BabyCakes Are Back!

The Bay Queen presents:

The Smith Island Babycake Factory

The Smith Island Babycake Factory has just opened!

Formerly known as the Bay Queen Bakery, the Babycake Factory has moved from route 13 to

110 Railroad Avenue

 in Pocomoke City

Still serving all hand-made full size Smith Island cakes and the famous Babycakes, the current hours are

Wednesday through Friday 9am – 4pm.

Babycakes are 5 layered cakes, perfect for two people and are available for $6, while the full size 10 layer cakes start at $35. Both cakes come in a variety of different flavors.

New to the Babycake factory is are the custom Babycakes, with styles ranging from heart shaped cakes to baby block cakes. The heart shaped cakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any romantic occasion, while the baby blocks are great for birthday parties and baby showers.

Give us a call at 443-437-7235 or visit us on Facebook

or go to our website

 http://www.thebayqueen.com/

Smith Island Babycake Factory , for more information.

The Bay Queen is docked on the Pocomoke River in downtown Pocomoke City

Make Plans To Visit The Delmarva Discovery Center

Great Dane In Doritos Super Bowl Ad Is From Virginia Beach

Huff, the Great Dane,  tries  bribery  with a bag of  Doritos so Derek Leonidoff won't tell what he saw.

Huff, the Great Dane from Virginia Beach became an overnight star after appearing in a homemade Doritos commercial on Super Bowl Sunday 2012

For the story about Huff and his fame go HERE

General Assembly Update - Virginia

Senator Ralph S. Northam
(Virginia 6th Senate)

I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe.  The fourth week of the 2012 General Assembly session is coming to a close, and things up here in Richmond have not slowed down.  It's about to get busier than ever with "cross-over" quickly approaching, where each chamber of the General Assembly begin considering bills that were passed by the other body.  Legislation will be moving right along in preparation to be considered by the House, so I don't expect a spare second in the coming days.  I have had several bills come up on the Senate floor and in committee since my last update, so if you ever want to check on the most updated status of my bills during the week, please feel free to click here.

Many of the bills that I am working on are at various stages of the legislative process, however, there are two that were acted on this week that I would like to highlight.  I am happy to report that my legislation addressing physical education requirements in public schools, SB 471, passed in the Senate Education and Health committee unanimously on Thursday.  We took a different approach to solve the problem this year, but this bill still addresses the issue of childhood obesity.  In 2011, my bill required 150 minutes of physical education per week, starting in the 2014-2015 school year.  It made its way through the House and the Senate, but was vetoed by Governor McDonnell.  This year, my bill requires that the Board of Education develop regulations regarding physical education in public schools, effective at the start of the 2015-2016 school year.  The other bill that I would like to highlight is SB 550, which instructs the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to adjust the boundaries of the public oyster beds on the seaside of the Eastern Shore.   These boundaries have not been adjusted since 1894, and expanding them will allow natural oyster beds that are currently outside of the boundaries to become available for wild harvest, increasing the opportunity for watermen to take oysters. This bill passed on the Senate floor unanimously, and is extremely important for economic development and opportunities for working watermen and the aquaculture industry.
 Your needs and concerns are important to me, so if there is anything that I can help you with, please feel free to contact my office in Richmond.  Our office number is 804-698-7506, or you can email matt@ralphnortham.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  My Legislative Assistant, Matt Strickler, is always available to assist you in any way that he possibly can.
 Please continue to stay safe and, as always, look for another General Assembly update next Friday!

Sincerely,

Application Deadline Has Been Extended On New Restaurant

The application deadline has been extended so if you are interested and have what it takes to be a restaurant operator please apply.  There is a link below to take you to all the information you need.

The new restaurant being constructed in downtown Pocomoke City on the Pocomoke River didn't seem like it would be able to seat 150 diners when I took this photo in November of 2011. 

These  photos were taken  January 20, 2012 and it makes the 3,035 sq. ft. restaurant and bar more of a reality.

It is amazing the changes that can take place in just a few days.

And on Friday, February 3, 3012 some window frames had been put in. 

When completed the restaurant will have a full view of the Pocomoke River and offer free boat docking along the deck of the river.

