Statement From Richard Douglas - Candidate For U.S. Senate - Maryland

Richard Douglas on Today's Keystone XL Pipeline Senate Vote

3.8.12

Contact: Jim Pettit

301.704.1363

The Senate voted to defeat the Keystone Pipeline amendment 56 to 42. The measure required 60 votes to pass and received significant support from Senators of both parties. Sen. Cardin voted no.

Maryland U.S. Senate Candidate Richard Douglas released the following statement:"By delaying yet again the Keystone XL Pipeline, the elitist and out-of-touch U.S. Senate and the Administration sent a blunt message to American workers:drop dead. U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Harry Reid have noconcept of the impact on workers which  follows the death of projects like Keystone.
            

"At the very moment when Maryland legislators are considering hiking the gas tax and the President himself has acknowledged
soaring fuel prices is an election issue, Ben Cardin comfortably votes the party line at the
expense of hard-working families and those looking for work.

"The fact is the Keystone pipeline is a direct benefit to workers
in Cumberland,Salisbury, Sparrows Point and every
other place in America struggling to maintain a manufacturing-based economy."Richard Douglas on Keystone XL:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuVdZ3-h5Ys

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

Feb. 18th, 2012

Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Week 6 February 13-17, 2012

Lincoln Day Speech, Monday Session
I was honored to be chosen by our leadership to give the Lincoln Day Address to the House of Delegates. There were several special guests in the House that night including my wife, Laura, and also the governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad. I spoke on the re-adoption of the principles of the Declaration of Independence as the motivation behind the Lincoln presidency. The speech lasted 12-minutes and I enjoyed the opportunity to share with my colleagues the time honored challenges of securing freedom for the coming generations, and for the world.

Judiciary Hearings Tuesday, Feb.14
HB-199 Would modify the current makeup of the Judicial panels conducting Sentencing Reviews by setting the panel number at three. We heard from several judges who have been working with the committee to update current law in order to streamline the review process.
HB-235 Would allow for records of non-violent crimes to be shielded after 10-years from public view yet remain available for criminal justice agencies (need to know). This may have merit but  needs to be amended to insure that the 10-year time span begins following completed service of the original sentence. There was some opposition from Social Services, Nursing Board and various groups who need criminal history to protect their clients.
HB-237 Would require a court to provide people convicted with instructions on the process of expungment of records. It appears that this is already required by the law. There were other flaws pointed out by the State’s Attorney Association.
HB-398 Would expand the Wiretapping statute to include Theft Scheme as a crime to be included on the list of enumerated crimes allowing law enforcement to conduct this type of surveillance. This was requested by several states attorneys who have found it complicated to develop cases against major theft operations involving millions of dollars due to the limitations of the current statute.
HB-411 Would keep the Post Conviction Review by use of DNA evidence in place. It is due to sunset this year. This would allow the reviews to continue.This act has led to some innocent person to be released from prison based upon DNA review.
HB-251 Would allow Ocean City to conduct criminal background checks on taxi cab applicants. This is already allowed in many jurisdictions across the state. There was no opposition.
HB-349 This bill would extend the statute of limitations on misdemeanor Child Pornography charges.  Law enforcement can run into time crunches trying to secure digital evidence in these cases. The addition of two years would make sense in these types of cases.
HB-351 Would include the crime of Burglary as a factor in determining if  a sexual contact offense should be considered as being in the third degree. Currently, this type of contact within the context of a burglary would only be a fourth degree act.
HB-188 Seeks to create a law dealing with possession of synthetic cannabinoids. Worcester County recently took this action locally. This bill seeks to ban the synthetics statewide. Proponents stated that “K-2” or “Spice” is a gateway drug and can cause seizures and other reactions. One chief witness claimed that death has also been a result. The testimony indicated that the substances are already banned in 40-states. Many of the synthetics have already been listed as Schedule One drugs by the federal government making them illegal.
HB-338 Seeks pre trial release restrictions to eliminate Unsecured Bonds for any serious crimes. These are bonds where a person simply signs an assurance that they will appear for court or face forfeiture of a certain cash amount. Their only security is their signature.

