Andy Harris Raises Nearly $200,000 During Pre-Primary Period

Andy Harris Raises Nearly $200,000 During Pre-Primary Period

Reports $944,000 Cash on Hand

SEVERNA PARK, Md. – Andy Harris reports today raising $193,212, bringing the total raised for the 2009-2010 cycle to $1,650,033. Harris has $944,197 cash on hand going into the General Election.

“We have once again seen tremendous support in this abbreviated fundraising period, continually proving that people are fed up with business as usual in Washington,” said Harris.

“Maryland’s First District is ready for a new Congressman, one who doesn’t raise most of his money from inside-the-Beltway special interests. This reporting period shows I have the support and resources to make that happen.” Harris filed his FEC Pre-Primary report today, which accounts for all monies raised and spent from July 1st – August 25th.

Andy Harris is a Republican candidate running for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. Harris, a practicing physician, and his wife Cookie have five children. For more information, please visit www.andyharris.com.

O'MALLEY AND BROWN TO VOTE EARLY

Bob Ehrlich Called Early Voting "An Insult to Maryland Voters," Still Opposes Common-Sense Early Voting Law

Baltimore, MD - To help spread the word about the first-ever early voting in Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov Anthony Brown are casting their ballots early.

Governor and Katie O'Malley will vote early tomorrow in Baltimore, while Lieutenant Governor Brown will vote early in Landover. Tomorrow marks the start of a six-day period in which registered voters may cast their ballots early in the September primary election.

"Early voting is a great way to increase participation in our democratic process and empower more Marylanders to make their voices heard," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "I encourage people of all political backgrounds to take advantage of this first-ever opportunity."

Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown agreed with O'Malley and offered the following assessment of Bob Ehrlich's attempts to oppose early voting:

"It's shameful that Bob Ehrlich opposed common-sense efforts to make it easier to vote," said Brown. "Ehrlich vetoed a bipartisan early voting bill when he governor and even called early voting 'an insult to Maryland voters.' The real insult to Maryland voters would be to allow Maryland to slide backwards with another four years of Bob Ehrlich in the governor's mansion."

DelDOT To Suspend Construction Projects Over Labor Day Weekend

Dover -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reminds travelers to anticipate increased traffic on Delaware's major highways starting on Friday, September 3, for the upcoming holiday weekend. Peak travel times are expected to occur from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 3 and Monday, September 6. All construction projects underway will be shut down by noon on Friday, September 3, except in the event of an emergency. Construction jobs will resume on Tuesday, September 7.

The Department of Transportation has added a new feature to their interactive map, which shows real time traffic delay information for the public. The dots on the map change color to represent the level of delay from "No Delay" to "Stop & Go". By selecting "Interactive Traffic Maps" at DelDOT, you can view detailed traffic volume, speed, and delay information. As part of DelDOT's Integrated Transportation Management System (ITMS), a variety of detection devices have been installed along Delaware's roadways to provide real time traffic information to DelDOT's 24 hour Transportation Management Center and to the public.

DelDOT's Transportation Management Center (TMC) monitors over 5,500 miles of state-maintained roads around the clock. TMC personnel, through a variety of automated systems, that include electronic detection and video cameras will observe the state-wide road network and adjust traffic signals in response to increased congestion or incidents.

Additional staff will be at the I-95 Newark Toll Plaza, Route 1-Biddle's Corner Toll Plaza, and Route 1-Dover Toll Plaza to reduce traffic congestion.

Mikulski Scared Of Wargotz Ad

Senator Mikulski has sent out an email (see the text below) responding to our latest television ad. It is clear Mikulski is scared of people finding out about her 34 years of wasteful spending, raising taxes, and roaming Washington with other political insidersauruses like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.

Mikulski realizes she is in the fight of her political life and she realizes Eric Wargotz is a threat which is why she responded so quickly to the television ad.

View the ad on http://www.politicalinsidersaurus.com/

Highlighted Events This Week And Next Week In Wicomico Schools

6:28 p.m. Thursday, 5:27 p.m. Friday, 11:59 a.m. Saturday
Dress Code Special Edition
PAC 14

A special dress code edition of "Working Together for Children" will air on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14) at 6:28 p.m. Thursday, 5:27 p.m. Friday and 11:59 a.m. Saturday. The show features a group discussion on the new dress code, with fashion shows by students at Salisbury Middle School and Wicomico High School to show what is and is not allowed under the new dress code. Check the Programming grid at www.pac14.org for additional times this month. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air. Please call 410-677-4529 or e-mail fwilson@wcboe.org for information.

