Edgar Allen Poe Fans: Last Vigil for Mystery Man

By Sarah Brumfield  Associated Press
Baltimore, MD. January 18, 2010 (AP)

Is the "Poe Toaster" nevermore?

For decades, a mysterious man left a three roses and cognac on Edgar Allan Poe's grave to mark the anniversary of the writer's birth. But after the visitor, dubbed the "Poe Toaster," failed to appear two years in a row, Poe fans are planning one last vigil this week before calling an end to the annual Jan. 19 tradition.

The gothic master's tales of the macabre still connect with readers more than 200 years after his birth, including his most famous poem, "The Raven," and short stories including "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Pit and the Pendulum." Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is considered the first modern detective story.

Poe House and Museum Curator Jeff Jerome, who has kept watch for the "Poe Toaster" since 1978, believes that it's Poe's suffering and his lifelong dream to be a poet that people still relate to. While the midnight tribute has a touch of the theatrical, it's also an honest expression, Jerome said. Wherever Jerome travels in the world, he said when people find out what he does, they want to know whether the "Poe Toaster" is real.

"It's such an innocent, such a touching tribute," Jerome said. "People are so captivated by the warmth of the message."

Poe lived for a time in Baltimore, but died in 1849 at age 40 after collapsing in a tavern during a visit to the city years later. He was buried in Westminster Burial Ground, then moved to a more prominent spot in the front of the cemetery in 1875. The rose and cognac tributes of an anonymous man dressed in black with a white scarf and wide-brimmed hat are thought to date back to at least the 1940s.

The vigil inside the former church is closed to the public, but over the years, a crowd has gathered outside the gates to watch. After the "Poe Toaster" failed to show in 2010, last year's vigil attracted imposters, including a man who arrived in a limo as well as a few women.

The visitor has left notes on occasion. A few indicated that the tradition passed to a new generation after the death of the original "Poe Toaster" in the late 1990s, and some even mentioned politics and sports. Those notes make it even more frustrating for Jerome that there has been no message explaining the absence.

"I would have thought they would leave a note for me saying it was over," he said. "That does annoy me a little bit, but they are under no obligation to."

SOURCE;

Virginia: Bounty Hunter Bloods Gang Member Sentenced

Bounty Hunter Bloods Gang Member Sentenced for Attempted Murder

January 12, 2012

NORFOLK, Va. – Draindell Domonta Bassett Jr., 23, of Portsmouth, Va., was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to participating in a pattern of racketeering activity (RICO) including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and conspiring to distribute controlled substances. 

           

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Bassett was sentenced to eight years and four months by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

           
According to court documents, in the Spring of 2006, several members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods / Nine Tech Gangsters (BHB/NTG) street gang had an ongoing feud with a rival gang member who belonged to the Crips street gang.  On one occasion the rival Crip gang member had shot a couple of the BHB/NTG gang members.  As a result, Bassett and other BHB/NTG gang members searched for the rival Crip gang member in order to kill him.  They spotted the rival Crip gang member in the Burbage Grant area of Suffolk, Virginia.  Bassett and the other gang members chased after the Crip gang member with a knife.  The Crip gang member jumped into an automobile of a stranger and directed her to drive off quickly.  The BHB/NTG gang members caught up to the automobile before it had a chance to drive away and kicked dents into the doors as they made efforts to drag the rival Crip gang member out of the automobile.  The car then sped away and the Crip gang member was able to escape without harm.  Bassett was also involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics.
           
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Portsmouth Police Department and the Virginia State Police.  Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Muhr and V. Kathleen Dougherty are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Source;

Crime Watch Meetings

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Crime Watch Meetings

Feb. 8, 2012 (Wednesday) - Stockton Crime Watch
6:00 PM ~ Stockton  Fire Department
TOPIC:  Identity Theft

Feb. 15, 2012 (Wednesday) - Girdletree Crime Watch
6:00 PM ~ Girdletree Fire Department
TOPIC:  Identity Theft

Please makes plans to attend.