Judiciary/HGO Joint Voting SessionTuesday
A joint voting session was conducted on Tuesday with the Judiciary and the Health and government Operations Committees meeting in the House Judiciary Meeting Room to address HB-438, the Same Sex marriage Bill. Several amendments were brought forward and debated. There was great reluctance to allow any changes to the bill on the part of the democrats. here are the amendments which were offered:
1-Would allow public school teachers the ability to opt out of teaching materials relating to sex education or non-traditional families if it were to be opposed to their values or religious teachings. This amendment was defeated following debate.
2. Would allow parents the opportunity to determine what portions of a sex education curriculum that their students will participate in at school. As opposed to opting out of the education, this would require parents to opt into the instruction. This amendment was defeated following debate.
3. Would prohibit a minor from marrying another individual of the same sex. It was fascinating to see all of the democrats agree that it would be alright for a 16 year old boy to marry a 48 year old man...incredible! Even this amendment, reasonable as it is, was defeated.
4. Would allow the effective date to be pushed back by several months to allow for a public referendum to be mounted. There was much debate on the process and whether the rights of the people would be protected should the Attorney General not certify the petition process.There is a lot of concern that shenanigans would follow this process and the people would have their Constitutional rights abridged. This amendment was also defeated on a very close vote.
5. Would protect the definition of marriage and create Civil Unions for same sex couples.It would give all the rights of married individuals to same sex couples, but it would not redefine marriage as being between a man and a woman. I consider this amendment a great compromise that bridges the gap. This was also defeated by the democrats.

Following the amendments, there were closing statements on HB-438 itself. Having made the final arguments, and lamenting that the people were not being allowed to vote for themselves. Several delegates raised concerns on many aspects of the bill, but in the end, both committees voted largely along party lines with a few democrats voting against the bill.  The bill was passed onto the floor by a vote of 25-18.

Judiciary Hearings Wednesday
HB-265 Would create a task force to study the implementation of a civil right to counsel in Maryland. This request was being put forward by members of the judiciary and civil rights advocates. While this is just a study request, no doubt the implementation of expanded rights to counsel would come with a huge price tag for Marylanders.
HB-557 Would provide certain protections to the estates of deceased persons whose names (famous personalities) may be used unscrupulously by persons for profit. This bill would provide protections that would not dissuade famous people from feeling like they needed to leave Maryland in order to protect their estate interests after they died. There was some debate over trade mark issues already in play and available. HB-353 Would require employers to make allowances for workers who must serve on jury duty from being required to work on the same day they have jury duty.  It particularly seeks to protect  employees who must work a night shift. Testimony would indicate that this is not a major problem, but we did here from an employee who had trouble with an employer when she was summoned for jury duty and was required to serve.
HB-318 Would alter the eligibility threshold for “small” estates. This allows for a streamlined process for estates of limited amounts. This bill would raise the threshold amounts to $50,000 and $100,000 respectively when dealing with these estates. The amounts have not been adjusted for many years and this would raise the amounts to a level commensurate with inflation and values. This makes sense and would help folks dealing with these small estates.
HB-527 Addresses amounts in bankruptcy cases which would add $2000.00 in exemptions of firearms which can be shielded from normal bankruptcy proceedings. This would help protect heritage firearms from being sold off as part of a bankruptcy settlement.
HB-524  This bill would allow sheriff’s deputies who are members of the bar in Maryland to practice law in Maryland.

Judiciary Hearings Conducted Thursday
HB-598 Would allow for Arrest Warrants to be issued for Juveniles. Currently, juveniles are often picked up by police and then Juvenile Justice is contacted. This bill would allow for a Juvenile Court Judge to issue a warrant for the arrest of a juvenile who is wanted by police.There was some question as to whether or not this right of the judiciary already exists.
HB-496 Would place criminal penalties against professionals who fail to report child abuse in accordance with proper procedures. The requirement is already in the law, but up till now, there is no fine or sentence attached to this statute. This bill is one of many that have been filed this year (including one of my own) and the primary difference may be found in the fines and sentencing applications.
HB-614 Would require the Department of Juvenile Services to provide address and other pertinent contact information to the victims of certain criminal acts so they can better protect themselves and their safety compromised.This bill would allow the release of juvenile information as to where a perpetrator lives, works, goes to school, etc.
HB-484 Would require a person found guilty of Animal Cruelty to pay the costs associated with the care and medical treatment of the animal. There are a few of these bills being circulated this year.
HB-420 Would continue a pilot program ongoing in Washington County which requires certain individuals to be monitored by GPS Tracking devices.

