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Monday, October 12, 2009

WICOMICO NEIGHBORHOOD CONGRESS SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION

In his first “State of the County” address in 2006, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. issued a call for the creation of an all-volunteer neighborhood congress. Mr. Pollitt said that the purpose of the congress would be to “bring together all of the neighborhoods of our county for their common good and improvement.” Following that, the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress (WNC) came into being and is planning its second annual convention on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:15 P.M. at Salisbury University’s Guerrieri Center’s Nanticoke Room. Pollitt said that “All are welcome but I particularly encourage members of the many county neighborhood associations to attend.”

According to Cindy Pilchard, the event chairman, WNC President and Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton will introduce presentations by First Sergeant Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Margaret Enloe and lawyer Michael A. Pretl. Mr. Pretl will advise on how to establish a successful neighborhood association.

The main topics for the convention include promoting public safety and reducing crime; starting a neighborhood crime watch; evaluating water quality in the county and the benefits of building a conservation-friendly rain garden.

A Message From Congressional Candidate Andy Harris

Just a quick note - I'm going to be on the Ron Smith show TODAY (Oct. 12th) from 4-5PM talking about Health Care.

Please tune in and I hope you enjoy the interview!WBAL AM 1090 http://www.wbal.com/ ; You can click the "Listen Live" button on the upper left to hear it on the Internet.

Thanks so much!

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA



Meeting #20 October 12, 2009 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:06 p.m. PROCLAMATION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
Proclaiming "White Cane Safety Day"

6:11 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
September 28, 2009

Resolution No. 1835 - accepting funds awarded through a grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development, American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Stimulus Fund Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing Program

Resolution No. 1836 - adding two rifles forfeited by the Circuit Court of Wicomico County to the Salisbury Police Department’s weapons inventory

Resolution No. 1837 - accepting funds from the United States Department of Homeland Security American Reinvestment and Recovery Act - Port Security Grant Program for the purchase of a rapid response marine vessel

Resolution No. 1838 - accepting donation of miscellaneous firefighting tools and equipment for the Salisbury Fire Department from Salisbury Fire Department Inc., Company No. 1

Resolution No. 1839 - accepting donation of miscellaneous firefighting tools tools equipment for the Salisbury Fire Department from Salisbury Fire Company No. 2

Resolution No. 1840 - accepting donation of miscellaneous self contained underwater breathing apparatus equipment for the Salisbury Fire Department

Resolution No. 1841 - accepting funds awarded through the Community Development Block Grant Recovery Program for a low-mod neighborhood sidewalk creation project

Resolution No. 1842 – accepting grant funds for the construction of the Salisbury potable water storage tank project through the Water Supply GrantProgram

6:17 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland

6:25 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2089 - text amendment to the Salisbury Municipal Code to add assisted living facilities to the Regional Commercial District


6:30 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber

Ordinance No. 2087 - 2nd reading - approving abandonment and relocation of existing utility easements surrounding the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Campus

Ordinance No. 2088 - 2nd reading – amendment to the FY10 General Fund Budget and City Marina Fund Budget to appropriate funds for the increased costs of managing the Marina and repairs and upgrades to the Marina

Ordinance No. 2090 - 1st reading – FY10 budget amendment to budget the receipt of surplus property proceeds and the final payoff of a lease

6:45 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick

Resolution No. 1843 - authorizing residential permit parking on Smith Street between Monticello Avenue and Powell Avenue

Resolution No. 1844 - Enterprise Zone – Bluewater Resources, LLC

Resolution No. 1845 - authorizing mayor to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion, Inc. for the advancement of funds and reimbursement of funds for façade improvement projects

Resolution No. 1846 - accepting the donation of land located in Harbor Pointe Subdivision and identified as Harbor Pointe Subdivision Section 1, Parcel 6 and Harbor Pointe Subdivision Phase II Sec 4A, Parcels 8 and 9

Resolution No. 1833 – adopting proposed Bylaws for PAC 14, Inc.

7:20 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

7:30 p.m. ADJOURN

Copies of the agenda items are available for review in the City Clerk’s Office
Room 305 - City/County Government Office Building
410-548-3140
or on the City’s web site http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/

Salisbury Fire Department To Get Massive Federal Grant



A Salisbury News Exclusive
(Reposted by popular demand)

Salisbury News has learned that the President's Office of Economic Stimulus, in conjunction with the Office of Homeland Security and the Maryland Fire Safety Administration will soon formally announce an award to the Salisbury Fire Department of a grant in the amount of $3.6 million to be used for “augmentation of fire equipment necessary to perform its full and expanded duties.” These funds, should they be accepted by City Council vote and mayoral approval, are to be specifically and solely used, say the grant's administrators, to purchase a vehicle officially catalogued by government fire officials as an Air Suppression Craft, Rigid, Overhead Transport, Mark IV, Firefighting, though usually referred to by its acronym, ASCROTM-4F.

