Los Angeles Dodgers file for bankruptcy protection.
From Fox News
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, June 27, 2011
Two Boaters Drown in Weekend Accidents
Two people died over the weekend as a result of separate boating accidents in Cecil County waters.
The deaths, one on Friday in Chesapeake City and one on Saturday south of North East, were the 10th and 11th boating fatalities in Maryland this year.
The first occurred just before 8:30 p.m. on Friday night in the mooring basin in Chesapeake City. Maryland Natural Resources Police said Robert Vernon Baron, 27, of Bear, fell into the water as he attempted to jump from a boat to a pier near the Chesapeake Inn.
Two of Baron's shipmates jumped into the water to help but could not rescue him.
Divers from the Susquehanna Hose Company of Havre de Grace pulled Baron's body from the water at approximately 10:15 p.m. His body will be autopsied by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.
We had previously posted on the first accident. – Ed.
CASA Attempting to Queer Petition Drive
Tens of thousands of Marylanders have signed on the proverbial dotted line to let their elected representatives know that subsidizing college tuition for illegal aliens IS NOT the best use of their tax dollars. Liberal groups like the ACLU and CASA de Maryland are doing everything possible to STOP this measure from going on the 2012 ballot. These actions include court challenges and harassment of people wanting to sign the petitions.
Because of the tactics of groups such as CASA, this battle is having to be fought on two fronts. Del. Neil Parrott (R-2B) has been leading the movement to get petitions signed (through MDPetitions.com). Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36) has been leading the battle to make sure that every name is counted and fighting the lefts attempts to queer the process through court challenges and harassment.
The ACLU, who always claims to want every name and every vote counted when in support of a leftist cause, is leading a court challenge to void the 17,000 (to date) signatures delivered with electronically generated petitions. While showing a photo ID at the polls is simply too great a burden for the left, having a petition that has the voters name and address (but not their signature) electronically generated is somehow fraudulent.
CASA de Maryland is supported (in part) by your tax dollars. Yet, they are spending who knows how many thousands of dollars to harass petition signers and attempt to queer the petition count by taking possession of the signed petitions.
On his blog, Smigiel explains what CASA is up to:
Delegate Parrott called to tell me of a new problem he was having with the State Election Board wanting to allow the illegal immigrant support group, CASA de Maryland, (CASA) to take possession of the 67,000 petition signatures so they could be copied at a local copy center.
Smigiel offered two alternatives to allowing CASA representatives from physically taking possession of the petitions:
- Having the Board of Elections personnel make the copies and charge CASA per copy. (this is what would happen if you or I wanted copies)
- Hire a bonded company to make the copies and bill CASA.
The election boards response to Smigiel challenging this was one of “incredulity”: “The ACLU in particular had been allowed to do this in the past.”
In addition to the possibility of petitions being “misplaced” by CASA, there is a chain of custody issue for the expected court challenges.
Once CASA receives the names, there is also the possibility of harassment. “They wouldn’t do that!”, you may say. Well … they are already harassing potential signatories nearly everywhere that the citizens set up to gather signatures.
CASA, working with Fieldworks, is paying individuals $12 / hour to go to signing sites and harass people who go up to tables to sign. Fieldworks has been advertising for employees in Maryland to do this work:
Campaign Jobs in Maryland (301) 327-4013 or check out the craigslist ad http://tiny.cc/dotui http://fb.me/O7YzAeH1
With the campaign coming to an end they have taken the ad down.
In an interview with Smigiel on Sunday, he poses several new arguments (in addition to the ones posted on his official blog). Smigiel says that gathering signatures for a petition like this is analogous to voting. Signers are “voting” to put the “Maryland DREAM Act” on the 2012 ballot. However, by releasing copies of petitions to a group like CASA, those who signed the petitions are losing their right to a (at least partially) secret ballot. “When you go to vote, do we know HOW you voted?”, asked Smigiel.
Allowing CASA representatives to harass signers is also similar to voter intimidation according to Smigiel:
“Right now there are two people under indictment in Maryland for using robocalls to spread false information about an election. Why are people contracted by CASA (through Fieldworks) allowed to intimidate people who want to sign a petition? Why are those people allowed to distribute false information?”
