DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, October 04, 2010
Passengers Forced To Stand During Flight Because There Weren't Enough Seats
While airlines like RyanAir mull over "standing-room seating" and designers create plane seats that will bring tears to your eyes, one airline in Russia figured out how to get passengers to stand up during a flight -- just tell them to.
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October 4th In American Presidential History
Rutherford B. Hayes (R - Ohio, October 4, 1822 – January 17, 1893) became the nineteenth U.S. president in 1877 after a bitterly contested election that pitted him against Democrat Samuel J. Tilden of New York. Tilden won the popular vote, but disputed electoral ballots from four states prompted Congress to create a special electoral commission to decide the election's result. The fifteen-man commission of congressmen, senators, and Supreme Court justices, eight of whom were Republicans, voted along party lines to decide the election in Hayes' favor. The electoral dispute has come to be known as the Tilden-Hayes Affair. Because of the tension surrounding this partisan decision, Hayes secretly took the oath of office in the White House Red Room. He was the first president to be sworn in at the residence.
As president, Hayes promptly fulfilled the promise he had secretly made to Democrats during the electoral dispute: that he would withdraw Federal troops from those states that they still occupied in the former Confederacy, thus formally ending the Reconstruction era. This action eased acceptance of Hayes' presidency among Southern Democrats and strengthened the rising spirit of postwar reconciliation among white Americans. It did so, however, at a severe cost to Southern African Americans, who, in the absence of the protection and governing oversight the troops had effected, quickly found their civil rights abolished by the white majority and their position in society fixed by the massive racial oppression of the Jim Crow era. It would be many decades, until the Civil Rights Movement of the twentieth century, before African Americans in the South succeeded in breaking the forces of Southern white supremacy—whose triumph the secret compromise of 1877 ensured.
Among Hayes' achievements as president were his work to restore confidence in government in the wake of the corruption-riddled Grant administration, his leadership on civil service reform, and his signing of the bill that allowed women attorneys to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hayes was also the first president to host the "Easter Egg Roll" for children on the White House Lawn. His wife, Lucy Ware Webb Hayes, with whom he had eight children, was the first president's wife with a college degree and the first president's wife to be known as the nation's "First Lady."
Although his presidency restored confidence in the Republican Party, Rutherford B. Hayes refused to run for reelection. He left the White House in 1881, devoting his retirement to humanitarian prison reform and—perhaps ironically, considering the circumstances of his accession to the presidency—to creating educational opportunities for black youth in the South. Hayes died in 1893 at his Spiegel Grove estate in Fremont, Ohio.
Among Hayes' achievements as president were his work to restore confidence in government in the wake of the corruption-riddled Grant administration, his leadership on civil service reform, and his signing of the bill that allowed women attorneys to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hayes was also the first president to host the "Easter Egg Roll" for children on the White House Lawn. His wife, Lucy Ware Webb Hayes, with whom he had eight children, was the first president's wife with a college degree and the first president's wife to be known as the nation's "First Lady."
Although his presidency restored confidence in the Republican Party, Rutherford B. Hayes refused to run for reelection. He left the White House in 1881, devoting his retirement to humanitarian prison reform and—perhaps ironically, considering the circumstances of his accession to the presidency—to creating educational opportunities for black youth in the South. Hayes died in 1893 at his Spiegel Grove estate in Fremont, Ohio.
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SEC: Stock Market "Flash Crash" Caused By Single $4.1B Sale
Officials today announced they can trace May's stock market flash crash to a single transaction. On May 6, 2010, at 2:32 pm, Waddell & Reed Financial of Kansas initiated the sale of 75,000 E-Mini Standard & Poor's 500 futures contracts. A sale of this size, about $4.1 billion worth, would usually happen over five hours, but instead the trading algorithms sold them within 20 minutes "without regard to price or time." At 2:42 pm, markets starting plunging 5% in five minutes.
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No Joke! Illiterate Clown Triumphs In Election
'What does a congressman do? The truth is I don't know, but vote for me and I'll tell you'
SAO PAULO — Voters the world over complain about having clowns for politicians, but Brazilians embraced the idea on Sunday by sending a real one to Congress with more votes than any other candidate.
Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, better known by his clown name Tiririca, received more than 1.3 million votes in Sao Paulo state in Brazil's presidential and congressional elections. That was more than double the votes of the second-placed candidate in Brazil's most populous state.
GO HERE to read more.
Coupon Sites Offer Deep Discounts, Let You Splurge
Clipping coupons isn't just for saving money on groceries or trips to a chain restaurant.
A number of group coupon-sharing Web sites have sprung up that offer deep discounts of 50 percent or more on experiences rather than products, things such as skydiving, hotel stays, massages, even foreign language courses.
"Sensory deprivation tanks was actually a big one," says U. S. News & World Report Alpha Consumer Kimberly Palmer.
Perhaps the most popular coupon-sharing site is Groupon, which offers a new deal every night at midnight, tailored to your place of residence, then gives you 24 hours to snap it up and tell your friends. A minimum number of people must purchase the coupon, or it won't take effect.
"That's why a lot of people will say on their Twitter or Facebook pages that they just bought the coupon and encourage their friends to do the same," Palmer says.
There's also a maximum to the number of people who can buy. Once the limit is reached, the offer is withdrawn, adding a further element of speed and excitement to the purchasing process.
Groupon and sites like it, such as Half Price D.C., livingsocial.com and 8coupons.com, represent a new market for a money-saving method that's long been associated with soup cans and cereal boxes.
"Groupon is actually targeted at people who are pretty high earners. They often are single people living in the city who want to try new things," Palmer says.
GO HERE to read more.
A number of group coupon-sharing Web sites have sprung up that offer deep discounts of 50 percent or more on experiences rather than products, things such as skydiving, hotel stays, massages, even foreign language courses.
"Sensory deprivation tanks was actually a big one," says U. S. News & World Report Alpha Consumer Kimberly Palmer.
Perhaps the most popular coupon-sharing site is Groupon, which offers a new deal every night at midnight, tailored to your place of residence, then gives you 24 hours to snap it up and tell your friends. A minimum number of people must purchase the coupon, or it won't take effect.
"That's why a lot of people will say on their Twitter or Facebook pages that they just bought the coupon and encourage their friends to do the same," Palmer says.
There's also a maximum to the number of people who can buy. Once the limit is reached, the offer is withdrawn, adding a further element of speed and excitement to the purchasing process.
Groupon and sites like it, such as Half Price D.C., livingsocial.com and 8coupons.com, represent a new market for a money-saving method that's long been associated with soup cans and cereal boxes.
"Groupon is actually targeted at people who are pretty high earners. They often are single people living in the city who want to try new things," Palmer says.
GO HERE to read more.
What In The Heck Do Clerks Of The Court And Register Of Wills Do And Why Are We Still Electing Them?
He’s running for register of wills, Ulman said. “You can ask him what they do.”
What indeed does a register of wills or a clerk of a court do and why are Maryland voters still electing them in partisan elections?
The only thing political about these offices is the partisan election that gets candidates elected to four-year terms. The rest of the time, registers of wills and clerks of courts are doing specialized full-time administrative jobs in the judicial branch of government.
GO HERE to read more.
How Not To Be Annoying And Incompetent At E-mail
Just because you've fired off dozens of emails every day for more than a decade, it doesn't mean you've been doing it right. You may reinforcing bad habits with each misfired message, unaware that you're rankling friends, business contacts and customer service reps.
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PUBLIC FORUM OF CANDIDATES FOR WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL
THE WICOMICO NEIGHBORHOOD CONGRESS, INC.
P.O. Box 145 * Sharptown, MD 21861
Sponsors a
PUBLIC FORUM OF CANDIDATES FOR
WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL
(Contested Seats Only)
on
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 -- 7 to 9 PM
In the
Amphitheatre of Guerreri Hall (GH 101)
WOR-WIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CANDIDATES INVITED:
At Large: Dave Cowall -- Bob Culver –
Matt Holloway -- Ed Taylor
First District: David Goslee -- Sheree Sample-Hughes
Fourth District: Bob Caldwell -- Dave MacLeod
Candidates Will Be Questioned on Significant Issues Expected to Face the
County Council during the Next Term – 2011 through 2014 by
DON RUSH of WSCL/WSDL (Voice of Salisbury University)
*** For information, contact Mike Pretl at 443-323-3060
The Fence
Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!
If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don't like be shut down.
If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a Republican reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he's "offended".
