Too Much Skin Showing? Time To Create A Dress Code

Dress codes are legal and having one could help you avoid problems

It's an uncomfortable summertime moment that many small business owners face: A female staffer shows up for work in the shortest of shorts. Or a male staffer arrives wearing a tank top. And they work in full view of customers or clients.

Dress code problems aren't confined to the summer months. But they do tend to be more frequent than in colder months when everyone is covering up. Employers who don't like a lot of skin showing need to create a dress code, and do it now.

Chances are, most of your staffers do have a sense of how they should dress for work. But having a dress code will help you avoid problems or to resolve them easily.

Dress codes are legal Your staffer in a skimpy outfit may protest when you say that's inappropriate dress for work. But you have the law on your side.

Employers are allowed to require employees to wear certain kinds of clothes, and to ban other types from the workplace. Consider that uniforms are required in some jobs. And that some clothes can be forbidden because of safety issues.

But the boss is also allowed to determine what kind of atmosphere the company is trying to project, and to require employees to conform with it.

The law does require you to create a dress code that is, to use a legalism, gender-neutral. That means that you're telling both sexes to dress appropriately. And the law does require that you don't discriminate against someone's religious beliefs -- for example, by banning turbans or dreadlocks that are worn for religious reasons.

What kind of atmosphere do you want?

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Call For Tougher Laws After Toddler Left In Car

There are renewed calls to change a Virginia law after the death of two-year-old Ryan Murphy in Bristow, Virginia.

His mother told police she found her son unresponsive inside the family minivan at their home. Investigators said he may have been left in the family mini-van for nearly seven hours during the middle of the day. One group is pushing for a law that would make it illegal to leave a child alone in a car. "We have a slogan, zero seconds," said Becky Ball, spokeswoman for Harrison’s Hope. "We want all parents, caregivers and children to recognize it's zero seconds, never to leave a child unattended in or around a car. Not even for a second." The non-profit group educates caregivers and parents about the dangers of children being left alone in and around cars. Police said the death appears to be an accident. No charges have been filed in the case.

Source

American Indian Four Day Festival At Smithsonian

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian is holding a four-day festival to feature the music, dance, food and art of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on the National Mall. The festival runs Wednesday through Saturday. Each day begins with traditional dancing, followed by presentations by artisans and storytellers in the museum's atrium. Short films will be screened each day, featuring Choctaw code talkers of World War I and other stories. Activities for children will include grinding corn, weaving baskets, making clay pots and stringing beads for a necklace. Food demonstrations will be held Wednesday and Saturday. The museum's Mitsitam CafDe will feature items such as fried rabbit, braised venison and fried salt pork.

Medicare Says It Is Cracking Down On Fraud.

They plan to use technology similar to what credit card companies use to screen claims for fraud. The technology upgrade will help detect abuses, like a small clinic that suddenly starts billing more for a particular outpatient procedure. Medicare has awarded a contract worth up to $77 million to Northrop Grumman and a group of companies for the new system. It will begin operating July first.

Md. Studying Tax Revenue Lost To Internet Sales

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland officials are working on a study to find out just how much tax revenue the state is losing to Internet sales and what could be done to recapture the money.

In an April letter, Gov. Martin O'Malley asked Comptroller Peter Franchot to study the issue. The comptroller asked the Maryland Bureau of Revenue Estimates last month to prepare the study, which is expected to be done by the end of summer.

Franchot said he believes lawmakers are likely to take up the issue within the next year.

"It's a fair application of existing taxes," Franchot said. "It's a business fairness issue, and it's increasingly a revenue issue because of the greater use of the Internet."

Internet retailers are required to collect sales tax only when they sell to customers living in a state where they have a store or office. Franchot, a Democrat, said he has asked his staff to come up with an estimated tax bill for Internet retailer Amazon.com, which he said would add up to tens of millions of dollars if the company had a store in Maryland.

"The key point for Maryland is that the Internet industry is no longer in need of subsidies and tax protections and special treatment," Franchot said. "They've grown into behemoth companies that they currently are, and they have a responsibility to the states, I believe, that they do commerce in. Right now, they're avoiding it on a technicality, which is `we don't have a bricks and mortar company in Maryland.'"

O'Malley, a Democrat, noted in his letter that the state's Department of Legislative Services adapted a study by the University of Texas to estimate that Maryland loses more than $160 million each year from unpaid taxes related to Internet sales.

"I am concerned that the failure of any subset of retailers to collect and remit sales tax has a negative impact on Maryland's overall fiscal strength, including our ability to meet our priority investments such as public school construction or maintaining our Transportation Trust Fund," O'Malley wrote.

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Ehrlich Fundraiser Calls Henson Hire ‘Terrible Mistake’; Gov Goes Fishing And Other Briefs

Dick Hug, top fundraiser for ex-Gov. Bob Ehrlich for his last three campaigns, said hiring campaign consultant Julius Henson was “a terrible mistake” and he and Elaine Pevenstein, executive director of Ehrlich campaign office, argued against the hire. Henson and campaign chief Paul Schurick were indicted Thursday for deceptive Election Day robocalls telling black voters to stay home. Hug said Henson’s reputation for dirty tricks was well known, particularly his role in depicting Republican nominee Ellen Sauerbrey as a racist in her 1998 race for governor.

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What Exactly Is the War Powers Act And Is Obama Really Violating It?

President Obama is facing a swell of bipartisan criticism for continuing military engagement in Libya without congressional approval. Even supporters of the Libya intervention have complained that the administration is flouting the law.

So, is it?  

Well, the president is certainly sidestepping the controversial law known as the War Powers Act, but in doing so he’s following a well-worn path. 