If you have what it takes to be a restaurant operator and would like to apply go HERE or to

www.cityofpocomoke.com

Here's a great article from Sunday Daily Times

written by Staff Writer Brian Shane

Town waits for firm restaurant proposal

POCOMOKE CITY -- Pocomoke City officials have extended the application deadline for restaurateurs interested in taking over the town's new riverfront eatery.

There's no hard sell-by date, only a flexible deadline of mid-March, according to City Manager Russ Blake. Previously, Town Hall had set Feb. 1 as a deadline.

Three or four operators have expressed interest in the possibility of opening at the restaurant, and while "we're hoping to receive formal proposals from at least that many," Blake said, he declined to give any names of interested parties.

"They're exploring the lead, and there may be reasons they have that they don't want everyone to know they're considering a new location. Until there's a formal proposal, it's really just in discussions at this time," he said.

The town is seeking someone with prior experience in running a restaurant and bar. Qualified applicants will have significant experience -- and, for stronger applicants, the city is willing to be "quite flexible" on rent for the first year or two, Blake said.
REST OF STORY GO HERE

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting TONIGHT

A G E N D A

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2012

City Hall

Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

 1. Review and approval of minutes from meeting of January 9, 2012

 2. Review and approval of bills to be paid.

 3. Mayor to welcome members of Cub Scout Den #1 - Troop 143 Pocomoke City.

 4. Representatives of the Delmarva Discovery Center to discuss plans for future events and continued support.

 4. Chip Choquette, representing F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team 1829, to discuss upcoming competition.

 6. Second Reading of Ord. No. 408 to authorize a new franchise agreement with Comcast Cable, Inc. for cable TV, internet and other services.

 7. James Jones and others to discuss Save the Youth Program.

 8. City Manager to present recommendations for recreation equipment purchases for Cypress Park (POS funds).

 9. Discuss recommendation from Downtown Coordinator Angela Manos regarding a consultant to work with downtown businesses and other groups to improve profitability and performance.  (Partnership with Downtown Pocomoke Association and Worcester County Tourism Department)



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


AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

SAVE Shore Beef and BBQ

~COMING SOON~

SAVE SHORE BEEF and BBQ WEEKEND !! 

Share this flyer

Or... go to Shore Beef and BBQ on Facebook, find this flyer and share. 

TIME MACHINE ... A Letter Linked To Pocomoke City's History!

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)


January, 1931
(The Denton Journal)

A letter postmarked Pocomoke City, Worcester County, received at the State Department of Health last week, was found to contain ten belated birth certificates. The earliest of the births occurred sixty-three years ago; the most recent, thirty-seven years ago.

The ten "babies" survived the perils of infancy and are all living. So is the attending physician, Dr. Issac Thomas Costen, by whom the records were filed for registration. All of the births took place in Pocomoke City. The records were accompanied by the following letter:

"Realizing the value and frequently the neccesity of birth registration and having reached the age of 97, I am desirous (before it is too late) to have registered the births of my own daughters, as well as a granddaughter, a nephew, and several nieces whose births I attended and am forwarding the Certificates of Birth with this letter for the purpose of registration."

"Will you please make the proper registration and forward to me proper receipts, etc. Yours very truly, Issac Thomas Costen, M.D."

The correspondence was referred to Dr. John Collinson, Chief of the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the State Department of Health; the births were duly registered, and the customary engraved certificates were sent in acknowledgement. The present law requires a birth to be reported within four days of its occurrence.

Though Dr. Costen has not been in active practice for some years, his name is still listed in the Directory of the American Medical Association. The published record shows that he began the practice of medicine in 1857.


April, 1931

Pocomoke City's oldest resident, Dr. Isaac T. Costen, died at his home at the age of 98. Dr. Costen had practiced medicine for many decades and was Pocomoke City's first mayor.




April, 1974

By a vote of 413 to 324, Pocomoke City residents voted to save the century old former home of Dr. Isaac Costen. The home was currently under city ownership and town officials had heard suggestions that the home be demolished to make way for more parking spaces for downtown businesses. The Spirit Of Newtown Committee was formed, headed by Mrs. Myrtle Polk, to help save the historic home.


October, 1976

Having undergone two years of restoration work an open house for tours by the public was to be held at Pocomoke City's historic Costen House, the Market Street home of Dr. Isaac Costen. With support from Pocomoke City residents, Mrs. Myrtle Polk led The Spirit Of Newtown Committee in raising funds for the preservation project and the Costen House was now on the National Register Of Historical Sites.




