House Republicans Fight to Return Fiscal Sanity To Maryland

Joe:

We had a very lengthy debate on the State budget today. Unfortunately, all of our attempts to reduce spending and bring fiscal responsibility back to Maryland were rejected by the majority. We will be returning to the House floor at 6pm to continue the debate and take a final vote.

The Republican Caucus offered amendments that would have restrained growth, allowed for a repeal of the Computer Services Tax (without additional taxes) and added more money to the Rainy Day Fund in case there are additional economic downturns.

There is a real possibility that we will have additional write-downs in revenues in September because of the economic climate. If the referendum on slots fails, we will have even less revenue than anticipated. The level of spending in the current budget does not take any of this into consideration. Allowing spending to continue at this level could make it necessary to increase revenues again even after the largest tax increase in Maryland’s history.

This, in my opinion, is wholly unacceptable.

Sincerely,

Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio
Maryland House of Delegates
District 37B
216 Lowe House Office Building
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 841-3429 phone
(410) 841-3523 fax

For Immediate Release

March 19, 2008

Contact: Carrie Simons-Sparrow, 410-841-3401

House Republicans Fight to Return Fiscal Sanity to Maryland

Annapolis – House Republicans today offered a series of budget amendments that would further reduce state spending, allow for a repeal of the computer service tax, and cushion the state against further economic downturn and additional revenue write-downs.

“Over the last year, the House Republican Caucus has brought forth three individual budget plans that would have preserved state services and controlled spending without increasing taxes”, said Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell. “Our pleas and the pleas from the taxpayers for fiscal restraint have all fallen on deaf ears. Each plan we have presented has been soundly dismissed with little consideration. Now, on the tails of the largest tax increase in Maryland’s history, in the face of a grim economic forecast with $333 million in revenue write-downs, we offer yet another plan. We are hopeful that finally, our colleagues across the aisle will agree that it is time to restore some fiscal sanity to the State of Maryland.”

Part of the Republican Plan included an amendment from the Minority Leader that would reduce the overall budget growth from the Governor’s original proposal of 6% growth ($1.8 billion) to a growth of 2.5% ($733 million). O’Donnell’s amendment would allow for a repeal of the Computer Services Tax without backfilling with new taxes. It also created a fund balance to cushion the state against future revenue write-downs.

“Trimming a few hundred million off the budget is a good first step, but it does not go far enough to meaningfully address Maryland’s fiscal health”, said Delegate Gail Bates, the ranking Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Spending has not been restrained and the Administration and the General Assembly continue to create new programs. Even with the reductions taken by the House Appropriations Committee, the budget grows by $1.3 billion, a 4.3% increase over last year”.

“Truth in budgeting does not exist in Maryland”, said Minority Whip Christopher Shank. “There are slush funds masked as hundreds of vacant but funded positions and there is no will in the majority party to truly eliminate them. Enough is enough. The chronic overspending must end. It is not sustainable and will have catastrophic effects on the citizens of Maryland. With all indications pointing to another revenue write down in September, if we do not get a tight grip on spending the Democrats will be responsible for additional taxes, actual cuts in services people are receiving and actual layoffs of the State’s workforce.”

Carrie Simons-Sparrow
Special Assistant
House Republican Caucus
Maryland General Assembly
410-841-3401

I'll Give You 10,000,000 Guesses Where These Pictures Were Taken?

When I arrived yesterday morning at the new Fire Station, I walked in and immediately saw cracks in the floor. At one point I started taking pictures of it and all of a sudden Deputy Chief William Gordy came out of the back area and said, someone had asked a question about the cracks in the floor. (Actually, I don't believe anyone asked anything, they saw me taking pictures of it) Nevertheless, he went on to say these were not structural cracks and the engineers told them it would not affect the structural integrity of the building. He went on to say that they didn't put in enough expansion joints and that's why it cracked.

Now I don't know about any or all of you but I have built some structures in my day and when I see expansion joints all around these cracks, there's a serious problem here. It's far too easy to say nothing is wrong. IF nothing was wrong, why didn't they fix it? They stained it AFTER the cracks were already there and anyone visiting the new Station can clearly see that to be a fact.

I don't know about you Ladies & Gentlemen but BEFORE I would have stained the floors, I would have forced the Contractor to fix it. That's not the only structural problem in the building. GET THIS! In one of the mechanical rooms on the second floor where they store VERY heavy equipment already in place, they already have 4 major cracks in the floor and I'm not done. There's an actual "I" beam sticking up out of the floor and about a 3" rise in the concrete floor to try and cover it up.

