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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wisc. Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald Statement On Senate Action

After nearly a month of debate on the budget repair bill, nearly three weeks of childish stunts and delay tactics from the Democrats, the longest public hearing in state history and the longest Assembly debate in state history, the Senate met [Wednesday] night to pass the non-fiscal items in the Budget Repair Bill. 

Senator Fitzgerald released the following statement:

 "Before the election, the Democrats promised "adult leadership" in Madison.  Then a month and a half into session, the Senate Democrats fled the state instead of doing their job.

 "In doing so, they have tarnished the very institution of the Wisconsin state Senate.  This is unacceptable.

 "This afternoon, following a week and a half of line-by-line negotiation, Sen. Miller sent me a letter that offered three options: 1) keep collective bargaining as is with no changes, 2) take our counter-offer, which would keep collective bargaining as is with no changes, 3) or stop talking altogether.

 "With that letter, I realized that we're dealing with someone who is stalling indefinitely, and doesn't have a plan or an intention to return.  His idea of compromise is "give me everything I want," and the only negotiating he's doing is through the media.

 "Enough is enough." "The people of Wisconsin elected us to do a job.  They elected us to stand up to the broken status quo, stop the constant expansion of government, balance the budget, create jobs and improve the economy.  The longer the Democrats keep up this childish stunt, the longer the majority can't act on our agenda.

 "Tonight, the Senate will be passing the items in the budget repair bill that we can, with the 19 members who actually DO show up and do their jobs.  Those items include the long-overdue reform of collective bargaining needed to help local governments absorb these budget cuts, and the 12 percent health care premium and 5 percent pension contribution.

 "We have confirmed with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council and the Legislative Reference Bureau that every item in tonight's bill follows the letter of the law.

 "The people of Wisconsin elected us to come to Madison and do a job.  Just because the Senate Democrats won't do theirs, doesn't mean we won't do ours."

(Source- WQOW)

Wis. GOP Curtails Public Workers' Bargaining Rights

Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate voted Wednesday night to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers after discovering a way to bypass the chamber's missing Democrats.

All 14 Senate Democrats fled to Illinois nearly three weeks ago, preventing the chamber from having enough members present to consider Gov. Scott Walker's so-called "budget repair bill" - a proposal introduced to plug a $137 million budget shortfall.

The Senate requires a quorum to take up any measures that spend money. But Republicans on Wednesday split from the legislation the proposal to curtail union rights, which spends no money, and a special conference committee of state lawmakers approved the bill a short time later.

The lone Democrat present on the conference committee, Rep. Peter Barca, shouted that the surprise meeting was a violation of the state's open meetings law but Republicans voted over his objections. The Senate convened within minutes and passed the measure without discussion or debate.

Before the sudden votes, Democratic Sen. Bob Jauch said if Republicans "chose to ram this bill through in this fashion, it will be to their political peril. They're changing the rules. They will inflame a very frustrated public."

Walker said after the votes that Senate Democrats had plenty of opportunities to come home.

More

Another Assault On Our Soveriegnty?

Joe,

The U.S. and Canada have just signed an agreement permitting the military of either country can cross into the other in the even of civil unrest. Can you say "North American Union"?

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=403d90d6-7a61-41ac-8cef-902a1d14879d&k=14984

The REAL Reason for Public Employee Unions

I’m not a big fan of Karl Rove; and I’m suspicious of his campaign arms, including Crossroads GPS.  That said, every citizen should look at this ad prepared by Crossroads GPS:

What Gov’t Employee Unions REALLY Think!

Pay particular attention to the remarks of National Education Association General Counsel Bob Chanin’s remarks:

It is NOT because we care about children.  And it is NOT because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.

NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power.  And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues …

Remember that the next time you are told “It’s for the children.”

H/T:  Mark Newgent @ Red Maryland

Future Predicted By Ron Paul In 2010

It's funny how Ron Pauls video in 2010 predicted political and social chaos. Now look. I'd call democratic senators leaving the state so they don't have to vote chaotic sinse the Wisconsin legislature can't make and regulations relating to finances until those senators return.

Next he predicts social chaos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhYfm4f7PXQ&feature=player_embedded

Icahn Returns $1.76 Billion To Investors In Case Of ‘Another Market Crisis’

Icahm expects another, much larger crash in market and returns funds to his clients. How can all these people be wrong?

http://www.moneynews.com/Headline/Icahn-Funds-Return-Money/2011/03/09/id/388811?s=al&promo_code=BD3D-1

Tyson Food - A Letter To The Editor

Tyson Food in Shelbyville, Tennessee has eliminated Labor Day as a paid holiday in favor of the last day of Ramadan because they have 700 Muslim employees. The fact that they have almost that many non-muslim employees is beside the point apparently!
  
