March, 1973
Worcester Democrat
October, 1913 (two items)
Crisfield Times
The Kickapoo Scout(Soldiers Grove, Wis.)
September, 1974
Daily Times (Salisbury)
December, 1958
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Update on Maryland General Assembly session from Senator Carozza
2021 Maryland General Assembly Update
Week Seven: Mass Vaccinations on the Shore, Halfway Mark Hearings on Tourism, the Environment, and Small Businesses
Annapolis, MD—As the lyrical genius Bon Jovi said, “Woah, we're halfway there.” We have officially reached the halfway point of the 2021 legislative session. The committee and Senate Floor work is picking up the pace as we approach the Crossover Week deadline on March 22. This week Senator Carozza thanked the Hogan Administration for their announcement that a mass vaccination site will be located at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury. Carozza also participated in bill hearings for legislation to increase tourism in Maryland, protect the environment, and provide relief to small businesses.
SHORE MASS VACCINATION SITE
Senator Mary Beth Carozza today said that Governor Hogan’s decision to locate the COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center will benefit thousands of Shore constituents who are opting to receive the vaccine.
“I encourage my constituents to take advantage of having a COVID-19 mass vaccination site right here in Salisbury, the crossroads of Delmarva,” said Senator Carozza, who thanked Governor Hogan and his Administration for ‘prioritizing our Shore seniors,’ noting that an estimated 20 percent of District 38 residents were over the age of 65, according to Census data.
“I am continuing to push for increased vaccine availability for my constituents and will not rest until all my constituents who want a vaccine are able to receive one. I encourage my constituents to receive the vaccine when it becomes available as we work together for a full COVID-19 recovery,” added Carozza.
Senator Carozza is assisting constituents as they navigate the COVID-19 vaccine registration process. She encourages them to contact their local health departments and utilize state resources such as covidvax.maryland.gov and 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829).
BALLOON RELEASE BILL HEARING
Senate Bill 716—Solid Waste Management – Prohibition on Releasing a Balloon Into the Atmosphere was heard in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 24 and prohibits the intentional release of a balloon into the atmosphere. Delegate Wayne Hartman has introduced the legislation in the House of Delegates as House Bill 391 and it passed on February 16, 2021, with a vote of 94-34.
“The purpose of Senate Bill 716 is to educate individuals on the harmful effects that balloons have on our environment including killing wildlife, causing power outages, and polluting our trees and waterways,” testified Senator Carozza, noting that she participates in beach cleanups in Ocean City and supported similar legislation last session. “I urge my colleagues and committee members to pass this common-sense and bipartisan legislation to protect our birds, sea-life, and of course, our beloved Assateague ponies.”
This legislation applies to any person over the age of 13, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a nonprofit entity, the State, or any unit or political subdivision of the State. This bill does not apply to the negligent or unintentional release of a balloon or balloons released for scientific or meteorological purposes.
Testifying alongside Senator Carozza was Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce President Kerrie Bunting. Kerrie has been a long-time advocate for prohibiting the release of balloons and originally brought the issue to Senator Carozza’s and Delegate Hartman’s attention. Assateague Island Alliance Board President Nancy Gaither submitted written testimony in support of the bill and provided critical background information and photos on the impact of balloon releases on Shore wildlife.
“While our unique location in the state affords us the unfortunate opportunity to witness birds, fish, turtles, Assateague ponies, and seals perish because they eat or became entangled in a balloon and its string, animals everywhere face this possibility, Kerrie Bunting noted. “Local farmers tell tales of their horses eating the balloon or getting spooked by one and harming themselves. This issue is not specific to aquatic environs, all animals are at risk and litter can happen anywhere.”
“Horses have been seen to ingest anything offered to them as they are curious, which is beyond troubling and, of course, the balloons wreak havoc with sea animals. Additionally, balloons that are released can be found in quantities on the beach and our supporters are known for collecting them to dispose of properly,” testified Nancy Gaither, who shared the photo of pony Alexandria’s Angel with a balloon in her mouth on Assateague Island.
Senate Bill 716 is bipartisan and has the support of the Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation, the Assateague Coastal Trust, the Assateague Island Alliance, the Ocean City Surf Club, the Queen Anne’s Conservation Association, the Humane Society, the Maryland Farm Bureau, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Zoo, and the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce.