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.

Legislative Updates By Mike McDermott

Feb. 4th, 2012

Field Notes

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Week 4 January 30-February 3, 2012

Judiciary Hearings
Flash Mob
On Tuesday, the committee received testimony on several bills. HB-4 seeks to address the recent problems of Flash Mobs by allowing the total amount of goods stolen by the group to be used in determining whether or not the crime is a felony or misdemeanor for all of the individuals involved. We observed a store video of a recent mob event in Montgomery County.There were some concerns about the severity of the sentencing guidelines. To me, the act resembles a robbery more than a theft. They are being driven by the use of various social media outlets and we should be more than a little concerned.

Background Checks
A Wicomico Delegation bill (HB-63) was reviewed. It would simply authorize Criminal History checks to be performed by Wicomico County for potential employees. The records are confidential and cannot be disseminated. It would also require guidelines be in place by the county government which address the authorized provisions in the bill.

Bison
It seems under current law that buffalo must be provided certain protections from the weather which are required for other domestic stock. HB-80 seeks to modify this requirement as it would seem the current law was crafted without bison in mind.

Public Defender Act
This may be the biggest issue we address this year based upon the potential impact it could have on the criminal justice system. A recent decision by the MD Court of Appeals ruled that defendants have a right to representation even before a District Court Commissioner. Cost estimates to implement this change range from $28 million to over $100 million. It would impact the state budget and would require county budgets to provide additional money for the States Attorneys Office for their representatives as well.

HB-112 seeks to correct the Public Defender Act by specifically removing the need for an appearance by the Public Defender at the Commissioner level while affirming the need to have this representation at the Bond Review in the District Court. This was the second hearing on this bill and it lasted for over 6-hours. The change is slated to take affect within the next few days. This bill is classified as an Emergency Bill so it can be fast tracked and signed by the governor upon passage.

For over 40 years the Maryland system of Commissioner review followed by a Bond Review by a judge the next day has served us well. The Commissioner screening results in the release of about 65% of those arrested on Personal Recognizance or Unsecured Bonds and those folks never see the inside of the county jail. The next morning, a Bond Review by the District Court Judge insures that defendants have the opportunity to argue why they should be released if the commissioner determined they should have a bond. Involving defense attorneys and States Attorneys at the Commissioner level will change the nature of these hearings and add longer wait times. This will mean keeping police tied up with prisoners for extended periods. The bill seeks to answer the problem and could save the state and county governments tens of millions of dollars if passed.

Misdemeanors on Citation
Another of my bills to be heard was HB-119 which would expand the ability of police officers to charge people who have committed minor offenses on a citation instead of arresting them and taking them before the District Court Commissioner process. This would save a lot of money and would keep our limited police resources on the street and available for the more serious crimes. Many states have adopted this practice as a practical matter. There was some resistance from the State’s Attorneys Association as they wanted further limits on the crimes which could be charged on citation. This bill would not allow any crime of violence or domestic assault to be charged via citation. It looks favorable that HB-119 will have a vote and move to the House for consideration.

Judiciary Committee Votes:
The first voting session took place on Thursday with the following bills moved to the whole House for a vote:HB-4 Requiring Orphan’s Court Judges in Baltimore County to be attorneys.HB-63 Local Delegation Bill allowing Wicomico County the ability to access criminal history information for the purpose of job screening.

Discussions continued in work sessions regarding HB-112 and the Public Defender Act modifications. There has been general agreement that requiring the Public Defender to appear at Bond Reviews before the judge should be required, but not before a District Court Commissioner. I expect a vote on this bill on Tuesday next week.

Eastern Shore Delegate Meeting
We met with the Secretary of Agriculture, Buddy Hance, on Friday morning and discussed his departments legislative agenda and our concerns over much of the regulations being heaped upon our farming communities. After listening to the Secretary for a few minutes discussing the new or proposed regulations, I thought I was in a meeting with the Secretary of the Environment. It would appear to me that the department of Agriculture has succumbed to being an apologist for the governor’s office instead of being a  advocate to the governor for the farmers (as we have always had in the past). The Secretary was questioned about his support of Plan Maryland particularly when it came to the land development rights of the farmers. He indicated that the state needed to “preserve” farmland, but not compensate owners over development rights denied through regulations. There were no administrative policies that the Secretary opposed.

