2011 National Crime Victim' Rights Week

Once known as the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation, Inc.

Today known as Maryland Crime Victims Rights' Center.  Here is how the caring parents,  aided by friends and family,  worked in the memory of their daughter to achieve what the organization is today for crime victims throughout Maryland.

From: www.mdcrimevictims.org

On April 3, 1982, Stephanie Roper became an innocent victim of crime in Maryland.

She was a college senior about to graduate from Frostburg State University, home for a weekend visit with with her family in Prince George's County. After leaving her friend's home, her car became disabled. Two men, Jack Ronald Jones and Jerry Beatty, came upon and kidnapped her, and over a five-hour period, brutally raped, tortured, and murdered Stephanie.

Stephanie Roper

Friends and neighbors who had known and loved Stephanie found it impossible to do nothing. Frustration and anger were diverted into acts of love toward Stephanie's family.

A small group was formed to help them through the funeral and subsequent criminal trial, the Stephanie Roper Family Assistance Committee. In October 1982, the group incorporated as the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation, Inc.

Guided by the cause, Stephanie's memory, and the leadership of Stephanie's parents, Vince and Roberta Roper, volunteers came forward to form the staff. Goals and priorities were set, chapters were formed, space was donated, and the first office opened.



Roberta Roper



Twenty years later, in the Fall of 2002, the sister organizations bearing Stephanie's name merged to become the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc., a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to serving the interests of crime victims in Maryland, while maintaining a nationwide reputation for dedicated advocacy and services.

Today, the MCVRC serves Maryland's victims from two offices, in Prince George's County and in Baltimore City, and has diversified its services to include criminal justice education, court accompaniment, therapeutic counseling, support groups, community education, prevention education, legal information and assistance, direct legal representation, policy advocacy, technical assistance for allied professionals and criminal justice agencies, and faith-based referrals.

There is so much more to learn from this website. www.mdcrimevictims.org.  Please take time to visit there.

Possible Traffic Delays Thursday ~ Upper Accomack County

This is a notice of potential traffic delays for Northern Accomack County on Thursday, April 14, 2011.
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility anticipates the delivery of a component of Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Taurus II launch vehicle on April 14. This component is very large and constitutes an “oversized load”. It will be delivered on a specially designed truck/trailer combination and will travel from the Port of Wilmington in Delaware to Wallops Island in Virginia. Throughout its transit, the vehicle is expected to travel at relatively slow speeds, especially when turning at intersections.

The vehicle and its cargo will be entering Virginia from the north via Rt. 13 and travel south to Rt. 175 (at T’s Corner intersection.) It will then travel on Rt. 175 until reaching and turning onto Atlantic Road. It will then travel through the town of Atlantic until turning onto Wallops Island Rd. to Wallops Island.

Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110413/NEWS01/110413016/VA-SHORE-Expect-travel-delays-around-NASA-Wallops-on-Thursday?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

First-Degree Murder Trial Begins In Worcester

The trial of a man charged in the stabbing death of Russell Matthew Bailey III has begun in Worcester  County. 

The trial was postponed until April because prosecutors believe the defendant, James Edward Ballard,  had placed phone calls to witnesses even though  Ballard claimed  he contacted no one.

In September 2010 Russell Matthew Bailey III was found across the steet from the Pocomoke Middle School wtih a stab wound.  Ballard already had an extensive criminal background.

Jennifer Shutt
Staff Writer
Daily Times  4/13/11

SNOW HILL -- Opening statements started the first-degree murder trial of James Edward Ballard in Worcester County Circuit Court.
Ballard was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree assault after police alleged he stabbed and killed Russell Matthew Bailey last September. If found guilty, he could face up to life in prison.


During opening statements, the jury of six men and six women listened to State's Attorney Beau Oglesby recall significant historic events including Pearl Harbor, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the events of Sept. 11.


"Sept. 29 is one of those days for Mattie Fletcher," said Oglesby, referring to Bailey's mother. "That's the day her life changed."