I  will no longer purchase any Tyson products.  It's just one more little chunk of America that's been bitten off.  If you wish to join me, then let your e-mail friends know this. If we don't stand up for something  we will fall for anything.


This was verified snopes.com <http://snopes.com/> .
1. snopes.com: Tyson Foods Muslim Holiday ••••
Employees of a Tyson Foods plant in Tennessee will be given a paid day off for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
  ...a Tyson Foods plant in Tennessee will be given a paid day off for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.  ...drops Labor Day holiday for Eid al-Fitr You can bet that this action by Tyson is only the begining to removing more of the holidays and other symbols...
  ...Times-Gazette reported that workers at the local Tyson Foods' poultry processing plant would no longer have a paid day off on...
Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:41:03 GMT http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/tyson.asp
2. snopes.com: Where's the Outrage - Alisa Wilson •••
Letter to the 'Wall Steet Journal' responds to a 'Where's the Outrage?' editorial?
  ...Food Glurge Gallery History Holidays Horrors Humor Inboxer Rebellion Language Legal Lost Legends Love Luck Media Matters...
  ...from Muslims. Just this week, Tyson's Food negotiated with its union to permit Muslims to have Eid-al-Fitr as a holiday instead of Labor Day. What am I...
  ...am I missing? Yes, there is a large Somali Muslim population working at the Tyson's plant in Tennessee. Tennessee, last I checked, is still part of the...

Things That Make You Go "Hmmmm...."

Wonder why Obama and the Dems are so hot to support labor unions (particularly government employee unions)...?

Check out these contributions... 

Leading Union Political Campaign Contributors

1990-2010
Democrats
Republicans
American Fed. of State, County, & Municipal Employees
$40,281,900
$547,700
Intel Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
29,705,600
679,000
National Education Association
27,679,300
2,005,200
Service Employees International Union
26,368,470
98,700
Communication Workers of America
26,305,500
125,300
Service Employees International Union
26,252,000
1,086,200
Laborers Union
25,734,000
2,138,000
American Federation of Teachers
25,682,800
200,000
United Auto Workers
25,082,200
182,700
Teamsters Union
24,926,400
1,822,000
Carpenters and Joiners Union
24,094,100
2,658,000
Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union
23,875,600
226,300
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
23,182,000
334,200
AFL-CIO
17,124,300
713,500
Sheet Metal Workers Union
16,347,200
342,800
Plumbers & Pipefitters Union
14,790,000
818,500
Operating Engineers Union
13,840,000
2,309,500
Airline Pilots Association
12,806,600
2,398,300
International Association of Firefighters
12,421,700
2,685,400
United Transportation Workers
11,807,000
1,459,300
Ironworkers Union
11,638,900
936,000
American Postal Workers Union
11,633,100
544,300
Nat'l Active & Retired Fed. Employees Association
8,135,400
2,294,600
Seafarers International Union
6,726,800
1,281,300
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, Washington, D.C.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Incident: Vandalism

Date of Incident: 14 October 2010 - 5 February 2011

Location: Wicomico County

Suspects: 1. Sean A. Robinson, 18, Salisbury, MD
2. William Christopher Parsons, 18, Milford, DE
3. Male Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD
4. Male Juvenile, 15, Salisbury, MD

Narrative:
From 14 October 2010 through 5 February 2011, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated multiple incidents of vandalism in Wicomico County, many of them primarily in the Pemberton Drive and Nanticoke Road area. During these incidents, which all occurred during night time hours, county street signs were either damaged or stolen, mailboxes were either damaged or stolen and vehicles were either spray painted or had their glass broken out.

On 28 January 2011, these incidents escalated when the perpetrators began targeting moving vehicles on Pemberton Drive. In one of these incidents, a moving vehicle had its windshield shattered while the vehicle was in motion. It was on 5 February 2011 at 1:30 AM, when one of these incidents occurred and the operator immediately contacted law enforcement and deputies saturated the area and located the vehicle involved in a neighborhood on Nanticoke Road. When the deputy tried to stop the two subjects for an interview, they both ran but the deputy managed to detain Sean Robinson, along with a juvenile who was with him. The deputy recovered a baseball bat along with the tops to spray paint cans from their vehicle. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy was able to conclusively link these two subjects to the rash of vandalisms that had occurred over the last few months. Also, the deputy identified William Parsons and an additional juvenile as involved with this vandalism spree.