I will have a series of Posts about the new Fire Station as this building deserves its own series, considering the $10,000,000.00 expense to put it together. I just thought I'd start with this one so ALL of you could see what your hard earned tax dollars have delivered. Pictures don't lie Folks!

Women Accepted, Just Not Encouraged

While taking the tour of the new Fire Station I had noticed there weren't any private full bathrooms in the Station for women. Chief See noticed I had been looking at the signs and then stated, all six of the full baths were unisex bathrooms. They are provided with a urinal, toilet and a shower. When you walk in you simply lock the door behind you.

I jokingly said, does that mean the women are going to constantly be complaining about the men not putting up the seat and or putting it down when they're through?

I'm not quite sure just why they've chosen to go this route but there are no separate sleeping quarters for the women either, (I'll get into that later). I see them boasting about new female recruits but much like having a black firefighter and making them feel comfortable, $10,000,000.00 was just spent to make it look as if there's no real home for the women either? That is, unless you're talking about the kitchen!

Granted, they claim there aren't many women Firefighters and or black Firefighters, so they must know what they're doing and talking about, right?

Pittsville Easter Egg Hunt This Saturday

There will be a Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday in Pittsville. It is at the Country Store just down from JT’s at 11:00. This is a really nice event the owners of the store do every year for the kids.

What's Behind Door #1, #2 Or Door #3?

$25,000,00!! This is what was budgeted after the building was already well under construction for interior doors that were supposed to look like the original doors on the Old Station 16.

OK, for whatever it's worth, but, can someone please tell me why anyone in their right mind would spend $25,000.00 on recreating something without painting a mural of the Old Station 16 on the walls to the left or right of these doors? It just doesn't make any sense to me?

I could also see if these were exterior doors in the front of the building, even if for decoration. However, it makes no sense to waste that much of the taxpayers money on doors that without the photo I've provided above, you would have probably never realized just what the heck they're for and or perhaps what they even cost YOU the Taxpayer!

Oh, trust me, there's more to come.........

It's Time To Clear The Air With The OCVFD

On a Post I put together this week referencing the Ocean City Council Meeting with the Fire Department, some comments mention statistics that are complete BS!

Let me make this VERY clear. There has not been ONE single FIRE that the Volunteers haven't been on. NOT ONE! As a matter of fact, for every FIRE call there are 2 to 3 Volunteers on every call to every 1 Paid Firefighter.

So do NOT let those numbers fool you Ladies & Gentlemen. I have spoken directly with their Fire Chief and he'd put his life on that statement. Now there are calls where one smoke detector goes off and automatically calls 911. Their system is sophisticated enough to recognize that if a second one doesn't go off, it could be cause by burning toast, a cigarette or something non fire related and an alarm doesn't go out to the Volunteers.

The bottom line is, the numbers being tossed around are being done so to confuse and fool you. There was some mention of 6,000 calls, how many Volunteers came out on those? Another BS statement because the majority of those calls were for an ambulance/medical and the Volunteers aren't even involved in those calls.

If you're going to make statements, be fair and honest about them. I personally believe the Paid Firefighters are looking foolish and childish for spewing the numbers in the hopes of looking like they are superior and more needed than the Volunteers and that's just not the case.

Defending the Farmers

Yesterday in Somerset County,the County Commissioners,along with representatives from the Somerset Farm Bureau and the Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. met to hear concerns from residents about large chicken farming operations in east Princess Anne.
While I empathize with the citizens concerns,especially regarding water usage of "mega-farms",to place any more regulations upon poultry farmers will only effect our local economy adversely.Chicken is King on Delmarva-and those birds have supported many families in this area over the years.It is not a glamorous job,it is sometimes a high-risk gamble and it gets increasingly difficult each year.The price of electricity and fuel has placed an additional strain on poultry growers and they just may not survive more restrictions.With the national economy already on the brink,do we really want to "bite the hand that feeds us"?Think for a second about all the commerce that would be lost if the poultry industry downsized or folded altogether-not to mention jobs.Somerset County in particular is one of the poorest in the state and with the seafood industry tanking,we need the poultry farms.Contrary to popular belief,farmers are not the bad guys polluting the bay all by themselves,they are the original environmentalists.I think that with the advanced agricultural technology we have available today,we can eliminate alot of the negative aspects such as odor,runoff and litter management without eliminating the poultry farms.

