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Monday, February 13, 2012
Md. Senator Proposes Animal Abuse Registry
Supervisors To Hold Public Hearing on Atlantic Project
Atlantic Properties LLC contended that according to the State code that public utilities could by right build sewage treatment plants in agriculturally zoned areas and that their proposed sewage treatment plant which would serve their proposed planned unit development in Wattsville, was in fact a public utility as defined by the state code.
If the Supervisors follow the path of the Planning Comission, the only option will be for the developer to petition the courts.
The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at Metompkin Elementary School in Parksley.
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Sunday, February 12, 2012
VietNam POW Day
Lt. Col. Carlyle S. Harris |
Since this time in history there have been many documented reports have been received by the United States Government stating there were LIVE American soldiers still prisoners, missing, or unaccounted for throughout Southeast Asia. At one time the count was over 21,000.
How many are still waiting?
Legislative Updates From Delegate Mike McDermott
Feb. 12th, 2012
Judiciary Bill Hearings, Wednesday:HB-252: Veteran Courts
We reviewed a bill which would create a task force on military service members and veterans having access to a special “Veteran’s” court which would be very similar to the Drug Courts now in existence which offer alternatives and diversions for those who submit to be subjected to the special actions taken by these courts. The idea has merit in that veterans often experience problems resulting from issues which are specific to their jobs and exposure during combat service. Drug Courts have proven successful when used in Maryland and this may also have merit. This bill merely seeks to study the issue.HB-337 Courtroom Discovery
This bill would provide greater discovery of information for a creditor seeking to collect on a judgment previously rendered by the court. Some of the information often needed to contact for the purposes of collecting a judgment is currently not available through trial discovery.
Judiciary Voting Session, Thursday
The following bills were voted on favorably by the committee and sent to the House:HB-92 Domestic violence shielding from public web siteHB-111 Specifies a time period on a rental car return where one cannot be charged with theft of a motor vehicle for failure to return the vehicle.HB-115 Would increase from $500 to $1000 the amount on a theft charge whereby a law enforcement officer may perform a warrantless arrest of the individual.HB-117 Would simply change the reporting deadline for an annual report of the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy.HB-187 This bill would allow for the expungement of certain records for deceased persons when the charges were pending and had not gone to trial or otherwise been adjudicated.
Judiciary Hearings, Thursday
“Caylee’s Law” HB-18/20/122: We heard testimony on several bills which seek to address cases where a child may not be reported missing by the parents, guardians, or caretakers in a timely manner. These are in response to the case involving the disappearance and homicide of Caylee Anthony in Florida. These bills would place time constraints and requirements for various incidents involving missing juveniles and make it a crime to fail to report such a disappearance. Most aspects of these bills are covered by existing law, but it may be wise to address some aspects of reporting which are not covered.
Dog BillsHB-278 seeks to require owners of dogs which have been classified as “Dangerous” to be registered as “at-risk” owners by a local government authority. It would also require them to pay a registration fee. It seems the focus of the bill is to place responsibility on the owners rather than to focus on the dog. It would place other restrictions on folks who are classified as “at-risk” owners by the state.HB-336 Would allow the court require someone convicted of Animal Abuse to be required to pay for the treatment of the animal that was abused. You would think this would already be in the law, but it is not on the books. I think this should be corrected as we heard testimony which reflected great cost associated with the care of these abused animals being absorbed by the state and private individuals.
HB-294/397/400 There were several bills addressing various aspects of Child Support. One attempts to address a fix for a formula on determining the amount of support which must be paid when multiple children are involved. One would provide for support payments for child care when the guardian of the child receiving support must return to school in order to advance or gain employment. Perhaps the most significant of the bills is 397 which would expand the act of criminal non-support and make it easier to go after dead beat parents who refuse to pay their child support when they have the means to do so.
Introduction of Bills in House:
I filed the following bills this week which were on First Reader in the House:HB-984 Enhanced penalties for DWI on Controlled Dangerous Substances HB-999 Creating penalties for failure to report Child AbuseHB-1032 Providing protections for farmers and others involved in Agro-Tourism industry.
Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
The agenda was light for the meeting. We met with Linda Prochaska, a Special Assistant to Senator Barbara Mikulski’s office on the Eastern Shore. She reviewed some of the areas of assistance that the senator’s office provides in concert with our local legislative services on the shore.
Secretary Joshua M. Sharfstein of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene came before the delegation and spoke in general about some of the activities of his agency. He was asked about telemedicine (a greater use of conferencing with doctors and other specialists electronically) on the shore and explained how this issue was moving forward successfully. He also addressed the issues of funding in the budget as it relates to prevention services. He disagreed that funding was shifted in the governor’s budget, but I have spoken with various family services which are taking a significant hit.
