Crab Season Begins Today In Virginia

Cold waters and a license buyback program will likely keep most Virginia watermen out of Chesapeake Bay for the start of blue crab season.

The season opener today is the first since hundreds of watermen surrendered their licenses under a $6.7 million federal buyback program intended to ease pressures on the bay's signature catch.


Regulators in Virginia and Maryland have also shortened the crabbing season, created sanctuaries and ended the century-old practice of raking up pregnant hibernating crabs from the bay's bottom, which had a high kill rate.


Ken Smith of the Virginia Watermen's Association says he doesn't expect many crabbers to begin working the waters until the bay warms.

www.shoredailynews.com

Steamed crabs...........Oh, I can't wait..................

Has Another Seal Been Found???

WESR has received confirmed reports that a live male seal was found on the Eastern Shore.

Lt. Goga of the Accomack County Sheriff's Department told WESR that a live seal was found in Stockton, just north of Greenbackville, VA. The seal is believed to have traveled up Chincoteague Bay following food. The seal was resting along the edge of the road near Big Mill Pond when it was spotted by motorists.

The recent high tides are believed to have been the reason the seal made it that far inland. The 80 pund seal was placed into a crate and relocated to Assateague Island unharmed.


www.shoredailynews.com

St. Patrick's Day

May the luck of the Irish be yours today.

World's Shortest Man Dies

He Pingping, the world's shortest man, has died. He was 21.

The cherub-faced, 2-foot-5-inch Guinness World Record holder was in Rome for a TV show when he complained of chest pains. He was admitted to a hospital two weeks ago and died Saturday of what Guinness describes as "heart complications."

"From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was someone special," said Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday.

Glenday was among the Guinness team that ventured to Wulanchabu, a city in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, to measure He in 2008 and verify his claim to be the world's shortest man.

To earn one of the most famous world records, the 18-year-old had to be measured three times in a single day to get his precise height, which was 29.37 inches.

In a matter of weeks, He became an international celebrity.

In 2008, he posed standing between the knees of Svetlana Pankratova -- otherwise known as the world's leggiest woman. The 6-foot-5 Russian has gams that measure 4 feet, 4 inches, from heel to thigh. Together they celebrated the release of the 2008 Guinness book.

"I am very sorry he is gone," Sultan Kösen, the world's tallest man, told AOL News. "I am just glad we had the opportunity to know each other and become friends."

He met the 8-foot-1 Turk in Istanbul in January, when the two got together for the opening of the "Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow" at Forum Istanbul.

"I'm really happy that he was willing to travel to Turkey," Kösen said.

"Pingping shows us that, despite the challenges we face, we can still make the most of life, and for such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world," Glenday said. "He will be greatly missed."

The man most likely to claim He's record is 22-inch-tall Khagendra Thapa Magar. While he's shorter than He, the Nepalese teen has yet to reached his 18th birthday, making him not quite a man.

It is expected that Magar will claim the title later this year.

VIA

Random Thought for the Day:

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

Chincoteague Bridge Gets New Traffic Signal Installed

On Monday, March 15, the Virginia Department of Transportation will activate a new traffic signal at the intersection of Main Street and Maddox Boulevard. This signal has been placed at the foot of the Chincoteague Bridge to help with traffic control.

Beginning on March 16, the signal will temporarily flash red for all directions to stop. While this signal pattern is in place, all approaching traffic is to stop, yield to the right of way, and then proceed with caution.

On March 25, the traffic signal will change to flashing yellow for Maddox Boulevard and red for Main Street. Motorists traveling on Maddox Boulevard are to yield and then proceed with caution, while traffic on Main Street will be required to stop and then proceed with caution.

On April 2, the traffic signal will be completely activated with green (go), yellow (caution), and red (stop) functionality for motorists traveling on both Maddox Boulevard and Main Street.

