Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Minutes ~ September Meeting

Welcome to the newest Pocomoke City Police Officer Lynell Green.  Congratulations to Lt. Kelvin Sewell on your promotion to Captain.  And GREAT JOB to Pocomoke City Police Chief Ervin and PCO Shawna Gammino on  your hard work in keeping the Pocomoke City Police Department in high standings with CALEA.  (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies).

MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER  12, 2011

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

The regular meeting of the Pocomoke Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, September 12, 2011. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
Present: Mayor Bruce Morrison



Council Members: Tracey Cottman,
Rob Clarke, Bob Hawkins, Donald L. Malloy
City Attorney William Hudson City Manager Russell W. Blake
City Clerk Carol L. Justice

Review Minutes:In a motion (Hawkins, Clarke passed), to approve the minutes of August 8, 2011.

Review Bills:In a motion (Cottman, Hawkins passed), the bills presented to be paid. (Copy of bill list attached to original minutes).

Introduction of new police officer, Lynell Green:Chief Ervin introduced Lynell Green as a new officer, stating that he is Maryland certified and currently working in Baltimore City. He will begin his duties on October 13, 2011.
Police Chief J.D. Ervin and CALEA Coordinator Shawna Gammino to present official certificate from CALEA renewing the Pocomoke Police Department’s status as a "Recognized CALEA Agency."Chief Ervin stated that he was happy to present the Council with this great honor. The Department was first recognized in 2008 and must be recertified every three years. Following an extensive update of all CALEA files by P.C.O. Shawna Gammino, the Department has met all standards to be recertified.
Mayor Morrison congratulated the Chief and Ms. Gammino on their hard work in getting the Department up to the high standards of CALEA.
Councilman Hawkins stated that it is a great honor to have our Police Department recognized by CALEA.
Chief Ervin also stated that he was pleased to announce the promotion of Lt. Kelvin Sewell to Captain effective October 1. He added that Lt. Sewell is doing a great job for the Department and he was very pleased with his work.
Mayor Morrison stated that it was a well deserved promotion, and Councilman Hawkins added that he is very pleased by this promotion.

Representative of Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce to present plaques thanking several City Departments for their assistance during the 2011 Cypress Festival:Bill Hickman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that it was a great pleasure to present these awards tonight. He said that the City Departments help the Cypress Festival and that the Chamber is very appreciative for the help of the City. He presented awards to Pocomoke City Police Chief J D Ervin for the help from the Police Department; Mayor Morrison accepted a plaque on behalf of the Public Works Department. Mr. Hickman stated that the Public Works Department maintained the park for the festival and they helped with the set-up and taking down the tent, booths and other. Mr. Hickman also presented the Mayor and Council a plaque, stating that the festival would not be successful if the Chamber did not have their support. He added that he appreciates all the things the City does for the Chamber.
Mayor Morrison thanked Denise Wagner for her work at the Chamber and the things that she does to promote the City.

Authorize Mayor Morrison to appoint the Law Office of William C. Hudson as the City’s legal advisor in accordance with Section C-66 of the City Charter:Mayor Morrison stated that he would like to appoint the Law Office of William C. Hudson as the City’s legal advisor.
In a motion (Hawkins, Malloy passed) to authorize Mayor Morrison to appoint the Law Office of William C. Hudson as the City’s legal advisor in accordance with Section C-66 of the City Charter.