Burton Anderson, defense attorney for Ballard, told the jury "teenage gangster wannabes" had been threatening Ballard and told him that day he was not going to leave alive. During his testimony, Harvey Hall said the day Bailey died, Bailey, Richard Williams and Martel Blake had been throwing stones at Ballard, while he called 911 for help.

Phone calls to police and court documents were shown before Bailey was stabbed in an altercation about a scooter a week earlier, which would start off a series of progressively violent incidents between Ballard, Bailey, Williams and Balke.

Court documents show on Sept. 21 Ballard and Bailey argued about the scooter. A man named Jeremy Douglas was trying to take it. Bailey later became involved in the argument.

The ongoing conflict between Ballard and the other men in Pocomoke escalated. Police said Ballard was treated at the Pocomoke emergency medical station for a stab wound to his hand on Sept. 24 and told police Blake had thrown a bicycle at him just before Williams stabbed him in the hand. He said the men approached him about the ongoing scooter dispute.

"You don't have to wait until you are crumbled in the street in a pool of blood to avenge yourself," said Anderson during his opening statement.

Throughout the afternoon, jurors heard how Bailey, Blake and Williams confronted Ballard the afternoon of Sept. 29.

Harvey Hall testified he was with the men that day, trying to calm the situation as Bailey, Blake and Williams threw rocks at Ballard.

Hall testified that after Ballard called 911 for help and the police began to arrive, he, Bailey, Blake and Williams all ran away. A few moment later, Hall said he saw Bailey hunched over bleeding.

Witness testimony is scheduled to continue today.

Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110413/NEWS01/104130385/1001/news/First-degree-murder-trial-begins-Worcester

~This Weekend At the MarVa Theater~

Fri, April 15th   

Sat, April 16th 

Time: 7 p.m.  

Tickets: $5  

PLOT:  

Set in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf, a young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family's displeasure. Rated PG-13

Non-Profit Slots For Worcester County ~ By Mike McDermott

Delegate Mike McDermott Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Press Release
• Non-Profit Slots for Worcester County

Apr. 12th, 2011
(ANNAPOLIS)--With less than two hours to go in the 2011 session of the General Assembly, HB-39 was passed on Third Reader providing qualified Worcester County Non-Profit and Fratenal Organizations the ability to utilize slot machines in their establishments. A concerted effort by the Worcester Delegation, including Sen. Mathias, Del. Conway, and Delegation Chair McDermott, moved the bill over the finish line and ended a 5-year effort in victory.

“Passing this legislation for our fraternal organizations and the Ameican Legion was a priority this year for me in the House”, said freshman Delegate Mike McDermott. “Our non-profits desparately needed this and our communities will be the beneficiaries of their charity”.

The bill provides an opportunity for Worcester County to join the ranks of every other county on the Eastern Shore who have enjoyed this provision for over 20-years. Worcester County had asked to opt out of the law when it was first passed when leaders feared gambling coming to Ocean City would be a detriment. Much has changed since that time, including a state operated casino near Ocean Pines.

“The qualified organizations will be able to have up to 5 slot machines on site”, said Delegate McDermott. “One half of the proceeds from the slots must be donated to other non-profit organizations in the community. This is on instance where everybody is a winner”.

PRESS RELEASE- From Mike McDermott

• 50% Tax Hike on Alcohol

Apr. 12th, 2011

Delegate Mike McDermott Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Delegate Mike McDermott on HB-1213:

“The process surrounding this bill was appalling”

(ANNAPOLIS)—“If we’re going to debate something let it be done fair and impartial and allow the views of the people of this state to be reflected in their citizen legislature. Not those that hide in the back room, making deals around a table deciding what the delegations are going to receive” said Delegate Michael A. McDermott(R-District-38B) on the House floor while discussing HB-1213 on Sine Die.  HB-1213, Sales and Use Tax - Alcoholic Beverages - Supplementary Appropriation, will dramatically increase the sales tax rate on alcoholic beverages by 50 percent.  Many Delegates, including Delegate Mike McDermott, were angered by the process of the floor proceedings when Speaker Michael E. Busch shut down debate for HB-1213 after only a few delegates had spoken.