Robinson and Parsons were both charged on 20 February and 8 March respectively. After an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Robinson was detained on $250,000.00 bond while Parsons was held on $300,000.00 bond. The two juveniles had their charges referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication.

The investigation revealed the following property damaged or stolen:
35 Stop Signs
34 Street Signs
6 Speed Limit Signs
24 Miscellaneous Signs
17 Mailboxes damaged
4 mailboxes stolen
12 vehicles damaged
The Entrance Sign to Country Club South damaged

Locations of Incidents
Pemberton Drive, Salisbury
Pratt Road, Salisbury
Oxbridge Drive, Salisbury
White Cove Road, Salisbury
Willow Creek Drive, Salisbury
Rockawalkin Road, Salisbury
N. Upper Ferry Road, Salisbury
Crooked Oak Lane, Salisbury
Quercus Drive, Hebron
Rockawalkin Ridge Road, Salisbury
Merritt Mill Road, Salisbury
Brook Street, Salisbury
N. West Road, Salisbury
Athol Road, Mardela Springs
Rewastico Road, Mardela Springs
Cross Road, Mardela Springs
Cherrywalk Road, Quantico
Fairway Drive, Quantico
Whitehaven Road, Quantico
Sandy Hill Road, Quantico
Catchpenny Road, Quantico
River Street, Whitehaven
Church Street, Whitehaven
Firetower Road, Hebron
Little Lane, Hebron
Levin Dashiell Road, Hebron
S. Tourmaline Drive, Hebron
Waller Road, Delmar
Foskey Lane, Delmar
Jersey Road, Delmar
Rounds Road, Pittsville

Charges: Malicious Destruction of Property
Conspiracy to Commit Malicious Destruction of Property
Theft
Reckless Endangerment

City Council Agenda

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:07 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
  • February 25, 2011 special meeting minutes 1a
  • February 28, 2011 minutes 1b
  • Resolution No. 2037 - reappointment of Ramon J. Matheu to the GASB45 1c
Trust as a community member
  • Resolution No. 2038 - accepting gift of a serpentine garden project from 1d
the Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion
  • Resolution No. 2039 - approving a lease with Shore Fresh Growers 1e
Association and Urban Salisbury, Inc. for the purpose of operating a
producer’s farmers’ market in Downtown Salisbury
  • Manufacturing exemption request – Gannett Co., Inc. 1f

6:10 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland 2

6:15 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – City Attorney Paul Wilber
  • Ordinance No. 2137 - authorizing Word of Life Center to operate a 3
church at 504 Delaware Avenue in an Industrial District as required by
Section 17.72.040K of the Salisbury Municipal Code

6:20 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
  • Ordinance No. 2140- 2nd reading - FY11 General Obligation Bond 4a
issuance ($7,700,000) for the Riverwalk Repairs, E. Main Street Water
Valve, Isabella Street Water, E. Main Street Sewer, Lift Station Pump
Replacement, N. Division Street Sewer, Wastewater Treatment Plant
upgrade projects and costs of issuance
  • Ordinance No. 2141 - 1st reading - amending FY11 General Fund Budget 4b
to appropriate additional funds to pay City’s unemployment costs
  • Ordinance No. 2142 - 1st reading - amending FY11 Marina Fund Budget 4c
and FY11 General Fund Budget to appropriate additional funds to pay the
projected cost of electricity usage during the remaining half of FY11 and to
purchase electric meters for live-aboard customers to reduce excessive
electricity usage and charges
  • Ordinance No. 2143 - 1st reading - amending FY11 Street Lighting 4d
budgetary account and FY11 General Fund Budget to appropriate additional
funds to pay the projected cost of lighting facilities maintenance and
electricity usage during the remaining half of FY11

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “MARYLAND FORWARD” SERIES WITH FORUM ON GUNS AND GANG VIOLENCE

Governor to introduce new open warrant system to assist law enforcement

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Mayor Rawlings-Blake, as well as leaders and stakeholders in law enforcement and public safety for an important discussion on our shared progress and opportunities for further collaboration in the areas of guns and gang violence.  The Governor will also introduce innovative new technology, now available to law enforcement statewide, including a searchable, comprehensive warrant database of all open warrants in Maryland and new facial recognition software for public safety use.  Governor O’Malley will facilitate a discussion with attendees on how progress in the areas of guns, gang violence, and public safety technology impacts our ability to be a winner in the new economy.

