GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT CHESAPEAKE BAY ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 18, 2011) –TODAY, Governor Martin O’Malley will make an important announcement regarding the blue crab fishery and the health and future of the Chesapeake Bay.

In 2008, Maryland and Virginia took strong, coordinated action to reduce harvest pressure on female crabs by regulating harvesting in the Bay.  At that time, scientists from both jurisdictions deemed conservation measures necessary as blue crab suffered near historic lows in spawning stock. 

WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to Make Announcement about Blue Crabs in Maryland

WHEN:           TODAY, Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:         Mike’s Crab House  

3030 Riva Road

Riva, MD

Get directions.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Governor and County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III to Provide Details of High-end Development and Highway Improvements

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 18, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III tomorrow to announce details of a tri-party agreement that will open the door to economic development in northern Prince George’s County.  The announcement will focus on construction of the next section of the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD 200) and additional highway improvements in the county to support priority projects. 

WHAT:           Governor O’Malley, County Executive Baker to announce Prince George’s economic development initiative

WHEN:            TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Intercounty Connector (ICC) at I-95 construction site**

                        6101 Van Dusen Road

                        Laurel, MD                  

DIRECTIONS FROM I-95:

From Washington, D.C. and points south:  Take I-95 north to Exit 29A for MD 212 East toward Beltsville.  Merge onto MD 212 South/ Powder Mill Road.  Turn left at Old Gunpowder Road.  Travel approximately 2 miles, then turn right onto Van Dusen Road.  Travel approximately 1.2 mile and location to construction field offices will be on your right. It is signed 6101 Van Dusen Road.  Follow service road to event site.

From Baltimore and points north:  Take I-95 south to Exit 33B for MD 198 West/ Sandy Spring Road toward Burtonsville.  Travel .8 miles, then turn left at Sweitzer Lane.  Follow Sweitzer Lane for approximately 1.1 mile, then turn right onto Van Dusen Road.  The destination will be approximately 394 feet on your left.  It is signed 6101 Van Dusen Road.  Follow service road to event site.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE SEPTIC POLLUTION

Governor signs Executive Order establishing Task Force to include agriculture, science, development and public sectors

MILLERSVILLE, MD (April 18, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee, Senator Paul Pinsky and Delegate Steve Lafferty, lead sponsors of this year’s septics legislation in the Senate and House of Delegates, and others for the signing of an Executive Order on septics pollution.  The Executive Order creates a Task Force composed of a broad cross-section of representatives from business, agriculture, science, environmental advocacy and government to study the issue of the use of septic systems in Maryland, and the extent to which they contribute to the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay.

“There’s greater recognition now for the societal costs of sprawl development on septic.  Continuing down the same path will undercut the progress we’ve made on restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and will overburden our farmers and other industries that are making changes to limit pollution in our waterways,” said Governor O’Malley. “I look forward to reviewing the conclusions from this task force as it examines the issue in greater depth, and my hope is that it will serve to inform our efforts next year to successfully ban new, major developments from relying on polluting septics in our state.”

The creation of the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal follows a vigorous debate on the issue during the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly over the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act (SB 846 and HB 1107).  Ultimately, the General Assembly concluded more time was needed to study the issue.  Today, Governor O’Malley’s Executive Order establishes the framework of that study.

"Creating a new policy for rural septic use is a win-win solution: it retains our rural farm area and reduces both sprawl and nitrogen, and the attendant and enduring harmful effects of both,” said Senator Paul Pinsky.

"I am very pleased that the Governor is announcing this task force so soon after the legislative session ended, said Delegate Lafferty. “It is a clear recognition that we must address Maryland's future growth and economy without continued reliance on septic systems. We must find new ways to support growth while greatly reducing the pollution septics are causing to our Bay and waterways."

During the next 25 years, new Maryland developments relying on septic systems are expected to account for 26 percent of growth, but 76 percent of new nitrogen pollution. In other words, a quarter of the State’s future growth will cause three-fourths of its future wastewater pollution. Septic proliferation also fragments vital agricultural and forest lands and fuels dispersed land consumption, resulting in increased public costs and the need for additional roads, schools and other public services beyond the State’s growth areas.

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.

In March, Governor O’Malley testified before the General Assembly and delivered a presentation outlining the extent of the damage the continued proliferation of septic systems will do to the Chesapeake Bay.

The Executive Order requires the Task Force to report its findings by December 1, 2011. The Task Force will include the members from the Senate and House, and the secretaries of the Maryland Department of Planning, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources. It will also include the chairs of the Critical Area Commission and Sustainable Growth Commission; local government officials, environmental advocates and representatives from the scientific community, agriculture, development and real estate.

Governor O’Malley signed the Executive Order at the Arlington Echo Environmental Education Center, a facility of the Anne Arundel County Public School System on the Severn River in Millersville.  The Center serves to inform students and parent volunteers about how their actions affect the Chesapeake Bay and to motivate them to take Bay-friendly actions when they return home.  The Severn lies in the Lower Western Shore Watershed, which has the greatest nutrient pollution load from septic systems in Maryland.

In Redistricting, Democrats Look For Electoral Opportunities

By John Fritze, The Sun (Baltimore)
With Maryland's 2011 legislative session now over, lawmakers are shifting their attention to congressional redistricting. And if the past is a guide, the Democratic leaders who will draw the new boundaries for the state's eight congressional districts later this year will be looking to eke out any partisan advantage they can.

More

BALTIMORE CO, YOUTH CHARGED WITH LASER SPOTLIGHTING OF A STATE POLICE HELICOPTER

(PARKVILLE, MD) – Baltimore County Police charged a teenager last night after Maryland State Police pilots on a training mission were spotlighted by a laser beam while in flight.

The 13-year-old male was charged as a juvenile with reckless endangerment and laser pointer misuse. He was released to the custody of his parents.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m. yesterday, a Maryland State Police helicopter with two pilots and a flight paramedic on board was in-flight on a training mission over eastern Baltimore County when the cockpit was illuminated with a bright green flash of light. The light was held on the cockpit of the helicopter as it flew.

The light temporarily blinded both pilots. The pilots recovered their night vision while continuing to fly and were able to spot where the laser beam emanated from. A male, later identified as the suspect, was seen running into the house as the helicopter spotlight was used to illuminate the area of the home.

The State Police helicopter crew called Baltimore County Police from the air and stayed overhead while a county police unit was directed to the home. A Baltimore County police officer contacted the suspect and his parents. The officer also recovered the laser pointer.

Shining lasers at aircraft can have dangerous and even deadly consequences. A direct laser strike in the cockpit can cause temporary blindness and disorientation for the crew. This endangers not only people on the aircraft, but also people on the ground in the event a crash occurs.

“The use of a laser to target in-flight aircraft is a very dangerous and irresponsible act,” Major Mark Gibbons, Commander of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command said. “While our flight crews are in the air serving and protecting our citizens, we will not have them jeopardized in this way. We intend to do everything possible to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who endanger our flight crews, or any other aircraft flying in Maryland. I appreciate the assistance of the Baltimore County Police in our efforts to identify and charge the person responsible for last night’s incident. We have similar partnerships across the state and are working with our allied law enforcement aviation units to address this serious issue. I urge parents whose children have laser pointers to remind them that engaging in this dangerous activity could lead to criminal charges.”