The Vietnam-era law requires the president to seek approval from Congress after 60 days of military engagement. The law was passed in 1973 after the United States fought the Korean and Vietnam wars without actual declarations of war. But it’s always been controversial. (President Nixon actually vetoed the law, but Congress overrode him.)

According to a 2004 Congressional Research Service report, “every President since the enactment of the War Powers Resolution has taken the position that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the President’s authority as Commander-in-Chief.”

President Obama, in defending the legitimacy of the Libyan operation, hasn’t actually made that argument. On Wednesday, he submitted a report to Congress arguing that his administration isn’t in violation of the act at all, despite the fact that the 60-day deadline for congressional approval of Libya operations came and went in May.  

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Wouldn't It Be Nice

Many of us have come to view traffic cops as little better than armed tax collectors deployed to fleece motorists for the benefit of state/local government.

Fixing the system – and restoring a mutually respectful relationship between the average citizen and police will require a change in attitudes and a shift in enforcement that focuses on identifying bad/dangerous drivers and getting them off the road – and leaving everyone else alone.

Some steps in the right direction would include:

Take the profit motive out of traffic enforcement

All funds raised via traffic fines should go to some third party purpose such as a charity – and not to fund the operations of state/local government or (much worse) the cops themselves. This would remove the financial incentive to use police as tax collectors. And it would eliminate one of the main reasons for public cynicism and contempt for traffic enforcement.

Set reasonable traffic laws

No more arbitrary or artificially low speed limits. Speed limits should be set by highway safety engineers, not government bureaucrats, and in accordance with the 85th percentile rule. That means doing a traffic survey – noting what the natural flow of traffic is on any given stretch of road – and setting the limit about 10-15 MPH higher than the average. Right now, most roads have limits that comport with the “slow average” speed of traffic – in effect, turning almost every driver on the road into a lawbreaking “speeder” subject to a ticket. It’s an outrage and worse, a ridiculous outrage. Excepting Prohibition back in the 1920s, few laws have ever been so casually, so routinely, ignored by a majority of citizens – who are otherwise law-abiding and reasonable people. Either they somehow morph into unreasonable people when they get behind the wheel, or the laws about speeding are themselves unreasonable – and absurd.

Speed limits should be just that – maximum safe limits. Not routine/average traveling speeds. If speed limits were set appropriately, most drivers would not be “speeding.” Which is probably why current speed limits are set they way they are. It maximizes the pool of potential victims.

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IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast, Warns Of Crisis

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for U.S. economic growth on Friday and warned Washington and debt-ridden European countries that they are "playing with fire" unless they take immediate steps to reduce their budget deficits.

The IMF, in its regular assessment of global economic prospects, said bigger threats to growth had emerged since its previous report in April, citing the euro zone debt crisis and signs of overheating in emerging market economies.

The Washington-based global lender forecast that U.S. gross domestic product would grow a tepid 2.5 percent this year and 2.7 percent in 2012. In its forecast just two months ago, it had expected 2.8 percent and 2.9 percent growth, respectively.

With regard to the global economy overall, the IMF struck a measured tone, saying the slowdown of recent months should be "temporary." It trimmed its forecast for global growth this year only slightly, to 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent, and maintained its estimate for robust Chinese growth of 9.6 percent despite recent signs of a slowdown there.

Yet that relatively benign global outlook could quickly fall apart if politicians in the United States and Europe do not start showing more leadership in addressing their countries' debt problems, the fund warned.

"You cannot afford to have a world economy where these important decisions are postponed, because you're really playing with fire," said Jose Vinals, director of the IMF's monetary and capital markets department.

"We have now entered very clearly into a new phase of the (global) crisis, which is, I would say, the political phase of the crisis," he said in an interview in Sao Paulo, where the updates to the IMF's World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report were published.

In the United States, the political problems include a fight over raising the legal ceiling on the nation's debt. A first-ever U.S. default would roil markets, and Fitch Ratings said even a "technical" default would jeopardize the country's AAA rating.

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Another Presidential Ticket

Rumor has it that Anthony Weiner is going to run for President.   He has chosen Attorney General Holder as his running mate.   Get your Weiner-Holder bumper stickers early, before they are all gone.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Landlord?

Investing in a rental house can single-handedly secure money for a college or retirement, but do you have what it takes to be a landlord?

Success in real estate investing and life is all about point of view. Investing in a rental home will require you to adopt the effort as a small business to succeed.

Too many people who decide to buy an investment property take the approach that real estate is a way to turn a quick dollar. If you look at the investment property as a long-term endeavor, there is a very rewarding financial gain. You need to invest not only money, but also time and energy.

The upside of the housing market drop is the creation of a more affordable segment of homes. Couple that with today’s insanely low interest rates, and you’ve got a recipe for success in making the move to be a landlord. Not to mention the increased demand for rentals.

There is a good, free online resource to analyze potential investments at www.ownamerica.com. Supply purchase details, annual rents and operating expenses, and the calculator will provide investor equity, cash flow and rate of return.

If you are considering becoming a landlord, or already have rental property, here are a few tips: z Treat tenants as clients. They provide the return on your investment. z Minimize vacant days; always keep an urgency to refill a vacancy. Don’t use the current economy as an excuse to let the property sit vacant for more than a week. z Work to get rent in an automatic way, such as automatic debit. This will save time, money and headaches on the collection side and is well worth any fee or setup investment. z If you do not have the time to oversee crucial elements such as rent collections, maintenance or selecting tenants, consider hiring a property management company.

from Lisa Bunting @ Ocean City Today

Sex Offender Unit Searching For Seaford Man

Location: Seaford, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday, June 17, 2011

Suspect:

-Brandon P. Eskridge, 32, Seaford, DE

-6’01” tall, 190 lbs, black hair, brown eyes

Charges:

-Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender with Three Days of Changing Address

-Attempted Burglary 3^rd Degree

-Theft

Criminal Mischief (2 counts)

Resume:  

Seaford- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit is currently looking for a Seaford man after he failed to re-register as a sex offender.

