DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, October 21, 2011
Should Wicomico’s Revenue Cap Be Repealed?
Last night the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress hosted an event which was billed as a debate on the Revenue Cap. Rather than a debate, participants Joe Ollinger and Wayne Strasburg presented information on the state of government spending in Wicomico County versus the Eastern Shore and gave their views on some possible solutions to what is clearly a revenue problem for the county.
Both advocated a tax cut in one area – income taxes. Strasburg presented data and both gave anecdotal evidence that Wicomico County is forced to provide services and infrastructure for businesses (and their employees) while many of those business owners and the higher paid employees choose to live in Worcester or Sussex counties and enjoy a much lower income tax rate. Ollinger also claimed that some individuals actually live in Wicomico County but claim residence in Worcester or Florida (which has no state income tax).
If residents are falsely claiming residency elsewhere, that is a problem for Comptroller Peter Franchot to enforce. If individuals are living elsewhere due to a lower income tax rate then that could indicate a need to cut the county county tax rate. However, will that address the need for higher county revenue?
One county residence stated after the meeting that Strasburg “lied” because he used Talbot and Worcester counties in his comparison. This is both untrue and unfair. Both Strasburg and Ollinger chose to compare Wicomico County against other Easter Shore counties. Ample data was shown that both Talbot and Worcester clearly have higher per capita income and wealth. Did including these counties in the analysis skew the results a little? Yes. However, the results would have been equally skewed if the comparison was made only against Caroline, Dorchester, and Somerset counties.
VOICE chairman John Palmer argued that using the term “Revenue Cap” queers the argument. The voters of Wicomico implement a charter change for “Property Tax Limitation”. This is true. However, it is also true that the charter change was for a cap on revenue from property taxes.
Former county councilman Bill McCain argued that both the county government and the county schools are efficient organizations and that we need to prioritize our spending. This is the same argument he put forward earlier at the WCBOE meeting at Parkside High School. McCain argues that if education is our priority then that is where our tax dollars should go. Sounds great. However, to fund the WCBOE at the levels they desire would basically require shutting down the rest of the county government. Hardly a practical solution.
Strasburg stated that we need “million dollar ideas”. He’s right. However, I cannot think of one national, state, or local government which has taxed itself to prosperity. The state of Maryland dictates how the counties are able to tax. They also continue to push additional burdens on the counties while continuing to spend like drunken sailors. Ditto for the federal government.
One thing is certain, the probability of any group gathering 10,000 signatures to repeal the revenue cap is low. The current council majority has pledged that the revenue cap can go only if citizens agree to do so in the same manner in which they voted it in (petition and a ballot). The fact is that Wicomico County is facing some tough times.
Both advocated a tax cut in one area – income taxes. Strasburg presented data and both gave anecdotal evidence that Wicomico County is forced to provide services and infrastructure for businesses (and their employees) while many of those business owners and the higher paid employees choose to live in Worcester or Sussex counties and enjoy a much lower income tax rate. Ollinger also claimed that some individuals actually live in Wicomico County but claim residence in Worcester or Florida (which has no state income tax).
If residents are falsely claiming residency elsewhere, that is a problem for Comptroller Peter Franchot to enforce. If individuals are living elsewhere due to a lower income tax rate then that could indicate a need to cut the county county tax rate. However, will that address the need for higher county revenue?
One county residence stated after the meeting that Strasburg “lied” because he used Talbot and Worcester counties in his comparison. This is both untrue and unfair. Both Strasburg and Ollinger chose to compare Wicomico County against other Easter Shore counties. Ample data was shown that both Talbot and Worcester clearly have higher per capita income and wealth. Did including these counties in the analysis skew the results a little? Yes. However, the results would have been equally skewed if the comparison was made only against Caroline, Dorchester, and Somerset counties.
VOICE chairman John Palmer argued that using the term “Revenue Cap” queers the argument. The voters of Wicomico implement a charter change for “Property Tax Limitation”. This is true. However, it is also true that the charter change was for a cap on revenue from property taxes.
Former county councilman Bill McCain argued that both the county government and the county schools are efficient organizations and that we need to prioritize our spending. This is the same argument he put forward earlier at the WCBOE meeting at Parkside High School. McCain argues that if education is our priority then that is where our tax dollars should go. Sounds great. However, to fund the WCBOE at the levels they desire would basically require shutting down the rest of the county government. Hardly a practical solution.