Highlighted Events This Week in Wicomico Schools

NOTE: The Monday, April 18 Red Kayak Night at Salisbury Middle School has been rescheduled for Monday, May 2.

Wednesday, April 20
PJs for PJ Aldridge Day
Westside Intermediate School

Students of Westside Intermediate School in Hebron will take part in a PJs for P.J. Aldridge Day Wednesday, April 20, donating $1 to the P.J. Aldridge Foundation (at http://pjaf.org/ ) to wear pajamas as school that day. The foundation raises funds to support research and awareness of lung cancer, and was started last year by a Westside Intermediate mom who is friends with Aldridge. Aldridge, a gregarious and active Ocean City resident and surfer, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Students will also have the chance to win prizes for their Positive Attitude posters and to meet Aldridge, who will come to WIS Wednesday to judge the winning posters. Staff members are also welcome to participate in the fundraiser for the P.J. Aldridge Foundation. 410-677-5118.

Thursday, April 21-Monday, April 25
Spring holidays for students

Schools will close at the regular time on Wednesday, April 20, and will be closed for students for the spring holidays on Thursday, April 21, Friday, April 22, and Monday, April 25. Schools will reopen to students Tuesday, April 26. Thursday, April 21 is a professional day makeup day for many teachers, and the Central Office will be open as scheduled. All staff members will be off and all offices will be closed Friday, April 22 and Monday, April 25.

Coming Up Soon on the Wicomico School Calendar

Wednesday, April 27
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office

A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, April 27 from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. The final Superintendent Open Door Session for this year is scheduled for May 25. 410-677-4495.

April 29-May 7
Annual Wicomico County Student Art Show
Wicomico Public Library

The 33rd annual Wicomico County Elementary & Secondary Student Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 works from students in every Wicomico school, opens Friday, April 29th, at the Wicomico Public Library in Salisbury. Art teachers have elected 20 to 50 pieces per school, including paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture, to represent the creative efforts of Wicomico students. Art teachers will be installing the exhibit on Friday, April 29th in the lobby and throughout the children and Adult sides of the library. The exhibit will be available for viewing during library hours through Saturday, May 7th. The library is open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 12 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The library is closed on Sunday. A reception for student artists and their families will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 6th. For information about the Wicomico County Student Art Show, please call Gary Beauchamp, supervisor of Music/Visual Art and Special Projects, at 410-677-4573.

Thursday, April 28
Office of Special Education’s Annual Transition Night
At James M. Bennett High School

The Office of Special Education, in collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitation Services, will be holding our Annual Transition Night on Thursday, April 28. It will be held in the Clipper Cafe in the new James M. Bennett High School from 6-8 p.m. Students and families will be able to meet with Adult Service Providers and local colleges to discuss services and supports after high school. 410-677-4430.

Thursday, April 28
Financial Literacy Seminar
Hosted by the Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP

The Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP will host a Financial Literacy Seminar at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28 and St. Paul AME Zion Church on Delaware Avenue in Salisbury. Dr. Geri Mason will be the speaker. “You don’t have to become a financial planner to handle your financial affairs,” Dr. Mason says. “Just a few basic steps can help put you in charge of your finances.” The seminar will include values clarification, establishing goals, calculating net worth, developing a spending plan, and organizing records. The event is open to the public. For more information please contact Mary Ashanti at 410-543-4187 or 410-430-1896.

Friday, April 29
Wicomico Middle Walk-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis
Salisbury City Park

Wicomico Middle School invites all Wicomico schools, staff members and students to participate in a Walk-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, April 29. The walk will take place in Salisbury City Park, across from the school. Donations of $3 are requested, and will be collected at the park. This event is sponsored by Students for Service at Wicomico Middle School. 410-677-5145.

Friday, April 29-Saturday, May 7
33rd annual Wicomico County Student Art Show
Wicomico County Library

The 33rd annual Wicomico County Elementary & Secondary Student Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 works from students in every Wicomico school, opens Friday, April 29, at the Wicomico Public Library in Salisbury. Art teachers have elected 20 to 50 pieces per school, including paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture, to represent the creative efforts of Wicomico students. Art teachers will install the exhibit in the lobby and throughout the children's side of the library. The exhibit will be available for viewing during library hours through Saturday, May 7. The library is open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 12-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The library is closed on Sunday. A reception for student artists and their families will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 6. For information about the Wicomico County Student Art Show, please call Gary Beauchamp, supervisor of Music/Visual Art and Special Projects, at 410-677-4573.

Listing Of 2011 Summer Camps And Programs For Wicomico Families

This list of summer camps and programs was compiled as a service for families by The Daily Times, and has been supplemented with information received by Wicomico County Public Schools. For more information on camps, please check with the camp. To have your camp listed, please send information in the format used below to comments@wcboe.org. 

GO HERE to view the entire list.

Check Out These Spring Concerts And Programs In Wicomico Schools

Monday, April 18Charles H. Chipman first graders will present “Broadway Sounds” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the school. Students will present a variety of Broadway pieces, under the direction of Sarah Hofstetter. Admission free. 410-677-5814.

The Mardela Middle & High School Spring Concert, featuring 6th Grade Intermediate Band, West Salisbury Orchestra (including a full orchestra selection with winds and percussion) and State Ensemble Performances, will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the Mardela School cafetorium. Admission free. For information please contact Cory Boltz, Band Director, and Sharon Ehrisman, Orchestra Director, 410-677-5142.

Wednesday, April 27Beaver Run Elementary School kindergarten students will present a spring music concert at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the school, under the direction of Connie Sue Milbourne. The concert will feature “The Orchestra Song – A Mini Musical.” Admission is free. 410-677-5101.

Thursday, April 28
Wicomico Middle School Talent Show featuring 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in the Wicomico Middle School auditorium. Wi Middle students share their talents in singing, playing instruments, dancing, magic, comedy, art and poem displays. Teacher/director is Micah Nicholson. Admission $3 adults, $2 students, kids 3 and under free. 410-677-5145.

The James M. Bennett High School Symphonic Band will present its annual Spring Band Concert on Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the newly renovated Bennett Auditorium. Music featured will be from George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Band’s District Festival repertoire. The Band is under the direction of Douglas L. Miles. The concert is open to the public and admission is always free. 410-677-5141.

Students In Wicomico Visual And Performing Arts Program Raise More Than $800 With Silent Art Auction For Tsunami Relief

Visual arts students in the Wicomico County Visual and Performing Arts Program put their talents to work for a good cause with a silent auction of student art, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross for tsunami relief. Students donated 17 original works of art (plus one reproduction) for the auction, for which bids were taken until the end of the day Friday, April 15.

"We can't thank you enough for your generous donations," said VPA teacher Hyoe Choi, on behalf of fellow VPA teachers Michael Morris and Julia Kohut and the VPA students. "Our students and instructors have been excited to see our artworks having bids on them. ... Without your great support, it would not have been this successful and meaningful to all of us."

Winners were notified by email on Monday, April 18. Checks should be made out to Wicomico High School and marked "Operation Japan" in the memo line. The school will write one check to the Red Cross.

