At least 130 current and former employees of the District of Columbia have been caught up in a fraud investigation.
The nearly year-long probe looked into suspected abuse of unemployment insurance benefits paid out by the D.C. government.
Investigators found that 130 people drew on unemployment benefits while actually still holding jobs with the District, including D.C. Council staffers, employees of the Department of Transportation and the school system, and one who works in the Department of Employment Services, News4's Pat Collins reported. Those 90 people suspected who are currently working for the District have been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of the investigation.
About $840,000 was taken in about three years, Collins reported.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, February 06, 2012
Robbery At Lewes Bank
Location:
Bank of Delmarva, 18572 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE
Date of Occurrence:
Monday February 6, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.
Victim:
45 year old female bank employee
Suspect:
Black male, 20-26 years of age, 5”11”-6’02” tall. Last seen wearing a blue jacket, blue pants, black sneakers, and a yellow flat brimmed hat.
Operating a grey colored sedan
Surveillance photos attached.
Resume:
Lewes, DE-Delaware State Police Detectives are investigating the robbery of the Bank of Delmarva located on Coastal Highway, which occurred earlier this afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, as a suspect entered the Bank of Delmarva located on Coastal Highway in Lewes. The suspect approached the bank teller and presented a demand note for money. The teller complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the bank on foot southbound in the parking lot and got into a grey colored sedan before leaving the area.
There were no injuries as a result of this incident.
To offer information in reference to this incident, the public is asked to contact Troop 4 Criminal Investigations at 302-856-5850 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Why Romney Is Winning
Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- With his victories in Florida and Nevada, Mitt Romney has re-emerged at the front of the GOP pack.
Given the primary and caucus schedule for the rest of February, it will be extremely difficult for Newt Gingrich to regain the momentum that he had after South Carolina. Romney finds himself in a strong position to win the nomination.
Although there have been countless stories in the past few months about the latest "Anyone But Romney" candidate who was going to steal the crown from him, the former Massachusetts governor is still standing.
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Given the primary and caucus schedule for the rest of February, it will be extremely difficult for Newt Gingrich to regain the momentum that he had after South Carolina. Romney finds himself in a strong position to win the nomination.
Although there have been countless stories in the past few months about the latest "Anyone But Romney" candidate who was going to steal the crown from him, the former Massachusetts governor is still standing.
More
House Bill Bans Welfare Spending At Strip Clubs
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- If welfare recipients want to dole out the dollar bills at a strip club, they'd better make sure it's not government money ... at least if a bill in Congress becomes law.
The House last week overwhelmingly passed legislation that would require states to ban the ability to access government benefits at strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos.
More
The House last week overwhelmingly passed legislation that would require states to ban the ability to access government benefits at strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos.
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$10 Million Fine on Red Cross Highlights Its Troubled History Of Blood Services
A few weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration hit the American Red Cross with a nearly $10 million fine [1] for safety violations, lax oversight and faulty testing of its blood services. The fine is just the latest of more than a dozen the Red Cross has racked up in the last decade.
In 2003, a federal court, frustrated by repeated blood safety violations by the Red Cross, gave the FDA the power to fine the organization. Forty-six million dollars in penalties later, many of the same violations -- understaffing, ineffective screening of donors, failure to recall infected blood -- are outlined in the recent letter the FDA [2] sent to the executive vice president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross.
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In 2003, a federal court, frustrated by repeated blood safety violations by the Red Cross, gave the FDA the power to fine the organization. Forty-six million dollars in penalties later, many of the same violations -- understaffing, ineffective screening of donors, failure to recall infected blood -- are outlined in the recent letter the FDA [2] sent to the executive vice president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross.
More
How "Occupy Our Homes" Can Win
An interview with anti-eviction organizer Steve Meacham of City Life/Vida Urbana in Boston
Since most of the original Occupy encampments were evicted by wintertime, the question now is, what's next for activists? One of the most popular suggestions is "Occupy Our Homes," a campaign in which occupiers around the country would do actions at foreclosed houses or at bailed-out banks that are throwing people out of their homes. A national day of action on December 6 focused on this approach and featured home occupations or solidarity marches in 25 cities, including New York and Chicago.
