Thanks Obama!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Certain People Seem to Live By A Different Standard
Yesterday I was surprised to find that former Daily Times reporter (and current Worcester County Times editor) James Fisher decided to use an email exchange between himself and SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero as a blog post. Bad form James.
Fisher didn’t commit a crime, but he certainly violated certain norms of civil behavior. I wonder how his boss, Greg Bassett, would feel if I wrote posts based on our private conversations or email correspondence? We’ll never know because I wouldn’t do it. It’s almost like recording phone calls and then playing the tape at a party.
Over on Delmarva Dealings I used to have a portion of our “About” section that clearly stated that we would never use e-mail correspondence in posts without the author’s permission. While working on a re-design I deleted that section, but this serves as a good reminder to go back and re-write that section.
I don’t have a quarrel with the facts of Fisher’s piece with the emails or his previous post dealing with Albero, the Daily Times and their respective coverage of gang activity in Salisbury. I do have a quarrel with Fisher’s selective memory of the issue as regards Salisbury’s former mayor and its current police chief.
While Fisher is arguing that his paper produced plenty of coverage regarding gangs, he does so out of context. Reporting on gang graffiti only started AFTER Albero made an issue out of it. One of the reasons that the Daily Times is nicknamed the Tilghman Times is because the paper never called then-mayor Barrie Tilghman or her lap dog police chief to task after they publicly stated that there were no gangs in Salisbury.
To be fair, Albero is wrong to make such sweeping statements of the Daily Times’s coverage. Personally, I chalk it up to Joe just being an enthusiastic guy. It seems that these two are primarily talking past each other.
For me, Albero’s greatest error was in stating, “… I am NOT a Journalist, I'm a Blogger.”. Albero practices a form of journalism. Whether you love him or hate him (Albero), Fisher is absolutely correct on that point. However, despite my respect for Fisher as a reporter, I am loathe to be lectured by anyone in the employ of the Peninsula Media Group (the Gannett division which publishes the Daily Times). As I have documented numerous times, there their coverage of Salisbury and Wicomico County government is biased beyond almost anything you will find in the so-called mainstream media. If Fisher wishes to teach a course in journalism, I humbly suggest that he start with a few of his own co-workers.
End-Of-Life Counseling Remains In Health Bill
Provision was dubbed 'death panels' by some conservatives
WASHINGTON - It's alive.
The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to 'death panels' for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.
The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.
GO HERE to read more.
Identity Theft Suspects Sought
Location: Christiana Hospital, 4755 Stanton Ogletown Road, Newark, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time: September 29th, 2009, at 3:00 a.m.
Suspect(s): depicted below
Resume: On September 29th, the below depicted individuals responded to Christiana Hospital to seek treatment for a facial injury. During the check-in intake procedure, where the hospital staff records one’s information, the subjects provided the name and insurance information of someone other than the actual patient.
As time past, it became apparent an identity theft took place the State Police were called.
Anyone who can identify these subjects is asked to call 302.633.5000 ext. 744 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.
Shoplifter’s Identity Sought
Location: Total Wine and Spirits, 1325 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time: Thursday, October 25, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.
Suspect(s): Unknown white male, 5’07”, 160 pounds, “chin strap” style beard, wearing a dark colored jacket with a hood trimmed in fur
Resume: Troopers are asking the public to assist in identifying the below depicted suspect. This subject shoplifted store merchandise on October 25th from Total Wine and Spirits on McKennans Church Road.
Anyone who may know this subject’s identity is asked to call 302.633.5000 ext. 744 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.
Another One Of My Favorite People In The World Has Passed
I received a phone call not long ago from a Family Member informing me that my Aunt Pat just passed away.
My Aunt Pat Kiernan was by far one of the most wonderful people God truly blessed all of us with. She is the Wife of my Uncle Tom, Mom's Brother. Imagine losing your Sister one week and then your Wife the next.
Aunt Pat was battling cancer for more than a year now and will stand side by side with Mom in Heaven. God has certainly improved his surroundings in the past two weeks with these two women.
Unfortunately for the rest of us left here on earth, we'll have to suffer without them and simply strive to fill their shoes, which will be impossible. Aunt Pat & Uncle Tom have five beautiful Daughters and many Grandchildren.
DOZENS OF NEW TROOPERS TO BE WELCOMED INTO THE RANKS
DNA DATABASE MILESTONE TO BE ANNOUNCED
(Sykesville, MD) – Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will join Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan to address the members of the 134th Trooper Candidate Class at their graduation ceremony tomorrow. Law enforcement officials from around the region, as well as families and friends of the graduates will also attend.