City Manager and representatives from Becker Morgan Group to present summary of bids received for renovation to building at 1500 Market Street for new Police Department offices. (Bid opening 11:00A.M., 9/12/11):City Manager Blake stated that the City had received seven (7) bids. Although one of them did not meet all the requirements of the complete bid. He presented a spread sheet summarizing the bids received along with several alternates and unit prices as well as a base bide amount for each bidder. He recommended accepting the low bid from Beauchamp Construction of Pocomoke City in the amount of $468,400, and suggested that he meet with the architectural firm and Beauchamp Construction Co to " value engineer" some of the costs on the right side of the spreadsheet. Beauchamp Construction is willing to do value engineering. All bids received are over our estimated budget, but we have already talked to Shore Bank and they are still interested in financing this project for us. Meanwhile we are talking with USDA about permanent financing for this project.
Mayor Morrison asked if Unit Price Items in A, B, C, D are negotiable.
City Manager Blake stated that Beauchamp Construction is more than willing to work with the City on this project to reduce the cost.
Mayor Morrison asked is there is a standard for holding cells.
Chief Ervin stated that the walls be solid concrete or cinderblock with reinforcement.
Councilman Malloy asked how long does a person stay in a cell.
Chief Ervin stated that sometimes they must stay overnight because the Commissioner is not always available.
Jason Pierce, of Becker Morgan Group, stated that they appreciated all the work the City has given them and they are here to help. He stated that he agreed with Mr. Blake that Beauchamp Construction was the low responsible bidder.
In a motion (Cottman, Malloy passed) to accept Beauchamp Construction as the contractor with the understanding that the cost may fluctuate because of value engineering.
　
City Manager to present memo recommending that certain delinquent business taxes be written off:City Manager Blake stated that Finance Director Monna VanEss recommended to take several older accounts off our books because they are uncollectable. The auditors look at this list as a liability. With business taxes unless the business still owns a building in Pocomoke City, there’s no opportunity to collect these taxes.
City Attorney Hudson stated that he would check on one of them for the next meeting, but he thinks that just changing the corporate structure and continuing the same business operation might allow the City grounds to go after the new entity.
Councilman Hawkins asked what the cost would be for City Attorney Hudson to complete the research to see if it was cost effective.
City Attorney Hudson stated that with about fifteen minutes of research he would know if it would be worth the City pursuing with collecting the taxes.
In a motion (Malloy, Cottman passed) to write off the delinquent taxes except Steve Black/Arby’s until next meeting.

Discuss letter from Landmark Insurance Company concerning Worker’s Comp. Insurance:City Manager Blake stated that our worker’s comp insurance is with IWIF. IWIF works though agencies which get commissions. We don’t pay that directly to the agency. Landmark has offered to be more proactive in trying to protect the City’s interest than what we have had over the past few years. They are offering to have safety seminars, work with the department heads, and try to get the employees to think and work smart to get our rates down. It is something to try and see how it works. It does not cost us any more or any less to change agencies.
Mayor Morrison stated that he liked the fact that they are willing to do training and work with the department heads on working smarter.
In a motion (Clarke, Hawkins passed) to transfer the City’s worker’s comp to Landmark Insurance Company.

Discuss vacancies on various Boards and Commissions:Mayor Morrison stated that we really needed to fill some of the vacancies. John Chamberlain has agreed to sit on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Councilman Clarke stated that Kennis Austin is willing to be on the Board of Zoning Appeals or the Planning Zoning Commission. Also, Jay Pittman is interested in serving on one of the Boards.
Mayor Morrison stated that he would like to reappoint the other Board members if they are interested in staying on the Board.
Councilman Clarke stated that Bob Coulbourne may also be interested in serving.
In a motion (Malloy, Clarke passed) to reappoint the current Board members and appoint John Chamberlain, Kennis Austin, and Jay Pittman to the Board of Zoning of Appeals and/or the Planning Zoning Commission.
　
Comments from the Audience:Richard Merrick, of Cedar Street, stated that during the last storm, the water was quite high at 14th and Cedar Street. He stated that there were people putting branches in the ditch and City has cleaned out the ditch all the way down to 5th Street. He stated that he took pictures of two people putting branches in the ditch. He said there may be a law against filling ditches with branches and trash. He stated that he has a neighbor that is always putting branches and things in the ditch.
Mayor Morrison stated that he would like to talk with this gentleman before any action is taken.
Mr. Merrick also stated that some people are cutting their lawns and blowing grass in the streets which clogs the stormwater drain.
Councilman Clarke stated he would like to see something put on the water

Rev. George Tasker stated that on September 23 there will be a Gospel Concert in Cypress Park and there will be free food. He invited the Mayor and Council and also asked if it was possible to have extra trash cans for that night.

Councilman Hawkins stated that the shrubbery in the parking lot around the Farmer’s Market needs to be pulled up as it looks bad. Also, at 603 14th Street, there is a storage pod which has been there for several months.

City Manager Blake stated that the recent Zoning Code does not allow them in the City limits.

Councilman Malloy asked about the status of several houses that were recommended to demolish: 618 Clarke Ave, 707 Clarke Ave., 705 Second Street, and 523 Young Street.
City Manager Blake stated that three that of them sent letters to repair or demolish within120 days and Mr. Davis is getting prices to demolish the house at 707 Clarke Ave.

