Goose Stepping Down West Main Street

If anyone in the environs of Salisbury, MD thought that the days of the fascist state of Barrieland were over … THINK AGAIN.

Imagine an employee of your local government coming into your home or office – WITHOUT A WARRANT.  Imagine that same person taking photographs of your home or office, WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.  Now imagine those photographs showing up on a local blog as part of some bizarre attempt to demean you.

If your name is Joe Albero, you don’t have to imagine it.  It’s already happened.  Before Christmas, an employee of the Salisbury department of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance (NSCC) made a stop at Mr. Albero’s property at 300 West Main Street.  Supposedly, this individual was there to inspect Albero’s property because of reported code violations due to the recent rain storms we have suffered in the area.

During the reign of Queen Barrie Tilghman Salisbury’s NSCC department was infamous for handing out citations and harassing businesses and residents alike who weren’t part of the political “in crowd”.  Albero certainly qualifies.  However, Mayor Jim Ireton promised that those days were over when he was sworn into office.

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Albero Target of Another Frivolous Lawsuit

SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero is, yet again, the target of a frivolous lawsuit brought by a supposed public servant.  Douglas Devenyns, director of the Wicomico County Detention Center, has filed a $150,000 lawsuit against Albero claiming defamation.

In one sense it’s “HERE WE GO AGAIN!”  Albero has already been a target of suits brought by Salisbury police chief Allan Webster and former mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman.  The suit brought by Webster was settled on non-monetary terms.  A judge found in favor of Albero in Tilghman’s suit.

In his suit Devenyns claims that Albero is liable for an anonymous comment posted on his web site.  According to Devenyns’ attorney:

Kevin Karpinski, a Baltimore attorney representing Devenyns, wrote in the complaint that Albero is liable for the comment, even if he didn’t write it. That’s because Karpinski charges Albero determines which of the comments submitted by his readers he will publish and whether he will edit them first. Albero erred because he either knew — or should have known — the comment was false, Karpinski contends.

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Kudo’s to Salisbury News and the Salvation Army

With the economy in decline, turmoil around the world, and other non-profits decrying drops in funding, the Salvation Army in the three lower shore counties saw a 62% increase at their kettles this Christmas season.  In addition, all kettles were manned only by volunteers this past season – the first time in recent memory.

Our thanks goes out to the 442 individuals and 255 groups who volunteered their time to help provide a better life to our neighbors in need.  From local luminaries such as Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis and Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell to folks who don’t even want their names mentioned in public, your neighbors saw a need and rushed in to fill the breach.  For that, much credit should be given to Salisbury News publisher Joe Albero.
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Albero Trial Over – No Guilty Verdict to Put A Smile on the Faces of Tilghman or Duvall

It’s finally over.  The trial of the century (at least as far as Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman or Bill Duvall are concerned) has concluded with a whimper instead of a bang.

Yes, it is true that Salisbury News publisher Joe Albero gave an Alford plea this morning in Wicomico County Circuit Court.  Judge Kathleen L. Beckstead gave Albero probation before judgment with one year’s probation.  Despite what you will read elsewhere, that translates into no record upon completion of the probationary period.

Admittedly, I have a personal stake in this matter.  Joe and Jennifer Albero are friends.  If I were in similar circumstances I too would have given the Alford plea; so would Tilghman or Duvall.  Any moderately sane person would when your personal liberty is at stake, no matter how remote the probability of incarceration.

Regardless, expect to hear Duvall (and possibly Tilghman) crow about this matter.  Personally, I would not wish this on my worst enemy much less a friend.  However, I can take comfort that Joe was not found guilty of any charge.

It’s a shame that Bill Duvall cannot make the same claim.  Someone who was once given the honor of selecting our judges, Duvall was forced to resign from the District 1 Judicial Nominating Commission because of racist remarks.  Yet Duvall has the temerity to attack Albero for a crime which he was not even convicted of.

Duvall owes Albero an apology.  Whether you agree with him or not (and I often don’t), I don’t see Joe Albero being tagged as a racist.  Now Duvall will have to go back to merely bitching about what Joe writes, which is proper in a free society.

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For Bill Duvall, the Enemy of My Enemy …

I’m sure that you have heard the old adage, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”. If you have ever been involved in politics, you have probably been guilty of falling for it at one time or another. Unfortunately, few locals have been more guilty of this sin of vacuity more than our local sage Bill Duvall.

There is no question that Bill would be leading the charge for the election of Maryland Sen. Andy Harris (R-7) to Congress EXCEPT for the support thrown on Harris by Salisbury News publisher Joe Albero (and perhaps myself). Harris and Duvall are very close philosophically. Of course it is far more important to trash someone who is perceived to be a friend of Duvall’s archenemy Albero.

Yesterday we were treated to a similar post by Duvall. Somehow, Duvall has decided that Albero has endorsed a tax increase for Salisbury.

I did a little search. The only two RECENT posts mentioning a tax increase on Salisbury News were one written by me (not Albero) and one post where Albero is drawing attention to the city’s crumbling public infrastructure. In this post Albero asks (tongue in cheek) if a 50% tax increase would make things better. Read more

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