EXCLUSIVE: A Message From Our Friend John Harris In The D.R.

JOHN HARRIS here. I'm about 100 miles form centre, felt two movements and the water in the pool was like unbelievable splashing out each end with white caps in the pool. Everybody is good here in the D. R.

U.S. Commercial Property Falls To Lowest In 7 Years

Commercial property values in the U.S. declined in October to the lowest level in more than seven years as unemployment reduced demand for apartments, offices and retail space.

The Moody’s/REAL Commercial Property Price Indices fell 1.5 percent in October from September to the lowest since August 2002. Prices were down 36 percent from a year earlier and are 44 percent below the peak in October 2007, Moody’s Investors Service Inc. said in a statement.

Values are dropping as U.S. unemployment climbs and consumers cut spending. Office vacancies may approach 20 percent next year as employers hold off hiring, commercial property brokers Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. and Grubb & Ellis Co. said last month.

“The number-one issue facing commercial real estate right now is the value declines that we’ve seen since prices peaked,” Matthew Anderson, a partner at Foresight Analytics LLC in Oakland, California, said before the data were issued. “I tend to think that the size of the declines moving forward is going to be smaller.”

An estimated $1.4 trillion of commercial real estate debt is scheduled to mature over the next five years and Foresight estimates that 53 percent of it is “underwater,” meaning the value of the property is less than the mortgage, Anderson said.

More Declines Forecast

Commercial property values may decline by a total of 50 percent from the peak to the bottom, Anderson said.

“This is the worst that we’ve seen since World War II,” Anderson said.

GO HERE to read more.

I'm Looking For Your Help

Do any of you work at the Sun Trust Bank in Salisbury. If so, can you please contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349.

BREAKING NEWS

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake reported in Haiti
12 Jan 2010 16:53:09 standard time
Location: 18.451N 72.445W
16 km (10 miles) SW (227 degrees) of PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

GO HERE to stay updated.

SENATOR ANDY HARRIS SPONSORS BILL TO HELP RETIRED VETERANS

MD General Assembly, 2010 – Senate Bill 1

Income Tax - Military Retirement Income

[this Act would take effect July 1, 2012, and be applicable to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011] 　

This bill expands the existing military retirement income subtraction modification by increasing from $5,000 to $10,000 the maximum amount of retirement income that can be excluded from the State income tax.

The following discussion was prepared by the "Legislative Research Service" of the General Assembly in regard to a similar bill that Sen. Harris sponsored last year.

Fiscal Summary --

State Effect: General fund revenues decrease by $12.9 million beginning in FY 2012 due to additional military retirement income being exempted. Future year revenues reflect the estimated number of eligible taxpayers. Expenditures are not affected.

Local government revenues decrease by $8.1 million in FY 2012 and $8.4 million by FY 2014. Expenditures are not affected.

Small Business Effect: None.

It Apears The Animal Laws Do Cover Weather Conditions

Folks, we have been digging over the past 24 hours into the new Animal Laws in Wicomico County and while the Director of the Humane Society stated they cannot do anything because there's not a specific law allowing them to enforce weather conditions, (definitions) they were wrong.

133-17 paragraph b4 refers to "unsafe weather conditions" clearly states they can in fact take the animal and follow ALL of the normal instructions, such as, citation, fines, housing and even euthanasia.

While it may be difficult to follow, we have learned through Ed Baker they can and should be enforced. It's important to also know that the bill requests individuals to actually call Animal Control and or the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. To my knowledge there's no mention of calling the Humane Society.

We thank you for your patience on this matter as several people have been involved in digging into the heart of this issue and we hope everyone is satisfied.

Crime Task Force Meeting Brings In Hopeful News

While the Crime Task Force gathered today to discuss many different issues, one item brought forth was very exciting.

It seems Crime Solvers may be adding $5,000.00 towards the Street Safe Grant Program. Above and beyond that was the announcement of the Community Foundation discussing matching those funds and perhaps matching any additional funding brought in by outside sources.

My hat is tipped to the Community Foundation for considering such a fine proposal and we can only hope this momentum continues to move in this direction.

This is what I call putting good money after good money. By attending this meeting and seeing the people who attended actually participating, sharing ideas, this is something Salisbury hasn't seen in more than a decade.

That being said, the meeting was a bit verbose and not anything like the Street Safe Program, (a pilot program) as seen in Annapolis. They need to get a Coordinator in there to set the format and drive this program more stream lined and perhaps set the bar for other communities to follow.

While I can see Mayor Ireton's heart is in the right place, my guess is that the proper Coordinator wouldn't settle for a 25% reduction in crime. Not for part one violent crime anyway. This needs to be, (in my opinion) more like an immediate 50% reduction.