April 18, 2011

Documents

• [586]AuctionPDF_2.pdf

April Notes From The Wicomico County Board Of Education: VRIO Extension And Approved Calendar

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting on April 12 approved the school calendar for 2011-12, and extended and expanded the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Option (VRIO) until May 2.

2011-12 Calendar

The approved 2011-12 calendar will be posted at www.wcboe.org under Quick Links. The school year will begin on Monday, Aug. 29 for most students. The school year will end June 8, 2012. Students will be off Nov. 23-25 for the Thanksgiving break, and Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the winter holidays (schools will reopen Jan. 3). Due to Maryland’s Primary Election being moved to Tuesday, April 3, schools will now be closed for the spring holidays for students from dismissal on Friday, March 30 until Tuesday, April 10. June 6, 7 and 8 are half-days with early dismissal.

Schools will also be closed Sept. 5 (Labor Day), Oct. 21 (MSEA Convention), Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday), Feb. 20 (Presidents Day) and May 28 (Memorial Day). Schools will be closed for students (but open for teachers) for professional days on Sept. 30, Nov. 4, Jan. 23-24, and April 2; the September and November professional days that were on Wednesdays on the draft calendar are now on Fridays. Five days are listed as makeup days in case of school closings: April 2, 4 and 5 and June 11 and 12.

VRIO Extension

The Board approved an extension and expansion of the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Option (VRIO), which had been approved at its February meeting and offered until March 15. Thirty-six employees who are eligible for full-service retirement signed up for VRIO under the initial offering. VRIO will now be offered until May 2, both for employees eligible for full service retirement and those eligible for early service retirement, subject to the guidelines established by the respective retirement plans. Employees will have the chance to meet with financial planners to discuss tax and financial planning questions about the retirement offer.

While Board members and the Superintendent continued to express mixed feelings about losing experienced teachers and other staff members through VRIO, the school system hopes to use VRIO to reduce salary costs in a very difficult budget year. A voluntary retirement is preferable to a tap on the shoulder to lay someone off, Board members said.

Information about the extension and expansion of VRIO is posted online at http://www.wcboe.org/departments/HR/Voluntary%20Retirement%20Incentive.htm, and has been shared with employees through a special edition of HR Headlines.

In other business, the Board of Education:

Public Comments

Heard comment from Fred Peterson, as co-chair of the education committee of the Wicomico County Chapter of the NAACP, who read a statement asking the Board to require school uniforms to improve discipline, eliminate gang clothing, reduce bullying, remove class and income differences, and make wardrobes more affordable for families.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Fredericksen reported to the Board that:

The school system is still weighing the impact of the state budget, and that a cut likely to be more than $5 million is anticipated in the County Executive’s budget. The Board will have a public budget hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, in the Parkside High School auditorium.

Business Support Services staff members are to be commended for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. The certificate was awarded for the school system’s first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Comptroller E. Bruce Ford credited the Superintendent for his leadership in supporting the CAFR, and staff members Gary Green, Accounting Manager, Mary Chandler, Accountant I, and others for creating the comprehensive document that is posted on the Board’s website at http://www.wcboe.org/departments/BusinessSupportServices/reports.php?section=accounting.

Race to the Top (RTTT) continues to be an important area. A number of Wicomico teachers are master teachers who will train other teachers at a state summer institute on RTTT that will be held at James M. Bennett High School.

Shared, in response to some of the public comments given at the March Board meeting, that the school system and the Wicomico County Council will meet on May 17 to talk about the Bennett Middle School project and other capital priorities and find ways to move forward. Another commenter had criticized the lack of parent involvement on the committee to revise the Magnet Program criteria, and the Superintendent said that eight parents were on the committee and their input was considered in setting the new criteria. Changes to the criteria and process will be made as needed, and a major review will be done in three years.

Two people attended the March Superintendent’s Open Door Session. Their topics of interest were technology and auditorium upgrades. The next Open Door Session is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. April 27.

The school system is continuing to work on adjustments to school start and end times for next year, to make the most efficient use of transportation resources. Start and end times would change by no more than 15 minutes.

An evaluation of the Exam Exemption Incentive Program is continuing, as is a review of commencement seating and security, and the naming policy for school facilities.

The March 28-31 Registration Fair for Kindergarten and Prekindergarten went very well, with only two complaints that will be evaluated.

The monthly grants report will be available online next week. A $338,935 grant has been applied for that would allow a current after-school program to continue with a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) focus. Another grant application has gone in, in collaboration with Salisbury University and the Nabb Center, for Teaching American History.

Thursday, April 21 will be a makeup professional day for many staff members.

Comments and input can be made to the Board and school system by contacting comments@wcboe.org or leaving a voicemail on the comment line at 410-677-5251. Families and community members should visit www.wcboe.org for updates on school news; a new format for the website will be launched soon.

Agreements Ratified

Voted to ratify the agreement between the Wicomico County Board of Education and the Association of Public School Administrators and Supervisors, and the agreement between the Board of Education and the Wicomico County Education Association for 2011-12. The two associations agreed to forgo negotiations and operate under the current agreements, in recognition of the challenging budget times the school system faces. Wicomico is likely the only Maryland school system where this level of cooperation has taken place.

Technology Plan

Approved new 3-Year Technology Plan for school years 2011-12 to 2013-14, to extend the work of the current plan and to address instructional and administrative use of technology, access to technology, infrastructure, and evaluating the use of technology.

Bennett Middle Book Approved

Approved the use of “The Skin I’m In” by Sharon Flake for the Bennett Middle One School, One Book Challenge. The book was not on the Middle School Approved Literature list, but students, staff members and parents selected the book as the best choice to engage the entire school in the reading challenge. Students have also invited the author to visit.

Revised Travel Policy

Voted, on first and final reading, to revise the Mileage Reimbursement Policy to reflect current practice. The renamed Travel and Mileage Reimbursement Policy will be posted on the website. The Board received for information the guidelines for travel on school system business.

Spare Vehicle Contracts

Awarded a paid special needs spare vehicle contract to Matthews Bus Service Inc. and a paid spare vehicle contract to Bruce Lewis, after an extensive selection process.

Contract Modifications

Approved credit of $2,185 in contract modifications on the Northwestern Elementary HVAC project, at the recommendation of the engineering firm. The Board acknowledged the broad community support that made this project possible.

Approved contract modifications not to exceed $4,500 act modifications on the James M. Bennett High School project to address a problem with city water pressure. This short-term solution is needed, but in the long term, improvements to the city water system should resolve the problem.

Retirement Plan Amendments

Amended the Retirement Plan for the Employees of Wicomico County and the Board of Education of Wicomico County to clarify the credit for military service that employees can receive on retirement. Employees who have served honorably in the military can receive up to five years of service credit at retirement, unless they are receiving military retirement benefits.

Bid Awards

Awarded the contract for bus digital video system maintenance and equipment to Fairs LLC as the low responsive and responsible bidder.

Awarded the contract for domestic hot water replacement at Parkside High School to T.E. Smith and Son. Inc. as the low responsive and responsible bidder at $94,970. The unit will be replaced this summer.

Reports

Approved the monthly personnel matters report for certificated employees and a budget transfer for April, and received for information the monthly personnel matters report for classified employees.