Delmarva Poultry Industry (DPI) was on deck and followed Secretary Hance. They spoke of the economic impact of poultry in the region and also the escalating regulations on the industry. I thought the most interesting comment was made by DPI President Andrew McLain when he indicated that farmers use to have plans drafted to address improving agronomics of a farming operation, but now the plans are drawn up to satisfy regulations and mandates by the government. Those two goals can often find themselves in a state of conflict.  An industry that is not profitable will cease to be an industry for very long. It is clear that in Maryland, we have arrived at a point of diminishing returns on poultry operations. If this does not change, our economy will suffer irreparable damage.

One effort to bring awareness was the first annual Delmarva Chicken Day at the capitol. The luncheon event was well attended and provided a great chance for industry advocates and shore legislators to talk to others about the economic impact of poultry in Maryland.  It was very well received and will be built on for next year.

The last presentation was made by the nine shore counties various departments of Tourism. All of the directors indicated a strong need to maintain funding levels for tourism promotion in the budget. They provided reports on economic impacts at the local level which showed a very impressive return on state investment of tax dollars.  As part of the presentation, each county displayed some artifact or item representative of tourism in their area. It is always a pleasure to see folks displaying a great sense of pride for their represented areas and how each area offers a unique experience to their visitors.

Good Government Work Group
I have been appointed to lead other House Republican Caucus members in developing a legislative strategy to address transparency issues and the promotion of Good Government (G- Squared)  practices. We will be scheduling several press conferences in the coming weeks to highlight these efforts and to contrast them with many bad government bills or policies supported by the administration. The first effort will take aim at auditing practices and a bill I will be introducing  which will require independent audits of all state agencies every two years with the cost borne through the commission paid to the auditors based upon the potential savings realized by the state.

TIME MACHINE Preview ... A Letter Linked To Pocomoke City's History!

Over eighty years ago a letter was mailed from Pocomoke City containing ten birth certificates which, at the time, were decades old. What was their destination? Who was the sender? Why were they sent?

Read more about it this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. 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!

Winter Wonderland Gala Parking Map

Parking information for those attending tonights

 Winter Wonderland Gala and auction

at the

 Delmarva Discovery Center

Pocomoke City, Maryland

More Progress Being Made With New Restaurant

I had heard that the windows were being worked on in the restaurant. And what a surprise I had when I checked my email  and there were photos!

So, here we go....courtesy of my sister who recognizes how much keeping  with the progress of the new restaurant construction means to  me. 

FRAMING THE WINDOWS

I wonder what you can see from up there?

More pictures to follow these and right up until the new restaurant is completely built!

**Thank you to my sister Debbie... for taking time from your day to stop and take these photos for me.  And thanks for realising how much it means for me to have these photos as part of Pocomoke City history.**

SHORE BEEF and BBQ Saturday Special

OPEN TODAY

TAKE HOME SOME DELICIOUS BBQ !

SPECIAL TODAY

Half Rack, Half Rack of Chicken

w/2 sides

$16.95

Enough for two or one big hungry tummy!

Rigell Proposes Comprehensive Energy Legislation

Rigell Introduces Comprehensive Energy Legislation to Create Thousands of Jobs for Virginians,
Help Achieve American Energy Independence

Part of Wind, Oil and Gas Leasing Royalties to go to Commonwealth for Environmental Clean Up

Washington – In an effort to address America’s unemployment and energy challenges, today Representative Scott Rigell (VA-2) introduced the Mid-Atlantic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012  (HR 3882) to open the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the coast of Virginia for energy harvesting. The legislation would help move America away from its dangerous reliance on foreign oil and could produce as many as 18,000 local jobs. At the same time, the legislation would generate $1.4 billion in oil and gas royalty revenue for the Commonwealth of Virginia, a percentage of which would be required to go toward environmental cleanup in Virginia.

“Our nation’s unemployment rate is unacceptable. So too is our dependence on other nations for our oil and gas. We have so much opportunity to put folks to work with the resources that are right off our coast and in every corner of this country,” said Representative Scott Rigell (VA-02). “This legislation will unquestionably create jobs – thousands of them – good paying ones, too. And it will keep our capital circulating within our borders.

“At the same time, we have a moral obligation to leave our children and grandchildren with clean air, water and soil. This legislation will allow us to accomplish all of this.”