Opportunities To Support Our Students and Schools
Friday, Oct. 22
3rd annual Harvest Fest
Mardela Middle and High
From 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, the Mardela Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and the Mardela Student Government Association will sponsor the 3rd annual Harvest Fest at Mardela Middle and High School. This event is for children fifth grade and younger (must be accompanied by an adult). There will be trick-or-treating throughout the school, a hayride which leads to a haunted forest, and entertainment in the cafeteria. The public is invited to attend. A $5 donation per child is requested. 410-677-5142.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the James M. Bennett High Junior Class
Support the Junior Class (Class of 2012) at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s. For tickets please contact class advisors Erin Davis (edavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org).
Commemorative JMB T-Shirts
The Junior Class of James M. Bennett High School is selling T-shirts commemorating the new Bennett. The shirts are $15 for sizes small-XL and $17 for sizes XXLarge and XXXLarge. Please email Erin Davis (esdavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org) if you are interested. Checks payable to JMB can be mailed to the school at 300 E. College Ave., Salisbury MD 21801, or dropped off at the school. Call 410-677-5141 for information
3rd annual Harvest Fest
Mardela Middle and High
From 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, the Mardela Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and the Mardela Student Government Association will sponsor the 3rd annual Harvest Fest at Mardela Middle and High School. This event is for children fifth grade and younger (must be accompanied by an adult). There will be trick-or-treating throughout the school, a hayride which leads to a haunted forest, and entertainment in the cafeteria. The public is invited to attend. A $5 donation per child is requested. 410-677-5142.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the James M. Bennett High Junior Class
Support the Junior Class (Class of 2012) at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s. For tickets please contact class advisors Erin Davis (edavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org).
Commemorative JMB T-Shirts
The Junior Class of James M. Bennett High School is selling T-shirts commemorating the new Bennett. The shirts are $15 for sizes small-XL and $17 for sizes XXLarge and XXXLarge. Please email Erin Davis (esdavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org) if you are interested. Checks payable to JMB can be mailed to the school at 300 E. College Ave., Salisbury MD 21801, or dropped off at the school. Call 410-677-5141 for information
Highlighted Events Next Week In Wicomico Schools
Oct. 4-14
HSA Testing
All Wicomico County High Schools
The High School Assessment (HSA) tests will be administered for students who previously took but did not pass one or more assessments. Students should speak with the high school guidance office to sign up.
Tuesday, Oct. 5
Unified Tennis Season Opens
Wicomico High at James M. Bennett High
Wicomico’s second Unified Sports season will open Tuesday, Oct. 5 when players from Wicomico High School and James M. Bennett High meet in the first competition of the season at JMB at 3:30 p.m. Mardela High will play at Parkside High on Thursday, Oct. 7, 3:30 p.m. All four teams will also play on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Wicomico is partnering with Special Olympics Maryland to field Unified athletic teams on which students both with and without intellectual disabilities can play and compete together. The inaugural Unified Sports season of bocce last spring was a big success.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 10:50-11:42 a.m.
Wicomico Band Welcomes “Sesame Street” Musician
Wicomico High School
This fall, the theme of Wicomico High School Marching Band’s program is the music of “Sesame Street,” and on Thursday from 10:50-11:42 a.m. the band will welcome a renowned musician from that famous children’s show. Jim Mitchell, a Salisbury guitarist who spent years commuting to New York to record music for “Sesame Street,” will visit the Wicomico High band room to talk with students about his experiences as a professional musician and to play some guitar. Mitchell played music for “Sesame Street” from 1969-1996, playing guitar on all the recordings of Sesame Street episodes during that time.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Gang Awareness Training
Offered at James M. Bennett High School
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention and Maryland Del. Jim Mathias are sponsoring a special Gang Awareness Training event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at James M. Bennett High School. This training is designed to expand the knowledge of gang activity, awareness and prevention in and around our community. This initiative is open to all interested community members. If you would like more information about this Gang Awareness Training, please see Wicomico County Public Schools web page at www.wcboe.org for a flier and agenda for that evening.
Saturday, Oct. 9
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School
The first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday of the 2010-11 school year will be held at Salisbury Middle School from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 9, with students in grades 4-5 exploring the stars and the universe in “It’s a Starry, Starry Night” and middle schoolers building a bridge for competition in “Bridge Design and Fabrication.” The elementary offerings are new to the STEM Saturdays schedule this year. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. STEM Saturdays will also be held in November and each month from January to April. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit www.wcboe.org and click on the STEM Saturdays Top Story. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.
Up with People Seeks Host Families
Cast to Perform in Salisbury Oct. 12; Host Families Needed Oct. 10-14
Families in Salisbury will have the unique opportunity to bring a bit of the world into their own homes between October 10 and 14 when an international cast of Up with People arrives in Salisbury, a stop on their 2010 world tour. The Salisbury visit of Up with People is sponsored by the Wicomico County Board of Education.
Local families in the Salisbury area are being sought now to sign up to host the cast members between Sunday, Oct. 10 and Thursday, Oct. 14. Those interested in hosting are encouraged to contact Liz Davis on the Salisbury Advance Team at ldavis@upwithpeople.org or by calling 410-677-4400 and asking for Up with People, or 505-850-3113.
Host families are being sought to keep one or more students from Cast B 2010, the 90-member Up with People cast and staff which represents 17 countries and more than 25 states. The opportunity to stay with local families during their stay in each community is a centerpiece of Up with People’s 22-week program. The giving goes both ways…while families share their traditions and local attractions; the cast members share their experiences and cultures. Those with smaller children or young teens in their home often find that the Up with People cast members are wonderful role models and provide a glimpse into other countries, cultures and traditions they might not often experience in Salisbury.
Local host families are asked to provide a bed, local transportation at the beginning and end of each day, as well as breakfast and most dinners. While gone during the day, participating in regional learning, community service and show preparation, most evenings cast members will be home with the family to participate in their activities and interests.
In addition to many wonderful experiences with their new “son” or “daughter,” each host family will receive two complimentary tickets to the Up with People Show which will be held at Wicomico High School on Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m.
HSA Testing
All Wicomico County High Schools
The High School Assessment (HSA) tests will be administered for students who previously took but did not pass one or more assessments. Students should speak with the high school guidance office to sign up.
Tuesday, Oct. 5
Unified Tennis Season Opens
Wicomico High at James M. Bennett High
Wicomico’s second Unified Sports season will open Tuesday, Oct. 5 when players from Wicomico High School and James M. Bennett High meet in the first competition of the season at JMB at 3:30 p.m. Mardela High will play at Parkside High on Thursday, Oct. 7, 3:30 p.m. All four teams will also play on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Wicomico is partnering with Special Olympics Maryland to field Unified athletic teams on which students both with and without intellectual disabilities can play and compete together. The inaugural Unified Sports season of bocce last spring was a big success.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 10:50-11:42 a.m.
Wicomico Band Welcomes “Sesame Street” Musician
Wicomico High School
This fall, the theme of Wicomico High School Marching Band’s program is the music of “Sesame Street,” and on Thursday from 10:50-11:42 a.m. the band will welcome a renowned musician from that famous children’s show. Jim Mitchell, a Salisbury guitarist who spent years commuting to New York to record music for “Sesame Street,” will visit the Wicomico High band room to talk with students about his experiences as a professional musician and to play some guitar. Mitchell played music for “Sesame Street” from 1969-1996, playing guitar on all the recordings of Sesame Street episodes during that time.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Gang Awareness Training
Offered at James M. Bennett High School
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention and Maryland Del. Jim Mathias are sponsoring a special Gang Awareness Training event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at James M. Bennett High School. This training is designed to expand the knowledge of gang activity, awareness and prevention in and around our community. This initiative is open to all interested community members. If you would like more information about this Gang Awareness Training, please see Wicomico County Public Schools web page at www.wcboe.org for a flier and agenda for that evening.
Saturday, Oct. 9
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School
The first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday of the 2010-11 school year will be held at Salisbury Middle School from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 9, with students in grades 4-5 exploring the stars and the universe in “It’s a Starry, Starry Night” and middle schoolers building a bridge for competition in “Bridge Design and Fabrication.” The elementary offerings are new to the STEM Saturdays schedule this year. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. STEM Saturdays will also be held in November and each month from January to April. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit www.wcboe.org and click on the STEM Saturdays Top Story. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.
