Albero now claims to be the first Keno customer in the State of Maryland. That was how many years ago? It certainly brought peals of laughter to this household. This is just another boast that cannot be substantiated except by Albero’s say-so. Granted, I can no more prove he wasn’t the first anymore than he can prove he was. But the odds are in my favor on this one. Hilarious to say the least.
In this vein Albero now assures us that every Chinese restaurant, cleaners and carwash is cheating the State of Md. out of sales tax. No doubt this may happen on occasion but his statement is pretty broad if you ask me.
But as usual Albero has the solution. Maryland simply has to tie in to every single retail cash register in the state. NO PROBLEM! How many million are there?
I got it! Let the State provide registers to every retail business there is. They will have no choice in the matter. If not that—the business will have to purchase registers approved only by the state (more government control). This way the state can insure the registers will work on their system to deduct sales tax. Now—who’s going to pay for the hook-up to the State system? The retailer of course! This will only tack additional hidden cost to the merchandise we wish to purchase. The retailers must also use State approved receipt paper. Do you think the state is going to give that receipt paper away? Absolutely not. It will have to be purchased from the State and again the cost will be passed on to the consumer. What happens if a glitch causes the system to go down? Every store in the State is out of business for the time being. If they can’t ring up sales on a State mandated register with official state receipts, they will just have to shut down for the duration. I was in a local business not long ago when the proprietor was complaining about how much money he was losing because the Keno system was on the fritz. How much would he lose if a register system went awry as well? Many businesses have registers that keep a control on inventory. Not all places use the same system. Will the State provide registers to do that for each business?
What about the licensed businesses that can’t use a register or always have access to hook up to a central system? I’m talking about the craft dealers that travel all around to different shows. The vendors for sporting events that operates from trailers just outside the venue. These folks give handwritten receipts. Does that make them all dishonest? The cost to implement & maintain such a system just won't cut it. I personaly do not believe this is such a great issue. One word prevents a lot of this problem from occuring. That word is "audit"
Maybe Albero calls Annapolis everyday to insure the 5% he has paid is in the proper account. I’ll bet Comptroller Peter Franchot eagerly awaits Albero’s call. That is just about as nonsensical as Albero having us believe O’Malley rushes from his bed every morning to read the rabid ranting of someone that isn’t even a citizen of this State.
Chew on this Albero. I have been owner of two businesses in this State and with the first one I didn’t have a license and I didn’t pay any sales tax to the State. And it was perfectly legal. In the second business I only paid 4 ½ % to the State. That also was perfectly legal. I have a solution to your worries about shopping in Maryland. Don’t!
Stay in tax-free Delaware. I’m sure Governor Minner will appreciate the attention.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Station 16
It seems that Albero also has all the answers to the disposition of the old firehouse. According to him it could be renovated at a minimal cost. I fear Albero does not know the building very well. The heating system in place now is obsolete. In no way would it be conducive to an office setting. A complete revamping of the system would be in order as well as a complete makeover of the interior. New interior walls ands insulation would be a must. Currently the only A/C in the building is window units. The basement has no heat whatsoever, unless you stand real close to the boiler which is located under the only stairway to the ground floor, which is directly below the only stairway to the second floor. That’s right. There is only one means of egress from the basement to the next floor. The bay door in the basement doesn’t count because if it is down and the power fails it cannot be opened from the inside. There is no secondary means of egress from the second floor should an emergency occur that blocks the main stairway. A secondary internal stairway or an external fire escape would be in order.
The current kitchen is in the basement. Near the bay door in the basement is a floor drain that spills directly to the river. On more than one occasion rats have been seen in the basement entering and exiting via this drain. The basement has often flooded during storm surge or an extremely high flood tide. Maybe this drain could be closed permanently, but I believe if that were feasible it would have been done long before now. Minimal cost to renovate? It has been looked into. The cost to renovate and maintain the building even as a fire station is prohibative. Heaven only knows what the cost would be for anything else.
I spent the better part of 30 years working in that building and over the years there were many attempts to improve the living conditions. Many solutions were put in place as stopgap measures to make the building last a little while longer. Now it has been deemed surplus. So be it, sell it or give it away. The fact is the City is going to dispose of it so there is no point beating this dead horse any longer, especially since the beating is only meant to discredit the city government as a whole.
The current kitchen is in the basement. Near the bay door in the basement is a floor drain that spills directly to the river. On more than one occasion rats have been seen in the basement entering and exiting via this drain. The basement has often flooded during storm surge or an extremely high flood tide. Maybe this drain could be closed permanently, but I believe if that were feasible it would have been done long before now. Minimal cost to renovate? It has been looked into. The cost to renovate and maintain the building even as a fire station is prohibative. Heaven only knows what the cost would be for anything else.
I spent the better part of 30 years working in that building and over the years there were many attempts to improve the living conditions. Many solutions were put in place as stopgap measures to make the building last a little while longer. Now it has been deemed surplus. So be it, sell it or give it away. The fact is the City is going to dispose of it so there is no point beating this dead horse any longer, especially since the beating is only meant to discredit the city government as a whole.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Things I Have Learned
The end of this post is credited to "Dave Barry, Presidential Contender"
That may be true but I have no proof of that. Especially since this is not really something new since I have received this several times in the past couple of years through some humor sites I subscribe to.
Non-the less, I find it entertaining enough to pass along. I often find myself very guilty of item # 4. No doubt Albero will agree. (thats all in good fun Albero--please take it as such)
#3 is a very close second in describing my life’s passions. First on my list is of course my spouse and my son. Nothing can replace them.
Please enjoy.
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human
race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full
potential, that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
4. You should not confuse your career with your life.
5. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it
too seriously.
6. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one
individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take
command. Very often, that individual is crazy.
7. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
8. Never lick a steak knife.
9. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.
10. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.
11. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and
compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
12. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely
suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an
actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
13. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other
people to make a big deal about your birthday.
That time is age eleven.
14. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age,
gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that,
deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.
15. The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is
to annoy people who are not in them.
16. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not
a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention.
It never fails.)
17. Your friends love you anyway.
~by Dave Barry, Presidential Contender~
That may be true but I have no proof of that. Especially since this is not really something new since I have received this several times in the past couple of years through some humor sites I subscribe to.
Non-the less, I find it entertaining enough to pass along. I often find myself very guilty of item # 4. No doubt Albero will agree. (thats all in good fun Albero--please take it as such)
#3 is a very close second in describing my life’s passions. First on my list is of course my spouse and my son. Nothing can replace them.
Please enjoy.
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill
and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human
race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full
potential, that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
4. You should not confuse your career with your life.
5. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it
too seriously.
6. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one
individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take
command. Very often, that individual is crazy.
7. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
8. Never lick a steak knife.
9. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.
10. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.
11. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and
compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
12. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely
suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an
actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
13. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other
people to make a big deal about your birthday.
That time is age eleven.
14. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age,
gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that,
deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.
15. The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is
to annoy people who are not in them.
16. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not
a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention.
It never fails.)
17. Your friends love you anyway.
~by Dave Barry, Presidential Contender~
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Dog Logic
I do not know who authored this for if I did I would surely give them credit. Anyone who has owned and loved a dog knows these are facts. Enjoy!.
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
Dogs love their friends &bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love &always have to mix love &hate.
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise
My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
.
.
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
Dogs love their friends &bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love &always have to mix love &hate.
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise
My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
.
.
Fire Department Overkill?
Albero is again asking questions about the fire departments in the county. I will have to admit this time he has approached what he perceives a problem with legitimate questions and he has done so in a relatively civil manner.
I suppose I was a little late getting to the post because “salisburyfire” has pretty much answered the questions Albero had. The answers are also civil and I might add quite accurate.
I do understand how it often looks like overkill to have so much equipment on the scene, and I will admit in some cases it may be. However, having been there-done that for a great many years I can assure you it can be quite comforting to know there is plenty of help soon to be at hand. Mistakes are made sometimes and the reparations for those mistakes lie with the officers of the department involved to take corrective action. Since I am not familiar with the policies of each and every department in the county I refuse to even speculate on the rules and regulations governing such an incident. Even if I were familiar with such policies, I probably would not comment, as it is a personnel issue not usually open for public scrutiny.
I may need to be corrected on this but I believe it was the Chiefs Association that set up the mutual aid assignments for each area of the county. I don’t believe their meetings are generally open to the public, but if Albero were to ask the right people (I personally do not who that may be) there is a possibility he could attend a meeting and have his questions answered from the source.
I appreciate the fact that Albero did not place the fire service on the chopping block right away this time. His admission to lack of knowledge about this situation and his approach to gaining insight on it is commendable.
I suppose I was a little late getting to the post because “salisburyfire” has pretty much answered the questions Albero had. The answers are also civil and I might add quite accurate.
I do understand how it often looks like overkill to have so much equipment on the scene, and I will admit in some cases it may be. However, having been there-done that for a great many years I can assure you it can be quite comforting to know there is plenty of help soon to be at hand. Mistakes are made sometimes and the reparations for those mistakes lie with the officers of the department involved to take corrective action. Since I am not familiar with the policies of each and every department in the county I refuse to even speculate on the rules and regulations governing such an incident. Even if I were familiar with such policies, I probably would not comment, as it is a personnel issue not usually open for public scrutiny.
I may need to be corrected on this but I believe it was the Chiefs Association that set up the mutual aid assignments for each area of the county. I don’t believe their meetings are generally open to the public, but if Albero were to ask the right people (I personally do not who that may be) there is a possibility he could attend a meeting and have his questions answered from the source.
I appreciate the fact that Albero did not place the fire service on the chopping block right away this time. His admission to lack of knowledge about this situation and his approach to gaining insight on it is commendable.
Say What?
After being married for 44 years, I took a careful look at my wife
one day and said, "Honey, 44 years ago we had a cheap apartment, a
cheap car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white
TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 25-year-old gal.
Now I have a $500,000.00 home, a $45,000.00 car, nice big bed and plasma
screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 65-year-old woman. It seems to
me that you're not holding up your side of things."
My wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out
and find a hot 25-year-old gal, and she would make sure that I would once
again be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, sleeping on
a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV.
Aren't older women great?
They really know how to solve a mid-life crisis...
one day and said, "Honey, 44 years ago we had a cheap apartment, a
cheap car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white
TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 25-year-old gal.
Now I have a $500,000.00 home, a $45,000.00 car, nice big bed and plasma
screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 65-year-old woman. It seems to
me that you're not holding up your side of things."
My wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out
and find a hot 25-year-old gal, and she would make sure that I would once
again be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, sleeping on
a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV.
Aren't older women great?
They really know how to solve a mid-life crisis...
Monday, September 24, 2007
More Fishing Regulations to come?
I read in today’s paper there is a fuss over yellow perch fishing. So much in fact the State of Maryland is stepping in to listen to arguments from the recreational firemen and the commercial fisherman. I remember catching yellow perch a plenty when I lived near the Nanticoke River. As I recall they were excellent for frying. A plate full of fried perch and some hush puppies or corndodgers with honey drizzled over the top made a great meal.
Now it seems the commercial fishermen are taking more than their share and the harvest doesn’t stay locally. Of course they have to sell where the market is and I can’t blame them for that, however the plying of their trade has apparently retarded the bounty for the local recreational sports fisherman.