Following the State of the State address, Governor O’Malley announced a series of “Maryland Forward” local policy forums to advance many of those initiatives, serving as a continuation of the “Maryland Forward” forum series before the 2011 Inauguration.  Today’s forum is the third in a series of smaller groups of local stakeholders throughout the 2011 legislative session focused on specific policy areas that will help Maryland be a winner in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.


WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to convene “Maryland Forward” policy forum on guns and gang violence

WHEN:           TODAY, Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
                       
WHERE:         American Brewery Building
Humanim
1701 N. Gay Street
Baltimore

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TO ADDRESS STATE’S GLOBAL LEADERS, ANNOUNCE RISE IN MARYLAND EXPORTS IN 2010

ANNAPOLIS, MD  - Today, Governor O'Malley will join more than 350 Maryland international business leaders at the 15th Annual World Trade Center Institute International Business Leadership Awards at the Jim Rouse Visionary Center at the Visionary Arts Museum.  The Governor will announce an increase in Maryland’s exports in 2010 and give a progress report on the State’s international growth strategy launched in 2009. The strategy focused on opening several foreign offices in targeted countries, attracting new foreign-owned companies and jobs to Maryland, convening the International Advisory Council and launching the Maryland International Incubator and Maryland Export Initiative. The Governor will also present the World Trade Center Institute’s 2011 Governor’s International Leadership Award to Steve Phillips, President and CEO of Philips Foods. 



WHAT:            Governor O'Malley to address state’s global leaders, announce rise in Maryland exports in 2010

WHEN:            TODAY, Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:          Jim Rouse Visionary Center at the Visionary Arts Museum
                         800 Key Highway
                         Baltimore, MD 21230

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY WADES INTO POLLUTED LAKE TO HIGHLIGHT SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEM

Governor urges action to reduce future septic pollution, even as State spends millions to correct past problems

GOLDSBORO, MD  – Governor O'Malley visited Lake Bonnie in the Town of Goldsboro, where bacteria pollution has been linked to failing septic systems. The Governor waded into Lake Bonnie to witness pollution from septic systems first-hand and to urge action to limit pollution from future septic systems, even as Maryland works to correct its past problems.

Governor O'Malley said, "The pollution in Lake Bonnie is an unfortunate product of our failure to address one of the last remaining unmitigated causes of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. While failing septic systems threaten both public health and clean water, even a properly functioning septic system dumps nitrogen pollution into our waterways and the Bay – at  a rate of about 10 times that of a household on a major sewage treatment plant."

"Preventing pollution before it starts doesn't just create a healthier Bay," continued Governor O'Malley. "It also saves the State and taxpayers' money, protects Maryland families, improves the value of our land, and protects our drinking water. We strongly support legislation to halt the further expansion of large housing developments on septics across our watershed and our remaining rural landscape."

Currently, approximately 411,000 Maryland households are on septic systems; if nothing is done, total nitrogen load from septic systems will increase by 36 percent over the next 25 years. Nitrogen is the most damaging pollutant in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's waterways. To comply with the EPA's Bay "pollution diet" Maryland must reduce nitrogen 21 percent by 2020.

Failing septic systems can present an imminent threat to public health and to safe drinking water. There is potential for human contact with sewage through a system that directly discharges to the ground or to surface water, backs up into a building, or contaminates drinking water supplies, such as a home drinking well.

Acting MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers said, "The septics problem in Goldsboro, as in other small communities across Maryland, is costing the town and the State far too much. We need to invest more in pollution controls now and not pass these problems on to the next generation."

Goldsboro has suffered for more than a decade with failing septic systems, which have caused water contamination as well as financial and legal difficulties. Lake Bonnie was closed to swimming in 1996 by the County Health Department.

For more than a decade, the Maryland Department of the Environment has been working with Caroline County and Goldsboro on funding solution to connect Goldsboro's homes with failing septic systems to a modern sewage treatment plant. The recently established North County Regional Water and Sewer Authority plans to construct a new regional treatment plant in Greensboro with Enhanced Nutrient Removal technology capable of achieving 3 mg/l total nitrogen and 0.3 mg/l total phosphorus. The $25 million project would include constructing collection systems within the towns of Goldsboro, Henderson, Marydel, and Templeville with wastewater conveyed to the new ENR facility in Greensboro. 

