DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Attention
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
WARNING
WARNING: there is a video circulating around Facebook of a video of the killing of Osama Bin Laden, supposedly made by US troops. It is a Virus! Spread the news because it's circulating fast.
Panetta: Death Photo Will 'Ultimately' Be Released
But Panetta says that the ultimate decision rests with the White House
"The bottom line is that, you know, we got bin Laden and I think we have to reveal to the rest of the world the fact that we were able to get him and kill him," Panetta said in an interview with Nightly News.
Asked by Reuters about the remarks, a White House spokesman said no decision had been made about releasing images of bin Laden dead.
The White House had earlier expressed concerns about making any death images of bin Laden public, considering the nature of his fatal wounds. U.S. officials say the still-secret photographic evidence shows a precision kill shot above his left eye, which blew away part of his skull. He was also shot in the chest, they said.
The White House said the photograph of a dead Osama bin Laden is "gruesome" and that "it could be inflammatory" if released.
More
WASHINGTON — CIA director Leon Panetta told NBC News Tuesday that a photo proving the death of Osama bin Laden "would be presented to the public," but the comment quickly drew a response from the White House saying no decision has yet been made.
Asked by Reuters about the remarks, a White House spokesman said no decision had been made about releasing images of bin Laden dead.
The White House had earlier expressed concerns about making any death images of bin Laden public, considering the nature of his fatal wounds. U.S. officials say the still-secret photographic evidence shows a precision kill shot above his left eye, which blew away part of his skull. He was also shot in the chest, they said.
The White House said the photograph of a dead Osama bin Laden is "gruesome" and that "it could be inflammatory" if released.
More
Salisbury Burger King Calls In SFD For Second Day In A Row
The Burger King in Salisbury called in the Salisbury Fire Department for yet another fire this evening.
WARNING TO ALL
It seems a certain someone using a droid cell phone is calling and texting friends and associates of mine from my telephone number.
Yes, you heard me right. There's an application that allows someone to use my telephone number, (or yours) and send messages.
One message went to a female friend of mine that was suggestive. Of course, this friends knows I would never do so. I have contacted law enforcement.
That being said, if you happen to receive a text message from my cell phone please call me or send me a message at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.
Funny how this friend has a relative who works for a certain clock company.
Yes, you heard me right. There's an application that allows someone to use my telephone number, (or yours) and send messages.
One message went to a female friend of mine that was suggestive. Of course, this friends knows I would never do so. I have contacted law enforcement.
That being said, if you happen to receive a text message from my cell phone please call me or send me a message at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.
Funny how this friend has a relative who works for a certain clock company.
ACLU Sues N.J. City Over Lord's Prayer
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against the Point Pleasant Beach City Council for reciting the Lord's Prayer before its meetings begin.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of a former Jewish city employee who said she felt uncomfortable hearing the Christian prayer. The suit says the prayer unconstitutionally shows preference to a particular religion.
"People of all faiths and beliefs should feel welcome at public meetings," Sharon Cadalzo told New York television station WNYW. "It's a matter of fairness. No member of the community should feel that their beliefs exclude them from public life."
The city council has opened its meetings with the prayer since the mid-1990s.
Kevin Riordan, an attorney for Point Pleasant Beach, said that when the practice began at council meetings, there was no intention to discriminate against any one religion.
Source
The ACLU filed the lawsuit on behalf of a former Jewish city employee who said she felt uncomfortable hearing the Christian prayer. The suit says the prayer unconstitutionally shows preference to a particular religion.
"People of all faiths and beliefs should feel welcome at public meetings," Sharon Cadalzo told New York television station WNYW. "It's a matter of fairness. No member of the community should feel that their beliefs exclude them from public life."
The city council has opened its meetings with the prayer since the mid-1990s.
Kevin Riordan, an attorney for Point Pleasant Beach, said that when the practice began at council meetings, there was no intention to discriminate against any one religion.
Source
GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY TO ADDRESS MARYLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2011) – TOMORROW, Governor Martin O'Malley will address Maryland business leaders at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Membership Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.
The Governor will discuss economic development and transportation priorities. The Annual Meeting is the Maryland Chamber’s largest networking event of the year. Attendees will also honor the achievements of three outstanding business leaders as they are inducted into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are R. Neal Black, President & CEO of JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.; Thomas S. Bozzuto, Chairman & CEO of The Bozzuto Group; and Maurice B. Tosé, Chairman, President & CEO of TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
WHAT: Governor O'Malley to Address the Maryland Chamber of Commerce
WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
1739 West Nursery Road
Linthicum, MD
Virginia Governor Vetoes Funds For Public Broadcasting
WASHINGTON - Virginia's public radio and TV stations are about to take a big hit in funding.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has made a line item veto in the state's budget that eliminates $424,000 orginally allocated for public broadcasting.