This is not new. I also remember when there were Rockfish aplenty in the Nanticoke and the Chesapeake Bay. The Rock, or Stripped Bass if you prefer, were over fished to the point the State was required to put strict limits on harvesting them. I can tell you from experience, it wasn’t the sport fisherman that created this problem. I saw on many occasions what was brought up in the commercial gill nets. What the business fisherman did to the Rock population was the real reason for the decline. Because of that all fishermen suffered. Rock population has been on a rebound but tight regulations are still in place.
It’s sad that more regulation must be created in order to prevent the extinction of a species. But such is life. Someone must step up to control those that cannot control themselves.
Now it seems the commercial fishermen are taking more than their share and the harvest doesn’t stay locally. Of course they have to sell where the market is and I can’t blame them for that, however the plying of their trade has apparently retarded the bounty for the local recreational sports fisherman.
This is not new. I also remember when there were Rockfish aplenty in the Nanticoke and the Chesapeake Bay. The Rock, or Stripped Bass if you prefer, were over fished to the point the State was required to put strict limits on harvesting them. I can tell you from experience, it wasn’t the sport fisherman that created this problem. I saw on many occasions what was brought up in the commercial gill nets. What the business fisherman did to the Rock population was the real reason for the decline. Because of that all fishermen suffered. Rock population has been on a rebound but tight regulations are still in place.
It’s sad that more regulation must be created in order to prevent the extinction of a species. But such is life. Someone must step up to control those that cannot control themselves.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Raking Clams
Today I took the day for some personal R&R. My brother in law has asked me a number of times to go clamming. I used to rake clams in the Sinepuxent Bay off Assateague when I was a kid but that was many years ago. I agreed to go and on off we went. We put his Boston Whaler over at South point and headed into the bay. Soon we were in the shallows near the west side of Assateague Island with rakes in hand. In just a couple of hours we had more than enough clams of all sizes. We actually started to toss some the really big ones back because we had so many of those. Even with the good luck we had I noticed the clams were not as plentiful as they used to be.
We took some time to drift and sightsee around the bay and by 2:30 we were on our way back towards Millsboro. We divvied up the clams and I headed to home with enough clams for chowder and fritters as well as some to freeze for use later. Talk about tired! All in all it was a good day. Harvested my own food, was in good company, and had an extremely enjoyable well-deserved day off.
We took some time to drift and sightsee around the bay and by 2:30 we were on our way back towards Millsboro. We divvied up the clams and I headed to home with enough clams for chowder and fritters as well as some to freeze for use later. Talk about tired! All in all it was a good day. Harvested my own food, was in good company, and had an extremely enjoyable well-deserved day off.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Religious Humor
Now before I am accused of being blasphemous let me say this. I subscribe to a daily newsletter called “Mountain Wings”.
I will freely admit I am not the most religious person in this world, but I do enjoy this daily newsletter and have often applied the lessons it provides to daily life. Today’s issue provides us with religious humor. It is quite enjoyable. Cut and paste this link to your browser to enjoy what this ministry has to offer.
http://www.mountainwings.com:80/past/7262.htm
I will freely admit I am not the most religious person in this world, but I do enjoy this daily newsletter and have often applied the lessons it provides to daily life. Today’s issue provides us with religious humor. It is quite enjoyable. Cut and paste this link to your browser to enjoy what this ministry has to offer.
http://www.mountainwings.com:80/past/7262.htm
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Willards Vol. Fire Dept. Softball Tournament.
Here is the current information on the upcoming Willards Vol. Fire Dept. Softball Tournament.
Once again folks let’s get out and support the men & women that serve our communities so faithfully every day.
October 12-14, 2007
at Willards Athletic Field
Entry Fee is $200 per Team
For registration and more info contact
Matt McCormick @ 410-726-1753
or
Brandon White @ 302-858-3693
Registration closes Oct. 8th 2007
*ALL PLAYERS MUST BE AFFILIATED WITH AN EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT INCLUDING
FIRE, EMS, OR POLICE*
Once again folks let’s get out and support the men & women that serve our communities so faithfully every day.
October 12-14, 2007
at Willards Athletic Field
Entry Fee is $200 per Team
For registration and more info contact
Matt McCormick @ 410-726-1753
or
Brandon White @ 302-858-3693
Registration closes Oct. 8th 2007
*ALL PLAYERS MUST BE AFFILIATED WITH AN EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT INCLUDING
FIRE, EMS, OR POLICE*
Antietam Aftermath
Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army pulls away from Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg, Maryland. The day before, Lee's force had engaged in the bloodiest single days battle of the war against the army of General George B. McClellan. The armies stalemated, but the momentousness of losses forced Lee to abandon his invasion of Maryland.
The important facts to be perused here is not Lees withdrawal, but McClellan's lack of pursuit.
Lee fell to a defensive position with 42,000 to 43,000 troops. McClellan had at least 50,000 troops at hand with many more in immediate reserve and moving towards his relief.
Lee was highly vulnerable. His army had its back to the Potomac River. A quarter of his force had been lost in the battle and his men were tired.
On September 18th McClellan received an additional 12,000 troops, and as many as 24,000 more were in a position to rapidly deploy to relief if needed.
Although he outnumbered Lee's troops by almost three times, McClellan did not pursue the cagy southern general. McClellan overestimated the size of Lee's force. He erroneously assumed that Lee had nearly 100,000 troops in his command. The fall of Harpers Ferry Virginia on September 15th convinced McClellan that Lee had far more troops than actually existed.
It should be noted that McClellan’s soldiers were extremely fatigued after the Battle of Antietam. It would be difficult to rally them for another attack; but with the proper intelligence of Lee’s forces and successful delegation of fresh troops at hand the task of aggressively pursuing Lee’s army could have significantly hastened the end of hostilities.
Instead, Lee was allowed to escape across the Potomac. A chance to destroy the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was lost, and the war lasted another two and a half years.
