National Cost of Government Day

Yesterday was National Cost of Government Day.  What does that mean?  It means that, on average, you have finished paying the cost of government for this year:

Today is the first day you stopped working for Uncle Sam and began working for yourself. Americans must labor 231 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government - 8 days later than last year and a full 34 days longer than 2008.

Sadly, if you live in Maryland (as I do) you will continue paying for the cost of government through September 4th (4th worse in the nation).  Delawareans will have met their obligations tomorrow.  Virginians on August 25th.

from Delmarva Dealings

A Wanted Sex Offender Has Been Captured

Location: Franklin Avenue, Claymont, DE
Date of Occurrence: Friday, August 20, 2010
Defendant: Anthony J. Allen, 24, Franklin Ave., Claymont, DE

Charges:
Sex Offender Living within 500 ft. of a School
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender within Three Days of an Address Change
Resisting Arrest

Resume: Delaware State Police and the U.S. Marshals Office have arrested a wanted sex offender.

The incident occurred this morning at approximately 10:15 a.m. as State Police and the U.S. Marshals responded to the residence of Anthony J. Allen of Franklin Avenue in Claymont. Allen was found hiding in a bedroom and was taken into custody. Anthony Allen had been wanted by state police since July 19, 2010 after it was discovered that he had failed to register as a sex offender. When troopers attempted to arrest Allen on July 19th after seeing him at the Wawa located on Harvey Road in Claymont, he fled from them on foot.

Anthony Allen was arrested for the above list of charges and arraigned at JP Court 2 and then committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution for lack of $16,000.00 cash bail.

Taxpayers Subsidize Rudy Cane’s Campaign

One reason that tax exempt organizations are not permitted to engage in partisan political activity is because taxpayers give an indirect subsidy to these organizations.  Yet, in Maryland’s House District 37-A, Del. Rudy Cane is receiving both in-kind and direct contributions from tax exempt entities.

Is this wrong?  You betcha!  Is it illegal?  No question!  Regardless, Mr. Cane seems to believe that the rules he helps to pass in Annapolis, and the rules passed by our representatives in Washington are for people like you and me.  Rudy can do what he pleases!

To get the big picture:

A “Re-Elect Rudy Cane” billboard has been placed on top of VFW Post 10159 on West Main Street.  Prime signage facing US 50 East just east of Nanticoke Road!  Even if Cane comes back and says “OOPS!” and offers to pay for the space, the VFW is a tax exempt organization and not allowed to engage in this type of activity.  I wonder if the post is willing to give up its slot machines and liquor license, and pay taxes, in order to support their man Rudy?

To add insult to injury, Cane also has a record of taking direct contributions from churches and other non-profits.  Why don’t the rules apply to Rudy?  You should ask him.

READ MORE …

Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight With Candidate Jim Rutledge

Tonight we'll feature candidate Jim Rutledge at 6:00 PM and tomorrow morning at 9:05 we'll feature Senator Andy Harris with a Special Guest Anchor Delegate Addie Eckardt in the driver's seat asking questions.

We thought we'd change things up a bit for Andy's interview while Addie truly asked the tough questions and didn't let up one bit.

Tomorrow morning should wrap up all of our candidate interviews. If Ehrlich and O'Malley's schedules clear up we'll provide their interviews at a later point.

On a personal note, I want to thank each and every one of the 38 Candidates we interviewed. I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you and enjoyed learning what each of you are all about and what you had to offer your districts.

Of course, (off camera) we were able to discuss a whole lot more and as everyone came to learn, 10 minutes flies by before you know it. I want to also thank G.A. Harrison for assisting with the questions asked to each candidate.

Folks, we did everything we could to get Ehrlich and O'Malley on board. I'm not giving up hope but if the Eastern Shore isn't important enough for these candidates to get on board, well, I think that speaks volume.

We'll provide another update on how many views each candidate received and we expect those numbers to rise as we get closer to the actual primary election. We will also provide a different format for each district as we'll publish these interviews in order, (per district) once again as we get closer to the primary election.

Because of these interviews, I have been invited by the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress to be one of the Panelists in the States Attorney Forum on September 1st at the MAC Center. I will come to that event loaded with 10 strong questions for the three candidates, just in case someone else asks a similar question before I get the chance to ask mine.

We hope you have enjoyed these interviews, the questions asked and the candidates responses. More importantly, we hope this format helped you to get to know each candidate better in order to make a sound decision in this election. We will be interviewing each candidate once again before the General Election.

