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Monday, February 09, 2009

SU/SPD Needs To Make Up Their Minds On This One

OFF-CAMPUS ROBBERY:

Between 1 and 2 a.m. on February 8, 2009 a female Salisbury University student was approached by two African-American males on Smith Street in Salisbury. The men robbed the student of property and then fled on foot.

Anyone who may have information about this crime is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department: (410) 548-3165, the Salisbury University Police Department: (410) 543-6222; or, report anonymously to Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore: (410) 548-1776.

A bulletin transmitted on February 6, 2009 by University Police notified the campus community about the robbery of a Salisbury University student that also occurred on Smith Street. According to the Salisbury Police Department, that case was closed by arrest.

I would like to remind our campus community that crimes can occur anywhere at anytime. Individuals should always be attentive to their surroundings, and remain alert to the potential ill-intent of others nearby.

It is imperative that victims of crime promptly report the incident to a law enforcement agency.

Students are encouraged to utilize Safe Ride and the University Police Department’s escort services.

Please review and consider the following tips. Extra vigilance and caution is in order whenever you are out alone, away from crowds.

Street Robbery Tips:
1. Try to remain calm. Do not resist. Consider the robber dangerous.
2. In most cases, the robber only wants your valuables/money and is not there to hurt you.
3. Assume the robber is armed, even if you don't see a weapon.
4. If a weapon is displayed, consider it to be real and loaded.
5. Do only what the robber tells you. If you don't understand, tell the robber.
6. Attempt to get a good, complete description of the robber, - taking note of unique and unusual characteristics.
7. Your main goal is to survive!
8. Don't resist and fight with the assailant unless it is evident that your life is in danger.
9. Remember--your valuables can be replaced, - your life can't.

Report any suspicious persons immediately to the police. If possible, use a cellular phone to call 911 while maintaining visual observation of the subject(s).

Chief Edwin L. Lashley
University Police
ellashley@salisbury.edu

Attached Message
From: University Police
To: University Police
Subject: SPECIAL BULLETIN (OFF-CAMPUS ROBBERY)
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:09:23 -0500

Yet in a previous bulletin we produced the other day they dais/added,
A bulletin transmitted on February 6, 2009 by University Police notified the campus community about the robbery of a Salisbury University student that also occurred on Smith Street. According to the Salisbury Police Department, that case was closed by arrest.

Meet The Browns Of Comedy Has Been Cancelled

Promoter Cancels Meet the Browns of Comedy on February 13 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center regrets to announce that Meet the Browns of Comedy has been cancelled. The show, slated for Friday, February 13 was cancelled by the show’s promoter.

As a result, ticket holders will receive a complete refund. If you purchased your tickets by credit card at the box office, via phone or online a refund will be issued automatically. Refunds for those who purchased tickets with cash will be issued at the Civic Center box office beginning Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00am. Please bring your tickets to the box office during regular business hours for a refund.

Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The box office will be closed on Monday, February 16 for President’s Day. For more information please call 410-548-4911.

The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center apologizes for any inconvenience this cancellation has caused.

Slumlords Endorse Comegys, Boda and Shields


You can always tell when a city election is around the corner. SAPOA (the Salisbury-area Slumlord's Guild) prepares to keep their pals in power with both legal, and under-the-table, campaign spending.

As usual, Richard Insley (the area's leading slumlord) prepares a letter (see text below) for all slumlords to scare their tenants with. The implication is clear. Support Gary Comegys for Mayor along with Muir Boda and Shanie Shields for council or you will be homeless.

It doesn't matter that there is little to no truth in the attack piece. SAPOA doesn't want to have elected officials who fight for safe, affordable housing for the city's renters. That takes money out of their collective pockets. Instead, it's too easy to scare renters into voting for people that SAPOA expects to stay in their pocket. Why not? They have been highly successful to date with the likes of Mike Dunn, Gary Comegys, Lynn Cathcart, Shanie Shields and Louise Smith.