The important facts to be perused here is not Lees withdrawal, but McClellan's lack of pursuit.
Lee fell to a defensive position with 42,000 to 43,000 troops. McClellan had at least 50,000 troops at hand with many more in immediate reserve and moving towards his relief.
Lee was highly vulnerable. His army had its back to the Potomac River. A quarter of his force had been lost in the battle and his men were tired.
On September 18th McClellan received an additional 12,000 troops, and as many as 24,000 more were in a position to rapidly deploy to relief if needed.
Although he outnumbered Lee's troops by almost three times, McClellan did not pursue the cagy southern general. McClellan overestimated the size of Lee's force. He erroneously assumed that Lee had nearly 100,000 troops in his command. The fall of Harpers Ferry Virginia on September 15th convinced McClellan that Lee had far more troops than actually existed.
It should be noted that McClellan’s soldiers were extremely fatigued after the Battle of Antietam. It would be difficult to rally them for another attack; but with the proper intelligence of Lee’s forces and successful delegation of fresh troops at hand the task of aggressively pursuing Lee’s army could have significantly hastened the end of hostilities.
Instead, Lee was allowed to escape across the Potomac. A chance to destroy the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was lost, and the war lasted another two and a half years.
Monday, September 17, 2007
A/C Hastings retirement.
Since Albero has out scooped me on the retirement of A/C Eddie Hastings from the Salisbury Fire Department, and has insisted that I have wronged him by not posting about the event, I shall defer to his BLOG for all the information.
I will say that Eddie and I have been friends and colleagues for many years. We continue to be so.
Congratulations Eddie. I have said it to your face several times and now I will say it here so that Albero may boast his “I told you so”. Good luck with all your future endeavors and I hope you and Jenny enjoy many more years of each other’s company.
By the way---Please don’t forget our next regular breakfast meeting on the 26th. You know where—see you there.
I will say that Eddie and I have been friends and colleagues for many years. We continue to be so.
Congratulations Eddie. I have said it to your face several times and now I will say it here so that Albero may boast his “I told you so”. Good luck with all your future endeavors and I hope you and Jenny enjoy many more years of each other’s company.
By the way---Please don’t forget our next regular breakfast meeting on the 26th. You know where—see you there.
Fire Dept Training--Albero Strikes out Again
It would so simple for Albero to get his facts straight. Just to take a minute or so to talk to those involved in the activities at hand and his reporting would be much more accurate and pleasurable to read.
I am sure the accident in Hebron involving the Fire Dept. vehicle has caused a lot of people in the service to sit up and take note. An incident such as this always does. But to insinuate that the Salisbury Fire Department has been lax in their training and has only now since the accident stepped up to the plate is an absolute misdirection of information. The activity that Albero photographed this weekend was part of the Departments F.A.D.O. (Fire Apparatus Driver Operator) training. This class is done annually in order to certify and re-certify driver/operators of the departments apparatus. The class consists of many didactic hours as well as practical evolutions in which the student must demonstrate proficiency in hydraulics and mathematics required to efficiently operate the various pieces of department apparatus. Those wishing to operate department equipment must also obtain the proper class of Maryland Drivers License. Driving skills are also part of this department training and the student must also obtain a satisfactory evaluation of that skill. Those certifying for the first time have also been requited to take and successfully complete the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institutes Pumps class. This is far from new. These requirements have been in place for years within the Salisbury Fire Department.
All in all what Albero has photographed is but a very small part of the process. If nothing else, those participating in the training deserve better than this haphazard mention of the activities at hand
Albero’s reporting tends to make one believe the department is playing “Catch-up” in light of the tragic event in Hebron.
Nothing is farther from the truth.
I am sure the accident in Hebron involving the Fire Dept. vehicle has caused a lot of people in the service to sit up and take note. An incident such as this always does. But to insinuate that the Salisbury Fire Department has been lax in their training and has only now since the accident stepped up to the plate is an absolute misdirection of information. The activity that Albero photographed this weekend was part of the Departments F.A.D.O. (Fire Apparatus Driver Operator) training. This class is done annually in order to certify and re-certify driver/operators of the departments apparatus. The class consists of many didactic hours as well as practical evolutions in which the student must demonstrate proficiency in hydraulics and mathematics required to efficiently operate the various pieces of department apparatus. Those wishing to operate department equipment must also obtain the proper class of Maryland Drivers License. Driving skills are also part of this department training and the student must also obtain a satisfactory evaluation of that skill. Those certifying for the first time have also been requited to take and successfully complete the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institutes Pumps class. This is far from new. These requirements have been in place for years within the Salisbury Fire Department.
All in all what Albero has photographed is but a very small part of the process. If nothing else, those participating in the training deserve better than this haphazard mention of the activities at hand
Albero’s reporting tends to make one believe the department is playing “Catch-up” in light of the tragic event in Hebron.
Nothing is farther from the truth.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Golden Star Restaurant.
Usually on Saturday or Sunday morning the spouse and I go out for breakfast. A lot of the franchise places in town have good food but they also have what I refer to has “pre-set” menus which contain huge portions. Ordering off the menu or trying to reduce the amount of food ordered can actually result in paying more for less. The alternative is ordering the pre-set selection and leaving food to be wasted, or cleaning your plate and overeating. I have often encountered less than personal service at these places as well. One such well-known pancake establishment on the north end of town is one that I simply refuse to go to again because of poor service.
I find the little family owned less well known establishments offer better service, and better food that the franchises. One such place is “The Golden Star” on Rt. 50 between the Gordy Tiger Mart and Boundary St. The folks that own it are from Turkey. They have become nationalized citizens of the U.S. and certainly have a goal to please their customers. The food is cooked to order, the menu is quite large, and the wait staff is friendly. The only current drawback is they do allow smoking in the downstairs dining room. I will say however there is an air-handling device that works very well and unless they’re a lot of folks with cigarettes the air is quite tolerable. The upstairs is non-smoking for those who desire smoke free. Come February it won’t be an issue at all as the entire State of MD goes smoke free. The Golden Star also features an all day breakfast menu. We have been there for dinner once or twice and the food for that meal is equally good as the breakfast.
