Week 4: Field Notes By Delegate Michael A. McDermott

Week 4: Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermott

Week 4 January 27-31, 2014

 

Monday Evening Session:

 

Bills offered on First Reader

 

There were some of the first bills crossing over from the Senate on First Reader in the House. One of particular interest for farmers dealing with manure transport issues is SB-127. The bill appears to give greater latitude to the Dept.of Agriculture in determining price caps.

 

Tuesday Morning Session:

 

I offered the Morning Prayer to begin session. I recited the prayer offered by President George Washington as his first act upon taking office. Whenever I have the opportunity, I try and remind the members of our rich history and our country’s focus on God. It is always a good reminder.

 

There were no bills on First Reader.

 

SB-134  Maryland Health Insurance Plan-Access for Bridge Eligible Individuals

was on Third Reader. This bill would require the state to cover all of the medical expenses for individuals who tried, or say they tried, to sign up for Maryland-Obamacare if they were unable to actually receive coverage under any plan. The O’Malley-Brown administration made this request but can provide no budget number or even identify the number of persons that we may need to cover. Essentially, the democrats want to provide a blank check to cover the failures of Maryland-Obamacare that could easily exceed $100 million. This concern was expressed by many delegates from the floor. In spite of these concerns and the failure of the democrats to provide answers, the bill was passed along a party line vote. Here’s what I said on the House Floor.

 

Tuesday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:

 

HB-17 seeks to make the use of an interactive computer service to bully or harass people a misdemeanor. This bill would expand the provisions provided in the cyber bullying bill that was adopted last year (Grace’s Law) and make it apply to adults as well. There was quite a bit of debate over the expansion and the impact on the 1st Amendment rights of individuals.

 

HB-21 would make it a crime to disobey an order given by a 911 operator. This was, perhaps, a well intended bill, but it has so many pitfalls so as to render it misguided at best.

 

HB-27 seeks to place certain requirements and protocols in place for incarcerated prisoners who are pregnant. It specifically seeks to mandate the method and form in the use of shackles, and other physical restraints often utilized when transporting pregnant prisoners.

 

HB-33 referred to as “Lynette’s Law”, this bill seeks to make it a crime for a licensed therapist to have sexual contact with a patient within two years of the victim being a patient of the therapist.

 

HB-43 would make it a misdemeanor for a person to disclose sexual images, etc. of another person without the consent of that person. This is one of the so called, “Revenge Porn” bills that the committee is hearing this year. This bill would make it a misdemeanor. This bill does not address the extortion issues that I seek to address in HB-204.

 

HB-64 is a very similar bill to HB-43 except that it makes the crime a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor.

 

HB-65 would increase the penalty for Harassment and specifically names members of any Neighborhood Watch group as being persons who can be charged with Harassment. It has been crafted in response to the Martin case in Florida. I do not believe that singling out Neighborhood Watch folks is appropriate and it would probably make people reluctant to get involved in protecting their own neighborhoods.

 

HB-116 would require police officers throughout the state to wear an active video camera on their person to record all of their activities. The bill would have a significant fiscal impact on local agencies.

 

Hearing on HB-204:

 

The hearing in Judiciary went well. It was easy to use the other “Revenge Porn” bills that others had testified to earlier as a segway for HB-204. This bill simply expands the current Extortion law to include using sexually explicit images, video, etc. as a means of blackmail against an individual. Currently the law seems unclear that this would be applicable. Click here to listen to the hearing. 

 

Hearing on HB-32:

 

I had a hearing in Environmental Matters Committee on my Tinted Window exception for law enforcement. It was well received and there was no opposition. The bill simply would allow law enforcement vehicles to use window tinting on their vehicles to provide some degree of temperature protection for equipment, K-9’s, etc. It would also provide some protection for victims who are transported to the scene of an apprehension for a potential identification. Click here to listen to the hearing. 

 

Hearing on HB-34:

 

This bill was heard in Ways and Means and seeks to eliminate the Statute of Limitations on the crime of Income Tax Preparation Fraud. Often these cases are not uncovered until well after the current 3-year time that is in place. The Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association weighed in on the bill in full support. Click here to listen to the hearing. 

 

 

Hearing on HB-199:

 

This bill was also heard in Ways and Means. If passed, it would lower the Corporate Tax Rate in Maryland from the current 8.25% to 6% in a graduated step down over the next 5-years. There was an interesting dialogue with some of the democrats on the committee who alluded to a work group formed by the committee to make recommendations on making Maryland better for business. It appeared quite clear that they are not considering our tax code as an area that needs to be lowered. In fact, it seems their approach will be to cherry pick certain businesses that they wish to bless while not doing anything unilaterally. I testified that the Corporate Rate is simply one part of what should be a holistic approach to solving our decline in the area of business revenues. While I believe cutting the rate would create jobs and increase revenues over time, the democrats on the committee do not make that connection and only see the lost revenue from the tax cut. I told them they needed to first consider why Maryland has lost 7 of 11 Fortune 500 companies over the past 7-years and move to fix this breach. Click here to listen to the hearing.

