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Thursday, January 07, 2010

MAPP Transmission Lines Met By Stiff Local Opposition

At tonight's meeting held by MAPP officials at the Holiday Inn Express located in Cambridge, Maryland there was overwhelming public opposition to basically all three of Pepco and DP&L's -proposed MAPP route plans through Dorchester County.

In fact - excluding the utility mapping representatives themselves - there was no one who spoke in favor of the proposed transmission lines. Many of the opponents included critical areas representatives as well as overwhelming public opposition to the proposed concept.

There was a motion made by opponents to the transmission lines that included complete withdrawal of the proposed transmission line concept because a feasibility study had not ascertained that the lines are even needed. There were in excess of 100 individuals to a standing room only crowd. Reasons cited for opposition to the proposed transmission lines included; advances in renewable energy technology - (solar, wind) - changing utility legislative policies - (proposed feed-in tariff for renewables) - and detrimental environmental conditions.

The dollar amounts quoted for each of the proposed routes through Dorchester County ranged from 550 million to over 1 billion dollars.

Governor O'Malley Pledges To Sarah Foxwell, "There Is Still Work To Be Done"

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO OFFER ‘STATE OF PUBLIC SAFETY’ ADDRESS AT ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNTY LEADERS

CAMBRIDGE, MD (January 7, 2010)
– Governor Martin O’Malley will offer remarks at the Maryland Association of Counties Annual Winter Conference in Cambridge tonight where he will outline the “State of Public Safety,” citing 25-year-lows in the state’s homicide rates but acknowledging that the tragedy of Sarah Foxwell reminds us all there is still work to be done.

“Tonight, our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarah Foxwell, for her family, and for her fellow citizens in Wicomico County and in every part of our State who are stricken by the grief of her loss,” Governor O’Malley will say this evening. “Maryland is undeniably a safer place than it was just three years ago, but we are reminded everyday of the work still ahead. Even in a year when together we’ve achieved historic reductions in homicides and juvenile homicides, Sarah Foxwell reminds us that there is more work that must be done. I am committed to working with members of both parties to build on and strengthen laws -- like Jessica’s Law that I signed in 2007 -- to make sure that our most dangerous predators never have the opportunity to harm a child.”

In 2007, Governor O’Malley signed Jessica’s Law, taking away the possibility of parole for certain sex offenses.


Governor O’Malley will outline a number of positive crime trends, including a 2009 murder rate 26 percent lower than 2006, and 11 percent lower than 2008. Prince George’s County alone recorded 24 percent fewer homicides in 2009 and the year prior. The Governor touted a number of innovative partnerships and initiatives to protect Maryland families and neighborhoods, including:

Eliminating an inherited backlog of 24,000 unanalyzed and 15,000 uncollected DNA samples, making 192 arrests as a result;
Developing an interoperable radio network to connect all law enforcement, first responders, and public safety agencies statewide;
Creating the public safety dashboard which is now connecting 15,600 law enforcement officers and government servants in more than 100 agencies, receiving some 25,000 to 40,000 hits per day;
Connecting all 46 Maryland acute care hospitals to protect citizens from the spread of pandemics;
Creating the Violence Prevention Initiative, collecting 3,000 warrants for Maryland’s most violent offenders;
Developing an information-sharing network on gangs between the Department of Corrections and over 100 partner agencies throughout Maryland.

Yesterday, Governor O’Malley announced Salisbury as the second Maryland Safe Streets Program site, providing more than $156,000 in grant funds to address high incidences of crime in the city and surrounding areas.

Governor O’Malley will also briefly address plans for the upcoming legislative session, including efforts to close a $2 billion deficit in the FY2011 budget.

“We’ve worked to reduce $4.6 billion in state spending and to strategically reduce the size of our state government these past three years,” said Governor O’Malley. “We’ve done so mindful of the challenges you face at the local level, and of the urgency for protecting the very investments our families will need to come out of this recession stronger. Priorities like public education, public safety, and jobs.”