Bear Mauls Caretaker To Death In Ohio

Animal's owner, Sam Mazzola, has checkered past on animal rights issues

COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio — A bear whose owner was a target of animal rights protesters for staging bear wrestling shows mauled its caretaker to death, authorities said Friday.

24-year-old Brent Kandra, of Elyria, died Friday morning at MetroHealth Medical Center, the coroner's office in Cleveland said. He had been taken by medical helicopter after the Thursday evening attack in Columbia Township southwest of Cleveland.

An investigator in Ohio said the bear attacked while the caretaker and owner fed the animal.
Capt. James Drozdowski of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office said Friday that the bear was out of its cage at the time of the attack. He said that's not unusual and it's not clear why the animal became aggressive.

Deputies who responded said the bear was contained in its cage without further problems. A rescue squad took the bear's owner, Sam Mazzola, from the scene Thursday with an unspecified medical problem.

GO HERE to read more.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO TOUR NASA WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 20, 2010) – On Monday, Governor Martin O’Malley will tour the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, one of the oldest launch sites in the world. NASA and the other organizations at Wallops, including the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) employ approximately 1,800 civilian positions, including government and contractor jobs, 700 of which are held by Marylanders.

Governor O’Malley will take a tour of the facility, including the Range Control Center and the rocket launch facilities on Wallops Island. During the Island portion of the tour, he will see the construction of the new launch pad for MARS and the U.S. Navy Surface Combat Systems Center.

In June of this year, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center awarded the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Range Operations Contract to LJT & Associates, Inc., an engineering firm based in Columbia, Maryland. The contract runs for five years and is valued at approximately $117 Million. The company will provide support services to manage the Wallops Research Range operations and maintenance; training; command, control, and communications information; and computer systems services.

BREAKING NEWS

Escaped prisoner near Ocean Pines and River Run near Beauchamp Rd.

MSP sending dogs and helicopter to search.

Prisoner is still in handcuffs, wearing a grey shirt with black writing on it.

Seems to have escaped from Ocean Pines Police custody.

Escaped prisoner near Ocean Pines is a light skinned black male, 5 feet 7 in tall, 132 pounds.

Update: Prisoner escaped from custody in Ocean Pines Police Department by ripping
handcuff from wall attachment, so escapee should have handcuff on only one hand.

There is some doubt as to color of shirt....there have been 3 colors
given....grey, yellow, black???

Search area is focused on corn field and wooded
area just off Beauchamp Rd near the white horse trailer park.

Car alarms have
been activated in the area with the assumption the prisoner is trying to steal a
car for a getaway.

The communication between the various departments involved
and the Trooper 4 helicopter is a mess, hindering the search.

Update #2

As of 12:45 pm the escaped prisoner still has not been apprehended. Helicopter
search has been suspended. The escaped prisoner was was under arrest and in
Ocean Pines police custody for breaking into cars in the Ocean Pines area. I
hope that someone is able to determine how this could have happened. How on
earth does a prisoner break out of a police department jail in this day and age.

August 2010

AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT AUGUST 2010.

This August has
5 Sundays,
5 Mondays,
5 Tuesdays,
all in one month. It happens once in 823 years.

I probably will miss it next time

Candidate Brian Murphy To Be At Wicomico Farm & Home Show TODAY

I was just informed that Brian Murphy, GOP candidate for Governor, will be at the Farm and Home show TODAY (Friday) at 5:00 for an hour or hour-and-a-half. He'll be at the Wicomico GOP table, and he plans to speak around 5:15.

GO HERE to see Brian's interview with Salisbury News.

John Phoebus’s Job Creation Proposal

In this year’s election, what is the NUMBER 1 ISSUE? JOBS! This is particularly so on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. While some candidates attempt to divert attention from the job exodus we’ve experienced over the last decade by pointing to the government sector, House 38-A candidate John Phoebus has proposed a common sense, positive solution. Phoebus wants to reduce or eliminate the state’s corporate income tax.

Yes, we all know the cries we’ll hear from the left – tax breaks for the rich, we need the revenue, etc. etc. Yet, it is these “rich” businesses that will hire people IN MARYLAND, purchase goods and services IN MARYLAND, and pay myriad other taxes and fees IN MARYLAND if only we can convince them that Maryland is a sound place to be in business.

Unfortunately, Maryland already “enjoys” a reputation as one of the most non-business friendly states in the union. A closed shop state with an oppressive regulatory scheme, the once Free State also taxes the life out of businesses – particularly in comparison to its neighbors Virginia and Delaware.

Phoebus’s proposal, coupled with other common sense changes, could well be the ticket IF our state government is genuinely interested in seeing permanent private sector jobs created for its citizens.

