Republican Congressional Candidate Andy Harris

Friends,

On Saturday, our campaign lost a member of our team. Our campaign consultant, Tom Blakely died after collapsing at a 5k run. Tom's death came as a shock to all of us. He was a 46 year old Marine Corps veteran. Tom was a great American. His love for politics was second only to his love for his wife and two young daughters. Our campaign is very saddened by this loss. Tom's wife and two daughters are in our thoughts and prayers.

Tom Blakely was the President of a Jamestown Associates, a GOP consulting firm. Blakely had a long resume of consulting on campaigns across the country. In 2006, he consulting for Tim Walberg's Republican primary victory over Michigan incumbent Representative Joe Schwarz. Blakely served as Director of Appointments for Governor Christine Todd Whitman.

Please keep Tom's wife Debbie and his two young daughters in your thoughts and prayers.

Andy

Exclusive, Davis Ruark Returns

States Attorney Davis Ruark returned to his Office today in what may prove to be a very controversial decision and creating a ton of debate. While the Daily Times has used this situation to "sell papers" more so than any other article we've seen in the past few years, I'd expect them to see this exclusive news and jump all over it. They're desperate and failing miserably and rather than showing respect, they'll drag this one out into the streets bare fisted and attack him like there's no tomorrow for that paper.

Before everyone freaks out, it's my understanding Davis has returned for one week only and plans to head back out of the Office for a few more weeks, taking the time off he deserves and hasn't done so in many years. I also hear he's got a Court date for his Trial in May. Well, there it is Folks.

SPD Press Releases

On March 13, 2008 at approximately 10:10 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to an apartment on Fairground Drive in reference to the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the officers located the victim of the shooting who was identified as 22 year old Terrance Lanier Drew of Salisbury. Drew advised the officers that Drew answered a knock at his apartment door and was confronted by two(2) suspects, one of which produced a handgun. The suspect fired the handgun at Drew striking Drew in the area of the stomach. The two (2) suspects then fled from the area. Drew was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment, where it was determined that the injuries were not life threatening. Drew described the suspects as:

Suspect # 1: Black male, 5’04” tall, approximately 140 lbs., with an afro style
haircut wearing a black “hoodie” style jacket.

Suspect # 2: Black male, 5’04” tall, approximately 140 lbs., with short hair and
wearing a white “hoodie” style jacket

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165. CC # 200800008975

On March 12, 2008 at approximately 10:33 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department were in the area of Fairground Drive, meeting with an occupant of the Pemberton Apartments when the officers observed a subject that was trespassing on the Pemberton Apartments property. The suspect was placed under arrest, and the occupant of the apartment gave the officers consent to search the apartment. Recovered as a result of the search was a quantity of suspected marijuana and related CDS paraphernalia.

ARRESTED: Terrance Lee Horsey, 23 years of age Eden, Maryland

CHARGES:
Trespassing
Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia
Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school zone

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800008736

There is No more to this article.

Read More?

As we attempt to tweak this new Read More option on each Post, please bear with us as we work with the HTML language, (that's nerd talk) to eliminate the "Read more" link when it's not necessary. For the time being, most articles will have more to the store by clicking on that option. However, we haven't perfected it yet and some of the other writers on board haven't started to use it.

So when you see a long article, it probably doesn't have anything additional. I expect to correct it some time soon and so you know, there's NO MORE to this Post, even though it says read more. LOL

OK, This Is Adorable!

Yesterday I traveled to Pemberton for this Easter Celebration and you just can't deny, each and every one of these kids are just adorable!

Everyone was dressed for cold temperatures with the exception of a few who were in shorts and braver than I am, that's for sure. Heck, I even had gloves on.

Nevertheless, this was a great event held by Wicomico County and the kids really had a blast. There was a lot to cover this weekend and surprisingly I didn't see the Daily Times in any one of these locations? You also don't see any of it in their paper. You know, the thin one today that feels lighter than one section of the Sunday paper.

