Dr. Lynn Duffy Files For Mayor Of Pocomoke City

Duffy files for Pocomoke Mayor Election

Dr. Lynn Duffy is pleased to officially announce filing for Pocomoke City Mayoral elections. Her vision is to 'Revitalize Pocomoke City"! Duffy is a resident and successful Pocomoke business owner the last 8 of a 24 year career and recognized expert in her field by wellness community (www.wellness.com), offers on-line services and more than a year ago her counseling and mediation/consultation practice relocated to the heart of Downtown Pocomoke. A most important role to her is as mother to Launa Ashley, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on the day Duffy filed to run for Pocomoke Mayor. Launa Ashley completes her first year in graduate studies in a few months pursuing a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling with Liberty University.

Duffy filed for office stating her daughter, and others, are some of the reasons she prayerfully considered running for Mayor. The children and youth of our community are significant reasons and there are several more. She questions the direction our community is going, more importantly the dramatic increase of projected expenses from 2010 for 2011 from 7.3 million to 10.6 million and the town’s repeated issue of crime. Duffy believes the deaths last year of young people was needless and the town needs to not look away or hold meetings discussing events but deal directly with proactive steps developing a plan of action. Duffy’s campaign team, organized with prayerful consideration, consists of Launa Ashley, Campaign Manager; Edean Bundick of Bundick Law Office in Virginia, Treasurer; Donna Hardin, Web Manager; and Bishop Isaac Jenkins, Chaplain; and several Prayer Warriors.

Duffy has a servant’s heart for our community and as business owner and grant writer for nonprofits, she respects the need in Pocomoke City for business to encourage job growth and points to several businesses leaving town, including our downtown business area. Duffy believes although our ‘compass’ may be pointing in a direction, she questions the direction. At a time when families are not eating out nearly as much and if at all, businesses are struggling, and county appraisals of homes decreased recently, she is concerned with the town increasing the projected 2011 expenses by almost 50%. Duffy is hearing from other residents and business persons the community needs to address reduction of crime by proactive & preventive steps with a plan of action, less government reclaiming a budget that increases expenses by 50% from 2010 to 2011, encourage public input AND a public informed with increased collaboration, and foster a business friendly ‘climate’ encouraging job growth. Duffy, a Board Member for Save the Youth, Inc., is assisting with meetings to continue progress on a Strategic Plan for the organization.

Duffy offers she is not a ‘politician’ with ambitions to ‘step higher in politics’, but is one to speak up to question issues such as the town's direction, large increase in expenses, and crime. She listens and hears many feel our town has lost touch with the 'core' of what makes Pocomoke City great. Duffy was ordained in 2008 as a Minister in community service and received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry in 2008, Lighthouse Counseling is affiliated with the U.N.T.C., Int'l (an international ministry association) and Duffy serves as President-Elect of the Pocomoke Ministerial Association. She desires to work for a better tomorrow and affirms “Real People NEED Real Solutions!”

Entire website is a paid political endorsement by authority of Edean Bundick, Treasurer, for Mayoral Candidate Dr. Lynn Duffy. Site activity is monitored and analyzed daily. Source: 2010 & 2011 Expenses (Excel), Pocomoke City Hall website (consecutive years posting).

(c) No part, implied intention, picture or whole of this entire website and blog may be reproduced without expressed written consent of the Candidate Dr. Lynn Duffy. We ask your respect of the integrity of this website, pictures, expressed statements and in pursuit of our freedoms. Any unauthorized use may be considered unlawful and thereby, pursuit of such unlawful act, stated herein, at the individual's expense

Teen Still Missing.

SALISBURY — The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of a Parkside High School student last seen Monday at the school.

Fifteen-year-old Gabriella Marie Blades, in the 10th grade, left Parkside before the close of school, although authorities do not suspect her departure was by force.

Blades, a white female who lives in Fruitland, reportedly was spotted in the West Salisbury area, said 1st Sgt. Tim Robinson.

Blades is described as 5-foot-9 with red hair, green eyes and weighing 220 pounds.
When last seen, she wore a red hoodie with a front zipper, a white T-shirt and blue sweat pants.

Contact the Sheriff’s Office with information regarding Blades’s whereabouts at 410-548-4891.

Pocomoke City Elections...The Race Is On.......

POCOMOKE CITY -- The deadline to file and run in Pocomoke's upcoming April election has passed, with three people seeking to be mayor and two running for District 3's seat on the City Council.

