I'd Like You To Meet Two Year Old Brody Lewis

From Grandma:

"Sit back my friends and let me tell you a true story about good deeds.

Last week, I emailed Joe about a very special but odd request. Because of my grandson's special needs and life support system, I was hoping to find a beautician/barber who might be willing to make a house call.

You see, my grandson can't leave the house without all kinds of back up batteries and tubes which must be connected to him. He will be 2 years old May 14 and has never had a haircut. It would take too much time to use the phone book and call every shop in the area which is why I contacted Joe.

I anxiously waited for my post on his site. It never happened. The next thing I knew, I had an email from Joe stating that he had contacted Eric the Barber and Eric agreed!

Eric and Joe came yesterday to my grandson's house and by the way, Eric worked until 3 and was with us by 4, and my grandson got his first haircut! He looks SOOOO cute!

When I offered to pay, Eric flat out turned me down. He came with all of his tools and let me tell you, this was NOT an easy hair cut because of the special chair that my grandson has to sit in. Joe offered to pay himself because he knew what a wonderful thing Eric was doing but I think Eric went home with nothing but a feeling of doing something great!

I was running around taking pics with my cell phone but because of being short, I could not get a lot of shots. Joe was able to take some shots through the entire process and I can't wait to see them!

Folks, never say that no one reaches out to help others no matter how odd the request may be. Joe and Eric did and I have to say, they are some of the nicest people I have ever met!

Many thanks to Eric and Joe!

Your good deeds will not be forgotten!"

Cindy, Casie, Brad and Brody

Craft Beer Tasting Event

Talk about a huge success! The Craft Brew Tasting Event was held on Sunday and quite frankly I got there pretty much when they opened their doors and the place was packed.

They changed the location so it could be held indoors at the old Fire Station 16 Downtown. As you can see from the photos, things went better than I certainly expected.

People were able to try out many of the different brews available here on the Eastern Shore. Some they liked, some they didn't. However, it was a perfect way to get to know who has what and perhaps what they'll order in a local pub the next time they visit.

DAILY TIMES ROYALLY REAMS RICK POLLITT!

It’s not often that we complement an editorial in Salisbury’s newspaper, but the one in Sunday’s issue qualifies for kudos, primarily because it pulls no punches. The writer pointedly charges Pollitt with lack of leadership in his recently proposed budget, even stating that “we can do better.”

Pointing out that Mr. Pollitt has for years bemoaned Wicomico County’s property tax “revenue cap,” blaming it for all kinds of things, the editorial further observes that this year he could raise more tax revenue by increasing the tax rate, after having cut the rate in prior years because of that cap.

But he failed to request a tax hike in his latest proposed budget. Yes, that does seem two-faced, no matter which side of the fence you’re on. There’s a County election this year. As many baseball fans say each fall: “Wait until next year.”

The only point that seems debatable is the suggestion in the editorial that Pollitt could become the leader that “we need”. He has now had several years in which (as the writer states) “we’ve been warned that tough times were coming” during which “Pollitt has been adamantly opposed to certain painful steps that might narrow the gap.”

Can the County’s “public information officer” tell us how many strikes Mr. Pollitt gets before the umpire sends him back to the dugout?

Habitat For Humanity, Built By Women

This Is What Makes America So Great!

You take a bunch of great women, pull them together and watch them work and unbelievable dreams can come true. This can certainly be said about the Angelot Family and all of their new friends and neighbors who helped their dreams come true.

Saturday Habitat for Humanity delivered the keys to the Angelot Family, along with a ton of house warming gifts. They are now homeowners in Salisbury. I encourage all of you to at least click on the second image above and read their story.

While there are truly too many names to mention here, just know that because of some, the American Dream can still be achieved. Get involved Folks and make a positive difference.

47 News Director Dawn Mitchell Has Passed Away

Ladies & Gentlemen, it truly saddens me to announce that Dawn Mitchell passed away Saturday.

We will provide a more in depth story about this situation tomorrow but our thoughts and prayers go out to Freddie, (her Husband) and the Mitchell Family.

Dawn was a dear friend and quite frankly I am very concerned for those she has left behind. This is a massive loss for many so I'll ask that all of you keep the Mitchell Family and the WMDT Staff in your thoughts and prayers. Dawn was with WMDT for 22 years.