Let's see, they get the heads up to all of these events, yet they don't attend? They have a Staff of more than 200 people, they don't attend? You pay for that paper, yet they don't cover these events?

At least the kids had a blast. Some boys were picking up eggs and giving them to the girls next to them. It was simply priceless.

There's no more to this story.

Frank Kratovil and Maryland Democratic Party to Visit Wicomico Democrats March 19, 2008

1st District congressional candidate Frank Kratovil and the Maryland Democratic Party headline the Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Democratic Club of Wicomico County meeting. The meeting will take place at the Knights of Columbus on Emerson Avenue in Salisbury at 7:00 PM. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Democratic Turnout in Wicomico County in the February primary was 50%, 24 points higher than in 2004. The club has planned extensive outings this spring and summer at the Salisbury Festival at the end of April, the Delmarva Chicken Festival, and the annual Tawes Clam Bake.

“This is an exciting time to be involved in politics, with interest running at an all time high, and we invite the public to come meet our elected officials and the next congressman from the 1st District of Maryland, Frank Kratovil, on March 19th” said Loretta Carr, Democratic Club secretary.

Jason Rosvold, Outreach Coordinator for the Maryland Democratic Party is also scheduled to speak on coordinating efforts leading up to the 2008 general election.

Anyone needing information about the Democratic Club, literature on candidates, or yard signs can call President Jim Ireton at 410-749-5712


And here is the rest of it.

How High Will The Price Of Gas Have To Go Before We Mass Produce Gasohol?

The only fairly good argument we saw a year or two ago referencing why the Federal Government wasn't going back to gasohol was because it was too expensive to manufacture. Welllllll? I mean, we continue to watch Bush self promote his oil friends in the Middle East, kissing them on the cheek, (no, I didn't say which cheek) and allowing more American Dollars to be sent to yet another foreign country. So how long are we going to allow it to happen. I disagree with the ONE commenter who stated we'll get up to $10.00 a gallon before we'll say we've had enough. I think we're very close to the enough is enough stage.

We do have options, we're just ignoring them. I remember Bush stating very clearly we need to become less dependent on foreign oil and we need to start supporting other forms of fuel. What an Idiot! What happened to fuel cells and hydrogen? Oh, I could go on and on about bullsh!t politicians with their bullsh!t promises they never deliver on. Granted, it was something out of our league anyway. I mean, since when can you be dependent on anything and quit cold turkey?

Then I think back to when computers became a massive product. It created an Industry that had never been seen or experienced and the Stock Market went through the roof with Dot Com's. What has George brought to the economy table in 7 years? 9-11? A War? Trillion dollar debts? All I'm saying is, where's the gasohol? Take the G out of "G" asohol and you get the current President of the United States of America!

Where's it being sold, if it's being produced? Back in the Carter Administration, you knew most stations carried it for a reduced price. Can someone name me a location where it can be purchased?

The Fruitland Easter Parade

People lined the streets throughout the parade route to see floats and local celebrities. Rick Pollitt, John Cannon, Page Elmore. Mike Lewis, they just kept coming.The Parade Route ended at the ball fields where they held a Easter Egg Hunt and other fun activities. I wish I could have brought you information before the event actually happened and that was a major issue this past weekend. Although the Daily Times was aware in advance about these events, they chose to only say something about it the day of the event, so people couldn't plan for it.

I too would like advance notice for any and all events going on in Salisbury because as you can see, I at least deliver them, unlike the Daily Times.

I've Been Snagged!

Although I had hoped no one had noticed I too was out in the outfield hoping to snag a few Easter Eggs, someone snagged me! Pesky Wittle Wabbit!

Tee Shirt Of The Year!

