Del. Candidate, Mayor of Pocomoke On Admin. Suspension As Deputy

I'm sure alot of you out there have many questions concerning the suspension of the House of Delegates candidate and Mayor of Pocomoke, Mike McDermott. So do I.

I still don't understand what the big damn deal is about the gun. The gun was locked in his office......so where was it supposed to be? It was his office and the door was locked. Oh, I forgot. Mr. McDermott never opened his mouth to report the gun was missing! Is THAT one of the issues here? Then say so! I had rather know his weapon was locked in his office at work than in a closet at home or in a vehicle. Can't a home get robbed and a vehicle broken into? Who's going to break into the office of an officer unless they are looking for something?

Read this post below. It puts the whole story in a better light than other articles. The timing doesn't make sense. Why did Chief Martin wait so long?

Quite frankly, I wish people would get off this man's back and let him live with some peace and quiet. If he has done something so bad than let the taxpayers know. Stop spouting things about him in the attempt to make him look like the bad guy all of the time. And if he is as bad as the written word says then do something about it..........and stop wasting time.

I no longer live in Worcester County and I'm not sure if that is a blessing or not. But I do know that I would probably vote for him, unless, someone can prove that all he has been accused of by heresay, is the truth.

I wish Mike McDermott the best of luck.


NANCY POWELL

Associate Editor

(Aug. 13, 2010) House of Delegates candidate Mike McDermott, who is also mayor of Pocomoke City, has been on administrative suspension as a deputy with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office since late July and an investigation is under way.

Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Martin declined to discuss details of the matter, but the suspension is related to a September incident in which he reportedly found McDermott’s assigned weapon in McDermott’s locked office when McDermott was not there. The weapon was reportedly McDermott’s secondary one; he still had his primary weapon.

A review board of three members of the Sheriff’s Office has reportedly recommended that the suspension be lifted. It has also been reported elsewhere that no investigation has begun, but Martin said the investigation into the issue started several months ago.

“A good part of it is being done by me,” Martin said.

While on administrative leave, McDermott, who is a lieutenant and in charge of the Criminal Enforcement Team, may not carry a gun or make arrests. Prior to being suspended, McDermott had desk duties as part of his work. Now, he is restricted to desk duties.

When a deputy is off-duty, he is permitted to carry his service weapon, but must have the proper identification as a deputy. If the deputy is off-duty and does not want to have the weapon on his person, he may lock it in his vehicle’s trunk or lock it safe and securely in his house. Some deputies have lock boxes in their homes, Martin said.

McDermott is the Republican candidate for state delegate representing District 38B, comprised of Worcester County and a part of Wicomico.

Martin declined to answer questions Thursday about why he waited so long to put McDermott on administrative suspension. Rumors started swirling months ago that someone within the Sheriff’s Office would try doing something to derail McDermott’s candidacy for delegate, but Martin’s name was not mentioned in conjunction with that.

www.oceancitytoday.net

Obama & His Merry Band of Thieves

So . . . You think you know quite a bit about Obama and his band of thieves.  Read on and see just how little you know.  All of this comes together in the last part... A must read.
 
This is an interesting story put together from various articles and TV shows by the British Times paper.  It shows what Obama and his friends are really all about.  It's not hope and change, it is money.
 
I warn you, the first part is a little boring, but stick with it.  The second part connects all the dots for you (it will open your eyes).  The end explains how Obama and all his cronies will end up as multi-billionaires.  (It's definitely worth the read.  You will not be disappointed).
 
A small bank in Chicago called SHOREBANK almost went bankrupt during the recession.  The bank made a profit on its foreign micro-loans (see below) but had lost money in sub-prime mortgages in the US.  It was facing likely closure by federal regulators.  However, because the bank's executives were well connected with members of the Obama Administration, a private rescue bailout was arranged.  The bank's employees had donated money to Obama's Senate campaign.  In other words, ShoreBank was too politically connected to be allowed to go under.
 
ShoreBank survived and invested in many "green" businesses such as solar panel manufacturing.  In fact, the bank was mentioned in one of Obama's speeches during his election campaign because it subjected new business borrowers to Eco-litmus tests.
 
Prior to becoming President, Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, a liberal charity.  This foundation was originally established by Joyce Kean's family which had accumulated millions of dollars in the lumber industry.  It mostly gave funds to hospitals but after her death in 1972, the foundation was taken over by radical environmentalists and social justice extremists.
 
This JOYCE FOUNDATION, which is rumored to have assets of 8 billion dollars, has now set up and funded, with a few partners, something called the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE, known as CXX.  It will be the exchange (like the Chicago Grain Futures Market for agriculture) where Environmental Carbon Credits are traded.
 
Under Obama's new bill, businesses in the future will be assessed a tax on how much CO2 they produce (their Carbon Footprint) or in other words how much they add to global warming.  If a company produces less CO2 than their allotted measured limit, they earn a Carbon Credit.  This Carbon Credit can be traded on the CXX exchange.  Another company, which has gone over their CO2 limit, can buy the Credit and "reduce" their footprint and tax liability.  It will be like trading shares on Wall Street.
 
Well, it was the same JOYCE FOUNDATION, along with some other private partners and Wall Street firms that funded the bailout of ShoreBank.  The foundation is now one of the major shareholders.  The bank has now been designated to be the "banking arm" of the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE (CXX).  In addition, Goldman Sachs has been contracted to run the investment trading floor of the exchange.
 
So far so good; now the INTERESTING parts.
 
One ShoreBank co-founder, named Jan Piercy, was a Wellesley College roommate of Hillary Clinton.  Hillary and Bill Clinton have long supported the bank and are small investors.
   
Another co-founder of Shorebank, named Mary Houghton, was a friend of Obama's late mother.  Obama's mother worked on foreign MICRO-LOANS for the Ford Foundation.  She worked for the foundation with a guy called Geithner.  Yes, you guessed it.  This man was the father of Tim Geithner, our present Treasury Secretary, who failed to pay all his taxes for two years.
 
Another founder of ShoreBank was Ronald Grzywinski, a cohort and close friend of Jimmy Carter.
 
