Salisbury/Wicomico Latest Jobs Numbers Report - February 2013

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released the February jobs numbers for Counties and Municipalities.  Wicomico County continues to shed jobs as February recorded the largest monthly loss of workforce jobs for the past year.  The US Bureau of Labor preliminary reporting shows that Wicomico County experienced a reduction of 1,180 jobs when comparing February 2012 to February 2013. Wicomico's labor force size continues to deteriorate even though the population data shows that Wicomico's population increases approximately 1.9% per year - or about 1800 persons.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24045.html

Labor Force Data By County, Not Seasonally Adjusted
02-2011 through 02-2013
Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics
					Unemploy.	Change over prior
County	Period	Labor Force	Employed	Unemployd	Rate %	year 2011
Wicomico	11-Feb	52506	47333	5173	9.9
Wicomico	11-Mar	53116	48391	4725	8.9
Wicomico	11-Apr	52961	48485	4476	8.5
Wicomico	11-May	53444	48877	4567	8.5
Wicomico	11-Jun	53825	48951	4874	9.1
Wicomico	11-Jul	54139	49273	4866	9
Wicomico	11-Aug	53423	48706	4717	8.8
Wicomico	11-Sep	53821	49172	4649	8.6
Wicomico	11-Oct	53384	48809	4575	8.6
Wicomico	11-Nov	53153	48516	4637	8.7
Wicomico	11-Dec	53213	48619	4594	8.6
Wicomico	12-Jan	51246	46321	4925	9.6
Wicomico	12-Feb	52605	47554	5051	9.6	99
Wicomico	12-Mar	53073	48351	4722	8.9	-43
Wicomico	12-Apr	52786	48389	4397	8.3	-175
Wicomico	12-May	53608	49253	4355	8.1	164
Wicomico	12-Jun	54256	49598	4658	8.6	431
Wicomico	12-Jul	54877	50349	4528	8.3	738
Wicomico	12-Aug	53372	49007	4365	8.2	-51
Wicomico	12-Sep	52893	48773	4120	7.8	-928
Wicomico	12-Oct	52487	48385	4102	7.8	-897
Wicomico	12-Nov	52603	48276	4327	8.2	-550
Wicomico	12-Dec	52709	48085	4624	8.8	-504
Wicomico	13-Jan	51189	46296	4893	9.6	-57
Wicomico	13-Feb	51425	46711	4714	9.2	-1180	p
						-2953	less
p = preliminary.					SOURCE:  BLS, LAUS		workforce
					10-Apr-13

Posted by Beezer - SBYnews Contributor

OPEN FORUM: City Council Meeting Tonight, The Swearing In Of Mayor & Council

Throughout the evening, (starting at 6 PM) we will cover the swearing in meeting of Mayor Ireton, Council Persons Jake Day and Shanie Shields.

Be sure to watch LIVE on PAC 14 and follow the meeting here on Salisbury News. 

It has just been announced that Jake Day's Fiance' was running in the Boston Marathon and he is not present at this time to the Council Meeting. 

Laura Mitchell and Shanie Shields are not seated at the Council Meeting either.

Everyone now seems to be in attendance. 

Debbie Campbell is simply a class act.

Jake Day and Shanie Shields have been sworn in. 

Jim Ireton has now been sworn in as Mayor.

Jake Day will be next Council President and Laura Mitchell as Vice President. 

BOSTON MARATHON EXPLOSIONS ALREADY BEING BLAMED ON THE RIGHT

Before any information was available that might indicate who is responsible for the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, Esquire’s Charles P. Pierce cautioned readers against “jumping to conclusions” and blaming the attack on “foreign terrorism.”

However, he was compelled to remind people that Monday is the “official Patriots Day holiday” in Massachusetts, celebrating the Battles at Lexington and Concord. He also pointed out that April 19, the actual date of the battles, is connected to Oklahoma City bomber Tim McVeigh, who apparently considered himself a “waterer of the tree of liberty and the like,” according to Pierce.

“I’ll bet good money it’s a right-wing nutjob. Today is April 15, Boston Harbor was where the original Tea Party took place and the on-going gun-safety legislation makes it the mostly likely culprit,” commenter Linda Ginsburg wrote.
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JOHN KERRY: FOREIGN STUDENTS ‘SCARED’ TO STUDY ABROAD IN U.S. BECAUSE OF GUN VIOLENCE

Secretary of State John Kerry told CNN Monday that foreign students are increasingly “scared” of studying abroad in the United States because of gun violence.

America’s top diplomat has been in Asia to confront North Korea’s increasing aggression but, speaking from Tokyo, he pivoted to American politics.

In “quiet conversations” with officials, Kerry said he has discussed “how safe it is over here in this country [Japan], where people are not running around with guns.”
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Higher Tax In Maryland Can Be Blamed On The Rain

Rain has a price. A last ditch attempt to delay a new stormwater fee failed this week and now Maryland residents could get an unexpected bill this summer.

When rain falls, pollutants get flushed into the Chesapeake Bay and because of that the fees will go into effect - a move critics are slamming as a "rain tax."

The Watershed Protection and Restoration Program was signed into law in April 2012. It established "a system of stormwater remediation fees and a local watershed protection and restoration fund," according to the Maryland Department of Environment's Water Management Administration.