Monday, Sept. 6
Labor Day
Schools and Central Office closed

Tuesday, Sept. 7
Registration for Evening High School Begins
Wicomico High School, Building E

Fall registration for Evening High School will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7, in Building E of Wicomico High School. Registration will take place from 4-7 p.m. on these dates: Sept. 7, 8, 9 and 13. Classes begin Sept. 15. To register, bring in a birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of residency (any utility bill or rent/mortgage statement), and transcript from last school attended. Students already attending a Wicomico County high school during the day and wishing to attend Evening High School at night must bring to registration a blue form completed by the high school guidance counselor. 410-677-4537.

Yorkie Found Off Pemberton Drive

My daughter found a lost Yorkie Terrier last night on Pemberton Drive just outside of Pemberton Ponds. The dog is a male with light brown hair and grey hair on the back. If anyone knows the owner please contact me at 443-614-6943

Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Tuesday, Sept. 14
Primary Election
Schools and Central Office closed

Thursday, Sept. 16
Monthly meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education
Board of Education Office

The Wicomico County Board of Education will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., due to schools being closed on the regular Tuesday meeting day. An agenda will be posted prior to the meeting at www.wcboe.org.

Saturday, Sept. 18
Anti-Bullying Rally with Actress Sammi Hanratty
Sailwinds Park, Cambridge

Shore students are invited to take part in a back-to-school Anti-Bullying Rally Sept. 18 at Sailwinds Park, featuring an appearance by television and film actress Sammi Hanratty. The rally is free and open to all from 12-4 p.m. at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge. Sammi, who starred as the title character in “An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong” and has appeared on TV on “Pushing Daisies,” “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “iCarly,” will appear at the event from 12-1 p.m. with an anti-bullying message and a Q&A session, pictures and autographs. The event will also feature games, the Horn Point Laboratory touch tank, moonbounces and rock-climb-slide, McGruff the Crime Dog, many other activities, and prizes. This event is presented by MTS Broadcasting of Cambridge. 410-228-4800.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO PRESS FROM STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

S.A.R.A.H.’s house, the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, began an investigation in the child sexual abuse of a ten year old girl in May 2009, investigation concluded in January 2010.

Investigation revealed that Rahymeen Barber sexual abused the victim beginning in June 2003, until April 2009.

The matter was tried to a jury on September 1 & 2, 2010, before the Honorable Donald C. Davis. The jury found Ingram guilty on nine counts - 1 count of child sexual abuse, 1 count of second degree rape, 1 count of second degree sexual offense 3 counts of third degree sexual offense, and 3 counts of second degree assault.

Pursuant to statute, a pre-sentence investigation and mental health evaluation was ordered; it is expected that sentencing will occur within the next sixty days.

Davis R. Ruark, State’s Attorney for Wicomico County, states:

“This is another example of the fine work of the investigators, social workers, therapists and the Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to handle child abuse victims. The CAC concept continues to work well to effectively and efficiently prosecute child sexual offenders. We are blessed to have such a fine Center, S.A.R.A.H.’s House, to professionally handle cases of child abuse. The citizens of Wicomico County have one of the most effective Child Advocacy Centers in the entire region. As State’s Attorney I can’t say enough about the work they do. As a result, the victim in this case has a hope for a normal life. Victims deserve all of our support.”

For additional information please contact either Davis R. Ruark, State’s Attorney for Wicomico County, or Jamie L. Dykes, Assistant State’s Attorney for Wicomico County.

Wargotz Releases First TV AD

KANNAPOLIS DOWNS DELMARVA, 8-5, IN SERIES FINALE

‘Birds Earn Third Straight Series Split

Salisbury, Md. – The Kannapolis Intimidators plated four unanswered runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-5 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The Intimidators plated three runs in the top of the first inning against lefty Nick Haughian. The first three batters; Ryan Lee, Jake Oester and Tyler Saladino all reached on hits and all came into score.

Kannapolis built a 4-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Ryan Lee to score Juan Silverio, who reached on an error by Garabez Rosa.

The ‘Birds chipped into the deficit in the fourth inning. Tyler Stampone led off with a single through the right side of the infield. Later in the frame, Omar Casamayor singled Stampone to second. Then, Gary Helmick hit a soft flare to shallow right field to score Stampone.