"The Winter Wonderland Gala" ~ Tickets Available......

Worcester County Sheriff's Office ~ Press Release

WORCESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

January 16, 2012

On January 5, 2012 at approximately 0931 hours a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Larry Randolph Marshall Jr. of Snow Hill, MD on a District Court Warrant for Failure to pay deferred payment of $257.50 for paternity. Marshall was released on personal recognizance.

On January 5, 2012 a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Stephen Richard Karafa of Salisbury, MD on a Circuit Court Civil Body Attachment for Failure to appear for court for paternity. Karafa was released after paying $1000.00 bond.

On January 12, 2012 at approximately 0943 hours a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rodrique Samson of Salisbury, MD on a Circuit Court Warrant for Failure to appear for court on 1/11/2012 on the charge of Fraud identity to avoid prosecution and multiple traffic charges. Samson was held on $75,000 bond at the Worcester County Jail.

On January 12, 2012 at approximately 1200 hours a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Sullivan Robinson of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania on a Fugitive Warrant from Pennsylvania for Burglary, Burglary Conspiracy, Theft, and Theft Conspiracy. Robinson was held without bond at the Worcester County Jail.

On January 13, 2012 at approximately 0855 hours a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Darry Nebrowski Ames Jr. of Berlin, MD on a District Court Warrant for Failure to appear for court on 1/10/2012 on charges of second Degree Assault. Ames was released on personal recognizance.

On January 13, 2012 at approximately 1145 hours a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donshay Hagans of Ocean City, MD on a Circuit Court Warrant for Failure to appear for court on 1/09/2012 on charges of Robbery, Robbery Conspiracy, Theft under $100, and CDS possession Marijuana . Hagans was held on $150,000 bond at the Worcester County Jail.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Snow Hill, MD.

General Assembly Update ~ Virginia Senator Ralph S. Northam

January 2012 Newsletter

Ralph S. Northam, Senator

Virginia's 6th District

Greetings from Richmond!  I hope that everyone had a relaxing holiday season and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  Now that 2012 is upon us, it is time for the  General Assembly to convene in Richmond again.   We have many challenges, but also many opportunities this session, and I am excited to begin working with my colleagues in the Senate.   The General Assembly session will be fast paced, so I will be sending out weekly updates to keep all of you informed about what is happening in Richmond.  This will be a great way to track the progress of bills I am involved with as they move through the legislative process.

As this is an even numbered year, our most important task is crafting a budget to fund state government operations for two years.  Last month, Governor McDonnell released a budget proposal that suggested spending a shade under $85 billion dollars. While I applaud the Governor for some of his initiatives, including proposing an additional $4 million for the Wallops Island spaceport, and additional money for ODU and EVMS, there are a number of glaring omissions, including adequate funding for early childhood (pre-k) education, Medicaid, and natural resources protection.  However, I am confident that we can come to reasonable agreement on most budget issues, and at the end of the day pass a bill that helps Virginia remain a great place to live and work.
 Last month I told you all about legislation that we are working on, addressing issues such as sea level rise, mismanagement of the Atlantic menhaden fishery, increasing physical education in schools to promote a healthier lifestyle among our children, and giving Hampton Roads more influence over regional transportation construction projects. I am working on a number of other bills as well, and I believe that they will greatly benefit the 6th District and Virginia as a whole.  I worked closely with Governor Kaine a few years ago to enact a smoking ban in restaurants, and now I am sponsoring legislation to extend that smoking ban to public school grounds and public buildings, including the General Assembly Building, where, incredibly, we still permit smoking. Additionally, I am advocating for new laws to protect law enforcement and other public servants by making our jails and prisons safer, as well as a measure to restrict the sale of methamphetamine precursors.
 Most importantly though, I am here in Richmond for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Our office number in Richmond is 804-698-7506, or you can send an email to matt@ralphnortham.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and my legislative assistant, Matt Strickler, will happy to assist you in any way that he can.
 Thank you again for allowing me to represent all of you in the Senate, and please continue to look for updates each week.  Stay safe and enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Ralph S. Northam
Senator, Virginia's 6th District

MUST SEE inspiratio​nal video - sequel to SURFice dog

Remeber the inspirational SURFice dog video that went viral & brought people to tears? 

