NJ Teachers SHOULD Give the Private Sector A Try

May God Bless New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.  A virtual unknown a year ago, Christie has set an example for states across the country by standing up to public employee unions – including the sacrosanct teachers’ union!  Now the head of New Jersey Education Association – NJ’s teachers’ union – whines that teachers could do better in the private sector.

"If there’s an invasion of Israel by the Netherlands, he will find a way to blame the NJEA for that," responds the union’s executive director, Vincent Giordano.

In a Fox News interview in the union’s building down the street from the statehouse, Giordano rejected Christie’s attacks, saying they "aren’t warranted."

He says teachers make an average of about $65,000 a year, and "when you put it all together, teacher salaries in New Jersey are still well below the average salary of the private sector. When you include all of the ingredients…I don’t think they are too high or too rich."

GIVE IT A TRY!  See how life is when you CAN be fired for not doing your job.  See how it is when you are compensated for PERFORMANCE rather than just showing up for work more years that someone who actually does a better job.  Enjoy a job where you are grateful if your employer picks up HALF the cost of your healthcare benefits and where you get NO health benefits in retirement.

Christie is right on target!  Americans are finally learning that public employees are actually earning more than their private sector counterparts.  When you throw in benefits and job security, the gap is HUGE!

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Why John Cannon Doesn’t Have My Vote

Outgoing Wicomico County councilman John Cannon (R-AL) is seeking the Republican nomination for the District 38-A Maryland House seat.  Cannon is a pretty sharp guy, as the video above will show.  Regardless, Cannon won’t get my vote in the primary; and probably not the votes of my fellow conservatives.

Life, Liberty, and Property

We all grew up hearing those famous words from the Declaration of Independence – “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.  How many know that the original draft of the Declaration read, “Life, Liberty, and Property”?  (The term was changed to appease northern delegates who were afraid that such a term might imply their endorsement of slavery.)

Regardless, property rights are at the core of conservative values.  While some of us may be willing to overlook Cannon’s lack of conservatism, it is in this area that he abjectly failed as a member of the Wicomico County Council.  Cannon’s support of a “compromise” to steal the property rights of Wicomico County farmers was (at least) one step too far.

Flip-Flop to the Max

Cannon’s support of the great (and fortunately unsuccessful) land grab would be bad enough.  What saddens me the most is his hedging (some would say fibbing) when asked about this issue by Joe Albero.  Starting at around 4:50 in the video, Cannon ducks and dodges.  He claims that landowners need to be compensated.  Why, then, did Cannon support down zoning of county ag lands without ANY (forget about FAIR) compensation to the property owners?

The bottom line is that John Cannon is a great guy.  He’d fit right in with the Annapolis crowd.  That’s the problem.

H/T – Joe Albero @ SbyNEWS

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NEA – Education First

NEA – the National Education Association – is the nation’s largest union.  Maryland teachers are almost universally members through their local “associations” (union locals).  The NEA claims to be putting our children first.  Why, then, does the NEA sanction an “NEA Drag Queen Caucus”?

I try to be fair.  I don’t believe in discriminating against folk because of their sexual orientation.  But, a DRAG QUEEN CAUCUS?  Does that have any place in our schools?

"They already have had the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, [and] Transgender Caucus and apparently felt that the drag queens needed their own caucus," explains Finn Laursen, executive director of Christian Educators Association International (CEAI).
"America, I think, needs to respond and to realize what the National Education Association stands for; they’re not hiding it.  It’s appalling to many of our conservative Christian educators who, in their own lives, could not support this kind of thing but find that their dues are being used to support just those kinds of thing," he adds.
Laursen also tells OneNewsNow there was a movement this year to see the NEA’s pro-abortion stance changed to a more neutral position, but that effort failed. "The organization and its delegates were just unwilling to step back and take no position on abortion," he laments. "They’re going to continue their pro-abortion stance."

We can’t have prayer in school, but the NEA thinks that we should have abortions and distribute condoms?

H/T – Anglican Mainstream

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Media Monday – DT Wraps A Scam In the Flag

A notorious slumlord lies on his application for a building permit of a boarding house.  A shady “counselor” acts as his front man and claims “it’s for the veterans”.  After the fact, the city government learns that city solicitor Paul Wilber has a lawyer / client relationship with the same ‘counselor”.  The shady “counselor” is now represented by a neighbor and political ally of councilwoman Louise Smith.  The slumlord also happens to be councilwoman Shanie Shields’s landlord (and gives her a “really nice break on the rent” according to Shields).  Ace Daily Times reporter Laura D’Alessandro leaves the council meeting before this issue even comes up on the agenda.  So … What’s the headline in Sunday’s Daily Times?

