A Proposal for Salisbury’s Downtown – Free and Ample Parking

Let’s assume that we’ve been able to attract people who are willing to invest their capital to open destination businesses that will motivate people to come downtown.  Is that enough?

Of course not.  If you want people to eat, shop, and be entertained downtown there is one hurdle that Salisbury seems reluctant to address – parking.

Let’s assume that something opens where “Flavors” restaurant was located.  Let’s assume there are multiple shops that customers wish to patronize on Main Street, east of the Plaza.  Where do they park?  They have to park at a metered space.  That means that someone who wants to come downtown, have lunch, and do a little shopping has to either park in the lot south of the Plaza, in the city parking garage, or they have to feed a meter.  People simply don’t want to do that.

Do you really think that will stop people from coming downtown?  Not in the evening (parking is free after 5 PM).  It won’t stop people coming downtown if they HAVE to come or if there is a SPECIFIC purpose for the trip.  However, it will prevent people from making spontaneous trips.

How do you know?  I can only base my opinions on what is successfully done elsewhere.  There seems to be certain common factors among towns of Salisbury’s size that have successfully turned around their downtown areas.  According to Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, one of those key factors is free, plentiful parking.

Won’t that be abused by those who live and work downtown?  Could be, but it doesn’t have to.  Bumbaugh argues that free parking is a necessity, but that limits must be placed on it.  Two hours?  Three?  I can’t say which is the best limit.

I know people will argue that we’re somehow subsidizing people who come downtown.  Fine, let’s concede that argument for a moment.  If you are opposed to free and ample parking (with time limits), then simply admit that you fall into the camp that doesn’t want downtown to be turned around.  Otherwise, admit that this is something that needs to be done.

G. A. Harrison is the Managing Editor of “Salisbury News”. Delmarva Dealings appears each Wednesday and Sunday at SbyNEWS.com.

Congressional Delegation Dems Eye Bartlett As Redistricting Target

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D), the dean of the Maryland Congressional delegation and the No. 2 Democrat in the House of Representatives, is a wily legislative veteran, a master of the deal, and used to getting his way.
Rep. Donna Edwards (D), a fiery liberal with three years of Congressional experience under her belt, is known more for her political passion than her insider prowess.

But Edwards appears to be trumping Hoyer, according to multiple sources, when it comes to convincing their Democratic colleagues in the delegation which of the state’s Republican-held seats to target in the upcoming redistricting process. And for now, at least, it looks as if a consensus is forming that they ought to go after Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) rather than Rep. Andy Harris (R).

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) recently appointed a redistricting commission to help state lawmakers draft new Congressional and General Assembly maps. The governor and legislative leaders will have plenty of say over how the state’s new boundaries will look.

But when it comes to Congressional lines, which will likely be adopted in a special legislative session that will convene in mid-October, the six Democrats in Maryland’s House delegation will be accorded much sway.

And at the moment, sources say, despite Hoyer’s plea to make the 1st District more Democratic to pave the way for a comeback for former Rep. Frank Kratovil (D), the delegation – with Edwards as one of the prime advocates – is close to signing off on a map that would instead give Democrats at least a 50-50 chance of capturing Bartlett’s district in the near future.

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Report: There May Be No Such Thing As Allergy-Free Dog

If you're hoping to bring home a hypoallergenic dog for some sneeze-free friendship, you may be out of luck. According to a new report, there may be no such thing as an allergy-free breed of dog.

The report, in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, found that 60 breeds of dogs listed as hypoallergenic on various web sites produced levels of the major dog allergen Can f 1 that were on par with dogs not listed as allergy-free. "I have no idea where this whole concept came from," Christine Cole Johnson, the senior author of the study, told the New York Times.

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Florida Sign

A SIGN IN FRONT

  OF A BUSINESS IN FLORIDA

This sign was
  prominently displayed in front of a business in Florida and you are probably outraged
  at the thought of such an inflammatory sign.
However, we are a society which holds Freedom of
  Speech as perhaps one of our greatest liberties.

  And after all, it is only a sign, right?
You may ask: “What kind of business would dare post
  such a sign?”
Answer: A Funeral Home!

You gotta love it!!!


  God Bless AMERICA
and keep our Troops Safe and Well

League of Women Voters Submits Re-Districting Map

There is no doubt the lines designating Sussex County Council districts will change under the current redistricting process. Population growth on the eastern side of the county has far outpaced population growth on the western side.

While county officials work on their own map, as promised, the League of Women Voters of Sussex County has its own ideas what new council districts should look like.

The map has been submitted to county council in response to an invitation for public comment prior to council submitting its own map for public comment. County attorney Everett Moore has been charged with developing a new map for council consideration.