Friday Session
Friday was a blur of activity culminating in a historic vote on Gay marriage. The machinations to bring this vote about, the creation of “magic” Legislative Days which allowed this to occur, and the back room dealings I will attempt to address in a follow up response to this weeks release. The final vote count was close as the democrats, with the help of two flipped republicans, put up the minimum “71” votes needed to pass HB-438. Much more to follow on this bill.
The Same Sex marriage bill now moves on to the Senate whee it is expected to pass with few obstacles.

Legislative Updates ~ Delegate Mike McDermott/Same Sex Marriage Vote

Press Release on Same Sex Marriage Vote in Joint Committee

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

by

Delegate Michael A. McDermott

February 14, 2012

The O’Malley-Brown Gay Marriage Bill was voted on in a combined House Judiciary and Health/Government Operations Committee meeting. Several attempts were made to amend the bill and a lot of behind the scenes arm twisting has going on up until the final minutes before the committee convened. All of the Democratic leadership from the House was in the room to keep the pressure on members.

The following amendments were offered:

1-Would allow public school teachers the ability to opt out of teaching materials relating to sex education or non-traditional families if it were to be opposed to their values or religious teachings. This amendment was defeated following debate.

2. Would allow parents the opportunity to determine what portions of a sex education curriculum that their students will participate in at school. As opposed to opting out of the education, this would require parents to opt into the instruction. This amendment was defeated following debate.

3. Would prohibit a minor from marrying another individual of the same sex. It was fascinating to see all of the democrats agree that it would be alright for a 16 year old boy to marry a 48 year old man...incredible! Even this amendment, reasonable as it is, was defeated.

4. Would allow the effective date to be pushed back by several months to allow for a public referendum to be mounted. There was much debate on the process and whether the rights of the people would be protected should the Attorney General not certify the petition process.There is a lot of concern that shenanigans would follow this process and the people would have their Constitutional rights abridged. This amendment was also defeated on a very close vote.

5. Would protect the definition of marriage and create Civil Unions for same sex couples.It would give all the rights of married individuals to same sex couples, but it would not redefine marriage as being between a man and a woman. I consider this amendment a great compromise that bridges the gap. This was also defeated by the democrats.

Following the amendments, there were closing statements on HB-438 itself. Having made the final arguments, and lamenting that the people were not being allowed to vote for themselves.Several delegates raised concerns on many aspects of the bill, but in the end, both committees voted largely along party lines with a few democrats voting against the bill. The bill was passed onto the floor by a vote of 25-18.

Legislative Updates: Delegate Mike McDermott

Feb. 14th, 2012

Lincoln Day Speech:

to the Maryland House of Delegates February 13, 2012

by Delegate Michael A. McDermott

Motive is an interesting thing. I have questioned the motives of people for decades, as, no doubt, have you as well. As an investigator, I can tell you that finding the motive for a crime is a critical element in solving it.

On a ball field, it is easy to spot the team that lacks motivation. The best coaches are those who can keep their team upbeat and pressing toward the goal.

On a battlefield, it is the leadership which refuses to surrender, finds a way to win, and leads from the front.

We admire it in an individual, we struggle to maintain it in ourselves, and we will die without it…motivation.

If we want to be a successful leader, we look to those who, having been tried in a crucible, came out to victory on the other side. And, having found them, we must uncover their motive, less we be guilty of merely mimicking their actions.

Perhaps no president has been studied as much as Abraham Lincoln and we could easily find ourselves occupied by his actions without searching out his motives…but we would do this great man a disservice and would hinder ourselves in our quest.

No doubt, a couple of things jump right to the front when we consider his motivation. For starters, how about saving the union? We could easily make that argument. Yet, saving the union was only relative to the preservation of that which was greater.

We could make a case that the emancipation of those held in bondage would provide all the motivation necessary to propel a man to cast aside every burden and press on to the goal which lies before him. Yet, even this noblest of causes does not reach the depth of Lincoln’s motivation.


 It was a speech in Peoria where he challenged his listeners by saying:
“Let us re-adopt the Declaration of Independence, and with it, the practices, and policy, which harmonize with it. Let north and south -- let all Americans -- let all lovers of liberty everywhere -- join in the great and good work. If we do this, we shall not only have saved the Union; but we shall have so saved it, as to make, and to keep it, forever worthy of the saving. We shall have so saved it, that the succeeding millions of free happy people, the world over, shall rise up, and call us blessed, to the latest generations.”