Hailed by SFD heads and some city leaders as a long awaited and much needed asset to extinguish threatening and difficult to control blazes, the craft will join other state-of-the-art equipment in Salisbury's multi-million dollar stables, ready for action if circumstances call for its unique uses. When asked what those circumstances might be, Interim Chief William Gordy explained, “For as long as I can remember, the area has been the site of dozens of potentially devastating marsh fires every year. These are hard to control from the ground because of their remote locations – our hoses just aren't long enough. And we usually don't have a very good turnout of volunteers because they (the fires) somehow usually happen on weekends in the summer and fall. Sometimes in the winter, too, usually right during deer season and the playoffs. All these problems can be overcome by having ASCROTM. It will also put us snug tight in the driver's seat in the whole region, making us the desired mutual assistance asset for the hundred-plus departments within a 100 mile radius. We'll be the ones wearing the pants on this one. Once we get it (the program) unzipped, we're going to be huge and long range. We expect to log in about a thousand hours a year in mutual aid calls, which is going to be a national, if not a world record for a department of our size. It's going to be really big. And the requirements will be stiff. Other departments will want us, but inside, they'll be secretly wishing they were us.”


Fitted with eighty four delivery jets on each side of its 320 foot length, each capable of delivering fire suppressant foam, powder, or water or any combination of the three at a rate exceeding most ground-based equipment, the rigid, lighter than air craft also boasts state-of-the-art communication equipment including WiFi, two 52 inch plasma displays connected to four real-time, downward-looking high resolution color cameras, infra-red cameras, DirecTV with NFL Ticket, PS3 and Wii, a fully functional galley, sleeping quarters and baths to accommodate sixteen, a small but gracious fire blimp museum, a small sundeck, Corinthian leather lounge and cockpit seating surfaces and hardwood floors throughout. Marble countertops were considered, but Gordy said that appliance-matching stainless steel was chosen for its savings in weight and easy care, meaning an extra nine hundred pounds of fire suppressant chemicals and better health department regulation compliance. Kevlar skin over a Nomex insulation layer over a magnesium alloy frame offer unparalleled strength and protection from the elements. Interior and exterior color schemes will be inspired by SFD's newly adopted red and black motif. Fitted firing ports will give those who sacrifice precious deer season hunting hours to their firefighting duties opportunities to bag one or more trophies from the air, with near-effortless pickup of quarry by designated ground support vehicles. Optional full-length JumboTron-like HD screens at both sides of the craft are said to be under consideration as useful public fire safety education devices.

Helium serves as the government-advised gas of choice to lift the craft from its elevated moorings and keep it aloft, but some local fire officials say that helium might not be the best choice. In fact, hydrogen is thought to be the more ideal choice by SFD heads because of its end cost and ease of access. SFD Assistant Chief Rick Hoppes is currently filing an application for a federal government grant to purchase a ground-based, stand-alone high-tech hydrogen generator, which removes hydrogen from plain water, a plentiful commodity here. Said Hoppes, “Yes, once we get this generator, the gas we pump into our ASCROTM will not only be almost painless to the public's pockets, it will save tons of room where the helium tanks would have been stored. And then there's the oxygen that's left over from the process. We were thinking of just letting it escape to the air, but then someone thought we could use it instead of our current compressed air cascade generator system, as concentrated oxygen will last a whole lot longer in a firefighter's tank than plain compressed air, if I'm not mistaken. Lots more room saved there, too, with more of those bulky tanks gone. I have to give credit where credit's due on this one and point to Councilman Gary Comegys, who, as we all know, is not only an accomplished engineer, but a man who is deeply committed to saving the taxpayers' hard earned money and the environment. Thanks go to you, Gary. I'm happy to report that we have determined that the savings will be so great that we're considering making all of our fire equipment hydrogen powered, including the firehouse itself. We'll be scheduling some fact finding trips soon.”


While several SFD members are licensed to fly small private aircraft, none is currently rated to pilot a lighter than air craft. Chief Gordy said, “This is not a problem. By the time our ASCROTM is delivered, we'll have all the qualified people we need inside it to move it around.” Excited prospects to captain the ship can currently be found in the SFD lounge at all hours of the day and night, where on the big plasma screen, Microsoft Flight Simulator has at least temporarily replaced VS, Spike TV and reruns of “The Sopranos.”


Response to the grant announcement by non-SFD City officials, which obviously came as a surprise to some, was mixed:

Mayor James Ireton stated, “You just never know what those people over there are going to do next. I know I don't.”