The Voting Rights Act Anniversary

President L.B.Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act

Forty-three years ago this week,President Lyndon B.Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law,which essentially guaranteed minorities the right to vote without paying so-called"poll taxes" or being subjected to literacy tests.While the law protects ALL minority races,it was primarily directed towards preserving the voting rights of blacks,particularly in states such as Mississippi,where black voters were threatened and intimidated into not voting.Any effort by blacks to organize voter registration drives were met with violence and many homes and churches were torched during this shameful period in American history.In an attempt to prevent blacks from voting,illiterates were turned away and attempts were made to extort "taxes" from them for their right to vote.Groups like the NAACP,the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Congress of Racial Equality worked tirelessly to insure blacks were aware of their rights and to encourage them to register at the polls,and lots of blood was shed along the way.Medgar Evers,who was the leader of the NAACP in the early 60's,literally gave his life to the cause and his killer was not brought to justice until 3 decades later.Civil rights workers James Chaney,Andy Goodman & Mickey Schwerner were jailed in Neshoba County,Mississippi, and later released.As they were driving out of town,they were ambushed by a Sheriffs Deputy,who delivered them into the hands of the local KKK,which not surprisingly,was in cahoots with the cops.They were brutally murdered and later their bodies were recovered on a Mississippi farm.Numerous others were lynched and/or simply disappeared.

In 1964,less than 5% of black Mississippians were registered to vote.In 1967,after the VRA had been in effect for two years,over 29% were registered.108 blacks ran for public office in 1967 and 22 of them actually won.With federal oversight of elections,bitter white resistors turned to gerrymandering to prevent black majorities and even made elaborate changes to the qualifications required to run for office,in an attempt to suppress black political hopefuls.

Fast-forward to today,when the main Democratic contenders are a white female and a biracial man.Occasionally adjustments are made to the Voting Rights Act and in fact,President George W.Bush signed a re-authorization of the Act before the 89th US Congress.

So many people today still take their voting rights for granted and they need to be reminded that until about 90 years ago,no woman could vote and until just 4 decades ago,neither could black people.Everyone should take a few moments this week to reflect on the many sacrifices made by those before us so that EVERYONE is allowed to exercise the right to vote!

Source references:"Ghosts of Mississippi" by Maryanne Vollers printed in 1995

Flashback Movies:"Joe Dirt"(2001)

"Joe Dirt" DVD cover
David Spade as "Joe Dirt"

I had the opportunity today to watch one of my favorite movies on Comedy Central,the 2001 comedy "Joe Dirt",starring the sarcastic dry comic & SNL alumni David Spade.In a departure from his usual smart-aleck characters,he plays a loveable white-trash mullet wearing orphaned janitor who is "discovered" by talk radio DJ Zander Kelly(Dennis Miller),who encourages Joe to share his life story with listeners.Joe Dirt was abandoned by his parents as a child at the Grand Canyon and spends 20 years roaming the country,seeking his parents and meeting a variety of colorful characters,including a former mob accountant in Witness Protection(Christopher Walken) and a beautiful country girl named Brandy(Brittany Daniel),and even spends time in a basement dungeon pit reminiscent of "Silence of the Lambs"after meeting a man calling himself"Buffalo Bob".The soundtrack is chock full of classic rock tunes by the likes of Bachman-Turner Overdrive,Bob Seger,Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joe Walsh,to name a few.He sports a variety of cool T-shirts,including one that says"I choked Linda Lovelace"!

Despite his being bullied and disappointed at every turn,Joe remains positive and his mottos are "Lifes a Garden,Dig It!' and "You cant have "NO" in your heart".He goes on to meet his greedy parents,and realizes that he had a family all along,in his friends AND there is a happy ending!He not only gets the girl,he gets his Hemi Plymouth convertible back and in the closing scene,leaves bully and romantic rival Robby(played very badly by Kid Rock) and his "slant-six" Firebird in the dust.

While the movie cost 33 million to make and only made 30 million at the box office,DVD sales were phenomenal and it is a modern cult classic.In my opinion,Spade hasn't done anything nearly as funny since this film!