TOURISM TAX RELIEF
Senator Carozza testified in strong support of Senate Bill 730— Income Tax - Credit for Travel, Hospitality, and Entertainment Expenses in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on February 24. The legislation was introduced by Senator George Edwards of Garrett County and provides State income tax credits to Marylanders who travel within the state and spend money on hospitality-related purchases. Senator Carozza is the lead cosponsor of Senate Bill 730, and Delegate Wayne Hartman is the House sponsor of the same bill.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on our economy, especially the tourism sector. According to the U.S. Travel Association, 15.8 million travel-related jobs in the U.S. have been lost due to the pandemic. This has resulted in an industry unemployment rate of 51 percent which is more than twice the rate our country experienced as a whole during the Great Depression,” Senator Carozza testified, noting that Maryland lost 34,000 jobs in the accommodation and food services industries between February and November 2020.
“This tax credit would incentivize Marylanders to travel within the state and would increase sales, accommodations, admissions, and amusement tax revenue. Our tourism community in Maryland, hard hit by the pandemic, would benefit from this tax credit,” added Carozza.
The original legislation as proposed would allow individuals to claim a tax credit equal to 100 percent of the qualified expenses incurred during qualified travel, not to exceed $4,000 for an individual, or $8,000 for married couples who filed jointly, plus $500 for each dependent child. Given concerns about the fiscal impact, an amendment was introduced alongside both versions of the bill reducing the individual credit to $500 and the couple or individual with dependent children would be changed to $1000.
This legislation states that the in-state travel must occur at least 50 miles from the principal residence of the individual, and purchases are limited to food and beverage, lodging, transportation, tickets for live entertainment, or expenses related to attending a conference or business meeting. The Maryland Tourism Coalition reports that tourism supports 226,000 direct and indirect jobs, making it the 11th largest industry in the state. Without tourism in the State of Maryland, each household would pay $1,175 more in local taxes. In 2020, Worcester County alone contributed $238.4 million in state and local revenue and provided 10,929 tourism-related jobs.
“This is a win, win, win for Maryland. We would accelerate Maryland’s tourism recovery and save jobs, boost the state’s overall economy, and have Marylanders discover new parts of Maryland while spending our vacation money in Maryland.”
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on Senator Mary Beth Carozza’s Senate Bill 594— Labor and Employment - Maryland Healthy Working Families Act – Verification on Thursday, February 25. This targeted legislation allows employers to require verification of the appropriate use of paid sick leave by seasonal employees during the 107th- 120th day of employment.
“Our seasonal employers continue to be challenged by the current seasonal exemption of 106 days. I continue to push for relief to cover 120 days of seasonal employment to reflect the true timeframe of the season to include the shoulder season and the time needed to train workers before the season starts,” testified Senator Carozza, noting that the legislation was a product of the work of the bipartisan Senate Small Business Workgroup.
This legislation would authorize a seasonal employer to require verification that earned sick and safe leave is used appropriately by an employee when the leave is used during the period between the first 107 and 120 calendar days if the employer provided written notice about the verification requirement at the time the employee was hired. An employer may deny an employee’s request to take earned sick and safe leave during that period if an employee fails or refused to provide any verification required by the employer.
“This is an important priority for Maryland’s seasonal employers especially during the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Carozza added.
Testifying alongside Senator Carozza in support of Senate Bill 594 was Mother’s Cantina owner Ryan James from Ocean City, who highlighted the importance of this legislation to keep his business safe and running, and representatives from the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Restaurant Association.
“It’s my duty to give employees time off to recover from sickness. I am happy to provide that time. But I need to know they are being treated and healthy enough to return to work. If an employee returns to work without being treated, they could be putting their coworkers and customers at risk for sickness…Senate bill 594 helps me protect my staff, my customers, and the wellness of the whole team,” Ryan James testified.
CONSTITUENTS CONFIRMED BY SENATE
As a State Senator, Senator Carozza has the opportunity to vote on constituents who are appointed and reappointed by Governor Larry Hogan to serve on various boards and commissions throughout the State of Maryland. This week, Senator Carozza voted to confirm Carolyn Hall to the Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners, Martha Pusey to the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners, and Anna Giles Newton to the Wor-Wic Community College Board of Trustees. Their confirmation votes took place on Friday, February 26.
SHORE VIRTUAL VISITORS
Senator Mary Beth Carozza hosted a virtual meeting with Senate Pages from District 38. The Maryland General Assembly Student Page program is virtual for the 2021 legislative session to keep the participating students safe and healthy. Senate Pages are responsible for providing vital services to the legislature and have the opportunity to work directly with elected officials. The District 38 Senate Pages for the 2021 legislative session are Margaret Harkins and Tenley Pelot (Parkside High School), Eric Cropper (Stephen Decatur High School), Mary Sigrist (Pocomoke High School), and Xavier King (Washington High School).
Friday, February 26, 2021
Time Machine Preview
This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:
1973 .. (Ad)
1913 ..
1974 .. A popular Pocomoke City auto dealership celebrates the Grand Opening of its new location.