 

Wednesday Morning Session: Bills presented on First Reader.

 

Judiciary Committee Budget Briefing

 

Judiciary Committee Afternoon Hearings:

 

HB-181 seeks to increase the fees charged to lawyers for docketing the appearance of Council in the Circuit Court for Carroll County. In a committee of many trial lawyers…what odds would you give this bill?

 

HB-183 seeks to limit the liability of the Industrial Development Authority of Carroll County by including them under the definition of “local government”. This is a local bill and these types of para-governmental agencies are often provided this type of protection.

 

HB-201 would add to the costs of our District Court fees $5.00 designated to a fund to provide for defray the costs of law enforcement agencies utilizing electronic citations and their equipment needs. This bill has been introduced previously and there is reluctance to increase these costs.

 

HB-211 is a Delegation Bill from Carroll County that would raise the salaries of the Orphans Court Judges from $10,000 to $15,000 per year. It would also provide the Chief Judge with an additional stipend of $1500.

 

HB-239 this bill would simply allow an applicant to the Bar or any lawyer to simply use a credit or debit card to pay certain fees of the of the court. It was hard to understand why this is not already being done.

 

HB-243 the bill would make the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle a civil matter as opposed to a criminal act. This would significantly impact the rental car folks. It was said that many who rent vehicles allow others to drive them without the permission of the rental company which violates their contracts. When these folks are stopped, they are often issued a citation for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. This process allows for the immediate recovery of the vehicle by the rental carrier as the unlawful operator is generally detained by police and charged with a misdemeanor. I am afraid that if this law is decriminalized, there will be very limited recovery of these rental vehicles.

 

Hearing on HB-213:

 

This bill will simply require local county permit offices to specify the reasons why they are denying permits to contractors, electricians, etc.  Right now, when a permit is denied, current law doesn’t mandate that a permit office specify why they are denying a permit.  Click here to listen to the hearing.

 

Thursday Afternoon Judiciary Committee Hearing:

 

HB-242 would allow Kent County to conduct a Truancy Reduction Program  which has already been implemented in several other counties in the state. The program seeks to provide alternatives to curb truancy and has been used successfully in other areas of the state.

 

HB-178 expands the services provided by the Department of Human Resources allowing them to make contact with relatives in “out of home” placement situations. It was said this bill would help with placement of juveniles in the least restrictive environment.

 

HB-179 would change the make-up of the Adult Public Guardianship Review Boards currently in place within every county. It would require that one of the members be a member of the medical community other than a psychiatrist. It would also allow a Registered Nurse be allowed to serve in place of one of the Doctor assigned positions.

 

HB-222 would place the crimes of 1st Degree Burglary and Animal Cruelty on the list of crimes that must be reported by law enforcement to local school boards.

 

HB-236 This bill is titled the Maryland Collaborative Reproduction Act. It seeks to address surrogate legal contracts and agreements made between individuals for the purpose of a woman providing gestation services to another person seeking to have a child through this process. This is really an area that needs some study before any action is taken. There seems to be a desire to move this through quickly and I cannot help but think the LGBT community is driving it.

 

Friday Morning Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:

 

We heard from Secretary Murray from the Dept. of Business and Economic Development. He is always very enthusiastic (which I appreciate). He pointed out what he believed to be good progress by the administration in the area of business development while always avoiding the elephant in the room. I asked him about Beretta leaving Maryland for Tennessee and he said that was true. He said the company was expanding and was choosing to do so in another state. He also alluded to statements made by the company when the Gun Bill (SB-281) was passed last year indicating they were simply following through with what they had stated at that time. I’m sure Charles County would have appreciated the jobs and money of a major plant expansion. How long before Beretta moves out entirely we do not know. There is a smaller Benelli (part of the Beretta family) operation in Pocomoke City and we will have to wait and see how any future plans impact their Maryland operations.  

 

I pointed out to Sec. Murray that I had asked him for the past two years to get more involved with the poultry and agricultural businesses in the state to insure that they had a business advocate at the table when these new regulations and proposals come forward. He indicated that he tried to always remind his fellow cabinet members of the importance of these farming interests as business entities. Based upon the current state of affairs, it seems his voice does not carry very far in the room.

 

We heard a brief presentation from Secretary Hall of Planning. He spoke about trying to utilize additional funds from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to address additional septic concerns on the shore. I told him perhaps he could ask the governor to stop transferring tens of millions out of the trust fund to cover his General Fund expenditures. I also told him that it was beginning to look as though we did not need to double the Flush Tax since they keep taking so much money out of the fund for other expenses. He said he would pass that along (yeah, right). I also asked about the number of counties that had complied with the Tier Mapping. He stated that 14 counties had submitted maps. He said they were going back and forth with one particular county (probably Cecil) regarding issues with their proposal. Needless to say, it would seem many of our counties had opted to not comply or submit their plans. It was clear that the state is heavily embedded in local planning decisions based upon some of the discussions that took place between Sec. Hall and Delegate Arentz (R-Queen Anne) regarding a county growth area designation.

