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Friday, December 18, 2009

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY...


SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER THE EASTERN SHORE THIS EVENING... AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM STRENGTHENS ALONG THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES COAST. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH THE EVENING WILL RANGE FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES OR LESS.

A CHANGEOVER TO A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW IS EXPECTED AFTER MIDNIGHT... BUT WILL CHANGE BACK TO ALL SNOW LATER SATURDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON... AND WILL CONTINUE SATURDAY NIGHT. SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED... WITH SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES FROM EARLY SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE THAN 12 INCHES OF SNOW... ESPECIALLY NORTH OF LINE FROM CAMBRIDGE TO HURLOCK AND NORTHWARD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD... AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Brooke Mulford Update PRAYERS NEEDED ASAP

I am sitting here staring at Brooke's monitors...watching her pulsox continue to dip down to 90% (under 90 and she gets put back on oxygen again)....watching her heart rate keep climbing (currently 143)...how can I go to sleep??? Brooke has had a mildly rough day but an increasingly difficult evening. She has been having severe mood swings all day but much worse between 8pm-11 when she also broke out in horrendous hives all over her tiny body causing her so much discomfort to the point that they stopped her infussion for a couple of hours to try to get the hives to go away (which has helped). I noticed at about 10:30 that both her pupils were very constricted even in the darkened room and they weren't responding to changes in light/dark (hers are typically very large even in daylight). The resident on tonight thought it could be caused from the additional benedryl she received for the hives and or the morphine she is getting for the pain but was going to contact the Fellow on Call to be sure (haven't heard back yet). Her skin is clammy and her head is very warm but has not reach the point of a temp.
I keep having to remind myself "20% increase chance of survival, 20% increase chance of survival (what this clinical trial will hopefully give her). This is what keeps me going when I watch her having to go through all of this. As I am writing this her pulsox is dropping under 90% and the nurse just arrived and she is trying her on "blow by oxygen" (resting the oxygen mask a couple of inches away from her nose/mouth and letting the O2 blow by instead of using the nasal canula)...seems to be working at the moment but now her temperature just jumped up to 104 (I'm assuming another call to the dr.). It is now 2:00am and the nurse just returned to tell me the resident ordered a chest xray so they are bringing up a portable xray machine sometime soon. This is going to be a long night...

Please pray for Brooke this week. She said the most beautiful prayer tonight before she finally fell asleep. Listening to her pray is my favorite part of the day. She prays for so many others and I love when she prays for herself she says, "...and please help me, Brooke, to..." (as if God does not know her name)! I tell her all the time that He knows her better than even I do but still she always seems to want to be sure!

Rob forwarded me the most amazing video Christmas card for Brooke last night that I read this morning. It is from The Michael Job Center for Orphan Girls in India and I wanted to share it with everyone. Please take the time to watch the video (I believe it is about 5min and worth every second). I am touched beyond words that these precious little girls with all that they have been through in their own lives are praying for Brooke and closely following her journey (you can even see in one of the video clips my journal update from last week posted on their wall). Please pray for these little angels and if you want to know more about the Center I have included a link to their website.

Utube Video Christmas Card for Brooke:
A Video Merry Christmas Card to Brooke Milford

The Michael Job Center for Orphan Girls:
http://www.michaeljobcenter.com/index.php
God Bless,
Amy

Caroline County Commissioner Jeff Ghrist Endorses Andy Harris for Congress

Eastern Shore Commissioner Pledges to Work to Elect Harris for Congress

ANNAPOLIS
-Caroline County Commissioner Jeff Ghrist today ended his campaign for Maryland's First Congressional District and has endorsed Andy Harris for the seat. Ghrist, a lifelong Eastern Shore resident, has pledged to actively campaign to elect Andy Harris as the next Congressman for the district. Harris and Ghrist released the following joint statement:

"These are very serious times for our state and our nation. With unemployment nationally at 10 percent and in Maryland at a 26-year high, we cannot afford to take the focus off what the people of the First District want and need: a strong economy, the ability to find and keep a job, and a representative in Congress that will fight against Washington's out-of-control spending and racking up of trillion dollar deficits that will be a burden on our children and grandchildren," Ghrist and Harris said.

Ghrist added, "I am pleased to announce that I am strongly supporting Andy Harris as our next Congressman from the First District. We can no longer have a representative that thinks citizens will sign a blank check for spending that does nothing to improve our economy or allow the creation of good paying jobs. Andy is the right person to lead the district back to prosperity. I entered the race because I was concerned about the direction our nation was headed. I am exiting knowing that Andy Harris is the person to get us back on the right track where our economy can grow, jobs are created, and the unchecked spending sprees in Washington are a thing of the past. I am proud to offer my enthusiastic support to Andy and will work hard to see that he is our next Congressman from the First District."

Harris said, "Jeff Ghrist is a person of integrity, a friend, and someone who cares deeply about improving our communities. I am grateful to have his support as our campaign moves forward. I will not take any vote for granted and will continue to build the strong coalitions that we need to ensure that the citizens of the First District get a representative that shares their values, not be a loyal servant to Nancy Pelosi and her far-left agenda."

Last week, the Harris for Congress campaign announced the endorsements of 26 Republican members of the Maryland General Assembly. The Ghrist endorsement offers another strong sign of support for Harris among Republican leaders in the First District.

More Silver Dollars End Up In Local Red Kettles

The Salvation Army has received eight more Silver Dollars recently dropped into one Red Kettle. While the Daily Times today made an attempt to debunk the validity of the recent Silver Dollars recently shown here on Salisbury News first, people are making very special donations to further help so many in need of assistance this year.

Today the Salvation Army started delivering gifts to the thousands of Families this drive was designed for. Thank You to ALL of you who have made such donations and please remember there are still many hundreds of needy people out there who need your help. Keep those Red Kettles full throughout the Season and show everyone just how special the Eastern Shore is.

Republicans Threaten Health Care Read-A-Thon


WASHINGTON

Republicans threatened to delay Senate business with a health care read-a-thon this weekend, as Democrats kept searching for 60 votes to advance President Barack Obama's signature issue and a forecast of heavy snow added to the list of complications.

At a news conference Friday in the Capitol, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused Democrats of trying to ram the health care bill through with dozens of changes as yet unseen, and promised to do everything in their power to prevent it.

"I think we've made it rather clear we're not going to expedite consideration of the health care bill," McConnell said.

Added McCain: "I don't think it would be outrageous to ask for a bill that we haven't seen to be read."

Democrats, after a week of bitter intra-party disagreements over the compromises Senate leaders made to keep the bill moving, were still trying to come up with the 60 votes needed to overcome unanimous Republican opposition. Leaders kept negotiating with the only known Democratic holdout, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, on tough abortion restrictions that he would accept.

Meanwhile, as the weather forecast called for up 20 inches of snow in a city easily paralyzed by much less, senators were put on notice they could be needed to vote on procedural questions before 8 a.m. EST Saturday.
GO HERE to read more.

Found Dog On Quantico Rd.

Joe,

Can you possibly help me by posting this on your site?

About 8:20 this morning I found this dog on Quantico Rd. he was wondering in and out of traffic he almost got hit 3 times I was able to get him to come to my car and I took him down to the shelter today. I hope that someone will recognize him and go get him. I think he may be about a year or two old he has a silver choker on him but no tags. He is a really good dog and listens well.