1958 .. Worcester county needs a rich uncle according to an editorial in the Pocomoke City Worcester Democrat newspaper.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Worcester County scam alert
(WBOC)
Worcester County Government (WCG) officials are warning the public not to speak with any caller pretending to be from WCG and demanding information and/or payment on a county water, sewer, or tax bill. The county has received a number of recent reports of scam attempts.
View full news article:
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Pocomoke City Election
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021
The last day to register with Worcester County Elections Office to vote in this year’s election will be Monday, March 8, 2021.
View more information:
(PPE reader comment)
Anonymous said...I am grateful that The City of Pocomoke has decided to hold municipal elections every few months as a way of entertaining the populace. I mean, there isn't a whole lot else for us to do during this lockdown. Maybe we could schedule mayoral elections in months with 31 days and councilmanic elections in months with 30 days and fire the city manager every February. At the end of every year we could look back and revel in the words of the immortal Isabelle Leach, "A great time was had by all!"
Monday, February 22, 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Time Machine: 1995, 1888, 1936, 1984, 1934.
March, 1995
(Doug Vann of Princess Anne uses an excavator to tear down English's Restaurant in Westover after an early morning fire gutted the business Thursday. Watching at left are company officials.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Times (Salisbury)
October, 1888
(The Pocomoke City Brass Band is mentioned in a number of old newspaper articles. Apparently they were a quite popular attraction throughout the Eastern Shore. The excerpt below is from an article about an agricultural fair in Cape Charles.)
The Norfolk Landmark (Va.)
June, 1936
Worcester Democrat
Footnote: Three years earlier the infamous storm of 1933 wiped out Public Landing's numerous attractions.
(excerpt)
Marylander & Herald
June, 1934
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Launch from Wallops on its way
(WMDT)
Spacecraft loaded with supplies successfully launches from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility Saturday afternoon
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va.- It was the perfect Saturday afternoon, with clear skies and sunshine, for Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to make its first launch of this year.
View WMDT news story:
Friday, February 19, 2021
Progress report on Worcester public schools
At week's end Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor issued an encouraging report..
View statement/video:
February 19, 2021 - Superintendent Message - Worcester County Public Schools (worcesterk12.org)
Time Machine Preview
This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:
1995 .. An early morning fire marks the end of English's Restaurant in Westover.
1888 .. The Pocomoke Brass Band is an attraction throughout the lower Eastern Shore.
1936 .. (Ad) A new entertainment venue, Starlight Rendezvous, is now open at Public Landing.
1984 .. Recollections of earlier times when Princess Anne would trot out its finest horses.
1934 .. The traffic "mushroom" near the bridge in Pocomoke is the subject of an editorial in the Worcester Democrat newspaper. 
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Large sewage overflow into Pocomoke River
(WBOC)
Heavy Rainfall Causes 500K Gallon Sewer Overflow in Pocomoke River in Snow Hill
Thursday, February 18th 2021, 12:42 PM EST
Updated:
SNOW HILL, Md.- As a result of prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, the Town of Snow Hill reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment and Worcester County Environmental Programs that there has been a combined sewer overflow from the Snow Hill wastewater treatment plant of more than 500,000 gallons.
View full news story:
Heavy Rainfall Causes 500K Gallon Sewer Overflow in Pocomoke Riv - WBOC TV
(PPE reader comment)
Anonymous said...According to Worcester Environmental Programs "Fishing, swimming, wading or other contact with the waterways should not be conducted until this rain event has concluded"
I don't know about you but I was not planning on swimming in the river this week, or even trying out my new fishing rod. And we actually pay Bob Mitchell good money to say things like this?
If you have tickets to the now cancelled Chincoteague Seafood Festival..
(Shore Daily News)
Due to ongoing coronavirus concerns and current state gathering guidelines, the 2021 Chincoteague Seafood Festival scheduled for May 1, 2021 at Tom’s Cove Park has been canceled.
View more info:
Chincoteague Seafood Festival canceled again - Shore Daily News
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Phone scam warning
Maryland state troopers are warning residents on the Lower Shore of an apparent telephone scam involving a caller asking for donations to the Maryland State Police.
View full news release:
Phone Scam Warning In Somerset Co. (maryland.gov)
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Mel says
Pocomoke Sound (circa 1954)
What did it sound like if you lived in Pocomoke in the 1950s?
From what you’re about to read, you may think that I am saying that mid 1950s Pocomoke was a noisy place. Quite the contrary. It was a very quiet town. The overall atmosphere was mostly silence that made these sounds all the more apparent. I can still hear these in my head and will try to describe them as best as I can. These are the sounds that broke the overall calm ambiance of 1950s era Pocomoke.
