DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, November 01, 2010
Interviews – Legislative District 37
Sby News Interview Rich Colburn
Sby News Interview Chris Robinson
Sby News Interview Dustin Mills
Sby News Interview Addie Eckardt
Sby News Interview Jeannie Haddaway
Wicomico Council (District 4) – Bob Caldwell
In the District 4 race for Wicomico County Council, there are two really good guys running – incumbent Democrat Dave MacLeod and GOP challenger Bob Caldwell. Both are good and honorable men. However, as to the issues that should matter to county voters, there is one clear choice – Bob Caldwell.Caldwell previously served on the Salisbury City Council. There he was responsible for shepherding the city’s zero-based homestead tax credit. This is why, despite a higher city tax rate, many homeowners pay less in city taxes than they do in county taxes. As a candidate for county council Caldwell has pledged to push for such a homestead tax credit on our county property taxes.
In addition, Caldwell is a staunch advocate of a tax differential for residents of Salisbury, Fruitland, and Delmar. This addresses fundamental issues of fairness for city residents. Despite the fact that none of us reside in one of these municipalities, we agree with Caldwell 100%!
In addition to these strong stances for his prospective constituents, Caldwell is also committed to keeping the revenue cap unless rescinded by the voters. He is also a strong supporter of property rights.
MacLeod is a good man. He has served his community well over the years. However, we cannot point to one accomplishment as a councilmember. Sadly, he has often refused to vote until AFTER he saw how colleague Bill McCain voted; a bad omen whether we agreed with him or not. McCain is leaving after one term. Who would MacLeod take his cues from then?
Caldwell is the clear choice for District 4 voters.
Wicomico Council (District 2) – Stevie Prettyman
We were positively amazed that the Daily Times endorsed District 2 candidate Michael Calpino for Wicomico County Council. While we believe that everyone has a right to their opinion, we believe that opinion should be an informed one. Calpino is wholly unsuited for Wicomico County Council, or any other elected office. To add insult to injury, the woman his is running against has been a leader in offering meaningful and visionary legislation.
The worse thing that can be said about incumbent District 2 councilwoman Stevie Prettyman is that she is an incumbent. If you are highly partisan, you might hold the fact that she is a Republican against her. However, she is one shining example that being an incumbent is not necessarily a bad thing.
Prettyman is one of only two members of the council to offer tax relief legislation during the last four years. She has been a staunch advocate of fiscal restraint in tough economic times. She fought hard, and successfully, to protect the property rights of farmers. She almost single-handedly forced the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board to mend their thieving and profligate ways and return more funds to the taxpayers of Wicomico County.
Local government is “grunt work”. You are paid very little to spend countless hours attempting to solve constituent problems AND point the county in the right direction. The only job that is possibly more thankless is that of an elected school board member. Because of our strong executive form of county government, there is very little that a councilmember may do other than nibble around the edges. Yet, Prettyman has managed to help steer our county executive and our county government away from a path that would be fiscally and economically disastrous. With stronger and more conservative support on council Prettyman and District 5 councilman Joe Holloway could accomplish a great deal of good for Wicomico citizens.
The thought of Calpino in office should frighten District 2 (and Wicomico County) voters. You have to work with your colleagues to accomplish things. Some people are simply not suited to such a task. While Calpino can be charming, he is an ideologue of almost dangerous proportions. Calpino’s claim to fame is making national (and international) news by hanging Rep. Frank Kratovil in effigy. Is this what we wish Wicomico County to be known for. We can assure you that IF he were elected, national and international media would again drag up this tale. That would really help Wicomico County to attract new business to the area.
While we have many Libertarian and libertarian-leaning friends, Calpino’s form of libertarianism is of the more extreme variety. We have witnessed him argue for the abolition of Social Security and Medicare in public fora. While we can understand the argument on a theoretical level and grant that a councilman would have no say over the matter, this is but one indication of the type of irresponsible ideas Calpino would bring to our county council.
Stevie Prettyman has earned another term in office. She has earned our support because of her hard work over twelve years on council. She has earned our support because of her willingness to stand up for her constituents and our county. She has earned our support because of her accomplishments as a councilwoman. In addition, District 2 voters should run, not walk, to the polls and vote for Stevie Prettyman because the alternative is frightening and could cause harm to our attempts to rebuild our local economy and our community.
Prettyman is one of only two members of the council to offer tax relief legislation during the last four years. She has been a staunch advocate of fiscal restraint in tough economic times. She fought hard, and successfully, to protect the property rights of farmers. She almost single-handedly forced the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board to mend their thieving and profligate ways and return more funds to the taxpayers of Wicomico County.
Local government is “grunt work”. You are paid very little to spend countless hours attempting to solve constituent problems AND point the county in the right direction. The only job that is possibly more thankless is that of an elected school board member. Because of our strong executive form of county government, there is very little that a councilmember may do other than nibble around the edges. Yet, Prettyman has managed to help steer our county executive and our county government away from a path that would be fiscally and economically disastrous. With stronger and more conservative support on council Prettyman and District 5 councilman Joe Holloway could accomplish a great deal of good for Wicomico citizens.
The thought of Calpino in office should frighten District 2 (and Wicomico County) voters. You have to work with your colleagues to accomplish things. Some people are simply not suited to such a task. While Calpino can be charming, he is an ideologue of almost dangerous proportions. Calpino’s claim to fame is making national (and international) news by hanging Rep. Frank Kratovil in effigy. Is this what we wish Wicomico County to be known for. We can assure you that IF he were elected, national and international media would again drag up this tale. That would really help Wicomico County to attract new business to the area.While we have many Libertarian and libertarian-leaning friends, Calpino’s form of libertarianism is of the more extreme variety. We have witnessed him argue for the abolition of Social Security and Medicare in public fora. While we can understand the argument on a theoretical level and grant that a councilman would have no say over the matter, this is but one indication of the type of irresponsible ideas Calpino would bring to our county council.
Stevie Prettyman has earned another term in office. She has earned our support because of her hard work over twelve years on council. She has earned our support because of her willingness to stand up for her constituents and our county. She has earned our support because of her accomplishments as a councilwoman. In addition, District 2 voters should run, not walk, to the polls and vote for Stevie Prettyman because the alternative is frightening and could cause harm to our attempts to rebuild our local economy and our community.
Wicomico Council (District 1) – Sheree Sample-Hughes
It may seem odd that SbyNEWS would endorse someone for office with whom we have such fundamental disagreement on so many issues, but District 1 councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes is no ordinary politician. Sample-Hughes deserves re-election despite her faults and our strong agreement on many issues with her opponent, Republican Dave Goslee, Jr.Sample-Hughes supports a “modification” of the county’s revenue cap. This is equivalent to supporting higher taxes. She also supports the “land grab” – down zoning Wicomico ag lands and stripping farmers and large landowners of their property rights. That said, she is a woman of her word. When she was first elected four years ago she promised to reach out to her diverse constituency and stay in communication with them. This she has done.
In addition, the only reason ag lands have not already been down zoned is because she held to her word. While councilmen John Cannon, Bill McCain, and Dave MacLeod (along with county executive Rick Pollitt) were willing to “compromise” in order to get the camel’s nose of down zoning under the tent, Sample-Hughes held firm in her belief that a stronger approach to down zoning was necessary. She, along with her liberal colleagues, were wrong; but she held to her stated position. This should not only be respected, but we should be thankful that this allowed voters an opportunity to elect members this year who will not allow our farmers to be victims of government-sanctioned theft.
Goslee’s approach to county government is more in tune with our own. By all accounts, he is a good and honorable man. That said, Sample-Hughes’ seems to be more in tune with the needs and beliefs of her district. For these reasons, we believe that she has earned another term.
Wicomico Council (At Large) – Bob Culver and Matt Holloway
The selection of two at large members for Wicomico County Council should be simple. Do you believe that you should pay higher taxes? Do you believe that Wicomico landowners should be stripped of their property rights? If your answer to these two questions is “NO!”, then your choice is clear. Bob Culver and Matt Holloway are the best choices for these two seats.It’s very simple. Culver and Holloway both bring business acumen and experience. Both men have ties to agriculture. Both believe that the revenue cap should be kept in place unless, and until, the voters of Wicomico County choose to amend the charter again and remove the cap. They also believe that our county’s farmers should not be stripped of their development rights UNLESS they are fully compensated.
Culver and Holloway’s opponents, former councilman Ed Taylor and Dr. Dave Cowall, are good people worthy of our respect. Sadly, they are not who we need to serve in our county’s legislative body. Both men want to see the revenue cap abolished. This would not only result in a higher tax burden on Wicomico citizens and businesses, it would be in opposition to the express will of the vast majority of Wicomico voters. If Messrs. Taylor and Cowall want to abolish the revenue cap they should start banging doors and gather the 10,000 signatures necessary to put a charter change on the ballot. Attempting to do so through the County Council is NOT the appropriate way to handle this.
On the land use issue, Taylor and Cowall differ. Taylor does claim that farmers should be compensated, although we question his means of doing so. Cowall attempts to duck the question – for good reason. Cowall’s ties to local environmental groups is well known. The leaders of every local tree hugging group top his list of campaign contributors. Without a positive statement to the contrary, we can only conclude that Cowall will support stripping farmers of their property rights without adequate compensation. While none here have ever pulled a plow, we cannot stand silently while our neighbors are robbed by our own local government. We are also concerned by the financial support he has received from the teacher’s union (his single biggest contributor). We are left to believe that Cowall would simply be another Bill McCain, but with a beard.
We need strong voices on our county council who will help Wicomico County grow its economy. Bob Culver and Matt Holloway are those voices.