We just made a sequel. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INJWcran2fQ 

Please watch the video, and then share it with anyone and everyone, post to FB, Twitter, Blogs, etc. Through this effort, we hope we can make a difference in at least one life.

Thanks so much!! Judy

Pocomoke City Arrests ~ Press Release ~REPOST

~REPOST~

PRESS RELEASE

Pocomoke Police Department
300 Second Street
Pocomoke, Maryland 21851
410-957-1600

Arrests – January 9, 2012 to January 13, 2012

1-09-2012 Shawn A. Brown 41, of Pocomoke City was cited on a Civil Citation for "Hampering Free Passage" of customers at the Rite Aid. Brown was released on a Municipal Citation pending payment of fine.

1/10/2012 Michelle Payne, 30, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with several traffic violations after a traffic stop, which resulted in a unregistered & uninsured motor vehicle. Payne was issued several State Citations and was released pending trial.

1/10/2012 Joseph Thomas Revels, 50, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct stemming from a disturbance on Short Street. Revels was issued a Criminal Citation and released pending trial.

1/12/2012 Chico D. Kenney, 39, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged on a Warrant from the State of Virginia. Kenney was taken before the District Court Commissioner who placed him on No Bail and was transported to the Worcester County Detention Center pending extradition to Virginia. 
1/12/2012 A 15-year-old Pocomoke City juvenile was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree stemming from a fight that occurred on Second Street. The juvenile was released to their parents pending trial.

Submitted by
Kelvin D. Sewell
Chief of Police
PCPD 406

SAVE THE DATE - "Pirates of the Chesapeake"

TIME MACHINE ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

　

March, 1888

A presiding Elder.. "Mr. Ayres made stinging references (to) the liquor traffic still going on at Berlin, Snow Hill, Pocomoke City, and Salisbury, all in his district."

(Excerpt from a Denton Journal article on the twentieth meeting of the "M.E. Conference" in Wilmington attended by 112 ministers who were clerical members of the conference.)

　

June, 1890

(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)

A Model Church

The Crisfield Md. Leader says that a prohibition church will be erected in that town and $600 has already been subscribed. The minister will preach in favor of prohibition party from the pulpit, advocate the party on the stump, manage prohibition conventions and primary meetings, and admit none to church membership except those who truly repent of affiliating with the other parties in the past and promise to henceforth and forever vote the prohibition ticket.

　

July, 1893

A prohibition mass meeting was held in Pocomoke City, according to The Daily News in Frederick.　

　

September, 1900

(The Denton Journal)

(Excerpt)

Rehoboth, which is having the most prosperous season in its history, is to have three great days for the people of Maryland and Delaware. The first- Thursday, September 6- has been set apart as "anti-saloon and Prohibition Day," for the discussion of this question by the most capable speakers on the Peninsula.　

　

November, 1910

(Gettysburg Times- Gettysburg, Pa.)

Saloon Smasher Can Find No Good In Political Parties Delmar, Del., Nov. 7.- Carrie Nation drifted into Delmar and rented the opera house Sunday evening before but few persons knew she was here. Her lecture was attended by a large audience who heard how she smashed saloons, and her views on cigarettes. Mrs. Nation announced herself to be a suffragette. She denounced both the Democratic and Republican parties as crooks and grafters. Theodore Roosevelt was referred to as a man who mixed in with everything except cigarettes and whiskey. Mrs. Nation has been on the Eastern Shore for about a week in different towns, but has attacked (but) one place she considered a "hole." At Parksley she entered the local billiard and pool parlor with the cry "This is a hole," and started to smash things in general, but was taken bodily out before much damage had been done.

