Monday, July 27, 2015

YOUR VIEW?

Have a comment or opinion? You're welcome to share it here on The Pocomoke Public Eye! 

We're a family-friendly site so please keep the language and subject matter appropriate.

Some recent comments were:


(Sunday, 7/26)
I hope that Ernie Leatherbury comes and takes the Chiefs job, he is a man of character and good looking to boot. on Pocomoke Remains In The News..
Anonymous
at 1:06 PM
In the Pocomoke 2009 election, before the absentee ballots were counted the results were dead even at 58 each. There were 178 absentee ballots. How many elections do you know of where the absentee ballot number exceeds the number of in person votes? Now if the irregularities with the absentee ballots had not existed it still may have turned out the same. I do believe there was voter fraud in that election. on Pocomoke Petitioners..

Anonymous
at 12:13 PM
See also http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2009/05/wymzie-stephanie-burke-loses-election.html on Pocomoke Petitioners..
SBeyma
at 11:59 AM
Refer to http://thepocomokepubliceye.blogspot.com/2011/02/changes-made-in-pocomoke-election-laws.html on Pocomoke Petitioners..
SBeyma
at 11:53 AM
Anon 10 am, Agreed to a certain extent; that is how Stephanie Burke forced the last changes by taking her concerns to the States Attorney at the time. That still does not mean the town administrator did not have to do a better job of assuring the local elections are conducted ethically and properly and that the election board and town had adequate training, which they do not have so far. Why is there no provision for write in votes, for example? on Pocomoke Petitioners..
SBeyma
at 11:49 AM
I wonder if Lucas informed the DOJ reps of this tidbit at the meeting the other night? If true, the former chief and the citizens group really has a gem as their de facto spokeswoman. All of their credibility is shot if her man was one of the ones recently arrested. The first thing the citizens need to do before they worry about the mayor and council is to clean their own house. on Pocomoke Remains In The News..
Anonymous
at 10:09 AM
SBeyma, while the election was local, they are overseen by the State of MD. Any election issues then fall to that particular county's States Attorney's Office. onPocomoke Petitioners..
Anonymous
at 10:00 AM
I can remember seeing Honiss and whatever other seating council member up for reelection walking through neighborhoods, their back pocket full of absentee ballot forms. This was done with the full knowledge of city hall. Had we had the professional city manager the former city manager claimed to be, this would not have been possible. It was his duty to see that elections were conducted ethically and he failed miserably by intention. on Pocomoke Petitioners..
SBeyma
at 9:36 AM
Oh really 10:13. And who might that fine upstanding citizen be? No wonder she's PO'ed. Taking a bite out of crime must have certainly taken a bite out of her pocketbook. I wonder if she is a user as well? This would explain the babbling nonsense that comes out of that mouth of hers every time she's interviewed by the media. Next time she's interviewed she needs to be asked about this. on Pocomoke Remains In The News..
Anonymous
at 8:15 AM
9:27-Not so sure that the system was revised. I think it's more along the lines of Honiss died and isn't around to organize a Stuff the Ballot Box drive. I clearly remember the election where there were considerably more absentee ballots then there were more people who showed up to vote on election day. Yep-only those born yesterday thought everything was on the up and up. Those low information people and people who knew it was wrong, but chose to ignore. on Pocomoke Petitioners..

(7/25)
I grew up with Reuben Campbell (Sonny) Morrison and his little brother, Brucie. I've lost track of how many times Sonny has been in jail and I don't think much more of Brucie but at least he has never served time. Somehow he got himself elected Mayor so I've got to respect that but the key is the City Attorney. If he's any kind of lawyer he would have advised and prevented the Mayor and Council from doing anything blatantly illegal. Questionable, maybe but definitely not illegal. Brucie may come out of this with a whole lot of stink on him but I doubt there will be any charges. Your friend, Slim on Pocomoke Petitioners..






Sunday, July 26, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... 1969, 1898, 1939, 1829, 1949.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable.  F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archives/historical archives material)


October, 1969..



                                                                                   The Salisbury Times



October, 1898
The Times (Washington, D.C.)

Fire At Crisfield, Md.