He says the veto is in tune with his pledge to refucus state govvernment on its core functions.
The governor signed the overall budget bill.
Public broadcasting has been a frequent target on Capitol Hill as well, but federal funding was not cut in the current budget.
Source
Gov. Bob McDonnell has made a line item veto in the state's budget that eliminates $424,000 orginally allocated for public broadcasting.
He says the veto is in tune with his pledge to refucus state govvernment on its core functions.
The governor signed the overall budget bill.
Public broadcasting has been a frequent target on Capitol Hill as well, but federal funding was not cut in the current budget.
Source
Congress Gets Involved In Sony Cyber Breach
The federal government has more questions about the Sony cyber breach.
Members of Congress are pressing Sony for more information about the loss of personal data in the security breach.
The lapse in security affected 77 million accounts on the PlayStation network.
Among the things they want to know are when the breach was discovered, when others were told, and what the company is doing to address it.
Source
Members of Congress are pressing Sony for more information about the loss of personal data in the security breach.
The lapse in security affected 77 million accounts on the PlayStation network.
Among the things they want to know are when the breach was discovered, when others were told, and what the company is doing to address it.
Source
Pa. School To 5th-Grader: No Face Paint Over Bin Laden
DAUPHIN, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania school district says a fifth-grader's face paint marking the death of terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is too disruptive for class.
Connor Tressler's face paint showed a flag, the date of bin Laden's death and the letters U-S-A. The artwork drew the attention of administrators at Middle Paxton Elementary School near Harrisburg on Monday.
Central Dauphin School District spokeswoman Shannon Leib says the paint violates a requirement that student dress be "conducive to a scholastic atmosphere."
She says the boy's mother decided to remove him from school for the day.
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO PLANT ONE MILLIONTH TREE
Maryland Forest Brigade to reach one millionth tree goal
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2011) – TOMORROW, Governor O’Malley will join the Maryland Forest Brigade and supporting state agencies to plant the one millionth tree, helping the inmate labor program surpass its goal of one million new trees on public lands.
Through a partnership among the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPSC), State Highway Administration (SHA) and local governments throughout the state, the Forest Brigade planted 152,300 in 2009 and 399,410 in 2010, and will surpass a million with 505,100 this year.
In 2009, the Governor announced the Marylanders Plant Trees initiative to encourage citizens and organizations to partner with the State of Maryland to plant trees across the state.
Canada Liberal Leader Ignatieff Quits After Election
Former Harvard professor Michael Ignatieff says he is resigning as the leader of Canada's Liberal Party, after a crushing defeat in the country's general election.
PM Stephen Harper's Conservative Party took 167 seats to win a majority government in Monday's election.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) became the official opposition by claiming 102 seats, while the Liberals took 34.
The election marks the worst defeat in the history of the Liberal Party.
The Liberal Party dropped from 77 seats to 34 in the House of Commons, with Mr Ignatieff even losing his own seat in a suburb of the city of Toronto.
The election marks the first time in Canadian history the Liberal Party did not finish either first or second.
"It's tough to lose like this," Ignatieff said.
"Defeat is a teacher and now we have to learn the lesson of defeat and look at ourselves in the mirror."
More
PM Stephen Harper's Conservative Party took 167 seats to win a majority government in Monday's election.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) became the official opposition by claiming 102 seats, while the Liberals took 34.
The election marks the worst defeat in the history of the Liberal Party.
The Liberal Party dropped from 77 seats to 34 in the House of Commons, with Mr Ignatieff even losing his own seat in a suburb of the city of Toronto.
The election marks the first time in Canadian history the Liberal Party did not finish either first or second.
"It's tough to lose like this," Ignatieff said.
"Defeat is a teacher and now we have to learn the lesson of defeat and look at ourselves in the mirror."
More
Poll: Nine-Point Bounce For Obama After Bin Laden News
Less than 48 hours after President Barack Obama announced the death of the man who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, one new poll shows the president’s approval rating has jumped up by nine points, with Americans’ opinions of his handling of terrorism reaching the highest point during Obama’s presidency.