Strasburg stated that we need “million dollar ideas”. He’s right. However, I cannot think of one national, state, or local government which has taxed itself to prosperity. The state of Maryland dictates how the counties are able to tax. They also continue to push additional burdens on the counties while continuing to spend like drunken sailors. Ditto for the federal government.
One thing is certain, the probability of any group gathering 10,000 signatures to repeal the revenue cap is low. The current council majority has pledged that the revenue cap can go only if citizens agree to do so in the same manner in which they voted it in (petition and a ballot). The fact is that Wicomico County is facing some tough times.
Man Dies In Deputy-Involved Shooting In Md.
LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (WUSA) -- Cindy Allen with St. Mary's County Sheriff's PIO office says a deputy was involved in a fatal shooting on Thursday in Lexington Park.
A 38-year-old man was shot and pronounced dead on the scene. The deputy had "non-incapacitating injuries," according to a news release.
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A 38-year-old man was shot and pronounced dead on the scene. The deputy had "non-incapacitating injuries," according to a news release.
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CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR DISTRICT 4 WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT
The members of the Wicomico County Council have expressed their condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of Bob Caldwell, who was elected from District 4 and served on the County Council with honor and distinction, until his death on October 11th. The County Charter states that when a council vacancy occurs before the end of the term of office, the Central Committee of the party to which the respective member so vacating was affiliated, shall prepare and submit to the County Council a list of four nominees for the vacated council seat. Each of the nominees must be of the same political affiliation and reside in the same councilmanic district as the council member whose seat has become vacant.
As Bob Caldwell was a registered Republican, the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee is seeking District 4 Republicans who are interested in being nominated for appointment to the County Council. Interested persons should contact Dave Parker, Central Committee Chairman, at 410 749-4030, or WiCoGOPChair@yahoo.com for complete information about applying. The GOP Central Committee is asking for all materials to be submitted to the Committee by October 31st. The GOP Central Committee will screen all applicants and it plans to conduct interviews on November 7th.
This notice is issued by the Wicomico County Council on behalf of the GOP Central Committee to help inform members of the public and potential applicants of the procedure. When the Committee has compiled its list of four nominees, it will be submitted to the County Council. The County Council will consider and interview the nominees, one of which will be selected for appointment by a majority vote of the remaining members of the County Council.
Wicomico County Council
Gail M. Bartkovich
County Council President
Is It Really Worth Advertising Somewhere Else?
Actual ad size
The ad you see above is one in which can be seen advertised elsewhere. The question is, is it really worth it? Not only will you spend a whole lot more money advertising elsewhere, your not going to reach a larger online local audience than Salisbury News.
Our ads are $100.00 a month and include a link right back to your Website. They're legible and visible by more than 20,000,000, (yes, twenty million) people so far. Salisbury News is NOT some kind of small Blog that only publishes a couple of articles a day or week. We actually provide more news and information on a daily basis than ANY other local news source in our area.
Other MSM outlets continue to call our advertisers trying to get them to convert and some are even offering packages for $1.00 less per month. However, your ad will NOT been seen on the home page nor on every single article you click on like Salisbury News does. You won't need a magnifying glass to see or read our ads and you'll get the best bang for your buck than any other local source out there.
We feel its important to go back to the old school way of doing business and that's EARNING your business. Unlike every one else, we ask for NO CONTRACTS. There are no special deals for a yearly contract or repeat advertisers. IF WE CAN'T EARN YOUR BUSINESS, WE DON'T DESERVE YOUR BUSINESS.
If your interested in expanding and growing your local business, call me at 410-430-5349 or e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.
The ad you see above is one in which can be seen advertised elsewhere. The question is, is it really worth it? Not only will you spend a whole lot more money advertising elsewhere, your not going to reach a larger online local audience than Salisbury News.
Our ads are $100.00 a month and include a link right back to your Website. They're legible and visible by more than 20,000,000, (yes, twenty million) people so far. Salisbury News is NOT some kind of small Blog that only publishes a couple of articles a day or week. We actually provide more news and information on a daily basis than ANY other local news source in our area.
Other MSM outlets continue to call our advertisers trying to get them to convert and some are even offering packages for $1.00 less per month. However, your ad will NOT been seen on the home page nor on every single article you click on like Salisbury News does. You won't need a magnifying glass to see or read our ads and you'll get the best bang for your buck than any other local source out there.