The former ShoreBank Vice Chairman was a man called Bob Nash.  He was the deputy campaign manager of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.  He also sat on the board of the Chicago Law School with Obama and Bill Ayers, the former terrorist.  Nash was also a member of Obama's White House transition team.


(To jog your memories, Bill Ayers is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He founded the Weather Underground, a radical revolutionary group that bombed buildings in the 60s and 70s.  He had no remorse for those who were killed, escaped jail on a technicality, and is still an admitted Marxist).
   
When Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, he "funneled" thousands of charity dollars to a guy named John Ayers, who runs a dubious education fund.  Yes, you guessed it.  The brother of Bill Ayers, the terrorist.
 
Howard Stanback is a board member of Shorebank.  He is a former board chairman of the Woods Foundation.  Obama and Bill Ayers, the terrorist, also sat on the board of the Woods Foundation.  Stanback was formerly employed by New Kenwood Inc., a real estate development company co-owned by Tony Rezko.
   
(You will remember that Tony Rezko was the guy who gave Obama an amazing sweet deal on his new house.  Years prior to this, the law firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland had represented Rezko's company and helped him get more than 43 million dollars in government funding.  Guess who worked as a lawyer at the firm at the time.  Yes, Barack Obama).
 
Adele Simmons, the Director of ShoreBank, is a close friend of Valerie Jarrett, a White House senior advisor to Obama.  Simmons and Jarrett also sit on the board of a dubious Chicago Civic Organization.
 
Van Jones sits on the board of ShoreBank and is one the marketing directors for "green" projects.  He also holds a senior advisor position for black studies at Princeton University.  You will remember that Mr. Van Jones was appointed by Obama in 2009 to be a Special Advisor for Green Jobs at the White House.  He was forced to resign over past political activities, including the fact that he is a Marxist.
 
Al Gore was one of the smaller partners to originally help fund the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE.  He also founded a company called Generation Investment Management (GIM) and registered it in London, England.  GIM has close links to the UK-based Climate Exchange PLC, a holding company listed on the London Stock Exchange.  This company trades Carbon Credits in Europe (just like CXX will do here) and its floor is run by Goldman Sachs.  Along with Gore, the other co-founder of GIM is Hank Paulson, the former US Treasury Secretary and former CEO of Goldman Sachs.  His wife, Wendy, graduated from and is presently a Trustee of Wellesley College.  Yes, the same college that Hillary Clinton and Jan Piercy, a co-founder of Shorebank attended. (They are all friends).
 
Interesting?  And now the closing...
 
Because many studies have been exposed as scientific nonsense, people are slowly realizing that man-made global warming is nothing more than a money-generating hoax.  As a result, Obama is working feverishly to win the race.  He aims to push a Cap-and-Trade Carbon Tax Bill through Congress and into law.
 
Obama knows he must get this passed before he loses his majority in Congress in the November elections.  Apart from Climate Change he will "sell" this bill to the public as generating tax revenue to reduce our debt.  But, it will also make it impossible for US companies to compete in world markets and drastically increase unemployment.  In addition, energy prices (home utility rates) will sky rocket.
 
But, here's the KICKER (THE MONEY TRAIL).
 
If the bill passes, it is estimated that over 10 TRILLION dollars each year will be traded on the CXX exchange.  At a commission rate of only 4 percent, the exchange would earn close to 400 billion dollars to split between its owners, all Obama cronies.  At a 2 percent rate, Goldman Sachs would also rake in 200 billion dollars each year.
 
But don't forget SHOREBANK.  With 10 trillion dollars flowing though its accounts, the bank will earn close to 40 billion dollars in interest each year for its owners (more Obama cronies), without even breaking a sweat.
 
It is estimated Al Gore alone will probably rake in 15 billion dollars just in the first year.  Of course, Obama's "commissions" will be held in trust for him at the Joyce Foundation.  They are estimated to be over 8 billion dollars by the time he leaves office in 2013, if the bill passes this year.  Of course, these commissions will continue to be paid for the rest of his life.
 
Some financial experts think this will be the largest "scam" or "legal heist" in world history.  Obama's cronies make the Mafia look like rank amateurs.  They will make Bernie Madoff's fraud look like penny ante stuff.


Hat Tip; Mrs. M.

COALITION TO HONOR GROUND ZERO

MEDIA ALERT

COALITION TO HONOR GROUND ZERO http://stop911mosque.com


Contact: Coalition to Honor Ground Zero at stop911mosque@gmail.com or (212) 726-1124


STOP THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE

AMERICA WILL NOT BACK DOWN FROM SEEKING THE TRUTH AND SPEAKING OUR VOICES OF CONSCIENCE

MAJOR PROTEST AND PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY AT THE PROPOSED MOSQUE SITE


DATE: Sunday morning, August 22


BACKGROUND: On August 19-22, 2010, America’s 9/11 Foundation, an organization that first coalesced eight weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, will conduct its ninth trek for motorcyclists to the three 9/11 crash sites, at Shanksville, PA, the Pentagon and the World Trade Center site in New York City. (http://www.americas911ride.org).


SUNDAY MORNING EVENTS AT GROUND ZERO: On Sunday morning, at 8:30 a.m. a flag line and memorial at Ground Zero will gather at Ground Zero to greet the arriving Memorial Ride.


Following the flag line, which will be joined by members of the Coalition to Honor Ground Zero, the Coalition will invite all patriots to move to the site of the controversial proposed mosque for a major rally to begin at approximately 10:30a.m.


WHO: Motorcyclists from across America; the Coalition to Honor Ground Zero; Blue Collar Corner; The Bravest; 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America; Women United International (http:womenunitedcodered.org); ACT Manhattan; and many other organizations and leaders to be announced, as well as local residents living in the Ground Zero area. The Coalition to Honor Ground Zero is calling upon all patriots to show support for the missions of America’s 9/11 Foundation and of the Patriot Guard Riders, by joining the flag-line at Ground Zero in the morning. Further information about participating organizations and speakers will be released later this week.


Many of the participants in the Memorial Ride are members of the Patriot Guard Riders (http://www.pgrny1.org/) and other military and first responder support groups, who will be forming the flag line starting at Ground Zero at 8:30AM for the Ride’s concluding ceremonies. The Patriot Guard Riders (nearly 200,000 strong nation-wide) ride escort and stand flag lines in honor and respect of those who have given their all in service to America.