“The people of Maryland are booing this process. That’s why they put so many freshmen in here: they’re tired of it! They’re tired of this process!  They’re tired of not being heard! They’re tired of you deciding what’s right on a dark night and ramming this through at the eighty-ninth day. They’re tired of you not letting them have a voice in this chamber, where they say ‘You have taxed me enough!’ ” argued Delegate McDermott.

The bill will be particularly tough on border areas like Worcester and Wicomico Counties where prices are cheaper in neighboring states. According to the Fiscal Note on the bill, the increased tax will likley result in job losses and a decrease in overall business for Maryland at a time when our economy continues to suffer.

“The people are weary. They’re weary of your taxes. They’re weary of your intolerance. They’re weary of your opportunity to tyrannically run this house any way you choose” concluded McDermott.
The bill is a sweetheart deal for Baltimore City, Prince Georges County, and Montgomery County who will recieve $27 million of the cut while 8 Eastern Shore Counties will only receive $156,000. HB-1213 passed with a vote of 78-62 in the House.

TIME MACHINE ... September, 1962

Pocomoke area residents were in shock on learning of the death of Dr. C. Stanford Hamilton. The Pocomoke City physician, who was in his mid 30's, died in a violent single vehicle crash on Route 50 west of Salisbury when the car in which he was a passenger left the roadway and struck an abutment. Two others, including Salisbury physician William Fisher Jr., were also killed and Donald Ramsey of near Pocomoke was critically injured. The four were returning from Baltimore where they had attended a Baltimore Colts game.

Footnote: Dr. Hamilton came to Pocomoke in 1955 when Dr. Lewis Llewelyn left to practice elsewhere. Dr. Hamilton's daughter Linda, who was six years old at the time of his death, is Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton. In later years Dr. Llewelyn's son Doug was host of the original "People's Court" TV program.

Quote Of The Day

The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible. 

- George Burns

Gun In Worship Service Permissable According To Cuccinelli

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says it is lawful in Virginia to carry a weapon into a worship service for personal protection.

But he also says a place of worship can restrict or ban firearms from its premises.

Cuccinelli released the opinion in response to a question from Del. Mark L. Cole, R-Spotsylvania.

Cole asked whether it is permissible for someone to carry a firearm into a place of worship for personal safety under a law that requires a "good and sufficient reason" to do so during a service.

"With respect to your second question, the church can ban guns on its property if it so chooses," Cuccinelli said.

He said the Constitution of Virginia protects the right to bear arms, "but it also recognizes the importance of property rights. Moreover, the Second Amendment acts as a restraint on government, not private parties."

Therefore, he said, "churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious entities can, like any other owner of property, restrict or ban the carrying of weapons onto their private property."

Source; timesdispatch.com http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/apr/11/cuccinelli-gun-in-church-ok-for-personal-protectio-ar-965170/

NASA And Boy Scouts of America Unveil New Merit Badge

WASHINGTON -- Boy Scouts now have the opportunity to work with NASA and other technology professionals to design, build, and demonstrate a robot to earn the new Robotics merit badge.


NASA and BSA developed the badge because of the wide-reaching impact of robotics and its role in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM careers. The badge is now part of the BSA's new curriculum emphasizing STEM activities and will help young men develop critical skills relevant and needed in today's competitive world. The new merit badge is one of 31 STEM-related merit badges. Scouts will have access to engineering software and work with professional mentors worldwide to earn the badge.


"This unique partnership is another clear example of NASA looking at new and creative ways to inspire our youth to consider STEM careers," said Lyndon Bridgwater, NASA aerospace engineer and lead badge contributor from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The badge involved approximately 14 months of development and input from 13 organizations and more than 150 BSA youth members and leaders and industry professionals from across the nation. To earn the Robotics merit badge, a scout is required to understand how robots move, sense the environment and understand how to perform an operation. Scouts will spend approximately 14 hours meeting the requirements of the badge, during which they will design a robot and demonstrate how it works. The BSA anticipates more than 10,000


Robotics merit badges will be earned the first year.