Georgetown Man Succumbed To Injuries From A December 22nd Crash

Location: State Route 5, Indian Mission Road, east of Millsboro

Date of Occurrence: Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009, at approximately 2:00 pm

Victim: James I. Cogswell, 86 years old, of Georgetown, DE

Resume: On December 22nd 2009 at approximately 2:00 pm Mr. Cogswell was operating a 2009 Toyota Avalon. Mr. Cogswell was traveling southbound on Indian Mission Road, east of Millsboro. The investigation determined that due to Mr. Cogswell falling asleep, the vehicle exited the east edge of the roadway striking a utility pole. Mr. Cogswell was transported to Beebe Hospital where he was admitted for a sternum fracture sustained in the accident.

Mr. Cogswell died on January 6th, 2010 at approximately 1:00 pm as a result of complication deriving from his injuries.

Mr. Cogswell was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TALKS JOBS WITH EASTERN SHORE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

CAMBRIDGE, MD (January 7, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley stopped by an Eastern Shore poultry business before hosting a roundtable discussion with local business leaders in Cambridge today. The Governor highlighted recently-announced initiatives to strengthen small businesses in Maryland, create jobs, and fuel innovation to drive economic progress through Maryland.

“Small and family-owned businesses are the heart and soul of our State and the key to how we’re going to turn the corner from recession to recovery to prosperity,” said Governor O’Malley. “Nearly three in five jobs in our State come from businesses with fewer than 100 employees. These businesses are vital to strengthening our economy, helping us grow and strengthen our middle class, fuel innovation, and create jobs in Maryland.”

Governor O’Malley visited AviHome, a Cambridge poultry industry plant that manufactures vapor barriers and flooring to replace woodchips and dirt in poultry houses, where CEO’s Rafael Correra showed the Governor some of the innovative industry tools developed at the Cambridge facility. Later, the Governor joined about thirty area business leaders for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities during these tough economic times, recently-announced initiatives to create jobs in Maryland, and partnership opportunities to fuel innovation and drive economic progress.

“I’m excited about the potential of AviHome’s technology as it positively affects the most important industry in our community and the important role it plays,” said AviHome CEO Rafael Correa.

“We are very pleased and appreciative that Governor O’Malley is visiting the Eastern Shore and our companies to see first-hand the innovative products that are made by the many small businesses that dominate the Shore,” said Richard Bernstein, President & CEO of LWRC International, LLC, an affiliated company with AviHome. “Small business has been the backbone of the job creation over the past decade and with strong leadership provided by Governor O’Malley, will continue to lead the state and nation out of the current recession.”

Recently, Governor O’Malley announced an economic agenda that includes an expansion of small business loan guarantees to expand access to credit for Maryland small businesses; a job creation tax credit for businesses who hire unemployed workers; and immediate tax relief for small businesses who are facing steep increases in unemployment insurance taxes due to rising unemployment over the last year.

“Maryland is fortunate to have the insight and involvement of a diverse and diversified business community,” said DBED Secretary Christian Johansson. “Today’s convening of Cambridge and mid-shore based business owners and leaders continues a robust dialog between small business and the Governor focused on concrete actions we can take to strengthen our economy like the recent recommendations put forward by the Small Business Task Force and adopted by the O’Malley-Brown administration.”

Governor O’Malley has held similar small business roundtable discussions throughout the state over the past several months. These small business “check-in” discussions allow small business owners an opportunity to meet informally with Governor O’Malley and members of the Administration to discuss relevant topics, including the impact of the national recession on local small businesses, the need for health care reform so employees of small businesses can have access to affordable, quality health care, and the many resources and services available to Maryland companies looking to grow.

Over the last several months, the Governor has aggressively pursued a strategy to strengthen small businesses and expand opportunity, including the creation of the Small Business Task Force, the release of a ten-point strategy to strengthen small business in Maryland, development of MBE University to encourage women- and minority-owned firms to grow and do business with the state, and encouragement of the Maryland Congressional delegation to target TARP funds to expanding access to capital for small businesses.

Maryland remains one of only seven states in the nation to defend a Triple A bond rating, and the state’s unemployment rate remains consistently well-below the national average. Maryland is home to a strong competitive advantage with the nation’s best public school system, according to Education Week Magazine, and therefore one of the strongest workforces in the country.