According to League President Catherine Ward, the league’s map protects the coastal communities of interest with single districts: the Cape Region from Lewes to Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach as District 3 and the Quiet Resorts area from Indian River Inlet south to Fenwick Island as District 4. District 3 is held by Joan Deaver, D-Rehoboth Beach, and District 4 is held by George Cole, R-Ocean View.

Because population in District 3 has grown to exceed the minimum allowed for representation by more than 5,000 people, the size of the district has been reduced by excluding its northern region containing Milford and Slaughter Beach areas, which would be reassigned to District 2 held by Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown.

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Dear Mom And Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge .

Would I still be at home if I hadn't chewed your shoe? I didn't know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn't get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't barked? I was only saying, "I'm scared, I'm lonely, I'm here, I'm here! I want to be your best friend."

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn't make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me?

You didn't pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.

Love, Your Puppy

NASA Launching Rockets from Wallops Island Today

NASA is planning to launch two Black Brant V/Terrier-Improved Orion rockets today as part of a study of the ionosphere.

The launch window is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a news release from the space agency. The rockets will be launched 15 seconds apart and residents around the Wallops Island area may be able to see them.

The launch also can be viewed online via webcast, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the NASA website. The Visitor Center also will open at 8:30 a.m. for launch viewing.

Status updates also are available at (757) 824-2050.

from the Virginian-Pilot / AP

Criminal Trial Begins For Eastern Shore Doctor Accused Of Unnecessary Stent Procedures

Meanwhile, Towson doctor accused of similar infractions awaits word on whether he can keep his medical license

While the Maryland Board of Physicians weighs professional charges against one cardiologist accused of placing heart stents into hundreds of patients who didn't need them, a federal jury in Baltimore is considering criminal charges against another.

The health care fraud trial of Dr. John R. McLean, who practiced at a hospital on the Eastern Shore before surrendering his medical privileges in 2007, opened Tuesday in Baltimore's U.S. District Court.

Prosecutors outlined a set of allegations against him that are startlingly similar to those against Towson cardiologist Mark Midei, who practiced at St. Joseph Medical Center and was charged administratively — not criminally — last year with violating the Medical Practice Act.

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Today’s Survey Question – 07/13/2011

Do You Support the Law Phasing Out Incandescent Light Bulbs?

More Chickens Calling Baltimore Home

Residents Raising Chickens In Urban Settings

BALTIMORE -- That indeed was a chicken crossing the road -- or your neighbor's back yard.


Raising chickens in cities has become a nationwide phenomenon that has landed in Baltimore.

In southwest Baltimore, Goldie and Chickapea have free reign of Daniel van Allen's back yard.

"The chickens adopted me," van Allen said.


Van Allen said Chickapea and three other chickens were roaming the neighborhood before he moved in.

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Millsboro Call Center to Be Expanded

Sussex County's economic outlook will get a little brighter today when M&T Bank unveils plans for a $20 million investment in its call center here.

M&T is adding a computer data center to its existing facility at 499 Mitchell St., a project that is expected to begin soon and wrap up in early 2012.

The project will boost employment there by 50 workers, bringing the total workforce to about 500. The call center will add 40 of those jobs; 10 will go to the new data center.

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Man's Penis Cut Off, Put Through Garbage Disposal

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California woman was jailed Wednesday after authorities said she drugged her estranged husband, tied him to a bed before cutting off his penis and put it through a garbage disposal.

Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said Catherine Kieu Becker drugged a meal and served it to the victim, whose name was not released, shortly before the attack Monday night.

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Prince Street Students Offered School Choice

Letters have been mailed to approximately 550 families in the Prince Street Elementary attendance area advising parents and guardians of the opportunity for Title I School Choice for the 2011-12 school year, due to Prince Street being a Title I school identified as a school needing improvement. There is a Parent Meeting on School Choice on July 21, and parents and guardians must return the letter of intent requesting School Choice by July 29 to be eligible.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind act, students in a Title I school that is in improvement due to not making adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years must have the opportunity to attend another school that is not in improvement. Prince Street, which must receive local attention now that it has entered school improvement, must also offer Title I School Choice. (School Choice must be offered as long as a Title I school remains in improvement; leaving school improvement status requires making AYP for two consecutive years.)

Prince Street Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through grade 5. Prince Street families opting for Title I School Choice can request that their student attend either Charles H. Chipman Elementary or West Salisbury Elementary for prekindergarten to grade 2, and either Glen Avenue Elementary or North Salisbury Elementary for grades 3 to 5. The letter to Prince Street families includes a chart comparing state test results for the three schools with intermediate grades, and a chart showing the programs that each of the five schools offers. The school system will provide transportation for all Prince Street students attending another school by School Choice.

In the letter to Prince Street parents and guardians, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Fredericksen said that many good things are happening at Prince Street, and he hopes families will elect to stay to be part of that improvement process. The difference between Prince Street making AYP and not making AYP was only about nine more students for reading and one more student for math reaching proficiency, out of a school population of 580.