"While the guiding principles of Scouting -- service to others, leadership, personal achievement, and respect for the outdoors -- will never change, we continue to adapt programs to prepare young people for success in all areas of life," said BSA Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca.

Source; nasa.gov http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/apr/HQ_11-110_Boy_Scout_Badge.html

Seattle, Washington School Renames The Easter Egg

By Stephanie Klein
MyNorthwest.com Editor

A sophomore at a local private high school thinks an effort to make Easter politically correct is ridiculous.

Jessica, 16, told KIRO Radio's Dori Monson Show that a week before spring break, the students commit to a week-long community service project. She decided to volunteer in a third grade class at a public school, which she would like to remain nameless.

"At the end of the week I had an idea to fill little plastic eggs with treats and jelly beans and other candy, but I was kind of unsure how the teacher would feel about that," Jessica said.

She was concerned how the teacher might react to the eggs after of a meeting earlier in the week where she learned about "their abstract behavior rules."

"I went to the teacher to get her approval and she wanted to ask the administration to see if it was okay," Jessica explained. "She said that I could do it as long as I called this treat 'spring spheres.' I couldn't call them Easter eggs."

Rather than question the decision, Jessica opted to "roll with it." But the third graders had other ideas.

"When I took them out of the bag, the teacher said, 'Oh look, spring spheres' and all the kids were like 'Wow, Easter eggs.' So they knew," Jessica said.

The Seattle elementary school isn't the only government organization using spring over Easter. The city's parks department has removed Easter from all of its advertised egg hunts.

Source; mynorthwest.com http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=459668

Taste Of The Eastern Shore

Almost two dozen Eastern Shore restaurants will bring out their most tempting edibles on Sunday, April 17 from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club to raise money for the Foodbank on the Eastern Shore, a branch of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Taste of the Eastern Shore is the ultimate sampling of mouthwatering "tastes" of more that 20 of the Shore's culinary eateries. Presented by the Melfa Rotary Club, this annual event will be an exciting afternoon of food tasting featuring the appetizer, entree, and dessert specialties from some of the Shore's top restaurants and wineries.

"Our hungry neighbors up and down the Shore depend on our Foodbank," said Charmin Horton, Manager of the Eastern Shore branch. "The Rotary Club and all of the restaurants involved help us make it possible to distribute groceries to those who need it. I encourage everyone to come, eat, and support the Foodbank's mission of feeding the hungry."


The Foodbank on the Eastern Shore annually serves over 12,000 unduplicated local working individuals, children, and senior citizens struggling to put food on the table. It takes more than 900,000 pounds of donated and purchased food every year to keep them from going hungry. Money raised through ticket sales will go directly to the local Foodbank to help our neighbors in need.


A limited number of tickets are now on sale on and can be purchased from any Melfa Rotary member; at the Foodbank in Tasley; The Book Bin, Four Corner Plaza in Onley; Rayfield's Pharmacy in both Nassawadox and Cape Charles. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Early purchases are recommended. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if available). For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Foodbank at 757-787-2557.

Source; shoredailynews

How Liberals "Grow" An Economy....50% TAX INCREASE

• 50% Tax Increase
• Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
• By Delegate Mike McDermott

Apr. 11th, 2011

The war on rural Maryland continues with the 50% Tax increase on alcohol passed by the Senate and being fought out on the floor of the House of Delegates. This last minute shot at citizens and our business community carries with it an interesting fiscal note. The Department of Legislative Services states clearly that this bill will cause jobs to be lost in Maryland and result in a decrease in overall sales. In spite of these facts, we are having this rammed down our collective throats.

Interestingly enough, this tax was supported by the Disabilities and Mental Health communities as they shouted on the Lawyer’s Mall in the rain, “Dime a Drink, with a link!” They actually thought their liberal backers would give them this revenue. Well, to use wheel chair bound folks to push your tax, and then turn around and divide up the spoil for another purpose…in a word, “Shameful” even by liberal standards.