Rigell introduced the legislation to open the OCS after the Obama Administration essentially shut down any further exploration off Virginia’s coast last year, where 3.8 billion barrels of oil are known to exist. Expanding the domestic energy industry could help bring down the nation’s unemployment rate and keep significant amounts of money circulating within the U.S. Currently, the U.S. sends more than $500 billion each year to countries like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, nations that do not share our values. Further, President Obama has said that moving America toward energy independence is a top national security priority.

Opening the energy sector has proven successful in regions across America, like North Dakota, where unemployment is at a nation-wide low of 3.5 percent and the local economy is thriving despite a sluggish national economy. This is especially important for the Hampton Roads region, where the economy stands to benefit from  diversifying industry and economic investment. If the legislation is enacted, the energy industry is expected to inject significant capital to the local economy, beyond the $1.4 billion in royalty and lease revenue.

In response to concerns about safety and the environment, Rigell’s legislation includes requirements that 25 percent of Virginia’s share of lease royalties go toward environmental clean up.

The legislation has the support of Rob Wittman (VA-1); Robert Hurt (VA-5); Robert Goodlatte (VA-6); and Morgan Griffith (VA-9). It now goes to the House Natural Resources Committee for consideration.

From The Pocomoke City Police Department ~ YMCA Shooting Update

UPDATE ON THE SHOOTING AT THE YMCA POCOMOKE CITY

On January 28, 2012 Pocomoke City Police responded to a call for an Assault in progress which resulted in a shooting incident. Once the Officers arrived on the scene they began investigating the incident. Due to the nature of the call the YMCA was placed on an immediate lock-down by the Pocomoke City Police.

Pocomoke Police learned that a birthday party was being held for a Pocomoke City resident inside of the YMCA. Several individuals from Accomack County, Virginia attended the party when a fight occurred, then while leaving in their vehicles the suspects began shooting in the direction towards the crowd. One of the victim’s was taken to the hospital with minor injuries for the Assault. No one was injured in the shooting incident.

The Pocomoke City Police Officers interviewed several witnesses and were able to positively identify several of the suspects involved in the shooting. While continuing the investigation, Pocomoke City Police assisted by the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office began an intense joint investigation which revealed the suspects involved in the incident did reside in Accomac Virginia.

On January 31, 2012 after further investigation the Pocomoke City Police completed an application for charges on two (2) suspects involved in the incident and received Arrest Warrants for both individuals. Upon receiving the Arrest Warrants the Pocomoke City Police assisted by the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office were able to serve the Warrant on one of the suspects.

On February 2, 2012 while continuing the investigation Pocomoke City Police along with the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office were able to serve the Arrest Warrant on the 2nd suspect involved in the shooting. The Pocomoke City Police and the Accomack County Criminal Enforcement Team were able to conduct two Search & Seizure Warrants on the suspect’s homes in an attempt to gain further evidence on the incident.

The two suspects Arrested and charged as Adults are as follows:

Arrested January 31, 2012: Roderick Rashad Savage, Age 17
Leslie Trent St, Parksley Virginia
Charges: Attempted 1st Degree Murder
1st Degree Assault

Arrested February 2, 2012: Devin Treye Wessells, Age 17
Parks Road, Parksley Virginia
Charges: Attempted 1st Degree Murder
1st Degree Assault

Both Defendants are being held in the Norfolk Virginia Detention Center without bond pending an extradition and preliminary hearing trial date.

The case is still under investigation and more Arrests are to follow.
　
　
　
Chief K D Sewell
Pocomoke City Police Department
February 3, 2012

Winter Wonderland Gala and Auction- Many Items to Bid On!

It's wonderful to know that ALL tickets available for the first Winter Wonderland Gala at the Delmarva Discovery Center have been sold!


And the list of items for the LIVE and SILENT auctions keeps growing.


Two more paintings by local artists that will go up for bids at the auctions Saturday night.




Painting by local artist
Jenny Somers



Painting by local artist
Doris Glovier

Here are just a few of the items that will be auctioned Saturday night.  There are many, many more wonderful  items and something for eveyone to bid on!  And the items have been donated from everywhere.

These are just a few names I recognized:

Print by local artist Willie Crockett

Beautiful, fanciful Cake by Coles Cakes

Warm & lovely quilt by Robyn Ann
Wally Makuchal framed print entitled "Teals ".