The movie also features appearances by comic Bob Zany,actress Rosanna Arquette and Kevin Farley,brother to the late comic and Spade sidekick Chris Farley,as well as Kevin Nealon from SNL.And heres a bit of trivia-in the scene where Joe meets Indian firecracker vendor "Kickin' Wing",there are two huge arrows sticking out of the ground that are actually all that is left from the abandoned"Twin Arrows" Rest Stop ,a former landmark on the famous Route 66.

If you have never seen it,give it a chance.It is a hysterical and heartwarming comedy.

Best lines from the movie:

"Sometimes the boila acts up and you have to hit it with a hamma"-Christopher Walken as Clem the Janitor

"Thats the wrong tone-you're talkin' to my guy all wrong-I just might have to stab you in the face widda sodderin' iron"-also Christopher Walken

"Ma'am,you should never DRINK the bong water"-Carson Daly as himself to Joes Mom when she calls in to TRL

"DANG!"-Joe Dirt

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING & WORK SESSION

MARCH 17, 2008

CONFERENCE ROOM 305

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

Special Meeting

4:30 p.m. Amending public hearing date for Resolution No. 1626 (West Road-Westside Manor Annexation Plan) and Resolution No. 1627 (West Road-Westside Manor Annexation)

Work Session

4:45 p.m. Changes to election process – Brenda Colegrove/Anthony Gutierrez

5:25 p.m. Reallocating bond proceeds – Pam Oland

6:10 p.m. Extending marina contract with Coastal Properties Management, Inc. through December 31, 2008 – Jim Caldwell

6:30 p.m. Discussion – approving work session minutes

6:45 p.m. Discussion – proposed revision to §SC7-27, Transfer of Funds

7:00 p.m. Discussion – releasing December 5, 2007 "Privileged & Confidential" memo from City Attorney Paul Wilber

7:15 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas

7:30 p.m. Adjourn

Salisbury News & Shorebirds Team Up

While attending the Easter Egg Hunt this weekend I was approached by the Shorebirds management to help promote events at the Shorebirds Stadium. Being a long time Minor League Baseball Fan, I immediately agreed to do so. There just aren't enough Family Entertainment things to do in the immediate Salisbury area and quite frankly, the Shorebirds do quite a bit for the community and we're honored to help out and give back.

It wasn't that many years ago I had a Skybox at the Baysox Stadium in Bowie, also co founded by Frank Perdue.Yankee Stadium was my favorite memories as a child, sitting behind the big iron beams that supported the upper decks. This, of course, was before they remodeled Yankee Stadium. Getting autographs from the all time greatest players from the mid 1960's, on. Men wore a suit and tie and the women were dressed as if they were out for a big night on the town. As I traveled in business I did my best to try to make it to other stadiums throughout the Country and when Minor League came to Maryland, I was all in.

I'd like to see more people turn out at the games this year and I can only hope by promoting it here on this Blog will help their attendance for Ball Games and Special Events.

The Daily Times Has Serious Problems

While visiting a Royal Farms Store today, a woman walked in the door with two Sunday Daily Times newspapers. She immediately complained how her Son was featured in an article on today's paper, so she bought two. When she got home with the papers and started searching for the article, she came to realize that BOTH papers were actually missing that section.

This is where this article will go into the Read More section, so click on Read More.When I listened to this story I was somewhat amazed/surprised but I have been receiving messages all day today about their paper being all out of whack again. Mine wasn't all that bad today but like I said, I was done with it before the coffee machine finished brewing a pot of coffee.

Another friend e-mailed me and said....... "Then today I got the Sunday paper for the grocery store ads and guess what? NONE! I had TWO each of the dept store ads like Sears and Penneys and the USA Today supplement but the Life & Style section was absent, as were all the grocery store ads. If they cannot do it right I wish they just would not bother!And yes, you have permission to reprint my griping! From now on I will just get a Sun-at least then I can get Giant and Super Fresh ads-and the Crisfield paper has Food Lion and local grocery ads.Who needs The Times? I read today's "issue" in 10 minutes. There's just nothing in it anymore. They were at their best when Mel Toadvine was on staff and they had interesting local columns from people like the late Peyton Zeiger(great lady!) and the late Dick Moore. What is going on over there????"