Councilman Clarke stated that at the Log Cabin, the paper towel dispenser was broken and needed to be replaced. There is an erosion problem at the corner of Winter Quarters Drive and Rt. 13 that should be repaired.
City Manager Blake stated that it is on the list to repair as soon as possible.
Councilman Clarke stated that the Log Cabin needed to be power washed or refinished and needs screen doors. The swing set next to the building needs some repair work.

The next meeting will be October 3rd.

In a motion (Malloy, Cottman passed) to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 P.M.
Approved:______________________2011
　
　
___________________________________
Carol L. Justice
City Clerk

Small Fire At Hardwire In Pocomoke City



Photo/WCFMO

POCOMOKE CITY — A small fire broke out in a mechanical unit at Pocomoke armor manufacturer Hardwire LLC. No injuries were reported.

The fire was reported about 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5 inside one of the company’s manufacturing facilities. The metal shavings collected from an industrial laser cutter caught fire inside a separate collection unit, according to Deputy Rob Korb with the Worcester County Fire Marshal's office.  The air filtration unit, valued at $40,000, was destroyed.

Korb said the fire marshal will attribute it to a mechanical malfunction, they will rule the fire accidental. He also said it’s the second fire Hardwire has experienced from this particular machine in the last six months.

Fire departments from Pocomoke City, Stockton, Girdletree, and New Church, Va., all were on the scene.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20111005/NEWS01/111005014/WORCESTER-Small-fire-Hardwire

RABID Cat Found In Stockton

Worcester County Health Department warns of rabid cat found in Stockton

Stockton, Md. (Oct. 5, 2011) – The Worcester County Health Department has confirmed an adult black cat found near the intersection of Greenbackville Road and George Island Landing Road in Stockton tested positive for rabies.

The large adult black cat was described as having a red collar that had green and yellow flowers and a bell on it.

 

Deputy Health Officer Dr. Andrea Mathias warns that any person, pet or other animal that may have had contact this cat could be at risk for rabies exposure. To report any contact with or exposure to these cats, call the Worcester County Health Department immediately at 410-641-9559. If you call after hours or on the weekend, follow the instructions on the answering machine for reporting an animal bite or rabies exposure incident to reach on-call staff.  

 

Please report any sick animals and those acting in an unusual manner since there may be additional rabid animals in this area.

 

If contact is suspected with a pet, do not handle the pet barehanded.

 

Make sure all your pets have current rabies vaccinations.

 

Do not allow pets to roam outdoors unattended and do not leave pet food, especially cat food, outdoors.

 

Residents are encouraged to talk with their neighbors and report any possible exposures.

 

If a person has been bitten he or she should seek immediate medical care. Post exposure treatment is necessary to prevent rabies.

If not prevented, rabies is fatal. If a pet has been bitten, contact your veterinarian. 

 Source;  http://worcesterhealth.org/news/70-wchd-news-flash/411-worcester-county-health-department-warns-of-rabid-cat-found-in-stockton

SHORE BEEF and BBQ - Back At Their Old Location !

THURSDAY SPECIAL

BBQ Chicken Sandwich w/side

Drink ~ $7.50

NOTE~ THURSDAY ~ FRIDAY ~ SATURDAY

SHORE BEEF and BBQ  WILL BE BACK AT THEIR OLD LOCATION

Route 13 South

Just before T's Corner

Nancy Grace Speaks Out On Amanda Knox Verdict

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- On Monday, an Italian appeals court threw out Amanda Knox’s murder conviction and freed the 24-year-old after she spent almost four years in prison, but HLN host and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Nancy Grace feels justice was not served.

“I was very disturbed, because I think it is a huge miscarriage of justice,” Nancy told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson after Monday’s “DWTS” when asked about the high profile trial that also saw her co-defendant, Raffaele Sollecito, cleared of killing 21-year-old Meredith Kercher in 2007.

“I believe that while Amanda Knox did not wield the knife herself, I think that she was there, with her boyfriend, and that he did the deed, and that she egged him on. That’s what I think happened,” Nancy said, sharing her opinion.

Although the court overturned the conviction primarily based on discredited DNA evidence, Knox says she was not there the night of the murder, the Associated Press reported.

”[Kercher] had her bedroom next to mine. She was killed in our own apartment. If I had been there that night, I would be dead,” Knox told the court on Monday. “I did not kill. I did not rape. I did not steal. I wasn’t there.”

Many celebrities took to Twitter on Monday celebrating the verdict, but Nancy claims to have more information than most.