The sound of animals, both near and far away could often be heard through the otherwise silence of the day. Distant roosters could be heard greeting the dawn; the sounds of barking dogs and the occasional shriek of a cat broke the stillness of calm but hot summer days. With windows open on boiling summer nights, there was the songs of crickets and the sporadic croaking of frogs; there were no motors or humming compressors of air conditioners to interrupt the hymn of nature.
The bridge. When the Rte 13 bridge into Market street was raised to allow transit of water traffic, the sound permeated the whole downtown area. It was a ding dong sort of clanky bell sound but it was not a constant repeating tone; there were four or five different notes – and the best I can describe it is as follows: yer-ding yer-dong ye-dare ye-ding - yer-ding yer-dong ye-dare ye-ding. Not a very good description I know, but I can still hear it in my head – and that’s what it sounds like.
Then there were the factory whistles – from local canneries I believe – and they were very loud – they could be heard for miles. I assume that these were used to announce shift changes, lunch times or whatever, but I don’t know why they needed to be heard outside of the immediate area of the plant itself. One of these canneries – I think – was out on Clarke Ave extended; the other was just across the river in Somerset County. The sound from one of these canneries was quite innocuous – just a loud constant horn-like blare that lasted 10 or 15 seconds, sometime repeated. The sound of the other was rather ghastly – like nothing I have heard – before or since. The best description I can give is to say that it sounded like a dying animal. It started out with a high pitched but loud oboe-like sound but its tone did not stay constant – it went even higher, then squealed a bit; it remained loud as the tone dropped into a bassoon-like register before finally fading to silence with a final shriek. All of this lasted about 15 seconds.
And the fire sirens that called the volunteers to fires, car crashes or any other local emergencies. These wailed at any time needed, day or night, the loud rising and falling cycles – repeated sometimes two, sometimes three or even four times – perhaps depending on the nature of the emergency. This was followed by the sound of cars speeding to the firehouse on 5th street as volunteers responded, and then by the sound of the sirens of the emergency vehicles themselves. Especially at night, a trained ear could figure out exactly where the fire trucks were headed.
And those trains – those wonderful trains. Day or night – or middle of the night. Southbound trains announced their arrival with a series of loud horn blasts when they reached the Route 13 grade crossing about a mile north of town. Before the dieselization of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the 4-4-2 steam locomotives came stomping through town, hissing and growling while belching out clouds of black cinders as they chugged through, or stopped briefly with their coaches at the passenger station off of 2nd St.
There were other miscellaneous sounds that punctuated the calm. Large semis rumbling along Route 13, snarling as they downshifted to stop at one of the traffic lights on Market Street. There was the occasional roar of distant drag racing cars – either legally or not; the shriek of 2x4s being cut at the Adkins Co. lumber yard off of Clarke Ave, and the not so infrequent sound of hooves clomping on the pavement, as various vendors, and farmers used horse drawn carts of various kinds to deliver goods and services to local merchants and residents. I’m sure others reading this may recall other sound that I have missed – I would love to hear about them.
(Reader comment)
Wonderful memories! There was one sound I will never forget...
In the days before the beltway Warner Harrison made petroleum deliveries every morning from the Bagwell Marine Terminal in Onancock to Mariner Oil Company on Railroad Avenue via Market then Fourth Streets. One April morning it was extremely foggy as Warner approached the railroad crossing near Fourth and Railroad Avenue. The standard signal for a locomotive was, and still is, two long blasts on the horn followed by one short and another long. That morning a train was approaching in the dense fog and sounded the obligatory signal. Warner decided to answer back with the truck's air horn with two long, a short and another long. The engineer apparently thought another locomotive was approaching him from the opposite direction and immediately locked up the brakes. I think the brakes locked on the locomotive and every attached rail car and the squealing and grinding of metal on metal could probably be heard as far away as the Virginia line.
Great story from Mel, hope to hear from him again.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Read "Mel Says" this Tuesday
The Pocomoke Public Eye looks forward to adding a new mix to our format with "Mel Says" contributions from time to time on a variety of topics. Thanks to Mel.
Mel grew up in Pocomoke City, graduated from Pocomoke High School then left for college and a career on the western shore.
Mel's first column will be this Tuesday. It has to do with Pocomoke City in the 1950's and his specific topic is most likely something you may not have thought about before.
Time Machine: 2003, 1915, 1945, 1982, 1940.
August, 2003
(Editorial)
Daily Times (Salisbury)
November, 1915
Catoctin Clarion (Mechanicstown, Md)
August, 1945
(Big drainage project at Pocomoke)
The Midland Journal (Rising Sun, Md)
August, 1982
Daily Times (Salisbury)
April, 1940
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