Quote Of The Day

"On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." --Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 1823

Salisbury Festival Draws In 25,000 People

The Salisbury Festival kicked off at 6 PM on Friday and ended late yesterday. Louise Smith stated there would be some 25,000 people attending the event. They also celebrated Pete Cooper's 100th Birthday at the event where Congressman Frank Kratovil presented him with a proclamation from Congress on his 100th Birthday and his service within the state of Maryland.

Police Cuts Spark Debate Over Safety

It has become a recession mantra: Do more with less.

Now, a heartland city is testing whether that's possible when it comes to public safety.

Since January, Tulsa, Oklahoma has laid off 89 police officers, 11% of its force. That has pushed the city to the forefront of a national movement, spurred by hard times, to revamp long-held policing strategies.

In the crosshairs: community-policing initiatives created over the past two decades, such as having officers work in troubled schools, attend neighborhood-watch meetings and help small-business owners address nuisance crimes like graffiti. Such efforts are popular, and some experts credit them with contributing to the steady drop in the national crime rate since 1991.

But after years of expanding and taking on new duties, police chiefs say they have little choice but to retrench.

"Departments are pulling back to their Alamo—providing patrols and responding to calls for service," says Jason Stamps, director of professional training at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

Cuts have swept communities from Stockton, Calif., to Naperville, Ill., depleting some departments to 1980s-era staff levels.

In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently vowed not to lay off cops, but tight budgets have slowed hiring so much that the force is down about 12% from 2000, with more attrition expected. Some violent crimes, including homicides, are on the rise. Paul Browne, a deputy police commissioner, says the department has kept a lid on problems by flooding high-crime areas with cops on foot patrol who practice community policing, such as checking in with merchants and pastors. Mr. Browne said the department is committed to such programs but acknowledges that "it's getting harder" to devote enough resources.

The strain in New York and communities nationwide reminds William Bratton, former police chief in New York and Los Angeles, of the 1970s and 1980s. Then, departments lacked resources to focus on crime prevention and community partnerships, or deal with crimes such as drug dealing and prostitution.

"You'd think we would have learned our lessons from the past," says Mr. Bratton, who now runs Altegrity Security Consulting. "Policing still requires boots on the ground."

Citizens and officers in Tulsa are finding out together what fewer cops means.

The police have curtailed community outreach, investigations, undercover work, surveillance, even traffic enforcement, and poured many remaining resources into bread-and-butter street patrols.

The domestic-violence unit lost two officers, leaving four to handle about 5,000 cases a year. The undercover units that used to focus on armed gangs in public housing projects have disbanded. Veteran narcotics detectives are back in cruisers, answering 911 calls.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. believes this is the first step in remaking the department into a lean machine, with fewer high-paid supervisors in desk jobs and more cops on the street fighting bad guys.

Early numbers look good. Reported crime was down about 20% in February and 15% in March from year-earlier levels.

More here

[There is also much to be said in favor of concealed-carry by a responsible citizenry. Proven fact: when thugs and criminals aren't the only ones on the street that are armed, crime rates drop significantly.-- Editor]

Mike Harpool Of Delmar Wins A Tough Fight

Not that long ago I wrote an article about a young man from Delmar who is bound to a wheel chair having to fight a tough battle taking his three young children to and from Delmar Elementary.

Now just imagine being permanently bound to a wheel chair for starters. Then imagine having three young children living 1/2 mile from their school and having to take them back and forth every day, yet the sidewalks don't have handicap ramps. Oh, it gets worse. Now go back to this past winter and the snow storms we had. Sidewalks weren't cleared so Mike had to travel down the middle of the road and trust me Folks, both sides of the road are jammed packed with vehicles, making it impossible for two way traffic, let alone one way to boot.

Then, (as pictured above) there was only one handicap ramp directly in front of the school and trust me, each and every day someone would park right in front of that ramp making it impossible for Mike to utilize it. Mind you, Mike would have to again travel down the middle of a very busy street in order to get to that ramp.

Learning of this problem, I contacted County Executive Rick Pollitt and asked if there was any way he could help. Rick immediately replied, no problem at all Joe. I'll get Mike an exemption and have a Bus take his children to and from school every day. Well, that wouldn't work simply because Mike truly enjoys getting out twice a day to take his children to and from school.

I then contacted Carl Anderton, one of the Delmar Town Council Members. Carl immediately got the ball rolling and made some phone calls. He called me back within a half hour and said no matter what the deal is, whether the BOE paid for it or the Town of Delmar, new ramps would be installed immediately and they'll settle the cost at a later point.

