Teacher Pistol-Whipped Near Southeast Elementary School

An elementary school Spanish teacher is recovering after being beaten almost to death in southeast D.C. Monday.

The 46-year-old teacher had parked about a block away from Garnet Wilkinson Elementary before 11:30 a.m. and was walking to the school when a masked man dressed all in black approached her and demanded her purse, NBC Washington's Craig Melvin reported. When she refused, the man pulled out a pistol and began pistol-whipping her.

The attacker took her purse and car and left her for dead with injuries including a cracked skull that caused her brain to bleed, Melvin reported.

The car was recovered in Northeast Tuesday. Police are processing it in hopes of finding evidence that will lead them to the culprit.

The teacher is at Howard University Hospital, where she's had at least two surgeries, Melvin reported.

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury Police Officer Down

Thirty minutes ago an undercover Salisbury Police Officer was assaulted by two individuals. The officer was assisting in a drug raid when the assault happened. The two individuals are in police custody and are being processed as we speak. The officer was transported to the hospital his condition is unknown at this time.

Update to follow.....

Police Officials are now saying that officer in question fell while making the arrest.

Statement From RNC Chairman Michael Steele On The Democrat Leadership Elections

INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS HAND THE KEYS BACK TO NANCY PELOSI AND HARRY REID

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:

“Just two weeks after a resounding call for a change in direction all across the country, Congressional Democrats chose to ignore the elections and reelect Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid as their leaders for the 112^th Congress, continuing the same reckless, job-killing agenda that was just overwhelmingly rejected. If this year’s historic elections taught us anything, it is that the American people understand the difference between campaigning on changing Washington and actually doing it. This vote for leadership is an unfortunate reminder that Democrats will do and say whatever it takes to get elected, but when it comes to governing, their allegiance is to a far left agenda of bigger government, higher taxes, and more spending.

“Without any regard for the will of the American people, Pelosi and Reid rammed through President Obama’s $2.5 trillion health care takeover and failed stimulus bill, while saddling future generations with trillions of dollars in crushing debt. They did so while failing to address the nation’s unemployment crisis and needlessly delaying action on $3.9 trillion in looming tax hikes that have kept job creators on the sidelines. Congressional Democrats’ stunning disregard for the public’s admonishment of their failed policies shows that they are more interested in furthering President Obama’s liberal agenda than representing the best interests of the American people.”

Shots Fired At Mall

Detectives Investigate Shooting at Christiana Mall

 

Location:  South parking lot of the Christiana Mall, Newark, DE

 

Date of Occurrence:   Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

 

Resume:   The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a report of a shot being fired after a shoplifting had occurred at the Christiana Mall in Newark, DE.

 

Preliminary information is that two male suspects had been inside of the Macy’s Department Store and had been observed shoplifting. The suspects were followed from the store by a Macy’s security guard, into the mall, and then outside of the mall into the parking lot. At this point a Christiana Mall security guard confronted one of the suspects in the parking lot at which time the suspect fired a single shot at him from a handgun, missing the guard. Both suspects then fled the area on foot and were apprehended a short time later on DE. Route 7 at Edgebrook Way in Christiana.

 

This information is preliminary. The investigation is continuing. More detailed information will be released as it is received.

Republicans Select John Boehner Voted Speaker Of The House

Congressman Elect Andy Harris just confirmed the Republican Conference just voted John Boehner as Speaker of the House.

American Education Week

I apologize for all the delays in moderating comments today but if you knew my schedule you'd completely understand.

One of the major things on my calendar today was a visit to Delmar Elementary School for American Education Week.

The question to all of you is, did you take the time, (or do you have plans) to visit your children's school this week?

Another Letter To The Editor

What gets me about these firehouse and fire boat ripoffs is, the new fire chief isn't even sworn in yet. What is he doing advancing anything before he takes the oath of his position? He shouldn't be buying a thing or making any personnel changes until he's got the lay of the land and got sworn in!

I don't know this new fire chief and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but come on. What kind of leader makes sweeping deals like this right out of the gate? And when I asked myself that question, it hit me!!!!

It's not the new fire chief, it's the mayor! Why does Ireton want to shove all this through so fast? Did he make a deal with Gary Comegys? Does he simply not know what's going on with his own fire department, so Gordy and Hoppes can get their last goodies in before the new chief finds out? Did Ireton order the unsworn new fire chief to present all this? I know the guy will be sworn in by the time this comes for official vote, but you have to admit, this stinks like a full litter box in July. I know the firehouse giveaway is really out of that department's hands, so that's on the mayor and council's head. But I can't believe somebody brand new in the job wouldn't assert his authority to put a hold on the fire boat mess until he was fully sworn and comfortable in the seat.