There is nothing gourmet or elite about it. It’s just a friendly down home atmosphere with great service. And the prices are reasonable.
Looking for a change of pace? Try The Golden Star.
I find the little family owned less well known establishments offer better service, and better food that the franchises. One such place is “The Golden Star” on Rt. 50 between the Gordy Tiger Mart and Boundary St. The folks that own it are from Turkey. They have become nationalized citizens of the U.S. and certainly have a goal to please their customers. The food is cooked to order, the menu is quite large, and the wait staff is friendly. The only current drawback is they do allow smoking in the downstairs dining room. I will say however there is an air-handling device that works very well and unless they’re a lot of folks with cigarettes the air is quite tolerable. The upstairs is non-smoking for those who desire smoke free. Come February it won’t be an issue at all as the entire State of MD goes smoke free. The Golden Star also features an all day breakfast menu. We have been there for dinner once or twice and the food for that meal is equally good as the breakfast.
There is nothing gourmet or elite about it. It’s just a friendly down home atmosphere with great service. And the prices are reasonable.
Looking for a change of pace? Try The Golden Star.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Albero's Last Stand on Assateague Permits
Albero comments today from the post of September 5th.
Quote from Albero
"Spending $90.00 per sticker as a joke is simply out of the question for someone on a City salary.
No matter what is said, everyone knows what really was going on here. Sure, a select few might want to argue for the City's sake but we all know the reality here.
In the past, (before Blogs) there was only the Daily Times, (print wise) and they would never run a story like this and you know what, to this day they still haven't! It tells you why, (convincingly) everyone calls it the Tilghman Times.
They were snagged, the stickers are gone and no one will ever pull that kind of crap again. End of story."
You are absolutely right Albero. Ninety dollars for a practical joke is simply out of the question. That’s why I am convinced it was removed from another vehicle and placed on the city truck. Just as “inside looking out,” pointed out, if the stickers are one over another they all come off with ease. You need to look at some of the trucks that use the beach year after year. Many of the stickers are stacked several deep. The same is true with the annual stickers for license plates. After a while they get so thick you can easily peel off several years at a time.
So what if you are 45 years old. Is that a magic age that makes you more knowledgeable about these things than anyone else? Does this imply you are worldlier than the rest of us by virtue of your epochal humanoid accomplishment?
At what age would one reach an acme of luminosity? More importantly, at what age do you expect one would start to digress from the analytical process of reasoning and common sense? I only ask because I am somewhat older than you and I am intensely curious to know exactly when I fell from the realm of learning and application of non-convoluted reasoning, thereby being compelled to heed the irrational and multifarious opinionated rants of an oracle such as yourself.
Yes Albero—I am forced to agree with you. No one spent $90 on a practical joke.
The joke is on you for believing the city actually bought a permit for a truckload of sand for horseshoe pits, when in reality easier and more economical options exist. You yourself have accused the city of being cheap and looking for ways to conserve funds. Look at your recent post concerning the zoo and the advertisement for a zookeeper. Do you not chastise the city for offering a lower salary for the position and requiring lesser education that what was once mandated? (so you say—no proof is offered to the contrary) With all these supposedly cuts in position and salary, you would actually have us believe the city foolishly spent $90 on a beach permit when a trip to Wal-Mart for less than $25 could have accomplished the same thing? Maybe you should apply your great forensic investigative skill to this as you have done the accident involving the Hebron Fire Department Vehicle. Possibly then you will find a more logical adjudication to the matter.
Snagged? Pull the barbs out of your own pelt Albero. Even if a little piece of your atrocious accusation is true, what makes you think it is so newsworthy that the Daily Times would stop the presses in order to take the City to task over such an issue? Granted, the Times is far from Pulitzer proficient, but a simple practical joke in Smallsbury is not an event to alter the NYSE on any given day.
Yes, the stickers are gone. And the harmless fun will come to an end thanks to your inference of malfeasance with a photo that proves absolutely nothing. Would a Second Amendment sticker on a city vehicle prove a Salisbury City membership to the National Rifle Association?
Show us a financial report or receipt of some kind that proves beyond a doubt the city did indeed purchase this permit.
Do that and I will recant this entire dialog? Until then---This is the end of the story
Quote from Albero
"Spending $90.00 per sticker as a joke is simply out of the question for someone on a City salary.
No matter what is said, everyone knows what really was going on here. Sure, a select few might want to argue for the City's sake but we all know the reality here.
In the past, (before Blogs) there was only the Daily Times, (print wise) and they would never run a story like this and you know what, to this day they still haven't! It tells you why, (convincingly) everyone calls it the Tilghman Times.
They were snagged, the stickers are gone and no one will ever pull that kind of crap again. End of story."
You are absolutely right Albero. Ninety dollars for a practical joke is simply out of the question. That’s why I am convinced it was removed from another vehicle and placed on the city truck. Just as “inside looking out,” pointed out, if the stickers are one over another they all come off with ease. You need to look at some of the trucks that use the beach year after year. Many of the stickers are stacked several deep. The same is true with the annual stickers for license plates. After a while they get so thick you can easily peel off several years at a time.
So what if you are 45 years old. Is that a magic age that makes you more knowledgeable about these things than anyone else? Does this imply you are worldlier than the rest of us by virtue of your epochal humanoid accomplishment?