Oh, by the way, friend, they're sorry for treating you like crap, but they got their money out of you, so tough sh!t! The Daily Times has not improved and their articles are becoming more and more like the day after Salisbury News.

Corpus Christi Woman Brings Grenade Into Police Station

An unidentified woman from Corpus Christi Texas brought a live hand grenade to the local Police Station after going through a family members belongings. The woman handed it to an Officer who immediately took it outside and cleared the building.

They ultimately detonated the grenade an hour later, which turned out to be live!

Bear Stearns Sells To JP Morgan For $2.00 Per Share

$236.2 million was the bargain basement price for a company Chief Executive Alan Schwartz assured Wall Street was not in trouble just a week earlier. The Federal Reserve and the U.S. Government approved the all-stock buyout, showing the urgency of completing the deal before world markets opened. JPMorgan Chase & Co. said it will guarantee all business, such as trading and investment banking, until Bear Stearns' shareholders approve the deal. Like I said in another Post, can you say depression?

12 Fire Vehicles At Hebron Fire

I recently left the scene of a fire in Hebron on Farm House Drive. As usual, this was again about an 800 square foot one story home with at least 12 Fire Vehicles, (including a Ladder Truck) on the scene. THANK GOD!

I must have screwed up the settings on my camera at the time, just consider it my gift to St. Patrick's Day, LOL It sure is amazing to watch Wayne Barall running around the house taking pictures everywhere, yet he allegedly had major back surgery recently? I'd also like to know how he can run in and around the fire scene right next to the fire, (I do have pictures) without any Fire Gear on? Not that I really care, I just see a liability lawsuit in the making very soon. Especially if he's out begging others to help pay for his court costs the other day when we went to court. He already begged the Public Defender to drop his fees and the Judge allowed because he's on workers comp. Poor Wayne. Stop trespassing on private properties you Idiot and you won't have to go to Court.

I need to add this little tidbit. Last night I was at the Farm Bureau Dinner and Wayne Barrall was there. Now, even after the Judge flat out instructed him to leave after Wayne said, If I'm in Food Lion on isle 3 and Mr. Albero walks in, does that mean I have to move to isle 7? She replied, you leave, period. Last night Wayne refused to leave the building and I have at least 10 witnesses. He's already violated his probation. I wonder if the Delmar Fire Department can and will understand that?

When I'm at a function or in a building, such as my announcement of being at the new Fire Station in Salisbury on Tuesday, I expect Wayne to either leave or I'll call the Police and have him arrested. I didn't want a scene last night but I will be speaking to the States Attorney's Office tomorrow morning about last night.

Anyhow, getting back to the fire scene, it was another joke. You do NOT need 10 to 12 Rescue Vehicles on the scene, period. There wasn't a neighbor there saying, what the hell do they need all these fire trucks here for? If you don't believe me, I gave you the street name, ask them.

I'm also told the County Fire Chiefs set up these 911 guidelines. I'd say, look good and hard at the veteran Chiefs because they're the ones who are screwing up.

Spring and Baseball

Last night was the first night I was able to sleep with my windows open. I had the joy of getting that crisp air, not too cold, but cold enough for one comforter to keep you warm enough and having that cool fresh breeze to breath in. The ambiance was completed with the chirping of crickets that were muffled out of the trees rustling and then back in when the wind died down. It was like a call and response of a musical piece between the two.