“I think that people in general, including myself, want to believe good about other people and the population wants to believe that Amanda Knox is innocent. They want to believe that and I don’t blame them,” she explained. “I’d like to believe it too, I just happen to know the facts.”

With Knox headed back to the U.S., many are wondering who will land the first interview with the headline-maker, but the HLN host isn’t throwing her hat into the ring.

“I’m not trying to get Amanda Knox’s first interview because… my show does not pay for interviews in any way,” Nancy told Shaun. “I think whether she gets paid outright or whether it’s a licensing fee for a photograph, that’s the way a lot of networks get around paying for interviews, I absolutely would not stand to be on a show where we pay for guests or interviews. Second, I don’t think she’s going to tell the truth anyway, so what’s the point?”

On Tuesday morning, Knox was first seen heading home from Rome. She then touched down at Heathrow Airport in London on her way back to America.

Source;  http://www.accesshollywood.com/nancy-grace-sounds-off-on-amanda-knox-verdict-its-a-huge-miscarriage-of-justice_article_54572

FALL FESTIVAL ~ This Weekend

Teens Alcohol Drinking Problems Could Be Found On Facebook

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - College students' Facebook pages might hold clues to which of them are at risk for alcohol dependence and abuse, according to a new study.

Researchers found that students who had pictures or posts about getting drunk or blacking out were more likely to be at risk of drinking problems, based on a screening test. That was not necessarily the case for students who mentioned alcohol or drinking on their pages, but not in a way that showed that they drank too much or in unhealthy situations.

It's possible that Facebook pages could help schools find out who needs to be assessed for alcohol-related problems -- although privacy and ethical concerns might make that complicated, researchers said.

The question is whether "what's being found on these sites... is actually predictive of clinical conditions," said Dr. James Niels Rosenquist, a social media researcher and psychiatrist from Massachusetts General Hospital who wasn't involved in the new study.

The findings suggest that messages on Facebook sites do seem to be linked to what happens in the "real world," he told Reuters Health.

Dr. Megan Moreno from the University of Wisconsin-Madison led a team of researchers from her university and the University of Washington in Seattle who surveyed the Facebook pages, including photos and posts, of 224 undergrads with publicly-available profiles.

About two-thirds of those students had no references to alcohol or drinking on their pages. The rest of the pages mentioned or had pictures of social, non-problematic drinking or more serious and risky alcohol use, including riding in a car while drunk or getting in trouble related to drinking.

The researchers brought all the students in for a 10-question screening test used to determine who is at risk for problem drinking. That test assesses the frequency of drinking and binge drinking as well as negative consequences from alcohol use.

Close to six in ten of the students whose Facebook pages had references to drunkenness and other dangerous drinking scored above the cutoff showing a risk for alcohol abuse and dependence, as well as other drinking-related problems.

That compared to 38 percent of students who had more minor references to alcohol and 23 percent of those who didn't mention alcohol or drinking at all, according to findings published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

In addition, close to one in five Facebook-implicated risky drinkers said they had an alcohol-related injury in the previous year.

Moreno and her colleagues proposed that peer leaders such as residential assistants could be trained to use Facebook to see who is at risk for problem drinking, and refer those students to get screening. Or, parents and administrators could talk to a school's counselors if they were worried about alcohol-related content on a student's page.

"You might have someone who, if they write in a Facebook posting about being drunk... that might be a red flag," Rosenquist told Reuters Health.

But, he added, with social media "you get very small snapshots into people's lives," so perusing Facebook pages alone might not be enough to see who needs to be screened for alcohol problems.

And there are other concerns as well, he said, including how appropriate it is to go scouting on students' pages for certain information.

Moreno said that a college RA already has a connection with students and is there to look out for them -- and this study is showing that "there is some legitimacy in approaching students that you're worried about," including if that worry is coming from Facebook posts.

But, she added, "Paying attention to people's privacy concerns is really big."

Moreno suggested that universities could have links to the health center or to online screening tests show up as Facebook advertisements for students who use terms such as "blacked out" on their pages.

"With the targeted messaging, there's not that (feeling) that someone you don't know is creeping on your profile," she told Reuters Health.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/oPnFuO Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, online October 3, 2011.