At what age would one reach an acme of luminosity? More importantly, at what age do you expect one would start to digress from the analytical process of reasoning and common sense? I only ask because I am somewhat older than you and I am intensely curious to know exactly when I fell from the realm of learning and application of non-convoluted reasoning, thereby being compelled to heed the irrational and multifarious opinionated rants of an oracle such as yourself.
Yes Albero—I am forced to agree with you. No one spent $90 on a practical joke.
The joke is on you for believing the city actually bought a permit for a truckload of sand for horseshoe pits, when in reality easier and more economical options exist. You yourself have accused the city of being cheap and looking for ways to conserve funds. Look at your recent post concerning the zoo and the advertisement for a zookeeper. Do you not chastise the city for offering a lower salary for the position and requiring lesser education that what was once mandated? (so you say—no proof is offered to the contrary) With all these supposedly cuts in position and salary, you would actually have us believe the city foolishly spent $90 on a beach permit when a trip to Wal-Mart for less than $25 could have accomplished the same thing? Maybe you should apply your great forensic investigative skill to this as you have done the accident involving the Hebron Fire Department Vehicle. Possibly then you will find a more logical adjudication to the matter.
Snagged? Pull the barbs out of your own pelt Albero. Even if a little piece of your atrocious accusation is true, what makes you think it is so newsworthy that the Daily Times would stop the presses in order to take the City to task over such an issue? Granted, the Times is far from Pulitzer proficient, but a simple practical joke in Smallsbury is not an event to alter the NYSE on any given day.
Yes, the stickers are gone. And the harmless fun will come to an end thanks to your inference of malfeasance with a photo that proves absolutely nothing. Would a Second Amendment sticker on a city vehicle prove a Salisbury City membership to the National Rifle Association?
Show us a financial report or receipt of some kind that proves beyond a doubt the city did indeed purchase this permit.
Do that and I will recant this entire dialog? Until then---This is the end of the story
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I Remember
September 11, 2001. Do you remember where you were?
Did you see it?
Did you feel it?
I knew when I watched the towers fall I had witnessed the death of many people. I knew that among them were many firefighters. I was afraid some of those lost were some that I had met and had known.
I was right. I think of them often.
Battalion Chief, Raymond Downey, Special Operations Command.
Lt. Dennis Mojica, Rescue 1
F/F Joseph Angelini, Rescue 1
I do not remember where I first met Chief Downey but I had many brief encounters with him both in person and over the phone when I worked with the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute.
I met Lt Mojica and F/F Angelini on the same visit to Rescue 1 in 1977. At the time Lt Mojica was a F/F as well. I was struck by the fact that F/F Angelini was so small in stature. Not that should make any difference so far as the job was concerned, but most all of the men I met at Rescue 1 were truly “mountains” of men. Big and brawny only begins to describe them. However, I soon realized that Joe Angelini was as big as any of them. Everyone respected Joe, and he returned it in equal doses. He was probably the oldest man on the roles of Rescue 1 even in 1977. On 9-11-2001 he was 62 years old, had recently finished his 40th year on the job, and was in the process of getting his retirement paperwork together. He died when the first tower fell.
The blow to his family did not end there. Joe Angelini had two sons. Joe Angelini Jr. assigned to Ladder 4 FDNY & Michael Angelini assigned to Fire Patrol of New York. Joe Angelini Jr. also died in the collapse on 9-11 and the last I knew his remains have never been identified. Michael survived the carnage and was involved in the search and recovery of his father and the search for his brother.
I remember them today. I remember them often.
You may not have known anyone that died that day in New York.
I just ask that you never forget those that did.
FDNY death toll for 9-11-01------343
Never Forget.
Did you see it?
Did you feel it?
I knew when I watched the towers fall I had witnessed the death of many people. I knew that among them were many firefighters. I was afraid some of those lost were some that I had met and had known.
I was right. I think of them often.
Battalion Chief, Raymond Downey, Special Operations Command.
Lt. Dennis Mojica, Rescue 1
F/F Joseph Angelini, Rescue 1
I do not remember where I first met Chief Downey but I had many brief encounters with him both in person and over the phone when I worked with the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute.
I met Lt Mojica and F/F Angelini on the same visit to Rescue 1 in 1977. At the time Lt Mojica was a F/F as well. I was struck by the fact that F/F Angelini was so small in stature. Not that should make any difference so far as the job was concerned, but most all of the men I met at Rescue 1 were truly “mountains” of men. Big and brawny only begins to describe them. However, I soon realized that Joe Angelini was as big as any of them. Everyone respected Joe, and he returned it in equal doses. He was probably the oldest man on the roles of Rescue 1 even in 1977. On 9-11-2001 he was 62 years old, had recently finished his 40th year on the job, and was in the process of getting his retirement paperwork together. He died when the first tower fell.
The blow to his family did not end there. Joe Angelini had two sons. Joe Angelini Jr. assigned to Ladder 4 FDNY & Michael Angelini assigned to Fire Patrol of New York. Joe Angelini Jr. also died in the collapse on 9-11 and the last I knew his remains have never been identified. Michael survived the carnage and was involved in the search and recovery of his father and the search for his brother.
I remember them today. I remember them often.
You may not have known anyone that died that day in New York.
I just ask that you never forget those that did.
FDNY death toll for 9-11-01------343
Never Forget.
Summer is Over
Maybe not quite so but it’s very close. I don’t refer to the calendar time constraints of the seasons, but the events taking place with in our lives. First of all, school is back in session. Next, you see farmers gearing up for harvest, or maybe a better term would be gearing up for salvage. Surely many of the cornfields are in sad shape. Even those with irrigation don’t always look so good these days.