Colonel Sheridan will also be announcing a significant milestone in the history of Maryland’s DNA database. An accomplished priority of the O’Malley-Brown Administration was to eliminate the backlog of offender DNA samples and provide adequate staffing, equipment and funding at the State Police Forensic Sciences Laboratory to make Maryland’s DNA database the efficient crime-fighting tool it should be. Colonel Sheridan will announce specific proof of that efficiency at the graduation.
WHAT: Graduation of the 134th Trooper Candidate Class Announcement of DNA Database Accomplishment
WHEN: Friday, October 30, 2009 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Century High School
355 Ronsdale Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
Liberty Road (Rt. 26) west to Klee Mill Road
Right on Klee Mill Road to right on Ronsdale Road
Upon entering the school, auditorium is on the right.
K-9 Charlie Makes FULL Recovery
K-9 Charlie makes FULL Recovery thanks to Support and Generosity of Community and Vet!
During May 2009, OCPD K-9 Charlie suffered from two slipped disks and one ruptured disk in his back that was causing him to lose feeling in his back and hind legs.
After several appointments with the vet and trips to Annapolis and The Pet Imaging Center Technology by Proscan in Vienna, Virginia, Charlie underwent surgery to correct his injury.
On May 26, 2009 K-9 Charlie had surgery at Chesapeake Veterinarian Surgical Specialist (CVRC) in Annapolis. Charlie's surgery was completed by Dr. Joseph Prostredny and his staff and all three disks were repaired. Charlie came out of surgery with a great prognosis and had no immediate issues or concerns with the surgery.
After several weeks of recovery and physical therapy, Charlie was able to return to work on July 16, 2009. While he was able to do basic police work, including basic aggression work and most detection work, he was not able to do anything that included jumping.
Although Charlie’s return to work began slowly, he was excited to be back to duty and it showed by the 21 drug arrests that he was responsible for since July 16, 2009.
On September 30, 2009, Charlie had the final visit with Dr Prostredny. Charlie cleared all Dr Prostredny’s tests and he had all restrictions lifted on him due to his remarkable recovery and progress. Charlie’s partner, PFC Earl Campbell, was a large part of the Charlie’s recovery. “After going through this surgical and recovery period and dealing with the VET staff at CVRC, I was totally amazed at their professionalism and dedication to correct Charlie’s injury”, commented PFC Campbell. “I have had the experience of working with vets in my previous employment and the vets at CVRC are top notch. Dr Prostredny and his staff are by far, the best group of vets I have ever been around.” In addition to the professional nature of Dr. Prostredny and his staff, it is also important to note the generous nature of their staff who donated much of their time and expertise to Charlie and the Town of Ocean City.
In addition, Charlie received support from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Mayor and City Council, and the overwhelming amount of emails and calls from members of our department, outside surrounding agencies, local business owners and family showing concern for K-9 Charlie. Friends and co-workers have greatly made this trying time much easier. Charlie is back to full duty and is serving the Ocean City Community in more ways then one.
His love and commitment to his job has been displayed through his courage and will to recover. He is officially on the road doing what he loves best, protecting the citizens of Ocean City.
During May 2009, OCPD K-9 Charlie suffered from two slipped disks and one ruptured disk in his back that was causing him to lose feeling in his back and hind legs.
After several appointments with the vet and trips to Annapolis and The Pet Imaging Center Technology by Proscan in Vienna, Virginia, Charlie underwent surgery to correct his injury.
On May 26, 2009 K-9 Charlie had surgery at Chesapeake Veterinarian Surgical Specialist (CVRC) in Annapolis. Charlie's surgery was completed by Dr. Joseph Prostredny and his staff and all three disks were repaired. Charlie came out of surgery with a great prognosis and had no immediate issues or concerns with the surgery.
After several weeks of recovery and physical therapy, Charlie was able to return to work on July 16, 2009. While he was able to do basic police work, including basic aggression work and most detection work, he was not able to do anything that included jumping.
Although Charlie’s return to work began slowly, he was excited to be back to duty and it showed by the 21 drug arrests that he was responsible for since July 16, 2009.