Low and behold, the very next trip I made to Delmar Elementary they had already torn apart the sidewalks where Mike has to travel and they immediately installed handicap ramps.

On Friday I stopped by the school and the next thing I knew, Fernando Guerrero was there to see his Niece in a talent show. I shared the story with Fernando and he said, Is Mike Here? I walked him over to Mike, (hence the photo above) and Fernando spent some quality time with Mike and his children.

I was then informed by the Principal that they are now working on an emergency plan to widen the road to make things much safer than they currently are. It's simply amazing what a little research can do and my hat is tipped to Rick Pollitt, Carl Anderton and the Staff at Delmar Elementary.

STATE POLICE HELICOPTER BASE MOVE FROM CENTREVILLE TO EASTON ACCOMPLISHED

(Easton, MD) – The move of Maryland State Police helicopter “Trooper 6” from Centreville to Easton was accomplished today.

With a call-sign of “Trooper 6,” the Maryland State Police medevac helicopter assigned to the Upper Shore is now based in a hangar at the Easton Airport. The helicopter had been housed in a hangar beside the Centreville Barracks on Rt. 301 in Queen Anne’s County since 1985.

“Since 1985, we have had great relationships with and cooperation from fire and EMS personnel, as well as elected officials in Queen Anne’s County and I appreciate all they have done to support us,” Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police said. “This move is being made only in the interest of safety. The Easton hangar provides a location and airport support that will greatly increase the safety of our helicopter crews as they initiate and return from their lifesaving missions on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

“The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is an essential component of the Statewide Trauma and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system,” said Robert R. Bass, M.D., Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). “MIEMSS supports the Aviation Command’s efforts to ensure that the MSP medevac operations are conducted in the safest and most effective manner possible.”

The Maryland State Police helicopter is being housed in a hangar at the Easton Airport previously used by the Natural Resources Police. That department is no longer in need of the hangar and it was made available to the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.

All six of the other active State Police hangars are located at airports. The Easton Airport facility has several runways that could be used for emergency landings if needed and has airport tower controllers on duty 16 hours each day. The airport has a precision guidance instrument landing system and will soon have radar for air traffic control. None of these safety features are available at the Centreville hangar.

The Easton hangar is less than 14 nautical miles south of the former Centreville hangar, which is a helicopter flight time of six minutes and ten seconds. Major A.J. McAndrew, Commander of the Aviation Command, is assuring residents on the Upper Shore that they will continue to receive outstanding helicopter coverage.

“Relocating Trooper 6 to the Easton Airport will significantly increase the safety of our operations without negatively impacting the services we provide to the citizens of the Upper Shore,” Major McAndrew said. “Trooper 6 will continue to have a prompt response to calls for service on the Upper Shore and will be supported by Trooper 1 in Baltimore and Trooper 4 in Salisbury.”

Talbot County Councilman Tom Duncan said, “We welcome the medevac helicopter to Talbot County. We recognize having them at the Easton Airport will provide for a quicker and safer service to the people of Talbot County and the Eastern Shore.”

The move of the hangar for Trooper 6 has been supported by the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and the State EMS Board. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command works closely with the members of these organizations as part of the state’s world renowned integrated emergency medical services system.

MSP Car Seat Check Another Huge Success

This weekend the Maryland State Police held their yearly car seat inspections at Sam's Club in Salisbury. I have to admit Folks, it's a great thing to not only see the MSP involved in such a project, my hat is also tipped to ALL of the Families that stopped in to make sure they are using their safety seats properly. Each lane stayed busy almost the entire time.

If Women Controlled The World

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris Tours 1st District

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris came to Salisbury Friday morning to start his campaign bus tour across the First District. Quite frankly he had a decent crowd at the GOB and I'm told the crowds just got better as they went from one location to the next. Andy is running against Frank Kratovil.

'Smart' Power Meter May Measure Home Compliance With Obama Carbon Caps

"If you thought Google was just a harmless Internet search engine, think again," Jerome Corsi's Red Alert warns.

Red Alert reports Google is backing Obama administration efforts to impose carbon taxes through EPA regulations declaring carbon dioxide to be noxious to human health, through cap-and-trade legislation or through hidden provisions buried deeply within an "energy bill."

"Google is also positioning to assume the role of energy police in a brave new world controlled by leftist environmentalists where emitting carbon dioxide will be tantamount to committing a crime and using more energy than absolutely needed will be considered an offense against nature, punishable by a government fine, or maybe even worse," Corsi wrote.

Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google, claimed "in general terms a carbon price will do a lot to advance the competitiveness of these technologies that offer serious climate reductions, help for our energy security, increase our domestic fuels and create all sorts of jobs."

As Red Alert has warned, Google also has an Internet-based "power meter" ready to be installed in Americans' homes so the energy police of the future can monitor how efficiently they use energy.

"Not only will excess uses of energy be punishable by fines, you might not get a government-issued license to sell your home unless you meet government-specified standards for insulation, double-paned windows and whatever else the environmental leftists decide you need to meet their standards," Corsi wrote.

Delmarva Power recently began rolling out their Smart Meter Program, and installations are beginning in this area.

On the company website, Delmarva Power President Gary Stockbridge says:

These "smart meters" represent the next generation of electric meters. They take advantage of wireless technology to enable Delmarva Power to communicate with the electric meter in your home or business, enhancing reliability and giving customers options to control their energy use.

The proposal paves the way toward eventually connecting customers' equipment to the electric grid to allow technology in the appliances to "learn" the cost implications of when and how it is operating -- translating into savings for customers. These "smart meters" also provide for better reliability in the future. For example, the meters - in conjunction with automated equipment - will give Delmarva Power the ability to remotely identify the location of outages (without customers calling in), isolate the problem and reroute crews to speed restoration.

Along with advanced meters, we plan to offer state-of-the-art thermostats.

These "smart thermostats" will be able to communicate back to Delmarva Power and allow customers to save money by altering when they use their heating and air conditioning - the primary drivers of energy in the home today.

[Isn't information technology wonderful? Think of all the money they will save on Brown Shirts.. Editor]

Read more here and here

Ernie Cornbrooks for County Executive?

Have conservatives found the person to replace Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt?  While Salisbury attorney Ernie Cornbrooks hasn’t declared for office (and I doubt he will), his Sunday op-ed in the Daily Times rings true to many who are sick and tired of hearing nothing more than “repeal the cap” and “we need more tax dollars” from the current ruling elite.

Rather than merely advocating a “slash and burn” approach to county spending, Cornbrooks demands that our county leaders begin “thinking outside the box” and showing a little innovation.  He also doesn’t shy away from tackling the 50% monster in the Wicomico County budget:

The entitlement culture of public school employees is the annual budget buster. From where did the idea come that WCBOE pay levels, benefits and jobs are immune? Why is a job in the school system more worthy than a job in the roads department? Everyone with a child in the school system has encountered employees who do not earn their pay, but stay on the payroll until eligible to retire. This fiscal year, taxpayers paid for 180 days of instruction; the WCBOE obtained a waiver for five of them. If employees had given back five days of unearned pay, some of the 17 county employees who were laid off last week might still have jobs.

How ‘bout it Supt. Fredericksen?  Can we expect a rebate on our tax dollars this year?

Like Woodward and Bernstein’s “Deep Throat”, Cornbrooks argues that we need to “follow the money”.  He’s right.  The county’s “political class” simply doesn’t want to make government more efficient, they just want to spend more.

I don’t know whether Ernie Cornbrooks is a Democrat or a Republican.  Until Sunday morning I only knew that he went to Washington & Lee (a definite point in his favor), is a nice guy, is very active in his church and has a lovely and charming wife (who is probably even more active in their church).  We’ll have to forgive the fact that he’s a lawyer.  While I seriously doubt that Mr. Cornbrooks would take the pay cut to run for Pollitt’s post, WHOEVER our county executive is next year would be wise to seek his advice – IF they are willing to stand up for the citizens of Wicomico County rather than the special interest that seem to swing the big stick right now.  If not, expect more blunt-bladed service cuts until a majority of citizens are willing to repeal the cap.

from Delmarva Dealings

Black Caucus Meeting To Plot Its Strategy For Supreme Court Nod

The Congressional Black Caucus plans to meet this week to plot its strategy for the upcoming Supreme Court nomination.

Caucus chairwoman Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has urged President Barack Obama to consider a minority or woman candidate to replace the retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

[Note to Mzzz Lee: The most recent appointment was 'The Wise Latina'-- a minority female-- did you miss that? Editor]

In a statement earlier this month, Lee said it was “essential that President Obama consider gender and ethnic diversity on the high court in an increasingly diverse America.” At an appropriations hearing last week, Lee also tangled with Justice Clarence Thomas, the court’s sole African-American jurist, over the lack of diversity among its clerks.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) is leading the caucus’s approach to judicial nominations. She told The Hill that she would recommend that the caucus “take no position on a specific name yet.” She added, however, that “the caucus should be concerned if we get a nominee that appears to be considerably less progressive than the retiring Justice Stevens.”

