Thoughts as We Prepare For Thanksgiving UPDATE

As we prepare to head out to family or friends for our Thanksgiving meals alot has been on my mind. I love Salisbury and have lived here my entire life, but I have to say I am truly embarrassed for my City and my hometown. It seems that negativity is all we seem to be known for and we must work to change our City's reputation or risk our City becoming unlivable.

We are almost at that point now with out of control crime, major financial issues in both the City and County and warfare within City Hall. I have contributed to making my hometown look like a laughing stock in the past, but I want to be a part of the solution not part of the problem. I will not continue to feed the negativity that eats at the core of our City. This site can be used for healing and for positive endeavours and that is what it will do from now on.


UPDATE:I am calling on all local blogs to leave a comment here to say you will join me in this endeavor to clean our area up. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor;

WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

--George Washington - October 3, 1789

Wayne Bailey

I just received word from Short's Funeral Home of the following:


Visitation: Monday evening, 6:00 - 9:00 pm, Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, also 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Tues at the Church

Service: Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, interment Wicomico Memorial Park

....and if you will take just a moment and write a short note in the online "Guestbook" at the following site, I am sure that the family would greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness in their time of need: www.shortfh.com

Obama Pardons Turkeys

It’s official: President Barack Obama has pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey.

Continuing a decades-old White House tradition, Obama issued pardons Wednesday to a gobbler named “Apple” and its alternate, “Cider.’ The two 21-week-old, 45-pound turkeys were raised on a California farm.

Obama said it “feels pretty good to stop at least one shellacking this November.”

Military Pegs Hourly Air Force One Cost at $180G

The average American could buy a house

for the amount of money it takes to run Air Force One every hour.

The U.S. military has provided an updated estimate on that cost, first published by a taxpayer watchdog group and confirmed by FoxNews.com, and the number is staggering -- $181,757 per hour. That's the price tag for shuttling around President Obama, who, as it turns out, has spent more days abroad in his first two years than any other president.

...and the road to serfdom continues...

Have the people had enough?

It's curtains for 'Issues and Answers' show

I received Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton's directive on Thursday, saying he will no longer permit city staff to appear on PAC 14's "Issues and Answers," a program I implemented and have hosted since 2007. The mayor explained in an e-mail that he was the executive who makes decisions and this is an administrative decision.

Later, I asked the mayor if he wished to reconsider. His reply was, "My communication regarding the matter stands." Unfortunately, without the availability of city staff, "Issues and Answers" will no longer have the reporting capacity to continue.

Plans are being made for a farewell program covering this recent action.

This program's purpose was to expand the transparency of city government's functioning. Administrators, directors and appointed chairs responding to citizens' questions played a critical role. Over the years, segments included annexations, the city's debt, the marina, Poplar Hill Mansion's restoration, the city's budget, Onley Road/Bateman Street intersection, crime, the controversial dump truck, donations to the city, awards, the zoo and the city's standpipe, along with numerous other issues.

Viewers had come to expect solid reporting and insightful commentary on the city's actions. This airing was an unfiltered voice from the city to the public in response to citizens' questions.

This is a sad day for journalism and, more importantly, for the citizens of our community. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at PAC 14, for they have earned a reputation of professional excellence. Through the leadership of Mike Goodson and his staff, Creig Twilley and Tom Taylor, PAC 14 ensured fair, equal and high-quality access for all individuals and groups.

PAC 14 is an exemplary reflection of the public voice from many perspectives. I thank its staff for their commitment to promoting civic virtues, building community and showcasing diverse artists.

My heartfelt appreciation is also extended to the many followers and supporters of "Issues and Answers." It allowed me to serve my community in ways I could not have imagined just a few years ago. To host "Issues and Answers" these three years has been a humbling honor.

Although this recent news "dims the lights" on "Issues and Answers," I am an eternal optimist; I believe another door of opportunity will open allowing me to work on behalf of the public interest.

I wish everyone peace and happiness during this holiday season.

Louise Smith is president of the Salisbury City Council.