If anyone wants info they can contact me by email. melissa.marcum@svn.com

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Individual Mauled In Crisfield By Stray Pit Bull

Information is just coming in about an male in his mid 60's has allegedly been mauled by a stray Pit Bull in Crisfield. We're told his Pomeranian died from injuries from the Pit Bull as well. The gentleman tried lying over his beloved pet in the attempt to save it. Unfortunately it didn't make it. We'll update you with more details as the information comes in. Keep your eyes on comments though.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL REVISED AGENDA


DECEMBER 21, 2009
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

SPECIAL MEETING – 4:15 p.m.
Ordinance No. 2093 - 2nd reading – reallocation of General Obligation Bond proceeds
Resolution No. 1874 - setting the terms for General Obligation Bond (supplementing and amending Resolution No. 1850)
Ordinance No. 2094 - 2nd reading – amending FY10 Sewer Fund Budget
Award of Bids
Ordinance No. 2096 – 2nd reading – budget amendment providing additional funds to cover the cost of a Crime Intervention Specialist position
WORK SESSION – following conclusion of Special Meeting
Letter of support for Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) – Cathy Bassett
Lease/purchase budget amendment – Pam Oland
FY10 Sewer Fund budget amendment (chemicals) – Chip Messick
Presentation of Capital Improvement Plan – John Pick
General discussion/upcoming agendas

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On December 18, 2009, at about 0811 hrs., a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a vehicle on Rt. 113 in Newark for 69 M.P.H. in a posted 55 M.P.H. zone. The driver was identified as Cody H. Phillips 18 years of age from Berlin Md. Mr. Phillips had a loaded 30-30 rifle partially concealed between the driver’s seat and the driver’s door nest to his left arm. Mr. Phillips was arrested and charged with possession of a concealed deadly weapon. Mr. Phillips was seen by the commissioner and released on his own recognizance.

Congressman: Why Is Obama Stifling Hasan Investigation?

Member of House intelligence committeee wants reports to prevent another attack

By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

A member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is wondering why President Obama apparently is suppressing information assembled by an investigation into the Nov. 5 attack at Fort Hood by Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who reportedly shouted "Allahu akbar," or "Allah is greatest," while killing more than a dozen soldiers and civilians.

Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., expressed his concern in a recent commentary, saying, "There has been a troubling refusal by Obama officials to acknowledge that the shooting likely was an act of homegrown terrorism."

"How can it be that the House Committee on Homeland Security has launched an investigation and called hearings within a week to look into the couple who crashed a recent White House state dinner, yet a month after Fort Hood there has yet to be a single congressional hearing into the Fort Hood attack?" Hoekstra said. "I fear that our nation is returning to the naive security outlook of Sept. 10, 2001, when radical Islamic terrorist attacks were considered law enforcement and criminal problems and not threats to our national security."

Hasan, a Muslim of Palestinian descent, allegedly entered the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 and, according to witnesses, took a seat at a table, bowed his head for a few seconds, then stood up and started shooting.

He later was shot by a civilian police officer and remains hospitalized under guard, reportedly paralyzed from his shooting injuries. Thirteen adults and an unborn child were shot and killed, and nearly three dozen others wounded in the attack for which Hasan has been charged.

Hoekstra said that in just the past year, there have been arrests of suspects in alleged "homegrown terrorist attacks" in New York, Chicago, North Carolina and Atlanta.
"Russia recently has seen several alleged homegrown terrorism attacks, including a train bombing and an attack against a gas storage facility. There were horrific homegrown terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005. In 2006, 18 homegrown terrorists were arrested in Toronto. It has happened here and will happen again if we don't act. We cannot wish it away," he warned.

"We need to understand how homegrown terrorism works if we are to identify and stop homegrown terrorists before they carry out acts of violence. How are al-Qaida leaders and other radical jihadists recruiting and radicalizing homegrown terrorists? A principle route seems to be the Internet. We know that Maj. Hasan was in contact via the Internet with radical Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and that Mr. al-Awlaki's sermons have influenced would-be homegrown terrorists in the United States and the terrorists who launched the deadly 2005 London subway bombings," Hoekstra said.

Get "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America," autographed, from WND's Superstore.

But Jamal Ware, a spokesman for the GOP members of the intelligence committee, told WND that the problem is while the investigation apparently has produced a report about Hasan, it's being suppressed by the White House.

Hoekstra "had issued a call for the intelligence community to preserve all records relevant to looking at what happened at Fort Hood," Ware said, so that the committee could review and determine what changes should be made to prevent a recurrence.

"Several days after [that], President Obama issued an order to all in the intelligence community, asking them to bring together all of their records and produce a report related to Fort Hood," he said.

The report apparently was completed by Nov. 30, but as of today, committee members still have been given no information to review, he said.

Ware confirmed administration officials have referenced the report in conversations, "but it is the White House who is determining who will have access to that particular information."
"At the end of the day, Hoekstra [and other GOP members of the committee] have wanted access to this to understand what happened, and hopefully look at what tools, changes are needed," Ware said. "It's of critical concern to Congress that we look at that and understand what happened."

The committee, he noted, "has responsibility for conducting this type of oversight."
"They are baffled by the resistance from the administration and from Democrats to doing any type of oversight," he said.

At the Collins Report, a commentary by Kevin Collins offered an explanation of the situation.
"Hoekstra suspects Obama is purposefully dragging out the release of any information on Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan into next February, and he considers this stall an unconstitutional trampling of his committee's responsibility to the nation," he wrote. "Federal law requires the White House to brief House and Senate members on this investigation and 'ensure that the congressional intelligence committees are kept fully and currently informed of the intelligence activities of the United States.'"

"What is being covered up?" Collins wondered. "Whatever's in the report must be even worse than the publicly available facts."
In Hoekstra's commentary, he said only a thorough review will uncover "the intelligence failures that prevented it from being detected."
"Americans underestimate the threat from homegrown terrorism," he said. "The president said it is inconceivable that this would happen in America. Wrong. It is not inconceivable and is a growing global problem that needs to be addressed."
The investigation also might reveal information beyond the Hasan case, he suggested.
"We also need to understand how radical jihadist groups are being financed. It has been reported that Maj. Hasan sent money abroad to Islamic charities that reportedly support terrorism. How much funding are these so-called charities receiving from the U.S.? How much U.S. government funding is indirectly going to these groups? I don't know whether suspect Islamic charities are supporting radical jihadists such as Mr. al-Awlaki, but this is possibility that should be looked into," he said.

"The serious national security implications of the Fort Hood shooting concern both a possible homegrown terrorist attack and a likely failure of U.S. intelligence agencies to cooperate, yet Congress has done nothing to investigate and the Obama administration has stonewalled requests by individual members of Congress for information," Hoekstra explained.

"The Obama administration seems to forget that it is a requirement, not an option, for the executive branch to keep Congress fully and currently informed. Instead of a healthy discussion with Congress on why this horrible event occurred, we have something akin to pulling teeth to get even basic information. This is wrong and it makes me wonder what Congress will find when the layers are pulled back," he said.

The White House did not respond to a WND request for comment or explanation.
But others besides Hoekstra also are starting to wonder.

The Associated Press reported Sen. Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate oversight committee, has chided Obama officials for failing to provide the information. The report said Lieberman's Homeland Security panel hasn't even yet received the personnel file for Hasan.

And the Dallas Morning News said some of the key evidence about Hasan's case may not have been forwarded to Hasan's personnel files anyway. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said some information that investigators may want actually stayed in military education or training files and never was included in personnel files.