Residents in Montgomery, Prince George's and Charles counties already pay a similar fee but it will soon apply to residents and businesses in all of Maryland's 10 largest jurisdictions:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Carroll County
• Charles County
• Frederick County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County

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John Hawkins: 7 Reasons Why Marriage Is Falling Apart In America

John Hawkins, who blogs at Right Wing News, has a new post up at Clash Daily in which he lists 7 reasons why marriage is in decline.

Here are his reasons:
The Sexual Revolution
The Inability Of Many Poor Men To Support A Family
A “Marrying Up” Gap
No Fault Divorce
Increased Economic Options For Women
Marriage has become a much less attractive option for men
Children have become more of an economic hindrance than a help

And here is one in detail:6. Marriage has become a much less attractive option for men: There was a time when the man was expected to provide for his wife and kids and in return, he was treated as the king of the castle. Now, men are often treated more like partners than kings. Moreover, if there’s a divorce, men know they may not be treated fairly by the court system. Almost every man knows a guy who has had access to his child used as a bargaining chip, who has to pay Draconian child support payments or who has otherwise been generally treated unfairly because of his gender, not the merits. No man wants to end up as the guy paying a huge chunk of his income to a woman who broke his heart while he wonders if he’ll be allowed to have access to his own child.

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Senate Torpedoes Background Check Deal

The Senate on Wednesday failed to advance a bipartisan background check proposal that Democrats had hoped would be the core of any bill.

The background check legislation, championed by Democrat Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Republican Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania, received only 54 votes, six short of the 60 needed to clear a threatened filibuster. However, the measure does have 55 Senate supporters, given that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., changed his vote at the last minute to preserve his ability to call up the vote again.

In addition to Toomey, only three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John McCain of Arizona and Mark S. Kirk of Illinois — voted in favor of the background check compromise.
More 

Today's Survey Question 4-18-13

Are you confident with the final numbers 

from the Mayoral and Council election?

When You Have A $16,000,000.00 Surplus, Why Not Raise Taxes

That's right, Ireton wants to raise our taxes 8%. Mind you Folks, you know how the liberals work. Come in at 8% and settle for something less and the Council will ACT like they've done you a favor. Similar to O'Malley wanting to raise tolls to $12.00 and settling for less. Jimmy will throw a fit, (acting) but it is what it is and it's all for show. 

Jake Day promised to not raise taxes during his campaign by stating we need to eliminate some services instead. Well, now he too has changed his mind. 

Put your seat belts on Ladies & Gentlemen, it's going to be a very rough ride for the next 2.7 years. 

Can you say, Louise Smith?

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ON PRELIMINARY MARCH JOBS REPORT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 19, 2013) - Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Labor’s release of preliminary employment data for the month of March:

“Last month, Maryland’s dynamic private sector continued to drive our job growth, creating 5,100 jobs and bringing the number of private sector jobs in our state to its highest level in nearly five years. Maryland has now recovered 97 percent of the jobs lost during the Bush recession and our unemployment rate, while still too high, is 13 percent lower than the national rate.

“There is no progress without a job. Together with the members of the General Assembly, we had a very productive legislative session where we passed meaningful legislation focused on creating jobs and expanding opportunity. We remain focused on strengthening and growing our businesses, and fueling the job-creating potential of Maryland's world-class innovation economy.”

CONGRESSMAN RIPS HOLDER OVER FT. HOOD STONEWALLING

Thursday on Capitol Hill, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) went after Attorney General Eric Holder for his failure to explain how the Fort Hood terrorist attack was classified as “workplace violence,” depriving victims of Purple Hearts and appropriate medical coverage.

“We’re never getting responses,” said Wolf, requesting a meeting with a Justice Department official to answer questions. “Once you get out of here, you’re gone. We never see you again.” Holder grinned awkwardly as Wolf berated him. Wolf later continued, “The Justice Department investigated this case … Out of respect for these men and women, 13 of whom gave their lives, who paid the ultimate price … Will you send someone up from the Justice Department next week?”
More 

COULD THIS BE WHY SOME CHECHENS THINK TSARNAEV BROTHERS WERE FRAMED FOR BOMBINGS?

At least three family members of the alleged Boston Marathon bombers have expressed concerns that brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, are being framed for the attack. The Chechen Republic’s president also used language indicating the suspects may be innocent.

Now BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith is offering a theory trying to explain the conspiracy theories.

The brothers’ aunt, Maret Tsarnaeva, told reporters gathered outside her Toronto home on Friday, “I’m suspicious that this was staged. The Picture was staged.”
More 

Pollitt Introduces ‘Stable, But Not Recovered’ Wicomico Budget

SALISBURY- Stabilized, but not fully recovered is how Wicomico County Executive Richard Pollitt described the county’s proposed fiscal year 2014, which he informally presented to the County Council this week.

On Tuesday, Pollitt provided an informal presentation of his proposed fiscal year 2014 budget to the County Council and described the current economic climate in Wicomico as having turned a corner from the recent dark days of the recession, but stopped short of celebrating its demise.

“We continue to look forward to recovering from the great recession and there are signs that the worst is behind us,” he said. “Wicomico continues to lag behind, even among counties on the Lower Shore and we’re getting mixed signals about recovery.”
More 

Police Sergeant Fired For Trayvon Martin Shooting Targets

Officials with Port Canaveral said a police sergeant has been fired after he brought Trayvon Martin shooting targets to a firearms training session.

