There's a gas leak in one of the pods at the Wicomico Detention Center. More to come...
UPDATE: We have been told there is an astronomical amount of gas in one of the pod areas of the Detention Center. The Warden is on his way in. All of the prisoners from that section have been relocated and some are being taken to PRMC. They have located the exact area of the gas leak and we are told it will be an hour or two before they are able to repair the problem.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, July 01, 2011
Lockheed Martin Cutting 1,500 Jobs
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin plans to cut 1,500 jobs in its aeronautics business. The Bethesda-based company says it must cut costs because of the prospect of limited defense spending. Most of the cuts will fall among higher-paid workers at its main aeronautics centers in Texas, Georgia and California. The aeronautics business has about 28,000 employees. Lockheed employs 126,000 people worldwide.
Musical Chairs In The Federal Government Today
Musical chairs begins today in the upper ranks of the federal government. Leon Panetta begins his new job as defense secretary. Army four-star General David Petraeus takes over for him at the CIA. Petraeus was confirmed yesterday by the Senate. Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on his last day in office.
Federal Workers vs. Private Sector Workers
A new Gallup poll found federal employees have higher overall wellbeing than private sector employees - except when it comes to their work environments. The poll found 42 percent of feds have positive relationships with their supervisors, compared to more than 48 percent of non-government workers. But overall, feds' wellbeing was higher with 86 percent compared to 83 percent of private sector workers. They have higher satisfaction in most areas including access to basic needs like adequate housing and having health insurance.
USPS Cancels $7 Million In Bonuses
The U.S. Postal Service canceled $7 million worth of bonuses for executives, officers and administrative staff. The Federal Times reports USPS is trying to save money anywhere it can as it faces an $8 billion deficit in 2011. Tony Vegliante, the agency's chief human resources officer, said the canceled bonuses affect 62,000 employees. Bonuses for unionized workers will still be paid.
DC Police Officer Richmond Phillips Indicted On Murder Charges In Deaths Of Wynetta Wright, Jaylin Wright
(WUSA) -- The DC police officer accused of killing a woman while leaving her infant daughter in a hot car has been formally indicted.
Late Thursday night, a grand jury filed charges against 41-year-old Richmond Phillips for the deaths of 20-year-old Wynetta Wright and her baby girl, 11-month-old Jaylin.
He is facing two counts of first degree murder, one count of child abuse resulting in death, and one count of reckless endangerment.
Wright had filed a paternity case claiming Phillips fathered the child.
She disappeared the night before a hearing in the case.
More
Late Thursday night, a grand jury filed charges against 41-year-old Richmond Phillips for the deaths of 20-year-old Wynetta Wright and her baby girl, 11-month-old Jaylin.
He is facing two counts of first degree murder, one count of child abuse resulting in death, and one count of reckless endangerment.
Wright had filed a paternity case claiming Phillips fathered the child.
She disappeared the night before a hearing in the case.
More
Michigan Law Banning Racial Preference Struck Down by 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
A federal appeals court Friday struck down a state referendum that banned affirmative action in college admissions, employment and contracting, setting up another Supreme Court showdown on the issue.
"It's a tremendous victory," Detroit lawyer George Washington said shortly after a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled in a 2-1 decision that Proposal 2 was unconstitutional.
"Affirmative action is now legal in college admissions in Michigan and that means thousands of black, Latin and native American students who would have been excluded from our best undergraduate and graduate programs will now be admitted," Washington said.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office had no immediate comment, but Washington, who represents a coalition of organizations that fought the 2006 ballot proposal, said he expects the state to ask the entire U.S. 6th Circuit to review the decision and, if that fails, ask the Supreme Court to take up the issue.
Jennifer Gratz, who led the campaign for passage of Proposal 2 following the conclusion of her own lawsuit against the University of Michigan for using race-based admissions, said Friday she had not yet reviewed the appeals court decision.
Episcopal Church In Maryland To Convert To Catholicism
The Rev. Mark Lewis now offers a prayer every Sunday morning that centuries ago would have been considered an homage to the enemy. It's a prayer for the bishop of Rome, the pope and all the Catholic bishops and priests.
Lewis chants, "For Benedict our Pope ... Let us prayer to the Lord."
And the congregation sings its answer, "Lord, have mercy."
The distinctly Roman Catholic offering is the outward sign of an inner spiritual journey. St. Luke's Church in Bladensburg, Md., will become later this year the first American Episcopal Parish to convert to Catholicism, Anglicanism's one-time nemesis.