Bay Queen Smith Island Baby Cakes

Salty Dog gift certificate

From Scher’s, lovely satin dark purple clutch with jeweled clasp

Hope everyone has a wonderful time.

Pocomoke Firefighters Honor Colleagues

Another year of great dedication and hard work.  Stan Finch- 30 years and it just seems like yesterday.  Mr. Young- a member since 1950- that's before Eddie was born and almost 62 years ago.  Wonder job!

Congratulations to everyone of you.

Written by

Bill Kerbin

POCOMOKE CITY -- Meeting for its annual awards banquet, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Co. honored Stan Finch for 30 years of service to the fire company and the community.

In addition to the fire company presentation, Finch was given a Senate resolution by Delegate Norman Conway; a House of Delegates resolution by Delegate Michael A. McDermott; a proclamation by County Commissioner Merrill Lockfaw and a certificate by Mayor Bruce Morrison. Conway was acting in place of Sen. James Mathias, who had to leave early for the Crisfield Fire Co. annual banquet.

Fire Chief Dick Gladding presented Chief's Awards to the members who responded to the largest number of alarms during the year. Corey Dean, the assistant Chief, was the top responder, making 185 calls. Others honored were: Tyler Fairman, 180 calls; Mike Dean, 160 calls; Travis Cowger, 151 calls; Choppy Layton, 144 calls; Chris Vieira, 127 calls; Marion Butler Sr., 121 calls; Keven Hall, 112 calls; Paul Taylor, 106 calls; and Billy Sparrow, 104 calls. One of the cadets, Devin Fairman, was recognized for answering 107 calls.

A special award was presented to George Young Jr. for his term of service with the company. He joined the fire company on Oct. 5, 1950.

George E. Young Jr., left, received the President's Award from President Andy Clarke for his 60 years of service to the community and the Pocomoke Fire Company. / CHOPPY LAYTON PHOTO

Gladding also reported on the calls that the company answered during the past year. They were called out to 54 fires, or more than one a week. In addition, they assisted other companies in larger fires. One particular memorable blaze was a 70-acre field fire in which they assisted Stockton. Some other responses included 48 accidents and 10 spills.

Jeff McMahon, the Worcester County Fire Marshal, installed the new officers. They are Andy Clarke, president; Chip Choquette, vice-president; Mike Shannon, corresponding secretary; Merrill Lockfaw, recording secretary; Choppy Layton, treasurer; Mike Dean, chaplain. Line officers include Dick Gladding, Chief; Corey Dean, assistant Chief; Eric Denston, Capt.; Steve Larmore, 1st Lt.; Wade Taylor, 2nd Lt.; Rodney Sharpley, chief engineer; Tom Wall Jr., first asst. engineer; Chris Larmore, second asst. engineer; and Keven Hall, training officer. Directors for the coming year are Jerry Barbierri, Allen Butler, Mike Dean, Danny Miles and Rick Choquette.

Dan Redden announced that the Monsanto Chemical Co. had selected the Pocomoke Fire Co. to receive a $2,500 contribution. Each year the company selects a nonprofit organization in each of the different counties to receive the donation.

SOURCE:

SHORE BEEF and BBQ Frriday Lunch Special

T. G. I. F.

AND ANOTHER BBQ DAY !

~Special of the Day~

Pit Beef Sandwich w/ Side

Drink ~ $7.50

SATURDAY SPECIAL

Half Rack/Half Rack Chicken w/ 2 sides

$16.95

Enough for two...or one hungry belly!

Be sure to look for SHORE BEEF and BBQ on Facebook

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

Feb. 2nd, 2012

The Governor Who Broke the Camel’s Back

Thoughts on the State of the State

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Every beast of burden has a limit where the proverbial “last straw” brings an end to any future.  In his State of the State Address, Governor O’Malley seemed intent on finding out exactly where that end may be with Maryland families and businesses.

The speech contained nothing new.  Within the first few minutes, the governor blamed former President Bush for Maryland’s current problems.  Perhaps it would have been best if the governor had ended on that note, but he proceeded to tell us how he was going to “strengthen Maryland families and small business” by increasing a multitude of their taxes.