Unless of course he doesn't have the authority and this rape of the taxpayers is being forced from higher up.

Housing Starts Drop To Lowest Since 2009

Construction of new homes and apartments sank 11.7 percent last month

Construction of new homes fell in October, fresh evidence that the housing industry remains under duress.

Construction of new homes and apartments sank 11.7 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 519,000 units, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. But that was mainly because apartment construction, which represents less than 20 percent of the housing market, fell by more than 40 percent. The much larger single-family home category fell 1.1 percent.

Story: Foreclosure mess could wreak havoc - report

The overall drop marked the poorest showing since April 2009, when construction dropped to 477,000 units — the lowest level on records dating back to 1959. Construction of new homes and apartments is 77 percent below its peak during the housing boom of 2.27 million units in January 2006.

The weakness last month reflected a small decline in construction of single-family homes and big decrease in construction of apartments and other multifamily units.

GO HERE to read more.

Palin: 'I'm Engaged In The Internal Deliberations' For 2012 Run

The inner circle of Sarah Palin’s political organization is notoriously difficult to crack, but in an over-7500-word piece in the New York Times Magazine posted online Wednesday, Robert Draper offers a rare glimpse into Palin-land – as well as buzzy quotes from an hour-long interview with the former Alaska gov.
In the key excerpt ricocheting around the media today, Palin gives a clear indication that she is seriously mulling a 2012 run:

“I am,” Sarah Palin told me the next day when I asked her if she was already weighing a run for president. “I’m engaged in the internal deliberations candidly, and having that discussion with my family, because my family is the most important consideration here.” Palin went on to say that there weren’t meaningful differences in policy among the field of G.O.P. hopefuls “but that in fact there’s more to the presidency than that” and that her decision would involve evaluating whether she could bring unique qualities to the table.

GO HERE to read more.

Today's Survey Question

Should Breast Feeding Be Allowed In Public?

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On November 16, 2010 at 3:00 p.m., the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputies were in the Pocomoke City area when a lookout was given for a wanted individual identified as, Martel Blake age 18 of Pocomoke, Maryland. The individual had been observed by Pocomoke City Police but eluded capture. A short time later, a Deputy spotted the vehicle the individual was in and the vehicle was stopped on Buck Harbor Road, Pocomoke, Maryland. As the Deputy was conducting the traffic stop, the right rear passenger, David Dewayne Dickerson   Age 18, of Pocomoke, Maryland, exited the vehicle and began to walk away. The Deputy confronted this individual and the individual was stopped. The Deputy located a loaded .357 revolver in the right front pants pocket of the individual. Also located in the vehicle was the wanted subject who had an arrest warrant for possession of a handgun. The following individuals were arrested.

1) Martel Blake   Age 18     McMichael Ave, Pocomoke, Maryland.

   Charges: Arrest Warrant for Possession of Handgun on Person

    Held on $3,000.00 Bond at the Worcester County Detention Center

2)David Dewayne Dickerson   Age 18,  Cropper Court, Pocomoke, Maryland

  Charges: Possession of Handgun and Wear Carry Deadly Weapon.

  Held on $3,000.00 Bond at the Worcester County Detention Center.

Hispanic Lawmakers Push DREAM Act Vote

Congressional Hispanic Caucus leaders huddled with President Barack Obama on Tuesday to discuss immigration issues and the lame-duck Congress, but no clear strategy emerged.

Obama and Hispanic Democrats reiterated their support for the DREAM Act, which would provide a path for citizenship for immigrant youths illegally brought into the United States before they were 16, and both called for the House and Senate to vote on the measure before Congress adjourns for the year.

“We need a clear Democratic commitment in order to persuade Republicans, who are needed to get us over the finish line, to step forward,” said Rep. Luís Gutierrez, D-Ill.

The push for immigration legislation by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus comes as Latino Democrats select new leaders this week.

The Hispanic members asked the president's help in seeking a vote on the DREAM Act before Congress adjourns.

Both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said they would seek a vote on the measure in their respective chambers over Republican opposition.     

More

Sarah Palin's Happiness Is What Really Irks Liberals

This past weekend, I traveled to Chicago to speak at the Conservatives4Palin meetup, where Mama Grizzlies, Palinistas and "ordinary barbarians," as she's now taken to calling her followers, gathered to hear speeches, talk about conservative issues, celebrate a hypothetical Palin 2012 campaign and generally worship at the altar of Sarah Palin.