Up with People Seeks Host Families
Cast to Perform in Salisbury Oct. 12; Host Families Needed Oct. 10-14
Families in Salisbury will have the unique opportunity to bring a bit of the world into their own homes between October 10 and 14 when an international cast of Up with People arrives in Salisbury, a stop on their 2010 world tour. The Salisbury visit of Up with People is sponsored by the Wicomico County Board of Education.
Local families in the Salisbury area are being sought now to sign up to host the cast members between Sunday, Oct. 10 and Thursday, Oct. 14. Those interested in hosting are encouraged to contact Liz Davis on the Salisbury Advance Team at ldavis@upwithpeople.org or by calling 410-677-4400 and asking for Up with People, or 505-850-3113.
Host families are being sought to keep one or more students from Cast B 2010, the 90-member Up with People cast and staff which represents 17 countries and more than 25 states. The opportunity to stay with local families during their stay in each community is a centerpiece of Up with People’s 22-week program. The giving goes both ways…while families share their traditions and local attractions; the cast members share their experiences and cultures. Those with smaller children or young teens in their home often find that the Up with People cast members are wonderful role models and provide a glimpse into other countries, cultures and traditions they might not often experience in Salisbury.
Local host families are asked to provide a bed, local transportation at the beginning and end of each day, as well as breakfast and most dinners. While gone during the day, participating in regional learning, community service and show preparation, most evenings cast members will be home with the family to participate in their activities and interests.
In addition to many wonderful experiences with their new “son” or “daughter,” each host family will receive two complimentary tickets to the Up with People Show which will be held at Wicomico High School on Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m.
Dog Found In Delmar
He was found running loose in the Holly Oak development in Delmar DE.
Please call 443-359-3439 if this is your pet.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
REMINDER: Fruitland Election Is Tomorrow
Many folks are planning to get out and vote in the Fruitland election this year-- a lot is at stake, and the citizens are stirred up.
A reminder-- the election is on MONDAY, October 4th, not on Tuesday!
Sometimes people forget, because so many elections are on Tuesdays, but the city charter dictates that the election is to be held on the first Monday in October.
The polls will be open from 7 AM till 8 PM at Fruitland City Hall on East Main Street.
A reminder-- the election is on MONDAY, October 4th, not on Tuesday!
Sometimes people forget, because so many elections are on Tuesdays, but the city charter dictates that the election is to be held on the first Monday in October.
The polls will be open from 7 AM till 8 PM at Fruitland City Hall on East Main Street.
Tull Supports The Following Fruitland Candidates
First, my thanks to the citizens of Fruitland for allowing me to serve the City the last four years as your "hands on" number one volunteer job councilman.
Now, the issue at hand is the replacements for the retiring three councilmen who were dedicated to the responsibilities on behalf of the City. I attended the candidate's forum, reviewed their qualifications, and personally interviewed them, in order to make my choices for the three open seats.
My choices will, in my opinion, represent the City in the same manner that I have for the last four years. All three will make the time available to do the City's business, have a high level of integrity, will vote for what is best for Fruitland, have business and legal experience, have knowledge of the rules and laws that govern a municipal government, and fully understand the issues facing Fruitland, a City that has grown in a short period of time from a two million dollar budget to over six million plus the necessary loans.
Darlene "Dodie" Kerr, Charles "Chuck" Nichols and Richard "Lee" Outen are my choices and I suggest should be your choice for the next Fruitland City Council.
As I stated four years ago, regardless of your choice, please vote Monday, October 4, as one of over 2,500 registered voters in our great City. Note: If anyone wishes to discuss the above, please feel free to contact me at 410-749-3557. Thank You
Sincerely,
Retiring Councilman, Richard F. Tull
Now, the issue at hand is the replacements for the retiring three councilmen who were dedicated to the responsibilities on behalf of the City. I attended the candidate's forum, reviewed their qualifications, and personally interviewed them, in order to make my choices for the three open seats.
My choices will, in my opinion, represent the City in the same manner that I have for the last four years. All three will make the time available to do the City's business, have a high level of integrity, will vote for what is best for Fruitland, have business and legal experience, have knowledge of the rules and laws that govern a municipal government, and fully understand the issues facing Fruitland, a City that has grown in a short period of time from a two million dollar budget to over six million plus the necessary loans.
Darlene "Dodie" Kerr, Charles "Chuck" Nichols and Richard "Lee" Outen are my choices and I suggest should be your choice for the next Fruitland City Council.
As I stated four years ago, regardless of your choice, please vote Monday, October 4, as one of over 2,500 registered voters in our great City. Note: If anyone wishes to discuss the above, please feel free to contact me at 410-749-3557. Thank You
Sincerely,
Retiring Councilman, Richard F. Tull
A Picture Is Worth 10,000 Votes
A little more than 9 months ago, thousands of people gathered at the Shorebords Stadium to help search for little Sarah Foxwell. On that very day, Sarah became Wicomico County's Child. Behind the scenes and over all these months, Davis Ruark and his Staff have been working with the Foxwell Family, especially their 7 year old Daughter. That child has found a comfort zone with Davis and his Staff. It was a very wise decision for Matt to ask Davis to stay on this case and bring justice to the Foxwell Family, should Matt be elected at the next States Attorney for Wicomico County.
To think that Seth Mitchell wants to handle this case without Davis Ruark is about as cold and selfish as any human being can imagine. To me, it clearly shows the lack of sensitivity within this case. Matt committed to Teamwork while Seth Mitchell committed to Me, Me, Me, I, I, I. There is no Me and I in Teamwork Seth, that's why you cannot gain the trust and respect from the many thousands of people who searched for Sarah on Christmas Day.
Let's also never forget that Seth Mitchell represented Thomas Leggs in what I believe were 20 charges against him. It is highly questionable whether or not Seth Mitchell can even participate in the Leggs murder trial because of a conflict of interest.
Matt Maciarello will be the next States Attorney for Wicomico County.
WBI Press Release
INCIDENT: Attempted Murder DATE: 10/3/10 LOCATION: 700 Block of Olivia Street, Salisbury, Maryland. NARRATIVE: On 10/3/10 at approximately 0128 hours Deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office and Detectives from the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation (WBI) responded to the 700 Block of Olivia Street for a report of shooting victim. The initial investigation showed that the victim was walking on Olivia Street when a vehicle approached him and fired multiple gun shots, one of which struck the victim in the upper thigh area. The victim was transported to PRMC where he was treated and released. Officers from the Fruitland Police Department located the suspect vehicle. Three suspects were in the vehicle and are currently being charged. The investigation continues. Anyone with additional information is asked to call WBI at 410-548-4891 or if you wish to remain anonymous and possibly qualify for a reward, call Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776
VICTIMS: Tyrone Greene
Breon Lamar Ayers B/M, 21 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
Tyquon Demetrius Robins B/M, 18 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
Ronrecus Lestie Strand B/M 21 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
CHARGES: Attempted Murder and related charges
DISPOSITION: Pending charges
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE Detective Robert Wilson
RELEASTING AUTHORITY Sgt C. Wendlandt, Wicomico Sheriff’s Office Wicomico Bureau of Investigation
DATE: 10/3/10
TIME: 0745
VICTIMS: Tyrone Greene
Breon Lamar Ayers B/M, 21 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
Tyquon Demetrius Robins B/M, 18 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
Ronrecus Lestie Strand B/M 21 YOA, Nelsonia, VA
CHARGES: Attempted Murder and related charges
DISPOSITION: Pending charges
INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE Detective Robert Wilson
RELEASTING AUTHORITY Sgt C. Wendlandt, Wicomico Sheriff’s Office Wicomico Bureau of Investigation
DATE: 10/3/10
TIME: 0745
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SUSPECTS IN WESTMINSTER HOMICIDE
(WESTMINSTER, MD) – Maryland State Police homicide investigators are continuing their investigation into the apparent murder of a Westminster man who was found dead in his apartment early today.
The victim is identified as Steven R. Hobson , 40, of the unit-block of Main Street, Westminster, Md. Hobson’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m. today, Westminster Police responded to a 911 call from a building in the unit-block of East Main Street. When officers arrived, they found the victim in an apartment in the residential and commercial building. The victim’s shirt and pants had what appeared to be blood on them. Responding medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Westminster Police Department Chief Jeff Spaulding contacted Maryland State Police and requested the investigation be conducted by the State Police Homicide Unit. Westminster Police officers and detectives are assisting with the investigation, as are investigators from the State Police Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been stabbed. Police believe the assault occurred early this morning. Investigators spent the day interviewing residents in the 13 other apartments in the building and following up on leads. They are also reviewing evidence obtained during processing of the scene by Maryland State Police crime scene technicians.
