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SPIES REPSONDS
 City Council Candidate Tim Spies has availed himself to alternative media in responding to Mayor Barrie Parson Tilghman's slanted remarks while endorsing incumbent Gary Comegys, Don Ewalt and John Atkins.
In a letter that was released to Salisbury News, Spies explains his role regarding a gazebo that was originally suppose to be built for school kids waiting for the bus and for neighborhood use, but because of city interference, it was built fifty feet away from the location it was originally planned for.
Spies at the end of the letter expressed his disappointment with Tilghman's "mean spirited, erroneous and, obviously, uninformed accusations." He also hoped that Tilghman would do some fact checking in the future.Labels: Barrie Parsons Tilghman, Tim Spies
Prince George's County: Nightclubs Shuttered By Order Of Johnson
We here in Prince George's County are on pace to match if not top our record year back in 20o5. That's thanks to the 11 murders in the past 12 days. But hey, take to heart, County Executive Jack Johnson (who was practically invisible since January 1) announced that the countywas going to close nine nightclubs (three in the Hyattsville area.)
WRC-TV (Channel 4) is reporting that officials are using a law that went into effect back in September, allowing the county to shutdown businesses that "presents an imminent danger and threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public."
The determination was based on the number of police calls made for rowdy behavior. Tick Tock Restaurant in Adelphi had over 800 calls. The clubs can appeal the county zoning board in four days.Labels: Crime, Prince George's County
What Does Brown Do For Maryland?
 It's not easy for our 45-year-old Harvard-Educated Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. After all, his duties are assigned to him by the governor, per the state constitution. In other words, the office of Lt. Governor in Maryland is largely ceremonial.
But still, the former delegate from Prince George's County is working like the soldier in which he was trained to be. The Baltimore Sun says that Brown has been criss-crossing to prayer breakfasts, blood drives and the solemn funerals of Maryland soldiers killed in Iraq.Labels: Anthony Brown, Lt. Governor
Schaefer and Curran Honored
 Maryland living political legend William Donald Schaefer (D) returned to the state Senate, but not to go postal, but to accept the First Citizen Award, created in 1992 to honor those who have made significant contributions to the first state through public service or philanthropy.
The Baltimore Sun said that Schaefer noted that he had left his prepared speech at home. He also said that we had a nice young governor (referring to Martin O'Malley) that he used to fight with all the time.
Also honored was former Lt. Governor, recently retired Attorney General and now "first Grandfather" J. Joseph Curran (D). Curran is O'Malley's father-in-law.Labels: First Citizen Award, J. Joseph Curran, William Donald Schaefer
Salisbury: City Council Member Locked Up
 Salisbury City Councilwoman Debbie Campbell will be locked up next Wednesday. Was there a warrant? Was it an indictment? Was it Mike Dunn? just kidding...
Actually, Campbell tells Maryland PT that she is getting locked up for a good cause. She is participating in the MDA's Salisbury Lockup for Jerry's Kids and she needs your help. Campbell is trying to raise $3,000 for Jerry's Kids (I'm told that contributions are tax deductible.
Click here for more information and to donate.
Campbell was chosen by The Daily Record as one of the Top 100 Women in the free state, and from her message, we can easily see why.Labels: Debbie Campbell, Salisbury
Out Of Nowhere
 I don't know if it's pure personal conviction or if it was just wanting to ask questions, but something had to be said here. As you all know, I basically live in the Capital Region of Maryland, but I still consider myself a Central Maryland resident (for crying out loud, anytime Baltimore and DC TV signals come in clear, what would you do?)
But reflecting my DC roots, every time I see a politician come out of the box to do something that has not been done before, I have to throw the flag. It is with that I must question why Salisbury Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman all of a sudden start endorsing candidates and staying mum for on any race for the past nine years that she has been mayor of Salisbury.
Now I might not be one to comment on the matter because I live in Laurel and not Salisbury, but I must ask this because two of the three people she endorsed did not even show up anywhere near the top three. They are neither incumbents running for re-election, for which her endorsement of Gary Comegys makes the most sense. Nothing against Don Ewalt or John Atkins, but in addition to just getting into the top six in the primary, but they also have not raised any money. Either they are just running to be running or their message is not resonating with people.