Smigiel makes a series of strong arguments. I think that we are learning (once again) that there is a double standard in the Once Free State. Regardless, there are THREE DAYS remaining. We need to gather as many signatures as possible. If groups like CASA are going to strip us of our rights, they are in for a real battle.
Virginia Beats Maryland …
Low-Tax, Pro-Growth Policies Deliver Greater Economic Opportunities
When it comes to encouraging prosperity, the Old Dominion is trouncing the Old Line State. The American Legislative Exchange Council this week released a “Rich States, Poor States” report that modeled the 50 states and ranked the economic outlook in each. Virginia secured a third-place slot while neighboring Maryland lagged midpack at 21. That’s no accident.
“Virginia is the best state in America in which to do business,” Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell told The Washington Times. “We are keeping taxes low and litigation and regulation to a minimum. Our fiscal discipline gives us a great story to tell to CEOs and entrepreneurs looking for the best place to do business in a competitive global marketplace.” Since the Republican governor took office last year, he has been trimming thestate government and holding the line against the impulse to close budget gaps by raising taxes.
Maryland cannot make the same claim. With the sixth-highest personal-income-tax rate in the country, Maryland is a less attractive place to set up shop. “It’s an unavoidable fact that Maryland’s business community competes with other states,” former Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel, a Democrat, told The Washington Times. “By any objective measure,Virginia is a formidable competitor and demonstrates how government policies can promote the private-sector growth necessary for job creation.”
BREAKING NEWS: Personal Income, Spending Come Up Short In May
Personal spending remained unchanged during the month of May, short of economists' expectations of a 0.1% increase, while personal income rose 0.3%, just shy of the 0.4% estimate.
Oppose Delaware HB 35
On Saturday we received this e-mail from a reader:
In 1961 my husband's grandparents were brutally murdered (grandmother also raped) by a local acquaintance. The rape charge was dropped and he was sentenced to serve consecutive life sentences. He has repeatedly made threats to kill at least 2 other family members (my father-in-law included) and a former DE state senator upon his release. He has come before the parole board 17 times since 1978 and has been denied parole every time.
However, due to the current HB 35 currently in the Audit and Juvenile Corrections Committee of the Senate, Kermit West could be released based on the recommendation solely of the Dept. of Corrections. This bill, having already passed the house, would eliminate the Board of Parole and the Dept. of Corrections would have full discretion in releasing him and other hard core criminals. The language of the bill also states that it is not mandatory that victims necessarily be notified of the release of these prisoners.
Furthermore, Gov. Markell is in favor of this bill and has vowed to sign it. Time is of the essence! This committee must make a decision by next Thursday, June 30, 2011. This is a threat to all citizens of Delaware. As many as 275 prisoners could be released at the discretion of the Dept. of Corrections with no knowledge or forewarning to the public of their release.
We were told by the parole board that it costs $150,000 a year to maintain the man who killed my husband's grandparents. It would appear this is solely a budgetary decision being made at the expense of the safety of all Delaware citizens.
Please help us put a stop to HB 35. Please call or e-mail the following senators on the committee where this bill is now being considered.
- Brian Bushweller 302-744-4162
- Colin Bonini 302-744-4169
- George Bunting 302-744-4286
- Karen Peterson 302-744-4163
- David Lawson 302-744-4237
- David McBride 302-744-4163
- Bruce Ennis 302-744-4310
- Anthony DeLuca 302-744-4310
- Gov. Jack Markell 302-744-4101
E-MAIL ANYONE IN A STATE POSITION BY USING THIS FORMULA: Firstname.lastname@state.de.us. For example: jack.markell@state.de.us
Please take the time to make your voices heard for the safety of all of Delaware!!!
*****************************************
After receiving the email, we spoke with Delaware Sen. Colin Bonini (R-16). Bonini stated that they had not yet received the final wording of the bill:
I am not looking to support a bill which will result in releasing dangerous criminals. Delaware abolished parole in the 1990’s. Because of this, most prisoners aren’t eligible for parole. However, those convicted prior to the end of parole are eligible under the terms of their original sentences.