Police believe Hobson was unemployed and lived alone in the apartment. A motive for the murder remains unclear.
No one has been charged at this time. Anyone with information about this crime, or who may have seen the victim last night or early today is urged to contact Maryland State Police at 410-386-3000 or Westminster Police at 410-848-4646.
The victim is identified as Steven R. Hobson , 40, of the unit-block of Main Street, Westminster, Md. Hobson’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m. today, Westminster Police responded to a 911 call from a building in the unit-block of East Main Street. When officers arrived, they found the victim in an apartment in the residential and commercial building. The victim’s shirt and pants had what appeared to be blood on them. Responding medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Westminster Police Department Chief Jeff Spaulding contacted Maryland State Police and requested the investigation be conducted by the State Police Homicide Unit. Westminster Police officers and detectives are assisting with the investigation, as are investigators from the State Police Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been stabbed. Police believe the assault occurred early this morning. Investigators spent the day interviewing residents in the 13 other apartments in the building and following up on leads. They are also reviewing evidence obtained during processing of the scene by Maryland State Police crime scene technicians.
Police believe Hobson was unemployed and lived alone in the apartment. A motive for the murder remains unclear.
No one has been charged at this time. Anyone with information about this crime, or who may have seen the victim last night or early today is urged to contact Maryland State Police at 410-386-3000 or Westminster Police at 410-848-4646.
Help Fight The Largest Tax Hike In American History
The big government policies of the Obama Administration and Congress have virtually bankrupted our treasury, and yet they still don’t seem to get it! Our leaders have prioritized monumental spending legislation involving health care “reform” and unprecedented financial regulation, but they continue to delay action on the expiring 2001 and 2003 tax cuts – a relief package that provides Americans with some element of hope in an otherwise abysmal economy.
If you don’t want to see your bill increase by roughly $1,540 each year (or potentially much more!), you must contact your Representative today! Click Here to tell them to support an extension of all current tax rates.
If Congress fails to act, the 2001 and 2003 taxpayer relief laws will automatically expire at the end of the year. The 10 percent bracket will disappear, the three middle tax brackets will rise by three percentage points, the top marginal income tax rate will rise from 35 percent to 39.6 percent, the capital gains and dividend taxes will rise from top rates of 15 percent each to 20 percent and 39.6 percent, and the death tax (non-existent for 2010) will jump back to a 55 percent rate and $1 million exemption.
In short, these tax cuts benefit all Americans, not a select few, and their expiration would generate an anti-stimulus that severely hurts families, businesses, and any prospects for economic recovery. In fact, NTU recently led an open letter to Congress, signed by 313 economists from across the nation, advocating an extension of all current tax rates on income and investments. There is simply no other option if we are to shrink unemployment and bounce back from the prevailing fiscal crisis.
Raising taxes is never wise policy, but it would be fiscally suicidal in this economy.
Wright Brothers
Harris Responds to Misleading Kratovil Ad
An ad supporting Frank Kratovil claimed that Andy Harris wants to implement a 23% national sales tax. Depending on how generous you’re feeling, the Democrats are either misleading or outright lying.
Harris’ response? Something that is factual:
from Delmarva Dealings
Harris’ response? Something that is factual:
Let ALL The Competition Eat Their Hearts Out!
My brother and I wanted to thank you for helping us get the word out about our wood pellets. We have had a huge volume of calls and emails since advertising on your site, and since your post today I have been
answering the phone all day!!! In fact we scheduled out trucks to pick up another 20 tons first thing on Monday morning to keep up with demand."
Thanks again!
Andy
Editors Notes: I personally received one phone call from a friend stating he was going to order 250 bags TODAY. I ran into other people, (including one candidate) tonight that said they were going to place an order as well.
Salisbury News advertising works Folks, no doubt about it. Remember, when you do place an ad with Salisbury News, 100% on that money goes to local non profit organizations. Your not only helping to support a local Eastern Shore Business, your helping these business help to pay it forward to help our local communities.
Now, a SMART company would be wise to start advertising here to sell pellet stoves, HELLO! A good sales person can stand on a street corner and sell pencil's. A GREAT sales person is the individual standing across the street selling pencil sharpeners. Wake Up Survival Products, Tractor Supply and any other business that sells pellet stoves.
If you'd like to run an ad on Salisbury News, contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com. Our rates are very simple. $100.00 a month for a business card size ad. Join our family of advertisers who enjoy "Paying It Forward" TODAY.
MISSING PERSON
DATE & TIME: 09/10/2010 @ 2115 hours
Case # 10-216
LOCATION: 9036 Peerless Road Bishopville, Worcester County, Maryland
CRIME: Missing Person
VICTIM: Charles Allen Jerread W/M 11-18-50 5-08 140 Hazel Eyes , Black/ Gray Hair, black/ gray beard. Last seen wearing gray pants and a blue plaid flannel shirt.
NARRATIVE: On September 28, 2010 the victim’s wife reported him as a missing person to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. A report was taken and the victim was entered into the National Crime Computer Database. The victim was last observed on September 17th behind their residence on Peerless Road. The victim had consumed a large amount of alcohol and prescription drugs. He had been staying in the wooded portion of the property for approximately three days. The victim is also an insulin dependent diabetic. Due to these factors, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation was called to continue the investigation and to locate the missing person.
No one has seen or heard from the victim since September 17th. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Charles Allen Jarread please contact Corporal Johnson of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at (410) 352-3476 or (443) 783-0441 or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at (410)632-1111.
Bloggers Gaming The System
However, once you change your domain name and start fresh, companies like Alexa, (who rate Websites) have no previous history so the new website address would start off with a very low rating. Remember, lower is better on Alexa. However, we knew it would be a very short period of time before Alexa would recognize that this website wouldn't have the traffic to keep their ratings low, so how do you fix that problem?
Well, it turns out, several local Bloggers have placed some code to their websites to make it look as if they're receiving a LOT more hits than ever before. What they have done is, if you go to one of their Sites and just sit there for a few minutes, then go to the top of your screen where it has the http:// address and click on the down arrow, all of a sudden you'll see their address up there multiple times, yet you only went there once!
This new code keeps refreshing their page over and over again, making it look like you keep going back over and over again. Cleaver, but a complete lie. You're welcome to look at Salisbury News any time you like and see that will NOT happen. Our numbers are real and we do NOT game the system/Internet. When we tell people what we're doing every day/month/year, these are real and factual numbers.
Another local Blogger recently delivered an article asking for people to advertise on his Site, yet he also gave some heavy duty misleading numbers. The numbers he gave was for one week. Heck, we do those kind of numbers in one hour, let alone an entire week.
However, the big question is, why would someone waste their money advertising on a Website that gets 95% less hits than Salisbury News and then realize that 95% of those people going to that other Site already go to Salisbury News anyway. Maybe it would be worth your money if they only charged $1.00 a month for their ads, right?
Nevertheless, these people are constantly lying and tricking people. Some make claims that they are selling ads, yet it's absolutely not true. They place ads up there to copy what we're doing here because, (as usual) they're trying to make it look like they're somebody. We have spoken to those people who have ads placed on this other Site and they swear they never asked for the ad, they have never paid for any of their ads, yet they're afraid to ask this particular person to take their ad down because they're afraid they will pull another John Phoebus on them. In other words, they'll go on a personal attack against them.
One candidate said, "It’s a vicious rumor! I’ve authorized no ad for Taylor’s site. No one’s even asked me to buy one."
One other example of such was a recent group of messages this same Blogger sent to candidate Bob Culver. He had asked Bob, I know you want to place an ad on my site. Bob responded very politely that he was not interested in placing an ad, yet stated he'd be happy to sit down to a cup of coffee and discuss it more. This Blogger responded, "this is going to come back and bite you in the ass".
Its sad that some Bloggers get their feelings hurt because certain individuals choose not to have any part of their personal attacks on innocent women, children and even candidates. Because so many people will never forget what some Bloggers are capable of, just because they wipe out their history and start over again doesn't mean they're not capable of attacking again, hence Bob Culver, John Phoebus and several others.
Always remember Folks that you can go up to the top of the page and hit that down arrow to see who's gaming the system. If you want to deal with cheaters and get nothing for your money, that's your choice. Salisbury News delivers, period. Oh sure, we knew years ago how the system could be gamed. We had several companies offer to do this for Salisbury News but we refused to participate. I had stated then, when we start advertising I want to deliver results. I did not want to become a global Blog getting hits in from around the U.S. because this wouldn't be fair on our advertisers.