I also must question why the mayor would go on character assassinations without any evidence or proof. When Tilghman accused Tim Spies of being the reason why a gazebo was not built in a park in his neighborhood, not only The Daily Times found someone who not only said that Spies was not a roadblock, but Spies didn't even have anything to do with it. If Spies wanted to say that the Mayor's allegations was bull_____, I would completely understand.
Tilghman also accused Terry Cohen of being involved with bloggers, which she calls a negative force in the community. That is also an attack in the same vein as City Council President Mike Dunn, who called Cohen a "notorious blogger" before the primary. A charge that has not only been repeatedly denied by her, but it has yet to have been proven as well. Cohen also have went on the record several times as saying that she does not condone the personal attacks but feels that blog distribute important information to the community.
While the only person who seem to escape barely unscathed (using that term loosely) is front runner Louise Smith, who said that she would like to work with all city officials INCLUDING the mayor.
For Tilghman to come out days before the general election with her first endorsements after nine years in office, you have to wonder if she is worried that the "blank check" that she had with the majority of the council is about to be voided. A shorter, plain english version if you need one: Her motives and timing are suspect.Labels: Commentary, Free Vote 2007, Salisbury
Baltimore County: Safely Agreeing...In General
Officials in Baltimore County have tentative agreements with a number of unions, including firefighters and police officers. The negotiated agreements cover wages, pension, and health insurance.
The unions with tentative agreements are Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1311, AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) Local 921, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 25.
Officials also announced a settlement order in place with FOP Lodge 4. Lodge 4 covers Baltimore County police officers while Lodge 25 covers sheriff deputies.
The IAFF said that they will schedule a meeting with their membership to present the tentative agreement for ratification. In the meantime, talks are continuing with the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses (BCFPHN), and the Federation of Public Employees (FPE), which covers correctional officers, 911 Center employees, as well as some white-collar professionals.
Labels: Baltimore County, Union Agreements, Union Negotiations
Wicomico County: Where Blogging Is Mainstream
 This one was a surprise to us but we hear from Joe Albero himself that he and his blog site Salisbury News has been recognized as MAINSTREAM MEDIA by the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office.
This is a major coup for Albero, considering that he was ejected from a Salisbury City Council meeting in February for not sitting down on command, the command coming from City Council President Mike Dunn. Albero said that there was no place to sit in the council chamber, which was confirmed by a source to MarylandPT at the time. Also, in the past he has been shooed away by Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster, also citing that he was not a member of the media.
Albero will be notified of any and all Press Releases and Press Conferences. The Sheriff’s Department said that they will also consider other local Blogs.
This raises the stake as far as media goes in the Salisbury-Ocean City market, in addition to blogger in Delmarva in general. Many of whom are critical of Webster, Salisbury Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman and the current City Council.
As you know, in addition to talking to Albero on a somewhat daily basis, I also have his permission to use pictures from his site, with proper attribution of course.Labels: Bloggers, Joe Albero, Wicomico County
Free Money 2007: $alisbury
No daddy warbucks here... mommy warbucks, possibly. The top vote catcher in the primary is also the top fund-raiser. The Daily Times says that since February, Smith has raised just above $3,000. She now has a total of more that $4000.
Behind her is incumbent Gary Comegys, who has $3800. Terry Cohen is not that far behind with $3400. Tim Spies has raised just above $2800, Don Ewalt has $1100 in his warchest.
The exact total of resources for John Atkins is unknown, because he has under $600, he is not required to report them.Labels: candidate, City Council, contributions, Free Vote 2007, Salisbury
Forum In The Can
 We hear from our good friend and now colleague Joe Albero that last night WMDT (Channel 47) aired a live debate between the candidates forum going into this Tuesday's general election.
Five of the six candidates were present, John Atkins was not present citing another commitment.Labels: City Council, Debate, Free Vote 2007, Salisbury
The Mayor Picks Her Three
 Salisbury Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman has chosen who she wants to fill the three seats on the city council. No surprises here that she would like to see Don Ewalt, John Atkins elected while wants another term for incumbent Gary Comegys.