Received for information the annual report from School Food and Nutrition Service Department on its budget and operations. The Board was informed that due to mandates in the Child Nutrition Act of 2010, portion sizes of fruits and vegetables will be increasing. The cost of paid meals will also rise, to conform to federal pricing guidelines, with 25 cent increases for both elementary and secondary lunches needed for the next school year.

Board Member Reports

Board President L. Michelle Wright noted that there would be a Parent Advisory Committee meeting at the Board office on April 14, and that the annual Wicomico County Council of PTAs banquet would be held at 6:30 p.m. April 28 at Parkside High School. The Rededication Ceremony for James M. Bennett High will be held at 10 a.m. April 18.

Board member Ronald Willey said he has been watching dismissal at James M. Bennett High and Bennett Middle schools, and he continues to be concerned and unhappy with the lack of progress on improvements at the Onley Road intersection that would enable JMB to begin using Onley Road for buses as planned. The Superintendent noted that the school system handed over to the city some years ago the funds to cover its share of the intersection improvements, and the school system continues to await action by the city.

Former Maryland Governor, Baltimore Mayor Schaefer Has Died

CATONSVILLE, Md. (AP) - William Donald Schaefer, the colorfully outspoken and combative Maryland governor and four-term Baltimore mayor who left a legacy of impressive public works projects, has died.
Former aide Lainy LeBow-Sachs said Schaefer died at 6:30 p.m. Monday at his home at the Charlestown retirement community outside Baltimore.

He was 89.

As mayor from 1971 to 1986, Schaefer earned a national reputation for overseeing the transformation of downtown Baltimore from a gritty center of urban decay into a tourist attraction
.
The Democrat, a Maryland political icon who held statewide office into his 80s, battled to fill potholes as mayor and never missed an opportunity to tout his hometown, even jumping in a seal pool while wearing a turn-of-the century bathing costume and holding a rubber ducky to promote a new aquarium.

Thank You, Gary Comegys

In an earlier post I criticized outgoing Salisbury councilwoman Louise Smith for her poor performance and lack of basic honesty.  Two term councilman Gary Comegys is also leaving office.  While I am glad to see Gary leave office (c’mon, we disagree on controversial issues about 70% of the time), I truly hope that the city will continue to be the beneficiary of his insight AND his point of view.

Over the years I have given Gary his fair share of a hard time.  I’m not doing that here.  Why?  Not because of his illness.  While I pray for Gary’s healing every day, both he and you should know by now that his illness would never stop me from criticizing his actions.

No, instead Comegys personifies the best in a politician that you oppose.  While I have disagreed with Comegys far more than I have agreed with him, I have always respected his point of view AND the many insights which he has offered over the years.

Comegys has been willing to discuss issues and has been willing to be frank and open (provided it was off the record).  While many, including myself, have ridiculed Gary at times; I long ago learned that he is far more intelligent than his “Bubba” persona lets on.

Comegys has proven himself to be a great councilman – despite our innumerable disagreements.  He has also proven himself to be a better than average politician.  I have long speculated that it was Comegys who engineered the “big payoff” which resulted in Louise Smith getting the center chair in return for her faithful support for the “Barrie Comegys” bloc on council.  For two years, Comegys (as council Vice-President) and then-mayor Barrie Tilghman used Smith like a two dollar whore.  Post-Tilghman, it was obvious that Comegys was directing the council’s movement to block most of incumbent mayor Jim Ireton’s agenda.  With Gary’s illness, we saw Louise’s total inability to control the council’s direction.  Despite all of this, Smith will go to her grave thinking that she was actually running things.

Many readers may be shocked that I consider Comegys political acumen a good quality.  Think about it.  Comegys found himself on election night 2007 in a perceived minority.  Smith had pledged her support to Debbie Campbell.  She had lied to many of us who supported Smith’s run that she was supportive of the same agenda that Campbell, Terry Cohen, and Tim Spies supported.  In a matter of a few hours Comegys was able to turn this “loss” around 180 degrees.

NOTE – I admit that this is speculation.  Gary has not admitted this to me; nor has he denied it.  That said, there is no doubt that someone reached out to Smith and the primary beneficiary was the agenda of “Barrie Comegys”.

I wish Gary and his wife Debbie well.  I will continue to pray for his recovery.  I also hope that he will continue to stay involved and speak out on issues which are important to him.  Over the last eight years I have learned that it doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with Gary Comegys.  He is worth listening to.  For that, and his service, Gary deserves our gratitude.

OCEAN CITY POLICE WELCOME NEW ADDITION TO K-9 UNIT

The Ocean City Police Department has a new duo on the K-9 Unit, welcoming Police Officer First Class (Pfc.) James Runkles and partner, K-9 Breki. Breki, who was obtained by the department with narcotics forfeiture funds, joins an elite group of canine patrol teams, which are an integral part of
the Ocean City Police Department.

Breki, who is a 15-month-old Belgium malawa, comes to the Ocean City Police Department from the Slovakia, where he received specialized training for law enforcement. In addition, after his arrival in Ocean City, Pfc. Runkles and Breki completed a four-week academy-styled patrol/narcotics program, which develops the capabilities and physical conditioning of both the handler and K-9 alike. At the completion of their training, they were certified to Maryland
Police and Correctional Training Commission and the North American Police Work Dog Association standards.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to use forfeiture funds to obtain such a wonderful asset to our department,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “This unit has been a vital part of the OCPD for more than four decades and I am glad that we can utilize funds taken from criminal activity in a way that benefits our police department and our community.”

Once on patrol, K-9 patrol teams are authorized to respond to calls for service, and are often among the first specialized units to be called to a scene. Their specific skills, including apprehension techniques, obedience, narcotics detection, searching and tracking, are a critical asset to the Ocean City Police Department. In addition to their duties and responsibilities on the road, K-9 units participate in continual training, community events and public relations functions, self-initiated patrol and/or rendering assistance to state and county law enforcement patrols in the
Ocean City area.

Louise Smith’s Farewell Fib

On Sunday I read Salisbury councilwoman Louise Smith’s op-ed in the Daily Times.  Riddled with innuendo, half-truths, and outright lies, this piece shows why the majority of Salisbury voters are happy to be rid of her.

Before we tackle the specifics of Smith’s masturbatory homage, let us re-cap her tenure on council:

1. Smith came into office with a lie.  Pledging to support councilwoman Debbie Campbell, she reneged after the Barrie Comegys bloc bought her support off with the center chair.  Smith claims she “prayed” about this matter and discussed it with her pastor.  As far as I know, the good folk over at Asbury UMC worship the same God that I do.  I find it doubtful that her pastor would encourage her to break her word and I KNOW that God didn’t tell her lie.
2. Smith turned right around and then voted for a charter change to enable a 17% tax increase.  I can only hope that the local GOP is ashamed of ever calling her one of their own.
3. Possibly outdoing former councilman Mike Dunn, Smith has repeatedly changed the rules because she is simply incapable of understanding her own rules and obviously believes that obeying them only applies to those who don’t agree with her.
4. Smith has saddled the taxpayer with boondoggles such as “The Bricks” and the “Linens of the Week” properties.  She has voted to furlough cops because “it wouldn’t be fair to furlough other city employees and not police officers”.  She did this despite the fact the furloughs of police officers actually saves nothing (they’re almost all on overtime anyway), but sends a very bad message regarding the city’s desire to crack down on crime.