Troopers obtained a warrant for Brandon Eskridge, a registered sex offender, on Friday, June 17, after he failed to notify them of a change of address within three days, which he is required to do by law.

State Police burglary detectives are also looking for Eskridge, after he was identified as a suspect in the attempted burglary of the Combined Commercial Enterprise located in the 30000 block of Sussex Highway in Laurel, DE on Tuesday, June 14. In the incident Eskridge entered onto the business property and proceeded to cut the lock off of a shed on the property and then entered it. He, however, did not remove anything from the shed. He then entered a van and a horse trailer on the property and removed coils of copper wire valued at over $1500.00 before fleeing. Brandon Eskridge has ties to the Seaford and Laurel, Delaware areas.

Detectives are asking anyone who may know the location of Brandon Eskridge to contact the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit at 302-943-1560 or Troop 4 burglary detectives at 302-856-5850. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

Pictures Do Not Lie

Last night we went to WalMart to get a few items. Like any normal shopper, when it was time to check out we went from lane to lane looking for the shorter line. As we did so, the checkout lines were just loaded with the Sunday edition of the Daily Times, LOTS of them.

Mind you, I'm talking about 7:30 PM, Sunday evening. While Salisbury News grows, so do the stacks on unsold newspapers. The truth hurts.

Today's Survey Question

Is Rep. Anthony Weiner doing the right thing by resigning?

Agenda - Sussex County Council

SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
A G E N D A
JUNE 21, 2011
10:00 A.M.

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Reading of Correspondence

Delaware Technical & Community College – Gala Keepsake Presentation

David Baker, County Administrator
1. Board Appointments
2. Board of Adjustment - Application Fee
3. Request for Time Extension – W. Edward Metz – Conditional Use No. 1681
4. Fiscal 2011 Funding Requests
5. Administrator’s Report

Susan M. Webb, Finance Director
1. Fund Balance Policy
2. Insurance Renewal Recommendations

Karen Brewington, Personnel Director
1. Medical Insurance Savings Proposal

Old Business

Conditional Use No. 1862
Nanticoke Shores Associates, LLC

Michael Izzo, County Engineer
1. Millville Sanitary Sewer District – Northwest Expansion, Contract 11-02

A. Bid Award

Juel Gibbons, Project Engineer
1. Fine Bar Screen for the Wolfe Neck Regional Wastewater Facility
A. Bid Award

Grant Requests
1. The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra for operating expenses.

2. West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program for a computer lab to enhance their summer enrichment program.

3. Millsboro Hut for operating expenses.

Introduction of Proposed Zoning Ordinances

Any Additional Business Brought Before Council

Executive Session – Job Applicants′ Qualifications, Personnel, Pending/Potential Litigation, and Land Acquisition pursuant to 29 Del. C. §10004(b)

Possible Action on Executive Session Items

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY LAUNCHES “CYCLE MARYLAND”

Promotes a new interactive initiative encouraging Marylanders to enjoy the benefits of biking

KENT ISLAND, MD (June 18, 2011) –Governor O’Malley today, joined by Queen Anne’s County Commission President Steven J. Arentz, Bike Maryland Executive Director Carol Silldorff, members of Maryland’s cycling community, and others, officially kicked-off the “Cycle Maryland” initiative at the Chesapeake Exploration Center in Chester.

“I am pleased to announce a new interactive initiative to encourage Marylanders to enjoy cycling,” said Governor O’Malley. “By getting out and taking a bike ride, we can learn to enjoy more of Maryland’s natural treasures, help reduce the impact on the land, improve our fitness and well-being, and enhance our quality of life.”

Before biking along the Cross Island Trail, the Governor also announced a new interactive map that allows users to view the many bike trails and routes in Maryland and plan their cycling trips. Cyclists now have one central location to find places to bike using the various layers of the map, including the BLOC rating feature (Bike Level of Comfort) on state-owned roadways, points of interest, and information on the Maryland Trails Plan.  Additionally, there will be an online survey of Maryland's biking community to improve upon the existing map to make it more user-friendly for cyclists.

“The selected events for ‘Cycle Maryland’ showcase Maryland’s cycling diversity,” says Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. “From family-friendly recreational rides on newly opened rail trails to highly competitive long-distance road races, these routes take visitors on an up-close and personal journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in Maryland.”

Bike Maryland Executive Director Carol Silldorff joined the Governor in supporting biking in Maryland. 

“We promote bicycling because planning and public health research all indicate that the best places to bike are the best places to live,” said Silldorff. “We know that bike friendly places allow people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds to enjoy healthy recreational opportunities and to travel via bicycle to and from destinations in their communities.”

All Marylanders are encouraged to attend other “Cycle Maryland” events now through October 9, 2011. At today’s event, the Governor announced a contest sponsored by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland State Highway Administration that invites participants to post pictures of themselves at events on Facebook to be eligible for a $250 VISA gift card. Prize winners will be randomly drawn from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified on or about October 31.