Senators are currently looking at several options, including keeping things as they are and keeping the parole board but folding it under the Department of Corrections.
Delaware citizens need to remember that the session ends on Thursday. If you want to have an effect on the legislation, you need to call now!
GOLD ALERT CANCELED
Gold Alert Subject:
- Paul R. Edwards Jr.-37 Greenwood, DE
- White male, 6’0”, 220 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair
Resume Updated June 26, 2011 at 11:00 p.m.:
Greenwood-Paul R. Edwards Jr.-37 of Greenwood has been located and is in good condition.
Gold Alert is now discontinued.
Disabled Veteran’s House Not Good Enough for the HOA
Would you want a severely disabled war veteran for a neighbor? It's hard to say "no" to that. Homes For Our Troops The group builds mortgage-free, accessible homes to severely disabled war veterans. The group was supposed to begin construction today on a specially designed house in Georgia for an Army veteran who suffered severe brain damage in Afghanistan. After months of planning, earlier this week the homeowners' association reversed its approval, saying that the house must be multiple stories and 700 square feet larger to be part of the neighborhood, or it will affect property values.
Dirty Tricks in Politics
Sleazy, stupid, despicable, repulsive, underhanded, indefensible. I’m describing the 2010 Election Day robocalls to 112,000 black voters telling them to stay home because Democrat Martin O’Malley was safely re-elected.
The robocalls were launched by a Bob Ehrlich campaign consultant, Julius Henson, who was indicted last week for voter suppression. Also indicted was Paul Schurick, Ehrlich’s campaign manager.
If you can think of additional ways to condemn the robocalls (or, for that matter, the hiring of a bum like Henson) please add them and sign my name.
That said, let’s put this shameful episode in proper historic and political perspective.
Democrats returned the favor in the 1998 gubernatorial election between Parris Glendening and Ellen Sauerbrey. With just weeks to go the race was neck-and-neck until Glendening hired attack ad specialist Bob Shrum, who smeared Sauerbrey by calling her a racist.
Targeted to blacks, Glendening’s TV ads sounded the alarm that “Sauerbrey voted against the 1992 Civil Rights Act.” Also, blacks were sent fliers with a picture of Sauerbrey on one side and, on the other, Alabama Sheriff “Bull” Conner spraying blacks with fire hoses. The flier warned, “She’ll Roll Back the Clock on Civil Rights.”
Editor’s Choice – 06/27/2011
These were the five (5) best, or most important, posts for June 26, 2011 as judged by the editors of SbyNEWS.
Reader’s Choice – 06/27/2011
These were the most popular posts for June 26, 2011 chosen by the most approved comments.
A New Feature on SbyNEWS
Beginning today we will have two (2) new daily posts:
READER’s CHOICE – the five posts of the previous day receiving the most APPROVED comments received through midnight. This post is scheduled for 7:00 AM each morning.
EDITOR’s CHOICE – the five posts of the previous day which are deemed by our staff as the most important or best written (in no particular order). This post is scheduled for 7:15 AM each day.
Local Officials Speculate on Congressional Re-Districting
New congressional lines will be drawn before next April's primary elections and there could be some changes coming to the district that includes Maryland's Eastern Shore.
On Friday, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley said the governor should soon announce who will serve on the special commission faced with taking the 2010 U.S. census data for Maryland and using it to draft new districts for the U.S. House of Representatives and the state legislature.
State Sen. Richard Colburn, R-37-Mid-Shore, said the congressional redistricting most likely will be presented to the General Assembly in a special session tentatively planned for mid-October. Colburn said those districts must be approved with plenty of lead time before the April primaries.
Colburn said the state legislative districts will be considered separately since they will not affect an election until 2014. He said those district plans will be introduced at the start of the regular 2012 General Assembly session, which will kick off in January.
DeMint Warns GOP
Conservative firebrand Sen. Jim DeMint has a message to fellow Republicans in Congress: If you support increasing the debt ceiling without first passing a balanced budget amendment and massive across-the-board spending cuts, you're gone -- destined to be swept out of Congress by a wave of voter anger.