Portrait Gallery Opens Exhibit On President Reagan
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Portrait Gallery is chronicling the life and political career of President Ronald Reagan in a new exhibit.
A new gallery opening Friday will include a 1985 portrait of Reagan by Andy Warhol in the exhibit “One Life: Ronald Reagan.”
143-Pound Blue Catfish Is Virginia Record
The state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' State Record Fish Committee certified the catch this week.
High school football coach Nick Anderson of Greenville, N.C., caught the 57-inch long catfish in the Kerr Reservoir along the Virginia-North Carolina border.
The previous record was 109 pounds. That catfish was caught in March on Buggs Island Lake near the confluence of the Dan and Roanoke rivers.
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Happy Independence Day
As we get ready to celebrate America's independence, I wanted to take a few minutes to extend my family's best wishes to your family for a fun and safe July 4th weekend.
The July 4th celebration is more than a date…it is a celebration of our country, and the values upon which it was founded. Values such as freedom, liberty and independence are why my parents risked their lives to come to America and start a family – and they are what make us the greatest nation in the world.
I will be marching in the Severna Park and Bel Air town parades, as well as enjoying celebrations in Centreville and Rock Hall – I invite you to join me for what are always great events.
May God continue to bless you, your family and the United States of America.
Congressman Andy Harris
Worcester Public Schools Receive Top Marks on MSA
Worcester County public school students continue to meet or exceed state standards in the elementary and middle school grades.
On Wednesday, the state released the results of the Maryland State Assessment tests taken by all students in third through eighth grades. Worcester students fared well in all areas and grade levels, with nearly all scores improving over last year.
The MSA examinations are taken in March of each year. They test students’ mathematics and reading skills and calculate how many students are meeting the objectives of the No Child Left Behind policy that requires all students be 100 percent proficient in reading and math by 2014. To meet the objective this year, at least 90 percent of students had to pass the tests.
The results of the similar High School Assessment tests will not be released until late July or early August.
Crab Supply High For 4th Of July Feasts
Local watermen, vendors and restaurants say the crab supply should be enough to sustain demand for the Fourth of July weekend, with prices matching those seen during the Memorial Day holiday.
Clarence Goodman, with Jessie Taylor Seafood at the Maine Avenue Fish Market in Southwest D.C., says business has been booming all week given the prices.
"These crabs are five times better than Memorial Day," Goodman says. "They are loaded, they are heavy and they are cheap."
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44 RETIRE FROM COUNTY; POLLITT PROMISES CONTINUATION OF QUALITY SERVICES
Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that 44 county employees have begun what he termed, “a well-earned retirement.” The departures were the result of a retirement incentive plan offered earlier in the year.
“As I salute our retirees for their many years of dedicated service, I am committed to maintaining a level of quality county services reflective of the resources that are available to us. However, our community must understand that four consecutive years of deep budget cuts totaling some $ 24 million cannot help but have a serious impact.”
Of the 44 retirees, 5 were department heads. Pollitt said that, as of today, the positions are filled with highly capable replacements. They are as follows:
Wicomico County Department Head Changes
Acting Director of Administration – Sharon A. Morris, Former Deputy Director (Theodore E. Shea II, Retired)
Acting Human Resources Director – Michele L. Ennis, Former Deputy Director (S. Michael Thompson, Retired)
Director of Finance – Andrew G. Mackel, Former Deputy Director (Patricia Petersen, Retired) - Subject to County Council Confirmation
Director of Emergency Services – David G. Shipley, Former Deputy Director (Sandra Silvia, Retired) - Subject to County Council Confirmation
Acting Director, Local Management Board – Diana Reinoso-Parnell (Linda Hardman,
Retired)
Pollitt is preparing a restructuring plan to re-deploy county resources in response to the reduced workforce. The plan is expected to be forwarded to the county council by the end of next week.
Extreme Couponer Arrested For Stealing Coupon Inserts
Some people really don't even deserve the label "extreme couponer." We should just call 'em "jerks." The Denton Record-Chronicle reports that a woman in Texas was arrested for buying just one newspaper from the vending machine but then taking all the coupon inserts from all the newspapers inside.
More »
More »
Welcome To The Unemployment Line
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has signaled to White House officials that he’s considering leaving the administration after President Barack Obama reaches an agreement with Congress to raise the national debt limit, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Geithner hasn’t made a final decision and won’t do so until the debt ceiling issue has been resolved, according to one of the people. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions.