The Mayor of Annapolis does not attend Crime Task Force Meetings as he is briefed by others. No disrespect to Mayor Ireton but he needs to step away from these meetings and let the professionals do their thing and also report back to him. It would be a more politically safe move for him anyway.

Nevertheless, community involvement is a great thing to see and with any hope the Community Foundation will in fact see this as putting good money after good money and support this program. We should know their final decision in the very near future.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE COMPLETION OF SEAGIRT LEASE TO PORTS AMERICA CHESAPEAKE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 12, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the successful completion of a 50-year lease and concession agreement with Ports America Chesapeake to operate the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore, and bring 5,700 new jobs to the Port. Governor O’Malley announced the State’s intent to enter into this public/private partnership agreement in November. This is the first such agreement of its kind in Maryland.

“This is an important day for Maryland and the Port of Baltimore. Throughout the development of this agreement, the preservation and creation of Maryland jobs has been our top priority. This partnership will create 5,700 new jobs, secure the Port’s long-term future with a 50-foot berth at Seagirt, and provide Maryland both an ongoing revenue stream and an immediate infusion of capital for road, tunnel and bridge system preservation.

“We believe this partnership is an excellent deal for all involved, including the Maryland taxpayer. This opinion is shared by the financial community that last week demonstrated overwhelming interest in the sale of bonds for this project. Now, working hand-in-hand with Ports America Chesapeake, we move forward from a position of strength as we compete for business in the highly-competitive maritime industry and preserve and grow the number of good, family-supporting jobs at the Port of Baltimore.”

As part of this agreement, Ports America Chesapeake will construct a 50-foot berth for the Port of Baltimore that is expected to result in increased business opportunities and larger vessels that will fundamentally change the dynamics of the shipping industry when the expansion of the Panama Canal is completed in 2014. In addition to the creation of 5,700 new jobs, the total investment and revenue from this agreement to the State of Maryland has the potential to reach more than $1.3 billion over 50 years and it will generate $15.7 million per year in new taxes for Maryland. The agreement was approved by the Board of Public Works on December 16, 2009.

OC104 LIVE Performance Tomorrow Morning, "Yesterday"

Don't Miss Top Notch Entertainment LIVE in studio with Bill Baker "The Rumpshaker" &
Jessica tomorrow morning on the Hip Hop Coffee Shop....103.9 OC104. They'll be
in right after 7am performing their song "Yesterday" A Song for Sarah Foxwell.

Thanks again to SBYNEWS.com for all you do!

Just When We Thought Things Couldn't Get Worse...

After the Eastern Shore experienced the horrific murder of Sarah Foxwell, who could have ever imagined things could get any worse.

Today I sit back and review 14 pages of documents I read last night, page by page, detail by detail. Let me assure each and every one of you this. I didn't sleep worth a damn last night, all because of what I had read earlier in the evening.

While I can clearly understand just why the rest of the MSM hasn't shared the details of what this scumbag piece of crap Bradley did, let me assure you that not a single one of you could even imagine the lengths this scumbag went to destroy hundreds of children's lives forever.

I have to sit back and wonder, is it worth living out the rest of your life emotionally after being raped time and time again at 2 or 3 years old? Now multiply that by 100 children!

What the Delaware State Police have to go by is video evidence of this scumbag actually in the act. That's right, the man video taped the sexual acts and I hate to say it, Detectives had to actually watch the video of each act in order to charge this scumbag for what he did.

Now think of all of the children he may have raped that wasn't recorded. Yesterday I received an e-mail stating, how could his Staff not know what this man did. To that individual that wrote me, I have to agree. After reading the 14 page document, I too have to wonder just what in the hell was going on in that place. Time and time again this sick SOB would take children into the basement or out buildings on the property. In many cases the children were screaming for their parents, no one heard anything?

Nevertheless, this has to be, (by far) the sickest human being that has ever lived on this earth. Many families that went to this scumbag were on state assistance and were assigned to this piece of crap. I guess what bothers me the most is the idea that it took more than a year for the Police to investigate this man. In the mean time, hundreds, (if not thousands) of children continued to be raped by this man in the mean time. I'm not blaming anyone and I know there's a process. Notice how I don't use the word "allegedly."

In the end, (for me personally) this is the second case in two weeks in which I cannot and will not share details with you. It is the second horrific case in two weeks I sit back and think, just how much will these two cases age me. Now think about the fact that these are only two local cases, how many others are there out there across our Nation? How many Politicians will continue to sit back and protect these sick human beings?

I would have to think that being there are so few of these people on our earth, why wouldn't they, (politicians) just eliminate them forever and rid the rest of us from such a gene pool. Instead, we get to see images of some of these sick people sucking off the taxpayers like Charles Manson.

