The Tyrant’s Boot

by Delegate Mike McDermott

For every oppressed people who yearn for freedom, there is always a counting of the cost. Freedom is not free. A “Declaration of Independence” does not secure liberty, but it most certainly will secure the wrath of the tyrant who is deposed. This was certainly the case with King George.

Sadly, most Americans have never read our “Declaration of Independence”. They may know certain lines that are oft repeated, but many confuse our Constitution and the Declaration. In doing so, they miss the essence of our oppression and the need for our rebellion.

Together, the Founders declared certain truths that they held as “self evident” for all people to view and comprehend. They proclaimed as fact that “all men are created equal”. They understood that God is the giver of “rights” to people, and the best any government can do is recognize this truth.

Most of the Founders would pay dearly for making such a declaration. For stating that people were the sovereign of their lives and not the king was an act of treason. Many would die for signing their names to this document. Most lost their lands and saw their families exploited and made homeless. Our liberty cost them all they possessed.

A people can be held together by many things. Most will not last the test of time. There are vows and declarations that are sacred, oaths that we swear by, promises that we endeavor to keep; the American declaration of Independence is one of those God inspired commitments.

You may error in your thinking if you believe the price for freedom has already been paid. It must be paid by each generation of Americans. Our resolve as a people must remain as stalwart as that of the Founders lest a future tyrant catch us slumbering at the wheel of freedom.

It was always said to those who seemed on their way to making it big in this life: “Don’t forget where you came from!”  Many a starlet and ball player go on and forget this admonition at their own peril. It was President Reagan who reminded us that, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”

Today we celebrate our independence. May a tyrants boot never again find it’s place on the neck of any American, and may our people never forget the price of their freedom, so help us God!

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1915.. 5,000 come to Snow Hill to see convicted murderer meet his fate; 1926.. Need for constructing a Chesapeake Bay Bridge being considered; 1957.. Princess Anne's Maryland State College is headed to a bowl game in Miami;  1852.. Duel between two prominent Somerset County men prevented; 1944.. Pocomoke City 4H-er takes top honors in Baltimore stock show; 1938.. It's just routine- a letter's long journey from Snow Hill to Girdletree.

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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.   Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

MY BIG GIRL

FIREMENS BBQ CANCELED FOR FRIDAY

Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co. Annual Chicken Bar-B-Que
July 3, 4, 5 Route 13 South of Pocomoke City
1/2 Chicken <> Baked Beans <> Potato Salad <> Roll
$7.00 Adults <> $8.00 at the door
Tickets available from most Pocomoke Fire Co. Members and
First Shore Federal on Market St. - Pocomoke City.
Thank you for your support!

ATTENTION: Due to the impending severe weather we have canceled the BBQ for Friday. We plan to start back working on Saturday and may cook Sunday if supplies last. We'll keep you updated right here.

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE BI-WEEKLY COM STAT MEETING

 
June 10, 2014 to June 23, 2014

Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell, Lt. Lynell Green and Lt. Brian Craven hold their bi-weekly Com Stat meeting to discuss the Officers performance and City wide crimes. During the past two weeks the Pocomoke City Police Officers issued 94 traffic citations, 49 warnings, completed 15 Criminal Adult Arrest, 8 Traffic Arrest, 227 Foot Patrols, 380 Patrol Checks and answered 220 calls for service.

Kicking Off Summer With Safety

31st Annual National Night Out

The Pocomoke City Police Department is now planning our 31st Annual National Night Out! We are looking for volunteers, groups and organizations that would like to get involved in this Community event! This is a free event, therefore we work with volunteers and donations. We are in need of the vendors, face painters, people of all ages with talent, cooks, clean up crews, business donations (such as food, party supplies etc) and much more! If you or your group/organization would like to help in anyway, please contact Angel Thornes or Gayle Waters at the Pocomoke City Police Department, more updates to follow in a few days. Thank you!

Legislative Luncheon Wednesday, July 9 12 pm- 1:30 pm at Don's Seafood and Chicken House

Speakers will include:
Mayor Bruce Morrison
MD Senator Jim Mathias
VA Delegate Robert Bloxom
MD Delegate Mike McDermott
MD Delegate Charles Otto
MD Delegate Norm Conway

Lunch will be $14 to cover the cost of the speaker's lunches.

Limited seating is available and RSVPs are required.

If you attend but have not sent an RSVP please allow those that have to be seated first.

Please RSVP to pocomokechamber@gmail.com or 410-957-1919
with one of the menu choices below.