 

We heard from the Tourism Advisory Council and there were representatives from all of the local departments of tourism on the Eastern Shore. They were advocating to keep the governor’s proposed budget numbers for tourism in tact at $8.5 million as opposed to the budget review recommendations of the minimum mandated number of $6.5 million. The vast majority of this revenue is utilized for advertising and this is one area where the numbers can be seen in a very positive light when it comes to direct state revenues. This area of state spending is a big help to the Eastern Shore as we are quite dependant upon tourism to pay the bills.

Friday Morning Session:These bills were on First Reader.

 

Several Senate bills crossed over and were also on First Reader. Most were local bills. A couple of them were filed by Senator Colburn and would specifically impact Dorchester County(SB-76) and Cambridge (SB-152).

 

Learn More »

 

 

ASTRO-ADVENTURE AT The Delmarva Discovery Center

NASA Administrator Bolden, Senator Mikulski View Progress on James Webb Space Telescope

NASA NEWS

NASA Photo

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland congratulated the James Webb Space Telescope team Monday for the delivery of all flight instruments and primary mirrors to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Their comments came in a morning news conference at Goddard, where NASA's flagship science project will be assembled in preparation for launch in 2018.

”The Hubble Space Telescope has already rewritten the science books.  Going from Hubble to the James Webb Space Telescope is like going from a biplane to the jet engine,” said Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee that funds NASA. "As Chairwoman, I’ve continued to fight for funds in the federal checkbook to keep the James Webb Space Telescope mission on track, supporting jobs today and jobs tomorrow at Goddard. NASA Goddard is home to leaders in Maryland’s space and innovation economies, making discoveries that not only win Nobel Prizes, but create new products and jobs. The James Webb Space Telescope will keep us in the lead for astronomy for decades to come, spurring the innovation and technology that keep America’s economy rolling."

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope will be the most powerful space telescope ever built, capable of observing the most distant objects in the universe, providing images of the first galaxies formed, and observing unexplored planets around distant stars. A joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Webb is the successor to the agency's Hubble Space Telescope.

All 18 of Webb's primary mirror segments are now housed in the Goddard clean room. Its 1.3 million cubic feet of dust-free space make the clean room one of the world's largest. All four of Webb's science instruments are within feet of the mirrors. The telescope’s mirror and instruments will capture images of the universe and break down the spectra of incoming light to analyze the properties of galaxies, stars, and the atmospheres of planets beyond our solar system.

"The recent completion of the critical design review for Webb, and the delivery of all its instruments to Goddard, mark significant progress for this mission," said Bolden. "The design, build, delivery and testing of these components took meticulous planning and action here at Goddard and with teams across the country, as well as with our international partners. It's very exciting to see it all coming together on schedule. And I want to thank our good friend Senator Barbara Mikulski for her support. We wouldn't be here today without her championing of this critical capability for NASA. I know she understands just how important it is to continue to push the boundaries of what we can do in space."

"This past year has been one of significant progress for the Webb telescope," said Goddard Director Chris Scolese during the news conference. "The NASA Goddard team is working tirelessly with our partners to keep the program on track as we develop this newest scientific tool to explore the universe."

The news conference featured a video presentation hosted by Webb's deputy project manager and technical engineer, Paul Geithner, from inside the clean room. He explained how the 18 mirror segments will be coupled to form the massive space telescope's 21-foot-wide main mirror. This work, and the assembly of the rest of the telescope, will begin once the telescope structure arrives at Goddard.

"Each of these instruments has a unique function to collect data about the universe," Geithner said, pointing to four science instruments that will be located inside the heart of the telescope.

One of these instruments, the University of Arizona's Near-Infrared Camera, will be Webb's primary camera and will take images of the first stars and galaxies to form in the universe, along with many other astronomical targets.

A second instrument, ESA's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), will analyze the spectra and composition of as many as 100 objects at once. Airbus Defence and Space, formerly known as EADS/Astrium, built NIRSpec with components provided by Goddard.

A third instrument, ESA's Mid-Infrared Instrument, has both a camera and a spectrograph, which sees light in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum -- wavelengths longer than the human eye can see. This instrument was developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

A fourth instrument, CSA's Fine Guidance Sensor and Near-infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph, will allow Webb to point precisely at its target in order to obtain high-quality images, and also will provide other valuable science modes for investigating both the distant universe and nearby exoplanets.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is building Webb's sunshield. Once in space, the sunshield will act as an umbrella to keep heat radiating from the sun and Earth from reaching scientific instruments that must stay cold to function properly. The Webb telescope will be fully assembled by 2016 and then moved to a clean room at NASA's Johnson Space Center for additional testing.

