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Thursday, September 14, 2006

PAC 14 Update

PAC 14 will not rebroadcast until Monday at 6:00 p.m. & Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

An Important Message From Veterinarian Dr. Jimmy Tragle

I took the day off to go to Snow Hill for the purpose of testifying in yet another animal cruelty case. These are often frustrating as the defendants all seem to know how to play the system in hopes the witnesses will tire of taking time off to go to court only to have to reschedule because they've not obtained legal representation yet, want a jury trial, etc. In the past it has not been unusual to have to take at least three days off and spend them sitting in court all day waiting for my turn on the stand only to have the trial put off.

Yesterday was the second time I went to court on this case, and actually probably the fifth time I'd been to court for the same defendant. I testified against him five years ago in a case that was remarkably similar and had to go in at least three times back then. In the original case he and his girlfriend left 3 dogs, a couple of ferrets and a cat in the house they were renting after having a dispute with the ownerof the house. They came in over a period of time to leave food in the house, but never cleaned up after the animals or let them outside. That original location was awful and I am glad I only got to look at the photographs rather than enter the place for the first hand experience. The animals were in poor condition but most of them recovered nicely. If I remember correctly one of the dogs had to be put down because it had been in the house with no human contact since it was a puppy and wasn't very receptive to interacting with people. I don't recall the exact outcome of that trial, but both defendants (in two separate trials - ho hum, more time off from work) were ordered to not have animals in their possession for a period of two years. I believe there were fines involved and as well as suspended jail terms.

Fast forward to last March and bring in a new landlord victim as well as a few more animals. The house was in pretty much the same state as the other one. It all came to light when a neighbor called the owner/landlord and complained that they could smell urine from the street. The landlord went to the property and knocked on the door only to be greeted by barking dogs. No tenants answered. She left a note asking them to contact her and they didn't. On a subsequent visit no one would respond at the front door, but as she was leaving the man came from behind the house to tell her "there wasn't anything she could do to them."

Her next step was to initiate eviction procedures as well as file complaints with theWorcester County Animal Control. The animals were collected and two were laterbrought to my office where I examined them. One was a really nice dog that had a really bad problem with its skin as well as being a bit underweight. The other was a long haired cat that weighed about half what is should have, was covered with fleas, and had diarrhea all matted in the hair around its rear end.

What I learned in court yesterday was they'd pretty much done the same with these as far as feeding and cleaning. That is to say, a 50 lb bag of dog food (no cat food forthe cat) was ripped open and the animals were left to pick out of it on their own.Water was only available from a toilet. There was feces and urine all over the house on the bed, on a couch, down in the central AC vents, all over the floor. The house originally had horse hair plaster in it and all that had to be ripped out as the smell was pretty well locked into it. Unlike the first home where they'd left the animals alone THEY WERE LIVING IN THIS MESS!

His girlfriend has not been served as she hasn't been found yet. He on the other hand has been living with his parents. I'm not certain of his age but there's a bit of snow on the roof if you get what I mean. His defense was the animals were his girlfriend's pets, not his and that he'd moved out at the end of February. The landlord's first time to the house was March 8. He was there around March 10. Not that it makes any difference as the house obviously had been accumulating filth for a long, long time.

For his troubles he was found guilty of two counts of animal neglect. Before sentencing he informed the judge that he was living with his parents as they needed his care (scary) and that he was always having to drive them places as they were dependent upon him for transportation. The judge was not impressed and sentenced him to 90 days for each count to be served consecutively. He'll undoubtedly be let out in 4 months for good behavior if he doesn't screw up in jail. However, this is the harshest sentence I've ever seen delivered for animal neglect on any case I've been in as an expert witness. He wasn't excluded from pet ownership for any time period though, and I'd have liked that to have been part of the sentence. I think perhaps that was down to a lack of discussion between myself, animal control, and the DA.

What I found amusing was that his parents left together (he wasn't allowed to leave) and were walking a few yards ahead of the animal control officer, the home owner, and myself. They got into their car and drove off just fine. I felt sorry for them as they looked like nice folks. I am certain their son's behavior was quite troubling to them. All things considered, I'm satisfied with the outcome. It was a pleasure working with the judge and prosecution. I am looking forward to testifying again once his girlfriend has been located.

PRMC

In all fairness to PRMC, I received numerous calls and e-mail messages challenging the status of PRMC's Trauma Level. Some years ago it used to be a level 2 but for the most part has been a level 3 for quite some time. They are still a level 3 and they are in fact receiving trauma patients as normal. The information I had received was incorrect and needed to be corrected.

Guess What I Found?


Ladies and Gentlemen,












Today I present to you something the Mayor and most of this Council never dreamed of. What if I were to tell you I have a perfectly clear DVD copy of the Pac 14 meeting last Monday night?

That's right, I have it and it's NOT edited and it's clear enough for Pac 14 to use, if they'd like? Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to get a call? If I don't I'm going to make several copies for those of you that were as unfortunate as me not making the meeting. Oh, we'll also copy the edited edition and contact a lawyer soon after.

What did I tell you about Karma Barrie?

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

South Loses Big. Roberts Loses Even Bigger




It is rumored that Chris South had more signs on properties than he got in total votes?

It is also rumored that Robin Roberts borrowed some $35,000.00 for his own personal campaign, got dunked in the dunking machine several times and while doing so broke a finger by catching his ring on another piece of metal in the tank.

OUCH!

Stuck Again!


Yesterday there was at least a 1/2 hour delay because of the Draw Bridge in Downtown Salisbury.

People were trying to take the back roads after being frustrated for so long and that too created problems.