Crisfield, Md., Oct. 25.-  The business portion of Crisfield was destroyed by fire last night.  Eight stores, the Eastern Shore Hotel, the postoffice and the Adams Express office are among the buildings burned.  The loss is estimated at $40,000; small insurance.



July, 1939


                                                                        Easton Star Democrat (Easton, Md)




Footnote:

Gunther was a long established Baltimore brewery, with a heritage that pre-dated Prohibition (when it was spelled "Guenther").  The brewery operated until 1959, when it was purchased by Theodore Hamm, a large Minnesota-based brewery. Hamm was attempting to expand its territory into the East and bought Gunther as its first outpost.  Rather than continue to brew Gunther for local customers and introduce it's own brands over time, Hamm's instead eliminated Gunther's brand immediately (negating all the local loyalty).  Hamm's only stayed for three years before selling the brewery and brands to Schaefer, a large Brooklyn-based brewer. Schaefer reintroduced Gunther as one of its budget brands and won back some of the local customer base.  Schaefer itself continued in operation until 1976, when its operations and brands were sold.

(online text and logo courtesy http://heritage575.tripod.com/home.html )



July, 1829
The Hagerstown Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)

Myriads of Locusts, says the Snow Hill Messenger, have made their appearance in Somerset County, on the eastern shore of this state, and fears are entertained that they will do great injury to the fruit trees.



1949.. "More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette."

See the TV commercial here:

http://www.bestoldcommercials.com/camel-igarettes-doctors-choice-of-smoke/



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .


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Saturday, July 25, 2015

Pocomoke Petitioners..

(wboc.com)

Petition for Pocomoke Mayor's Resignation Temporarily Recalled

Posted: Jul 24, 2015 10:23 PM EDT

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -- A petition calling for Pocomoke City's mayor to resign has been recalled temporarily by the group that requested it.
The Citizens for a better Pocomoke held a press conference Friday night at the House of Love Christian Center to officially call for Mayor Bruce Morrison's resignation.
Reverend James Jones, a spokesperson for the group, says the petition will be revised and released early next week.
WBOC also spoke to Mayor Morrison earlier today who says allegations of corruption and incompetence against him are false.
Morrison says he is not prepared to resign.
But Morrison and the group's leaders say they are willing to talk about a resolution.
"I would be willing to sit down with the mayor at any given time," said Jones. "We just want honesty. When he speaks, we want him to be straightforward and honest with us."
Mayor Morrison has declined to go on camera with WBOC but he did give a statement Friday about former police chief Kelvin Sewell, who was fired by the council weeks ago and prompted the group's formation. 
Morrison says the "chief works at the pleasure of the council," the decision was made by the council and the council acts on behalf of the people in Pocomoke City.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Pocomoke Remains In The News..

(wboc.com)

Some Pocomoke Residents Call For Mayor's Resignation, He Tells WBOC He's Staying

Posted: Jul 23, 2015 7:39 PM EDT
POCOMOKE, Md.-  It's been a few weeks since the Pocomoke City Council voted to remove their police chief.  Ever since that sudden announcement, supporters of Kelvin Sewell have rallied behind the chief.
The matter even caught the attention of the justice department, who this week was in town looking into the situation.  The group who has been pushing for the chief's reinstatement is now calling for the mayor's resignation.
It's been a turbulent few weeks in Pocomoke.  A group calling themselves "Citizens for a Better Pocomoke" are petitioning for the mayor's resignation.
"He should be gone, because he got rid of the chief without letting us know what what and why, and because he has his own agenda.  He is an elected official, he speaks for us, and right now, he's not," Michelle Lucas said.
In a statement to WBOC, Mayor Bruce Morrison said:

"I became involved 11 years ago to make positive influence in our community, I believe I've done that successfully.  It's been a very unfortunate and an inaccurate deception of Pocomoke City that is being presented right now.  I have every confidence that we will weather the storm.  I intend to work with all the residents of pocomoke city for a positive outcome.  I have no intention of resigning of mayor of Pocomoke City at this time."
Not everyone though believes the chief should resign.  Long time residents like Marc Scher say Mayor Morrison has been good for Pocomoke.
"He should definitely stay, I feel he has worked really hard, he takes pride in the job he's done, and definitely I think he should stay," said Scher.
"It's important that he stay because he's concerned about Pocomoke, he loves Pocomoke, he's lived here all of his life, and we need a good man representing Pocomoke like he does," said Joanne Lusby.
But others say by getting rid of the mayor, the chief may be able to come back.
"Get rid of the mayor.  Because he has not been honest.  He's a liar.  He did not give the community no explanation, he wanted to do what he wanted to do.  if we stick together as a community, we can get our chief back," said Michelle Kellam-Brown.
The group behind this petition to remove the mayor would not speak to us on camera today.  They intend to formally announce the petition Friday evening in Pocomoke City.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

 1969.. It's third straight county soccer title for Pocomoke High; 1898.. Crisfield suffers big fire loss; 1939.. A longtime former Maryland brewery in its heyday; 1829.. Mother Nature's unwelcome visitors come to Somerset County; 1949.. TV ad says this cigarette is smoked by more doctors than any other brand. 

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .


When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Department Of Justice Visits Pocomoke City..


A local news outlet's article reports on the 

purpose of a current visit to Pocomoke City by 

members of The Department of Justice 

Community Relations Service Division. 

http://www.wboc.com/story/29611314/department-of-justice-in-pocomoke-city

Susan Pusey Services Scheduled..


(delaware 1059.com)

 A Celebration of Susan's life will be held on 

Thursday starting at 11 a.m. at Pocomoke High

School; the doors will open at 10 a.m. for 

seating. Pusey's son Trever will lead the service

and arrangements have been made for several 

speakers to share their memories from Susan's

life.


Following Thursday's service, there will be a 


"Field Hockey Welcome Home Champions 

Parade"  from the high school, through town to

the draw bridge, similar to the many Susan 

experienced in her coaching career, but in the

opposite direction as we send Susan off to her

Championship into eternal life. 



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can 

be made to the Pocomoke High School, c/o

Annette Wallace, 1817 Old Virginia Road,

Pocomoke City, MD 21851 for the support of 

the field hockey program. 


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Downtown This Friday!





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Sunday, July 19, 2015

Pocomoke Coach Dies..

Local news media Sunday afternoon was reporting the sudden passing of Pocomoke High School field hockey coach Susan Pusey.

A WBOC report stated she died of a blood clot and that her family stated she had undergone knee surgery on Friday.

See more at:
http://www.wboc.com/story/29582788/community-mourns-loss-of-beloved-pocomoke-coach-susan-pusey

TIME MACHINE ... 1930, 1886, 1962, 1948, 1910.

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable.  F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archives/historical archives material)


December, 1930..


                                                                            The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)

Footnote:   In 1931 former world champion Jack Dempsey made an appearance at the Pocomoke arena as a guest referee for a couple of matches with a crowd of more than 2,000 in attendance. What happend to the arena?  I grew up not far from the Pocomoke Fair Grounds and the arena wasn't there at that time, 1950's.  Only thing there, as I recall, was the dirt track used sometimes for exercising harness racing horses. Stock car races were held at the fair grounds track up to about 1950 or so. -tk


October, 1886 (Time Machine archive)
The Boston Sunday Globe

"BOTTLED LIGHTNING,"

And How Maryland and Virginia Prohibitionists are Fighting it.

Baltimore, Md., Oct 9.- The Prohibitionists of both Maryland and Virginia have tried in vain to reach with the law the flourishing saloon of John B. Blizzard on Fox's island.  The only house on this little tract of land, which is located seven miles from Crisfield, is the residence and saloon of Blizzard, who is reaping a fortune on his sale of "bottled lightning" to the oystermen.  The spot is partly in Maryland and partly in Virginia, yet is amenable to the laws of neither state.  On the mainland all around the island in Virginia and Maryland, local option exists.  The house is situated partly in Maryland and partly in Virginia, but its exact location cannot be arrived at, as it is not included within the lines of any county or district.  Smith's island and Crisfield district lie adjacent to the island, put no portion of it is included within the limits of either of these districts.  The proprietor has no license to sell liquor, and not being in any county, as far as the existing lines show, and being unable to locate himself he has no source from which to produce a license, and consequently goes without.

