SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING TO CORRECT ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET ERROR

SALISBURY – Plans to release news that the Salisbury City Council would complete the budget process and pass the Fiscal Year 2012 budget next week were changed yesterday after the council learned from the city administration that the budget’s public hearing, held May 9, had not been advertised as required by law.

“Council acted quickly to hold an emergency special meeting this morning to approve, on first reading, the budget ordinance based on the mayor’s submitted budget and budget message and to set a new public hearing date, time and place, which will be 6:05 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011, in Room 301 of the Government Office Building, 125 N. Division St., Salisbury, MD,” Council President Terry Cohen said.

“The advertisement for the budget public hearing is scheduled to run in this Sunday’s

The emergency special meeting was officially announced this morning, then held at 9:45 a.m. The final council budget work session will be Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 306 of the Government Office Building, with the public hearing scheduled for June 6 as noted. Cohen said that addressing the 18.6% sewer rate hike would likely be the biggest item of the council’s general discussion on Tuesday, especially with the number of concerned citizens contacting the council. The public hearing on June 6 would be the public’s last opportunity to comment on the mayor’s proposed budget.

The council could possibly adopt the budget on second reading after the public hearing, but June 8 is being held as a fall-back date for adoption. The budget must be finalized no later than June 15, as mandated by the city charter, including any possibility of a mayoral veto and a possible council override.

“The public has already given council feedback on the mayor’s proposed budget, which has gotten due consideration in deliberations, so if we don’t hear something really different and necessary, we may pass the budget that same night,” Cohen noted.

“We know the public will be understanding of the time constraints we now face due to this administrative error,” Cohen added. “Many have expressed appreciation for the diligence the council has exercised and members’ accessibility to the public. Council has been cooperative and forthcoming with ideas, trying to act in the best interest of our citizens.”

Daily Times. These actions should cure any potential legal defect with the process, ensure full transparency to the public, and enable the budget process to be completed in accordance with the city charter,” Cohen explained.

DNA Tests Find "Disturbingly Widespread" Seafood Fraud

If you've long suspected that the "mahi-mahi" on your plate may really be yellowtail, you now have science on your side: Researchers with the non-profit group Oceana have harnessed the power of forensic science to confirm that as much as half of all seafood sold in the U.S. is mislabeled. The group accuses the industry of "seafood fraud," and is calling on the federal government to step in to more tightly regulate fisheries and related businesses.

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This Is How TV Ads Are So Loud

Here's something that might be hard to believe at first. There is no difference in volume between the loudest part of a TV show and a loud commercial.

But how can that be? TV ads are soooo much louder than the TV shows, right? Well, as WIRED reports, most ads actually never go above the FCC recommended volume limits. The difference is that the TV shows are well below that level, saving the peak volume part for that big explosion or gun fight, while TV ads are right at the limit the whole time. The audio engineers increase the volume on all of the audio, then clip it off right at the loudness limits.

Which is why I use for commercials what the audio engineers haven't been able to design around (yet), the mute button.


Source »

Former NC Priest Admitted Delaware Sexual Abuse

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- A Catholic priest who was relieved of his duties as pastor of a North Carolina church amid allegations of "inappropriate behavior" admitted in a deposition that he sexually abused a Delaware boy.

The admission by the former Rev. James O'Neill was outlined in a court ruling obtained by The Associated Press in a lawsuit between O'Neill's religious order and its insurance company.

O'Neill was a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and the former principal of Salesianum School in Wilmington, where he was accused of molesting Eric Eden over several years beginning in 1976.

Eden has settled lawsuits with Salesianum, the Oblates and the Diocese of Wilmington.

Source

Judge: Corporate Donations Ban Unconstitutional

Ruling cites Citizens United, says corporations have same rights as individuals to contribute to campaigns

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A judge has ruled that the campaign-finance law banning corporations from making contributions to federal candidates is unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Court's landmark Citizens United decision last year in his analysis.

In a ruling issued late Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Cacheris tossed out part of an indictment against two men accused of illegally reimbursing donors to Hillary Clinton's Senate and presidential campaigns.

Cacheris says that under the Citizens United decision, corporations enjoy the same rights as individuals to contribute to campaigns.