The Governor does not understand the negative impact his gas and income tax hikes  will have on Maryland families.  Although he aligns himself with the “common man,” he recently could not identify the average price of gas, bread, or milk in Maryland, because his staff shops for him. (WJZ - Vic Carter interview with Gov. O’Malley on 1/31/12).  This could be part of the problem.

If O’Malley gets his way, Maryland’s gas tax will rise to 58.9 cents per gallon, making it the fifth highest in the nation. (Baltimore Sun, “MD Could get 5th Highest Gas Tax Under O’Malley Plan” by Jay Hancock.) This is not exactly the direction to move in if we want to protect our struggling families and make our state competitive and business friendly.  In fact, rural Marylanders will bear the brunt of the tax increase, since they consume more fuel than their urban counterparts.  Likewise, every item we ship or receive on the Shore will have this cost passed on to us as consumers, robbing families of what remains of their discretionary funds.

Perhaps the saddest indictment for this current state of affairs is how these budget debts will be passed on to coming generations. The governor and the Democrat leaders like to call this “investing in the future,” but what responsible parent gives their child a credit card that is already maxed out?  In Maryland government, it has become a common practice for us to build playgrounds for our children that their children will pay for.  Maryland citizens already carry more personal debt than their neighbors in 47 other states  (Yahoo Finance July 26, 2011). This does not even include our student loan debt. We can pass the buck, but unfortunately our children won’t be able to.

The growth the governor seeks is in the public sector.  The jobs he seeks to preserve or expand reside with the government.  When jobs are already dwindling, every dollar spent in the public sector is just one more dollar pulled from the private sector.   We need our construction crews busy building homes, factories, and office space based upon the actual consumer need that expands the economy.  It is a flourishing private sector that generates the jobs that provide the taxes to support the infrastructure projects of which the governor is so fond. Our private sector must drive our recovery.  Small business and entrepreneurs must lead the charge. The governor can help by clearing obstacles.  He alluded to this in his speech, and I encourage him to do more in the years left in his term.

The governor is a big-government guy; government is his natural fall-back position.  If the private sector will not build his project, he is apt to have the state build it, regardless of the risk or cost. Off-shore wind finds itself in this camp. It is too risky to garner private support - or it would already have been done. We have seen this in Delaware just last month with the evaporating private sector support for these projects. Yet the governor is attempting to go against the winds of a common-sense market place by advancing the idea that the tax payers and rate payers of Maryland should hamstring their collective futures by agreeing to subsidize Big Wind. “Feeling good” can be the by-product of a good decision, but it can also be used as an excuse to do that which makes no practical sense.

This administration refuses to drill for vast natural gas deposits in Marcellus Shale, so we import our gas from Pennsylvania and pay more for the privilege. We boost their state’s economy at our own peril. That does not make any Maryland family “feel good” about their pocket book.  There are ongoing private ventures centered on land-based wind and solar energy. Both are funded by the private sector and profitable. Why are we not encouraging and expanding these successes?

The speech’s premise that private sector growth is driven by public sector expansion is a flawed approach that we have seen on even grander scales in the form of various federal stimulus programs in recent years.   We cannot expand the public sector without damaging the private, and we cannot spend our way out of our deficits. No matter how many times you say otherwise does not make it so.

TIME MACHINE Preview ... A Letter Linked To Pocomoke City's History!

In 1931 a letter was mailed from Pocomoke City containing ten birth certificates that were decades old.

What was their destination? Why were they sent? Who was the sender?

Look for the details on this Sunday's Pocomoke Public Eye!


　
Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. 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!

~Ground Hog Day~

Punxsutawney Phil, the famous ground hog from Pennsylvania,  emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow- predicting 6 more weeks of winter.

HAPPY

GROUND HOG DAY

Mar-Va Theater This Weekend

Friday and Saturday
February 3 and 4
Tickets $5.00

Facebook To Go Public, Raise $5B

NEW YORK (AP) -- Facebook made a much-anticipated status update Wednesday: The Internet social network is going public eight years after its computer-hacking CEO Mark Zuckerberg started the service at Harvard University.

That means anyone with the right amount of cash will be able to own part of a Silicon Valley icon that quickly transformed from dorm-room startup to cultural touchstone.

If its initial public offering of stock makes enough friends on Wall Street, Facebook will probably make its stock-market debut in three or four months as one of the world's most valuable companies.