"Based on what I can see around the country," DeMint, R-S.C., said in an interview for the ABC News Subway Series, "not only are those individuals gone, but I would suspect the Republican Party would be set back many years.
"It would be the most toxic vote," DeMint said. "I can tell you if you look at the polls, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, they do not think we should increase the debt limit."
Georgia Program Replaces Migrant Workers With Ex-Cons
Recent immigration crackdowns in Georgia have left the agricultural sector with a labor shortage. A big one. An unscientific poll puts the gap as high as 11,000 workers, but plants still have to be harvested. The governor responded to farmers' complaints with a new program that puts people on probation to work in the fields at minimum wage, with bonuses for high production. This seems like an ideal match: probationers have a higher unemployment rate than the general population, and farmers need people in the fields. It turns out, though, that hard work, hot weather, low pay, and inexperienced workers don't make for a very bountiful harvest.
One probationer told the Associated Press:
Those guys out here weren't out there 30 minutes and they got the bucket and just threw them in the air and say, 'Bonk this, I ain't with this, I can't do this.' They just left, took off across the field walking."
Hundreds of Virginia Laws Take Effect on Friday
On Friday, some Virginia restaurants will have the option of going BYOW — bring your own wine.
It’s just one of nearly 900 bills — out of 2,968 proposed — that passed during this year’s winter General Assembly session. Most of the new laws take effect July 1.
The wide array of new laws ranges from an expansion of the availability of protection orders to new measurement standards for selling shelled oysters. Here are some of the highlights.
Blackwell Will Not Run for Senate Seat
Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R) will not run for Senate, he told the Daily Caller today. Despite leading in early polling, Blackwell decided that he did not want to “make ‘nice’ with folks with whom I would rather not.” He also hinted at some animosity with the Republican establishment, saying that “the GOP establishment has never been able to grasp” the depth of Blackwell’s support. Blackwell’s departure is good news for state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R), a 33-year-old Iraq War veteran who is hoping to take on Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) next year.
2012 “Fix” Face-off
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann officially gets into the 2012 Republican race on Monday. On Tuesday former Alaska governorSarah Palin will travel to Iowa to attend the premiere of “The Undefeated”, the biopic of her life in public office.
By the end of the week, we should have a very good sense on how much money each of the top 2012 contenders raised over the past three months — and what it means.
In short: the race is on! And, with the pace picking up, we are here to answer any and every question you might have about 2012 — live and on video no less.
We call it the Fix Face-off and it all goes down at 11 a.m. Monday. Fill out a face-off in the form below and then tune in to see if we picked yours! See you then.
Ocean City Bulk Pick-up Fee to Increase
The Town of Ocean City Solid Waste Division’s bulk pick-up service will increase. Effective July 1, the cost for bulk pick-up service will be $15 for one item, $25 for up to three items and $5 for each additional item.
Ocean City’s bulk pick-up service offers a convenient way to rid your property of unwanted items. The town’s ordinance code allows for the collection of large household items such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, grills, large umbrellas, clotheslines, carpet, etc., which cannot normally be loaded into a standard refuse truck. This service does not include building materials, roofing, siding, soil, concrete, yard debris, tree stumps, etc. Bulk pick-up service is available to residential properties only within the corporate limits of the town.
To receive pick-up of large bulk items, call the Solid Waste Division of Public Works at 410-524-0318. City workers are not allowed to go on private property, so items should be placed next to your dumpster, or as close to the sidewalk as possible. Bulk pick-up service operates Mondays through Fridays from May through September; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, October through April.
Monies will not be collected at the time of pick-up, but billed to the address you prefer. For more information, call Solid Waste at 410-524-0318.
Flood Victims Face Road to Recovery
The Souris River began a long, slow retreat in Minot on Sunday, leaving behind an arduous rebuilding job for more than 4,000 homeowners and hundreds of business operators, most of whom lack insurance to pay for it.
Because they don't have coverage, federal assistance could amount to as little as a few thousand dollars apiece. Loan and grant programs will provide some help, as will an emergency relief fund just being set up.
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