These are just a few examples of Smith’s “admirable” record.  Now let’s look at how Louise sees it:

“A building eyesore on Healthway Drive was removed.”

Don’t think so Weezie.  I think we can thank folks like Richard Widdowson and his neighbors for that one.

“I pledged to have the city's audit completed without months of delay. Each year it improved.”

Smith campaigned for office on ONE real issue – she would get the city to complete their audit ON TIME!  To date, the city has yet to complete its audit by the state mandated deadline.

“For the 2010 audit report, a milestone was reached; it was received Dec. 8 -- the earliest since 2003 -- with no instances of noncompliance in the financial statements and no material weaknesses in federal programs.”

This is simply not true.  While some some material weaknesses have been addressed, others have popped up or re-emerged.  Most notable in the last audit is the fact that multiple accounts were run into deficit.  This is not only a material audit deficiency, but a violation of the city’s charter.  To be fair, Smith isn’t responsible for these problems; however, she is the one who has lied about their non-existence.

“I implemented 12 fall and spring cleanup efforts in the Church Street/Doverdale neighborhoods. More than 20 volunteers dedicated more than 9,030 hours, collecting more than 20.11 tons of trash and 1,515 pounds of recyclables.”

Smith should be applauded for her efforts here.  However, it should be noted that what she attempts to portray as a “volunteer effort” has cost the city taxpayers untold thousands (probably tens of thousands) in overtime costs.  Again, the “fiscally prudent Louise” is a phantom.

Yes, Louise is leaving.  We can only applaud and ask that she not let the door hit her in the ass as she exits.  I am sure that I will be criticized for this post.  However, we need to note the difference between disagreeing with someone’s policies and dealing with people who are genuinely dangerous to civil society because of ignorance, arrogance, and a lack of basic honesty.

If Salisbury is actually better for her “service”; it is only so because the voters may have learned a lesson.  We can only hope so.

New posts will fall below this one.

Hispanic Explosion Hits U.S.

The 2010 Census reveals that Hispanics now outnumber blacks for the first time in U.S. metropolitan areas, Jerome Corsi's Red Alert reports.
Hispanics are now the largest minority group in 191 metropolitan areas, up from 159 metro areas as recorded in the 2000 Census.
Moreover, the recent Census data shows the Hispanic population has spread out from the Southwest, to include cities throughout the United States.
The Hispanic population grew 42 percent in the last decade, totaling now 50.1 million, or about one in every six Americans.
The Census Bureau makes the following predictions/observations about the growth of the Hispanic population in the United States:

    * By 2050, the Hispanic population in the United States will approximately double to 102.6 million people;

    * Between 2000 and 2006, Hispanics accounted for one-half of the nation's growth;

    * Between 2000 and 2006, the Hispanic growth rate (24.3 percent) was more than three times the growth rate of the total population (6.1 percent);

    * The majority of Hispanic immigration to the United States in the years 2000 – 2006 was from Mexico, 64 percent.

One reason President Obama has resisted any and all measures to secure the U.S. border with Mexico is the Democratic Party's expectation that the surge in Hispanic population will represent an electoral advantage for Democratic candidates seeking public office.

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Former Major Leaguer Dykstra Nailed For Bankruptcy Fraud

Federal authorities on Friday accused former baseball star Lenny "Nails" Dykstra of committing bankruptcy fraud, alleging the athlete-turned-stock picker illegally sold items from his $18 million California mansion.

Separately, Dykstra, 48, was arrested Thursday night by the Los Angeles Police Department on Grand Theft charges for suspicion of buying vehicles through fraudulent means.

The legal headaches are mounting for Dykstra, who the Department of Justice alleges removed, destroyed and sold property that was part of his bankruptcy estate without consent from the bankruptcy trustee. Dykstra filed for bankruptcy in July 2009, listing his $18.5 million mansion in Lake Sherwood Estates that was purchased from hockey great Wayne Gretzky as well as a Westlake Village residence valued at $5.4 million.

An attorney for the trustee estimates Dykstra sold and destroyed more than $400,000 worth of property in the estate, the criminal complaint says.

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Anatomy Of A Manhunt

Intelligence information was lacking, but the tracks, the IDF’s massive presence in Awarta, exceptional cooperation between the various security arms, and traces left behind by the terrorists led to the arrests of the two Palestinians who murdered a whole family in Itamar.

The effort to solve this case was unusual in at least one respect: There was no intelligence information pointing to potential suspects, unlike other terror attacks in Judea and Samaria in recent years. This time, the Shin Bet and IDF had no indicators, and therefore army forces and Shin Bet investigators had to be deployed massively in order to produce information that would enable authorities to reach the killers.

The manhunt for the suspects, which ended in recent days, got underway at 1 am, about an hour after the Fogel family was massacred. An IDF tracker examined Itamar’s fence and spotted slight indications that the two killers climbed it. Initially they attempted to cut the fence, but ultimately changed their mind, either because their equipment didn’t work properly, or because they feared that the fence would electrocute them.

After crossing the fence, the killers entered a home where they found an M-16 rifle. From there they continued to the Fogel family home. After murdering the parents, Udi and Ruth, and the children, Yoav, Elad and Hadas, they climbed the fence and fled. The tracker, accompanied by an IDF force, followed the tracks left by the killers to one of the streets in the nearby village of Awarta. The tracks disappeared there. However, the killers left various signs behind that made it easier for the police to confirm their identity after they were nabbed.


More from YNet

Are Feds Phasing Out $$$ Handouts For Farmers?

Thanks to their influence in Washington, and the iconic status of the American farmer, for decades U.S. agriculture enjoyed a sacred place in the federal budget and received massive handouts from Congress. That may be coming to an end, but not without a fight.

"Farmers and ranchers are willing to do their share, we just don't want to do more than our fair share," says Mary Kay Thatcher of the American Farm Bureau. "We compete with farmers around the world and until other farmers and other governments are willing to give up their subsidies, we are unwilling to give up ours."

CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR SHARE WITH OUR TAXPAYER CALCULATOR

Three programs face big cuts: conservation subsides that give farmers money to take marginal lands out of production for wildlife, crop insurance, and direct payments to farmers who plant corn, cotton, wheat, soybean, rice and peanuts. The farmers of these commodities are eligible for government payouts whether they farm or not.

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WRAU Radio Interview

If you missed our interview with Radio Station WRAU (88.5) Brian Russo, GO HERE.

Local Budgets

Joe,

I brought this up when Chiefy Webster was here and it was never followed up. Now with the Budgets for Salisbury and Wicomico are being submitted this factual concerns should be checked and scrutinized. City and County vehicles of all sizes are back to cruising the College and all three Student Housing areas from around 2:00 pm until they have to get back to clock out. There are from 1 - 6 employees in the vehicles. The Latest was a six - wheel bucket truck. I believe the Tag was LG61460.  He was cruising through 2 Student Housing areas talking on his cell and looking everywhere but where he was going.

When the Farmer's crops  at the end of Onley Rd are ripe they even stop and go over in the field pick what they want and return to their Government Vehicle. Then leave.

The Fire personnel has not been visible since the new Chief. He must have cut out all the so - called training. Fire trucks and EMS.