That speech was given six years before this country would plunge itself into a great civil war. It was a clarion call to embrace that which we had walked away from. The Founders had made solemn declarations about us as a people. We had claimed a God given right to freedom as opposed to the charity of a government or a king. We had stated clearly, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”…and yet we allowed one citizen the right to enslave another. We were not walking in the truth we had proclaimed. By the sixteenth presidential administration, it had finally caught up to us.

The harmony which Lincoln sought…that place where practice and policy would merge so that all could enjoy the fruits of liberty, was not fully discovered in the Constitution…yet the foundation for it is laid out plainly in our Declaration of Independence.

Lincoln saw clearly that the United States was liberty’s hope. If the world would know freedom, its lamp could not be extinguished in America. If his country was broken asunder…if some of her sons and daughters remained in bondage…liberty would not continue and the promise that was independence would be consigned to that forgotten shelf of history.

Lincoln new that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were unalienable rights given by God and not granted by a government…and for the government to impose itself on that which was granted by God could only produce sorrows and shame. 

If Life and Liberty were a gift of God’s grace, Lincoln wisely concluded that they were not merely to be experienced on our shores, but they belonged to the world as well. If they died here, there was no telling if the opportunity for men and women to know freedom would ever arise again.

Lincoln’s motivation was not simply to save or to set free, but rather to restore. It was in restoration of liberties principles that salvation and freedom would be found. And not simply found and preserved for future generations of Americans…it was to be for the world.

Even as our own countrymen struggled with freedom for all peoples, never the less, the foundation stood firm. Lincoln took us back to our beginnings that we might right the wrongs and provide a hope and a future to ourselves and our posterity.

Some may find it interesting and some may view it as prophetic the words of a speech given by Lincoln on September 11th, 1858 in Edwardsville, Illinois

What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence? It is not our frowning battlements, our bristling sea coasts, the guns of our war steamers, or the strength of our gallant and disciplined army. These are not our reliance against a resumption of tyranny in our fair land. All of them may be turned against our liberties, without making us stronger or weaker for the struggle. Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, every where. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.

It is our love of liberty that makes us a peculiar people. It was this love that was secured by our founders when they pledged their lives, their treasure, and their sacred honor. The price has not cheapened over time although the love of liberty is often hidden from a people who take it for granted.

Are we nobly defending liberty in this place or is it our own ambitions and affections? With every law we pass, with every word we speak in these halls we are building up or we are tearing down the principles that guard our freedom.

Our country was never intended to become merely a fortress where liberty could find a voice. We  were never intended to simply provide safe haven for the oppressed peoples of the world. We were crafted as an instrument of change for the world…we are the example so that others might see. Lincoln ran to the battle with this in mind.

Consider for a moment that icon of liberty erected in New York’s harbor. Many have described the Statue of Liberty as guarding the gateway to freedom…that her presence bids the people of the world to come to our shores as she lights the way, but the artist had something far greater in mind.

The statues name in French is La Liberté éclairant le monde which translated m eans “Liberty Enlightening the World”. At her feet lies a broken chain and she is not standing in place, she is striding forward, away from our shores and moving out into the world. She is the vision that Abraham Lincoln had of America...the same vision shared by the founders and the signers of the Declaration of Independence.


It is a vision that may be lost on those who have confused power for liberty and money as the means of freedom. We are under attack by those who do not comprehend the essence of our spirit. It was seen on December 8th, 1941 and on September 12th, 2001 when flags fluttered from our homes and we stood together to reaffirm and readopt those principles that find fertile ground in our hearts.

On Abraham Lincoln's inaugural journey to Washington in February of 1861, he stopped in Philadelphia at the site where the Declaration of Independence had been signed and made a few remarks.

I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here, in this place, where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live. You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task of restoring peace to the present distracted condition of the country. I can say in return, Sir, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments which originated and were given to the world from this hall. I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here, and framed and adopted that Declaration of Independence. I have pondered over the toils that were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army who achieved that Independence. I have often inquired of myself, what great principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy so long together. It was not the mere matter of the separation of the Colonies from the motherland; but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence which gave liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but, I hope, to the world, for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weight would be lifted from the shoulders of all men. This is a sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon that basis? If it can, I will consider myself one of the happiest men in the world, if I can help to save it. If it cannot be saved upon that principle, it will be truly awful. But if this country cannot be saved without giving up that principle, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surrender it.
 