For more information about the instruments and the Webb telescope, visit:

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov

and

http://www.nasa.gov/webb

HOGAN-RUTHERFORD TICKET FILES CANDIDACY Agrees to Limit Primary Spending to $2.6 Million

ANNAPOLIS – This afternoon Larry Hogan and Boyd Rutherford filed their certificate of candidacy with the Maryland Board of Elections for Governor and Lt. Governor respectively.  They also filed their notice of intent to participate in the Fair Campaign Financing Fund.

“The matching funds level the playing field for grassroots campaigns like ours and enables us to compete with the out of touch monopoly in Annapolis,” said Hogan. 

 “I also want to make it perfectly clear. No tax dollars are used in the Fair Campaign Financing Fund”, said Rutherford.

Maryland’s Fair Campaign Financing program is not funded by taxpayer dollars.  Instead, it relies on voluntary donations made by Marylanders on their State personal income tax form before the option was removed by the legislature in 2010.  Since 2010, the fund has grown strictly through investment income.  

“Every election, millions in special interest dollars pour into the campaigns of the out-of-touch Annapolis politicians,” charged Hogan.   

“By accepting these funds, we give a voice to hundreds of thousands of Marylanders fed-up with the monopoly of power in Annapolis and our campaign to change Maryland can focus on reaching voters with our common sense message of fiscal restraint and reform in Annapolis.”

 

By participating in the Fair Campaign Financing fund the Hogan-Rutherford campaign agrees to limit their expenditures during the primary to $2.6 million, approximately ten times the amount raised by their nearest challenger for the Republican nomination.  

Internal and external polls suggest Larry Hogan is the best positioned to stop status quo, politics-as-usual in Annapolis.  Recent polling shows just 31% of likely voters wanting to see a continuation of the current administration’s failed leadership.  In fact, this same polling indicates that Maryland voters favor a dramatic change of direction by an impressive 25 point margin.

Together, Larry Hogan and Boyd Rutherford have the right mix of private and public sector experience to turn Maryland around.  

A business owner for over 25 years, Larry has helped attract hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to Maryland.  He took time away from his successful business to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ehrlich Administration, and founded the state’s largest non-partisan grassroots organization, Change Maryland, focused on bringing fiscal responsibility and common sense policies to Annapolis.

Boyd Rutherford is an accomplished Attorney and Operations Executive with broad private and public sector experience and expertise at both the Federal and state levels.  He has served as the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Associate Administrator of the GSA, as well as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS).

###

For additional information contact:

Adam J Schmidt (443) 221-4450 office (410) 897-7050 mobile aschmidt@hoganforgovernor.com

Hannah Marr (443) 221-4450 office (443) 935-3684 mobile hmarr@hoganforgovernor.com

@Hogan4Governor | www.HoganforGovernor.com | fb.com/ChangeMaryland
Authority: Larry Hogan for Governor, John C. Wobensmith, Treasurer

HOGAN CAMPAIGN TO FILE CANDIDACY WITH MARYLAND BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Who: Larry Hogan, a business owner for over 25 years, has helped attract hundreds of businesses and create thousands of new jobs in Maryland. He took time away from his successful business to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ehrlich Administration, and founded the state’s largest non-partisan grassroots organization, Change Maryland, focused on bringing fiscal responsibility and common sense policies to Annapolis.

What: Press availability immediately following filing of paperwork with Maryland Board of Elections

Where: 151 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD 21401

When: 4PM Monday 3 February 2014

Details: Larry Hogan and Boyd Rutherford will be available for comment after they file paperwork with the Maryland Board of Elections certifying their candidacy for Governor and Lt. Governor respectively.

Contact:

Adam J Schmidt (443) 221-4450 office (410) 897-7050 mobile aschmidt@hoganforgovernor.com

Hannah Marr (443) 221-4450 office (443) 935-3684 mobile hmarr@hoganforgovernor.com

###

@Hogan4Governor | www.HoganforGovernor.com | fb.com/ChangeMaryland
Authority: Larry Hogan for Governor, John C. Wobensmith, Treasurer

Ceremony For the New AW139 Helicopter To Be Held

MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND ANNOUNCES 2013 PILOT OF THE YEAR

It is always so wonderful to read  such wonder words about the people from Pocomoke City that you know and love.  Congratulations Stan !!  My very best to you and yours in the future. Your life long accomplishments brings tears to my eyes.  SO proud of you!!  bw

MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND ANNOUNCES

 

2013 PILOT OF THE YEAR

William S. "Stan" Finch, Jr.
2013 Pilot of the Year
Maryland State Police

 

 

MR. WILLIAM S. “STAN” FINCH, JR.

 

MIDDLE RIVER, MD) -- The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) has selected Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr. as the 2013 Pilot of the Year.  Mr. Finch is assigned to the Salisbury Aviation Section based at the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport.  He was selected by his peers for this annual award based on proven performance, dedication, and commitment to the MSPAC mission.

