GOP Hopefuls Agree on One Thing - Hillary Clinton is Unworthy of the White House

The GOP Presidential candidates put aside their differences long enough at Thursday’s debate to agree that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is unworthy of being President. The candidates agreed that Clinton is “weak on Iraq” and that she is sure to raise taxes.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) went so far as to state that Clinton would “waive the white flag of surrender” if elected.

cross posted at the Campaign Edge

Technorati Tags: 2008, GOP, campaign, debate, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Ron Paul, taxation

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Hillary Clinton Claims That She Must Counterattack

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) claims that “she would rather focus on issues“, but must set the record straight in response to attacks by opponent, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). While there is no question that Obama has been attacking Clinton, it’s a matter of opinion as to who started the mudslinging.

Clinton loses all credibility on this issue by claiming that the actions of her campaign are are merely an attempt to “set the record straight”. Attacking Obama for ties to a Chicago slumlord (one example) is not setting the record straight. Counterattacking may be a valid campaign tactic, but it is not the same thing as “setting the record straight”.

cross posted on the Campaign Edge

Technorati Tags: 2008, politics, Democrat, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, rhetoric, campaign, campaign rhetoric, negative campaigning

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‘New York Times’ Endorses Clinton, McCain

Perpetuating the stereotype that Florida is a sunnier, kinder and gentler colony of the “Big Apple”, the New York Times has chosen to endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for the nominations of their respective parties on the eve of the Florida primary. As usual, the opinions of America’s paper of liberal record are well written, clear, and persuasive to the casual reader. It is unfortunate that the assumptions upon which their logic is based have so few facts to back them up.

The Times’ endorsement of Sen. Clinton was to be expected. The last true ’70’s liberal in the race is the one that is most in tune with the views of the Times’ publishers and editorial board. The Times’ is quite adamant in their reasoning, which will also be used in their endorsement of the Democrat nominee in the general election: Read more

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Was the “Tilghman Times” Complicit, or Simply Lied To?

Yesterday we ran a post describing the full extent of the subsidy being received by Salisbury Mall Associates (SMA), developers of the old mall project. Forget for a moment that this group has yet to fulfill a single major commitment on time. Forget for a moment that we have now learned that SMA will be collecting the lion’s share of the city property tax revenue from this project to pay off the TIF (tax increment financing) bond that was issued by the Barrie Tilghman administration.

Today, Delmarva Dealings ran a post from its too infrequent contributor Amicus reminding us of the role played in this fiasco by the house organ of the Tilghman administration, the Daily Times. Was the Tilghman Times duped, or were they complicit in the deliberate spread of misinformation by the Tilghman administration and her minions then serving on the Salisbury City Council - Mike Dunn, Gary Comegys, Lynn Cathcart and Shanie Shields? Read more

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We’ve All Been ‘Malled’ by Barrie Tilghman

On March 26, 2007, the Salisbury City Council adopted an ordinance that authorizes the City’s issuance of so-called TIF bonds to generate funds that the City agreed to use to fund certain costs of redevelopment of the old “Salisbury Mall,” including demolition of the vacant building on the site and various infrastructure work (sewer & water, etc.). Councilwoman Debbie Campbell, who voted against the measure, questioned whether the bonds were appropriate because of concerns about the TIF deal itself.

In response, the mall owner and the Tilghman administration argued that the bonds would be sold to investors, whose scrutiny would insure that the TIF deal was viable. Ms. Campbell and others also questioned why the City should be subsidizing a private redevelopment, and the mall owner’s representatives (Natelson and Dzaman) repeatedly stated that the owner could not proceed without that subsidy.

Read more

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Transparency in Teacher Contracts

Mark Newgent of the Main Adversary and one of my colleagues at Red Maryland has brought to our attention a great bill currently before the Maryland Senate. SB-230, the Public School Collective Bargaining Sunshine Act would require all county boards of education to make public any collective bargaining agreement within 10 days of its approval by the Board.

What could possibly be wrong with that? We’ll be keeping tabs on the bill. Unless the MSTA has something to hide they shouldn’t have a problem with it. RIGHT?

Since we all know that public school employees are driven like slaves and grossly underpaid, you would think that the Teacher’s Union would want the public to see just how bad things are.

Technorati Tags: Maryland, politics, Maryland politics, education, MSTA

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Why Is the Old Mall Project Receiving a Triple Subsidy?

Back in 2007 the Barrie Tilghman administration, in conjunction with Mike Dunn led Salisbury City Council, pushed through the TIF bonds for the old Salisbury Mall project and the Collector Road project / subsidy for the Aydelotte Farms subdivision. Now it’s early 2008 and we’ve learned a few things about the old mall TIF bond.

Despite all claims to the contrary by Tilghman and her minions, the TIF bond is a subsidy. Remember back to December, 2006. Mike Dunn was expecting to receive a blanket endorsement of TIF’s from attorney Keenan Rice and was shocked when Mr. Rice stated the old mall TIF was a subsidy. That’s SUBSIDY NUMBER 1.