The overnight poll, conducted by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center, found that 56 percent of respondents approve of Obama’s performance as president, up nine points from similar polls last month. That boost includes a substantial bump of 10 points among independents.
More
The overnight poll, conducted by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center, found that 56 percent of respondents approve of Obama’s performance as president, up nine points from similar polls last month. That boost includes a substantial bump of 10 points among independents.
More
Inside The SEAL Team That 'Doesn't Exist'
'Quiet professionals' make up the fabled SEAL Team Six that reportedly killed bin Laden
WASHINGTON — The raid that killed Osama bin Laden will earn permanent bragging rights for the the elite Navy SEAL team that carried it out.
The SEALs won't confirm they carried out the attack, but their current chief, Rear Adm. Edward Winters of the Naval Special Warfare Command in California, sent an email congratulating his forces and cautioning them to keep their mouths shut.
"Today we should all be proud. That handful of courageous men, of strong will and character, have changed the course of history," he wrote, adding, "Be extremely careful about operational security ... The fight is not over."
More
WASHINGTON — The raid that killed Osama bin Laden will earn permanent bragging rights for the the elite Navy SEAL team that carried it out.
The SEALs won't confirm they carried out the attack, but their current chief, Rear Adm. Edward Winters of the Naval Special Warfare Command in California, sent an email congratulating his forces and cautioning them to keep their mouths shut.
"Today we should all be proud. That handful of courageous men, of strong will and character, have changed the course of history," he wrote, adding, "Be extremely careful about operational security ... The fight is not over."
More
Canada's Conservatives Score MASSIVE Election Win (WooHoo!)
Canada's Conservatives stormed to a decisive victory in Monday's federal election, winning 54 percent of the seats in Parliament and securing a stable four-year term in power after vowing to focus on the economy.
The Conservatives grabbed 167 seats in Canada's Parliament, well above the 155 they needed to transform their minority government into a majority, according to provisional results. They won about 40 percent of the vote, beating expectations.
The victory, a relief for Canadian financial markets, left support for the separatist Bloc Quebecois in tatters and the party's leader without a seat. Bloc Quebecois advocates independence for the province of Quebec.
The Liberals, who have ruled Canada for more years than any other party, were reduced to a dismal third place showing with their worst ever seat haul.
"What a great night. ... Canadians can now turn the page on the uncertainties and the repeat elections of the past seven years and focus on building a great future," Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a victory rally in Calgary, Alberta early on Tuesday morning.
"Our plan (is) to create jobs and growth without raising your taxes," he said to loud cheers.
The market's nightmare scenario of an unstable minority government headed by the pro-labor New Democratic Party never came to pass. Harper now has free rein to keep corporate taxes low in the nation of more than 34 million people and bring in a string of tax breaks once he balances the budget, projected within four years.
"It's going to reinforce quite a bit of stability and confidence, and Canada is going to continue to be very attractive for foreign investors," said Youssef Zohny, portfolio manager at Van Arbor Asset Management in Vancouver.
"With a Conservative majority, you're essentially assured a fairly business-friendly platform, low taxes, continued investment in energy and potential future energy projects. In terms of investment it's definitely got a bullish bias."
More here
The Conservatives grabbed 167 seats in Canada's Parliament, well above the 155 they needed to transform their minority government into a majority, according to provisional results. They won about 40 percent of the vote, beating expectations.
The victory, a relief for Canadian financial markets, left support for the separatist Bloc Quebecois in tatters and the party's leader without a seat. Bloc Quebecois advocates independence for the province of Quebec.
The Liberals, who have ruled Canada for more years than any other party, were reduced to a dismal third place showing with their worst ever seat haul.
"What a great night. ... Canadians can now turn the page on the uncertainties and the repeat elections of the past seven years and focus on building a great future," Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a victory rally in Calgary, Alberta early on Tuesday morning.
"Our plan (is) to create jobs and growth without raising your taxes," he said to loud cheers.
The market's nightmare scenario of an unstable minority government headed by the pro-labor New Democratic Party never came to pass. Harper now has free rein to keep corporate taxes low in the nation of more than 34 million people and bring in a string of tax breaks once he balances the budget, projected within four years.
"It's going to reinforce quite a bit of stability and confidence, and Canada is going to continue to be very attractive for foreign investors," said Youssef Zohny, portfolio manager at Van Arbor Asset Management in Vancouver.
"With a Conservative majority, you're essentially assured a fairly business-friendly platform, low taxes, continued investment in energy and potential future energy projects. In terms of investment it's definitely got a bullish bias."