 

   Mr. Finch has been a member of the Aviation Command for over 30 years.  During his tenure he has served as an Aviation Trauma Technician (precursor to Flight Paramedic), Pilot, Sergeant, Instructor Pilot and Civilian Pilot.  In 2013 he was named the Lead Instructor Pilot for the statewide transition into the new, state of the art, AgustaWestland AW139 multi-mission helicopter.  In this role he was responsible for drafting a training syllabus and training manual in compliance with FAA guidelines and coordinating the training of line pilots on the new AW139 helicopter.  As a result of his tireless work and dedication to duty, MSPAC has transitioned three helicopter sections into the new helicopter with the fourth transition beginning earlier this week in St. Mary’s County.  With Mr. Finch’s efforts across the state, MSPAC continues to serve the citizens of Maryland with the most advanced and capable multi-mission helicopter available.  This training is the highlight of Mr. Finch’s 40 years of dedication to state of Maryland.

 

Personal Background

Name:  William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr.

Assignment: Instructor Pilot – Salisbury Aviation Section

History: 40 years of service to the Maryland State Police
                        34 years of service to Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company.

Hobbies: NASCAR, hunting, and driving to Marshall University.

Family: Resides in Pocomoke, Worcester County with his wife, Cathy.


Activities/Accomplishments

     Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr. joined the Maryland State Police in 1973 and the Aviation Command in 1982. He began as an Aviation Trauma Technician and then became a certified helicopter pilot in the Bell 206 JetRanger. He retired as a Sergeant/Pilot in 1998 and returned to the State Police as a Civilian Pilot continuing to fly the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. For the last decade, Mr. Finch has worked as the Instructor Pilot at the Salisbury Section - Trooper 4.  In May, 2013 he was named the MSPAC’s Lead Instructor Pilot for the new AW139 multi-mission helicopter.

     As the Lead Instructor Pilot on the AW139, Mr. Finch researched and produced numerous guides and training plans to ensure a successful, efficient transition into the new aircraft. Mr. Finch has traveled across Maryland instructing pilots at various helicopter sections with a lead/primary focus with the Easton and Salisbury Sections. This week he began instructing the pilots at the Southern Maryland Section with the new AW139. The MSPAC continues to benefit from his extensive experience, dedication to duty and commitment to flight safety as an example for others to follow.

     In addition to his service with the Maryland State Police, Mr. Finch has been a member of the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company for 34 years and has served in multiple capacities. From 2000-2012 he served as a sworn Deputy Sheriff with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Civil Division. He stepped down from the Sheriff’s Office to focus solely on the MSPAC AW139 helicopter transition program. 

     Mr. Finch will be formally recognized as the 2013 Pilot of the Year at the MSPAC Salisbury Section AW139 helicopter ribbon cutting ceremony. The ribbon cutting will be held on February 5, 2014, at 1:00pm at the Salisbury Section hangar, 5286 Lear Jet Way, Salisbury, MD 21804. Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, and other state and local officials will be in attendance.

     The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of advanced multi-mission helicopters from seven bases throughout the state on a 24/7/365 basis.  Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment.  The success of missions performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.

Mike Mann
Maryland State Police

One Ring Phone Scam - Possibly Happening Locally...

Better Business Bureau warns of 'one ring' phone scam from Caribbean Islands

PITTSBURGH —While most Pittsburghers probably wouldn’t mind a trip to the Caribbean to avoid the cold winter months, most of them probably weren’t expecting phone calls from the islands that the Better Business Bureau warns are part of a "one ring" scam.

“They're using autodialers to call thousands and thousands of our cellphones. And they let it ring once, and then when the consumers goes to look to see who called, some that may be pretty curious may call that number back and automatically you’re going to be charged an additional $30 on your phone bill,” said the BBB’s Warren King.

VIDEO: BBB warns of 'one ring' phone scam from Caribbean Islands

The calls cost $20 up front and $9 for each additional minute.

Some of the area codes being used are 473, 809, 876, 284 and 268.

Residents are encouraged to first research the area code online to see where it originates from before calling the number back.

Source:

Todays Date in 1959 ~ "The Day The Music Died"

Buddy Holly's plane went down in an Iowa cornfield  (a little past 1 a.m.) on Feb. 3, 1959.

Fifty-five years ago today, a small plane crash in an icy  field in Iowa, one of the defining moments of rock 'n' roll history took place.  Aboard that plane were rockers Buddy Holly, J.P. ("The Big Bopper")  Richardson and Ritchie Valens.  The  deaths of these three musicians resonated across the musical landscape for years to come.

Some say the deaths  of the trio is what prompted Don McClean to write the song American Pie.

Others also claim  the entire song is a tribute to Buddy Holly and a commentary on how rock and roll music changed in the years since his death.

Most of us - teenagers then, may remember Don McClean as sang on stage in many colleges across America.  This song is forever etched in our hearts....