The next time you vote for someone to represent us, make sure you know where they stand on the death penalty and child sex offenders. Then, if they "claim" to host your own values, make damn sure they follow through with it. As Senator Andy Harris stated on my last Show, "the Governor must uphold the LAW." If he does not, he is then breaking the law and must be fired.

To the many victims and their Parents, may God be with each and every one of you. To the Officers, Detectives, Judge & Jury, May God be with you as well.

Funeral For Vice President's Mother Set For Tuesday

(CNN) -- President Obama and the first lady will travel to Delaware on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Vice President Joe Biden's mother.

Catherine Eugenia "Jean" Finnegan Biden died Friday at the family's home. She was 92.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. ET Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington.

"At 92, she was the center of our family and taught all of her children that family is to be treasured, loyalty is paramount, and faith will guide you through the tough times. She believed in us and, because of that, we believed in ourselves," Biden said in a statement Friday.

GO HERE to read more.

Preliminary Fatal Crash Release

Location:
SR 10 Willow Grove Road between Willow Tree Circle and Henry Cowgill road west of Camden, Delaware

DATE and TIME:
Tuesday January 12, 2010 7:28 A.M.


Vehicle(s):

Resume:
Delaware State Police have been on scene since around 7:30 A.M. at a fatal motor vehicle crash. The crash occurred between two vehicles a white Dodge SUV and a burgundy BMW hybrid type vehicle.

As a result of the crash we have one fatality from the Dodge SUV and an injury to the operator of the BMW who was trapped inside the vehicle until emergency crews were able to free him.

Preliminary indications suggest the Dodge was traveling W/B Willow Grove road and the BMW was traveling E/B Willow Grove road. Willow Grove road is a two lane roadway. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Roadways between Willow Tree Circle and Henry Cowgill Road have been closed since the crash and will be shut down for approximately 2 hours. Citizens are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

A more detail Fatal crash release will be released as soon as proper family notification has been made and conclusion of crash investigation.

Federal Prisoners Kept Beyond Their Sentences

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a case that tests the federal government's power to keep convicted sex offenders behind bars after they have served out their prison terms.

Currently, 84 such prisoners are indefinitely confined for treatment at a federal prison in North Carolina. Five of them are challenging the law under which they have been detained with no end in sight.

Typical is the case of Graydon Comstock, who was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of child pornography. Six days short of completing his term, he was designated as "sexually dangerous," and the federal government moved to have him civilly committed for treatment. He has been kept in the North Carolina facility for two additional years, with little prospect of release.

Congress authorized such indefinite civil commitments for the first time in 2006 for sexual offenders who have completed their prison terms.

Two lower federal courts invalidated the law as unconstitutional, concluding that it overstepped the bounds of federal power under the Constitution, usurped powers reserved for the states and denied the due process of law to the individuals who are indefinitely committed.

The federal government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Beyond The Bounds Of The Constitution?

GO HERE to read more.

It's Going To Be A Cold One Tonight

Just the right time to relax to some soft furniture with a blanket,

a bowl of popcorn and

somebody who appreciates the movies you do.

Tonight's Double Feature follows

our two classic cartoon offerings and short,

the classic 1933 version of

The Mascot

The Attack of the 50 Foot Woman

and

D.O.A.

Enjoy!

Obama May Look At Bank Fees To Rein In Deficit

Published reports say they could be part of next month’s budget proposal

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is weighing a levy on financial institutions to help recover shortfalls in a $700 billion bank bailout fund and to help balance a budget that is looking increasingly grim amid an ongoing economic crisis.

A senior administration official said Monday that Obama would seek modifications to the law that sent billions in bailout money in 2008 and 2009 to a flailing Wall Street that was approaching collapse. The government official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the president's thinking.

The 2008 law that created the Troubled Asset Relief Program requires the president to seek a way to recoup unrecovered TARP money from financial institutions, but five years after the law was enacted. It does not specify how the money should be recovered.

GO HERE to read more.

City Of Salisbury Safe Streets - MSSP Funding Strategy

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce that the City’s grant application for the, 2010 Safe Streets - MSSP initiative has been approved by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP). The Safe Streets - MSSP grant provides the city with additional resources to support a security integration model of multi-agency collaboration. The funding will be utilized to pay salary and benefits for a Grant Coordinator, Hope Project Coordinator and Facilitator, overtime and benefits for the Salisbury Police Department and the States Attorney’s Office, equipment for Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance, the Board of Education, and incentives for Crime Solvers.