In absence of an authority to grant license there can be, of course, no authority to prohibit him from selling without a license, and not being within the jurisdiction of any county he is not subject to the existing local option laws of the bordering counties.  His bar-room, previous to the passage of local option laws in the neighboring counties of Virginia, was located on the Virginia side of the line, but after the passage he has removed it a few feet and over the line, and now conducts his business in Maryland.  On this peculiarly situated island a man can stand with one foot in Maryland and the other in Virginia, and drink to the health of both states and defy the authorities of each.

Footnote:  The following item was reported in the Peninsula Enterprise of Accomac in May, 1885: Mr. John B. Blizzard of Crisfield, Md., has moved to Foxes Island, this county, which he lately purchased of Mr. Planner Crockett, and proposes to engage largely in the planting of oysters and the soft crab business there, and at no distant day will open a first-class summer resort.


May, 1962
The Salisbury Times

(Excerpts)

Snow Hill Homecoming Celebration Is Tomorrow

SNOW HILL -  An auction sale, barbecued chicken, a band concert, and a variety of activities are planned for the annual Snow Hill Homecoming Celebration to be held in Byrd Park tomorrow.

Special guests, the famous character of novel and movies, "Misty," will be on display at the affair. Also traveling with mother to Snow Hill will be "Stormy" the young offspring born to Misty after the March Storm.

Scheduled during the afternoon will be a boat parade on the Pocomoke River, a concert by the Snow Hill High Band, and the ever popular auction.

Offered for sale at the auction are items of every description. This year, according to Mayor James T. Sturgis, an old fashion four-wheel buggy will be sold to the highest bidder. The auction will be under the direction of auctioneer Carol Long of Salisbury.

Officials have reported that the Homecoming grows larger each year. It was reported that more than 1,500 are expected to attend this year's activities. 



July, 1948.. Tuning In On The Radio




                                                                                  The Star Democrat (Easton)


1910.. School Days in Parksley, Va.



                                                                             Eastern Shore Railway Museum photo.



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .


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Saturday, July 18, 2015

Photos Of Pluto Reveal A 'Toy Store' Of Surprises


(npr.org)


Members of the New Horizons science team react to seeing the spacecraft's image of Pluto on Tuesday, before its closest approach.
Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP


Pluto turns out to be pretty lively.
Not Las Vegas, perhaps, but more vivacious with geologic activity than we've ever known about, and for good reason: Pluto is currently almost 3 billion miles away from Earth, a dwarf planet spinning in the lonely last ring of our solar system.
But this week the New Horizons space probe sent back the first detailed pictures humans have ever been able to see of Pluto and its five moons.
Pluto is also billions of miles from the sun, so it's cold. But according to these first photos, cold with ice, not stone. Mountains of ice as tall as the Rockies, and only about 100 million years old in a solar system that's been around more than 4.5 billion years.
"Who would have supposed that there were ice mountains?" project scientist Hal Weaver asked at a press conference. "It's just blowing my mind."


A close-up of a region near Pluto's equator taken by the New Horizons spacecraft.
NASA


Imagine what it must take to blow the mind of a space scientist.
Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute, the mission's chief scientist, says that icy, soaring peaks on Pluto should "send a lot of geophysicists back to the drawing boards." It's not what the smartest people expected to see.
These pictures also show Pluto to be a relatively unblemished babe among celestial bodies. It has those ice mountains, but no impact craters — as they're called — caused by the crash of meteorites or other flotsam from space. The scientists say this suggests that Pluto could still smolder below its surface, swelling with energy from the decay of radioactive material, or even an underground ocean.
Dr. Stern said, "I don't hink any one of us could have imagined that it was this good of a toy store," which is how a great scientist may see a planet of surprises.
Stephen Hawking of Cambridge sent a message to the New Horizons team in which he called Pluto, "a distant icy world on the edge of our solar system. The revelations of New Horizons may help us to understand better how our solar system was formed. We explore because we are human and we long to know."
And New Horizons will go on, sailing deeper and deeper into deep space, and into our imaginations, as long as the plutonium aboard can propel it; perhaps until the 2030s.
The great intrepid voyages of the 15th century's Age of Discovery revealed surprises, riches and how different people in disparate places share the same world. The voyages of the 21st century may help us learn how much larger the world is than our world alone.


