HOGAN ON O’MALLEY 'BELIEF' VIDEO: IT’S MORE 'MAKE BELIEVE'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2013

Contact:
Steve Crim
scrim@changemaryland.org
(410) 353 3116

ANNAPOLIS – Business owner and Change Maryland founder Larry Hogan released the following statement on Governor O’Malley's recent release of "Belief."  The video is the Governor’s most recent effort to gain relevancy on the national stage.

"Martin O’Malley's ‘belief' video is more like make believe," charged Hogan.  “This video is just one more item in a long list of attempts by the Governor to spin his failures into something he can campaign on."

O’Malley's "belief" video makes several claims of success.  Change Maryland, the largest non-partisan organization in Maryland released the following fact check of the video:

O’Malley Claim #1:  Racial tension down during time as Mayor of Baltimore

Fact:  The NAACP and ACLU sued Baltimore City as a result of Martin O’Malley's over-zealous "zero-tolerance" policies.  The "mass-arrest" lawsuit led to an $870,000 settlement.

O’Malley Claim #2:  Number 1 in education

Fact:  Maryland’s exclusion of certain students from submitted test scores has skewed the results in favor of the state.  According to the Baltimore Sun, "Maryland excluded 66 percent of fourth-graders with disabilities for the reading test, far higher than the national rate of 16 percent. The state with the second-highest rate of exclusion of special-education students was Georgia, with 32 percent."

O’Malley Claim #3:  Number 1 in innovation and entrepreneurship

Fact:  O’Malley's own Lt. Governor admits that the business climate in Maryland is bad – 43^rd in the country. In addition, the state has lost over 6,500 small businesses and added 120,000 people to the unemployment rate – numbers that certainly don’t indicate a positive climate for businesses or entrepreneurs.

O’Malley Claim #4: Made the Chesapeake Bay healthier

Fact:  The overall quality of the Chesapeake Bay remains poor and we consistently miss self-imposed water quality goals.  In 2011, most regions of the Bay had Water Quality Index score in the poor range.  In 2012, Bay scored 47% for overall health.

O’Malley Claim # 5:  He was cutting the cost of statewide government.

Fact:  The O’Malley-Brown Administration increased spending nearly eight billion dollars since 2007. The Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, the last for Governor O’Malley, cites a record $37.3 billion, while the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget, the last for the previous administration, was just over $29 billion. He in fact increased spending by 30%.

 "This isn’t the first time Martin O’Malley has been caught cherry-picking data," Hogan continued. "In 2012, the governor refuted our Change Maryland Tax Migration Study using taxpayer-funded state resources by eliminating competitive states in our region.  Facts are stubborn things for this governor and a slick video can't hide the embarrassing performance of the O’Malley-Brown administration.

"Martin O’Malley hasn’t cut a single cent out of Maryland's state budget. In fact, he has increased spending year after year – nearly 30% since 2007, and has raised taxes and fees on Marylanders forty consecutive times in order to pay for all that spending."

Change Maryland is the state’s leading non-partisan grassroots political movement. Since the beginning of 2013, the organization has added 40,000 people from every county in the state.  Change Maryland's steadfast commitment to raising public awareness about the economic decline in Maryland has resulted in the organization becoming the leading voice of opposition to the powers-that-be in Annapolis.

###

www.ChangeMaryland.org
fb.com/ChangeMaryland
@ChangeMaryland

 

SOURCES:

City approves settlement with NAACP, ACLU in ‘mass arrest’ case
Baltimore Sun, June 23, 2010
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-06-23/news/bal-naacp-settlement-0623_1_arrests-by-city-police-zero-tolerance-naacp-and-aclu

Md. Excluded large number of special-education students in national test
Baltimore Sun, November 16, 2013
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/blog/bs-md-naep-exclusion-rates-20131115,0,4258634.story

The Brown-Ulman Compact with Maryland Business
AnthonyBrown.com, Accessed November 19, 2013
http://anthonybrown.com/business/

Maryland Loses 6,500 Small Businesses in Three Years
Change Maryland, July 30, 2012
http://www.changemaryland.org/2012/07/maryland-loses-6500-small-businesses-in-three-years/#.UovUHWR6yIA

Chesapeake Bay – Indicator Details: 2011
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, Accessed November 19, 2013
http://ian.umces.edu/ecocheck/report-cards/chesapeake-bay/2011/indicators/water_quality_index/

Chesapeake Bay – Indicator Details: 2012
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, Accessed November 19, 2013
http://ian.umces.edu/ecocheck/report-cards/chesapeake-bay/2012/indicators/bay_health_index/

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan on FY ’14 Budget
Change Maryland, January 16, 2013
http://www.changemaryland.org/2013/01/change-maryland-chairman-larry-hogan-on-fy-14-budget/#.UovW_GR6yIA