The ruling from the federa

l judge in Virginia is the first of its kind. The Citizens United case had applied only to corporate spending on campaigning by independent groups, like ads run by third parties to favor one side, not to direct contributions to the candidates themselves.

Cacheris noted in his ruling that only one other court has addressed the issue in the wake of Citizens United. A federal judge in Minnesota ruled the other way, allowing a state ban on corporate contributions to stand.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

REVISED

RESCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL BUDGET SESSION

The Salisbury City Council’s budget session for Wednesday, June 1,

2011, has been rescheduled to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

The budget session will be held in Conference Room 306 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

SALISBURY: ARE YOU READY FOR SOME . . . MORE TAXES?

Don’t be duped by Jim Ireton’s self adulation about his proposed City budget – no property tax increase – because at the same time he has his minions scheming up a new tax on City property, including homes. Of course, it won’t be called a tax or even a “fee” after those O’Malley ads last year (“Hey, Bob . . .”).

Instead, it will be touted as a charge for the City’s “stormwater utility”. That’s what the state agency that the City is using for guidance suggests, along with such euphemisms as “dedicated funding stream” and “revenue source” – to avoid using terms like “tax” or “fee”.

Look for Ireton to go public with this scheme for a new tax once the budget debate is done. Fortunately the three members of City Council who were elected this year are on record against more taxes. During any chance encounter you may have with any of them don’t hesitate to remind them about their pledge made during the campaign.

THE CHICKEN

Ed came home drunk one night, slid into bed beside his sleeping wife, and fell into a deep slumber.

He awoke before the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter said, 'You died in your sleep, Ed.'

Ed was stunned. 'I'm dead? No, I can't be! I've got too much to live for. Send me back!'

St. Peter said, 'I'm sorry, but there's only one way you can go back, and that is as a chicken.'

Ed was devastated, but begged St. Peter to send him to a farm near his home.

The next thing he knew, he was covered with feathers, clucking and pecking the ground.

A rooster strolled past. 'So, you're the new hen, huh? How's your first day here?'

'Not bad,' replied Ed the hen, 'but I have this strange feeling inside. Like I'm gonna explode!'

'You're ovulating,' explained the rooster. 'Don't tell me you've never laid an egg before?'

'Never,' said Ed.

'Well, just relax and let it happen,' says the rooster. 'It's no big deal.'

He did, and a few uncomfortable seconds later, out popped an egg!

He was overcome with emotion as he experienced motherhood.

He soon laid another egg -- his joy was overwhelming.

As he was about to lay his third egg, he felt a smack on the back of his head, and heard.....

"Ed, wake up! You shit the bed!"

Getting OLD just ain't what they said it would be!

Millionaire CIA Spook Derails Texas No Groping Bill

The man instrumental in working with the federal government to sabotage a bill that would have made TSA groping a felony in the state of Texas is Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a former CIA operator and establishment insider considered to be the wealthiest man in Texas politics.

The anti-pat down bill was derailed in the Texas Senate, having unanimously passed the House by a 138-0 vote after the Department of Justice sent a letter threatening to impose a no fly zone over Texas and shut down Texas airports.

 

The federal assault was aided by a traitor from within the state, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who amplified the threats made by the DOJ in communicating them to members of the Texas Senate, convincing them them to cave in and forcing the hand of Sen. Dan Patrick to withdraw the bill before it could be shot down permanently.

“He came up with this elaborate political play to kill the bill without his fingerprints,” stated Sen. Patrick, adding “His fingerprints are all over this.”

“Someone who will undermine his members and someone who will not stand up to the federal government — you have to ask yourself is that the kind of person that we need in the U.S. Senate,” Patrick said, adding that Dewhurst “sideswiped” him on Tuesday night by turning members against the bill.

“I hear he’s thinking about running for governor,” Patrick said. “I hear he’s thinking about running for senator. In the last 24 hours, he’s given me some things to think about.” Given the fact that Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is undoubtedly an establishment insider, it’s unsurprising that he played the role of Judas in protecting the agenda of the Obama administration over and above the will of his own legislators and the people of Texas. Dewhurst is a creature of federal entanglement, having worked at CIA and the State Department and as director of the state Task Force on Homeland Security.

