Much is being made about a possible 2014 match between incumbent Maryland senator Jim Mathias (D-38) and Del. Mike McDermott (R-38B). While McDermott would have to overcome Mathias’ huge money advantage (Senate President Mike Miller will THROW hundreds of thousands of dollars Mathias’ way), a Mathias vs. McDermott race will show the unfathomable divide between “Annapolis Values” vs. “Eastern Shore Values”.
Listen to McDermott on the recently passed budget bill:
While I am a fan of Public Radio Delmarva (actually WSDL), I don’t support Maryland tax dollars going to support it. While I actually believe that SU needs a new library, I can’t imagine where $135 million is going. What about all of that money in the SU foundation? Why can’t it go to help build and equip a new library?
If you attended the recent town hall on Gov. O’Malley’s gun bill you would have witnessed a stark contrast in approaches. McDermott has FOUGHT this bill from the start. Mathias just voted against it (I would suggest for political reasons). You would have seen and heard the passion McDermott brings to this issue. While Mathias wasn’t in attendance, he sent an envoy to read a letter. The categorical difference was apparent to all – McDermott was fighting to protect one of our most sacred liberties while Mathias was tinkering around the edges to make a loathsome bill slightly less loathsome.
As a political junkie, I think a Mathias – McDermott race in 2014 will be exciting. As a citizen of Maryland, I believe that a McDermott candidacy and victory will send a message to those here and in Annapolis who believe that giving up our God-given liberty in pursuit of a few cups from the public trough is a worthwhile pursuit.
DelMarVa Dealings appears each Monday and discusses local politics and its impact on the Delmarva peninsula.
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GEORGETOWN, DE – Matthew Burton, the accused murderer of Nicole Bennett, continues to challenge his extradition to Worcester County. Judge Howard Mulvaney III of Delaware’s Justice of the Peace Court number 3 signed Burton’s extradition order Monday. However, Burton will continue to be held in Delaware pending a habeas corpus hearing in Delaware Superior Court on Thursday.
WHALEYVILLE, MD – A Dagsboro man has been arrested in the murder of Delaware woman Nicole Bennett. Bennett’s body was found in Worcester County last month. Maryland State Police arrested 28-year-old Matthew Burton Friday night during a traffic stop in Rehoboth Beach. Burton is reported to be a custodian at Bennett’s Church, Bay Shore Community Church. Officials are still searching for a motive in the case, but say Burton is being charged with first and second degree murder.
Family members told WMDT earlier this week that the family is staying strong. They still attend the church, where Nicole was last reported to be the night before she was found dead. Before the arrest, Bennett’s Father-In-Law Bob Bennett said, "It’s our faith and we’re not questioning God. It’s an evil world, evil things happen to good people and we have to be protective. I think we’re more protective than ever."
SNOW HILL, MD – The Worcester County Commissioners will hold their public hearing on the FY 2013 budget tonight at 7:00 PM. The public hearing will be held at Snow Hill High School.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today the Maryland Senate takes up debate on 
ANNAPOLIS, MD – In response to a proposal from the O’Malley administration that Maryland counties assume responsibility for 50% of teacher pensions, Del. Mike McDermott (R-38B) is introducing a bill that would require counties to only assume responsibility for teachers hired since 2011.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Senator Richard Colburn (R-37) has introduced a bill that would require the University of Maryland to reimburse the Hudson family of Worcester County up to $500,000 in legal bills. The University’s Environmental Law Clinic is acting as plaintiff’s attorney in a lawsuit filed against the Hudson family and Perdue Farms by the Assateague Coastkeeper and the Waterkeeper Alliance.
A spokesperson for the Assateague Coastkeeper responded:
SALISBURY, MD – Maryland governor Martin O’Malley’s plan to shift 50% of the cost of teacher pensions to the counties could have a sizable impact on the budgets of Eastern Shore counties. Among those that could be hit the hardest are Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Worcester counties.
BERLIN, MD – On Sunday, Maryland State Police arrested 31 year old Branden Sandifer at a home in Berlin. Sandifer was being sought due to three outstanding warrants for failing to appear, including one through Worcester County Circuit Court for distribution of narcotics.
