700 Cited in HOV Crackdown

More than 700 drivers were cited and two unlucky commuters were slapped with $1,000 tickets as part of a crackdown on HOV violators Tuesday, authorities said.

Police from a handful of jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia handed out tickets during the morning and evening rush hours on interstates 95, 66, 270, 395 and other major arteries. The enforcement effort was dubbed the “Capitol Region HOV Awareness Day.”

The $1,000 tickets were given to two Virginia drivers for their fourth HOV offenses, officials said. The penalty also includes three points on the drivers’ records.

Officers also cited 32 drivers for reckless driving, 25 drivers for speeding and one driver for drunk driving.

from Justin Jouvenal @ the Washington Post

BREAKING NEWS: Embattled N.Y. Rep. Anthony Weiner Resigns

N.Y. Rep. Anthony Weiner, caught in a growing online sex scandal, resigns.

Boston Globe

The Massachusetts Historical Society is adding to its collection a previously unknown letter written by Abigail Adams, the wife of the second president.
The letter was donated by Boston lawyer Lawrence Perera, who found it in the desk of his late mother, stashed in an old manila envelope of family documents, the Boston Globe reports. He’s not sure why it was there, but he suspects his father or an aunt bought it from an antiques dealer.

The letter was written in 1788 while Abigail Adams was in Europe, where her lawyer husband was serving as an ambassador before he became George Washington’s vice president. It was written to her uncle, and it complained that foreign leaders were not taking the new nation seriously. “Our Government should assume a New & more respectable form,” she wrote.

Unclaimed Money

If you're a "Good Morning America" fan, you probably already know about this week's "Show Me the Money" series on helping people find unclaimed money.
So far, it's helped a Pennsylvania woman get her share of $16 billion in unredeemed U.S. Treasury bonds. On Thursday, it helped a West Virginia woman recover $15,000 that had been left for her when her mother died.
GMA's site has a lot of good tips on finding unclaimed property, if you look past all the hyper exclamation points. There's links for searching for unredeemed savings bonds, money from banks that went belly up, and proceeds from any lost life insurance policies. Other pots of cash can be found in apartment deposits and wills of people who died without beneificiaries.

If you're wondering how to search for unclaimed money in Washington, go to the Department of Revenue's Claim Your Cash site.
You can also check to see if the IRS owes you a refund.

BREAKING NEWS: Salisbury Politicians Threaten Racial Discord

At a press conference this morning, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton and Councilwoman Shanie Shields cited three members of the city council and threatened racial discord in the city because the council’s refusal to approve “The Bricks” project.

MORE TO FOLLOW…

Concerned Citizens Rally Before Hearing on Toll Hikes

Wednesday evening the Maryland Transportation Administration (MDTA) held a public hearing on their proposed toll hikes at Kent Island High School in Stevensville. Prior to the hearing, a group of about 50 concerned citizens rallied outside the school to show their opposition to the proposed hikes.

Nick Loffer, of the Maryland chapter of Americans for Prosperity, organized the event.

Among the speakers was Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36). Sen. Pipkin, along with several other members of the Maryland legislature has been a leader in opposing the hikes and keeping citizens informed of the MDTA’s proposals.

Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36), another leader of the opposition movement, addresses the crowd at the pre-hearing rally organized by AFP. Smigiel, along with Sen. Pipkin, have been rallying Shore citizens to this issue, and others, through their jointly published blog War on Rural Maryland.

Del. Mike Mike McDermott (R-38B) and Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36) outside Kent Island High School after speaking against the MDTA’s proposed toll hikes.

In addition to Sen. E. J. Pipkin, Del. Mike McDermott, and Del. Mike Smigiel, Delegates Addie Eckhardt (R-37B), Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-37B), Del. Steve Hershey (R-36), and Del. Jay Jacobs (R-36) all attended last night’s rally to oppose the toll hikes.

Last evening’s speakers emphasized that opposition to the toll hikes isn’t just about one more example of Annapolis taking more from the Eastern Shore. These proposed hikes will also have an adverse affect on Maryland’s economy. Mid and Upper Shore citizens will be encouraged to shop in Delaware (with no toll, and NO SALES TAX) rather than travel across the Bay. Those that have to commute across the Bay will be forced to spend more of their income in commuting costs rather than with Maryland retailers. Money taken out of the pockets of Shore residents will be going to Annapolis rather being used to invest in new businesses which will employ people.