FY 2007 Highlights
Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Accessed November 19, 2013
http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/agencies/operbudget/Documents/2007/fy07_budgethighlights.pdf

Maryland Governor Misstates State Tax Comparisons
Tax Foundation, July 10, 2012
http://taxfoundation.org/blog/maryland-governor-misstates-state-tax-comparisons

Craig Calls for Elimination of Common Core National Test

For release: 11.19.13

Contact: Jim Pettit

301.704.1363

@jamesmpettit

Harford County Executive and candidate for Maryland Governor David R. Craig called today for the state’s withdrawal from the common core national test, citing a lack of clarity over how much the new system will cost, concerns about test questions and that only 9% of teachers feel ready to implement it.

“There are red flags going up everywhere threatening the statewide K-12 education system, and it’s time to cut our losses now,” said Craig.  “Common core has its own set of issues and the national test that is lumped in with it just compounds the problem.  The State Department of Education is embracing a federal education agenda that forces too many changes onto teachers and students at once, and it’s time to put the word ‘Maryland’ back into our schools.”

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, which goes by the letters PARCC, is a national testing organization that received part of a $330 million federal grant to implement the test in 18 states that have adopted common core.  Despite the federal grant, the organization estimates the cost to administer the test will be nearly $30 per student, at least $2 million more than the Maryland state test being phased out.

“I have not seen one example of a government expenditure coming in below estimate,” said Craig. “This is a floor of what taxpayers can expect to pay to implement the PARCC test, not a ceiling. Let’s see the bill because whatever the final amount due is will be coming out of the budget for teacher salaries, school supplies and building construction.”

Harford County Public Schools has budgeted $18.5 million to implement the test. At a stop at a county public school classroom this week, Craig took note of confusion over the wording of a test question that baffled the teacher, the student and the county executive himself.

“The problem with outside groups designing tests is there is no accountability in the classroom,“ said Craig. “When I was a teacher, we developed our own tests and our students then could measure up with any other student in the world.  They are making this far too complicated.  Let teacher’s teach.”

A survey released November 13 by the Maryland State Education Association shows just 9% of teachers across the state feel that their school has the technological and physical capacity to administer the PARCC exam.  This summer, state test scores dropped dramatically as common core was being rolled out.

PARCC tests are being piloted in Maryland and other states this year and they will replace existing Maryland assessments beginning in 2014-15. By ending Maryland’s involvement in PARCC, the state would join Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Oklahoma and Utah in removing the test from state classrooms.

Craig has previously called common core a “great mistake.”

Republican Primary To Be Held Thursday

Republicans will vote Thursday to select a candidate to face Delegate Lynwood Lewis in a special election to be held in December to fill the vacant Senate seat of Ralph Northam.

The election will be held from 3 til 7 p.m. Three candidates are seeking the nomination. Norfolk businessman Wayne Coleman, Attorney John Coggeshall and Commercial Litigation Attorney Richard Ottinger will face off in the firehouse primary.

In Northampton, voting will take place at Little Italy in Nassawadox.

 In Accomack County, those who vote in the Accomac, Onley, Melfa, Onancock, Bobtown, Painter and Wachapreague precincts will vote at the Accomack Republican at Chesapeake Square in Onley.

Voters from Bloxom, Parksley, Saxis, Mappsville and Rue will vote at there Parksley Fire House. Voters from Atlantic, Greenbackville and Chincoteague will vote at the Chincoteague Community Center and voters from Tangier will vote at the Tangier Fire House.

Should Lewis win in the special election, at least one Accomack County Supervisor has tossed his hat into the ring to fill the House of Delegates seat. 

Atlantic District Supervisor Ron Wolfe has indicated his intention to run should another special election become necessary.

Source:

Arts and Crafts Festival This Weekend

The New Trooper 6 In Full Operation For the Eastern Shore

November 19, 2013--Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown joined Dr. Robert Bass of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services System and other state and local officials at the Aviation Command’s Easton Section to officially mark the commencement of full-service mission operation of the first new AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopter to be deployed on the Eastern Shore. 

The pilots and flight paramedics who staff “Trooper 6” have now been fully trained on the new aircraft. They have begun flying the new helicopter around the clock on all Aviation Command missions.

Maryland State Police/Easton

Worcester County States Attorney & Sheriff File For Reelection

Wonderful news for Worcester County!!  jmmb

Written by
Brian Shane
Staff Writer

SNOW HILL — Two incumbent elected members of Worcester County law enforcement are seeking re-election in 2014.

State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby and Sheriff Reggie Mason both filed their candidacy paperwork Monday at the Worcester County Board of Elections in Snow Hill.

Both men took office in 2010, running as Republicans. They filed together to send a message that they’re part of one law enforcement team.