Now that this is getting exposed, I would expect they will make immediate changes to that code to have it removed. Then again, their attention span may not be strong enough to read this entire Post and they may be dumb enough to leave it up. In the mean time, you'll know what's going on. Salisbury News has been ranked the #1 Most Influential Political Blog in the state of Maryland for 4 years straight. We didn't get that honor by gaming the system. We got it because we earned it.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Fox News Poll: Only 39 Percent Would Vote To Re-Elect Obama In 2012
The 2012 presidential race begins in earnest on Nov. 3 -- the day after the upcoming midterm elections -- and President Obama looks to be in trouble at the starting gate.
A Fox News poll released Friday shows that 54 percent of voters say they would vote for someone else rather than re-electing Obama if the presidential election were held today. That’s up from 47 percent in a January poll and 31 percent in April 2009
.
Thirty-nine percent would vote to re-elect the president now, down from 43 percent in January. That's a dramatic drop from the 52 percent who felt that way in April, at his term's 100-day mark.
GO HERE to read more.
You Make The Call
Over the past two or three winters, Sam's made it somewhat convenient, (price wise) to go up there and buy wood pellets by the bag or even by the skid. Last year when I found another local connection for pellets I chose to have them delivered to my home for around the same price Sam's Club was selling them for.
However, now is the time to expose one of our advertisers who deserves the special attention they deserve.
NOW is the time to stock up on pellets and if I were you, if you have a pellet stove, call this company up and get them delivered before they run out. Everyone who has a pellet stove knows, when you get closer to the end of the season these pellets are very difficult to find.
If you do not have a pellet stove, let me tell you something Folks. I have a 3,500 sq. ft. home and one stove heats my entire home. Do the math. I spend $500.00 a year to heat my home, that's it! To those smarty pants who want to comment saying it must be really cold in my home, my home stays at 85 degrees all winter! So if you do not have a pellet stove but you're thinking about one, they are very easy to clean and nothing like a wood burning fireplace.
Welcome To The Salisbury WalMart
The Summer Of 2010
One of our many trips away from Salisbury was this trip to Kings Dominion. We decided to pack up the Motor Coach once again and head somewhere that offered a lot of entertainment and since I hadn't been there since the 1970's, why not.
We considered Busch Gardens but when we checked around, many told us the prices were too much and the lines were forever long. On the other hand, many told us that Kings Dominion was not as clean. If you know anything about me, I like the underdog!
We hit the road after making on line reservations, (which I highly recommend) for both the amusement park and the campground. To our pleasure, we pulled into the campground and noticed it was directly next door to Kings Dominion. They offered a free shuttle bus to the park every 15 minutes. We thought this would be nice so we could go back and forth and have our main meals in the Motor Coach.
However, when we went to the park, that all changed. The prices for food were so reasonable, we chose to eat almost every meal there. on our second day we decided to take a break from the park and head back to relax for a little while and enjoy a private sit down meal. There's nothing better than a Felet Mignon on the grill while camping, (if you want to call it camping). There was a swimming pool at the campground and the fee was only $32.00 per night with full hook up. They also had a very nice general store and all kinds of additional things to do to keep you entertained outside the park.
Once we got into Kings Dominion, WOW! Talk about an incredible change. Whomever was making the claim that Kings Dominion wasn't clean was completely out of line. Mind you, the parking lot seemed to be in need of new pavement but so what. It was no different from traveling any road in Salisbury.
Here's the really cool part. We went there on the 3rd through the 5th of September. Folks, there were NO lines! We were able to walk right up to each and every ride, (with exception to maybe two rides). It was almost as if we had the entire park to ourselves. Every employee there was very courteous and they had a 50's section there that was just fabulous. In fact, that's where I'd go to relax and enjoy a rare but very relaxing cigar. I was like a little kid, sitting back and enjoying every single 50's song being played throughout that section of the park.
The only thing we didn't enjoy there, (believe it or not) was the food from Chick Felet. Yeah, we were surprised at that one but everywhere else we ate was very enjoyable. All that being said, I highly recommend Kings Dominion and a get away destination. It took about 3 hours to get there, not bad in a big Motor Coach. We took Rt. 50 over the Bay Bridge. One of the key reasons we chose not to go to Busch Gardens was two fold. The fee to take that beast through the Bay Bridge Tunnel as well as the major delays everyone experiences in the Hamptons and the backups at the smaller tunnels.
If I find the time down the road I'll share some of the many other locations we enjoyed within many of the Delaware State Parks. If you're a resident of Delaware, these Parks are only $24.00 a night with full hookup. Great fishing, boating and other activities. However, there's nothing like getting away and banging your aging body apart on roller coaster rides and being a kid, even if its just for one weekend a year.
Ehrlich Ad – We Need A Governor Who Tells The Truth
Martin O’Malley -
First He Makes Stuff Up …
… When Caught, He Covers Stuff Up
That’s the tag line for Bob Ehrlich’s latest ad:
As we noted yesterday, the O’Malley administration accidently released a damaging jobs report. When the “mistake” (hiding the facts must be SOP in the O’Malley administration), they pulled the report. Instead of worrying about how to help Maryland’s flagging economy, O’Malley and his minions were more concerned about the political fallout.
First He Makes Stuff Up …
… When Caught, He Covers Stuff Up
That’s the tag line for Bob Ehrlich’s latest ad:
Rate Board Denies Postal Service Price Hike Plea
The independent panel that oversees the U.S. Postal Service has denied the agency's request to increase the cost of mailing a letter by 2 cents — to 46 cents.
The Postal Regulatory Commission announced its decision rejecting the requested price hike at a news conference Thursday.
In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage from 44 cents to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening financial crisis. The Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last year, and the agency has been seeking other rate increases as well, including higher fees for periodicals, post cards and parcels.
The new rates would have taken effect next Jan. 2.
Chairman Ruth Goldway told reporters at a news conference that the Postal Rate Commission's vote to deny the rate request was unanimous on the five-member commission.
She said she believes that the requested rate adjustment is not because of the recent recession, as Postal Service officials have indicated, but was, rather, an attempt to address long-term structural problems.
More details
The Postal Regulatory Commission announced its decision rejecting the requested price hike at a news conference Thursday.
In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage from 44 cents to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening financial crisis. The Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last year, and the agency has been seeking other rate increases as well, including higher fees for periodicals, post cards and parcels.
The new rates would have taken effect next Jan. 2.
Chairman Ruth Goldway told reporters at a news conference that the Postal Rate Commission's vote to deny the rate request was unanimous on the five-member commission.
She said she believes that the requested rate adjustment is not because of the recent recession, as Postal Service officials have indicated, but was, rather, an attempt to address long-term structural problems.
More details
O'Donnell Vows To Control Her Political Message
After nearly disappearing from public view following her upset victory in Delaware's GOP primary, Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell re-emerged Friday vowing to control her political message and saying she is not concerned with how the national media portrays her.
In an interview with The Associated Press after opening her Wilmington headquarters, O'Donnell denied she had been ducking the media or had gone into hiding.
Instead, she said the campaign took some time to reorganize and take care of necessities as fundamental as telephones.
"We asked for time to regroup and reassess because people were telling us their phone calls weren't being returned, and that's not my heart," she said. "I want everybody to feel like they're a priority, so now our office is up and running and phones are being put in."
Since her primary win, media reports have questioned whether O'Donnell misspent campaign contributions and misled people about her educational record. She also has been the target of late-night comedy show barbs about things she said years ago as a frequent guest on TV talk shows, including that she dabbled in witchcraft as a teenager and believes that evolution is a myth.
O'Donnell said she has stopped paying attention to what the national media was reporting about her, and she declined to say whether she believes she has been treated fairly by the media.
"It is what it is," she said. "I'm not concerned about that. We've got a great media team in place and we're going to control our own destiny and make sure that our message gets out there the way we want it to."
O'Donnell also granted interviews to local reporters, who had seen and heard little from her in the past two weeks. She had said shortly after the primary that she would not speak to members of the national media but instead would focus on Delaware voters.More here
In an interview with The Associated Press after opening her Wilmington headquarters, O'Donnell denied she had been ducking the media or had gone into hiding.
Instead, she said the campaign took some time to reorganize and take care of necessities as fundamental as telephones.