On September 30, 2009, Charlie had the final visit with Dr Prostredny. Charlie cleared all Dr Prostredny’s tests and he had all restrictions lifted on him due to his remarkable recovery and progress. Charlie’s partner, PFC Earl Campbell, was a large part of the Charlie’s recovery. “After going through this surgical and recovery period and dealing with the VET staff at CVRC, I was totally amazed at their professionalism and dedication to correct Charlie’s injury”, commented PFC Campbell. “I have had the experience of working with vets in my previous employment and the vets at CVRC are top notch. Dr Prostredny and his staff are by far, the best group of vets I have ever been around.” In addition to the professional nature of Dr. Prostredny and his staff, it is also important to note the generous nature of their staff who donated much of their time and expertise to Charlie and the Town of Ocean City.
In addition, Charlie received support from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Mayor and City Council, and the overwhelming amount of emails and calls from members of our department, outside surrounding agencies, local business owners and family showing concern for K-9 Charlie. Friends and co-workers have greatly made this trying time much easier. Charlie is back to full duty and is serving the Ocean City Community in more ways then one.
His love and commitment to his job has been displayed through his courage and will to recover. He is officially on the road doing what he loves best, protecting the citizens of Ocean City.
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY RELEASES MARYLAND’S RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT JOBS REPORT
More than 14,000 Jobs Created, Saved in Maryland; Millions Invested in Public Infrastructure, Public Schools and Maryland Families
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 28, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley released the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act jobs report for Maryland today at a visit to P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc’s state-of-the-art asphalt plant in Baltimore, a local contracting company that has been directly impacted by the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Governor O’Malley praised the Recovery and Reinvestment Act for creating or saving over 14,000 jobs in Maryland since President Obama signed the act just 28 days into his Presidency.
“Thanks to President Obama’s leadership, and our ability as a State to implement these funds as quickly and efficiently as possible, there are more than 14,000 Marylanders working today that otherwise would be facing unemployment,” said Governor O’Malley. “And that’s just the first round. Over the next several months, we’ll continue to move forward to put Recovery Act funds to work, reporting every penny spent and every job saved or created providing unprecedented transparency for the people of Maryland.”
“Governor O’Malley and I are confident that we will get through these difficult times more quickly and less painfully than most other states,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Through our accountability standards, local and federal partnerships, Governor O’Malley’s leadership and President Obama’s efforts to pull our nation out of this recession, we are maximizing the reach of our Recovery dollars, putting Marylanders to work and creating new jobs in every part of the state.”
The release of the jobs report in Maryland comes just one day before the White House is set to release the national figures, and the Governor made the announcement at a local company, P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc., a more than 120-year-old contractor that was directly impacted by the infrastructure projects in Maryland funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The family-owned business has participated in two Recovery Act-funded projects in Maryland, supporting over 100 jobs so far, and expected to support many more before the projects are complete. As of yesterday, the company was informed they have been awarded another Howard County resurfacing contract as well.
“2009 has been a challenging year,” said Steve Whitecotton, Vice President of the Baltimore based P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc. “In this tough economy the Recovery Act funded projects have preserved jobs and funded many important infrastructure projects that improve the safety and efficiency of our transportation system. My conservative estimate is that between our employees and our subcontractors up to 150 jobs would have been lost without the Recovery Act.”
Today’s jobs announcement encompasses what are termed direct, indirect and induced jobs. Direct jobs are those supported by Recovery Act dollars, such as the construction worker on a highway project funded through the Act. Indirect jobs are those that support Recovery Act dollars, including an employee at an asphalt company that supplies the highway project. Induced jobs are created by increased consumer activity, such as the construction worker purchasing a car, or going to a restaurant, resulting in those companies increasing employment due to sustained or increased business.
For a complete breakdown of jobs supported by Recovery Act funding in Maryland, see the StateStat presentation of the data.
As of September 30th, the State of Maryland received awards of over $2 billion, approximately half of all Recovery Act funding expected through 2011. By comparison, the State expended only eleven percent of these funds, or $229,191,801, covering the period contained within the jobs reports.
Of the $413 million in highway construction funding, 84 projects worth $184 million have already started construction. And approximately $900 million in Recovery Act money has supported 1,809 teachers in America’s number one ranked public school system, allowing full funding of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan.
Governor O’Malley announced that StateStat, Maryland’s signature performance evaluation tool created by the O’Malley-Brown Administration, would be the centralized place for tracking and reporting Recovery Act funds and their impact on communities. Days after President Obama signed the Recovery Act in 2008, Governor O’Malley announced the launch of recovery.maryland.gov to track the funds in Maryland, and since then, the website has received the distinction as best in the nation according to Good Jobs First, a non-profit research center based in Washington, DC.