Council Vice President Gary Comegys, a retired SFD (with pay) volunteer himself, said, “I think this is a important addition to the fire department's equipment. It keeps all of us safe and it'll keep others safe in our region. Some will say that we don't need ASCROTM. I say we do. And with the grant paying for every penny of the whole thing, ASCROTM is a bargain we can't afford to pass up."

Council President Louise Smith went on record by saying, “At this time we have an opportunity here at this time. If it was offered and we could have gotten hold of ASCROTM when I was a young woman in 1886, Salisbury would be a much different place to live and work and play today.”

District One Councilwoman Shanie Shields said, “If we don't get it, somebody else will, and then it's our loss. You know you got to get this stuff while you can. They're not giving it away forever. And we thank Obama for it and all of the other free stimulation money he's been giving us. We each of us knows it's all going to get better.”

Councilwoman Deborah Campbell seemed neither composed nor well-informed by her council peers when she said (from Salisbury News recorded transcript,) “What?! A blimp??!! Where did you hear this? Are they nuts??!! How can we afford a blimp? What do we even need a blimp for?? Do those people know what this will cost? Just off the top of my head, at least $150,000 a year in routine maintenance. A lot more if they dent the fenders, and you know they will the first week and then they'll have to ship it to the factory for repairs. And just where is the factory? Do you know? Vancouver? Washington State. (pause) (audible sigh) Typical. What?! Vancouver, Canada??! (long pause) Just incredible. And $100,000 for insurance, $250,000 for flight school and maintenance training every year. And where are they going to park it? Of course, wherever that is, they're going to want a 300 foot tower with an elevator, and a terminal building at the bottom, and the land to put it on. What's that going to cost, another two million, three million? And who's going to sell the land to the city? Like we don't see that one coming. And then there's going to be maintenance on the building and grounds and tower, too, and several full-time employees to man them, and they'll have to be blimp qualified, too, and.... and.... and......(long pause)
No.
No, no, no and no.
Absolutely not.
Excuse me, please. I have to make some phone calls.”

Councilwoman Terry Cohen seemed similarly surprised: “You're kidding, right? A blimp? Wait... you're not kidding? Holy ****. Excuse me, I have to make some phone calls.”


An official announcement is expected to come soon at a Salisbury Fire Department Headquarters press conference and tour of the ASCROTM-4F itself, which will be on display through the end of November at a site as yet to be made public. Until then, ASCROTM is scheduled to be hovering some 200 feet above Salisbury City Park on successive Sunday evenings, where its port and starboard 90 by 160 foot integrated high definition video screens will present several popular motion pictures, among them Gigi, Roadhouse, The Sound of Music and Tootsie, all perennial Salisbury favorites. A midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is, awaiting Salisbury Police Department approval, tentatively scheduled for Halloween night. Light refreshments will be served at all showings, courtesy of Gordy TigerMarts and the Salisbury Volunteer Auxiliary.


Salisbury News will keep readers up to date with further developments as they unfold.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office - Press Releases



Incident: Burglary
Date of Incident: 10 October 2009
Location: 5000 block of Eastwood Circle, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 16, Eden, MD

Narrative: On 10 October 2009 at 10:51 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported burglary that had occurred in the 5000 block of Eastwood Circle. Upon the arrival of the deputy, a male juvenile was observed standing outside the residence. Investigation revealed that the juvenile entered the residence after he broke a window and entered through that broken window. Prior to entering the residence, the juvenile had also made threats to the subject who lived there that the juvenile would burn the residence down.

The juvenile was placed under arrest and transported to the Sheriff’s Office where the investigating deputy contacted the Department of Juvenile Services. A decision was made to detain the juvenile in the Lower Shore Children’s Center pending formal court action.

Charges: Burglary 4th
Threats of Arson
Malicious Destruction of Property


Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 11 October 2009
Location: 22000 block of Royal Oak Rd, Quantico, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 13 YOA, Quantico, MD

Narrative: On 11 October 2009 at 12:52 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residential youth facility in the 22000 block of Royal Oak Road for the report of a juvenile that had been shot by another juvenile with a .BB gun. Upon arrival, the deputy located a victim that had been shot several times in both the torso and extremities. The deputy identified the juvenile and after an investigation the juvenile turned over an Airsoft gun that the juvenile had hidden.

The deputy completed a juvenile referral for the Assault that will be sent to the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication. The juvenile was left at the residential facility pending formal court action.

