Contractor Hired to Fix State Health Exchange Website Gave $650,000 to O'Malley-Led Political Group

ANNAPOLIS – The company hired to clean up the O'Malley-Brown Administration's health insurance exchange website debacle is also a subsidiary of one of the largest contributors to the Democratic Governors Association during Governor O'Malley's tenure as its Chairman, Change Maryland has uncovered.

"Yesterday, the Baltimore Sun sounded the alarm on a potential conflict of interest between the subsidiary and its parent company with regard to the healthcare exchange," commented Larry Hogan, founder and Chairman of the nonpartisan Change Maryland. "Now, we found this same group of companies donated $650,000 to a political organization led by O'Malley."

The company brought in to fix the exchange, Optum/QSSI, is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, which owns one of the insurers selling policies through the state exchange, according to a weekend article in the Sun. UnitedHealth Group is also the parent company of United Healthcare Services, a group that Change Maryland found donated $650,000 to the DGA throughout O'Malley's tenure as chair. UHS lists the same Minneapolis address on the DGA disclosure reports as the UnitedHealth Group website.

"The O'Malley-Brown Administration handed over an emergency contract to a company that gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the governor's organization, and that has already received over $2 billion dollars in state contracts," Hogan continued. "The governor needs to immediately address these conflicts of interest, and explain how this no-bid contract was awarded."

Change Maryland is completing an ongoing investigation into the relationship between state contractors and their donations to the DGA. The group found dozens of instances similar to this one, where contractors donated large sums of money and were subsequently rewarded with significant benefits from the state in the forms of contracts, extensions, and advantageous legislation.

"This additional data further suggests a disturbing pattern of behavior that, at the very least, is unethical and inappropriate," said Hogan. "I think the public has a right to know the truth about these practices. Did the governor and/or others in his administration solicit large contributions from contractors, then reciprocate by rewarding those donors with huge state contracts, extensions, or other favors or decisions in return?" he added.

Obviously this has serious implications and gives the appearance of the potential for decisions being influenced by millions of dollars in "donations." Recognizing the inappropriate and unethical nature of these relationships, state law currently prohibits state contractors from making contributions to an elected official's campaign account. This evidence indicates the possibility of a deliberate, coordinated effort by this administration to circumvent the intent of the law by soliciting huge, unlimited contributions to a federal, rather than state, account.

Larry Hogan is a business owner with over 25 years of experience in the private sector. As President & CEO of Hogan Companies, he has attracted hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to Maryland. After a lifetime of experiences as an outsider political activist, Hogan founded Change Maryland in 2011 to advocate for fiscally responsible government and to give average Marylanders the opportunity to hold their elected officials accountable. 

Change Maryland: Did O’Malley-Brown Administration Shake Down state Contractors for Huge Contributions?

More Questionable Donations from State Contractors to O’Malley-Led Organization

###

www.ChangeMaryland.org

fb.com/ChangeMaryland

@ChangeMaryland

SOURCES:

Company helping fix Md. health exchange linked to firm selling policies

The Baltimore Sun, December 28, 2013 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-sun-investigates-qssi-20131227,0,7266301.story

Democratic Governors Association

OpenSecrets.org

http://www.opensecrets.org/527s/527cmtedetail_contribs.php?ein=521304889&cycle=2012

Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce Aloha Annual Dinner

Saturday, January 4th is the last day for Early Bird pricing for the Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce Aloha Annual Dinner.

Join the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce for a tropical celebration of businesses and community.

Our Annual Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 1st from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the elegant Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department Company Center at 1410 Market Street in Pocomoke. 

This year’s theme is the Aloha Lounge, and costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be given for the best men's costume, best women's costume, and best group/table of costumes.  

Join us as we honor the winners of the Community at Heart, Business Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Tickets are $25 until January 4th, and $35 from Jan. 5th until Jan. 18th.  January 18th is the final day for ticket sales.  Tickets are available at our office at 6 Market Street in Pocomoke, by phone at 410-957-1919, or online at pocomoke.com. 

THOSE RED AND BLUE LIGHTS ARE NOT MEANT FOR HOLIDAY CHEER

Maryland State Police...

HOLIDAY BOOZERS BEWARE: THOSE RED AND BLUE LIGHTS ARE NOT MEANT FOR HOLIDAY CHEER:

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

 

 

This holiday season troopers remind motorists if you decide to drink and drive, be ready for an alternate ride.

 

 The Maryland State Police provides fair warning to all party goers this holiday season, urging motorists to make alternate plans before driving drunk. State troopers will be out in force, conducting various enforcement initiatives with a focus on impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

 

 Data reveals the holiday season is a particularly dangerous time of year on the roads, due to the increased number of impaired drivers.