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Congratulations to all those involved in the Pocomoke Little League's 2015 season!

If you haven't seen their end-of-season pictures and awards information please take a look at their website.

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?sid=724183188&url=pocomokelittleleague



When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Friday, July 17, 2015

It Looks Like Bacon, Tastes Like Bacon, BUT..

IT'S SEAWEED!

(nbcnews.com)

Researchers have patented a new strain of seaweed that they say tastes like bacon and might help feed a growing, hungry world.
The red seaweed is called dulse, and it's been eaten by people for millennia. The team at Oregon State University has bred a strain that they can farm reliably and they say it's not only heavy on the protein -- 16 percent by weight -- but packed with minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A and C.
"When you fry it, which I have done, it tastes like bacon, not seaweed. And it's a pretty strong bacon flavor," said OSU fisheries professor Chris Langdon.
Dulse is valued for a flavor called "umami", a Japanese word that describes the so-called fifth flavor found in mushrooms, meat, cheese and, yes, bacon.
Langdon's team was originally growing the dulse to feed abalone, a sea snail prized for its meat and its colorful mother-of-pearl shell, "The original goal was to create a super-food for abalone, because high-quality abalone is treasured, especially in Asia," Langdon said in a statement.
"We were able to grow dulse-fed abalone at rates that exceeded those previously reported in the literature."

When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1930.. Boxing arena opens at Pocomoke Fair Grounds; 1886.. John Blizzard's saloon on Fox's Island eludes prohibition laws;  1962.. Snow Hill observes Homecoming celebration; 1948.. Tuning in on the radio; 1910.. Photo: School days in Parksley, Va.

It's this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers or something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? Please send to tkforppe@yahoo.com .



When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

At The Library!







Thursday, July 16 - 2 pm


Location: Pocomoke Branch


Costumes, props, music, and a GIANT book of epic proportions will bring the folktales 
heroes to life!




When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Rabies Alert In Accomack County

(shoredailynews.com)

Racoon Found in Onley Tested Positive for Rabies

A raccoon from Coastal Blvd, Onley Virginia, has tested positive for the rabies virus. Please make sure your pets rabies vaccinations are up to date (all dogs, cats, ferrets, and livestock)! If they are not, please make arrangements with your veterinarian for a booster shot as soon as possible.

Instruct children not to approach wild or stray animals.


If a wild or stray animal attacks you, immediately wash the wound with warm soapy water and/or alcohol, then 
notify the health department and your physician. If your pet is attacked, immediately notify the health department and call your veterinarian. If you handle your pet after an encounter, please wear gloves and immediately wash your hands with warm soapy water and/or alcohol.



Accomack County Health Department
Daytime Phone Number
(757) 824-6211
Evening and Weekends Rabies Hotline
(Leave Message)(757) 302-4300





When you're clicking around the Internet remember to check in with The Pocomoke Public Eye.  We strive to be a worthwhile supplement to your choices.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Support For Former Chief

(wboc.com)

Rally Held to Reinstate Former Pocomoke City Police Chief

Posted: Jul 13, 2015 10:59 PM EDT    By Maxine Bentzel

Sewell was let go almost two weeks ago when the council voted to terminate him in a closed session meeting. The public is now demanding answers.

Monday the community gathered with shirts and signs in support of the former Chief outside of City Hall. Dozens sat in on the council meeting. 

Michele Lucas has lived in Pocomoke City for 20 years and came out to rally for the Chief’s reinstatement. 

“He’s changed the community. He's changed the way people look at law enforcement. He's made us all one team and now they're trying to take him away. I want the Chief back, and I want answers because something underhanded is going on,” said Lucas.

At the council meeting Pastor Ronnie White addressed the Mayor and Council with the communities concerns and questions. The council said they had spoke with the former chief in a meeting where they expressed concerns they had with him prior to voting to terminate him. 

They said they are under litigation and declined to elaborate on the specific reasons he was let go, but said it was not a racially based decision. They said it was performance based. 

WBOC spoke with the former Chief who said he appreciates all the support, and would like his job back in Pocomoke City.


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