Charges: Assault 2nd degree

Incident: Theft / CDS Possession
Date of Incident: 11 October 2009
Location: 31000 block of old Ocean City Road, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Bobby Lee Hornsby, Jr., 29, Willards, MD

Narrative: On 11 October 2009 at 10:36 AM, a deputy began an investigation into the theft of a cell phone that allegedly occurred at a residence in Parsonsburg. The victim provided the deputy with the identity of a possible suspect, Bobby Lee Hornsby. The deputy located Hornsby on Main Street in Willards and discovered that he had the stolen cell phone in question. Upon the deputy placing Hornsby under arrest for theft, the deputy discovered that Hornsby possessed Xanax tablets without a prescription.

Hornsby was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Hornsby was detained by the Commissioner in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Theft under $500.00
Possession of CDS
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Incident: Burglary / Driving Under the Influence
Date of Incident: 12 October 2009
Location: 1500 block of Windham Ct, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Robert Vaughn Horseman, III, 24, Princess Anne, MD

Narrative: On 12 October 2009 at 2:28 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary in progress in the 1500 block of Windham Ct in Salisbury, MD. Upon arrival, the deputies learned that the suspect, later identified as Robert Vaughn Horseman, had attempted to open a bedroom window where the resident was sleeping in what the resident believed was an attempt by Horseman to enter the residence. When that proved unsuccessful, Horseman then attempted to open both the front and rear doors, without success. Horseman then returned to his vehicle and left, heading towards Dykes Road.

Responding Deputies observed Horseman driving on Dykes road in the vehicle that was described by the resident on Windham Ct. Upon stopping Horseman, the deputies detected that Horseman appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

During the investigation, Horseman stated that he came to the residence on Windham Court because he wanted to speak to the resident. The investigating deputy subsequently placed Horseman under arrest for the Attempted Burglary of the residence and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Horseman was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Horseman was released by the Commissioner on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Burglary 4th Degree
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol per se

Releasing Authority: 1st SGT Tim Robinson Date: 12 Oct 2009

Motorcyclist Dies 2 Days After Crash

Location: Silverside Road west of Marsh Road, Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County, DE

Date of Occurrence: Sunday October 4, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.

Victim: Donald Gorsuch, 58, Wilmington, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police are investigating the death of a motorcyclist who died two days after being involved in a crash.

Gorsuch died on Tuesday October 6 at 1222 p.m. at Christiana Hospital of complications from internal injuries he sustained in a crash.

Gorsuch was traveling west on Silverside Road near the entrance of Branmar Plaza on October 4th when a 1997 Ford Taurus was heading east turned left in front of him. Gorsush was driving a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle at the time of the crash. Gorsuch was thrown from his bike after the collision. He was taken to Christiana Hospital and remained there until his death.

The driver of the Ford Taurus was identified as William Touhey, 82, also of Wilmington.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time. Gorsuch was wearing a helmet and Touhey was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed and alcohol are not factors in the crash.

Newark Man Charged With Falsely Reporting Incident And Trading Away Girlfriend’s Car

Location: New Castle County, Delaware

Date: September 16th, 2009, October 10th, 2009 and October 11th, 2009

Suspect(s): Andrew Pruitt, 26, of Paper Mill Road in Newark, Delaware

Resume: To explain this story and how it unfolded, the following release is set forth sequentially….

On Wednesday, Sept 16th, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Troopers were called by Andrew Pruitt who advised officers that he was in the parking lot of the Gulf Station, 2603 Capitol Trail, when he was approached by three or four male subjects. Pruitt advised a robbery ensued at which time he was assaulted and his wallet and cell phone were stolen.

Mr. Pruitt had some injury to his face; however, witnesses contacted at the scene advised they saw no such altercation. Troopers took the report and continued to investigate Pruitt’s claim.

On October 10th, Troopers were called to a Paper Mill Road address in reference to an Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle report. In this case, it was determined that Andrew Pruitt had taken his girlfriend’s vehicle, a 2004 Subaru Legacy, without her permission and fled the home.

Officers took the information pertaining to the missing car and cleared the scene to check the area for the vehicle. While officers were out canvassing the vicinity, they got a call from the vehicle’s owner who advised Pruitt was back at the home, however, he could not advise where the missing car was. Before officers could respond and apprehend him, he left the house again.

The following morning, October 11th, Troopers received a tip call advising Pruitt was at an undisclosed residence in Newark. A computer check revealed Pruitt was currently wanted for failing to appear in the Court of Common Pleas so Troopers responded to this Newark home and took him into custody without incident. He was transported back to Troop 6 for questioning.

Back at Troop 6, officers spoke with Pruitt who advised he had actually traded his girlfriend’s car in exchange for drugs in the City of Wilmington. He did not know where the car currently was and did not know who he traded it to.