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 830 fatalities occurred last year during the holiday season alone.

 

“The holidays are a joyous time of the year, and troopers are going to make every effort to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent Maryland State Police. “There will be zero tolerance for impaired drivers on the road. If you choose to drink and drive, you will be arrested.”

 

Impaired drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic crash that claims someone’s life, or their own.

 

 Please follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

 

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.

 

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

 

• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation.

 

• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

 

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

 

 The additional state police patrols coincide with the Maryland Highway Safety Office initiative “Towards Zero Deaths” and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiative “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Rates Increase Wednesday

If you want to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at the old rate you had better do it today. Starting tomorrow the new toll rates will begin. The toll for standard passenger vehicles, pickups, light trucks and vans under 15 passengers will be $13.00 one way and $5.00 for a return trip within 24 hours. The effective rate increase for a two way trip for standard passenger vehicles is $1.00.

However in order to get the return trip discount you must possess an Easy Pass. These are available at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel administrative building at the North Toll Plaza and other local retailers.

Starting May 15, there will be a peak rate of $15 for one way but just $3 for the return trip. This will still make the round trip toll $18.00.

If you would like to view the entire new toll schedule which includes classes for all vehicles, log onto the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel web site and click on Toll Schedule -
http://www.cbbt.com/schedule.html

Source:

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Anniversary Exhibit

TONIGHT: Guest Bartender Night

Guest Bartender Night

 at Steamers Restaurant and Sports Bar

 

 

Support "OPERATION WE CARE"

Virginia~ Senate Election Next Tuesday

In just over a week, voters in Virginias 6th Senatorial district will go to the polls to elect a new Senator to replace Ralph Northam who moves up to the Lieutenant Governors office. The winner of this election will determine the political makeup of the Virginia Senate which presently has 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans.

Delegate Lynwood Lewis a Democrat will take on the Republican nominee Wayne Coleman a Norfolk businessman. The winner will allow his political party to take control of the Senate.

A win by Lewis will trigger a whole new series of elections to fill his seat in the House of Delegates. It would require primaries for both parties followed by a special election. The time that would take would keep 100 District House of Delegates seat vacated for the 2014 Virginia General Assembly.

Lewis could become the first shore resident to hold the Senate seat since the late Senator Bill Fears served. While Northam is an Eastern Shore native, he is currently lives and works in Norfolk.

Coleman is hoping to attract enough votes from conservatives on both sides of the bay to move the 6th District seat into the Republican column.

Meanwhile as Lt. Governor, Northam will become the first native Eastern Shoreman to hold one of the top State offices for over 150 years.
Source:

Today Is Bob Marley Stamp Day

 On December 29,1982, Jamaica issued a Bob Marley commemorative stamp.


Nesta Robert Marley was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who achieved international fame through a series of crossover reggae albums.


"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!"
~ Bob Marley ~

TIME MACHINE ... New Year's Eve 1964, 1941, 1929, 1966, 1900

(READER FRIENDLY VIEWING OF NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES MATERIAL)


December, 1964 (Time Machine archive)

The Carousel Hotel in north Ocean City was advertising a Gala New Year's Eve party to welcome in the new year 1965. It included a buffet preceding a New Year's Eve party, with the party including drinks, noisemakers, snacks and a bottle of champagne for the midnight toast, breakfast immediately following the party, plus a night's lodging in an oceanfront room. Total price for two.. $42.00.

December, 1941
(Salisbury Times)

(Ad)

A Timely Suggestion. Make Your Reservations Now. New Year's Eve Party At The COZY CABIN. U.S. Route 13- Delmar Road. Music by Mel Horsey and his orchestra. Ticket sales will stop as soon as capacity is reached.

(Ad)

EXTRA. To assure sufficient table and seating space, reservations can not be taken after 11 o'clock Wednesday morning. CALL 333 OR 11 NOW FOR RESERVATIONS TO THE NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE. Sponsored by The Lions Club. Music by Eddie Hamp and his 12-pc. orchestra. Featuring Dorris Bell. Torch singer. Jackson-Gutman Bldg. Salisbury By-Pass. $2.75 per couple. Inc. tax. All soldiers home on leave in uniform with ladies will be admitted free upon payment of tax .26. Reservations in advance are requested if possible.
　

December, 1929 (Time Machine archive)

N.Y. PREPARES FOR NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

New York, Dec. 31 -(AP)- Predicting a noisier, more boisterous welcome for 1930 than has been enjoyed by any of its recent predecessors, hotel and restaurant managements today prepared to entertain thousands of New Year's eve celebrants.

Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen announced that the curfew will drown out the blare of jazz, tin horns and other noise makers in nightclubs promptly at 3 A.M. Wednesday. Hotels, which are immune from curfew restrictions, advertised "dancing until dawn." Cover charges will run as high as $20 a person.

The management of the Hotel Ambassador announced that the capacity of its three large dining rooms would be taxed with reservations for more than 1,000. The Savoy-Plaza made ready to care for an equal number, and other hotels and restaurants announced preparations for capacity crowds.

Radio listeners may hear the New Years chimes as early as 7 P.M. ,Eastern Standard Time, tonight when because of the difference in time it will be midnight in London and the peals of Big Ben, famous clock in the tower of Parliament building, will be radiocast across the Atlantic and rebroadcast throughout this country.

Special New Year's eve radio programs will include a series of concerts by dance bands playing from New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Sydney, Australia.

Watch services will be held in scores of churches throughout the city and many offering special music.


　
December, 1929 (Time Machine archive)

A special vaudeville show and a Fox Super Special singing and dancing picture, "Words And Music," provided the late night New Year's Eve entertainment at Salisbury's Arcade Theater.

　
December, 1966 (Time Machine archive)

If you were planning to go out to welcome in the new year 1967 here's a look at some of the local New Year's Eve activities you could consider:

A "Chop Hop" at the Pocomoke armory featuring music by the Midnight Walkers and with master of ceremonies Choppy Layton and Wayne Powell...The Orbits appearing at Salisbury's Northwood Bar...Dancing at the Delmar Moose Lodge featuring music with Joey Welz...The True Tones providing the music at Salisbury's Eastside Men's Club Dance...Richard Maltby's Orchestra in Salisbury at the Civic Center's New Year's Eve Ball And Breakfast.

　
January 1, 1901 (Time Machine archive)

On the the first day of the Twentieth Century an Iowa newspaper, The Davenport Republican, reported on the comments of speakers at its area churches on the previous evening, the last evening of the Nineteenth Century.

Some brief excerpts:

From a judge... "Certainly we have not yet gone too far in strengthening the federal government. -- Somewhere, however, must be set the limits of this centralized power, at some point the line must be firmly drawn between the nation and the states. Where this line shall be fixed no one can safely say in advance. It is one of the grave problems we must leave for solution to the courage, wisdom, and patriotism of our children. -- There is some little we may say with assurance of the future. It will be what our children and their descendants make it. To such young people as hear me and who shall take part in molding the coming century I wish to say that you will not do so well as your fathers and mothers have done in life work unless you do better than they did. You have advancement they did not possess. -- We have now in every considerably town a high school where a course of study is pursued equivalent to that of Dartmouth college when it graduated Daniel Webster in 1801. Our state with some others has made provision for establishing free public library in every school district. This, with the university extension courses, so popular throughout the country, and which are continually developing, mark an era in advanced education. Eventually it will bring the college courses to the door of every earnest seeker for knowledge." 

From a lawyer... "By firing my imagination, giving it the reins and allowing it to run rampant, I might predict that in 2000 the stars and stripes will float in sole and unquestioned sovereignty from the North Pole to Cape Horn. I might speculate on the downfall of monarchies and the rise of new republics. I might be right, I might be wrong. I might be so bold and conceited to announce to you that in the coming century men, with artificial wings, will fly like birds through the air. I might contend that our whole system of transportation will be overthrown and a new one put in action. I might even be so rash as to predict that the day is not far distant when mankind will know no disease, no sickness. Trusting in the blessed trinity of chance, accident, or mistake for the fulfillment of my prophecy, I might say that the science of medicine will be so revolutionized that medical assistance will be required only to prevent disease, not to cure. I might be right, I might be wrong, it matters not. Whatever speculation we may make upon the future, we at least know enough to know the past. The world has learned that no man is good enough to govern another man excepting by that other man's consent, and in my humble judgment thereon hangs the destiny of the nations." 

　 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!

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

  As we count down to a brand new year we take a glance back to New Year's Eve in 1964, 1941, 1929, 1966, and 1900... this Sunday here 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!　

Acccomack County Circuit Court

Acccomack County Circuit Court ~ Thursday - December 19, 2013

Jacqueline Hunter had been charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of grand larceny. Ms. Hunter pled guilty August 14, 2013 and was in court for sentencing. The burglary charges were at her ex-employers, the Rue family, and at local businesses Turner sculptures and Bundick Well and Pump. With no previous record and a guilty plea, Judge Lewis sentenced Ms. Hunter to 10 years on each count with all but one year and six months suspended. At the completion of active jail time she will be on indefinite probation with restitution to be made on count one of $4,937 and $6,826 on count two along with court cost.