Lynn Duffy, Bruce Morrison and Frank Ward will be running for mayor, while Bobby Brittingham and Donald Malloy have filed to run for the District 3council seat.

Morrison, who was elected to City Council for District 3 in 2005, says his years of experience in budget meetings and meeting with citizens uniquely qualifies him.

"I have been a councilman for six years and a resident all my life," says Morrison. "This is going to be a real tough budget year. State money is drying up, county money is drying up and assessments are down... but I don't want to see taxes raised."

If elected, Morrison said he would like to reduce crime through continued use and implementation of crime cameras, community meetings once a month and encouraging citizens to take pride in their community.

Duffy, another mayoral candidate, is a counselor with Lighthouse Counseling and Consulting Services in Pocomoke City. She is running for mayor to reduce crime, encourage public input in government and prevent overspending by City Hall, she said in a news release announcing her candidacy.

"The deaths last year of young people were needless," Duffy said in her statement, "and the town needs to not look away or hold meetings discussing events but deal directly with proactive steps developing a plan of action."

Duffy mounted an unsuccessful campaign to be Pocomoke's mayor in 2005, the year Mike McDermott first won office. She also ran to be a City Council representative in 2006, but came in second out of three candidates. She is a past president of the Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce.

Duffy has launched a campaign website, duffy4pocomoke.com, and named supporters to positions of campaign manager, treasurer, web manager and campaign chaplain in her statement.

Ward, who also filed to run for mayor, could not be reached for comment by press time.

The city council seat for District 3 is up for election this year, after being held by Morrison for several years.

Brittingham, a District 3 candidate who served as a sheriff's deputy for 25 years, says specific issues such as preventing erosion and flooding at Cypress Park, as well as general issues such as reducing crime, are his reasons to run for the vacant seat.

Malloy, who was a Pocomoke councilman during the 1960s, says he originally filed after being asked to do so by friends because no one else had filed at the time.

"I'm running because the seat is open and I think I can be of some use to the city," says Malloy, who is a retired electrician. "I would like to keep Pocomoke going on the path it's on."

In an interview, recent mayor and current state Delegate Mike McDermott said he supports Morrison's and Malloy's bids for office.

The deadline for registering to vote in the April 5 election is March 4.

www.delmarvanow.com

Miss and Little Miss Contestants Wanted

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Junior Women's Club of Pocomoke City is inviting contestants to enter the 2011 Miss and Little Miss Pocomoke Pageant, which will be April 2 in the Pocomoke High School Auditorium.

Any girls between the ages of 15 and 17 living in Pocomoke City are eligible to enter the contest.

Contact Cheryl Marshall, committee chairwoman, at 410-726-7502.

Any girls who are 4 but not yet 6 by April 15 and live in Pocomoke City may enter the Little Miss Pocomoke contest.

Contact Lisa Holland at 410-430-9376 for more information.

The deadline for all contestants to enter is Feb. 28.

Call Marshall, Holland or club President Andrea Lilly at 443-783-7563.

Two Arrested For Burglary and Related Charges

POCOMOKE CIT>, Md.- Two Pocomoke City men are facing burglary and related charges after being accused of stealing copper from 11 different locations throughout the city.

Pocomoke City police say that on Friday, Jan. 28, an officer on patrol in 800 block of Clarke Avenue observed two men carrying copper tubing in a bed sheet. Authorities say that when the pair noticed the officer, they abandoned the copper and entered a home.

The officer located both suspects, who after questioning were arrested for stealing copper from the following locations in Pocomoke City between November 2010 and January 2011:

• 109 Willow St.



• 618 Clarke Ave.



• 508 Market St.



• 406 2nd St.



• 600 Young St.



• 812 Clarke Ave.



• 714 5th St.



• 405 5th St.



• 622 Cedar St.



• 407 Market St.



• 606 2nd St.

The suspects, identified as 45-year-old Kevin Roger Fisher (top) and 51-year-old Edgeforth Waters,(below) were charged with several counts of burglary, theft and malicious destruction of property. They are being held in lieu of $15,000 bond each.

www.wboc.com

House Fire Claims The Life Of One

Sanford,Virginia--Virginia fire departments were called to the scene of a house fire on Saxis Road at 2:30 AM Sunday morning. The home located at 25246 Saxis Road was reported to have flames showing and an occupant still inside the dwelling.

Once the crews arrived on the scene they were able to enter the structure and locate the victim.

Fire departments from Saxis, Bloxom, New Church and Atlantic responded and remained on the scene for several hours to assist in the investigation.