After learning this information, Troopers re-interviewed Pruitt about the original robbery report from September (it turned out the same shift that working the day the robbery claim was made was working on this day as well and Troopers remembered him). He admitted lying to police about the robbery and advised he was beaten up in the City of Wilmington by a group of males who thought he had drugs or money on him. He concocted the robbery story to cover his tracks.

Andrew Pruitt was formally charged with the following two offenses: Falsely Reporting an Incident (misdemeanor) and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (misdemeanor). He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a $1,000.00 secured bond.

Note: The Subaru Legacy is still outstanding. It is white in color and is displaing Delaware tag: PC402397. Anyone who spots this vehicle should call 911.

Holiday Mailing Deadlines for Military



EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address.

PAL: PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

SAM: SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

For further answers to your mailing questions please contact (800) ASK-USPS or the Military Postal Agency at 1- 800-810-6098.

Father of Palin Grandchild Posing for Playgirl

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Levi Johnston is going for the ultimate exposure - the 19-year-old father of Sarah Palin's grandchild will pose nude for Playgirl, his attorney said Wednesday.

To get ready for his close-up, Johnston is training three hours a day, six nights a week at an Anchorage gym with a local body builder.

A formal agreement hasn't been reached with the online magazine, but the photo shoot is a "foregone conclusion," said Johnston's attorney, Rex Butler.

Johnston fathered a son with Bristol, the 18-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice presidential candidate who resigned as Alaska's governor in July.

Read More Here

Incredible

LOOK WHAT'S STILL POSTED ON O'BRIEN & GERE'S WEBSITE!

http://www.obg.com/solutions/water/salisbury.aspx

But no mention of the lawsuit by the City of Salisbury.

Mother Charged With Leaving Son Alone In Car At Delaware Park

Location: Parking lot of Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park Boulevard, Wilmington, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, October 11, 2009, at 6:30 p.m.

Suspect(s): A 33-year-old woman from Wilmington, Delaware (whose name is being withheld to protect the identify of her son the victim)

Resume: Yesterday evening, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Troopers were called to Delaware Park for a report of a 12-year-old child who was left in the car alone in the parking lot.

This incident came to light when an alert Delaware Park security guard was on routine patrol and located the male child alone in a vehicle in the parking lot. This vehicle was parked away from the main building and there was no way the parent(s) would be able to see the child from inside the facility.

The boy was taken back to the security office and Troopers were called in to investigate. It was ultimately determined that the boy and his mother arrived at this location at approximately 6:30 p.m. The mom went into the facility and left her son alone in the parking lot for over two hours.

The boy’s mother was located in the main building and brought to the security office. She told authorities that she came to Delaware Park to win some money to take her son to the movies.

Thanks to the security official, the child was unharmed. The Division of Family Services was contacted and advised of the incident.

The mother was released on a $500.00 unsecured bond. The boy was turned over to a family member.

Flash News

The insurance industry just released an audit by one of the big four accounting companies. They claim the health care reform proposals would raise the cost of insurance by $4,000 a year for a family of four, by 2019. This is $2,500 more than it would normally increase.

Of course the Democrat proponents say the plan would reduce costs. The Government has such a good record of reducing costs, we know the accounting firm can't be right. Or can we?

Joel

Elderly Woman Witnesses To man Trying To Rob Her

Author Gross Decries Healthcare Figures As Lie

The multibillion-dollar projection for the Senate healthcare proposal is a government lie that ignores the fact that it would heap additional costs onto states, says best-selling author Martin Gross.

“The $829 (billion) would be all right, but of course that’s a lie,” Gross told Newsmax.TV’s Kathleen Walter. "The government tends to lie almost all the time in regard to money.”

See Video: Martin Gross Says Government Bankrupting Middle Class - Click Here Now

Gross made the comments as he discussed the Congressional Budget Office report projecting that the Senate Finance Committee’s healthcare bill would spend $829 billion on healthcare reform while reducing the budget $81 billion over 10 years.

“They intend to put 15-to-20 million more people on Medicaid," said Gross, has testified six times before congressional committees on the question of waste and spending. "Who picks up the tab? The states. What do states do? They increase property taxes locally. So, this saying they’re not going to raise taxes is a total lie, because the unfunded mandates of Medicaid which the states pay most of is off the books.”
Gross, the best-selling author of "The Government Racket," continues his indictment of government waste in his new book, “National Suicide: How Washington Is Destroying the American Dream.”

Gross alleges the government of the United States is a “juggernaut of mismanagement, malfeasance, and incompetence.”

“This is all an attempt to bankrupt the middle class America in the hope of using (the economic) crisis for a socialist revolution, and it seems to be working,” Gross said.