Arely Alvarado had been charged with three counts of welfare fraud. Ms. Alvarado pled guilty to all charges. These charges came about after an investigation by Social Services' Mr. Jack Thompson. Ms. Alvarado when confronted by social services admitted that she had been working under a different name and Social Security number and was here illegally. The charges go back to the beginning of 2012 and run through January 2013 totaling approximately $7,000 with $6,430 having been repaid by family members and a promise to pay the balance promptly. Judge Lewis accepted the guilty plea and sentenced the defendant to three years on each count to run concurrently and suspended all time, except time served. Ms. Alvarado will be retained and turned over to the immigration department.

Keyron Bess was charged with the use of a firearm during a robbery and was found guilty in a bench trial in April 2013. Evidence was presented by the Commonwealth that this was a sale of marijuana turned into a robbery at gunpoint with a child and mother in the home at the time. This offense occurred on April 13, 2010. Mr. Bess was not arrested until February 2012. Judge Lewis sentenced Mr. Bess to 20 years with nine years suspended on the robbery charge and an additional three years to run consecutively for the gun charge. The remaining 11 years of suspension would be on probation.

James Taylor, charged with felony shoplifting, was indicted by the grand jury on June 3, 2013 for shoplifting from the Food Lion store in Oak Hall, Va. With a video tape and eyewitnesses available, Mr. Taylor entered a guilty plea. This case was continued for a presentence report and Mr. Taylor was permitted to stay out on bond.

Rynell Crippen was charged with grand larceny being convicted on July 25, 2013 of shoplifting from the local Walmart store and a record of intoxication in public on multiple occasions. Judge Lewis sentenced Mr. Crippen to five years with all but one year and six months suspended.

Torey Duffy was charged with burglary and a reduced charge of grand larceny to petty larceny. Mr. Duffy's attorney Carl Bundick presented a motion to continue this case to allow time for the defendant to be evaluated for programs rather than jail. Mr. Morgan the assistant Commonwealth attorney said he would have objected at the time that Mr. Duffy was convicted and was objecting again today because he did not feel Mr. Duffy would meet the qualifications of any known program. Judge Lewis granted the motion to continue until April 7, 2014 or until the evaluation was complete whichever comes first.

Antares Launch ~ On January 7

NASA Photo

The Antares rocket launch of the Cygus payload to the International Space station has been rescheduled for January 7 at 1:55 pm. The launch was originally scheduled for December 19 but was postponed to allow the ISS crew to conduct a space walk to replace a cooling pump aboard the space station.

The launch date will continue to be evaluated as the repairs on the Space Station continue.

The Antares was moved off the launch pad Thursday following the postponement of the originally scheduled launch.

The payload, which included time sensitive material will be refreshed and returned for reloading into Cygnus on January 3.

Delaware Woman Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement

Delaware Woman Pleads Guilty to $349,000 Embezzlement            

WILMINGTON, DE—Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Kimberly Y. Drummond, age 47, of Middletown, Delaware, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a federally insured financial institution. Drummond, who will be sentenced on April 3, 2014, by the Honorable Leonard P. Stark, United States District Judge for the District of Delaware, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, and six years of supervised release following her prison sentence.

According to statements made at the plea hearing on December 12, 2013, and documents filed in court, Drummond was employed by Discover Financial Services in New Castle, Delaware, for nearly 20 years. In or around November 2008, Drummond began falsifying entries in Discover’s books and records, resulting in the issuance of duplicate checks from Discover Bank. Drummond deposited the checks into her personal bank accounts, and she used the checks to pay her mortgage lender.

Drummond embezzled more than $349,000 from Discover from November 2008 through August 2012.

U.S. Attorney Oberly lamented, “Yet another breach of trust by someone entrusted to protect financial resources. These cases will be vigorously prosecuted by this office and appropriate punishments will be sought.”

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Paxton.

Source:

Traffic Stop Leads to Search and Arrest

Mansour Ahmed Shabaik

Somerset County Sheriff's Office
SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEIZE CASH, DRUGS, AND UNTAXED CIGARETTES DURING A TRAFFIC STOP

On December 22, 2013 deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff's Office stopped a Chevy Tahoe for traffic violations in Westover.

Photo/ Somerset County Sheriff's Office

 A probable cause search revealed 469 cartons of untaxed Virginia cigarettes, marijuana, and almost $10,000 in cash. The driver, Mansour Shabaik who is from New York told deputies he spent nearly $20,000 on the untaxed cigarettes, and planned to sell half of the cigarettes in New York, and ship the other half back to family members in Egypt.

