BREAKING NEWS

"Hi Joe,

Just heard some rather disturbing news this evening. Jessica Workman, age 20, passed away from complications from MRSA. Apparently she did not know she had MRSA and was just hospitalized earlier this week. Prior to this she has been a waitress/hostess at Delmar Pizza. In Jessicas case it was a bacteria in her blood and it caused her kidneys and brain to shut down.. but she was fine last week.. even this previous Monday."

What is MRSA?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus -- or staph -- because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

The symptoms of MRSA depend on where you're infected. Most often, it causes mild infections on the skin, causing pimples or boils. But it can also cause more serious skin infections or infect surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract.

Though most MRSA infections aren't serious, some can be life-threatening. Many public health experts are alarmed by the spread of tough strains of MRSA. Because it's hard to treat, MRSA is sometimes called a "super bug."

BALTIMORE PD REACHES ARREST MILESTONE DUE TO DNA

(Baltimore, MD) – State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence Sheridan today commended the Baltimore Police Department for its effective use of Marylands DNA database to fight serious crime in the city.

Colonel Sheridan announced that the Baltimore Police Department has made 101 arrests for serious crimes with the assistance of Marylands DNA database during the past three years. Those arrests have included 13 for murder, 68 for rape or sex offense, one for child abuse, one for assault, and 18 for burglary.

Reducing violent crime in Maryland is why we have worked so hard to make the states DNA database as effective as it can be, Colonel Sheridan said. By eliminating the offender sample backlog and passing legislation requiring persons arrested for violent crimes to submit samples, Marylands DNA database is operating more efficiently than ever before and is helping dedicated law enforcement personnel in Baltimore and across our State to unlock the secrets of crime scene evidence and bring those responsible for violent crime in Maryland to justice. I thank Governor Martin OMalley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for making the DNA database a priority by providing the personnel, equipment, and support we needed to make it a crime fighting tool that is becoming more valuable each day.

For the past two years, Baltimore has experienced the lowest number of homicides in 20 years," said Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld, III. Continued investment in our DNA Lab is paying big dividends towards making Baltimore a safer city and I thank Col. Sheridan and Governor OMalley for their continued support and partnership.

In the fall of 2009, Marylands DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, surpassed the mark of 1,500 positive comparisons, or hits, as they are commonly referred to. A positive comparison occurs when DNA obtained from a crime victim or scene is matched with either a known offender sample or DNA from another crime scene that is on file in Marylands DNA database, or CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which enables access to the national database.

The rate at which positive DNA comparisons are now occurring is faster than ever before. Marylands DNA database was established by law in 1994 and the first positive comparison occurred in 1998. It was eight years later, in August 2006, when State Police scientists reached the 500th hit.

Twenty-three months later, Governor OMalley announced the 1,000th hit, in July 2008. Only 15 months later, another 500 positive comparisons were made, proving the database is more efficient than it has ever been.

According to the Governors Office of Crime Control and Prevention, 103 criminal arrests were made in 2009 as a result of 203 offender hits made through the DNA database during that same period. There are currently 82,906 offender samples and 4,213 arrested/charged samples in the statewide DNA database.

On January 1, 2009, legislation proposed and signed into law by Governor OMalley took effect that requires those arrested and charged with qualifying violent crimes, or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burglaries and attempts to commit those crimes, to submit a DNA sample. Since the beginning of this year, 37 positive comparisons have occurred as a result of the new law. This has a direct impact on crime because it gives police the ability to take criminals off the street sooner and before they can continue their criminal activities.

In January 2008, Governor OMalley announced the elimination of the backlog of untested and uncollected DNA samples from convicted felons that had grown to more than 24,000 by the end of 2006. The backlog elimination was the result of additional funding for new positions and new equipment provided by the Governor.

In addition to Governor OMalleys support, the success of the statewide DNA database is due to the hard work and cooperation of many individuals. They include the personnel of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division and those in local police DNA laboratories, as well as the cooperative collection efforts by the Governors Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Department of Parole and Probation, sheriffs offices and detention centers across the state, and Marylands district and circuit court systems.