Reports are that coworkers of Hasan, as well as his superiors, several times had expressed concern about his Islamic beliefs and religious proselytizing as well as his mental stability.
"It doesn't appear that the military has updated its personnel policies to reflect the threat of Islamic extremism," Collins told the paper. "There appears to be a real gap in the protocols in the personnel procedures."

What is known is that an FBI task force was intercepting e-mails between Hasan and radical Muslim imam Anwar al-Awlaki as long ago as last December. Al-Awlaki has been the subject of FBI concern since the 1990s
In a commentary on the terror attack, WND founder Joseph Farah cited a few of the questions that need to be addressed:
"How did Nidal Malik Hasan rise to the rank of major in the U.S. Army with his background? I'm not talking about his Muslim faith. I'm talking about his troubled history – the disciplinary record of inappropriate proselytizing, the extremist Internet postings, the statements to comrades about American foreign policy, the mandatory counseling he had to receive because of his behavior. How could he ever have been placed in such a position of authority?
"How is it possible that an officer who had expressed such grave misgivings about a deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq had been assigned to such a mission without careful scrutiny?
"What kind of screening goes on in the military for security safety risks?
"Why was this man chosen to participate in transition plans for the new administration less than a year ago by a major university – particularly on an issue involving homeland security?
"Why are soldiers on U.S. military bases strictly forbidden to carry firearms – weapons that could have prevented this travesty? If they are to be trusted with firearms to carry out their foreign missions, why not at home to defend themselves like other Americans? Why have military bases, of all places, been turned into virtual gun-free zones?
"And how is it possible after so many incidents like this in America are the U.S. media still so obsessed with withholding information and denying terrorism as even a possible motivation?

175 Comments Already This Morning


It looks like it's going to be another strong comment day on Salisbury News. It's always nice when the comments come rolling in and people participate.


JT has been chomping at the bit, sending in hundreds of nasty comments, obsessed over Webster being fired. Whoops, did I say that, I meant retired. He's also outraged over the Salvation Army Sign we posted last night.


Perhaps they could get together, (he and Chiefy) and pony up some disability money to sponsor their own location. After all, it is FREE money off the backs of Americans.


Nevertheless, keep those comments coming. You too JT. I get a big kick at reading misspelled messages and just how childish you and your group can be. Oh, I should add, (just as a private note to them) the threats do not bother me. We just save them for the rainy day that is coming very soon. We'll have a Merry Christmas present for all of them very soon. Tick Tock......

HOUSTON--JACKSONVILLE GAME


GOVERNOR O'MALLEY RELEASES WEEKLY UPDATE ON MARYLAND'S ECONOMY

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 18, 2009) –Governor Martin O’Malley today released this week’s online economic update, where he outlined Maryland’s growing travel and tourism industry, an industry that is critical to helping Maryland rebound from the national recession.
“As 2009 comes to a close, your state government remains focused on three fundamental priorities: jobs, jobs, and jobs,” said Governor O’Malley. “Travel and tourism is Maryland’s fourth largest industry in the State, and is vital to our economic growth, including creating jobs, tax revenue and business income. Small and family-owned businesses generated 95 percent of the tourism related jobs created in 2008, and are the key to how we’re going to turn the corner from recession to recovery to prosperity. During this holiday season, and in the coming new year, we hope you encourage those outside of Maryland to visit our State.”

Last week, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development released a study that revealed that Maryland’s travel and tourism sector is a bright spot in these difficult times, with a 3.2 percent increase in spending from out-of-state visitors to the State. The report also showed that visitors to Maryland spent $14.5 billion on travel expenses in 2008.

In addition, transportation and food account for the largest share of visitor spending, followed by shopping, lodging and entertainment. Maryland is defying national trends with an increased demand for lodging in the State. Tourism is the eighth largest private-sector employer in the state, supporting 146,228 direct full-time equivalency jobs in 2008 in leisure and hospitality, retail, transportation and other service sectors. These jobs – 95 percent of which were generated from small businesses – provided $4 billion in wages and salaries to Marylanders in 2008.
Governor O’Malley’s economic update for this week can be viewed here.

Its ShowTime

The 3 televised bouts with Guerrero and Nicklow
TONIGHT on ShowTime Boxing

Crime Solvers Offers A $4,000.00 Reward For East Side Deli Shooting

Crime Solvers of The Lower Eastern Shore is offering a reward, of up to $4,000.00 for information, leading to the arrest of the East Side Deli's Armed Robbery/Attempted Murder suspect.

On Monday, November 30, 2009, shortly before 6:00 p.m., a single suspect entered the East Side Delicatessen located on East Main Street in the city of Salisbury, Maryland. The suspect approached the owner and shot him twice in the stomach, before taking cash and fleeing the scene. According to police, the suspect ran out of the business and fled east along the front of the building. Investigators describe the suspect as a black male, 5-foot-10, thin with a light complexion, wearing a black hoodie, black jeans, black tennis shoes and ski mask.

A press conference will be held Friday, December 18 at 2:30 pm, to announce the total reward amount.

Crime Solvers can be reached at
Tel: 410 548-1776. All calls are anonymous, you do not have to give your name.

Obama Wishes Joe A Happy Holiday

GO HERE to view Obama's message.

More Charges Filed Against Doc. Earl B. Bradley

Location: 18259, Coastal Highway, Baybee Pediatrics, Lewes, DE

Date of Occurrence: 12/16/2009, at approximately 7:00 am

Resume: Additional charges have been filed against Doc. Earl B. Bradley early this morning. As a result of a preliminary forensic investigation of a computer seized by Troop 4 Detectives, additional charges have been file against Doc. Earl B. Bradley.

Doc. Earl B. Bradley is currently charged with, 4 Counts of Rape 1st with a victim less then 16 years of age (f), Rape 2nd with a victim less than 16 years of age, 3 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Photo or Film (f), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (f).

Doc. Earl B. Bradley turned himself in to Troop 4 Detectives at approximately 8:30 am this morning.

The details above are all that can be released at this time as not compromise this investigation.

Don't Miss "The Joe Albero Show" Saturday Morning At 10:30

Tomorrow's Show will once again rock your world.
Be there or be square!
Comcast Channel 9

Merry Christmas Delmarva







The day after Christmas the Delmarva Peninsula will be "rolling" in entertainment as the brand new Skateworld, Crown Skating Center will swing their doors Saturday morning.

This 22,000 sq.ft. facility is to die for! Parents have been begging for such a facility and let me assure you of one thing, this is by far the finest facility in the United States. Sporting a $120,000.00 Specialty Sound & Lighting Equipment, you just won't believe what you're about to experience.

There's a DJ Booth in this place like none I have ever seen before and I personally cannot wait to see everything in action. The Birthday Party area is just HUGE! The kitchen is also one of the nicest I've seen around.

They'll open at 7:00 PM and go to 9:30 PM. The next shift goes from 9:30 PM to 12:00 PM. Then they'll open up to College Students from 12:00 PM to 3 AM. They'll be open 7 days a week. It will cost $8.00 to get in and $4.00 for roller skate rentals.

Folks, this place is a massive investment and absolutely a DEAL for entertaining.

We'll be providing updated information in the near future. Thank You Rick & Debbie Slatcher

Salisbury News Alexa Ratings Continue To Drop

91,215 Traffic Rank in US
My Oh My! Record Days Bring Incredible Results.
WMDT/ABC: 240,935 Traffic Rank in US

You Decide


Vice President Joe Biden, July 2009:

While speaking to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in July about the need to pass the Democrats’ health care plan, Vice President Joe Biden said the government must keep spending to avoid bankruptcy.