Wicomico County Executive – Rick Pollitt
During his first four years in office we have criticized Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt many times, on many issues. We have disagreed with him on his not restructuring the county government to accept the realities of a post revenue cap world. We have disagreed with him on his stance on land use issues and on his (we believe, false) claim that he has never tried to strip landowners of property rights without compensation. We have disagreed with Pollitt on his refusal to publicly call the Wicomico County Board of Education to task for their profligate ways. We have also been disappointed by his refusal to meet with the County Council and his refusal to provide them with a monthly list of receipts and expenditures. That said, we (some of us reluctantly) support his bid for re-election.Despite these differences, we have to acknowledge his success in shepherding Wicomico’s county government through difficult times. Would we prefer that he had done some things differently? Absolutely; but Pollitt deserves credit for tackling a difficult job that will be more difficult during the next two to three years.
While we have stated our disappointment in a lack of openness with the county legislature, we cannon condemn Pollitt for a lack of openness with public at large. Pollitt has consistently been willing to answer questions posed to him by the media or the voters. This must be applauded, and respected.
Perhaps our endorsement MAY have been different IF a credible opponent had emerged. We’ll never know because Pollitt’s opponent is not a credible alternative. Republican Joe Ollinger may be almost as nice a guy as Rick Pollitt. However as we noted in our endorsement of District 38 State Senate candidate Michael James, “we don’t need to send a pal to Annapolis”. We don’t need to select a “nice guy” to serve as the County Executive either.
The cornerstones of Ollinger’s campaign have been issues that are either unnecessary, impractical, or simply too expensive. A county police force, run by the county Sheriff may sound interesting, unless you happen to live in Salisbury, Fruitland, or Delmar. Ollinger has offered no means of paying for such an idea. We must also point out that the primary reason this proposal wasn’t openly ridiculed was because such a force would be commanded by Sheriff Mike Lewis. What happens when Lewis chooses to retire? Will the next Sheriff of Wicomico County also be the county’s most popular elected official?
Ollinger’s idea to have the County Executive appoint the members of the school board is laughable. It is also impractical. No other Maryland Board of Ed is chosen in this manner. Getting special legislation through would probably prove problematic. Even if this were not so, I would no more want Ollinger, or Pollitt, picking the Board of Ed members than I would the governor. The Board of Education should be answerable to the voters. This is why the overwhelming majority of Maryland counties elect their school boards.
We encourage you to review Ollinger’s “platform”. In addition to the two issues noted above, Ollinger also claims he would implement “pay for performance” for BOE employees. As supporters of “merit pay” you would think we would be cheering. Ollinger’s proposal cannot be implemented without the consent of the legislature and the four unions representing Wicomico BOE employees. Ollinger should not make promises that cannot be fulfilled. Ollinger also implies that he can dictate policy to the BOE. We wish. Sadly, the only thing a county executive can do is withhold funding and negotiate. These are bigger political battles than Ollinger appears to have a stomach for.
All in all, Rick Pollitt has earned our vote for another term.
A Letter To The Editor: Bullets Or Ballots?
There's been a lot of talk over the last six months or so about a new American Revolution-- a lot of "lock-and-load" chatter.
The Revolution has already begun, friends. It's on right now.
People like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Joe Miller in Alaska and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware have taken some of the high ground, but the biggest battle is just ahead.
This is a war-- nothing less. We are fighting for the continued existence of this great Republic, and right now we are able to do it in a way that will not cause bloodshed.
Our bullets are our ballots.
I don't know about you, but I'd much rather 'pull the lever' in a voting booth than have to pull the trigger in the streets.
But one way or another, this battle will have to be fought. Let it be here, let it be now, so that our children and grandchildren won't be condemned to lives of slavery to a mountain of debt. They won't be able to do anything about it-- WE MUST!
You're armed to the teeth with votes-- USE THEM! Do your homework, then aim carefully and fire!
Don't let ANYTHING stop you from getting to the polls-- this election will be historic, and it needs to be such a mind-boggling turnout that even ACORN, Al Franken's campaign manager and the 'resurrection of the dead' can't stop it.
We will make history tomorrow, and I know I wouldn't miss that for anything!
Are you in? Let's roll !!
The Revolution has already begun, friends. It's on right now.
People like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Joe Miller in Alaska and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware have taken some of the high ground, but the biggest battle is just ahead.
This is a war-- nothing less. We are fighting for the continued existence of this great Republic, and right now we are able to do it in a way that will not cause bloodshed.
Our bullets are our ballots.
I don't know about you, but I'd much rather 'pull the lever' in a voting booth than have to pull the trigger in the streets.
But one way or another, this battle will have to be fought. Let it be here, let it be now, so that our children and grandchildren won't be condemned to lives of slavery to a mountain of debt. They won't be able to do anything about it-- WE MUST!
You're armed to the teeth with votes-- USE THEM! Do your homework, then aim carefully and fire!
Don't let ANYTHING stop you from getting to the polls-- this election will be historic, and it needs to be such a mind-boggling turnout that even ACORN, Al Franken's campaign manager and the 'resurrection of the dead' can't stop it.
We will make history tomorrow, and I know I wouldn't miss that for anything!
Are you in? Let's roll !!
'Packages Must Be ‘Profiled,’ Just Like Passengers'
Profiling of cargo, shippers and a package’s planned destination are key in uncovering terrorist plots involving air cargo, according to one of the founders of Ben-Gurion Airport’s security division.
Israel, a world leader in aviation security, began investing resources in inspecting cargo and passengers back in the 1970s, after experiencing a number of hijackings and aviation-related attacks.
While based on technology, the Israeli approach has a lot to do with profiling – passengers as well as cargo.
“Profiling is the key,” Pini Schiff, who was one of the founders of the Ben-Gurion security division, said on Sunday. “There are many different elements that need to be looked at – who is sending the cargo, what it being sent and where it is going.”
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) was in touch with authorities in the United States to learn the specifics of the alleged al-Qaida plot to mail powerful bombs from Yemen to Chicago-area synagogues. Officials said that there would likely not be any changes in Israeli airport security, which is always on heightened alert.
Israeli officials would not comment on how cargo is inspected. But in addition to profiling, the Airports Authority uses a number of systems, including pressurized containers, in which packages are placed to see if they will explode in conditions similar to those on an airplane.
“What happened over the weekend is a reminder that we need to be vigilant 24/7,” Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, at the opening of a Homeland Security conference in Tel Aviv on Sunday night.
“Israel is known around the world as a country which develops advanced technology for dealing with terror threats to airports, train systems and other means of transportation,” he said.
More
Israel, a world leader in aviation security, began investing resources in inspecting cargo and passengers back in the 1970s, after experiencing a number of hijackings and aviation-related attacks.
While based on technology, the Israeli approach has a lot to do with profiling – passengers as well as cargo.
“Profiling is the key,” Pini Schiff, who was one of the founders of the Ben-Gurion security division, said on Sunday. “There are many different elements that need to be looked at – who is sending the cargo, what it being sent and where it is going.”
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) was in touch with authorities in the United States to learn the specifics of the alleged al-Qaida plot to mail powerful bombs from Yemen to Chicago-area synagogues. Officials said that there would likely not be any changes in Israeli airport security, which is always on heightened alert.
Israeli officials would not comment on how cargo is inspected. But in addition to profiling, the Airports Authority uses a number of systems, including pressurized containers, in which packages are placed to see if they will explode in conditions similar to those on an airplane.
“What happened over the weekend is a reminder that we need to be vigilant 24/7,” Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, at the opening of a Homeland Security conference in Tel Aviv on Sunday night.
“Israel is known around the world as a country which develops advanced technology for dealing with terror threats to airports, train systems and other means of transportation,” he said.
More
Schumer: Settlements No Obstacle To Peace
Senator Chuck (Charles) Schumer took the Obama administration to task for its Middle East policy on Sunday. What Obama must realize is that Arab refusal to recognize the Jewish state, and not Israelis in Judea and Samaria, is the obstacle to peace, he said.
“My basic view is very simple,” Schumer told his audience at the Agudath Yisrael breakfast in New York. “The reason we don't have peace in the Middle East is because a large percentage, I would say the majority.... of Palestinians and Arabs do not believe there should be a Jewish state anywhere in the Middle East. Period.”
U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to criticize Israel over construction for Jews in Judea and Samaria was “counterproductive,” he said. America's position on Jewish communities was “to the left of the PA” at one point, he added. Schumer noted that he made his objections known at the time, both in private meetings and publicly.
“Anyone who thinks the settlements are the cause of the problem, all they have to do is look at Gaza,” he said. Israel withdrew from Gaza completely, “and what was the response? Missiles on Sderot!” Schumer recalled.
What Obama and America should do for peace is to make it known that America's ties with Israel cannot be broken, he said. “By giving the Palestinian and the Arab world hope that they can break the tie between the U.S. and Israel, you don't further the cause of peace, you set back the cause of peace... If they think the tie is immutable, they will say, well maybe we should throw in the towel and have some kind of peace with Israel. It's that simple.”
More here
“My basic view is very simple,” Schumer told his audience at the Agudath Yisrael breakfast in New York. “The reason we don't have peace in the Middle East is because a large percentage, I would say the majority.... of Palestinians and Arabs do not believe there should be a Jewish state anywhere in the Middle East. Period.”
U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to criticize Israel over construction for Jews in Judea and Samaria was “counterproductive,” he said. America's position on Jewish communities was “to the left of the PA” at one point, he added. Schumer noted that he made his objections known at the time, both in private meetings and publicly.
“Anyone who thinks the settlements are the cause of the problem, all they have to do is look at Gaza,” he said. Israel withdrew from Gaza completely, “and what was the response? Missiles on Sderot!” Schumer recalled.
What Obama and America should do for peace is to make it known that America's ties with Israel cannot be broken, he said. “By giving the Palestinian and the Arab world hope that they can break the tie between the U.S. and Israel, you don't further the cause of peace, you set back the cause of peace... If they think the tie is immutable, they will say, well maybe we should throw in the towel and have some kind of peace with Israel. It's that simple.”