Abraham Lincoln did not surrender the principles of liberty. He laid hold of them for future generations and preserved a heritage and hope for the entire world. That which stood up at Lexington and Concord...that which knelt humbly before God at Valley Forge...it stood at Antietam, Gettysburg, and Shiloh...it crawled through the Argonne Forest...it swam ashore from Pearl Harbor...it waded ashore at Normandy...it has been a hand extended to our friends and one brandishing a sword against tyrants...it is that same unquenchable spirit that dwells in me and you...and while we, as a family, can argue and be angry with one another from time to time...we are, in the end, family...bound together by cords of liberty, paid for with the blood of patriots,  past...present...and future.

Let us encourage one another with these words and let us maintain these principles and be sure to teach them to our children’s children... that government of the people, by the people, and for the people will never perish from this earth.

May God bless this General Assembly and the Great State of Maryland.

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

Week 3 January 23-27, 2012

Judicial Electronic Filing
Briefings continue in every committee from various state agencies. The Judiciary Committee heard from Chief Judge Ben C. Clyburn on upgrades to the court records management system. Maryland has been in the process of moving to a relatively paperless system where records are updated and posted in real time. While the benefits are significant, the vendor costs are not a small thing. One of the focal points of the committee was the filing fees that the court intends to assess the attorneys for electronic actions taken by the court.

Budget Briefing
We received a budget briefing which I have touched on in previous press releases. In a nutshell, the overall budget grows by one billion dollars. We started with a 1.5 billion dollar deficit. Many of the revenue streams for the state have dried up. In particular the federal money on which we have become so dependant. There are significant proposals that would affect every family in Maryland if they are adopted. They include:
Income tax deduction changes (mortgage and charitable donations)
Fee increases (such as doubling of vehicle registration)
College tuition increases
Sales Tax applied to Internet purchases
Sales Tax applied to phone applications
Applying the Sales Tax to many items that, to date, have been exempt.


These would be on top of the tax and fee increases already being proposed such as :
a 15 cent (66% increase) rise in our gasoline tax
a 100 to 200% increase in the “Flush” tax
Rate and fee charges for Wind Energy proposals


Across the board, Marylanders will find themselves with fewer dollars in their pocket so the governor can have a few more in his. Even Pres. Obama does not think Marylanders making less than $250,000 should pay any additional taxes, yet our governor wants to lower that standard down to $100,000.


I urge you to call, email, write, and visit the General Assembly. It is easier for them to raise taxes than it is for them to say “no” to spending increases.


“We Are The 96%” Press Conference
On Wednesday, my freshman Republican colleagues and I conducted a press conference to highlight a Gonzales Poll which we commissioned to ask Marylanders how they felt about their current tax rates. 96% of us feel that we are being taxed enough. That number includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Young and old, male and female, we all agree on the tax issue. The conference received a lot of press attention and raised the level of the debate with real facts and figures. It was picked up and broadcast extensively. Unfortunately, the shore rarely sends a crew to cover any of the business ongoing in Annapolis.


Public Defender Act Hearing
On Thursday the Judiciary Committee heard from many groups on the recent decision by the Court of Appeals in Maryland which would require the Public Defender to be present at Initial Appearances before a District Court Commissioners. This has not ever been the practice and it would cost the state anywhere from 30 to over 100 million to cover these 180,000 appearances and create facilities to accommodate the change. In response to this decision, I presented HB-112 as an Emergency Bill which would change the Public Defender Act so as not to require their presence at an Initial Appearance with a court commissioner. This has stirred many to action in the criminal justice community. I was happy to see Wicomico State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello and Somerset States Attorney Dan Powell attend the hearing and let the committee know the true cost to local government if we fail to take action. Another hearing on HB-112 will be conducted next Tuesday.


Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting
We met with Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin who briefed the delegation on various DNR projects slated for funding in the governor’s proposed budget. The biggest items for our area included upgrades to the bathhouses on Assateague Island and a project to support the proposed new Ocean City Boat Ramp at 64th Street. These projects would represent several million dollars worth of improvements.


There was a passionate exchange between some delegation members and the Secretary over the use of tracking devices installed on commercial waterman's vessels last year. It seems several requests for information on this matter have received no response from the DNR. This was defended vigorously as an “ongoing” investigation although a year has passed. The Secretary stated he felt like he and his department were being “harassed” on this issue by certain members of the General Assembly (namely Sen. Colburn and Del. Smigiel). Little was resolved on this matter.