More here
Wicomico County Council Budget Hearing
DON’T MISS TONIGHT’S LIVE EVENT!
If you can’t be at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, tune in on PAC-14 and log in to our Live Blogging Event. Comment in REAL TIME.
Meeting begins at 6 PM.
Budget Hearing is SCHEDULED to begin at 6:30 PM.
Salisbury Council’s Marathon Work Session
Eight hours! Monday evening the Salisbury City Council worked to clear the backlog of items from their desks in a marathon work session. Beginning with a closed session at 3 PM, the council (along with city staff, members of the public, and Mayor Jim Ireton) slogged through a laundry list of items before calling it quits shortly before 11 PM.
The open session did not begin until 5 PM. The council chose to start off with whether or not the Salisbury Council should begin their meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. City Attorney Paul Wilber provided a précis of the current law. Councilwoman Shanie Shields, one of the original people pushing this issue, now claims that she never called for the prayer’s removal from council proceedings. Laura Mitchell, the other chief proponent, continued to push for a generic “moment of silence”. Council President Terry Cohen stated that she will opt for a “moment of silent meditation” at the next council meeting because the council has not reached a consensus on the issue.
What is the city council’s discretion in granting manufacturing tax exemptions? This question loomed large after Wilber reversed his previous opinions that granting such exemptions was mandatory. Internal Services Director Pam Oland repeatedly emphasized that, while the city has discretion as to the type of exemption to grant, the city government needs a consistent policy. Cohen agreed that the city can’t be accused of “cherry picking”.
This issue became controversial after Gannett, the owners of Salisbury’s Daily Times, received a $400,000 manufacturing exemption AFTER they had moved their printing operation to their Basin Road plant in New Castle, DE. At the time the exemption was granted, during the last legislative meeting of the previous council, council Vice President Debbie Campbell asked if the council had any discretion in granting the exemption for Gannett. Wilber told her that granting the exemption was mandatory. He later reversed himself after the current council was sworn in. The council has agreed to review the city’s current written policy (if one can be found) and amend it if necessary.
One of the more heated discussions revolved around an update of “The Bricks” project the city has undertaken with Homes for America. Nancy Rase, president of Homes for America, apprised the council that a new funding scheme had been developed. The project would receive a loan from the state’s Partnership Rental Housing Plan. However, the city is under no obligation to pay back the loan unless the property ceases to be used as affordable housing or if they sell the property. The project is estimated to cost $179,000 per unit for nine (9) one bedroom units. Mayor Ireton emphasized that some of these costs can be mitigated and that the actual construction cost is budgeted at $106,000 per unit (or $93.22 / sq. ft.). Campbell argued that the cost of this project was far too high, noting that similarly sized condos are currently being auctioned off for $75,000 in Ocean City.
The council was then informed that city taxpayers would owe Homes for America approximately $75,000 if the council refused to move forward with the project. When this project was last discussed (by the previous council), councilwomen Louise Smith and Shanie Shields both promised citizens that the city was not on the hook for any costs.
Council then tackled a proposed annexation agreement for a parcel at the corner of US 50 and Walston Switch Road just west of Wor-Wic Community College. While there was no opposition to the annexation, council members wanted the developers to fully understand that they could not guarantee them the zoning they desire – Planned Development District.
The final major item on the agenda was the proposed “Tenants’ Bill of Rights”. This bill would require Salisbury landlords to include an addendum to their leases which would provide information to tenants as to where to seek help in landlord / tenant disputes and in exactly what rights a tenant has. This proposal was brought to the table at 9:35 PM.
Kris Adams, president of the Salisbury Area Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA), had been invited to meeting by Councilwoman Campbell and spoke to the measure on behalf of SAPOA. Mrs. Adams stated that, while she was not expressly opposed to a tenant’s bill of rights, she did feel that it was government’s responsibility to inform tenants of their rights rather than placing the obligation on landlords. Adams also noted that if certain other portions of the Mayor’s “Safe Streets” legislative package (such as the “Crime Free Lease addendum” and the “3 strikes” provision) became law then the city should offer some form of protection to landlords who can be sued for simply enforcing the city’s own ordinances.
Adams also offered several suggestions for re-vamping the city’s website regarding rental housing. While this measure must go back to a future work session for some technical / legal issues, it is slated to move to a future legislative session.
After the “Tenants’ Bill of Rights” discussion, a few minor items such as amending the council’s rules of order were discussed.