Sergeant Ron King was terminated from the police department on Friday, according to officials.

Port officials said King brought two shooting targets which had an images resembling Trayvon Martin on them to a firearms training session on April 4.
More 

Cause I'm The Tax Man!

Today's Survey Question 4-16-13

Are you satisfied with the 

Salisbury Council reorganization?

A Letter To The Editor By Palmer Gillis

Dear Editor.

Let me begin by congratulating Jim Ireton and Shanie Shields on their reelection. I am particularly thrilled to see the overwhelming support that newly elected Jake Day received from our community. What a dynamic, honest, young man full of energy and fresh thought.

There have been , are ,and will be budget challenges to face as reported in the Times article about Salisbury’s assessed values dropping by 7%. It was reported that the only choices that elected officials have are to; 1) raise taxes, 2) cut employees or 3) cut programs. I would like to suggest another, always ignored, idea.

It is the responsibility and the job of elected officials to evaluate and implement the delivery of governmental services at the most efficient means possible.

A few years ago , in a non-binding referendum, the City voters voted and passed a measure and a message to the elected officials to explore, with Wicomico County, ways in which local governmental services could be consolidated to improve efficiency and mitigate the costs of delivering those services on a local level. With this result, the City Council that I was on, passed two resolutions, #709 and #710 which are now law on the books. This too has been ignored by elected officials over the years. It seems that once elected it just is not important to pursue this concept that has been successfully done in many , many jurisdictions. There are so many excuses that it could fill up volumes.

This effort could consider simple things like sharing the shooting range, snow clearing, animal control. Exploring how Human resources departments or information technologies departments could work in alignment. It could consider more complicated ideas like a Metropolitan Police force as proposed by former Chief Dykes who kept an open mind to the idea. How about focusing on the successes and using their models of cooperation like the consolidated tax bill that was recently implemented. How about the regionally praised consolidated Salisbury-Wicomico Planning Commission or how the Salisbury Fire Departments serve county areas. We have had success, let’s focus on that. Look at how other communities have been successful with this like Athens-Clarke County Georgia, a very similar area to Salisbury and Wicomico County.

It is incumbent on our elected officials to attempt to aggressively pursue the wishes of the voters to the fullest means possible. Mayor Ireton committed to this pursuit in his first election. With his mandate it would seem to be safe now to consider. Until such time as this idea has been fully vetted out, the local elected officials have not done their job. This process will be controversial, messy and complicated. It’s not a game for weenies. Rise to the challenge folks, it is your job. Instead of thinking of all of the reasons something cannot be done, think of how we can make it happen. I believe that the results will create better jobs, be a regional boost for Salisbury-Wicomico’s image and stimulate economic development like not seen before for our area in a good way. Taxes and costs for delivering the services will then only increase at a decreasing rate.

IT CAN BE DONE!

Palmer Gillis

Former Salisbury City Council President and member.

It's A Beautiful Day In Downtown Salisbury

So much so, this person visiting took off her shoes and put her feet into the fountain to cool off. 

The Plaza has foot traffic and everyone seems to be very pleasant enjoying the beautiful weather. Have a great day!

Salisbury Wastewater Treatment Plant Overflows Into The River Again

In an effort to keep the public informed of Public Works activities, please be aware that there 

was a Sanitary Sewer Overflow at the City of Salisbury Wastewater Treatment Plant on Sunday, 

April 14, 2013 from 5:00 am to 8:00 am. A pump failed in the Internal Recycle Pump Station 

which caused partially treated wastewater to enter the storm drain system and the Wicomico 

River. Repairs are being made at the pump station as the cause of the overflow is being fully 

investigated to include a thorough investigation of all personnel involved with the operation of 

the station where the release occurred. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, if 

necessary, both during and at the conclusion of the investigation. 

The quantity of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow was approximately 29,390 gallons, but was initially 

thought to be less. Based on the revised calculation of the size of the overflow, the Wicomico 

County Health Department has requested a public notification, which would not have been 

required for a lesser amount. “Swimming and Fishing Advisory” signs were posted along the 

Wicomico River on Sunday. According to the amount of the overflow, the sewage would 

have dissipated, in the Wicomico River, in 6 hours. River sampling will begin on Wednesday 

and will continue until the Wicomico County Health Department discontinues the river testing. 

If you have any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 410-548-3170.

DECORATED VET ARRESTED AFTER ‘RUDELY DISPLAYING’ HIS RIFLE — AND SAYS OFFICER PULLED GUN ON HIM IN FRONT OF BOY SCOUTS

Army Master Sgt. C.J. Grisham was on a ten-mile Boy Scout hike with his son in Texas when he was arrested and accused of “rudely displaying” his firearm. Knowing there are wild boars, coyotes, and cougars in the area, he had an AR-15 rifle slung over his shoulder and was also carrying a .45 caliber pistol, according to Fox News’ Todd Starnes.

A “huge Constitutionalist” and prominent military blogger, Grisham has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout his 18 years in the military. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his service.

But on the day he was arrested in mid-March, Grisham says he was treated like a “street thug.”
More 

Mystery ‘Man on the Roof’ Sparks Boston Marathon Chatter

Photos taken of the Boston Marathon explosion carnage showed horrific images of smeared blood on the sidewalk, blown out windows and bystanders rushing to aid multiple people who had lost limbs and suffered other severe injuries.