Source;  http://www.wtkr.com/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-drunk-facebooktre79266y-20111003,0,2308676.story

Hank Williams, Jr. Apologizes - Again

I suppose those doing the Hank Williams, Jr. interview on  "Fox & Friends" just about peed their expensive under panties when he belted out his comments.  The news media still doesn't get it!... and neither do some others.  Can't we be grown and sensible enough to let things like this just pass by?  Besides, isn't Williams allowed "freedom of speech"?  Where do you draw the line?  How in America can you tell someone what NOT to say?  Did anyone ever stop to think that perhaps Hank Williams, Jr.  said out loud what others have been thinking?  Maybe not in those words..................but I'll bet close enough.

I don't suppose Hank Williams, Jr. has to worry about what Obama or the American people think of him.  And I doubt seriously if his comment or removing his song from Monday Night Football will make or break him........He still has plenty of friends.

Sounds like Hank Williams Jr. is ready for some apologizing. Wait, make that a lot of apologizing.

The clearly chastened country singer has offered yet another mea culpa, after a comment he made comparing Pres. Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler prompted ESPN to pull his intro from "Monday Night Football."

In the apology, published on the singer's web site, Williams admitted that his comment was "dumb," adding, "Sorry if it offended anyone."

Williams still contended, however, that he wasn't thrilled about the concept of Obama and Republican house speaker John Boehner golfing together.

"I have always been very passionate about Politics and Sports, and this time it got the Best or Worst of me," Williams writes. "The thought of the Leaders of both Parties Jukin and High Fiven on a Golf course, while so many Families are Struggling to get by simply made me Boil over."

In an earlier statement, Williams admitted that his comment was "extreme...I have always respected the office of the President."

Williams made his inflammatory statement on Fox News talk show "Fox & Friends." Grousing about Obama and Boehner playing golf together over the summer, Williams said it was like "Hitler playing golf with Benjamin Netanyahu."

Elsewhere during his appearance, Williams referred to Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as "the enemy."
Williams' comments were enough to make ESPN yank its regular opening, which features Williams singing "All My Rowdy Friends," from this week's "Monday Night Football."

"We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result have decided to pull the open from tonight's telecast," ESPN said in a statement.

Source:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-hankwilliamsjr-idUSTRE7940BC20111005

Shore Beef and BBQ

WEDNESDAY SPECIAL

Pit Beef Sandwich w/side

Drink ~ $7.50

**NOTE**

Located on Front Street (Snyder building) in Accomack County

"See all our New Church customers on Thursday, 11-6"

CHILD NEGLECT - Officially A CRIME In Maryland

BALTIMORE - Child neglect is officially a crime in Maryland.

Under the new law, child neglect is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, parents or guardians could face up to five years in prison, a fine up to five thousand dollars or both.


Parents or guardians who are not able to properly care for their children because of poverty or homelessness will not be charged.


Last year-- Maryland child protective services says there were nearly 4,150  cases of child neglect.

Source;  http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/child-neglect-is-now-officially-a-crime-in-maryland

October Is Adopt-A-Dog Month

Questions to God from just about any dog...........

Eddie (adopted)

Dear God: Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?


Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?


Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?


Dear God: If a Dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?

Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and  Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Love your friend -

the dog

Contact your local animal shelter and ask about becomming a foster parent.  Give a dog the chance to love you. 

SHORE BEEF and BBQ ~ Tuesday & Wednesday Location

TUESDAY SPECIAL

Pulled Chicken Sandwich w/side

Drink ~ $7.50

**PLEASE NOTE **

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY  ~ SHORE BEEF and BBQ will be located on Front Street (the old Snyder Building) in Accomack County.  Hope to see you there!!

Sign Up To Be A Volunteer For the Friends of the Nature Trail

The Nature Trail Committee is still looking for community sprited people to volunteer to keep the Pocomoke Nature Trail alive and growing.


For many years the nature trail has been growing and it is so very important to keep this project alive and growing in the future.  Here is where the "next generation"  can step in.  Here is YOUR chance to have a role in being one of the Friends of the Nature Trail.

You know, the Pocomoke River is a beauty by boat but it is just as wonderful to see from the nature trail.


Needed for this continuing project are:
Planners
Money Raisers
Schedulers
And of course citizens to help build.

It's a beautiful part of Pocomoke.  Pocomoke belongs to YOU.  Grab a friend or relative or two and become members of the Friends of the Nature Trail.


Here's the number to call.  Pocomoke City Hall/ (410)957-1333


Give them your name and tell them what part you would like to play in keeping the nature trail growing into the future.

