock to the rear fence was cut to gain entry. The culprits attempted to pry open a shed without success and broke a window to the front door of the business. Once the window was broken, the thieves entered and stole a cash register that contained $39.00.
Detectives also located a rubber glove left at the scene that matched the ones recovered in the red Ford Ranger. As a result of the apprehension, detectives arrested David C. Austin, Jr., 39 of Easton, MD and Shawn D. Radcliffe, 46 of Easton, MD for the 2 counts of Burglary 3rd, 2 counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd degree, 3 counts of Theft and 2 counts of Criminal Mischief.
Both persons were remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of an $11,000 secured bond.
The investigation began yesterday at approximately 5:00 am when a concerned citizen called 911 reporting two suspicious persons wearing masks in the parking lot of the Shop and Stop in Laurel. When Laurel Officers arrived, the two persons fled on foot and were apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
Police later located a red Ford Ranger Pick-up parked on the side of the store that belonged to the pair. Located in plain view of the bed of the pick-up were several new fishing poles, tackle boxes and chicken grilling grates. Police also located inside the vehicle $39.00, crowbars, gloves, masks, wire-cutters, bolt-cutters and several tools.
Shortly before this apprehension, at 3:59 am a burglar alarm was activated at the Laurel VFW, located at 12168 Laurel Rd. Investigating troopers learned the business was broken into and the rear door was pried open. Additionally, several wires to lights and the alarm system were cut. Fishing poles, tackle boxes and chicken cooking grates were removed.
Furthermore, on the same date at 4:41 am a burglary was reported at Carey’s Garage located at US 13 and SR 24 in Laurel. In this case, a lock to the rear fence was cut to gain entry. The culprits attempted to pry open a shed without success and broke a window to the front door of the business. Once the window was broken, the thieves entered and stole a cash register that contained $39.00.
Detectives also located a rubber glove left at the scene that matched the ones recovered in the red Ford Ranger. As a result of the apprehension, detectives arrested David C. Austin, Jr., 39 of Easton, MD and Shawn D. Radcliffe, 46 of Easton, MD for the 2 counts of Burglary 3rd, 2 counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, 2 counts of Conspiracy 2nd degree, 3 counts of Theft and 2 counts of Criminal Mischief.
Both persons were remanded to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of an $11,000 secured bond.
Note - Mr. Radcliffe is the person with the left earring.
Farrah Fawcett - Still With Us, But Fading
Farrah Fawcett's battle with cancer seems to be coming to a close.
The sixty-two year old actress and period pop icon was diagnosed
with anal cancer two years ago. She is now reported to not be
receiving additional anti-cancer drugs, and is bedridden and
on i.v. support.
A biography here, with more links here.
NBC's "Farrah's Story," a two-hour special, will air May 15 at 9 pm.
It will include video Fawcett shot during her struggle with anal cancer.
The Audacity Of Unawareness
Barack Obama, through his spokesman, claimed that he was unaware of the tax day tea parties. Granted, the Main Stream Media has done a good job in suppressing any sort of coverage ahead of time (and the little coverage they did provide was derisive at best)… but how out of touch is the Community Organizer in Chief, really?This much:
- He was unaware that he was attending a church (for 20 years) with a racist pastor who hates America .
- He was unaware that he was family friends with, and started his political career in the living room of, a domestic terrorist.
- He was unaware that he had invested in two speculative companies backed by some of his top donors right after taking office in 2005.
- He was unaware that his own aunt was living in the US illegally.
- He was unaware that his own brother lives on pennies a day in a hut in Kenya .
- He was unaware of the AIG bonuses that he and his administration approved and signed into a bill.
- He was unaware that the man he nominated to be his Secretary of Commerce was under investigation in a bribery scandal.
- He was unaware that the man he nominated to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services was a tax cheat.
- He was unaware that the man he nominated to be his Secretary of the Treasury was a tax cheat.
- He was unaware that the man he nominated to be the U.S. Trade Representative was a tax cheat.
- He was unaware that the woman he nominated to be his Chief Performance Officer was a tax cheat.