“Folks, look, AARP knows and the people with me here today know, the president knows, and I know, that the status quo is simply not acceptable,” Biden said, concerning the current health care system in America. “It’s totally unacceptable. And it’s completely unsustainable. Even if we wanted to keep it the way we have it now. It can’t do it financially.

“We’re going to go bankrupt as a nation,” Biden said.

“Now, people, when I say that, look at me and say, ‘What are you talking about, Joe? You’re telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt?’” Biden said. “The answer is yes, that's what I’m telling you.”

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases


On December 16, 2009 at approximately 3:29 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Pro Wireless cellular store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with store employees who advised that two (2) suspects had entered the store demanding U.S. currency. The employees advised that one (1) of the suspects produced a handgun and pointed the weapon toward the employee at the counter. The suspects took an amount of U.S. currency from the cash register then relocated to the business next door, which was connected to Pro Wireless by an open pass through door. The business next door is Best Alterations and is owned by the same family as Pro Wireless. The suspects took an amount of U.S. currency from the cash register in Best Alterations then fled from the area on foot behind Harmon Motors.

The suspects were described as:

1. Black male, early to mid 20’s in age, 5’08”, 170-180 lbs,
medium build, wearing a tan hooded jacket, dark blue
jeans, a black ski mask, and aviator type sunglasses.

2. Black male, 18 to mid 20’s in age, 5’08”, 170-180 lbs,
medium build, also wearing a tan hooded jacket, dark
blue jeans, and a black ski mask

If anyone has any information regarding the above incidents, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be given anonymously. CC # 200900044395


On December 16, 2009 at approximately 5:30 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department Community Action Team were operating an undercover type drug operation in the area of E. Church Street. During this operation the below listed suspect sold an amount of suspected “crack”/cocaine to an undercover police officer. The suspect was then taken into custody.

ARRESTED: Suriesh (nmn) Chacaram, 28 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Distribution of cocaine (2 counts)
Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
Possession of cocaine

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900044314


On December 16, 2009 at approximately 7:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of the Twilley Center for the report of a disorderly subject. Upon arrival the officers observed the below listed suspect in the roadway yelling at passing motorists. The officers made contact with the suspect but were unable to calm the suspect.

ARRESTED: June Lakador Smullen, 29 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Disorderly conduct
Failure to obey a lawful order
Resisting arrest

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900044419

Gender Bias Questioned In Admission Policies Of Area Colleges and Universities


Area colleges and universities, reacting to a federal civil rights agency's investigation into possible discrimination against women in admissions, said Thursday that gender is only one factor in determining the makeup of each year's freshman class.

The Commission on Civil Rights voted earlier this week to subpoena admissions data from almost 20 colleges and universities, including six in Maryland, in an investigation of whether they are admitting men at higher rates than women and offering them more generous aid packages.

Women now outnumber men nearly 60 percent to 40 percent in higher education nationally, and the issue of whether colleges should maintain an even balance of genders has been debated on college campuses recently. The probe grew out of anecdotal stories that admissions officials are discriminating against women to promote a more even gender mix, said a commission spokeswoman, Lenore Ostrowsky.

Commission members voted Wednesday to authorize subpoenas for 19 universities within a 100-mile radius of where the commission meets in Washington - the geographical extent of their subpoena authority. The schools were chosen because they represent a mixture of sizes and include public, private, religious, secular, historically black and moderately selective to highly selective institutions.

The six Maryland colleges are: the Johns Hopkins University; Goucher College; Loyola University Maryland; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and Washington College in Chestertown.

Representatives of several of the colleges said they have not received the subpoenas yet but that they intend to cooperate.

College admissions officers said the grade point average and test scores of applicants are more important than gender in determining admissions.

When asked if the University of Maryland, College Park, which is not involved in the subpoena request, would admit a less-qualified male over a woman, director of undergraduate admissions Shannon Gundy said, "Absolutely not." There are 26 factors that are considered, she said. "Gender is one of those factors. ... It is seldom a factor that is given much consideration."

The state's flagship campus, she said, generally attracts boys who have test scores that are stronger than girls' and girls who have better academic records than boys.

Sheldon Steinbach, former general counsel of the American Council of Education, said most "fair-minded admissions" counselors focus on high GPA and test scores first.

But Steinbach acknowledged that gender is an issue. "Do schools wish to maintain some semblance of gender balance? I think many of them do, not for any sinister reason," he said.

The balance has been particularly crucial for small liberal arts colleges, he said, that women are more often attracted to. He said one small Northeastern college that only began accepting women in the 1970s is now struggling to keep it from becoming too heavily female.

"Concern has arisen about what happens to an institution which had been an even gender-balanced institution," he said.

Hopkins spokesman Dennis O'Shea said the university, which has an almost 50-50 male-female balance in first-year students this fall, does not release its rates of admissions based on any criteria, whether it is gender or race.

UMBC said it doesn't consider gender in admissions and is working to recruit more female applicants, particularly in engineering. "We definitely don't consider gender in the admissions. We are trying to be more strategic in our recruitment efforts," said Yvette Mozie-Ross, assistant provost for enrollment management at UMBC. But "at the admissions review stage, it is strictly academic credentials."

American University, which is not on the list of 19 schools to be subpoenaed, is comfortable with its balance of 60 percent women, said Sharon Alston, executive director for enrollment management.

"We don't look at gender at all. We have embraced our male/female ratio. We are looking at who will contribute to the university and that is the priority for us," she said.

The problem has evolved because more girls are graduating from high school than boys and often the girls have higher academic credentials than boys.

Steinbach said that the commission has no power to change the situation, even if it determines that there is gender bias.

"This is purely an investigative body that can make recommendations that might lead to some legislation down the road," he said.

Ostrowsky said if all schools cooperate and comply swiftly with the subpoenas, the agency could have a report out in six months. But some schools may not be able to produce the data quickly. Ostrowsky would not specify what the subpoenas will request.

Besides the six colleges in Maryland, there are five in Pennsylvania, three in Washington, two each in Virginia and Delaware, and one in West Virginia.

The Associated Press contributed to this Baltimore Sun article.

Democratic Districts Received Nearly Twice The Amount Of Stimulus Funds As GOP Districts

A new analysis of the $157 billion distributed by the American Reinvestment and Recovery act, popularly known as the stimulus bill, shows that the funds were distributed without regard for what states were most in need of jobs.

“You would think that if the stimulus money was actually spent to create jobs, there would be more stimulus money spent in high unemployment states,” said Veronique de Rugy, a scholar at the Mercatus Center who produced the analysis. "But we don't find any correlation."

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Virginia is one of the nation's most respected economic and regulatory think tanks and has a Nobel prize-winning economist on staff. The econometric analysis was done using data provided by Recovery.gov -- the government website devoted to tracking the stimulus data -- as well as a host of other government databases.

Additionally, Mercatus found that stimulus funds were not disbursed geographically with any special regard for low-income Americans. “We find no correlation between economic indicators and stimulus funding. Preliminary results find no statistically significant effect of unemployment, median income or mean income on stimulus funds allocation,” said the report.

The Mercatus Center analysis also found that Democratic congressional districts received on average almost double the funding of Republican congressional districts. Republican congressional districts received on average $232 million in stimulus funds while Democratic districts received $439 million on average.