For a complete breakdown of jobs supported by Recovery Act funding in Maryland, see the StateStat presentation of the data.
The Infamous Press Release 24+ Hours Later
On October 23, 2009 at approximately 2:00 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Royal Farms Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with an employee of the store who advised the officers that a lone suspect entered the store and indicated to the employee that he was armed with a handgun. The suspect was given an amount of U.S. Currency then fled from the store and entered a late 90’s Cadillac with unknown registration. The suspect fled from the area in the vehicle.
On October 24, 2009 at approximately 9:35 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shell Station on Snow Hill Road for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival the officers were advised by an employee of the business that a lone suspect had entered the business and produced a handgun. The suspect was given an amount of U.S. Currency then fled from the business on foot.
On October 26, 2009, Salisbury Detectives identified the suspect and obtained a search and seizure warrant for the suspect’s residence. The search and seizure warrant was executed at a residence on Magnolia Drive in Salisbury early on October 27 with the assistance of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was taken into custody at the residence and Salisbury Detectives were able to recover the handgun, the vehicle and additional evidence. Upon recovery, the handgun was revealed to be a BB pistol.
The investigation revealed that the suspect had committed the first robbery within twenty-four (24) hours of his release from the Wicomico Co. Detention Center.
ARRESTED: Arlie Ralph Kiser, III, 35 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Robbery (2 counts)
First degree assault (2 counts)
Second degree assault (2 counts)
Theft (under $ 1000) (2 counts)
Reckless endangerment (2 counts)
Theft scheme (2 counts)
Use of a handgun in a felony crime
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
Brooke Mulford Update
Sorry for the lack of updates (not a whole lot to update on which is a good thing but I know it’s been almost a month). Brooke finished her 12 radiation treatments on Fri October 16th. It was a rough 2 ½ weeks. Brooke did fine with the radiation but had a really tough time with coming out of sedation (screaming, crying, kicking & flailing) pretty much every day (some days were much worse than others). It would last about 30-45 minutes but seemed like hours at the time. Grammy was a trooper and got up every morning between 5-5:30 am to come with us. A dear family friend, Bill Hoover, gave Grammy a break one morning and came in her place (lucky for him it was one of Brooke’s easier days)! Thanks to everyone who sent cards for Brooke to Grammy's house (Brooke thought that was pretty cool).
Tuesday the 13th Brooke made it to the big time and was on the cover of USA Today 4-year-old with cancer moves town into action - and Salisbury’s The Daily Times http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200910130432/NEWS01/910130359! We have had so many people contact us, from all over the country that saw the article and have sent cards, gifts, donations, phone calls and emails of support. Justin Long and Drew Barrymore even called Rob at Market Street one night (man…why couldn’t they have looked up our home number)!
Grandpa Greg and Grandma Millie came for a visit Oct 17th – 21st. Boy did Brooke have a great time! She sure kept them both hopping (I was exhausted just watching them play)! Friday, the 23rd, Brooke’s teacher, Mrs. Katzaman came over again and brought activities that her classmates have been working on. Nana came on Monday to play and let me get out of the house to run some errands and get a massage! And of course, one of Brooke (& Bailey’s) closest buddies, Miss Liz, has been coming by for frequent “playdates”.
Tuesday, the 27th, Make-A-Wish volunteers came to the house to meet Brooke and get her Wish - to go to Disney of course (despite my campaigning to meet James Taylor she decided on Disney…just kidding…well, sort of…). Disney wishes sound awesome-from what I’ve heard they really make the experience “magical”! We will have the time of our lives and Brooke is so excited! We are hoping to wait until Brooke is done with her treatments and are thinking maybe May or June.
Brooke is scheduled to go up to CHOP next wed for clinic and I will be meeting with the doctors about Brooke’s next phase of treatments (antibodies clinical trial…I’ll tell you more about that once I have the meeting). The 2nd week of Nov we will head up again for a bunch of out-patient tests (MIBG, CT scan, bone marrow biopsy and labs) and then she will be admitted the 2nd or 3rd week of Nov to start the antibodies. As you can see November will be a big month so I will try to do better with the updates.
God Bless,
Amy
Another Salisbury Robbery
A man was walking in front of T's Market this morning near Isabella Street & 13. Two heavy set black males all in dark clothing robbed the man. They used mace & a knife to steal $206.00.