Suspect Arrested For Burglary, And Endangering The Welfare Of A Child

Location: 31000 Block of Collins Court, Atkins Acres, Millsboro, DE

Date of Occurrence: Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, at approximately 11:00 am

Suspect: Daniel Chavez-Martinez, 21, of Georgetown, DE

Resume: On Wednesday January 6th, 2010, Troopers responded to a residence on Collins Court, Millsboro, DE, in regards to a domestic incident.

Upon Troopers arrival they spoke with a 20 year old female who advised them that her ex-boyfriend Daniel Chaves- Martinez, broke into the home and removed their newborn daughter from the residence. The female stated that Daniel Chavez-Martinez, entered the home through a side window after she would not let him in the front door. She stated that after removing their daughter from her bedroom Daniel Chaves- Martinez exited the home through the front door and fled in his vehicle.

While Troopers were interviewing the 20 year old female victim, Daniel Chaves-Martinez returned to the home with their newborn daughter. Troopers interviewed Daniel Chavez-Martinez, who advised them that he did break into the house through the window, only after his ex-girlfriend would not let him in. Daniel Chavez-Martinez also told Troopers that he only wanted to take his daughter to an appointment with the Division of Public Health in Georgetown, DE. The female victim took custody of their newborn daughter, and Daniel Chavez-Martinez was taken into custody without incident.

Daniel Chavez- Martinez was transported to Troop 4 where he was formally charged with Burglary 2nd (f), Criminal Mischief (m), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (m). Daniel Chavez-Martinez was arraigned on his charges and committed to Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $5, 750 cash bail

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO ANNOUNCE PLANS TO REAUTHORIZE HERITAGE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

Tax credit program proven effective to create jobs, revitalize communities

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 7, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley tomorrow will announce plans to seek reauthorization of the Heritage Tax Credit, which provides tax credits for the rehabilitation of certified heritage structures. He will also announce awards for four heritage rehabilitation projects in Maryland.

The Governor will detail the nature of the reauthorization at an event tomorrow in Baltimore at the site of the Union Mill where Seawall Development Company is restoring the stone mill as teacher apartments and as office space for non-profit organizations. A report last year by the non-profit Abell Foundation concluded that commercial projects over the life of the program have employed roughly 15,120 people, earning $673.1 million in 2009 dollars.

Top City In Fruitland On Fire

Top City is Fruitland is currently on fire. A friend sent a photo but for some reason it won't come through. Hopefully we'll be able to provide an image some time later today. From the photo I saw, it's a pretty serious fire. More to come......?

Andy Harris for Congress Announces Endorsements Of Maryland's Two Republican County Executives


Craig, Leopold endorsements show united front against Pelosi agenda

ANNAPOLIS
--Andy Harris for Congress today announced that it has received the endorsements of Maryland's two Republican County Executives, David Craig of Harford County and John Leopold of Anne Arundel County. The endorsements demonstrate the strong support for State Senator Andy Harris' campaign and further signify that Republicans around the state are unified behind Dr. Harris. Harris released the following statement:

"I am deeply gratified by the endorsements of David Craig and John Leopold," Harris said. "Their support and the near unanimous support I've received among the elected officials in the General Assembly within the First District are proof positive that we can and will defeat the far-left agenda of Nancy Pelosi in November. The support that is uniting behind my campaign is critical to changing the direction that Pelosi and her foot soldiers are taking our country. I will continue to bring together Republicans, Democrats and Independents that want to see Congress working on the issues that they are most concerned about, including finding and keeping good jobs, protecting the important industries in the district, ending Washington's waste and out-of-control spending and stopping reckless tax increases on family budgets that are already stretched thin. The radical agenda being pushed in Washington by these members of Congress threatens Marylanders' livelihoods, health care, and their future prosperity and is uniting voters from all over the political spectrum behind my campaign."

Craig and Leopold's decision to support Harris is particularly noteworthy since both supported another candidate in the 2008 primary. Their endorsements, and the recent decision by Caroline County Commissioner Jeff Ghrist to drop out of the race and support Harris, demonstrate that Republicans throughout the district are lining up behind Harris. Harris has now received the endorsement of nearly all of the Republican General Assembly members that represent parts of the district.