"We asked for time to regroup and reassess because people were telling us their phone calls weren't being returned, and that's not my heart," she said. "I want everybody to feel like they're a priority, so now our office is up and running and phones are being put in."
Since her primary win, media reports have questioned whether O'Donnell misspent campaign contributions and misled people about her educational record. She also has been the target of late-night comedy show barbs about things she said years ago as a frequent guest on TV talk shows, including that she dabbled in witchcraft as a teenager and believes that evolution is a myth.
O'Donnell said she has stopped paying attention to what the national media was reporting about her, and she declined to say whether she believes she has been treated fairly by the media.
"It is what it is," she said. "I'm not concerned about that. We've got a great media team in place and we're going to control our own destiny and make sure that our message gets out there the way we want it to."
O'Donnell also granted interviews to local reporters, who had seen and heard little from her in the past two weeks. She had said shortly after the primary that she would not speak to members of the national media but instead would focus on Delaware voters.More here
Communist Backing For 'One Nation' March Raises Eyebrows
The Communist Party USA’s open endorsement of Saturday’s One Nation march on the Mall in Washington shows just how radicalized the mainstream of the American left has become, says noted author Paul Kengor. Organizers such as NAACP President Ben Jealous have labeled the march as the “antidote” to the tea party movement. The event also is a response to Glenn Beck’s Aug. 28 “Restoring Honor” rally.
“We aren’t the alternative to the tea party; we’re the antidote,” Jealous told The Washington Post Thursday.
The NAACP put the team responsible for its annual Image Awards show in charge of organizing the One Nation rally, the Post reports.
“The fact that communists can now act so openly, locked arm in arm with fellow travelers in the ‘liberal/progressive’ left, shows just how far liberals and progressives have come. It’s a new day for the left, apparently,” says Kengor.
More
“We aren’t the alternative to the tea party; we’re the antidote,” Jealous told The Washington Post Thursday.
The NAACP put the team responsible for its annual Image Awards show in charge of organizing the One Nation rally, the Post reports.
“The fact that communists can now act so openly, locked arm in arm with fellow travelers in the ‘liberal/progressive’ left, shows just how far liberals and progressives have come. It’s a new day for the left, apparently,” says Kengor.
More
Sen. Thune Sees Third Party if GOP Strays
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said a third party could emerge as early as 2012 if Republicans stray from their principles.
Thune, a potential presidential candidate in 2012, predicted that if Republicans win majorities in Congress but don't follow through on their promises, it could cause a third party built in the shape of the Tea Party movement to take off.
"I will say this: If we do not govern according to our principles and if we don't follow through on the things we say we're going to do, I think there will be a third party in this country," the fourth-ranking Senate Republican said on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program, set for broadcast this weekend.More here
Thune, a potential presidential candidate in 2012, predicted that if Republicans win majorities in Congress but don't follow through on their promises, it could cause a third party built in the shape of the Tea Party movement to take off.
"I will say this: If we do not govern according to our principles and if we don't follow through on the things we say we're going to do, I think there will be a third party in this country," the fourth-ranking Senate Republican said on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" program, set for broadcast this weekend.More here
Noonan: The Twister Of 2010
On a recent trip to Omaha, Neb., I found a note prominently displayed in my hotel room warning of the possibility of "extreme weather" including "tornadic activity." The clunky euphemism was no doubt meant to soften or obscure what they were obliged to communicate: There may be a tornado, look out.
That's what's going on nationally. Tornadoes are tearing up the political landscape.
Everyone talks about the tensions between the Republican establishment, such as it is, and the tea-party-leaning parts of its base. But are you looking at what's happening with the Democrats?
Tensions between President Obama and his supporters tore into the open this week as never before, signifying a real and developing fracturing of his party. Mr. Obama, in an interview in Rolling Stone, aimed fire at those abandoning him: "It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election." The Democratic base "sitting on their hands complaining" is "just irresponsible. . . . We have to get folks off the sidelines. People need to shake off this lethargy, people need to buck up. Bringing about change is hard—that's what I said during the campaign. . . . But if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place."
At first I thought this was another example of the president's now-habitual political ineptness, his off-key-ness. You don't diss people into voting for you, you can't lecture them into love. The response from the left was fierce, unapologetic—and accusatory. Mr. Obama had let them down, he'd taken half measures. "Stop living in that bubble," shot back an activist on cable. But Jane Hamsher of the leftist blog Firedoglake saw method, not madness. She described the president's remarks as "hippie punching" and laid them to cynical strategy: "It's about setting up a narrative for who will take the blame for a disastrous election." She said Mr. Obama's comments themselves could "depress turnout."
Take the blame? Disastrous? Setting up a narrative?
This isn't the language of disagreement, the classic to-and-fro between a restive base and politicians who make compromises. This is the language of estrangement. It is the language of alienation.
There is a war beginning in the Democratic Party, and the president has lost control of his base.
And part of what's driving it is what is driving the evolution of the Republican Party. The Internet changed everything. Everyone has facts now, knows who voted how and why. New thought leaders spring up and lead in new directions. Total transparency leads to party fracturing. Information dings unity. We are in new territory.
There's lots more here
That's what's going on nationally. Tornadoes are tearing up the political landscape.
Everyone talks about the tensions between the Republican establishment, such as it is, and the tea-party-leaning parts of its base. But are you looking at what's happening with the Democrats?
Tensions between President Obama and his supporters tore into the open this week as never before, signifying a real and developing fracturing of his party. Mr. Obama, in an interview in Rolling Stone, aimed fire at those abandoning him: "It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election." The Democratic base "sitting on their hands complaining" is "just irresponsible. . . . We have to get folks off the sidelines. People need to shake off this lethargy, people need to buck up. Bringing about change is hard—that's what I said during the campaign. . . . But if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place."
At first I thought this was another example of the president's now-habitual political ineptness, his off-key-ness. You don't diss people into voting for you, you can't lecture them into love. The response from the left was fierce, unapologetic—and accusatory. Mr. Obama had let them down, he'd taken half measures. "Stop living in that bubble," shot back an activist on cable. But Jane Hamsher of the leftist blog Firedoglake saw method, not madness. She described the president's remarks as "hippie punching" and laid them to cynical strategy: "It's about setting up a narrative for who will take the blame for a disastrous election." She said Mr. Obama's comments themselves could "depress turnout."
Take the blame? Disastrous? Setting up a narrative?
This isn't the language of disagreement, the classic to-and-fro between a restive base and politicians who make compromises. This is the language of estrangement. It is the language of alienation.
There is a war beginning in the Democratic Party, and the president has lost control of his base.
And part of what's driving it is what is driving the evolution of the Republican Party. The Internet changed everything. Everyone has facts now, knows who voted how and why. New thought leaders spring up and lead in new directions. Total transparency leads to party fracturing. Information dings unity. We are in new territory.
There's lots more here
Maryland's New Bicycling Laws Now In Effect
WASHINGTON - Rules of the road are changing in Maryland, and it's not just a texting ban or the fact that drivers have to go hands free on cell phones. There are some other new rules of the road that will affect drivers and bicyclists.
Peter Moe is the Maryland State Highway Administration's Bicycle Safety Coordinator. WTOP talked to Moe about Maryland's new rules of the road regarding cyclists. These are rules drivers need to be aware of and cyclists need to keep in mind as they travel the roadways.
One law welcomed by cyclists is the "three foot rule." Moe explains what that means for drivers.
"What you need to do now in the state of Maryland is give bicyclists at least three feet of space when overtaking them."
Another change repeals the law that basically forced cyclists to stick to the shoulder of roadways. Why shouldn't cyclists be required to stay on the shoulder?
"Because sometimes on that shoulder, there may be debris or obstacles that a cyclist has to avoid in order to travel safely," says Moe.
Moe says the repeal of the law means that cyclists now have some discretion. They can stay on the shoulder if they feel safest there, but can now "take the lane" on the road if they prefer.
Isn't that having it both ways?
GO HERE to read more.
Peter Moe is the Maryland State Highway Administration's Bicycle Safety Coordinator. WTOP talked to Moe about Maryland's new rules of the road regarding cyclists. These are rules drivers need to be aware of and cyclists need to keep in mind as they travel the roadways.
One law welcomed by cyclists is the "three foot rule." Moe explains what that means for drivers.
"What you need to do now in the state of Maryland is give bicyclists at least three feet of space when overtaking them."
Another change repeals the law that basically forced cyclists to stick to the shoulder of roadways. Why shouldn't cyclists be required to stay on the shoulder?