But amidst the chaos of what some described as a “war zone,” images also emerged on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other social media that sent speculation and conspiracy theories flying.

One of the most talked about photos, which was taken by a spectator, captured a mysterious figure walking on top of a building near the finish line, prompting thousands of users to ask about the “man on the roof.”
More 

Another KILLER Homosexual Epidemic

“Gay” sex is becoming even more dangerous.

Health officials are warning sexually active “gay” men about an outbreak of potentially deadly bacterial meningitis in Los Angeles and New York.The disease has infected 22 people in New York and caused seven deaths since 2010. Health officials in Los Angeles are testing to see if the strain infecting “gay” men there is the same one hitting New York.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation began offering free meningitis vaccines today after a “gay” man from West Hollywood was declared brain dead on Friday.

Thirty-three-year-old lawyer Brett Shaad died within a week of feeling sick.

Authorities suspect he was exposed to bacterial meningitis at a party in Palm Springs the weekend of March 30 that attracts “gay” revelers from across the country.

More

The History of Republican Evil

The Republican Party was formed in 1854 specifically to oppose the Democrats, and for more than 150 years, they have done everything they could to block the Democrat agenda. In their abuses of power, they have even used threats and military violence to thwart the Democrat Party’s attempts to make this a progressive country. As you read the following Republican atrocities that span three centuries, imagine if you will, what a far different nation the United States would be had not the Republicans been around to block the Democrats’ efforts.

March 20, 1854 Opponents of Democrats’ pro-slavery policies meet in Ripon, Wisconsin to establish the Republican Party

May 30, 1854 Democrat President Franklin Pierce signs Democrats’ Kansas-Nebraska Act, expanding slavery into U.S. territories; opponents unite to form the Republican Party

June 16, 1854 Newspaper editor Horace Greeley calls on opponents of slavery to unite in the Republican Party
More

No Symptoms

The Postal Service is reassuring employees in this area and Memphis that they are not in danger from two letters laced with ricin. It says the substance was not in a form that would pose a risk. No employee has reported symptoms such as a fever or cough. Those usually appear within 24 hours of inhaling the poison. Postal employees at all facilities received briefings yesterday. A postal union complained earlier this week that the agency had not given employees sufficient warning of the potential dangers.

Bongino Lets His Edge Show

He has said it before: "We are in trouble here in Maryland."

Dan Bongino, a U.S. senatorial candidate in 2012, is sticking to his message. Speaking Saturday before the Mid-Shore League of Republican Women, Bongino talked edgy politics openly and affably over lunch with a small group of Talbot County residents and Republican voters whose main concerns for him centered on health care, the economy, the future of the Republican party in Maryland and the country.
 
"I think we are unfortunately starting to see, not only at the Senate level, but at the federal level and the congressional level, as well, the ramifications now of what happened in the election," he said. "We are in a near catastrophic position, and I don't use that word lightly. I'm not an alarmist."
More 

Report: Student Debtors Under 30 Are Shying Away From Buying Homes, Cars

If life were a 1950s sitcom, college graduates would zoom out of school, get a job, buy a house, buy a car and get married. But these days, student loans are just one of many reason debtors under 30 are staying far away from the housing and auto markets. That, and life isn’t a sitcom. A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that this age group could be a drag on the economy by the very fact that they aren’t participating in it.

More

Trust Me....

The Tax Man

Will they or won’t they? That’s the question now as legislators over yonder in Washington, D.C. are considering perhaps finally voting on whether or not to allow businesses to collect online sales tax. As it stands now, retailers can only impose the tax on a customer if they have a physical location in that state. Amazon is all for the bill, but eBay, not so much. The Senate could vote next week, so now it’s all about waiting and then, seeing.

More

Boy Scouts Propose To Lift Gay Ban For Youth

NEW YORK (AP) -- Searching for compromise on a divisive issue, the Boy Scouts of America is proposing to partially lift its long-standing exclusion of gays -- allowing them as youth members but continuing to bar them as adult leaders.

The proposal, unveiled Friday after weeks of private leadership deliberations, will be submitted to the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA's National Council during the week of May 20 at a meeting in Texas.

The key part of the resolution says no youth may be denied membership in the Scouts "on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone." A ban would continue on leadership roles for adults who are openly gay or lesbian.
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When Flying, Maybe Leave Your Grenade-Shaped Lighter At Home

You might find your novelty weapon-shaped cigarette lighter hilarious and totally innocent, but do you know who doesn’t agree with you? The Transportation Safety Administration. This didn’t occur to a passenger changing planes in Miami on his way to Haiti from Boston, and an entire concourse at Miami International Airport got shut down briefly this morning when the TSA noticed a grenade-shaped object in his carry-on.

“…I came from Boston with it and I wasn’t stopped, and I forgot the lighter was in there,” he helpfully explained to CBS Miami.

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Permanent Coast Guard Beacon Tower Installed Next Week

OCEAN CITY -- The familiar beacon at the end of the north jetty at the Ocean City Inlet will be replaced with a more permanent structure starting next week.

The original beacon tower, roughly 20 feet tall, which for years alerted boat traffic to the presence of the rock jetty and the entrance to the Inlet, along with its somber alarm that could be heard from miles around on the clearest of nights, was swept away by Hurricane Irene in August 2011 and was never seen again. When the height of the storm subsided, all that was left of the beacon was a rusty stub bolted to the giant rocks at the end of the jetty.