Indoor recreational activities are starting to resume as well. In the Tony Tank Redmen’s lodge the pool league and shuffleboard league have already begun. Tonight, the fall dart league got under way as well. Darts. Another activity my wife and I enjoy. It’s not the game that is so great as much as the fellow darters (maybe that’s a correct term) that we share time and conversation with. As the weather grows colder and the days grow shorter the time spent with friends like this is invaluable. Surprisingly we have much in common with the folks we throw with. Many are married couples like us, but there is one mother/daughter team. Two teams have been paired by chance and other players just show up in case someone needs a substitute for the night. It may not be as much fun as sporting clays, but in January it’s a far sight warmer.
I shall certainly miss the summer. But darts, turkey shoots, and sporting clays will get me through. That of course is second only to family and friends.
Indoor recreational activities are starting to resume as well. In the Tony Tank Redmen’s lodge the pool league and shuffleboard league have already begun. Tonight, the fall dart league got under way as well. Darts. Another activity my wife and I enjoy. It’s not the game that is so great as much as the fellow darters (maybe that’s a correct term) that we share time and conversation with. As the weather grows colder and the days grow shorter the time spent with friends like this is invaluable. Surprisingly we have much in common with the folks we throw with. Many are married couples like us, but there is one mother/daughter team. Two teams have been paired by chance and other players just show up in case someone needs a substitute for the night. It may not be as much fun as sporting clays, but in January it’s a far sight warmer.
I shall certainly miss the summer. But darts, turkey shoots, and sporting clays will get me through. That of course is second only to family and friends.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Softball & Shotguns
First of ---Congratulations to MSP, Powellville VFD, and Fruitland VFD for being # 1,2, & 3 in the Mike McMullen softball tournament this weekend. The true winner is the Mike McMullen scholarship fund and the super winners are the men and women who have the distinction of being awarded the opportunity of using this scholarship to learn the skills necessary to serve the citizens of our community. I personally salute all of the above as well as all the participants of the event. Without your dedication to the recognition of Mikes good name and honor, none of this would be possible. May the Good Lord bless each and every one of you. Thank you also to the other BLOGers that have kept this event to the forefront. Let’s do it again next year.
I’m sorry to say I did not attend any of the games today. Today my spouse and I decided to spend our time shooting sporting clays. Due to some serious family issues this summer, she and I have not spent the time we normally do at the range. This is a sport we truly enjoy together. Owens Station Sporting Clays near Greenwood, Delaware hosted a 50-target event today for the benefit of the “Ceadarfield Ruritan Club”. I have no idea where they hail from other than somewhere in Delaware. I know the Ruritan are a community organization so the money we spent on entry fees was for a good cause.
The good news is, I took 1st place in the second class Lewis system and garnered a crisp new $100.00 bill and a nice plaque for my efforts. My spouse missed any prize in the Lewis class but took first place in the concurrent ladies class. No cash prize but she received a nice plaque to remember the event. She also received a very nice gun case as a door prize at the end of the day. Our entry fees were $120.00 ($60.00 each) and the way I see it other than our ammunition and gasoline to there and back we basically shot for free.
Better than all that we met a very pleasant 16-year-old lad that is quite new to the shooting sports. His Mom who was able to tell us he had worked this entire summer to earn enough money to buy his own shotgun accompanied him. He was shooting a brand new Browning “Cynergy”, which is a very fine shotgun indeed. I might add he did very well with it also. It is good to see young adults have a responsible interest in the shooting sports. We certainly hope to have the opportunity to shoot with him again.
It has been a wonderful day!
I’m sorry to say I did not attend any of the games today. Today my spouse and I decided to spend our time shooting sporting clays. Due to some serious family issues this summer, she and I have not spent the time we normally do at the range. This is a sport we truly enjoy together. Owens Station Sporting Clays near Greenwood, Delaware hosted a 50-target event today for the benefit of the “Ceadarfield Ruritan Club”. I have no idea where they hail from other than somewhere in Delaware. I know the Ruritan are a community organization so the money we spent on entry fees was for a good cause.
The good news is, I took 1st place in the second class Lewis system and garnered a crisp new $100.00 bill and a nice plaque for my efforts. My spouse missed any prize in the Lewis class but took first place in the concurrent ladies class. No cash prize but she received a nice plaque to remember the event. She also received a very nice gun case as a door prize at the end of the day. Our entry fees were $120.00 ($60.00 each) and the way I see it other than our ammunition and gasoline to there and back we basically shot for free.
Better than all that we met a very pleasant 16-year-old lad that is quite new to the shooting sports. His Mom who was able to tell us he had worked this entire summer to earn enough money to buy his own shotgun accompanied him. He was shooting a brand new Browning “Cynergy”, which is a very fine shotgun indeed. I might add he did very well with it also. It is good to see young adults have a responsible interest in the shooting sports. We certainly hope to have the opportunity to shoot with him again.
It has been a wonderful day!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Michael McMullen Softball Tournament. Sept. 8th & 9th
I know I have had this up before and other BLOGs have also been gracious enough to keep it in the spotlight as well.
On September 8th & 9th the members of the Salisbury Fire Department will be hosting the 2nd Annual Michael McMullen Softball Tournament to be held this weekend at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex on Naylor Mill Rd.
Mike was a firefighter/paramedic with the Salisbury Fire Dept. and was on duty in Iraq with his National Guard Unit when in December of 2005 the convoy he was ridding in was attacked. In an attempt to save a fellow soldiers life Mike was very seriously injured in a secondary attack. Mike succumbed to his injuries in January 2006.
The fellow soldier he was engaged in protecting survivied.
A paramedic scholarship was set up at Wor-Wic Tech in Mikes good name and honor. The proceeds from these annual softball tourneys go towards the scholarship in order to provide financial assistance to those aspiring to contribute to community service. By attending the tournaments and supporting your favorite team you support the scholarship and the fond memory of Mike McMullen.
I sincerely thank all the other sites that have published & promoted this event. Hope to see you there!