More here
Joel Todd's Mailing
Joe,
On Saturday October 30, 2010 I received a letter in the mail from Concerned Citizens for Joel Todd. Why? I am a registered Republican. So I read it and really don't understand it's meaning. It is a two page letter on why I should vote for Mr. Todd. Let me break it down for all your readers.
Mr. Todd fills the first half with the the reasons I should vote for him and who else is going to vote for him. He states that he has "as well as over 50 active duty and and retired officers from Worcester County...your county...who want to keep the most qualified person in the job." At the end of the letter (which covers half of the second page) he lists 50 (exactly fifty) names, titled "Police for Joel Todd". These names are qualified as follows: 23 Retired members (Some as much as 15 years retired) , 16 Active members (1 a seasonal officer in Ocean City), 7 Captains/Chiefs of Police or Sheriffs that have not seen the inside of a courtroom in a long time, 2 Special Investigators for his office and 2 Fire Marshalls (who have police powers).
He spends the other one page bashing his opponent and ridiculing his police support and experience. He also questions his "police endorsed" as only 40 FOP members. Well Mr. Todd, every FOP Lodge in Worcester County (there are three, Ocean City, Berlin and Worcester County), FOP Wicomico Lodge, FOP Caroline County Lodge and the Maryland State FOP Lodge have endorsed Mr. Oglesby. This is very strong support. Beau Oglesby has 13 (THIRTEEN) years working as a prosecutor and has the energy and desire to make Worcester County a safer place to live. I know Mr. Todd and Mr. Oglesby personally and have no doubt in giving Mr. Oglesby my support. I think this is the year that a change be made in Worcester County and that would be to support BEAU OGLESBY. As you head to the polls please remember BEAU OGLESBY for State's Attorney.
Michael J. O'Connor
Ocean City
On Saturday October 30, 2010 I received a letter in the mail from Concerned Citizens for Joel Todd. Why? I am a registered Republican. So I read it and really don't understand it's meaning. It is a two page letter on why I should vote for Mr. Todd. Let me break it down for all your readers.
Mr. Todd fills the first half with the the reasons I should vote for him and who else is going to vote for him. He states that he has "as well as over 50 active duty and and retired officers from Worcester County...your county...who want to keep the most qualified person in the job." At the end of the letter (which covers half of the second page) he lists 50 (exactly fifty) names, titled "Police for Joel Todd". These names are qualified as follows: 23 Retired members (Some as much as 15 years retired) , 16 Active members (1 a seasonal officer in Ocean City), 7 Captains/Chiefs of Police or Sheriffs that have not seen the inside of a courtroom in a long time, 2 Special Investigators for his office and 2 Fire Marshalls (who have police powers).
He spends the other one page bashing his opponent and ridiculing his police support and experience. He also questions his "police endorsed" as only 40 FOP members. Well Mr. Todd, every FOP Lodge in Worcester County (there are three, Ocean City, Berlin and Worcester County), FOP Wicomico Lodge, FOP Caroline County Lodge and the Maryland State FOP Lodge have endorsed Mr. Oglesby. This is very strong support. Beau Oglesby has 13 (THIRTEEN) years working as a prosecutor and has the energy and desire to make Worcester County a safer place to live. I know Mr. Todd and Mr. Oglesby personally and have no doubt in giving Mr. Oglesby my support. I think this is the year that a change be made in Worcester County and that would be to support BEAU OGLESBY. As you head to the polls please remember BEAU OGLESBY for State's Attorney.
Michael J. O'Connor
Ocean City
DAILY TIMES AGAIN MISLEADS ITS READERS ABOUT COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
After the errors and omissions in its recent recommendation editorial were pointed out in this blog, you would bet that Greg Bassett or someone else would see that they did not occur again in the general article on the Wicomico County Council candidates published on Oct. 31. If so, you would be a loser.
Once again, David Goslee is described as a farmer, with no mention whatsoever about his career at the local Pepsi distribution firm, where he is a division manager.
There is no mention that Bob Caldwell supports complete homestead tax credit protection against higher property tax on homes, and not the slightest suggestion that Stevie Prettyman's opponent is the man who "hung" Frank Kratovil in effigy at a T-party rally last year.
Why anyone in their right mind would pay money to subscribe to that "newspaper" is a mystery.
Once again, David Goslee is described as a farmer, with no mention whatsoever about his career at the local Pepsi distribution firm, where he is a division manager.
There is no mention that Bob Caldwell supports complete homestead tax credit protection against higher property tax on homes, and not the slightest suggestion that Stevie Prettyman's opponent is the man who "hung" Frank Kratovil in effigy at a T-party rally last year.
Why anyone in their right mind would pay money to subscribe to that "newspaper" is a mystery.
EARLY VOTER TURNOUT IN WICOMICO COUNTY INDICATES A REPUBLICAN TSUNAMI!
3,971 persons voted in the 6-day early voting period for this year's general election. That's more than 150% greater than during the primary election, and the party split strongly suggests that the total vote will favor the Republican candidates as it did then.
In the primary 1,444 persons voted early, and the split was 54% Democrat to 46% Republican. Because the only polling place was the Civic Center, it is very likely that most of those voters (and those in the more recent early voting) reside in or very near Salisbury, which is more heavily Democrat than the rest of the County. Thus, it's not surprising that the turnout at polling stations throughout the County on the primary election day was a substantial Republican majority, which resulted in the surprising final split in the primary: 52% Republican to 48% Democrat.
This time, the early voting split is 52% Democrat, 48% Republican -- a bit closer than during the primary -- which indicates that on election day the Republican turnout will again significantly exceed the Democrat showing. What's more: there were 356 votes cast by independent voters (who could not vote in the primary), and if they are combined with the Republicans, the early voting split is 52% Republican & Independent, 48% Democrat.
At present it is unknown how the early voters actually voted, but there's good reason to speculate that the "crossover" greatly favored the Republican candidates, and that is likely to occur in the votes cast on November 2. It is very significant that Democrat voters in Wicomico County have strongly supported Bob Ehrlich in his two prior campaigns for Governor, so there should be considerable crossover by those voters at the top of the ballot, thereby increasing the likelihood of complete or very extensive crossover further down the ballot. And the fact that Andy Harris is much more popular this time could also help to induce some Democrats to crossover.
Thus, there could be a 55% to 45% edge for many Republican candidates, and greater in some races. There could very well be a Republican "super-majority" on the next County Council and possibly even a new County Executive. And, in light of the strong Republican showing in early voting in the surrounding Counties, things also look very good for Republican candidates for state offices -- Michael James in particular.
PS - it was already a given that Matt Maciarello will be elected as the next State's attorney -- now it's a lead-pipe cinch.
In the primary 1,444 persons voted early, and the split was 54% Democrat to 46% Republican. Because the only polling place was the Civic Center, it is very likely that most of those voters (and those in the more recent early voting) reside in or very near Salisbury, which is more heavily Democrat than the rest of the County. Thus, it's not surprising that the turnout at polling stations throughout the County on the primary election day was a substantial Republican majority, which resulted in the surprising final split in the primary: 52% Republican to 48% Democrat.
This time, the early voting split is 52% Democrat, 48% Republican -- a bit closer than during the primary -- which indicates that on election day the Republican turnout will again significantly exceed the Democrat showing. What's more: there were 356 votes cast by independent voters (who could not vote in the primary), and if they are combined with the Republicans, the early voting split is 52% Republican & Independent, 48% Democrat.
At present it is unknown how the early voters actually voted, but there's good reason to speculate that the "crossover" greatly favored the Republican candidates, and that is likely to occur in the votes cast on November 2. It is very significant that Democrat voters in Wicomico County have strongly supported Bob Ehrlich in his two prior campaigns for Governor, so there should be considerable crossover by those voters at the top of the ballot, thereby increasing the likelihood of complete or very extensive crossover further down the ballot. And the fact that Andy Harris is much more popular this time could also help to induce some Democrats to crossover.
Thus, there could be a 55% to 45% edge for many Republican candidates, and greater in some races. There could very well be a Republican "super-majority" on the next County Council and possibly even a new County Executive. And, in light of the strong Republican showing in early voting in the surrounding Counties, things also look very good for Republican candidates for state offices -- Michael James in particular.
PS - it was already a given that Matt Maciarello will be elected as the next State's attorney -- now it's a lead-pipe cinch.
Kratovil: First District Residents, I’m Smarter Than You
ANNAPOLIS – Congressman Frank Kratovil is at it again; defending his votes for the unpopular Stimulus and Cap-and-Trade. In a recent interview with Politico, Rep. Kratovil dismissed First District resident’s ability to realize what he hasn’t, the Stimulus and Cap-and-Trade are failed and unpopular policies. Instead Kratovil chalked up their dissatisfaction with an inability to understand, claiming they are “overwhelmed.” According to Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott, Kratovil is right about one thing, his constituents are overwhelmed by record unemployment and his .800 plus batting average with Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda:
“First District residents are smarter than Frank Kratovil thinks. Eastern Shore residents thought they were sending an independent voice to Washington but instead got a Congressman who couldn’t find a tax or spending bill he didn’t like. The only thing First District residents have been overwhelmed by is Frank’s propensity to vote along party lines and his failed promises of new jobs in Maryland. Kratovil has seen the writing on the wall for over a year now, avoiding town halls and his constituents, opting to wine and dine with high dollar donors instead. His latest rhetoric in Politico is the final example of how out of touch Kratovil has become since heading to Washington.”
Super Majority
Hello Joe,
Election day is right around the corner. One party can obtain a super majority vote within their own party.