Last month, the Governors Office of Crime Control and Prevention awarded $375,000 to the Baltimore Police Department for its DNA lab. The money will assist in handling, screening, and analyzing backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, as well as with improving DNA laboratory infrastructure and capacity. This will include analyzing DNA contained in cold case files that will help bring criminals to justice who until now thought they had successfully avoided arrest.

The money was part of a $1.2 million grant award under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and made possible through the efforts of Senator Barbara Mikulski. Money was also provided to the Maryland State Police, Prince Georges County Police, and Montgomery County Police crime labs.

NOTE: THE WEB EDITOR DOES NOT PERMIT THE APPROPRIATE USE OF APOSTROPHES OR QUOTATIONS. PLEASE EXCUSE THOSE ERRORS.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE & MAYOR NOMINATE CHARLES R. DASHIELL, JR. TO HEAD COUNTY-CITY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., and Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr., have nominated Charles R. “Chip” Dashiell, Jr., Esq. to serve as the Chair of the Wicomico County/City of Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission. Mr. Dashiell would succeed Corinne LesCallette as Commission Chair. Ms. LesCallette has served on the Commission since 1978 and has been the Chair since 1983. Ms. LesCallette recently informed officials of her intention to step down after more than 3 decades of service.

In a joint statement, Executive Pollitt and Mayor Ireton said, “We salute Corinne LesCallette for her remarkable record of service to the people of Salisbury and Wicomico County. Her career on our Planning Commission exemplifies the highest standard of civic responsibility. We are indeed fortunate to have a person of Mr. Dashiell’s caliber to succeed Ms. LesCallette as the leader of this important commission.”

Mr. Dashiell, the president of the law firm of Hearne & Bailey, P.A., has a long history of public service in Wicomico County. He served as the Vice President of the Wicomico County Council from 2002-to2006. He is the current chair of the Greater Salisbury Committee and a past president of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Dashiell has served on the boards of the Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Wor-Wic Community College Foundation and the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

Wicomico County and the City of Salisbury have cooperatively engaged in joint planning activities since 1943. The Wicomico County/City of Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission oversees the preparation of the Long Range Comprehensive Plan for the county and the city. The Commission is also responsible for review and approval of development proposals as provided by the county and city codes.

Mr. Dashiell’s appointment is subject to the approval of the Wicomico County Council and the Salisbury City Council.

WBI Needs Your Help Again

WBI needs help with identifying the witness pictured is the attached photo. He was in the Barnes and Noble Store in Salisbury on 1/15/10 at 9:19 am. Could you help us by running the photo and asking anyone who may know who the person is to contact WBI at 410-548-4898. He is the younger gentleman in the black jacket in the lower left hand corner of the screen.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Incident: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
Date of Incident: 10 January 2010
Location: Morris Leonard Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ronald A. Marzec, 42, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 10 January 2010 at 6:04 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle accident on Morris Leonard Road in the area of Holt Rd. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered that a vehicle had left the roadway, struck a power pole and left the scene. The damage to the pole necessitated its immediate replacement to prevent its collapse. During the ensuing investigation, deputies identified Ronald Marzec of Delmar as the operator of the vehicle that had struck the pole and left the scene. Marzec was charged on a Maryland Uniform Traffic Citation with Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision and Leaving the Scene of an Unattended Property Damage Accident.
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Charges:
Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision
Leaving the Scene of an Unattended Property Damage Accident.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Bans on Corporate Spending in Elections

In a dramatic special session Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote said that congressional restrictions on independent expenditures by corporations in federal elections violate the First Amendment.

Justice Anthony Kennedy announced the opinion in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, declaring that the ban on corporate expenditure "uses censorship to control thought" and amounts to a chill on "core political speech." Click here for the opinion.

For more than 20 minutes, Justice John Paul Stevens read from his dissent, describing the majority opinion as "a radical change in the law." Stevens said that long tradition and common sense justify treating corporations differently from individuals under the First Amendment. Stevens spoke haltingly and with emotion, summarizing his 90-page dissent.

Joining Stevens in dissent were Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor

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By a separate 8 to 1 vote, the Court did preserve the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act's disclosure requirements as a valid restriction on corporations. Only Justice Clarence Thomas dissented on that issue.