The Coast Guard beacon was one of over 500 aids to navigation destroyed during Hurricane Irene in the mid-Atlantic area alone and certainly the most conspicuous. In the wake of the storm, the Coast Guard discovered the tower had been swept away and a search for the 20-foot, 3,500 pound beacon was undertaken in the waters in and around the Inlet to no avail. In late 2011, sonar pings picked up by a search vessel appeared to indicate the massive structure was still on the sea floor just north and east of the Inlet jetty and a recovery operation was undertaken, but the apparent beacon on the bottom turned out to be a false alarm and the original tower was never found.
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CISPA Passes In The House But Senate Will Likely Knock It Down Due To Privacy Concerns

It’s baaaaaack: Last year we started paying attention to the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, otherwise known as CISPA, for its perceived similarities to the reviled SOPA and PIPA bills. Despite getting killed off last year, CISPA has now been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives by a huge margin.

The House adopted CISPA by a 288-127 vote today, reports CNET, which is an improvement over the response it received the last time it was in the House. But the White House already threatened to veto it if it goes any further, and since the Democrats control Senate, it’s unlikely to survive a vote there.

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No Smoking For Senior Citizens At County Centers

Senior citizens in Worcester County are being told to butt out, literally.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted Tuesday to add property owned or used by the County Commission on Aging to its list of smoke-free sites.

Rob Hart, the commissioner’s executive director, said he wanted the policy to be in effect July 1 at the four buildings used for seniors. The request included the grounds.

Senior centers in Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke will be smoke-free. The policy applies not only to the senior citizens, but also to staff, visitors and others who might be on the property.
More

Debt

"We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.

We must make our election between economy and liberty
or profusion and servitude.

If we run into such debt, as that we must be taxed in our meat and
in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and
our amusements, for our calling and our creeds...

[we will] have no time to think,
no means of calling our miss-managers to account
but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves
to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers...
And this is the tendency of all human governments.

A departure from principle in one instance
becomes a precedent for [another ]...
till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery...
And the fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt.

Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression."
-- Thomas Jefferson

(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President

Source: Letter to Samuel Kercheval, Monticello, July 12, 1816

Three Carvers To Score Awards At Ocean City Event

SALISBURY – The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, the carving community’s recognized leader, has announced that carvers Delbert “Cigar” Daisey, Robert “Bob” Guge and Ernest “Ernie” Muehlmatt will be honored with the museum’s inaugural Living Legends Award.

The presentation will take place in conjunction with the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival award ceremony on Saturday, April 27 at 5 p.m., at the Roland E. Powell convention center in Ocean City.

The award recognizes individuals who have been long-time advocates for wildfowl art and the Ward Museum; are generous in spirit and commitment to teaching others and passing on their knowledge, skills and talents; and have created an impact on the field of wildfowl art and/or the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition.
 More

Gun Control Bill

City Sees Signs Of Hope For Construction Economy

Development in the resort, both statistically and anecdotally, seems to be making its strongest comeback since the 2008 economic slump, with last month setting a post-decline record for building permit valuations, as well as the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission this week approving two new major projects.

The commission gave the go-ahead Tuesday on plans for a massive expansion of the Crab Bag restaurant on 131st Street, which will now be expanding into the property immediately to its north, which was recently vacated after the Kite Loft moved its store to the new shopping center being built at 67th Street.

“They’ve now acquired all the property with the Kite Loft and the offices in that area,” said Zoning Administrator R. Blaine Smith. The Crab Bag already has a take-out operation in the old Aquarius Condo building, which is connected to the former Kite Loft.
More 

Cell Phone Violation Leads To 1/4 Kilo Cocaine Seizure On SR 1

Location:
SR 1 southbound at Pole Bridge Road, St. Georges, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 12:55 p.m.

Defendant/Charges/Bond Information:
Orishafemi Swint-36 of Philadelphia, PA (photo attached)
Possession of Cocaine in Tier 5 Quantity
Possession with intent to deliver Cocaine
Additional Traffic violations including Cell Phone violation
Arraigned and Released after posting $22,650 Secured Bond

Resume:
St. Georges-The Delaware State Police arrested and charged a 36 year old Philadelphia man for cocaine charges after a traffic stop for a cell phone violation on SR 1 last week.

On Thursday, April 11, 2013 at approximately 12:55 p.m. Troopers patrolling SR 1 in the area of St. Georges, observed the operator of a Pontiac Grand Prix utilizing a cell phone while traveling SR 1 southbound. Troopers performed a traffic stop and made contact with the operator, Orishafemi Swint-36 of Philadelphia, PA.

During the investigation a police K-9 detected the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Troopers located a quarter kilo of cocaine (252 grams) in the trunk. Total street value of cocaine seized is approximately $10,000.

Swint was taken into custody without incident and charged with the above crimes. He was arraigned and released after posting $22,650 Secured Bond.

Sunny TV: Obama Is Awesome...Duh!

What Does Glenn Beck Know That We Don't?

Glenn Beck: Govt Has Till Monday To Come Clean About The Boston Marathon Bombing Cover-Up

(Before It's News) What does Glenn Beck know that he hasn’t shared with the rest of the world about the Boston Marathon bombing ‘cover-up’? According to Glenn, this could be the most important story that he has ever covered.
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Berlin Plans To Reduce Spending While Giving Raises

BERLIN -- The town of Berlin is proposing a balanced budget even though the Mayor and Council are currently including a 2-percent salary raise for all employees.