The caucus appears to be adopting a lower profile in the selection process after a number of members floated the name of one of their own, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), last year for the seat that ultimately went to Sonia Sotomayor.

Still, several members said they would be watching the process closely.

“We have more than a passing concern,” Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) told The Hill, while adding that he was not pushing a specific candidate.

More

Will Dems 'Go For It' On Immigration Reform?

Across Capitol Hill, Republicans are asking just one question about Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid: Are they really going to do it?

Will the president, the speaker, and the majority leader try to pass "comprehensive" immigration reform in a midterm election year that already threatens to be a disaster for Democrats?

The question comes after reports top Democrats believe they have a "moral imperative" to pursue an immigration deal and are setting aside energy and environmental legislation (which had major problems of its own) to do it.

Whatever they choose, Obama, Pelosi and Reid seem to be driven by a desire to avoid, not confront, the voters' top priority, which is the economy and jobs. By huge margins, Americans want their leaders to concentrate on getting people back to work. While it's not quite true to say that nothing else matters, the fact is, nothing else matters nearly as much.

Just to cite one poll, although there are many, many more: In mid-April, when the New York Times asked people to name the most important problem facing the country, the economy came in first, with 50 percent. Health care came in second, with 8 percent, and after that came the deficit, with 5 percent. Immigration was named by 1 percent of the poll's respondents.

"The problem Obama has is that any time he is not talking about jobs, he's on the wrong topic," says Republican pollster David Winston. "And trying to bring up particularly divisive issues, like immigration, at this point makes the situation worse."

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Will-Dems-_go-for-it_-on-immigration-reform_-91859749.html#ixzz0mCoGJ1PX

Salisbury Memories

Do you remember Salisbury when?

Do you remember swimming in the park? The Christmas parades on Main Street and the old swag lights that hung across Main Street and Route 13? You knew Christmas was getting close when White & Leonard's opened its toy store on the second floor. Johnny's and Sammy's on Wednesday nights for chicken and dumplings and Gino's on Friday nights after Wi-Hi football games.

Then there was "Party Line" on the radio with Bill Phillips, and the great dj of country music, CR Hook at WICO -- and of course there was Jolly Jack during the WBOC news with John B. Greenberger and Roland Twigg reminding us to "tell 'em RT sent you.".

The S & H Green Stamp store was down by Carroll's. Use to get good prizes for collecting these stamps from grocery stores. Giant used to be more than just groceries. You also got your groceries from the Colonial Store on South Salisbury Boulevard

Remember the Wicomico Theater, the Boulevard Theater or the the Oaks Drive-In?

People would go to downtown Salisbury to Benjamin's or Hess Apparel or The Fashion Shop. Salespeople were friendly, mature and knowledgeable. And we actually dressed up for it. Hungry? There was also the Saddle Club or either go downstairs to Reads Drugstore lunchroom on your way out the back door to the parking lot or sit at the lunch counter in Woolworths. Read's Drug Store was the only place to pass through when other stores closed at 5 p.m. on Saturdays on the way to the Shore Madeice cream parlor then later on the new parking lot. Woolworth's had the long counter upstairs. Remember kids popping the balloons at the Woolworth's counter to see the discount? McCrorys on Rt 13 also had a lunch counter but they had a deal where if you ordered a banana split you could pick a balloon to see how much you paid for it.
They said there was a balloon with a penny. As for the Benjamin family. They made sure that customers were treated with respect. That is what customer service was all about. Stores like that just don't exist anymore.

Does anyone remember how Watson's Smoke House stamped the date on a record when you bought it? Watson Smoke House was cool for not only 5 cent cigars but for the latest 45 record. An older gentleman by the name of Howard Riggins ran it, and was so very nice to kids. He would let you listen to recordings he had for sale, knowing we probably didn't have money to buy one. There was a soda fountain in the store, as well as a very hip magazine rack. We would often read it standing there. He never
bothered us about reading and not buying, and whenever we had some money, we really would buy the magazine -- and even an album once in a while. Bob Evans ( class of 60 Wi Hi ) managed Waltson`s.

Do you want fresh vegetables? Go to any farmers stand and buying whatever was fresh-picked that day, and putting the right money in a mason jar.