The permeating night harkened back to realizing the meaning of spring for me in my youth. Baseball was my first sport I loved and still there is nothing else like playing a game of catch or whiffle ball at my older age. We all sensed the warm weather coming and anticipated our first game and it was always about whose yard(s) we would play on. Each yard had its’ own nuances which gave a homerun easier to one part than the other or how we would field a longer section of yard. Nothing was like running away from a yard after getting yelled at for putting a bald spot in the lawn from home plate and the batters boxes. Obviously we just went to another yard and continued where we left off taking whatever we had scrounged up for bases. These bases seemed to change day to day after our parents would have to use them for what they actually were made for.

Each yard really was a different park; Three Rivers, Camden Yards, or Wrigley. One end of the block was National and the other end American. It didn’t matter if we were short a player or two, we had an infinite supply of ghost runners with the names of Mantle, Ruth, Clemente, and Gherig. Our names changed to Griffey, Clark, Thomas and Ripken. Oh how we lost so many balls but it never mattered because one of us would run as fast as we could back to our house to grab one and run right back dead exhausted so we never had to wait. We had Big League Chew and our parents gave us endless supply of freeze pops and Lil’ Hugs to help us recover and sustain our playful intensity.

This daily ritual happened every day during spring and summer, even if we had our Little League game later that day. It didn’t matter. If we ever got a little burnt out on baseball we would change to another ball and play that for the day or go riding our bikes exploring. Whatever we did we ended up sweaty, dirty, and bloodied with a smile on our dusty face ready for dinner. The next day it would be all smiles, jokes, and arguments over if he was really out or not. Or what a play that was and we would all try to top the performance of the previous day.

Spring was simple. Spring was simply heaven.

We never fretted about the fall leaves and fall air. We simply just switched to a football and baptized the yards for football with the first scraped knee and pile on. It still was simple and we just kept heaven going…

Who's Gonna Help Me Clean Up This Mess?

Stop Complaining

The other day I posted a photo of a Gas Tanker doing 70 mph down Spring Hill Road. A few people sent in comments suggesting the vehicle following was speeding up and slowing down in order to get a shot of the truck doing 70 mph. That simply was not the case, nice try. Here are three pictures in a row showing how he stayed steady at 65 to 70 mph on a back country road. So, enough is enough.

The Shorebirds Deliver Again!

Yesterday the Shorebirds held three Easter Egg Hunts, 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00. I truly couldn't believe how many parents showed up with their children, lining the entire outfield and scrambling to collect as many eggs as they could.

Wicomico County needs more special Family events like this and I can assure you, Salisbury News will be promoting many more of the Shorebirds events throughout the rest of this year.

Again, As Seen On Salisbury News and NOT The Daily Times.

Pocomoke Tattler & Salisbury News take the #1 & #2 Spot Again This week

Maryland's Most Influential Political Blogs

1 Pocomoke Tattler 1
2 Salisbury News 2
3 monoblogue 5
4 Charles County Cafe 4
5 Free State Politics 14
6 Delusional Duck -
7 Maryland Politics Watch 19
8 Brian Griffiths 18
9 WorcesterRight 6
10 The Main Adversary 10
11 Maryland Politics 7
12 Capital Punishment -
13 On The Record 20
14 The Dagger 13
15 Baltimore Reporter 12
16 Maryland Moment 8
17 The Silver Spring Penguin -
18 Delmarva Dealings -
19 Martin O'Malley -- Broken Promises -- OMalleyWatch.com -
20 Politics, Hon. -

Although this may not mean much to all of you, to us Bloggers, this is a nice recognition for all the hard work we put into delivering the local news and information. I'd like to congratulate Michael into the upper rankings as this too is well deserved. Delusional Duck is finally in the rankings as well. I wonder what Blognetnews did to their ranking changes because I've never seen them in the top 20 and they deserve to be in the top 10 every week!

Did Ray Lewis & Co. Completely Suck The Life Out Of Wicomico County?

In today's USA Weekend Magazine provided in the Daily Times, this ad was placed inside to draw more people to certain Counties. Wicomico County was NOT in there. Worcester County was, Ocean City was but Wicomico County sits vacant, or shall I say, a No Show? Thanks Ray Lewis & Co.!