“Little is known about Dewhurst. His life story is an impenetrable fog of obfuscation punctuated by tantalizing facts,” reported the Texas Observer. “This secrecy has extended from his military record to the sources of his wealth to his current financial conflicts. He has repeatedly gotten into trouble with the Texas Ethics Commission for overly vague financial filings. State elected officials are required to either disclose their finances or put all their assets in a blind trust. Until 2008, Dewhurst declined to do either, putting his money in a (nonblind) trust and declining to release information about it.”

To give Benedict Arnold a piece of your mind, click here.

Source

YARD SALES

CLICK HERE for upcoming yard sales. (sorry so late)

Everyone have a safe Memorial Day!

House Passes $690 Billion Dollar Defense Authorization Bill

The House has passed a $690 billion dollar Defense Authorization bill for 2012. It gives members of the military a 1.6 percent raise, but it also increases TRICARE health care fees for retirees by up to $60 per year. The fee increase is the first for TRICARE in 15 years. The bill also denies annual raises for all federal workers whose job performance is unsatisfactory. Plus, it delays repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the policy that banned gays from openly serving. The Senate Armed Services Committee begins crafting its version of the defense bill the week of June 13.

Willards Fireworks

If anyone would like to make donations, they would be GREATLY appreciated as we have increased our budget this year to lengthen the show.   Our mailing address is P.O. Box G, Pittsville, MD 21850. 

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident:

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Date of Incident:

23 May 2011

Location:

W/B Salisbury Pkwy. at Gateway Street, Salisbury, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

a vehicle for swaying in the travel lane and almost striking a vehicle in front of it. Upon making contact

with the operator, identified as Alvin Church, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating

from within the passenger compartment. Based on other observations, the deputy began field sobriety

testing. At the conclusion of the testing, the deputy determined that Church was under the influence of

alcohol and placed him under arrest.

A search of the vehicle revealed an open can of Bud Ice beer in the passenger compartment.

Church was processed and taken to the MD State Police Barrack for a breath test. Upon the conclusion of

all testing, Church was released upon signing citations, pending returning for court.

: On 23 May 2011 at 11:14 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped

Charges:

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Incident:

Theft

Date of Incident:

19 May 2011

Location:

31000 block of Olde Fruitland Rd., Salisbury, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

investigation into the theft of jewelry and a digital camera from a residence. During the investigation the

victim identified Erin Lynn Griffin as a possible suspect. Griffin had been inside the residence where the

theft had occurred. The deputy managed to locate an individual who stated that she bought the camera

from Griffin for $25.00 shortly after the theft. The camera was recovered and returned to the victim.

Based on this information, the deputy applied for and received a warrant for the arrest of Griffin. That

warrant was served on 22 May 2011 and Griffin was transported to the Central Booking Unit. After being

processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner, Griffin was detained in the Detention

Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.

: On 19 May 2011 a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began anCharges:

Incident:

Theft Investigation

Date of Incident:

23 May 2011

Location:

600 block of Dawn Court, Salisbury, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

investigation into the theft of lumber left at a residential construction site in the 600 block of Dawn Court.

The residence was the property of Habitat for Humanity and they were overseeing the construction of the

new home. Workers left lumber for the project under a tarp on Friday 20 May and returned the morning

of 23 May to discover it gone.

Anyone who has any information on this crime is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office

at 410-548-4891.

You may also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. You may be

eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest in this case.

: On 23 May 2011 at 7:40 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began anCharges:

Incident:

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Date of Incident:

25 May 2011

Location:

College Avenue at Cecil Street, Salisbury, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

a vehicle for speeding and erratic driving on College Avenue. Upon approaching the operator, Danny

Holyfield, the deputy detected a moderate odor of alcohol along with other indicators that Holyfield may

be under the influence of alcohol. The deputy’s suspicions were confirmed after the administration of

field sobriety tests which led to the arrest of Holyfield.

The deputy transported Holyfield to the Maryland State Police barrack in Salisbury for a breath test.

Following that, the deputy released Holyfield upon signing citations.