Footnote: (Source: PBS- The American Experience) Standing at nearly 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, Carry Amelia Moore Nation, Carrie Nation, as she came to be known, cut an imposing figure. Wielding a hatchet, she was downright frightful. In 1900, the target of Nation's wrath was alcoholic drink. Nation, who described herself as "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what he doesn't like," felt divinely ordained to forcefully promote temperance. A brief marriage to an alcoholic in the late 1800's fueled Nation's disdain for alcohol. Kiowa, Kansas was the setting of Nation's first outburst of destruction in the name of temperance in 1900. Between 1900 and 1910 she was arrested some 30 times after leading her followers in the destruction of one water hole after another with cries of "Smash, ladies, smash!" Prize-fighter John L. Sullivan was reported to have run and hid when Nation burst into his New York City saloon. Self-righteous and formidable, Nation mocked her opponents as "rum-soaked, whiskey-swilled, saturn-faced rummies." While Carrie Nation was certainly among their most colorful members, the members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, founded in 1874, left more in their wake than strewn glass. Once the largest women's organization in the country, the WCTU concerned itself with issues ranging from health and hygiene, prison reform, and world peace.

Note to "Your Friend, Slim" who commented a few days ago on this week's preview posting... "This should be interesting! If there is anything near and dear to my heart it is liquor!" Slim- Give thanks you weren't around in Carrie Nation's time! Thanks, as always, for your comments. - tk for PPE　

　

March, 1912

(The Evening Post- Frederick, Md.)

President Price, of the Senate, brought from Salisbury a bottle of Jamaica ginger, which is kept for sale in the stores in Wicomico County. On the label of the bottle there is a guarantee that it contains 94 percent alcohol. Wicomico is a prohibition county and whiskey not being available many persons, Mr. Price says, have taken to drinking Jamaica ginger as a substitute. He introduced a bill prohibiting its sale in Wicomico County, as well as the sale of "Turlington's balsam." "picnic ginger," or any similar preparation except by druggists upon the prescription of a physician.　

　

　

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!

Justin Hadel Gets Extra Year For Attempt to Escape

Could someone please explain to me what a  "new-found" tool is ?

SNOW HILL -- Convicted killer Justin Hadel, serving a life sentence for the 2007 death of Christine Sheddy, got an extra year tacked on last week for his attempted escape from jail in July while awaiting sentencing.

Hadel, 20, of College Station, Texas, was found guilty of first-degree murder in June for the beating death of Christine Sheddy, a 26-year-old Delaware woman reported missing in November 2007 from a farm in Pocomoke where she had been staying with friends. Hadel was found guilty in June and sentencing was set for September. However, while awaiting sentencing, Hadel attempted to escape from jail.

On July 12, jail officials learned Hadel had removed a 12- to 14-inch steel hinge pin from the door of the Administrative Segration 4 area and attempted to use the new-found tool to pry open an exterior window, according to charging documents.

Hadel removed the hinge pin and placed paper in the hinge area to conceal the removal of the hinge pin. Hadel then used the hinge pin and pried the security window casing in an attempt to escape confinement through the window. Last week in Circuit Court, he entered an Alford plea to the first-degree attempted escape charge and was sentenced to an additional year in jail.

Source;

Legislative Updates by Mike McDermott

I negelected to post this last week.  Please read this update  and follow up with the updates from Delegate McDermott that were written for January 14th, posted earlier) if you have not done so.  Regardless of what county, what state, or which town you reside in the decisions made will effect everyone greatly. 

Jan. 4th, 2012

Commercial Striped Bass Quotas Cut 5%...

