Old Mother Drucker

Taxes in our State

Currently I am working to keep the OMalley government from reaching into our wallets. I received the following Press Release this morning from Senator Pipkin and want you all to see it.

This is reason number 763 on the "Why I am a fan of Senator EJ Pipkin" list!!!!!

September 20, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEN. PIPKIN: GAS TAX INDEXING IS "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION"

Senator E. J. Pipkin (R. Upper Shore 36) tagged efforts to tie the current 23.5 cent a gallon state gas tax to inflationary cost increases "a cruel assault on the wallets of all Marylanders."

He said that linking gas tax increases to the CPI (Consumer Price Index) or other inflationary indicators, called indexing, is a method used by some states – Florida and Maine – to get gas tax increases without any legislation action. "In short," asserted Pipkin, "indexing produces automatic tax increases. As far as I'm concerned such automatic tax increases constitute taxation without representation."

Gas tax indexing has been proposed as a way to raise transportation revenue in the O'Malley Administration's Transportation Funding Overview, a report presented to Senate and House committees that deal with the state budget. The report points out that an advantage of indexing the gas tax is that it ties revenue growth to inflation. As inflation rises, so, too, will the gas tax "without any consideration of consumers' income, which may not rise at all," declared the Eastern Shore lawmaker.

Pipkin said, "My fear is that the leadership in Annapolis, hungry for more transportation revenue, will stop at nothing, including approving automatic gas tax increases, to obtain those dollars."

He pointed out that the gas tax is a regressive tax. "The high income earner pays the same per gallon tax as the average and low-income wage earner. However, a regressive tax always takes a larger proportional bite out of the average person's income. The high income earner barely feels the gas tax bite, while it makes the average income earner struggle to keep up with increasing gas taxes. Marylanders are already pressured by the soaring cost of electricity and gasoline. An automatically rising gas tax adds insult to injury," said Pipkin.

He emphasized, "Indexing will take the brakes off of gas tax increases. Ultimately, indexing will remove the layers of oversight and review, which now govern approval of transportation projects because increased transportation revenue will be assured without the vote of the people's elected representatives."

Senator Pipkin said, "It is the height of irresponsibility for representative government to remove itself from the business of increasing taxes. Taxation without representation, whatever form it takes, must be stopped. Be assured, I will continue to fight gas tax indexing as a form of taxation without representation."

First Annual Republican Club Picnic

Today's picnic was amazing. Thank you to one and all who came out. We had over 60 folks come, share a wonderful Roasted Pig compliments of "The Pits" BBQ on Kent Island. The dishes you all brought to share were yummy and there was just so much, I didnt know where to start.

The Iron Chef Event had three contestants and these people were SERIOUS, let me tell you! De Couch, Barb Pivec and Andrew Langer made dishes that were just so original and scrumptious, the judges had a terrible time deciding. The scores were  2/10 of a percent apart between first and second place.  Each contestant brought their own everything...grills to cook on, tables, pans, ingredients...we actually had three outdoor kitchens going. I wish all of you could have seen it. They had one hour to prepare their recipes, both of which had to contain corn. They were judged on local appeal, presentation, flavor and originality. Andrew Langer was this years winner and now wears the Republican Club Official Iron Chef Crown and apron. He was also presented with a "sceptor" which, when you see him, you MUST ask him to show you.

I need to give special thanks to Scottie Macglashan for emceeing the event. You did such a great job and it made the event even more fun because you played "host" for it. Scottie also brought his band "Bay Country Gentlemen" to play and they were appreciated by everyone who was there.

Delegate Addie Eckardt (from District 37B) came out to help judge the Iron Chef event in spite of being in the middle of moving to Cambridge. I am thankful that she is apparently so tireless and a wonderful friend to our party!

Walter Reap was gracious enough to allow me to draft him to judge the event as well, even though I think he ended up staying longer than he had planned he did an excellent job. For those of you who haven't met him or weren't able to attend, Walter is a school principal in Anne Arundel County and President of the Queen Annes Chapter of the NAACP.

Also, to Sherrie Von Sternberg who created the Royal Garb for the winner of the event: Your creativity is apparently limitless and I thank you very much for all your efforts!

The Picnic Committee was awesome but a special "shout out" to De Couch for improving on the old idea of a "cook off" with such a brilliant brainstorm of the Iron Chef event in the first place and for managing to get the donation of that OUTSTANDING roast pig!

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make today so special including Sharon Carrick, Diana Waterman (who couldn't be there but worked with us anyway), Andrew Langer, Dan Worth, Patrick McLaughlin and Sheryl Jaros. Everyone pulled together so well and today was just another example of what outstanding results we get when we all work together. I had a blast and was sorry when I realized the sun was setting and it was time to clean up.

Definitely have to do this again next year. More events coming up in September and on into the fall. I will save that for another email though.