Oglesby said in a statement that he and the sheriff have worked closely with one another for the last three years to “forge a relationship which has unquestionably made the county a safer place.”

“When officers and prosecutors work together from the inception of a case to a final verdict, it ensures solid investigations and well-prepared prosecutions,” he said.

Mason agreed, saying the lines of communication between prosecutors and sheriff’s deputies are strong.

“Deputies and prosecutors are immediately discussing their cases and actively participating in the process from charge to conviction,” the sheriff said in a statement.

Oglesby, 44, lost to incumbent Joel Todd by 14 votes in the 2006 race. In their 2010 rematch, Todd lost his bid for a fifth consecutive term when he lost by 93 votes in an election that came down to absentee ballots. During that campaign, Oglesby had the unanimous backing of every Worcester County law enforcement agency.

Mason, 67, is a former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran. The Pocomoke City native spent almost 10 years with Ocean City police before joining the sheriff’s office in 1979, where he’s been ever since. Mason served as the sheriff’s chief deputy from 1984 until he earned the job of sheriff in his own right at the ballot box in 2010.

So far, there’s only one other candidate for sheriff in the race, according to the Worcester County Board of Elections. George Truitt of Eden filed June 5 as a Republican, meaning he and Mason will face off in the June 24 primary.

No other candidates at this time have filed to run for state’s attorney. The filing deadline for the Nov. 4 election is Feb 25.

Source:

Accomack County Circuit Circuit Court Sentencing

Accomack County Circuit Circuit Court Sentencing
Thursday, November 14, 2013

Darren West was sentenced to a Youth Improvement Program for the malicious maiming. West admittedly had had a history of drug problems and asked for the Youth Improvement program. With no felony record prior to today and remorse along with apologies for the victim and to the court and Judge Lewis said that all these offenses came within the first five months of West being 18 years old. The victim Mr. Miller was not in court but both the Commonwealth and the defense attorney agreed this was a drug deal gone bad. Mr. Morgan for the Commonwealths attorney did say this was not a one stick knifing. Miller in the presentence report claimed $60,000 worth of medical expenses. However no bills or receipts were submitted to the court. Judge Lewis accepted the Youth Improvement program plea and denied all restitution.

Noe Escalante Velasquez was sentenced to two five years to run concurrently in a case continued from last Thursday for a presentencing report which was presented today. Velasquez faced multiple charges, one hit-and-run, charge two unauthorized use of a vehicle, charge three driving with a revoked drivers license, and charge four of driving to close. Valasquez pled guilty to all. The report found that Mr.Valasquez had committed other crimes with the record in his fathers name. Having been in jail since April 29, 2013 Judge Lewis sentence the defendant to two five-year terms to run concurrently and to notify the deportation officials who also have pending charges.

William Ashbrook of Maryland was sentenced to five years on charges of burglary and grand larceny. . Ashbrook had pending charges in Maryland and was on probation in Maryland asked for a suspended sentence so that he could report for the Maryland charges. Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar said that the defendant asked for and got a jury trial with jury recommendations of five years on each count to run consecutively. While Ashbrooks then wife had been the person who tried to sell the items of these charges he felt that the recommendations of the jury should be the minimum sentence. These charges were the result of Mr. Ashbrook being familiar with the home while he was installing carpet for a local dealer. Agar went on to say that the defendant had a multi-state drug record with six grand larceny charges back to 1990 for burglary cases, one assault case and one possession of a firearm.

Agar said that this defendant had been in jail 15 different times. Asbrook then asked for mercy told the judge that he no longer had a wife, no family, or nothing left and with 45 years hanging over his head in Maryland was again asking for a suspended sentence. Judge Lewis then sentenced Mr. Ashbrook to five years on each count of active time for a total of 10 years.

Jennifer Fears(A.K.A. Jennifer Berry) was charged with one count grand larceny, six counts obtaining money by false pretense, 11 counts obtaining money by false pretense and one count of unauthorized use. These charges were related to the Runningers Pharmacy in Parksley and the home of the owners. The combined amount of restitution was $21,226 including some family pieces of Jewelry that had been melted down and could never be replaced at any cost. The defense attorney Terri Bliss told the court that the defendants husband was gone, and with no support are no job there was no way for this defendant to have restitution. Mr. Morgan on behalf of the Commonwealth told the court that while in the home of the victims they had asked her if she had seen a particular gold necklace and that Ms. Fears had lied making these charges more horrendous. Judge Lewis called this was a breach of trust and he was therefore sentenced Ms. Fears to 10 years with all but one year suspended on the grand larceny charge. On the six counts of obtaining money under false pretense he sentenced her to one year with all but four months suspended and on the 11 other counts sentenced her to 12 years on each charge totaling 132 months all but two months suspended giving her one year and six months active jail time and restitution of $21,226.