In its regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Facebook Inc. indicated it hopes to raise $5 billion in its IPO. That would be the most for an Internet IPO since Google Inc. and its early backers raised $1.9 billion in 2004. The final amount will likely change as Facebook's bankers gauge the investor demand.

Joining corporate America's elite would give Facebook newfound financial clout as it tries to make its service even more pervasive and expand its audience. It also could help Facebook fend off an intensifying challenge from Google, which is looking to solidify its status as the Internet's most powerful company with a rival social network called Plus.

The intrigue surrounding Facebook's IPO has increased in recent months, not only because the company has become a common conduit -for everyone from doting grandmas to sassy teenagers- to share information about their lives.

Zuckerberg, 27, has emerged as the latest in a lineage of Silicon Valley prodigies who are alternately hailed for pushing the world in new directions and reviled for overstepping their bounds. In Zuckerberg's case, a lawsuit alleging that he stole the idea for Facebook from some Harvard classmates became the grist for a book and a movie that was nominated for an Academy Award last year.

Even before the IPO was filed, Zuckerberg was shaping up as his generation's Bill Gates - a geek who parlayed his love of computers into fame and fortune. Forbes magazine estimated Zuckerberg's wealth at $17.5 billion in its most recent survey of the richest people in the U.S.

Depending on how long regulators take to review Facebook's IPO documents, the company could be making its stock market debut around the time that Zuckerberg celebrates his next birthday in May.

The IPO filing casts a spotlight on some of Facebook's inner workings for the first time. Among other things, the documents reveal the amount of Facebook's revenue, its major shareholders, its growth opportunities and its concerns about its biggest competitive threats.

What's not in there, yet, is Facebook's market value. That figure could hit $100 billion, based on Facebook's rapid growth and the appraisals that steered investors who bought stakes while the company was still private.

Facebook heads a class of Internet startups that have been going public during the past year.

The early crop has included Internet radio service Pandora Media Inc., professional networking service LinkedIn Corp. and daily deals company Groupon Inc. Most of those Internet IPOs haven't lived up to their lofty expectations. The list of disappointments includes Zynga Inc., which has built a profitable business by creating a variety of games to play on Facebook. Zynga's stock fell 5 percent below its IPO price on the first day of trading.

Facebook stands apart, though. As it rapidly expands, people from Silicon Valley to Brazil to India use it to keep up with news from friends and long-lost acquaintances, play mindless games tending virtual cities and farms and share big news or minute details about their days. Politicians, celebrities and businesses use Facebook to connect with fans and the general public.

It's becoming more difficult to tell whether going to Facebook is a pastime or an addiction. In the U.S., Facebook visitors spend an average of seven hours per month on the website each month, more than doubling from an average of three hours per month in 2008, according to the research firm comScore Inc.

More than half of Facebook users log on to the site on any given day. Using software developed by outside parties - call it the Facebook economy - they share television shows they are watching, songs they are playing and photos of what they are wearing or eating. Facebook says 250 million photos alone are posted on its site each day.

MORE GO HERE

Pocomoke Woman Stole Checks, Cashed Them

Nancy Drury Duncan

Staff Writer

ACCOMAC -- A presentence report was ordered for a woman who illegally obtained checks belonging to others and modified the names of the payees on the checks to make them payable to Food Lion, where she cashed them.

Kimberly Kenny, 36, of Pocomoke City, Md. got the checks from three different women in the northern part of the county, who had written the checks to pay bills, said Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Matthew Brenner.

Some were taken from mailboxes, he said. A Food Lion surveillance videotape showed Kenny cashing the checks. The crime was discovered when the women began to receive calls about unpaid bills.

They checked with their bank and police were called when it was clear the checks were taken. One check was made out to the electric company and then changed to make Food Lion the payee, said Brenner. All were cashed at the Food Lion in Oak Hall.

"Food Lion took the checks, no questions asked," Brenner told the court. He said the bank paid the checks and were owed restitution.

Defense attorney Patrick Robbins called his client cooperative and said the $314 in restitution would be paid by the time Kenny returned to court for her sentencing.

He said Kenny had a crack cocaine habit but was in treatment while on probation in the state of Maryland. He said she was tested often for drug use and was successfully completing the requirements of her probation there.

"In consideration of the fact that you are enrolled in a program and are successful, I will allow you to remain on bond and continue with your program," said Circuit Judge W. Revell Lewis III.

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