Read More...

Rotary Funds New Scholarship To Support Pocomoke High School Students

From left are Thomas Moskios, Treasurer,
Pocomoke City Rotary Club;
Carole Krueger, Vice President,
Pocomoke City Rotary Club; Willie Jackson, President,
 Pocomoke City Rotary Club and BJ Summers,
Director, Development & Philanthropic Services,
Community Foundation

POCOMOKE CITY — The Pocomoke City Rotary Club created a legacy at the Community Foundation by establishing the Pocomoke City Rotary J. Dawson Clarke Memorial Scholarship. Pocomoke City Rotary established the fund to benefit Pocomoke High School students.

Members raised $10,000 as the initial deposit, and it was presented by club President Willie Jackson, Vice President Carole Krueger and Treasurer Thomas Moskios to BJ Summers, director of Development & Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation.

Since 1984, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore has been serving the needs of Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties granting more than $30 million. Through the generosity and vision of our donors, CFES awarded grants totaling more than $5.4 million in fiscal year 2013. For more information, visit www.cfes.org or call 410-742-9911.

Source:

 

Schedule Changes For Accomack County Schools

The Accomack County School system has announced changes in its exam schedule due to the time lost to last weeks school closings.

First semester exams will be on February 3 and 4 with one hour and forty-five minutes early dismissal.

The School Board voted to do away with the teacher work day which was scheduled for January 31.

The third nine weeks and second semester will begin on Wednesday, February 5, 2014.

 Accomack had five days built in its schedule for inclement weather. If there are any more missed days, the schedule will have to be further adjusted to make up the lost time.

TIME MACHINE ... 1952, 1886, 1969, 1966, 1881, 1901

   

  

 (Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archive material)

 

January, 1952

(Salisbury Times)

The Navy has planned to make the Chincoteague Base a $44,000,000 establishment.  Expansion plans include additional barrack to accommodate 700 men; a new 2,000-man mess hall; more than 300-unit apartments for civilian and service personnel; a new chapel and a new gymnasium.  Currently the base has 1,500 men and a payroll of nearly $4,000,000 a year.

May, 1886

(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House)

Mr. A. Parker has purchased property at Pocomoke City, Md., which he will enlarge and use as a hotel.

Footnote:  This property was at the southwest corner of Clarke Avenue and Willow street and became the Parker House Hotel (in later years, the Peacock Hotel).

February, 1969

(Youngstown Vindicator- Youngstown, Ohio)

60 Red Trawlers Off Virginia; U.S. To Board Zone Violators

Ships Fish Inside Limit Of 12 Miles

(Excerpt)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP)-  A spokesman for the 5th Coast Guard District reported late Saturday that a fleet of Communist Bloc fishing trawlers off of Virginia's Eastern Shore had grown to 60 vessels, at least 20 of which had violated the 12-mile fishing zone reserved for U.S. ships.

While a Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft circled overhead, the cutter Point Arena sped to the scene to make a report.

However, all the ships had retreated to international waters by the time the cutter arrived.

Shortly before dark a Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft had reported two or three of the trawlers still operating within the 12-mile fishing limit claimed by the United States.

An earlier report from the aircraft confirmed that 20 of the Soviet ships had violated U.S. claimed waters off the Virginia coast, but most began scattering seaward when it was reported the Point Arena had been dispatched from Portsmouth.

Even so, Lt. Leo Black, group commander of Coast Guard group Chincoteague, aboard the Point Arena, handed a message to the Soviet "mother ship" Pomorze.

The Coast Guard said the message warned the Soviet skipper his ships had violated U.S. law by entering the 12-mile limit and advised that a repeat of the offense would cause his ships to be "boarded and possibly seized."

ACROSS THE USA

November, 1966 (Time Machine archive)

(Press Telegram- Long Beach, Calif.)

Pro Grid Meets On Merger

New York (AP)-  A joint committee of the American and National Football Leagues went into a closed session today to work out details of their merger- particularly the Super Bowl and a common draft.

President Johnson signed into law a bill giving the merger limited immunity from antitrust laws Tuesday. 

Under the merger plans the leagues will play a Super Bowl in January pitting the AFL champion against the NFL champions.  The leagues will also have a common player draft and will plan a schedule of inter league, pre-season games next season.

Those were among the items the committee was scheduled to discuss today, but a league spokesmen said no announcement would be made.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle will preside at the meeting.

September, 1881

(Denton Journal)

Water Ten Cents A Gallon.-  Owing to the extremely dry weather of the past month the stock of water on hand in Crisfield has been entirely consumed.  The demand is now supplied from the Princess Anne wells.  It is brought down by the Eastern Shore Railroad Company and dealt out to the eager purchasers at ten cents per gallon.- Crisfield Leader.

August, 1901

(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House)

An automobile will be one of the attractions of the Peninsula Fair.  It will run daily during the fair for the entertainment of all within its gates.

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!