"We are inviting all to join us in actively honoring our active and veteran servicemen and women and our first responders including firemen, police and EMT workers on Sunday." says Dave Kern, NY State Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders.

PLEASE VISIT
Coalition to Honor Ground Zero
http://stop911mosque.com

www.resistnet.com

Ground Zero Mosque Protest Planned

The Coalition to honor Ground Zero is set to hold a rally on Sunday, August 22, in order to prevent construction of the planned mosque.

President Obama's support for the construction of a mega-mosque and Islamic center two blocks from ground zero in lower Manhattan has sparked public outrage and bipartisan condemnation. The controversial plan would place a 13-story mosque where Islamic terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people on 9/11. The Coalition to Honor Ground Zero will rally with patriotic Americans from all backgrounds near the World Trade Center site on Sunday, August 22nd to protest construction of the mosque and make clear the message that they want no stealth jihad or brutal Shariah Islamic Law in America.

Among those who will be represented at the Sunday rally are blue-collar workers who have united and are taking a "Hardhat Pledge" - promising not to take part in the building of the mosque. In addition, firefighters, veterans, the families of 9/11 victims, first responders, human rights and women's rights leaders, and residents of the Ground Zero neighborhood will be present in support of the rally this Sunday.

"The Coalition to Honor Ground Zero, the 9/11 Families and first responders are heartened by the support of the many patriots from around America who will be joining the Coalition on Sunday to seek the truth about this mosque, its Imam, and his financial supporters," stated Tim Brown, a firefighter who was at the World Trade Center on 9/11 as the buildings came down and who lost 93 friends that day.

"The Coalition will continue to pursue why our State Department is sending an Imam around the country and abroad who stated that 'United States' policies were an accessory to the crime that happened [on 9/11]' and that '...in the most direct sense, Osama bin Laden is made in the USA.'"

Andy Sullivan, a construction worker who was at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and who created the Hardhat Pledge, states: "Our opposition to the Ground Zero mosque is not about freedom of religion but about respect and human decency."

www.postchronicle.com

~~Poker Run For A Very Worthy Cause~~

Please mark this date on your calendars and if you do have a motorcycle please plan to attend. This is an important matter and needs everyone's attention.

Pass the word along to all of your friends or anyone that might want to ride for this wonder cause.


There aren't many people around this area that don't already know Courtney and her wonderful family. Many of us have ventured with Courtney and her family through the past months, day to day, beside them, as Courtney still remains in somewhat of a coma and continues to heal from injuries resulting from an auto accident this past May.

She was to graduate with her class at Arcadia High School this past June.

Courtney, along with her mother, (whom has never left her side) are currently in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia but will be preparing to move to another hospital in the next few days.

As we all know medical care can become costly. Expenses for the mother to remain by her daughters side can become expensive also. And this is where all of you can help!

Even if you don't have a motocycle to ride on August 28th or you can't make it in time for the ride try to make time to stop by Cycle Creations to leave even a small donation. Even the smallest monetary gift will be greatly appreciated by this family, and even Courtney's friends.

If you have no money to spare please take time to say a prayer for Courtney that she may be back to her old self again and continue on with her life. Please pray for this young woman and her family daily. Prayers don't cost a thing.

Enjoy the pig roast!! It's the best!

Take some pictures and send them to me. I will be sure to post them!

Hampton Roads SEAL Killed In Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (WAVY) - The Department of Defense announced Friday that a Hampton Roads-based SEAL was killed in combat supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the Pentagon, Chief Special Warfare Operator Collin Trent Thomas, 33, a native of Morehead, Ky., was fatally shot during combat operations in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday. Thomas was forward deployed to Afghanistan as part of an East Coast-based Navy SEAL Team. East Coast SEAL teams are based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story in Virginia Beach.

"Collin Thomas was a brave American patriot and an incredibly gifted Navy SEAL. His tireless professionalism, inspiring passion for life, and humble demeanor made him a role model for all who knew him. We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss of a brother in arms," said a senior officer in his command. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the Thomas family during this very difficult time, and we will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Collin made while protecting our nation and his teammates."

Thomas is survived by his parents Clayton and Paula, who live in Hertford, North Carolina, his sister Meghan of Morehead, Kentucky, and his fiancée Sarah Saunders of Virginia Beach.

"The Naval Special Warfare community is grieving the loss of Chief Petty Officer Collin Thomas. Our thoughts are with the entire Thomas family during this very difficult time," said LT Arlo Abrahamson, Public Affairs Officer, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO. "Despite this incredible loss, Collin's teammates will remain resolved in their fight against terrorist elements in Afghanistan, because they know that's what Collin would have wanted."

The Navy says Thomas was a highly-decorated combat veteran and received numerous awards and citations during his 13-year Navy career, including two Bronze Star Medals with combat "V" distinguishing device; a Purple Heart; a Joint Service Commendation Medal with combat "V" distinguishing device; a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; Two Combat Action Ribbons (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom); Four Good Conduct Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars; Iraq Campaign Medal; Marksmanship medals with "expert" service device for both rifle and pistol, and a multitude of personal, unit, and campaign decorations.

Thomas graduated from Rowan County High School in 1995. Following high school, Thomas attended Morehead State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 20, 1997.

His military career began when he reported to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois. After completing basic training, Thomas remained at the Great Lakes training center for technical instruction before reporting to Coronado, California to participate in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. BUD/S is the first step in becoming a Navy SEAL and is six months of some of the most demanding training in the U.S. military.

Upon graduation from BUD/S, Thomas was assigned to his first SEAL team where he participated in numerous joint exercises and developed his skills as a Special Warfare Operator. Since February of 2000, Thomas has been assigned to various East Coast based SEAL teams where he made several deployments in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, distinguishing himself during numerous combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

www.wavy.com

Rest in peace.

Approval To Close JFCOM Could Come As Soon As Sept. 1

President Obama could approve the decision to close Joint Forces Command in Norfolk before Sept. 1, according to a memo being circulated to local and state officials.