SAPOA already knows that they own Comegys and Shields. They are simply so afraid of Councilwoman Debbie Campbell that they are hoping Boda will be sufficiently grateful for their support.

LETTER TO BE SENT TO TENANATS OF SAPOA MEMBERS

"Dear Tenant,

A very important City of Salisbury Primary Election is coming on MARCH 3, 2009 and General Election on April 7, 2009 for tenants who want to protect their rights to live in Salisbury neighborhoods.

*Why is the Election important to me you ask?*

Because who you elect will have a lot to do with whether you maintain your rights to live in a neighborhood of your choice.

*Who I elect, you say?*

Yes, who you elect, because _ RENTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN SALISBURY_ too. But only _IF YOU REGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE FEBRUARY 10, 9pm, 2009 AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICE AT 123 BATEMAN ST., LOCATED ACROSS ROUTE 13 AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS FROM SALISBURY UNIVERSITY - OPPOSITE THE NEW PARKING GARAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION—PHONE 410-548-4830._

Your choice for Mayor and City Council will be between Candidates who support your (everyone’s) right to live where you choose and those who want to restrict by law the rights of Renters.

The City Council candidates in District Two are DEBBIE CAMPBELL and MUIR BODA and the Mayoral Candidates are BOB CALDWELL, JIM IRETON and GARY COMEGYS. Regardless of what she might tell you, MRS. CAMPBELL has been no friend or supporter of renters living in Salisbury neighborhoods. She lead the effort to get the infamous “4 to 2” law passed in Salisbury, which basically was aimed at RENTERS, to reduce the maximum number of unrelated renters in a dwelling from 4 to 2. I believe her agenda and that of her allies including Mayoral Candidates BOB CALDWELL and JIM IRETON has been to get rid of as many rental properties (and consequently renters) in Salisbury neighborhoods as possible.
They haven’t said it in exactly those terms. It is much more subtle than that, but make no mistake; they don’t want renters in “THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS”. They frequently refer to the “UNHEALTHY” number of rentals in Salisbury. If you can afford or choose to own a house in “THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD”, that’s acceptable, (as long as you are not a student) but if you are a renter, they don’t want you. Of course you won’t actually hear them say they don’t want renters. More likely it will be they don’t want Landlords. Sooo… if you don’t have Landlords, you don’t have Renters.

How can they accomplish that? Well, they can’t outlaw rentals directly by ordinance. One of the more indirect ways is to increase the costs and fees on rentals, and decreasing the number of persons who can live in a rental property, regardless of the number of bedrooms, (4 to 2) thus trying to make them more and more unaffordable for Renters.

Candidates GARY COMEGYS for MAYOR and MUIR BODA for CITY COUNCIL in District 2 and SHANIE SHIELDS for CITY COUNCIL in District 1 all live in Salisbury neighborhoods. Shanie Shields has been an outspoken critic of the “4 to 2” law and a strong advocate for tenants. I believe all three recognize that everyone needs a place to live whether they can afford to own or need or choose to rent. They understand the need of Renters for a decent place to live in Salisbury neighborhoods and I believe they support the idea that Renters should not be treated as second class citizens. I have never heard an “anti-Renter” agenda from either of them, as I have from the others. I suggest you give them your consideration when deciding who to vote for in the Primary and General Elections on March 3^rd and April 7^th , 2009.

*YOU CAN ONLY VOTE IF YOU REGISTER AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS BEFORE FEBUARY 10, 2009.*

Very Truly Yours,"

SALISBURY MALL OWNER LOSES BIG TIME – AGAIN – IN COURT


It’s official but not yet final because of an appeal by the mall owner.

On January 6 the Wicomico Circuit Court ruled for the “Hovnanian” firm that once wanted to develop a residential complex at the site of the old Salisbury Mall. The loser is the property owner – Salisbury Mall Associates – whose representatives, Natelson and Dzaman, once were the golden boys of the City administration of Barrie Tilghman with the support of the City Council under the “Dream Team” (Comegys, Dunn and Cathcart) and later the Comegys-Smith-Shields triad.