I inquired about the reductions in the Striped Bass Quota due to “anticipated theft” of the resource. I asked the Secretary to include any reductions in the original quota numbers so waterman can establish their budgets for the year without fear of reductions. It is absurd to reduce someones paycheck on the grounds that they “might” steal from you. Sen. Mathias had no problem with this premise, but most of the delegation was outraged by this approach. The purpose of having a citizen legislature is to provide direct oversight of these various government agencies and not simply take their word for any action they attempt to justify. It is called accountability and it can (as was the case on Friday), at times,be messy.


Upcoming Bills:
Next week I will provide a rundown on all of the bills I have sponsored or co-sponsored so far. They include bills to reduce or eliminate taxes, protecting private property rights, along with pieces of pro-gun legislation, and public safety bills.


Bond Bills:
For the second year, I have joined with most of my Republican colleagues in agreeing not to submit or vote for any bond bills which only serve to increase the debt for the future generations of Marylanders. Each one of these bills begins with the words, “Creation Of A State Debt...” for that is what they do. At a time when we walked in the door with a $1.5 Billion deficit, this is not the time to increase our debt, no matter how “worthy” one may think the proposal.


I have voted with the Republican Caucus to support giving any appropriated bond money available to local governments for replacement Highway User money. This would allow many road repairs and paving projects in our local area to be accomplished. I’m quite sure this notion will be summarily rejected by the democratic leadership, but we feel it is important to make these reasoned arguments.

It just does not make sense to go into debt to build a playground today for our kids that their kids will be taxed to pay for.

Search For Body Of Missing Boy Comes Up Empty

Curtis Lopez

By Derek Valcourt

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)– Montgomery County Police spent the day searching the woods for the body of an 11-year-old boy missing ever since his mother was found murdered last week.

Derek Valcourt has details on where police were searching and why.

Police will only say investigative information led them to search two parks in Montgomery County– one in Damascus, the other in Clarksburg.

Teams of police officers, volunteers and even cadaver dogs searched the woods in Damascus Regional Park all Sunday. They’re following the latest lead in the disappearance of 11-year-old William McQuain.

His mother, 51-year-old Jane McQuain, was found beaten and stabbed to death in their Germantown home Wednesday night. The boy’s stepfather, Curtis Lopez, was arrested in North Carolina and charged with the murder. But 11-year-old William McQuain hasn’t been seen in weeks.

“We still have the investigation open that has hope that William will be found alive,” said Capt. Paul Starks of the Montgomery County Police. “However, detectives cannot ignore bona-fide information that is causing them to be here today.”

Police won’t say where that information came from, only that nearly 80 people spent the day searching the hundreds upon hundreds of acres of woods in the two parks for the little boy’s body, finding nothing.

Police may not know yet whether 11-year-old William McQuain is still alive or if his body is in these woods or somewhere else but they say they do expect answers soon.



William McQuain/5'0" tall, 85pounds brown hair, brown eyes
Last seen Sept. 30 at his middle school in Maryland

“Life’s too short to begin with, but an 11-year-old, that’s unacceptable really,” Jim Stegeman said. News of the search heartbreaking to those who live in the neighborhood surrounding Damascus Regional Park.

“The path goes right to our house,” Lori Stegeman explained. “My daughter and I took the dogs out and we were just like heartbroken imagining if we found something, what would we do and how horrible.”

Some of Jane McQuain’s friends also organized their own search of the neighborhood and the woods near her Germantown home.

While the search for young William McQuain continues, so does the criminal case against his stepfather.

Lopez goes before a judge on Monday in North Carolina. At issue– his extradition back to Maryland.

Police say they found nothing significant in their search on Sunday. They may search the parks again on Monday.

Source;  http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/10/16/police-search-parks-for-william-mcquain/#comments

Coupons Available To Replace Downed Trees

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - For people who lost trees because of Hurricane Irene, Maryland has a program to help residents replace them.

The state is extending a program that encourages residents to plant more native trees with $25 coupons.

The Marylanders Plant Trees initiative started in 2009. The goal was to plant 50,000 native trees in the state by 2010. It was deemed a success and was extended this year with the goal of planting an additional 50,000 trees by the end of 2012.

Under the program the trees must cost at least $50, and they must be on the list of approved trees.