- He was unaware that the man he nominated to be #2 at the Environmental Protection Agency was under investigation for mismanaging $25 million in EPA grants.
For the love of God, there are people in comas that are more aware of world affairs than this guy!!!!!!!!!!
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release
Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 14 May 2009
Location: Vine Street at Roger Street, MD
Suspect: Antoine S. Chaney, 19, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 14 May 2009 at 8:33 PM, a deputy from the WCSO stopped a vehicle that displayed an expired registration plate. During the traffic stop, a WCSO K9 team arrived and conducted a scan for the presence of the odor of illegal drugs, during which the K9 alerted to that odor. During the subsequent investigation, one of the passengers, Antoine Chaney, was discovered to have marijuana in his pocket.
Chaney was placed under arrest and transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Chaney was released by the Commissioner on Personal recognizance.
Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Incident: Attempted Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 14 May 2009
Location: 200 block of Morris Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 14 May 2009 at 11:45 PM, deputies from the WCSO responded to a reported attempted residential burglary in the 200 block of Morris Street in Salisbury. Upon the arrival of the deputies, they discovered the homeowners were inside the residence and upstairs when they heard one of their downstairs windows shatter. Upon investigating, the homeowner went outside and observed who he believed to be a white male approximately 5’ 10" wearing a white cap standing in the street several houses from the victim. When the victim attempted to approach this individual, he ran and was unable to be located by either the homeowner or the deputies.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4890 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
East Salisbury Elementary Holds Career Day
East Salisbury Elementary Holds Career Day, Taste of Maryland Day Friday, May 15
East Salisbury Elementary School will hold a Career Day for fifth-graders and its annual Taste of Maryland Day celebration for fourth-graders in Friday, May 15.
Fifth-graders will attend a career fair designed to expose them to different careers in the community. During the morning session (9-11:30 a.m.), students can chat with Sidney Johnson of the Maryland State Highway Administration, Lore Chambers of the Mayor's Office, Cyndi Slacom on health careers, Creig Twilley of PAC 14, and Keith English and Eric Gosnell of Pepsi. In the afternoon session (12:45-3:15 p.m.), Career Day guests will be Tom Redden of Perdue, Capt. Shue of the Armed Services, Betty Cook on nursing, Nicole Griffin-Winder of Wicomico County Juvenile Justice, and members of the Wicomico County K-9 Unit.
Fourth-graders have prepared for the Taste of Maryland Day by hearing a presentation on "Farming in Maryland" by Connie Oakley Wednesday. The students traveled to Oakley's Farm Market in Hebron to pick strawberries for strawberry shortcake and learn about how strawberries are grown on the Shore.
From 9-11 a.m. on Friday, Dana Evans of Classic Cakes in Salisbury will demonstrate how a multi-layer Smith Island Cake is made, talk about life on Smith Island, and give cake samples to the students.
Then, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., it's time for the Taste of Maryland feast, with students enjoying steamed crabs (many of them for the first time), barbecued chicken, watermelon and strawberry shortcake. The Taste of Maryland Day will conclude with a waterman presentation from 2-3:25 p.m.
Editors Note: This just came out.
East Salisbury Elementary School will hold a Career Day for fifth-graders and its annual Taste of Maryland Day celebration for fourth-graders in Friday, May 15.
Fifth-graders will attend a career fair designed to expose them to different careers in the community. During the morning session (9-11:30 a.m.), students can chat with Sidney Johnson of the Maryland State Highway Administration, Lore Chambers of the Mayor's Office, Cyndi Slacom on health careers, Creig Twilley of PAC 14, and Keith English and Eric Gosnell of Pepsi. In the afternoon session (12:45-3:15 p.m.), Career Day guests will be Tom Redden of Perdue, Capt. Shue of the Armed Services, Betty Cook on nursing, Nicole Griffin-Winder of Wicomico County Juvenile Justice, and members of the Wicomico County K-9 Unit.