At one point during the program, Palin made a surprise phone call to the group, patched through one of the organizer's cell phones and played over a loudspeaker. The room burst into spontaneous applause and frenzied yelping as she launched into a warm and cheery 20-minute "thanks for all your hard work" chat.
I returned to New York from the Chicago gathering to find Palin again, not in my ear but on my television screen, bouncing gleefully around Alaska on her new TLC documentary series, "Sarah Palin's Alaska." She and Todd (her "neat husband," as Phyllis Schlafly put it recently) went fishing, rock climbing and bear spotting in between appearing on Fox News and ducking from their nosy new neighbor, who moved in just to write about Alaska's former first family.

It seems everyone wants a piece of Palin these days. Some are fans, some are hostile foes. But regardless, we just can't stop talking about her. Will there ever be a time when we decide that we've figured her out and there's nothing else to say?

And then it hit me. The reason Palin has become such a lightening rod, a kingmaker and a punching bag, a celebrity and a power player, is simple. It's because she's so gosh darn happy.

GO HERE to read more.

An Interesting Letter To The Editor From Easton

HI.

I know this isn't exactly Salisbury but recently I was looking through one of those free papers that lists property  transfers and noticed that the YMCA in Easton purchased a house.  For  some reason that caught my eye and when I looked at who the seller was  it was the CEO of the YMCA.  I was curious as to why the YMCA would  purchase the home of its CEO so sent him an email.  His reply stated  that a YMCA employee was renting it who just moved here from another  area and would later purchase the home. 

At first that sounded  understandable but then I looked at the homes in the neighborhood and  maybe I am missing something but none seem to have sold for as much in  the past couple years and there is currently a larger home on the market  for the same price.  It kind of sounds fishy that a non-profit would purchase its CEO's home and then rent it to a new employee.  All this happening while right on the front page of their website they are asking for donations to complete an expansion and are expanding to St. Michaels and into neighboring counties. 

Since we don't have a news site like yours here I thought I would pass along this information hoping it might raise some questions to make sure nothing shady is happening here like taking advantage of his position to sell his home at a price of more than it would get on the market, no to mention he probably didn't have to pay an agents commission.

Here is the property record:

http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/rp_rewrite/details.aspx?AccountNumber=01%20101102%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&County=21&SearchType=STREET


Thanks!

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO TOUR STORM DAMAGE IN BALTIMORE CITY

ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 17, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley will tour the storm damage in Baltimore City this morning and be available for media.  He will visit the command center at McLean and Fleetwood at approximately 10:30 a.m. and be available to media following the tour.

As a result, the Governor’s originally-scheduled participation at Board of Public Works will not occur.  Lt. Governor Brown will preside in his absence.

COUNTY CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL BOND SALE

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced that the county sold $6,795,000 in bonds at competitive bid yesterday.  Part of these bonds ($2,590,000) will finance architectural and engineering costs for Bennett Middle School, a small sum to finish the Allied Health Building at Wor-Wic Community College, and another small amount to make capital improvements at the county-owned Perdue Stadium.  The balance ($4,205,000) is to refinance bonds sold in 2002 to take advantage of a lower interest rate. 

There were 3 bidders, with bids ranging from 3.27% to 3.88%.  The award was to Robert W. Baird & Co.,Inc., the low bidder.

The sale came after a successful trip to New York City to meet with the three leading bond rating agencies.  This year, all three rating agencies affirmed the County’s strong ratings. Mr. Pollitt said that this was “a very positive result in today’s challenging economic climate. Of particular note is the $127,000 savings realized in interest expenses by the refinancing of the 2002 bonds. It’s always good news when we can save our citizens money.”

Moody’s Investors Service assigned an Aa3 rating, citing a healthy financial position, proactive management and conservative fiscal policies and practices.  Fitch ratings assigned an AA-/stable rating, commenting on our sold fund balance levels, available financial flexibility, and low overall debt levels.  In assigning an AA-/stable rating, Standard and Poor's also noted a good financial position, strong reserves, conservative management practices, and low debt burden.

“I am very pleased with the results of our bond sale,” said County Executive Rick Pollitt.  “It was clear that the rating agencies felt Wicomico County was managing its financial affairs well, and that is reflected in our solid ratings and the market based interest rate we received on the sale.” 

A Letter To The Editor

RICK POLLITT: CALL JIM PERDUE NOW!