How can this benefit the citizens of Wicomico County? There are a lot of issue out there that have been around for years with a lot of discussion but little action from county government. Party bickering keeps a lot of issues that the people are concerned about from moving forward. If one party has the super majority and doesn't move the citizens concerns forward then it will be easy to see which party doesn't really care about the peoples issues. I wouldn't want to be in that party and expect to hold onto my seat in the next election. Here are some of the issues that have been brought forward time and again and some issues that citizens probably haven't heard about:
1. should Wicomico County have an elected School Board - let the citizens decide
2. should Wicomico County be in the liquor business or should it be turned over to private enterprise - let the people decide
3. should Wicomico County have a single law enforcement agency - let the people decide
4. should Wicomico County be in the entertainment business with a Civic Center or should it be turned over to private enterprise
5. should the citizens be able to vote on all land purchases - i.e. Civic Center expansions, school expansions, airport expansions, new county businesses
6. should the citizens be able to vote on capital projects - i.e. Drill Academies, waste water plants, schools( new and renovations )
7. should there be a term limit on our County Executive position
These are just a few of the issues that I hear going around and some of them have been around for years.
Isn't it time to either moves these issues forward or drop them according to what the citizens want? I believe our citizens know what they want. Just let them have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. I'm anxious to hear what the citizens have to say.
John Palmer Jr.
Tax Increases Are Possible Cure For Next Year's Deficit, Legislative Leaders Say
Taxes on alcohol, gasoline, corporate income and sales face possible increases during the 2011 General Assembly.
“We need to figure out a way to close that deficit,” Sen. Richard Madaleno said last Friday at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Policy Conference, held in National Harbor, Md.
It may not be possible “to do it all with budget cuts,” said Madaleno, who predicted an even bleaker budget outlook with a possible $2 billion structural deficit.
On the alcohol tax, Madaleno, a Montgomery County Democrat on the Budget and Taxation Committee and a member of the Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission, said that “an increase would be significant” for additional revenue.
The last time the alcohol tax was raised was in 1972, on beer and wine. If the tax goes from 1 cent per drink to the equivalent of 11 cents per drink, he said, “that would bring in $200 million to the state.”
Senate President Mike Miller has long advocated increasing the gas tax and he did so again at the conference, as he had last year. This time, though, he had company.
The gasoline tax was last raised in 1992, from 18.5 cents to 23.5 cents per gallon.
GO HERE to read more.
Hidden Camera Catches Rogue Movers Holding Goods Hostage
Rogue movers. They quote you a great price for moving your stuff but once they show up to the destination, all of a sudden the price more than doubles. If you don't pay up, they won't let you have your stuff. CBS13 kept getting complaints about one company doing just that, so they set up a juicy hidden camera investigation to catch them in the act, and catch them they did... driving away with all their stuff!
More »
More »
How To Get Credit Card Companies To Lower Minimum Payments
The problem with using credit cards is that although they make it seem like they're magic buy-everything passes, eventually you get bills and have to pay for all that stuff you bought.
More »
More »
Meet Marley
Since my husband and I found Marley on your blog and so many readers don't always get to hear about the homes where the animals on your blog go to, I wanted everyone to meet Marley!
My husband and I had talked about getting another dog for quite a while. We had one amazing dog already and his name is Bear and he will be three years old in November. We do not have any children yet so our animals are our world and they really complete our family. We wanted to extend this joy to another dog and we applied twice at the Humane Society, to no avail. Marley was up for adoption in July and we took Bear to meet him and his sisters to decide if any of the dogs would get along. Marley was the only little boy in his litter and got along very well with Bear so we decided that this was the dog for us. This was the most amazing decision for our family.
Marley is about five months old now and he has learned wonderful manners from his older brother. We receive many compliments about how well our dogs behave in the neighborhood and while I wish that I could take the credit, I know that Marley has learned all of his discipline from his brother! The two of them are inseparable and are so loving together. Marley also likes cats. We have two cats in the house and Marley doesn't chase them at all; this is amazing for a puppy!
Among his many attributes, Marley is very loving! He smothers us in kisses when we sit on the sofa; he climbs up the pillows and gives us kisses to wake us up in the morning to tell us that he has to go outside. Our puppy is growing steadily into a great dog and loves to please! Marley has been a wonderful addition to our family and we are so thankful to have found him!
Sincerely,
Christan Maycock McIntyre
Letter From The Dean Of Students At SU
Happy Halloween!!! 
For those of you who plan to take part in Halloween festivities this weekend, I want to caution you about a few things.
As your parents probably told you on several occasions when you were a little kid, don’t walk around alone or get separate from your group, check your candy before you decide to eat it, and if it does not look right, then it is probably not good for you.
Well, my rules are no different…, well maybe they are….
So “here we go, my rules to keep you safe this weekend and to keep you around for the remainder of the year.
- Check your Pipe or Cigarette before you smoke it – if it contains any illegal substance, we will have you on a broomstick out of here sooner than you think.
- Check your bev40rage before your drink it – if you are not 21 or you simply turn into a Goon or Goblin after a few drinks, it will appear that you are dressed in a “donkey” costume to your friends and to the community.
- Check your right jab before you toss it or your uppercut before you lift it. Whether or not you are dressed like Mike Tyson for Halloween, if you fight, we will retire you for the at least a year from SU.
- So whether you go out or not, have a great time, be safe, respect the men and women of SafeRide, and whatever you do, don’t be a “Donkey”
Military Quote Of The Day
"When I joined the military it was illegal
GySgt Harry Berres, USMC
to be homosexual, then it became optional.
I'm getting out before Obama makes it mandatory."
GySgt Harry Berres, USMC
OUR TROOPS
WONDERFUL VIDEO OF OUR TROOPS HAVING FUN http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5MtdIO23MKM
Delaware Awarded Four Federal Grants to Support Public Transportation
Shares in a Fifth Multi-State Grant to Improve the Northeast Rail Corridor
Dover -- Governor Jack Markell and Delaware's Congressional Delegation announced today the awarding of five important federal grants that will improve rail and transit infrastructure in the First State. The grants, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), will provide needed funding to complete major rail projects along the Northeast Corridor, improve transit facilities in Sussex County, and replace aging buses in the DART First State fleet.
The awarded grants reinforce the importance of infrastructure improvements recently discussed by President Obama and Governor Markell at the White House last week. All the grant monies being highlighted are from the Federal FY 2010 appropriations funds, which is not affiliated with the Federal Stimulus program Congress appropriated the discretionary money to USDOT, which was then required to award the money through a competitive grant process.
Awarded Grants:
* $13 million from the FRA for the construction of a third track on the Northeast Corridor south of Wilmington. The project will increase travel times and reduce train conflicts in the area. This funding completes the $40 million needed to begin the project. The project is expected to start in early 2011 and will produce 115 construction jobs and up to 15 permanent jobs over time.
* $5 million grant from the FTA to build a new DART Maintenance facility and Park & Ride lot at site of the former Wright Chrysler automotive dealership along Route 1 near Five Points in Lewes.
* $3.7 million FTA grant to replace seven transit buses with 40-foot hybrid diesel buses.
* $2.25 million planning grant from USDOT to address transportation needs and design expansion of the Newark Rail Station. The grant will be used to plan integration of the University of Delaware's transit oriented development of the former Chrysler vehicle assembly plant, now owned by the University
GO HERE to read more.
Dover -- Governor Jack Markell and Delaware's Congressional Delegation announced today the awarding of five important federal grants that will improve rail and transit infrastructure in the First State. The grants, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), will provide needed funding to complete major rail projects along the Northeast Corridor, improve transit facilities in Sussex County, and replace aging buses in the DART First State fleet.
The awarded grants reinforce the importance of infrastructure improvements recently discussed by President Obama and Governor Markell at the White House last week. All the grant monies being highlighted are from the Federal FY 2010 appropriations funds, which is not affiliated with the Federal Stimulus program Congress appropriated the discretionary money to USDOT, which was then required to award the money through a competitive grant process.
Awarded Grants:
* $13 million from the FRA for the construction of a third track on the Northeast Corridor south of Wilmington. The project will increase travel times and reduce train conflicts in the area. This funding completes the $40 million needed to begin the project. The project is expected to start in early 2011 and will produce 115 construction jobs and up to 15 permanent jobs over time.
* $5 million grant from the FTA to build a new DART Maintenance facility and Park & Ride lot at site of the former Wright Chrysler automotive dealership along Route 1 near Five Points in Lewes.
* $3.7 million FTA grant to replace seven transit buses with 40-foot hybrid diesel buses.
* $2.25 million planning grant from USDOT to address transportation needs and design expansion of the Newark Rail Station. The grant will be used to plan integration of the University of Delaware's transit oriented development of the former Chrysler vehicle assembly plant, now owned by the University
GO HERE to read more.
October Notes From The Wicomico County Board of Education
The Wicomico County Board of Education at its Oct. 12 monthly meeting:
Moment of Silence
Observed a moment of silence for the late Linda Mable Washington, a Wicomico High School food service worker.
Public Comments
Heard comments from a parent with concerns about the Magnet Program selection process. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said the High Performing Learners advisory committee would meet on Oct. 14 to review what has taken place since the last meeting, including the 2010 selection process, and look at the work that needs to be done now. A Q&A on the Magnet Program and High Performing Learners has been prepared for the committee and the website. Board members asked that public comments and questions on Magnet be considered and responses given in a timely manner.
Superintendent’s Report
Heard from Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen that:
The process of writing an action plan for allocating Wicomico’s nearly $3.1 million in Race to the Top (RTTT) funding is continuing, and that RTTT will mean a change to measuring student growth rather than performance on set measures, with teachers evaluated partially on the growth their students make.
The 2010 Adequate Yearly Progress information is out and available on the website and at mdk12.org. In accordance with federal regulations, Wicomico will redirect approximately $400,000 in Title I funding to professional development.
A recent Maryland State Department of Education audit of the school system was a success.
Westside Primary and Pittsville Elementary and Middle were named Maryland Character Education Schools.