Occupy Our Homes has three particularly good instincts.
More
Since most of the original Occupy encampments were evicted by wintertime, the question now is, what's next for activists? One of the most popular suggestions is "Occupy Our Homes," a campaign in which occupiers around the country would do actions at foreclosed houses or at bailed-out banks that are throwing people out of their homes. A national day of action on December 6 focused on this approach and featured home occupations or solidarity marches in 25 cities, including New York and Chicago.
Occupy Our Homes has three particularly good instincts.
More
Walmart Whistleblowers Stand Up To Retaliation
Unseen but ever present, behind the well-stocked shelves of Walmarts around the country are warehouse workers. This labor force is primarily employed by contracting firms that underpay workers and fire them summarily, according to advocates, but a group of 60 former employees at a Walmart warehouse in the Chicago suburbs are holding these contractors accountable for what they say are numerous labor violations.
The workers allege that, after they filed a complaint in November 2011 calling for lost wages from their temp employer, Eclipse, they were dismissed without notice when Schnieder Logistics, the company that operates the Walmart warehouse in Elmwood, Illinois, canceled their temp agency's contract.
More
The workers allege that, after they filed a complaint in November 2011 calling for lost wages from their temp employer, Eclipse, they were dismissed without notice when Schnieder Logistics, the company that operates the Walmart warehouse in Elmwood, Illinois, canceled their temp agency's contract.
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The Scary Danger Of Meat (Even For Those Who Don't Eat It)
The government has rolled over once again for Big Meat and we may be in more danger from antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
So far, 2012 is bringing bad news for people who don't want "free antibiotics" in their food.
Antibiotics are routinely given to livestock on factory farms to make them gain weight with less feed and keep them from getting sick in confinement conditions. But the daily dosing, at the same time it lowers feed needs, lowers drug effectiveness and produces antibiotic resistant bacteria or super bugs that can be deadly to people.
This month, researchers found 230 out of 395 pork cuts bought in US stores were contaminated with a super bug called MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Worse--there were "no statistically significant differences" between "conventionally raised swine and swine raised without antibiotics," reported the researchers.
Why would meat labeled "raised without antibiotics" be as full of super bugs as conventional and factory farmed meat? It can be contaminated with MRSA at the farm, by slaughterhouse workers who carry MRSA or by other meat, if processing equipment is not "cleaned out between runs of certified organic and non-certified organic meats," say the researchers. A 2009 study of swine workers in Iowa and Illinois found that almost half carried MRSA.
And last month, the FDA scrapped its three-decade-long effort to regulate the use of the popular human antibiotics penicillin and tetracycline in livestock. While the FDA says in the announcement that it "remains concerned about the issue of antimicrobial resistance," it also says "contested, formal withdrawal proceedings" consume too much of its time and money. For example, withdrawing nitrofurans from livestock use took 20 years, DES (diethylstilbestrol) took seven years and enrofloxacin took five years and cost $3.3 million, says the agency. Hey, we're just the government that makes the laws and enforces them. They're Big Meat!
More
So far, 2012 is bringing bad news for people who don't want "free antibiotics" in their food.
Antibiotics are routinely given to livestock on factory farms to make them gain weight with less feed and keep them from getting sick in confinement conditions. But the daily dosing, at the same time it lowers feed needs, lowers drug effectiveness and produces antibiotic resistant bacteria or super bugs that can be deadly to people.
This month, researchers found 230 out of 395 pork cuts bought in US stores were contaminated with a super bug called MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Worse--there were "no statistically significant differences" between "conventionally raised swine and swine raised without antibiotics," reported the researchers.
Why would meat labeled "raised without antibiotics" be as full of super bugs as conventional and factory farmed meat? It can be contaminated with MRSA at the farm, by slaughterhouse workers who carry MRSA or by other meat, if processing equipment is not "cleaned out between runs of certified organic and non-certified organic meats," say the researchers. A 2009 study of swine workers in Iowa and Illinois found that almost half carried MRSA.