DOVER MAN ARRESTED AFTER POLICE CHASE

Alex Ryan Little

On January 31, 2014, at approximately 2:40 a.m. Ocean City police officers were on marked patrol in the area of Coastal Highway and 100th Street they observed a vehicle traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of 62nd Street after officers observed the vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit, however; the driver of the vehicle did not stop.

The driver, later identified as Alex Ryan Little, 24, of Dover, DE, continued to travel southbound on Philadelphia Avenue until the vehicle failed to negotiate the turn at N. Division Street, struck the center median and collided with an electrical box. The electrical box caught on fire and power was briefly disrupted to the south end of Ocean City. Traffic on route 50 was also disrupted, as officers closed eastbound and westbound movement for approximately 30 minutes due to the collision.

Little was arrested by Ocean City police and charged with two counts of driving while under the influence, driving while impaired by alcohol, eluding uniformed police, and negligent and reckless driving in addition to multiple traffic citations.

Neither Little nor any officers were injured during this incident. Alcohol was determined to be a factor. Little was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and released on $25,000 bond.

Ocean City Police Dept.

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office - Recent Arrests

Recent Arrests
Somerset County Sheriff’s Office

Glinda Mae Duckworth - Princess Anne, Criminal summons served on 1-17-14 for theft less than $ 500.00, Duckworth was released on signature pending court actions.

Jerome Copes - Princess Anne, arrested 1-17-14 for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, and driving while impaired by alcohol per-se. Copes was released to the Salisbury Police Department on unrelated charges. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop conducted by deputies in the area of Somerset Ave, and Mt. Vernon Rd. Deputies stopped Copes while riding a bicycle the wrong side of the roadway, and a headlight violation.

Hassan Bilal -Atlantic City, New Jersey, arrested 1-18-14 for possessing and transporting unstamped cigarettes. Bilal was held on a $10,000 bond. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop conducted by deputies on Ocean Highway near the State Police Barrack. Deputies later recovered 289 cartons of Virginia unstamped cigarettes, cash, ledgers, and a cell phone.

 Clinton Melvin Johnson - Princess Anne, arrested 1-23-14 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Johnson was later released on a $ 4,000 unsecured bond.

 Piara Pecola Corbin -Fruitland, arrested 1-26-14 on warrants for simple assault, malicious destruction of property, 2nd degree assault and harassment. Corbin was later released on a $ 10,000 unsecured bond.

 Lauren Sheaique Fountain - Fruitland, arrested 1-26-14 on warrants for 2nd degree assault, malicious destruction of property and harassment. Fountain was later released on a $ 10,000 unsecured bond.

Lavernea Michell Hodge -  Crisfield, Criminal summons served on 1-26-14 for 2nd degree assault. Hodge was released on signature pending court actions.

Shawn Lamont Jackson - Salisbury, arrested 1-27-14 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Jackson was held on a $ 500.00 bond.

 Juvenile arrested 1-27-14 at the Somerset Intermediate School for disturbing school functions. Deputies responded to the school for a male juvenile who refused to obey school staff causing teachers to clear a classroom. Deputies arrested the juvenile for disturbing school functions, and later released him to parents.

Somerset County Sheriff's Office

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1952.. Big expansion plans for Chincoteague base;  1886.. Beginnings of a future Pocomoke City landmark; 1969.. Soviet trawler fleet invades waters off of Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1966.. American and National Football leagues working on details of a merger and a “Super Bowl;” 1881.. Dry weather brings high-priced water to Crisfield; 1901.. What’s the new big attraction at Accomac’s Peninsula Fair?  It’s an a _ _ _ m_ _ _ _ e!

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!

UPDATED~ Missing Sheriff’s Deputy Found Dead In Creek

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – The Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputy whose disappearance Friday morning sparked  massive search was found deceased Saturday.

“Early this morning, Percy Lee House III, the Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputy missing since Friday morning, was found deceased in his vehicle located in a creek off of Massie Branch Road in Greensville County,” the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association wrote in a Saturday morning email.

“While the Virginia State Police is in the midst of conducting a full investigation, the accident is reported to be the result of icy road conditions.”

Deputy House, 52, last made contact with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office about 9:24 a.m. Friday. House was last spotted in the small town of Skippers.

“I want to thank my staff, volunteers from our community, and public safety agencies from the surrounding area for their quick response and support over the last 24 hours,” Greensville County Sheriff James Edwards said. “The loss of Deputy Lee House III to our close department and our community is tragic and unexpected. Please keep his family and all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers.”

Anyone with information about this situation is asked to call Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434-348-4200.

This is a developing story.

Source and VIDEO

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council AGENDA

Corrected.  Thank you.  bw

  

A G E N D A 

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING 

7:30 PM, Monday, February 3, 2014 

City Hall

 

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance. 

2.         Review and approval of minutes from meeting of January 6, 2014.

3.         Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.         Discuss proposal from G.M.B. Engineers for study and design of improvements to water distribution system in Pocomoke Heights neighborhood.