COUNCIL TIE THWARTS VETS CENTER  Discrimination complaint filed with HUD over block by Salisbury

What can I say?  It’s classic “journalism” from the good folks over at the DT.  The problem is, this piece wasn’t written by D’Alessandro.  At least Laura can always fall back on the fact that she’s incompetent.  No, this future Pulitzer winner was penned by Greg Latshaw.  He’s neither stupid nor incompetent.  He’s just biased.  Therefore, we are forced to ask why Latshaw would put his name to a piece that is not only grossly biased, but shot full of half truths and factual holes.

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Does Paul Wilber Have A Conflict?

Paul Wilber is Salisbury’s city attorney.  He is also an attorney in private practice.  Therefore, it is logical that a conflict may arise from time to time between one client (the city of Salisbury) and another client.  I wouldn’t think that this would be a particular problem – provided that Wilber discloses such a conflict to all parties (and the public) as soon as that conflict comes to Wilber’s attention.

Next Monday the Salisbury City Council is expected to consider a request for a special zoning exception for a property at 505 Collins Avenue.  This property, which was permitted as a single family residence, now claims (or I should say, the owner claims) to be a “Veterans’ Home”.  Translation – the owner wishes to put a boarding house in a district zoned for single family residential properties.  OK, this kind of stuff happens all of the time.  What’s the problem?

Well, it seems that at least one of the parties involved, a Mr. Jerry Black, happens to be a client of none other than Paul Wilber.  That’s right!  The same Paul Wilber who currently serves as the Salisbury City Attorney.  Mr. Wilber serves as the registered agent for the corporation operated by Mr. Black.

So far, Mr. Black has appeared before the city planning commission.  The matter has been discussed in council work session.  The matter is due to be considered in a council legislative session in four days.  YET, Mr. Wilber has not bothered to inform the planning commission, the city council, or the public that he has an attorney / client relationship with Mr. Black.  I have no idea whether he has informed Mr. Black about both relationships, although I’m confident he is aware of the situation (he is using another law firm in this matter).

This isn’t the first time that there have been apparent conflicts between Wilber’s duties as city attorney and his private law practice.  About 2 1/2 years ago, Wilber’s firm represented a party in a dispute with the developers of the Old Mall project.  Given the city’s TIF financing of the project, one would argue that this may cause a problem.

To be fair to Wilber, I have neither heard of any actions by Wilber that were not in the city’s best interest in this matter, nor do I have any evidence of double dealing by Wilber.  However, that isn’t really the point.  The Salisbury City Council needs to demand that Wilber answer some questions IN PUBLIC:

1. What is your relationship with Mr. Black?  Is it ongoing?
2. Is Mr. Black aware of your relationship with the city and has he waived any potential conflict?
3. Why didn’t Wilber disclose his relationship with Mr. Black prior to any involvement on his part on behalf of the city of Salisbury?
4. When, exactly, was Mr. Wilber planning on disclosing his relationship with Mr. Black?

I’m quite sure that councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen have a few other questions.  Needless to say, the Barrie Comegys bloc doesn’t have much concern with little matters like this.  Shanie and Louise still want to give everyone raises and spend money on “worthy projects” like “The Bricks” and that brown field known as “Linens of the Week”.

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Aydelotte Farms Developer Owes Salisbury $410,000

Remember Salisbury’s NE Collector Road?  You know, the road that was supposed to cut travel time to the mall in half and not cost the taxpayers a dime.  At least that’s what Barrie Tilghman, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart, and Gary Comegys told us (Shanie Shields just votes they way her masters instruct her to).  I’ll admit, it’s a nice road.  I use it from time to time myself.  I just know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch … or a free road.

Well, it appears that the chickens are coming home to roost on that little ribbon of asphalt.  First, the developers stated that they were giving the road right of way to the city.  Then they demanded payment, despite the fact that the city was providing a TIF subsidy for the road.  NOW the developers are in arrears both to the city of Salisbury AND to the TIF bondholders.  According to Salisbury finance chief Pam Oland:

…an update related to the Aydelotte TIF.  Currently for FY 10, all taxes (including special taxes) have been paid on all properties within the Aydelotte TIF, excluding the large parcel still held by the developers.  That parcel owes regular taxes as well as special taxes for FY 10.  The total amount currently due is $410,106.99.  Meetings are currently being held between the developers, the bond holders and the City to discuss how to use the remaining funds in the project account and what are the updated estimates for sales.  If the taxes are not paid by June 16th, the property will be auctioned during the tax sale.