The memo from the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance does not cite a source, but claims to have "strong evidence" that the controversial move is being fast-tracked.

"There is a package being prepared fairly vigorously to get in front of the president on about September 1 for him to approve the elimination of Joint Forces Command," said Frank Roberts, executive director of the alliance, when asked about the memo.

Virginia's congressional delegation has vowed to oppose the closing – even taking it to court -- but a Sept. 1 decision means that the commander-in-chief would have signed off before Congress returns from its recess.

Under this scenario, job losses would begin after the start of the new year, the memo says.

Also on Friday, a new report put a value on an even more frightening economic scenario: that the closing of JFCOM could drive away Norfolk-based NATO's Allied Transformation Command. Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim has been among those raising this concern.

The one-page economic brief from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission doesn't speculate on the possibility of that happening or get into the complex politics of it.

But it says the two organizations combined contribute $901 million to the gross regional product, about 1.2 percent, with more than $500 million in contracts being awarded annually.

JFCOM itself employs about 5,600 people in Hampton Roads, the bulk of them civilians or contractors. It has an annual operating budget of nearly $704 million.

Senior leaders back plan

The alliance's memo says the decision has the backing of senior military leaders and is supported by a five-month internal Defense Department study, the results of which have never been publicized.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced two weeks ago that he wanted to close JFCOM as part of overall cost-savings plan. He said the role of the command, which trains the military fight effectively together, is no longer needed because joint operations are now a part of the military culture.

Roberts said the memo was issued to put mayors, township supervisors and state officials on notice that they need to contact the White House sooner rather than later.

"We need our elected officials engaged as quickly as possible to attempt to slow down and delay this process such that it doesn't get so far out of the barn that it comes out not even negotiable – or discussable," he said.

Bruce Sturk is the director of federal facilities support for the city of Hampton and a 26-year Air Force veteran. He said the JFCOM issue requires "a strategic pause" and seems to defy standard procedure.

"This train is moving really fast," he said.

While it's important to keep on top of all news – and even rumors – regarding JFCOM, Sturk said he takes everything with a degree of skepticism until he sees official documents.

The memo goes on to say that Marine Gen. James Mattis, the most recent JFCOM commander, had "significant input" throughout the process.

Divest Suffolk facility

The five-month study was purportedly done by Christine Fox, who directs of the office of cost assessment and evaluation at the Pentagon.

The study says that JFCOM's mission of providing forces should be reassigned to the individual services. Its experimentation role would be eliminated. The Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk has "value," but the Pentagon "wants to divest the leased space so it could potentially go anywhere," the memo says.

The most breathless sentence of the memo is the last one, that Gates "is considering a move to mothball the Second Fleet," which is based in Norfolk.

Roberts said that doesn't mean ships would be idled.

"My sense would be that that comment relates to disestablishment of the Second Fleet staff," he said.

Circumventing Congress

U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-Newport News, said that he has not seen any study and questioned why it would be done in secret. The timing of the move appears designed to circumvent Congress, which is in summer recess.

"The initial announcement was made right after we left town and the decision will be made before we get back," he said. "It adds to the mystery of it. You ought to be able to have a public discussion."

Scott said he wasn't surprised that Obama would agree with Gates' recommendation.

"If the secretary of defense proposes it, you assume that it's the administration's position," Scott said, noting that sometimes those decisions can be "delayed or even reversed."

Scott said Gates' plan to save money remains in doubt because the Pentagon has not detailed any savings.

"We don't know the economic impact because we don't know what functions will continue," he said.

Scott said the lack of detail from the Pentagon is frustrating.

"This is part of the problem. We're trying to respond to rumors," Scott said. "How do you intelligently respond to rumors? It's a rumor – I'm against it?"

www.dailypress.com

Virginia's Congressman Weigh In On JFCOM

Here are statements on the proposed closing of JFCOM in Norfolk, from Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake, and Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Norfolk and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland.

From Forbes:

“For the past two years I have sounded the alarm that this Administration has allowed their uncontrolled fervor for social spending and the resulting budgetary pressure to drive our national defense strategy. We are now seeing the piecemeal auctioning off of the greatest military the world has ever known. Unfortunately, it is a silent auction because the voice of the American people is not being heard.

“Today's announcement to close our nation's premier joint operations and efficiency command is the outcome of fiscal coercion resulting from reckless and dangerous spending decisions, not from well-placed and much-needed efforts to root out waste in government. It exhibits an arrogant lack of leadership and lack of concern for the welfare of our nation and for the men and women in uniform.

“Under the cover of night, this Administration is selling off our military at auction to pay for its social programs. It has withheld our nation’s shipbuilding plan - required of them by law - while the Chinese navy aggressively bypassed us in number of ships. It has withheld our aviation plan, while our Navy struggles from a lack of aircraft needed to perform current and future missions. It has issued gag orders preventing any Pentagon officials, military and civilian, from speaking with Congress about budgets cuts and the risks to our national defense. This Administration has brought blatant partisan politics into the annual defense policy bill by attaching controversial social agendas. They have shown more regard for the rights of terrorists than for justice for those lost on September 11th and the safety of those currently fighting to protect our nation from the next radical terrorist attack. And this week, they and Congressional Democrat leadership have called the House back into session to vote on a package that includes $2.8 billion in defense spending cuts in order to pay for more social bailouts.

“The American people will see this decision for what it is: a first step in a long string of national defense cuts that will systematically and intentionally gut the institutions that protect and defend the freedoms and liberties upon which our nation was founded - and they will not stand for it.”

Joint Forces Command is the leading command for joint training, development and experimentation. Tracing its history back to 1947 with the establishment of the new commands made up from services of more than one military service, it had originally been Atlantic Command. In 1999, it was reorganized to become JFCOM for the purpose of ensuring efficiency among branches of the military. The command oversees a force of more than 1.16 million men and women and coordinates more than 70 joint training events, involving 46,000 participants, each year.

Forbes is Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee.

From Nye:

NORFOLK – Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Norfolk, questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ proposal to eliminate U.S Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), headquartered in Norfolk, VA. JFCOM is one of the Department of Defense’s ten combatant commands, and was created to coordinate joint training, development and experimentation among the different branches of the armed services. Gates’ proposal comes at a time when DoD is trying to substantially trim its budget.