Florida Budget Woes Cut Cruiser Use

High gas prices are forcing Orange County deputies to park their cruisers unless they are on duty. An internal memo from Sheriff Kevin Beary said no one can use their company vehicles after hours unless they are on call.

The agency has a budget of $4 million for fuel, but it's already spent more than half of it only three months into the year. In the past, deputies were allowed to drive their cars at all times so they would be available to respond to emergency calls.

Residents say they're worried the change will affect safety.

"I can understand the prices being high, but why should we sacrifice our safety for that? We shouldn't," said Debbie Hertel, an Orange County tax payer.

The sheriff's office says the cut back will save tens of thousands of dollars every month.

COUNTY ROADS AWARDED $238,000 FOR SCHOOL SIDEWALK PROJECT

Salisbury, MD…The Maryland State Highway Administration, through its Highway Safety Office, has awarded $238,000 to the Wicomico County Roads Department for the construction of sidewalks around Salisbury Middle School. The project has been included in the planned Maryland Safe Routes to School Program for Fiscal Years 2008/2009.

Wicomico County Acting Public Works Director John Redden said that he “is very pleased that the State was so responsive to our request to correct what is a dangerous pedestrian situation at Salisbury Middle School…namely the lack of sidewalks for children to use going to and coming from school.”

Mr. Redden said that design work on the project will begin immediately and construction should be completed by early 2009.

OBX Pics

The picture with the channel marker is a good 50ft away from the water. Looks like a storm blew it into the growth.

Outer Banks, Hooray

I'm in the Outer Banks for spring vacation and let me say it is amazing down here. It is my first time down and it has already been an adventure. I got stuck in sand and water on Rt. 12 and that let me know the area is a little more un-tamed than I expected. It looked like the stiff breeze blew the tide across the road on a unprotected part of the island. It took a little time to get out and I thank the family who stopped and helped me get my front tires out from the muck. Driving down at night was actually an amazing experience because parts of Rt. 12 you feel all alone. So i turned off my radio and rolled down my windows and enjoyed the trip. I'll be posting each day with some good pics.

Nick

Two Wrongs Seem to Make a Right for Wicomico Liquor Control Board

The Daily Times reports that the Wicomico County Council will consider abolishing the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board. The bottom line is fairly simple. Is the principle of an efficient free market more important that the revenue received from selling beer, wine and liquor? The answer should be a resounding yes; unless you are County Executive Rick Pollitt ... or LCB member Ron Alessi.

Pollitt's position is unfortunately too typical. He wants to straddle the issue, but wants to keep the money earned from the liquor business. We'll discuss that again in a later post.

It seems that Alessi's position is a bit more strange. To Alessi, two wrongs make a right. Since (according to Alessi) the Civic Center, County nursing home, and Salisbury University compete against private enterprise then the Liquor Control Board should be able to compete against liquor distributors, liquor stores and convenience stores. Go figure.

I believe that the Civic Center is a bad example. For purposes of liability alone, it's not very wise to allow myriad private parties access to a county facility to prepare and/or provide food and drink. But the other two examples are valid. Does that mean that two wrongs make a right? Of course not. Perhaps Alessi believes that no action can be taken regarding the LCB unless action will be taken regarding the nursing home and SU. Does this make any sense?

After witnessing Alessi's thought processes regarding doing work for the LCB and whether or not government should compete against private enterprise I believe that we are fortunate that Alessi did not succeed in his bid to become the county's first County Executive.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

Technorati Tags: Maryland, politics, Wicomico, Wicomico politics, Rick Pollitt, Ron Alessi, liquor, Liquor Control Board, culture, free market, private enterprise, taxation, fiscal policy

Sheriff Lewis Responds

I had asked Sheriff Lewis if he'd be so kind as to answer the many questions that had been coming in referencing calling cabs at DUI Checkpoints. This was his response.

"There are times during a routine traffic stop or while working a sobriety checkpoint we encounter drivers who have been drinking-but aren't legally drunk. A preliminary breath test (PBT) shows their blood alcohol content (BAC) to be below or well below the legal limit, however, due to their intolerance to alcohol or their inexperience at drinking, we won't allow them to drive. Although there is insufficient evidence to secure a conviction, common sense tells you they shouldn't be driving. So, yes, we will call a cab. I'm certainly unaware of this happening Saturday night, but, if it did happen, it wouldn't be uncommon. Thanks Joe!"