Source:

Rocket Launch From Wallops This Evening

The  Minotaur I rocket carrying the DOD's Operationally Response Space-3 mission is set to launch on Tuesday,  Nov. 19 from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0B here. The window for launch is 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. EST.

The NASA Visitor Center will be open beginning at 11 a.m. and will remain open until one hour following the launch.

Live coverage of the launch is available via UStream beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST on launch day at:
 http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops.

Laser Bowling - Support the Children's Christmas Program

Laser Bowling - Support the Children's Christmas Program

Eastern Shore Lanes

Pocomoke City, MD

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Time:  9:30 pm until 11:30 pm

Come enjoy a family night of bowling!

Cost is $20 PER PERSON

Includes:  unlimited pizza, drinks, shoe rental

 and 2 games of bowling

The bowling alley is donating half of all ticket sale proceeds to the Children's Christmas Organization. 

We will be holding a 50/50 drawing. 

If you bring in a non-perishable food item you will be entered in to win a PRIZE valued over $30!!!! 

Food will go to the Pocomoke City Samaritan Shelter for their Christmas Dinner!

Mayor's Old-Fashioned Christmas Evening

Change Maryland Blasts Lt. Governor Brown for Misleading Marylanders on Healthcare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 15, 2013

Contact:

Steve Crim

scrim@changemaryland.org

(410) 353-3116

ANNAPOLIS - Lieutenant Governor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Anthony Brown indicated that he knew some Marylanders would lose their healthcare coverage after the October 1 rollout of Maryland's implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), during an interview with WBAL TV's Jayne Miller. According to reports, 73,000 Maryland residents are expected to lose their healthcare coverage.

"The O'Malley-Brown Administration has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for the ACA and Lt. Governor Brown is responsible for implementing Maryland's version of the law," said Larry Hogan, Chairman of the nonpartisan grassroots organization Change Maryland. "Last night, Anthony Brown admitted that he knew many Marylanders could not keep their insurance despite promises to the contrary.  By remaining silent, he intentionally misled thousands of mothers, fathers, and children who depend on health care insurance for the treatment they need."

During the interview, Brown stated he knew that healthcare plans would no longer be available under Maryland's implementation of the ACA.  

"As Lt. Governor, Anthony Brown has an obligation to serve the best interests of all Marylanders, which means being straightforward about the implementation of this new law," Hogan said.  "Despite all the promises from the O'Malley-Brown Administration that the state was ready for this roll out, the exchange has been plagued with one problem after another."

Since the start of the exchange on October 1, not only have 73,000 plans been cancelled, but the state has delayed the implementation of the small business exchange to April, 2014 – 4 months after the federally mandated deadline. Additionally, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange has released inflated numbers of enrollment – over-reporting by over 3,000 enrollees.  The exchange released a report that 4,651 people had enrolled in a new healthcare plan by October 31, while an official report from the White House indicates that only 1,284 people had enrolled by November 2.

"Marylanders deserve to know whether or not people are enrolling in the Health Benefit Exchange because ultimately, the success or failure of the program will have a direct impact on their own health insurance," said Hogan. "Brown's failures have given us zero confidence that the state even knows how many people have enrolled.  

"It's time for Mr. Brown to come clean with Marylanders, take responsibility for the problems of the state exchange, and personally apologize for misleading the public. Regardless of how anyone feels about the new law, Anthony Brown obviously put partisan politics ahead of the people he was elected to represent. This falls 100% in his lap," Hogan concluded.

###

www.ChangeMaryland.org

fb.com/ChangeMaryland

@ChangeMaryland

SOURCES:

Affordable Care Act rollout potentially thorny for Anthony Brown

WBAL TV 11, November 14, 2013

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/health/health-care-reform/affordable-care-act-rollout-politically-thorny-for-anthony-brown/-/21961900/22976136/-/c1rwurz/-/index.html

Delayed again: Maryland's small business health exchange will not open until April

Washington Post, November 12, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/delayed-again-marylands-small-business-health-exchange-will-not-open-until-april/2013/11/12/8f63fca2-4bab-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html

Report from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange about Maryland Health Connection, the state-based health insurance marketplace, as of Friday, November 1, 2013

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, November 1, 2013

http://marylandhbe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Nov-1-MHC-Update-copy.pdf

Health Insurance Marketplace: November Enrollment Report

Department of Health and Human Services, November 13, 2013

http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/MarketPlaceEnrollment/rpt_enrollment.pdf

A Journey With Leukemia

I can certainly identify with the article posted below. Most of you probably don't know that I am currently being treated for Acute Myloid Leukemia and have been for almost 6 months.  This Mother of two small children had her world shattered far greater than I have.  I have been fortunate to not have suffered as greatly as she has while seeking treatment.  And my children are both grown.  In fact, it was my own son who was selected to be my bone marrow transplant donor.  He is a hero.  
My daughter and her boyfriend and my wonderful husband are also heroes as they are  my caregivers.

