Eastern Shore Secession Move - Inevitable

The Eastern Shore has always been a distinctive region, and has several times attempted to split off from the state of Maryland. Proposals have been debated in the Maryland General Assembly in 1833-1835, 1852 and most recently in 1998 for the Eastern Shore becoming its own state. Early proposals encompassed a state of the entire Delmarva Peninsula. The proposal in 1998 by state Senators Richard F. Colburn and J. Lowell Stoltzfus did not specifically specify the status of the nine counties of the Eastern Shore after secession. However, they did sponsor a Maryland Senate Bill - (SB 564) - that would have provided a question to be placed on the 1998 General Election ballot. The initiative would have tested the waters for the eastern shore to become its own separate state. And, as a lifelong eastern shore resident - I can assure you with a certain degree of accuracy that the measure would most likely have passed because of the eastern shore's conservative values, and principles.

Grounds for Secession

Inadequate Representation
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay - (eastern shore) - we have just 4 Senators out 47 Senators or just 8.5% of the Senatorial body. On the Delegate side we have only 12 Delegates out of 141 Delegates or just 8.5% of the Legislative body. However, land wise the eastern shore comprises 1/3 of the Maryland's land area. In population - Maryland's eastern shore only comprises about 8% or 420,792 - (2004) census estimate.

Special Interest Is Stripping Easternshore's Autonomy
This past Maryland legislative session SB 590 - Fairness In Negotiations Act - was passed by the Maryland General Assembly. In essence - passage of this key piece of legislation circumvents each Counties elected or appointed school board decisions and thus subjects the local decisions to central power - The Governor. This piece of legislation will allow for the local school barganing unit to appeal virtually any decision that it is not satisfied with - thus stripping local autonomy. And guess who appoints the Appeals Board - The Governor. Moreover, strong State central control over population growth allocation, business development, and environmental regulation is circumventing the easternshore's right to self-govern.

Sales Tax Collections Not Being Returned Back To Locality
As a devout reader in all of Maryland's House & Senate Bill synopsis for each of the past 5 legislative sessions - I can assure the typical eastern shore citizen - that our aspiring views are not held with the same weight and respect as we might be led to believe. For example under -both -Republican and Democratic Governorships - I have been personally informed by each administration and the State's Comptrollers offices that they were working on a formula to try and ascertain as to how much of the sales tax collections were actually being returned back into each respective District. After all isn't it fair to assume that what comes in - (sales tax revenues) - should stay in - as opposed to being funneled out into Districts that don't share in our representation. This is what I thought our Constitution was suppose to be about - to protect our population from taxation without representation. Then why should entities like the Maryland Stadium Authority and Baltimore Development Corporation be entitled to proceeds that come from our region. Do we - (eastern shore) - realize the same significant benefit?

Maryland Motorist Fuel Tax Not Being Returned Back To Locality
Or how about our Maryland fuel tax that is collected here on the shore in the millions and then we suddenly realize that all but $200,000 is being returned to Wicomico County.

Maryland's Unfunded State Employee Pensions
Let's not forget that Maryland's unfunded liability for its state employee pension system has now gone from just under $3 billion in 2004 to over $17 billion.

Maryland Retiree Health Care Benefits
We also have unfunded liability for retiree health care benefits that are over $15 billion dollars.
So all told we have over $32 billion in unfunded liability that is just simply being ignored.

Frederick County Also Taking Up Secession Study
Don't think that we aren't alone either - (Kent, Cecil, Caroline, Queen Anne, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Dorchester). Just this past month a Frederick County Commissioner, Republican Lennie Thompson, also made the suggestion for Frederick County to Secede. In fact, the Commissioners have already formally met to study the benefits of such a move.

Bottom Line
In light of all of the above cited items - wouldn't it be prudent to either split and form our own separate State - or - alternatively, join-up with another entity - like Delaware - in order to allow our people to decide on how best to govern ourselves?
Soon to be elected officials - perk-up. If you aren't listening - now is a high time to be attentive!

DART Gets FTA Capital Investment Award

Wilmington -- October 2010 - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC)-DART First State $5 million to build a new DART Maintenance and Park & Ride Center at Five Points near Lewes, Delaware. DTC will use the funds to build maintenance and operations facility with a supplemental public Park & Ride lot to serve beach visitors, and the towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.

