Mike (Pretl) vs. Mike (Brewington)
August 23, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Maryland, Video, Wicomico Politics
Local lefty stalwart Mike Pretl doesn’t seem to like the fact that Mike Brewington is running for Wicomico County Council as a Democrat. I really don’t care that much given that I have no intention of voting for Brewington if he makes it through the primary. As a registered Republican I couldn’t vote for him on September 14th even if I wanted to.
However, I do take issue with a few statements made by Pretl in his Daily Times letter:
Sphere: Related ContentDon’t The Rules Apply to Rudy Cane?
August 20, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Corruption, Democrat Campaigns, Dorchester Politics, Maryland, Maryland Politics, Wicomico Politics
Is it OK for churches to make campaign contributions to political candidates? How about other non-profits? I know that it’s not legal, but is it morally right?
If you believe, as I do, that tax exempt institutions like churches, the American Legion, the VFW, schools, etc shouldn’t be able to involve themselves in partisan political activity then you then need to ask yourself – Why don’t the rules apply to Maryland Del. Rudy Cane (D-37A)? Even if you don’t agree with me, you still need to ask yourself why Cane and the tax exempt interests that contribute to his campaign don’t seem to believe that the law applies to them.
VFW Wicomico Memorial Post 10159
VFW Post 10159 sits at 821 West Main Street just east of the intersection of US 50 and Nanticoke Road. On top of its building are two billboards, one facing US 50 East and the other facing West Main Street. As shown in the photo to the right, these billboards act as signage for the VFW Post.
Yet, as the picture at the top shows, the sign facing US 50 has been magically transformed into a billboard for Cane’s re-election bid. Some might argue that IF Cane paid for the space that this would be legit. Sadly, there is no evidence in his most recent campaign finance disclosure that Cane paid for the billboard space. Even if he did, I’m not aware of the VFW post selling that billboard space for other purposes.
VFW Post 10159 is a tax exempt institution. They don’t pay property taxes. They are permitted slot machines and other types of gambling provided that they donate a certain percentage of the proceeds back to the community. They are also forbidden by law from engaging in partisan political activity.
Sphere: Related ContentJohn Phoebus Attacks Jobs Issue on Lower Shore
August 19, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Economics, Fiscal Policy, Maryland, Republican Campaigns, Somerset Politics, Taxes, Wicomico Politics
It doesn’t matter whether you are looking at national or statewide polls, attending candidate forums, or simply talking with your neighbors; the NUMBER 1 ISSUE in this year’s election is JOBS. John Phoebus, GOP candidate for Maryland House District 38-A is one of the few legislative candidates who is prepared to offer a concrete proposal to stimulate economic development in his District, and the state of Maryland. Phoebus wants to reduce (or eliminate) the state’s corporate income tax).
Phoebus has proposed, along with many others, that Maryland roll back the 20% sales tax increase enacted by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and the Democrat controlled legislature. While this definitely would put money back into the pockets of Marylanders (where it belongs), the positive effects of such a roll back would primarily be felt in the state’s retail sector. However, Phoebus’s proposal to reduce state income tax rates for businesses would definitely increase Maryland’s competitiveness in attracting employers to the Old Line State.
Candidates Clash At Somerset NAACP Forum
August 19, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Maryland, Republican Campaigns, Somerset Politics, Wicomico Politics
If you were looking for excitement, read no further. The title, while misleading, is the closest thing to “red meat” you will find in this post.
Tuesday evening, the Somerset Branch of the NAACP hosted a candidate forum at UMES. In what may have been the most well run example of a VERY LARGE candidate forum (11+ offices, over 40 candidates) that I have ever witnessed, the Somerset NAACP and UMES have set the standard by which all other similar forums should be judged.
Because of the large number of offices and candidates it was difficult to handle many questions or get into specifics. However, attendees were able to walk away with a good sense the candidates and their approaches to various issues.
In the race to replace Maryland Sen. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-38), candidates Jim Mathias and Michael James provided an overview of who they are. Unfortunately, because of time constraints we were unable to grab a true sense of the differences between the two candidates – even on the broad strokes.
Sphere: Related ContentCannon, Democrats Approve Enviro for Planning Commission
August 17, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Development, Maryland, Wicomico Politics
Things are back to usual at the Wicomico County Council. Nominal Republican John Cannon returned to where he appears most comfortable – on the left leaning side of the council. By a 4 – 3 vote, Cannon and his Democrat allies approved County Executive Rick Pollitt’s nominee for the Planning Commission – Jacob Day of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.
With outgoing councilman Bill McCain carrying water for Pollitt, Cannon spoon fed Day a series of leading questions designed to make Day appear to have no bias against development in Wicomico County. Cannon even went so far to admit:
“I want to dispel any view of bias”.
That’s dandy John. There’s just one problem. While any reasonable person will concede that Mr. Day could offer certain expertise to the commission, any reasonable person also realizes that Day’s employer is a strong proponent of stripping county farmers of their property rights through down zoning. Are we to believe that the ESLC would employ Mr. Day if he does not share those same views?
This is from ESLC’s own website:
ESLC has developed the Regional Landscape Initiative, a program that focuses on one of the greatest landscape protection tools available: strong, proactive planning and zoning.
Translation – down zoning of agricultural lands. Farmers don’t want to develop their land. However, to deny them that option reduces the value of their land and in some cases has forced farmers off of their land.
Sphere: Related ContentWill Wicomico County Put ANOTHER Tree Hugger on the Planning Commission?
August 16, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Environment, Maryland, Wicomico Politics
On the surface, tomorrow’s Wicomico County Council meeting looks pretty tame. However, one item does stick out as the proverbial “sore thumb”. Will the council confirm County Executive Rick Pollitt’s appointment of Jacob Day to the county planning commission?