Once again, a thousand thank you's to everyone who came out to the picnic...the weather was wonderful and the turnout was too!

Today's Bay Times...

For those of you who read the letter to the  editor, from Joseph Gannon, I would refer you to the other side of the story located at:

http://qacbuzz.com/articles/0801usercomments.html

To my knowledge, Mr Gannon has not bothered to actually find out the facts of his allegations (from BOTH sides) and frankly, I find it very telling that the Democratic Central Committee has so little to do in this county that they feel compelled to involve themselves in the Republican Party.

'Nuff said.

In response to what *was* on another local blog...

I read something on another local blog that criticized a campaign for sending out a missive to the Rep Central Committees across the state trying to point out certain facts about their opponent. Frankly, I didn't get what the problem was but being new, I turned to my dear friend Andrew Langer who happens to not only live in my neighborhood but is very much in touch with how things are done in the political world. With his kind permission, I have reprinted his response. Please keep in mind that he is only responding to a friend as a friend and not, as a leader, employee or volunteer of ANY organization.

---------------

Yeah, I saw that last night.  Speaking for myself, and not as a member of the QACRCC, on the whole, I found Kurt Babe's response to be a bit odd and overblown - long on rhetoric and short on substance.

Babe called the e-mail "unethical" and "repugnant", but never really lays out a foundation for why he thinks it to be so.  Now, I didn't receive Meekins' initial e-mail, but at first blush it seems to be a fact-based e-mail, informing Central Committee members of the recent coverage of Wayne Gilchrest's historical voting records, and his tendency to vote with caucuses other than his party's - as well as the good Congressman's public disdain for that self-same party.

Now, what's "unethical" about that?  Why is informing party officials as to the public perception of, statements by, and attitudes of one of their charges (because, after all, Central Committee members are in no small measure responsible for supervising and advising elected officials) repugnant?

Chris Meekins never makes a request of the Central Committe members.  He never makes a characterization of the congressman's voting record or his statements.  In fact, all he does is state a set of facts regarding him.

No, what I find "unethical" is that Kurt Babe took an e-mail meant for Central Committee members, of which he is no longer one, and rather than contact Chris Meekins and say, "Um, Chris, you sent this to me, but I'm no longer a member of the Republican Central Committee," he not only sent this explosive and over-reactive response, he also took the original e-mail and his response and sent it to a 3rd party for publication to the general electorate.

Obviously, Meekins' motivations for sending the e-mail are apparent - and there's nothing unethical in making certain that the facts are known regarding an incumbent.  Central Committee members know their official duties and obligations (including not getting officially involved in primary challenges and supporting whomever emerges from those battles).  Likewise, there's nothing to say that on their own, Central Committee members can't privately support (financially or otherwise) candidates of their choosing (provided it doesn't interfere with the discharge of theirduties).

But one wonders just what motivated Kurt Babe - to not only not correct Meekins, but to respond in precisely the manner that he did, and to then lay those e-mails out for public display.  One would think that if he were really concerned, that he'd send the e-mail to his former colleagues on the Republican Central Committee, reminding them of their duties and obligations.

No, I think his motivations are clear, too.

Again, these are just my thoughts as me, Queen Anne's County resident and someone involved in GOP politics for all of my adult life.

- Andrew

Jessica, Smoking and Voting

I have been working hard on getting "Jessica's Law" passed in Maryland and I haven't been diligent about my blog. The good news is we FINALLY got it out of the House Judiciary. We expect it to go to second reading Tuesday or Wednesday and third reading/vote by the end of the legislative session...barring any more suprises. Special thanks to Diana Waterman for all her tireless efforts rounding us all up and getting us there and all. Also, thanks to Dad who actually called several representatives and Governor O'Malley's office to put his support in. Funny story, it was Barb's email demanding that we stop what we were doing RIGHT THEN AND THERE and call that got him involved. Thanks, Barb! There are many more "thank you's" that should go out but suffice it to say that I am grateful to all of you who wrote emails, made calls or came to support those of us testifying (Mike and Patrick especially for cutting out part of their work day to "hold my hand" on the days I had to testify). It seems all of your efforts will be paying off.

Diana and I went up the House Judiciary yesterday to see the vote on our bill and also ended up being interviewed on Channel 45 News (it ran last night)...was VERY exciting for me. Bill O'Reilly's crew was there and...well...keep an eye on his show this week, I will let the interview with Valerio speak for itself. You'll get the picture.