The current Georgetown facility was built over 20 years ago and, despite one renovation and expansion, is inadequate to support current DTC operations. The Park & Ride lot will be relocated to the maintenance facility location. It will alleviate traffic congestion in the beach area and is anticipated to encourage more use of DART public transportation.

DART Resort Transit 2010 Season Has Record Ridership And Park & Ride Usage

Wilmington -- October 13, 2010 - The Resort Transit 2010 season of DART First State was a phenomenal success evidencing that the public will embrace riding public transit when the service specifically meets their traveling and budget needs. An all time record of 393,976 people rode the resort area buses from May 27th to September 19th. Ridership during the 2010 season was up 19.48% over last year.

There are many reasons for the success this year. There was the media domineering marketing program, an economic climate where people stayed closer to home to vacation, the new Resort Transit buses, millions of hits on the Ride DART at the Beach web site, and the consumer friendly bus schedules. According to the National Weather Service, the June to August 2010 summer was the second warmest on record globally since 1998. All of these factors played an important part in making the 2010 Resort Transit season so successful.

The DART Park & Ride at Rehoboth Beach saw 23.92% more cars parked over last year. This made a total of 30,253 vehicles for the season versus 24,201 last year during the same time. A majority of the increase was due to a continued partnership between DART First State and the City of Rehoboth. The number of Rehoboth employees using the Park & Ride increased by 36.74% over last year.

Resort Transit Bus Route 201, serving the Rehoboth Boardwalk, was by far the most popular Route in the Rehoboth area. This season DART transported 258,243 passengers on this route, which saw a 20.18% increase over last year.

DART Route 305, Beach Connection, provided weekend and holiday service between Wilmington and Rehoboth from May 28th to September 6th. This route experienced its best season. It transported 4,716 passengers which was 9.45% more than last year.

Bus Route 208, serving Rehoboth to Ocean City, Maryland, also set records. There was a 17.93% increase in riders during 2010 from 2009. This route had record ridership every week of service.

Bus Route 205, the late night local between Rehoboth and Lewes, showed the most growth. This route catered to the evening crowds by leaving the Park & Ride at 10 p.m. and returning back at 3 a.m. This year it had a 23.97% increase in riders from 2009.

Other routes that experienced ridership increases are the Route 203, Rehoboth local, was up 17.15%, Route 204, Rehoboth to Lewes, service increased 16.72%, and the Route 206, Rehoboth to Georgetown, saw a 6.26% increase.

During the 2010 season Resort Transit also transported 4,047 bikes, which is a 32% increase over 2009.

DTC Executive Director Stephen Kingsberry said, We are very pleased that all of our Resort Transit routes transported many more beach goers during the Resort 2010 season and helped us set a new ridership record. We are thrilled that more and more people experienced the benefits of riding public transit instead of driving around looking for a place to park.

DMV Cracks Down On Fraudulent Tint Waiver Documents

Dover -- The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has recently been encountering an increase in the number of cases in which drivers are falsifying documents which allow them to use excessive window tinting on their vehicles. This fraud is becoming a serious public safety hazard.

DMV Director Jennifer Cohan stated, "Window tinting is allowable by state law, however it does present certain hazards and safety concerns for the traveling public if abused. The DMV mission is to ensure that we have safe drivers and vehicles on our roadways, therefore DMV has stepped up its review process and secured the forms and processes related to obtaining tint waivers".

A medical tint waiver allows a vehicle to have legally tinted windows for an existing medical condition. There are currently 12,000 vehicles statewide that have an approved tint waiver registration. To protect the citizens of Delaware the DMV has instituted several measures to prevent fraud by making Tint Waiver forms (and all other documents and forms utilized by DMV) more secure. Some of these new features include using secure paper that cannot be altered or copied, as well as the placement of embedded security markers. In addition to increasing the physical security of forms, DMV staff has completed training to increase their abilities to recognize altered, fraudulent, or forged documents. DMV staff is also contacting doctor's offices to ensure that the information contained in the tint waiver application is accurate.

It was this training and new security steps that allowed Georgetown DMV staff to spot six forged medical tint waivers presented by five different people in the past month. DMV staff confirmed the waivers were fraudulent with each of the physicians that were supposedly approving the medical condition. In each case the physicians had no record of the patients claimed condition and denied signing the waiver forms. That information was turned over to Capitol Police who charged the five individuals with 2nd degree felony forgery.