We may be seeing the first stage of the relocation of Perdue’s corporate headquarters from Wicomico County to Sussex County. It needs to be dealt with, pronto, and if possible cancelled. No matter how they spin it, the shift just announced is trouble for Wicomico County.

And Mr/ Pollitt should have seen this (or something similar) coming when Jim Perdue supported Joe Ollinger in the recent campaign for County Executive. But, better late than never, and he should be able to get major state support from his pal O’Malley.

Don’t delay, Rick – do it now. And don’t send Fineran or Shea to try to plug this hole, because it’s just too damn big.

HEY SALISBURY – WHERE’S YOUR MAYOR?

The recent work session approval of the new fireboat and sale of the former "headquarters" fire house has brought forth shots at the "three stooges" on the City Council. But lets not forget that these matters have the tacit approval of the City’s chief executive officer, the mayor, if not his actual approval and support behind the scenes. He has the authority to order the fire department not to seek funding for the fire boat and can put the flame to further discussion of a sweetheart deal for the old fire house.

It seems that Ireton’s campaign against SAPOA is taking all of his "after school" time and attention while other absurdities continue unabated. Look for further episodes involving "the Bricks" and "Linens of the Week" – matters originating in the mayor’s office -- before the year’s end.

Md. Pays $46m In Unemployment Benefits To Ineligible Residents

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland paid $46 million in unemployment insurance benefits to people ineligible for the assistance in fiscal 2010, state officials said Tuesday.

The payouts represent roughly 5 percent of the state's total unemployment insurance payments in fiscal 2010 -- which is a 25 percent increase from last year.

"In order to have a strong unemployment trust fund, we need to make sure that we pay benefits properly," said Julie Squire, assistant secretary of unemployment insurance for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

She said DLLR identifies overpayments by scanning national and state employment databases to flag newly hired workers who are continuing to collect benefits.

"We know, anecdotally, pretty much all [ineligible recipients] are people who are going back to work and continuing to file for unemployment insurance -- that's probably 90 percent of it," Squire told the state-appointed Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight.

The agency is ramping up efforts to reclaim the overpayments, she added. DLLR orders paybacks by mail and in some cases will intercept tax returns to acquire the money.

"There's no way we will ever catch everyone," Squire said. She emphasized that the waste remains below the 11 percent national average in improper unemployment checks.

Last year, DLLR sent out $35 million in payments to ineligible recipients.

She told state Sen. Thomas Middleton, chairman of the committee, that the agency does not have a goal for cutting the payments to ineligible residents.

Squire also reported that Maryland employers will continue paying the highest possible contribution rates to the unemployment insurance trust fund in fiscal 2011 to meet a growing demand for benefits. The state paid out roughly $50 million more in benefits in fiscal 2010 than fiscal 2009.