Sheriff Mike Lewis
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office
401 Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-4892 ext. 200

Want A Free Catered Lunch Today?

The Salisbury Zoo Commission meets today at the Zoo where they serve a free catered lunch at the expense of donations made for animals at the Zoo.

Be there early, (around 11:30) to get your share of their free food and listen in on all the exciting news referencing the future of the Salisbury Zoo. Just another meeting in which most citizens can't attend because they have more to hide than anything else. Oh, don't forget to ask them how many animals died this past month too.

One Year Ago Today

Be careful who you hang with! While candidates were agreeing to work together by virtue of a pledge to one and other, the games were still being played in the background. Remember images like Lyn Cathcart & Donnie Williams together. Remember who the Firefighters stood behind. Salisbury, (IMO) is a very screwed up City. If I was selling newspapers I'd be making millions because the areas in which voters don't get out and vote seems to prove to be the perfect environment for controversial information. I just wonder when everyone is going to wake up and make changes by getting out and finally voting? This particular round of pictures was taken one year ago at the Firefighters Forum.

Proposed Park off of Crooked Oak Ln.

I have been hearing a lot lately of a proposed park on which the County Council intends to vote soon. I've read about it in the Daily Times and heard some about it on local TV news. Can anyone in the know tell us some FACTS so that we can be better informed? I have a few questions.

1) How many appraisals did the county receive?
2) What were the results of tose appraisals?
3) Is it true that McCain Appraisals was one of the companies used?
4) What is the actual price our council is prepared to pay for this land?
5) I know that a portion of the money used to purchase this land will come from the State and belongs to the taxpayers. Is any potion of this money coming directly from "County Taxes"?

Based on what I've heard, I personally can't support this purchase at a time when money is so tight - BUT ....the voice of one person who has unanswered questions is fairly insignificant.

I'm asking that people who read this blog and have specific facts relating to this subject provide other readers with this information so that they may attend the upcoming meeting and voice an educated opinion. Once we can have this discussion and the facts are put out for the people to absorb, I will ask Joe to post a survey (is that still possible?). We can compare the results of any survey to the votes of the individual Council members to helps us see how well they are plugged in to the voters they represent. This is OUR money and OUR county. WE are the ones who should be making the decisions through elected officials who represent us. We owe it to ourselves and our kids to become educated on the issues.

No Trash Removal On Friday, March 21st

THERE WILL BE NO TRASH REMOVAL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST
DUE TO THE GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY.
REGULARLY SCHEDULED FRIDAY PICK UP WILL BE DONE ON MONDAY, MARCH 24TH.

BULK PICK UP AND LEAF PICKUP WILL NOT BE EFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE CITY YARD AT 410-548-3177

Breaking News

Shots fired behind the Wicomico County Visitors Center. A woman was heard screaming and the Delmar and WCSO are searching the woods as well as a State Police Helicopter with infra red censors on it to search for the woman.

More to come.........

I've just returned from the scene and the Police didn't find anything. The helicopter picked up a couple of images but said they had moved rather quickly, so they felt it was probably animals.

My Friend Thom Gulyas Chimes In On The OCVFC

Well, seems like we’ve been able to mix Politicians, Volunteer Professionals, Paid Professionals and now look at the mess that has been created. It is a wonder at times that anything gets accomplished when something like this happens. We have created a sense in the community that some fear no one will respond when they need help the most. Don’t discount this thought; this is what your public feels is happening behind their backs and they’re making it well known.

Is there enough blame to go around? Who cares? That’s not what this writer wants to visit anyway. What most people hope… myself included… that should the need arise for assistance that the “Professionals” will respond. I honestly don’t give a rat’s backside if they are paid or not. I know most of these folks first hand; I was a volunteer for several years in Ocean City. I went through basics with Chief Larmore and we really had some good times together as a group. You can say what you want, as I’m sure someone will, but I’ve seen this man in training with all of us. We all learned together to stay alive on a fire scene.

I realize that Jay Jester may not be everyone’s cup of tea either. To me, he has always been a friend. Even though our paths don’t cross often enough these days, he is the type of person that you would be lucky to call a “friend.” Let me share something with you that few folks know. When I was going through a tough time with a family member who was fighting cancer, Jay was there. There has never been, nor will there probably ever be, someone like Jay who you can honestly count on as a true “friend.” I don’t mean the type of person who you go to parties with or a ball game. Anyone can do that. I mean the type of man who you can call at 2 am because you need help with a problem and he drops what he is doing to get there. I’ve requested his help and he has followed though. That, my friends, is what the meaning of a “true friend” is. Look, I know Jay can be a bit rough about the edges, but that’s what makes him who “he” is. He has always been quick with an answer of wit; but he is always respectful nevertheless.