The signal has been installed as part of the Chincoteague Bridge Project. The new mainline Chincoteague Bridge is scheduled for completion by April 2. The Marsh Island connector bridge is scheduled for completion by September of 2010. The entire project, including demolition of the existing bridges, is scheduled for completion by December 2010. Currently, the project is within budget.

www.shoredailynews.com

Virginia Agriculture Week

THANK A FARMER DURING AGRICULTURE WEEK, MARCH 14 – 20, 2010

March 14 – 20, 2010 is Virginia Agriculture Week. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) suggests that it’s the perfect opportunity to give credit where credit is due. During this special week, take a minute to thank a farmer. No engraved note paper or frilly bouquets required; a thoughtful nod will do.

Of course every farmer has a lot of help, but gratitude for all of Virginia’s growers will not be misplaced. Here are a few good reasons:

Start with your breakfast cereal and milk. Consider the fruit you add, the cotton robe you are wearing when you eat it and the cut flowers that decorate the breakfast table. You can thank a farmer for these.

Add the turkey sandwich, apple, potato chips and ginger ale you’re having for lunch, your mid-afternoon peanut snack and the steak with mushrooms, fresh vegetables, crusty rolls and Virginia wine you enjoy for dinner. Kudos to the farmers who had a hand in putting all this on your table.

Outside look for newly laid sod, an array of colorful bedding plants tucked into a blanket of mulch, bird seed in the feeder and firewood stacked by the back door. A pat on the back for the farmers who helped array your backyard.

Farmers don’t ask for gratitude and none would expect it however well deserved. But it is time to thank our farmers, not only for the rich and varied agricultural bounty which provides nourishment, clothing, shelter and beauty for all Virginians, but for the intangible, indomitable spirit that keeps them going despite rough times and daunting obstacles.

And that’s not all. Farmers deserve thanks:

for persevering despite drought and flood, freezing temperatures, parching sun, fluctuating prices and constantly changing markets;

for seeking better ways to do their jobs – using new techniques and advances in technology to simplify tasks, increase yields and lower prices; in the 1960s, one farmer supplied food for about 25 people in the U.S. and abroad but by 2008, the number had increased to 130;

for their spirit of innovation – always looking for new products and changes that increase the quality and add value to the products they produce;

for valuing our land and water resources and for making their preservation and enhancement top priorities;

for adapting to change – expanding to meet the demands of a global marketplace while still satisfying consumers’ shifting tastes and desire for low fat, high nutrition products at home;

for supplying Americans with an abundant and safe food supply at a low price; the average U.S. consumer spent 9.8 percent of disposable personal income (income available after taxes) on all food in 2007 - that’s 5.7 percent on food at home and 4.1 percent on food away from home (Source: www.ers.usda.gov);

for providing the basis for numerous products including medicines, cosmetics, printing supplies, fuel, lubricants, lumber, paints and sports equipment;

for enduring; more than 1,100 Virginia farms – owned by the same families for one hundred years or more – have been recognized as Virginia Century Farms.

The benefits of agriculture extend far and wide. What starts as the growing and harvesting of food and fiber, ends up with almost everything we eat, wear and use. It’s time to thank our farmers for that.

www.virginia.gov

Public Meeting Tonight At NASA

Public meeting tonight at NASA Wallops Visitors Center to update the community on a project to extend the sea wall. The project will re-establish the beach along a four mile strip on the east side of
Wallops Island.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
6:00 PM at the Visitors Center

~ Think About It ~

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road.......

unless you fail to make the turn."



~Author Unknown~

Funny Animal

Mad Skills....

Random Thought for the Day:

"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

Oh, The Rain!!!!

I'm a sunlight person. I love the sun no matter what time of year it is. The winter months are fine with me if the days are bright. But, oh, those dreary ones and the rainy ones that make my mind wonder why it even got out of bed. Now, don't get me wrong. Rainy days are fine and I do from time to time sneak back into bed when my husband has left for work. Shhhh........





But come on..........more rain???



I was reminded on Saturday that the weather could be worse and I will agree one hundred percent. But! Come on now. We've had our share of rain and goodness knows we have had more than our share of snow!





Not today, folks. And probably not tomorrow. And here I was all geared up to take on everything I hadn't done or couldn't do during those dreary, dark days.



Oh, well. I'll try to keep the "bright attitude" my grandmother always talked about. Monday will be the same routine it has been for weeks. But I'm telling you, my umbrella and rain coat are becomming a little disgruntled. Now that's going to be a happy trio this afternoon........a raincoat that doesn't like being wet anymore, an umbrella that is tired of going up and down, and me..........looking for that "bright attitude".