Concerning the Budgets. Since there is all this spare time of 1 -2.5 hrs a day, means excessive personnel. That means eliminate 5 workers by attrition. That would save with salary and benefits approx. $250,000 a year. The Supervisor must not know time needed to complete a job and does not follow - up on the work conducted. Then eliminate a Supervisor in the same manner, which would save another $60,000 - $75,000 a year. There is a savings of at least $300,000 from the budget.

This would also mean less time to ride around being non - productive. Savings on fuel and vehicle wear and tear by not having them ride around and not working. This is another budgetary savings.

Eliminate half of the City and County take home vehicles, Excluding County Sheriffs. That would also lower fuel cost, wear and tear and replacement cost. Another budgetary savings.

Eliminate monies to PAC14 since they are very selective on their broadcasting and not available to all areas, all Tax Payers. Eliminate monies to Salisbury Symphony, only about .2%, less than 1%, of the Tax Payers attend or can afford to attend. There are other examples not listed of non - profits that are beneficial to less than 1% of Tax Payers. They should raise their own monies. That is what they are supposed to do. Not mooch off the Tax Payers.

I have only listed a few areas of reducing the budget. What I have listed would reduce the Budgets of each Locality by approx $1,000,000, 1 million dollars.

Lets make news and start criticizing Politians on their dereliction of Office they were elected too. They are supposed to make the hard decisions and not take the easy way out and TAX TAX TAX.

I am a very concerned Tax Payer who does not believe in all this wasteful spending.

You Can Drive 55, But You'll Get A Ticket

Heads up to drivers who use the Fairfax County Parkway: you are being watched.

Starting today, county police and Virginia state troopers are keeping a close eye on speeders as part of its "50 means 50" campaign.

The two week initiative is to try and crack down on aggressive and reckless drivers, including those texting while driving and following too closely.

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Toyota Resumes Vehicle Production At All Japan Plants

First time production has restarted since March 11 earthquake and tsunami

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. resumed car production at all of its plants in Japan Monday for the first time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, but said the factories will run at half capacity due to parts shortages.

The world's No. 1 automaker said it was still struggling to secure around 150 types of auto parts. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami destroyed parts factories in northeastern Japan, causing severe shortages of components.

The twin disasters forced Toyota to shut down all output in Japan except at three plants, which have been running at limited capacity since late March and early April to produce hot-selling Prius, Lexus and Corolla cars.

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Teens — Gay Or Straight — More Likely To Attempt Suicide In Conservative Towns

Major study of Oregon high schoolers probes teen mental health and social climates

CHICAGO — Suicide attempts by gay teens — and even straight kids — are more common in politically conservative areas where schools don't have programs supporting gay rights, a study involving nearly 32,000 high school students found.

Those factors raised the odds and were a substantial influence on suicide attempts even when known risk contributors like depression and being bullied were considered, said study author Mark Hatzenbuehler, a Columbia University psychologist and researcher.

His study found a higher rate of suicide attempts even among kids who weren't bullied or depressed when they lived in counties less supportive of gays and with relatively few Democrats. A high proportion of Democrats was a measure used as a proxy for a more liberal environment.

The research focused only on the state of Oregon and created a social index to assess which outside factors might contribute to suicidal tendencies. Other teen health experts called it a powerful, novel way to evaluate a tragic social problem.

"Is it surprising? No. Is it important? Yes," said Dr. Robert Blum of Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Bumper stickers that read ; " Audit the FEDERAL RESERVE to see if Obamas 2008 foreign campaign Donations were funded by USA taxpayers Indirectly through this foreign bailout starting in 2007 FEC Investigators Digging Into Obama's 2008 Campaign "

Yeah I know you will need this on the Side of a TOUR BUS BUT a Bill Board will work too . !!!!!!!

FEC Investigators Digging Into Obama's 2008 Campaign

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/BarackObama-FederalElectionCommission-Investigation-2008PresidentialElection/2011/04/16/id/393093?s=al&promo_code=C18E-1   

FEC will have to Audit the Federal Reserve to track the Donations through this allocations of Funds that was Given to the foreign Investors , because I bet the Federal Reserve bail out of foreign investors was the same Money that was Donated to Obamas 2008 campaign , and they are getting ready to do this again for 2012 !!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAugiQsTR0&feature=related    

9 TRILLION Dollars Missing from Federal Reserve,Fed Inspector General Can't Explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYNVNhB-m0o&feature=related   

Alan Grayson: "Which Foreigners Got the Fed's $500,000,000,000?" Bernanke: "I Don't Know."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0NYBTkE1yQ&feature=related   

***TODAY***GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING TASK FORCE TO STUDY SEPTIC POLLUTION

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 18, 2011) – TODAY, Governor Martin O’Malley will join Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee, Senator Paul Pinsky and Delegate Steve Lafferty, lead sponsors of this year’s septics legislation in the Senate and House of Delegates, and others to sign an Executive Order establishing the framework to examine the extent to which septic tanks on major developments pollute the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  The Executive Order, which will create a task force to study the issue, will inform next year’s effort to ban new, major developments from relying on polluting septic systems. 

The General Assembly considered the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2011 (SB 846 and HB 1107), ultimately concluding that more time was needed to study the issue. Today’s Executive Order will establish the framework of that study.

WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to Announce Task Force to Study Septic Pollution

WHEN:           TODAY, April 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:         The Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center (next to the Dining Hall)

 975 Indian Landing Road

 Millersville, MD 21108

PA Demands Release Of Terrorist Killers

The Palestinian Authority called Sunday for the release of all PA Arab prisoners held by Israel, including terrorists and other murderers. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced that he will not make peace with Israel until all prisoners are released.

Abbas' demand came as Israeli forces announced that they had captured two PA Arab men responsible for the slaughter of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar. He is asking for the release of those men, along with many others convicted of similar crimes.

Events to promote the release of all PA Arabs in Israeli jails were held throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza. In Jenin, prisoners' families protested outside the local Red Cross building. Mayor Kadoura Moussa expressed hope that “This year will be the year in which all prisoners from the West Bank, Gaza, Al-Quds [Jerusalem], and the 1948 territories [Israel], in all Israeli prison, will be released.”

In Shechem, a rally on behalf of terrorist prisoners was attended by Issa Qaraqe, the PA's “Minister of Prisoners' Affairs.” Qaraqe has frequently praised terrorists in the course of his work for the PA. On Sunday, he said, “Struggle is the story of the Palestinian people.”
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Maryland Booze Taxes Drained From Causes

Maryland legislators entered this year’s General Assembly  session floating an increase in the alcohol tax primarily as a way to funnel money into programs to help the developmentally disabled, the mentally ill, substance abusers and other groups.

But when the Democrat-controlled assembly passed a bill last week increasing the sales tax on alcohol from 6 percent to 9 percent, less than 20 percent of the tax increase’s $87 million in projected first-year revenue was slated to go to such causes. Nearly all the remaining revenue will go to schools and school construction, leading some opponents to accuse legislators of pulling a bait-and-switch on those who needed the bill most.

“The advocates wanted this bill, and they wanted it for the disabled and the mentally ill,” Delegate Susan W. Krebs, Carroll Republican, said last week on the House floor. “In my opinion, this money is going to buy votes instead of going to where it was meant to be.”