Kannapolis tacked a run in the fifth to establish a 5-1 lead. Ian Gac led off with a single. Trayce Thompson followed with a single. Two batters later, Jordan Cheatham singled to load the bases. Then, Kevin Dubler walked to force home Gac.

Haughian was removed from the game after 4.2 innings. He allowed eight hits and four earned runs.

The Shorebirds pushed within two runs in the seventh inning. Gary Helmick started the frame with a double down the left field line. Rosa followed with a single to score Helmick. Mikey Planeta then sacrificed Rosa to second with a bunt. Two batters later, Trent Mummey blasted a triple to the right-center field wall to score Rosa.

The Intimidators extended the lead to 8-3 with one run in the eighth and two runs in the ninth.

The Shorebirds fought back in the ninth with two more runs but fell short. Ty Kelly ripped an RBI triple to right-center in his first at-bat of the game.

Kannapolis starter Andre Rienzo earned the win in six innings. He struck out nine and walked just one batter.

The Shorebirds begin their final series of the season on Friday night against the Augusta Greenjackets at 7:05 p.m.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 9/2 vs. Kannapolis

STAT OF THE DAY: The Shorebirds are 12-20 this season in games that serve as the series finale.

PREVIEW: The Shorebirds recorded their sixth shutout win of the season and first since July 15 last night by topping Kannapolis 1-0. Scott Copeland tossed a six inning gem in his debut to earn the win while James Brandhorst and David Walters finished the shutout. Omar Casamayor recorded the RBI hit in the second inning to plate Levi Carolus. The Shorebirds aim for win number 60 tonight. The only team in Shorebirds history (15 years) that failed to win 60 games was the 1999 squad (58-80).

FIRST SERIES WIN: With a win tonight, the Shorebirds would win their first since mid-July when they beat West Virginia (July 14-18) four games to one. The Shorebirds have won only two series in the second half.

ASSISTING THE TEAM: Right fielder Mikey Planeta leads the South Atlantic League with 16 outfield assists this season. The last player to record more than 16 was Arturo Rivas, who notched 17 in 2005. According to the current MILB stats portal and The Baseball Cube, nobody in Shorebirds history has ever recorded more than 17 outfield assists in a single season.

WINNING RECORD AT HOME: The Shorebirds are in danger of suffering their first losing season at home since at least the 2004 season. They are currently 31-35. The Shorebirds have had winning records at home in each of the six years (229-180 between 2004-2009).

Trouble In Camden Even Before The Storm Arrived

Our friend Michael Stanley took these photos yesterday on Camden Ave where a large tree snapped and fell into the roadway. Public Works did a fantastic job clearing up the roadway to get things back to normal.

Earl Is A Joke

While the East Coast prepared for what many thought was going to be a huge storm, WBOC placed reporters in three different locations along the coast from Virginia to Maryland to Rehoboth. They were showing live footage and at one point, (I'm not kidding) one of them held out a kitchen trash bag in the wind to give you an example of just how strong the winds are, yes, they can even blow a trash bag around like the one I'm showing you.

Lacey Grifith was down in Virginia and her hair was blowing around so hard she actually had to put on a baseball cap. She's adorable.

My point is, when these Weathermen exaggerate and build up these scare tactics throwing many into a panic, it not only cost money in lost revenue, it gets someone like me out of bed extra early to see how things are going, only to learn, well, its not. I guess the "what if" factor comes into play, just in case things change. You know, like this past winter when we had those two serious snow storms, yet no one predicted they'd be anywhere near as bad as they became.

You'd think after all these years and technology being so advanced, satellites able to track the storms and so forth, they'd be able to predict bad weather. No matter what though, there are those Firefighter Minded People who always want us scared and prepared for the worst because, well, you know, it could happen. That's why we're getting a $900,000.00 Fire Boat, right?

The scare tactic worked. Worcester Prep School is closed for the day.

HOW MANY STATE EMPLOYEES' JOBS WOULD BOB EHRLICH "RESTRUCTURE"?

Baltimore, MD (Sept. 2, 2010) - Today, in response to Bob Ehrlich's blatant attempt to pander to state employees by promising to end furloughs, O'Malley-Brown Campaign Manager Tom Russell issued the following statement:

"Bob Ehrlich's insincere overtures to state employees represent election-year pandering at its worst. Ehrlich promises state workers he'll end furloughs, but he won't tell them about his plans to layoff state employees. It's a familiar pattern with Ehrlich--promise the moon but deliver nothing.