I know my friend Greg Bassett, Executive Editor of the Daily Times, doesn’t get to write as many editorials as he used to since he became Publisher (actually, the new title is General Manager) of the paper along with his other duties. I guess that’s why he chose to tackle multiple issues at once in 
Bassett and Smoot decry the Wicomico Council’s decision not to move forward with a new Bennett Middle School. Bassett accuses the majority who opposed moving forward – Gail Bartkovich, Bob Culver, Joe Holloway, and Stevie Prettyman, with a lack of leadership. In reality, the opposite is true. Leadership IS NOT rationalizing irresponsible actions. It’s easy to say, “It’s for the children!” It’s easy to play politics with a serious matter, as County Executive Rick Pollitt (with his 11th hour push for the school), Councilman Matt Holloway (with his cheap comment trying to tie together Bennett Middle and the tragic shooting at his alma mater, Virginia Tech), Superintendent John Fredericksen (with new political group), members of the Board of Education, their political arm – “Parents in Action”, and the 
COCKEYSVILLE, MD – First District Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) has filed for re-election to a second term in the U.S. House. With the filing deadline for the two major party primaries looming, it appears that Harris will not face serious opposition in 2012.
Maryland senator Jim Mathias (D-38). Mathias has shown that he can raise money and put together a strong grassroots campaign operation within the bounds of his Lower Shore senatorial district. Would Mathias run and could he translate his strong local campaign skills to a congressional run?
POCOMOKE CITY, MD – A Worcester County school bus was destroyed by fire just after 9PM Wednesday night. The fire began in the bus’s engine compartment and has been ruled an accident by the Worcester County Fire Marshal. The bus, owned by Kenneth Rantz, was completely destroyed.
POCOMOKE CITY, MD – Maryland Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B) is 
It seems that the taxpayers of Ocean City are paying for a little too much police protection. Judging from 
We should note that we are not claiming that former OCPD officer Earl Campbell’s claims are all true. Our knowledge of the situation is based solely on what has been published in the Daily Times and 
NEWARK, MD – The Worcester County Public Schools are attempting to formulate a budget against some harsh realities this year. Declining assessments have finally found their way to Worcester County, particularly Ocean City. The Board of Ed faces a loss of almost $900,000 in county funding for maintenance of effort.
OCEAN CITY, MD – Tickets for Lonestar and Sha Na Na, who will perform at Sunfest 2012, will go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets also are on sale now for rocker Bret Michaels, who was originally scheduled to perform at this year’s festival, but was rescheduled to appear at Sunfest 2012 due to a booking conflict.
Sha Na Na will perform on Thursday, September 20. Sha Na Na has successfully celebrated the nostalgia of rock and roll music for the past four decades– in concert, in the movies, on television and on records. Tickets for Sha Na Na’s Sunfest performance are $15 to $25.
SALISBURY, MD – 
EASTON, MD – In response to an op-ed published by the Star-Democrat, the chairman of the Worcester County Soil Conservation District (WSCD) argues that the head of the Mid-Shore Riverkeeper Conservancy, Tim Junkin, knowingly wrote false information.
OCEAN CITY, MD – The Ocean City Council has appointed Kelly Allmond to succeed the late Kathy Mathias as town clerk. During Monday’s council meeting she was sworn in by Mayor Rick Meehan.
SNOW HILL, MD – 43 seems to be the magic number. That is the number of fatalities along US 113 between Snow Hill and the Delaware line over the last 15 years. After last week’s fatal crash at the intersection of US 113 and MD 12, the Worcester County Commissioners are finally asking the county’s legislative delegation to have the state install a stop light at the intersection.
SNOW HILL, MD – Ring in the season with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Christmas Needy Program and help make the holidays shine brighter for families in need.
“We were pleased to host everyone at Winterfest over the holiday weekend,” said Tom Shuster, Director of the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department. “Winterfest continues to grow in popularity and the appeal of this event for families gathering together in Ocean City for the Thanksgiving holiday remains strong.
While at Northside Park visit the Winterfest Pavilion for a cup of hot chocolate, browse the Yukon Cornelius Gift Shop and have your photo taken with Santa, who will be available nightly until Friday, December 23. Admission to the Winterfest Pavilion is free and on selected nights, free musical entertainment will be scheduled.
The left’s notion of “rights” is telling. They believe that “free speech” entitles them to be published rather than just being free from government interference or sanction. They believe that “freedom of opportunity” means that if the desired results are not attained, then discrimination is a given. They believe that “academic freedom” means the “right” to spend taxpayer dollars however they please. In the case of the University of Maryland law school that means using state tax dollars to promote a radical environmental agenda and bankrupt a farm family in Worcester County.