ACORN STILL RECEIVES FEDERAL MONEY DUE TO LOOPHOLE PERMITING FEDERAL EMPLOYEE DONATIONS
Senator Grassley(R-Iowa) explains that the Combined Federal Campaign, a workplace charity campaign, still allows ACORN to receive charitable donations from federal employees. The CFC catalogue still lists ACORN as a choice for donations. This loophole could be closed, but President Obama refuses to remove ACORN from it's charitiable list.
http://biggovernment.com/2009/09/24/breaking-hills-leading-nonprofit-watchdog-sen-charles-grassley-demands-acorn-probe/
http://biggovernment.com/2009/09/24/breaking-hills-leading-nonprofit-watchdog-sen-charles-grassley-demands-acorn-probe/
In White House Vs. Fox News War Of Words, Who Gets Your Vote?
By Mark Memmott
The stories about what the Obama White House has to say about Fox News Channel keep coming.
There was White House communications director saying telling Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post and CNN "let's not pretend they're a news network the way CNN is."
Also last week it was NPR's David Folkenflik reporting that "the White House is taking direct aim at Fox News, the news organization that is the home to the most potent collection of its conservative critics."
This week it's ABC News' Jake Tapper asking why the Obama team was treating one of the "sister organizations" so badly -- and the news that the White House had tried to block a Fox News reporter from interviewing the so-called pay czar. (After all the networks objected, the White House relented.)
It seems like time for a survey: GO HERE to participate in the survey.
The stories about what the Obama White House has to say about Fox News Channel keep coming.
There was White House communications director saying telling Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post and CNN "let's not pretend they're a news network the way CNN is."
Also last week it was NPR's David Folkenflik reporting that "the White House is taking direct aim at Fox News, the news organization that is the home to the most potent collection of its conservative critics."
This week it's ABC News' Jake Tapper asking why the Obama team was treating one of the "sister organizations" so badly -- and the news that the White House had tried to block a Fox News reporter from interviewing the so-called pay czar. (After all the networks objected, the White House relented.)
It seems like time for a survey: GO HERE to participate in the survey.
Princess Anne Incident Yesterday
"It was a tragic accident but some incidents make it worse
1. When Salisbury Fire Dept. went down and took charge of the scene their actions made the fuel containment far worse than should have been.
2. State "officials" were driving recklessly around the scene area putting responders in harms way. It has been reported up here that a princess anne police officer or county officer had to stop one state truck and issue a speeding ticket. Probably should have or could have been reckless driving."
1. When Salisbury Fire Dept. went down and took charge of the scene their actions made the fuel containment far worse than should have been.
2. State "officials" were driving recklessly around the scene area putting responders in harms way. It has been reported up here that a princess anne police officer or county officer had to stop one state truck and issue a speeding ticket. Probably should have or could have been reckless driving."
Asteroid Explodes Over Indonesia
On October 8, 2009, with no warning, a ~10-meter wide asteroid hit Earth's atmosphere above Indonesia and exploded.
The break-up was so powerful, it triggered nuclear test ban sensors thousands of miles away. A just-released analysis of infrasound data shows that the asteroid detonated with an energy equivalent of about 50 kilotons of TNT. That's two to three times more powerful than World War II-era atomic bombs. The asteroid that caused the blast was not known before it hit and took astronomers completely by surprise. This significant impact has received relatively little attention in Western press.
According to statistical studies of the near-Earth asteroid population,objects are expected to collide with Earth on average every 2 to 12 years.
More details available here..
The break-up was so powerful, it triggered nuclear test ban sensors thousands of miles away. A just-released analysis of infrasound data shows that the asteroid detonated with an energy equivalent of about 50 kilotons of TNT. That's two to three times more powerful than World War II-era atomic bombs. The asteroid that caused the blast was not known before it hit and took astronomers completely by surprise. This significant impact has received relatively little attention in Western press.
According to statistical studies of the near-Earth asteroid population,objects are expected to collide with Earth on average every 2 to 12 years.
More details available here..
Now That's Talent
This is really something. Each picture zooms in even closer than last one.
Artist assistants stand next to 3,604 cups of coffee which have been made into a giant Mona Lisa in Sydney, Australia. The 3,604 cups of coffee were each filled with different amounts of milk to create the different shades!!
Artist assistants stand next to 3,604 cups of coffee which have been made into a giant Mona Lisa in Sydney, Australia. The 3,604 cups of coffee were each filled with different amounts of milk to create the different shades!!
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