More Eyes Moving Towards 38-B

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:

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Scandal in 38-B

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.

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Saturday’s Conway / Mathias Meeting

Much has already been written about Saturday morning’s Salisbury town hall meeting held by Del. Norm Conway (D-38B) and Del. Jim Mathias (D-38B).  Michael Swartz of Monoblogue provides a very factual, blow-by-blow account.  Julie Brewington of Right Coast Girl weighs in with a little more opinion.  My friend Joe Albero, uncharacteristically, is taking a “can’t we all get along” approach.

There are two things that almost everyone seems to agree on.  One is that we appreciate Conway and Mathias taking time to meet with constituents.  Yes, I know it’s an election year AND that it’s part of their job.  Yet, not every member of the legislature takes the time.  The second thing is that both Conway and Mathias are “good guys”.  I concur.  Wicomico County Exec Rick Pollitt is a “good guy”; so is Councilmen John Cannon and Dave MacLeod.  Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes is a “good person”.  Hell, I’m sure there are even a few people who like Salisbury Councilwoman Louise Smith and Wicomico Councilman Bill McCain.  Regardless, taxpayers need to ask themselves if they can afford to continue supporting these “good guys”.

BIG GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVES?

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Wicomico Taxpayers Receive Back Door Tax Increase

The arrogance of bureaucrats never ceases to amaze me.  They spend the TAXAPAYERS’ money yet act as if it’s from their personal discretionary account.

A current example is the $4 million purchase of the Powerwave campus on the corner of US 50 and Walston Switch Road, east of Salisbury.  Almost daily we hear a sad tale of woe from Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley or Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt about the said state of either the Maryland’s or Wicomico County’s fiscal situation.  There simply isn’t enough money to go around according to these two.

However, a few days ago we learned that the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore (TCC) has purchased the Powerwave Campus.  According to comments made by several officials, the TCC needs the space.  Perhaps they do.  I’m certainly in no position to argue that point.  However, several points are easily arguable.

With the purchase of this property, the land and building will be going off the tax roles.  Based on its current assessment, Wicomico County will be losing approximately $30,000 per year in property tax revenue.  This means that county taxpayers will be paying a higher rate next year than they would be otherwise.  This isn’t arguable – this is fact.  One of the benefits of the county’s revenue cap is that big government advocates such as County Executive Rick Pollitt or Councilman Bill McCain can’t truthfully argue otherwise.

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Lowell Stoltzfus Not Seeking Re-election

Maryland Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-38)  announced this evening that he will not seek re-election.  Speaking at the Fountains Conference Center, Stoltzfus said that he would not seek another term in 2010.

Contrary to rumors that have been circulating, Stoltzfus will not be resigning his seat.  Some have speculated that Stoltzfus would resign his seat so that a replacement could be appointed and run as an incumbent next year.

Currently there are three individuals that have either expressed interest in the seat, or are rumored to be interested.  Michael James, who narrowly lost to Maryland House Appropriations chair Norm Conway (D-38B) in 2006, along with Pocomoke City mayor Mike McDermott, have expressed interest in running for Stoltzfus’ seat if he did not seek re-election.  Del. Page Elmore (R-38A) is also rumored to be interested in the seat.

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Don’t Forget Tonight’s AFP Meeting

Don’t forget tonight’s meeting of the Lower Shore Chapter of Americans for Prosperity!

The Lower Shore chapter of Americans for Prosperity is having a meeting tomorrow evening at 7PM. The meeting will be held at the Greater Salisbury Committee building, 200 W. Main Street, Salisbury.

Park in the parking lot between the Library and the Plaza. You access the building on Camden Street between Channel 47 (WMDT) and the Plaza Gateway building.

If you can, RSVP at 410-251-8884 or americansforprosperitymd@comcast.net

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AFP Lower Shore Meeting – Tuesday

The Lower Shore chapter of Americans for Prosperity is having a meeting tomorrow evening at 7PM.  The meeting will be held at the Greater Salisbury Committee building, 200 W. Main Street, Salisbury.

Park in the parking lot between the Library and the Plaza.  You access the building on Camden Street between Channel 47 (WMDT) and the Plaza Gateway building.

If you can, RSVP at 410-251-8884 or americansforprosperitymd@comcast.net
If not, come anyway.  Take the opportunity to meet a growing group of people who stand for individual liberty and free markets.

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Somerset NAACP on Participation in Sports

Kudos to the Somerset County branch of the NAACP for demanding that students be required to keep a 2.0 average in order to participate in sports.  These folks obviously have their priorities in order.

Unfortunately for the Wicomico and Worcester Boards of Education this raises a serious question.  Why do they seemingly place a higher priority on sports participation than academic achievement?

Wicomico only requires students to maintain a 1.6 GPA.  Worcester? 1.75  As we approach budget time, the two boards should be asked some hard questions.  Bad teachers can’t be fired.  Money is wasted on often meaningless bureaucratic programs.  But … we need to make sure that kids who can’t get at least a C in all of their classes should be able to play football or basketball.

I’m dying to hear a response to this one.

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Worcester BOE Gives County Commissioners the Finger!

While all other county departments are expected to trim their budgets for the coming fiscal year, the Worcester County Board of Education has told the Worcester County Commissioners that they just can’t trim a dime.  In true “IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN” fashion, the BOE claims that it will be students that suffer.

Sure they will.  While enrollment has actually declined in the past six years, the BOE has ADDED 111 new teacher positions and 81 staff positions.  Could the BOE cut some of those administrative jobs?  Of course not.  They’ll probably be whining about not giving them raises.

The true agenda unfolds.  Adding to the public payroll is far more important than educating kids.  I only hope that the Worcester Commissions possess the moral courage to knock the bureaucrats down a peg or two.

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