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight

A G E N D A

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, October 3, 2011

City Hall

1.      Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

2.      Review and approval of minutes from meeting of September 12, 2011.

3.      Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.      Mr. Mike Kleger, Vice President and Ms. Leslie Michalik, of P.K.S., to present annual audit report for year ending 6-30-11.

5.      Discuss letter from Delmarva Discovery Center requesting additional funding for their operations (letter dated 9-20-11).

6.      Review of bids for demolition of vacant house at 707 Clarke Avenue.

7.      Resolution No. 450 authorizing the submission of 2011-2012 Community Legacy Grant Application.  (Emergency Resolution)

8.      Resolution No. 451 authorizing Mayor to sign revised agreement with Shore Bank for acquisition and renovation of property at 1500 Market Street for use as police station.

(Emergency Resolution)

9.      Continue discussion of certain delinquent business taxes recommended to be written off.

10.  Discuss request from the Samaritan Shelter for gift certificate for their “Annual Christmas Gift Basket”.

11.  Review letter from Chamber of Commerce requesting use of Winter Quarters Golf Course for annual golf tournament on 10-21-11.

12.  Consider request from Pocomoke High School for placement of ad in 2012 yearbook.

13.  City Manager to present summary of proposals for replacement of butterfly valves at water treatment plant.

Comments from the Audience.

Mayor and Council Items.

Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and to perform executive actions.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Small Plane Crashes Into Chesapeake Bay- Search For Woman Continues

An elderly woman was missing and her pilot son swam to shore after a small plane crashed into the Chesapeake Bay near Smith Island, Md. , on Sunday, officials said.

The single-engine plane went down about 3:30 p.m. after the pilot declared an emergency and told air traffic controllers at Patuxent River Naval Air Station that he was having trouble with the plane and didn’t think he could make it to Tangier Island Airport in Virginia, the Coast Guard said.

The pilot -- whose name and hometown have not been released -- said he was trying to make it to Smith Island, Maryland State Police said, and his plane disappeared from radar.

A search began by the Coast Guard, Maryland State Police and state Natural Resources Police.

About 8 p.m., residents reported the pilot was on Smith Island and said he had swam to shore. He was flown by state police helicopter to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salsibury, Md.

At the hospital, the man told police his mother was on board the plane he owned. He said both were able to get out of the plane after it crashed and before it sank, police said.

The pilot said his mother died while they were in the water.

The search for the mother is continuing.

State police, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash, which police said is believed to have happened within three miles of Smith Island.

Source;  http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111003/NEWS/111003011/Woman-missing-son-survives-after-plane-crash-Chesapeake-Bay?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome

October Is Adopt-A-Dog Month

Frederick - a foster dog

Letter to God from a foster dog;

Dear God:  

Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog. 

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.   

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just  because I like the way they smell.  

3. The Litter Box is not a  cookie jar.  

4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.  

5. The  garbage collector is not stealing our stuff. 

6. I will not play  tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet. 
7.  Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying  'hello'.  

8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table  

9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after. 

10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt. 

11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch. 

12. The  cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that  noise, it's usually not a good thing.

Your friend,

Frederick - the foster dog

Angel Food Ministries Shuts Down For Good

So many residents on the Eastern Shore are familiar with the Angel Food Ministries.  Many of you already know that the non-profit organization has closed it doors and no  low cost foods are being delivered to the local churches.  Please take note!  The fact that  Angel Food Ministries food goods are no longer available  is NOT the fault of the church you have been using to pick up your food.

To read more about Angel Food Ministries and how the Wingo family (the organizations founder(s) used (alleged) used their nonprofit organization - that so many families depended on- to get rich on the monies intended to pay their vendors, etc.  In other words ,  the church paid the Angel Food Ministries the monies you paid and the Wingos- I guess-  pocketed it!  Keep in mind now that these goods were shipped all over America and so many other places.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Food_Ministries

Angel Food Ministries which said earlier this month that it would not be able to distribute its discounted food for the month of September, announced this week plans to shut down for good.

“Angel Food Ministries has considered many options regarding our future,” reads a message posted on the ministry's website. “At this time we regret to inform you that we have not found a solution that will allow Angel Food Ministries to continue to distribute food on a monthly basis and have decided to cease operations.”

AFM is a Georgia-based nonprofit that was founded in 1994 by Pastors Joe and Linda Wingo to provide discounted food items to the poor and needy. Approximately 500,000 families a month purchased from the organization prior to its shutdown.