And last month, the FDA scrapped its three-decade-long effort to regulate the use of the popular human antibiotics penicillin and tetracycline in livestock. While the FDA says in the announcement that it "remains concerned about the issue of antimicrobial resistance," it also says "contested, formal withdrawal proceedings" consume too much of its time and money. For example, withdrawing nitrofurans from livestock use took 20 years, DES (diethylstilbestrol) took seven years and enrofloxacin took five years and cost $3.3 million, says the agency. Hey, we're just the government that makes the laws and enforces them. They're Big Meat!
More
Adding It Up: Press Freedom, Democratic Health And Public Media Funding
This week Reporters Without Borders released its 2011–2012 Press Freedom Index, and much of the attention has focused on the fact that the United States has dropped 27 places to 47th in the world, thanks in large part to the journalist arrests at Occupy Wall Street events. For a nation that has built its model of governance on freedom of the press, that ranking should be a wake-up call, and should spark a national debate about how we are going to defend the First Amendment in the digital age.
On its own, the study from Reporters Without Borders is a powerful snapshot of press freedom around the world. However, it’s worth cross-referencing the report’s findings with a few other data points to better understand how the United States stacks up, and why this ranking is so important. When the lists below are viewed side by side, it becomes clear that press freedom correlates directly with other measures of democratic health.
Bipartisan Strategy Takes Shape To Close Overseas US Bases
At a time when bipartisanship on Capitol Hill has essentially disappeared, an intriguing example of cross-party consensus has emerged in a relatively obscure area of foreign policy: closing overseas military bases.
Since debt debates heated up last summer and with the Pentagon soon to release the details of budget reductions, a growing group of prominent politicians across a broad political spectrum has called for reducing U.S. military installations and forces overseas to produce significant savings. The unusual coalition includes Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul and outgoing House Democrat Barney Frank.
While last week the Pentagon announced it will request another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, a large network of bases abroad remains. According to the Pentagon, the U.S. maintains nearly 700 military base sites outside the 50 states and Washington (and this number does not include our 400 bases in Afghanistan). Many are relics of the Cold War, with some in place for nearly seven decades. Today, the U.S. has almost 200 base sites in Germany, 108 in Japan and 82 in South Korea.
The supporters of the status quo will say that countries like Japan, South Korea and some NATO allies will often cover some of our bases’ expenses. While this is true, there are the additional costs of providing housing and transportation for U.S. troops and their families overseas, of providing schools for children, of shipping cars to service members abroad, of providing base security and of paying unofficial forms of “rent” to foreign governments.
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Since debt debates heated up last summer and with the Pentagon soon to release the details of budget reductions, a growing group of prominent politicians across a broad political spectrum has called for reducing U.S. military installations and forces overseas to produce significant savings. The unusual coalition includes Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul and outgoing House Democrat Barney Frank.
While last week the Pentagon announced it will request another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, a large network of bases abroad remains. According to the Pentagon, the U.S. maintains nearly 700 military base sites outside the 50 states and Washington (and this number does not include our 400 bases in Afghanistan). Many are relics of the Cold War, with some in place for nearly seven decades. Today, the U.S. has almost 200 base sites in Germany, 108 in Japan and 82 in South Korea.
The supporters of the status quo will say that countries like Japan, South Korea and some NATO allies will often cover some of our bases’ expenses. While this is true, there are the additional costs of providing housing and transportation for U.S. troops and their families overseas, of providing schools for children, of shipping cars to service members abroad, of providing base security and of paying unofficial forms of “rent” to foreign governments.
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The Path to Peace By Ron Paul
This speech before the House of Representatives, March 25, 1999, is collected in A Foreign Policy of Freedom (2007).
Mr. Speaker, today I rise with gratitude to Edmund Burke and paraphrase words he first spoke 224 years ago this week. It is presently true that to restore liberty and dignity to a nation so great and distracted as ours is indeed a significant undertaking. For, judging of what we are by what we ought to be, I have persuaded myself that this body might accept this reasonable proposition.
The proposition is peace. Not peace through the medium of war, not peace to be hunted through the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations; not peace to arise out of universal discord, fomented from principle, in all parts of the earth; not peace to depend on juridical determination of perplexing questions, or the precise marking the shadowy boundaries of distant nations. It is simply peace, sought in its natural course and in its ordinary haunts.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise with gratitude to Edmund Burke and paraphrase words he first spoke 224 years ago this week. It is presently true that to restore liberty and dignity to a nation so great and distracted as ours is indeed a significant undertaking. For, judging of what we are by what we ought to be, I have persuaded myself that this body might accept this reasonable proposition.