This happened at 12:00 noon where anyone heading to lunch lost their entire lunch 1/2 hour or hour sitting and watching the metal on a Draw Bridge. Yahoo!

The Pac 14 Scam

PAC 14 is not doing the rebroadcast of the Monday City Council meeting asposted on its schedule. We were told they have "technical problems" not sure when it will be rebroadcast or when the problems will be fixed.

If you're interested you can call PAC 14 @ (410-677-5014) and ask that it be rebroadcast as soon as problems are fixed and a note on the screen when it can be viewed? Otherwise, who knows if they will put it on so people cansee Barrie and Mike in action.....

Real Estate Ethics Violation!


David Moore did NOT flip this property. The Rinnier Group have "illegally" placed this sign on the building as well as others to advertise they are the agents who sold the building.

However, there are VERY strict rules referencing signs and the reality of it is, they did NOT list the property, therefore they cannot post such said signs.

They are trying to claim sine they represented their client in the purchase of the building, they are the selling agents. Nice try fellas but you're breaking the law, you have no permits for these signs and they must come down immediately. If not, I'll contact the Real Estate Ethics Committee and have them handle it.

No Fly Zone


I saw this plane flying over the WWTP yesterday. Has the Mayor actually created a No Fly Zone over the Plant?

Other Winners Last Night
























Forgive me for posting these photos so late, Blogger wasn't cooperating with me last night and after two days of barely any sleep I needed some rest.

It has been an honor working with "all" of the Candidates in "all" of the races. My dear old friend Jim Mathias has moved one step cloer to his dream and goal and the Albero Family is very proud of him.

These photos were taken somewhere around 1:00 a.m. in Salisbury.

Just A Few Highlights From Mikes Camp Tonight.








Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Old Mall Development Plans Blocked


Friday’s Times headline article, “Old mall development plans blocked,” gave Salisbury residents yet another taste of what our mayor and some city council members think about those city residents who are, indeed, patriots.

Government must consistently act openly and within the law, and provide the people with the complete truth behind its actions. It is necessary and correct that those living in a democratic society continually question government, especially when faults in government may exist. Those who question those faults protect the interests of the people and make government work to its fullest potential. This nation, our United States, was founded upon the questioning of government, and the Constitution created to guarantee and promote that precious ability. The visionaries who created it, some of our original patriots, saw that unfettered government was dangerous government.

The Times’ article omitted an important paragraph from the ruling document of Circuit Court Judge W. Newton Jackson, a quote that amplified his decision: “It is simply incompatible with democratic government, or indeed, even with fair government, to have the meaning of the law determined by what the lawgiver meant, rather than by what the lawgiver promulgated. (A. Scalia, A Matter of Interpretation, Princeton University Press, 1997)”

Government behaving the way that Salisbury’s does, repeatedly expecting its citizens to turn a blind eye to misdeeds and half truths is more than just disappointing; it is arrogant, irresponsible and dangerous. Our city council and mayor must follow the letter of the law in every aspect of their official actions. Failing to do so, then lambasting those who invest their time, intelligence, experience and financial resources to monitor them, their failures are only compounded, and foolishly so. This is certainly not the first time in recent memory that those council members and our mayor have laid blame upon others to deflect public opinion, rather than, with civility and humility, admit error and graciously move on to putting Salisbury’s house in order.

The concerned citizens who launched the Mall suit, Linda Kent, Dave Suiter, Terry Cohen, Kate Manizade and their many supporters deserve a standing ovation, not censure, for doing their patriotic duty to ensure that the people are heard and insisting that our government behaves appropriately and in a manner that benefits us all.

Today's Wildlife Photos




Little Big Man and Ghost were having a field day playing in the pond and running around the pasture.

There Are NO Excuses Not To Vote!


Even this patient was dragging intravenous and oxygen just to get to the polls!

What's your excuse 82%?

So You're ALL Saying This Is OK?




More Candidates and Volunteers Than There Are Voters!







Please Folks, get out there and vote! I have spent my day running around Wicomico County hoping one of the places I was visiting would have more than 2 people inside voting but it just didn't happen!

Take 20 minutes out of your day and blow these people away with votes. It's a choice and a privilege, please take advantage of it before someone wins or loses that really needed your support.

BREAKING NEWS!


The Polls Are Fixed!












A close and personal friend just left Pemberton frustrated and furious! He went to vote and they told him he had already voted!!!!!!

While arguing about it another person in line told how another voter had just been told the same thing!

Listen closely folks, ask your friends if this has happened to them as well because someone has already taken the votes from people and there is a HUGE scam in the making here!

You heard it here first!

Don't Forget To Vote!



The Rand McNally Road Atlas Dumps The Salisbury Zoo



Because of Ron Alessi and Jim Rapp, the Rand McNally Road Atlas refused to add the Salisbury Zoo as one of their major attractions once again in Maryland.

The lack of animals was certainly their first clue but Ron Alessi says he's proud to be a part of one of the best small Zoo's in America. OK Ron, who said it was one of the best small Zoo's in America, YOU? Maybe Barrie Tilghman?

Could it be they arrived on any one of the multiple days the 5 mauled ducks were found floating in or next to the river in one of the exhibits?

What I can assure you is, IF the Salisbury Zoo was in fact such a nice place, no one else recognizes that any more other than Ron Alessi, Barrie Tilghman and Jim Rapp. Rand McNally didn't pick the Salisbury Zoo because it's no longer a nice atraction, period, end of story.

Roberts Throws In The Towel


Here's living proof Folks, Robin Roberts throws in the towel to Mike Lewis, (a pink one at that) as the two poke fun at one and other at the Shorebirds Stadium yesterday.

Thanks for showing everyone a good time guys!