Dr. Harris has a distinguished record as a three-term State Senator in Annapolis fighting for fiscal responsibility and strengthening Maryland’s families by promoting job creation, smaller government, and the need for tax relief, not increased burdens on Maryland taxpayers. Harris resides in Maryland’s First Congressional District with homes in Cockeysville and Cambridge that he shares with his wife and five children. He is a practicing obstetric anesthesiologist, with an appointment at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, as well as practicing at Easton Memorial Hospital and Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He served our country in the United States Naval Reserve for 17 years, achieving the rank of Commander, and is a member of the American Legion.

Lost Dogs UPDATE: FOUND

THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND AND ARE NOW HOME WITH THEIR OWNER.
Thanks again folks!



Joe,

I read your blog everyday and know that it works wonders when it comes to finding lost dogs. Our 2 dogs dug under our fence around 10am this morning and have disappeared. We have 2 very upset little boys, as we have been riding around for hours looking for them. I have attached a picture. They are chocolate and yellow females. The chocolate lab has a tag with her name and our phone number and the yellow just has a collar on. We live off of N West road on Canterbury Drive. They may be in the jersey road/adkins road area or log cabin area. If anyone has seen them please please give us a call. Our little boys are heartbroken. Our phone number is 410-896-2022 and my cell is 443-235-3667.

Thank You

M Meade

Memorial Site For Brian Wagner


If you would like to LEAVE POSITIVE condolences to the Wagner Family? You can Visit http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/BrianWagnerMemorial/homepage.aspx

If anyone is interested in helping An educational fund has been set up to benefit Claire and Grant through the Bank of Delmarva. Donations can be made at any Bank of Delmarva branch or be mailed to:

The Children of Brian L. Wagner Education Fund
Bank of Delmarva
c/o Michelle Thomas
2245 Northwood Drive
Salisbury, Md. 21801

"The Joe Albero Show" Special

This week we will have a 1 hour long Special Edition Show. My Guests will floor you as well as what we'll provide on the Sarah Foxwell story. We'll even have a special musical performance of "Yesterday." If there's one Show you're going to want to see, this is it!

Saturday morning at 9:00 AM on WRDE, Channel 9 Comcast or Mediacom Channel 99. Watch out MSM, we're about to prove the little guy can actually do it better!

OK, This Was Too Funny To Pass Up

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases


On January 5, 2010 at approximately 1:10 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police met with the below listed suspect for the report of a theft from a business. During the investigation it was revealed that the suspect had taken bank deposits from the FYE store in the Centre at Salisbury while employed at the business.

ARRESTED: Michael David Horseman, 33 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (over $ 1000)
Theft scheme

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201000000541


On January 5, 2010 at approximately 4:35 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant charging the suspect with a robbery and assault that occurred on November 9, 2009. The investigation of the robbery revealed that the suspect was one of a group of males who assaulted, then robbed a single adult male victim in the area of East Church St. and Naylor St. The victim sustained minor injuries during the robbery and assault. The investigation is continuing as to the additional suspects.

ARRESTED: Donald Henry Ellis, 28 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Robbery
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Theft (under $ 100)
Reckless endangerment

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900040021

Republican Establishment Donors Are Upset

There's been a lot of recent evidence that the old-guard Republican powerbrokers are still in charge-- and that they still don't 'get it'-- pushing people like Dede Scozzafava in the NY Congressional race. Or Fla. governor Charlie Crist, who endorsed the Stimulus bill, etc.

Still pushing their hand-picked candidates, even though many are so-called 'moderates' (AKA RINOs).

And they're crying out for emergency contributions to help them do it.

The Republican National Committee's chairman, Michael Steele is in hot water with some of the major contributors now.. probably because he is bucking the party line and criticizing the candidates and methods, and hasn't personally called the big donors to plead for their money.

Kinda like the local minister that won't go visit the old ladies every week.

But actually, this may be a good thing.