The proposition is peace. Not peace through the medium of war, not peace to be hunted through the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations; not peace to arise out of universal discord, fomented from principle, in all parts of the earth; not peace to depend on juridical determination of perplexing questions, or the precise marking the shadowy boundaries of distant nations. It is simply peace, sought in its natural course and in its ordinary haunts.
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Occupy DC Raided By Police In Riot Gear
United States Park Police bearing riot gear and on horse back raided Occupy DC Saturday morning and throughout the day, removing tents that were deemed to be in violation of a no camping rule at McPherson Square. Park Police spokesperson Sgt. David Schlosser said the raid did not constitute an eviction and that protesters would be allowed to continue activities at the park as long as they complied with the no camping rule.
Six protesters had been arrested as of about four o’clock this afternoon — two for crossing a police barricade and four for violating police orders — but the majority were “very cooperative” as police moved through the park, Schlosser said. Two more were arrested later, according to various reports. Park Police moved methodically through the park, closing sections at a time while the rest remained open, using riot shields and sticks to move protesters as Park Service employees in hazardous materials suits cleared and removed tents.
At different times, small groups of protesters collided with police, who pushed protesters back with riot shields. One police officer was struck by a brick in the face and taken to the hospital. At one point, multiple protesters were struck by riot sticks as they clashed with police moving through the park. Watch:
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Six protesters had been arrested as of about four o’clock this afternoon — two for crossing a police barricade and four for violating police orders — but the majority were “very cooperative” as police moved through the park, Schlosser said. Two more were arrested later, according to various reports. Park Police moved methodically through the park, closing sections at a time while the rest remained open, using riot shields and sticks to move protesters as Park Service employees in hazardous materials suits cleared and removed tents.
At different times, small groups of protesters collided with police, who pushed protesters back with riot shields. One police officer was struck by a brick in the face and taken to the hospital. At one point, multiple protesters were struck by riot sticks as they clashed with police moving through the park. Watch:
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Why State Attorneys General Shouldn't Settle On Robo-Signing
A foreclosure settlement between five major banks guilty of “robo-signing” and the attorneys general of the 50 states is pending for Monday, February 6th; but it is still not clear if all the AGs will sign. California was to get over half of the $25 billion in settlement money, and California AG Kamala Harris has withstood pressure to settle.
That is good. She and the other AGs should not sign until a thorough investigation has been conducted. The evidence to date suggests that “robo-signing” was not a mere technical default or sloppy business practice but was part and parcel of a much larger fraud, the fraud that brought down the whole economy in 2008. It is not just distressed homeowners but the entire economy that has paid the price, resulting in massive unemployment and a shrunken tax base, throwing state and local governments into insolvency and forcing austerity measures and cutbacks in government services across the nation.
The details of the robo-signing scam were spelled out in my last article, here. The robo-signing fraud and its implications are expanded on below.
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That is good. She and the other AGs should not sign until a thorough investigation has been conducted. The evidence to date suggests that “robo-signing” was not a mere technical default or sloppy business practice but was part and parcel of a much larger fraud, the fraud that brought down the whole economy in 2008. It is not just distressed homeowners but the entire economy that has paid the price, resulting in massive unemployment and a shrunken tax base, throwing state and local governments into insolvency and forcing austerity measures and cutbacks in government services across the nation.
The details of the robo-signing scam were spelled out in my last article, here. The robo-signing fraud and its implications are expanded on below.
More
Second Opinions
Last week Governor O’Malley delivered the State of the State address where he laid out a clear vision for the future of our State focused on job creation, strengthening our middle class, and the dignity of every Maryland family and individual.
The Governor’s plan balances record cuts–$7.5 billion over the last six years—with the highest-ever $32 billion investment in our public education. It also balances investments in our critical infrastructure—our roads, bridges, tunnels and transit—with a phased-in proposal to lift the sales tax exemption on gasoline over the years.
In his remarks, the Governor acknowledged that while some of these proposals may not be popular, they are the right thing to do for Maryland’s future. But don’t take our word for it..