“The proposal by the Defense Department to close JFCOM is short-sighted and without merit,” Nye said following Gates’ announcement. “I appreciate the Department’s attempt to rein in spending, but I have yet to see any substantive analysis to support the assertion that closing JFCOM will yield large savings.”

“JFCOM exercises combatant command over 1.1 million U.S. forces, and performs critical functions and training necessary to maintain our warfighters’ supremacy in overseas operations,” Nye continued. “Eliminating the Command does not eliminate the demand for these critical missions; it only redistributes the responsibilities elsewhere. I look forward to receiving the Secretary’s official proposal and his analysis for reorganization.”

Finally, from Wittman:

"I have deep concerns about the strategic implications of Secretary Gates’ decision to close Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). Until I am convinced that it is the right decision for our national security, I cannot support the closure of this Command. One of the greatest successes of the U.S. military – unlike any other in the world – is its ability to function jointly, and this decision could hinder the tremendous progress we’ve made. ‪

"I question why a change in structure of this magnitude was not included in the Quadrennial Defense Review. This is just one more example of budgetary pressures, rather than strategic need, driving defense decisions. In this announcement, the Executive Branch has clearly side-stepped the Legislative Branch without deliberation on the way forward with what's best with our nation's defense policy. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee to conduct oversight and execute our funding authority to the fullest extent. Furthermore, I look forward to hearing from Secretary Gates how the current, critical missions of JFCOM, such as joint training efforts, will be carried out under this new plan.‪"

www.dailypress.com

9 Year Old Vacationer Gives Poem To Chamber

CHINCOTEAGUE -- Allison Doss of Dacula, Ga. is a budding young poet.

Allison, 9, a student at Freeman's Mill Elementary School, had an assignment to write a poem with the subject, "Beauty Is."

Allison wrote the following, arranging it in the shape of a Christmas tree:

Beauty Is

Salty air

A quiet marsh

On a secret island

Crashing waves

An Egret's nest

Muller's Ice Cream Parlor

On a hot summer night

A bike ride through mini Africa

A long hike up the striped lighthouse

My friends don't know this place

My teachers don't know this place

This secret island called Chincoteague

But I know

My Pop knows

The ponies know

That is what Beauty is....

Allison's poem won first prize at Freeman's Mill Elementary School and went on to win first place in a countywide competition in Gwinnet County, Ga.

Allison presented the poem to her "Pop," Walter Bulmer, as a Christmas gift last year.

Allison presented a framed copy of the poem to the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce last week, while she was on vacation with her parents and grandparents.

www.easternshorenews.com

Toddler Left Alone In Hot Car

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A Hampton couple is facing felony child endangerment charges for allegedly leaving their toddler in a car alone while they went shopping.

An employee at the Walmart in the 12000 block of Jefferson Avenue told police he was in the parking lot at around 11 a.m. on August 18 when he noticed a child alone in a car. He said he waited for about ten minutes for someone to return to the car, but that never happened, so the employee alerted his manager.

Newport News Police arrived at the store and made an announcement over the Walmart sound system. When the parents returned to the car, they reportedly told officers they were only inside the store for about three minutes. According to the store manager, the 2 year old child was in the car for as long as 40 minutes.

Police charged Andriy Kot and Khrystyna Porseua, both 29 years old, with felony child endangerment.

www.wavy.com

Burn Bans Lifted

As of Friday, August 20, 2010 the burn bans in Accomack and Northampton Counties have been lifted.

Both counties urge residents to adhere by all regular laws, rules, regulations and normal precautions when conducting open burns.

Police Investigating Attacks On Bicyclists In Charles Village

Baltimore MD The city's bicycle and pedestrian planner wants a "bike boulevard" to run up Guilford Avenue through Charles Village, an area already filled with commuters using pedal power. But a series of attacks on cyclists and several bike-jackings are creating concern.

Police had arrested three people in two bike robberies this month and thought they had a handle on the situation until three young men pushed Michael Byrne off his Blue Falcon bike Wednesday night at North Charles and 20th streets.

Police said one of the men rode the bike away, and a new search for suspects has commenced.

"We knew the arrests couldn't completely quell the problem," said Maj. Ross Buzzuro, the commander of the Northern District. "We have increased deployment."

The attacks — which include several instances of harassment and rock-throwing, many that were not reported to police — generated discussion on Facebook among bike commuters and the city's pedestrian planner, Nate Evans.

Evans said in an interview that he has picked up on "a pattern of attacks on cyclists" in recent weeks in blocks bordered by North and Guilford avenues and Charles and 25th streets. He's heard many of the stories at meetings as he plans a bike route on Guilford.

"It sounds like in a couple of the attacks, the victims were overcome by a number of assailants," he said. Most occurred on the evening commute, between 5:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

The area essentially divides neighborhoods north of downtown and upper Charles Village, and is almost unavoidable for anyone commuting from downtown to points north. It's six blocks south from where Johns Hopkins researcher Stephen Pitcairn was robbed and fatally stabbed last month as he walked home from the train station.

"That area of Lower Charles Village has always been a dangerous area to ride around in at night," said one bicyclist who didn't want his name used. He was a victim two years ago at nearly the same spot where Byrne was attacked. "It's very dark and just kind of a no-man's land," the young man said.

"Unfortunately, it's not like a lot of people can avoid these routes," said Evans, who when designing bike routes charts potholes, road conditions, congestion and crime.

He noted that Guilford and Charles "are some of the safest streets going through that area" and he recommended that "if you see someone coming after you, if you have to go through a red light or a stop sign to avoid being attacked, then keeping safe needs to be the priority."

Byrne said he was riding home to Charles Village from work as music editor for the City Paper and was going "at a pretty good clip" when three kids stepped off a corner and knocked him down. "It was like a combination of getting punched and tackled," the 30-year-old said.

He said one youngster "screamed at me not to get up and somebody else took off on the bike." He said he suffered a bruised rib but otherwise wasn't hurt. He said the bike is old and might be worth $300 or $400.

Police said the description of the attackers is vague. Byrne said he regularly commutes through the area and that he's never before been attacked there. "I don't think it's a bad area," he said of the heavily trafficked streets. "It's not a place where [you] think, 'Oh, something bad is going to happen here.'"
www.baltimoresun.com

The Newest NASCAR Sponsor ~~ The GI Bill

In an effort to bring more attention to veterans education benefits, the GI Bill will sponsor a car in a Sept. 11 NASCAR race in Richmond, Va., and is also one of the sponsors of the race itself.

The Air National Guard is the chief sponsor of that Sprint Cup Series 400 race, which will be called the Air Guard 400.

The idea, according to Veterans Affairs Department officials, is to get the GI Bill plastered on a racecar and frequently mentioned by broadcasters to spread the word about the availability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Sponsoring the race and a car in the race is part of an outreach program aimed at getting more people to use the year-old GI Bill benefits program.

The combined cost of sponsoring a car and the race will be about $420,000, a significant part of a $1 million advertising campaign that also includes buying ads in college newspapers and in online publications to try to reach eligible service members and veterans, VA officials said.

Having a racecar painted with the GI Bill as its sole sponsor, having the pit crew dressed to match the car and doing some pre-race promotions will cost about $200,000, VA officials said. Serving as an official race sponsor will cost another $250,000. Sponsorship will result in frequent mentions of the GI Bill and its purpose during the nighttime race on the oval track, officials said.

NASCAR is a good way to reach service members and veterans, VA officials said, because marketing surveys show that one-third of NASCAR fans are veterans or personally know a veteran. The Defense Department also advertises at NASCAR events because of marketing surveys that show race fans have a greater interest in military service than people who don’t watch NASCAR events.

An added benefit of being a race sponsor is that NASCAR events are broadcast on military radio and television networks, VA officials said.

“We wanted to do more than just reach veterans and influencers that are thinking about school … we wanted to also reach those folks who could be going to school but may not be fully aware of the benefit,” VA spokesman Nathan Naylor said.

www.navytimes.com

Julia A. Purnell Museum- Last Of Summer Heritage Crafts

SNOW HILL -- The Julia A. Purnell Museum will host the last in a series of summer heritage craft activities for children on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 1-3 p.m. Children can learn to create and decorate paper chains, just like those made by youngsters 100 years ago.

The Heritage Crafts are free with the price of general admission, just $.50 for children, and $2 for adults. Kids should expect to spend about 15 to 30 minutes working on their projects. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact the museum at 410-632-0515.

Counseling Group Presents Movie "What If" This Weekend

POCOMOKE CITY -- The movie "What If" will be featured at the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department's Community Center on Friday, Aug. 20, with a showing at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 21, with showings at 3 and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Aug. 22, at 3 p.m.

This is hosted by Lighthouse Counseling & Consulting Services. Tickets are $5, with a dollar donated to a local youth ministry (Save the Youth), however, ages 5 and under are free and may be purchased in advance, by calling 410-957-4200 or at the door.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Bikers Honor 9/11 Victims With Annual Ride

SHANKSVILLE — Bikers wearing red, white and blue bandanas and with American flags flying from their motorcycles gathered outside this tiny town Thursday on their way to visit hallowed ground. Their three destinations: The nearby site of the crash of Flight 93, the Pentagon and, eventually, ground zero in New York City.

More than 700 bikers and police officers are participating in the 10th annual ride, sponsored by the America’s 911 Foundation.

Many said they want the focus to be on reminding people what happened on Sept. 11, 2001 – not the current controversy over a proposed Islamic center and mosque near where the twin towers once stood.

“It’s a remembrance ride. A lot of the general public have become complacent with the events of Sept. 11. That can’t be,” said Rick Flick, 50, who lives in western Pennsylvania and has been participating in the ride for nine years.

A volunteer firefighter, Flick was on the scene after Flight 93 crashed and said the ride is personal for him.

Bill and Mary Byers, of Washington, Pa., are participating in their first ride with the group. A longtime biker, 51-year-old Bill Byers has never been to ground zero and has mixed feelings about the proposed mosque.

“Muslims are like any other religion. The people who are putting this mosque up are just regular people,” said Byers, wearing a black leather vest with a pentagonal patch that is the ride’s logo. At the same time, he said, “You don’t want to have the families feel they are disrespected.”

Pete Burgoon, 65, a member of the Red Knights, a motorcycle club for firefighters, greeted bikers arriving in town. Wearing a red T-shirt and black leather vest, the Altoona resident said the ride is a chance for people to pause and think about the lives that were lost that day.

The America’s 911 Foundation was started by Ted Sjurseth and his wife, Lisa, just weeks after the attacks, and the group had its first ride to New York City that fall.

The group was started with the goal of bringing back tourists and money to businesses hard hit by the attacks; it later evolved to a group dedicated to honoring first responders, as well as promoting volunteerism, said Roger Flick, of Damascus, Md., the group’s promotion’s manager.

Bikes started lining up Thursday outside a hotel in Somerset where the ride is to start early today. Riders will be escorted by dozens of police on motorcycles, and participants are expected from as far away as California.(Photo taken from previous ride) The participants visited a temporary memorial set up at the Flight 93 crash site about 10 miles away. Construction is under way on a permanent memorial there, and the first phase of it is expected to be completed in time for the 10th anniversary of the attacks next year.

Ride organizers hope to also have their biggest turnout ever next year, with a bike for each of the more than 2,000 people who died in the attacks.

“This will be my ninth ride,” Flick said, “and I’ve done it every year with a knot in my throat when I think about why we’re doing this.”
www.tribune-democrat.com

Coupled Argued Before Her Death

Former Virginia lacrosse players George Huguely V and Yeardley Love got into a physical altercation and exchanged e-mails in the days leading up to Love’s May 3 death, according to search warrant affidavits released Wednesday.

The affidavits, released by the Charlottesville Circuit Court, reveal partially redacted findings of the searches of two white-colored Apple laptop computers that were seized from the bedroom of Huguely’s off-campus apartment May 3.

Huguely, a 22-year-old Chevy Chase native who had been a member of the men’s lacrosse team at Virginia, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Love, his former girlfriend of more than two years. A hearing in Huguely’s case has been set for Oct. 8.