The allowance for a tinted window waiver is found in Delaware Code Title 21, Section 4313. The Code explains how vehicle glass must meet federal safety standards, and that 70% of light must be able to pass through the car's windows.

The Department of Transportation and the DMV will continue to be vigilant in the fight against fraud in any form as it relates to motor vehicle documents and driver safety.

Highlighted Events This Week And Next Week In Wicomico Schools

Thursday, Oct. 14
Fire Prevention Week Visit
Wicomico Early Learning Center

From 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, the Willards Fire Department will demonstrate the Smoke House for students at the Wicomico Early Learning Center. Students will practice the STOP, DROP AND ROLL procedure.

Thursday, Oct. 14
13th annual Fashion Show
East Salisbury Elementary School

The 13th annual Fashion Show at East Salisbury Elementary School will take place on Thursday, Oct. 14. The fashion show will feature about 20 students representing the cultures of the United States, Pakistan, Mexico, Korea, China and Cuba. There are shows for students at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. An evening show for parents/guardians and the community will be held at 6:30 p.m., and tickets for that show are $2. 410-677-5803.

Through Oct. 14
HSA Testing
All Wicomico County High Schools

The High School Assessment (HSA) tests will be administered for students who previously took but did not pass one or more assessments. Students should speak with the high school guidance office to sign up.

Friday, Oct. 15 and Monday, Oct. 18
Schools closed for students

All Wicomico schools will be closed on Friday, Oct. 15, for the Maryland State Education Association Convention. Schools will be closed for students on Monday, Oct. 18, for a professional development day for teachers and other staff. The Central Office will be open both days.

Saturday, Oct. 16
Delmarvacade of Bands
County Stadium

Bands Will Take the Field Saturday, Oct. 16 for the 2010 Delmarvacade of Bands

Lights. Music. Marching. One of the most exciting and uplifting nights of the marching band season is coming up Saturday, Oct. 16, when Parkside High School and the Parkside Band Boosters present the 2010 Delmarvacade of Bands at Wicomico County Stadium. High school marching bands from throughout the region will fill Wicomico County Stadium that night with the exciting sights and sounds of their field show as bands tune up for the impending championship events. Between bands, parents, and spectators, the Delmarvacade is expected to draw thousands of people to the stadium. Bands will compete starting at 6:30 p.m., with each band performing the kind of field show people are accustomed to seeing at halftime of football games. Each performance will last seven to 12 minutes, and a new band will take the field about every 15 minutes. Admission to Delmarvacade of Bands is $5. A program detailing the participants, with a score sheet to keep track of how the bands are doing, is $5. The Parkside Band Boosters will donate $1 from each program sold to Women Supporting Women of Salisbury. For information call Kevin Zaczkiewicz, Parkside High School band director, at (410) 677-5161.

Oct. 18-19
Arts Integration Events
Willards Elementary School

Throughout this school year, the students and staff of Willards Elementary will welcome several artists to share their knowledge and expertise. On the professional day scheduled for Monday, Oct. 18, the teachers at Wonderful Willards Elementary School will participate in an professional development workshop with artist Lenore Blank Kelner. This workshop will be an active experience in Character Interview. This arts integrated strategy parallels reading comprehension and drama. Then, from Oct. 19-22, the second grade teachers and students will work with Lenore Blank Kelner in a residency program. This program will focus on the reading theme "nature walk,” reading comprehension and drama. The teachers will experience and work using a co-teaching model with Kelner as the students actively engage in the residency program. 410-677-5819.

Tuesday, Oct. 19
Unified Tennis Matches
At Wicomico High and James M. Bennett High

Wicomico’s second Unified Sports season continues Tuesday, Oct. 19 with matches at 3:30 p.m. (Mardela at Wicomico High, Parkside at James M. Bennett High). Wicomico is partnering with Special Olympics Maryland to field Unified athletic teams on which students both with and without intellectual disabilities can play and compete together. Teams will also play in the Unified Tennis State High School Invitational in late October, with teams from the western shore.

Wicomico K-5 Students Offered Free Intranasal FluMist Vaccine; Consent Form Must Be Returned to School

The Wicomico County School System and the Wicomico County Health Department will be working together in the coming weeks to offer the FluMist intranasal vaccine to Wicomico elementary students in school clinics scheduled from Oct. 21-29. The 2010-11 Influenza vaccine will contain protection against three common influenza strains, including the 2009 H1N1 strain.