“presumed” stealing factored into NRP decision.

by Delegate Mike McDermott

The rebounding of the Striped Bass is a great success story. The fishery is healthy and robust at a time when news coming from the Bay has been a mixed bag. In an effort to “protect” the fishery, the Department of Natural Resources is going beyond what many would consider “reasonable” when it comes to quota enforcement.

Quotas for species are set prior to the beginning of a season and commercial watermen adjust their budgets accordingly (as any business owner would do). When the quota is reached, the fishery is closed. Only within the past few years has an illegal catch (poached) discovered by officials been counted as part of the total catch quota. This makes sense as it is the fishery that is being depleted and the resource should be protected and counted as part of the quota.

What is disturbing is the recent action taken by the DNR and Secretary Griffin to limit the quota to 95% of the original set catch amount. This was said to be done in response to the presumption that thievery and poaching is occurring, though it may not be detected. This anecdotal response by Sec. Griffin is not the scientific, thoughtful estimates that the General Assembly has come to rely upon and, as such, is troubling and offensive on many fronts.

The 5% reduction will cost our commercial watermen about $300,000.00 out of pocket in lost revenue. This is multiplied in our local economy to represent a loss of approximately $1 to $1.5 million when you factor in losses faced by the processing and support industries. This at a time when we need every dollar for jobs to be maintained on the shore.

Removing actual tonnage of fish taken illegally is not based on an assumption...it is actual, proven loss to the fishery. To claim a 5% presumed loss through theft by the commercial watermen and punish them based on that assumption is ludicrous. How would we accept it from our employer if they docked our pay 5% based on their assumption that some of their employees may be stealing from them? We would cry foul and demand those wages be restored!

The Watermen approached the Eastern Shore Delegation and requested our assistance. I crafted a letter and submitted it to the entire delegation for their concurrence and signature. Only a couple elected not to sign onto the letter. I spoke with Sec. Griffin and listened to his reasoning, but I found nothing scientific in the decision. I asked him to rescind the order and allow the original quota to be harvested or at least consider a modification to the 5% figure.

I have supported much of what Sec. Griffin has tried to accomplish, but it is prudent to demand that these decisions be based and supported by science and not anecdotal evidence to the contrary. I hope his decision will change, but if I were a  commercial waterman, I’d budget for the 95%.

SPCA Eastern Shore "Mardis Gras"

Legislative Updates By Mike McDermott

Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Week 1 January 11-13, 2012

It Begins...
Opening day of session involves much pomp and circumstance coupled with historic traditions. The work of the day involves the election of presiding officers. These actions are all staged and predetermined by the Democratic Caucus. The first vote is for the Speaker Pro Tempore who then presides over the body until the election of the Speaker of the House is conducted. With this session, Michael Busch becomes the longest serving Speaker of the House in Maryland history.

All committee Chairmen are reappointed along with committee assignments formalized. No changes were seen this year over recent years. It is not unusual to have most of the congressional delegation present for the opening ceremony along with the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Comptroller. This year was no exception.

I found some of the comments made by the Governor and Speaker very interesting. Both mentioned how important it was to have the views “of the right and the left” expressed in the General Assembly and how we were made better by this diversity of thought and approach to government. On the heels of these fine sentiments came the Governor and Democrats Legislative Redistricting Map which seeks to destroy and eliminate many districts currently held by Republicans. They could not even get through the first stanza of “Kumbaya.’

Changes to the map are possible during the next 45 days but it seems more likely than not that many Republican lawmakers will have some decisions to make in the coming months. Del. Otto and I have seen our districts altered by well over half and now find ourselves together in a single member district. These are the actions of a ruling party that has little interest in hearing from those representing the values of the Eastern Shore.

Thursday
Judiciary Committee:
A hearing was conducted to review the use of phone contracts and collect call charges made by inmates in the prisons and jails throughout the state. In order to provide the specialized phones and recording services, the state and local jurisdictions contract with various companies to furnish all of the equipment needed along with billing services. It is a lucrative business whereby the state collects a profit/commission of roughly 42%. The companies themselves have a profit margin of approximately 5%. In some jurisdictions the profit is used for providing inmate services while in others it is simply placed in their general operating budget.