Remember Polar Bar ice cream?, It tasted like home made. And Oh those doughnuts, the best around.

What I really miss about the old Salisbury is being able to go places without being accosted by thugs. And feeling safe . .. . and a sense of class in the businesses.

Salisbury was one of the last small towns (at the time) where everything would be closed on Sundays. No shopping or anything. It was sorta like they forced you to take a deserved day off. Remember the Sabbath dayand keep it HOLY. I guess we forgot that one, plus other`s.

They were, our better days, we had plenty to eat, a roof over our family.A dog, a picket fence and a station wagon wasn`t such a lonely deal, really.And we knew our extended families and friends, with trust. Most folks wereto poor to paint and to proud to white wash. But we were loved and knew it.

Mostly, they were better times; faith, honesty, and trust were the rules of life.
Something about, " Do unto other`s as you would have them do unto you",

Did I mention, respect for other`s ran high. To bad life has changed so.

White House Asks Senate To Drop Permanent Bailout From Financial Reform

Democrats have been extremely defensive this week about any suggestions that their financial reform bill contains a "permanent TARP bailout." In an appearance on Hardball, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., denied that there was any such bailout, to the approval of host Chris Matthews, who actually said such a suggestion was merely a use of "dishonest language" constructed by public relations professionals.

But aside from the fact that very credible, knowledgeable people like Peter Wallison hold this view, the White House is now asking for the permanent TARP bailout provision to be removed from financial reform. From the AP:
The Obama administration is urging Senate Democrats to drop a $50 billion bank liquidation fund from a financial regulation bill. The money has become a target of Republicans, who have branded the fund a Wall Street bailout.

A senior Treasury official said Friday the administration does not support the fund and that it is unnecessary. Under pending Senate legislation, large financial institutions would provide the $50 billion, which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would use to pay for dismantling giant failing firms.

Read more at the Washington Examiner:

Wicomico AFP Promises Change

This is a reminder that the AFP Wicomico has it's monthly meeting coming up this Wednesday and it's going to be different than anything you have experienced in the past! We are moving forward and organizing like never before. We have a specific direction., so please come prepared to give your imput and discuss your talent, be it making brownies to suggestions of a good educational reading list, to public speaking or just basic organizational skills. We need every one's participation! All hands on deck!

Our Next Meeting is This Wednesday April 28th 7pm
Part of our meeting will entail some house keeping and announcements, as well as some hopeful positions to local chairs and committees. This will be most important to our future growth, so please try to attend and get involved, as this is the only way we can impact the future of our state and our country.

Maryland State Senate District 38 Candidate Michael James to speak at next AFP Meeting

Be at Brew River on April 28th at 7PM

as local OC businessman Michael James stands up to answer the call regarding local jobs and protection of existing industries.
To Learn More www.votemichaeljames.com

Also, Mayor of Pocomoke and Maryland State Delegate Candidate Mike McDermott will there for a Q&A as well.

To Learn More http://www.electmikemcdermott.com/index.php

This is your chance to get to know the candidates. Ask them anything you like. We need to understand who these folks are and what our options are at the voting booth. This is what AFP strives to provide all of us.

Media Leave 'South Park' Creators Out To Dry

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of "South Park," get it.

They get the free-speech significance of the Danish Muhammad cartoons epitomized by Kurt Westergaard's bomb-head Muhammad.

They even get it across.

"It's so sad, the whole Muhammad, the whole Danish cartoon thing," said Stone, Parker seated beside him during a joint interview with the entertainment Web site Boing Boing.

Don't laugh. Boing Boing here goes where "elite" media fear to tiptoe, let alone tread.

The subject was the 200th episode of "South Park," which, in unusually clean if satirical fashion, focused on Islam's fanatical, and, to Western sensibilities, ridiculous prohibitions on depictions and criticism of Muhammad, who is at one point presented in a bear suit. (Now you can laugh.)

Stone continued: "It's like, if everyone would have just, like, normally they do in the news organizations, just printed the cartoons -"

"Everyone would have rallied together," interjected Parker.

"Now that guy [Westergaard] has to be hiding and all this [bleep] because everyone just kind of left him out to dry. It's a big problem when you have the New York Times and Comedy Central and Viacom basically just [wimping] out on it. It's just sad. I was, like, really sad about the whole thing."

This -- despite the grubby Valspeak-ish patois of the astronomically successful Hollywood postmodern -- is a singularly powerful statement. It is powerful in its sincerity, and it is singular in its, well, singularity.