Judge Donald C, Davis ruled that the mall owner’s development contract with Hovnanian is “null & void” and ordered that Hovnanian is entitled to get back its deposit of almost $1.7 Million. The mall owner has appealed to the higher court in Annapolis.

The “Salisbury Mall Saga” is another huge debacle for Comegy’s campaign for election as mayor. He has claimed previously to have attracted Natelson and Dzaman from Baltimore by supporting their request for special zoning status and for a special “TIF” subsidy funded by the City, both of which were approved. The County refused to give them a special “TIF” subsidy.

And it’s the second major defeat for the mall owner’s scheme to develop the property. Several years ago the Circuit Court struck down the initial zoning ordinance that Comegys and others approved despite opposition from local residents, who successfully appealed the Council’s unlawful decision.

Remember the comments by Comegys and, before he left the Council (and the City), Dunn that the mall property would be developed just as soon as the zoning and TIF subsidy deal were approved? All we hear from them and Cathcart now about this mess at the mall is silence.

And here’s what they were saying when the “mall madness” was in the formative stage, as reported in the Daily Times on the dates mentioned below:

DEC. 17, 2003 (“Old Salisbury Mall Plan”)

"We wouldn't realize any increases until the bond is paid off, even though the value goes up," City Councilman Gary Comegys said…. "This is exciting," Dunn said….

MAY 4, 2004 (“Old Salisbury Mall”)

Any tax deal would be supported by privately-financed bonds. "That puts the burden on the developers to keep the (project) moving along," city Councilman Gary Comegys said.… This is a terribly exciting project," City Council President Michael Dunn said.

SEPT. 7, 2005 (“Mall redevelopment”)

"Sometimes these things leave here and get away from us and I don't want to see that happen," City Council Vice President Gary Comegys said.

JAN. 24, 2006 (“City Council”)

In a 4-1 vote, the council approved the rezoning of Village at Salisbury Lake, which would develop 823 residential units along with commercial use…. A few residents groaned at Comegys ' last words. "I feel we'll all be looking back and say, 'I'm glad that we're doing this.' "

MAY 27, 2006 (“Old Mall Filing”)

Council Vice President Gary Comegys , who supports the development, said he believes the city is on solid legal ground. "I'm not a lawyer, but as I read our zoning ordinance as it pertains to planned development districts, we followed the letter of the code," Comegys said. "The courts will have to decide that."

SEPT. 8, 2006 (“Old Mall Site Not Developed As Planned”)

A Wicomico Circuit Court judge ruled Thursday that the city government failed to complete some necessary steps in approving a Planned Development District on the site of the Salisbury Mall , meaning the site cannot be developed as originally proposed.

MAR. 6, 2007 (“Tax Increment Financing for Old Salisbury Mall”)

"This is a community issue," Comegys said. "It is critical to the Civic Center to be a viable entity."

JUNE 22, 2007 (“Old mall appraisal moves forward”)

Foreseeing the economic downturn that the region could sustain without this parking, Salisbury City Councilman Gary Comegys declared in March that he would not support the city's TIF with the developer until the county had the opportunity to purchase the spaces. "I just wanted to bring it to everyone's attention that this parking lot is bigger than a city issue," Comegys said earlier this year. "It behooves us to do whatever we can do so that we get an opportunity to negotiate for the parking area for the Civic Center."

Now the county has set its maximum price to pay for the 5 acres at $1 million. Cannon would not say what happens if the appraisal exceeds their maximum.

DEC. 30, 2007 (“Old Salisbury Mall demolition”)

The project's residential builder, K. Hovnanian Homes of Maryland LLC filed a complaint Oct. 12 in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County to activate a termination clause in its contract. The Landover builder asserts it can opt out because the project's timeline is behind schedule.

Muir Boda - Affiliated With No One?


Muir Boda


Last Wednesday, Feb 4th the Daily Times published a letter from Muir Boda with his list of goals. His goals sound an awful lot like Debbie Campbells goals and some already accomplished goals. Imagine that.