: On 25 May 2011 at 1:58 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped

Charges:

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se

Incident:

Assault

Date of Incident:

25 May 2011

Location:

34000 block of Main Street, Pittsville, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

responded to a reported altercation at the ball field on Main Street in Pittsville. Upon arrival, the deputy

learned there was an altercation between Vanessa Smullen and her step-daughter. Investigation revealed

that Vanessa Smullen engaged in an argument with her step-daughter while she was in the dug-out when

Vanessa Smullen allegedly slapped her. According to the victim and witnesses, the slap caused her stepdaughter to strike the concrete wall with her head.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the deputy placed Vanessa Smullen under arrest and transported

her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court

Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Smullen in the Detention Center

in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.

: On 25 May 2011 at 8:04 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office

Charges:

Child Abuse

Incident: Assault / Vandalism
Date of Incident: 26 May 2011
Location: Nokomis Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ramiaro T. Shuler, 24, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 26 May 2011 at 2:10 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded for a reported altercation in the street near the intersection of Nokomis Avenue and Manoa
Boulevard. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that her live in boyfriend,
Ramiaro Shuler, struck her during an argument and then busted out the side window of her vehicle with a
tire iron. The deputy observed both signs of injury on the victim and shattered glass that corroborated her
account.

The deputy placed Shuler under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was
processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the
Commissioner detained Shuler in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Malicious Destruction of Property

Arrest Warrants

1. Erin Lynn Griffin, 22, Salisbury, MD; Theft, held WCDC $15,000.00 bond

2. Tyler Paul Jones, 19, Hebron, MD; Failure to Comply with Peace Order, held WCDC

$10,000.00 bond.

Failure to Appear Bench Warrant

1. Allen Anthony Bean, 45, Columbia, MD; FTA for a VOP Hearing, Child Abuse, held

WCDC without bond

2. Cecil Trayvon Hicks, 20, New Church, VA; FTA – CDS Possession. Held WCDC

$5,000.00 bond.

3. Jason Allen Coggin, 28, Seaford, DE; FTA – CDS Possession / Disorderly Conduct, Held

WCDC $10,000.00 bond.

4. Brandon Earl Waltemeyer, 20, Delmar, MD; FTA – Theft / CDS Possession, held WCDC

$10,000.00 bond.

5. Brandon Earl Waltemeyer, 20, Delmar, MD; FTA – CDS Possession, held WCDC

$5,000.00 bond.

6. Wanda Ann Venegas, 43, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Contempt, Held WCDC $1,000.00

bond.

Violation of Probation Bench Warrant

1. Floyd L. Cain, 40, East New Market, MD; VOP – CDS Possession / DUI, held WCDC

without bond.

2. Carlton E. Carter, 48, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Burglary, held WCDC without bond.

3. Jameon Michael Maycock, 27, Salisbury, MD; VOP – CDS Possession, held WCDC

$5,000.00 bond.

4. Jonathan Thomas Handy, 20, Ocean Pines, MD; VOP – CDS Possession, held WCDC

$25,000.00 bond.

5. Donte McGill, 24, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Child Abuse by Parent, held WCDC $5,000.00

bond.

Child Support Body Attachment

1. Troy Lamont Barnes, 40, Salisbury, MD; Child Support non-Compliance, held WCDC

$52,000.00 bond

2. Khalfanimani Blount Willis, 31, Salisbury, MD; Child Support Non-Compliance, held

WCDC $500.00 bond.

Circuit Court Indictment

1. Joslin Brown, 58, Salisbury, MD; Theft Scheme $100,000.00 Plus, held WCDC without

bond.

Circuit Court Juvenile

1. Male Juvenile, 17, OwingsAssault 2nd degree

Vanessa S. Smullen, 33, Willards, MDDriving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Danny Ray Holyfield, 51, Salisbury, MDTheft

PendingTheft under $1,000.00

Erin Lynn Griffin, 22, Salisbury, MDDriving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se

Alvin Eric Church Jr., 22, Salisbury, MD

Gentle Thoughts For Today

Birds of a feather flock together...

and then crap on your car.

A penny saved.....

is a government oversight.

The older you get, the tougher it is to

lose weight..... because by then your body

and your fat have gotten to be

really good friends.

The easiest way to find something lost

around the house.... is to buy

a replacement.