According to the affidavits, an unidentified witness told police the day after the alleged murder that Love had told her about an e-mail Huguely sent to Love in the previous week.

The witness told police she may have seen the e-mail while she and Love were in Chicago. The Virginia women’s lacrosse team, of which the 22-year-old Love was a member, played at Northwestern on April 30 in Evanston, Ill.

Following the physical altercation at Love’s off-campus apartment on the night of her alleged murder, Huguely took Love’s personal computer, he later told police. Huguely said he threw Love’s computer into a dumpster after leaving Love’s residence that night.

Two Charlottesville detectives recovered the computer shortly thereafter in a dumpster on Sadler Street in Charlottesville, according to the affidavit. The computer’s serial number matched records of a computer previously sold to Love that were provided by Dell Inc.

During a forensic search of Love’s computer that was consented to by Sharon Love, Yeardley’s mother, police discovered fragments of an e-mail with a statement that was redacted in the affidavit. A fragmented e-mail is "a partial portion of an email that has been retrieved from the deleted files of a computer that was previously sent or received," according to the affidavit.

Police believe the e-mail was sent in response to a previous e-mail sent by Huguely. Two other witnesses independently told police of their knowledge of recent e-mail correspondence between Huguely and Love.

Witnesses also told police Love lost her cell phone and a camera following a verbal argument with Huguely at his apartment in the days leading up to her alleged murder. A friend of Love’s stated she witnessed an altercation between Love and Huguely “a few days before Love’s death,” according to the affidavit.

“She stated that Love and Huguely were arguing and Love hit Huguely with her purse,” the affidavit stated. The witness, whose named was redacted, “stated that when Love’s purse hit Huguely all her stuff flew out of her purse.”

The witness helped Love collect her belongings and leave Huguely’s apartment. Love later told the unnamed witness that she was missing her camera and cell phone and that she thought the items had been left at Huguely’s apartment, according to the affidavit.

The witness said Love asked her to go to Huguely’s apartment and retrieve the items, which the unnamed witness attempted to do. The affidavit stated that the witness found the camera, but not the cell phone.

www.washingtonpost.com

ALL WIVES WILL RELATE TO THIS

My Wife always wanted a riding lawn mower.

She works all day and was always tired when she came home from work
and thought that a riding lawn mower would help her get the yard work done quicker
so she would have more time for the chores inside the house.

SO, being the handy sort of guy that I am, I made her a riding lawn mower.
I guess I thought she would squeal with delight or something and give me a big hug.

To this day I have never been able to understand why some women are so hard to please .

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San Francisco Plane Threat Deemed Non-Credible

A security threat to an American Airlines plane in San Francisco Thursday was deemed "non-credible," according to the San Francisco Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.

No one was arrested or "placed in handcuffs" in connection with a phone call threatening a hijacking of the flight in San Francisco, California, police Sgt. Michael Rodriguez said.

Earlier, a source familiar with the investigation said that two passengers were being questioned further by authorities.

The threat was called in before the plane departed from San Francisco.

Flight 24, bound for New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, was taken to a remote location, and passengers were interviewed and re-screened, while local law enforcement officers inspected the aircraft, TSA said.

Randy Cohen, a passenger on the flight, said the people on the plane were calm in general, but that as the time went by on the tarmac, some became nervous.

Even when the pilot made an announcement, "you could tell the angst in his voice and the uncertainty," Cohen said.

Cohen said he saw authorities remove a large garbage bag from an overhead bin in the back of the plane.

Once police arrived, the passengers were removed from the plane, six at a time.

Another passenger said they waited on the isolated plane for three hours after being diverted from the runway.

Lt. Bill Scott of the Alameda County, California, Police Department said his department became aware of the threat when a clerk at a local business called to report it.

The clerk had received a call that included a threat from "a suspicious male," Scott said. The police then called the FBI.

Scott said he could not comment on the specifics of the threat and whether it included a threat to hijack the plane said, "It was significant enough for us to notify the FBI."

A security official told CNN that the caller claimed the flight would be hijacked, but nothing has been found yet to back up that assertion.

Federal air marshals were aboard, according to a source familiar with the incident. The source did not know whether the marshals had to break cover because of the incident.

www.cnn.com

Testimony Continues in Pennsylvania Trial of Onley Man Accused of Murder

A witness in the trial of a man accused of killing a camp counselor 19 years ago in northeastern Pennsylvania has cast doubt on the prosecution's claim that it has the murder weapon.

Prosecutors trying to convict 47-year-old Jeffrey Plishka in the 1991 shooting death of Laura Lynne Ronning say his rifle was used in the shooting.

But a retired state trooper testified Wednesday that in 1992 a police crime lab determined the rifle didn't fire the fatal shot.

District Attorney Michael Lehutsky claims DNA evidence on the gun links it to the shooting.

Ronning, of St. Petersburg, Fla., was a counselor at Camp Cayuga when she disappeared in July 1991. Investigators say she was sexually assaulted and shot in the head.

Plishka, of Onley, Va., lived near where Ronning disappeared and participated in the search for her.

www.shoredailynews.com

Tractor Pulling And Mud Hop At Melson

Another wonderful crowd at Melson Tractor Pull/Mud Hop Saturday night (August 14)along with some great competition in both groups of racing.

Tractor Pulling If you have never seen tractor pulling before this probably looks like one boring and unexciting sport, but I guarantee that most times this can get quite hair raising and the winner of the event will sometimes surprise you! If you own a tractor and think you can pull a large amount of weight with it, or if you just want to give it a try, bring it to the next event! New entries are always welcomed.......... (I find it amusing when the old clunker looking tractors sometimes suddenly break loose and race down the track making the nicely groomed John Deere tractors look like wimps!)

Mud Hop Another popular event on Saturday nights is the Mud Hop! These trucks will make your heart stop as they move across the top of the hill and down the other side into and through the mud!!!
Speed plays a big part in this competition............... .....because this is what you find at the bottom of the other side of the hill. MUD! Keep in mind that after a rainy week this hole is sometimes covered with water and the driver must get through this with speed and not get stuck!

Think you have a truck that can do this?