We feel its important to go back to the old school way of doing business and that's EARNING your business. Unlike every one else, we ask for NO CONTRACTS. There are no special deals for a yearly contract or repeat advertisers. IF WE CAN'T EARN YOUR BUSINESS, WE DON'T DESERVE YOUR BUSINESS.
If your interested in expanding and growing your local business, call me at 410-430-5349 or e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.
3 Teens Facing Charges For Sex Acts On School Property
BALTIMORE (WJZ)– It has happened again. Reports of students engaged in inappropriate sexual acts, and this time, in a school during class.
County police showed up at Milford Mill Academy Thursday. Three students are charged with a perverted sex act and indecent exposure.
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County police showed up at Milford Mill Academy Thursday. Three students are charged with a perverted sex act and indecent exposure.
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Worcester Judge Denies Killer’s Bid For New Trial
SNOW HILL -- A Pennsylvania man sentenced to 25 years in prison for repeatedly running over his elderly mother on a rural road in northern Worcester County in August 2010 will remain behind bars after a Circuit Court judge this week denied his motion for a new trial and a motion to modify or reduce his sentence. Last March, a Worcester County jury found Steven Frederick Molin, 59, of Darby, Pa., guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his elderly mother, Emily Belle Molin, 85. In June,...
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STATE POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING DORCHESTER CO. MAN
(HURLOCK, MD) -- Maryland State Police are continuing their search for a missing Dorchester County man and are asking for the public’s help in finding him.
The man is identified as Craig Junior Parker, 39, of the 4900-block of Williamsburg Church Road, Hurlock, Md, where he lived alone. He is described as an African American male, with black hair, brown eyes, and a medium complexion. He is six feet tall and weighs about 215 pounds.
Maryland State Police began an investigation into Parker’s disappearance last week, after being notified by concerned individuals that he was missing. Troopers were joined in the search by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Natural Resources Police. Parker has not been located.
The preliminary investigation indicates Parker may have last been seen in Dorchester County in the summer of 2009. He may have been missing since, but was never reported missing to law enforcement.
Investigators have been searching areas in Dorchester County in an attempt to develop information concerning Parker’s disappearance. They are also working to identify individuals who may have known him and could provide information about his activities and associates.
Anyone with information about Parker or his current whereabouts is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Easton Barrack. A dedicated tips line is available around-the-clock at 410-819-4796. Callers may remain confidential.
The man is identified as Craig Junior Parker, 39, of the 4900-block of Williamsburg Church Road, Hurlock, Md, where he lived alone. He is described as an African American male, with black hair, brown eyes, and a medium complexion. He is six feet tall and weighs about 215 pounds.
Maryland State Police began an investigation into Parker’s disappearance last week, after being notified by concerned individuals that he was missing. Troopers were joined in the search by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Natural Resources Police. Parker has not been located.
The preliminary investigation indicates Parker may have last been seen in Dorchester County in the summer of 2009. He may have been missing since, but was never reported missing to law enforcement.
Investigators have been searching areas in Dorchester County in an attempt to develop information concerning Parker’s disappearance. They are also working to identify individuals who may have known him and could provide information about his activities and associates.
Anyone with information about Parker or his current whereabouts is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Easton Barrack. A dedicated tips line is available around-the-clock at 410-819-4796. Callers may remain confidential.
Is Councilwoman Laura Mitchell Out Of Her Mind
Look, it's plain and simple. NO POWERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM MAYOR IRETON.
The only thing that has changed is that the Council, (our legislators) who is responsible for creating law, now has access to the City Attorney on ALL matters.
If you've been around long enough you'd know that this is something Mayor Ireton should be standing behind 100%. However, now that he is Mayor he is completely against it. I believe we call that a flip flop.
This is the case with far too many issues ever since Jim Ireton became Mayor. His threatening messages via e-mail to Council Members, his hissy fits and outbursts in work sessions and council meetings are very similar to former council president Mike Dunn. The fits are along the line of a child not getting his/her way.
The one thing we hear so much about in this country today are children that BULLY other children. Yet Mayor Jim Ireton's #1 job is being a teacher. Is he not setting one of the worst examples imaginable? Think Jim, what would Michelle Obama say about your behavior. Better yet, what would Martin O'Malley say about the way you treat WOMEN on the city council?