The United States spends $700 billion a year on welfare, Gross said. Costing $8,000 in tax dollars a family, it is a fortune they can’t afford, Gross said.

“The poor is becoming middle class, and the middle class is becoming poor. It’s a scheme of the federal government (which has) absolutely no interest in the middle class except that they are the golden goose of money.”

“The middle class (is shouldering) the burden,” Gross said. “And I tell you this, middle class people can’t afford to live in America anymore.”

Gross also criticized President Barack Obama’s stimulus package which he also called deceptive.

GO HERE to read more.

Fernando Guerrero Wins Title Fight In Salisbury, Maryland















Let me start by wishing Fernando Guerrero a very Happy Birthday as today. Secondly, I'd like to thank the Guerrero Family for yet another fantastic evening of Boxing in which Fernando and his Brother Alex won both of their matches and Fernando a brand new Belt.

Oscar Duran was a typical African fighter who used every possible trick in the book, including butting heads frequently, even to a point Fernando got a cut just over his left eye requiring 5 stitches.

Duran's corner continued to poor water down the front of Duran's boxer shorts which made the ring very wet all over and very slipery, especially where there was printing on the canvas. This caused a slip in the late rounds in which they called for a standing 8 count against Fernando.

Nevertheless, Oscar failed to truly connect at all during the entire match. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who went to the fight that will claim Fernando got hit quite often but one thing I can assure you of is that he was either hitting Fernando's gloves and or his arms on what looked like body shots.

Seriously, when you see the tapes of this fight you'll clearly see that Duran tired out very quickly, even though he claimed he was doing a ton of training. This allowed Fernando to relax in the last three rounds as Fernando knew Duran didn't have the strength or speed in the last three rounds to do any damage, so he pretty much played with him in the final three rounds.

I met with Hal and Fernando to discuss much of this on Sunday and I have to say, even standing 2 feet from Fernando, you cannot tell he was even cut. They did a beautiful job fixing him up at the Hospital right after the fight and thanks to PRMC, Fernando was able to quickly get over to Brew River where literally more than a thousand people came to the after party. The line to get in was the longest line Brew River had ever seen and they even had to stop allowing people in because there was simply too many people there.

For me personally, I enjoyed the outdoor event but I personally would rather any other fights to be held at the Civic Center. The lighting was better and as I moved around during some of the matches, (as I had done at the Civic Center as well) you could see the ring much better as well as the fights. Nevertheless, I'd like to hear your opinion.

When I get a better chance I'll do another Post about this great fight as well as some of the other fights and upsets.

Today's Survey Question

Would You Prefer To Be Buried Or Cremated?

Highlights From Saturday Night






Understanding The Cap And Trade Energy Plan


Bob Behlke, Vice President of Consumer Affairs at Choptank Electric Cooperative, will be guest speaker at the Mid-Shore Chapter of Americans for Prosperity meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 p.m., at the Dorchester County Library meeting room in Cambridge. Mr. Behlke will talk about the Cap and Trade energy plan and how it may impact our economy and our pocket books.


The public is invited. Americans for Prosperity is a national non-partisan/non-profit organization. For more information, call 410-221-7933 or go to http://www.americansforprosperity.org/.

Deceiving The American People

It is starting to hit close to home. Two dear friends of mine just lost their jobs. One of them voted for "change."

We cannot blame Bush anymore for this economy. Obama took a trillion dollars of our hard-earned money and applied it to his so-called Economic Stimulus Package. Here is the problem: it was not an economic stimulus package. It was a Gift of Worship for Mother Earth:

I have friends who are Oystermen. They have informed me that part of the Obama's Economic Stimulus Package was to provide them with $100 a day if they started the engines of their boats, motor out to the bay and return WITHOUT DOING ANY OYSTERING. I expect Van Jones and the other environmental pagans were happy about this deception, which actually SLOWED the local economy. No oysters being harvested meant no one being paid to shuck them, and no one being paid to package them, and no one being paid to sell them to the grocery stores, and no one being paid to ship them to the stores, and no one being paid to display them in the stores, and no one
being paid to cash out the customer who otherwise would have purchased them. This is criminal.

I wanted to ask my dear friend who voted for "change" if he is still happy about it, but I just didn't have the heart to do so.

How long will we Americans tolerate the lethal combo of Obama and a democratic congress? This lethal combo cannot not succeed--with healthcare or Cap and Trade or anything. America won't survive. Do something!

DECLINE IS A CHOICE

Dr. Charles Krauthammer has written an eight page article, appearing in, the Weekly Standard, that is sure to inflame the ultra left, liberal element of our society. The title is, Decline is a choice, The New Liberalism and the end of American ascendancy. As most people either wont or can't read more than a few paragraphs, I will attempt a summary. Please try to read the entire article.