An advocate for reducing the cost to the inmates of making these types of calls questioned what she referred to as the “kickbacks” being received by corrections officials for providing these services. That term was a misnomer as she was actually referring to the negotiated commissions received by the state. It was pointed out that Maryland is among the lowest in terms of cost to the inmates for local calls. In fact, only Alaska came in lower due to their local calls being free. It was good to see that Maryland State government was competitive in something with surrounding states, even if it is the cost of inmate phone calls.

Friday
Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
Secretary of Planning
We met with Secretary of Planning Richard Hall to discuss  Plan Maryland. The plan  provides for increased state oversight of local planning and zoning land use issues. It seems clear from the discussion that the state can and will use state money as the lever to gain active compliance from resistant local governments. The Secretary skated around a lot of the issues that were addressed to him, predominately because the plan is so broad based, no one has any real notion how the implementation will affect local governments and Maryland citizens. The delegation expressed consternation with the plan not coming through the General Assembly and being back doored by the governor. The Secretary offered that the plan was authorized in 1974 and simply had not been acted upon until now.

I was particularly concerned over the private property rights which will be jeopardized by such a broad, centralized plan. It is clear that the governor wishes to expand state control over an additional 300,000 acres of farmland in the next 20-years. I asked if the administration would support a bill I am working with that would require the state to compensate land owners when they create laws and regulations that prohibit that same land owner from being able to develop or utilize their property as they may desire. Secretary Hall said they would take a look at the bill but could not express any support.

There was much concern expressed about the future of poultry on the shore if Plan Maryland continues to move forward with the adoption of additional rules and regulations that only serve to restrict farming activities or make them cost prohibitive. I mentioned that this type of system where rules and regulations are imposed on business create a de facto moratorium on any growth or development of an industry.

It was quite clear that we are at polar ends of the specter with the O’Malley administration when it comes to Plan Maryland, but the concerns expressed were bi-partisan in nature. Maryland has operated for decades with a State Department of Planning  that has worked to provide guidance to local government. This plan will turn that “guidance” into direct oversight. Yet another layer of government bureaucracy to overcome. We met with the governor as a delegation last year to express our concerns over his proposed septic bill (which went down to defeat). It seems the governor has decided that the General  Assembly is not needed when it creates a stumbling block for his programs. It was suggested that we meet with the governor again, but the governor appears to have dug his heels in on Plan Maryland.

"Pirates of the Chesapeake" ~ Delmarva Discovery Center

TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.

Prohibition Church planned.

Liquor traffic cited in Pocomoke and other towns.

Controversial anti-liquor crusader (she was known as a saloon smasher) visits Eastern Shore.


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!

POCOMOKE CITY RESIDENTS DAY ~ Delmarva Discovery Center

A special day at the

Delmarva Discovery Center

For Pocomoke City residents only!!!

Always wondered what's inside of the

Delmarva Discovery Center?

or

Love the museum and want to give a special donation!

For Pocomoke residents only, on January 14, 2012

the Delmarva Discovery Center

will be open to the public and all we ask is that you make a donation.

Donations will be anonymous unless you wish otherwise.

This is your chance to visit the

 Delmarva Discovery Center,

a 16,000 square foot living museum of the cultural and natural history of the Eastern Shore.

See our 6,000 gallon aquarium, learn about Native American history, try your hand tonging for oysters or climb aboard our replica Steamboat.

This is your museum! Come see what it's all about!

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

SHORE BEEF and BBQ

SATURDAY SPECIAL

~JURASSIC PORK SANDWICH~

$1.00 OFF- ALL DAY

Planning Commission Says NO To Atlantic Sewage Plant

The Accomack County Planning Commission Wednesday night declined to endorse a proposed amendment to the County Zoning ordinance to change the wording in section 106-1 that would enable developers to build sewage treatment facilities on agriculturally zoned land.