Nothing else to do but "suck it up" and make the best of it. Those bright sunny days will get here. The rain will stop. Spring will come I'm sure and bring all the life and color it always does.


Just don't speak to me about HOT and don't tell me that there is a DROUGHT!


I am NOT a duck!! And the rock I crawled out from under this morning is now occupied.


And to really yank my chain I just received pictures of sun and white puffy clouds from one of my dearest friends on my facebook page. Gonna go see if she has some space down there.........



At least until spring...........................






Which begins on Saturday.
And I can't wait!!!

Arts Commission Cuts Not So Bad

Arts managers breathed easier this morning after learning that the Virginia Commission for the Arts was not entirely erased from the state budget.

The House of Delegates originally proposed eliminating funding for the commission, which provides grants to arts organizations throughout the state, but legislators agreed Sunday to a budget that cuts grants to Hampton Roads groups by 16 percent, from $1 million to $840,000.

The arts commissions overall grants budget of $4 million will drop by $670,000 to about $3.3 million for each of the next two years. In addition, the commission receives $432,000 from the state for administrative expenses, which will remain the same.

"We feel its a pretty big victory," says Terry Bliss of the North Street Playhouse. "It is a result of a ground-swell of support from all across the Commonwealth."

Nick Covatta, Director of the Virginia Arts Commission agreed. Support really came from all across the state. We got a lot of support from rural areas here on the Shore and in the Shenendoah and also from the urban areas such as Richmond and Northern Virginia.

Covatta went on to say "Many smaller arts groups such as the North Street Playhouse, ACES and ESO depend on the funding from the Arts Commission to balance their budgets."

Terry Bliss says the North Street Playhouse has been battling with a leaky roof over the past year and because of funding from the Virginia Arts Commission, the Playhouse was able to save some money from ticket sales to continue to put on plays for the Eastern Shore.


www.shoredailynews.com

Virginia General Assembly

The General Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a new two-year budget that makes unprecedented cuts to state services and programs.

With little debate or dissent Sunday, the House approved the $70 billion funding plan at 5:30 p.m. on a 73-23 vote, while the Senate passed it 34-6, the last act of the 2010 session taken one day behind schedule.

The compromise budget cuts $250 million from public education, erases unpaid days off for state workers and slashes fee increases the Senate sought by 60 percent.

It also retains Medicaid reimbursement cuts of 7 percent by 2012 for hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and other health professionals unless Virginia receives $370 million in federal support for the program.


www.shoredailynews.com

Health Care Vote Is Near

Congress is expected to vote this week on a comprehensive health care plan that could revolutionize the way Americans receive health care in the future. The current schedule calls for a Thursday vote on the issue in the House of Representatives. Congressman Glenn Nye voted in opposition to the current House bill but this vote will be on the Senate version.

A recent Shore Daily News.com poll showed that 80% of those who participated were opposed to Congressman Nye voting to support the Senate bill.

Contact Congressman Nye:

Accomack phone: 789-5092
Accomack fax: 789-5095
Washington phone: 202-225-4215
email via web site: http://www.nye.house.gov/

www.shoredailynews.com

Funny Animal

'I don't know.maybe it's a chew toy'

Random Thought for the Day:

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

KNITTING CLUB

The Atlantic United Methodist Church will
host a knitting club on the 3rd Monday of the months starting at 6:30 P.M.

The first meeting will be held on March 15. For more information call Kim @ 824-5474.

Favorite Book

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Reminder.............

~~ SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR ~~

~~ DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS ~~

Funny Animal

Peace Brother!!!

Random Thought for the Day:

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

~ A Quote For Today ~

"To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."

~Elbert Hubbard~

Some Warnings Canceled But I Guess Not The Rain

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... ...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD HAS CANCELLED THE COASTAL FLOOD WARNING. A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.