The Treasury secretary has said the U.S. risks defaulting on its obligations if Congress doesn’t raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by Aug. 2. The administration and congressional Republicans are at an impasse in negotiations to raise the limit, which also is tied to efforts to cut the nation’s long- term deficit.
An exit by Geithner would complete the turnover in Obama’s original economic team, with Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee scheduled to leave in early August to return to the University of Chicago.
That would leave Obama with two key posts to fill as Republicans are seeking to turn the 2012 election into a referendum on Obama’s handling of the economy and the recovery is slowing. The unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in May, according to the Labor Department, and the U.S. economy grew at a 1.9 percent pace in the first quarter, according to Commerce Department figures released June 24.
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Geithner hasn’t made a final decision and won’t do so until the debt ceiling issue has been resolved, according to one of the people. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions.
The Treasury secretary has said the U.S. risks defaulting on its obligations if Congress doesn’t raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by Aug. 2. The administration and congressional Republicans are at an impasse in negotiations to raise the limit, which also is tied to efforts to cut the nation’s long- term deficit.
An exit by Geithner would complete the turnover in Obama’s original economic team, with Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee scheduled to leave in early August to return to the University of Chicago.
That would leave Obama with two key posts to fill as Republicans are seeking to turn the 2012 election into a referendum on Obama’s handling of the economy and the recovery is slowing. The unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in May, according to the Labor Department, and the U.S. economy grew at a 1.9 percent pace in the first quarter, according to Commerce Department figures released June 24.
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The Unions Rejoice
Joe-
I guess today begins the new era for the state employees in Maryland.
Beginning today, all state employees covered by the bargaining units will have to pay 'something' to the union-- they'll continue to pay their regular dues if they're members, and if they're not.. they'll pay anyway.
There will be a deduction from their paycheck for what's being called their 'Fair Share'-- money paid to the union to compensate the union for negotiating the pay and benefits they receive.
And they have no choice-- they pay either dues or the fee, whether they wanted representation or not.
And the deal gets even sweeter-- the employee contribution to the retirement fund has been raised from 5% to 7%.
But most employees don't know that much of that extra 2% is NOT going to the retirement fund (which is already way under-funded).The money is going to the General Fund to help balance the budget.
So the pension fund will remain perilously under-funded while O'Malley and his buddies divert the increase to pay for their pet projects.
I wonder how many of those smiling, sign-waving AFSCME union members we will see at O'Malley's next big event?
You'd think they would learn eventually.
I guess today begins the new era for the state employees in Maryland.
Beginning today, all state employees covered by the bargaining units will have to pay 'something' to the union-- they'll continue to pay their regular dues if they're members, and if they're not.. they'll pay anyway.
There will be a deduction from their paycheck for what's being called their 'Fair Share'-- money paid to the union to compensate the union for negotiating the pay and benefits they receive.
And they have no choice-- they pay either dues or the fee, whether they wanted representation or not.
And the deal gets even sweeter-- the employee contribution to the retirement fund has been raised from 5% to 7%.
But most employees don't know that much of that extra 2% is NOT going to the retirement fund (which is already way under-funded).The money is going to the General Fund to help balance the budget.
So the pension fund will remain perilously under-funded while O'Malley and his buddies divert the increase to pay for their pet projects.
I wonder how many of those smiling, sign-waving AFSCME union members we will see at O'Malley's next big event?
You'd think they would learn eventually.
Plan Maryland Concerns Worcester County Leaders
Some Worcester County officials are concerned the state will not consider rural input for its plan to regulate development.
The state has asked for comments on “Plan Maryland,” the planning initiative, but how much they will be considered is unknown.
“The governor just has to accept it and file it, and it becomes the state comprehensive plan,” Ed Tudor, director of the Department of Development Review and Permitting, said during the commissioners’ June 21 meeting.
That concerned Commissioner Madison Bunting, who has a background in surveying and planning and zoning. He was on his third reading of the extensive document.
“I think it is fair to say that the more we read, the more we became concerned,” Tudor, who began reviewing it a few months ago with Phyllis Wimbrow, his department’s deputy director, wrote in a memo to the Gerry Mason, the county’s chief administrative officer. “While there certainly are some positive ideas and laudable goals in the plan, it is our belief that the plan as written comes perilously close to an outright intrusion into local planning and zoning autonomy.”
Will It Stay Or Will It Go?
The above image is the oldest portion of the old Feldman's building considered historic by the state of Maryland.
The City of Salisbury doesn't like what they see so they have filed an order to demolish it.
I did some research on this matter and to make a long story short, the City has no comment.
