***WICOMICO COUNTY EVACUATION ORDER***

EXECUTIVE POLLITT ORDERS EVACUATION OF SEGMENTS OF WICOMICO COUNTY

NEAR RIVERS IN ANTICIPATION OF AFFECTS OF HURRICANE IRENE

For Immediate Release
Salisbury, MD
August 26, 2011

County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. has issued a Declaration of Emergency for Wicomico County in anticipation of hurricane/tropical-storm strength winds and torrential rains that may begin in the county on August 27th as a result of Hurricane Irene. Mr. Pollitt urged citizens to NOT call 911 for hurricane-related information. He asks that citizens call a special “Hurricane Hotline” instead. That number is 410-548-9452.


After consultation with local emergency and public health personnel, Pollitt ordered the evacuation of segments of the county near the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers as part of the general Order. “While I know that it is greatly inconvenient to be evacuated,” emphasized Pollitt; “the experts have impressed upon me the real threat that the effects of this storm present to our county. There could be flooding up to 5 feet in lower areas; high winds and heavy rains upon saturated grounds could cause trees to fall on houses and roads. People on the wrong side of the flooding could become inaccessible to rescue workers should rescue be required. In brief, if Irene lives up to her expectations, we need to take every necessary precaution.”

Evacuation Details

----Residents of the following areas are ordered to begin evacuating at 10:00 A.M. today and to complete the process by 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, August 27th. Tropical-force winds are anticipated to begin at about 4:00 P.M. on Saturday.

Areas in Wicomico County:

ZIP CODES:
All of 21840 (Nanticoke Post Office)
All of 21814 (Bivalve Post Office)
All of 21865 (Tyaskin Post Office)
21856 West of Nebo Road (Quantico Post Office)
21830 West of Athol Rd. (Hebron Post Office)
21822 North and West of Upper Ferry Road (Allen Post Office)
All of 21837 (Mardela Post Office)
21861 North and West of Sharptown Road (Sharptown Post Office)


Areas In the City of Salisbury

Riverside Dr. from Douglas Rd. to Cooper Road on the West side of Riverside Drive.
Williams Landing Place, Wicomico St. (west of Riverside Dr.), Beauchamp St., Georgia Ave (west of Riverside Dr.) Ridge Road, N. Pinehurst on the Wicomico river side, Riverside Pines Court.
Cotton Patch Island, Bell Island Trail, Fitzwater Street,
King Street, Ford Street, Birch Street, Burton Street, Willow Street, W. Main Street between Mill Street and Fitzwater Street, Germania Circle,
Kent Ave, Queen Anne Street, Jefferson Street, Caroline Street, Dover Street, Liberty Street, Homer Street, Edgemore Avenue, Alexander Ave, Bowl Drive, Raymond Drive.
Anchorage Nursing Home

----Besides alerts from the news media, affected residents will be notified by a pre-recorded phone call and loudspeaker announcements from fire and police vehicles.

SHELTER


---Citizens are urged to seek shelter with friends/relatives or at a motel or hotel. If this is not possible, shelter is available at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD. The shelter opens at 10:00 A.M. today and is pet-accommodating.

----If citizens use the Civic Center shelter, it is suggested that they bring these items:

• Use backpack etc.

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled members of the household
• A change of clothes (several changes)
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Toothbrush and toothpaste


• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Waterless hand soap
• Games, books etc.
• Baby food & diapers
• Toiletries
(Moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags & ties for personal sanitation)


• “Go-Kit” for your pets/service animals (food, crate, medical records, ID tags, leash, etc.)

• Blankets or sleeping bags for each person
• Prescription medications


• Special items for infant (baby food/diapers) , elderly or disabled members of the household
• Important Papers (Easy to access)
• Flashlights


• Identification


Closings

----Upper Ferry and the Whitehaven Ferry will not operate on Saturday and Sunday. Citizens are urged to check the Ferry Hotline 410-543-2765.
--The Landfill and transfer stations will close at noon on Saturday and will be closed on Sunday.

In issuing the Emergency Order, Mr. Pollitt said, “Our county staff has all plans in place for the protection of our citizens if this weather event becomes as challenging as anticipated. I fully realize that being ordered to leave one’s home is truly disturbing. On the other hand, preventing risky rescue operations as a result of high winds and flooding is well worth it. I know the citizens of Wicomico County will rise to meet this difficult situation just as have our dedicated employees.”

###

 
Released by Jim Fineran, Wicomico County PIO
410-548-1974
jfineran@wicomicocounty.org

In State Tuition Petition

In case you have not already heard the news, this week the Board of Elections certified 47,288 valid signatures on the in-state tuition petition. This is an amazing accomplishment and illustrates the intense amount of work that everyone has put into this effort, particularly Delegates Neil Parrott and Pat McDonough who have led this charge!

But, our work is not yet done. To get this measure on the ballot, the Board of Elections must certify 55,736 signatures. That means we need over 8,000 more signatures by June 30th to meet this requirement. Additionally, we have to account for the fact that the Board of Elections will disqualify some signatures (and potential court challenges from the ACLU and Casa de Maryland) – so even more signatures are needed.
Please visit http://www.mdpetitions.com/ today! The citizens of Maryland deserve to be heard on this issue!

