Pocomoke Voter Resolution #312 vs Resolution #432

We have obtained both Pocomoke voter resolutions for your review to compare the recent changes.

We report, you decide.

RESOLUTION NO. 312

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND TO REPEAL RESOLUTION 173 312, TO REENACT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THAT RESOLUTION, AND TO CLARIFY AND ESTABLISH PROCEDURES INVOLVED WITH THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS OF POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City, Maryland wish to repeal Resolution No. 173 312 and to reenact certain provisions of that resolution to clarify the procedures to be followed during municipal elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT municipal elections in Pocomoke City, Maryland will be conducted in accordance with Title VII of the Pocomoke City Charter with the following clarifications and additions:

1. VOTER ELIGIBILITY

a) The Board shall remove the names of any persons who have not voted in the

previous five (5) municipal elections from the municipal list of eligible voters.

b) PROOF OF RESIDENCY

In all instances where the Board is doubtful of the residency of a proposed registrant or voter, the Board may require the applicant or voter to produce such information as they may deem necessary to prove residency, including one or more of the following documents:

1) Valid driver=s license

2) Water, sewer or other utility bill

3) Written lease for rental premises

4) County voter card

5) Any other similar evidence which would establish residency.

2. LIST OF VOTERS

Candidates for election may purchase MAY OBTAIN lists of voters when completed by FROM the WORCESTER COUNTY Board of Elections. Supervisors at the following costs:

a) Entire list (even years only) $10.00

b) District list (each) $5.00

3. ABSENTEE VOTING

a) The Board shall approve official forms for applications and absentee ballots.

b) Anyone may request an Application for Absentee Ballot by telephone, facsimile,

and by downloading the application (when available) or in person at City Hall during normal business hours. All applications for absentee ballots will be numbered original documents, signed by the applicant. Photocopies will not be accepted. When an application is issued received, a record will be kept at City Hall of the application number and to whom it was issued. If requested, applications will be issued by facsimile. date and time of the Boards= receipt of the Application for Absentee Ballot.

c) When the application is returned received, voter records will be checked to determine

that the applicant is a registered voter of Pocomoke City, Maryland and eligible to receive a ballot (currently resides in the district that is having an election).

d) The voter I.D. number (assigned by computer), the district number, and a ballot

number (to be assigned by the Board of Elections Supervisors or their designee or other person handling absentee ballot applications) will be marked on the completed application form. The ballot number is issued to track how many ballots have been issued and returned in order to prevent the reproduction of absentee ballots. The list of absentee ballots issued shall not be made available to the public. Candidates will not be allowed to inspect completed absentee ballots.

e) A ballot, ballot envelope, and a self-addressed stamped envelope will be prepared

and placed in an envelope and mailed to the applicant by first class mail except when an application is made in person within seven days prior to the election. No one will be allowed to hand-deliver a ballot to an applicant except the Board of Elections Supervisors, their designee, or the City Clerk. Ballots will not be issued by facsimile.

d f) The city will rent a Post Office Box for use by the Board of Elections Supervisors

only. When the absentee voter has marked the ballot, it must be placed in the return envelope provided and mailed to the special Post Office Box. Completed absentee ballots will not be accepted at City Hall, at the polling place or any other location. All ballots must be received in the special Post Office Box no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election. Postmark dates are not relevant and will not be considered in any way. Absentee ballots received after the deadline will not be opened. They will be destroyed by the Board of Elections Supervisors at their discretion.

e g) Only ballots received in the special Post Office Box will be accepted by the Board

of Elections Supervisors. At 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election, one or more members of the Board of Elections Supervisors, the City Clerk, the Chief of Police, and any candidates who wish to be present will open the special Post Office Box and remove the ballots. The ballot numbers will be called off and recorded on the list sealed in one or more larger envelopes (manila-type) and taken to City Hall and locked in the safe. The Police Chief will accompany the Board of Elections Supervisors (or their designee) to witness this process.

f h) On the day of the elections, the Board of Elections Supervisors (or their designee)

will remove the larger sealed manila-type envelope(s) from the safe and take them to the voting place. After the polls close the Board of Elections Supervisors will open the manila-type envelope(s) and remove the return envelopes. The return envelopes will then be opened by the Board of Elections Supervisors (and appointed elections workers) and the ballot envelopes will be removed. The Board of Elections Supervisors (and appointed election workers) will open the ballot envelopes checking to be sure that the envelopes are signed, that there are no distinguishing marks on the ballot, that only one box has been checked, etc. The Board of Elections Supervisors has the authority to disqualify any absentee ballot for failure to sign the oath, making distinguishing or identifying marks on the ballot, or checking more than one box where inappropriate to do so. The Board of Elections Supervisors will tally the votes. After machine votes and absentee ballots have been tallied, all votes will be recorded on a form and certified by all members of the Board. This form will be given to the City Manager.

g i) If a voter has been issued an absentee ballot, then that person will not be allowed

to vote in person at the polling place.

4. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURE

a) The Board shall post or cause to be posted signs which indicate that electioneering

is not permitted within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to the polling place.

b) The Board will assure that adequate handicapped parking and access to the polling

place is provided. Handicapped voters who require assistance in the voting booth may apply for assistance on a form designated for that purpose.

c) If the Board feels that a police officer is needed at certain times during the

election, any member of the Board of Elections Supervisors may contact the Chief of Police and request that an officer be dispatched to the polling place. At the close of the polls, a police officer will be stationed at the entrance of the polling place to restrict access to those persons authorized to be present.

d) Prior to counting of the ballots, the Board will request all unauthorized persons to

leave the polling place. The following persons are authorized to be inside the polling place when the ballots are counted:

1) Each candidate and one other person previously authorized by the candidate in writing.

2) Board of Elections Supervisors members and appointees.

3) After all tallies are completed, the doors of the polling place will be opened to the public.

5. PRESERVATION OF BALLOTS

Absentee ballots, applications, and voter authority cards may be destroyed after six (6) months provided the Maryland Centralized Voter Registration System has had an opportunity to record who has voted from the voter authority cards.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF POCOMOKE CITY, that this resolution shall take effect upon the vote of the Council and its approval by the Mayor.

________________ _________________ ______________________________

Date Introduced Date Passed Michael McDermott, Mayor

Approved BY ME THIS ______

DAY OF ______________, ______

ATTEST:

____________________________ _____________________________

Carol L. Justice, City Clerk Russell W. Blake, City Manager

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESOLUTION NO. 432

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND TO REPEAL RESOLUTION 312, TO REENACT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THAT RESOLUTION, AND TO CLARIFY AND ESTABLISH PROCEDURES INVOLVED WITH THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS OF POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City, Maryland wish to repeal Resolution No. 312 and to reenact certain provisions of that resolution to clarify the procedures to be followed during municipal elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT municipal elections in Pocomoke City, Maryland will be conducted in accordance with Title VII of the Pocomoke City Charter with the following clarifications and additions:

1. VOTER ELIGIBILITY

a) The Board shall remove the names of any persons who have not voted in the

previous five (5) municipal elections from the municipal list of eligible voters.

b) PROOF OF RESIDENCY

In all instances where the Board is doubtful of the residency of a proposed registrant or voter, the Board may require the applicant or voter to produce such information as they may deem necessary to prove residency, including one or more of the following documents:

1) Valid driver’s license

2) Water, sewer or other utility bill

3) Written lease for rental premises

4) County voter card

5) Any other similar evidence which would establish residency.

2. LIST OF VOTERS

Candidates for election may obtain lists of voters from the Worcester County Board of Elections.

3. ABSENTEE VOTING

a. The Board shall approve official forms for applications and absentee ballots.

b. Anyone may request an Application for Absentee Ballot by telephone, facsimile,

and by downloading the application (when available) or in person at City Hall during normal business hours. All applications for absentee ballots will be original documents, signed by the applicant. Photocopies will not be accepted. When an application is received, a record will be kept at City Hall of the date and time of the Boards’ receipt of the Application for Absentee Ballot. Applications for absentee ballots received after the close of business on the Wednesday before an election will not be processed.

c. When the application is received, voter records will be checked to determine that

the applicant is a registered voter of Pocomoke City, Maryland and eligible to receive a ballot (currently resides in the district that is having an election).

d. The voter I.D. number (assigned by computer), the district number, and a ballot

number (to be assigned by the Board of Elections Supervisors or their designee or other person handling absentee ballot applications) will be marked on the completed application form. The ballot number is issued to track how many ballots have been issued and returned in order to prevent the reproduction of absentee ballots. The list of absentee ballots issued shall not be made available to the public. Candidates will not be allowed to inspect completed absentee ballots.

e. A ballot, ballot envelope, and a self-addressed stamped envelope will be prepared

and placed in an envelope and mailed to the applicant by first class mail. No one will be allowed to hand-deliver a ballot to an applicant except the Board of Elections Supervisors, their designee, or the City Clerk. Ballots will not be issued by facsimile.

f. The city will rent a Post Office Box for use by the Board of Elections Supervisors

only. When the absentee voter has marked the ballot, it must be placed in the return envelope provided and mailed to the special Post Office Box. Completed absentee ballots will not be accepted at City Hall, at the polling place or any other location. All ballots must be received in the special Post Office Box no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election. Postmark dates are not relevant and will not be considered in any way. Absentee ballots received after the deadline will not be opened. They will be destroyed by the Board of Elections Supervisors at their discretion.

g. Only ballots received in the special Post Office Box will be accepted by the Board

of Elections Supervisors. At 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election, one or more members of the Board of Elections Supervisors, the City Clerk, the Chief of Police, and any candidates who wish to be present will open the special Post Office Box and remove the ballots. The ballot numbers will be called off and recorded on the list sealed in one or more larger envelopes (manila-type) and taken to City Hall and locked in the safe. The Police Chief will accompany the Board of Elections Supervisors (or their designee) to witness this process.

h. On the day of the election, the Board of Elections Supervisors (or their designee)

will remove the larger sealed manila-type envelope(s) from the safe and take them to the voting place. After the polls close the Board of Elections Supervisors will open the manila-type envelope(s) and remove the return envelopes. The return envelopes will then be opened by the Board of Elections Supervisors (and appointed election workers) and the ballot envelopes will be removed. The Board of Elections Supervisors (and appointed election workers) will open the ballot envelopes checking to be sure that the envelopes are signed, that there are no distinguishing marks on the ballot, that only one box has been checked, etc. The Board of Elections Supervisors has the authority to disqualify any absentee ballot for failure to sign the oath, making distinguishing or identifying marks on the ballot, or checking more than one box where inappropriate to do so. The Board of Elections Supervisors will tally the votes. After machine votes and absentee ballots have been tallied, all votes will be recorded on a form and certified by all members of the Board. This form will be given to the City Manager.

i. If a voter has been issued an absentee ballot, then that person will not be allowed

to vote in person at the polling place.

4. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURE

a) The Board shall post or cause to be posted signs which indicate that electioneering

is not permitted within one hundred (100) feet of the entrance to the polling place.

b) The Board will assure that adequate handicapped parking and access to the polling

place is provided. Handicapped voters who require assistance in the voting booth may apply for assistance on a form designated for that purpose.

c) If the Board feels that a police officer is needed at certain times during the

election, any member of the Board of Elections Supervisors may contact the Chief of Police and request that an officer be dispatched to the polling place. At the close of the polls, a police officer will be stationed at the entrance of the polling place to restrict access to those persons authorized to be present.

d) Prior to counting of the ballots, the Board will request all unauthorized persons to

leave the polling place. The following persons are authorized to be inside the polling place when the ballots are counted:

1) Each candidate and one other person previously authorized by the candidate in writing.

2) Board of Elections Supervisors members and appointees.

3) After all tallies are completed, the doors of the polling place will be opened to the public.

5. PRESERVATION OF BALLOTS

Absentee ballots, applications, and voter authority cards may be destroyed after six (6) months provided the Maryland Centralized Voter Registration System has had an opportunity to record who has voted from the voter authority cards.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF POCOMOKE CITY, that this resolution shall take effect upon the vote of the Council and its approval by the Mayor.

November 2, 2009 November 16, 2009 ______________________________

Date Introduced Date Passed Michael McDermott, Mayor

Approved BY ME THIS _16

DAY OF November , 2009

ATTEST:

____________________________ _____________________________

Carol L. Justice, City Clerk First Vice President

Clothes Lines Bill Passed In Va. Senate

The Virginia Senate wants all homeowners to be able to air out their clean laundry.

By a 37-3 vote on Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill that would prohibit homeowner's associations from banning residents from stringing up clothes lines to dry their garments.

Sen. Linda Puller introduced the bill that would allow the organizations to set restrictions concerning the size and placement of the so-called natural drying devices.

A similar bill which called them wind energy drying devices made it out of the Senate last year but was defeated in the House of Delgates.

From the Rural Artist

This weeks message from the "message board" on the long and winding road.

Remains of Missing Va. Tech Student Found

(Jan. 26) – Skeletal remains found on a Virginia farm are those of Morgan Dana Harrington, a 20-year-old Virgina Tech student missing since Oct. 17, authorities say.

David Bass found the remains this morning in a remote hayfield on his farm approximately 10 miles outside of Charlottesville. The hay had been cut in August, and by October it would have been waist high.

"I was on my tractor feeding cows on a remote part of the farm I don't normally go to," Bass told The Hook, a Charlottesville newspaper.

Bass' property is the 700-acre Anchorage Farm. There is no public access to the area where the body was found. Police had not searched the area before this morning.

The remains reportedly have blond hair and were clad in black clothing. Missing-person fliers for Harrington described her as blond and said she was wearing a black T-shirt with the word "Pantera" on it, a black miniskirt, black tights and black boots when she disappeared.

At a news conference late this afternoon, authorities said they were confident the remains are those of Harrington. "There were significant items and evidence" found to support the identification, Virginia State Police Superintendent Steve Flaherty said, although he would not elaborate. Police did not give any information about how she died.

Police said they would need to be careful when giving out information because the "perpetrator or perpetrators" are still at large. The body was being taken to Richmond for an autopsy.

Harrington was last seen in a parking lot at the John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia, where she had been attending a Metallica concert. Around 8:40 p.m., she went outside to smoke a cigarette and left her ticket inside. Her friends in the arena called her and she told them she'd find her own ride home. That was the last time anyone talked to her.

Her parents became worried the next day when she didn't show up at home. Harrington was an education major and had planned on returning to her parents' home in Roanoke the next day to study with her father for a math test.

Police found her purse, ID and cell phone in the parking lot, but said there was no sign of a struggle.

The farm where her body was found is about 10 miles from the concert venue.

"This is a horrible day" for the family, her father, Dan Harrington, told WTVR in Richmond after the remains were discovered.

The Harrington family has offered a $100,000 reward for her return or information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in her disappearance. Metallica has added another $50,000 in reward money.

Teen Killed Parents to Avoid Chores

It's not uncommon for a teenager to go to extreme measures to avoid having to do chores: Television and the Internet are far more appealing than taking out the trash and loading the dishwasher.

Nonetheless, most kids slog through it, if only for the sake of getting their parents off their backs. That, however, was not the case with a Colorado teen who police say fatally shot his mother and stepfather to get out of doing his household duties.

The 14-year-old boy, John Caudle, has been charged as an adult with two counts of murder. He is being held at a youth center and is due in court next week.

The case began in late October, when Park County deputies stopped a pickup truck in Fairplay. The driver, Caudle, was too young to drive, so police attempted to find his parents, who he said lived about 130 miles away near the city of Monte Vista. The boy said he was going to visit his uncle.

When the patrol officer contacted authorities near the boy's home, he was told that police were already at the house, which was being treated as a crime scene. Earlier that day, a relative had found the bodies of the boy's mother and stepfather, Joanne Rinebarger, 34, and Tracy Rinebarger, 38, on the bedroom floor.

According to the arrest affidavit, Caudle told police that he had an argument with his mother at home on Oct. 26. Afterward, he allegedly took two .22-caliber pistols from a gun safe and shot her dead with one of them. He then hid in a laundry room and allegedly shot his stepfather when he walked by.

"Caudle said the reason he shot Joanne Rinebarger was because he did not want to do household chores," the affidavit read.

After the shootings, police say, Caudle spent the rest of his day watching movies and playing on a computer. The next morning he took his stepfather's truck and drove to school. When questioned, Caudle's teachers told investigators he seemed "happy" that day.

Caudle is represented by two public defenders, who could not be reached for comment today.

U.S. Gov Bans Texting For Truckers and Bus Drivers

The U.S. Government passed legislation banning texting by drivers of large commercial trucks and buses today in an effort to eliminate the dangers of distracted driving. The new ban carries civil and criminal penalties with fines of up to $2,750.

According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the ban will go into effect immediately.

"We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe," LaHood said. "This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving."

Trucking regulators cite research that shows when drivers take their eyes off the road to send and receive text messages on cell phones they put themselves and other drivers at a significantly higher risk for accidents.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Study concludes that drivers of heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses who are texting are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event than those who are not texting while driving. As opposed to talking, dialing, listening, or reaching for a cell phone, texting was found to pose the greatest threat for accidents. The study found that drivers of heavy vehicles take their eyes off the road for almost a full 5 seconds while texting. At 55 miles per hour, this means that the driver is traveling the length of a football field, including the end zones, without looking at the road.

The National Safety Council, a research and advocacy group, also provides evidence supporting the ban, estimating that 200,000 crashes per year are caused by drivers who are texting.

The ban is a testament to the growing national concern surrounding the dangers of cell phone use while driving.

Some 23 states and the District of Columbia already have some form of restriction on texting while driving and others are considering similar action. Drivers who break the ban in these states are liable for fines and, in certain cases, points on their driver’s license.

In Florida, a proposed bill known as “Heather’s Law” would, if passed, prohibit all cell phone use while driving. The bill was inspired by Heather Hurd, a 27-year-old woman who was killed in an accident caused by a truck driver who was texting while behind the wheel.

The new federal law is a big gain for supporters of banned cell phone use while driving. It follows a similar December ban on texting for drivers of federal government vehicles and is part of a large effort by the U.S. government to combat distracted driving.

Legislation has also been introduced in Congress to extend the ban to all drivers of motor vehicles on a national scale.

VIA

Body May Be of Missing VT Student

Police say they are confident that skeletal remains found on a Virginia farm are likely those of a Virginia Tech student who vanished after attending a Metallica concert in Charlottesville.

State Police Superintendent Steve Flaherty says an autopsy will be conducted to confirm that the remains are those of Morgan Harrington, who disappeared on Oct. 17.

The 20-year-old Roanoke woman became separated from friends after she left a concert arena and was denied re-entry.

The skeletal remains were found Tuesday morning by a farmer surveying his farm. The farm is about 10 miles from where Harrington attended the concert at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville.

State Police crime scene technicians arrived at Anchorage Farm and are searching for evidence using a grid mapping technique.

www.wavy.com

Body Found May be of Morgan Harrison

Virginia

Breaking News: Police near Charlottesville say they've discovered a woman's body

on a remote farm and it could be related to the disappearance of a Virginia Tech student last October.

Morgan Harrison went missing while attending a Metallica concert with friends..

The New Senator On Leno

Senator Scott Brown, the new Republican superstar from Massachusetts will make a brief apperance via satellite on the Jay Leno Show. During his appearance scheduled for Thursday Brown will answer 10 brief questions from Leno.

For those who don't know Senator Scott Brown won the election last week and was voted to serve as senator of Massachusetts filling the seat left vacant by Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Gee, I wonder if Leno is hoping Brown will pull him "out of the ditch" and save his show. We'll see.

A Mirror Image

Tomorrow is my B-Day

and my sister sends me THIS!!
too late sis, it's already happened to me


$5.37. That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me.



I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change when the kid with the Emo hairdo said the harshest thing anyone has ever said to me.



He said, "It's OK.. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount."

I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. "Only $4.68" he said cheerfully.



I stood there stupefied. I am 48, not even 50 yet? A mere child! Senior citizen?

I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Emo. Was he blind? As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me?

I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, and there he was waiting with a smile..

Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted! What am I now? A toddler?

"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, eh?"



I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind.

"Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!"

I turned and headed back to the truck. I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another.

Still nothing.



That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror.

I had no purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror.

Then, a few other objects came into focus. The car seat in the back seat. Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard.

Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.
Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, only it was nowhere to be found..

I swung the truck around, gathered my courage, and strode back into the restaurant one final time. There Emo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?" All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here?" At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.

Emo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck, and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake."



I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.

She offered these kind words: "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."

All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40. Yes, I
was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius.. And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast.

As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket. I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blanky.

The good news was I had successfully found my way home.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- READ BELOW !

Just in case you weren't feeling too old today.

The people who are starting college this fall were born in 1991.

They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

The CD was introduced two years before they were born.

They have always had an answering machine.

They have always had cable..

Popcorn has always been microwaved.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: 'Where's the Beef?', 'I'd walk a mile for a Camel ', or 'de plane Boss, de plane'.

McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.

They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

Pass this on to the other old fogies on your list.

Notice the larger type?

That's for those of us who have trouble reading.

P.S. Save the earth.. It's the only planet with chocolate.

New Deodorant

I got this new deodorant today.
The instructions said remove cap and push up bottom.
I can barely walk, but whenever I fart the room smells awesome.

The Potty

It is so unusual to get a funny, non political, non sexist, non racist, and non doomsday message that I wanted to make your day by sending it along! I know you'll enjoy it.

THE POTTY

A LITTLE THREE YEAR OLD BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET. HIS MOTHER THINKS HE HAS BEEN IN THERE TOO LONG, SO SHE GOES IN TO SEE WHAT'S UP. THE LITTLE BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET READING A BOOK. BUT ABOUT EVERY 15 SECONDS OR SO, HE PUTS THE BOOK DOWN, GRIPS ONTO THE TOILET SEAT WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND HITS HIMSELF ON TOP OF HIS HEAD WITH HIS RIGHT HAND.

HIS MOTHER SAYS: "BILLY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? YOU'VE BEEN IN HERE FOR A WHILE."

BILLY SAYS: "I'M FINE, MOMMY. I JUST HAVEN'T GONE POTTY' YET."

MOTHER SAYS: "OK, YOU CAN STAY HERE A FEW MORE MINUTES. BUT, BILLY, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF ON THE HEAD?"

BILLY SAYS:


"WELL IT WORKS FOR KETCHUP."

Hat Tip; Kack

Mar-Va Theater - Not Just A Movie House

In yesterdays DelmarvaNow! the president of the Mar-Va theatre, Arnold Torres, replies to the comment in the Grapevine section that the Mar-Va Theater is more than just a weekend movie theater. Here is what he wrote:

"This is far from the case. Our schedule for 2010, our first year of full-time operations as a performing arts center, includes more than 50 different live performances -- in addition to 19 different movies. Many live events and all movies have two showings, so something will be happening in the theater on more than 100 evenings during 2010.

Our schedule includes bands, dramas, concerts, talent shows, dinner theaters, comedians, gospel music, pageants and more, all at easily affordable prices. See our Web site at www.marvatheater.com or call 410-957-4230 for information about upcoming events.

Until this year, the nonprofit Mar-Va Theater was operated totally by devoted volunteers, many of whom have given thousands of hours of their time to restore the beauty of this historic old theater and upgrade its functionality, all to bring quality entertainment to the Eastern Shore.

This year we've hired a theater manager, but we're still primarily a volunteer organization. Very few performing arts centers survive on box office income alone without the help of a large number of volunteer workers.

If you would like to support the Mar-Va Theater, visit our Web site to find ways you can contribute either financially or by volunteering your time."


Arnold Torres
Pocomoke City

http://www.delmarvanow.com/


If you would like to be a volunteer and a friend of the Mar-Va Theater email Emily at
emily@marvatheater.com

NFL Playoff Observation From My Kitchen

I just made an observation a few minutes ago. And it's the kind of thing that alot of us don't really pay attention to because we take so much for granted anymore and our lives go so fast.

I am probably one of the few that does take notice of the pregame activities. My husband has learned (the hard way) NOT to use the remote to find another channel to watch until the Star Spangled Banner is over. He learned quickly that those things were a dear thing in my life. So now, when most would get up to go find something to eat and come back (hoping the patriotic "thing" is gone) he watches.

When everyone left today from my house I left the tv on. No special reason. I just didn't want to stop making the pot of soup I had started. As most of us know the NFL playoff games are on today. Now I don't care for football (I know) but I do care about the opening ceremonies and how the Star Spangled Banner is sung. NFL seems to be doing a really great job this year with that song but every year during Nascar I cringe!

Anyway, the National Anthem started out really good. Just a shame I can't remember the American Idol winners name. But what came after really touched my heart. There before a crowd of thousands. the great American flag was opened on the arena floor, held securely by our great men and women of the military forces. Now I have seen one of these great flags with my own eyes and unless you see it, stand under it you can never truly imagine the true power of those colors.



But in the wings, waiting, was the great American Bald Eagle perched regally on the left arm of his caretaker. Now for me the Bald Eagle is an ordinary sight back here where I live. BUT, with great power in his thrust for take off the Bald Eagle soared in elegance around the arena and over the huge flag as the crowd roared! He just seemed to be floating up in the air, over our flag as the National Anthem ended.
Wow! I thought. Wow. That was awsome. And then I had to wipe my eyes.



America. Hmmm. The United States of America!! In fact, the great, big, wonderful, beautiful United States of America!

You know, we move so fast in our lives anymore. We hear and we see but most times it is just for the pure sake of navigation to get to the next point in our day. We don't pay attention and we take for granted the things that have allowed us to be free for centuries. And I am certainly smart enough to know that it wan't just the American flag, the Star Spangled Banner and the American Bald Eagle that brought us to this point in history. It is because of those men and woman embracing that great flag that have provided us with freedom all these years and it is because of their efforts and determination that we can even witness a pregame show.

Thankyou to all of them. It got my attention today as it does most times. It makes me feel proud. It made me become all teary eyed with patriotism.

Now, as for the winner of the game I do not know. I'll go with the Colts. I think they're in the playoffs and tonight New Orleans................gonna go finish my soup!

Are Our Children Safe? Predators Amongst Us?

Over the past few years, there has been a disturbing increase of people in authority becoming g involved is sexual abuse of minors and young adults. What is happening to our society when we can no longer trust our teachers, our police officers, our attorneys, our religious leaders, and sometimes our own family?

This is a hot topic right now and one that deserves discussion. Yet, in a curious move, our hometown newspaper is looking to dissuade discussion of the topic by censoring and deleting comments. This needs to be discussed out in the open, not shunned like some oddball relative.

Cifala And the 16 Year Old

Most recently, Anne Arundel County police Lieutenant James Cifala has been charged with the possession of child pornography by federal authorities. It appears that Cifala, 47, married, and a 27 year police veteran, has had an ongoing sexual relationship with a 16 year old girl. While the relationship is not “illegal” it is certainly immoral; and federal prosecutors know that–hence the charge of child pornography. Cifala and his wife, own the Rita’s Water Ice franchise on Mayo Road. While little is known about the girl, one has to wonder if she worked for Cifala. One also has to wonder how Cifala could be so naive as to take photos of himself on his cell phone and include distinctive furnishings from his home in the background.

Did this girl have something to do with this? Absolutely. But having an affair with an older person is not a crime in Maryland. Did she realize what she was doing was illegal? Probably not? Will she be charged? And the question also needs to be asked, how many other people knew about this long going affair and kept their mouths shut? The County police department has been known to be a tight knit community and have protected their members in the past. Did this happen this time?

Sex For Drugs

The Capital also reported on a local attorney, Jeff Marcalus, who traded a Vicodin (drug) for a sex act. Sleazy attorneys are nothing new, but this seems a bit over the line. However, it is not a unique situation. I have heard (and cannot personally confirm) that another local attorney Oprah. But there was a controversy surrounding this case and several other officers were disciplined for their knowledge of the incidents and their failure to report them. I am all for having a friend’s “back”, but at what point does it go too far?

Safe At Home?

Read More HERE

Bin Laden Threatens More Attacks on US

Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility for the failed attempt to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas in a new audio message released Sunday threatening more attacks on the United States.

However, a senior U.S. intelligence official in Washington said there is "no evidence whatsoever" that the al-Qaida leader had any involvement in the plot or even knew about it in advance. So the message indicates bin Laden may want to appear in direct command of the terror group's affiliates around the world at a time when some analysts have suggested he is mostly a figurehead.

The Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab told federal agents shortly afterward that he had been trained and given the explosives by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, an al-Qaida-inspired offshoot in bin Laden's ancestral homeland of Yemen.

In the minute-long recording released to al-Jazeera Arabic news channel, bin Laden addressed President Barack Obama saying the recent attempt was meant to send a message similar to that of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the Sept. 11," he said. "America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine," he added.

"God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support for the Israelis continues."

U.S.-based IntelCenter, which monitors militant messages, said bin Laden used specific language he has used before in advance of attacks, a possible indicator of an upcoming action within the next 12 months.

The phrase "Peace be upon those who follow guidance" appears at the beginning and end of messages released in advance of attacks to warn al-Qaida's enemies that they need to change their ways or they will be attacked, IntelCenter said in a statement. The language, used in the latest message as well, allows al-Qaida to blame the actual attack on those who refuse to change their ways, which in the group's view forces a response.

There was no way to verify the voice on the audio message was actually bin Laden, but it resembled previous recordings attributed to him.

The U.S. said it could not immediately authenticate the message. But White House adviser David Axelrod told CNN's "State of the Union" that whatever the source, the message "contains the same hollow justification for the mass slaughter of innocents."

Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up his plane as it approached Detroit Metro Airport on Christmas Day. However, the explosive powder he was hiding in his underwear failed to detonate.

On Friday, Britain raised its terror threat alert to the second-highest level, one of several recent moves the country has made to increase vigilance against international terrorists after the Christmas Day bombing attempt on a flight from Amsterdam.

Bin Laden's message came four weeks after the Yemen-based group made its own claim of responsibility for the bomb plot with a different justification - linking it to Yemeni military attacks on al-Qaida targets with the help of U.S. intelligence.

But the U.S. intelligence official said al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is linked to the central al-Qaida that bin Laden heads and recent intelligence indicates there are ongoing contacts between al-Qaida in Yemen and in Pakistan. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.

The message appeared to be an attempt by bin Laden to stay relevant, said Rohan Gunaratna, author of "Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror."

"The training and the definition of the attack was by the local leaders of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, so in many ways you can say bin Laden is exploiting for his benefit this particular attack," he said. "Bin Laden still wants to claim leadership for the global jihad movement."

Of all the various offshoots and branches of al-Qaida around the world, Gunaratna said the group in Yemen is one of the closest to bin Laden since it is made up of bodyguards and associates of the organization's top ideologues. Yemen is bin Laden's ancestral homeland.

"Today the operational relationship has somewhat suffered, but the ideological relationship is very strong and that is why bin Laden claimed this attack," Gunaratna said.

Two of the group's top members were former detainees released in November 2007 from the U.S. military prison Guantanamo Bay.

Since the Christmas Day attempt, the Yemeni government, at the U.S.'s urging has stepped up its attacks on the group's hideouts in the rugged country's remote hinterland.

Analysts have long debated how much control bin Laden, who is believed to be somewhere in Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, really has over the various organizations using his group's name.

The Yemen-based group, however, has closer ties than most to bin Laden and his key lieutenants, many having once been their bodyguards.

In the past year, bin Laden's messages have concentrated heavily on the situation of the Palestinians in attempt to rally support from Muslims around the world.

Some analysts say bin Laden is focusing on the close U.S.-Israeli relationship because he is worried about Obama's popularity across the Middle East with his promises to withdraw from Iraq and because his father was a Muslim from the African nation of Kenya.

The plight of the Palestinians, especially in the blockaded Gaza Strip where 1,400 were killed in an Israeli offensive a year ago, angers many in the Arab world.

"The Palestinian conflict was never part of the al-Qaida original mandate, but Osama is clearly exploiting it," Gunaratna said.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Andy David dismissed the latest al-Qaida message and its attempt to link Israel with attacks on the U.S.

"This is nothing new. He has said this before," he said. "Terrorists always look for absurd excuses for their despicable deeds."

The last public message from bin Laden appears to have been on Sept. 26, when he demanded that European countries pull their troops out of Afghanistan. The order came in an audiotape that also warned of "retaliation" against nations that are allied with the United States in fighting the war.

An Insult To Our Democracy

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS! 2 minutes long and straight from C-Span - how a vote was passed. (the video is very short and very maddening).

If anyone wonders about our current Congress and especially the House of Representatives this youtube will open their eyes. Watch this, then cry. We are losing our nation and everything it stands for.

Take a look:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgUCdefSW8

Century-old skipjack destroyed

The century-old skipjack Ethel Lewis, which was transported from New York to Onancock five years ago by volunteers hoping to save her, was destroyed this week in a controlled burn after those involved said it was unsalvageable.

The 58-foot boat, built in Chesconnesex in 1906, had been one of only about 40 skipjacks still in existence. The wooden sailing vessels were used at the turn of the century to dredge for oysters on the Chesapeake Bay.

Several experts who examined the Ethel Lewis since it came to Onancock in 2004 said it was beyond repair and in April, the citizens' committee that had taken on the restoration project released the town to dispose of it.

The town asked the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department to burn what remained of the skipjack.

"That boat, it looked like it was pretty rotten. ... It was beyond repair, basically," said Reedville Fisherman's Museum's Aubrey Henry, who was part of a group that surveyed the skipjack about three years ago.

Onancock recently sold the waterfront lot on which the boat sat, making the vessel's removal necessary.

After changing hands several times since the 1950s, the Ethel Lewis was restored in the 1970s by Richard Schaefer of Islip, N.Y., who used it for two decades, according to a 2004 Newsday article about the restoration effort.

Schaefer donated the boat, in need of repair, in 1998 to a nonprofit group based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard that taught inner-city youth about boat restoration.

But that organization ceased operating when it lost funding after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

A downtown revitalization plan the town unveiled in 2006 but never implemented featured a park at the corner of Ames and Market streets with the fully rigged, restored skipjack as its centerpiece.

The Reedville group recently restored another skipjack, the Claud W. Somers, which was built in Accomack County in 1911.

Paul Ewell, an Accomack County native and Virginia Wesleyan College professor who is compiling a database of old Eastern Shore workboats, also examined the Ethel Lewis earlier this month. Ewell's family members have been commercial fishermen on Virginia's Eastern Shore since the 1600s.

"I remember thinking, 'they're probably not going to be able to do anything with it,' " he said. "If anybody wants to preserve an old workboat, it's me; but the problem is she's so far gone."

Ewell said he recorded the boat's dimensions and took photographs during his survey.

"I've got a significant amount of history," he said.

Skipjacks were "cheaper, easy to build" vessels which in the late 19th century and largely replaced the earlier, sturdier-built bugeyes, Ewell said.

"They were meant to be disposable boats," he said.

VIA DelmarvaNow.com

The WeekEnd Is Here! Let's Laugh!

A man in his late 40’s had to have his father put in a nursing home.

While his father was sitting on a bench in the dining area of the nursing home, he started to fall over to the left side and a nurse came over and helped him sit back up.

After a few minutes, he started to fall over to the right side and again the nurse came over and helped him sit back up.

A few days later, the son came to visit his father and he asked, "Dad how do you like it here? Are they treating you good?"

His father replied, "I like the food, the entertainment is very good. But, they won’t let me F_rt!"

Enjoy your weekend!

__________________

Pocomoke: Burglary Alert

ALERT

During the period of November 2009 to January 4, 2010 several Breaking & Entering occurred in the below listed City locations.

100 Blk 8th St- Daytime

400 Blk Maple St- Daytime

100 Blk Hailey's Way- Daytime

200 Blk Morgan's Court- Daytime

20 Blk Central Ave- Daytime

600 Blk Oxford St- Daytime

200 Blk Carson's Court- Daytime

Crimes were committed by entering through rear doors/windows. Residents should be aware of any unusual activity in their neighborhood and are requested to call the Police @ 410-957-1600 or 911. If they observe any unknown persons or unusual activity in their neighborhood. If you have any information concerning the Breaking & Enterings you are requested to call Pocomoke City Police. You may remain anonymous.

JD Ervin

Chief of Police

VIA

Meteorite Lands In Lorton, Virginia

On Monday at just around 5:45 in the late afternoon Marc Gallini and Frank Ciampi were having the usual day of seeing their patients at the Williamsburg Family Practice in Lorton, Virginia when they heard a crash in one of the examining rooms.

　

　

"The first thing I thought of was that Dr. Gallini's bookshelf fell on him," Ciampi told a WUSA9 TV crew.

The fist-size rock had crashed through the roof, a fire wall and the room's ceiling tile before it hit the floor and shattered.

According to the Smithsonian Institution it was the first known meteorite to hit Virginia since 1924. Linda Welzenback, meteorite curator to the Smithsonian reported that it weighed slightly more than two thirds of a pound and identified it as stony "ordinary chondrite."

　

"It's 'ordinary' because 85 to 90 percent of everything that falls is this type," she said. "It has a light gray interior with little, tiny iron, nickel metal particles," all covered by a black fusion crust that melted as the rock entered the atmosphere.

It's arrival on Monday evening was witnessed by hundreds of people from New Jersey to southwestern Virginia being described as a brilliant fireball that broke into pieces as it fell.

"Ken," in Baldwin, wrote: "It appeared to break up slightly as it fell and almost seemed to sparkle like a firework would. It was an awesome sight between the orange/pink color of the horizon, the navy blue of the sky and the moon. The trail stayed in the sky for a number of minutes and seemed to have a slight crook or bend to it."

It has been estimated that the space rock was traveling at a speed of close to 220 mph when it struck the building's roof raining debris into the office. No one was injured.

Solar Energy for Eastern Shore By End of Year

The Accomack County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday night for their first meeting of 2010. Many important issues were discussed by the Supervisors.

The meeting began with a brief overview of Community Energy, the company interested in renewable energy in Accomack County. Bill Finch began to address the Board expressing the companys desire to build a five megawatt power plant on the Eastern Shore. According to Finch, this will be able to power roughly 1,000 homes. Community Energy has leased a 100 acre parcel in Accomack County but only about 35 acres of it will be used for the solar panels.

Finch pointed out that unlike other community projects require large infrastructure to be built, roads, bridges, etc. However, this project will not require any additional infrastructure spending, a point which was likely well received by the Board given the state tax revenue shortfalls.

The land Community Energy is interested in as of now is located near the overpass in Onley, although the exact parcel was not identified. The Eastern Shore is ideal for solar energy projects because of the relatively low cloud cover, excellent sunshine, the ocean and the bay provides great solar insulation will provide a 3-4% higher energy yield than other places. There are currently 29 states in the region that require the energy producers to create at least a portion of renewable energy. Finch promised that when the five year lease is up Community Energy will leave the land in better condition than it was before.

If all goes as planned, the project could be powering Eastern Shore homes by the end of this year.

Thought For The Day

Eskimos Wanted

No, eskimos have not landed on the quiet island of Saxis, Virginia and built a home there.

This igloo was built after the January 8th snow we had. The local engineers were Stephanie Schivo, Josh Voss, Tyler Williams, and Cory Chance. All of them are just local kids with the creativity
for building something other than the traditional snowman............not to mention the motivation to get out in the cold.

Great job, guys!!!!

Pocomoke: Election supervisors appointed

The mayor was given the authority to appoint the members of the Board of Supervisors of Elections to handle the duties for the April 6 municipal election. John Haynie was appointed to replace Carolyn Hoffman. Members reappointed include Diane Downing, Rich Choquette, Barbara Browning and Christina Tasker.

Thought For The Day

Children's Versions of History:

The following excerpts are actual answers given on history tests and
in Sunday school quizzes by children between 5th & 6th grade ages in
Ohio. Kids should rule the world, as it would be a laugh a minute for
us adults and therefore no time to war or argue.

Ancient Egypt was old. It was inhabited by gypsies and mummies who all
wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert. The climate of
the Sarah is such that all the inhabitants have to live elsewhere....
Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea where they made unleavened
bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Moses went up on
Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandos. He died before he ever reached
Canada but the commandos made it.

Solomon had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines. He was A
actual hysterical figure as well as being in the bible. It sounds like
he was sort of busy too.

The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we
wouldn’t have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a young
female moth.

Socrates was a famous old Greek teacher who went around giving people
advice. They killed him. He later died from an overdose of wedlock,
which is apparently poisonous. After his death, his career suffered a
Dramatic decline.

In the first Olympic games, Greeks ran races, jumped, hurled biscuits,
and threw the java. The games were messier then, than they show on TV
now.

Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The
Ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be
made king. Dying, he gasped out “Same to you, Brutus.”

Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was canonized by Bernard Shaw for
reasons I don’t really understand. The English and French still have
problems.

Queen Elizabeth was the “Virgin Queen,” As a queen she was a success.
When she exposed herself before her troops they all shouted “hurrah!”
and that was the end of the fighting for a long while.

Sir Walter Raleigh is a historical figure because he invented
Cigarettes and started smoking.

Sir Frances Drake circumcised the world with a 100 foot clipper which
was very dangerous to all his men.

The greatest writer of the Renaissance was William Shakespeare. He was
born in the year 1564, supposedly on his birthday. He never made much
money and is famous only because of his plays. He wrote tragedies,
comedies, and hysterectomies, all in Islamic pentameter.

Writing at the same time as Shakespeare was Miguel Cervantes. He wrote
Donkey Hote. The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote
Paradise Lost. Since then no one ever found it.

Delegates from the original 13 states formed the Contented Congress.
Thomas Jefferson, a Virgin and Benjamin Franklin were two singers of
the Declaration of Independence. Franklin discovered electricity by
Rubbing two cats backward and also declared, “A horse divided against
itself cannot stand.” He was a naturalist for sure. Frianklin died in
1790 and is still dead.

Johann Bach wrote a great many musical compositions and had a large
number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which
he kept up in his attic. Bach died from 1750 to the present. Bach was
the most famous composer in the world and so was Handel. Handel was
half German, half Italian, and half English. He was very large.

Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf that he
wrote loud music and became the father of rock and roll. He took long
walks in the forest even when everyone was calling for him. Beethoven
expired in 1827 and later died for this.

The nineteenth century was a time of a great many thoughts and
inventions. People stopped reproducing by hand and started reproducing
by machine. Then invention of the steamboat caused a network of rivers
to spring up.

Cyrus McCormick invented the McCormick raper, which did the work of a
hundred men.

Louis Pasteur discovered a cure for rabbits, but I don’t know why.

Charles Darwin was a naturalist. He wrote the Organ of the Species. It
was very long, people got upset about it, and had trials to see if it
was really true. He sort of said God’s days were not just 24 hours,
but without watches who knew anyhow? I don’t get it.

Madman Curie discovered radio. She was the first woman to do what she
did. Other women have become scientists since her but they didn’t get
to find radios because they were already taken.

Virginians Gather At Capitol For Gun Rights

Hundreds of Virginians rallied in support of bills that would allow concealed handguns to be carried in more places and make it easier to get both guns and the permits.

Gun rights advocates who rallied Monday at the Capitol decried Senate Democrats, who put two more Democrats on a key committee that hears all gun bills. Gun supporters hope to get more bills enacted this year because Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who took office on Saturday, supports gun rights.

Former Gov. Tim Kaine often vetoed pro-gun bills.

Bills have been filed to repeal the law that limits gun purchases to one a month, to allow concealed guns on school property, in courthouses and in restaurants and to make it easier to get a concealed carry permit.


www.shoredailynews.com

Mar-Va Theater Is Looking for Friends

I think that the Mar-Va Theater is the most wonderful thing that has happened in Pocomoke for a very long time. And I glad to see that Emily is now a part of the Mar-Va team. Here's an opportunity for all of you that were younger "in the day" and gave Mrs. Hattie Clark, Jeannie Byrd, and Roger Marriner "headaches" on those Friday nights (as they pointed the flashlight in your direction) a chance to give back to your wonderful community!

Brown Wins Election in Massachusetts

Tonight in the state of Massachusetts Republican

Scott Brown has won! Brown defeated Democrat

Martha Coakley who was in the race to win the senate seat held for 46 years by the late Ted

Kennedy.

Browns victory in Massachusetts makes him the 41st Republican in the Senate, which means that the Democrats are no longer capable of stopping a GOP fillibuster. This throws a huge monkey wrench in to President Obama's agenda and the health care legislation currently pending in Congress.

Who says there is never any hope?

Missing Temperanceville Man Found

The body of John Benjamin Thornton, III was found on Monday, January 18. Thornton's body was found in a shed near his residence in Temperanceville, Virginia. The body was transported to the Medical Examiners Office in Norfolk for an autopsy to determine that actual cause of death.


Thornton was reported missing on Monday, January 11 by his girlfriend who had reported that she had last seen Thornton around 3a.m.

that same morning.

According to Sheriff Giddens further investigation of the cause of death is continuing.

Poe's Birthday "Toaster" Is a No-Show

Edgar Allan Poe
Born January 19, 1809 Died October 7, 1849

On the birthday each year of Edgar Allan Poe and mysterious figure appears at the graveof the famouse writer leaving a bottle of cognac and 3 roses. It is thought that one rose is for Poe's wife, another for his mother-in-law Maria Clemm and the third for Poe himself Between the hours of midnight and 5:30 a.,m. the Poe Toaster (unoficially named) walks into the Westminster Burying Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland at the corner of Fayette and Greene Streets and leaves the gifts for Poe. After a short and touching ceremony of kneeling and placing his hands on the stone the toaster leaves. The persons identity has never been known and the tradition has been kept since Poe's 100th birthday in 1949.

However, this morning the Poe Toaster did NOT visit the burial site of Poe! For the FIRST time since 1949 no one crept into the cemetary leaving the traditional cognac and roses. Last night 30 to 50 people stood outside the gate singing Happy Birthday to Poe several times during the night while awaiting the mysterious visiter.

At 5:30 this morning the curator the Edgar Allan Poe House, Jeff Jerome, broke the news to the crowd that had been standing vigil outside the locked gate through the night. The Poe Toaster had not had not shown. Jerome did make the statement that he plans to keep the vigil through 2012.

"After two years if he doesn't show up, I think we can safely assume the tribute has ended," Jerome said.

Odor on Nictitate (chapter 8)

Odor on Nictitate
By Odor Eliminator

Chapter 8
The Invention of a Story

We have been patiently waiting to hear about the tremendous efforts to find Christine by Nictitate and the groupies. It has been very quiet and one could assume that a time out was taken for the Holidays.

A few rather strange postings have appeared on blogs concerning Christine’s case. One rather entertaining post introduces a person named Henry. Where Henry came from is anyone’s guess and OE supposes that he is another conjured up mystery to try and keep Nictitate in the spotlight.

Using the imagination, OE has invented a story to go along with this new mystery.

Along came a spider named Nictitate spinning tales of deception while the groupies hanging from her nest conjure up subjects to add to the tales.

A person named Henry met Christine through a mutual friend. They went out on a date and he instantly became obsessed with her. Supposedly, Christine never told her family about Henry. - Okay, I can buy that she might have met someone and gone out on a date however how could her family not know about Henry. Someone had to babysit for her while she was out and she was living at her mother’s home. Did she just up and walk out and not tell anyone where she was going? What excuse did she give for needing someone to watch the children?

The story continues with Henry instantly becoming so enamored with Christine that he turns into a stalker. Anyone who has ever been a victim of stalking knows that their stalker appears everywhere that they go and the stalker is always watching. Are we to believe that no one ever saw Henry the stalker and that Christine told no one not even her sister whom she was close with or her BFF “Q”?

Continuing on…… Henry has been stalking Christine however he convinces her to go out on another date. What? I’m sorry folks but OE was shocked by this revelation. No one in their right mind would go out on a date with someone who has been watching and following them. The end of the story about Henry the stalker is that while out on this date he took Christine across the State Line and she disappeared.

Nictitate and the groupies have out done their selves with this one.



We all know that Christine and the boy’s left with her BFF “Q” after having an argument with her mother and went to the Milford, DE Wal-Mart to meet JR & Tia. We also know that JR & Tia took Christine and the boy’s across the State Line to Pocomoke, MD where she lived with them at the farm house on Byrd Road until she disappeared.

On a blog frequented by Nictitate and the groupies one of the comments wonders when we will hear the next chapter on Christine. We all are waiting for the great one to tell us where Christine is and still we wait, and we wait, and we wait……….



As is appropriate for the New Year, OE is taking a “look back” at 2009. Sadly enough, looking back at the Nictitate saga in Christine’s case, OE comes up with a big fat zero.

It’s been almost 6 months since Nictitate and the groupies were inserted into Christine’s case. Many of us knew from the beginning that the promise of solving the case within 3 months was empty. Some of us tried to warn Christine’s family about Nictitates real motives for getting involved. We were attacked for doubting and anyone who opposed Nictitates methods were quickly turned into being suspect or being someone with something to hide.

Nictitates methods made an attempt at tearing a community apart and we saw the owners of a local blog jump into Nictitates nest and spew forth hatred and ugliness at anyone who dared to oppose their Queen.

Conspiracy was the word for 2009. One after another, conspiracies swirled around Christine’s case like a dust devil. They blew in from nowhere, stirred up the dust, and blew away as quickly as they appeared.

Friendships were broken and support for Christine’s family was withdrawn by many people because the family supported Nictitates methods and never spoke up in an attempt to end it. Many people felt a slap in the face as Nictitate continued on with the whirlwind of destruction.

From the very beginning of Nictitates appearance, lies were told. Bloggers quickly did research and past acquaintances of Nictitate came forward with the truth. We had in our midst nothing more than a self proclaimed investigative journalist who has a habit of worming into cases of missing people. High profile was the target and we were told that the national media was coming to cover Christine’s case. Sources tell OE that efforts from the community got more attention than anything Nictitate did. A letter writing or sending email campaign to America’s Most Wanted by the community got Christine case onto AMW’s website. We’re still waiting for Nictitates national media blitz.

Sadly, it appears that Christine’s case is at a standstill. Sources tell OE that private opinion of some LE is that the case has been turned into a 3 ring circus. Without naming names, it’s easy to figure out who’s staring in each ring!

A post by the great one herself says that she is letting the powers to [that] be do their work…….. What a novel idea. It’s a little too late for that notion don’t ya think?

The post finishes by saying that “with some other interesting developments in the background……”. If the groupie story about Henry is an example of the interesting developments in the background, OE for one can’t wait to see what is conjured up next.

Note: For those of you who want to highjack writings from OE – DON’T. Any writings contributed by Odor Eliminator belong to The Pocomoke Public Eye exclusively and all rights are reserved. You may not copy and paste, dissect, snip, or use any of OE’s writings in any part or its entirety without prior written consent.

Read Chapters 1-7 HERE

Edgar Allan Poe's Body To Remain in Baltimore

by Chris Kaltenbach

Edgar Allan Poe should rest in peace, and right here in Baltimore.

Saturday in Richmond, Va., a representative of the Poe family came down foursquare against the idea that their famous ancestor's body should be moved anywhere, but still didn't decide which American city can best lay a dominant claim to the author.

The announcement, made at Richmond's Poe Museum during a 24-hour commemoration of the celebrated author's 201st birthday, is the latest declaration in a years-long mostly good-natured debate over where Poe should rest and which city most deserves his legacy.

Noting that distant cousin Edgar already has been subjected to four funerals, most recently two organized by Baltimore's Poe House and Museum back in October, Harry Lee Poe said enough was enough. After all, he noted, none of the author's living descendants have been buried even once.

"In the spirit of fairness, the family simply cannot agree to move the body just yet," Harry Lee Poe, whose great-grandfather was Edgar Allan Poe's cousin, told an audience of about 80 in Richmond Saturday. "Not until the rest of us have had our turn."

Harry Lee Poe, however, took no position on which American city has the most legitimate claim to Poe's legacy - a question that was at the heart of a pair of debates last year between representatives of Boston, where Edgar Allan Poe was born; Philadelphia, where he wrote many of his most famous stories; and Baltimore, where he died and was buried. Representatives from Richmond, where he grew up, did not participate in either debate.

"They really didn't take a stand," said Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House in Baltimore. "If they want to shy away from a dialogue about this, that's certainly their prerogative." Still, Jerome added, "I'm pleased that they came to the conclusion they did about the body. Poe died in Baltimore, and he should stay here."



Rest of the story on Poe:

www.baltimoresun.com

Please Help Locate Missing Person

STILL MISSING...................................................

John Benjamin Thornton, III

Missing from Temperanceville, Virginia

since Monday January 11, 2009.

If you have see him or know where he may be PLEASE CONTACT THE

ACCOMACK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT !!

757-787-1131

MISSING: Temperanceville Resident John Benjamin Thornton Still Missing

UPDATE: As of Thursday afternoon Accomack County Sheriff's Department has conducted a search of the surrounding areas and has found no trace of Thornton.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in locating John Benjamin Thornton, III of Temperanceville, Virginia. Thornton was last seen around
3:00 a.m. on Monday January 11, 2010 by his girlfriend.

Thornton is 55 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall with blue eyes and fair reddish complextion. He was last seen wearing light blue jeans, white tennis shoes,a red shirt with black and white on it, long johns, also a dark colored t-shirt. Thornton sometimes wears glasses.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Department conducted searches on Monday and Tuesday but were unable to find any trace of the missing man.

If you have any information concerning the whereabouts of John Benjamin Thornton, III please call the Accomack County Sherriff's Office: 757-787-1131 or 757-787-1264.

http://www.shoredailynews.com/ photos and info

From circa 1957

1) "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a weeks groceries for $20."

(2) "Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long when $5000 will only buy a used one."

(3) "If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.."

(4) "Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"

(5) "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."

(6) "When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."

(7) "Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."

(8) "I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn' in 'Gone With The Wind,' it seems every new movie has either "hell" or "damn" in it.

(9) "I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas."

(10) "Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the president."

(11) "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric.. They are even making electric typewriters now."

(12) "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work just to make ends meet."

(13) "It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."

(14) "Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat."

(15) "I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."

(16) "Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress."

(17) "The drive-through restaurant is convenient , but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."

(18) "There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."

(19) "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."

(20) "If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.

Thought For The Day