The House also voted on the smoking ban yesterday. Before I go any further, yes, I smoke. That said, there's an interesting story that was in the Star-Dem today that I heard about up in Annapolis. It seems that a delegate who evidently was as frustrated with the taxing and banning of a legal substance as I am actually introduced a bill to be the first state to OUTLAW smoking, period. It was put to several proponents of the "we have to tax tobacco" team that if they were really all that concerned about the health of Maryland's citizens, then they should forget the taxation and just outlaw it all together. The Star-Dem reports that the measure defeated....I ask you, how can that be? The Democrats cry out that they are so concerned with our health...if that were REALLY true, why not outlaw smoking entirely. No, my friends and neighbors, this is about MONEY. They can't afford NOT to tax everything in sight. Hell, now they want to tax gasoline because they need more money (what, we arent paying enough NOW?) and gee whiz, the tax on gas hasn't been raised in more than ten years. I WONDER WHY?!

The Dems have also managed to get a bill passed that allows TWO TIME violent criminals to get their right to vote back. I heard the debate on the floor and all I could do was shake my head. "This will make them productive members of society" was my particular "favorite" (NOT!)
You gotta be kidding me.  Seems to me that when you go to jail particularly for a SECOND violent crime, you knowingly forfeit certain rights. Whats next? Restoring their right to bear arms? I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment but I fear this is where we are heading. No criminal should be legally permitted to own or carry a firearm, CLEARLY. This dumb bill for criminals to vote is bogus I am just worried about what is next for Maryland.

I need to run. I will update you on more very soon. The ER bill is chugging right along though I dont know when a vote is scheduled. Keep your fingers crossed.

a

ER UPDAT$E

GREAT NEWS!

At EJ Pipkin's press conference this morning, it was announced that University of Maryland Medical Services, in conjunction with Shore Health Systems will be sponsoring our ER in QAC, ASSUMING we can get the bill passed in Annapolis. As Senator Pipkin said, this is quite a commitment from them as our ER will not be a moneymaker. SUCH an awesome development in our quest for local emergent care!!!!!!!!

FYI: There is only one other ER in the state like the one being proposed...its in Shady Grove and opened 6 months ago.

Please don't forget to come on Thursday for the first Hearing on SB 750 at 1:00pm . If you want to testify you should be there by noonish to sign up. I will be happy to arrange carpools if anyone has any interest in it. 

We still need all the signatures we can get on the petition, so please ask your friends and neighbors if they have stopped by www.QaErNow.com and signed.

Centreville Wharf Part 783 ;-)

Jon Hodgson offers the Wharf to the Town of Centreville for purchase at fair market value!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BxmJPfRNZQU

It is my sincere hope that either the town (which, as Mary McCarthy states on the record is a viable concept) with Project Open Space monies or the County will buy it.

My point last spring and Mary's point on the video is that it needs to be used for the Public Good. The Comprehensive Plan states that it should be an amphitheatre. When Mary McCarthy points this out, Mary ROBY's only argument is "where are they going to park?" Funny, she couldn't even raise this mediocre objection during the debates last year. Btw, the answer is- "with the parcel of land across the street from the Wharf that is for sale".  This is not rocket science, folks, and, even if *this* ISN'T the answer, there is definitely more than one way to cook an egg.

Why am I jumping up and down about this? Well, it was a plank in my platform last spring for starters and in my opinion it is disheartening to hear a less than clear opinion from one of our Town Council members.

Sensible growth, my friends. Plan and make your assessments for the welfare and safety of the citizens BEFORE you allow the first pile of dirt to be moved and don't throw away the County Seat's last bit of waterfront property. This is especially true when you are spending thousands and thousands of dollars to rehab the very water you are allowing townhouses to be built on.

If you agree, please email the County Commissioners via their website at: http://www.qac.org/depts/cmnrs/cmnrs.htm or you can contact the Town Council of Centreville at www.townofcentreville.org 

Thank you for your continued support!

Random Thoughts...

I kept trying to think of one thing to blog about...one issue that I had alot to say on but there was too much. So, I thought I would simply list my thoughts and let you, dear friends ponder them yourselves.

I offer the following thoughts for your perusal:

-Most importantly: Happy Birthday Don Dillon!  If I cannot sing the praises of my family on my own blog, I don't know where I can!  Love you Dad!

-Congratulations to Eric Wargotz! The lone Republican to be elected to our county commissioners. He will serve us well as President. Eric is a good man, with a good ear for his constituents. I couldn't be more proud of him for a campaign well run!

-I need to take a moment and congratulate all the winners of the local races, especially in the Commissioners races.

-Though Republicans lost most of the commissioners seats, we did deliver the county OVERWHELMINGLY SO for Ehrlich/Steele. I was so sad that they lost but proud to have been a part of the team that got out the vote for such principled and upstanding men.

-Speaking of principled and upstanding, my dear friend Andrew Langer will be speaking on December 5th at the Centreville Library at 7:30. He will offer his thoughts on what happened in this election and what we as conservatives can learn from it. Andrew is a very interesting and charismatic man and while I have never heard him speak, I expect that he will be equally so in a public forum. Come, decide for yourself!