GO HERE to read more.

D.C. ACORN Chair Says Corruption Streams From Top Down

The chairwoman of the Washington, D.C.-Northern Virginia chapter of ACORN said corruption in the organization stems from a top-down approach, as decisions for more than 300 affiliate organizations are made by about 30 or 40 individuals.

Marcel Reid, who headed the board of the D.C. chapter of the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN), explained how she and other board members are now in "exile" for asking too many questions about the finances of the national organization in 2007 and 2008.

Further, she said the organization was so cleverly set up that it would be difficult to investigate it, even if federal prosecutors or state prosecutors take the initiative.

“It was a number of non-profit and a number of for-profits, and there is nothing to ACORN itself but paper,” Reid told a forum at the National Press Club Thursday sponsored by Judicial Watch. She added that “ACORN invites lawsuits” because its myriad affiliates make it difficult to pin any responsibility on the central organization.

Congress included in the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for 2010 a provision that bars federal funds to ACORN and its “affiliates, subsidiaries or allied organizations.”

President Obama signed the resolution, but a Justice Department opinion cleared the way for funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue going to the organization.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon of the Eastern District of New York, granted a preliminary injunction to stop Congress from singling out ACORN for punishment without proper investigation or due process.

The federal government has awarded at least $53 million to ACORN and its affiliates since 1994, according to an analysis by the House Republican staff.

Read more..

Very Special Bell Ringers

The children of Landmark Insurance's Personal Lines Agent, Mary Fontaine, last night at Ace Hardware in Salisbury.

Thanks to ALL of you, young and old. It's cold out there and we so appreciate ALL of your help. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

If you're interested in ringing the bell please contact ringabell4tsa@verizon.net or call Kettle Campaign Headquarters 410-749-RING (7464).

Obama & The Queen

Obama meets with the Queen of England . He asks her, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?"

"Well," says the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people."

Obama frowned, then asked, "But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?"

The Queen takes a sip of tea. "Oh, that's easy, you just ask them to answer an intelligent riddle." The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. "Please send Tony Blair in here, would you?"

Tony Blair walks into the room and says, "Yes, my Queen?"

The Queen smiles and says, "Answer me this please, Tony ~ ~ ~ Your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister . . . Who is it?"

Without pausing for a moment, Tony Blair answers, "That would be me."

"Yes! Very good," says the Queen.

Obama goes back home to ask Joe Biden, his vice presidential choice the same question ~ ~ ~ "Joe, answer this for me. Your mother and your father have a child. It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"

"I'm not sure," says Biden. "Let me get back to you on that one." He goes to his advisors and asks every one, but none can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up in the men's room and recognizes Colin Powell's shoes in the next stall.

Biden asks Powell, "Colin, can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?"

Colin Powell yells back, "That's easy ~ It's me!"

Biden smiles, and says, "Thanks!"

Then, he goes back to speak with Obama. "Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It is Colin Powell!"

Obama gets up, stomps over to Biden, and angrily yells into his face, "No!, you idiot! . . . It's Tony Blair!"

Thank God It's Friday

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

Recent Businesses That Have Signed Up To Ring The Bell For The Salvation Army

Critter Getters

Long Badger Sheller & Smith, LLP

Market Street Inn

PNC Bank, 32nd Street Branch, Ocean City

St. Paul's AME Church

Salisbury Career Firefighters Association

Salisbury Monument

Stephen Decatur High School Jr. ROTC

Simpson's Towing

KRATOVIL SUPPORTS EASIER 'LEGAL' IMMIGRATION (AMNESTY?) In 2010

Frank Kratovil, Democratic Congressman, would like to see eased immigration for illegal aliens. Speaking during his December 17 Tele-Town Hall Thursday evening, Kratovil believes this nation of immigrants gains immensely from its immigrant population and seeks to ease immigration standards.

This 'town hall' resembled an hour long position statement for Kratovil. He accepted five questions, all from ardent supportors, but never actually answering any of the queries. All subjects were met with either effective leglislation he proposed or co-sponsored that has already dealt with the question asked or blame, such as President Bush is responsible for the high National Debt.

Congrerssman Kratovil seems oblivious to citizens concern over continuous wasteful spending with borrowed money. Maryland did not want Cap and Tax, Health Care, Stimulus 2.0, and now Amnesty. Maryland does want JOBS and FISCAL responsibility. Could it be he is awaiting the next directive from Madame Speaker?

DeMint Promises To Delay Health Bill, Force Christmas Eve Vote

By Alexander Bolton/THE HILL

Sen. Jim DeMint said Thursday he is prepared to use every procedural tool to delay a vote on the Democratic healthcare legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is planning to schedule votes around the clock over the next week to meet a deadline of passing the bill by Christmas. Without the cooperation of Republicans, the marathon schedule would end with a vote on Christmas Eve.

Reid hopes that Republicans will waive some of the procedural formalities so senators are not forced to spend the evening before Christmas milling about the Senate floor.

But Sen. DeMint (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee and a leader of the conservative opposition, told The Hill he will not yield back any time.

DeMint also said he would force the Senate to return to Washington after Christmas to vote on a $290 billion increase to the federal debt limit. Treasury officials told lawmakers that they need an increase of borrowing authority to keep the government solvent beyond Dec. 31.

“I’m not going to waive any time,” DeMint said in an interview, when asked whether he would force Reid to go late into Christmas Eve to pass Senate healthcare reform legislation. “I think it’s our responsibility to stretch this out because every day we do we have time to tell Americans what’s in it.

DeMint said Democrats hope “they can pass it before Americans know what’s in it, while people are thinking about Christmas and being with their families.”

Senate Democrats concede that they will have to return to Washington between Christmas and New Year’s Day to pass the increase in the federal debt limit if a single GOP objects to expediting that vote.

DeMint made clear he will not cooperate.

“We’ll be back here the day after Christmas if Democrats want it,” said DeMint.

Reid is just as adamant about passing the healthcare bill before Christmas, a deadline Senate Democrats have talked about for weeks.

“We’re going to finish this healthcare bill before we leave here for the holidays,” Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday.

To meet that goal, Reid has tentatively scheduled a 1 a.m. vote Friday to cut off debate on the defense-spending bill, which also includes an extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies for people who have lost their jobs. If the Senate votes to quash the filibuster, lawmakers would proceed to final passage after 30 hours of post-cloture debate, or at 7 a.m. Saturday, according to Democratic sources briefed on the plan.

For the Senate to pass healthcare reform by Christmas, as Reid has pledged, the Senate leader would then have to file take a series of necessary procedural steps that would force votes all week at odd hours.

Reid must file motions to end debate on: the manager’s amendment, which includes all the final-hour changes made to win the support of 60 Democratic senators; the 2,074-page healthcare bill, which lawmakers have been debating on the floor; and on the underlying legislative vehicle, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act.

Republicans may force Senate clerks to read the entire manager’s amendment but that will not disrupt the schedule. That’s because reading the amendment, which will be shorter than the 2,074-page healthcare bill, is not expected to take more than eight hours.

Reid could offer the manager’s amendment on Saturday morning and keep to his schedule as long as he files cloture sometime before midnight.

Cloture motions need one day to ripen, so the earliest the Senate could vote to end debate on Reid’s manager’s amendment would be 1 a.m. Monday.