Day’s appointment came to the council last month, along with another controversial appointment. The item was pulled from the agenda after it was requested that the appointment be discussed in a work session.
At the council’s last meeting, outgoing councilman Bill McCain (D-At Large) jumped up on a giant soap box and berated some of his council colleagues for not approving Day’s nomination (the second nominee had since withdrawn his name). McCain rambled on and on about well qualified Mr. Day is and what an important contribution he would make, etc. etc.
Sphere: Related ContentGotta Spend Those Tax Dollars in Wicomico County
August 10, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Environment, Fiscal Policy, Maryland, Wicomico Politics
In the spring of 2008, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt proposed that the county spend Maryland “Open Space” money to purchase land for a park on Crooked Oak Lane. Amid charges of insider dealing and bad appraisals, the Pollitt administration told the public that we had to do it. Gotta spend that tax money. If we don’t spend it, someone else will. Fortunately, a majority of the county council saw fit to continue looking for a piece of property that cost less.
Move forward one year …
In April of 2009, the county council saw fit to purchase 100 acres on Levin Dashiell Road for approximately $1 million. All council members, except for councilman Joe Holloway, voted for the purchase. While the approximately $10,000 per acre paid out of state coffers (read “YOUR POCKET”) was substantially lower than the cost of the Crooked Oak property, many still considered the price too high. While continuing to emphasize the supposedly “free” money coming from the state, the Pollitt administration and their allies on council could never overcome one giant hurdle – why is Wicomico County taking more land off of the tax rolls when they free admit that they don’t have the money to develop this park. The Pirates Wharf purchase continues to sit undeveloped despite promises of a park when it was purchased years ago.
Move forward 10 more months …
Sphere: Related ContentMore Eyes Moving Towards 38-B
August 6, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Maryland, Maryland Politics, Media, Public Safety, Wicomico Politics, Worcester Politics
Wednesday evening we laid out a chronology of events which lead to Thursday’s Daily Times article about 38-B House candidate Mike McDermott receiving an “emergency suspension” from his boss – Worcester County Sheriff, and big Norm Conway supporter, Chuck Martin. Thursday morning Daily Times reporter Jenny Hopkinson provided her take on the brewing Scandal in 38-B. This morning, DT Opinion Editor Susan Parker weighs in. We sincerely hope that Sheriff Martin takes the advice of both Parker and Delmarva Dealings – wrap this affair up promptly and fairly. While we never hesitate to criticize the DT if we find fault, neither should we hold back applause for a job well done. In this case, both Hopkinson and Parker deserve such applause.
More Questions?
Hopkinson’s piece was fair and well written. I can’t imagine either McDermott or Martin having any serious concerns. Our only criticism isn’t really a criticism. We understand that Hopkinson spoke with Martin prior to contacting McDermott and his attorney, Michael Davey. We only wish that Hopkinson had gone back to Martin with a few additional questions:
Sphere: Related ContentScandal in 38-B
August 4, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Democrat Campaigns, Maryland, Maryland Politics, Public Safety, Republican Campaigns, Video, Wicomico Politics, Worcester Politics
After nearly losing his seat in 2006, is Del. Norm Conway (D-38B) so afraid of facing two strong GOP opponents in November that he and his allies will stoop to circa 1972 Nixonian dirty tricks to win an election? I don’t know, but connect the dots and see where it leads you….
Tomorrow morning the Daily Times will run a piece (probably front page) by Worcester reporter Jenny Hopkinson that discusses the “emergency” suspension of Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy Lt. Mike McDermott. COINCIDENTLY, McDermott has been the strongest GOP candidate running in District 38-B, which covers all of Worcester County and about 1/3 of Wicomico County. Here is the expected lead for tomorrow’s story:
Worcester County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael McDermott was temporarily stripped of his police powers while the department investigates a Sept. 2009 incident involving a service weapon, according to his lawyer. McDermott is the mayor of Pocomoke City and a Republican candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B.
Worcester County Sheriff Charles T. Martin confirmed that McDermott’s power to arrest was taken away on July 22, and said McDermott is now on administrative office duties. An incident involving McDermott is being investigated, Martin said, but he declined to comment on the specifics of the case because it is a personnel matter.
“Those powers remain suspended until they are reinstated by me or the case is adjudicated,” Martin said. “It’s something that is going to be adjudicated within the system, and he knows the system as well as I do."
Sounds terrible on the surface. Let’s start at the beginning and see where the story leads.
Sphere: Related ContentJulie Brewington – The Lower Shore’s Joe Biden?
August 2, 2010 by Cato
Filed under Blogging, Maryland, Maryland Politics, Republican Campaigns, Somerset Politics, Wicomico Politics
No. Instead, Brewington chose to cover up her mistakes and claim that the folks at Delmarva Dealings and SbyNEWS were simply making it up and attacking her because she’s a woman. Not only is she exhibiting a series of character flaws, she is not telling the truth – a trait we would all love to have from our elected officials.
Brewington’s original post, on her own blog, stated:
Next, I headed to Bivalve to the Westside Community Center for Michael Calpino’s Freedom Event. He is running as a challenger for District 2 on the Wicomico County Council. He invited all candidates who attended to speak and since it is my district, I felt obligated. (my emphasis)
Brewington went back to alter the post as follows:
Sphere: Related ContentNext, I headed to Bivalve to the Westside Community Center for Michael Calpino’s Freedom Event. He is running as a challenger for District 2 on the Wicomico County Council. He invited all candidates who attended to speak and since it is right down the street from my district, I felt obligated. (again, my emphasis)