In the comment section of this piece one of Boda's obvious supporters states Muir Boda is affiliated with no one. A man that is affiliated with no one most certainly supports someone. Guess who that someone would be? Give up? None other than Gary Comegys. Imagine that. He has removed the link to that nasty local blog he is/was a contributor and replaced it with a link to Gary Comegys website. How do you like that for not being affiliated with anyone?

A link to Muir's Facebook account shows he has in his list of friends Mike Dunn. Mike Dunn was one of the most uncivilized, arrogant, obnoxious, liars to ever sit in the city council presidents seat. However, Muir isn't affiliated with anyone. Yeah right. Notably, he has on his list of friends John Robinson, Ryan Ewalt and another of the nasty bloggers. (It should be noted, out of respect towards the new understanding between all local bloggers. we refuse to post this particular bloggers name) For someone supposedly not affiliated with anyone, he sure is down in the trenches with a notorious bunch.

So, is he or is he not affilitated with anyone? Speak up now Muir, or forever hold your piece.

Letter To The Editor

Muir Boda

Muir Boda Facebook


UPDATE: Upon visiting this link and googling Muir Boda Facebook the same message appears. They have either removed the page or made it private.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On February 5, 2009 at approximately 1:15 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department were on routine foot patrol in the area of the Downtown Plaza and observed the below listed suspect acting in a suspicious manner. The officers made contact with the suspect and the suspect attempted to discard a small bag. The bag was recovered and was found to contain a quantity of suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Walter Richard White, 45 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Possession of marijuana

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900003890

On January 29, 2009, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Royal Farm Store on N. Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a stolen motor vehicle. Upon arrival the officers met with the below listed suspect # 1. Suspect # 1 advised the officers that he had left his vehicle unattended and running as he entered the Royal Farms convenience store. The suspect continued that as he exited the store, he found that his vehicle had been stolen and was missing. A short time later, the vehicle was located and stopped by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy made contact with the driver of the vehicle, below listed suspect # 2. Suspect # 2 advised that he had been with suspect # 1 at a local hotel the previous day, and had been given the vehicle to use by suspect # 1.

ARRESTED #1: Jorma John Wilson, 23 years of age Berlin, Maryland

CHARGES: False report to a police officer

ARRESTED #2: Jeremy Scott Taylor, 41 years of age Berlin, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft of a motor vehicle

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking CC # 200900003898

BREAKING NEWS: Princess Anne Town Manager Jay Parker Resigned Today


Princess Anne Town Manager Jay Parker, (far left in photo) turned in his resignation today stating it was simply time to move on. Frank White and others accepted his resignation on good terms and wish him well.

I have personally had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Jay in my many visits over the years to Princess Anne and have always enjoyed Jays sense of humor and story telling.

May you enjoy your retirement in good health Jay. You'll be missed by one and all.

The Fight That Rocked ESPN!














Badly beaten Rosado tried escaping out of the building by walking under the bleachers and bolted out the back of the Civic Center, not wanting to be seen. The fight itself was simply unbelievable. Although they called a slip a knock down early in the fight, Fernando actually tripped over Rasado's foot but it happened just after Rosado clobbered Fernando with a very respectable punch. This was probably the best thing that could happen to Fernando because the crowd showing their support probably overwhelmed Fernando and that hit woke him up and that's when he truly dominated the fight from that point forward.

I did speak to Fernando's manager/trainer Hal Chernoff over the weekend and I asked him point blank, were you upset or bothered by the showboating in the last round. Hal replied, absolutely not. Rosado had been taunting him for weeks in the Press and especially the day before the fight he kept talking smack. "Fernando stayed calm the whole time and kept telling Rosado, I'll do my talking in the ring." Hal went on to say that this was Fernando's way of saying, you couldn't hurt me, you still can't hurt me and here's proof, take your best shot.