Shabaik was charged with possession, and trafficking untaxed cigarettes, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shabaik was later released on a $25,000 unsecured bond pending court actions.

Submitted:
Somerset County Sheriff's Office

Market Street Boutique ~ HOLIDAY STORE HOURS

Market Street Boutique

 

Holiday Store Hours

 

Christmas Day-CLOSED

 Thurs.,Dec.26 open 10AM-2PM

 Fri.,Dec.27 open 10AM-2PM

 Sat.,Dec.28 open 10AM-2PM

 Sun./Mon.-CLOSED

 Tues. Dec.31 open 10AM-2PM

 New Years Day-CLOSED

 

 Return to normal business hours beginning January 2, 2014!

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

  As we count down to a brand new year we take a glance back to New Year's Eve in 1964, 1941, 1929, 1966, and 1900... this Sunday here 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!　

Coast Guard Crews Rescue Boater and Three Dogs

Coast Guard Crews Rescue Boater, Dogs Near Little Wicomico River

BALTIMORE — Coast Guard crews rescued a man and three dogs Tuesday after the 59-foot sailboat he was aboard ran aground in the vicinity of Smith Point near the Little Wicomico River.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received a mayday call at 11:30 p.m. Monday from the boater over VHF-FM channel 16 reporting he had run soft aground approximately 300 yards from the shore and was taking on water.

After spotting flares, an aircrew aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter located the man aboard his boat at 1 a.m. Tuesday but did not have hoist capabilities. A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene and lowered a rescue swimmer to assist the crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat - Small from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Md.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Ramirez, the coxswain aboard the RB-S, was able to maneuver the RB-S against the grounded vessel to have the man and his dogs transfer aboard.

"As the conditions worsened and the vessel strightened in line with the seas, we took action knowing that was the best chance to get the master and his dogs transferred safely," said Ramirez. "Operating at near limitations especially that close to shoal was certainly one of the most challenging situations I have experienced on a 24-foot RB-S."

The RB-S crew took the man and dogs to Smith Point Marina where he was offered medical services, but refused.

"The man did an excellent job maintaining communications and providing situational updates," said Lt. Salomee Briggs, the command duty officer at Sector Baltimore. "He used flares to signal the Maryland State Police helicopter, which allowed us to narrow in on his position and expedite the search and rescue case."

U. S. Coast Guard

Riverside Grill Pocomoke Hours

 

Riverside Grill Pocomoke will be

 CLOSED

for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Will reopen at 11 am on Thursday, December, 26.

 OPEN 11 am to 2 am on New Years Eve (12/31)

CLOSED New Years Day

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

OCPD AND SANTA HOUSE TOY DRIVE A SUCCESS

IF the Worcester County Santa House closes its doors there will be no more Christmases like this one for the less fortunate in the county.

(December 20, 2013) –The Ocean City Police Department’s Holiday Food and Toy Drive proved to be a blessing to many local families this holiday season. OCPD partnered with the Santa House, Inc. this year. The Santa House took in the many toys and donations and OCPD served as both a drop off and a distribution point. On December 17, OCPD gave food, toys and clothes to over 50 families and the Santa House served a combined total of over 500 families throughout the three distribution points: OCPD, Showell Fire Department and the Santa House warehouse in Snow Hill.

 

“The community we live in is a very benevolent one and it was extraordinary to witness the giving spirit during the holiday season,” said Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro. “Partnering with the Santa House was a great idea and we hope to continue this partnership in the future. We were able to serve the families of Ocean City as well as throughout Worcester County.”

 

Several Ocean City businesses and organizations contributed to the success of the Food and Toy Drive. Contributions were made by the Toys for Tommy campaign, Delmarva Condominium Managers Association, Atlantic Physical Therapy, Ocean City Parrotheads Clubs, Fager’s Island, Caine Woods Association, Ladies Hibernians, and the many people who donated directly to the Santa House. We would also like to thank all of the community members who dropped off toys and donations throughout the holiday season.

Thanks to all of these donations, families all over Worcester County will have a joyous holiday season and children will have a gift to open Christmas morning. OCPD would like to thank each and every one of you.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

TASK FORCE INVESTIGATE INCIDENTS OF CHILD EXPLOITATION

STATE POLICE INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE INVESTIGATE INCIDENTS OF CHILD EXPLOITATION ON SOCIAL NETWORKS


The Maryland State Police and other law enforcement agencies around the state have received numerous complaints over the last few days involving sexually explicit photographs of juveniles being posted on Social Networking websites, specifically Instagram. As the lead agency of the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the State Police Computer Crimes Section has been providing technical assistance into these investigations.