Agenda - Somerset Board of County Commissioners

AGENDA

JUNE 21, 2011

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY

Correspondence: Received:

MD. Dept. of Planning, State Clearinghouse re: CDBG-Rehab. of City Dock-Crisfield

MD. Dept. of Planning, State Clearinghouse re: CDBG-Repaving Project-Pr.Anne

MD. Dept. of Planning, State Clearinghouse re: CDBG-Wind Turbine – Crisfield

MD. Dept. of the Environment re: Notice of Applications Received for State Permits

MD. Dept. of Assessments/Taxation re: Local County Cost Sharing

MD. Dept. of Agriculture re: Cooperative Agreement – Eradication of Noxious Weeds

MD. Board of Public Works re: Supplementary Appropr. for School Constr. Projects Comcast re: Subscription Changes

Sent:

Ms. Irene M. Padilla, MD. Dept. of Education re: Letter of Support – New Library

Mr. James Ward re: Official Levy – Fiscal Year 2012

Mr. Charles L. Muir re: Official Levy – Fiscal Year 2012

Mr. Gary Pusey re: Waiver of Fees – St. Johns Family Worship Center

Appointments:

2:00 p.m. - Jacob Frego (Eastern Shore Area Health Edu. Ctr.) – Board Appointment

2:30 p.m. - Bid Award – Recycling Containers

3:00 p.m. - Public Hearing – Electrical Code Amendment

3:15 p.m. - Public Hearing – Forest Conservation Ordinance Amendment

Discussion Items:

1. Signature – Assurance of Compliance – Commission on Aging

2. Workforce Investment Board – Two Vacancie

Vehicle Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

Location: Captains Grant Community off of Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday, June 17, 2011 at 7:05 p.m.

Defendant: Kevin D. Handy, 48, Millsboro, DE

Charges:

-Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Cocaine)

-Maintaining a Vehicle for Keeping Drugs

-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

-Driving While Suspended or Revoked

-No Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance

-No registration Card in Possession

Resume:  

Millsboro- A 48 year old man has been arrested on drug charges following a vehicle stop in Millsboro yesterday evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:05 p.m. yesterday as a Delaware State Trooper on routine patrol on Oak Orchard Road in Millsboro observed a Ford Taurus with a partially covered registration plate traveling in front of him. The trooper pulled alongside the Taurus and observed that Kevin. D. Handy, 48, was the operator of the vehicle. The trooper recognized Handy as being a subject he had dealt with on prior occasions and knew that he was not in possession of a valid driver’s license. The trooper conducted a traffic stop of the Taurus and made contact with Handy. Upon speaking with Handy, the trooper observed that he was acting in a nervous manner. As Handy began to search for the paperwork for his vehicle, the trooper observed a plastic baggie with the end tied in the center console of the car and realized that this is a common way for drugs to be packaged for sale. Kevin Handy was asked to exit the vehicle at which time a second plastic baggie containing 3.1 grams of cocaine was located in his pants pocket. The trooper also found a plastic straw used to snort cocaine in his pocket as well as a box of plastic bags used to package cocaine in the car. The plastic baggie which had been spotted in the center console of the car also contained cocaine residue.

Kevin Handy was arrested for the above list of crimes. He was then arraigned at JP Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution for lack of $22,000.00 secured bail.

Agenda - Worcester County Commissioners

AGENDA
WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

June 21, 2011

9:00 AM - Meet in Commissioners’ Conference Room - Room 1103 Government Center, One

West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland - Vote to Meet In Closed Session

9:01 - Closed Session: Discussion regarding filling critical vacant positions including four Communication Clerk Trainees, one Scale Operator in the Solid Waste Division of Public Works, other critical vacancies in Public Works; and a Deputy Sheriff Trainee; considering appointments to various County Boards and Commissions; considering acquisition of real property for public purposes; receiving legal advice from Counsel and performing administrative functions

10:00 - Call to Order, Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance
10:01 - Report on Closed Session; Review and Approval of Minutes
10:10 - Chief Administrative Officer: Administrative Matters
10:40 - P. Pelstring - National Wind, LLC: Proposed Wind Farm Feasibility Study - Central Landfill
11:00 - Legislative Session: Introduction of Bills
12:00 - Questions from the Press
Lunch
1:30 PM - Closed Session: Conduct Interviews of Board of Education Candidates to fill District 2 Vacancy
2:30 - Chief Administrative Officer: Administrative Matters (continued - see above)

WalMart Fresh Fruit?

If you think these are just ordinary oranges , well, I'd suggest you click on the images and see all of the MOLD on each of them. It's enough to make anyone sick! We found these Sunday night while shopping for FRESH fruits and veggies.

Agenda - Wicomico County Council Meeting

COUNTY COUNCIL OF WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND

Room 301, Government Office Building, Salisbury, Maryland

LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2011-13

June 21, 2011 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. Gail M. Bartkovich, President

Call meeting to order

Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

10:03 a.m. Proclamation:

Robert Gladden-Elections

10:05 a.m. Approval of Minutes of June 7, 2011 and June 14, 2011

10:05 a.m. Matthew E. Creamer: Council Administrator:

1. Resolution 78-2011-Confirming the appointment of Richard M. Duvall to the Board of Library Trustees

2. Resolution 79-2011-Confirming the appointment of Richard Keenan to the Board of Library Trustees

3. Resolution 80-2011-Confirming the appointment of James Otway to the Board of Library Trustees

4. Resolution 81-2011-Approve the FY 2012 Intergovernmental agreement with the Wicomico County Department of Social Services for Child Support and Work Opportunities Positions-Matt Maize and Pam Herndon, Social Services

5. Resolution 82-2011-Making a supplemental appropriation from Capital Contingency to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Dollars ($134,000)-Gary Mackes, Director of Recreation, Parks and Tourism