Why? Because many contributors are beginning to send their money straight to the candidates that they support, not to the state and national organizations who give the money to their hand-picked candidates.

And perhaps that how we can get this thing turned around-- starve the beast.

Send your money to the candidate-- let him or her use it ALL, instead of getting leftovers from the machine.

Don't send a dime to the national organizations until they prove themselves worthy of support.

They'll get the message eventually.

Security For 9/11 Trials In NYC Will Cost More Than $400M

New York City projects it will cost more than $400 million to provide security if the pre-trial preparation and trial of the suspects in the Sept. 11 terror attacks takes two years, which insiders say is virtually certain, according to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

It will cost another $206 million annually if the trial runs beyond two years, which some fear is possible, the mayor's office estimates.

In a letter to the director of the federal Office of Management and Budget supporting Sen. Charles Schumer's proposal for federal reimbursement, Bloomberg projected a first year security price tag of $216 million and an ongoing annual cost of $206 million. "The City of New York's financial resources are in short supply," Bloomberg wrote. "Thus securing the trial will require us to pull existing personnel from crime prevention resources from around the city." The civilian trial of the Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five other suspects in the attacks that killed nearly 2,750 civilians will take place in a Manhattan federal courthouse just blocks from where the towers stood.

GO HERE to read more from ABC News.

Editors Note: $200 M, $400 Million, will someone in the Press make up their mind please!

Breaking The Will Of The People: The Real Purpose Of Body Scanners

The clamor to ramp up airport security with invasive naked body imaging scanners has nothing to do with ensuring the safety of travelers. Rather it is part of an ongoing incremental push to break the will of the people and encourage mass subservience and meek obedience.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the body scanner push is that people are willingly accepting it. As Bloomberg news reports today, “Passenger acceptance of airport body scanners has increased following the failed terrorist attack,” with 92% of passengers at Manchester airport in northern England now agreeing to pass through the machines in a voluntary trial, compared with 75 percent before the incident.

The same report indicates that Around 90% of Muslims and Orthodox Jews were opting to use the scanners even prior to the Detroit incident rather than risking physical contact via pat downs and strip searches.

GO HERE to read more.

Kennedy Replacement Could Threaten Dem Majority

The race to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., is closer than many expected, and the results could, in the words of one analyst, "rock American politics."

Republican candidate state Sen. Scott Brown is within nine points of the Democratic nominee in the heavily Democratic district, according to the latest Rasmussen poll. That assessment said Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley would get 50 percent of the vote, while Brown would get 41 percent.

But strategists with the Massachusetts Republican Party say their internal polling indicates the Jan. 19 special election is closer than the Rasmussen poll shows.

Brown says voter turnout will be crucial.

"If everyone gets out and votes, this election will be very competitive. I'm working about 20 hours a day on this campaign. I'm working to get the voters to the polls," he said.

"We have teams of people all over the state making sure that young people and the elderly who are with us have rides to the polls," Brown said.

More..

(Want to contribute? Go here..)

Looks Like Ehrlich Will Take A Stab At Running For Governor Of Maryland Again



Kendel Ehrlich: 'Numbers look pretty good' for husband to run

"Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is likely to run for governor if he can win, Ehrlich's wife announced at a Republican fundraiser in Frederick on Tuesday night," reports Erin Cunningham for The Gazette. 'The numbers look pretty good,' Kendel Ehrlich said. 'He doesn't want to do this without winning.' ... Kendel Ehrlich filled in for her husband during a fundraiser and 40th birthday celebration for Del. Joseph R. Bartlett (R-Dist. 4A) of Middletown. The former governor had been scheduled to appear at the event at Volt restaurant in Frederick, but canceled due to a business meeting, Bartlett said."

Bob Ehrlich, you'll recall, said back in November that his wife is "wildly enthusiastic" about him running again.

Source

Out Of Billions Of U.S. Websites, SBYNews Places In A Very Special League

55,580 Traffic Rank in US
SALISBURY NEWS

Congressional Reform Act Of 2010

1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.

A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


2. No Tenure / No Pension:

A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately.. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, server your term(s), then go home and back to work.


4.. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.


8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.