The president of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, said in a statement: "In eviscerating longstanding rules prohibiting corporations from using their own monies to influence elections, the court invites giant corporations to open up their treasuries to buy election outcomes. Corporations are sure to accept the invitation."

Stay tuned to The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times for more to come on the case.

Supreme Court Rolls Back Campaign Cash Limits

Obama slams 'green light to a new stampede of special interest money'

WASHINGTON - In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down laws that banned corporations from using their own money to support or oppose candidates for public office.

By 5-4 vote, the court overturned federal laws, in effect for decades, that prevented corporations from using their profits to buy political campaign ads. The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

It leaves in place a ban prohibiting corporations and unions from directly contributing funds to candidates for any use.

GO HERE to read more.

Pelosi: 'I Don't See The Votes' For Sen. Health Bill

After Mass. defeat, Democrats eye pared-down version of reform legislation

WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she lacks the votes to quickly move the Senate's sweeping health overhaul bill through the House, a potentially devastating blow to President Barack Obama's signature issue.

Pelosi, D-Calif., made the comment to reporters after House Democrats held a closed-door meeting at which participants vented frustration with the Senate's massive version of the legislation.

Her concession meant there was little hope for a White House-backed plan to quickly push the Senate-approved health bill through the House, followed by a separate measure making changes sought by House members, such as easing the Senate's tax on higher-cost health plans. Such an approach would be "problematic," she said, though Democrats haven't completely ruled out pursuing it.

GO HERE to read more.

Obama Slams Banks, Calls For Tighter Rules

Obama seeks tighter limits on banks' reach

‘If these folks want a fight, it's a fight I'm ready to have,’ president says

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama stepped up his campaign against Wall Street on Thursday with a far-reaching proposal for tougher regulation of the biggest banks.

"We have to get this done," Obama said at the White House. "If these folks want a fight, it's a fight I'm ready to have."

It was a stern, populist lecture from the president to Wall Street for what he perceives as its abandonment of Main Street. Obama said the government should have the power to limit the size and complexity of large financial institutions as well as their ability to make high-risk trades.

GO HERE to read more.

Kratovil Introduces Immigration Resolution With Bipartisan Group Of Representatives

Washington, DC –Today a bipartisan group led by freshman Members of Congress introduced a resolution seeking to bridge the political divide between parties on the issue of immigration by outlining some of the key principles that should guide immigration reform. Representative Frank Kratovil (D-MD) was joined by Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), and Glenn Nye (D-VA) as well as 18 other colleagues on H. Res. 1026 the Bipartisan Reform of Immigration through Defining Good Enforcement (“BRIDGE”) Resolution.

The BRIDGE Resolution reaffirms that the continued peace, prosperity, liberty, and national security of the United States depend upon effective immigration enforcement policies which both welcome lawful immigrants and also prevent individuals from entering or remaining in the U.S. illegally.

Specifically, the resolution states that Congress should: make E-Verify mandatory for all employers, and hold employees accountable as well; provide sufficient border infrastructure and manpower to secure and control our borders; and, reject amnesty and any legal status which pardons those here in violation of our laws.

“We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. The immigration reform debate must start with both an acknowledgement of the historical and contemporary importance of immigration to our nation and a renewed commitment to the rule of law,” said Rep. Kratovil. “This resolution calls for Congress to take a common sense approach to immigration reform: enforcing the rules already on the books, punishing those who knowingly choose to violate them, and opposing any plans that reward or incentivize illegal behavior at the expense of those who are trying to play by the rules.”

“Our government has a duty and responsibility to make our first immigration priority the enforcement of existing laws by ensuring that illegal behavior is punished, not rewarded,” said Rep. Chaffetz. “Any discussion of comprehensive immigration reform must begin with a renewed commitment to enforce our immigration laws. We need to remove the incentives that encourage illegal behavior if we expect to get immigration under control.”

“Our national and economic security continues to be undermined by our porous borders and the inconsistent enforcement of existing immigration laws,” said Rep. Hunter. “The immigration reform debate must not be dictated by misguided calls for open borders or amnesty. The American people expect security to be a priority and immigration laws to be thoroughly enforced in our communities and the workplace. This resolution reiterates these principles, which should be the basis for immigration reform.”