6. Resolution 83-2011-Making a supplemental appropriation from Contingency to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000)-Gary Mackes, Director of Recreation, Parks and Tourism

7. Resolution 84-2011-Accepting the Fuel Audit-Steve Roser, Internal Auditor

10:35 a.m. Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:

10:36 a.m. Public Comments-Please limit all public comments to five minutes or less; any presented material may be submitted to Council members-Please include eight copies

10:40 a.m. Council Comments

10:45 a.m. Council President’s Comments

10:50 a.m. Open Work Session:

Housing Authority

11:30 a.m. Open Work Session:

FY2012 Audit Plan-Internal Auditor

12:00 p.m. LUNCH

12:30 p.m. Open Work Session:

Critical Area Legislation-Jack Lenox, Frank McKenzie, Jimmy Sharp

Possible Lost Dog

Good morning Mr. Albero.

There appears to be a lost dog on Morris Leonard RD, Parsonsburg, MD.  It is a small gray dog which looks like a Pomeranian.  This dog spent June 9^th under my patio furniture, which was a very hot day.  I tried to approach the dog but he/she would not let me near her.  The poor thing did eat the food I left out and drank the water.  Yesterday I saw him/her near Walston Switch RD in a neighbor’s yard and today he/she was on the other side of Walston Switch RD, still on Morris Leonard RD in another neighbor’s yard.  Hopefully, you can post this on your webpage and the dog will be reunited with his/her owner.  Thank you for your help.

Recycling in Salisbury

We’re constantly told that we need to recycle. Mr. Trader is always getting up at the Salisbury City Council meetings and discussing it. One of the ladies from my church is on the city’s re-cycling committee and has even gotten me to give it a go (my current cartage vendor actually offers re-cycling).

This is why I was saddened by an email from one of our readers. She enclosed some photos of the re-cycling station at the north Wal-Mart:

To be fair, I don’t know when the city picks up from these stations. I also don’t know what is “normal” for this site. However, if this is a regular occurrence it makes it a little difficult for people to do what their local government is asking of them.

Agenda – Ocean City Council

AGENDA

MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011 – 6:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PRAYER AND PLEDGE

3. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER ON UPCOMING WORK SESSION

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Work Session – dated May 31 2011
B. Regular Session #11 – dated June 6, 2011

5. ITEMS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

6. PRIVATE EVENT PERMIT REQUESTS

A. 78th Army Band Celebrating America Tour – Saturday, July 9, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator
B. Dreams Studio of Dance Show Troupe – July 2 –3, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Tara Anderson
C. OC Cruzers Car Show and Music – June 26, July 10, August 21 and September 25, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Ray Schmidt, President OC Cruzers and Glen Irwin, OCDC
D. Maryland Combined Public Safety Pipes and Drums Memorial Service – Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Roger Steger, OCFD
E. “Plein-Aire” Artists Paint Ocean City – July 16 – 17, 2011
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator and Paige Ruby, Ocean City Art League and Glenn Irwin, OCDC
F. Amendment to Dew Tour Private Event Application
Presented by: Lisa Mitchell, Private Events Coordinator Chris Pryvylo, Dew Tour

7. PUBLIC HEARINGS

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Discussion of Ayres Creek Kayak Project
Presented by: Dave Wilson, Maryland Coastal Bays
B. Discussion of Golf Marketing Plan
Presented by: Council Member Brent Ashley

9. NEW BUSINESS
Proposal for Aerial Tram Ride Adjacent to the Boardwalk
Presented by: Trey Winstead, Skyline Ocean City and David Bambrick, G S Proctor & Assoc.

10. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

11. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CITY ORGANIZATIONS

12. ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE CITY SOLICITOR

A. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-18 – FY 2012 Budget
B. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-19 Declaring Certain Personal Property as Surplus Property No Longer Needed for Public Use and Authorize its Sale
C. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-20 to Amend Chapter 102 – Entitled Vehicles for Hire (Allows interior advertising in taxis)
D. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-21 to Amend Chapter 58 Entitled Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions (allow private property owners to sign up for trespassing enforcement)
E. Second Reading – Ordinance 2011-22 Authorizing Additional Parking Spaces (increases paid parking on Philadelphia Avenue from S. Division to N. Division)
F. First Reading – Ordinance to Amend Chapter 62 Entitled Peddlers and Solicitors (eliminates N. Division Street as a performance area)

13. ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

A. Upcoming Bid Opening Boardwalk Renovation Phase I
B. Recommendation of Bid Award for Transfer Station Concrete Floor Repairs

14. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS – 5 MINUTE TIME LIMIT

15. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

States Look to Internet Taxes to Close Budget Gaps

State governments across the country are laying off teachers, closing public libraries and parks, and reducing health care services, but there is one place they could get $23 billion a year if they could only agree how to do it: Internet retailers such as Amazon.com.

That's enough to pay for the salaries of more than 46,000 teachers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In California, the amount of uncollected taxes from Amazon sales alone is roughly the same amount cut from child welfare services in the current state budget.

But collecting those taxes from major online retailers is difficult.

READ MORE …

NBC Apologizes for Omitting "Under God" from Pledge of Allegiance

NBC issued an on-air apology Sunday for omitting the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance during its coverage of golf's U.S. Open.

The words were edited out of a clip of children reciting the oath -- a move immediately noted by viewers, who took to Twitter and various blogs to voice their anger, the Huffington Post reported.

In a statement during the broadcast, NBC commentator Dan Hicks said, "We began our coverage of this final round just about three hours ago and when we did it was our intent to begin the coverage of this U.S. Open Championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being held in our nation's capital for the third time.

"Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone and we'd like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it."

The words "under God" were not in the original pledge from 1892 and were not added until 1954.

While this was going on, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy romped to an eight-shot win to claim his first major title with a record-low 72-hole score of 16-under par at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

from FOXNews

Chef Walks Through TSA Security With Bag of Knives

Another day, another example of the ineptitude of the TSA screeners at American airports. The latest news comes from an award-winning Chicago chef who says that while the screeners were busy worrying about the contents of his pockets, they completely missed an arsenal of knives in his carry-on.

A few days ago James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Kahan wrote the following on his Twitter account:

“Flew outa ohare today. Forgot I had four huge chefs knives in carry on bag. Got patted down for wallet. Knives went through. ”

That's right, travelers of the skies, the TSA will detain you while they inspect your contact lens solution, but feel free to just carry those huge, deadly knives onto the plane.

Chicago Chef Paul Kahan Slips Chef Knives Through TSA Security [Jaunted.com]

from Chris Morran @ The Consumerist

Remains Found in Chesapeake Bay

A boater discovered decomposed remains in the Chesapeake Bay south of the Bay Bridge in Anne Arundel County shortly before noon on Sunday, Maryland Natural Resources Police said.

The remains were sent to the Chief Medical Examiner's office in Baltimore for an autopsy, police said. Because of the decomposition of the body, the age, gender and race of the victim could not be determined, officials said.

After the boater reported the discovery, the NRP and the Coast Guard responded to the area. The Coast Guard located the remains and turned them over to the NRP, whose Special Operations Division is investigating the incident.

from Jean Marbella @ the Baltimore Sun

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Intoxicated Subject

Date of Incident: 15 June 2011

Location: Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Norris J. Ennis, 44, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 15 June 2011 at 8:09 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded to the area of Snow Hill Road and Olde Fruitland Road for a reported subject in the roadway. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered Norris Ennis stumbling in the roadway while having trouble maintaining his balance. Ennis, who was extremely intoxicated, stated he was out running on Snow Hill

Road in an attempt to sober up.

Due to the condition of Ennis and the danger he put himself in, the deputy placed him under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit in Salisbury where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Ennis in the Detention Center in lieu of $2,500.00 bond.

Charges: Intoxicated Endangerment

Date: 16 June 2011

*******************************************

Incident: Possession of CDS

Date of Incident: 15 June 2011

Location: Rt. 50 at Booth Street, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Beau A. McDonald, 20, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 15 June 2011 at 8:48 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the encounter, the deputy had reason to suspect that the operator, Beau McDonald may have been involved in illicit CDS related activity. Upon a search of the vehicle, the deputy located two baggies inside a book bag that contained what the deputy recognized as marijuana. Further search revealed a baggie of cocaine hidden in McDonald’s crotch.

The deputy placed McDonald under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released McDonald on personal recognizance.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Cocaine

Date: 16 June 2011

Worcester Liquor Control Board Employee Sentenced

A former employee of the Worcester County Liquor Control Board was sentenced last week to 18 months in jail for stealing from one of the board’s Liquor Marts.

Crystal Dawn Dennis, 26, of Chesapeake, Va., worked at the Liquor Mart on 18th Street in Ocean City in 2010. During the month of April 2010, Dennis closed the store at the end of the day. Deposit slips written out in her handwriting were filed with the store’s paperwork, but the deposits never made it to the bank.

According to a court document, Brian Sturgeon, executive director of the Liquor Control Board, said that on April 3, there was a deposit slip for $962.56 and another one for $272.62, but the deposits were not made into the bank. On April 8, there was a deposit slip for $400.83, but no deposit was made into the bank.

When Sturgeon confronted Dennis, she came up with different excuses about why the money was not deposited in the bank.

In Circuit Court in Snow Hill on June 7, Dennis entered an Alford plea to being involved in a theft scheme. An Alford plea means the defendant concedes the state has sufficient evidence for a conviction, but maintains their innocence. It is regarded as a guilty plea.

Dennis was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with all but one month suspended. After her release from jail, she will be on supervised probation for three years, must pay a $500 fine and perform 40 hours of community service. She must also make restitution of $2,307.66 to the new Worcester County Department of Liquor Control.

from Nancy Powell @ Ocean City Today

Delaware Lawmakers Reject Speed Cameras

Speed cameras will not be coming to a school zone near you, thanks to the defeat Wednesday night of legislation that would have authorized the cameras in Wilmington and Dover in a two-year pilot program.

The bill, sponsored by Wilmington Rep. Gerald Brady, would have allowed the cities' governments to authorize up to five such cameras in school zones. The system would run much like the current red-light cameras: The owner of a speeding vehicle would receive a civil assessment in the mail.

Drivers would have to exceed the speed limit by 11 mph to receive a ticket, which would have carried a $75 civil penalty if paid within 20 days. Tickets paid after 20 days would have carried a $100 penalty.

READ MORE …

Worcester County Offers Smoking Cessation Classes

The Worcester County Health Department will offer free smoking cessation group classes throughout the county beginning in July.

The classes will be held:

• Noon-1 p.m., Tuesdays, July 5 – Sept. 20, at Atlantic General Hospital, 9730 Healthway Drive.

• 5-6 p.m., Tuesdays, July 5 – Sept. 20, at Berlin Health Center, 9733 Healthway Drive.

• 5-6 p.m., Thursdays, July 7 – Sept. 22, at Snow Hill Health Department, 6040 Public Landing Road.