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Eastern Shore Citizens Pack Auditorium to Say NO! to O’Malley Toll Hike Plan

Wednesday evening over 500 people crammed into the auditorium of Kent Island High School to give their opinion of the Maryland Transportation Administration’s (MDTA) proposed toll hikes. Citizens from all over the Eastern Shore attended last night’s hearing, although the vast majority were from Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties.

The first speakers of the evening were elected officials. Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36) and delegates Mike Smigiel (R-36), Jay Jacobs (R-36), Steve Hershey (R-36), and Mike McDermott (R-38B) all spoke against the proposed toll hikes.

Del. Mike McDermott (R-38B) addresses the crowd at last night’s public hearing

After the elected officials spoke, the MDTA officials gave their presentation attempting to justify the toll hikes. Two statements stood out in the presentation – the claim by the MDTA that they “owned” the bridges and tunnels AND their admission (verbally and in writing) that the monies from higher tolls would be used for maintenance on the bridges and tunnels, and for “infrastructure projects” in the Baltimore / DC corridor.

When the folks from MDTA finished speaking, the ordinary citizen had his chance. Here are a few quotes:

Since O’Malley was elected my sales tax has gone up 20%. You’ve just raised my beer tax. Now you want to raise my tolls … BUT … you are going to give subsidized tuition to illegal aliens.

You want to raise our tolls and force us to subsidize the ICC (Inter-County Connector road). … Why don’t you put up toll booths on I-70, I-270, and I-68 and let the rest of the state share in the pain.

I’m convince you wake up every morning in Annapolis and say, “What can we do today to screw the Eastern Shore?”.

I do most of my shopping in Annapolis. It’s 25 minute from my home. If you raise this toll, I’m thinking seriously of starting to do my shopping in Middletown, DE. Middletown is 45 minutes from home. (members of the audience shouted, “And NO sales tax”) That’s right. I may burn an extra gallon or two of gas, but between the toll increase and no sales tax, it will be cheaper.

One gentleman that spoke to riotous applause had this to say:

I’m a businessman. I have to look after my customers. I don’t have the luxury of raising taxes to meet my payroll. If you worked for me (pointing to the MDTA commissioners), I’d fire each and every one of you!

The overflow crowd sat or stood patiently as each speaker took his or her turn.

While I wasn’t present for EVERY speaker on Wednesday night, I did not hear one speak in favor of the toll hike. Will the MDTA commissioners understand what the folks at last night’s hearing were saying? It’s doubtful.



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Guillain Barre Syndrome

Former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel is undergoing treatment for a potentially debilitating disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit, faith-based organization with which Wuerffel works said in a statement Wednesday that the former quarterback contracted the disorder from a stomach virus.

Spokeswoman Sara Pace said Wuerffel initially was hospitalized in Montgomery, Ala., and later transferred to Birmingham, but is now receiving outpatient treatment at a location that the family would like to remain private. He expects to make a full recovery.

The syndrome occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the nervous system.

Wuerffel played for Florida from 1993-96, then spent six season in the NFL with New Orleans, Green Bay, Chicago and Washington.

Officials say a 43-year-old Annapolis man has died while participating in the annual Great Chesapeake Bay Swim.

Race director Chuck Nabit says Grahame Rice was pulled onto a rescue boat minutes after being found in the water during Sunday’s race. He was pronounced dead at Queen Anne’s Emergency Center in Queenstown.

Rice’s father-in-law, Bob Robinson, says doctors suspect a heart attack was the cause of Rice’s death. Robinson says Rice had been training for the race all year and had finished it two years ago.

Rice was married and had two children.

Nabit says there has been only one other fatality in the race’s 20-year history.

from the Associated Press

Northside Park Paving Project to Begin on June 22nd

Ocean City, MD – Paving of the Northside Park pathway will begin on Wednesday, June 22. Paving is expected to be completed on Thursday, June 23. Northside Park will remain open during the project and public access will be limited only where work is being performed.

BREAKING NEWS: Embattled Rep. Weiner To Announce Resignation

New York Congressman Anthony Weiner expected to announce resignation in press conference at 2:00 p.m.