For more information, go to: http://www.trees.maryland.gov/

Source;  http://www.wboc.com/story/15396342/md-coupon-can-help-replace-trees-lost-to-irene

~Blessing of the Combines In Snow Hill

The Thirteenth Annual Blessing of the Combines

Saturday August 6

Combines are a familiar sight on the Eastern Shore, moving purposefully and efficiently through fields of grain, corn and soy beans, offloading their harvest into waiting trucks. But seeing a combine from afar is very different from being close enough to touch one. 

 

The Thirteenth Annual Blessing of the Combines, held in Snow Hill on Saturday August 6, will have eight combines parked on Green Street (after a parade down Route 12), thanks to the owners of these multi-thousand dollar machines.  

 

 Children stretch to gently touch the top of a tire; adults stretch to touch the cab. A sense of awe comes after a noisy and impressive “throttle thrust” as the combine drivers power-down their behomoths.

 

Festivities begin at 10:45 with a performance by Pam Ward’s Snow Hill Dance Studio. 

 

Exhibits and displays are set up along Green and Pearl Streets, including a Petting Barnyard, face painting, tie-dye, sand art, a soy bean pit, and a moon bounce, with additional activities for children by Lollipop the Clown. 

 

Hayrides and carriage rides will be available.  

 

The Program Stage will feature talented local young people between 11:00 and 11:30, when the arrival of the Parade of Combines signals the beginning of a brief program, featuring keynote speaker Nelson Brice and Combine Blesser Rev. Rick Edmund. At 12:15 Mike Short Jr. and his musical group will provide an afternoon of entertainment. 

 

Festival food vendors on Bank Street join Harvest Moon, The Emporium, The American Legion and The Palette in offering a wide selection of delicious treats. Further down Bank Street craft vendors join Lost in the Country, Artique’s Gallery by the River, Bishop’s Stock, Adcock Studio Gallery, Pages and Pearls, Snow Hill Flower and Gifts and The American Art Gallery.

 

 The Wheels That Heal Car Club will host a car show along the PocomokeRiver.

 

At 3:00 the festival ends as the combines leave Green Street. 

 

For details contact Becky Payne at 443-783-1715, or email kfisher44@verizon.net .

 

http://www.snowhillmd.com/liveHere/newsArchive.cfm

 

Pig Roast and Karaoke Tonight At Furnace Town

PIG PICKIN’ PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT

AT FURNACE TOWN

WHEN: Saturday, June 18, 2011

TIME: Pig Roast starting at 6:00 p.m.

Music/karaoke 8:00 p.m. – 12 midnight

COST: $20.00/person includes dinner and admission

$6.00/children ages 2 – 13

$5.00/admission without dinner

WHERE: Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum

Located on Old Furnace Road, off Route 12, five miles north of Snow Hill, Maryland

Music provided by

"BIG AL"

Beer available

Please call 410-632-2032 for more info

Paraplegic Maryland Driver Could Go Back To Jail

Associated Press

An Ellicott City man who killed two people in a car crash in 2002 faces up to seven more years in prison for allegedly violating probation.

Matthew Meyer has a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning in Hagerstown.

Meyer served about four years of a seven-year prison term for two Washington County manslaughter convictions. He was released in 2008.

Prosecutors say Meyer then obtained a Maryland driver's license and was caught last year speeding, despite a probation condition barring him from driving in the state.

If he is found in violation, Meyer could be ordered to serve a seven-year term that was suspended as part of a plea deal on the manslaughter charges.

Meyer is paralyzed from the chest down due to injuries from an earlier wreck.

Source; http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/nation/2011/05/paraplegic-md-driver-could-go-back-jail

Two Worcester Bills Signed Into Law By Maryland Governor

ANNAPOLIS — Legislation to abolish the Liquor Control Board and to allow slots at fraternal organizations in Worcester County have both been signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley. Both bills end long struggles in Annapolis and portend future changes for the county.

The abolishment of the LCB will not mean the end to government involvement in the sale of wine and spirits, but the creation of a county Department of Liquor Control to oversee it. The choice to keep the sale of certain types of alcohol within government oversight was seen as a way to preserve government revenue.

The fraternal slots bill will allow designated fraternal organizations, such as the American Legion, to have up to five slots machines. The revenues from the machines must be divided up with at least 50 percent of the profits going to other non-profits and charities in the area.

Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110510/NEWS01/110510031/ANNAPOLIS-Two-Worcester-bills-signed-by-governor?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|frontpage