Consent forms for the FluMist vaccine have already gone home to elementary parents/guardians, and students whose parents/guardians sign and return the consent form will receive the vaccination free on the day that their school’s clinic is scheduled. Check with your child’s school if you need a replacement form or if you have any questions.

The schedule of school clinics is as follows:

Oct. 21 (AM): Westside Intermediate, West Salisbury, North Salisbury
Oct. 21 (PM): Northwestern, Pinehurst
Oct. 22 (AM): Pemberton, Prince Street
Oct. 22 (PM): Willards, Beaver Run
Oct. 28 (AM): East Salisbury, Delmar
Oct. 28 (PM): Fruitland Primary, Westside Primary
Oct. 29 (AM): Chipman, Fruitland Intermediate, Glen Avenue
Oct. 29 (PM): Pittsville

A parent/guardian who wants a child to receive the injectable form of the seasonal flu vaccine at the Wicomico County Health Department can call 410-543-6943.

Saturday, Oct. 23
Gimme Five Day
At Prince Street Elementary

Salisbury’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth will host Gimme Five Day on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Prince Street Elementary School from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This special day is devoted to youth and to providing the 5 Promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, An Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. Fun activities, food, eye screening and more are provided free of charge. For more information contact Salisbury’s Promise at 410-677-5396 or Salisburypromise@gmail.com. This event is funded in part by a grant from the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.

Opportunities To Support Our Students And Schools

Friday, Oct. 15
Haunted Hallways
Salisbury Middle School

The PTA of Salisbury Middle School will host a Haunted Hallways event from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at the school. The event is open to Salisbury Middle students and families and to the community. There will be spooky haunted halls for older children and friendly enchanted halls for younger children, trick or treating, a costume contest with prizes, plus guest DJs and a Wii system ready for some spooktacular dancing. Dinner (hot dog, chips, dessert and drink) may be purchased in the cafeteria for $3, or food items may also be purchased individually. Admission for Haunted Halls is $5 at the door. Parent/guardian supervision is required. 410-677-5149.

Thursday, Oct. 21
STARS/WCBOE Lights On Afterschool Event
Barnes & Noble

On Thursday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m., Wicomico Schools and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers STARS afterschool program will be holding their annual “Lights On Afterschool” event at the Barnes & Noble store on Route 13 North. “Lights On” is observed nationwide to honor the importance of afterschool programs and highlight the achievements of children engaged in afterschool learning activities. At 4 p.m. on this day, the Beacon Light on the Empire State Building in New York City will light up in celebration of afterschool programs all over the United States. Here in Wicomico County, STARS has exciting things planned for this year’s event: local celebrity readers, such as Mayor Ireton and WBOC-TV personalities, performances by STARS students, and face painting and bookmark making stations for the kids! There will also be light refreshments provided by Barnes & Noble, goodie bags, STARS decorations and prize drawings for adults and students.

You can participate in “Lights On” and support STARS by picking up a voucher at any participating STARS school site or in Annex 3 of the Board Office. With the voucher, a portion of your purchases at Barnes & Noble on Oct. 21, or online from Oct. 21-26. For questions or information contact the STARS office at 410-677-5287. Please come out and support your local WCBOE STARS after school program at Barnes & Noble on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 22
3rd annual Harvest Fest
Mardela Middle and High

From 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, the Mardela Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and the Mardela Student Government Association will sponsor the 3rd annual Harvest Fest at Mardela Middle and High School. This event is for children fifth grade and younger (must be accompanied by an adult). There will be trick-or-treating throughout the school, a hayride which leads to a haunted forest, and entertainment in the cafeteria. The public is invited to attend. A $5 donation per child is requested. 410-677-5142.

Friday, Oct. 22
Concert by The Timmons Family Band
Pittsville Elementary and Middle

At 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, The Timmons Family Band will perform a benefit concert for the Pittsville Middle School Chorus in the Pittsville School cafetorium. Put on your cowboy boots and come out for a night of foot-stompin’, hand clappin’ fun. The Timmons Family Band performs in many states and Canada, participating in bluegrass festivals, church events and other venues. Group members include4 Freddie Timmons (band leader, on guitar and banjo), Kathy Timmons, his wife (vocals and guitar), Georgia Hearne, Kathy’s sister (vocals), Bryan Irwin (upright bass, guitar, vocals), Gary Weber (fiddle, mandolin, mandola, vocals), and Jim Hammond (guitar and vocals). Admission $5 adults, $3 for students 14 and under, free for children 5 and under. All proceeds benefit the Pittsville Middle School Chorus. 410-677-5811.