Eastern Shore Senator Laments Loss of Poultry Jobs

State Sen. Richard Colburn is sounding the alarm on the recent bankruptcy filing of a Delaware poultry company with operations on Maryland's Eastern Shore -- calling it "devastating" news for his district.

Allen Family Food's Cordova plant is Talbot County's second-largest employer, Colburn said, behind only the Memorial Hospital at Easton. The bad news comes as the Delmarva Poultry Industry prepares for its annual Chicken Festival this weekend in Georgetown, Del.

Seaford, Del.-based Allen filed for bankruptcy last week and announced plans to close its facilities in Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina, according to delmarvanow.com. The 92-year-old company is seeking to sell assets to Mountaire, another Delaware poultry company.

The state Department of Business and Economic Development reports that about 500-600 employees work at the Cordova plant, not including farmers with Allen-contracted chicken houses.

Colburn, an Eastern Shore Republican, said in a statement that he does not believe Maryland's two other major poultry producers, Perdue and Mountaire, will take over any of Allen's chicken houses north of Route 301.

READ MORE …

Appoquinimink School District Gets New Chief

The Appoquinimink School District will get a new superintendent next month. Matt Burrows, the current principal of Louis L. Redding Middle School, will assume the position after the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education named him to the post Tuesday.

"I'm very excited," Burrows said in a statement. "Appoquinimink has a tradition of academic excellence, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that. I can't wait to get to work."

Burrows will take over after Tony Marchio retires after 16 years as superintendent. Under Marchio, the district grew and consistently ranked as one of the top performing districts in Delaware. Burrows said he wants to build on that good reputation by working closely with students, staff and residents. Burrows said he will host a series of meet-and-greet events with the Appoquinimink community.

READ MORE …

NC Legislators Continue Push for ID at Polls

Republicans at the North Carolina General Assembly are intent on passing restrictions on voters who come to polls to prove whom they say are, despite a potential veto by Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue.

The Senate approved legislation Wednesday night mandating people offer one of eight forms of photo ID before their votes can count. Otherwise, a person must cast a provisional ballot and prove identity later.

The bill now returns to the House, which passed the bill last week on party lines but fell short of overcoming any potential veto. GOP Sen. Debbie Clary of Cleveland County says it's not too much to ask someone prove their identity before voting. Democrats say the bill is all about Republicans suppressing votes to help the GOP's political fortunes.

from Gary Robertson @ the Associated Press

Two Men Arrested For Malicious Destruction Of Property

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011

, at approximately 12:22 a.m., Ocean City Police responded to the Town of Ocean City Public Works complex located on 65th Street, for a report of malicious destruction of property.



Officers located a Town of Ocean City bus, which had been sprayed with paint and marked with a grease pen. According to a witness, a white male with short hair, wearing a grey t-shirt and grey hooded sweatshirt, committed the malicious destruction of property in the area of 94th Street at approximately 11:45 p.m.



As officers continued to investigate the initial report, a description of the suspect was broadcast to additional officers. At approximately 2:10 a.m., Seasonal Officer Hayes and Corporal Yeager located two suspects, who were later identified as Howard Milton Kuhn Jr., 33, and Daniel Edward Lorden, 28, both from Baltimore, in the area of 12th Street and Washington Avenue writing on a Town of Ocean City dumpster. One of the suspects, Kuhn, matched the description of the suspect from the previous incident.



Kuhn was positively identified by the witness as the suspect from the malicious destruction of the city bus.



Kuhn and Lorden were placed under arrest for malicious destruction of property. Further investigation revealed similar graffiti on four Town of Ocean City buses, in addition to multiple Town trash receptacles.



Currently, there are 50 different locations that are being processed

involving graffiti matching that of graffiti allegedly made by Kuhn and

Lorden.



Kuhn and Lorden were charged five counts of malicious destruction of property, scheme to commit malicious destruction of property, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. They were seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and released on their own personal recognizance. Ocean City Police are continuing the investigation, as well as identify additional victims. If you have property that has been damaged by graffiti, Ocean City Police are asking that you call 410.723.6610.

McDonnell Expects Surplus of At Least $100 Million

The state appears to be heading toward a budget surplus of $100 million to $200 million, Gov. Bob McDonnell estimated Wednesday.

McDonnell estimated the surplus for fiscal 2011 in an exchange with reporters after he announced that revenue collections in May increased by 17.9 percent over the prior year. It was the 14th month out of the past 15 months in which tax collections exceeded the prior year's amount.