The speed of Fernando Guerrero is scary! Then, the impact of his punches, I just can't believe after two home town fights that both fighters continued to take that kind of punishment. Congratulations to Fernando Guerrero, Hal Chernoff and everyone at the Main Street Gym. I'll add, thank you Fernando. You have single handily brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars, (if not millions) to Wicomico County in some of the toughest times this Country has ever experienced in its history. You also delivered by far the greatest entertainment I have ever personally experienced.

Fernando Guerrero Fans











With more than 5,000 tickets sold, fight fans went absolutely crazy again for their home town hero Fernando Guerrero. Former 3 time World Champion Riddick Bowe came just to see Fernando fight, (photo just above). World famous announcer Teddy Atlas was also here covering the ESPN event. The fans packed the Civic Center and if anyone ever questions if Hal Chernoff and or Fernando Guerrero could do it again, here's proof.

Message From Patti Adkins Regarding Homeless Shelter & Needs

Several of the guests at the shelter have specific needs. If anyone can help, please let me know (duncansbossett@aol.com or 410-726-0796). You can also drop them by the church starting at 4:30pm. We are also in need of volunteers during the hours of 7-10pm.

Here are the items:
Shore transit tickets
Rolaids
Tylenol
Suitcases
Jacket 6X
Boxers 5X
18 ½ shirt
10 ½ Wide shoe
Hoodie 2X
Jeans 36X34
Tennis Shoes 9 ½
Work boots size 11
Socks
Boxers XL
Jeans 38X36
Tennis shoes size 13
Sweatpants size large and XL
Jeans 32X30
Underclothes size Large
Hoodie Large
Heavy Jacket XL
Pants 36X38

NOTE: The items listed above are exactly what is needed. Please do not clean out your closets and deliver clothing and other items. If you can help with the items listed about that would be great.

Update On Puppies




The Puppies enjoyed their first time outdoors on Sunday. OK, so did I.


Do We Need A New New Deal?

Burton W. Folsom, Jr.
Charles F. Kline Chair in History and Management, Hillsdale College
Author, New Deal or Raw Deal? How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America

The following is adapted from a speech delivered on January 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C., at a seminar sponsored by Hillsdale's Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship.


THE NEW Deal has probably been the greatest political force in America during the last 100 years, and Franklin D. Roosevelt has probably been the most influential president during this time. In our current economic crisis—which some have compared with the Great Depression—many critics are calling for more federal programs and a "New New Deal." There are three reasons we do not need a New New Deal from President Obama in 2009.


First, the federal programs in FDR's New Deal did not lower unemployment. Sure, the Works Progress Administration built roads, the Tennessee Valley Authority built dams, and the Civilian Conservation Corps planted trees. But every dollar that went to creating a federal job had to come from taxpayers, who, by sending their cash to Washington, lost the chance to buy hamburgers, movie tickets, or clothes and create new jobs for restaurants, theaters, and tailors.


What's worse, some New Deal programs had terrible unintended consequences. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration, for example, overhauled agriculture by paying farmers not to produce on part of their land. After farmers took the federal dollars, the U.S. developed shortages of the very crops taxpayers were paying farmers not to produce. By 1935, for example, the U.S. was importing almost 35 million bushels of corn, 13 million bushels of wheat, and 36 million pounds of cotton. Simultaneously, we had an army of bureaucrats in the Department of Agriculture to inspect farms (and even to do aerial photography) to ensure farmers were not growing the crops we were importing into the country.


Second, the taxes to pay for the New Deal became astronomical. In 1935, Roosevelt decided to raise the marginal tax rate on top incomes to 79 percent. Later he raised it to 90 percent. These confiscatory rates discouraged entrepreneurs from investing, which prolonged the Great Depression.


Henry Morgenthau, FDR's loyal Secretary of the Treasury, was frustrated at the persistence of double-digit unemployment throughout the 1930s. In May 1939, with unemployment at 20 percent, he exploded at the failed New Deal programs. "We have tried spending money," Morgenthau noted. "We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. . . . We have never made good on our promises. . . . I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. . . . And an enormous debt to boot!"