We heard from the Healthy Families Eastern Shore group (Dir. Shelly Edwards, Dir. Mike Clark, and Dir. Dawn Shur) who are dealing with budget issues which will put many program areas at risk this year that have proven successful. As is often the case with the budget axe, prevention is often the first striking point while treatment is the last.
Combined Hearing of Judiciary and Health/Government Operations Committees:
HB-474/728 Maryland Marriage Protection Act (Defense of Marriage)
HB-438 Civil Marriage Protection Act (Same Sex Marriage)
HB-1239 Straw Ballot on Definition of Marriage
A joint committee hearing was held on the above bills. Hundreds appeared to testify for and against these bills. I will say I was struck by the notion that the burden to change the law falls upon those who do not accept the definition of marriage in Maryland as being between one man and one woman. The burden in the legislature seems to be upon those who simply want the definition to stay the way it has been since Maryland came into existence. Testimony began with Governor O’Malley as the lead off speaker in support of the same sex marriage bill. I did ask the Governor why we simply did not put this issue before all of the voters as a referendum on the ballot…particularly when we thought enough about gambling to put that on the ballot for the people to decide. The governor was reluctant to do so as he seems afraid of what the people may say if given the chance.
Whitney Houston Died Saturday
TIME MACHINE ... Women Making News!
March, 1893
(Oelwein Register, Oelwein, Iowa)
A Live Town Founded By A Woman
Elizabeth S. Chadbourne, a Boston elocutionist who studied her profession in the days when *Georgia Cayvan began to prepare for her career, is the leading spirit and founder of Parksley, in Virginia. When Miss Chadbourne first visited and recognized the possibilities of the fertile peninsula which had been practically closed to the world until about five years ago, a single farm house with a station composed the town. Game was left to the city sportsman, soft shell crabs fed the hogs, whose flesh was staple product and food for the peninsula. Now there is a flourishing town with broad streets, pretty houses, and great prospects owned by a stock company, of which Miss Chadbourne is Secretary, Treasurer and largest stockholder. She is also the inside worker who interests people to invest. She understands all kinds of leases, deeds, etc., and can make out an agreement on the spot which all the quibbles of the lawyers cannot circumvent.
*Popular stage actress.
December, 1911
(The Evening Post- Frederick, Md.)
SUFFRAGETTE'S BATTLE HYM
Women Instructed By Just Government League to Learn It.
The State Just Government League has decided upon a song as its "battle hymn." Copies of it have been distributed among the members and they have been instructed by the president, Mrs. Donald R. Hooker, to memorize it, to be sung at all public meetings of the league. It was written by Miss Marie C. Jones of Pocomoke City, Md., who is herself an ardent suffragist.
The hymn is sung to the tune of "Maryland My Maryland." It's general character may be judged by its first stanza, which is as follows:
Oh, listen to the joyful note,
In Maryland, My Maryland!
The women here will surely vote,
In Maryland, My Maryland!
In city, town, and country lea,
The women will be surely free,
And they shall vote, as you shall see,
In Maryland, My Maryland!
July, 1914
In a page one story headlined PLEAD SUFFRAGE CAUSE AT FAIRS - The Frederick News Post reported on ambitious plans at County Fairs around the state including those on the Eastern Shore and at Pocomoke City, where the "Just Government Leagues" would have booths. "Like the wily Mrs. Spider on the lookout for unsuspecting Mr. Fly, the Maryland suffragists are getting ready to spread their net from one end of the state to the other."
Plans for their participation in the County Fairs at Pocomoke City, Salisbury, Cambridge, Easton, and Chestertown were said to be rapidly taking shape by advocates of the suffrage movement, hoping to further their cause, and with the intent to make their activities interesting alike to the farmers and the farmers wives. A feature at some of the fairs, including Pocomoke City, would be a booth gaily decorated with the suffrage colors, purple, green, and white, combined with the Maryland black and gold.
Mrs. Amy Pattison of Easton was the Eastern Shore's organizer and those who knew her best declared, according to the article, "the anti's never had a more determined and resourceful antagonist."
(Pocomoke City News)
March, 1952
A mid-morning blaze in Pocomoke on March 19th broke out in the basement of Feldman's Furniture Store on Market Street consuming all three floors of furniture. The Pocomoke and Snow Hill Fire Departments kept the flames from spreading to adjoining buildings housing Venables Jewlery, J.C. Penny, and Montgomery Ward.
Footnote: Feldman's continued to operate in Pocomoke City for many years at a new location on Front Street.
Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Saxis Native Auditions for America's Got Talent
SAXIS — A Saxis native is waiting to hear whether his dream of pursuing a singing career could take a major step toward becoming reality, after he auditioned recently for the television show “America’s Got Talent.”
Larry Linton, 41, who currenly lives in Pocomoke City, Md., traveled to Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, where he was one of an estimated 10,000 hopefuls gathered in what AGT officials said was a record turnout for show auditions at the location.
Word began to spread locally of Linton’s adventure this week when Red Miller — host of the Shore Made Music radio show, which airs Monday nights at 7 p.m. on WESR — posted his phone interview with Linton on Facebook.
“How it all started was my daughter put my name in,” in November, two days before his granddaughter was born, Linton said. She told him about it only after receiving word that his act had been accepted and he should come to a live audition.
Several family members including children and grandchildren accompanied Linton to the audition, all of them wearing T-shirts his stepdaughter had made for the occasion, reading “Go, Larry.”
If he should be fortunate enough to win the ultimate prize on AGT, Linton plans to donate a portion of the prize money to a charity that fights SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, in memory of his granddaughter.
Linton, who sings locally at weddings and karaoke events and who is a former drummer and singer with area band MindzEye, sang “Faithfully,” made famous by the band Journey, for his a cappella audition before an AGT judge.
He was the last in his group of five contestants to perform and thinks his act caught the female judge’s attention. “I got up there and sang...She looked at me and goes, ‘Larry, right?’...I didn’t see her do that to anybody else.”
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Saturday, February 11, 2012
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Women Making News!
What Eastern Shore town was founded by a woman?
It's this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!
Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland Presents "Aladdin" This Saturday
The Best Kept Secret In Worcester County
GREAT JOB!!
OCPD Undercover Cab Operation Nails 34 Individuals
Written byNews Editor Shawn Soper
OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department’s narcotics unit this week concluded a nearly two-year drug distribution investigation utilizing an undercover officer posing as a taxi cab owner and driver with the indictments dozens of individuals.
During the investigation, an Ocean City Police narcotics officer acting in a covert capacity started a legitimate taxicab company and acted as the owner and operator of the company.
GO HERE FOR REST OF THE STORY
SHORE BEEF & BBQ - Saturday Special
SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES
Friday, February 10, 2012
Pocomoke Woman Arrested For Theft From Little League
During the month of January investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation conducted a theft investigation involving the Pocomoke Little League in Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland. Investigation revealed the suspect, who was later identified as Carolann Chandler, was placed as the Treasurer of the league in the beginning of 2011. Further investigation revealed that Chandler had written numerous checks from the league and had later cashed them. The checks were found to be endorsed by her signature. Chandler had also used withdrawal slips from the account to obtain cash from the bank. The total amount has been verified by investigators to be $17, 495.00. Chandler was arrested at her residence and subsequently interviewed regarding the crime. Chandler later admitted to her involvement in the crime and was charged with 13 counts of Theft Under $1,000.00, 5 counts of Theft $1,000 to Under $10,000, and 1 count of Theft Scheme $10,000 to Under $100,000.
Chandler was taken to the District Court Commissioner where she was released on posting a $25,000 unsecured bond.
SHORE BEEF & BBQ Friday Special ~ OPEN Saturday Too
Death Penalty Bill Dies in Senate Committee
Sen. Mark Obenshain's bill would have redefined the so-called triggerman rule, which in most cases restricts the death penalty to the person who does the actual killing. The legislation would have allowed the death penalty for accomplices who share the intent to kill.
Obenshain, a Republican from Harrisonburg, said the bill targets "the worst of the worst." Opponents argued that there's too much danger of executing an innocent person because there's no DNA or fingerprinting that can prove intent.
Similar legislation has either failed or been vetoed each of the last four years.
The Courts of Justice Committee's vote Wednesday was 7-7, with one abstention.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Women Making News!
What Eastern Shore town was founded by a woman?
It's this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!
Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!
Wor. Co. Fire Marshal's Office Investigates Liquid Chlorine Spill
The spill was located in a grassy area behind the main building and involve approximately 30 gallons of liquid. Mitigation of the incident was accomplished by large quantities of water applied by the use off an on site garden hose. The exact cause of the spill is unknown and the incident is under investigation by this office and the Maryland Department of the Enviorment.
Anyone with information into the incident is asked to contact Deputy Fire Marshal Rodney K Sharpley Sr at 410.632.5666 or rsharpley@wcfmo.org
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SHORE BEEF and BBQ SPECIAL
At the Mar-Va Theater TONIGHT
with guest Anya Marina
Tickets: $10
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
St. James UMC in Pocomoke Black History Celebration
St. James UMC in Pocomoke City, MD Sunday, February 26, 2012
Black History Celebration 9:00 a.m.Speaker: Mrs. Tracey Cottman, Pocomoke City Councilwoman (District 4)Breakfast will be served following service
www.stjamesumcpocomoke.com
stjamesumcpocomoke@yahoo.com
(410) 957-2992
Rev. Jonathan Whitney, Host Pastor
St. James United Methodist Church
1513 Colona Road P.O. Box 724
Pocomoke Ciy, MD 21851
(410) 957-2992
Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.
Website: www.stjamesumcpocomoke.com
Email: stjamesumcpocomoke@yahoo.com
Community Crime Watch Meetings
TONIGHT-Feb. 8: Stockton Community Crime Watch, Stockton Fire Department.
Feb. 15: Girdletree Community Crime Watch, Girdletree Fire Department.
Feb. 19: Bishopville Community Crime Watch (including Hidden Harbor area) Bishopville Fire Department.
Feb. 24: Newark Community Crime Watch, Newark Fire Department.
For more information: contact Deputy Dale Trotter at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office at 410-632-1112.
Pocomoke City Police Department ~ PRESS RELEASE~
Help SAVE SHORE BEEF and BBQ
Help keep SHORE BEEF and BBQ in operation featuring lunch and dinner SPECIALS instead of becoming a catering business.
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~TODAY~ On the Eastern Shore of Virginia
George Allen Republican Senate Candidate |
At 9:00 AM he will visit small businesses on Main Street in Cape Charles, Virginia beginning at Rayfields Pharmacy, before headlining an Accomack County GOP Lunch at Dons Seafood in Chincoteague at 12:00 PM and touring the Wallops Island NASA Flight Facility at 2:00 PM.
City Election Won't Be Held in Pocomoke
Because only one candidate per district filed to run, there won't be an election, which would have been held the first Tuesday in April.
Clarke and Cottman are serving again for full three-year terms. Tasker's term will only be for one year, which is to fill the remainder of the late Bob Hawkins' term. Should Tasker choose to run again, he may do so when the District 1 seat officially comes up for election next April.
Hawkins, 92, died Nov. 8, 2011, from injuries suffered in a car accident. He had been a sitting Pocomoke City councilman since 1988, and was an active and beloved member of the community.
Mayor Bruce Morrison said town leaders decided upon Hawkins' death that his replacement would only fulfill the remainder of his term.
"And that gives them the opportunity to find out whether they like it or not," Morrison said.
He said, "That's the only reason I can think of why no other people would run, because it was very well publicized in the papers. Everybody knows the deadline."
Perhaps nobody else wanted to take the job for one year, Morrison added, except for Tasker.
Calling himself a fiscal conservative, Clarke is looking for efficiencies of scale as a way to create savings for the town. He cites the idea of Worcester County handling the property tax billing for the town, along with the county bills as an example.
Clarke said he is pleased with the performance of new police Chief Kelvin Sewell. There are more foot patrols in town and with better weather this spring, there will be bike patrols. Clarke also hopes morale will improve among officers once they move into their new headquarters this spring.
Clarke said he has received several complaints about speeding on Cedar Street, and he said one way to correct this would be to have four-way stop signs every three or four blocks.
He said he would also like to see more sidewalks installed, especially on Cedar Street, as it is a major thoroughfare for students attending the schools.
Clarke said the new sewage plant is almost complete and on line. With the charges for collection of sewage from haulers, the town has realized several hundred thousands of dollars from the haulers. The water and sewer fund is almost balanced, with a capacity for growth.
Pocomoke City has lost a major share of transportation funds coming from the state, and Clarke said he hopes the Maryland Municipal League is successful in having at least some of the funds restored. But this loss affects the ability of the town to repair and repave city streets.
Staff Writer Brian Shane contributed to this story.
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Texting While Driving Ban Passes in Senate 28-12
Sen. George Barker's bill cleared the Senate on a 28-12 vote Tuesday. It now goes to the House of Delegates.
The bill would make texting while driving a primary offense in Virginia. It's already a secondary offense, meaning you can be ticketed for texting at the wheel only if pulled over for another violation. Barker, a Democrat from Fairfax, said his bill is all about highway safety.
No one spoke against the bill on the Senate floor.
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Shooting at YMCA - Photos
Roderick Rashad Savage, Age 17 was arrested on January 31, 2012. On February 2, 2012 Devon Treye Wessells was arrested. Both are 17 years of age and from Parksley, Virginia
.
In an attempt to gain further evidence the Pocomoke City Police and the Accomack County Criminal Enforcement Team were able to conduct two Search and Seizure Warrants at the homes of the suspects.
Both Defendants are being held in the Norfolk Virginia Detention Center without bond pending an extradition and preliminary hearing trial date. The case is still under investigation and more arrests are expected to follow.
**Great job Pocomoke City Police Department and Accomack County Criminal Enforcement Team.**
So many words of praise need to be said for the recent communications between local law enforcement agencies. Many times crime that occurs in Pocomoke spills into Accomack County as does what takes place in Accomack County soon finds its place in Pocomoke City. All law enforcement agencies working together will hopefully put crime to a bare minimum.
For more info YMCA Shooting Update -February 3, 2012