READ MORE …

Updated Photo On Lost Cat

Our cat got out in the early morning hours around Glenn Ave elementary and ran away because of the thunder. She is a house cat and our 2 1/2 year old son is wondering where she is. Hoping maybe one of your many readers can help find her. Her name is bobby she is a black calico cat, with orange spot by her left eye and neck. She is very friendly and "talks" a lot.

856-649-5534

Another Salisbury News Milestone

Last week we announced we had reached close to 250,000 comments on Salisbury News.

Well, we're pleased to announce today that Salisbury News is about to reach 30,000 Posts/Articles.

Thanks for visiting Folks!

Yard Sales

CLICK HERE for the upcoming yard sales.

If you have a yard sale you would like to post, please email me at atlanticjw@aol.com. Please type "yard sale" in the subject of your email, as some go to the spam folder. Please have all requests emailed by Thursday evening for Friday's post.

Have a great weekend!

Seaford Man Held On Weapons Charges

Location:
11000 block Orange Blossom Road Seaford, De

DATE and TIME:
Thursday August 19, 2010, 1147 p.m.

Victim(s):
42 year old woman Seaford, De

Defendant(s):
Brian A. Neal-29 Airport Road Seaford, De

Charge(s):
Brian A. Neal
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Aggravated Menacing
Conspiracy Second Degree
Reckless Endangering Second Degree

Resume:
Delaware State Police Thursday August 19, 2010 were summoned to the 11000 block of Orange Blossom Road Seaford for a gun complaint.

Around 11:47 p.m. State Police received a 911 call regarding a person pointing a gun at a victim and then shooting off rounds. State Police contacted a 42 year old Seaford woman who advised she observed two individuals walking in the area of German Road Seaford. The victim recognized one of the suspects and inquired into their course of business. A second unidentified suspect is alleged to have taken a shotgun from Brian A. Neal and pointed it at the victim. The victim who was in a vehicle drove away and shortly thereafter heard two shoots being fired presumably in the air.

Following the incident Delaware State Police observed two individuals fleeing the area of Concord Pond Road Seaford. Brian A. Neal was apprehended however the 2nd suspect got away. State Police is continuing their investigation in attempt to identify the 2nd suspect.

Neal was arrested for Possession of a Deadly weapon by a person prohibited and additional criminal charges. Neal was remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute on $7,500 cash bond.

Pohanka Service Center Open On Weekends, Including Sunday

Just How Important Is The States Attorney Race In Wicomico County

One thing that truly amazes me about the States attorney race in Wicomico County AND Worcester County is the fact that most of the candidates chose NOT to do an interview with Salisbury News.

It has been reported that Seth Mitchell believes Joe Albero doesn't like him, so he refused to do one. Since when is this about Joe Albero? I have proven to be fair with each and every candidate. I bit my toungue in many interviews and did everything in my power to keep from expressing any emotions as well.

That being said, Seth, are you just as afraid of other attorneys when you go to trial? If you think you're going to get beat, do you just settle cases out of court?

Moving on, Davis Ruark also chose not to do an interview until after the primary. I should add, the same can be said for Joel Todd in Worcester County. Both men stated they have too much on their plate. No matter their strategy and or excuses, each of these candidates serve at the pleasure of the citizens and in my honest opinion they should step forward and express their answers to our questions. They have the experience to do these interviews and quite frankly I think it is somewhat a smack in the face to those who vote/voted for each of them.

Matt Maciarello has stated from day one that he will follow whatever Davis Ruark chose to do. Considering Matt doesn't have a primary, it makes sense. However, getting your message out there to the voting public and even perhaps taking advantage of the fact that the other two candidates have chosen not to do their interviews, I would have jumped at the opportunity.

Now, Salisbury News is not the greatest thing ever to happen to Wicomico County or the Eastern Shore and I'm not upset that many candidates chose not to do an interview, that's their choice. Salisbury News wanted to give each and every candidate an opportunity to put their best foot forward. We have an audience 2nd to none, there's no denying that any more. The mere fact that this Blog did some 38 interviews speaks volume. The local MSM, (WBOC & WMDT) chose to sit back and not go through the time and expense of providing such a format and quite frankly I can't blame them. It is extremely time consuming and in their case, air time is money.

However, what are the biggest issues facing Wicomico County right now Folks? CRIME!!!

Many of us want answers and playing CHESS is not acceptable to me, nor should it be for you. Like Joe Albero or not, I have proven to show respect for each and every candidate and their excuses simply will not fly.

That being said, I think it's important enough to make one last offer to each of these candidates to step up to the plate and do an interview. The questions are the same as I asked Beau Oglesby, (the only candidate willing to put it all on the line). I am willing to take time this weekend and or early next week to do so.