The City of Salisbury’s Safe Streets – MSSP is a collaborative team concept administered by the Salisbury Police Department. Partner agencies will include the Department of Parole and Probation, Department of Juvenile Services, Maryland State Police, the Sherriff’s Department, the States Attorney’s Office, Salisbury University, the Wicomico Housing Authority, the Wicomico Partnership for Youth and Families, U. S. Department of Justice, Higher Hope Ministries of the United Methodist Church, City of Salisbury Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance, and neighborhood associations. The following projects will receive funding under this award:

Personnel
30% Benefits Coordinator $10,500.00
Salary for Coordinator $35,000.00
Police Officer – Overtime $43,204.00
30% Benefits Police Overtime $12,961.00

Contractual Services
Facilitator – Fringe – Hope Project $1,296.00
Facilitator – Salary – Hope Project $4,320.00
Coordinator – Fringe – Hope Project $1,728.00
Coordinator – Salary – Hope Project $5,760.00
Prosecutor - Overtime $5,040.00
Prosecutor – Fringe $1,512.00
Equipment
Garrett Wands – Board of Education $5,040.00
Office Computers – Police Substations $2,000.00
Field Computers – Neighborhood Services & Code Comp. $16,000.00

Other
Therapeutic Program Supplies – Project Hope $550.00
Alarm Systems/Monitoring for Substations $2,000.00
Incentives for Crime Solvers $2, 500.00
Comcate Software – 1 year license – Neighborhood Svcs. $6,850.00

“The Salisbury City Council has my greatest thank you this evening, as they have passed the acceptance of our Salisbury Safe Streets – MSSP grant from Governor Martin O’Malley’s office of Crime Control and Prevention. This $156,000 grant is, for Salisbury, spending capital in the right place, at the right time. The goal of reducing crime by 25% in our city is an ambitious one, yet it is one that our residents have demanded. Our journey to becoming the safest city in Maryland has begun. Our relationships with Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, Lt. Ernest Leatherbury, and Wicomico County State’s Attorney, Davis Ruark, are solid. Acting Chief Ivan Barkley and I look forward to the collaboration that will make success possible”, said Mayor James Ireton, Jr.


For more information about the Safe Streets – MSSP initiative, please contact Chief Ivan Barkley, Salisbury Police Department, at (410) 548-3165.

A New Conservative Party?

Public opinion is turning against the Democratic legislative agenda. The bailouts, the attempted government takeover of our health care system, imposing cap-and-trade, hoping to end the secret ballot in the organization of unions, massive tax increases and granting amnesty to illegal immigrants - these radical policies will permanently transform America. Mr. Obama is on the verge of achieving a cultural revolution.

Conservatives are the last line of defense. The burgeoning "tea party" movement represents resurgent traditionalist forces. It is more than a call for limited government and fiscal sanity. It is an embryonic nationalist-populist coalition that threatens the corrupt Beltway establishment. The patriotic right understands that we are slowly, relentlessly losing our country. Our globalist elites have turned their backs on America. The symptoms of decay and decline are everywhere: runaway spending, ballooning deficits, the erosion of our manufacturing base, the loss of national sovereignty, the onslaught of illegal immigration and an imperial, arrogant political class.

Led by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, the GOP claims it has changed. The party of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan is allegedly returning to its conservative roots. Mr. Steele vows that political exile has chastened - and humbled - Republicans, teaching them the folly of their spendthrift ways.

But conservatives would be wise to follow the old adage: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Actions speak louder than words. And it should take more than a mea culpa from Mr. Steele to buy conservatives' allegiance.

Instead, the "tea party" movement should demand that the Republican Party outline a detailed platform for the 2010 elections. To receive conservative-populist support, Republicans must promise to repeal Mr. Obama's policies root and branch.

This means Obamacare must be rescinded - immediately. The election should be turned into a referendum on government-run health care.

Taxes must be slashed. Government spending must be reined in, with sweeping cuts across the board. A balanced budget must be passed every year - with no exceptions. The Education Department must be eliminated.

Labor unions must be rolled back. Real tort reform must be implemented. Draconian rules against carbon emissions passed by the Environmental Protection Agency must be abrogated; the EPA's ubiquitous regulatory power substantially scaled back.

Unfair trade agreements must be scuttled - unilaterally, if necessary. A security wall must be built within 12 months all along our porous southern border. English must be made the official language, and bilingualism prohibited.

Republicans are poised for major gains this year. Electing more Republican politicians, however, is not the same thing as ending the march of Big Government liberalism. If Republicans refuse to adopt an America-first manifesto or worse, promise to enact these policies but fail to do so, then the "tea party" movement in 2012 should do the unthinkable: Break away and form a third party.

More from The Washington Times..

EMPLOYEES OF DR. EARL BRADLEY

Joe, I know that The State of Delaware is investigating Dr. Earl Bradley and
looking into the victims. Are the employees of Dr. Bradley's being
questioned and wondering if the employees knew if Dr. Bradley was doing what he
is being charged with. I'm sure that Dr. Bradley's office had some
receptionist and nurses. Thanks!

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus

The Beauty Of The Wicomico River In January 2010

Photo courtesy of J. D. Simpkins