No other American "name" I can think of, no one tops in pop culture, has spoken out against (or even mentioned) the Islamic threat to Western freedom of expression as exemplified by the Sharia dictates against "Motooning." Certainly no one has produced creative content about it.

Rather, such dictates have been religiously followed -- no pun whatsoever intended -- just as though our society were itself officially Islamic. This makes "South Park's" message the closest thing yet to a mainstream declaration of independence from Sharia. For rejecting both the threat of violence and the emotional blackmail emanating from Islam over critiquing Islam's prophet, the two "South Park" creators deserve a medal.

Read more at the Washington Examiner:

Salisbury Police Department

Joe, just wanted you to post some good news.

Hats off to the Salisbury Police Department who recovered some stolen merchandise. A few months ago we had a piece of equipment stolen with a $500 value, thanks to Detective Hughes & Detective Hitty we now have it back.

Just wanted everyone to know these guys are great to work with. You usually only hear the bad publicity but they were on this until they got it. Great job!

Thank you from The Farmers & Planters Co.

MSP Press Release

DATE & TIME: 4/22/10 @ 2149 hrs
LOCATION: Rt. 12 @ College Ave., Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD. 21801
CASE NUMBER: 10-54-003898
CRIME: 1. CDS Possession with the intent to distribute// 2 counts
2. CDS Paraphernalia
VICTIM: State of Maryland
Accused: 1. Kevin Horsey age 18 b/m of Fruitland, Md
David King age 24, b/m of Salisbury, Md
Michael Evans age 18, b/m of Salisbury, Md

BRIEF RESUME: On 4/22/10, at approximately 2149 hrs, Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. The occupants exhibited indicators of criminal activity. A Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office k-9 was requested for a scan of the vehicle. The K-9 scan of the vehicle was conducted and a positive alert for controlled dangerous substances was indicated by the k-9. Subsequent search of the vehicle and the suspects resulted in the seizure of 68 Xanax pills for which neither of the suspects had prescriptions for as well as 18 grams of marihuana and dozens of new empty plastic baggies. The suspects were arrested and transported to the Wicomico County Central Booking Unit for a hearing with the District Court Commissioner.

Lost Keys In Salisbury

Hello Joe,

I have been following this site for some months now. I guess I really got involved at the time of Sarah Foxwell's death. What a pity and shame that was. I'm sending an email to you concerning a set of keys my sister lost in Salisbury on Thursday.

She was with her daughter, in her daughter's vehicle at the Immediate Care Center on Salisbury Boulevard. They were parked closer to the Car Wash facility than Immediate care. When they left there they went to Arby's using the street to the rear of the Immediate Care Center. Later a stop a Big Lots was made, and there they received a call that someone had found a cell phone and called my sisters daughter's number. This was someone from the car wash. He said he had found the cell phone lying in the parking lot. By then they realized her keys were missing also and asked about them but the guy said he had not seen them. Another daughter and we have looked around the areas where they were for the past few days now.

My sister thought about posting something on here but did not want to give her phone number or address, in case some unscrupulous person might give her a hard time. My question is: Is there someway you could post that a set of keys (approx. 10) was lost in the areas I've mentioned. (for you info only - the keys were to her car, utility shed, house, my house, another friend's house, daughter's house and grandson's house)

Thinking someone might have turn them him to a business, or the police department, or perhaps even the Post Office.

I hope I haven't taken up too much of your valuable time and just wondered if this might be try.

Thank you again.
Keep up your good work.
Bill Culver

REMINDER

HEBRON REQUIRED BY A JUDGE'S DECISION TO RE-DO ITS PUBLIC HEARING ON WALLER LANDING--- SET FOR APRIL 26, 2010 AT 7:00 P.M.

As a result of citizens and the environmental groups' prevailing against Hebron in its approval of the mega-project, Waller Landing, Hebron will hold a re-do public hearing on April 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Westside Intermediate School in Hebron.

All citizens who care about taking over 400 acres of pristine farmland for rezoning to a mega-development, please SHOW UP AND SPEAK IN OPPOSITION.

It does not good to object AFTER the plan has been approved!!

A NEW VERSION OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa. Half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally Beautiful!

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe. Well developed and open to trade, especially for someone of real value.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece, gently aging but still a warm and desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all conquering past.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel, has been through war, doesn't make the same mistakes twice, takes care of business.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada, self-preserving, but open to meeting new people.