What happens IF the property can’t be sold?  It surely won’t be enough to cover the back taxes AND the bond principle.

Remember, the bonds were issued by the city of Salisbury!  The taxpayers were promised that they would NEVER be on the hook for this blatant subsidy of another developer.  I sincerely hope that this is one instance where the usual suspects actually told the truth.

Thanks Barrie.  Thanks Mike.  You might be gone, but the taxpayers just keep on paying!

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How Big A Sham is Obama’s “Race to the Top”?

We all know that the federal government really has no business meddling in education.  Yet, when we listen to President Obama’s rhetoric regarding his “Race to the Top” program, it all sounds so wonderful:

• More charter schools.
• More accountability for TEACHERS and schools.

Yet, here is what is actually happening:

It’s not the federal government’s job to set state and local education policy, but if it’s going to do so, it should at least put its muscle to good use. Initially, it appeared that this was what the Obama administration was doing with Race to the Top: In the scramble for federal funds, education secretary Arne Duncan promised, states that capped the number of charter schools would be at a disadvantage, and states that banned the use of student test-score progress in teacher evaluations wouldn’t even be eligible. But the finalists for the first round of funding have been announced, and results aren’t promising: New York, which both caps charter schools and bans the use of student test-score data in tenure decisions, is on the list; so is Kentucky, which doesn’t allow charter schools at all. Meanwhile, the process has been shrouded in secrecy: Neither the judges’ names nor the states’ actual scores on the 500-point scale will be released for another month. We’re awaiting announcement of the winners, but so far, Race to the Top is stumbling out of the gates.

How big a sham is “Race to the Top”?

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Mike Lewis and Better Benefits for Deputies

This morning’s Daily Times piece on the need for better disability benefits for Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies is a well written piece.  Sadly, the headline is misleading.

Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis DID NOT call for Wicomico County to adopt Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS).  Why?  Is Lewis opposed to the benefits afforded by the system?  Of course not.  It’s just that Lewis is an even better elected official than he is a sheriff and a politician; and he’s a darn good sheriff and the most popular politician in Wicomico County.

I draw the distinction because Lewis has been very prudent in not using his political power (as the most popular elected official in Wicomico County) to force additional hardship on the county’s taxpayers while at the same time quietly lobbying on behalf of the deputies who serve us.  When the county faced its last round of budget cuts, Lewis didn’t complain.  Instead he vowed to work within the fiscal framework placed on him.  While Lewis could have easily attacked the county government and accused them of sacrificing public safety, he didn’t.

Lewis has been wise not to use the power of his office or his own political popularity to force fiscal decisions on our county government.  He should be applauded for that judgment.  We would be fortunate to have our county executive exhibit similar wisdom while exercising the duties of his office.

Contrast Lewis’s stance with that of Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt:

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Open Union Negotiations at the WCBOE

The Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) doesn’t have a great record of inspiring taxpayer confidence when it comes to spending.  Between doing out benefits like it’s somebody else’s money (because it IS somebody else’s, IT’S OURS) to junkets and expense account lunches, Wicomico taxpayers just aren’t sold that “the children” really come first.  There is one step the WCBOE could take that might help – open union negotiations to the public.

WAIT!  That’s confidential.  Isn’t it?

Evidently not.  The Calvert County BOE has opened up their negotiations to the public this year.  Evidently the board and the unions have to agree and waive confidentiality.  If the WCBOE and their four “bargaining units” (educrat for “unions”) don’t have anything to hide, why can’t we sit in on the meetings?

What about it?  A little fresh air might inspire a little confidence.

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Protect Your Property Rights – Attend MDP Public Forum

On Thursday, May 6th, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) will be hosting a “Public Forum to Help Shape the Future of Maryland”.  Translation:  This is where MDP Secretary Rich Hall and his local tree hugging, Bolshevik pals get together to figure out how they are going to STEAL YOUR PROPERTY RIGHTS!

If you think I’m kidding, let me give you two quotes from the last MDP forum I attended:

“I’m sick and tired of hearing about property rights.  WE gave these people the value in their land!” – Retired SU professor Harry Womack.

and

(Referring to Wicomico farmers)   “They need to remember that we gave them the value in their land.” – MDP Secretary Rich Hall in a conversation with me.

This is one of several forums that MDP is hosting around the state.  If you value your property rights, it would be wise to attend.  If not, you may want to pick up a copy of Atlas Shrugged and get a view of your future.

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