The message on the ministry's website claims 98 percent of its customers that placed an order for September have already received a full refund. AFM says that it has been able to return $24 million to church host sites and other partner organizations. And AFM intends to work with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide refunds to the remaining 59 customers who used SNAP benefits to place their orders.


Though the economy may have had an impact on the organization, The Christian Post reported Sept. 12 that the charity has also found itself in questionable legal and financial situations involving the Wingos. The FBI in 2009 opened an investigation into the Wingos that is ongoing.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday that AFM has laid off all 90 of its full-time staff members and put its headquarters up for sale. In order to save money on energy costs, the ministry also got rid of food in its cold storage facility by either returning it to its vendors or by donating it to food banks and charities.


Though no charges have yet been filed against the Wingos, an anonymous spokesman for Angel Food told the AJC that the ongoing FBI investigation hurt the ministry's image and its relationships with both churches and its customers. The spokesman also said the investigation resulted in “considerable legal expense” for the organization.


The question now remains what will the ministry's host sites do to provide for the needs of local AFM customers who have come to depend on the discounted food program.


“Right now we just don't have an option available to us for anything real immediate,” said Kevin Davis, senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Farmington, Mo., in an interview with The Christian Post on Friday.


Davis says his church has been a host site for AFM for nearly eight years, and served between 50 and 60 families per month leading up to this week's announcement. Davis has heard of other ministries similar to AFM's, but doesn't expect to begin a new program before the beginning of 2012.


“We're definitely saddened by the fact that that has happened, but right now we're just kind of re-evaluating things for the future,” he said.


Juan Villalobos, pastor of the Hispanic ministry at Triangle Christian Church in Raleigh, N.C., ran an AFM host site but did not hear about the ministry's shut down until The Christian Post contacted him.


“Sad. Very, very, very sad. This news is disappointing in many ways,” Villalobos said when he heard the news.


Villalobos says he's been working with AFM for about two years, and the number of families his host site feeds varies between 35 and 60 per month. Going forward, he says, his plan is to start by “knocking on doors,” going to local supermarkets to ask for donations, or possibly even starting a food bank.


"It's hard, but we have to do it. We have to. If we want to help people, if we want to...show the community we love her and we are taking care of them in the way that we can, we have to do it."

Source;  http://www.christianpost.com/news/angel-food-ministries-shuts-down-for-good-56415/

Plane Crash

According to WBOC

A single-engine aircraft has crashed 8 miles off Tangier Island into the Chesapeake bay. 

According to the United States Coast Guard 2 people are on board.   Maryland National Resource Police, MSP and Coast Guard are currently searching for the plane.

TIME MACHINE ... Pocomoke High!

The 42.8 million dollar renovation of the "old" Pocomoke High School is completed. Some of us still think of this facility as the "new" school, with our memories of the "old" PHS being that of the former building on Market Street which was Pocomoke High for almost three decades up through the late 1950's.

But if the sentiment by a considerable segment of the public and the Board Of Education had prevailed the new high school would not have been constructed at its present location. In fact there would not have been a Pocomoke High School. It would have been a consolidated school located between Pocomoke and Snow Hill to serve both towns and the surrounding areas.

January, 1955

During the first week of January,1955, about 350 citizens from Pocomoke and Snow Hill, who had been organized as fact-finding groups, attended a meeting at Stephen Decatur High, the new consolidated school serving Ocean City and Berlin. They toured the school and were to gather information and opinions and forward their findings on to the Worcester County Commissioners, and legislators.

It was reported that the cost of a consolidated school would be $1,500,000, while separate schools would each cost half that amount.

Following the meeting it was reported that about half of those in attendance were favorable to Pocomoke and Snow Hill sharing a consolidated school similar to Stephen Decatur, a much lesser number favored two separate schools and the remainder were reserving opinion. Pocomoke and Snow Hill PTA 's were to host meetings the following week to gather public opinion on the matter and as to whether a county-wide referendum should be held.

At the following week's meetings, in a close vote of 184 to 166 Snow Hill residents favored a consolidated school between Snow Hill and Pocomoke. At the Pocomoke meeting the vote was 172 to 72 in favor of a consolidated school. By a wider margin Pocomoke and Snow Hill residents voted against the issue being decided by a county-wide referendum.

Stockton residents presented the County Commissioners with a petition favoring the consolidated school, signed by 175 of 201 of its citizens who were approached.