“We’re not between a rock and a hard place. I think it’s going to be a tight budget but I don’t think it’s going to make anybody miserable,” said Mayor Gee Williams.

The proposed general fund for the upcoming fiscal year will be $4,775,001, a 2-percent reduction from last year’s budget of $4,869,001. While expenditures are down, Williams did note that revenues have also seen a slight dip due mainly to recent property assessments that lowered values in Berlin. However, though revenue on that front decreased $172,000 or about 6 percent, the mayor took a positive look at the overall picture.
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TED NUGENT: Obama Is The NRA Man Of The Year

I like my journalism the same way I like my music: rare, raw, close to the bone, no holds barred, brutally honest.

Rare is just what the real conservative GOP doctor ordered. My gut instincts tell me that bold, unapologetic, independent conservatives will have found a new journalistic juggernaut that goes straight for the journalism jugular. It’s about damn time.

This is the critical good in the face of the politically incorrect liberal bad and ugly. What’s lacking in America is a media pit-bull that has been trained to sniff out corruption, lies, double-speak, and to stand on point for the truth, then chomp into it and not let go.

You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a story or a topic that has been glossed over or outright ignored by the lapdog media who is in the tank for the president and the Democrat Party. Mainstream media has bastardized the 1st Amendment. Shame on them.

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City Pilot Program Offers Larger Surfing Beaches, More Inlet Time

In an attempt to address the highly variable nature of both the demand for surfing and the supply of decent waves, the city will be piloting a system this summer that will allow for considerably more flexibility in the size and scope of its surf beaches.

“The people I’ve talked to would rather have more space than a third separate beach,” said K-Coast owner Chris Shanahan, a member of the city’s surf beach subcommittee.

Although the idea had been floated of adding a third, rotating surfing beach on weekends during the summer, the option was found to be untenable this week after Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin presented an outline of how such a rotation would look.
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Antares Launch Attempt Set for Today

Antares Range Count Begins

The Range count started on time at 9 a.m. EDT in preparation for
today's launch at 5 p.m. of Orbital Sciences Corporation's test flight
of its Antares rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. The pad close out crew is completing final configuration of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's Pad-0A. The team will verify the operation of critical pneumatic and cryogenic components before leaving the pad and allowing the remote control operations to begin.

The launch will be broadcast live on NASA Television beginning at 4:30 p.m.

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about the launch, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/orbital.

More information available HERE 

Launch now is scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. EDT

Caption This Photo 4-20-13

Family Of Slain Bombing Suspect's Widow: 'Our Hearts Are Sickened'

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- The family of the widow of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev confirmed Friday that their 24-year-old daughter was married to the Chechen immigrant who died in a confrontation with police earlier in the day, saying, “We cannot begin to comprehend how this horrible tragedy occurred.”

“Our daughter has lost her husband today, the father of her child,” Warren and Judith Russell, whose daughter Katherine was married to Tsarnaev, said in a statement distributed to about a dozen reporters who gathered outside their home in this well-landscaped, upper middle class neighborhood outside Providence.

“In the aftermath of the Patriot’s Day horror, we know that we never knew Tamerlane Tsarnaev,” the statement said, using an alternative spelling of the suspect’s first name. 
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Sexual Predator Sign

The Florida county where police post 'sexual predator' road signs outside homes of convicted rapists and child molesters

The sheriff of Bradford County, Florida, decided the reflective signs, which have each offender's name, should be planted on the roadways outside the houses of convicted sexual predators to ward off children.
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New OC Beach Toys Sought; Safety, Age Concerns Leads Resort To Seek Alternatives

OCEAN CITY – The popular wooden playgrounds will not be returning to the beach this summer as city staff are in the midst of searching out safer replacements.

During a Recreation and Parks Committee meeting last Tuesday, Public Works Director Hal Adkins gave an update on the playground equipment that have been placed on the beach seasonally since the Mayor and City Council approved in 2000.

What is referred to as “beach toys” are five wooden playgrounds spaced out from Talbot Street north to 4th Street on the beach downtown. The toys were donated by several individuals and/or businesses, the latest being by Fisher’s Popcorn in 2005.
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To Realize

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Loses One of Their Own

Incident: Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Loses One of Their Own

Narrative: On behalf of the men and women of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Michael A. Lewis regretfully announces the passing of a long time canine assigned to our explosive detection team. On 18 April, K9 Britt passed away while on active duty after a brief illness in the company of his long time handler Deputy First Class Dennis Taylor.

K9 Britt and DFC Taylor had worked side by side since 2003 on a vigilant mission to keep our buildings and citizens safe. Not only did K9 Britt provide loyal and dedicated service to Wicomico County, but he was routinely called upon to assist neighboring jurisdictions throughout the region to include providing security scans at major events and conventions in nearby Ocean City and even the United States Naval Academy football stadium in Annapolis, MD.

K9 Britt regularly trained not only here in Wicomico County but he also trained alongside other K9 teams from Dover Air Force Base that had been involved in seeking out IED type explosives in both Iraq and Afghanistan, all in an effort to constantly improve his working ability.

K9 Britt was also a popular ambassador to our community as he often demonstrated his unique ability to seek out and find explosives at county fairs and for any groups that visited the station to learn about the Sheriff’s Office.