The program kicks off with a “Motivation to Quit” class on the first day of each class listed above. People can register at this session or by calling the Worcester County Health Department at 410-632-1100 ext. 4.

Professionally trained instructors teach a step-by-step method for changing behavior and quitting smoking. Each individual learns how to develop a customized plan for quitting.

The program consists of seven sessions covering topics such as stress management, weight control, assertive communication, how to develop a quit plan, relapse prevention and physical activity. A registered dietitian teaches participants how to reduce weight gain when quitting smoking.

Vouchers are available for participants who would like to add nicotine replacement therapy to their behavioral change efforts. Nicotine replacement therapies covered by the voucher program include the patch, gum, and lozenge. Vouchers are also available to help offset the cost of Chantix for individuals meeting specific program requirements.

For more information of the program, please call the health department at 410-632-1100 ext. 4.

Make Your Own Frappuccino

If you've ever tried to come up with your own version of the Starbucks Frappuccino at home, you may have run into this problem. It separates. That lovely smooth texture and consistency you enjoy at the Sbux emporium just seems unobtainable on your own. But it turns out the secret is a simple and cheap ingredient you can find next to the flour in the supermarket: xanthan gum!

Squawkfox figured it out just by asking her local barista what the magic ingredient was. Well that was easy! Pectin works too. She also came up with her own tasty recipe for whipping up a frapp in your kitchen that she swears tastes just like the real thing, but instead of paying nearly $4, each "tall" only sets you back $.32.

And for another variation on this DIY cool treat, here's how to make your own frappuccino on a stick.

Make a Starbucks Frappuccino for a fraction of the cost [Squawkfox]

from Ben Popken @ The Consumerist

Pawlenty Calls Romney a “Co-Conspirator” on ObamaCare

In his speech at the Minneapolis Right Online conference Saturday afternoon, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty again took a sharp jab at primary rival Mitt Romney.

“If we’re going to have political charges against Barack Obama about health care reform, we better do it with somebody that is not a co-conspirator leading the charge,” he said — a line Pawlenty also used on Fox News Thursday night.

Pawlenty seemed in overdrive, walking the stage to give a fast-paced speech without notes. His plane was late, so he arrived on stage 10 minutes behind schedule straight from the airport. His speech was short -- about fifteen minutes -- without many pauses for applause.

READ MORE …

Berlin, Maryland Coastal Bays Partner for Hudson Branch Restoration Project

Hudson Branch in Berlin has been ranked, “the worst stream in the Coastal Bays watershed,” by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, so the environmental nonprofit and the town of Berlin are partnering to use a $129,000 state grant to clean it.

During its meeting Monday, the Town Council approved a motion for the town to pay the bills for a project to clean and regulate the stream by administering a grant awarded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. Roman Jesien, science coordinator for the environmental nonprofit, called it “the stream that needs the most attention in the Coastal Bays region.”

Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said for decades residents in the region have used the stream leading into the Newport Bay as a dumping area, where tons of garbage has been recovered by cleanup events, such as Take Pride in Berlin.

“We can start getting people to think of this as a beautiful stream that is part of the neighborhood,” Williams said.

Jesien said the project is designed around a network of sand matrixes, which would include a pond in the Hudson Branch section near Henry Park. The sand and gravel basins would keep the flow of the stream moving slowly and would absorb the nitrogen and other nutrients to create makeshift wetlands, according to Jesien.

READ MORE …

Oyster Farming Off to Slow Start in Maryland

The dock built to hold water-filled tanks of baby oysters stands empty. The new marina for landing fully grown bivalves is being used for now by some crabbers.

Encouraged by a new state policy to boost private oyster farming, Jay Robinson and Ryan Bergey applied last fall to lease upward of 1,000 acres in Fishing Bay in southern Dorchester County. They planned to "plant" 100 million hatchery-spawned oysters on the bottom there this year and raise them for sale to restaurants and seafood wholesalers.
Nine months later, Robinson and Bergey are still waiting for the green light to launch their aquaculture business, named the Waterman's Trust.
"We still hope to be able to salvage this season," Robinson says. But he says with only three months left, their aim now is to get maybe a third of the oysters planted this year that they had wanted to.
READ MORE …

Obama's Virginia Volunteers Gearing Up for 2012

In a colorless union hall along a gritty stretch of South Richmond, a collection of eager volunteers stood from their metal folding chairs one at a time to explain why they had come.

An investment banker didn't have time to get involved in Barack Obama's presidential campaign three years ago. One young woman lived abroad in 2008 and remembers Obama campaign signs in shop windows. Another received government aid during a hard time and wants to "give back" to her country.

The collection of new voters, college students, civil-rights-era fighters, and suburbanites had assembled to re-elect Obama in Virginia.

The group of 50-some summer fellows recently trained for two days in a hall tucked off of Belt Boulevard. They will spend the summer fanned across the state dusting off the campaign network that propelled Obamain 2008 to capture the state's electoral votes for a Democrat for the first time in 44 years.

READ MORE …

RUN, Rick, RUN!

Texas Gov. Rick Perry offered no hints about his presidential plans during a speech here Saturday, but he did lay out much of what would be a very conservative platform for a potential run.

Speaking at the Republican Leadership Conference, Perry offered a strikingly different message from previous speakers, telling conservatives in the audience not to settle for anything less than unapologetic conservatism — particularly on the issue of abortion.

“It saddens me when sometimes my fellow Republicans duck and cover in the face of pressure from the left,” he said, adding: “Our party cannot be all things to all people. It can’t be. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us, so let’s stop trying to curry favor with them.”

Previously, speakers including Mississippi governor Haley Barbour made impassioned calls for voters to be pragmatic and accept Republican candidates whom they may not agree with on 100 percent of issues.