State line communities such as Ocean City, Delmar, and Pocomoke City will suffer greatly and lose jobs as Maryland residents simply cross the border to more tax friendly states. The retail loss is bad enough, but this bill will be implemented on July 1^st…the very height of our vacation season at the beach. Computers will need to be changed, software purchased, employees trained in the new tiered tax system, and all must be done overnight. Amendments were offered to alter this date to before or after the season to no effect. This will serve to further crush the only area of our regional economy where Maryland is still competitive tax wise.

With a budget already reconciled, here comes the slush fund. We asked, “Who decided, and who divided the spoil in this back room deal?” Well, the big three, (Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince Georges County) made sure that they raked in $27 million for their schools; while they gave $1.25 million to be shared by 8 counties on the Eastern Shore. Divided evenly on the shore, we will receive $156,000.00 for each county…what a deal! It is these “back room deals” that the voters of Maryland have rejected with contempt. It is this “shadow government”, where the blinds are drawn and the shades are pulled that, more often than not, decides the winners and the losers in Annapolis.

Brought up on the 89^th day, after the budget was already settled, this tax bill slithered into the House Chamber with no warning. We fought diligently for 6-hours to amend a bill that we were not even prepared to address until the Speaker grew weary and cut off our opportunity to even offer amendments. It was totally out of order, but that does not matter when your government displays tyrannical behavior.

To make matters worse, we began our debate on this tax on Third Reader Monday morning and it was cut off almost before it began. What an outrage for the people of Maryland! Not only did they not have an opportunity to weigh in on the issue, their elected representatives were cut off as well. We were reduced to a two-minute statement to merely “explain” our votes. While business men and women filled the galleries in the House Chamber looking on in dismay, all of the delegates from the urban counties crushed the consumers in Maryland with this draconian tax.

This is not “representative democracy in action”; these are the actions of a banana republic. So while Rome burns, Nero fiddles, and the people of Maryland can name that tune in one collective note: Montgomery County $9 million, Prince George’s County $9 million, Baltimore City $9 million; and the tune for each county on the Eastern Shore: only $156,000.00.

AGENDA ~ Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight~

This sounds like an interesting meeting.  Hope alot of Pocomoke citizens can attend.

A G E N D A

POCOMOKE CITY

MAYOR AND COUNCIL

MEETING

MONDAY  April 11, 2011

7:30 PM

POCOMOKE CITY HALL

          1.  Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

2.      Old Business

a.    Review and approval of minutes from meeting of March 7, 2011

b.      Review and approval of bills to be paid

c.       Other old business

3.      Swearing-In and Reorganization

a.       Worcester County Clerk of Court Steve Hales to swear in Bruce Morrison as Mayor of Pocomoke City for a three year term

b.      Mayor Morrison to swear in Councilman-Elect Don Malloy (District 3)

c.       Selection of First Vice President and Second Vice President of the City Council for the coming year

4.      City Manager and Police Chief to introduce new police officer Franklin Savage

5.      Representatives of Great Fair Committee to discuss budget request.

6.      Presentation by Eastern Shore Robotics Team 1829.

7.      Representatives of Becker Morgan Architects to present plans for proposed restaurant adjacent to Discovery Center.

8.      Discuss request from Pocomoke Elks Club to use Winter Quarters Golf Course for golf tournament on May 21.

9.      Review American Legion request for Sunday Beer and Wine Permit for “Home of the Brave” fundraising event on May 22, 2011. 

10.  City Attorney Items

(a)    Agreement with EnerNoc Co. for electricity cost savings at Wastewater Treatment Plant

(b)   Agreement with Bloosurf Broadband Co. for use of City water towers for antennas

(c)    Discuss proposed Charter amendments

11.  City Manager to discuss bids and acquisitions.

(a)    City Hall heating system improvements  (MEA Grant)

(b)   Electrical work to connect generator to Maryland Avenue well

(c)    Radio read water meters specifications

Comments from the Audience.