On September 8th & 9th the members of the Salisbury Fire Department will be hosting the 2nd Annual Michael McMullen Softball Tournament to be held this weekend at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex on Naylor Mill Rd.
Mike was a firefighter/paramedic with the Salisbury Fire Dept. and was on duty in Iraq with his National Guard Unit when in December of 2005 the convoy he was ridding in was attacked. In an attempt to save a fellow soldiers life Mike was very seriously injured in a secondary attack. Mike succumbed to his injuries in January 2006.
The fellow soldier he was engaged in protecting survivied.
A paramedic scholarship was set up at Wor-Wic Tech in Mikes good name and honor. The proceeds from these annual softball tourneys go towards the scholarship in order to provide financial assistance to those aspiring to contribute to community service. By attending the tournaments and supporting your favorite team you support the scholarship and the fond memory of Mike McMullen.
I sincerely thank all the other sites that have published & promoted this event. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Assateague Beach Permit on City Vehicle
I must agree with Albero and others on this one.
First of all, Assateague Island is divided into two parts. There is a State Park and a Federal Park. Now I have been a member of the Assateague Mobile Sports Fisherman Association, (A.M.S.A.), for over twenty years. A main focus of A.M.S.A. and the parks is the preservation of the beaches. I have never heard of anyone having a “permit” to remove sand in any quantity whatsoever from the island, other than what ends up on your feet and in your bathing suit.
And another question---Why pay for a beach permit (in excess of $100.00) to rob sand from a protected area. There are far to many legitimate companies that could easily provide a stockpile of sand for the city. Not to mention the fuel and manpower required garnering this resource.
What about a courtesy request from Ocean City for sand? Of course they also are constantly in a replenishment process, but a few pick-up loads is not that much to ask for. I may be wrong, but at the present time the two park services are not engaged in replenishment to the beaches. How about some of the public and private beaches in the county along the Nanticoke River? And once again, there are many local companies that can provide sand quickly and efficiently.
Sorry---to many “Easy-Outs” here to convince me at this point a Federal Park Permit is needed for this city vehicle to obtain sand. Oh yes! That permit sticker is for the Federal Park. Their rules and regulations are far more stringent than the State. Also, I have never heard of the Federal Park Service issuing "free" permits to anyone.
Still---there is another side to this story. A side I anxiously await to hear. The burden of proof will be in legitimate records and proof positive of correspondence of such agreements. If it cannot be provided, than doubt shall forever shadow the issue.
First of all, Assateague Island is divided into two parts. There is a State Park and a Federal Park. Now I have been a member of the Assateague Mobile Sports Fisherman Association, (A.M.S.A.), for over twenty years. A main focus of A.M.S.A. and the parks is the preservation of the beaches. I have never heard of anyone having a “permit” to remove sand in any quantity whatsoever from the island, other than what ends up on your feet and in your bathing suit.
And another question---Why pay for a beach permit (in excess of $100.00) to rob sand from a protected area. There are far to many legitimate companies that could easily provide a stockpile of sand for the city. Not to mention the fuel and manpower required garnering this resource.
What about a courtesy request from Ocean City for sand? Of course they also are constantly in a replenishment process, but a few pick-up loads is not that much to ask for. I may be wrong, but at the present time the two park services are not engaged in replenishment to the beaches. How about some of the public and private beaches in the county along the Nanticoke River? And once again, there are many local companies that can provide sand quickly and efficiently.
Sorry---to many “Easy-Outs” here to convince me at this point a Federal Park Permit is needed for this city vehicle to obtain sand. Oh yes! That permit sticker is for the Federal Park. Their rules and regulations are far more stringent than the State. Also, I have never heard of the Federal Park Service issuing "free" permits to anyone.
Still---there is another side to this story. A side I anxiously await to hear. The burden of proof will be in legitimate records and proof positive of correspondence of such agreements. If it cannot be provided, than doubt shall forever shadow the issue.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Beautiful Day
The weather today was perfect for one of our favorite pastimes. Sporting Clays. My spouse and I have enjoyed the sport for about ten years now. I have been very busy this summer handling some personal issues and we have done very little shooting. Also the weather has been just too dog gone hot on some of the days we were free. SO, today we took off early to Owens Station, just outside Greenwood DE to shoot a hundred clays apiece. I forgot to check the schedule and when we arrived we were smack dab in the middle of the club championship. The place was really busy and after taking a gander at some of the target presentations we decided to return on another day.
Not all was lost though. We had a pretty good breakfast, a nice leisurely ride and spent some quality time together, and while at the club we got to chat with some friends we had not seen in a while. Next week end there is another shoot at Owens Station for the “Ceadarfield Ruritan Club”, and over at Woodlands Sporting Clays in Dorchester Co. there will be a benefit shoot for the Dorchester County Farm Bureau Young Farmers.
I certainly hope the weather is as good then as today.
Not all was lost though. We had a pretty good breakfast, a nice leisurely ride and spent some quality time together, and while at the club we got to chat with some friends we had not seen in a while. Next week end there is another shoot at Owens Station for the “Ceadarfield Ruritan Club”, and over at Woodlands Sporting Clays in Dorchester Co. there will be a benefit shoot for the Dorchester County Farm Bureau Young Farmers.
I certainly hope the weather is as good then as today.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Today in History September 1, 1864
On September 1 1864, Union General William T. Sherman, has had the city of Atlanta Georgia under siege. This being part of his operation to cut the South in two and interrupt what meager supply lines were left. Confederate General John Bell Hood, being unable to maintain a tenable position in Atlanta, evacuates the city in an attempt to find more viable ground in which to fight. General Hood torches remaining supplies and munitions to deny their use to the Yankees. Undeterred Shearman takes Atlanta and continues his march to the sea successfully separating the South, creating a severe hardship to The Army of Northern Virginia. The success of Sherman’s campaign hastened the end of the war which occured merely seven months later
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