The 2010-11 fiscal year ends June 30.

Tax collections in June must total about $1.6 billion to attain the forecast of a balanced budget for the year. Receipts in June 2010 were $1.8 billion.

Jim Regimbal, an independent economist, said it is difficult to predict, but "if I had to guess, I would say a surplus of around $300 million."

Last fiscal year, the state had a surplus of $403 million, but that was inflated by $220 million in accelerated sales tax receipts. Sales taxes owed by merchants for July 2010 sales were pulled into June to avoid severe budget cuts.

READ MORE …

In A Currency Tug-Of-War, The U.S. Dollar Loses…

I imagine sometimes in my most optimistic moments that one day I will live in the midst of a true free market economy, where the tides of trade and investment, the ebb and flow of commerce, are a rather beautiful thing. A marketplace without centralized manipulation, were legitimate supply and demand are elevated instead of obscured, and toxic financial instruments, crooked corporate institutions, and even faulty currencies, are allowed to finally meet their long deserved demise because they no longer serve the needs of our nation and our culture. I imagine an economy that is not only continuously shedding off old skins and renewing itself as our society grows, but one whose primary purpose is to nurture and expedite that growth. I imagine an economy that works FOR the people, not against them. Like I said, “optimistic”.

In today’s economy, we have something quite different. We are imprisoned in a labyrinthian deathtrap of a mainstream system, one that feeds endless fiat formaldehyde into the crusted veins of a long since corpsified infrastructure; a financial golem, a wraith, a thing that creeps across the dark horizon of our country’s future waiting to unleash a special kind of hell. A thing that should not exist.

We live in an unnatural and monstrous economy. A Frankenstein creation…

This creation owes its wretched life to the efforts of a relatively small number of international bankers, corporate financiers, and of course, the private Federal Reserve; the mad scientists of our age, consumed with a lust for power over everything. One day, in the distant future, we will finally understand and appreciate their “brilliance”, or so they tell themselves. The “plan” is simply too complex and wondrous for we nearsighted and frightened villagers to comprehend.

In fact, the plan is very easy to comprehend, and not driven by brilliance, but hubris (one does not necessarily lead to the other). The key to grasping the mangled workings of our economy lay in the lifeblood of our commerce; the dollar itself. If you know the dollar, you’ll know just about everything else. Ignore the dollar, or assume comprehension without ample study, and you will find yourself completely lost in the fog and chaos of the markets.

This brand of confusion is very evident amongst a majority of investors, who seem bewildered by the seesaw activities in global indexes, Treasury Bonds and currency exchanges, and more specifically, the tug-of-war between the dollar and the euro. Why does debt instability keep cycling in the EU like a tornado? How could commodities decouple from currencies and act independently of “normal” market indicators? How could the U.S. economy still be on the verge of complete meltdown after three years of bailouts and quantitative easing measures? Where is all this headed?

Many of these questions can be answered by examining the battle going on between major developed and developing nations, including their currency policies, which appear to be at odds. However, there is indeed a concerted and focused effort in play underneath all the supposed “bumblings” and catastrophes around us, and this effort is not being implemented for our benefit…

More

Harris, Cardin, Wealthiest Members in Maryland Congressional Delegation

The newest member of Maryland’s congressional delegation, it turns out, might also be its most wealthy.

Rep. Andy Harris, the Baltimore County Republican elected last year to represent the Eastern Shore along with several Baltimore suburbs, holds assets valued between $1.5 million and $4 million, according to annual financial disclosure statements by members of Congress that were made available to the public Wednesday.

Harris, an anesthesiologist, appears to have surpassed Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, who is worth between $1.4 million and $3.5 million and has frequently turned up as one of the state’s most well-off elected officials. Because lawmakers report the value of assets in broad ranges, it’s impossible to assess actual net worth.

Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, meanwhile, who also typically reports significant financial holdings, received a one-month extension to file his report.

Harris’ disclosure statement shows that he earned $123,705 last year from Johns Hopkins, where he practiced medicine. The statement also documents $40,011 in salary he received from his time as a state lawmaker and $27,000 from his private medical practice, Tidewater Anesthesia Associates. A spokesman said Harris has taken a leave of absence from Hopkins but still sees patients at his practice in order to maintain his medical license.

READ MORE …