1-Flounder Sandwich w/Chips
2-Pork BBQ on Kaiser Roll w/Cole Slaw & Chips
3-Homemade Chicken Salad on Kaiser Roll with Lettuce & Tomato and Chips
4-Homemade Chicken Salad Cold Plate - Scoop of Chicken Salad, Scoop of Homemade Potato Salad with Tomato, Lettuce and Crackers
5-Turkey on Kaiser Roll with American Cheese and Lettuce and Tomato with Chips
6-Large garden salad
7-Large Caesar salad

The Tax You're Not Hearing About

by Delegate Mike McDermott

As we prepare to celebrate our Independence from British tyranny and unrestrained taxation this week, it is disturbing that Marylanders now face an automatic, annual Gas Tax increase every July 1st from here on out. Our state has become so progressive that we no longer require any legislation to increase taxes on our people. The liberals  have placed our taxing authority on autopilot.

This year the rate will continue to rise. The tax was set at 3.5 cents per gallon effective July 1, 2013. This tax was also indexed to inflation, which accounts for the increase effective tomorrow. The tax will increase by another 3.5 cents on January 1, 2015. Additional increases will also occur well into the future. This constitutes a fuel tax increase of 33%, and it comes at a time when the cost at the pump continues to rise.

To give you an idea of how devastating this taxing approach will have on Marylanders, consider that the cost of gasoline would be over $10.00 a gallon right now in Maryland if this tax had been implemented back in the 90’s. This does not bode well for our economic future.

William Paca, Samuel Chase, Thomas Stone, and Charles Carroll must be rolling over in their graves! These Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence would be appalled  that a government created “of the people, by the people, and for the people” would take such a cavalier approach to their taxing authority. The crown looks timid by comparison.

Have you heard anything about this tax increase in the local media? Not a word. Google “Maryland Fuel Tax” and you will see articles from July of 2013 when the first tax increase was felt at the pump. Hence the problem with a perennial tax:

• It often goes unnoticed by the public;
• It is easily dismissed by politicians who take no responsibility since it is “automatic”;
• It lacks the accountability of legislative process where taxes can be debated, deliberated, and carefully vetted prior to enactment; and,
• It will never end unless significant legislative action is taken.

Pennies and small percentages do not sound like much until you consider their multiplied effect on our economy and your family wallet. After all, every penny the government takes is coming directly out of our local economy. When the folks have less money to spend, the loss is felt in every sector.

When fuel prices rise, transportation costs increase. The vast majority of goods on the Eastern Shore come via truck, and the added costs are borne by the consumer. A rising tide floats all boats much like an increased fuel tax is felt in every wallet.

State budgets that increase spending beyond revenues must be fed. Under the current leadership in Maryland, government needs come first. This was never the view of the Founding Fathers.

Our prosperity as a state is tied to the success of a private sector that has been lashed and bound to an anchor. It is high time we raised the anchor and loosed the citizens of this state!

O’Malley-Brown Gas Tax Hike – Round 2;

Today’s stealth tax increase designed to shield politicians from election year backlash

Annapolis, MD – July 1 - Just as Maryland families are preparing to head off on a well-deserved Independence Day weekend, already high gas prices clicked up again today as the next round of the O’Malley-Brown administration’s gas taxes go into effect.  Today’s increase falls on the one year anniversary of the largest increase in gas taxes in state history.  Tied to the rate of inflation, this stealth tax hike brings the Maryland gas tax to more than 27 cents per gallon while shielding tax-and-spend politicians from a risky election year vote.    

According to Republican gubernatorial nominee Larry Hogan, “Whether a cents-per-gallon tax increase or inflation-indexed hikes designed to insulate politicians from voting for higher gas taxes, the effect is the same: A regressive tax on struggling Marylanders and employers while Annapolis spending goes unchecked.”

Maryland’s price per gallon is dramatically higher than in Virginia which cut gasoline taxes and where pump prices are the fifth lowest in the nation.  In fact, even the District of Columbia now has lower gas taxes than does Maryland.

Hogan said, “The O’Malley-Brown administration told us their massive gas tax hike was necessary to create jobs and fund transportation projects through the Transportation Trust Fund.  Yet job creation remains stalled and long-overdue road repairs languish.  And while they were taking more out of our pockets at the pump to fund the Transportation Trust Fund, they were simultaneously siphoning $861 out of it to pay for their pet projects,” said Hogan.  Maryland law stipulates that gas taxes are to fund the Transportation Trust Fund and are not to be commingled with general revenue funds. 