A STRONG EAST TO SOUTHEAST WIND ALONG THE COAST WILL GENERATE NEAR SHORE WAVES OF AROUND 8 FEET TODAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY MEANS THAT HIGH SURF WILL AFFECT BEACHES IN THE ADVISORY AREA...PRODUCING RIP CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED BEACH EROSION.

THE CUTEST ASS AWARD

THE CUTEST ASS AWARD, I THINK YOU'LL AGREE !!!!!

Favorite Book

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Irony

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Picture For Today

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Did Toyota Prius Driver Fake Unintended Acceleration?

Did the driver of a runaway Toyota Prius in San Diego tell the truth when he said his accelerator pedal stuck earlier this week? New evidence is calling the driver's credibility into question, although the real answer will not be entirely clear until Toyota and the NHTSA announce the results of their investigation. Details about the driver, James Sikes, leave many wondering if he had ulterior motives for his claims.
USA Today and Jalopnik.com are directly asking the question as to whether or not he faked the incident, citing previous issues with debt and repeated insurance claims as reason for their doubts.
The reports indicate that prior to his unintended acceleration incident, James Sikes and his wife -- both realtors -- found themselves grappling with California's notorious housing bubble and filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Reports show they have $700,000 in debt to their names. He already had a motor home, Mercedes-Benz automobile and Dodge Truck repossessed in the proceedings with creditors.
Among the creditors to whom he owes payments is Toyota Financial Services. Various reports indicate that Sikes is either current with his payments or behind by five months on the 2008 Toyota Prius involved in this week's incident, which has 7,200 miles on it and is valued at $20,494.
Are All Claims Real?
If everyone who gets into a car accident or gets caught speeding is driving a Toyota, should we assume they're experiencing sudden acceleration? The question is an uncomfortable one: if every incident involving a Toyota could be blamed on the company and not the driver, it gives a free pass (albeit a frightening one) to those who choose to exploit it.
For example, in the first 10 weeks of 2009, there were 272 complaints filed to NHTSA in the U.S. for speed control issues with the Prius, according to Associated Press reports. In all of 2008 there were only 74 and just 8 in 2007.
If Sikes's claims were fake, he played a convincing hand. At the time of the incident, all signs pointed to his experience as being authentic.
"I won't drive that car again, period," he told reporters.
Furthermore, the recording of his 911 call, since released, was evidence of the situation's authenticity; unless Sikes was an actor of the highest order, we can't imagine how he'd fake this incident.



Perhaps even more damaging are reports that Sikes has a long history of items being stolen from him, for which he then filed insurance claims.
Skeptics of Sikes also cite the 911 tape that was released shortly after the incident. During the tape, the dispatcher repeatedly told Sikes to put the car in neutral in order to stop it from accelerating. Sikes did not comply with her instructions or the instructions of the officer on the scene who told him to do the same thing via his public address system as they tore down the highway.

Beyond the call itself, the Associated Press reports that Sikes's car was equipped with a brake override system, something that should have slowed the car down once he stomped on the brake pedal.
Sikes claimed he thought that would "flip the car."
"I've since found out that's not possible, but I had no idea," Sikes told USA Today. "Hopefully, I helped save five to 10 lives because people are now finding out" how to put a moving Prius into neutral.
Until Toyota and the NHTSA release the results of their investigation, there won’t be any real answers.

VIA: AOL AUTOS

Christine Sheddy, It's Not Over

The process is just beginning in the Sheddy case. The local LE and the SA's office will have their hands full in the next several weeks trying to add all of this up.

We have one person behind bars that was 17 years old at the time of Christine Sheddy's murder, he did not do this alone if in-fact he committed the the murder at all.

JR Jackson (convicted arsonist), his girlfriend Tia, the mysterious Domo that made many comments about how Christine came to his house to wash clothes are still subject IMHO.

These people know what happened, they have known what happened for over 2 years, how did they sleep at night? I have my theory as to what led-up to the murder of Christine Sheddy but I'll keep that to myself out of respect to the family.

I just hope and pray that they ALL are convicted and get the maximum sentence allowed by law, and I hope it's the death penalty.

Jennifer Bowden made a comment on another blog as follows that I find very disturbing. WHAT does she know to make such a comment? The part I find disturbing I have bolded. You be the judge.