Several hundred people attended a Gang Awareness Training event held at James M. Bennett high in cooperation with the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.
Sherri Harkins of Pittsville Elementary and Middle and Willards Elementary has been honored as the Maryland Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.
Wicomico will use the $825,645 it receives from the Education Jobs Fund Program to focus on prekindergarten teachers and class size preservation.
Planning for the Fiscal Year 2011-12 budget is under way, with planning not just for next year but for several years out with continued difficult budget times ahead.
The Family Portal is open for the 2010-11 school year. So far, 1,017 people have signed up to view their student’s school information online. Sign-in information must be obtained by visiting the student’s school.
The school system anticipates more meetings in the near future as improvements to the Onley/Bateman intersection move forward. The city of Salisbury now has the money from the state for the project. The improvements are needed so that as the construction on the Bennett site nears completion, as either the planned 17 buses or 300+ staff cars and other cars must use Onley Road. Board member Ronald O. Willey emphasized the importance of the situation being resolved as quickly as possible.
The Northwestern Elementary HVAC project was approved by the State to receive Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) funding. This approval allows the school system to collect donations of approximately $12,000 based upon commitment letters received from private sector contributors. The QZAB funding with help fund a portion of the long delayed HVAC project at the school.
The system has a $70,000 Connections grant for services to persistently disruptive and violent students, and will collaborate with Sojourner-Douglass College to use space at its facility. The Board will see a Memorandum of Understanding for the arrangement soon.
Meetings continue with the bus contractors with work on issues including insurance, indemnification, breach of contracts, Ombudsman, and “equal to or greater than.”
A committee will work on making sure that all eligible families are aware of the Delmar One-Time Choice.
The school system’s Central Office crisis plan is being updated, and crisis plan training is taking place throughout the system.
Campbell-Jones cultural competency workshops are taking place and are open to Board members.
Highlighted events in October include the Up with People concert sponsored by the Wicomico County Board of Education (Oct. 12) and the Delmarvacade of Bands (Oct. 16); board members also congratulated Wicomico Teacher of the Year Lisa King of Delmar Elementary, who represented Wicomico at the Oct. 8 Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala. In November, look for Election Day (Nov. 2; schools and Central Office closed, please remember to vote), the next STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday on Nov. 13 for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8, and American Education Week (Nov. 14-20).
Contact the school system by e-mail at comments@wcboe.org or leave a voicemail message at 410-677-5251. Visit www.wcboe.org for videos, news and more.
Bennett Middle School Design
Approved the design development for the Bennett Middle School replacement project, for submission to the state. Wicomico is requesting $13 million for its first construction funding request to the State for the project. The school system will also seek $15 million in county funding this year. If the state and county provide the construction funding that is being requested, the earliest start date for construction would be spring 2012, with occupancy in summer 2015. The State will pay 87 percent of the eligible construction costs if the project receives LEED Silver Certification and is approved for funding in FY2012. Board member Robin Holloway said the school system should prepare talking points to ensure the need for the project is well understood and well publicized.
Contract Modifications
Approved a $151,817.14 construction contract modification for Whiting-Turner on the James M. Bennett High replacement project for changes to the project, and a $105,323.46 A/E contract modification for Becker Morgan Group for adjustments to the project’s size and scope.
Negotiating Teams
Approved the members of the 2010-11 Board Negotiations Teams for Unit I, Unit II, and Units III and IV.
PTA Officers
Received for information the list of school PTA officers for 2010-11.
Persons in Charge
Held for further attention and a future vote the 2010-11 list of Persons in Charge in schools in the absence of the principal and assistant principal(s).
School Faculty Representatives
Approved the 2010-11 list of School Faculty Representatives.
Bid Awards
Awarded the contract for Stopware PassagePoint EDU Software for all schools and the Central Office to Identicard Systems Worldwide as the low responsive and responsible bidder. The five-year ownership cost for the system is $57,620. A uniform, comprehensive system is needed for the safety and security of school buildings, said Cathy Townsend, Supervisor of Safe Schools.
Awarded the contract for roof repair crew price to Peninsula Roofing as the primary vendor and Potteiger-Raintree as the secondary vendor as the low responsive and responsible bidders. The contract is for small-scale roof repair projects as needed.
Year-End Audit Reports
Approved the Audit Reports as submitted for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2010. Audit documents included the school system’s first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which will be posted on the website to provide information about school funding and spending to the community. Of note this year is that auditor did not identify any deficiencies through the audit, and School Activities Fund audits, which last year yielded numerous recommendations and only one clean audit, this year improved to 13 clean audits and very few recommendations for the remaining schools.
Monthly Reports
Approved the monthly report on personnel matters for certificated employees and budget transfers, and received for information the monthly personnel matters report on classified employees and the monthly update on grant proposals.
Moment of Silence
Observed a moment of silence for the late Linda Mable Washington, a Wicomico High School food service worker.
Public Comments
Heard comments from a parent with concerns about the Magnet Program selection process. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said the High Performing Learners advisory committee would meet on Oct. 14 to review what has taken place since the last meeting, including the 2010 selection process, and look at the work that needs to be done now. A Q&A on the Magnet Program and High Performing Learners has been prepared for the committee and the website. Board members asked that public comments and questions on Magnet be considered and responses given in a timely manner.
Superintendent’s Report
Heard from Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen that:
The process of writing an action plan for allocating Wicomico’s nearly $3.1 million in Race to the Top (RTTT) funding is continuing, and that RTTT will mean a change to measuring student growth rather than performance on set measures, with teachers evaluated partially on the growth their students make.
The 2010 Adequate Yearly Progress information is out and available on the website and at mdk12.org. In accordance with federal regulations, Wicomico will redirect approximately $400,000 in Title I funding to professional development.
A recent Maryland State Department of Education audit of the school system was a success.
Westside Primary and Pittsville Elementary and Middle were named Maryland Character Education Schools.
Several hundred people attended a Gang Awareness Training event held at James M. Bennett high in cooperation with the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.
Sherri Harkins of Pittsville Elementary and Middle and Willards Elementary has been honored as the Maryland Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.
Wicomico will use the $825,645 it receives from the Education Jobs Fund Program to focus on prekindergarten teachers and class size preservation.
Planning for the Fiscal Year 2011-12 budget is under way, with planning not just for next year but for several years out with continued difficult budget times ahead.
The Family Portal is open for the 2010-11 school year. So far, 1,017 people have signed up to view their student’s school information online. Sign-in information must be obtained by visiting the student’s school.
The school system anticipates more meetings in the near future as improvements to the Onley/Bateman intersection move forward. The city of Salisbury now has the money from the state for the project. The improvements are needed so that as the construction on the Bennett site nears completion, as either the planned 17 buses or 300+ staff cars and other cars must use Onley Road. Board member Ronald O. Willey emphasized the importance of the situation being resolved as quickly as possible.
The Northwestern Elementary HVAC project was approved by the State to receive Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) funding. This approval allows the school system to collect donations of approximately $12,000 based upon commitment letters received from private sector contributors. The QZAB funding with help fund a portion of the long delayed HVAC project at the school.
The system has a $70,000 Connections grant for services to persistently disruptive and violent students, and will collaborate with Sojourner-Douglass College to use space at its facility. The Board will see a Memorandum of Understanding for the arrangement soon.
Meetings continue with the bus contractors with work on issues including insurance, indemnification, breach of contracts, Ombudsman, and “equal to or greater than.”
A committee will work on making sure that all eligible families are aware of the Delmar One-Time Choice.
The school system’s Central Office crisis plan is being updated, and crisis plan training is taking place throughout the system.
Campbell-Jones cultural competency workshops are taking place and are open to Board members.
Highlighted events in October include the Up with People concert sponsored by the Wicomico County Board of Education (Oct. 12) and the Delmarvacade of Bands (Oct. 16); board members also congratulated Wicomico Teacher of the Year Lisa King of Delmar Elementary, who represented Wicomico at the Oct. 8 Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala. In November, look for Election Day (Nov. 2; schools and Central Office closed, please remember to vote), the next STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday on Nov. 13 for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8, and American Education Week (Nov. 14-20).
Contact the school system by e-mail at comments@wcboe.org or leave a voicemail message at 410-677-5251. Visit www.wcboe.org for videos, news and more.
Bennett Middle School Design
Approved the design development for the Bennett Middle School replacement project, for submission to the state. Wicomico is requesting $13 million for its first construction funding request to the State for the project. The school system will also seek $15 million in county funding this year. If the state and county provide the construction funding that is being requested, the earliest start date for construction would be spring 2012, with occupancy in summer 2015. The State will pay 87 percent of the eligible construction costs if the project receives LEED Silver Certification and is approved for funding in FY2012. Board member Robin Holloway said the school system should prepare talking points to ensure the need for the project is well understood and well publicized.
Contract Modifications
Approved a $151,817.14 construction contract modification for Whiting-Turner on the James M. Bennett High replacement project for changes to the project, and a $105,323.46 A/E contract modification for Becker Morgan Group for adjustments to the project’s size and scope.
Negotiating Teams
Approved the members of the 2010-11 Board Negotiations Teams for Unit I, Unit II, and Units III and IV.
PTA Officers
Received for information the list of school PTA officers for 2010-11.
Persons in Charge
Held for further attention and a future vote the 2010-11 list of Persons in Charge in schools in the absence of the principal and assistant principal(s).
School Faculty Representatives
Approved the 2010-11 list of School Faculty Representatives.
Bid Awards
Awarded the contract for Stopware PassagePoint EDU Software for all schools and the Central Office to Identicard Systems Worldwide as the low responsive and responsible bidder. The five-year ownership cost for the system is $57,620. A uniform, comprehensive system is needed for the safety and security of school buildings, said Cathy Townsend, Supervisor of Safe Schools.