Virginia State Police Investigator Neal is handling the investigation.

Brian D. Shockley Sworn In As Worcester County Circuit Court Judge

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City attorney Brian D. Shockley has been sworn in as Worcester County's newest Circuit Court judge.

"I will not let you down," he told the standing-room-only courtroom of about 150 family members, colleagues and friends. "I have earned the appointment and now it is time to earn your trust."

Circuit Court Clerk Stephen Hales administered the oath that invested Shockley as an associate judge for the 1st judicial circuit for the Circuit Court of Maryland.

After Shockley removed his suit jacket, his wife helped him put on his black judge's robe, and he walked around the bench to take a seat beside the other judges.

From the bench, he told the crowd how the last month since his judicial appointment by Gov. Martin O'Malley has been "a whirlwind" and the reality of his appointment was just setting in. He said he is "honored, thrilled and humbled" to have been selected as a judge.

Shockley added he's learned that being an effective judge means "you have to listen, you have to be fair and you can't take yourself too seriously."

Shockley, 45, of West Ocean City, will fill the vacancy created by the June 2010 retirement of Judge Ted Eschenburg.

Seated in the jury box alongside several other attending county judges, Eschenburg was introduced by Somerset Circuit Court Judge Danny Long as "the gentleman who made this celebration possible today."

Shockley is a 1987 graduate of Davidson College and a 1992 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. Since 1995, he has been an attorney at the Ocean City-based law firm of Williams, Moore, Shockley, and Harrison, LLP, becoming a partner in 2000.

Joe Moore, a partner with the firm, said he feels mixed emotions seeing Shockley move onto the bench. Moore isn't just a colleague -- he and Shockley's father, Ray, have practiced law together for more than 36 years in the resort.

Shockley's departure is a "true sense of loss for the firm," Moore said during the swearing-in ceremony, but called it "most assuredly Worcester County's gain."

Shockley later said packing up his office and leaving the firm after 16 years was "bittersweet."

The judicial application process, Shockley said, led him to reflect on his own life. He said the knowledge and wisdom he gained from his family and colleagues over time has shaped him.

"I'm very proud to say I'm a product of my father," he said, noting his father's ascent from humble beginnings to state trooper to respected attorney and community philanthropist.

"His commitment to public service was quiet but profound, and I'm in no small part influenced by him," he added.

Shockley joins on the bench Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Thomas C. Groton III, who moved up to chief judge when Eschenburg retired.

www.delmarvanow.com

Man Breaks Into Bank To Steal Fake Money

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP) — Princess Anne police have arrested a man they say broke into a bank and tried to steal fake money.

Police Chief Scott Keller says a motion detector alarm went off in the PNC Bank on Somerset Avenue Tuesday about 11 p.m. Officers saw broken glass at the drive-up window.

Keller says officers found a man inside the bank, taking fake bills that are used for bank training. Keller says the suspect though the bills were real money.

Twenty-five-year-old George Ballard of Princess Anne has been charged with burglary.

www.usatoday.net

Don Malloy Files To Run For Council Seat In Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY -- With the filing of Don Malloy for a council seat, both offices up for grabs in Pocomoke's April 5 election have a candidate. Malloy, who had served previously on the Council from 1965-1968, filed to fill the third district seat. That seat is now up for election as Bruce Morrison, the present occupant, has filed for mayor.

Malloy said that he had been asked by a number of friends and acqaintances to put his name in for the post. He doesn't see any problems with the direction of the town but would like to see Pocomoke continue to improve, he said in an interview.

A member of the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company for more than 40 years, he was also active in the ambulance service. He served on the board of the historic Mar-Va Theater during a number of the years the landmark was brought back to life. He is a member of the Pocomoke Elks Lodge where he is a past exalted ruler.

One project he points to with pride is helping with the construction of the Nature Trail from Cypress Park to the edge of the Winter Quarters Golf Course.

To be eligible to run for mayor, a person must be a resident of Pocomoke City for at least one year prior to the election, a registered voter and at least 25 years old. To be eligible to run for the open council seat, a person must be a registered voter and a resident of the Third District.

The deadline for filing is Friday, Feb. 4, at Pocomoke City Hall.

The deadline for registering to vote in the election is March 4. To be eligible to register, a person must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Maryland for the past six months and must have been a resident of Pocomoke City for at least 30 days just prior to the election.