Jennifer Bowden, said:
I can guarantee you that my cousin Justin is not the only one involved and he is being sold out by another party involved! I pray that every one of them are brought to justice whether it is my family or not! That girl did not deserve to die the way she did with her kids being left behind. I promise you, if I knew more about what happened I would make sure they all paid fo the crime. I love my family but right is right and wrong is wrong! I know in my heart that Jr. had something to do with it because he don’t even treat my cousin Tia good. She is not too bright staying with a murderer neither. My first priority would be the safety of my kids but some people are just blinded with stupidity!

Funny Animal

'HELLOOOO' CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW??

Random Thought for the Day:

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Accomack and Worcester Counties.

Three to 5 inches of rainfall are possible throughout the watch area tonight through Saturday morning.

Flooding could begin as early as this evening along some creeks, while larger rivers could see flooding persist into Sunday, the weather service said.

Flooding of roadways, underpasses and poor-drainage areas is also possible.

Motorists are urged not to attempt to drive through flooded roadways, and those living in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action should flooding develop, the weather service said.

Daylight Savings Time!!!!!

Don't forget!!!





This Sunday, March 14th daylight savings time will go into effect. One hour of sunlight will be gained.

Before bedtime on Saturday night set your clocks one hour ahead and you'll be on time the next day!

Gov. Bob McDonnell Says Va's Energy Goals Are Realistic

One day after signing offshore energy bills, Gov. Bob McDonnell addressed petroleum executives in Richmond as he continues his quest to make Virginia a national player in the energy market.

McDonnell spoke Thursday at an energy summit sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council and the Virginia Manufacturers Association. He repeated his goal of making Virginia an energy capital on the East Coast and said the state is "open for business" when it comes to offshore drilling.

But the governor acknowledged the large task that lies ahead, with Virginia the No. 2 importer of electricity in the nation.

McDonnell stressed the offshore resources are only a piece of Virginia's energy puzzle. He said coal, nuclear, bioenergy and natural gas are all part of the mix.

www.shoredailynews.com

Wisdom Of A Retiree

I've often been asked, 'What do you old folks do now that you're retired? Well..I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background, and one of the things I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, Scotch , and margaritas into urine.

Favorite Book

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"Dennis the Menace" Comic Strip Celebrates Birthday

Today is the birthday of the comic strip Dennis the Menace. The inspiration for the comic strip came from the real life son (named Dennis) of Hank Ketcham.

Unable to find a suitable name for his comic strip depicting the antics of his four year old son, it was "one" day that Dennis at four years old, refused to take a nap and went about messing up his room.

It was on this day that Dennis' mother (Alice) exclaimed to his father, "Your son is a menace!"

On March 12, 1951, the precocious yet lovable, freckle-face boy in comic strip form made its debut in sixteen syndicated newspapers.

Funny Animal

There's no explaining Love.

Random Thought for the Day:

Bad decisions make good stories.

Justin M. Hadel, 19 charged in Christine Sheddy murder

A Texas man has been charged with murder for allegedly killing Christine M. Sheddy, the Delaware woman and single mother of three who went missing from a Pocomoke City area farmhouse in November 2007.

Justin M. Hadel, 19, of College Station, Texas, is being held without bond at the Worcester County Jail on charges of first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault. No date has been set for his preliminary hearing.
According to Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd, as of Thursday no other arrests have been made in the case.
Sheddy's body was found buried on the property of the River House Inn in Snow Hill on Feb. 19.
In November 2007, Hadel and Sheddy were guests at a rural farmhouse rented by Clarence Jackson in the 2900 block of Byrd Road outside of Pocomoke City, according to a statement from the State's Attorney's Office. Todd said he could not comment on why Hadel, a Texas resident, was in Maryland, or about his relation to Jackson.
Sheddy, then 26 years old, and her two young sons arrived early that month to stay with Jackson, whom she knew through her boyfriend, Levi Hall. Her third child, a daughter, was not with her at the time.
Sheddy's stay was a temporary arrangement, said her mother, Lynn Dodenhoff, in an interview with The Daily Times in 2008. On Nov. 10, after having only been there a few days, Sheddy called Dodenhoff. She was very upset, and the two made plans to bring her and the children back to Dodenhoff's Bowers Beach home Nov. 13. However, when Hall went to pick up Sheddy and the children that day, she had disappeared.
As the case went cold in the years after her disappearance, Dodenhoff and local residents searched the area around the farmhouse and had Sheddy recognized on "America's Most Wanted."
"It will come to an end, and we will find my daughter, and justice will be served," Dodenhoff told The Daily Times in 2008. "I have full confidence that will happen."
Information from unnamed witnesses led police to the Snow Hill property Feb. 19 of this year, according to the State's Attorney's Office. Dental records later confirmed the remains were Sheddy's. A warrant was issued for Hadel the following day. On Feb. 25, he was arrested in Texas and, after waiving extradition, he arrived Tuesday at the Worcester County Jail.