Bridge Toll Hearings Announced

I am very concerned about the impact that the proposed toll increases will have on the Eastern Shore. In addition to impacting commuters, visitors and Eastern Shore residents, raising the tolls at these drastic rates will increase the cost of our goods and services. The proposed toll increase for 6-axle trucks, for example, will go from $18 to $60 in just two years.


Unfortunately, the Governor and the Maryland Department of Transportation are side-stepping the legislature and they will be the sole decision makers on how much more we will have to pay.


That makes it all the more important for you to join me in voicing your concern! Please consider attending a public hearing, writing a letter or emailing your comments to them as soon as possible!

Sincerely,

NFWL and NRA Announce Scholarship Contest!

The National Foundation for Women Legislators and the National Rifle Association are co-sponsoring their fourteenth annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest for college-bound female high school juniors and seniors, which this year will be entitled “The Impact of the First Amendment on Women Leaders and Social Media.” The contest’s seven winners will each receive a $3,000 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to NFWL’s Annual Conference and 73^rd Anniversary August 11-15, 2011 at The Marriott in downtown Des Moines, Iowa where they will network with, be mentored by, and speak to hundreds of women lawmakers from across the United States.

Click here to download the application!

Maryland Budget Grows by $1 Billion

This week the House of Delegates debated and voted on the State’s budget. Despite a $1.6 billion deficit still looming, the House Appropriations Committee only reduced the Governor’s budget by $6.5 million and the total budget grows by over $1 billion. Members of the House Republican Caucus, including Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio voted against the budget and raised concerns about spending levels and tax and fee increases that are included in this year’s budget bills.



The taxes and fees include:

-Vehicle Titling Tax doubled from $50 to $100

-Vanity Plate Fee doubled from $25 to $50

-Land Recording Fees doubled from $20 to $40

-Birth Certificate Fees doubled from $12 to $24

-Increase in Hospital Assessments adding 2.5% to rates

-Increase in Nursing Home Tax from 4% to 5.5%

-Parole Supervision Fee doubled from $25 to $50

-2% Premium Tax on the Injured Worker Insurance Fund (IWIF)

-Payroll Garnishment Fee for State Employees

The budget also relies heavily on bonding projects that the State has traditionally paid for with cash which could result in an increase in the property tax in the near future.  Over $191 million of operating budget expenses are replaced with debt.

For more information on the Maryland’s debt increase, see the Washington Post.

Haddaway Opposes Gas Tax Increase

In this fiscal climate, you would think that taxes would be the furthest thing from legislators minds. Unfortunately, it is quite the opposite. Legislators are seeking to increase the gas tax,
the income tax and the alcohol tax through an initiative they call "Maryland First" and the Governor has even proposed an assessment on hospitals and nursing homes.


Many of you have asked about my position on these issues. Please know that I am strongly opposed to raising any taxes. With that in mind, last week I helped present the Republican Caucus alternative budget which clearly demonstrates that we can solve Maryland's fiscal problems without raising taxes but by slowing government spending instead. I am also encouraging my constituents to visit a new web site - http://www.stopthegastax.com/ - to get more information and to make your voice be heard.

As a small business owner and as your representative, I truly understand how devastating these tax increases would be for our citizens. With that in mind, I will continue to fight these proposals and will continue to keep you updated.

Haddaway, House GOP Present Alternate Budget

Last night, Republicans in the Maryland House of Delegates presented a budget plan to the House Appropriations Committee.  Delegate Tony O’Donnell, the House Minority Leader, and Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, the House Minority Whip, presented the plan which slows spending, eliminates the state’s structural deficit and allows for a gradual repeal of the sales tax and corporate income tax increases from 2007.

By contrast, last week a group of Democratic Senators introduced their ‘Maryland First’ initiative which would increase Maryland taxes by $827 million.

“There are two options on the table this year for resolving the state’s budget problems,” House Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “One option is to increase taxes. We prefer the fiscally responsible option which is to stop spending. Maryland’s citizens and small businesses cannot afford a hike in taxes right now - especially the gas tax and the income tax. My constituents have made it clear they want real leadership not credit card government. In my mind, there is no better way to stimulate the economy than to allow Maryland taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Visit the following link for the full plan:

http://marylandhousegop.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/house-republican-caucus-fiscal-vision-for-maryland-2012.pdf

Haddaway-Riccio to Give State of the State Response

Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio has been selected to give the Republican response to the Governor’s State of the State address on Thursday, February 3, 2011. The Governor's speech, which he will deliver at noon, will air on Maryland Public Television (MPT). Delegate Haddaway-Riccio’s speech will also air on MPT immediately following the Governor’s.


Article II, Section 19 of Maryland’s Constitution requires the Governor to "inform the Legislature of the condition of the State and recommend to their consideration such measures as he may judge necessary and expedient." As a result, the Governor delivers an annual State of the State address to inform the legislature of his legislative initiatives and of Maryland’s budget situation.