SPD "Saturation Patrol" Report

PRESS RELEASE


January 21, 2010

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 the Salisbury Police Department with assistance from the Maryland State Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police K9 Unit embarked upon a saturation patrol of the U.S. Rt 13 corridor and several neighborhoods within the jurisdiction of the City of Salisbury, MD. The operation started at approximately 9:00pm and concluded at 3:00am on Thursday, January 14, 2010.
The purpose of the saturation patrol was to “flood” the Rt 13 corridor and surrounding neighborhoods with as many police officers as possible for a high visibility patrol in an effort to reduce the rise in Part I crimes such as burglaries and robberies. The officers and deputies were broken down into teams. The teams were encouraged to enforce quality of life and traffic violations as a means to initiate criminal investigations.

The results of the operation included:
Approximately 65 calls for service were generated
39 field interviews were conducted
22 traffic stops were initiated
14 motor vehicle citations were issued
15 motor vehicle warnings were issued
1 equipment repair order issued
2 wanted subjects located and released to the sheriff’s office
1 subject charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance
1 juvenile civil citation issued
In addition, numerous business and neighborhood checks were conducted.

The Salisbury Police Department does consider this operation a success and we hope to conduct similar operations in the future with our allied agencies.

D/Lt Rob Kemp, 0193

Two Arrested In Connection With Kent County Irrigation Thefts

Date time of Apprehension:
Wednesday January 20, 2010 4:15 A.M.
Location(s):
· 2900 block of Walnut Shade Road Magnolia
· Clapham Road S/O Magnolia
· Millchop Lane and Autumn Moon Roads Magnolia
· 1000 block of Woodleytown Road Magnolia
· Sorghum Mill Road Magnolia
· 4000 block of Bay Road Magnolia
· Killens Pond Road Felton
· Burnite Mill Road (SR 12) Felton
· Winkler Road E/O S. DuPont Highway (US 13) Felton
· Hopkins Cemetery Road Harrington
· 4000 and 5000 block of Whiteleysburg Road W/O Harrington
· 2000 and 5000 block of Carpenter Bridge Road and Winkler E/O Harrington
· 300 block of Campground Road Harrington
· Steeles Ridge Road Camden
· Dundee Road Camden
· Canterbury Road Milford

DATE and TIME:
· Month of October 2009 the following dates: 8th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th
· Month of November 2009 the following dates: 16th, 17th, 18th,
· Month of December 2009 the following dates: 1st, 9th, 15th, 18th, 28th,
· Month of January 2010 the following dates: 4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 15th

Approximate Value of Damage/to Repair and Stolen Copper Wire:
· $185,000

Approximate Length of Copper Stolen:
· 27,000 feet of copper wiring

Victim(s):
· 13 different farms around Kent County

Defendant and Charge Information(s):
· Roman E. Byler Jr-28, 100 block of Merritt Road Woodside, Delaware
· 26 counts of Theft
· 8 counts of Criminal Trespass
· 5 counts of Criminal Mischief
· Possession of Burglary Tools
· Conspiracy 2nd degree

· Kyle A. Rash-19, 600 block of Campground road Harrington, Delaware
· 10 counts of Theft
· 3 counts of Criminal Trespass
· Possession of Burglary Tools
· 2 counts of Criminal Mischief
· Conspiracy 2nd degree

Bond Information:

· Roman E. Byler Jr.: $140,500 secured bail remanded to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center

· Kyle A. Rash: $8,150.00 secured bail remanded to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center

Resume:

Since October 2009 Delaware State Police have been investigating numerous reports of theft of copper from farm irrigation equipment. Kent County farmers who began to prepare their fields for the upcoming farming seasons are beginning discover that they have been victimized. Many of their irrigation equipment has been damaged and copper wiring removed costing them thousands of dollars in repairs.

On Wednesday January 20, 2010 Delaware State Police obtained a break in this investigation. State Police 911 center received a report of a suspicious vehicle that appeared to be stuck in a field near Campground Road and Paradise Alley Road N/E of Harrington Delaware. Troopers responded to this area and located Kyle A. Rash of Harrington being detained by a farmer and eventually apprehended Roman E. Byler Jr. of Woodside who initially fled from the scene prior to police arrival. A search of Rash’s truck a black 1991 Chevy Blazer resulted in the recovery of large “wire cutters” and a quantity of irrigation wire.