Democrats would have to allow 30 hours of post-cloture debate to elapse before voting to approve the manager’s amendment. A second cloture vote to end debate on the initial healthcare bill would happen as early as 7 a.m. Tuesday, followed by another 30 hours of post-cloture debate before a vote to adopt that amendment to the underlying bill.

Democrats would then have to repeat the same process on the third motion to end debate on the underlying bill, setting up a cloture vote at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

At any time, the chamber could move up a final vote if every senator agrees. But if a single senator objects, the earliest a final vote on the final package could take place would be 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

And Republicans object to fast-tracking the increase in the federal debt limit, as DeMint has threatened, the Senate would be forced to return the following week.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said Treasury Department officials have informed him that the administration needs new borrowing authority by Dec. 31. Conrad said the administration may be able to extend the deadline for a short time because of loan repayments it has received from Citigroup and other banks.

Conrad said Thursday he expected a Christmas Eve vote to pass the healthcare bill.

Slick Double Dip Leads To D.C. Councilman's Investigation Plan


A D.C. Council member said Thursday that he plans to investigate how a deputy fire chief was placed on leave-without-pay status in the District so he could stay on the department's books after he took a job as a fire chief in Florida.

Council member Phil Mendelson said he wants to know the details of the arrangement that allows Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe to remain a D.C. employee while working in Sarasota County, Fla.

"The impression I have is that a special agreement was worked out for somebody high up to cheat the rule regarding retirement," said Mr. Mendelson, chairman of the council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.

The Washington Times reported Monday that Chief Ellerbe was put on leave without pay from the D.C. fire department when he took the job of fire chief in Florida in July. A fire department spokesman said the arrangement was made to keep Chief Ellerbe in the department until he turns 50 in April so he could collect his pension immediately upon his retirement instead of deferring his benefits until age 55.

WUSA-TV (Channel 9) reported that Assistant Chief Brian K. Lee, who was an interim fire chief under Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, signed a personnel exchange agreement authorizing Chief Ellerbe to work in Florida while remaining a D.C. employee.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Chief Lee said the fire department already had addressed the matter, and would not disclose whether he signed the document.

"I have no comment," Chief Lee said.

Channel 9 quoted D.C. Department of Human Resources spokesman Andrew L. Gerst as saying the agency has on file a personnel exchange agreement form for Chief Ellerbe.

But in a Dec. 9 response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Times seeking "documents related to Deputy Fire Chief Ellerbe's participation in a personnel exchange agreement," Mr. Gerst responded, "DCHR is not in possession of any such documents."

Mr. Mendelson said his committee has scheduled an oversight hearing for the fire department for February but that he might make inquiries sooner because the issue is time-sensitive.

He said his primary focus is on upper-level management of the department and that he was not sure whether he would ask Chief Ellerbe to attend and to testify.

"If he's on the payroll he should be in town," Mr. Mendelson said.

Asked last week about the arrangement, Chief Ellerbe declined to comment.

Chief Ellerbe, a 27-year veteran of the fire department, briefly served as interim fire chief in 2000. He last served as the department's director of community outreach.

According to the D.C. Police Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement Plan, the fire department has a three-tier retirement system that depends on when employment began.

Chief Ellerbe, who began his tenure with the fire department in April 1982, falls under the second tier, which requires members to be at least age 50 and have at least 25 years of service to begin collecting retirement benefits immediately upon leaving the department.

The arrangement would have allowed Chief Ellerbe, whose salary was $149,892 this year and last year, to collect up to 80 percent of his final salary, or almost $600,000, over the five years until he turns 55.

Washington Times Story

Any Christians Out There?

How many fellow Christians read SBYNEWS? Give a shout out and let's see the numbers! Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fernando Guerrero Wishes All Of You A Very Merry Christmas

Don't miss the Fernando Guerrero Fight tonight some time after 10:30 PM on ShowTime / ShowBox. He is the Main Event! Good Luck Fernando and make us proud.

Al's Retirement Party


Joe,

I was involved in the retirement party for Chief Coulbourn Dykes. We had it at the Civic Center, sold about 850 tickets at $20 and had Jimmys cater it. It was attended by law inforcement people from all over, even the FBI and CIA were represented. I am starting to work on Al's retirement party. I thought we could have it at Secrets, since that is where he spent most of the last 10 years. It will be $2 per person, for this you get to pin the tail on the ass.

Mr. Perfect Record

It is clear a deal of some sort was struck. Not pushing forward with the disciplinary notes is a judgment call and not that big a deal in the greater scheme of things. Bad form to press on that issue as someone is going out the door; sorta like having a 15-0 lead and having the runner steal home in the 9th inning.

I certainly am alarmed to hear the chief suffered a 'work-related injury' that will require surgery tomorrow, and that his recuperation could take six (6) months. What a brave and steadfast guy to manfully plow on through grueling TV and newspaper interviews and deer hunting, while giving no external sign of the excruciating pain shooting throughout his body. Must have been a notable sight in the woods with his day-glo yellow hunting apparel and sharp creases slicing a path through the underbrush.

Certainly he timely filed an accident report, and since it will result in many Lost Workdays it will be noted on the city's OSHA log of occupational injuries when it is posted. One for the tickle file.

Capturing and retaining a copy of his TV appearances since the onset of the injury should also be a pathway to the truth since his expressions and range of motion can be readily observed. Not to mention the 'journalists' can share their observations.

Getting him gone for 6 months of sick/vacation pay is a bargain.....but if the nature and severity of his malady is a substantial fiction, folks should raise hell with all parties to the plot.

For comparison, I had several overweight employees who were on their feet all day at work who had knee or hip replacements; they were back to work in 3-5 months (had 100% pay while on STD, too); none were spring chickens either.

For the future:
1) First I favor having the SPD folded into the Sheriff's office; would provide consistency of operation without co-ordination of jurisdiction issues.

2) If that is not to be, the new hire/internal promote should have a City of Salisbury residence requirement that is poured in concrete; 90 days to make the move.

3) In theory, I usually favor an internal promotion if the proper skill set and track record are already on staff. The drawback to this path, at this time, is that those already on the payroll with any command experience have appeared to have happily carried out Mr Perfect Record's wishes. How much change can be expected from those operatives?

4) If the city and county forces are not to be merged, then I think evaluating past and present MSP leaders who reside in our area is worth considering before the city spends on advertising and air fare for candidates from more distant locales. A novice mayor, elected to office for the first time, got it terribly wrong the last time a chief was hired. I think Mr. Ireton is quite a bit smarter than his predecessor and hopefully will make a better set of recruitment decisions.

5) Finally, I think the new chief should serve without an employment contract; with clearly defined goals and measurements outlined to the candidates before the hiring decision is made.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Signed,

An Interested Reader

Salvation Army Red Kettle Location Update







If you'd like to volunteer for a slot at any of the above locations please, send your request to ringabell4tsa@verizon.net or call Kettle Campaign Headquarters 410-749-RING (7464).

THANK YOU, to all that have so generously volunteered their time to this worthwhile campaign.

Bikes For Christmas: OVER 130 BIKES!

Dear Mr. Albero,


Thank you so much for your support of the Bikes for Christmas drive! When I sent you our original message a week ago, we had 30 bicycles. Thanks to your support, we are now over 130 bicycles! The Daily Times and WMDT have also done stories on our drive in the last week and we have received tremendous support from the community. Today the Kindergarten class at our school presented us with a brand new bicycle. They decided to cancel their gift exchange and instead each chose to do chores around the house and use the money they made to come together to buy two brand new bicycles for kids in need. We are still accepting donations of used and new bicycles & helmets through tomorrow December 18 and plan to have the bikes distributed by December 23. Thanks again for your support!