Perry, though, has made a name for himself in recent years by firing up the base, as when he defeated the less-conservative Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) in his reelection primary last year.

READ MORE ...

Hotel Openly Advertises for Fake Reviews on TripAdvisor

It's no secret that hotels put bogus user reviews of themselves on sites like TripAdvisor, but usually they're more discreet than this.TripAdvisor Watch found an example of an owner of several hotels in Hanoi posting on freelancer.com under his real name asking "if anyone can teach me the way to write reviews on this forum in which my reviews can not be found as fake and be removed."

The posting generated a bevy of bids for the project, many from people who said they had been paid to post fake online reviews in the past.

Always read user reviews with a grain a salt and look for overall themes reflected in comments across several different sites. User reviews are just one data set you use when making a purchasing decision.

In other news, if you're looking to earn some extra cash...

Earn Money Writing TripAdvisor Reviews [TripAdvisorWatch]

from Ben Popken @ The Consumerist

Couple Displaced When SUV Crashes Through Home

Two rural Worcester County residents received a rude awakening last Wednesday night, when an allegedly drunk woman drove her sport utility vehicle into their house.

The collision was so violent that it knocked the house, on Old Ocean City Road between Berlin and Whaleyville, off its foundation, according to Maryland State Police. The damage to the home was so severe that a building inspector determined the house unsafe, and its residents were temporarily relocated to an RV on the property until more permanent arrangements can be made.

Connie Rhode and her husband were jolted awake when the SUV struck the house.

READ MORE …

Bachmann “Glittered” at Bloggers’ Conference

A gay rights activist threw glitter at Rep. Michele Bachmann Saturday as the congresswoman was leaving Right Online, the conservative blogger's conference taking place in Minneapolis this weekend.

The Minnesota representative kept on walking and waving at the crowd after she wrapped up her speech to the group, and barely flinched as she was doused by the "rainbow" flecks of plastic.

The activist, identified by the Minnesota Star Tribune as Rachel E.B. Lang, later told conservative blogger Ed Frank that she did it to bring light to Bachmann's support of an anti-gay marriage initiative in the state.

"She can run but she can't hide from her record of support for anti-gay extremists. So today, I welcome her into the glitter hall of fame," Lang told the blogger.

Bachmann becomes the third Republican presidential candidate to get the glitter treatment. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both had glitter tossed at them during recent book signings.

Lang called the attack "a really good-natured, light-hearted way to bring attention to an important issue, which is gay rights."

But taken to task over whether throwing objects -- even tiny, light-reflective ones -- accomplishes anything, Lang said, "Everyone has to choose their own way to get your message across and as long as you're not hurting anyone it's all legitimate."

from FOXNews

21 Year Old Miss California Crowned Miss USA

A 21-year-old auburn-haired California girl won the Miss USA crown on Sunday night and will represent the nation in this year's Miss Universe pageant in September in Brazil.

Alyssa Campanella of Los Angeles topped a field of 51 beauty queens to take the title at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. She strutted across the stage in a blue bikini with white polka dots and a dark turquoise evening gown with beading on its top.

READ MORE …

Iconic Marilyn Monroe Dress Sells for $5.6 Million

We knew we should've been saving our pennies up all these years, and now it's too late: Marilyn Monroe's iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch has sold at auction for $5.6 million.

Beyond that "subway" dress that flew up so perfectly for Marilyn, $2.7 million was shelled out for three of her other movie outfits. All these goodies were sold off by Debbie Reynolds, an actress herself, who's been amassing quite the Hollywood collection over the last 50 years, reports CNN.

Reynolds was reportedly in tears when, after 20 minutes of drama, which ended in the sale price of $4.6 million. Another cool million goes to the auction company. The mystery bidder relayed bids over the phone, in a super secret move straight from a movie.

It could be a sign of an economic upswing that collectors are willing to throw that kind of cash on the table, or perhaps just an indicator that Hollywood memorabilia of such legend will always be worth hefty amounts of dough.

Collector Keya Morgan, who is writing a book on Monroe, told CNN Saturday's bids were "totally crazy, especially in this recession," adding that bidding on the dress was "totally magical."

Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress sells for $5.6 million at auction [CNN]

from M. B. Quirk @ The Consumerist

Contractor Selected to Complete Skate Park Renovations

Ocean City officials have selected a company to complete the renovations at the Ocean Bowl skate park in preparation for the upcoming Dew Tour in July.

The vertical ramp has already been torn down and rebuilt, and it opened for skaters on Memorial Day. The bowl section of the Third Street park also needs major upgrades, but that work was more involved than what the one-man contractor who completed the ramp work could handle on his own.

Last week, the City Council instructed City Engineer Terry McGean to bypass the usual lengthy bidding process for the project and instead contact specialized skate park concrete contractors directly. During Tuesday’s meeting, McGean shared the results of those bids.

READ MORE …

Will Smaller Stores Shore Up Sagging Sales at Wal-Mart?

Continuing its trend of opening more smallish Walmart Express stores and hoping to buck a two-year-long sales slump, Walmart confirmed plans to go crazy building its Mini-Mes. The company, which already has opened 185 of the stores, hopes to add as many as 100 more by January.

MSN calls Walmart Express the company's answer to dollar stores that have managed to pry frugal customers out of its aisles during the economic downturn. The stores offer basic groceries, a pharmacy, gas and check cashing.

If you've shopped at a Walmart Express, what do you think about the concept? And where do you do most of your grocery shopping these days?

Wal-Mart downsizes its stores [MSN]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist