The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 18

III B2 THE NEWS JOURNAL MONDAY, DEC. 7, 2009 www.delawareonlirie.com Joy to the world most of it, that is 1 shot, another beaten in Baltimore hotel fight v- Li FT 'i 1 1 v. verely beat him, police said. Woodland was in critical condition, while Johnson was in serious condition and expected to survive, Guglielmi said. 11 1 I V- tion for earlier drug charges, was expected to be charged with attempted murder, assault and illegal weapons charges when he's released from the hospital, Guglielmi said.

Guglielmi said he didn't know if Woodland has an attorney. Two men were expected to be charged Sunday night with beating Woodland, Guglielmi said. Officers found the Tech-9 in the room where the party was held at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel shortly after they arrived around 3:15 am. Associated Press BALTIMORE One man was shot in the face and another was severely beaten when a fight erupted early Snnriav rlnrine a birthdav party at a downtown Baltimore hotel, police said. A woman had rented two adjoining hotel rooms for a birthday party with about 20 young adults when a fight broke out between two 19-year-old men, Raymond Woodland and Marquis Johnson, police said.

It's unclear what started the fight, Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. Guglielmi said Woodland pulled out a Tech-9 semiautomatic machine pistol and fired one shot, striking Johnson in the face. Then two of Johnson's friends took the gun, bfld WonHiand down and se 5 f. Delaware: An intimate state with historical riches jairtr The News JournalFRED COMEGYS Logan Elmore, 14 months old, isn't particularly thrilled by his moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus (aka Edward Walls and Elaine Olenderski) in the Christmas decoration-adorned Parquet Room during Sunday's Holiday Open House at Rockwood Mansion even when a gift is thrown into the deal.

Others found the festivities merrier as the historic mansion opened its doors for a day of old-fashioned holiday fun, including refreshments, crafts, a tree lighting special reading of "A Visit from St Nicholas," and of course, a sit-down with the Clauses. In neglecting electric bill more costly Rate caps expire without Legislature's action FROM PACE Bl C. Douglass Buck and the General Assembly called on Delawareans to celebrate "with suitable patriotic and public exercises," and "earnestly callfed upon our people to display National and State flags on this day." The proclamation said the day should be commemorated annually, and every governor for the past 76 years has followed those wishes. According to historical records, the first celebration of Delaware Day featured speeches by local historians and school choirs singing "Our Delaware." Milford High School students presented a dramatization of the ratification. Today, unless you're in the fourth grade of a Delaware school, you're probably not involved in any official celebration.

Perhaps today, we should take a break and recognize how unique and great we really are in Delaware. We have an enormous amount of historical and artis tic riches. When people ask why every company that is worth anything incorporates here, you can say "Chancery Court," and they'll nod because they don't want to admit they have no clue what that is. We have scrapple and Dogfish Head beer. Most importantly, we are a small and intimate state, and we benefit from the relationships and flexibility this allows.

This is as true today as it was in 1787. Pennsylvania's Constitutional Convention started nearly 13 days before Delaware's, but that state didn't ratify the Constitution until five days after we had signed on. What took us five days took Pennsylvania 18. So, today, unfurl your Delaware flag, cook some scrapple, visit Winterthur or drink a Dogfish Head, and let's chalk up one more year of being first. John Collins is a natiw Delawarean and former legislative fellow for the Delaware State Senate.

Follow us on Twitter at Qdelawareon line.com. deleditor and depolitics. fice of Consumer Advocate. In addition, the Legislature passed a bill last year that requires the state's 11 utilities to reduce electricity use meaning ratepayers will see their utilities offering rebates on energy-saving appliances or light bulbs, home energy inspections and more. For low-income households, there is more money than ever for weatherization projects -thanks in part to the federal stimulus bill and utilities have various programs to help people afford their electricity bill or reduce their usage.

Another source of help was unexpected, if unwanted: the "Maybe the only silver lining from the terrible economic situation that we're in is that energy prices have gone down," said the state's utility consumer advocate, Irwin Popowsky. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has data that show how far energy prices have fallen. Had the rate caps expired on June 27, 2008, the average increase in residential bills would have been 73 percent. On Sept. 30, it would have been 17 percent.

A year ago, the main discussion in the Legislature revolved around a plan to limit any annual electric rate increase over a period of a few years, preventing utilities from immediately recouping the cost of the electricity they resell. tricity market and bring down bills allows electricity marketers to vie for customers. And it will be up to individual ratepayers to switch to suppliers that can resell electricity for less than the utility can when their rate cap expires and prices rise. A switch could look seamless since electricity marketers can have agreements with utilities, which continue billing for the cost to maintain the wires that deliver electricity, to keep sending the bill. Information on how to switch is on the Web sites of the Public Utility Commission and the Of Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa.

With the household electric bills of many Pennsylvanians expected to skyrocket by 2011, legislators last year were talking about forcing electric utilities to eat part of the cost. That talk is over. Beginning Jan. 1, the 1.4 million electric customers of PPL Corp. can expect an average 30 percent increase in their bills if they don't do anything.

One year later, another 3 million-plus customers of Allegheny Power, Metropolitan Edison, Peco Energy and Pennsylvania Electric are likely to see rates jump higher, too. Legislators did nothing but talk about requiring utilities to share the higher cost that is about to result from the expiration of deregulation-era rate caps. Those caps have, since the 1990s, protected most Pennsylvanians from paying the true cost of the electricity they use. The Legislature's inaction means ratepayers will have to be proactive if they want to slice anything off their bills. For starters, that means shopping for a better price.

Pennsylvania's 1996 deregulation law which was supposed to usher in a competitive elec (X1 i. 2871 Red Lion Rood -Bear, DEI 9701 ho 01 OM 1- I Specializing in a variety of purebred mixed small breeds. Veterinarian checked. References available. Call today for more information on the availability of our adorable puppies.

3T WWW.PATIENCESPUPPIES.COM NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION TO AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICTTO ISSUE BONDS TO FUND SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION I a. A special election will be held on December 8, 2009. in the Appoquinimink School District in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 21 of Title 14 of the Delaware Code, in order to permit the District voters to vote tor or against the issuance of bonds in the amount of $16,162,200 to provide funds tor the following purposes: (state bonds will finance approximately New Elementary School Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of a new 840 student elementary State $30,981,000 school on a 273-acre site off of Old State Road. Local 10,32.7000 Total $41,308,000 New Early Childhood Center Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of a new 330 student early childhood State $8,249,000 center on a 273-acre site off of Old State Road. Local 2.749,600 Total $10,998,600 Renovations to Olive B.

Loss Elementary School Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of selected interior and Slate $3,035,200 exterior renovations. Include a four-classroom addition and expansion of Local 1.01 1.700 kitchenserving area and multi-purpose room. Total $4,046,900 Renovations toTownsend Elementary School Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of selected interior and exterior State $4,467,900 renovations to include HVAC systems and controls: root: and various other Local 1.489,30Q interior finishes and fixtures. Total $5,957,200 Renovations to Appoquinimink Early Childhood Center Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of a kitchen addition, renovations to State $1,161,200 interior finishes, and the building systems and controls. Local 387,1 OQ Total $1,548,300 Renovations to Everett Meredith Middle School Cost Planning, constructing and equipping of auditorium renovations.

State $592,600 Local 197.500 Total $790,100 Total State $48,486,900 Total Local 16,162,200 Total Funding $64,649,100 The faith and credit of the Appoquinimink School District is pledged for the full and complete payment of the principal and interest on said bonds. If the district is authorized to issue bonds in the amount of $16,162,200. ft shall annually levy and collect taxes to provide for the payment of interest on the bonds and for the retirement of the bonds as they fall due: however, such payment will NOT result In an Increase In the current assessment rate on taxable real estate. The polls for said election will open at 10:00 o'clock a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 prevailing local time.

Voters may vote at any of the designated polling places within the school district. The buildings designated as polling places are as follows: Brick Mill Elementary Townsend Early Childhood Center Stiver Lake Elementary Olive Loss Elementary Bunker Hill Elementary Appoquinimink Training Center Alfred Waters Middle Meredith Middle School Middletown High School Redding Middle You may vote In this election If you: Are a citizen of the U.S. and Delaware: Live in the Appoquinimink School District: and Are at least 18 years old. You may vote by absentee ballot If you cannot vote on Election Day for one of the following reasons: You are temporarily or permanently disabled: You are serving the U.S. or the State of Delaware: You are the spouse or a dependent living with a person serving the U.S.

or the State of Delaware: You hold a job that does not permit you to go to the polls: You are sick: Your religion does not permit you to go to the polls: You are incarcerated: You are away on vacation: You are the caregiver to a parent, spouse or that person's child who Is living at home and requires constant care due to illness or injury: You are temporarily living outside of the U.S.; You cannot go to the polls because you've been Injured while serving in the Armed Forces; or You serve in the Armed Forces, Red Cross, U.S.O. or the Merchant Marine. To vote by absentee ballot: Complete an Affidavit for Absentee Ballot for. Public School Elections: and Submit the affidavit to the Department of Elections for New Castle County. Important Dates: Return your affidavit by noon, Friday, December 4, 2009, if you want a ballot mailed to you.

Vote in our office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday, December 7, 2009 at Noon. NOTE: Our office is closed on November 11, 26 and 27 for State holidays. Return your voted ballot by 6 p.m.

on Tuesday. December 8, 2009 to the Department of Elections for New Castle County. By Order of the Appoquinimink Board of Education. Edna Cale, President and Tony J. Marchio, Executive Secretary This holiday season, turn to Dover Federal Credif Union for more of your financial needs.

From home equity to auto loan refinances, we have the low-interest, high-savings financial options that fit your needs and your budget. Plus, you receive a $50 Dover Federal VISA Gift Card when you move your secured loan of MO, 000 or more to us I Apply online at www.doverfcu.com, call 302-678-8000 or 888-818-3328, or stop by one of our conveniently located branches todayl fiT Dover Federal Kf CREDIT UNION Serving the military, Delaware families, and yotL.jilnce 1958 UNt(i NCUA All oll'm suhjrrl lo membership elifn'hilily and loans are subject to credit approval. 150 gift card offer valid October 12 to December 3 1 2009. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. Qjialihed members must relinance a secured loan of at least SIO.IHM) to receive special oiler.

Oiler excludes mortgage loans. Krhnancei of existing Dover Federal loans are not eligible for the gift card oiler. Cannot be combined with any other otier. Certain terms and restrictions apply. See Credit Union lor details.

(O-00004 12487) 109 NJ t-.