Please take the time to visit the website www.bethematch.org and be a donor - Be A Hero.  jmmb


Rebecca Eberts and Her Journey with Cancer is this week's Shore Good News

Last week was a very emotional time for Rebecca Eberts of Cashville.

You see, last year this time, Rebecca's world was turned upside down when she received a shocking medical diagnosis that not only shattered her world, but the world of those who love her.

It all started around the end of October of 2012. Rebecca wasn't feeling quite right and noticed a scratchy throat. She had been prone to strep throat in the past or thought she may have had a virus of some sort, but after seeing the doctor and getting some blood tests run, doctors were concerned they had found something much worse then a virus.

This 33 year old mother of 2 precious little boys was told she had Leukemia. At first she thought they had made a mistake. She was young and no one in her family had leukemia. How was this even possible?

She was sent to the hospital in Salisbury where the diagnosis was confirmed. She had Acute Myloid Leukemia and not only would she need chemo and radiation, but Rebecca would need a bone marrow transplant and it would be a long, hard road for this young mother and wife.

Between November 2012 and March of 2013, Rebecca had more than 30 chemo treatments and before she could receive the transplant, she had to be conditioned with 4 days of whole body radiation in 30 minute sessions, twice a day. To make matters worse, on Thanksgiving of 2012, Rebeccas spleen ruptured as a result of a rare side effect from chemo. It was touch and go that night. Five days later, her gall bladder had to be removed.

There were rough days to say the least and Rebecca missed being with her children and wanted to be home with her family so badly. But she knew she had to keep fighting.

To pass the time, she read books and her Bible. But her eyes became so affected by the chemo that she got to a point she could no longer read. So, she downloaded an app and would listen to the Bible instead.

One of the things Rebecca looked forward to the most was being able to Skype with her husband ET and her sons. She admits, however, that there were days in which she was just too weak-but it had to be severe for her to miss that special time.

Rebecca says that through it all, her family was there and she had so much support. Her husband was always uplifting and encouraging. Her parents, Chuck and Karen Parks were extremely supportive. Her sister, Hannah Annis was her rock. Shed call her sister many times in tears and Hannah would have the right words to say that brought comfort to her. And Rebecca could rest assured her sons were in good hands as Hannah took care of them every weekday so her husband could work. Her parents and other people pulled together to help take care of her children too. She says there were countless friends and supporters from the community. She received hundreds of cards from people she knew and people she didn't. She received cards from school children, missionaries and even cards from people in other countries. Rebecca says all of the support was confirmation to her that the Lord had an amazing plan in store. She says her faith in Jesus Christ is what got her through this trying time. And when discouragement came, there were always people that would bless her in such a way that her strength would be renewed over and over again.

Rebecca received a bone marrow transplant on March 27th of this year. Her donor? A stranger who cared enough to be tested and was willing to save the life of someone he doesn't even know. On the morning of the transplant, this unknown donor was put under general anesthesia and bone marrow was aspirated directly out of his hip bone and then flown to Rebecca. At exactly 11:33 p.m. the life saving marrow began infusing into her vein with her parents and husband by her side as they gave thanks to God, and her sister Hannah joining in on FaceTime at home.

Rebecca Eberts was released for good on July 17th of this year. After being in the hospital for 8 long, difficult months, Rebecca was finally going home to her family.

She says that we live in the most amazing and supportive community and her welcome home was unbelievable. There were businesses who had welcome home signs displayed and loads of people were even standing on the side of the road waving and holding up signs as she passed by. She will never forget the love and support she has had.

Rebecca's most recent test results show that the cancer is gone and she says she feels great. Life is more normal now and she's even gone back to work at Kegotank Elementary School, where this past week the staff and students wore orange and Team Eberts bracelets in honor of Rebecca. She was told that there was a meeting after school, but it was a party in celebration of her recovery.

This past Saturday a Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry Drive was held in Rebeccas honor at the Hospice offices in Onancock. They used every single registry kit and had to even refer people to the website to order a kit because they ran out. Rebecca and those who put on the drive are just thrilled with the response.

Registering is very easy and includes a simple swab from your cheek- even I registered on Saturday. I did in honor of Rebecca and in memory of my own mother who passed away from a very rare form of Leukemia. 

If you are interested in registering and possibly saving someones life, you can visit  www.bethematch.org.

Rebecca says this journey was like an emotional roller coaster, but it seemed that every time a door would close, two more opened and the outcome was better each time. She says she is here on this earth because of the power of prayer. She believes with all of her heart that the Lord heard the prayers of so many and answered. Doctors are amazing, says Rebecca, but never forget that God is our great physician! 