Governor O'Malley plans to testify in favor of the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2011 (HB 1107/SB 846) on Friday. As amended, the bill would:
  • Allow new residential minor subdivisions (development on four or fewer new lots, five lots total) to use individual on-site septic systems if they use nitrogen removal technology;
  • Prohibit new residential major subdivisions (five or more new lots) from using on-site septic systems - but has options: new residential major subdivisions (five or more new lots) can use shared or multi-use sewerage systems (above ground discharge) or connect to existing sewer; and
  • As a proposed amendment to the bill, allow a farm family to create the individual four lots over time so they wouldn't have to subdivide all four at once.

FIRST LADY JUDGE KATIE O’MALLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON BULLYING PREVENTION


Joins experts and community leaders from across the nation at the White House to combat bullying

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – TODAY, First Lady Judge Katie O’Malley will join President and First Lady Obama, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to participate in the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention.

The White House will bring together community leaders, victims and experts from across the nation to address the effects of bullying and the work that parents, teachers and students can do to prevent such instances. The conference includes an opening session with the President and First Lady Obama, breakout sessions and a panel to discuss policies and programs to prevent bullying.

As a mother of four, Judge O’Malley is committed to addressing bullying in Maryland. Though Maryland is the seventh state to enact an anti-bullying law that protects all students, there are still many instances of bullying throughout communities and schools. During the 2008-2009 school year in Maryland, a total of 1,686 incidents of bullying were reported. Last year, the First Lady teamed up with the Maryland State Department of Education to declare Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week in May to encourage schools across the state to engage students in events to stress non-tolerance towards bullying. The First Lady also recorded a video for the It Gets Better campaign to give hope to LGBT youth and other young people facing bullying and harassment.

Today's Comic

Friday Bay Workshop

This Friday, March 11 there will be a workshop on manure management that has serious implications for the health of the Bay.

A critical piece of Gov. O’Malley’s new bay cleanup plan is revising the rules that determine when farmers can apply manure to their land.  The public should be able to provide input in this important process, but so far no specific public input method has been proposed.

Friday’s workshop is a one-day event intended for a small group of experts.  The state should create a formal process on an extended timeline to incorporate public feedback.

I would encourage you to look into this workshop and critical process.  You can contact me at 410-467-0439 (office), 301-442-0134 (cell), or by email at tlanders@environmentmaryland.org.

Background

Environment Maryland believes the current manure application rules are flawed, and as a result, manure has been over-applied to our soils for years.  Over-application has led to phosphorus-saturation in soils, increasing the potential for phosphorus runoff in ground and surface waters.  Scientists and nonprofits have demonstrated the need to revise these rules; here are some examples:


In the state’s Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan, Gov. O’Malley wisely called for a revision of the “Phosphorus Site Index” or “P-Index,” which is the test farmers have been using to determine whether to apply manure to their land.

Friday’s meeting is a technical workshop at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Prior to the workshop, a small group of scientists crafted proposed revisions.  The stated purpose of Friday’s workshop is to review those proposals, but attendees are supposed to come prepared with technical expertise.  The workshop is not open to the public, as far as I understand.  Registration beforehand was required, and registration has since closed.

Here is the latest announcement from the workshop organizer, Dr. Frank Coale, about the workshop:


Thank you for registering for the Maryland Phosphorus Site Index Workshop.  A total of 57 people have registered for the workshop.  Registration is now closed.  We have reached the capacity of the conference room.  It will be quite cozy.

Phosphorus Site Index Workshop
March 11, 2011
9 am – 12:30 pm

Maryland 4-H Center, Conference Room
8020 Greenmead Drive, College Park, MD 20740

As mentioned in the original announcement (attached), we are planning an interactive technical discussion that will help guide the development of a revised Maryland P Site Index.  We are hoping for a lively discussion.  If you have data pertaining to particular elements of the current P Site Index that you would like to share with the Workshop attendees, please let me know.  I'll gladly build time into the agenda for you to present your data.  However, plan on keeping your presentations brief and to the point, i.e. plan on presenting "data chunks".  We are assuming that the Workshop participants will be familiar with the current P Site Index and the basic science behind the components of the Index.  [emphasis added]  In this Workshop, we want to emphasize new data and new insights and do not want to spend a lot of time repeating fundamental background information. 

Send me information by Tuesday, March 8, regarding what topics you wish to present and how much time you think you'll need to get your bottom line message delivered.  Feel free to offer to present more than one "data chunk" if you wish to speak about a couple different elements of the P Site Index.  Please bring your presentation(s) on a flash drive formatted as PowerPoint (.ppt) files.