Fourth-graders have prepared for the Taste of Maryland Day by hearing a presentation on "Farming in Maryland" by Connie Oakley Wednesday. The students traveled to Oakley's Farm Market in Hebron to pick strawberries for strawberry shortcake and learn about how strawberries are grown on the Shore.
From 9-11 a.m. on Friday, Dana Evans of Classic Cakes in Salisbury will demonstrate how a multi-layer Smith Island Cake is made, talk about life on Smith Island, and give cake samples to the students.
Then, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., it's time for the Taste of Maryland feast, with students enjoying steamed crabs (many of them for the first time), barbecued chicken, watermelon and strawberry shortcake. The Taste of Maryland Day will conclude with a waterman presentation from 2-3:25 p.m.
Editors Note: This just came out.
Cash For Clunkers 101
What You Need To Know
by Kevin Ransom
U.S. auto sales continue to slump, but the car industry (and the overall economy) may get a much-needed jolt -- that is, if backers of the so-called "cash for clunkers" bill have presumed correctly.
But, it's not a given that they have.
The plan is gaining steam in Congress. It has also earned the support of Detroit carmakers, the Obama administration and the United Auto Workers. But some critics still question whether it will sufficiently boost new-vehicle sales or adequately jump-start the economy.
The bill, introduced by Ohio Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, would give government-backed vouchers to car buyers who trade in their older, less-fuel-efficient vehicles for new vehicles that boast better fuel economy. The vouchers would be worth either $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the vehicle class and the extent of the fuel- efficiency upgrade. In early May, the bill won the approval of key House Democrats and the White House.
The program would last for one year, and backers say it would encourage the purchase of 1 million new cars and trucks. The plan would be a part of a larger energy bill, which House leaders hope to pass before the Memorial Day recess.
"This 'cash for clunkers' program will help consumers, stimulate our economy, improve our environment, maintain jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help our domestic auto and related industries," Rep. Sutton said. "This approach demonstrates that we can achieve multiple worthy goals."
When the measure was first announced, Ford Motor Co. Chairman Bill Ford wrote an opinion column in USA Today, predicting that the program would boost sales by 2.5 million vehicles. The country should "use the tools that our government possesses, and routinely deploys in so many other ways, to help move the economy more swiftly to a better place," Ford wrote.
General Motors spokesman Kerry Christopher echoed those sentiments.
"GM supports this plan, and we urge Congress to move forward quickly to enact this program for the U.S. market," said Christopher. "We hope that it would offer some stimulation in the marketplace, and that's what all of us need right now. It's a good opportunity to stimulate new car sales."
Meanwhile, a competing bill in the Senate would give consumers fewer vouchers than the House plan and would require that the subsidies be limited to new cars that get 25% better gas mileage than current minimum fuel standards (27.5 miles per gallon for passenger cars and 23.1 for trucks). The Senate generally pushes for tougher environmental standards than the House.
Some groups are critical of the House plan, saying that the vehicles purchased under the program should be required to meet higher mileage standards. One critic is Therese Langer, Transportation Program Director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. She points out that, under the proposed House plan, a standard pickup truck could qualify with a fuel economy rating 15 miles per gallon -- which is significantly lower than the current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAF? standard for trucks.
"The scrappage bill (originally) introduced in the House in January only offered vouchers to vehicles that met much higher fuel-economy thresholds," Langer said. "But now, the effort is geared toward helping carmakers sell all the vehicles that are sitting on their lots -- even the less fuel-efficient ones."
"People in Congress are tying themselves in knots trying to figure out how to help the auto industry, and the industry does need help," Langer said. "But Congress should design the program to achieve the desired increase in vehicle sales without sacrificing environmental priorities -- and without saddling consumers with gas guzzlers at the taxpayer expense."
The House plan also does not provide vouchers for the purchase of used cars, and auto recyclers don't like it because the clunkers would then have to be crushed.
Backers of the plan are taking their cues in part from nations like England and Germany, where such plans have helped to increase vehicle sales. Earlier this year, a similar program in Germany boosted the nation's vehicle sales by more than 20%: Verband der Automobilindustrie, the German auto-industy lobby, declared that a "significant proportion" of buyers traded in old cars for compact and medium-size cars.