Mayor and Council Items.

Adjourn.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

National Crime Victims Rights' Week

From the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services:

Join us April 10-16, 2011 during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week for regional Open Houses to learn more about how our belief in the value of the human being is impacting victim services within DPSCS - and what we are doing to reshape thefuture for those affected by crime inMaryland, while also honoring the past:

Division of Correction

Division of Parole and Probation

MD Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

Division of Pretrial Detention & Services

Patuxent Institution

MD Sex Offender Registry

MD Parole Commission

MD Police and Correctional Training

Commissions

and our victim services partners by region

Monday, April 11

Eastern Shore Community Awareness Fair

Wor-Wic Community College

32000 Campus Dr., Salisbury, MD 21804

4pm - 6pm

http://www.dpscs.maryland.gov/

National Crime Victims Rights Week

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK

^{The week of April 10 – April 16, 2011 will commemorate National Crime Victims Rights’ Week.　 Each year during this time, victim service providers, justice professionals and community advocates across the country come together to reflect upon milestones of the past year and rededicate their efforts towards the furtherance of victims’ rights.　 Here in Maryland, statewide programs are held to honor lives that were lost to crime and to recognize others who have worked tirelessly demonstrating commitment to the cause.} 

Throughout the week, the Maryland State Board of Victim Services will sponsor several events beginning on April 10^{th with the 22nd Annual Crime Victims Memorial Services, "Their Light Still Shines," which will be held this year in Baltimore, Carroll, Queen Anne’s and Saint Mary’s counties.}

 ^{More information on:                      http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/}

 

Some interesting information On the history of  Crime Victim's Rights In America

1965

• First Crime victim compensation program established in California (Maryland’s program created in 1972)

1981

• President Ronald Reagan proclaims the First “Crime Victims’ Rights Week” in April

1982

• President Reagan appoints the Task Force on Victims of Crime – Final Report offers 68 recommendations to improve the treatment of crime victims, including an amendment to the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to guarantee victims’ rights to be present & heard at critical stages of judicial proceedings
• The Missing Children’s Act is passed by Congress to help find missing children through FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system

1983

President Reagon honors crime victims in First White House Rose Garden ceremony

1984

• The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is passed; establishes the Crime Victims Fund from federal criminal fines & penalties to support state victim compensation; service programs
• President Reagon signs Justice Assistance Act which establishes financial support assistance to state & local governments
• The National Minimum Drinking Age Act is enacted
• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is created

1993

• President Clinton signs the “Brady Bill” requiring a waiting period for handgun purchases
• Congress passes the Child Sexual Abuse Registry Act, establishing a national repository for information about child sex offenders

2004

• U.S. Congress passed the strongest federal crime victims' legislation in nation's history after failure to approve a Federal Constitutional Amendment; H.R. 5107, The Justice For All Act of 2004, strengthens the rights of victims of federal crimes and provides enforcement and remedies when there is failure to comply; Title 1 is named in honor of five victims: Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis and Nila Lynn; H.R. 5107 also includes provisions for DNA analysis backlog
• The Senate Judiciary Committee passes the Federal Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment: "But The House Fails to Take Action"

 For more on Crime Victims Rights:
http://www.mdcromevictims.org/ 

Family Of Foxes Found Living In Mans Backyard

WITI-TV, GREENDALE, Wisconsin

A group of foxes in Greendale are being called the "FOX 6." Dan Molthen says, "When I was 12-years-old, which was around 1946, we used to have a fox go through our yard."

In the 65 years since then, Dan Molthen has continued living in his Greendale neighborhood where he's welcomed plenty of new neighbors. He says, "We have foxes in our neighbor's yard."

After finding the family of foxes Dan called FOX6. Dan took plenty of pictures before FOX6 cameras showed up. He said, "They play like little kittens, actually. You know how kittens get together 'n' they bit, 'n' they'll hit each other, 'n' paw each other."