Here are a few second opinions:
“For me, raising the gasoline tax is a no-brainer. The state desperately needs money to maintain and improve roads and mass transit, not to mention build the light-rail Purple Line. A higher tax would also discourage gasoline use, thus combating global warming and reducing dependence on imported petroleum.”—Robert McCartney, Washington Post
“What’s been done in the past to avoid raising the gas tax — the usual motley assortment of fees, fares and transportation-related taxes — is no longer good enough. If Maryland continues to embrace a 1992 tax rate, it will have to settle for crumbling 1992-era infrastructure.”—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
“Higher prices at the pump may be unwanted, but a deteriorating transportation system is costly, too. Not only in mere congestion but also in lost economic opportunity. Raising the gas tax is the right thing to do today if Maryland is to preserve its quality of life tomorrow and for the next generation.”—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
From the Baltimore Sun: “It is true that Governor O’Malley has relied far more on spending cuts than on tax increases to keep the state budget balanced since the start of the recession — it’s even true of this year’s proposal”
“In the battle for balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility, we should view applying the sales tax to gasoline as a victory.”—Peter T. Smith, Baltimore
“Ending the sales tax exemption, rather than increasing the gas tax beyond the current 23½¢ per gallon, accomplishes two things. First, sales tax revenue keeps pace with inflation. With the current structure of the gas tax, politically difficult tax increases are needed just to keep transit operations and road maintenance constant.”—Ben Ross, Washington
Source
The Governor’s plan balances record cuts–$7.5 billion over the last six years—with the highest-ever $32 billion investment in our public education. It also balances investments in our critical infrastructure—our roads, bridges, tunnels and transit—with a phased-in proposal to lift the sales tax exemption on gasoline over the years.
In his remarks, the Governor acknowledged that while some of these proposals may not be popular, they are the right thing to do for Maryland’s future. But don’t take our word for it..
Here are a few second opinions:
“For me, raising the gasoline tax is a no-brainer. The state desperately needs money to maintain and improve roads and mass transit, not to mention build the light-rail Purple Line. A higher tax would also discourage gasoline use, thus combating global warming and reducing dependence on imported petroleum.”—Robert McCartney, Washington Post
“What’s been done in the past to avoid raising the gas tax — the usual motley assortment of fees, fares and transportation-related taxes — is no longer good enough. If Maryland continues to embrace a 1992 tax rate, it will have to settle for crumbling 1992-era infrastructure.”—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
“Higher prices at the pump may be unwanted, but a deteriorating transportation system is costly, too. Not only in mere congestion but also in lost economic opportunity. Raising the gas tax is the right thing to do today if Maryland is to preserve its quality of life tomorrow and for the next generation.”—Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
From the Baltimore Sun: “It is true that Governor O’Malley has relied far more on spending cuts than on tax increases to keep the state budget balanced since the start of the recession — it’s even true of this year’s proposal”
“In the battle for balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility, we should view applying the sales tax to gasoline as a victory.”—Peter T. Smith, Baltimore
“Ending the sales tax exemption, rather than increasing the gas tax beyond the current 23½¢ per gallon, accomplishes two things. First, sales tax revenue keeps pace with inflation. With the current structure of the gas tax, politically difficult tax increases are needed just to keep transit operations and road maintenance constant.”—Ben Ross, Washington
Source
DELMARVA POSTCARD CLUB’S 13th ANNUAL SHOW
SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 12, 2012
WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER
CIVIC AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD
DANANG ROOM - 10 AM TO 4 PM
POSTCARD DISPLAYS
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
POSTCARDS, POSTCARDS & MORE
POSTCARDS!
LOCAL AND OUT OF TOWN DEALERS
FOR INFO CALL: NICK CARTER (410) 632-1474
or GEORGE CHEVALLIER (410) 749-1021
Elite Campaign To Re-Elect Obama In Full Swing?
From the Washington Post, we learn that "January job gains have economists rethinking outlooks."
Oh, really? Last I looked, the bear leg of the larger business cycle was still in full effect. Nothing's changed in other words, since 2001 – or more pertinently 2008, when according to our elvish analysis the fiat-dollar economy, worldwide, collapsed.