By all means please make plans to try it out at the next event. For rules and more info go to http://www.melsontractorpull.webs.com/

Now.......watch what happens!!!

Think you can do it??

Next events are scheduled for September 10th and 11th!
Registration begins at 5:00 PM Races start at 7:00 PM

There's plenty of refreshments.

Bring your own chair and sit back and let these fearless guys entertain you.

We'll see you there..............

9343 Guy Ward Road, Parsonsburg, Maryland


Thanks for the photos Bill

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN BREAST CANCER WALK

HOSTED BY MIDWAY Welcome to the 1st Annual "Help Midway Drive Out Breast Cancer" Charity Walk, to benefit Women Supporting Women - a local, non-profit group that provides support to those in our community who have in some way been affected by breast cancer.

The qualified and dedicated staff provides a variety of free services, including education and awareness events with free literature and guest speakers, monthly support meetings and private mentoring information, and counseling for the newly diagnosed and their families. WSW also provides wigs, hats, and scarves - at no cost - to women enduring and recovering from cancer treatments.

Since WSW is a local non-profit with no national affiliations, all contributions stay here on the Eastern Shore to help those affected by breast cancer.

Event Information
Date: August 21, 2010
Time: 10 AM (Registration)
11 AM 3 PM (Walk)
Location: Midway GM/Toyota
1337 Ocean Highway
Pocomoke City, Maryland
(Call for Directions)

Purpose: To raise money, through pledges by individuals and corporate sponsors, to benefit Women Supporting Women a local non-profit organization that provides awareness, education, and support to all those who are affected by breast cancer.

For more information, or to receive an official entry folder, fill out our form below or call Josh Nordstrom @ Midway: 443.614.6021

Eastern Shore Musician Is One Of Five Finalists In Song Competition

Don't forget to cast your vote real soon!


(http://www.easternshorenews.com/)

Eastern Shore musician Thelma Peterson has entered her song "I Am At War" in a national competition sponsored by USAtoday. The competition is for songs which relate to the Gulf Oil Spill.

Peterson was informed last week that her song is one of five finalists and her song, along with four others, have been posted on the USAToday website. On the website you will be able to listen to the song and vote on your favorite.

Please click the link below today and vote for the Eastern Shores own Thelma Peterson's song "I Am At War."

More Information Gulf Oil Spill Tragedy Contest and to hear her song...............


"After returning from a Veterans Day service with my dad, who landed on the first wave at Omaha Beach, I saw for the first time the horrific images of oil-coated seabirds," says the

songwriter, THELMA PETERSON of Machipongo, Va. "It seemed to me as if they, as well as all of men, are in a war not so very different from the war that was talked about that day, which was fresh in my mind. It was a very emotional day."

Craig's comments: "I think this song sums up the way many of us feel. The music is very haunting. The lyric reminds us there's a battle between exploiting our natural resources and protecting our environment; between holding the guilty accountable and yet keeping the jobs these companies provide; between cheap oil and expensive consequences. This war touches the lives of many, but particularly those who are the casualties on the front line, as well as the seacoast itself. "

http://www.usatoday.com/

Thelma Peterson's video can be found on YouTube: I Am At War - Thelma Peterson

What a wonderful way for our sentiments to be sent than through this song.................Vote for Thelma Peterson.......Let's show America how strong the Eastern Shore can be!

Bones Found Under Porch Are Probably Very Old

CRISFIELD -- City police are continuing their investigation into a macabre discovery under an old house this week.

Workers who were tearing a porch off a house on Pine Street found human bones lying in a ditch underneath it.

"They called me all panicky," said Noah Bradshaw, the city inspector, who went over to the house, then quickly called in the Crisfield Police Department.

After the scene was processed by police, the skeletal remains were recovered and another portion of the area was dug to recover additional bones.

The remains consisted only of various leg bones and joints. No other parts of the body, such as a skull, were found at the site, police said.

The State Medical Examiner's Office identified the bones as human remains, and will take them to their Baltimore office for further analysis.

The house where the skeletal remains were recovered is 100 years old and has been in the same family for a long time, Bradshaw said. The owner, Sarah Wise, lives out of state and the house is currently vacant.

Bradshaw said the bones could pre-date the house.

"They're petrified, they're so old." he said.

Although there is an open missing persons case in Crisfield, police said they so far do not suspect the remains to be those of Gordon Nelson Sr., who disappeared in October 2007.

"We don't know anything yet," Lt. Stanley Harmon said. "We're just trying to get the bones identified."

Police consider Nelson's disappearance to be suspicious.

Last year, Crisfield police excavated a property on Canal Drive outside city limits where Nelson once lived. Although a trained cadaver dog hit on a spot in the yard, no remains were found.

Nelson, who was living inside city limits at the time of his disappearance, was last seen at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

www.delmarvanow.com

Farmers Of Virginia Encouraged To Participate In Small Grain Production Survey

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the 2010 harvest of small grains is complete and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will now measure farmers' final production of those grains, including wheat, oats, barley and rye.

During the first two weeks of September, the Virginia Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact more than 900 producers statewide as part of the September Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey. Results will provide the basis for official USDA estimates of 2010 acreage, yield and production for small grains.

"This is one of the most important surveys NASS conducts each year," explained

Herman Ellison, director of the NASS Virginia Field Office. "Not only will we be gathering final data on 2010 small grains production, but we'll also be collecting information on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the state.

"Data from the September Agricultural Survey benefits farmers by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and evaluate the success of the growing season," added Ellison.

NASS will contact selected Virginia producers by mail or telephone and ask them to provide information on their 2010 production and on-farm stocks of winter wheat, barley, and oats. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

"NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified," Ellison said. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 30. These and all NASS reports are available on the agency's web site: www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Virginia Field Office at 800-772-0670.
www.shoredailynews.com

The Heavens Opened And It Finally Rained !!

The Eastern Shore contiues to get much needed rain as rain and thunderstorms were in the area throughout the day on Wednesday. Downpours covered the area Wednesday morning causing traffic on main roads to slow.

Roadways and yards were partially flooded from the rainfall which exceeded 2 inches. Weather experts predict storms and rain to continue in the area through Thursday with temperatures in upper 80's.
AHHHHH.... Life is good..............