These latest images and videos have been posted on several different pages on the Instagram website. At this point, the images do not rise to the level of child pornography under Maryland law, however the Maryland State Police would like to urge the public to be aware of these issues and to report occurrences to Instagram’s Help Center at http://help.instagram.comor the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tip Line at http://www.cybertipline.com.

Additionally, the State Police suggests parents talk with their children and explain to them the possible repercussions and dangers of taking photographs of themselves in a sexually explicit manner and posting on the Internet. The following websites are a good resource for parents in steps to take to help protect children from being exploited on the Internet; www.netsmartz.org
 or www.ncmec.org.


     The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of 35 law enforcement agencies from around the state focused on preventing and investigating incidents of sexual child exploitation. A major part of the Task Force’s program is community outreach. Investigators travel around the state providing Internet Safety presentations to children, parents, schools, and community or church groups. If you would like to schedule such a presentation for your group or would like further information, you may email the State Police investigative unit at msp.ccu@maryland.gov.

Submitted:
Md. State Police

Walk Through Bethlehem

 

LAST CHANCE TO "WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM"

Over 1,000 visitors Saturday evening!!

DON'T MISS THIS !

Live characters and animals telling the

Christmas story.

 

 

Photo by Esther Troast

Photo by Esther Troast

Photo by Esther Troast

TIME MACHINE ... Christmas Time- 1878, 1970, 1888, 1941, 1970, 1924

(Reader Friendly Viewing Of Newspaper Archive Material)

TIME MACHINE ... 1878
Forest and Stream

(Excerpt)

(A spirited former Christmas Eve on the Eastern Shore of Virginia's Hog Island)... there was a grand fashionable ball, where all the elite, beauty and style of Hog Island attended. Every gentleman was in full dress, which consisted of the boots greased with shark oil until they shone again. The ladies' costumes were short calico and homespun, with brilliant pinch-beck ornaments. Everybody had washed their face and combed their hair for the occasion, and it was a very respectable assemblage indeed. The festivities soon commenced by two musicians opening the ball. They sawed persistently on their ninety-nine-cent pine fiddles, and raised the tune, and all pitched in. Everybody danced to suit themselves: there were no partners nor figures, but each tried his own step in his own way. The cabin rocked and trembled from roof to foundation-stone; but still the fiddles' strains rose above the uproar, and the steps kept time in a rhythmical rhyme to the music. In an evil hour Edmund had his keg brought to the room and opened. The consequence was that the fiddles got too high and above their business to play any longer, so they dispersed somewhere. Seeing the position of affairs, I commenced to draw the bow, and away went the company again. I tried some weak-kneed people there that night; if there isn't any crippled Hog Islanders it isn't because I did not try to make them so. I let out the fastest of all known tunes on them -- the "Devils' Dream" -- and I thought that the plastering was coming down. The natives spread themselves, and discounted the Jardins Mablians. Then Colonel Burke became ambitious. He must have a waltz. I played one of Strauss'; but who was he to revolve with ? That dizzy dance had never yet reached the fashionable Hog Islanders -- and even the ambitious maids would not attempt it; but at last one more determined than her sisters, and carried away by Edmund's importunities, asked him to let her see the step, and so he gyrated alone over the floor to the tune of the deux temp I was playing. Then hurrying back he claimed her for the dance, saying that he could easily teach her; but the fair one was dubious, and at last to Edmund's entreaties replied, "Well, stranger, I can't; I can go the front step and go the back step, but it will make me puke sure to turn around so." Edmund was a changed man after that reply. He gathered up his keg and beat out to his quarters.

Footnote: (source: Wikipedia): Hog Island.. "is a part of the Virginia Coast Reserve of The Nature Conservancy. Starting in the mid-19th century the town of Broadwater, Virginia was located on the southern end of the island, but had to be abandoned in the 1930's when rapid beach erosion made its continued existence untenable. However, many of the houses and other buildings were floated by barge to the mainland and can be found in Willis Wharf, Virginia and Oyster, Virginia."



 (MAILBOX .. from Kathy Horney)

At Christmas time, my mind always goes back to about 1970.

I was young (20) and doing Christmas shopping in downtown Pocomoke City.  The air was crisp and cold and a light snow was falling.  The downtown area was lit up with Christmas lights in the storefront windows and Christmas carols were playing over a P.A. or loudspeaker system (I don't know what the technical term is) but I remember that it was beautiful.