Contact me with any questions,
Frank Coale

TENTATIVE AGENDA:
·        Overview of the current Maryland PSI
·        Workgroup Input: Strengths and weaknesses of the current PSI
·        Statewide performance evaluation of the current PSI
·        Workgroup Input: Critique of PSI performance evaluation
·        Proposed revisions for Maryland PSI-2
·        Workgroup Input: Critique of proposed revisions for PSI-2
·        Wrap-up and PSI-2 development actions

Concerns Delay State Action On $2.3b Drug Contract



A day before they were supposed to choose a company to manage Maryland's prescription drug benefit program, officials on Tuesday halted consideration of the $2.3 billion contract, amid concerns about the low bidder's past legal problems and reservations about spending the money out of state.

Senate Set For Midweek Debate On Immigrant Tuition


A bill allowing children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at Maryland colleges is scheduled to be taken up by the state Senate in the middle of the week.

TRAFFIC ALERT - Ashland Covered Bridge Damaged By Oversized Vehicle Will Require Daytime Closure For Repairs

Yorklyn -- In order to perform emergency repairs to the Ashland Covered Bridge, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will close Barley Mill Road from Creek Road to Brackenville Road at the Ashland Covered Bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11. The bridge beams were damaged by an oversized vehicle.

Traffic will be detoured as follows:

Northbound traffic on Barley Mill Road can turn left on Brackenville Road, right on Old Wilmington Road, right on Sharpless Road, and left on Creek Road.

Southbound traffic on Barley Mill Road can head south on Sharpless Road, turn left on Old Wilmington Road, left on Brackenville Road, and right on Barley Mill Road.

DelDOT And Department Of Education Partner For Unique Learning Opportunity

Indian River -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Department of Education (DOE), collectively recognize the huge educational impact of the construction process of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, and are once again taking advantage of the unique learning opportunity presented by the construction project. Students from any school in Delaware are invited to tour the bridge construction site during the last year of major construction.

The site tours are two hours in duration from start to finish, and consist of a 40-45 minute PowerPoint presentation where students learn about the bridge building process, including how math, science and technology are used daily to build the massive structure.

During the tour, students will also have the opportunity to don hard hats and safety vests as they walk around the construction site as they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see history being made as crews work to build one of the biggest cable stay bridges on the East Coast.

Site tours are open to groups of students in grades 5-12, as well as college-level students and the general public. Scheduled site tours are conducted by both DelDOT and Skanska officials, with all safety measures being taken. Teachers or administrators interested in learning more about site tours or scheduling one, can go online to www.irib.deldot.gov, and click on Site Tours to submit a request.

Deborah Judy, a teacher in the Smyrna School District, which brought several students to the site for a tour states, "It is the goal of every educator to 'bring to life' the concepts we teach. The bridge visit, for us, did that and more. The experience is one my students will never forget, as so many people never get the opportunity to know the details of such a project with global involvement."

Besides the presentation/site tour experience, DelDOT and DOE encourage teachers, students and parents to visit the DelDOT website for more information, including General Information, Frequently Asked Questions, Glossary of Bridge Terms, Ask the Engineer link, as well as an extensive photo gallery and webcams that show daily activity at the bridge site.

Since education naturally leads to careers, DelDOT has also highlighted a Careers in Engineering link on its website. This link allows students to explore the different types of engineers, salary ranges, necessary education as well as view information on an engineering career path at DelDOT.

Once Upon A Mattres

Mardela Middle and High School
Presents
"Once upon a Mattress"
 
When:  Friday, March 11th  & Saturday, March 12th
Where: Mardela Middle/High School Cafeteria
Time:  Show begins at 7:00
Cost:  $7  Tickets sold in advance or at the door.
 
Dinner TheaterCatered by Jerry Fletcher
 
When:  Sunday, March 13th
Where:  Mardela Middle/High School Cafeteria
Time:  Dinner begins at 2:00
Cost: $20  Tickets sold in advance
Menu ~
Chicken stuffed with sage dressing, Ham, Carrots, Green Beans Almondine, Red Skin Potatoes, Caesar Salad, Assorted Rolls, Assorted Desserts, tea and coffee.
 
Please call school office for ticket information 410-677-5142.

Because WBOC & WMDT Said So

What's the job where you can be wrong 90% of the time and still keep your job?