Friday, Oct. 22
PTA Fall Festival
North Salisbury Elementary

North Salisbury Elementary PTA will host the annual Fall Festival from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. There will be face painting, caricature drawings, games with prizes, cake walk, and baked goods for sale. Come on out for a fun and exciting evening for the entire family. 410-677-5807.

Saturday, Oct. 30
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the James M. Bennett High Junior Class

Support the Junior Class (Class of 2012) at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s. For tickets please contact class advisors Erin Davis (esdavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org).

Saturday, Nov. 13
PTA Craft Show
Bennett Middle

Mark your calendar now for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13 and plan to get some of your holiday shopping done at the 2nd annual Bennett Middle School PTA Craft Show. The Craft Show will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendor applications are now being accepted, through Oct. 29. Vendor spaces are $35 in the cafeteria and gym, or $25 hallway. Contact Bonnie Smith (BSmith@wcboe.org) or Laurie Parker (LParker@wcboe.org), or call them at 410-677-5140, for information.

Commemorative JMB T-Shirts The Junior Class of James M. Bennett High School is selling T-shirts commemorating the new Bennett. The shirts are $15 for sizes small-XL and $17 for sizes XXLarge and XXXLarge. Please email Erin Davis (esdavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org) if you are interested. Checks payable to JMB can be mailed to the school at 300 E. College Ave., Salisbury MD 21801, or dropped off at the school. Call 410-677-5141 for information.

Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Wednesday, Oct. 27
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office

A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. Other Superintendent Open Door Sessions for this year are scheduled for: Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27 and May 25. 410-677-4495

Saturday, Oct. 30
Crucial Catch Game (breast cancer awareness benefit)
Wicomico High School

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wicomico High School is teaming up with the National Football League and the American Cancer Society in a Crucial Catch game to honor those who have either successfully fought or have been lost to cancer. A Crucial Catch is a nationwide screening reminder campaign to help women and men stay healthy. Done in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the initiative promotes breast cancer awareness and encourages men and women to be pro-active about their health. For the game vs. Stephen Decatur on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m., the Wicomico High School football team will be adorned in pink accessories just like you have seen some of your favorite NFL teams wear during this month. This event will also honor current and past Wicomico High staff members who have been affected by cancer. Charles R. Berry, Legendary WiHI football coach, former teacher and former Wicomico County Supervisor of Physical Education and Athletics will be at the game to do the coin toss. Several fund raisers will be going on throughout the month in an effort to raise funds for research and to support those who have been affected by cancer. Proceeds from these fund raisers will go toward Women Supporting Women and the American Cancer Society. For information please contact Conflict Resolution teacher Chareka Harris at 410-677-5146 or chharris@wcboe.org.

Saturday, Nov. 13
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes will be offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The next STEM Saturday will be held at Salisbury Middle School from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 13, with students in grades 4-5 exploring “The Science Behind Winning” and middle schoolers working on “Robotics.” The elementary offerings are new to the STEM Saturdays schedule this year. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. STEM Saturdays will also be held Jan. 15, Green Keepers: Going Green to Preserve Our World (elementary) and The Bug Detective (middle), both at Salisbury Middle; Feb. 12, The Magic of Chemistry (elementary) and Out of Sight: Bringing Astronomy Down to Earth (middle), both at Salisbury Middle; March 12, Flying Wild: Bird Science and Conservation (elementary) at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Fossils of the Chesapeake: A Hands-On Exploration (middle) at Parkside High; and April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.

SBYNews At 6 General Election Interviews With Jim Mathias

Sby News Interview Jim Mathias from Jack Powell on Vimeo.

Robbery @ Delmarva Pharmacy

Joe,

Apparently a robbery just occurred at Delmarva Pharmacy off Belmont Ave in Salisbury (Rt. 50 near Civic Ave). Police coming from everywhere. Last heard, the perps were headed E Rt 50.

Courtesy (?) Chevrolet?

Joe,

 

Last week at work one of my tires was very low on air.  The closest place to where I work is Courtesy Chevrolet.  I called and asked them if I could get some air in the tire.