State Police conducted interviews of the defendants and were able to link them to a number of thefts in the Milford, Magnolia, Camden, Dover, Harrington and Felton areas of Kent County.

Although the arrest of Roman E. Byler Jr. and Kyle A. Rash is considered significant, State Police will continue their efforts to solve other copper related crimes. There are still other possible suspects committing these crimes and other unsolved cases. State Police continue to request the reporting of suspicious activity in and around farm fields throughout the State. It was because of information quickly received by a concerned alert farmer that we were able to make this apprehension. If suspicious activity is observed contact 911 immediately. Those who have been victims of copper related thefts are also encouraged to contact State Police via the 911 center.

Byler and Rash were arrested on numerous criminal charges and incarcerated in the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Smyrna in lieu of failing to post bond.

Hitler Finds Out Scott Brown Won Massachusetts Senate Seat

Disaster Do-Gooders Can Actually Hinder Help

Uninvited volunteers, useless donations can cost money, time — and lives

No question, the two church-goers from New Jersey had the best intentions in the world when they arrived in Port-au-Prince this week to help victims of Haiti’s killer earthquake.

Trouble was, that was all they had in a land where food, water, shelter and transportation are at a desperate premium, said Laura Blank, a disaster communications manager on the ground for World Vision, a Christian humanitarian aid group with long ties to the country.

“They seemed very eager and very passionate about helping the people of Haiti, but they didn’t have a ride to get out of the airport,” said Blank, who had to direct the pair to assistance.

GO HERE to read more.

New Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly

Official: Much of increase due to administrative backlog over holidays

WASHINGTON - The number of newly-laid off workers seeking jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week, as the economy recovers at a slow and uneven pace.

Layoffs have slowed and the economy began to grow in last year's third quarter, but companies are reluctant to hire new workers. The unemployment rate is 10 percent and many economists expect it to increase in the coming months.

The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 36,000 to a seasonally adjusted 482,000. Wall Street economists expected a small drop, according to Thomson Reuters.

GO HERE to read more.

Brown Touts 'Big-Tent' Outlook

Massachusetts' U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown said Wednesday he believes in a "big-tent philosophy" for the Republican Party and said that his election, powered by a populist surge of independent voters, signals the arrival of a "new breed of Republican" on Capitol Hill.

"I have been asked many times what kind of Republican I'm going to be, and I really didn't know how to answer that. So I'd just said I'm going to be a Scott Brown Republican. Maybe there's a new breed of Republican coming to Washington, [someone] who is not beholden to the special interests of the party and who will look just to solve problems," he said.

On the campaign trail, "the No. 1 thing I heard is that people are tired of business as usual" and the "the behind-the-scenes deals," he said.

He grew emotional when he sought to explain what being elected to the Senate means for him, citing his parents' marital struggles, his mother's time on welfare and his own "issues" growing up.

"If you would have told me ... I'd be standing here before you right now and going to Washington, D.C. - are you kidding me?" he said, his eyes looking a bit misty.

"I don't know if you guys understand that. ... I can't tell you how proud I am to be here, standing before you all, and having an opportunity to help send the country in a different and better direction," he said.

More..

Denny's In Salisbury Has A New Look

SALISBURY, MD (Jan. 21, 2010) – Folks will be wowed when they walk in the door of Denny’s Restaurant at 405 Punkin Court in Salisbury.

After closing its doors for a mere three days, Denny’s reopens today with a brand new look including fresh paint, new carpet, booths, chairs, tables, new pictures focusing on Denny’s nostalgia and all new bathroom fixtures.

“We pretty much built a new restaurant in three days. It’s an amazing transition and it’s very exciting for our customers. It’s cleaner, crisper and brighter. Everything is new,” says Paul Mazza, vice president of restaurant operations for Rommel’s Holdings, who owns the Denny’s.

Mazza said crews went in and stripped the interior. “It’s a high volume Denny’s and probably is in the top 10 percent in the nation. It needed a facelift,” adds Mazza. “Our menu has changed so much over the years. Everyone thinks ‘Grand Slam,’ but we have much more than that. People will be surprised all around.”