 

“There was absolutely no reason for Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown to raid our Transportation Trust Fund.  In fact, prior to their $861 million heist, Maryland received $771 million in federal stimulus funding, which like the Transportation Trust Fund, was primarily earmarked for “shovel ready” infrastructure projects.  The incredible end result of this administration’s reckless spending and mismanagement was that instead of having a total of $1.6 billion in the bank to make vital repairs and upgrades to our roads and bridges, they spent the stimulus dollars and gas tax dollars elsewhere.  It’s time to roll back the O’Malley-Brown gas tax hikes and spend our infrastructure funds where they belong on roads and bridges.       

   

Rabid Bat Found On Third Street In Pocomoke

By Leanne Murray - email

POCOMOKE, Md. - A bat that was found last week in Worcester County, has tested positive for rabies. 

The Worcester County Health Department say a bat found on Third Street in Pocomoke on June 23rd, was rabid. The bat was found by a resident, who then reported it to authorities. The bat was sent for testing on June 26th, and results were returned on Monday, which showed it was positive for rabies. Officials are asking anyone who had contact with the bat, to contact the Worcester County Health Department at 410-632-1100, extension 1220. 

This was the first dead bat available for testing, and is the first rabid one this year. Anyone who finds a bat on the ground or somewhere else it isn't normally, particularly in the day time, is reminded by health officials to no touch it, and keep pets, and people, especially children, away from it. If possible, Officials say you should cover the animal with a bucket or box, and contact the law enforcement, or animal control to have it removed. 

Rabies is a disease that is spread through saliva, bites, or scratches from an infected animal. Officials say a person who has been bitten or exposed to the disease, can prevent it though proper treatment. If a bat gets inside of your home, authorities ask that you close it in one room, and contact the Worcester County Environmental Health program at 410-352-3234, your local police department or 911 to report the bat, so that it can be handled appropriately. 

Bats have small teeth, and officials say its not always possible to know if you've been bitten, for instance if you wake up and find a bat in the room, if a bat is found in a room with an unattended child, if a bat is found near a person with disabilities, or if a bat is found near a person who is intoxicated. Authorities are reminding residents that bats serve an important part in the environment, but if they enter a home, it could be a problem.

Contact the Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 1-877-463-6497 for general information on safe exclusion of bats, or if you have one in your attic or another unoccupied area of your home. For more information about rabies, visit the Worcester County Health Department's website. 

WMDT.COM

"We Are Not For Sale" Delegate McDermott REflects on June Primary

 “We Are Not For Sale!”

by Delegate Mike McDermott

I want to thank you for your support: your prayers, your time, your donations, and the confidence of your vote. Tuesday marked the beginning of a turnaround for District 38 here on the lower shore. Although the turnout for the Primary was low, the final tally has given us all a reason to be very hopeful moving forward.

We were able to surpass our opponent in the vote count by 1200 votes in a district that was carved up, Gerrymandered, and tailor made just for him! These results have gone unreported by the local media.

The bottom line: our citizens are tired of politicians. They want folks who mirror their values and who are not afraid to stand up and speak out in Annapolis.

I have stressed how I view the 2014 election as being critical for Maryland. There is an opportunity for us to see significant change in how our state conducts the business of the people; and, when it comes to the lower shore, we should be encouraged by these results.

I ask you to thoughtfully consider how you can help secure a better future in Maryland for your children’s children. We must take back the districts that we can from these big government politicians whose success can be measured by the 80-plus tax and fee increases over the past 8-years. Those who have grown government by laying the burden on the backs of our grandchildren must be removed from office.

Maryland now has the dubious distinction of being the worst state in our country (#50) when it comes to economic growth. We have heard the O’Malley-Brown administration and Senator Jim Mathias proclaim to us, “jobs, jobs, jobs!” as their top priority. I have heard this from their lips at every forum and meeting we have attended for the past 8 years. Yet, while surrounding states have turned to the private sector and prospered, the O’Malley-Mathias team continue to believe that government holds the answers.

One would think that when this bunch stumbled upon their own breadcrumbs they would admit they did not have a clue how to lead us out of the mess they have created with their policies and legislation. It is clear that they do not know the way home.