The fear of China or India is overblown. As we feared Japan in the eighties circumstances will prevent their dominance of the world. However, our current retreat from world leadership by apologizing for being the leader of the free world, is a self inflicted decline. Rather than promote our society, we present America as being corrupt. When we tell the world, we are an imperfect nation, we are in no position to dictate our professed values to others around the world.

The operational consequences of voluntary contraction are already evident. Unilateral abrogation of our missile defense arrangements, indecision on Afghanistan, backing a Chavista in Honduras removed from power by the legitimate organs of the state and don't forget prohibitions on drilling for oil, thus keeping us dependent on foreign sources.

For all our concessions what cooperation have we received from Russia, North Korea, Iran, the Arab states or even our European friends?

Joel

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus

To Purchase Photos Email Me At ksphoebus@gmail.com

U.S. Pumpkin Shortage Creates Little Concern


CENTREVILLE, Va.
When children leave Cox Farms and other pumpkin patches across the nation this fall, they may go home with a gourd instead of the traditional orange pumpkin.
That's because Cox Farms, which hosts one of the Washington area's largest fall festivals this month, is looking at a pumpkin shortage.
Cox Farms marketing manager Bob Richard said a rainy spring in some parts of the country has led to a dearth of the little pumpkins that children carry home from the patch. Those pumpkins are free with the $15 admission price.
Cox Farms grows some of its own pumpkins, then orders the rest from local brokers to round out the supply.
"It has been a weird weather situation," Mr. Richard said. "Usually we have no trouble at all getting brokers to bring us pumpkins. But Pennsylvania farmers are seeing yields down 50 to 70 percent. We have as many as we need to get through Columbus Day weekend, our busiest time, but we are concerned about what will happen next week. Gourds may be great for Mom and Dad, but not such a good souvenir for kids."
In Maryland, Todd Butler, manager of Butler's Orchard in Germantown, said his supply of small pumpkins may be down, but there should be enough to get through the fall. Butler's grows about 20 acres of pumpkins then brings in the rest from suppliers.
"Every year is different," he said. "We had a lot of damp weather this year."
The wet summer also has significantly affected the pumpkin supply in New England. A particularly rainy growing season in June and July caused some seedlings to wash away, some farmers say. Others say their crop is delayed, meaning pumpkins might not be big enough or orange enough by Halloween.
Dayton, Maine, grower Edward LeBlanc told the Associated Press that his 30 acres likely would have a subpar yield in 2009.
"If you saw our field, you'd say it looks beautiful," Mr. LeBlanc said. "You would say, 'Wow, look at all the pumpkins.' But we'd be saying, 'Wow, look at all the pumpkins that aren't going to quite make it,' or 'Look at all the pumpkins that aren't going to be large enough size to sell.' "
Some New England growers lost their entire crops, but others fared much better. Maine's harvest is expected to be off by about 50 percent, said Lauchlin Titus, president of the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association.
Nationwide, 92,955 acres were devoted to growing pumpkins in 2007, compared with 25,985 acres in 1982, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Another fall symbol, the pumpkin pie, may take a hit by Thanksgiving. Last year's weak harvest in Illinois, which leads the nation's pumpkin industry, has led to a shortage of canned pumpkin.
Shoppers reported that they could scarcely find canned pumpkin on the shelves of grocery stores in the past few months. Roz O'Hearn, a spokeswoman for Nestle SA, the parent company of canned-pumpkin leader Libby's, said help is on the way.
"If you looked [during] the last few months, canned pumpkin was not on the store shelves," Ms. O'Hearn said. "There were a lot of weather issues with last year's harvest which left us without a surplus."
Libby's has a farm with 5,000 acres of pumpkins in Morton, Ill.
"Harvest 2009 is still going on, and it was wet at the start, but we are seeing a turnaround," Ms. O'Hearn said. "I think America will be OK for Thanksgiving." (From the Washington Times)

The same weather that stunted the U.S. pumpkin supply has also our neighbor's to the north. CTV reports that with the exception of the western provinces, which have had near-ideal pumpkin growing conditions in 2009, Canada looks at a 40 percent drop in pumpkin production. For more, including video, go here.

God's Quilt

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles.

An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes.

Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships
that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.

Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, thread bare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took
from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.

I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the
face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My
struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you!

May all our quilts be thread bare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.
~~author unknown~~

Lazer Guided Attack

Incredible Young Ladies

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. THESE YOUNG GIRLS WERE PHENOMENAL! Watch as the reaction of the guys in the audience escalates. In the beginning, they were just OK, but as the girls performed.....the audience went WILD with cheers.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

Halftime show at this year’s Army-Navy basketball Game - Only the young could do this. CLICK ON LINK BELOW. When it opens click on arrow below the flag.