The heads of the fact-finding committees from Snow Hill and Pocomoke expressed the opinion that a consolidated school would be more practical than two separate schools. The Board Of Education appeared to agree with proponents that better educational facilities at a lower cost could be provided with a consolidated school.

But a delegation of city officials and businessmen headed by the mayors of Pocomoke and Snow Hill told the County Commissioners that they favored separate schools for each community and their respective city councils had voted resolutions in support of that choice.

Proponents for a consolidated school claimed support for their cause was in the majority. They had meetings with the County Commissioners, Board Of Education, and members of Worcester County's state legislative delegation but the final decision of the County Commissioners was to pursue separate High Schools for Pocomoke and Snow Hill, and Worcester County's members of the state legislature favored that choice as well. In March, 1955, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bond bill funding construction of separate new High Schools for Pocomoke and Snow Hill.　

　

January, 1930

(Site selected for a new PHS on Market Street)

An injunction against building a new Pocomoke High School on a site selected by Worcester County Commissioners was denied in Circuit Court. County Commissioner Charles L. Mason and 20 area residents were seeking the injunction, claiming the County Commissioners authority was limited to a site within Pocomoke City's corporate limits.

The site selected by the commissioners was at Ninth Street which marked the city boundary. The Circuit Court ruling upheld the right of the Board Of Commissioners to determine the site.

Footnote: PHS was located on Market Street between 10th and 11th streets, but did those streets exist in 1930? When the school was constructed perhaps Ninth Street, as referenced above, was the closest street adjacent to the site selected for the school location. Anyone know more?

　

December, 1971

An investigation was continuing into a fire which destroyed the old Pocomoke High School building on Market Street which had become Pocomoke City Elementary School after the new High School building was constructed near the south end of Cedar Street. Students were safely evacuated from the building when the school fire alarm sounded, most thinking it was a routine fire drill. Principal John W. Tatem discovered the fire which was believed to have started in an area near a boiler room but there was no indication that the boilers were a cause of the blaze. Flames quickly enveloped the structure. The building was bricked on the outside but most of the internal framing was wood. Following the blaze only the shell of the walls remained. Portable classrooms near the building were saved.

　

ACROSS THE USA

January, 1950

The new year was bringing changes to Social Security with a boost in the program's tax but also increased benefits to citizens. As reported by the Associated Press...

If the house bill is passed and signed by Pres. Harry S. Truman, it will bring this much added security to Americans:

The lowest pensions, now $10 for a single retired worker, will rise to $25 a month. The top pension for an aged couple, now $85, would be $126.

　

　

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. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

October Is "Adopt A Dog Month"

October is American Humane Association's

Adopt-A-Dog Month

Miss Lady (adopted)

What Can An Adopted Dog Bring To Your Life?

There are as many responses to that question as there are dogs in this world! That’s why -- during American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month celebration in October -- we’re encouraging people to adopt a shelter dog and experience the joy of finding their own answers.

Are you looking for:

• an exercise buddy?
• a best friend and confidant for your child?
• a dog you can train with to learn animal-assisted therapy?
• a partner in agility competitions?
• a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen?
• a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work?

An adopted dog can be all these things -- and so much more!

Milton (adopted)

Your local shelter is the perfect place to find dogs of every type, size, age and personality -- all waiting for a loving home. Or, if you prefer a particular breed that isn’t currently available at a shelter, go online to find a breed-specific rescue group in need of adopters like you.

Find out what a shelter or rescue dog can bring to your life this October during Adopt-A-Dog Month!

---

Source;  http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/programs/special-initiatives/adopt-a-dog-month/

U.S. Travel Alert After Awlaki Death

WASHINGTON, D.C.—

(Reuters) - The State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Saturday warning of the possibility of anti-American attacks in response to the killing of two top al Qaeda members.

The warning came a day after U.S. officials said Anwar al-Awlaki, identified as "chief of external operations" for al Qaeda's Yemen branch, was killed in an attack by missiles fired from multiple CIA drones in Yemen.

"The death of Awlaki, in the near term, could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against U.S. citizens or interests because of this action," the State Department said.

The drone strike also killed Samir Khan, an American who served as editor of a glossy magazine used as a propaganda and recruitment tool by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Source; http://www.wtkr.com/news/sns-rt-usa-travel-warning-idustre7901p920111001-story,0,3921909.story