He who hesitates....

is probably right.
Did you ever notice:

the Roman Numerals for forty

(40) are"XL"

If you think there is good in everybody....

you haven't met everybody.

If you can smile when things go wrong.....

you have someone in mind to blame.

The sole purpose of a child's middle name.....

is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you

take time to look for it.  For example, I am

sitting here thinking how nice it is

that wrinkles don't hurt.

Did you ever notice:

When you put the 2 words "The" and

"IRS" together it spells "Theirs."

Aging:

Eventually you will reach a point

when you stop lying about your age and

start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem

worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers.

Not me, I want people to know

"why" I look this way.

[I've traveled a long way and

some of the roads weren't paved.]

When you are dissatisfied and would like

to go back to your youth,

think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything

either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you

about aging is that it is such a nice change from

being young.  Ah, being young is beautiful,

but being old is comfortable.
Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground

with sticks, it was called witchcraft.

Today, it's called golf.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING

In accordance with §SC2-4 of the Salisbury City Charter, a majority of the City Council have called for a Special Meeting to be held on Monday, June 6, 2011 to hold a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2161 – FY2012 proposed budget.

The special meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers (Room 301) of the City/County Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

Current, Former Washington Redskins Make Goal Line Stand For TSA Worker Unionization

Transportation Security Administration workers have some unlikely allies in their struggle to organize: A pair of pro football players. Noting the need for labor solidarity across industries, one current and one retired Washington Redskin are speaking out in favor of the much-maligned airport security workers.

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Pricey Trash Cans Stolen, Sold For Scrap

Back in 2009, the city of Pittsburgh paid $250,000 for 250 elegant iron trash cans weighing more than 200 pounds each. Critics of the mayor called it a waste of city funds at the time, but they are very nice-looking. Now 20% of them are missing, and it took police and the public works department four months to figure out where they've gone. They were hauled off and sold for scrap.
The reporter who covered this story for KDKA contacted scrap yards, and estimated that the fifty stolen cans would have sold for $1,500-$2,000. Total, not each.
http://consumerist.com/2011/05/city-paid-1000-for-metal-trash-cans-thieves-sell-them-for-scrap-metal.html

USPS To RIF Employees Today

The Postal Service plans to hand out Specific Reduction-In-Force notices to its employees today. Postal workers will receive RIF notices if they did not receive an assignment; if they received a demotion to a lower-grade position; or if they received a reassignment to a same-grade position. According to the agency's Organizational Redesign FAQ, employees who are assigned a new position will begin that new position on September 10th. Employees who received separation notices will be separated effective Sept. 9th. USPS has not said how many employees will receive RIFs today.

Computer Errors Free 450 High-Risk Prisoners

In California, where the state has been ordered to ease prison overcrowding by releasing some "low-level" prisoners, computer errors allowed for the release of 450 inmates considered to have a "high risk for violence." It's definitely not what the U.S. Supreme Court had in mind when it recently issued its ruling to throttle down the prison population.

The inmates who were given their freedom were released as "unsupervised paroleees in a program meant to ease overcrowding," the Los Angeles Times reported. Additionally:

More than 1,000 additional prisoners presenting a high risk of committing drug crimes, property crimes and other offenses were also let out, officials said.
No attempt was made to return any of the offenders to state lockups or place them on supervised parole, said inspector general spokeswoman Renee Hansen.
All of the prisoners were placed on "non-revocable parole," whose participants are not required to report to parole officers and can be sent back to prison only if caught committing a crime. The program was started in January 2010 for inmates judged to be at very low risk of reoffending, leaving parole agents free to focus on supervising higher-risk parolees.

One of the big reasons behind the glitch: The computer program prison officials used to make assessments regarding early releases "does not access an inmate's disciplinary history," and it also "relies on a state Department of Justice system that records arrests but is missing conviction information for nearly half of the state's 16.4 million arrest records, according to the inspector general report," the Times said.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING

In accordance with §SC2-4 of the Salisbury City Charter, a majority ofthe City Council have called for a Special Meeting to be held on Friday, May 27,2011, for consideration of

Ordinance No. 2161 for first reading - proposed FY2012 budget and setting the date for a public hearing.

The special meeting will be held at 9:45 a.m. in Conference Room 306 of the City/County Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).