Anyone who does not know his or her district of residence can find it at City Hall.

written by: Bill Kerbin

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Garage Fire Under Investigation

The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire at 407 McGrath Road. The fire occurred at approximately 10AM. Fire Departments from Fruitland, Allen and Salisbury Station 1, 16 and Parsonsburg from Wicomico County, Princess Anne from Somerset County and Snow Hill responded to the alarm.

Arriving firefighters found the detach garage and shed fully involved. The fire is under investigation and no cause has been determined at this time.

Anyone with information or questions about this fire is asked to call the Fire Marshal's Office at 410.632.5666 or the Maryland Hotline at 1-800-492-7529.

wcfmo.org

Sheriff's Office Searching For Suspect In Armed Robbery

According to Major Todd Godwin, on Friday, January 21 at approximately 11:42 p.m.,
the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report of an armed robbery at the Belle Haven Corner Mart. Further investigation revealed that a black male entered the store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.

Taken was an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured during the robbery and the suspect fled the scene prior to deputies arrival.

Accomack County Deputies and Sheriff's Office K-9 converged on the area in search of the suspect and information was given to law enforcement agencies on the Eastern Shore regarding the robbery.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County
Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.
www.shoredailynews.com

Concert To Benefit the Courtney Bloxom Fund

BENEFIT CONCERT TONIGHT


NASSAWADOX -- The Franktown United Methodist Church Choir will perform a variety of songs including "Child of Peace" by Mark Hayes, a seasonal cantata, in addition to solosists presenting Opera and Broadway selections on Jan. 21, 7 p.m. at the Franktown Methodist Church.

Performers include Marilyn Kellam, Anna Womble Sterrett, Jo Ann Molera, BJ Rogers, Dora Weston Wilkins, choir director Judi Tracy, and Stefan Dulcie on the piano.

All proceeds will benefit the Courtney Bloxom Fund.

Courtney is a local teen who was involved in a single car accident in May 2010. Although unable to attend graduation exercises she is a graduate of Arcadia High School. Courtney suffered a severe brain injury that left this young teen in a coma for six weeks with her Mother constantly by her side.

Through days and weeks and months of prayer and constant rehabilitation in hospitals far away from her hometown, friends and loved ones, Courtney now continues her daily sessions of speech and physical therapies to regain her skills from Shore Lifecare in Parksley.

This has been a long and hard struggle for Courtney and all that know her and love her. The hard work is far from over for her. Each day she continues to work hard and each day she is surrounded by those that love her and each person takes the time to give Courtney the extra care she needs to be complete again.

UPDATE: Criminal Investigation Into Parksley House Fire

Parksley -A structure fire occurred in Parksley on January 19th, 2011. State Police were notified at approximately 2:21 AM and Special Agent N. Glenn responded.

At this time there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

There was one fatality-45 year old Dana Rodriquez of Estate Lane in Parksley. At this time an arrest of a juvenile has been made.

There will be more details on a future report.

www.shoredailynews.com

House Fire Claims Life Of Accomack County Mother

PARKSLEY -- An Accomack County woman was killed in a house fire early Wednesday morning.

The owner of the residence identified the victim as Dana Rodriguez, 45, of Estate Lane, off Country Court. Police could not be reached to confirm the identification of the victim.

Units and personnel from Parksley, Bloxom, Tasley and Onancock responded to the 2 a.m. fire, which flattened the single-wide mobile home where Rodriguez's body was found.

Rodriguez did not work, said neighbor Willie Tumblin. He said the victim's 14-year-old daughter escaped from the fire.

Tumblin said there had been no fire when he arrived home from his job at the Perdue Farms Inc. plant at about 1:20 a.m.

Before the blaze, he said, there had been a family argument in which one of the members threatened the others.

A state police fire detective is investigating the incident. A police spokesperson did not immediately return a phone call for comment.

Rodriguez is survived by her children and an estranged husband.

The house was owned by Henry and Wanda Johnson of Bloxom. Rodriguez and her family had lived there for about eight years, said Wanda Johnson. They were in the process of purchasing the home.

"She's always been nice to me," she said. "Isn't it horrible?"

www.delmarvanow.com

Organizations Working Together For A Better Community

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. --Members of the Midway family recently pitched in to help the Samaritan Shelter of Pocomoke at the first Tom Wall Pancake Supper.

Volunteers from Midway GM/Toyota --alongside representatives from host Lynnhaven Baptist Church of Pocomoke -- cooked and served pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for more than 200 hungry supporters.

The event raised critical funds for the shelter, which helps people in crisis achieve self-reliance in a structured, supportive environment.