Rommel Holdings, Inc. is a mid-sized holding company located in Fruitland. As a family held enterprise, it has owned and operated a variety of businesses dating back to the 1950's. Today the company consists of 12 Ace Hardware stores, four Denny's Restaurants, Uno Chicago Bar and Grill in Fruitland, a Skateland roller-skating rink in Baltimore, MD and several commercial properties located from Baltimore to Ocean City, MD. They employ approximately 500 people in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Accident On Rt. 50 This Morning

"Hi Joe,

On my way into work this morning(7:30ish), I came upon an accident on Rt 50 next the post office. Someone was covered with a sheet in the middle of the road. I am hoping it wasn't a student crossing the road that was struck. I couldn't tell the height or sex of the victim."

A MESSAGE ABOUT GROWING OLD:

Shoot.....I forgot what it was....but, it was beautiful.

Slow News Day On Delmarva

Well, I've been waiting around for a day like this for quite a long time. Kicking back, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, actually having the time to read the Washington Post, it's been a long time since I've been able to relax that much.

I did spend a few minutes looking around at the local news and was pleased to see there's not much out there as well. So I popped into the national news and between everyone going nuts on Tiger and where he might be, then Edwards fathering Lord knows how many extramarital children, there's not much going on out there.

If there's one thing I've learned from doing this Blogging thing over the years, news will develop throughout the day, it's a given. That's why you see various articles popping up here every so often.

So what's going on with Salisbury News. Well, we're very excited about our future. After putting in almost 5 years into Blogging, we've clearly proven we are dedicated to posting articles daily but what's most important to us is making a difference in our community. Being able to rely on coming here and finding daily news is one thing but coming here knowing you can depend on finding the most breaking news stories is something all of us take pride in.

Having our own 3 day a week Video/Blog Broadcast allows you to see the passion we have in the news we provide, not just letters and posts. No one here is hiding behind a mask because we're afraid of the outside world. We're proving to you that we are dedicated and not afraid to run into each and every one of you on the street and hold a quality debate on every issue.

We're also providing a 30 minute television show on WRDE every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM but I have to tell you Folks, it is extremely time consuming. What goes on behind the scenes and after we tape the show is just unbelievable. It would be one thing if it was a simple YouTube production but what we do is extremely time consuming and I personally can't thank our production people enough.

The future for Salisbury News will depend on advertisers. In 2010 we do plan on placing ads on the Site and one thing is for sure, (just ask Eric the Barber) our ads work. If you or your company are interested in advertising, send me an e-mail at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and we'll go over what rates we'll be charging. I can guarantee you that you'll be shocked at what we provide and how well of a return you'll get on your investment.

Keep those comments coming in Folks. Don't be afraid of making anonymous comments as they cannot be traced back to you. We want to hear your point of view as well. Even if you think we're wrong about a topic, tell us. When our public officials read the post and then the comments, that's what gives them a feel of how everyone feels and sets the bar in their decision making.

Look at it this way Folks. Before Salisbury News came along, everything in Salisbury was run a certain way. Even though we had citizens like Debbie Campbell stepping up to the plate, (all alone, mind you) and running for Office, we stood behind her. Over time we grew enough to a point people were starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Then Terry Cohen came along, then Jim Ireton. The next thing you knew there was "The Dirty Dozen." The Dirty Dozen turned into a hundred and then thousands. It may have taken us time but clear dedication removed ALL of those Good Old Boys out of Office and jobs and the light just got brighter and we could see the opening at the end of that tunnel.

Because you and I have stuck together, WE are making a difference. We may not be happy with every decision but one thing is for sure, the City of Salisbury is now being managed to a point in which change has excited each and every one of us. We need your help and support to continue to make Salisbury and the Eastern Shore a safer and better place to live. Your support will raise property values and will encourage businesses to relocate here. We just needed change and Jim Ireton is proving, (baby steps) we are headed in the right direction.

Just remember this. Back when Barrie Tilghman was in Office, everyone was afraid to come forward because of retaliation. Now their people are the ones hiding behind anonymous and masks.

Thanks for coming here every day Folks and again, let your voice be heard, even if its anonymous.