Hillary Clinton Pledges $100B For Developing Countries

COPENHAGEN -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has promised the United States will help raise $100 billion annually by 2020 to assist poor countries in coping with climate change as long as America's demands for a global warming pledge are met.

Clinton's announcement, made during a packed news conference, represents a major breakthrough in the talks, which had all but ground to a halt last night. But Clinton emphasized that the money is only on the table so long as fast-growing nations like China and India accept binding commitments that are open to international inspection and verification. If other countries don't bend, she warned, the poorest countries will suffer.

Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/12/17/17climatewire-hillary-clinton-pledges-100b-for-developing-96794.html

DEER HUNTING GAME


OK, if this doesn't consume your day, I don't know what will.

GO HERE

Dear Representative Kratovil

I am writing as a constituent in Wicomico County. I read an article published on December 10, 2009 by CNN:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/10/news/economy/permanent_loan_modifications

The statements made by the lenders about the lack of cooperation from homeowners astonished me. I am a homeowner who was seeking modification on my mortgage due to lack of income.

My journey started in May 2009 when we (my husband and I) contacted our mortgage lender (US Bank - a Fannie Mae lender) seeking modification. We had to submit paperwork showing our finances and we were given temporary modification for four months. To quote US Bank “During the paperwork process you are eligible for a 4 month temporary modification to process your paperwork to see if you are eligible for permanent modification with the HAMP program". We were scheduled by US Bank to pay half our mortgage beginning in June 2009. We made our payments on time and did everything they asked us to do each month. As a result of US Bank putting us on a temporary modification by the end of 4 months, we were actually 2 months behind in our mortgage payment. We submitted a hardship letter and more paperwork about our finances to US Bank.

We were then appalled to find out the fact that US Bank had released information concerning our delinquency and we became inundated with letters from companies offering to "help us" with our mortgage problem. One company went so far as to have a "representative" drive up in my driveway on a Saturday wanting to speak to us about our mortgage. He was very pushy and rude to us. We requested him to leave our property and as he drove out of our driveway, he stopped and took a picture of our home. We spoke to US Bank the following week inquiring about this company and they instructed us to ignore them. The following Saturday, the same man knocked on the door of my home and I stated to him "we do not want to talk to you". He was very arrogant and stated "We will close you account". If I was not an articulate and educated individual, this statement would have intimated me.

During the month of September, my husband lost his job, which accounted for over 75% of our income and he received a 6 week severance package from his company. We contacted US Bank and updated them on our financial situation. We were told our modification information would be updated and continued to wait with no definitive answer on our status. We started to receive certified signature required letters from US Bank as well as more companies offering to help us avoid foreclosure with financial numbers about our mortgage.

When you held your town meeting in Cambridge, MD, we did not attend because we felt US Bank was still working with us on a modification. After the town meeting, my mother read an article about the town meeting in Cambridge from the newspaper in Easton and she gave me the information about Salisbury Neighborhood Housing being an official nonprofit agency that could possibly helps us.

As the days continued to approach with our full mortgage amount being due October 1, 2009, we contacted Salisbury Neighborhood Housing. We meet with Jane Hoy and she was extremely helpful. I won’t go into the details on the specific help she gave us but she did make a phone call to US Bank with my husband in her office. US Bank stated, “We had to get current with our mortgage before they would consider us for permanent modification”. Jane gave us further advice on some things to do and recommended that we to use my husband’s lump sum severance package to make our mortgage current. After taxes were taken from this check, we had enough money to make our mortgage and other bills current so we could lower our monthly expenses.

We were desperately trying to meet US Bank’s criteria of eligibility for permanent modification. Because we had no savings and no guarantee about our mortgage payment by the end of November, we even cashed out his 401K because we were so scared of losing our home. We made December’s mortgage payment out of the 401K money. My husband had another appointment with Jane Hoy from Salisbury Neighborhood Housing to follow-up with US Bank. Jane phoned US Bank with my husband present on speaker phone to hear the conversation and they were shocked by what US Bank told them. US Bank stated, “Since you are current you are no longer eligible for our traditional loan modification and should try to reapply for the HAMP program.” After a lengthy hold time, we were told that we are not eligible for President Obama’s HAMP program due to the 401K money that we cashed out in a savings account and that money is expected to be used to pay our mortgage now.

We have 8 months worth of mortgage payment from the 401K money, which is in the SECU savings account. US Bank does not care about us and the comments made in the CNN article proves to us as homeowners that the lenders are NOT trying to help. So now we are NOT part of the over 600,000 homeowners waiting on loan modification. According to US Bank, “we are to reapply when we have exhausted our savings or simply roll it into an IRA”.

Everyday, I see the reality of job loss among the middle class, professional homeowner who has been laid off from work. I know how difficult it is to find a job in this tri-county area that requires specialized skills. My income does not cover all of our expenses so I had to take on a second job working in retail for 20 hours a week in addition to the 40 hours I work per work at my primary job.

I will slowly watch my husband’s retirement pay the mortgage each month. Representative Kratovil, we are at our wits end! Please understand that we are not asking for a “free ride”, only assistance in some shape or form. This letter is written to you as a last resort to plea for help, not only for my family, but for all of the other families living this same nightmare that we currently are experiencing. We would welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss this matter with you in further detail.

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus


Criminal Judge Sentences Child Molester



Hi Joe,

Please, please, please make another wish to Santa and bring this Judge to Salisbury
he can start tomorrow.

Completely Reckless, Completely Irresponsible.

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remark on the Senate floor Thursday:

"..They want to rush this bill through by Christmas — one of the most significant, far-reaching pieces of legislation in U.S. history. They want to rush it.

"..Here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen. That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private’ ..

More here..

AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION OPEN


Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. and the Wicomico Airport Commission have announced that the Runway 32 Extension is now available for use at the Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport. The new runway length is

6,400 feet. It had been 5,500 feet. The added footage permits take-offs and landings of regional jet aircraft.

The total cost of the extension project was $4.985 Million with 95% of the funding from the Federal Aeronautical Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Plan. 2.5% of the funding came from the Maryland Aviation Administration and the remainder came from passenger facility charges. Neither county general funds nor county bonds were needed to finance the extension.

A second grant application has been submitted to the F.A.A. for funding the construction of a parallel taxiway to Runway 32.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAX RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund modernization plan means immediate rate reduction; revised payment plan for small businesses; stabilization of Trust Fund

ANNAPOLIS, MD
– Governor Martin O’Malley announced today a proposal to provide $83 million in rate relief for Maryland employers and to make modernization adjustments to the unemployment insurance laws to allow the State to access $126.8 million in federal dollars to shore up its unemployment insurance trust fund this year. The result of a law signed in 2005, the State’s rise in unemployment has resulted in a substantial increase in unemployment insurance rates for small businesses beginning next year, an increase that Governor O’Malley has vowed to address with emergency legislation.

“If we want a strong and growing middle class, we must strengthen the small business community that accounts for three out of every five jobs in our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “The drastic rate increase Maryland small businesses are facing is too great a burden for many, , and we must work together with all stakeholders to provide immediate relief to our small business owners.”

The Governor proposes to mitigate the recession’s impact on employers’ rate obligations in three ways:

1) Administrative payment plans and legislative interest rate reduction: The O’Malley-Brown Administration will offer payment plans to allow employers to spread out their payments over a longer time frame. It will also seek a reduction of the current 1.5% interest rate for late payment of rate obligations to 1%.