Source:

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Investigates Hit and Run

Photo Worcester County Sheriff's Office

On Saturday November 16, 2013 at approximately 1745 hours the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to Stephen Decatur Highway in the area of the Frontiertown Campground Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland for a reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. 

Upon arrival Deputies located the victim who had been able to get himself off the roadway and call 911. The victim was identified as a 42 year old male from Berlin, Maryland.

 The victim told Deputies that he was walking north on the shoulder of Stephen Decatur Highway when he was struck from behind by a vehicle. The victim was unable to provide any further information on the vehicle except that it continued north on Stephen Decatur Highway. There were no witnesses to the accident. 

From evidence recovered at the scene Deputies were able to determine the striking vehicle to be a dark red GM passenger car that has a missing passenger side mirror and possible passenger side damage. 

The victim was transported to the hospital for injuries they received. Pictures of the recovered vehicle parts are included.

 Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 410-632-1111 or their local Law Enforcement.

TIME MACHINE ... 1893, 1977, 1892, 1893, 1964

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)
 
January, 1893
(New York Times)

(Excerpts)

RAISING OYSTERS AND FIGS.

CURIOUS FARMING UNDERWAY AT CRISFIELD, IN TANGIER SOUND.

CRISFIELD, MD., JAN. 14- The amphibious little town of Crisfield down here at the bottom of the Eastern Shore of Maryland is watching with interest an industrial experiment now going on in Tangier Sound. Crisfield is a mere upstart town, scarce(ly) thirty years old in the midst of a region peopled for two and a half centuries. It was named for its founder, the venerable John W. Crisfield, perhaps the oldest practicing lawyer in the United States, whose home is at the ancient village of Princess Anne, and whose son, named Page and not Crisfield, recently resigned his seat in Congress to become a Judge in Maryland.

The town of Crisfield is founded, not upon a rock, but upon a bed of oyster shells, thrown into a salt marsh, and it grows by driving piles and pitching in more shells by way of a firm and dry foundation. In this fashion it has slowly marched out into the shallow waters of Tangier Sound, until it seems a shabby little Venice. Not long ago Crisfield, although surrounded by salt water, was the driest town on the American continent, for in addition to a merciless prohibitory local-option liquor law, it was visited by droughts, during which there was not a drop of drinkable water to be obtained from the wells. At such times water from other places was hawked about the streets by the pail full, and some otherwise well-meaning folk were forced to violate the local-option liquor law. Crisfield is relieved now from at least one species of thirst, for an artesian well 1,300 feet deep is pouring daily 150,000 gallons of excellent water into the town, and when a larger pipe has been sunk this supply will be increased about ten-fold.

Crisfield is not only founded on a bed of oyster shells, but its whole life and business depend upon the oyster trade and kindred industries. Wherever the eye rests it falls upon the white of bleaching oyster shells. The little harbor bristles with the mast of oyster boats, and nine-tenths of the inhabitants are occupied offshore. Within sight of the town there are terrapin to be caught, water fowl to be shot, and thousands of fish to be seined, while Crisfield is the world's one great mart for the sale and shipment of soft-shell crabs.

Just off Crisfield and lying between Tangier and Pocomoke Sound, with Cedar Straight connecting the two bodies of water, are Big and Little Fox Islands. The name of the group is deceptive, since it numbers not two islands but seven. It did once number two, and old deeds, running back into the seventeenth century, as Eastern Shore deeds have a fashion of running, employ this nomenclature. The restless tides of the region have, however, cut the two islands into the present seven. They vary in size from five acres to eighty acres, and the larger islands are channeled with muddy salt water inlets and notched deep with salt water coves. The group lies, indeed, so as to include an almost completely land-locked cove sixty acres in area.

But oysters are only one of the possibilities of this island principality. The islands are about 450 acres in area and the largest of them, Crockett's Island, has 25 acres of rich land, upon which fig trees, among other things are now flourishing. This island was for 150 years the home of the Crocketts. The oyster farmer bought it from the last of the family, and the dwellings on the island long ago fell into ruins. The ragged remnant of a doll's sun bonnet was found among the old timbers the other day- pathetic reminder of a time when there were children and children's joys on this deserted patch of land.

But the area of fertile land on Crockett's Island suggests another possibility. The fig lives outdoors all Winter in this region, and spring comes warm and early. The island lies, in fact, in one of the richest market-gardening areas in the United States. Already asparagus and other choice vegetables have been planted on the island, and within a few years all its available area will be turned into a market garden to help feed hungry thousands in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. The seaweed washed ashore on the island makes an excellent fertilizer, and how far the other islands may be available by its aid for market gardening is an interesting question.

Crisfield watches with interest the experiment on the Fox Islands, because the oyster farmer's possessions lie just in the midst of the debatable land, or water, where many oyster wars have occurred.