JumpRopeDance

Bear Sign


Click on image to enlarge.

Devouted Spouse

And The Prize Goes To.......

Obama Targeted By Gay Rights Activists

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases


On October 4, 2009 at approximately 1:35 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the parking lot of the Lowes Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival the officers observed a vehicle operated by below listed suspect # 1, and further occupied by suspects # 2 and # 3 parked at the rear of the store. The officers met with the operator and observed paraphernalia containing suspected cocaine on the floor of the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and additional suspected cocaine was located in the vehicle along with suspected heroin, syringes and other CDS usage paraphernalia.

ARRESTED #1: Jeffrey Mason Lynn, 65 years of age Bridgeville, Delaware

ARRESTED #2: Stacy Dale Bozman, 25 years of age Millsboro, Delaware

ARRESTED #3: Michelle Lyn Bozman, 30 years of age Princess Anne, Maryland

CHARGES (all): Possession of heroin
Possession of cocaine
Possession of crack/cocaine
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: All released to Central Booking
CC # 200900035326


On October 7, 2009 at approximately 12:58 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed by store employees taking clothing from the store without making payment. The clothing was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Oriel Leah Lynch, 18 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900035693


On October 8, 2009 at approximately 6:47 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Boscovs Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed by store personnel taking jewelry from the store without making payment. The jewelry was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Melissa Elizabeth Lawrence, 26 years of age Princess Anne, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900035876


On October 7, 2009 at approximately 6:43 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police were investigating a theft on East Church St. and conducted a routine records check on the below listed suspect. The records check revealed that the suspect was currently wanted in Georgetown, Delaware for failing to appear in court for burglary and controlled dangerous substance charges.

ARRESTED: Joseph Lewis Rushing, 41 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Fugitive – Georgetown, Delaware
Failure to appear – burglary, CDS possession

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900035658


On October 7, 2009 at approximately 11:19 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect for an assault that occurred on August 18, 2009. On that date the suspect became involved in an argument with the female victim on the Salisbury Riverwalk and struck the victim several times in the head area. The victim did not require medical attention.

ARRESTED: Shawretha Lindel Wangus, 33 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900029050


On October 5, 2009 at approximately 4:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the five hundred (500) block of Hammond Street for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located a single victim inside the front door of the residence. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as 24 year old Brandon Jamal Jones of Salisbury.
On October 6, 2009, Detectives of the Salisbury Police were able to positively identify the suspect in this homicide and obtained an arrest warrant charging 19 year old Derrien Brett Douglas of Salisbury with the homicide of Jones. On the same date at approximately 5:00 pm, Douglas was taken into custody without incident. See the attached photograph of the suspect.

ARRESTED: Derrien Brett Douglas, 19 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: First degree murder

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking

This investigation is continuing and if anyone has any information regarding this incident they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
CC # 200900035444


On October 4, 2009 at approximately 12:24 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations on North Salisbury Boulevard. A routine records check of the vehicle and driver revealed that the suspect was driving on a suspended license and the registration plate on the vehicle had been reported stolen from Delmar, Maryland to the Maryland State Police. The suspect was also wanted on an outstanding Salisbury Police arrest warrant for theft of clothing from the Dollar General Store.

ARRESTED: George Edward Louis, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 500)
Driving while suspended
Driving an unregistered motor vehicle
Arrest warrant – Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900029950/200900035262


On October 5, 2009 at approximately 12:53 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect for a domestic assault that occurred on September 14, 2009. On that date the suspect became involved in an argument with the male victim and threw several kitchen knives at the victim. The victim sustained a cut on his left leg. The victim did not require medical attention.
ARRESTED: Ronate Kattrell Ockimey, 35 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
Possession of a deadly weapon w/int to injure

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900032597


On October 5, 2009 at approximately 5:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Pemberton Pharmacy on Pemberton Drive for the report of a subject with a fraudulent prescription. Upon arrival the officers met with pharmacy personnel who advised that the below listed suspect had presented a fraudulent prescription to the pharmacy in an attempt to receive oxycodone.

ARRESTED: Michael Ray McLaughlin, Jr., 27 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Counterfeit prescription
Passing a fraudulent prescription
Passing an altered prescription
Attempt to obtain a CDS by fraud

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900035442


On October 6, 2009 at approximately 6:40 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call from the Salisbury Fire Department to respond to the playground on Lochwood Circle for the report of a fire. Upon arrival, Officers found that the below listed suspect had started a fire on the playground with paper and mulch.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 15 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Malicious burning

DISPOSITION: Released to parent CC # 200900035598