If you hadn't ever noticed just how busy my schedule is each and every day, let me assure you of one thing, IT IS VERY BUSY! This is by far one of the most important races in Wicomico County and it should be treates as such.

I'll close with this. Each candidate should know that this is one of the biggest questions I get asked, why won't Davis and Matt do an interview. Last Call Gentlemen.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL JOBS GAINED

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 20, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement that, for the fifth straight month, Maryland experienced job growth. In July, Maryland employers added 500 jobs to their payrolls, with unemployment remaining steady at 7.1 percent. This marks the best performing January – July period in Maryland since 1999, as Maryland performs at triple the national job growth rate since January.

“Since January, Maryland employers have added more than 40,000 jobs to their payrolls. Our ability to sustain job growth, which is now triple the rate of the rest of the nation, is encouraging considering that national payrolls have declined over the past two months. Maryland’s unemployment rate remains about 25 percent below the national average, and our private sector has now added jobs for five consecutive months, proving that in these tough economic times, we continue to improve the conditions that allow businesses - large and small - to create and save jobs.”

Five New Kittens Up For Adoption

GO HERE to see these kittens.

Ehrlich Pledges To Restore Portion Of Local Transportation Aid Raided By Governor O’Malley

OCEAN CITY – As part of his plan to get Maryland working again, Bob Ehrlich today announced that his first budget as Governor will restore 25 percent of the local transportation aid that Governor Martin O’Malley raided last year. The restoration will equal approximately $60 million and will help local governments maintain deteriorating roads, improve public safety, and strengthen Maryland’s economy.

Ehrlich’s announcement comes two days after Martin O’Malley told The Frederick News-Post he couldn’t restore local transportation aid and five days after he told NPR that “there was no more room to build roads” in Maryland.

“We can’t get Maryland working again if our commuters are languishing on unsafe, deteriorating roads,” Ehrlich said. “The severity of the O’Malley Administration’s fund transfers needlessly puts commuters at risk, squanders economic productivity, and shortchanges the local governments charged with keeping our roads safe and well maintained for residents. I fully recognize the budget crisis facing our state, yet I also recognize we will not get our economy moving again with residents traveling on unsafe roads.”

As Governor, Bob Ehrlich enacted an ambitious plan that generated $247 million in new transportation funding per year and helped launch 123 new road, bridge, and transit projects statewide. The O’Malley Administration has failed to enact any similar plan in four years.
According to The Gazette Newspapers, Montgomery County's share of the highway user funds went from $39 million to $1.3 million. Prince George's County's share dropped from $33.5 million to $1.2 million. Frederick County's dropped from $16.4 million to $563,000. Baltimore County's portion plunged from $37 million to $1.2 million. St. Mary's County's went from $6.9 million $223,000. Baltimore City had its share cut by $66 million. Somerset County saw its transportation aid drop from $2.9 million to $96,000.

Don't Miss the August Third Friday Our Best Ever!

Dear Third Friday Fans,

Get ready for another fantastic Third Friday this August! Downtown Salisbury will be filled with "Summer Sounds" as we showcase three dynamic bands and an array of talented artists.

Stop by the Art Institute & Gallery to check out a special exhibition by the Clay Guild of the Eastern Shore. Bring your friendly dog downtown to participate in the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council's "Dog Days of Summer" event. Looking for a bargain? Downtown merchants are staging the Amazing Sidewalk Sale with deals up to 75% off! Enjoy free swing dance lessons at 7 at St. Peter's Church, followed by an evening of ballroom dancing.

So mark your calendar and head downtown to Salisbury's Arts & Entertainment District this Friday from 5-8 p.m. for an evening of art, music, shopping, food, and fun!

Joni Simpson

"As a local Fine art photographer, I have truly enjoyed supporting Third Friday since it began a year ago. Bringing the arts to Downtown Salisbury is exciting to me and watching the plaza so full of people each month gives me hope that something more can happen for The Arts and for Downtown in our area.

In addition to being a Fine Art and Fashion photographer, I am also a Wedding and Portrait photographer. I have been photographing weddings for almost twenty years and I am grateful that my clients have allowed me to do so with a sensitive and artistic vision. My greatest desire for my photography is to create images that will inspire emotion in the viewer. Through my lighting, sense of motion, and expression I want to take the viewer to an ethereal and timeless place, not of their own world. I am beginning to explore more with models and hope to move further into the area of surrealism."

Joni Simpson's images will be on display this 3rd Friday outside of Parker Place.

Much Much More......