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Friday, February 16, 2007

MaTec Update

I too have a successful business in which started from next to nothing in yearly sales to being a multimillion dollar company.

There came a day when Paris Glendenning came to me personally and asked what the State of Maryland could do to encourage relocating 4 manufacturing plants to Maryland. They offered me buildings in Baltimore, FOR FREE and 20 years tax free to boot.

I refused to make a deal because I had always been taught to not take favors from politicians as they will always call you on those favors. I explained just that to Paris and he respectfully understood.

I'm not saying people shouldn't take advantage of these kind of deals but I simply felt that considering my business held such a huge net profit, I shouldn't be the one taking advantage of opportunities when I could afford to do these things on my own. Perhaps it's pride, I'm not sure?

Nevertheless, when you become successful and you're making money, it's not time to take advantage of the taxpayers who ultimately get punished for these underhanded deals. For example, if it was a new company struggling, then I can see making a deal. This is a company with at least 20 years under its belt and I personally think it's VERY wrong!

IF they worked this deal out with the City of Salisbury, yet they only pay $6.00 an hour to their employees, they should look at their savings and offer that money back to the people that are making the company successful. In manufacturing, the best companies have employees that are proud to be there and quality control goes through the roof. The cheap paying companies get what they pay for and from what I understand this is a company that manufactures things for our Troops, who deserve the Mercedes version of anything we send them.

Forgive me for being so long winded but you either make this a great America or you cheat America. Barrie Tilghman, Mike Dunn and Gary Comegys are cheating Americans. They did not demand they have a specific number of employees to qualify for this break. The company moved here because they needed this facility. They are spending some $3,000,000.00 to improve the building, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO. This does not impress me because this is what is necessary for them to be in business.

Stop the free gifts to experienced companies. They chose to move here and built out this facility LONG BEFORE they got this tax break, so think about that for a while. I'd run business very differently if I were in Office, that's for sure. The difference between Barrie Tilghman and Joe Albero is, Barrie is failing the City of Salisbury and is a former Housewife. Joe Albero is a proven successful businessman who doesn't take advantage of others to support his own manufacturing company. Someone needs to make a difference and the free give aways are killing the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County. I just wonder when "PRIDE" will ever come back to America?

Let me say this as well. When you're in sales you're NOT a successful sales person if you GIVE AWAY everything. Good business people know how to do business the proper way and they give back when they're successful, hence the Hazel Family, etc. When you're selling the City of Salisbury, you have to have a City that has something to offer. Salisbury has "NOTHING" to offer businesses, therefore they GIVE AWAY everything because they are desperate to get business in the City while businesses are getting smart and leaving once their deal tax free is gone. I even heard Perdue is considering relocating and leaving Salisbury. Look at the old Campbell's Soup Plant, Dresser Wayne and the list goes on and on.

Salisbury needs solid, experienced and caring leadership. We've watched this Mayor bully Police Officers and had them fired because of sexual harassment charges against the Chief. Several people from the Zoo and Public Works have been bullied and thrown away after 16 to 20 years plus of dedicated service. They "ALL" work for peanuts, with exception of the Bosses and this is no way to conduct a business. She is failing the City and a change needs to be made NOW! Please consider very careful who you consider voting for because Salisbury is in desperate need for "professional and caring leadership."

If You Have Emergency Lights On Your Vehicle.......

You too can park anywhere you want and take up as many spaces you want. What blew me away taking this picture was, I believe it's the exact same spot as the Police Car the other day! Maybe there's an oil slick under the tires whereas they cannot stop on time?

It kind of reminds me of the Doug Church parking all over Downtown. By the way, the parking meter people told me that Doug Church can park in the metered spots because his "partner" lives Downtown and they drive his Excursion. Dee, Dee, Deeee! Are they married? NO! Therefore, they are not partners. By the way, his partner doesn't drive that vehicle, Doug does.

Another Illegal Tree Stand On My Property

While visiting my property in Willards the other day I came across yet another illegal deer stand. The people using my property know very well who's land they are on and they even came in there and cut down some 30 to 50 trees to make it more clear to get off a shot.

As you can see, from here on out we're packing our own weapons, the property has been marked every 10 feet or so and if necessary we'll take care of our own business/property. Enough is enough!

There were Snow Geese feathers everywhere, traces of deer that had been shot out of season and all sorts of deer corn for bait and the whole nine yards. It just amazes me how bold these poachers can be. The difference between an animal and me, I SHOOT BACK! See Ya Soon!