How do we know it collapsed? Well, various central banks have committed possibly more than US$50 trillion since then to propping up various financial facilities. That doesn't sound very healthy, does it? Say, you go ask for a US$50 trillion loan (if you can figure out where to apply) and see whether you get it.
More on this in a minute. The idea of an up-trending of the US economy is nothing more than a bald-faced lie, the most devious kind of propaganda. Here's a bit more from the article:
An unexpectedly rosy jobs report set off a chain reaction Friday, upending economists' gloomy predictions for the coming year, leading to a surge on Wall Street and potentially boggling the political calculus of the 2012 presidential campaigns.
The surprise — that the unemployment rate had dipped for the fifth straight month, to 8.3 percent — was first reflected in the stock market, where the Dow Jones industrial average soared to its highest mark since the beginning of the financial crisis. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, meanwhile, hit an 11-year high.
By noon, President Obama, whose reelection chances have been threatened by the nation's economic woes, seized on the figures as proof that the recovery from the recession "is speeding up."
More
Oh, really? Last I looked, the bear leg of the larger business cycle was still in full effect. Nothing's changed in other words, since 2001 – or more pertinently 2008, when according to our elvish analysis the fiat-dollar economy, worldwide, collapsed.
How do we know it collapsed? Well, various central banks have committed possibly more than US$50 trillion since then to propping up various financial facilities. That doesn't sound very healthy, does it? Say, you go ask for a US$50 trillion loan (if you can figure out where to apply) and see whether you get it.
More on this in a minute. The idea of an up-trending of the US economy is nothing more than a bald-faced lie, the most devious kind of propaganda. Here's a bit more from the article:
An unexpectedly rosy jobs report set off a chain reaction Friday, upending economists' gloomy predictions for the coming year, leading to a surge on Wall Street and potentially boggling the political calculus of the 2012 presidential campaigns.
The surprise — that the unemployment rate had dipped for the fifth straight month, to 8.3 percent — was first reflected in the stock market, where the Dow Jones industrial average soared to its highest mark since the beginning of the financial crisis. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, meanwhile, hit an 11-year high.
By noon, President Obama, whose reelection chances have been threatened by the nation's economic woes, seized on the figures as proof that the recovery from the recession "is speeding up."
More
Study Finds Chicken Manure Pollution Overstated
Eastern Shore farmers and representatives of the poultry industry told lawmakers Friday that EPA estimates on nutrient pollution from poultry production are outdated and way overstated, according to a new study from the University of Delaware.
Continue Reading...
Continue Reading...
OCPD SEEKS PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN CHARITY THEFT CASE
On February 2, 2012 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Ocean City Police responded to 501 South Baltimore Avenue, the Pour House Saloon for a theft that had previously occurred.
Police met with the manager/owner who advised that on January 28, 2012, the Pour House Saloon had a fundraiser for car crash victim baby Ava Delricco.
Approximately 200 hundred people attended the benefit. During this benefit there was a silent charity auction. The management reported that one of the auction items had been stolen. The item was described as a large canvas, red and maroon 6-foot-tall Molson beer beach umbrella with a wood pole. The beach umbrella has an approximate retail value of $125.
The Pour House Saloon video surveillance system recorded a person of interest, described as a white male wearing a dark t-shirt and white baseball cap, with a goatee, carry the umbrella out of the business.
Ocean City Police are asking anyone with any information about the identity of the male seen in the surveillance footage or who may have any information about the theft to please contact OCPD- PFC John Spicer at 410-520-5295. You do not have to provide your name.
Police met with the manager/owner who advised that on January 28, 2012, the Pour House Saloon had a fundraiser for car crash victim baby Ava Delricco.
Approximately 200 hundred people attended the benefit. During this benefit there was a silent charity auction. The management reported that one of the auction items had been stolen. The item was described as a large canvas, red and maroon 6-foot-tall Molson beer beach umbrella with a wood pole. The beach umbrella has an approximate retail value of $125.
The Pour House Saloon video surveillance system recorded a person of interest, described as a white male wearing a dark t-shirt and white baseball cap, with a goatee, carry the umbrella out of the business.
Ocean City Police are asking anyone with any information about the identity of the male seen in the surveillance footage or who may have any information about the theft to please contact OCPD- PFC John Spicer at 410-520-5295. You do not have to provide your name.