　
April, 1977
(The Daily Times- Salisbury)

(Excerpt)

The Maryland Department of Transportation has committed more than $143,000 in federal funds for highway safety improvements throughout Maryland.

Worcester- $2,900 for police radio equipment for the Berlin Police Department and $1,300 for hand-held radar equipment for the Pocomoke City Police Department.

　

April, 1892
(Hamilton Daily Democrat- Hamilton, Ohio)

The President Not at Home

Washington, April 8- The president (Benjamin Harrison), accompanied by Mr. George W. Boyd, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and T.J. Parker, left Washington last night for New Church, Accomack county, Va. The president will return here either late Saturday night, or Monday morning.

　

August, 1893
(The Denton Journal)

To be Built of Brick

The town council of Snow Hill has decided that only brick buildings should be built in the business portion of their town. This action is approved by a majority of the people of the town. The people are recovering slowly from the effects of their late disastrous fire, and contracts have been given out for a number of buildings to replace those burned. The First National Bank will be rebuilt at once, and upon the same plan as the one burned.

　

February, 1964 (Time Machine archive)

Winners were announced in a contest in which high school students in Worcester County vied for honors for bringing in Civil War relics. Pocomoke High School winners were: Mike Bloxom placing first for an 1858 Colt .44 revolver; Jack Tatem, second, with a Springfield rifle and a Civil War era postage stamp; Melissa Jackson, third, with a Civil War sword that was used by her great-grandfather. The contest was jointly sponsored by the Worcester County Historical Society and The Maryland Civil War Commission.


　
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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Accomack County Circuit Court Cases

Accomack County Circuit Court
Thursday, November 14, 2013

Marquis Giddens pled guilty of possession of cocaine. Giddens was arrested at a routine traffic stop in December of 2012 entered a guilty plea under the first offender program. With no record of any kind, Mr. Giddens agreed to enter treatment and/ or educational program along with paying court costs, and the costs of these programs. Judge Lewis suspended his drivers license for 6 months with work restrictions and gave him 100 hours of community service. 

 Brezuum Douglas pled guilty to two counts of grand larceny. Douglas was charged with steeling assorted jewelry on July 30, 2012 and a Rolex watch on September 1, 2002. Douglas was employed by Greenbush Moving Service and stole the items valued at $2350 from the closet of a home he was relocating. The Rolex watch was pawned at a local pawn shop for $350 but was valued at more than $20,000. It was covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Douglas produced $2000 to the court as a sign of good faith and intent to repay. He pled guilty and Judge Lewis continued the case pending preparation of a presentence report until February. Douglas has been granted work release status and must return to jail each evening.

Christopher Smith was sentenced to five years with all but seven months to run concurrently for failure to register as a violent sex offender. Mr. Smith was convicted on March 3, 2013 of rape and according to testimony, he was to notify the court of any relocation within three days and to register every 90 days. This testimony was that even though his permanent address was at his mothers home he had from time to time spent nights at friends therefore when state troopers and or probation people tried to contact him they had failed. Judge Lewis sentenced the defendant to five years with all but seven months on each charge to run concurrently with probation for the remaining period of time.

Source:

SAVE THE DATE ~ Salem Methodist Church

Air Force Minotaur Rocket Launching from Virginia November 19

NASA Photo

WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY, Va. — A United States Air Force Minotaur I rocket is scheduled to lift-off at 7:30 p.m. EST,  Tuesday, Nov.19, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad-0B at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The Minotaur will launch the Air Force's Operationally Responsive Space Office's ORS-3 mission, which features the deployment of 29 satellites in space.

The launch window is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.  The backup launch days run through November 26.

The launch may be visible, depending on atmospheric conditions at one’s viewing site, from northern Florida to southern Canada and west to Indiana.

The ORS-3 Mission, also known as an enabler mission, will demonstrate and validate launch and range improvements for NASA and the military. These include automated trajectory targeting, range-safety planning and flight termination systems. The launch also will be part of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) certification process for the Minotaur rocket. The FAA has licensing authority over American commercial rockets.

The Minotaur's primary payload is the Space Test Program Satellite-3 (STPSat-3), an Air Force technology-demonstration mission. Thirteen small cubesats aboard are being provided through NASA's Cubesat Launch Initiative. Among the cubesats is NASA's Small Satellite Program PhoneSat 2 second generation smartphone mission. Also included is the first cubesat built by high school students.

The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge/Assateague Island National Seashore will be open for viewing the launch.  Visitors to Assateague need to be on the island by 6 p.m. before the entrance gate closes.

For more information on the ORS-3 mission, visit: http://go.usa.gov/Wgbd.

Live coverage of the launch is available via UStream beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST on launch day at:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops. 