After 70, she becomes Tibet ... Wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages. An adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

Between 1 and 80, a man is like Iran,... ruled by nuts.

THE END.

Wheels That Heal Car Club Schedule

CITY OF SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

CITY OF SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Meeting #7 April 26, 2010 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:09 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA - City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
• April 12, 2010 minutes
• Resolution No. 1910 - accepting donation from Zoo Commission
• Manufacturing Exemption request – Spartech Polycom
6:14 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS - Internal Services Director Pam Oland
6:20 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING - City Attorney Paul Wilber/Jack Lenox
• Comprehensive Plan
• Ordinance No. 2105 - amending Chapter 15.24 of the Salisbury Municipal Code to provide for the removal of graffiti from private and public property
• Ordinance No. 2106 - adding Chapter 12.36 to the Salisbury Municipal Code to allow businesses that are designated as public eating establishments to obtain a sidewalk café permit to operate a sidewalk café
• Ordinance No. 2101 – repealing and reenacting Chapter 13.28, Stormwater Management, of the Salisbury Municipal Code in order to comply with the requirements of the Maryland Department of Environment Water Management Administration
7:20 p.m. FY11 BUDGET - Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
• Ordinance No. 2107 - 1st reading - proposed FY11 Budget and setting the date for a public hearing
• Resolution No. 1911 - proposed water and sewer rates
7:35 p.m. ORDINANCES - City Attorney Paul Wilber
• Ordinance No. 2102 - 2nd reading - amending Section 8.24 of the Salisbury Municipal Code to properly identify departmental authority to investigate and take necessary measures to abate such violations that constitute a nuisance which injuriously affects adjoining property owners and/or tenants
• Ordinance No. 2108 - 1st reading - amending Chapter 17.40.120 and 17.156.03 of the Salisbury Municipal Code to add a Care Home – Veterans Services Facility as a Use Permitted by Special Exception in the R-5 Residential District.

Ehrlich Week In Review

Week in Review from the Ehrlich Campaign for April 19th - April 23rd


This week Bob Ehrlich focused on job creation and economic growth, his foremost priority in this campaign. His opponent, Governor O’Malley, focused on energy policies he enacted that will increase costs for Maryland consumers already struggling through a recession.

BOB EHRLICH’S WEEK:

· On Tuesday, Bob Ehrlich spoke to the Baltimore Chartered Financial Analyst Society. He discussed how the Maryland General Assembly over the past ten years has enacted a series of laws that increase costs for entrepreneurs and threaten job creation.

· On Wednesday, he met with the Junior Gunpowder Agricultural Club in Upperco to discuss the challenges farmers in Maryland face in the current economic climate, the importance of their entrepreneurial drive, and the valuable role they play in preserving our heritage and scenic landscapes.

· Bob Ehrlich convened a roundtable with small business owners today in Allegany County. The purpose was to listen to the concerns of Maryland’s job creators and to discuss his plan to lower Maryland’s sales tax by 20 percent to help them grow and to help families keep more of their paycheck.

· Due to Bob Ehrlich’s plan to cut taxes and balance the budget, he earned this week the unanimous support of Republican members of the Legislature for his candidacy.

· Bob Ehrlich’s Facebook page passed the 20,000-fans milestone this week. Friends and supporters are encouraged to join his Facebook page for the latest news and insights.


GOVERNOR O’MALLEY’S WEEK:

· Governor O’Malley celebrated his $185 million solar panel tax by installing solar panels on a Marylanders home. Governor O’Malley’s plan (Senate Bill 277) originally called for a $1 billion tax on consumers but lawmakers forced him to scale it down. O’Malley never mentioned at his event the plight of the 325 Marylanders laid off last month when BP Solar closed its plant in Frederick.

· At a presentation to college students this week, Governor O’Malley said, “We’re kleptocrats” when referring to his own government. Merriam-Webster defines a kleptocrat as one who seeks status and personal gain at the expense of the governed. It was an interesting choice of words, but one thing is certain: As governor, Bob Ehrlich will always put the people’s interests ahead of the politicians.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

· This week a new Pew Research Center survey found, “public trust in the federal government in Washington is at one of its lowest levels in half a century. Just 22% of Americans say they trust the government to do what is right.”

· Bob Ehrlich takes this lack of public trust very seriously. He believes elected officials from both sides of the aisle have earned the public’s skepticism. He knows regaining the public’s trust will be neither quick nor easy, but he is deeply committed to doing it through honest governing and the highest standards of excellence.