Comedic Relief
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time.
We agree...and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
--Jay Leno
America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.
--Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it.
--Conan O'Brien
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser.
--Jay Leno
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers, and threats to society.
The other is for housing prisoners.
--David Letterman
Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !
--Jimmy Fallon
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
--Jimmy Kimmel
Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
--David Letterman
We agree...and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
--Jay Leno
America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.
--Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it.
--Conan O'Brien
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser.
--Jay Leno
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers, and threats to society.
The other is for housing prisoners.
--David Letterman
Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !
--Jimmy Fallon
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
--Jimmy Kimmel
Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
--David Letterman
Wicomico County’s Board of Education Kingdom Is Collapsing
Although Stephanie Moses has mastered malfeasance herself, apparently she caught the short end on this one! On your January 3, 2012 article I read all of the post responses ad nauseam. Several respondents were concerned about the lawsuits pending against the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE). As a person that is knowledgeable of the legal profession, I submit to you that Larry F. Williams (former Social Studies teacher) does have a “viable” case pending against the BOE that includes five defendants: Stephanie Moses, Dr. Fredericksen, William Cain, Tom Field and the WCBOE. Sovereign Immunity does protect the BOE in part but Mr. Williams can also sue the individual defendants as well. “His case has not been adjudicated.” Since the case has been “Ripe for Adjudication” since last July, a “Scheduling Order” has been produced and his case should be heard sometime this year. The current schism at the BOE and Moses’ termination boosts his case because all five defendants have now exposed a credibility issue of past improprieties as they covered up Civil Rights and Maryland Public Information Act issues.
Larry Williams’ case (Civil Action WMN-10-3582) will be heard by the Honorable William M. Nickerson. He really goes by the book and he will allow the court to ferret-out relevant information that is germane to this case. This case has the potential to go national because Mr. Williams is an African American honorably retired U.S. Air Force veteran with a 70% service connected disability. Mr. Williams was arguably the best teacher they had at the alternative school with measurable results. All of his observations were commendable with no non compliance issues at the school and he was very committed to student achievement. Moreover, his lack of “Due Process” really captured Judge Nickerson’s attention and he obviously saw a lot of malfeasance in this case. WCBOE tried their best to get his case dismissed to no avail. It’s now pending adjudication at the Federal District Court in Baltimore.
Mr. Williams was threatened by a knife carrying alternative school student with a lot of priors. I’ve found out that the BOE knew of the aberrations of the student and covered up the fact that the student was in fact suspended and came on school property and threatened Mr. Williams. The student wasn’t arrested for trespassing by the principal Ike Humphrey and Mr. Williams was charged with assault for having to restrain the student in an afterschool altercation when the student threatened to punch Mr. Williams in the face. The following week the student was disarmed with a knife on the premises after getting into an altercation with another student. The Department of Social Services (DSS) “Indicated” Mr. Williams of physical child abuse. Although he wasn’t arrested, he did receive a criminal summons from Davis Ruark for assault.
According to the original complaint, Mr. Williams was “Recommended for Termination” by Robin Holloway (president of the BOE) on September 11, 2007. Additionally, on September 17, 2007, before any appeal could even occur, before the criminal court date and without any type of hearing or official finding by the WCBOE, Mr. Tom Field wrote a letter to Dr. John Smilie, the Assistant State Superintendent with the Maryland State Department of Education, requesting that Mr. Williams’ teaching certificate be revoked. On October 8, 2007, without a hearing and in violation of the standard contract, Defendant Field issued a letter to Mr. Williams’ that changed his employment status from administrative leave with pay to suspension without pay. WCBOE’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 2007 stated: “Any suspension of a teacher by the Superintendent, pending a proper initial hearing by the Board, shall be with pay and shall continue until the date of the hearing of same shall be scheduled by the Board according to law.” Apparently three of the five months that Williams was suspended “without pay” was after the case was tried in Wicomico County District Court by the Honorable L. Bruce Wade. “It must be therefore emphasized that Mr. Williams was suspended three months without pay by WCBOE after he went to court and was found Not Guilty.” In those three months Mr. Field or Mr. Mark Thompson (president of the BOE 08-09) didn’t bother to find the time to schedule and conduct a hearing to restore this teacher’s pay. Moreover, Stephanie Moses endorsed the actions of the superintendent and the BOE. Irrespective of who signed the change of status letters to Mr. Williams, the guidance and endorsement came from the Director of Human Resources (HR) Stephanie Moses.