The photographs were necessary to prove Dan's claims to his wife and FOX6. He said, "I showed her the pictures 'n' she said, 'You gotta be kidding me!'. She says, 'You did that on the computer!'. I says, 'I don't know anything about computers!'"

Dan says he thinks the foxes will eventually make their way to a larger home.

Source; fox6now.com http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110407-six-foxes,0,3714610.story

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

• Field Notes
• Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
• By Delegate Mike McDermott

March 4th-April 9th, 2011

• The debate and voting on Second Reader Amendments for the Capital Budget, HB-71, was largely partisan with a few exceptions on the Democrat side of the aisle. This is the nearly billion dollar bill addressing a myriad of statewide projects from the tens of millions to the tens of thousands. The budget office with the Department of Legislative Services had recommended a reduction of overall spending down to $825 million, but this bill comes in at $925 million. The following amendments were offered on the floor following debate:

1. HB 71: (Delegate McDermott) {613721/1 Rejected (42-92): Would have reduced the overall Capital Budget by 5%
2. Floor Amendment (Delegate Boteler) {253627/1 Rejected (43-95): Would have reduced the overall Capital Budget by 3%
3. Floor Amendment (Delegate George) {143321/1 Rejected (45-93): Would have reduced the overall Capital Budget by a mere 1%
4. Floor Amendment (Delegate Smigiel) {803720/1 Rejected (41-97): Would have stripped the $15 million in local bond bills from the Capital Budget in recognition of the Tea Party Caucus and Republican Caucus position taken at the beginning of session relative to spending.

• The House debated HB-173, the Invest Maryland Bill, which seeks to create a $100 million dollar fund overseen by the Governor and his appointed committee. The fund is to be used as “venture capital” to invest in companies that would find private investors reluctant to take the risk. There was a lot of debate over the need to create such a fund. Some have referred to it as “the Governor’s slush fund” as it will allow him to “pick the winners” and move money to various companies and projects that he favors or those that are deemed “politically correct”. One must ask the question…if the private sector is not willing to put their capital at risk, why should the taxpayer take that risk? This is what happens in government…many willing to spend and risk OPM (Other People’s Money). After all, if you lose the money and the venture fails, where are those who will complain?
• On Tuesday afternoon, the Judiciary Committee heard the following Senate bills which had no matching bill in the House:

1. SB-50: Would allow the use of Victim’s Compensation Funds for the temporary lodging of victims of domestic violence.
2. SB-51: Would not allow for convicted felons to receive any compensation as a “victim” under the Victim’s Compensation Fund. We heard testimony that seemed to indicate that there would soon be audit revelations reflecting poorly on the process by which some individuals have been compensated.
3. SB-138: Would allow certain records to be introduced at trial for motor vehicle accident damage repair estimates. This would eliminate the need that a body shop estimator is required to come to court and testify as to their opinion or how they arrived at the estimate.
4. SB-142: Would require an insurance firm to provide last known address of a customer who is a defendant in a civil case if the information has not otherwise been provided.
5. SB-200: Requires the reporting of Juvenile Recidivism rates from state facilities that serve the Juvenile Justice System. This data has not been collected and there is no way to properly evaluate certain program areas as to their effectiveness.
6. SB-515: Sets the Federal Poverty Guidelines as the bar for determining eligibility of the services of the Public Defender. This would automatically provide a determination that someone qualified for the use of a Public Defender.

The committee voted “Favorable” on the following bills:
SB-599 (Requires pre litigation discovery of certain insurance coverage); SB-803 (The Senate version of the House bill increasing the use of ignition interlock systems in Maryland).

• On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee voted “Favorable” on the following bills:

SB-308 (Medical Marijuana); SB-139 (Changes grounds for an Absolute Divorce/reduces time of separation); SB-200 (Requires the Dept. of Juvenile Services to issue a report on the current recidivism rate in state run facilities); SB-374 (A technical change to the law governing Grand Jury Investigations in Baltimore City); SB-696 (A bill addressing technical changes to Estate and Trustee property law); SB-787 (Would require Juvenile Justice to provide similar programs for female detainees as they provide for males); SB-803 (This bill is now amended to resemble HB-1012 and addresses the new mandates for ignition interlock programs dealing with drunk drivers).