Health advocates have led the call for several years to raise the alcohol tax, and they were fixtures again in Annapolis this session. They lobbied politicians and testified at numerous hearings, often accompanied by Maryland residents with disabilities who spoke about the need for public health funding.

One of the session’s earliest tax proposals was a so-called “dime-a-drink” tax, which would have raised the excise tax on beer, wine and liquor by about 700 percent.

The bill was near and dear to many health advocates and was named after the late Lorraine M. Sheehan, a former delegate and longtime advocate for the disabled.

The proposal would have generated an estimated extra $214.5 million in first-year revenue. Nearly 90 percent of that money would have gone to Medicaid, mental health care, addiction treatment, support for the developmentally disabled, prevention of tobacco use and training for health care personnel. Legislators considered the measure too drastic and dismissed it.

In its first year, the tax increase that was approved will provide $15 million for the developmentally disabled. The rest will go primarily toward improving schools in larger, heavily Democratic counties such as Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George’s.

 

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Failing To Cross The Moral Threshold For Statehood?

Over the past couple of weeks, everyone from the World Bank  to the International Monetary Fund and UN Mideast envoy Robert Serry has come out with reports declaring that Palestinian institutions are about ready for statehood.

“The PA is above the threshold for a functioning state in key sectors,” the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee – also known as the Donors Conference – said in a statement it released last week in Brussels after a meeting it held to assess the economic and institutional capacity of the Palestinian Authority.

But after the arrest of the Awad cousins from Awarta for the brutal, blood-chilling murder of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar – a mother, father, 11- and four-year-old boys, and a three-month-old baby girl – one might ask whether Palestinian society has moved beyond the threshold needed to become a functioning society.

And not only because of the murders – every society, including our own, has its sadistic murderers, though the hacking of a baby is particularly vicious and gruesome. Rather, it’s the way Palestinian society dealt with the murders and the murderers.

True, PA President Mahmoud Abbas  and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad unequivocally condemned the killings. But no sooner had Abbas done so, then Palestinian voices were heard claiming it couldn’t be a Palestinian who killed the family. A Palestinian couldn’t murder in cold blood like that – it must have been a disgruntled Thai worker who didn’t get his wages.

Even on Sunday, when reporters went to the village of Awarta, some residents on camera denied that the murders in neighboring Itamar even took place. It was all an Israeli lie, a giant conspiracy. What murders?

For the Palestinians to say that their people could not carry out such a deed is simply to avoid any and all responsibility. And that degree of denial does not bode well for a functioning state.

What is incumbent upon Palestinian society now – after having received various stamps of approval for statehood – is to do some soul-searching and finally, finally start taking responsibility and owning up to the actions of its people.

If, indeed, the Palestinians aspire to statehood, they need to look in the mirror and grapple with what it is in their society, in their education system, in their media, in their religion, in their culture, that sets a pair of teenagers on such a vicious, blood-curdling murder spree, and then leads an entire nation into denial?

Their answer, of course, will be “the occupation,” the Palestinian justification for every atrocity – from sending pregnant women out as suicide bombers, to firing antitank missiles at school buses, to hacking a three-month-old baby to death. But there have been a lot of occupied people throughout history, and they didn’t necessarily go out and cut up four-year-old, cherub-faced boys.

More here

EPA Official Says Jobs Don’t Matter

The Obama administration has repeatedly said job creation is a top priority, but apparently the memo seems to have missed the bureaucrats at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This became evident when EPA Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus testified Thursday before an Environment and Energy subcommittee hearing that his agency does not take jobs into account when it issues new regulations.

“We have not directly taken a look at jobs in the proposal,” Stanislaus said, referring to a regulation that would govern industries that recycle coal ash and other fossil fuel byproducts.

Coal ash is commonly used to make concrete stronger and longer lasting, make wallboard more durable and improve the quality of roofing shingles.

Stanislaus made his comments in response to questioning by Colorado GOP Rep. Cory Gardner looking into whether the EPA is complying with a recent presidential executive order and considering jobs in its regulatory regime. The EPA issued a April 30, 2010 statement in the appendix of its regulatory impact analysis for proposed regulation under the Resources and Recovery Act (RCRA) of coal ash.

That statement said: “The [regulatory impact assessment] does not include either qualitative or quantitative estimation of the potential effects of the proposed rule on economic productivity, economic growth, employment, job creation or international economic competitiveness.”

The statement contradicts Executive Order 13563, which President Obama signed in January requiring rules to take job creation into account when federal agencies issue new rules.

Gardner pressed Stanislaus as to whether or not EPA had done a direct economic analysis on how the rule would affect jobs, to which Stanislaus replied saying that EPA had not included jobs in its cost-benefit analysis of the rule.

“Do you feel an economic analysis that does not include the complete picture on jobs, is that a full economic analysis?” Gardner asked. “I think it is really a yes or no question.

“To me, I don’t see how you can talk about economic analysis without talking about jobs…  and you said that you would not promulgate a rule where the costs would exceed the benefits,” Gardner continued. “But if you are not taking into account jobs, I don’t see how that goes.”

Gardner’s line of questioning had Stanislaus visibly dumbfounded, and he repeatedly told the congressman he would have to get back to him with the answers to his questions.

More here

Greenspan Slams Up And Coming Generation

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is either giving the viewing public a cranky old man performance, or the once highly regarded sage of economic matters and disciple of Ayn Rand really sees some structural problems in the overall economy of the United States.

On Sunday’s broadcast of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Greenspan explained how the American economy will be transitioning from a “highly skilled, highly educated” workforce to an inferior one.

“As I watch what’s going on, we have to remember that over the next 10 years, we’re going to find that the baby boom generation – highly skilled, highly educated – is going to fade from the scene,” Greenspan said. “It’s going to be replaced by a generation who are now in school and creating grades which don’t make us look very good in the international spectrum.”

And when that happens Greenspan explained, that generation won’t be able to grow an economy at a pace needed to fund the entitlement programs which we have in place.

“This means we are probably dealing with an economy which isn’t growing fast enough or creating much real resources to fund the entitlement programs that we have already made,” Greenspan continued.
Read more

Boondoggle In Tax Code: Subsidies For 'Green Energy'

President Obama said last week he wants to trim "spending in the tax code," but he has firmly defended the provision that best fits that odd phrase: a renewable energy "tax credit" doled out in the form of grants from the U.S. Treasury.

The grant program - created by the stimulus bill and extended through 2011 by last year's tax-extender bill - is a corporate welfare boondoggle whose biggest beneficiaries include huge foreign companies.

Section 1603 of the 2009 stimulus bill instructs the Treasury secretary to issue grants to companies that develop renewable energy installations. To date, the Treasury Department has given out $6.9 billion in these grants (which cover 30 percent of all cost), with more than 80 percent of that money going to wind farms.

From a free-market perspective, the objections here are obvious: Government shouldn't be giving away money in an effort to shape the energy industry. But even judging by Obama's professed standards, the renewable energy grant program is very problematic.

First, consider Obama's talk of "tax reform" and curbing "spending in the tax code." The 1603 program has already spent more than twice the $3.4 billion originally budgeted for it. Given the slew of other subsidies for renewable energy (federal loan guarantees, renewable energy standards, local and state handouts, and much more), this program would seem a great place to begin cutting spending. And more fundamentally, turning the Treasury Department into a venture capital fund for wind companies is a pretty clear instance of mission creep.