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.


Dozens of speakers from the Atlantic area and as far away as Melfa , New Church and Greenbackville spoke and almost all were opposed to the change. Among the reasons for opposing the change were that putting the treatment plant in Atlantic would destroy property value and property rights. The speakers also told the Commission that passing the text amendment would allow developers to build anywhere and any time and the County would give control over development to the developers. They feared the change would open the door to private development without public input.


Meanwhile others felt that the proposed sewage treatment plant might pollute water wells and water ways and at the very least, the sewage treatment plant should be contained on the property of the planned unit development itself. One speaker feared that the sewage treatment plant could damage the water quality of the Columbia aquifer itself.


Speaking for developer Atlantic Properties, attorney Mark Baumgartner defended the proposal stating that the local areas could connect and that doing so would actually benefit the environment because , he contended, septic tanks and drainfields or non point source pollutants do damage to surrounding waterways and water sources would be reduced.


Baumgartner countered arguments that public utilities should not be privately owned by citing that A& N Electric is a perfect example of a privately owned public utility. He cited several counties, 27 in all in Virginia that allow these types of utilities. He said that the need for waste water treatment facilities on the Eastern Shore is urgent and serious.


In the end the members of the Commission voted not to recommend the change in wording to the text amendment tothe Board of Supervisors. Several members spoke against the amendment with Commission member George Parker citing his concern that there wasn't a clearly defined service area for the sewage treatment facility.

A motion was made not to recommend the change and it was unanimously passed . The recommendation will be passed on the Board of Supervisors which will hold its own public hearing at a later date and then will vote on the matter at a future meeting. The public will be notified when the public hearing is scheduled.
Source;

Lowcost Rabies Vaccination Clinics

Shore Beef and BBQ

OPEN TODAY

FRIDAY LUNCH SPECIAL

Pulled Pork Sandwich w/side

Drink ~ &7.50

The weather is getting cold so call your orders in -

 757-824-0009

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT !

SHORE BEEF AND BBQ is on Facebook

Alleged Pocomoke Arsonist Deshields Not Guilty

Written by
Nancy Powell
Staff Writer
(Jan. 13, 2012) The 43-year-old Pocomoke man who was found not guilty last week of arson and other related charges found it impossible to obey the judge’s order to be quiet in the courtroom.

“Thank you, Jesus,” Anthony Deshields shouted after the judge announced the verdict.
When Judge Thomas C. Groton III admonished him, Deshields said, “I’m excited. You have to excuse me.”

Deshields was found not guilty of setting fires to a trashcan in a bathroom, a children’s slide and a bench at a pavilion at Cypress Park.

During the trial, a recording a surveillance video showed a man dressed in black walking in Cypress Park in Pocomoke the morning of Aug. 21, 2011. Pocomoke policeman Ralph Corbin testified that he recognized the man as Anthony Deshields because of his clothing and because it showed a tall slender man.

“Just his general height and weight and clothing,” said Corbin, who admitted he did not see the suspect’s face.

Corbin also testified that he “really had not much experience with him except for the past two weeks and he wore the same clothing the entire time.”

A nearby resident testified that she saw a tall, slender black man wearing dark clothes and carrying a white bag over his shoulder when she was walking her dog that morning. But she was also unable to see the man’s face and could not identify Deshields in court as the man she saw.

Pocomoke Police Chief Calvin Sewell, who was a lieutenant at the time, testified that he interviewed Deshields after being told he was the suspect. Deshields denied setting the fires, the chief said. He interviewed one other man “for the process of elimination.”

Deputy Fire Marshal Rodney Sharpley Sr. testified that he eliminated natural or accidental causes for the fires and that he had interviewed Deshields, who said he saw a burnt trash can outside the bathhouse when he went to the park.