Awarded the contract for roof repair crew price to Peninsula Roofing as the primary vendor and Potteiger-Raintree as the secondary vendor as the low responsive and responsible bidders. The contract is for small-scale roof repair projects as needed.
Year-End Audit Reports
Approved the Audit Reports as submitted for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2010. Audit documents included the school system’s first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which will be posted on the website to provide information about school funding and spending to the community. Of note this year is that auditor did not identify any deficiencies through the audit, and School Activities Fund audits, which last year yielded numerous recommendations and only one clean audit, this year improved to 13 clean audits and very few recommendations for the remaining schools.
Monthly Reports
Approved the monthly report on personnel matters for certificated employees and budget transfers, and received for information the monthly personnel matters report on classified employees and the monthly update on grant proposals.
IT WAS THE BATTLE-CRY - "REMEMBER THE ALAMO" THAT SPURRED ON THE FORCES OF SAM HOUSTON - EASTERNSHORE ITS TIME TO GET IT ON!
I posted this article as a reminder to all our breathren. If ANY of the incumbents and/or political candidates were around and holding office when all of the below listed businesses decided to exodus our area - then maybe this is your time to 'stand up to the plate'. Remember - you've got just one shot every four years to make a difference. Area Business Closings
Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, & Dorchester Counties
Unemployed
1. Sealy Upholstery Co. Unknown – (Best Estimate 150+)
2. Field Container Corp. Unknown – (Best Estimate 150+)
3. Dresser Industries 500 – 600 -(Facility moved to Austin, Texas - at height of business it employed over 1000 employees.
4. Shawnee Homes Unknown – (Best guestimate 150+)
5. Salisbury Engineering - moved entire operation to State of Delaware
6. Heinemann Electric Unknown, Northwood Industrial Park.
7. Moore Business Forms 148 – Shutdown 07-27-94, Snowhill, Maryland
8. Campbell Soup – Salisbury, MD - 604 Employees in Salisbury
9. Campbell Soup – Swanson Division - Pocomoke, MD 245 Employees
10. Campbell Soup – Mrs. Paul’s Kitchen - Crisfield, MD 200 Employees
11. Montgomery Wards 110 Employees - Salisbury, MD
12. Gant Shirt Factory 250 Employees
13. Jodi Shirt Co. 100 Employees
14. Delmar Sportswear 90 Employees
15. Ford Laboratory 70 Employees - Salisbury, MD
16. Grumman Corp. -Salisbury, MD 401 – Employed 523 at Height of production.
17. Peninsula Press - Salisbury, MD 45 - Employees
18. Preston Trucking Co., - Preston, MD Unknown, filed for bankruptcy protection
19. Chesapeake Bay Plywood Corp. 500 Employees – Pocomoke City, MD. Plant shutdown
20. Ruddy Duck 100 Employees - Cambridge, Maryand
21. Airpax Industries 500 – (Best guestimate) Cambridge, Maryland at height of production it employed almost 1500 workers. Moved lighting division to Matamoras, Mexico.
22. Service Merchandise 75 Employees - Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, MD
23. Purity Bacon - unknown, South Division St. - Salisbury, MD.
24. E.S. Adkins & Co. unknown, North Salisbury Blvd. - Salisbury Maryland
25. Masten Home Center unknown, Rt. 13, South Salisbury Blvd. - Salisbury, Maryland
26. IMS (MVP.com) 40-50 Employees – WBOC reporting - (Old Campbell’s Soup Bldg at Lake Street - Salisbury, MD.
27. Powellville Garment Factory Closure announced 02/01 100 – (Best guestimate)-located in Powellville, MD.
28. Food Depot - Old Salisbury Mall, Salisbury, MD Unknown – Old Salisbury Mall building.
29. Crown, Cork & Seal - unknown, Announced plant Fruitland, MD closure 01-14-02
30. Central Tractor Rt.13 - Fruitland, MD Unknown, Announced closure 01-14-02
31. Ames - unknown, Announced Rt. 50 & Tilghman Road Closure 11-14-01 -Salisbury, Maryland 32. Nanticoke Homes, Greewood, DE Unknown, Announced closure 07-02
32. Stoney Point Decoy Factory 35-40 Employees at peak, Crisfield, MD. Daily Times reporting J. Cording – Announced closure 04-19-03.
33. Tyson Foods, Berlin, MD. Facility 600 Employees - Announced closure 04-21-03
34. Black & Decker, Easton, MD 1400 Employees - Announced closure 04-29-03. Moving plant to Brazil & Mexico - (Daily Times reporter John Vandiver 04-29-03)
35. Pine Country Corp., Pocomoke, MD 35 Employees (Daily Times reported 10-26-03) Operations ceased 09/03.
36. Chesapeake Hardwood Mill Operations ceased spring Peggy Neck Road, Princess Anne, MD. 2002, 40 Employees Alan Parker, Plant Manager
37. Salisbury Steel Products Inc. 909 Boundary St., Salisbury MD. Operations ceased 08-03. 35 Employees Per C.J. Townsend
38. US Air Salisbury Airport, filed for Bankruptcy protection; Reorganization in process; Abandoned flights to BWI- constantly in-and-out of financial trouble
39. True Value Hardware Announced closure of Isabella Street location, Salisbury, MD. 03-04. No. Employees Unknown
40. Office Max Salisbury, MD. announced closure February 2004
41. Helovet Pharma Northwood Industrial Park No. Employees Unknown announced closure Salisbury, MD location March 2005
42. Giant Food, N. Salisbury Blvd. 75 Displaced workers, Salisbury, MD. Announced closure 10-22-06 - Rt. 13 North, Salisbury, MD
43. Super Deep Discount Drugs Located across from Giant’s South Salisbury Blvd. location, announced shutdown 10-22-06, No. displaced employees unknown
44. JV Wells, Inc., Sharptown, MD. Employed over 100 - largest Maryland Timber Company.
45. Nanticoke Seafood - it was owned by Booth Fisheries, Rich Sea Pak and most recently by Cape May Canners who moved it to New Jersey
46. Islandic Seafood, Cambridge Md. Dorchester’s largest remaining employer. The Daily Times reported 300 layoffs March 30, 2007, and an additional 122 that are to be laid off by end of 2007.
47. Brunswick – Bayliner/Maxum One of Wicomico’s largest remaining employers announced closure on 07/2/07 - The Daily Times reported 180 layoffs July 4, 2007. Spurred by tax incentives from North Carolina contributed to decision to move plant.
48. Americhem Inc. Marvel Road facility, Northwood Industrial Park, announced closure on 10-23-07. The Daily Times reported 30 layoffs possibly 45 displacements
49. Powerwave Technology Inc. Formerly Filtronic Comtek, Rt. 50 & Walston Switch Rd., announced closure of facility late August, 2008. The Co. announced it currently employs 100 workers and at one point it employed 300 workers.
50. Oddi Atlantic Owned by Iceland Based Co. that bought Atlantic And Hastings Printing Co. in 2006. 70 Workers laid off on 09-26-08 – (Reported by The Daily Times reporter Gwenn Garland).
51. Invista Plant - subsidiary of Kansas based Koch Industries – (former Dupont Nylon plant) – announced the layoff of 400 workers or 80% of its Seaford,DE workforce. Announcement was made 10-16-08 per The Associated Press - Randal Chase.
52. Circuit City Rt. 13 North - Salisbury, MD - announced closure on 01-12-09 30 employees to be displaced.
53. Saturn of Salisbury Rt. 13 North – Delmar, MD - announced closure on 05-01-09 15 displaced workers per Saturn spokesperson.
54. Waterman’s Restaurant Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD. closed doors on 04-29-09.
55. Bob Smith Automotive, Easton MD - announced closure 03-09 - GM Dealer
Also owned GMC Dealership in Federalsburg, MD
56. Schaefer & Strohminger, Cambridge, MD - announced closure 04-30-09 - GM, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Dealer
57. Boaters World, Salisbury, MD - announced closure 04-09 - 15 employees & 75 employees in Denton, MD distribution center.
58. Burke Equipment, Salisbury, MD - closed on or about 01-2010. Number of employees unknown.
62. Jacks Religious Gift Shop - closed on or about 01-2010. Number of displaced employees unknown.
Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, & Dorchester Counties
Unemployed
1. Sealy Upholstery Co. Unknown – (Best Estimate 150+)
2. Field Container Corp. Unknown – (Best Estimate 150+)
3. Dresser Industries 500 – 600 -(Facility moved to Austin, Texas - at height of business it employed over 1000 employees.
4. Shawnee Homes Unknown – (Best guestimate 150+)
5. Salisbury Engineering - moved entire operation to State of Delaware
6. Heinemann Electric Unknown, Northwood Industrial Park.
7. Moore Business Forms 148 – Shutdown 07-27-94, Snowhill, Maryland
8. Campbell Soup – Salisbury, MD - 604 Employees in Salisbury
9. Campbell Soup – Swanson Division - Pocomoke, MD 245 Employees
10. Campbell Soup – Mrs. Paul’s Kitchen - Crisfield, MD 200 Employees
11. Montgomery Wards 110 Employees - Salisbury, MD
12. Gant Shirt Factory 250 Employees
13. Jodi Shirt Co. 100 Employees
14. Delmar Sportswear 90 Employees
15. Ford Laboratory 70 Employees - Salisbury, MD
16. Grumman Corp. -Salisbury, MD 401 – Employed 523 at Height of production.
17. Peninsula Press - Salisbury, MD 45 - Employees
18. Preston Trucking Co., - Preston, MD Unknown, filed for bankruptcy protection
19. Chesapeake Bay Plywood Corp. 500 Employees – Pocomoke City, MD. Plant shutdown
20. Ruddy Duck 100 Employees - Cambridge, Maryand
21. Airpax Industries 500 – (Best guestimate) Cambridge, Maryland at height of production it employed almost 1500 workers. Moved lighting division to Matamoras, Mexico.