On the Paid Professional side we have any number of folks. I do not claim to know Joe Theobald. I’ve never met the man. Chuck Barton, whom I know just in passing, has always struck me as a man of integrity. Why they didn’t give him the option of leading the Paid Professionals I do not know. Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall and didn’t want it? Just speculation on my part. But I do know that Chuck is a wealth of information that would compromise the Town of Ocean City should he be lost.

The other Paid Professional that I would like to also mention is the union representative, Michael Maykrantz. Look, I’ve known Maykrantz for almost 20 years. He was one of the first people to turn me into Chief Roger Steger for following his fire truck too close on my very first call. What can I say? I wanted him out of the way…I had to get there! I didn’t resent him for doing that. Looking back, I would have done the same thing If I were him. I could have killed someone; even though it was the dead of winter. Maykrantz was there a second time (along with Sackadorf and a few other friends) when I entered a building a bit hastily before anyone else. No tools, no water. Rags on the stove at The General’s Kitchen. When Sackadorf and Maykrantz knocked out that side window and came in…only to tell me to get outside that they wanted to “talk to me.” I got my talking….and then some. I’ll never forget that. From what I remember, I was the Volunteer NEWBIE and I believe they were both Paid Professionals. I know it saved my life in future incidents. However, on a lighter note, Salty-Dog-Fire-Supply is always the place to buy. Right krantz?

ALL of these men and women are fine people whom I have come to respect. ALL of them train…and train…and train. ALL of them are prepared for most everything that they encounter on a daily basis. I’ve seen the Volunteer Professionals and the Paid Professionals work on people who I knew were deceased. Why did they continue? Because you never stop working while the decedent’s family is standing there…watching. Never.

Although my life has taken me in a different direction with my family and my business, I have told these Volunteer Professionals and Paid Professionals that we may disagree on some things. Hey, that’s life, right? But should I EVER need medical assistance or fire assistance, I damn sure hope it is one of the Volunteer Professionals or Paid Professionals from Ocean City that comes to aid. I would trust them with my family’s safety. Anytime. Anyplace.

I only hope that not too much is lost in the way of friendships between these two groups. I do hope you all can mend those deep wounds someday…soon. We need to be able to count on each other. However, even in this time of pressure, I’m proud to see that both sides do your best to remain calm while in the public’s view. That speaks volumes in itself.

I would hope that the Volunteer Professionals and the Paid Professionals work together and hire a professional facilitator to help both sides get back on track. We, the Public, deserve and expect your best. You’ve given it in the past and I believe you’ll be able to get it all together again. Don’t worry about the injections of the politicians at City Hall. The Public will take care of anything necessary there.

Good luck you all and may God Bless you all... All you Professionals. You’re going to need it.

Your Friend,
Thom Gulyas
Past Volunteer Firefighter #47
Ocean City, Maryland

PS…. Should the need arise for anyone to take a cheap shot at me, please don’t do so here on Joe's Blog. I'll provably miss it and wouldn't respond anyway. I’m always available at my office at ACE Printing & Mailing in Berlin Maryland. Stop by and discuss anything anytime.

Station 16 Valued At $798,000.00!

While Mike Dunn, Gary Comegys and Mayor Barrie Tilghman did everything they could to GIFT the old Fire Station to Bill Ahtes and the Arts Council Group, a REAL appraisal, (not Chief See's phony drive by appraisal) and the building that they wanted to give away has been professionally valued at $798,000.00!

So the question is, IF this Blog wasn't around, YOU would have been screwed out of almost $800,000.00! Like me or not, this Blog has made a difference. In the beginning, I also offered to start the bid at Auction at $250,000.00 simply to prove to everyone this building had more value to it and the City should NOT give it away.

Now of course the Mayor and certain Council Members are never going to come back and say Albero was right. That's cool. The bottom line to me is, they were forced into getting a true value on this property and while taxes have gone up, they need to sell this property for real value and help pay for the new Fire Station. They can also put that money towards upgrading the Salisbury Zoo. There are several places they could help out within the community but giving it away was simply unacceptable.

The ball is now back in the Mayor's court, will she GIVE it away now that the Public is well aware of what the property is truly worth?