At that time, you could do ALL of your Christmas shopping downtown - didn't have to go anywhere else. There was a 'five & dime' store, a 'dollar' store, a couple of department stores, a couple of shoe stores, a couple of dress shops, a men's clothing store, a couple of jewelry stores, a couple of catalog stores, a couple of hardware stores, a couple of pharmacies, a couple of banks, and a car dealer by the river.  Just turn the corner off of Market St. and go just one block down Clarke Ave. and there was a soda fountain shop, a couple of mom & pop grocery stores, and a fish market (I think). There may have even been a beauty salon on Williow St. between Second & Clarke (memory is fuzzy here). If you proceeded on to the next block down Clarke Ave., there was a second-hand store (clothing, etc.), a deli, and a small mom & pop clothing store.  Unbelievable isn't it?  Yes, all of those businesses were in the downtown area (at the same time).

I miss it when I get thinking about it.  It was different shopping like that than when you go into these huge chain stores and have to fight the crowds. Whole different atmosphere - the magic of Christmas has gotten lost in greedy commercialism.  Well, maybe that's a bit extreme, but right now I am savoring those wonderful memories of times gone by.

P.S.  You could shop without worrying about getting your purse snatched, or getting mugged or carjacked, etc.

 

December, 1888 (Time Machine archive)
(Dispatch- Richmond, Va.)
Onancock, Va., December 26, 1888.

This is the mildest, prettiest, quietest Christmas ever seen on the Eastern Shore within this generation. The weather is so mild that fires are uncomfortable, and people are going about in spring clothing.

FOOTNOTE: A month earlier, November 26, the same area experienced a blizzard.


December, 1941 (Time Machine archive) 
 
Town Tavern in Pocomoke was advertising informal dancing for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve with music by Slim Marshall's Orchestra. Admission 75-cents per person.


December, 1970 (Time Machine archive)

The Fantastic Mystics were providing the dance music for the public two days before Christmas at the Pocomoke Holiday Inn's annual Pocomoke Christmas Party.

December 25, 1924 (Time Machine archive)
(The Lubbock Morning Avalanche- Lubbock, Texas)

(Excerpts)

Childhood's Christmas Memories

"Backward, turn backward, Oh Time in your flight, Make me a child again just for tonight."

How many of us tonight are wishing that old poem might come true just once more in our lives? Of all the days in our childhood, none stand out so vividly in our memory as those mysterious Christmas times. There is something about our Christmas memories that reach the heart of every one of us who were so fortunate as to grow up in a happy home. We did not say a big, luxuriant home, but a HAPPY HOME. A home where sympathy and LOVE, and a family understanding of one another's hearts fills the atmosphere of the whole home. A home where each member of the family believes in and rejoices with every other member of the family in their ambitions and their hopes and their accomplishments. That's the kind of home we mean when we say a happy home. It may be a humble little cottage or it may be a mansion. It is the spirit in the house and not the shell in which we live that makes happy homes. And it so happens that most of our happy homes are humble homes because we have so many more humble homes in America than any other kind.

What are your first memories of Christmas? Can you bring them back through the long years and tell them over again to the children? There is nothing children love to hear so well as Christmas stories of their own fathers and mothers. "What did Santa Claus bring you when you were a little boy Daddy?" "And what did he bring to mother?" "Did he travel then just as he does NOW? And what kind of toys did little girls and little boys send for in those days?" 

It is the unusual, the impossible, and the mysterious belief that it will happen that puts the thrill of expectancy into the heart of the little child at Christmas time. It is their faith in the spirit of Santa Claus that is so beautiful.

But if the memories of Christmas time in the old home far away are among our most treasured memories of childhood, what is our greatest privilege at Christmas time now? Is it not storing up other Christmas memories in the lives of our children to be recalled a generation from now when we are no more and other little ones yet unborn are begging for Christmas stories of long ago? This is one of our greatest opportunities and privileges for Christmas, 1924. Creating Christmas stories and Christmas memories to be retold by the generations of fathers and mothers in 1950, 1975, and even up to 2000 after the first Christmas story was ever produced.

...fill the childish hearts and childish minds around you with those Christmas memories you would be proud and happy to have them carry through their lives and tell over and over at the Christmas tides of the future to the little heads nestled near their hearts.


Do you have a Christmas memory or other 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!

Statement From Pocomoke City Concerning MD. Department of Environment

STATEMENT FROM POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND

 

Date: December 19, 2013

Contact: Russell W. Blake, City Manager

Mayor Bruce A. Morrison

410-957-1333

 

Pocomoke City is working closely with the Maryland Department of Environment (M.D.E.) to resolve some concerns that have recently come to our attention. One concern relates to grading work that was begun to stabilize the berms around the lagoons at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant (W.W.T.P.). The City believes that this erosion control work (which was recommended by M.D.E.) was allowed under the City’s existing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the WWTP as previously approved by M.D.E. However, in early December, the City was notified that another permit (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan) should also have been obtained because the area disturbed exceeded 5,000 square feet. The work done at the W.W.T.P. would have been allowed if a permit was obtained in advance. Upon notification, the City has hired an engineering firm to prepare the additional plan which should be completed before December 31. The new plan will include moving several piles of soil and [ill material from a nearby temporary storage site back to their place of origin on the bemis. to be used in the erosion control project. Once this second permit is approved, the berm stabilization work will be resumed.