Third, the New Deal divided and politicized the country in tragic ways. Those who lobbied most effectively won subsidies and bailouts even if their cause was weak. Others, who had greater needs, received nothing. Walter Waters, who led a march of veterans on Washington, lobbied successfully for a special bonus for veterans, whether they had been in battle or not. When asked why veterans—instead of longshoremen or teachers—should receive a special bonus of taxpayer dollars, he said, "I noticed, too, that the highly organized lobbies in Washington for special industries were producing results: loans were being granted to their special interests. . . . Personal lobbying paid, regardless of the justice or injustice of their demand."


Thus, as money became available, those with effective political lobbies won the subsidies and others, who sometimes had more just causes and greater need, received little or nothing. In the case of the veterans, in 1936 they won a $2 billion federal bonus—a sum exceeding six percent of the entire national debt at the time. Teachers, by contrast, were less effective lobbyists and won almost no federal subsidies. Silver miners, led by Senator Key Pittman of Nevada, won a silver subsidy that paid almost $300,000 a day each day for 14 years, but coal miners were left out.


In another example, under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, Illinois lobbied effectively and won $55,443,721 under the first federal welfare grant while Massachusetts received zero federal dollars. Without federal money for welfare needs, Massachusetts valiantly raised its own funds to secure what Illinois extracted from Washington. The Boston Civic Symphony repeatedly gave concerts to benefit the jobless. City officials and teachers raised money and took pay cuts. Massachusetts Governor Joseph Ely believed that no state should receive federal aid and that private charity was the best charity; that federal relief ruined both taxpayers and those in need. "Whatever the justification for relief," Ely said, "the fact remains that the way in which it has been used makes it the greatest political asset on the practical side of party politics ever held by an administration." Ely added that "millions of men and women . . . have come to believe almost that there is no hope for them except upon a government payroll."


Federal dollars always become political dollars, and the Democrats moved to use federal money to gain votes at election time. In Pennsylvania, Joseph Guffey, the successful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1934, ran a campaign ad that said, "Compare this $297,942,173 contributed by Pennsylvania to the U.S. U.S. Treasury with the cash and credit of $678,074,195 contributed to Pennsylvania by the Roosevelt Democratic administration." Vote Democrat, Guffey and others proclaimed, and the federal faucet will keep running. James Doherty, a New Hampshire Democrat, said, "It is my personal belief that to the victor belong the spoils and that Democrats should be holding most of these [WPA] positions so that we might strengthen our fences for the 1940 election." One WPA director in New Jersey—a corrupt but candid man—answered his office phone, "Democratic Headquarters."

If history is a guide, we have every reason to believe that if President Obama institutes a New New Deal, then universal health care, federal bailouts, and jobs stimulus programs will be costly, will be politicized, and will fail.

http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp

Skipjack Seafood

"Hey Joe,

I just wanted to tell you that the other day I finally stopped into the new seafood market, Skipjack Seafood, across from Pemberton Elementary School. I drive past it at least twice every day, but had not gone inside. What a pleasant…..no, AWESOME surprise! There was a huge selection of very fresh seafood, nicely displayed and reasonably priced. The shop is clean and smells good (!!!) and the guy behind the counter could not have been more helpful. I only hope that enough people support this business so that they can succeed, and continue to have this wonderful selection anytime I want to buy seafood!!! Can you pass the word?

Linn Hickman"

AMAZING PHOTO'S OF WHAT CAN GO WRONG WHEN YOU DON'T GET A DIG PERMIT

Take a look and see if "call before you dig" is a waste of time.

These pictures are a result of mechanical post hole digging without calling for "locater service". The employee hit an underground high pressure cross country gas pipe. The employee digging still has not been found.

Notice the point of contact was in the "middle of nowhere" of which some of your contractors may have used this very phrase.

Good example of why we need to assure contractors obtain proper digging permits, including a call first to the local utility locating service at all times without taking anything for granted!