Redneck Mailbox (8) Of Them


In Other Words, This IS Peter Pan!

Once you read the article in this morning's Daily Times, (if you're smart enough to realize) this product is a private label product from Peter Pan.

As a manufacturer of many years, private labeling and outsourcing is the way to go these days. It allows you to make better deals with larger volume customers and at the same time, keep the list price of the main product, (in this case Peter Pan) up at a level you'll either pay the higher price thinking you're getting a better product or you'll buy the volume for the lower price. Either way, the manufacturer is way ahead of the game and the customers think they're getting a better deal. Heck, this photo is living proof in some cases we're in for the better deal.

Now here's my problem with the entire recall BS! My wife left the jar on the counter and I said, so what are you going to do with it? She replied, they're suggesting we throw it away and buy a new jar. OH NO! I said, was it a part of the recall? No, but that's what they said to do. I said, did you get sick and did our Grandson get sick from eating any of it? NO. And you're going to throw it away just because they suggest you do so? "I'm not eating it!"

Oh, the power of suggestion, That's right Folks, throw away every jar you have, EVEN IF IT'S 1/2 EMPTY and no one got sick! It cost the manufacturer NOTHING to suggest you throw any and all peanut butter so you can buy even more. Dee, Dee, Deeeee! I'm keeping mine and I'm going to eat the damn thing just out of principal. I'm SO brave!

Update.....

I should add that our jar of peanut butter does NOT start with 2111. If it did, I would have thrown it out.

Greasing The Palm


2 Years Later


The Ocean City & West Ocean City skyline are changing almost daily. This particular piece of property used to be mine. There was a beautiful large brick rancher on the property in which the current owner had demolished with the intent to put up a 5 story, $4,500,000.00 home instead.

Captain's Hill has changed in just two years like I have never seen before. Many of the homes I used to know there for many years have been torn down and replaced with 8,000 sq. ft. mega luxury homes on small lots!

The days of getting great deals in Ocean City are gone. By the way, if you like this lot, (view) I have another one, (2 acres) on the water that may not have this view but it sure is peaceful. Yeah, I'd say 18 years of working in the Salisbury Zoo to being retired and enjoying life has proven, the best revenge is to live a good life.

Pack Of Dogs Take On Florida Gator


Coming In 2006


If Jim Rapp has his hands in it, consider it to be at least 2 years over deadline. The bathrooms at the Zoo took Jim 3 years to complete. The Tropics Trail was 7 years overdue. The Flamingos were a good 10 years past their intended date. Now we're onto the Red Wolves.
The good news, it's coming. Thanks to the Hazel Family, (the only family that makes donations to the Zoo) this project is under way but will take far more time than intended because Jim Rapp & Ron Alessi have no clue what they're doing, as usual.
I feel sorry for the Wolves.

Ed Nelson Call It Quits At The Salisbury Zoo!


The Salisbury Zoo continues to deal with major troubles as yet another Zoo Commission Member bites the dust.

There are at least three seats available at this very moment and Barrie Tilghman isn't doing anything to fill those seats. Many of their meetings are more than likely illegal as they don't have a quorum to make any decisions.

Mr. Paul Kratzer passed away not long ago and Gary Comegys may be on the Zoo Commission but rarely ever makes the catered lunch meeting, so he might as well be considered passed away too.

The "ONLY" responsible person who has even asked to become a Zoo Commission Member is Mr. John Harris, who is now running for City Council. The Mayor flat out took his money for the Otters at the Zoo, NEVER offered a proclamation to recognize his good faith and then Jim Rapp went all over television acting as if it was the Salisbury Zoo that had made the donation for the Otters and not Mr. Harris.

Now Mr. Harris is running for a seat and seems to have forgotten that he had applied for the Zoo Commission and the Mayor refused to even recognize him whatsoever. No returned phone calls, No letter, nothing! My recommendation to Mr. Jim Rapp, I'd start looking for a new job because things are about to change in the City of Salisbury and the Mayor can't protect you any more.

In closing, Mr. Nelson, THANK YOU! Your years of service will NOT go unrecognized and it was a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you briefly. He's a very nice man and I'm sure he'll be missed.

Oh, as for why he is leaving. He claims that he cannot dedicate enough quality time for the job. My guess, he's seen enough of the bullshit and finally went out there and counted the animals for once one day and said, enough is enough. Then again, it is winter time. Perhaps Rapp tried to defrost his windshield?