Another concern relates to a City-owned lot near the WWTP that has been used recently for temporary storage of materials to be recycled. Those materials include clean fill dirt, broken concrete, bricks, and asphalt from recent street and sidewalk projects. MDE has advised the City that, since there appear to be hydric soils or hydrophytic vegetation on the site, this may indicate that there have been impacts to non-tidal wetlands. In response. the City has arranged for a wetland delineation of the site to be done within one week, with results to be sent to MDE. Following receipt of necessary approvals, the soil materials stored on the site will be removed for recycling as cover material at a local landfill, while the concrete and similar materials will be recycled for re-use in the construction industry.

Pocornoke City has always been protective of our local environment. Our state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant went on-line in 2011, and is producing clean effluent that is monitored daily before release to the river. In 2012, a new Ultra-Violet disinfection system was added to eliminate chlorine. The City operates recycling centers at two locations in town.
And in 2014, a new solar electric generating system will be built on City-owned property, which will produce enough renewable energy to cover approximately 85% of the City’s electricity usage.

No sewage or other contaminants have been released to the ground water or to the Pocomoke River. The City will continue to work diligently with M.D.E. and our engineers to resolve all
concerns within the next 60 days.

 


Readers: PLEASE before making any comments on this matter take time to educate yourself. IF you have any questions ATTEND a city council meeting, call your council person, go to city hall and ask questions. Pocomoke City is YOUR beautiful town. ALSO- don't forget to look around you and think back at what the city has done over the years to make Pocomoke the great town it is. IF you don't know what those things are then you can't be convinced about anything and you haven't been paying attention. jmmb

Worcester County Santa House Needs Christmas Miracle

WBOC

Worcester County Charity Is In Jeopardy

Santa House/ WBOC

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -He's not your typical Santa. He doesn't come flying down your chimney. He knocks on your front door, and his sleigh does not consist of deer. Instead it runs on pure Chevy horsepower. But one thing remains the same, Santa comes bearing gifts.

"You got a blanket in there and all sorts of goodies," said Dena Holloway, as she hands a bag filled with all sorts of Christmas gifts to a woman in Pocomoke City. "Alright you have a Merry Christmas sweetie."

Hollway is the director of the Worcester County charity, Santa House, and she and her team hand-deliver some gifts each year.

"It feels good to me," said Barbara Marshall, as she received her 'goodie-bag.'

Lovinia Phillips was also on Santa's list. She said it makes her "real good; real good."

But this year may be the group's last. Santa House isn't in the North Pole. It's in the Worcester County Department of Liquor Control facility, which is a problem. County officials say the independent charity has outgrown its welcome, and has to find a new home or close shop by January 15th.

"It brings tears to my eyes," said Holloway, as she fought back tears. "I hope things are going to turn around. And things are going to work out, and we are going to continue."

The Santa House serves more than 600 families in Worcester County each year, according to Holloway.

"Let's hope that there will be a place for them to stay open until they can find a new place," said Phillips.

Holloway is hoping for a Christmas miracle.

SEE VIDEO

Holiday Boozers BEWARE.....

 

HOLIDAY BOOZERS BEWARE: THOSE RED AND BLUE LIGHTS ARE NOT MEANT FOR HOLIDAY CHEER: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

(PIKESVILLE, MD)— This holiday season troopers remind motorists if you decide to drink and drive, be ready for an alternate ride.

The Maryland State Police provides fair warning to all party goers this holiday season, urging motorists to make alternate plans before driving drunk. State troopers will be out in force, conducting various enforcement initiatives with a focus on impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

Data reveals the holiday season is a particularly dangerous time of year on the roads, due to the increased number of impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 830 fatalities occurred last year during the holiday season alone. In Maryland, during the Christmas period from December 25 through December 29, there were 3 fatalities as a result of drunk driving.
“The holidays are a joyous time of the year, and troopers are going to make every effort to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent Maryland State Police. “There will be zero tolerance for impaired drivers on the road. If you choose to drink and drive, you will be arrested.”
Impaired drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic crash that claims someone’s life, or their own.

Please follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation.

• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

The additional state police patrols coincide with the Maryland Highway Safety Office initiative “Towards Zero Deaths” and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiative “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”. Overtime funding for additional patrols is provided by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police