"Because sometimes on that shoulder, there may be debris or obstacles that a cyclist has to avoid in order to travel safely," says Moe.
Moe says the repeal of the law means that cyclists now have some discretion. They can stay on the shoulder if they feel safest there, but can now "take the lane" on the road if they prefer.
Isn't that having it both ways?
GO HERE to read more.
Georgetown Delaware To Waive Building Permit Fees And Property Taxes For New Businesses
Joe:
I hope you read the article I sent you. At the same time Maryland is trying to increase fees, start new fees, increase taxes . . . .Delaware is doing just the opposite.
I had to read it twice as I thought this type of activity was non existence. Not in Delaware!!!
I say give the Sussex Economic Developer an A+. Wow - I'm really impressed.
GEORGETOWN -- County officials have presented a proposal that would seek to attract new business by offering temporary tax breaks and waiving building permit and code fees to companies that would create jobs.
County Administrator David Baker said he worked with staff to develop the plan, and will return with several more ideas next month.
"There's a real impetus for economic development, to encourage businesses to improve employment opportunities in the county," he said.
Unfortunately, Baker said there's little that the county can do, since it doesn't receive income taxes.
The proposed initiatives include a three-year property tax waiver and 50 percent reductions in building permit and code fees.
Baker said the annual cost of the programs -- estimated at $10,000 to $25,000 for property taxes; $30,000 for building permits and $15,000 for code fees -- would be offset by the county's $700,000 Town Economic Development fund.
"Our primary goal is economic development," he said. "When a prospective business contacts us and asks what can the county do for (them) . . . we want to provide some incentive for them."
Sussex County Council President Vance Phillips says he's open to the possibility, but believes the county should be cautious.
"I have a concern we could create unintended consequences that may be unfair to other businesses in the county," he said.
The county should also look into ways to eliminate some of the red tape that new businesses have to deal with, Phillips said.
Councilman George Cole said the county should do something, but limiting the tax base may not be the answer.
"A lot of time, all the county and the government can do is create an environment appealing and attractive to businesses that want to relocate," he said.
wmckelvey@dmg.gannett.com
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARREST IN WORCESTER COUNTY
(OCEAN CITY, MD) – Members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested a registered sex offender in connection with the possession of child pornography.
Lawrence King III, 41, of the 9000 block of Golf Course Road in Ocean City was arrested today and charged with thirteen counts of possessing child pornography. King is on Maryland’s Sex Offender Registry as the result of a conviction received in 2002. If convicted of the current charges, King could be sentenced to up to 65 years in prison.
The investigation into King’s activities began with the Anne Arundel County Police Department upon receiving information that King was in possession of child pornography. Troopers assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted Anne Arundel County Police with the execution of a search warrant this morning at King’s Ocean City residence.
During the search, investigators located images and videos of children performing various sexual acts. Evidence seized as a result of the search will be examined by the State Police Computer Forensics Laboratory.
King was taken before a Worcester County Court Commissioner and is currently being held without bond. House Bill 1046, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley, went into effect today prohibiting a District Court commissioner from authorizing the pretrial release of a defendant who is a registered sex offender.
The investigation into King’s activities are continuing. Anyone with information that may help police is encouraged to call Maryland State Police Headquarters at 410-653-4200.
The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.
Lawrence King III, 41, of the 9000 block of Golf Course Road in Ocean City was arrested today and charged with thirteen counts of possessing child pornography. King is on Maryland’s Sex Offender Registry as the result of a conviction received in 2002. If convicted of the current charges, King could be sentenced to up to 65 years in prison.
The investigation into King’s activities began with the Anne Arundel County Police Department upon receiving information that King was in possession of child pornography. Troopers assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted Anne Arundel County Police with the execution of a search warrant this morning at King’s Ocean City residence.
During the search, investigators located images and videos of children performing various sexual acts. Evidence seized as a result of the search will be examined by the State Police Computer Forensics Laboratory.
King was taken before a Worcester County Court Commissioner and is currently being held without bond. House Bill 1046, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley, went into effect today prohibiting a District Court commissioner from authorizing the pretrial release of a defendant who is a registered sex offender.
The investigation into King’s activities are continuing. Anyone with information that may help police is encouraged to call Maryland State Police Headquarters at 410-653-4200.
The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.
CANDIDATES FORUM
CANDIDATES FORUM FOR THE CONTESTED POSITIONS OF WICOMICO COUNTY EXECUTIVE, COUNCIL AND STATE’S ATTORNEY
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2010 AT 6 PM
ELK’S LODGE
401 CHURCHILL AVENUE
SALISBURY, MD
MODERATED BY DR. ADAM HOFFMAN OF SALISBURY UNIVERSITY’S INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (PACE)
LORA Meet And Greet
The Local Owner Restaurant Association (LORA) and the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce (SACC) invite you to attend a candidate meet and greet for all races in Wicomico County including the Maryland General Assembly District 37 and 38 races and the Governors race on Thursday, October 21 at Black Diamond & Lodge in Fruitland from 6-8 pm. All candidates have been invited and will be available if they accept the invitation. The LORA members will provide free appetizers and a cash bar. This program will have each candidate at a table. Voters can visit them and ask them personal one on one question. Donations will be accepted and go towards LORA'S " Taste for Tomorrow Scholarship Fund" for future scholarships that go to Wicomico County students that are going into the Restaurant Hospitality field as a career.
Opportunities To Support Our Students and Schools
Saturday, Oct. 2
National Honor Society Yard Sale Wicomico High School Auditorium
The Wicomico High School chapter of the National Honor Society will have a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 2 in the Auditorium lobby from 6-11 a.m. The money raised from this sale of donated items is used to purchase toys for the Salvation Army Christmas stockings. 410-677-5146
Saturday, Oct. 2
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the Wicomico High School Boys & Girls Soccer Teams
Support the Wi-Hi Boys & Girls Soccer Teams at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. October 2nd. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s by members of the 2010 Wicomico High Boys & Girls Soccer Teams. For tickets or information, please contact Coach Cameron Ball at 410-677-5146 or cball@wcboe.org.
National Honor Society Yard Sale Wicomico High School Auditorium
The Wicomico High School chapter of the National Honor Society will have a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 2 in the Auditorium lobby from 6-11 a.m. The money raised from this sale of donated items is used to purchase toys for the Salvation Army Christmas stockings. 410-677-5146
Saturday, Oct. 2
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the Wicomico High School Boys & Girls Soccer Teams
Support the Wi-Hi Boys & Girls Soccer Teams at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. October 2nd. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s by members of the 2010 Wicomico High Boys & Girls Soccer Teams. For tickets or information, please contact Coach Cameron Ball at 410-677-5146 or cball@wcboe.org.
Several Schools Locked Down Friday After Incident In Community
Several Wicomico County Public Schools and the Central Office were locked down for about 30 minutes Friday, Oct. 1, in response to a law enforcement issue in the community. Schools were placed on code red and locked down around 10:45 a.m. after a man on foot reportedly carrying a firearm was seen crossing the grounds of the Central Office and Wicomico High School. Law enforcement detained an individual, and further details will come from law enforcement. At 11:13 a.m., with a suspect in custody, the precautionary lockdown was lifted at the Central Office and at James M. Bennett High, Glen Avenue Elementary and Wicomico Middle. Wicomico High remained in lockdown for another hour while law enforcement conducted a grounds search.
U.S. Apologizes For 1940s Syphilis Study In Guatamala
WASHINGTON — American scientists deliberately infected prisoners and patients in a mental hospital in Guatemala with syphilis 60 years ago, a recently unearthed experiment that prompted U.S. officials to apologize Friday and declare outrage over "such reprehensible research."
The U.S. government-funded experiment, which ran from 1946 to 1948, was discovered by a Wellesley College medical historian. It apparently was conducted to test if penicillin, then relatively new, could prevent infection with sexually transmitted diseases. The study came up with no useful information and was hidden for decades.
The government researcher who led the work in Guatemala also was involved in this country's infamous Tuskegee experiment, where from 1932 to 1972 scientists tracked 600 black men in Alabama who had syphilis but didn't know it, without ever offering them treatment.
"We are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said of the Guatemalan project Friday.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama had been briefed about the situation and planned to call Guatemala's president, Alvaro Colom.
"Obviously this is shocking, it's tragic, it's reprehensible," Mr. Gibbs said. "It's tragic and the U.S. by all means apologizes to all those who were impacted."