“We are very proud of the many interventions that we have available for you and your child(ren) at Prince Street Elementary School. We will work to create additional programs to meet the identified needs of your student(s). Our qualified school staff is committed to providing the best educational program we can for all our students. It is our hope that you will elect to continue your child’s educational program at Prince Street School.”

A Parent Meeting for Title I School Choice options for Prince Street Elementary School families will be held in the school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21. Staff members will be on hand to explain School Choice options, answer any questions, and receive letters of intent from parents and guardians who are requesting School Choice for their student to attend one of the Choice schools.

Letters of intent should be mailed in the envelopes provided to the attention of Sandra Drummond, Title I Supervisor. The address is Wicomico County Public Schools, PO Box 1538, Salisbury, MD 21802. For questions about the meeting or School Choice, please call Ms. Drummond at 410-677-4585, or Susan Jones, Director of Elementary Education, at 410-677-4496.

All Title I School Choice letters of intent must be received by Friday, July 29, to be eligible for School Choice. Letters of intent received after that date will not be honored. Requests for transfer under School Choice will be reviewed, and families will receive notification of their child’s school for 2011-12 later in the summer.

Corporate Jet Tax Hits Ailing Industry

President Barack Obama aims at corporate fat cats when he calls for a tax increase on companies that own private jets. But he hits an American manufacturing industry that is just starting to show life after years of slumping sales and thousands of job losses.

Most business aircraft are made in America, and the companies and unions that produce them don't appreciate the president's rhetoric or his plan to raise taxes on private jet owners. They fear that both will hurt sales, costing them even more jobs.

"I think it's just insulting," said Steve Rooney, president of District 70 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Wichita, Kan. "He acts like it is just a luxury for somebody to own a business jet when they're used as tools. And I don't think he realizes how many people that this industry employs and how much revenue is brought in here from those types of aircraft."

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BREAKING NEWS: Bernanke Comments Spark Rally On Wall Street

The Dow jumped more than 120 points after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank stands ready to loosen monetary policy further if the economy weakens.

From Fox News

Publishers Notes: American investors are fools.

Court Rules Private GPS Tracking Legal

WASHINGTON - When a woman in New Jersey thought her husband was having an affair, she hired a private investigator who caught him after placing a GPS tracking device in his car.
 
Now, a New Jersey court has ruled the act was not an invasion of privacy, a decision that in some ways makes legal tracking someone via GPS.

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BREAKING NEWS: News Corp. Withdraws BSkyB Bid

Under pressure from the British government over the growing phone-hacking scandal, News Corp. withdraws its $12-billion bid to buy the remainder of pay-TV operator BSkyB
From Fox News

Cape Henlopen School District Finances Tighten Up

The economic recession is hitting the Cape Henlopen School District, which, in the face of funding cuts, expenses shifts and decreased revenue, is dipping into contingency funds to balance the budget for the 2012 fiscal year.

The school board saw the preliminary 2012 budget for the first time at its July 5 board meeting.  Business director Oliver Gumbs said the district is in good financial shape this year, but it will soon be time to discuss programs and how beneficial they are to the district.  He said the board may, in the future, be faced with discussions about staffing.

"You have a budget of $85.6 million.  It is balanced by using carryover and parts of the reserve fund," Gumbs said.  "We took some significant hits from the state."

Gumbs said the district expects to take in $34.5 million in local revenue, and use $4.25 million of carryover and reserve funds.  He said Cape should bring in $46.1 million in state revenue and $5 million from the federal government.

In all, the district expects to bring in $81.4 million and use $4.25 in local carryover and reserve money to meet its projected $85.6 million in expenditures.

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Woman Gets 20 Years In DUI Crash Deaths

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) - A Beltsville woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving in a three-vehicle crash that killed two men last year.

Thirty-two-year-old Jenny Mate was sentenced Tuesday in Prince George's County Circuit Court.

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Cold Case: Prosecuting 1957 Murder a Daunting Task

Over the years, evidence decays or passes through so many hands it's rendered useless. Murder weapons disappear, and witnesses' memories dim or are carried to the grave.

Those are the kinds of obstacles that have stymied prosecutors trying to crack decades-old cold cases in recent years — and that now await authorities trying to build a case against a former Washington state police officer in the 1957 slaying of a 7-year-old girl in this northern Illinois farming community.

Can the little girl's friend, now in her 60s, remember with certainty what the suspect looked like? Will an unused train ticket, discovered half a century later, undermine Jack Daniel McCullough's alibi that he was in Chicago having a military medical exam the day that Maria Ridulph disappeared?

Cold-case experts say they rarely see arrests in murders that date back so many years.

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