"In contrast, Governor O'Malley has been honest about the tough decisions we've made together to cut spending and at the same time keep our workers on the job. Like every family in our state that has had to tighten its belt, Governor O'Malley has asked our state employees to do more with less over these last four years and they have delivered results for the people of our state."

Speaking on his radio show earlier this year, Ehrlich said "I just think it [furloughing employees] is a bad management practice...I'd much rather restructure...If you're going to restructure a number of jobs, you do it. But furloughs is really a slow bleed." [Kendel and Bob Ehrlich Show, WBAL-AM, 1/30/10]

Click here to listen to the audio of Ehrlich's comments.

Ehrlich was expected to address the furlough issue at an endorsement event with the Maryland Classified Employees Association. The Executive Director of MCEA is a former Republican Delegate and current Republican candidate for that same office.

Did NIST Edit WTC 7 Footage To Hide Evidence Of Implosion?

After filing a lawsuit that prompted NIST to release more than 3 terabytes of photographs and videos from their investigation into the collapse of the twin towers and WTC 7 on 9/11, the International Center for 9/11 Studies has obtained evidence that suggests NIST edited several videos of the collapse of Building 7 in order to hide evidence of a controlled implosion.

The Center filed a FOIA Request with NIST on January 26, 2009, seeking production of “all of the photographs and videos collected, reviewed, cited or in any other way used by NIST during its investigation of the World Trade Center building collapses.” Following several unsuccessful attempts to get NIST to even acknowledge receipt of the Request, the Center was forced to file a lawsuit on May 28, 2009. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the Request was assigned a reference number, and NIST began periodically releasing batches of responsive records.

The Center has now begun posting some of those images and videos online, the first batch of which is from an external hard disk drive “NIST WTC Investigation Cumulus Video Clips.”
In one of the clips, the video of which has been in the public domain for years, a loud, low-frequency boom can be heard just before the east penthouse of WTC 7 falls. Once the support columns that held up the penthouse are taken out, the rest of the building falls almost within its own footprint.

GO HERE to read more and see videos.

All-You-Can-Eat Crab Special At The Red Roost

Guard Dog Security Systems

Click on image to enlarge.

Hurricane Preparedness Actions In Place For City Of Salisbury

Mayor James Ireton Jr. announced Thursday that the City of Salisbury began hurricane preparedness operations as Earl approaches the Mid-Atlantic on Monday of this week. City officials have been attending Wicomico County Emergency Operations Center meetings this week.

The Director of Public Works, Teresa Gardner has reported the following preparations from her department: Catch basins are being checked for any debris issues; flushing of several key storm drains is complete; preventative maintenance on generators, chain saws and other storm related equipment is complete; review of staffing and job responsibilities is complete; review of standard operating procedures for storm water events at the wastewater and water plants and offsite facilities is complete; preparing of sand bags, fueling all equipment, checking and adjusting dams as required for event is complete; and staff has determined hot spots of tidal flooding in the past that need constant monitoring. A skeleton crew for Public Works will report to work at 4:00 AM as Earl makes landfall. Emergency contact information for Salisbury Public Works is 410-548-3177.

Acting Deputy Fire Chief Bragg with the Salisbury Fire Department is adhering to the following schedule: September 1, Wednesday- Checked saws; fueled extra gas cans on the equipment made sure hand tools are ready to go on all equipment;  tested and fueled in-house generators to be sure they are working properly. September 2, Thursday-Staffing an extra Engine with volunteers at all three stations in the city beginning at 1900 hours. Thursday morning begin topping off the fuel tanks in all apparatus at all three stations. September 3, Friday-Staffing an Engine at Station One with volunteers

Feds Go After Sheriff Joe

The U.S. Justice Department sued Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Thursday, saying the Arizona lawman refused for more than a year to turn over records in an investigation into allegations his department discriminates against Hispanics.

The lawsuit calls Arpaio and his office's defiance "unprecedented," and said the federal government has been trying since March 2009 to get officials to comply with its probe of alleged discrimination, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and having English-only policies in his jails that discriminate against people with limited English skills.

Arpaio had been given until Aug. 17 to hand over documents it first asked for 15 months ago.