Now for my current "grix":

-The Chairman of the Centreville Parade is Norman Pinder. Under his leadership, there is a new rule-- "no throwing candy". The throwing of candy has been a tradition in our parades as far back as I can remember. The children love it and there has never been a problem, that I know about, in all the years that candy was thrown. The floats don't go faster than 3 or 4 mph and frankly my four year old can run faster than the floats go at some points in the parade. I think it is absolutely ridiculous to take candy from babies when there is no reason to.  Talk about the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. This committee needs to be reminded that the parade is supposed to be for the children primarily.

I propose that the float organizers follow the letter of the law...don't THROW candy. Hand it out. Most floats have adults walking alongside...let them hand out candy. Its ashame that you can't give candy to the kids on the floats but until someone gets across to the committee that we are not happy with this "anti-child" rule.

What is the penalty for this anyway? It's not like its a law....

More as it occurs to me.

Until next time.....

Four days and counting...

OHHHHHH! I am so angry, I could spit nails!

I don't know how many of you watch WBAL TV but the hatchet job they are doing on the Republican party really ticks me off!

I watched the late news last night and saw all the "anti-republican" stories they ran! To hear them tell it, the Democratic Party is so abused and picked on and Republicans are the Devil Incarnate!

First of all, for those of you that have asked or have wanted to ask, I don't know what the deal with Ben Cassell (local Commissioner) is. They intimate that he doesn't have the degrees he says he does.  I have not spoken with  Ben but I just can't believe that anyone would be so stupid about something  so easily checked.  Of course, if you listen to the words they use, they don't say he is lying. ADD to this that UMD says that just because he isnt in his alumni files, DOES NOT mean that he didnt graduate from there. So....hmmm the story is...what? That someone who doesnt like him couldnt get proof that he graduated from UMD and he can't find his sheepskin in the middle of an election? Please! I have two degrees and I am not sure I could find mine without some serious HOURS of searching!

Seems to me, if the folks who are making an issue of it were on sure ground, they would have brought it up during the primary where they could have used the help. I don't know the true story---I am waiting patiently as you are to find out. I do know that his opponent never got back to me on what her issues were, when I emailed her several times. Seems to me, if you cant respond to me when you want my VOTE, you won't respond if you are elected.

So, I am still backing Ben Cassell. I don't always agree with him but you can bet your bottom dollar that he's the best candidate for the job.

And about the RNC supposedly disenfranchising voters....the real story is that the RNC is saying "if you don't know you birthday, we would be suspect of your right to vote". That makes sense to me. How many people do you know who don't know their own birthday. They should be given provisional ballots and scrutinized heavily. The DNC is trying to say this is an issue especially for those living in the inner cities. 'SCUSE ME? I spent 6 years teaching in the ghettos of DC and I can assure you, poor or rich, everyone knows their birthday! Anyone who claims otherwise is full of it OR shouldn't be voting in the first place (because they are not of sound mind).

Please take the time to listen to what words the media is choosing. They work so hard to give you an impression that they don't actually say for fear of being sued.

The upside of all of this is, they must be worried or they wouldn't be attacking so vociferously.  This is the product of a party who has admitted that NATIONWIDE if they are elected they WILL be raising our taxes.

Remember this when you pull those levers on Tuesday.

Rain Garden Part 2

Tuesday came and went and I have not yet posted. My sincere apologies. I have been hung up, as some of you know. with my recuperation from a rather nasty knee surgery.

The crew came and finished my Rain Garden. They worked so hard and it is so beautiful! There will be pictures as I can get my pictures downloaded. (A few technical difficulties with my own camera...)  Steve Sharkey was gracious enough to not only take pictures, but to share them with me and I want to put one or two up just so you can get an idea of the AMAZING project they have completed. They worked so hard and the garden is laid out exactly as Neenah promised. It really is cool to see the whole thing come to life!

Our illustrious Town Manager stopped by, too! I was touched that he took time out of his very busy schedule to see our endeavors. Here's Bob pitching in. Too bad he couldn't stay longer, Bob's a very funny guy and I swear he takes more grief in his position as Town Manager than any other Centreville employee.

More pictures to come as soon as I get them downloaded from Dad's camera.

If you live in the area and want to apply for your very OWN garden, check the bottom of the previous post and call. They are starting to think about next spring and you should be, too. Don't forget it's a grant so you don't pay for a thing and they do fabulous work!

--------Later that day---------

Okay, y'all...had a little trouble uploading the pics, so, in order to see the pics, look towards the top of this page to the left and find the link that says "Photo Albums" and click on "Rain Garden" It'll have all the pics that I have not included.

Many, many thanks to everyone who came out and worked so hard on our garden. (And I do mean "our"! This is a labor of love and community!)