 

They said "yes". I proceeded to go the service entrance and they took my car.  They said my tire had a nail in it (I didn't ask to see the nail as I was anxious to get back to work) and they would put a plug in the tire. I was charged the following for the repair:

 

Tr Tire Repair      $24.60 Labor 

1 Plug                      1.47 Part

Shop charge for

disposing the nail     1.25 Haz/Mat

Sales tax                    .17

Total repair          $27.49

 

I have been told that the average repair should be about $15.00  However, I was at their mercy and paid the bill.

 

Here comes the kicker.  I hope your are ready for a good laugh.

 

Around the first of the year, I had all 4 tires and valves replaced at Peninsula Total Car Care. 

 

The service person told me (and I have it in writing) that they recommended I replace all 4 valve stems.  Are you ready for your laugh???  Estimate $135.00.  No mistake!!!  Needless to say, I told them "No Thanks", took my car and left.

 

When I got off from work, I took my car to Peninsula and they told me that there is nothing wrong with my valves and that the old ones were  replaced when I bought my tires. 

 

I have never dealt with Courtesy and never will in the future.  I will give them credit for speedy service as I was only there 33 minutes.  I am a granny and don't have STUPID on my forehead.  Thanks for letting me vent.

Don't Miss Our 6 PM Candidate Interview With Jim Mathias

SHOREBIRDS UNVEIL 2011 SAL ALL-STAR GAME LOGO

All-Star Game Set for June 21, 2011

Salisbury, MD – The Delmarva Shorebirds unveiled the logo for the 2011 South Atlantic League “Strike Out Hunger” All-Star Game presented by Perdue as part of a press conference at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.  The all-star game will be contested on June 21, 2011 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  It marks the first professional all-star game on the Eastern Shore since 1999.

The official logo features the head of the Shorebirds primary logo with the wings forming the outer star.  The title sponsor of the event, Perdue, is prominently featured just below the text “All-Star Game”. 

“This is an exciting step in the journey towards June 21, 2011,” said Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters.  “I truly believe that the design of the logo is perfect in that all the necessary items are weaved together perfectly and yet it’s still very easy on the eye.”   

The logo was designed by Plan B Branding, the same company that designed the Shorebirds 15^th Anniversary logo last year.  For more information about Plan B Branding, visit http://www.planbbranding.com/.

Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters, Co-Chair of Perdue’s “Strike Out Hunger” Campaign Andrea Williams, and Director for Wicomico County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Gary Mackes were the featured speakers at the press conference. 

“We’re excited to partner with the Shorebirds and Delmarva’s food banks to help strike out hunger on Delmarva,” said Andrea Williams.  “The opportunity to sponsor the All Star Game on behalf of the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Delaware Food Bank and Virginia’s Food Bank of the Eastern Shore is a way to build upon our company’s commitment to fighting hunger in our communities. We look forward to working with the Shorebirds and the food banks to not only increase awareness of hunger of Delmarva, but, more importantly, to get the community involved in helping our food banks end hunger.”

Representatives from the Maryland Food Bank, Delaware Food Bank and the Foodbank on the Eastern Shore were all on hand Wednesday. 

In addition to the actual all-star game, the Shorebirds will host three-days of festivities on the Eastern Shore between June 20 and June 22. 

For more information about the 2011 “Strike Out Hunger” All-Star Game, contact the Shorebirds at 410-219-3112 or visit us online at http://www.theshorebirds.com/.

Lee Brumley Joins SCSO

Sheriff Robert N. Jones has hired Lee Brumley as a part-time deputy for the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.  Deputy Brumley recently retired as a Pocomoke police officer.

Obama on Communist Chinese Payroll

Did you know that the President of the United States is on the ChiCom payroll?  It’s true … at least by the logic of the Obama administration.

It works like this -

The Chinese lend the United States hundreds of billions of dollars because our President and Congress are unable to control government spending.  These dollars from the Chinese flow into the government’s general fund.  Money is fungible.  Since Obama is paid from the general fund of the US Treasury, he’s being paid (at least in part) by the good folks of the People’s Republic of China.

No wonder he bows down to Chinese leaders!

NOTE:  Credit for this goes to Rush Limbaugh.  Is it convoluted?  Absolutely.  However, President Obama claims that the US Chamber of Commerce is funding campaign ads with foreign money.  He has no evidence.  However, IF that is true it is even more true that Obama is on the payroll of the ChiComs.

from Delmarva Dealings

Eastern Shore Driving Academy Closes Their Doors In The Middle Of Class

The Eastern Shore Driving Academy in Berlin, owned by Barry Neeb and Patrice Ottey have closed their doors. Here's the problem. They did it in the middle of training 15 to 20 Students and will not return their money.