We thank K9 Britt for all of his years of active duty service to the Sheriff’s Office and he will be sorely missed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson Date: 19 April 2013

N Korean Carrier Group Departs To Attack California & Hawaii

But Wait....

That Smarts

Assateague Superintendent Leaving For Missouri Post

ASSATEAGUE - National Park Service officials last week announced Assateague Island National Seashore Superintendent Trish Kicklighter was leaving the position after nearly four years to become superintendent of the New River Gorge National River in Missouri.

Kicklighter became the superintendent at Assateague Island National Seashore in 2009 and shepherded the federal park through changing times. During her tenure as Assateague, Kicklighter led the park in developing an innovative General Management Plan that addresses the potential impacts from climate change and sea level rise and oversaw various construction projects such as the seashore’s new visitor center and island ranger station, and helped with the creation of an environmental education facility.

Kicklighter also oversaw repairs from storm damage from four different storm and hurricane events at Assateague, most notably Hurricane Sandy last fall. She also led the effort to reduce the park’s carbon footprint by establishing a recycling program and increasing the use of solar power.
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Dog Wants A Kitty

Paper Nuggets From Chick-Fil-A

My husband went to chick fil a (north) tonight and in his nuggets he discovered this paper nice and fried into a nugget. Just thought I'd share this because we thought was horrible...

Beware of Gov. Martin O’Malley

Maryland made national news recently for a “rain tax” to start July 1.

The tax, an unfunded mandate originating with the Environmental Protection Agency and cemented by the state legislature and governor last year, means homeowners, businesses and nonprofits in certain counties will pay a fee based on the amount of “impervious surfaces” on their property. It is supposed to raise about $482 million annually. Satellite imagery will help counties comply with the law, designed to reduce runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.

Call it the ‘Drones for the Bay’ program. The “Free State” is a Petri dish for progressive causes and perpetually tries to out-California California for increasing the size and reach of government, so the new law is not surprising to those of us who live in Maryland even as it may seem laughable to people across the country.
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Leading The Region In Job Creation

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released monthly jobs numbers today and Maryland’s private sector continues to lead Maryland’s jobs recovery. Here’s what the numbers tell us:
In the first three months of 2013, Maryland led the region in job creation. Together with Maryland’s businesses, we created 22,000 new jobs in the first quarter of the year at the 4th fastest rate in the nation. Maryland’s dynamic private sector led our job growth creating 9 out of every 10 of our new jobs at the 5th fastest rate in the nation.

Working together, we drove down Maryland’s unemployment rate to a four-year low and brought Maryland’s private sector employment to its highest level in nearly five years. And we have recovered 97% of the jobs lost in the Bush recession.

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HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 4-20-13

African-American History in Salisbury – Part 1

The history of business in Salisbury is laced with threads of the African-American presence. This history has to be extracted from many sources and much research has to be done to get a clear picture.

James F. Stewart Funeral Home

One business that goes back to 1909 is the James F. Stewart Funeral Home. This can be verified by an 8 x 10 wall thermometer that was put out in the early 1950’s. By this time, James F. Stewart was deceased and the owners were listed as Mary A. Stewart and Thornton B. Jolley. The phone number was 6461.

Although the business was established in 1909, there is no listing in either the 1913 or 1916 telephone books for such a business. The first listing I found was in the 1921 Salisbury City Directory. James F. and Mary Stewart were listed as having a funeral home at 402 E. Church St. with a phone number of 816. A postcard from 1925 shows James F. Stewart, his family, his home and the vehicles for his business. This address of 402 E. Church St. was changed to 324 E. Church St. when the City changed all the street numbers in October, 1952. The phone number was still 6461 in the 1954 phone book. At some point in time, the need for expanded numbers added a 2 or a 9 to all 4-digit numbers with the addition of the prefix Pioneer (PI or 74). The 1957 City Directory still has a listing for James F. Stewart Funeral home at the newly numbered address of 324 E. Church St. with a phone number of PI9-6461.

The block that this business was located fell to the progress of the new road when Route 50 was built. It was on the south side of Church St. between Cathell St. and N. Salisbury Blvd.

There is still a Stewart Funeral Home listed in Salisbury, but the phone number of PI9-6461 is presently assigned to the Jolley Funeral Home.

Houston Savings Bank

In the 1982 edition of Charles Truitt’s “Historic Salisbury”, under financial institutions, he makes mention of the Houston Savings Bank, Salisbury, as “established by the black community in 1911, operated only a few months.” In his original edition in 1932, he makes no mention under financial institutions of the Houston Savings Bank.

Even though Mr. Truitt stated that it opened in 1911, a savings pass book attests to the fact that one Mamie A. Birckhead did open an account on July 20, 1911 with a deposit of $1.00, the only entry in the book.

Now the mystery thickens. Even though they were reported to have operated for only a few months, there is a listing in the 1913 telephone book for the Houston Savings Bank with a phone number of 681. This same number is also assigned to John T. Ellis & Son, stone yards and shops, Camden Ave. & Dock (Market) St. The connection remains a mystery.