On December 3, 2007, Williams was found “Not Guilty” and DSS “Ruled Out” any physical child abuse. All of his court and DSS records were expunged in 2008. After the five month suspension, WCBOE did restore his pay retroactively to November 2007 in March of 2008. He was then placed back on “Administrative Leave with Pay” for the remainder of the school year without given a reason why and later terminated without given the opportunity to have a hearing in accordance with his contract as a certified teacher. Mr. Williams’ counsel alleges that the HR office and the BOE knowingly disclosed expunged information to prospective employers concerning his assault charge. He obviously has proof! Although Dr. Fredericksen wasn’t the superintendent when this initiated, Mr. Williams did write him a letter informing him of the impropriety and requested a meeting with him and Dr. Margo Handy to no avail. Dr. Fredericksen had two full years to straighten out this debacle. He could’ve ensured that this fine veteran that had his day in court be left alone by his HR office and given a neutral reference. Now that he and Moses are at odds, I don’t envision those five defendants agreeing to the same story at this point once they go to court. A lot of lies had to transpire to hide four years of job verifications accusing Mr. Williams as a physical child abuser.
Your blog has mentioned several teachers that WCBOE has terminated for “Sexual Improprieties” in the past. I have zero tolerance for sexually abusing children and if this was Mr. Williams’ outcome I wouldn’t waste my time in the research and the writing of this article. All of them but Nettles were white. If Robert Alan Borrello, Candice Renee Pianka and Steven Mark Kiggins were all placed on administrative leave with pay and not suspended without pay in accordance with their CBA, WCBOE has a serious discrimination hurdle to overcome. The news paper did say that Pianka’s employment disposition wouldn’t change until her case was adjudicated. If this is true then she wasn’t suspended without pay. Borello was arrested in 2006 and was criminally sentenced in 2007. May of 2007 was when Williams’ incident occurred. His counsel needs to know if Robert Alan Borello was ever suspended without pay. This is of the timeframe of Mr. Williams’ incident. Moreover, his original complaint emphasized that he applied to 14 different school systems since his termination to no avail. Although he has incontrovertible evidence in a letter that one school district has his expunged information, WCBOE’s HR knows that they didn’t just start disclosing his expunged record in 2009. This is where Stephanie Moses comes in and anyone else in her office that responded to job verifications. It is highly unlikely that an African American male with a Master of Education degree in School Administration couldn’t find a job in a school system teaching anywhere for five years. I didn’t say “Black Balled” You did!
If you bold BOE employees have relevant information about any of the five defendants you may want to contact his lawyer: Neil R. Lebowitz. I can understand that persons in the HR office may be concerned about their own careers. They know how things were run under Moses. His case will be tried in Baltimore long before anyone else’s. Moreover, you helping Mr. Williams through his very fine lawyer may ferret- out many other improprieties that need to be exposed that may help you in the near future. WCBOE’s insurance will have to pay for Mr. Williams astronomical legal fees in addition to any settlement that the jury may award Mr. Williams if he proves discrimination in his treatment. The days of “Secret Meetings” and the culture of corruption is being exposed by this site. Although Mr. Williams’ case may not be a “Slam Dunk,” the current schism may turn around and “Bite the Board in the Butt.” I wouldn’t want this case to meet the Honorable Judge William M. Nickerson if I were WCBOE! Lastly, their insurance has spent a lot of money too. Hodes, Pessin & Katz don’t come cheap. This law firm is arguably the “Top Dog” in Maryland as it relates to Educational Law. WCBOE’s insurance will definitely go up if this case continues and they were to lose in court. “In my profession, I want right to win and WCBOE don’t do things right.” As I mentioned in paragraph one, Moses appears to have been wronged by Dr. Fredericksen. But for years a lot of WCBOE employees have been eviscerated by her. Another Moses said…, “Be sure your sins don’t find you out!
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