The class cost each student $325.00. They are expected to provide 30 hours of classroom time and 6 hours of driving time. Only a small portion of the last class was provided.

The Erie Bonding Insurance Company informed many of these students that they are awaiting an answer from the MVA as to how Barry and Patrice will be paying each student back their money. However, from what we've learned through the MVA, that's not the students nor the MVA's problem.

The MVA took the Eastern Shore Driving Academy License away from them, so they are in fact OUT OF BUSINESS.

Allegedly, Barry stated to one parent, we've been teaching these classes for the past 2 or 3 years without a paycheck.

Another local driving school has offered to finish the students classes but has to charge an additional $150.00 to do so. One thing that really got under the parents skin is the fact that Patrice continues to run a Tags and Title business in the same center.

Today's Survey Question

Who Was Your Favorite Actor On Saturday Night Live?

Couple Suspected In Alleged Abuse Of Baby Whose Mom Was Serving In Afghanistan

A husband and wife stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma are suspected of brutally abusing a 1-year-old boy whose mother left him in their custody while she was fighting for her country in Afghanistan.

Master Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police told Fox 25 in Oklahoma City that the child has “numerous injuries, including broken ribs,” and that the injuries “appear to have happened over a period of time.” Among the injuries listed in the police report are a broken left shoulder, a lacerated liver, a punctured lung with blood in the abdomen and a large bite mark on the left thigh.

The baby has been in the hospital since Thursday, when he was admitted for recurring vomiting after suffering a seizure. Doctors who examined him there discovered he had injuries all over his body.

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Promises, Promises: '08 Tax Vows Broken?

President Obama pledged during 2008 campaign that middle-class families would not see a tax increase of any kind — a pledge critics have repeatedly accused him of violating, especially with Bush tax cuts set to expire unless Congress acts before Jan. 1

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'Robo-Signers' Add To Foreclosure Fraud Mess

In testimony 'experts' admit they rushed paperwork, didn't know law

NEW YORK — In an effort to rush through thousands of home foreclosures since 2007, financial institutions and their mortgage servicing departments hired hair stylists, Walmart floor workers and people who had worked on assembly lines and installed them in "foreclosure expert" jobs with no formal training, a Florida lawyer says.

In depositions released Tuesday, many of those workers testified that they barely knew what a mortgage was. Some couldn't define the word "affidavit." Others didn't know what a complaint was, or even what was meant by personal property. Most troubling, several said they knew they were lying when they signed the foreclosure affidavits and that they agreed with the defense lawyers' accusations about document fraud.

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Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On October 11, 2010 at approximately 8:29 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of Church Street and Clay Street for the report of the robbery of a delivery person. Upon arrival the officers met with the adult male victim who advised that he had been delivering food to a residence on the two hundred (200) block of Clay Street and was approached by three (3) unknown males. Two of the suspects struck the victim in the face, then held him as they checked his pockets. The suspects took an amount of U.S. currency from the victim in addition to the food that he was attempting to deliver. The third suspect stayed a distance away from the victim and was in possession of a long rifle type weapon. Once the items were taken from the victim the suspects fled from the area on foot towards Naylor Street. The victim was not injured. The investigation is continuing and the suspects were all described as black males, late teens to early twenties in age. The delivery residence was found to be an unoccupied vacant dwelling.
CC # 201000040598

On October 12, 2010 at approximately 9:44 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a local pizza restaurant for the report of the robbery of a delivery person. Upon arrival the officer met with the adult male victim who advised that he had attempted to deliver food to an address on the three hundred (300) block of Truitt Street. As the victim approached the residence he was met by a lone suspect on the front porch. The victim met the first suspect, and observed three (3) other unknown males emerge from behind the residence. The victim was struck in the head area and the suspects took U.S. currency and a cellular telephone from his pants pocket and the delivery food. One (1) of the suspects was also in possession of a black long rifle type weapon. The suspects then fled from the area on foot. The victim sustained minor injuries that were treated by Salisbury Emergency Medical Services. The suspects were all described as black males, wearing dark clothing and masks over their faces. The victim advised that the suspects were all approximately 5’10" tall. The delivery residence was found to be an unoccupied vacant dwelling.   CC # 201000040732

If anyone has any information regarding these two (2) robberies, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165, or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be left anonymously.