Earlier this month, she told WMDT (Channel 47) that she would not favor Louise Smith and Terry Cohen saying that she's not sure that they are "consensus builders."
Today maybe a different day but her opinion has not changed, only it's a wee bit more biting in criticism. She directly commented about Smith, Cohen and Tim Spies, who missed the Top 3 in the primary by a couple of votes. The Daily Times says that she made comments about Spies’ character, Cohen’s alleged involvement with local bloggers and Smith’s “simplistic” view of city business.
Terry responded to the Mayor's attack on Channel 47 saying that it was unfortunate that Tilghman and the Salisbury Area Property Owners Association (SAPOA) felt the need to use scare tactics, innuendo and distortion.
I also couldn't help to notice that the three people that Tilghman endorsed were the only ones at a neighborhood roundtable that was held by the mayor. The Daily Times quoted the mayor as "very disappointed" that they could not make the forum because of scheduling conflicts.
Labels: Barrie Parsons Tilghman, City Council, Free Vote 2007, Salisbury, Terry Cohen
Where Are They Now? - Douglas Duncan
 Former Montgomery County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Douglas Duncan will become a Vice President at the University of Maryland, taking the place of John Porcari.
Porcari left to serve as Transportation Secretary for Governor Martin O'Malley (D), a post in which he served under Governor Parris Glendening (D).
WNAV (1430AM) says that Duncan will begin his new job next week. Duncan dropped out of the governor's race suddenly before the primary, citing depression as the reason for leaving the campaign trail.Labels: Douglas Duncan
A Possible Trail: Dead As The Trees They Would Have Been Printed On
 The State Senate killed a measure requiring voting machines to print a paper record so it can be reviewed befiore the rsults are certified.
The Baltimore Sun said that the measure would have mandated that the paper records be kept at polling places at a cost of $17 million to the state for fiscal year 2008 and $1.5 million for fiscal year 2009.
Senate President Thomas Mike Miller (D-Dist. 27) was reluctant to back the measure.Labels: General Assembly, Voting Paper Trail
Our Bad
 Maryland is now the second state in the union to issue some sort of regret for slavery. The first being Virginia.
The Baltimore Sun says that the house measure states in part that "Slavery's legacy has afflicted the citizens of our state down to the present. ... The state of Maryland expresses profound regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy."
Del. Michael Caughn (D-Dist. 24) sponsored the measure and said that "it was long overdue."Labels: General Assembly, Slavery, Slavery Apology
Maryland. Smoking Stops Here....Permanently
 As we pull into the final stretch of The Assembly 2007, The Senate has passed their version of a smoking ban in the free state. The bill passed prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants, but the similarities end there. The Senate and House must come together to hammer out the differences that State Sen. Robert Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) tells The Baltimore Sun aren't that big.
Lawmakers have to figure out who is and is not exempt from the smoking ban, mainly should private clubs be exempt and should waivers be issued to businesses who demonstrate a hardship as a result of the ban.
Governor Martin O'Malley (D) has said that he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk.Labels: General Assembly, Smoking Ban
The Three Pack Emerges
  Earlier this month at the candidate forum at Salisbury University, when the topic of the Tax Inrement Financing, or TIF, for the old Salisbury Mall came up, Don Ewalt, John Atkins and incumbent Gary Comegys were for it. Meantime, leading candidate Louise Smith, Tim Spies and Terry Cohen were not. At the time, Smith and Atkins insisted that they were not part of a three pack of candidates. Well as you can tell by the picture above, that is either not the case in regards to Atkins, or that is a very good job of using Adobe Photoshop (which is what I use for the TV News-style graphics on this blog.)
The photo is from Delmarva Dealings which reports that the sign was posted on the corner of Mill and West Main in the 'bury. At primary time, it was only Comegys who made the top three by a very slim margin. Next week, the top three vote catchers will get the job.
Labels: City Council, Free Vote 2007, John Atkins, Salisbury
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