Council then tackled a proposed annexation agreement for a parcel at the corner of US 50 and Walston Switch Road just west of Wor-Wic Community College. While there was no opposition to the annexation, council members wanted the developers to fully understand that they could not guarantee them the zoning they desire – Planned Development District.
The final major item on the agenda was the proposed “Tenants’ Bill of Rights”. This bill would require Salisbury landlords to include an addendum to their leases which would provide information to tenants as to where to seek help in landlord / tenant disputes and in exactly what rights a tenant has. This proposal was brought to the table at 9:35 PM.
Kris Adams, president of the Salisbury Area Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA), had been invited to meeting by Councilwoman Campbell and spoke to the measure on behalf of SAPOA. Mrs. Adams stated that, while she was not expressly opposed to a tenant’s bill of rights, she did feel that it was government’s responsibility to inform tenants of their rights rather than placing the obligation on landlords. Adams also noted that if certain other portions of the Mayor’s “Safe Streets” legislative package (such as the “Crime Free Lease addendum” and the “3 strikes” provision) became law then the city should offer some form of protection to landlords who can be sued for simply enforcing the city’s own ordinances.
Adams also offered several suggestions for re-vamping the city’s website regarding rental housing. While this measure must go back to a future work session for some technical / legal issues, it is slated to move to a future legislative session.
After the “Tenants’ Bill of Rights” discussion, a few minor items such as amending the council’s rules of order were discussed.
MARYLAND DEMOCRATS ADOPT DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN FOR 2012 DNC CONVENTION
ANNAPOLIS – The Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland overwhelmingly approved the Maryland Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan for the 2012 Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, April 27. The plan outlines the process the Maryland Democratic Party will take to select its delegation to Charlotte, and was voted upon after a 30-day public comment period.
The process will begin with the primary election, which will be held on April 3, 2012. During the primary, Democrats in each congressional district will state their presidential preference and elect district-level delegates and alternates. The Democratic State Central Committee will meet later in 2012 to elect “pledged party leader and elected official” delegates and “at-large” delegates.
Maryland will send 120 delegates and 7 alternates to the 2012 Convention; the delegation size reflects a 10 percent bonus for the state’s primary having been moved to April 3. Since the District of Columbia has also moved its primary to the same date, Maryland will receive any additional 15 percent delegate bonus if one more state in the region schedules their nominating contest on the first Tuesday in April.
Any Maryland voter who is a registered Democrat can participate in the primary election, or become a candidate for delegate to the national convention. Complete information about the delegate selection process is available on the Party’s website at http://www.mddems.org/ or by calling 410-269-8818.
Maryland Man Arrested For Attempted Robbery
Location: Rite Aid Pharmacy, 701 Governor’s Place (Governor Square Shopping Center) Bear, DE
Date of Occurrence: Monday, May 2, 2011 at 9:50 a.m.
Defendant: Daniel Rosado, 21, Elkton, Maryland
Charges:
-Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
-Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
Resume:
Bear- The Delaware State Police have arrested an Elkton, Maryland man after he attempted to rob a Bear area pharmacy by calling in a fictitious gas leak yesterday morning.
The incident began at approximately 9:50 a.m. yesterday morning (May 2) as a male subject called the Rite Aid Pharmacy located in the 700 block of Governor’s Place, Bear, claiming to be an employee of Delmarva Power. The subject advised the pharmacy employee who answered the phone that there was a gas leak in the shopping center and that the Rite Aid needed to be evacuated. The subject then hung up the phone.
Approximately ten minutes later, the subject called the store again and repeated the same story he had told previously. However, the employee was suspicious of the caller and contacted the police who responded to the store.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. the suspect called the store a third time, however; the phone was answered by a state trooper who was investigating the incident. The trooper identified herself as an employee of the Rite Aid and told the subject that she wanted to discuss the gas leak with him. The subject then advised the trooper that he was in the rear of the store in a Delmarva Power work truck. The trooper responded to the rear of the store where she observed a suspicious male subject dressed in all black clothing and gloves. The subject, later identified as Daniel Rosado, 21, was detained by the trooper who realized that his voice was similar to the subject she had spoken to on the phone. The trooper then conducted a pat down search of Rosado. During the search a fully loaded 40 caliber handgun, gloves, face masks, and plastic zip ties were all located in Rosado’s possession. After further investigation, Rosado was arrested and charged with the above list of crimes. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and then committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $55,000 secured bail.
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