2) $83 million in rate relief: The Administration will propose legislation to provide $83 million in immediate rate relief to employers. The bill will authorize the equivalent of a one-year shift from Table F to Table E when the State’s taxable wage base declines $1 billion and the trust fund receives an influx of outside funds to compensate for the revenue reduction.

3) Immediate influx to trust fund of $126.8 million in federal dollars: The Administration will seek to shore up the fund’s declining balance and reduce the financial impact of providing rate relief by proposing legislation to access $126.8 million in federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. To enable Maryland to meet federal requirements for accessing the funds, the proposal will:

a. Adopt Alternative Base Period, a second method of calculating workers’ eligibility for benefits which has been adopted by 36 States and will likely be required soon as a matter of federal law or policy;

b. Make technical adjustments to our existing law allowing benefits for part-time workers; and

c. Provide additional benefits to unemployed workers in training programs, the lowest-cost option which will stimulate workforce development and the training necessary to get people working again.

The Governor’s proposal will ease the burden of employers’ rate obligations without further jeopardizing the trust fund’s solvency and the benefits upon which thousands of unemployed Marylanders depend. It will allow employers to keep $83 million they would otherwise be required under the 2005 law to pay beginning next April, and it will allow them more time to meet their reduced rate obligations. It will also decrease the risk of fund insolvency and the harmful impact of long-term borrowing by instituting the relatively low-cost modernization measures necessary to access $126.8 million in federal dollars. These new funds will offset the modest, incremental cost of the modernization measures for seven years, during which time the State will climb out of the recession and both employers and workers will regain surer footing.

The Governor’s plan comes just weeks after announcing two initiatives designed to create jobs and strengthen small businesses as the State transitions from recession through recovery to prosperity. The Governor announced earlier this month a proposal to establish a temporary $3,000 tax credit for Maryland businesses to hire unemployed workers as well as a proposal to expand existing loan guarantee programs to increase access to credit for small businesses.

Spot Opened At Macy's On Saturday


A mother who was going to ring the bell at Macy's with her two children had to cancel as she was just told her kids both have H1N1.

So....we have a prime location and prime time available...SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH, 12 TO 3 P.M. AT MACY'S.


Please let your readers know - I"m sure this will go quickly.
If you'd like to volunteer for a slot at any of the above locations please, send your request to ringabell4tsa@verizon.net or call Kettle Campaign Headquarters 410-749-RING (7464).
THANK YOU, to all that have so generously volunteered their time to this worthwhile campaign.

Kratovil Announces USDA Action To Help Struggling Dairy Farmers

The program will make a payment to eligible dairy farmers, based on their production and marketing for the months of February through July 2009. Funding for these one-time payments was included in the 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill.

“This is just a short-term band aid, but it is urgently needed at a time when dairy farms all across the country are facing bankruptcy,” said Rep. Kratovil. “I remain committed to working with dairy farmers and the USDA to implement long term solutions.”

Additional information about the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/.

Picture Of The Year


First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'

Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'

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The Country House Is Prejudice

I attempted to shop at The Country House in Salisbury today, but they did not want my business. I have a newborn which requires using a carrier with a stroller that holds a carrier. The Country House forbids you bringing in your own stroller, stating that they will provide one for you. The stroller's they provide for you are umbrella strollers. Newborns are not big enough to be put in an umbrella stroller.

When I brought this to the attention of a cashier, her attitude was oh well. She stated that is the policy. The Country House is too big to attempt to lug a newborn around without a stroller. As I was leaving, the cashier smugly told me to have a Merry Christmas. Gee, how nice of her. A few years ago I remember a not-so-friendly cashier. and stayed a way for a while. So much for trying to patronize a local business. Needless to say, I will never patronize The Country House ever again, and I will not recommend it to others. So nice to learn that The Country House is prejudice of little babies. I guess the owner's children are too old to remember the days of getting around with a little infant. They also seem to be prejudice of the handicapped as well. There is no ramp, only stairs to enter the front of the store

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Classic Homes - Extreme Makeover Home Edition In Poolesville

Hello Joe,

Last year you reported on Classic Homes building a house in Poolesville, MD for a family. This year I signed the contract with Classic Homes of Maryalnd to build my house in Rockville, MD. My wife and I have worked very hard to save the money to build this house in Rockville. We like other parents, want to provide our three kids good place to live and good schools to learn.

After we applied for building permit, I asked classic homes, to give me square footage for each floor. They told me the square footage is counted twice for open spaces (double story family room and double story foyer) and they use ANSI as a method of calculating square footage. I signed a contract for 4000 sq ft house but the way they calculate the square footage, I will only get 3400 sq footage. According to ANSI open spaces cannot be counted twice.

We have tried to explain to Classic Home this problem but they are not willing to give us our dream house and now my family including my elderly parents are stuck. They won't return our $3500 advance and the money we spent in order to submit for the permit. Tha'ts about $10,000. After my complained they have modified their website to cover up there mistake and how they have been misleading their customers about the size of the houses that they are selling.

You will find this interesting and revealing about classic homes. My 10 year old daughter drew a sketch of the Hampton Model that we selected to build, Ms. Amita of Classic Homes, kept that sketch, framed it and hanged it in her office's reception area. However, they don't want to deal with us to build our house or give our money back.

Thanks,
Irfan

Major Snowstorm For Mid-Atlantic

A powerful East Coast storm will clobber the mid-Atlantic region later Friday into Saturday. Heavy snow from western North Carolina to southern New Jersey will cause a serious disruption of travel. Roads will turn icy and snow covered, and major airports such as Dulles and Baltimore-Washington International will have lengthy flight delays. Snow accumulations from central Virginia to Delaware will be as much as 10 or 12 inches.

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LARGE DRUG SEIZURE & ARREST


Maryland State Police and the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force will brief media on a multi-county, large scale, drug investigation that started two days ago after a traffic stop. A motorist stopped for speeding on Route 301 led to the seizure of a large amount of cash, weapons, and drugs.

Some of the recovered materials on display will include: over $187,000 in cash, 11.5 pounds of marijuana, several marijuana plants, guns, LSD laced sugar cubes, hashish and a variety of drug manufacturing and distribution equipment. The seized vehicle will also be available for photographs at the barrack.

2010 Gets Under Way in Wicomico Schools Jan. 4

Board Holds Monthly Meeting Jan. 12, Budget Hearing Jan. 14

The start of 2010 in Wicomico County Public Cchools will be a busy one, with schools reopening Monday, Jan. 4.

The Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, and a public budget hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14.

The Wicomico County Board of Education will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Board of Education Office in Salisbury. Among the many agenda items will be the calendar for the 2010-11 school year. The Board is currently seeking input on its calendar for the 2010-2011 school year, prior to a final vote at the Jan. 12 Board meeting. The draft calendar may be viewed at www.wcboe.org under Links. To make comments on or ask questions about the proposed 2009-2010 calendar, please e-mail Stacy Messick, Coordinator of Employees Relations, at smessick@wcboe.org, or call her at 410-677-4421.

The first public budget hearing for the fiscal 2010-11 budget will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Board of Education Office auditorium, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury. Parents, students, community members and Board staff are invited to come with comments. Early input will be valuable in what is expected to be a very challenging budget year for the school system and the Board of Education. For information please call 410-677-4561.