More Than 300 Attend Farm Bureau Dinner

While more than 300 people attended last nights Banquet, the Politicians were everywhere!

Rick Pollitt gave the speech of the year last night, getting down to business and cracking people up with a variety of jokes. While Rick spoke for about 45 minutes, he addressed the Landfill and other challenges throughout Wicomico County and IMO did so with class.

All I can tell you Folks is, Thank God they served dinner FIRST because the speeches went on for about 2 hours! Sorry but that's just too much to digest. The food was absolutely fantastic, so a hat tip to Sharptown. They served fried oysters, sweet potatoes, dumplings with turkey. Look, it was simply delicious.

I'll close with one of the topics I found most interesting. Mr. Pollitt expressed his concerns over the Liquor Dispensary System in Wicomico County and possibly privatising that system. He said it would have to make sense financially to the County as they bring in around $400,000.00 yearly to the County but they're open to ideas and they want to investigate that further.

Andy Harris and Frank Kratovil were there, (photos above) and quite frankly everyone was having a great time. I'm glad I went and I look forward to next year.

Yesterday Was A Perfect Day For Shooting Guns

While I was off doing what seemed like a million different things yesterday, I was able to get a break and hang out with the guys and shoot off a few hundred rounds. It didn't take long before we were nailing every target as well as clays. No Trespassing means No Trespassing!

Salisbury's Troubled Past With The EPA

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND ) DOCKET No. CWA-III-219
)
Respondent )

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART COMPLAINANT'S MOTION FOR ACCELERATED DECISION

By Motion filed May 21, 1999, Complainant moved for accelerated decision on the issue of liability only, for each of the three types of violations described in the Complaint. For the reasons discussed below Complainant's motion will be granted in part and denied in part.(1)
I. Background



On July 15, 1998, Complainant initiated this administrative proceeding pursuant to Section 309(g) of the Clean Water Act ("CWA"), 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g).(2) Respondent, the City of Salisbury, Maryland, owns and operates a publicly owned treatment works ("POTW") in Salisbury that treats domestic sewage. The Complaint charges Respondent, in one undesignated Count, with 24 violations of the sludge regulating provisions of CWA § 405, 33 U.S.C. § 1345, and implementing regulations codified at 40 C.F.R. § 503. Complainant seeks assessment of an aggregated penalty in the amount of $16,000.



Section 405(d)(1) of the CWA directs the Administrator to issue "regulations providing guidelines for the disposal of sludge and the utilization of sludge for various purposes." 33 U.S.C. § 1345(d)(1). The regulations governing the use or disposal of sewage sludge are found at 40 C.F.R. § 503 and impose upon persons engaging in use or disposal of sewage sludge specific requirements. The Complaint charges Respondent with violating the regulatory requirements governing: (a) monitoring under 40 C.F.R. § 503.16; (b) pollutant concentration ceilings under 40 C.F.R. 503.13; and (c) data reporting for the land application of sludge under 40 C.F.R. § 503.18.



Complainant asserts that, based on admissions in the form of Respondent's own records and reports, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact in this proceeding and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 22.20(a). Respondent opposes Complainant's Motion as to its alleged violations of pollutant concentration ceilings and reporting requirements; Respondent urges that material issues of fact are in dispute, that Complainant is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and that an evidentiary hearing is necessary to resolve disputed factual issues. As to the remaining violation charged, Respondent admits that it failed to monitor for arsenic and selenium in the first quarter of 1996 as required by 40 C.F.R. § 503.16, and does not contest the granting of an accelerated decision on liability for that violation.

GO HERE to read the rest.

Property Assessments To High!

Property Confiscation without Compensation?

Many Marylanders have not stopped to realize what a 'Soviet Maryland' would mean. Your Maryland governing officials - (Communist and Progressive Democrats) - have no doubts as their blueprints are already made.

SO YOU THINK YOU GOT A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE?

READ ON IT GETS BETTER.