But critics of the House plan point to the fact that German consumers were, and still are, taking a much bigger hit at the gas pump than we are here in the U.S. Gasoline prices in Germany were in the $6-per-gallon range at the time -- so German buyers had a much bigger incentive to swap their guzzlers for new, gas-sipping economy cars. Gas prices in most European nations are currently about three times higher than in the U.S.
The consumer migration to smaller vehicles in Germany was also driven by the fact that, this summer, the German government will impose a special carbon-emissions tax on larger vehicles. That means big-car owners in Germany will have to pay fees of more than $1,000, because larger vehicles emit higher levels of CO2.
"We hope that the Senate looks at this carefully," Langer said. "and (we hope) that it moves ahead with a bill that not only helps the auto industry, but also furthers the nation's energy goals."
Need to Know: The details of the House's "Cash for Clunkers" bill:
Passenger Cars: The old vehicle traded in must get 18 mpg or less, while the new cars must get at least 22 mpg. If the mileage of the new car is at least 4 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the new car gets at least 10 mpg more than the old car, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less, and the new truck or SUV must get at least 18 mpg. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Large Light-Duty Trucks: New large trucks (pick-ups and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds) with mileage of at least 15 mpg would be eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Work Trucks: Consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (a pick-up or cargo van that weighs between 8,500-10,000 pounds) and get a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. There will be a finite number of these vouchers, based on the market share held by the vehicle's class. There are no EPA mileage measures for these work trucks. But since newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement should improve environmental quality, say backers. Consumers can also "trade down" and receive a $3,500 voucher if they swap an older work truck for a smaller light-duty truck that weighs 6,000 - 8,500 pounds.
McDonald's Kidz Bop CD Pulled For Kid-Unfriendly Language
Some Alabama parents are upset about a track on the Kidz Bop 6 CD that is being given away with McDonald's Happy Meals. They say the supposedly kid-friendly version of Gavin De Graw's "I Don't Want To Be" includes the F-word. The Boaz, Alabama McDonald's has pulled the potentially offending CD from the Happy Meals after parents complained. One parent told station WAFF-TV: "In the song the word is supposed to be 'looking,' but they're saying the f-word with the -ing on the end." (Friending? Finding? Frying? No, not those...)
Sounds pretty innocuous, right? Then parents started listening to the free CDs. Some thought they heard something they didn't expect on the Kidz Bp cover version of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want To Be." What were they hearing? Well, there are a couple of options.
Here's the original lyric from DeGraw's tune (emphasis added):I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do You can watch the video for the song here; the lyric in question occurs about 45 seconds in.What some parents think they hear on the Kidz Bop disc is the following:I'm tired of f**king 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do.
GO HERE to read more.
Somerset Plans 7.6% Tax Increase July 2009
A Public Hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 18, 2009 at the County Office Complex, Room 111, 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne.
Questions?? (410) 651-0320
Since the new assessments raised the assessable tax base, the County will retain the current tax rate of $0.920 per $100 of assessment. Tax revenue will increase by 7.6% adding over $1,000,000 of NEW real property tax revenues!! The rate should be reduced to $0.855, the constant yield rate. At a time when fiscal responsibility is more important than ever, the County must show fiscal responsibility. If millions had not been spent on a marina and park for the most rural and poorest county in Maryland, the tax payers could have had some tax relief.
The County Commissioneers for Somerset County propose to increase property taxes.
1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2009, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 7.6%, from $1,454,073,658 to $1,564,662,882.
2. If Somerset County maintains the current tax rate of $0.920 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 7.6% resulting in $1,017,421 of new real property tax revenues.
3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.855, the constant yiels rate.
4. The County is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The County proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $.920 per $100 of assessments. This tax rate is 7.6% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $1,017,421 in additional property tax revenues.
A Public Hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 18, 2009 at the County Office Complex, Room 111, 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853.
The Hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged.
Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call (410) 651-0320 for further information.
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