 Todd said there was very little he could say about the case, which is still under investigation by his office, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland State Police.

However, if Hadel is found guilty of murder, he will likely not face capital punishment for the killing, Todd said.
"In order to get the death penalty in Maryland, there has to be certain aggravating factors that are not off-set by mitigating factors" like additional killings or rape, Todd said. "I do not think this is the type of case that is going to have aggravating factors."
Dodenhoff has not said anything publicly about the discovery of her daughter's body or the arrest of her alleged murderer.
"At this time, she is in seclusion with Christine's children, helping them to begin the healing process," said Mandy Albritton, a spokeswoman for the family. "I can tell you that they are comforted to know that their mommy did not leave them."

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com

PPE NOTE: Todd says "no death penalty" I know this is not Todd's call but I say we all do what we can, contact or reps. congressmen, etc. and lobby to get the death penalty delivered to ALL that were involved in the murder of Christine Sheddy.

I'm sooo happy Hadel is behind bars but at the time he was 17 years old and he DID NOT do this alone nor did he do this and others not know. Where's Domo? I have not read or heard anything about him or the others and I have had bad vibes from day one about Domo, he had to many excuses and explanations and the alibi of washing clothes never did wash with me. 

Pocomoke; Census tour makes mark on Shore

As the U.S. Census Bureau prepares to tally every person in the country this fall, officials are making sure people are prepared to be counted.

But -- in the interest of counting -- the four jazz musicians, three city officials and dozens of Pocomoke City residents who visited the 2010 Census Road Tour as it stopped at the Chamber of Commerce on Market Street as part of a Lower Shore loop, will know exactly what to do when they get the questionnaire in the mail next month.


"I learned that they are going to be sending out a form of 10 easy questions and I will be sending it back," said Pocomoke City resident Sage Allen. And since she is the head of her household, she added, it's her job to fill out the questionnaire.


Pocomoke is one of 80 stops the Philadelphia regional campaign -- one of 13 across the country -- will make to generate awareness for the once-a-decade national tally of the population, said Jackie Lisjuan, a Eastern Shore representative of the Census Bureau.
"It's important to remember that everyone in the U.S. counts," Lisjuan said. "Whether they are undocumented, working, homeless or a child."


The census, last taken in 2000, helps in determining where the federal government needs to spend the roughly $400 million it distributes to communities every year for schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure.


That money is very important to local governments like the one in Pocomoke, said City Manager Russell Blake.
"I've been around long enough in government to know how important the census is," Blake said. "I use the numbers all the time."


Population numbers are often used locally when applying for grants and loans to enhance city services, he said.
The Census Road Tour also stopped in Crisfield and Salisbury on Wednesday, its only stops on the Lower Shore. And had Pocomoke not offered to host the bus, Denise Wagner, head of the Chamber of Commerce, said the tour might not have come to southern Delmarva at all.


"We were the first group that agreed on the Shore," Wagner said.
Hosting the tour -- and lining live entertainment from the Pocomoke High School girls' choir and local band, The Larks -- is part of a few things the Chamber is doing to raise awareness about the national count, Wagner said. Throughout April, the organization will have a representative from the census on hand to answer any questions residents have about the form. "People don't understand that's how our federal dollars come in to play," Wagner said. "I really want to draw attention to Pocomoke City. There are so many treasures here."

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com