Also, Section 1603 clashes with Obama's talk of battling special interests and big business. For instance, two of the seven largest grants have gone to Florida Power & Light company, a very politically connected big business. All told, FPL has already received more than $400 million in grants from this program - about 6 percent of the total.

But supposedly this is all in the name of creating "green jobs," which Obama often calls "jobs that cannot be outsourced." On this score, the renewable energy grants fall far short, as revealed by the muckraking of Russ Choma of American University's Investigative Reporting Workshop.

Take the Meadow Lake Wind Farm in Indiana, which received the single largest 1603 grant, $276 million. Meadow Lake is owned and operated by Horizon Wind Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of EDP Renovaveis, a Portuguese company. Choma reported that the turbines at Meadow Lake are manufactured by Vestas, and thus "likely made in Denmark, where Vestas is from." The turbines sit atop 350-foot towers imported from Vietnam.

So U.S. taxpayers cut a $276 million check to a Portuguese company in order to create jobs in Denmark and Vietnam.

More at the Washington Examiner

Delaware Officials Continue Abortion Clinic Probe

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- State officials are continuing to investigate a Delaware abortion clinic with ties to a Philadelphia abortionist who is charged with murder.

The Division of Professional Regulation has scheduled a hearing Monday regarding Atlantic Women's Medical Services owner Myrie Panzy.

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Found Kitten

Joe,


My husband and I found a gray kitten (close to full grown) under our shed this weekend, and it's been stuck to us like glue since Saturday morning. It is very loving and sociable; and we're worried that there may be a worried family looking for it. We live in Eden, MD, a little less than a mile from the Upper Ferry. We've attached a photograph and are hoping that you would be willing to post this on your site. If we don't find the owners of this cat, we are planning to get him to the vet later in the week so that we can begin looking for a new home for the little guy/girl. Possible owners may contact us at this e-mail address: cmb1802@gmail.com.

Employees stole $83,000 From Natural Resources, Pretrial Detention And Services, Auditors Say

Two employees stole thousands from the government departments where they worked, auditors say, and both were fired. One made $71,000 worth of unauthorized purchases with a government credit card from the Department of Natural Resources, and another took $12,500 in cash from the Division of Pretrial Detention and Services.

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Petition Drive To repeal In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants Gets Underway

Petition drive to repeal in-state tuition for illegal immigrants gets underway but new signature guidelines needed

Opponents of just passed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition met on Saturday in Annapolis to organize a petition drive for the issue. But the elections board has yet to revise signature guidelines for the process or approve wording on the petition.

Continue Reading...

Feds To Sell Residential Housing In Maryland

When you think of federal property, you probably don't think of residential housing. But that's just what the General Services Administration is putting on the market. The Washington Business Journal reports three government-owned residential homes in Montgomery County are hitting the auction block. There's one in Chevy Chase, one in Potomac, and one in Bethesda. GSA says they came from the Coast Guard and likely housed military personnel and their families. It isn't clear when the houses will be auctioned off...but GSA wants to have the paperwork wrapped up by May first.

Senate Confirms 19 Obama Administration Nominees

The Senate has confirmed 19 Obama administration nominees. GovExec reports, among them is Carolyn Lerner. She was unanimously approved as director of the Office of Special Council. That nomination carries a five-year term. Also confirmed was Raphael Borras to be undersecretary for management at the Homeland Security Department. He's been holding that job under a recess appointment.

Airline Controllers To Get Extra Time Off

Extra time off, but no naps. That's the administration's answer to the problem of sleeping air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says controllers working the overnight shift will get an extra hour off between shifts so they don't doze off at work. But he rejected the idea of allowing controllers to take naps during breaks during their shifts. The FAA's fatigue working group recommended naps. Several other nations already allow them. The new policy follows several highly publicized cases of planes circling while controllers dozed.

DISA Cuts Ribbon On New Headquarters

The Defense Information Systems Agency celebrated the ceremonial opening of its new 95-acre headquarters campus on Friday. Less than half of the 4,600 employees already work at its new headquarters at Fort Meade, Md. The agency expects the rest of its staff to move there from several northern Virginia locations by late August.  

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Take The Quiz: Who Pays More Taxes - GE Or NYT?

Had GE been taxed like the New York Times Co., it would have paid $115 billion more in taxes.

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Businesses See Breaks From General Assembly

By Annie Linskey, The Sun (Baltimore)
Car buyers will have to pay dealers as much as $200 in transaction fees starting July 1, because of a budget provision approved by the General Assembly in its final moments of lawmaking last week. They'll pay more to title that car, too. Lawmakers also increased motor vehicle titling fees, to $100 — except for rental fleets, which are excused from the increase.

 

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Mismatch Between Jobs, Job Seekers Contributes To Unemployment

By Jamie Smith Hopkins, The Sun (Baltimore)Maryland has 210,000 unemployed residents searching for work. Maryland employers have 70,000 job openings they're trying to fill. The unemployment rate would drop overnight, state officials say, if many of the jobless people had the skills needed to fill those empty positions. Unfortunately, it's not working out nearly that neatly.

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MD STATE POLICE HELICOPTER HOISTS TWO VICTIMS SWEPT AWAY BY FLOOD WATERS

On April 16, 2011 at 11:41 PM, a Maryland State Police Dauphin II Helicopter based in Frederick Maryland, Trooper 3, was dispatched by SYSCOM to provide mutual aid to Latimore Township, Adams County Pennsylvania. The aerial search and rescue request was received from the Latimore Township Police after two occupied vehicles were swept off a flooded roadway into swiftly moving flood waters.

The Trooper 3 flight crew of four consisted of; Pilots Simon Ayling and Steve Lubberstedt, Trooper/Flight Paramedic James Harsh, and Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team Leader Chris Kunkle. The aircraft arrived at 11:50 PM and identified one vehicle in Bermudian Creek, approximately 350 yards downstream from where the vehicles reportedly left the roadway. The SUV was lodged in the swollen creek entangled by partially submerged trees and the operator had climbed out of the SUV onto a tree limb above the vehicle. Rescue boats were not able to access the distressed victim. Utilizing the aircraft rescue hoist, a basket was lowered to the victim, who climbed into the basket and was safely hoisted into the helicopter. The victim was treated for hypothermia by the flight crew and released to local Fire/Rescue for additional evaluation and treatment.

Trooper 3 was directed by rescue crews to the second vehicle with the victim reportedly clinging to the roof of the vehicle. The second vehicle was also located in the Bermudian Creek near the 1700 block of Braggtown Road approximately 250 yards downstream. Rescue boats had attempted to extricate the victim however the water current was too swift and their vessels became entangled in trees and brush prior to reaching her. Utilizing the aircraft rescue hoist, a basket was lowered to the victim, who climbed into the basket and was safely hoisted into the helicopter. The victim was treated for hypothermia by the flight crew and released to local Fire/Rescue for additional evaluation and treatment.

Trooper 3 completed five additional missions related to the severe weather event. Four of these incidents occurred in Frederick County, MD. One mission involved providing overhead lighting for a fire department rescue of a person in a submerged vehicle on Rt. 40 in Myersville. No aerial rescues needed to be performed in Frederick County by the crew of Trooper 3.