In June, 1957, Nikita Khruhchev, Soviet Communist Party boss, was interviewed before a nation-wide American television audience. With Calm Assurance he stated:

' I can prophesy that your grandchildren in America will live
under Socialism. And please do not be afraid of that. Your
grandchildren will . . .not understand how their grandparents
did not understand the progressive nature of a Socialist
Society.'

I've got news for every one of my fellow Marylanders.

WE HAVE ALREADY EVOLVED THERE!

So Chamber of Commerce what are you going to do?

How are you going to launch a Counter offensive?

HIGHER TAXES?

Most all businesses in Maryland got a royal screwing by our last Maryland General Assembly session.

Just examine the following link where they have substantially increased the tax rates.

http://taxpros.marylandtaxes.com/taxforms/updates.asp

Now take a look at the Entity Types- ( who and whom got screwed) . . . S Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, Business Trust - (link below).

http://forms.marylandtaxes.com/08_forms/510d.pdf

AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY MARYLAND HAS A BAD REPUTATION?

ITS A NO-BRAINER!!!!

New Posts

I am truly excited about the NEW format on our Posts. Rather than cluttering up the Home Page with articles that can tend to take up a ton of space, we're been able to enable a "READ MORE" link that takes you to the rest of the article.After clicking the read more link it brings you to the rest of our article and I think that's way cool.

Attn. Daily Times, YOU'RE KIDDING ME, RIGHT?

I just got my Sunday Daily Times. You know, the one that cost $1.25! OK, I'm VERY pissed off. Before my coffee finished brewing, I was done with the paper! Look, these guys are pissing me off so bad, I'm truly thinking about to cancelling my own subscription! They have me stuck between a rock and a hard place because this is one of my life lines to Salisbury News. Am I right here Ladies & Gentlemen? did you get a copy of the Sunday paper that is smaller than weekly paper, minus the sale ads, of course. I read the Editorial apologizing for the piece of sh!t paper they've been delivering. Now they didn't say, we're NOT going to BILL all of you for all those days of screw ups, we're just sorry instead. They also didn't say, "can you forgive me?" Sorry but it was difficult to stay focused throughout his message. We're not getting what we pay for and today will be yet another major blow to the Daily Times cancellation department because people simply aren't that stupid. If you're like me and you travel to almost every event around the County, I never see the Daily Times at these events any more. I started my morning on the road at 8:30 am and I returned home at 9:30 last night! Not once did I see a Daily Times Reporter and not once did I see a Daily Times Photographer. There's plenty of news to go get, you're just not doing it and obviously you're not delivering it.

Recall Effort Has Support Of Many City Residents

The Salisbury University student who has correctly challenged and identified the incompetence and ineffectiveness of our local government has the support and encouragement of a large majority of Salisbury citizens.

The ridiculous notion that his effort is motivated and driven by "unknown" sources is a poor attempt to defame this young man's credibility and purpose.

Unfortunately for these targeted city officials highlighted for recall, this is a poor attempt on their part to deflect and escape public notice of their poor performance. It should also be noted that the mayor, council President Louise Smith, Councilman Gary Comegys and Councilwoman Shanie Shields are actually noncompliant with the standards established in the city of Salisbury's mission, values and vision statement.

If you read this document, especially the area of core values, you will see these public officials fail to meet the requirements. This should further substantiate, validate and endorse the current recall effort.

The current arrogance and abuse of power by these individuals is inexcusable and will continue to impede real progress required to properly operate the city of Salisbury. The political climate that exists now is based entirely on bullying, noninclusion and lack of accountability toward its citizens.

I find it hard to believe any citizen of Salisbury endorses, accepts or is satisfied with what exists. These current officials cannot be oblivious to their inept, divisive and nonrepresentative style of government.

The effort to recall is necessary and correct, and all in question should immediately resign from office.

Bruce W. Webster

Wildlife Pic

And this is a test of the "Read More" feature.