[Your tax dollars at work in O'Malleyland--  Editor]More here

An Agenda for the NEW Wicomico County Council

While it won’t be official until next week, it appears that Republicans have managed to win 6 seats on the Wicomico County Council.  With such a large, veto proof majority there is little excuse for this council to not accomplish quite a bit over the next four years.  Here are some things for our next council to start thinking about:
A REAL HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT
While we won’t know for certain until next week whether “Landslide Bob” Caldwell has won the District 4 seat, the keystone of Caldwell’s campaign should be acted on regardless.  Wicomico homeowners deserve a REAL homestead tax credit.  Unlike the current scheme, where the assessed value of a home must rise 10% in one year for a homeowner to receive any relief, Caldwell’s proposed 0-base tax credit will prevent homeowners from being priced out of their own homes due to rising assessments.
Yes, I can hear the screams of Rick Pollitt and others already.  The claims of stripping the county treasury dry are almost deafening.  They are also fallacious.  Caldwell’s argument is simple – the county isn’t “giving up” any money;  they simply won’t be getting as much from homeowners as Pollitt and his allies would like.  We can also expect to hear claims that this proposal is somehow “anti-business”.  Again, with the revenue cap in place, I seriously doubt that businesses will be complaining that their property tax rates only go down a bit less that they otherwise would have.  Since commercial properties and non-owner occupied homes aren’t eligible for a homestead tax credit anyway, such arguments are merely a backdoor means of putting the county’s mitts deeper into homeowner’s pockets.
This item should be attacked early in 2011 (January or February).  If passed, it couldn’t take affect until FY 2013.  This allows Pollitt and his staff more than ample time to plan ahead.
THE WICOMICO DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL
It’s not a very big secret.  I believe that the county dispensary system is corrupt, steals from the taxpayers, and is no better than Barack Obama taking over GM and Chrysler.  The government should not be in the wholesale or retail liquor business.
That said, I also recognize that the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board has bamboozled a large portion of the citizenry into thinking that having the county in the liquor business is somehow good for them.  Fair enough.  If the county is going to stay in the liquor business, then it (meaning us, the taxpayers) should realize ALL of the profits.  This can be easily accomplished by establishing a Department of Liquor Control.
Currently, Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties still have liquor control boards.  These boards are appointed by the governor and claim that they have ZERO responsibility to our counties’ elected governments.  In the past several years we have seen the Wicomico LCB waste thousands and thousands of dollars on employee junkets and gifts to various groups on the Lower Shore.
Montgomery County has a Department of Liquor Control (MCDLC).  They operate retail stores.  The Board of License Commissioners are still appointed by the governor, but their budget and staff fall under the the MCDLC.
Why would we want a Department of Liquor Control (DLC) instead of the current system?  It’s simple.  I may criticize Rick Pollitt on occasion, but I believe him to be an honest man.  In addition, Pollitt has to run for re-election every four years.  Under a DLC, I’m not too worried about employees going on junkets.  We also wouldn’t have to worry about county money going to fund a group so that Pollitt can be their “Man of the Year”.
However, to accomplish this requires approval of the legislature.  The council needs to act fast to request this.  Again, because of the veto proof majority, the executive can’t veto a resolution requesting this action by our delegation.  If Rudy Cane wants to block this action so his pal Cecilia Dennis can keep doling out the goodies, we can always go Jim Mathias and Rich Colburn as well as the other members of the county’s House delegation.
MORE CONTROL OVER THE BUDGET
Personally, I have no axe to grind with County Public Information Officer Jim Fineran.  I have no desire to see the man loose his job.  However, I have a far greater concern that Pollitt and County Attorney Ed Baker argue that the legislative arm of our county’s government cannot exercise adequate control over the county budget.
The charter is pretty clear.  The Executive submits a budget.  The council may cut, but it cannot add more money EXCEPT for education.  Yet, Baker now claims that the council cannot excise line items from the budget.  Without more than Mr. Baker’s opinion, the council should refuse to accept any budget that is not a line item budget (note that Pollitt has always delivered a line item budget to council) AND should feel free to cut any amount from a line item OR cut an entire line item.
IF the council cuts a line item from the budget, Pollitt lacks the authority to spend funds on that item.  This is how it should be.  Without adequate budget authority, there is no real need for a county council.  We elected Pollitt to County Executive, not County Despot.
RESTRUCTURING THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
One of the complaints most often heard about Pollitt’s stewardship of the county government is his refusal to restructure it in the face of the revenue cap.  It has become apparent that Pollitt is simply keeping the current structure in the hope that we’ll all “come to our senses” and vote the revenue cap out.  Perhaps Rick believes in Santa and the Easter Bunny as well!
Restructuring the county government is needed … and needed ASAP!  However, this is a long term process that will require some long term planning.  Waiting until an election year and then putting forth myriad initiatives and proposals is simply unacceptable.  If the Executive’s office won’t do it, the council needs to.
How?  Through the budget process.  Departments can be downsized.  If Pollitt refuses to sit down with the council and negotiate how to re-structure them, the worse thing that will happen is that the county will run on a surplus.  Pollitt still can’t spend those surplus funds without county council approval.
Pollitt is always bragging about the county’s bond rating.  More surpluses sure won’t hurt it.
KICKING THE “LAND GRAB” TO THE CURB
We can expect Pollitt to push forward with another attempt to down-zone county ag lands.  We can expect that there will be some kind of “compensation” scheme that will steal farmers’ property rights today with the “promise” to compensate them down the road.
It’s called “BETTING ON THE COME”.
A majority of the new council has pledged not to support any down-zoning without compensation.  That means REAL compensation, not some pie-in-the-sky promise.
The way to handle this is simple.  Any proposal for down-zoning that does not include REAL compensation should never be allowed to see the light of day.  IF the council president chooses to put it on the ballot, a majority can simply move, second, and vote to remove that item from the agenda.

=================================

These are just a few suggestions.  For full disclosure, these are not my ideas; I just happen to agree with them.  Each and every one of these proposals has come from a current or elected council member.  It is just my sincere hope that these folks will push for these very good ideas.
It is also my hope that there will be plenty more to come.