22. Service Merchandise 75 Employees - Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, MD
23. Purity Bacon - unknown, South Division St. - Salisbury, MD.
24. E.S. Adkins & Co. unknown, North Salisbury Blvd. - Salisbury Maryland
25. Masten Home Center unknown, Rt. 13, South Salisbury Blvd. - Salisbury, Maryland
26. IMS (MVP.com) 40-50 Employees – WBOC reporting - (Old Campbell’s Soup Bldg at Lake Street - Salisbury, MD.
27. Powellville Garment Factory Closure announced 02/01 100 – (Best guestimate)-located in Powellville, MD.
28. Food Depot - Old Salisbury Mall, Salisbury, MD Unknown – Old Salisbury Mall building.
29. Crown, Cork & Seal - unknown, Announced plant Fruitland, MD closure 01-14-02
30. Central Tractor Rt.13 - Fruitland, MD Unknown, Announced closure 01-14-02
31. Ames - unknown, Announced Rt. 50 & Tilghman Road Closure 11-14-01 -Salisbury, Maryland 32. Nanticoke Homes, Greewood, DE Unknown, Announced closure 07-02
32. Stoney Point Decoy Factory 35-40 Employees at peak, Crisfield, MD. Daily Times reporting J. Cording – Announced closure 04-19-03.
33. Tyson Foods, Berlin, MD. Facility 600 Employees - Announced closure 04-21-03
34. Black & Decker, Easton, MD 1400 Employees - Announced closure 04-29-03. Moving plant to Brazil & Mexico - (Daily Times reporter John Vandiver 04-29-03)
35. Pine Country Corp., Pocomoke, MD 35 Employees (Daily Times reported 10-26-03) Operations ceased 09/03.
36. Chesapeake Hardwood Mill Operations ceased spring Peggy Neck Road, Princess Anne, MD. 2002, 40 Employees Alan Parker, Plant Manager
37. Salisbury Steel Products Inc. 909 Boundary St., Salisbury MD. Operations ceased 08-03. 35 Employees Per C.J. Townsend
38. US Air Salisbury Airport, filed for Bankruptcy protection; Reorganization in process; Abandoned flights to BWI- constantly in-and-out of financial trouble
39. True Value Hardware Announced closure of Isabella Street location, Salisbury, MD. 03-04. No. Employees Unknown
40. Office Max Salisbury, MD. announced closure February 2004
41. Helovet Pharma Northwood Industrial Park No. Employees Unknown announced closure Salisbury, MD location March 2005
42. Giant Food, N. Salisbury Blvd. 75 Displaced workers, Salisbury, MD. Announced closure 10-22-06 - Rt. 13 North, Salisbury, MD
43. Super Deep Discount Drugs Located across from Giant’s South Salisbury Blvd. location, announced shutdown 10-22-06, No. displaced employees unknown
44. JV Wells, Inc., Sharptown, MD. Employed over 100 - largest Maryland Timber Company.
45. Nanticoke Seafood - it was owned by Booth Fisheries, Rich Sea Pak and most recently by Cape May Canners who moved it to New Jersey
46. Islandic Seafood, Cambridge Md. Dorchester’s largest remaining employer. The Daily Times reported 300 layoffs March 30, 2007, and an additional 122 that are to be laid off by end of 2007.
47. Brunswick – Bayliner/Maxum One of Wicomico’s largest remaining employers announced closure on 07/2/07 - The Daily Times reported 180 layoffs July 4, 2007. Spurred by tax incentives from North Carolina contributed to decision to move plant.
48. Americhem Inc. Marvel Road facility, Northwood Industrial Park, announced closure on 10-23-07. The Daily Times reported 30 layoffs possibly 45 displacements
49. Powerwave Technology Inc. Formerly Filtronic Comtek, Rt. 50 & Walston Switch Rd., announced closure of facility late August, 2008. The Co. announced it currently employs 100 workers and at one point it employed 300 workers.
50. Oddi Atlantic Owned by Iceland Based Co. that bought Atlantic And Hastings Printing Co. in 2006. 70 Workers laid off on 09-26-08 – (Reported by The Daily Times reporter Gwenn Garland).
51. Invista Plant - subsidiary of Kansas based Koch Industries – (former Dupont Nylon plant) – announced the layoff of 400 workers or 80% of its Seaford,DE workforce. Announcement was made 10-16-08 per The Associated Press - Randal Chase.
52. Circuit City Rt. 13 North - Salisbury, MD - announced closure on 01-12-09 30 employees to be displaced.
53. Saturn of Salisbury Rt. 13 North – Delmar, MD - announced closure on 05-01-09 15 displaced workers per Saturn spokesperson.
54. Waterman’s Restaurant Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD. closed doors on 04-29-09.
55. Bob Smith Automotive, Easton MD - announced closure 03-09 - GM Dealer
Also owned GMC Dealership in Federalsburg, MD
56. Schaefer & Strohminger, Cambridge, MD - announced closure 04-30-09 - GM, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Dealer
57. Boaters World, Salisbury, MD - announced closure 04-09 - 15 employees & 75 employees in Denton, MD distribution center.
58. Burke Equipment, Salisbury, MD - closed on or about 01-2010. Number of employees unknown.
62. Jacks Religious Gift Shop - closed on or about 01-2010. Number of displaced employees unknown.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 50 Press Release
Members of the Worcester County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 read the article written in the Coast Dispatch regarding Joel Todd, Beau Oglesby, and the endorsement made by the Lodge. It should be noted that Mr. Todd wrote a letter to the FOP Lodge 50 asking for their endorsement of his candidacy for the office of State’s Attorney of Worcester County. He also asked members of the Lodge to encourage the other lodge members to endorse him. After much time and discussion, a decision was made to endorse Beau Oglesby for the Office of State’s Attorney. A quorum was present at that meeting for that vote. That vote
resulted in a unanimous decision to endorse Beau Oglesby.
For Mr. Todd to dismiss the endorsement as meaningless is concerning to many in law enforcement because Mr. Todd sought the endorsement with vigor. Mr. Todd seems to overlook that all three Fraternal Order of Police lodges in Worcester County have endorsed Beau Oglesby for States Attorney. That is a very large
representation of Worcester County Law Enforcement who no longer wishes to see Mr. Todd continue as Worcester County State’s Attorney.
Respectfully,
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 members
resulted in a unanimous decision to endorse Beau Oglesby.
For Mr. Todd to dismiss the endorsement as meaningless is concerning to many in law enforcement because Mr. Todd sought the endorsement with vigor. Mr. Todd seems to overlook that all three Fraternal Order of Police lodges in Worcester County have endorsed Beau Oglesby for States Attorney. That is a very large
representation of Worcester County Law Enforcement who no longer wishes to see Mr. Todd continue as Worcester County State’s Attorney.
Respectfully,
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 members
An Open Letter From Beau Oglesby
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
As we approach Election Day with growing excitement, I am once again reminded why this County is in such desperate need of new ideas, fresh perspectives, and tempered patience from its State’s Attorney. This year the voters have been plagued with endless negative advertising, vicious attacks, and attempts at outright deception. While I have been deeply saddened and disappointed by the candidates and elected officials who have chosen to engage in this type of distasteful politics, I am delighted and proud of both our campaign and its supporters for remaining true to our commitment to raise the level of genuine discussion in Worcester County.
At a time when our County deserves effective, honest, and trustworthy leadership from its State’s Attorney, Joel Todd continues to focus his attention on why you should not vote for me instead of why you should vote for him. The sixteen year incumbent has gone to great lengths, and spent a lot of money to mischaracterize the truth; yet despite his actions to the contrary, I remain resolved to running a positive campaign because I believe the voters of Worcester County deserve honest discussion – not desperation. I refuse to participate in betrayals of public trust through the use of deceptive mailers, scare tactics, fraudulent endorsements, and shameless lies.
As Election Day draws nearer, some will resort to “gutter” politics. However, people can see beyond such transparent tactics. Tempered silence is the true measure of a person’s dignity. Let’s show Joel Todd and the “would be” leaders of this County that the days of broken promises, misdirection, and insincerity are over. Help bring the better angels of our consciences to the forefronts of our ballots. Show through your vote that the High Road is the ONLY road. On Nov. 2nd a vote for me is a vote for civility - one that loudly rejects the politics of yesterday.
Beau Oglesby
The Daily Times Does It Again!
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20101030/OPINION01/10300358/1014/OPINION/Times-Endorsements--Mathies-could-be-first-African-American-member
MY Response: Daily Times you make me sick with your Racist comment about Mr. Mathies. If you want to endorse someone that is fine with me. BUT to say you endorse someone because he is black and would better serve the "Minority" district is a JOKE! Van Muir has poured his heart and soul into Somerset County living their all his life. Maybe you haven't done your job right and knowing who Van Muir is. Ask any minority in the community or even Mr. Kirkland Hall about Van Muir. Maybe it's because you have never been behind the scenes years ago and even now on how Mr. Muir has been there and helped the "Minority" community. He as help the kids in little league, helped those who didn't have a meal, helped those who needed health care, and given his time in other ways you do not know about. Mr. Muir has supported the kids in the Greenwood and Princess Anne area all his life. He cares about all kids no matter of their race, religion or creed. That goes for adults as well.
I challenge NAACP President Mr. Hall to say a bad thing about Mr. Muir. I have grown up with Mr. Hall and he too has been good to me and my family. I have seen first hand Mr. Hall and Mr. Muir work together with the "Minority" community. To tell everyone to vote for Mr. Mathies because he will make a difference because he will be the first "BLACK"/"Minority" man to me is totally a racial statement and I hope Mr. Muir will contact his lawyer and challenge you. But knowing Mr. Muir that will never happen. It's crap statements that you all write that makes you all look so stupid and ignorant. Comments like that continues to show that "RACE" is the issue and it should not be. Mr. Hall can attest to that. Isn't that what the NAACP fights for. If the citizens what to vote for Mr. Mathies then do so because he has the experience and knowledge to lead Somerset County in the right direction. I say Mr. Van Muir has more experience, knowledge and has been proven to help the "Minority" community.