Testifying in his own behalf, Deshields said he spent the night in the lobby of a nearby post office because he had been out partying and did not want to disturb his mother, with whom he lives. That morning, he rode his bike from the post office to the park to wash up in the bathhouse before going home, he said.

“I went straight to the bathrooms,” he said. “I took care of my business and then left.”

Groton said he did not believe Deshields, but the circumstantial evidence and the untruthfulness “do not rise to the level of beyond a reasonable doubt.”

There was no evidence of Deshield’s guilt, he said.

Deshields had been in the Worcester County jail since his arrest Aug. 23.

Source;

Photos: Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company
Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office
**NOTE:  The Pocomoke City Police Chief's correct first name is Kelvin.**

Pam's Story

In a recent email, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.


Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.


While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to
consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we'll name him Timothy and we'll make him a preacher.


Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and
eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam's
youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father's ministry in the Philippines . He also plays football. Pam's son is Tim Tebow.


The University of Florida 's star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football's highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.


Tim's notoriety and the family's inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women's centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!


Hat Tip: Kack

Pocomoke City Police Chief Makes USA Today News.....

jmmb

When the former Baltimore City Homicide Detective and now current Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell remarked to a news reporter ...."You wave to someone in Baltimore City you might get shot", he wasn't lying. Even if you're 'street smart' in that beautiful city of Baltimore,  harm can find you.

You can't exist there if you live in fear....and you won't.

Speak to a Baltimore criminal.....or even any detective....in Baltimore City about crime in Pocomoke City or the Eastern Shore and I bet they laugh at you. We don't know what big time crime and violence is. Don't believe me? Then may I suggest you get a copy of the book written by Kelvin Swell and Stephen Janis titled "WHY DO WE KILL?".  

I received an autographed copy for Christmas and haven't completely finished it yet but I will tell you this: The book is a MUST read and I just can't say enough  about it.

"However sometimes we have to step outside the box, so to speak. Give a clear view of the world as we see it. Deliver an honest dose of reality as real and unfiltered as a subjective observer's can be" (Kelvin Sewell)

"WHY DO WE KILL?" is that dose of reality for the reader.

I'll report more on this wonderful book when I have finished reading. 

Kelvin Sewell has been the Pocomoke City Police Chief now for just a little over a month and already wonderful things are being said about the changes taking place in and around the great town of Pocomoke City. It's a new day in Pocomoke City now and so many citizens seemed to be pleased with what they have seen in just such a short period of time.

Pocomoke City people can be hard to convince at times but Police Chief Kelvin Sewell seems to have eased so many concerns. With his knowledge and back ground in violence and the worst of crimes  I can't help but sense that Pocomoke City is in the right hands.

Please read this article (see link) about Chief Kelvin Sewell's challenges as police chief in the small town of  Pocomoke City. 

City police find new challenges as small-town chiefs

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-06/small-town-police-chief/52506888/1

"WHY DO WE KILL"  can be purchased from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.

Prohibition Church planned..liquor traffic cited in Pocomoke and other towns..controversial anti-liquor crusader visits Eastern Shore.



It's this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!



　
　
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Hostess Bankruptcy 2012:

Maker Of Wonder Bread, Twinkies Prepares To Refile For Chapter 11

Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Wonder Bread and Twinkies, is preparing to refile for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection just two years after emerging, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

A spokesman for the privately held Irving, Texas, bakery company declined to comment on the report.

The Wall Street Journal said people familiar with the matter said the company is facing a cash crunch with more than $860 million in debt, high labor expenses and rising ingredient costs.

When the company, then called Interstate Bakeries and based in Kansas City, Mo., filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004, it blamed low sales and high fixed costs. It emerged in February 2009.

Hostess Brands employs about 19,000 workers and operates in 49 states. Annual sales are about $2 billion, according to the company's website.

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