I wanted to know, IF you follow through with the threat of this letter, is the City actually going to tear it down. "No comment".
So let's see what you have to say about it. I'm not saying the City is right or wrong on this matter. I just know that back when I was negotiating a purchase of the entire property the state told me I could not take the above portion of the buildings down. I have no gripe and obviously IF I had been able to purchase the property one of the contingencies would have been to be allowed to tear it down. I just want to be open and fair about where I'm personally coming from.
The buildings have not been maintained for quite a few years and are in questionable condition. However, I could say that about several of the buildings Downtown.
Anyhow, let's hear what you have to say about this matter. Remember, IF the buildings are torn down it would be at taxpayers expense. You might be reimbursed by the Bank of Delmarve who holds the note on this property. Since the City has no comment its difficult to get more answers.
Making A Difference
Love Us or Hate Us, know one thing, We’re Making a Difference in a big way.
I say WE’RE making a difference because it’s not just what we provide here on Salisbury News that makes a difference. YOU do as well.
In just over the past two days we have published almost 600 comments. Salisbury News has published more than 300,000 comments. We've had more than 20 million page views and over 16 million daily unique visitors.
While we were hoping for a better start in 2011, I can't complain and neither can our Advertisers. We have published more than 42,000 posts and no matter what people say, we are making a difference. Staying informed and knowing what is going on in the greater DelMarVa area helps us to read into the future as to what we might expect next. It certainly allows us to be prepared to take action. A perfect example is the Toll Hike debate.
It was Salisbury News that highlighted the issue while the local mainstream media sat idle and ignored it completely. Salisbury News was the ONLY Lower Shore media outlet to cover the Kent Island public hearing and provide current coverage of the Perryville and Havre de Grace hearings.
On an average week day, Salisbury News readers can choose from upwards of 80 posts to stay informed about DelMarVa, our region, our nation, and the world. The print media cannot afford to put up anywhere near that volume of content. When it comes to television, they have 16 minutes, (in a 30 minute show) to tell the news. Almost half of that is weather and sports. What's left? A little Delaware and Maryland news. The cool thing about our format is: if you don't like a particular article or title doesn’t grab you, you can scroll right past it and go on to the next. They call that fast forward in the television industry. NO COMMERCIALS!
Another area Salisbury News has made a difference is in the cost of advertising. Ads for as little as $100.00 a month! That's less than $25.00 a week! The only thing keeping the print media afloat is legal advertising and WHEN a change to allow that information to be published online is made, another key part of the print media’s business model is up in smoke.
COMMENTS
The most important part of any article, to me, is the comments. The more people comment, the bigger difference we can all make. Do you have any idea what it's been like to go through and publish 300,000 comments? In addition to the comments we publish, I’m confident that we’ve had to reject over 200,000. They all have to be read as well.
As we continue to grow we do get comments referencing copy and paste articles. Another common comment is that some would like to see more local articles. OK, listen to me closely. We STILL provide local articles every single day. In fact, we've been providing even more local articles than we had in the past. The ONLY difference is, we've added MORE articles all together. Most of those focus on our region (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) and (we feel) impact our way of living here on the Shore.
Here’s something that’s really interesting. Go back and look at the comments on those “copy and paste” articles. You'll see more comments on many of those articles than you will on our original content. Not all the time, but for the most part our articles are providing information which impacts our way of life. You have proven that through your comments.
LOOK AT YOUR DAILY PAPER
Pick up a copy of your local daily newspaper. The majority of their articles are “copy and paste” from the AP, some other news service, or is syndicated. You may also want to look at the volume of comments their articles get versus ours.
Argue all you like; the truth is the truth. We are growing faster than anyone else and the MSM is shrinking. The next time you think about advertising, compare our costs with WBOC, WMDT, the Daily Times and even Metropolitan. Then keep it in the back of your mind that you can advertise here for as low as $100.00 a month, NOT per day. Metropolitan has a circulation of around 36,000. People do pick it up and thumb through it. But assuming their readers look at EVERY PAGE, how many times a month do you think they re-read it? Now there's nothing wrong with Metropolitan, but when you’re paying $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 for an ad, you may want to go back up to the top of this article and take a look at our numbers again.
In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for visiting Salisbury News. More importantly I want to thank you for making your voice heard through your comments. From our local City Councils, to our County Councils, to our legislators and members of Congress, they follow Salisbury News and they do read your comments. Thanks to you, Salisbury News makes a difference; and that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Keep Those Comments Coming In …
Thanks,
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