Mr. Muir is a full time citizen of Somerset County all his life and has been married to the same wonderful lady for over 40 years. He has given to Somerset County all his entire life and wants to continue to pour his sincere offerings to the citizens NO MATTER WHAT Color, religion, or creed. That is what is needed in Somerset County. If a Purple, Blue, or Green person has the experience then vote them in..But not because of their race and the daily times thinks "Now is the Time". That is a load of crap and any person should realize that who has a heart and is tired of the Race Card to being played." I expect the Daily Times apologize to to Van Muir for their comments!!" It was totally wrong!!!
Rush Limbaugh: Vote Fraud Essential To Democrats
Rush Limbaugh put some sunlight on yet another scheme to interfere in America's ability to self-govern by left-wing billionaire George Soros. Rush points out that even a small influx of cash into your state Secretary of State race can make a huge difference. Something to ponder.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, HOST: Let me illustrate for you just how essential vote fraud is to the Democrat Party. George Soros sank a lot of money into a project called the Secretary of State Project, starting in 2006. Have you ever heard of the Secretary of State Project? The Secretary of State Project had a goal, and the goal was to put as many Democrats into the offices of secretary of state in the states as possible because they're the ones who adjudicate all of the vote fraud cases. They are the ones who count the votes. The secretary of state. The secretary of state, in all of the states, is the guy or the woman who decide on claims of voter fraud.
This is how we got Al Franken as a Senator from Minnesota. A Democrat secretary of state determined the vote count, how it was going to happen, when it was gonna stop, what votes were valid and what votes weren't. You know where they got the idea for this? They got the idea for the Secretary of State Project shortly after the 2004 election when a bunch of Democrats thought they lost Ohio, thought that John Kerry lost Ohio because of Ken Blackwell, who was the Republican secretary of state in Ohio. Now, the haughty Kerry (who once served in Vietnam) lost Ohio by 55,000 votes, and they're running around saying, "Man, if he'd-a had those 55,000 votes, why, we'd-a won! We'd-a won! We'd-a won the election in 2004."
Keep reading-- he's on the right track.
(An interesting article from Thursday, 10/28: Nevada Secretary Of State Says No Evidence Of Vote Fraud )
RUSH LIMBAUGH, HOST: Let me illustrate for you just how essential vote fraud is to the Democrat Party. George Soros sank a lot of money into a project called the Secretary of State Project, starting in 2006. Have you ever heard of the Secretary of State Project? The Secretary of State Project had a goal, and the goal was to put as many Democrats into the offices of secretary of state in the states as possible because they're the ones who adjudicate all of the vote fraud cases. They are the ones who count the votes. The secretary of state. The secretary of state, in all of the states, is the guy or the woman who decide on claims of voter fraud.
This is how we got Al Franken as a Senator from Minnesota. A Democrat secretary of state determined the vote count, how it was going to happen, when it was gonna stop, what votes were valid and what votes weren't. You know where they got the idea for this? They got the idea for the Secretary of State Project shortly after the 2004 election when a bunch of Democrats thought they lost Ohio, thought that John Kerry lost Ohio because of Ken Blackwell, who was the Republican secretary of state in Ohio. Now, the haughty Kerry (who once served in Vietnam) lost Ohio by 55,000 votes, and they're running around saying, "Man, if he'd-a had those 55,000 votes, why, we'd-a won! We'd-a won! We'd-a won the election in 2004."
Keep reading-- he's on the right track.
(An interesting article from Thursday, 10/28: Nevada Secretary Of State Says No Evidence Of Vote Fraud )
Only 2 Days Left
We have spent the last 18 months traveling this district and talking to Marylanders of all stripes. It has been an amazing experience, and I am honored that you are willing to support me in this drive.
Early voting has now ended and we are only days away from Election Day – all of our hard work is about to pay off.
The media is seeing our momentum, and we have received a lot of very favorable press coverage lately – you can view it on my website. Also, Larry Sabato, a nationally renowned political handicapper, has predicted that we will win this race. You can view his analysis here.
While I am confident that we will be celebrating victory on Election Night, we are taking nothing for granted and there is still a lot of work to be done. Your support of this campaign has never been more crucial than it is right now. Please do the three things below to support this campaign:
VOTE - Early voting has now ended. If you didn’t vote early, please click here to find your polling location.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN - This campaign has always been about the people of this district, and I need you to talk to your friends and neighbors about why you support me. Please make the time to talk to your friends and loved ones about why it is vitally important for them to support our campaign.
MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION - We are still in the process of buying radio and TV ads, and every extra dollar will go directly towards reaching every voter we can with our message of commonsense conservative principles in Washington DC.
Your donation of $50, $100, $500 or even $1,000 will go directly to keeping our ads on the air through Election Day.
We have come a long way, but the final home stretch is the most important – and we cannot let up in these final days.
Thank you for all you have done for this campaign and for this country.
Andy Harris, M.D.
Pusey Receives Endorsement From The Dispatch
Snow Hill, MD – Yesterday, House of Delegates Candidate, Marty Pusey, was endorsed by the Ocean City Dispatch! In their endorsement of Marty the Dispatch stated, "It’s been decades since this district has elected a Republican to this seat, and we think Pusey should be it." Marty’s supporters agree! You can view the endorsement from the Dispatch at www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=35&id=9895".
Pusey said today, "I am honored to be endorsed by the Dispatch. I have been working hard to show the voters that I am serious about bringing Maryland and the Eastern Shore to the front of the line. I have put out three pointed plans – one about the economy, one about farming and one about jobs – and I urge every voter to take a few minutes to review these plans. I am the only candidate who has come up with real solutions to the real problems that we all are facing in Maryland and on the Eastern Shore."
Marty believes the voters have a right to see what she plans to do in Annapolis before they send her there. She wants them making their decision based on her plans and ideas not just glossy pictures and catchy phrases and that's why she has created Real Solutions for Real Problems.
Marty encourages all voters to read and study her Real Solutions for Real Problems regarding jobs on the Lower Shore, which can be viewed at http://www.electmartypusey.com/. Marty encourages all voters to get in touch with her directly at 410-603-0855 to discuss her Real Solutions for the Real Problems facing Maryland.
Pusey said today, "I am honored to be endorsed by the Dispatch. I have been working hard to show the voters that I am serious about bringing Maryland and the Eastern Shore to the front of the line. I have put out three pointed plans – one about the economy, one about farming and one about jobs – and I urge every voter to take a few minutes to review these plans. I am the only candidate who has come up with real solutions to the real problems that we all are facing in Maryland and on the Eastern Shore."
Marty believes the voters have a right to see what she plans to do in Annapolis before they send her there. She wants them making their decision based on her plans and ideas not just glossy pictures and catchy phrases and that's why she has created Real Solutions for Real Problems.
Marty encourages all voters to read and study her Real Solutions for Real Problems regarding jobs on the Lower Shore, which can be viewed at http://www.electmartypusey.com/. Marty encourages all voters to get in touch with her directly at 410-603-0855 to discuss her Real Solutions for the Real Problems facing Maryland.
Washington Times Endorses Andy Harris
“While Mr. Kratovil has been careful to avoid being linked to the liberal agenda of President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, it's a tough sell,” said the Washington Times endorsement. “Mr. Kratovil voted for the so-called stimulus package, which wasted $814 billion in taxpayer funds to create a handful of make-work jobs. He voted for the "cap-and-trade" bill that would raise taxes on the cost of energy. Although he voted against Obamacare, Mr. Kratovil refuses to commit to its repeal. Dr. Harris understands that the Obama-Pelosi-Hoyer agenda threatens to pull the plug on America's long-term health.”
“The Washington Times knows this country is on the wrong track and I am honored the Times trusts me to bring fiscal responsibility back to Congress,” said Andy Harris. “In Washington I will never vote to raise taxes, I will fight to repeal healthcare reform, and I will work to balance the budget.”
Election Of November 2, 2010?
Let's take a stand!!!!
November 2, 2010
Borders: Closed...
Language: English only!
Culture: Constitution, Bill of Rights
and the BIBLE!
Drug free: Make a drug screening mandatory
for anyone on welfare and/or food stamps!
Mandatory political term limits!
The people vote on politicians pay raises!
NOVEMBER 2, 2010 IS COMING
"""CHANGE"""
We THE PEOPLE are coming...
A Statement From Wicomico County States Attorney Davis Ruark
I am deeply disturbed by those who have chosen to bring the Vincent family, and most particularly Jill Vincent, into a political campaign and to use Sam's death as a political tool. Over the past several weeks I have had several personal conversations with Jill and well as multiple e-mail exchanges. I will not share the e nature of our communications, which were very open and helpful to both of us, but I can unequivocally state that at no time did Jill give any indication whatsoever that she had in the past or ever would in the future support Seth Mitchel for State's Attorney. Jill wants nothing more than to grieve and to heal. I find it appalling that anyone would attempt in any fashion to use Jill Vincent as a pawn in a political game.
During the forty years that Sam Vincet and I knew each other and further over twenty-five years that we worked together, there was never a time when Sam or I even remotely considered that Seth Mitchell would be able to handle the position of State's Attorney for Wicomico County.
Please let Jill Vincent heal and pursue the pathway to a normal life. She is not a political tool.
Davis R. Ruark
Carl And Tina Vincent Respond To Daily Times Letter By Kathy Wieland
Both Sam’s co-workers in law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s office along with the Vincent family without hesitation support Matt Maciarello for State’s Attorney.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)