Laura Mitchell, (driven by Mayor Ireton) believe she can petition to referendum, which would challenge last week’s charter change. Again, learn to pick your battles Laura. This is NOT an important issue and quite frankly you are going to not only walk away from this looking like a fool for lack of any kind of support, the next time there's a real issue the taxpayers who stupidly elected you will ignore you because you have no backing or credibility. Then again, you'll probably do just about anything on behalf of Jim Ireton and that's why he planted you there in the first place.
Mind you, this is my own opinion, of course. We'll see what others have to say through comments but I'm pretty darned confident this will be a major flop. You're not reading in the MSM that nothing changes power wise on the Mayors behalf. Laura and Jim are simply AFRAID that department heads will be next, which is absolutely not true.
The legislative move was a smart move and one that needed to be changed many years ago. It cracks me up to no end watching time and time again watching the shoe being on the other foot. For many years we sat in council meeting with a 4 to 1 vote against Debbie Campbell, then a 3 to 2 vote against Debbie and Terry and now after all these years the votes are in their favor and the Muir Boda's of the community are huffing and puffing in the audience. No, I don't think it's literally funny. I just see the right thing happening legislative wise and the taxpayers finally getting what they have always deserved, a council that represents the majority and NOT the special interests.
The media whores out there are not only giving out Laura's contact information for the petition drive, they're only telling one side of the story. I challenge ANYONE to come back here in comments and show where this hurts Mayor Ireton in ANY credible way whatsoever. He has the exact same powers with council as he did in the past. He just can't hide anything and everything he wants from this point forward. The City Council is a legislative body in place to PROTECT the citizens and taxpayers. If you don't like that form of government, get the hell out of office and move to China.
The Evil 1%
The "occupy" protest movement is thriving off the claim that the 99% are being exploited by the 1%, and there is truth in what they say. But they have the identities of the groups wrong. They imagine that it is the 1% of highest wealth holders who are the problem. In fact, that 1% includes some of the smartest, most innovative people in the country – the people who invent, market, and distribute material blessings to the whole population. They also own the capital that sustains productivity and growth.
But there is another 1% out there, those who do live parasitically off the population and exploit the 99%. Moreover, there is a long intellectual tradition, dating back to the late middle ages that draws attention to the strange reality that a tiny minority lives off the productive labor of the overwhelming majority.
I'm speaking of the State, which even today is made up of a tiny sliver of the population, but is the direct cause of all the impoverishing wars, inflation, taxes, regimentation, and social conflict. This 1% is the direct cause of the violence, the censorship, the unemployment, and vast amounts of poverty, too.
Look at the numbers, rounding from latest data. The U.S. population is 307 million. There are about 20 million government employees at all levels, which makes 6.5%. But 6.2 million of these people are public school teachers, whom I think we can say are not really the ruling elite. That takes us down to 4.4%.
We can knock of another half million who work for the post office, and probably the same who work for various service department bureaus. Probably another million do not work in any enforcement arm of the State, and there's also the amazing labor-pool fluff that comes with any government work. Local governments do not cause nation-wide problems (usually), and the same might be said of the 50 states. The real problem is at the federal level (8.5 million), from which we can subtract fluff, drones, and service workers.
In the end, we end up with about 3 million people who constitute what is commonly called the State. For short, we can just call these people the 1%.
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But there is another 1% out there, those who do live parasitically off the population and exploit the 99%. Moreover, there is a long intellectual tradition, dating back to the late middle ages that draws attention to the strange reality that a tiny minority lives off the productive labor of the overwhelming majority.
I'm speaking of the State, which even today is made up of a tiny sliver of the population, but is the direct cause of all the impoverishing wars, inflation, taxes, regimentation, and social conflict. This 1% is the direct cause of the violence, the censorship, the unemployment, and vast amounts of poverty, too.
Look at the numbers, rounding from latest data. The U.S. population is 307 million. There are about 20 million government employees at all levels, which makes 6.5%. But 6.2 million of these people are public school teachers, whom I think we can say are not really the ruling elite. That takes us down to 4.4%.
We can knock of another half million who work for the post office, and probably the same who work for various service department bureaus. Probably another million do not work in any enforcement arm of the State, and there's also the amazing labor-pool fluff that comes with any government work. Local governments do not cause nation-wide problems (usually), and the same might be said of the 50 states. The real problem is at the federal level (8.5 million), from which we can subtract fluff, drones, and service workers.
In the end, we end up with about 3 million people who constitute what is commonly called the State. For short, we can just call these people the 1%.