• On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee voted “Favorable” on the following bills:

SB-196 (Increases the Statute of Limitations on 4^th Degree Sex Offenses when the victim is a juvenile); SB-281 (Would require Prince George County Orphans Court Judges to be members of the MD bar); SB-327 (The Human Trafficking Protection Act); SB-515 (Changes the income eligibility requirements to qualify for a Public Defender); SB-747 (Creates a provision to address cruelty toward a pet in domestic violence cases).

• Friday, while many Senate bills moved through the House, the big debate was on HB-470 which provides in-state tuition rates for illegal aliens. This will cost the state tens of millions of dollars and will make it more difficult for American citizens from neighboring states to attend our colleges and universities. It was interesting that none of the supporters disagreed with the cost associated with providing these reduced rates. We heard many argue in favor of the bill while using legal immigrants as their back drop. It truly was an outrage when one considers the time and effort a legal immigrant to our country must invest to become a resident alien, let alone a US citizen.

We heard that the discussion should not be about immigration, but “about education”. It should have been a debate about the rule of law and the cost of these benefits. By way of example, Montgomery County (that bastion of liberalism) has illegally offered these benefits at their community college for the past three years at a cost of millions in taxpayer dollars. It is a Federal offense to do what Montgomery County is doing in Maryland (and it is currently being litigated). There were amendments offered which would have limited the fiscal impact on our budget and to allow counties to opt out of providing this benefit at community colleges. All of these were resisted by the ruling party. This bill was amended on the floor and must be sent to the Senate before it can be finalized. The vote was close at 74-66.

• On Saturday, we faced another full day of bills moving back and forth between the House and Senate. The Senate pulled a fast one on the Medical Marijuana bill, SB-308, which had been amended to simply be a study. The senate amended the bill to include an “Affirmative Defense” for those who are caught in possession of 1-ounce or less of marijuana so they can avoid prosecution if they can provide evidence that they were using marijuana for medicinal reasons. I tried to amend this in Committee when it came back over to place the “affirmative defense” issue in the study as well, but this was rejected on a divided vote. This would have been a better approach as the study is set to provide many answers for the 2012 session, but many in the General Assembly seem intent on putting the cart before the horse. (Later during the late Saturday session, the bill was passed by the House on a vote of 82-54 after several amendments failed).

We took a break for the printing office to get cranked up and the arms to be twisted in the Democratic Caucus before coming back into session after 5pm. The dreaded tax on alcohol has been forced to the floor out of Ways and Means and we will be debating fiercely the merits of raising a tax by 50% on the consumers of Maryland. Alcohol is currently taxed at 6% above the 6% Retail Sales Tax already imposed. They want to raise the 6% to 9% immediately.

The Fiscal Note attached to this bill shows job losses in the industry if it is passed and a loss of revenues from diminished sales in the state. This is typical of any tax passed. In fact, if you want less of something, just tax it. The secondary issue of this tax is where the new found money will go. The budget was approved by the House without the additional revenue and there is no need to pass this tax in order to balance the budget; but this will not stop them from forcing through a tax in order to garner more spoil for Baltimore City, Prince Georges County, and Montgomery Counties. The hands are outstretched and there is a line outside the Speaker’s door a mile long.

To say this is disgusting is putting it mildly. This tax was being pushed for during session by the developmentally disabled and Mental Health lobby. They wanted the money to be directly assigned to filling the gaping holes in the Mental Health community created over the past few budget cycles by transfers, etc. I passed these folks and heard them in the Lawyer’s Mall shouting loudly, “Dime a drink, with a link” as they demanded an increased alcohol tax. So now it appears they will get a tax with little, if any, relief.

I’m sure we will be here till late tonight (Saturday). Take a deep breath Eastern Shore; Monday (Sine Die) will not be pretty fiscally or socially.