According to Midway spokesperson Susanna Annis, "Everyone from the Midway family enjoyed helping this great organization -- it's wonderful to be able to give back to the community that does so much to support us."

To learn more about The Samaritan Shelter and its programs, visit www.thesamaritanshelter.org.

www.easternshorenews.com

Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2011

City Hall

1. Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Review and approval of minutes from meeting of December 6, 2010.

3. Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4. Mayor McDermott to present deed for industrial property at the corner of Broad Street and Eighth Street to Mr. Dan Boyle, representing Beretta/Benelli Corp. USA. (property originally sold to Beretta USA on lease purchase contract in 1990)

5. Mr. Chris Derbyshire, of GMB Engineers, Inc., to present summary of bids received for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for new ENR sewage treatment plant.

6. Representatives of Chamber of Commerce to follow up discussion regarding 2011 Cypress Festival.

7. Second Reading of Res. No. 440 – to revise Personnel Policy Manual.

8. Discuss possible incentive for new homeowners who include sprinkler systems in initial construction of single family homes.

9. City Manager to present summary of bids received for two projects:

a. Ambulance Garage Building (Grant funding from State CDBG and from USDA)

b. Cypress Park Concession/Restroom building (Grant funding from State DNR)

10. Discuss proposed disposal of surplus public works equipment and acquisition of used plow.

11. City Manager to present six-month budget status report.

12. Discuss possible appointments to various City boards and commissions.

Comments from the Audience.

Mayor and Council Items.

Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and to perform executive actions.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery Opens Today

OPEN TODAY !!

Don't forget to stop by the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery today and see what's cooking!

(How about a nice warm bowl of soup with a grilled sandwhich and for dessert a slice of Smith Island cake. Mmmm....)

Their menu will consist of a home cooked comfort food dinner and offer "Blue Plate Specials" for the resonable price of $5.95 daily. Take-out menu and delivery are available too!

Along with the delicious foods, the bakery will be making Smith Island cakes daily and featuring their Smith Island "BabyCakes".

Located on Route 13 North at the Days Inn (right next to the ford dealership).

The folks at the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery are excited about this new adventure look forward to serving you.

~~Let us know how you like it!~~

Opening Tomorrow In Pocomoke........

OPENING TOMORROW !!

BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY

The folks that operated the sandwhich shop and bakery once located in downtown Pocomoke, next to the MarVa Theater, will open their doors on Wednesday in a new location offering not just those tasty and petite Smith Island "BabyCakes", but a full menu.

Their menu will consist of a home cooked comfort food dinner and offer "Blue Plate Specials" for the resonable price of $5.95 daily. Take-out menu and delivery are available too!

Along with the delicious foods, the bakery will be making Smith Island cakes daily and featuring their Smith Island "BabyCakes". (you MUST try one)

Located on Route 13 North at the Days Inn (right next to the ford dealership).

The folks at the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery are excited about this new adventure look forward to serving you.

More information on this tomorrow morning.

Former Extension Agent Begins Prison Sentence

A long time community activist and former winner of the Presidents Award for Excellence began serving a jail sentence for embezzling public funds Monday.

Brenda Holden who was a former family and consumer sciences Extension agent for Virginia Tech will serve two years in prison and will face $100,000 in fines. Holden pled guilty and was sentenced earlier this month but was allowed to spend the holiday season with her family.

Holden who has worked as an Extension agent for years continued to serve the community as a volunteer for the Salvation Army this Christmas despite her legal difficulties.

Judge Glen A. Tyler said, "This is one of the most serious cases of misuse and misappropriation. This cannot be something that you simply walk away from and put on probation. What message does that say to public officials?"

Chincoteague Causeway Now Snow Drift Free

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va.- The Chincoteague Causeway has re-opened after it was closed due to high winds and snow drifts from Sunday's winter storm.

Holiday travelers were held up for hours as they tried to drive on the only road that leads to the island.

Chincoteague residents were stuck on the island at the same time.

One family traveled from Delaware and they say they were trapped at the Royal Farms convenience store for nearly four hours. Virginia State Police directed them into the parking lot until the causeway re-opened.

One man on the island said even the snow plow trucks were having a rough time handling the snow drifts and wind.

After the causeway re-opened to traffic on Tuesday morning, motorists were able to reach their holiday vacation destinations and people on the island were able to once again drive to the mainland.

www.wboc.com

One of the most treacherous areas of the Chincoteague Causeway is the area known to locals as the 'Pumphouse Turn'. The high winds and drifting made it difficult for anyone to travel, including those that work on and off Chincoteague.