Strict regulations today make clear that it is unethical to experiment on people without their consent and require special steps for any work with such vulnerable populations as prisoners. But such regulations didn't exist in the 1940s.
The U.S. government-funded experiment, which ran from 1946 to 1948, was discovered by a Wellesley College medical historian. It apparently was conducted to test if penicillin, then relatively new, could prevent infection with sexually transmitted diseases. The study came up with no useful information and was hidden for decades.
The government researcher who led the work in Guatemala also was involved in this country's infamous Tuskegee experiment, where from 1932 to 1972 scientists tracked 600 black men in Alabama who had syphilis but didn't know it, without ever offering them treatment.
"We are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said of the Guatemalan project Friday.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama had been briefed about the situation and planned to call Guatemala's president, Alvaro Colom.
"Obviously this is shocking, it's tragic, it's reprehensible," Mr. Gibbs said. "It's tragic and the U.S. by all means apologizes to all those who were impacted."
Strict regulations today make clear that it is unethical to experiment on people without their consent and require special steps for any work with such vulnerable populations as prisoners. But such regulations didn't exist in the 1940s.
The U.S. government ordered two independent investigations to uncover exactly what happened in Guatemala and to make sure current bioethics rules are adequate. They will be led by the prestigious Institute of Medicine and the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues.
And while deliberately trying to infect people with serious diseases is abhorrent today, the Guatemalan experiment isn't the only example from what National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins on Friday called "a dark chapter in the history of medicine." Forty similar deliberate-infection studies were conducted in the United States during that period, Dr. Collins said.
In Guatemala, 696 men and women were exposed to syphilis or in some cases gonorrhea, through jail visits by prostitutes or, when that didn't infect enough people, by deliberately inoculating them, reported Wellesley College historian Susan Reverby. Those who were infected were all offered penicillin, but it wasn't clear how many were infected and how many were successfully treated
And while deliberately trying to infect people with serious diseases is abhorrent today, the Guatemalan experiment isn't the only example from what National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins on Friday called "a dark chapter in the history of medicine." Forty similar deliberate-infection studies were conducted in the United States during that period, Dr. Collins said.
In Guatemala, 696 men and women were exposed to syphilis or in some cases gonorrhea, through jail visits by prostitutes or, when that didn't infect enough people, by deliberately inoculating them, reported Wellesley College historian Susan Reverby. Those who were infected were all offered penicillin, but it wasn't clear how many were infected and how many were successfully treated
MORE.
STATEMENT FROM O'MALLEY-BROWN CAMPAIGN
Baltimore, MD -- O'Malley-Brown Deputy Campaign Manager Rick Abbruzzese released the following statement on Bob Ehrlich's newest attack ad:
"Bob Ehrlich is clearly lashing out with desperate attack ads that the media has already labeled "False" and "Misleading," because he knows his 24-year political career is slipping away."
"The truth is Maryland has created more than 33,000 jobs since January -- more the twice the national average."
When watching Bob Ehrlich's newest desperate attack ad, the people of Maryland should consider the following facts:
This week, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the largest business organization representing regional interests throughout the Greater Washington region, joined hundreds of business leaders to endorse Governor O'Malley "because of his demonstrated understanding of the key issues facing businesses and his track-record of including the business community in fashioning solutions to the region's most pressing challenges."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the successful businessman and independent three-term mayor of New York City endorsed Governor O'Malley for his result-oriented approach to effective government, job creation, and public education. Mayor Bloomberg has endorsed both Republican and Democratic candidates this year.
A new Washington Post poll out this week shows Martin O'Malley with an 11-point lead over Bob Ehrlich. The poll revealed that Marylanders trust Martin O'Malley on the state's top issue, the economy, over Bob Ehrlich, and that Marylanders do not trust Bob Ehrlich to tell the truth about his failed record raising taxes and fees and being the biggest spender in Maryland history.
"Bob Ehrlich is clearly lashing out with desperate attack ads that the media has already labeled "False" and "Misleading," because he knows his 24-year political career is slipping away."
"The truth is Maryland has created more than 33,000 jobs since January -- more the twice the national average."
When watching Bob Ehrlich's newest desperate attack ad, the people of Maryland should consider the following facts:
This week, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the largest business organization representing regional interests throughout the Greater Washington region, joined hundreds of business leaders to endorse Governor O'Malley "because of his demonstrated understanding of the key issues facing businesses and his track-record of including the business community in fashioning solutions to the region's most pressing challenges."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the successful businessman and independent three-term mayor of New York City endorsed Governor O'Malley for his result-oriented approach to effective government, job creation, and public education. Mayor Bloomberg has endorsed both Republican and Democratic candidates this year.
A new Washington Post poll out this week shows Martin O'Malley with an 11-point lead over Bob Ehrlich. The poll revealed that Marylanders trust Martin O'Malley on the state's top issue, the economy, over Bob Ehrlich, and that Marylanders do not trust Bob Ehrlich to tell the truth about his failed record raising taxes and fees and being the biggest spender in Maryland history.
Quote Of The Day
"Government can do something for the people only in proportion as it can do something to the people." --Thomas Jefferson
Andy Harris Receives Endorsement From Gun Owners Of America
SEVERNA PARK, Md. – Gun Owners of America endorsed Andy Harris in his bid for US Congress and gave Harris an “A” rating for his “unwavering support of the rights of gun owners.”
“Gun Owners of America is an organization that works relentlessly to protect Second Amendment rights,” said Andy Harris. “I am proud to have their endorsement and will fight in Washington to protect gun owners’ rights and the integrity of the Constitution.”
“Dr. Harris will bring his proven leadership to the Congress, and people across the country who value the Second Amendment will gain a trusted friend,” said the Gun Owners of America in the endorsement letter.
Harris also received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association earlier this week.
Andy Harris is a Republican candidate running for Maryland’s First Congressional District. Harris, a practicing physician, and his wife Cookie have five children. For more information, please visit www.andyharris.com.
Smoke Alarms: Up, Down And All Around
Salisbury Fire Department Reinforces Newer Smoke Alarm Recommendations
During Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, 2010
In an effort to better educate communities throughout the U.S. about smoke alarm recommendations, the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ) is promoting “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 3-9, which the Salisbury Fire Department is supporting locally. NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 88 years.
“Many homes in Salisbury may not have any smoke alarms, not enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working,” says Melissa Brown, Public Information Officer of the Salisbury Fire Department. “We want residents to understand that working smoke alarms are needed in every home, on every level (including the basement), outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. And, if a smoke alarm is 10 years old or older, it needs to be replaced.”
According to Brown, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. NFPA statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half. But they must be working properly to do so. The association’s data shows that many homes have smoke alarms that aren’t working or maintained properly, usually because of missing, disconnected or dead batteries. Roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
NFPA and the Salisbury Fire Department agree that interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.
“Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention Week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance,” says Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education. “Ultimately, we want this year’s campaign to serve as a call to action for households nationwide to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have the full smoke alarm protection that’s recommended.”
The Salisbury Fire Department offers the following tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.
Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Salisbury, please contact the Salisbury Fire Department at 410-548-3120, or check out our website, www.salisburyfd.com . To learn more about “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!,” visit NFPA’s Web site at www. firepreventionweek.org .
During Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, 2010
In an effort to better educate communities throughout the U.S. about smoke alarm recommendations, the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ) is promoting “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 3-9, which the Salisbury Fire Department is supporting locally. NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 88 years.
“Many homes in Salisbury may not have any smoke alarms, not enough smoke alarms, alarms that are too old, or alarms that are not working,” says Melissa Brown, Public Information Officer of the Salisbury Fire Department. “We want residents to understand that working smoke alarms are needed in every home, on every level (including the basement), outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. And, if a smoke alarm is 10 years old or older, it needs to be replaced.”
According to Brown, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. NFPA statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire nearly in half. But they must be working properly to do so. The association’s data shows that many homes have smoke alarms that aren’t working or maintained properly, usually because of missing, disconnected or dead batteries. Roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
NFPA and the Salisbury Fire Department agree that interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.
“Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention Week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance,” says Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education. “Ultimately, we want this year’s campaign to serve as a call to action for households nationwide to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have the full smoke alarm protection that’s recommended.”
The Salisbury Fire Department offers the following tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.
Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Salisbury, please contact the Salisbury Fire Department at 410-548-3120, or check out our website, www.salisburyfd.com . To learn more about “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!,” visit NFPA’s Web site at www. firepreventionweek.org .
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