More
Md. Teen Charged In 'Jihad Jane' Terror Plot
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A high school honors student from Maryland helped the American terror suspect dubbed "Jihad Jane" plot to kill a Swedish artist and used the Internet to raise money and recruits for overseas terrorists, federal prosecutors charged in an indictment Thursday.
Mohammad Hassan Khalid, a legal immigrant from Pakistan, had been the rare juvenile in federal custody until he turned 18 last month. The FBI arrested him July 6 at his family's home in Ellicott City, near Baltimore. He was charged Thursday with material support of terrorism.
Real Property Tax Cap - Town Hall Meeting
Last night a town hall meeting was held to discuss Wicomico County's Real Property Tax Assessment Cap. The event was narrated by SU Professor - Memo Dirker and featured guest speakers Joe Ollinger and Wayne Strausburg. Joe Ollinger spoke out generally in favor of the Real Property Tax Cap - although at the end of his presentation he suggested that it might be modified by removing the 2% limit. On the flip side - Wayne Strausburg - presented his view as to how the assessment cap was crimping County expenditures - and that it would ultimately hamper County services.The meeting basically offered an information exchange whereby each gave their version of differing views. Although the meeting was sponsored by the Wicomico Neighborhood Associations - I didn't really see compelling evidence that there were an abundance of neighborhood associations to be present.
Joe Ollinger touched on an area that peeked my interest as he pointed out that the State of Maryland keeps passing down State obligations to the detriment to Wicomico taxpayers. Some of these included the most recent announcement whereby the County is to pickup the tab for the State Department of Assessments & Taxation office here in Wicomico. Others included not disbursing gasoline tax receipts back to our jurisdiction in addition to sales tax collections.
(Added by author) -For the reading audience - Prior to fiscal year 1994 - the State of Maryland used to pay the employer share of Social Security cost for eligible public school, community college, and local library employees - (6.13% of the 7.65% withholding) - of the Social Security Wage Base. That funding ceased at the end of FY 1993 and thus each local jurisdiction is now required to pickup that cost.
The future appears to be quite shaky regarding education budgets as the State now embarks to require pension funding to be maintained at the local levels - instead of funding it at the State level. Once again - this message resonates to the fact that the eastern shore only has 9 of the 188 elected State representatives - (taxation without representation) - even though our geographic area encompasses substantially more real estate.
Navy to Kick Out 64 Sailors for Drug Use From Fleet That Buried Bin Laden
SAN DIEGO – Sixty-four sailors from the San Diego-based U.S. Third Fleet will be kicked out of the Navy for drug use, mostly involving a synthetic drug that mimics marijuana, military officials said Thursday.
Capt. Greg Hicks of the Third Fleet said the sailors worked aboard the USS San Francisco, the floating dry dock Arco, and the USS Carl Vinson, the aircraft carrier that buried Usama bin Laden at sea. He said the Navy is still investigating and does not know if the accused members of the Vinson crew were aboard or using drugs when it was on its mission in the Middle East at the time.
Electric cooperative to return $4.1M to members
GREENWOOD, Del. (AP) -- The Delaware Electric Cooperative board of directors says it will return $4.1 million in capital credits to its members starting in November.
The president and CEO of the cooperative says returning the capital credits this year show the co-op's members commitment to the "Beat the Peak" program, which is designed to minimize power requirements during peak monthly periods.
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The president and CEO of the cooperative says returning the capital credits this year show the co-op's members commitment to the "Beat the Peak" program, which is designed to minimize power requirements during peak monthly periods.
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DNREC: Leaf Burning Is Illegal
State environmental officials are reminding you that leaf burning in Delaware is illegal.
They say it's to protect people from harmful chemicals that are produced by open burning.
Chinese Toddler Left Bloody In Hit-and-Run Dies
BEIJING — A toddler who was twice run over by vans and then ignored by passers-by on a busy market street died Friday a week after the accident and after days of bitter soul-searching over declining morality in China.
The Guangzhou Military District General Hospital said that the 2-year-old girl, Wang Yue, died shortly after midnight of brain and organ failure. "Her injuries were too severe and the treatment had no effect," intensive care unit director Su Lei told reporters.
UPDATE: Milton Police Find Missing Girl
MILTON — The missing juvenile Mayra Torres has been located by the Milton Police Department.
The 16-year-old Milton girl was reported missing shortly after the Cape Henlopen High School Homecoming Dance Oct. 15.
She returned home from the dance early on Oct. 16 but then left again, said Capt. John Cornwell of the Milton Police Department.
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