(Part 2 next week)

SPD Press Release 4-20-13

Muslim Teen Arrested In NYC

Subway chaos caught on camera as NYPD arrest Muslim teen for allegedly threatening and abusing Jewish rider

New York Police faced an angry crowd at a Brooklyn subway station as they attempted to arrest a teenager accused of hate crimes. Stephan Stowe, 17, allegedly abused and taunted a Jewish rider.
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The First Photos Of The Suspected Boston Bomber Being Apprehended

Source

REVOKED DRIVER FROM PA FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER CRASH IN FREDERICK CO.

(LIBERTYTOWN, MD) – A man driving on a revoked license and two people in another car were injured tonight in a Frederick County crash that ended the man’s 30-minute ride through two counties during which he attempted to run down a deputy and a state trooper and sideswiped another trooper.

The suspect is a 27-year-old man from Pennsylvania. He is not being identified because he has not been charged at this time. He is facing multiple criminal and traffic charges. Troopers have determined his license is revoked.

State Police investigators are still compiling detailed information about the incident and will not have more complete information until tomorrow. The preliminary investigation indicates the incident started at about 7:30 p.m. today when a Taneytown Police Department officer stopped the suspect on Rt. 194 south of Crouse Mill Road for expired tags. As the officer approached the Ford F150, the suspect sped off. Maryland State Police at the Frederick Barrack and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office were notified and units responded to the area of Rt. 194 as the suspect drove into Frederick County.

The crew of Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 3, based in Frederick, were notified and launched immediately. The crew of Trooper 3 quickly located the speeding vehicle and began calling out its location to ground units. All police cars were ordered not to directly pursue by supervisors from both the State Police and Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Troopers and deputies set up at locations along various roads to deploy stop sticks as the suspect passed by.

At one location, the suspect tried to strike a deputy who was deploying stop sticks. At Rt. 550 and Clive Young Road, the suspect sideswiped a State Police car from the Westminster Barrack. Another trooper near Libertytown was deploying stop sticks when the suspect swerved toward him.

Trooper 3 maintained visual contact overhead and continually called out the suspect vehicle location to troopers and deputies in the area. No police cars were pursuing the suspect.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the crew of Trooper 3 saw the suspect’s truck strike a passenger car on Old Annapolis Road at Rt. 26. After striking the car, the suspect’s vehicle hit a tree and came to rest in a yard. Troopers and deputies responded to the scene and summoned EMS personnel.

The two people in the car struck by the suspect sustained minor injuries. They were taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released. The suspect sustained more serious injuries and was flown by Trooper 3 to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. No troopers or deputies were injured in the incident.

The investigation will continue throughout the night. Investigators will be consulting with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding charges. Additional details will be made available tomorrow.

Encore Ghost Walk In Crisfield Set For May 3rd At 7:00 PM

Overwhelming Response Signals 2nd Tour

MARION STATION, MD - 32 people attended a Ghost Walk in Crisfield on April 13th led by Mindie Burgoyne, of Marion Station. Later that night LeeAnn Linton, a guest on the tour, posted a ghostly photo she took to Burgoyne’s Facebook page, and over 9000 people viewed and shared it. The picture created such an interest in haunted Crisfield that Burgoyne has scheduled a second Ghost Walk for Friday, May 3rd at 7:00 pm.

Mindie Burgoyne is the author of Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake and she’s been doing ghost tours around the Eastern Shore since her book was published in 2009. This year she developed the Chesapeake Ghost Walks, a series of walking tours focused on nine historic towns on the Shore. Crisfield is the third walk in the series. Upcoming walks include Snow Hill, Berlin, Pocomoke, Ocean City, Princess Anne and Denton.

Burgoyne states, “We sold out three ghost walks in Easton and two in Cambridge. I knew the Crisfield walk would do well, but being such a small town I didn’t expect it to sell out or to do a second tour. Once that picture hit Facebook, we had huge exposure.”

LeeAnn Linton shot the image in front of the Orrie Lee Tawes House on Main Street, a white Victorian with a round tower built by a Crisfield merchant in 1895. The picture has two shadowy figures in the foreground, but the 82 commenting Facebook fans pointed out other figures, including children that appear in the windows, doorways and a bride on the porch. Burgoyne says she didn’t even have a haunted story about the Tawes House. “We pass it on the way to the Crockett House. I stopped in front of it to say that strange things have show up in pictures of this house, and I showed a picture of the house on my iPad. LeeAnn snapped her picture while I was saying that.”

Other stops on the tour included Cedar Croft, Gossamer, the Tawes Library, Marquis Manor, the Corbin Library and the Crisfield Cemetery. Guests came from as far away as Easton, Ocean City and Girdletree. Burgoyne gave all guests a map with each location noted, including sites that are nearby but not on the walking route. Those included the Ira Todd House, the LaVallette House, Old Island, and McCready Hospital. The map also identified four sites in Marion Station including Burgoyne’s own house. Stories for those sites are on her website.

The folklore collection at the Nabb research center was Burgoyne’s primary resource for crafting these Ghost Walks. She also read dozens of books, scanned vertical files, photos and newspapers in the public libraries, and conducted over one hundred interviews. The tours are packed with local history. “When you tell real-life stories, it’s important to put characters in the proper setting” Burgoyne states. “Crisfield is such a fun Walk because of its rich history. What other town has a cast of characters like the Coasting Captain, Dr. RR Norris, Governor Tawes, Miss Adeline Hall, Richard Christy and Old Ailsey?”

People interested in joining the tour on May 3rd can find more information at www.travelhag.com or on the Haunted Eastern Shore Facebook page. Advanced registration is required.