Launch status can be followed on launch day on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops and Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF.

Launch status also is available on the Wallops launch status line at 757-824-2050.

Android users can download the “What’s Up at Wallops” app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing. The app is available for download at: http://go.nasa.gov/17veCYT.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1893.. This is Crisfield at 30; 1977.. What's the newest equipment for the Pocomoke City Police Department?; 1892.. Look who's visiting New Church; 1893.. Only brick allowed for new Snow Hill business district construction; 1964.. Pocomoke High School winners named in Civil War relics contest.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

OPEN HOUSE....

Team Britt's Support Our Troops Project


Team Britt will be at Enchanted Florist open house collecting any item or money donations. The holidays are coming and so many will not be home with families. Let's continue to show our love and support!! 

Items we could use are....both male and female items. 

Deodorants
Disposable razors
Tooth brushes tooth paste
Lotion/aloe
Chapsticks! Lots! 
Cough drops
Q tips
Foot powder
Shoe inserts
Long underwear, all sizes
Gloves-black
Socks-black
Beanie hats-black
Gum/mints-cause lots of those course
Cookies
Trail mix
Beef jerky
Drink mixes...powder drink mixes (lots of these all favors) 
New magazines
Small handheld games to play 
Anything fun to play with really. 
Letters/pictures of thanks from you and your children
Cash donations are always appreciated for shipping costs or to purchase items needed or requested!! 

Largest Nighttime Christmas Parade Coming Soon

Monday night, December 2nd, 2013, We will celebrate our 41st year as Pocomoke City will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” as Pocomoke City plays host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 

Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract over 100 units from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.

Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.

Clowns, marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.

Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in 10 different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded immediately following the event to the top entries in each category.

A special thanks to the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over 40 years.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be postponed until Tuesday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

For more info...
http://www.pocomokechristmasparade.com/

Studio Day at the Chamber Of Comerce This Saturday

Studio Day at the Chamber

 and Free Workshop

With artist and photographer 

Robin Spalding

Saturday,  November 16, 2013

10 am to 3 pm

Honey Suckle Painted Cottage Now OPEN

Honeysuckle Painted Cottage

Clarke Avenue

Pocomoke City, Maryland

Honeysuckle Painted Cottage is open today from

 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/HoneysucklePaintedCottage

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1893.. This is Crisfield at 30; 1977.. What's the newest equipment for the Pocomoke City Police Department?; 1892.. Look who's visiting New Church; 1893.. Only brick allowed for new Snow Hill business district construction; 1964.. Pocomoke High School winners named in Civil War relics contest.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Liberal Special Interest Groups Oppose Economic Relief for Middle-Class Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2013

Contact:

Steve Crim

scrim@changemaryland.org

(410) 353 3116

ANNAPOLIS — Special interest groups outlined their opposition to proposed tax cuts that would provide economic relief for struggling middle-class families, in an article published Sunday by the Baltimore Sun.  Much of their arguments were based on the need for government revenue.

"After seven years of tax and fee hikes, Maryland's working families are struggling more than ever.  For years, the governor and his special interest groups have argued that a small tax or fee increase won't hurt anybody's bottom line.  But, the cumulative effect of all those increases have had a devastating effect on the budgets of those who can least afford it," charged Larry Hogan, Chairman of the non-partisan grassroots organization Change Maryland. "Next year's election year politics mean that we may finally see some relief for these families and the far-left special interest groups aren’t happy."

Hogan's comments come on the heels of reports that the same lawmakers who increased over 40 taxes and fees have done an about face and are looking to cut some taxes like the corporate income tax and the much reviled "rain tax." Both Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Mike Busch have indicated they would consider tax cuts next year as a mean to improve job growth and Maryland’s flailing economy.

"Every four years, these politicians have an epiphany that tax relief will create jobs and grow the economy.  Then, once re-elected, they do just the opposite," said Hogan.  "Now, if the far-left special interest groups have their way, middle-class families won’t even get a brief election year respite."

Environmental and health care groups, as well as key legislators in the General Assembly have warned against tax relief for Marylanders saying that any reduction in revenue will hurt their pet projects.  Governor O’Malley has also indicated that he will not push for middle class economic relief next year.

"The time has come for our state government to reign in spending," Hogan continued. "We wouldn't need these outrageous taxes if our lawmakers were able to fund projects efficiently. Instead, their M.O. is to continually throw money at a problem, without regard to how it's spent. By dialing down the taxes and spending more efficiently, we would be able to fund all our worthy causes without putting even more pressure on taxpayers."

### www.ChangeMaryland.org fb.com/ChangeMaryland @ChangeMaryland

SOURCES: Advocates line up in defense of Maryland taxes The Baltimore Sun, November 10, 2013 http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-11-10/news/bs-md-tax-supporters-20131109_1_stor