The next subsidy comes in the form of interest paid. It seems that the terms of the bond permit the developer - Salisbury Mall Associates, LLC - to use bond proceeds to pay interest on the bonds until they are able to sell some condos, some offices, some storefronts, etc. Then those folks will be paying off the bonds in the form of property taxes. REMEMBER - the old mall project will be receiving city services, but the vast majority of the property taxes paid will be used to pay off the TIF bonds. SUBSIDY NUMBER 2. Read more

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John McCain Win Louisiana Caucus, Ron Paul Finishes Close Second

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has won the Louisiana GOP caucus, according to the State Party. However, it has been reported in the Shreveport Times that an uncommitted “Pro Life / Pro-Family” slate appeared to win a majority of delegates in all seven congressional district.

cross posted at the Campaign Edge

Technorati Tags: 2008, GOP, John McCain, Ron Paul, campaign, caucus

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Duncan Hunter Endorses Mike Huckabee for President

Michelle Malkin states that “heads explode” over the endorsement of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA). I’d venture to say that it’s just one more disappointment for the fans of Mitt.

I’m not a fan of Mike Huckabee, despite Chuck Norris’ endorsement. However, I’m a little disappointed by pundits who report to only be concerned about Conservatism moving forward, yet don’t hesitate to distort the record of those that they disagree with.

We need to remember that Huckabee was attacked on his fiscal record, but he was able to prove that it wasn’t has bad as people like Robert Novak claimed. We now have Ms. Malkin (who I am a fan of) proclaiming Huckabee as an “ethno-panderer”. Read more

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How Will Ahtes’ Group Pay to Renovate Salisbury’s Station 16?

As noted here earlier this month, a group led by Bill Ahtes wants the city of Salisbury to donate the soon to be retired Station 16 to them for purposes of turning the building into a theater. Lest we all forget, we have already gone through this once before with the Boulevard Theatre on Main Street.

In this morning’s Daily Times was an article about the auctioning off of mementos from the Boulevard and how this was to benefit SWAC, the Salisbury-Wicomico Arts Council. Buried in what was meant to be a warm and snuggly story about the arts community in Wicomico County were some interesting bits of information that should cause the Salisbury City Council to pause before handing over a valuable piece of real estate to Mr. Ahtes and his group. Read more

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House GOP Caucus Has One More Chance With Appropriations Appointment

The House GOP caucus is faced with a simple choice. Are they going to attempt to regain their stature as members of the party of Reagan, or will they continue to flounder in the 1970’s? We will find out soon when the appointment to replace ex-Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS) on the House Appropriations Committee. Wicker was appointed to replace former Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) who resigned from office.

The choice is clear. If the House Republicans are serious about fiscal reform, they will name Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ). If they wish to continue paying lip service and pandering to an increasingly skeptical public they will name one of the other candidates.

Technorati Tags: Congress, Appropriations, fiscal policy, Jeff Flake, conservatism

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Tilghman Administration Puts Taxpayer First, for Once

We are often accused of being unfair to the administration of Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman and her unwaveringly loyal council leadership. It is true that we often bring attention to the various actions of this group when they are not in the best interests of the good people forced to pay for the folly of Tilghman, et al.

Recently, the Tilghman administration managed to save the taxpayers some money. The question has been raised, repeatedly, as to why the city chose to avoid the state bond pool and use another method in borrowing for the city’s capital projects. By borrowing directly from a bank, the city saved its taxpayers approximately $56,000 in underwriting costs (we don’t know whether any money would have been saved on the interest rate itself, but must assume that the rates would have been comparable).

This information only came to light because of the dogged questioning of Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell. The administration’s past refusal (or inability) to provide adequate answers to these questions lead us to a couple of conclusions: Read more

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Fred Thompson Drops Out of Presidential Race

Former Sen. Fred Thompson has withdrawn as a candidate for President. “Today, I have withdrawn my candidacy for president of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort,” the former Tennessee senator said in a brief statement.

While Thompson has not stated who he will support for the nomination, he was a supporter of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in 2000.

cross posted at the Campaign Edge

Technorati Tags: 2008, campaign, Fred Thompson, John McCain

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Thomas Jefferson Would Be Proud

The College of William & Mary, alma mater of Thomas Jefferson, is spending over $2,000 to bring the “Sex Workers’ Art Show” to the university. The next time someone questions the value of a “Liberal Arts” education, you’ll be able to respond.

Technorati Tags: Virginia, art, culture, William&Mary, sex

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HB-125: Revenue Cap Eradication Act of 2008

If you live in Wicomico County and want to keep the revenue cap in place, you need to so some work! HB-125, sponsored by Del. Sheila Hixson (D-20) of Montgomery County and Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-43) of Baltimore, will permit a charter county (like Wicomico) to:

set a property tax rate that is higher than the rate authorized under the county’s charter or collect more property tax revenues than the revenues authorized under the county’s charter, notwithstanding any provision of a county charter that places a limit on that county’s property tax rate or
revenues

Simple translation: the county council may raise property taxes, despite the revenue cap, simply by adopting the measure by a 2/3 vote. Now in the case of the Wicomico County Council that would require a vote by five council members.

I am someone who has opposed the revenue cap, on principle, from the start. However, this is not the way to go! Until the voters of Wicomico County see fit to amend the charter and rescind the cap, we’re stuck with it. Until the office of the County Executive sees fit to stop embracing state tax increases and advocating the purchase of land for parks which the county can’t afford, even an opponent of the cap (such as myself) could not see fit to support the removal of the revenue cap.

There are couple of things that you can do: Read more

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