5.         Representatives of "Save the Youth" to make presentation regarding recent activities.

6.         Representative of Eastern Shore Communications to discuss proposed new wireless           broadband system.  

7.         Councilman Clarke to discuss recent activities of the Worcester County Solid Waste         Committee.

8.         Consider request from Mr. Harold Scrimgeour for a waiver for permit fees for new well    at his vacant property at 1309 Ocean Highway.

9.         Discuss letter from Elks Club requesting permission to use Winter Quarters Golf Course    for tournament on May 10, 2014.

10.       Discuss letter from Chamber of Commerce requesting permission for use of Cypress Park for Cypress Festival and Pocomoketoberfest.

 

Comments from the Audience.
Mayor and Council Items.
Adjourn.

 

 

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Federalsburg Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

Federalsburg Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

 BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Scott Zalewski, age 31, of Federalsburg, Maryland, today to 40 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for two counts of producing child pornography. Judge Motz ordered that upon his release from prison, Zalewski must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Caroline County Sheriff Randy Bounds; and Caroline County State’s Attorney Jonathan Newell.
According to the plea agreement, on at least three occasions from July through August 2011, Zalewski took sexually explicit photographs of a minor female, under 12 years of age, including several photographs documenting his sexual abuse of the girl, which he then e-mailed to another person.

On January 2, 2013, the Zalewski’s live-in girlfriend provided police with photographs that contained sexually explicit images of the victim, which she reported finding in Zalewski’s e-mail account.

Police arrested Zalewski later on January 2, 2013. A search warrant subsequently executed on Zalewski’s e-mail account recovered digital copies of the sexually explicit pictures of the victim being sent to another individual. More than a dozen other e-mails were also seized, dating from July and August 2011, in which Zalewski was trading sexually explicit images of other children with other individuals.

A hard drive recovered from Zalewski’s house and a laptop Zalewski’s ex-girlfriend previously turned over to police were also searched pursuant to a federal warrant. The hard drive contained 45 images of child pornography, dating from approximately April 2008. On the laptop were records of chats in which the defendant discussed and exchanged child pornography with others, dating from approximately December 2006 through October 2007.

Text messages recovered from Zalewski’s cell phone showed discussion of child pornography with others on December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013. Some text messages had image attachments, but the images were deleted and could not be recovered.

Zalewski previously pleaded guilty in Caroline County Circuit Court to a second-degree sex offense and to rape in the second degree and was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison on those charges. Zalewski’s state and federal sentences will be served concurrently.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Source:

SAVE THE DATE: Another PHS "PINK OUT" For Worthy Cause

 

Pocomoke High School Warriors

 

PINK OUT

 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Games start at 4 pm

 Pocomoke Girls and Boys Varsity vs  Mardela

 

Some of the prizes available

 

 All proceeds benefit:

Women Supporting Women (local agency supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer)

&

 Canine Cancer Foundation ( for our four legged friends fighting cancer)

 

Come Out and Support This Event !!

 

Maryland State Police: MAKE THE RIGHT CALL BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS

MAKE THE RIGHT CALL BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS....
 DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER

(PIKESVILLE, MD)— As Super Bowl Sunday quickly approaches, troopers suggest fans take the time now to make the right call to save lives and designate a sober driver because friends don’t let fans drink and drive.

Maryland state troopers are anticipating fans will be traveling on Super Bowl Sunday to and from different locations to enjoy the game. With this in mind, Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has directed each of the 22 barracks to conduct saturation patrols focusing on impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Additional troopers will be assigned to these enforcement efforts on special assignment duty and overtime. Also deployed will be the team known as the State Police Impaired Driving Effort, or S.P.I.D.R.E. Team.

“Motorists should plan ahead and designate a sober driver for the game,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “There will be zero tolerance for anyone who elects to jeopardize the safety of others and chooses to drive while impaired.”
If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

-Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.

 -If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.

 -Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.


Last year, on Super Bowl Sunday, troopers arrested 24 drunk drivers. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .07 (driving while impaired) is illegal in Maryland and .08 (driving under the influence) or higher is illegal in every state. A driver under the age of 21, with any measurable alcohol in their system is in violation of alcohol laws in Maryland.

 S.P.I.D.R.E is a full time team of troopers dedicated to removing impaired drivers off the roads statewide. The S.P.I.D.R.E team will be assigned to the Baltimore Metropolitan area during this initiative. In many other areas of the state, the Super Bowl enforcement initiatives will be joint operations with local law enforcement.

 Law enforcement will conduct saturation patrols on roads designated as high crash areas. These patrols are effective methods to prevent impaired or aggressive driving as well as a successful means to arrest those who choose to drink and drive.

 The additional state police patrols coincide with the Maryland Highway Safety Office initiative “Towards Zero Death.” Overtime funding for additional patrols is provided by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. 

Maryland State Police