Arpaio's attorney, Robert Driscoll, declined immediate comment on the lawsuit, saying he had just received it and hadn't yet conferred with his client.

Arpaio's office had said it has fully cooperated in the jail inquiry but won't hand over additional documents into the examination of the alleged unconstitutional searches because federal authorities haven't said exactly what they were investigating.

It's the latest action against Arizona by the federal government, which earlier sued the state to stop its strict new immigration law that requires police officers to question people about their immigration status.

"The actions of the sheriff's office are unprecedented," said Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for the department's civil rights division. "It is unfortunate that the department was forced to resort to litigation to gain access to public documents and facilities."

More here

[I'd say the actions of the US Justice Department are equally 'unprecedented'-- Editor]

The $64,000.00 Question Continued

As promised last night, the following is again, the $64,000.00 question and then the answer from States Attorney Davis Ruark.

Mr. Ruark – We all know that you encountered some personal problems during this last term. Why should the voters of Wicomico County be willing to overlook those and re-elect you to a seventh term?

Davis started his response with, “I was wrong”.

Ruark admitted what he’d done that night. He admitted it to his Mother. He admitted it to his Wife and Family. The very next day, a Saturday, he admitted it privately to his Staff and then he admitted it the all of the news media. He asked for forgiveness from God, from his family, from his Staff and from the community. He is grateful for all of the support that He's received. As a result of what occurred, he believes that he is a better State’s Attorney, a better man, a better husband and a better father.

I want to start of by thanking the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress for inviting me to last night's event. It was an honor being invited and I sincerely hope this sends a clear message out to those nay sayers, Salisbury News is the new generation of news and information.

To the few people who mocked me last night after I asked that question, hopefully today you can see why it needed to be asked. WE THE PEOPLE have every right in an open format to get the answer to what is by far the biggest thing on every one's mind referencing this race.

After all, scroll down and look at the rest of the questions we were going to ask. It's clear to me that the ONLY reason Matt and Seth are running is because of a personal flaw in Davis Ruark. NOT because there's anything wrong with the States Attorney's Office. Davis made a horrible mistake. Davis owned that mistake, apologized, asked for forgiveness and over the past 2 years has proven to change his personal life and better the States Attorney's Office through this experience.

Now, will there be people out there who may never forgive him for his actions, perhaps. However, I want ALL of you to think really hard about what I'm about to say. The ONLY reason there should be ANY change in that Office would be based on performance or the lack thereof. Mr. Ruark has been the Wicomico States Attorney for 24 years now. He has not been challenged because his performance has been impeccable. Well, maybe I've gone too far in that statement. However, now that he's made a mistake, others are coming out of the wood shed to challenge him because they feel he's vulnerable. That may be true and Davis Ruark could possibly lose this election because of such a mistake. However, he'd never lose it because he failed to do his job or run his Office properly.

Now, in my honest opinion, Seth did a horrible job last night. You know what Folks. Seth reminds me of that kid always complaining he didn't get his way. Those perky lips, like a pout, shoulda, coulda, woulda. Stomping his feet as Daddy gets out of his Rolls Royce saying, now Seth, you shouldn't have done that, GO TO YOUR ROOM! Pucker, pucker, stomp, stomp! Not my idea of the next States Attorney. My guess (if Seth were to win) is that 75% of the Staff in the States Attorneys Office would search for new jobs immediately. That's a scary thought Folks, especially with crime being so high in Wicomico County. Better keep that in mind when you go to the polls.

Matt did a fabulous job last night. A bit green but seriously coming on strong. Matt doesn't have a primary so we'll save our statements about him for later on. I will say his performance as a young man was quite convincing. In all honesty, however, it's the lack of experience that concerns me as well as others. Look, if I can ask Davis the $64,000.00 question, clearly we need to address the hardest question Matt will face and that's the lack of experience.

There's no question I personally like Matt. I truly do not know Seth as last night was only the second time I've met him face to face. I will add, last night Seth walked up to me and said, "Hi Joe, I'm Seth Mitchell." I replied, I know Seth, we've met before. He looked confused and I said, remember, the NAACP Forum? "Oh yeah, that's right, we spoke about Matt there." That was only a few weeks ago and I find it hard to believe that once you've met Joe Albero face to face that you'd FORGET you ever did so. I hope that doesn't come off wrong Folks but come on now, seriously.

We'll have more on last night later today.