Ronald Reagan could not have stated it better for Maryland when he proclaimed, "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

I look forward to your help in the coming months. We have a terrific slate of General Assembly candidates for our District 38 Delegate seats:

Delegate Charles Otto (38-A Somerset & Worcester),

Mayor Carl Anderton (38-B Wicomico) *current mayor of Delmar, and,

Mary Beth Carroza (38-C Wicomico & Worcester) *Eastern shore Rep. in the Ehrlich Administration, faithful public servant, and no stranger to local campaigns.

We are united in our conservative views of government and our strong desire to return common sense to the decision making process in Annapolis. Your help in the coming months will insure that we move forward in victory and carry your message back to Annapolis.

• Continue to pray;
• place signs and bumper stickers;
• talk to your family, friends, and neighbors; and,
• donate what you can to our campaigns.

The O’Malley-Brown administration, Senate President Mike Miller, and the liberal special interest crowd believe they can buy our Senate seat. Let’s make sure they know that our seat is not for sale!

TIME MACHINE ... 1995, 1902, 1930, 1909, 1955, 1891.

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

September, 1995
The Index-Journal (Greenwood, S.C.)

(Excerpts)

ALBANY, GA. (AP) -  The frustrated owner of the Albany Polecats slammed local fans and city officials when he announced that he's selling the minor league franchise.

(Owner Richard Holtzman...) wouldn't say who purchased the team, but the Daily Times in Salisbury, Md. reported today that the team was acquired by chicken magnate Frank Perdue and the Maryland Limited Baseball Partnership.

The team will relocate to Salisbury and become the Delmarva Shorebirds, a class A team, the newspaper said. The team has one year left with its contract with the Montreal Expos.

August, 1902
The Evening Times (Washington, D.C.)

"Sinner" Smack Breaks Up Religious Meeting

Pelted the Salvation Army Leaders With Coal, Stones, and Brickbacks

SNOW HILL, MD., AUG. 8. -  John Smack, alias "Sinner" Smack, of Berlin, is in Snow Hill jail for disturbing the meeting of a revival brigade of the Salvation Army, under Adjutant Kemp, of Philadelphia, in Berlin. The services were being conducted in a large tent, and as it was a very warm night, the upper flaps were rolled back immediately over Adjutant Kemp and his assistants, three of whom were women. Suddenly shouts went up from outside and simultaneously bricks, coal and heavy railroad spikes came as from the sky and fell about the heads and shoulders of the leaders of the meeting and many of the congregation, who were gathered close to the members of the Salvation brigade.

March, 1930
Salisbury Times

Motordom's Latest Creations Will Be Sensational Feature Of Auto Show This Week

Peninsula Wide Interest Being Manifested In Five Day Showing

MORE VARIETY THAN IN OTHER EXHIBITS

Five Pleasure Cars Are Being Shown For First Time, All Models Improved

Salisbury's great 1930 automobile show, in which intense interest is being manifested up and down the shore, opens at the First Regiment Armory Tuesday and continues for the remainder of the week until Saturday mid- night. 

A description of the 1930 exhibition of motordom's latest creations may justifiably command more superlatives than ever before. 

In many ways it will excell any of its predecessors. It will be larger, contain a more diversified exhibit and more interesting displays. In fact, the show this year, has been made an Eastern Shore event.

Five new cars, three of which have but recently been put upon the market, will make a debut at the local auto show. The front drive Cord, the Roosevelt straight-eight and the De Sota are of recent manufacture and with the Mormon and the Auburn will share interest with the old established cars.  

Twenty-one makes of pleasure cars will be displayed by nearly as many dealers and distributors. There will be thirty-two car exhibits on the first floor of'the huge armory. 

Six commercial types of motor trucks will be exhibited in connection with the show on the Armory plaza, South Division street and Circle avenue.

Even the motor cars of the types in popular daily use will appear at the show in very latest models, improved in appearance and traction efficiency. Some of the types to be shown have not yet been displayed in the sales- rooms. 

There is probably a greater change in the latest models of popular automobiles than in any one season of the past. Some makes have been changed to eight-cylinder models exclusively, others have added an eight- cylinder line to current types. But every motor car on the market has been changed within recent weeks to better meet the demand of the motoring public for beauty of design, comfort, speed and efficiency. 

These changes will be a sensational feature of the local show next week. Each exhibit will have an expert custodian to explain and illustrate the numerous improvements. |

Strickland's orchestra, famous Washington musical organization, will play at the show each evening beginning at 7 o'clock. The interior of the armory will be tastefully decorated. The auditorium will be converted into a proper setting for the elaborate displays of cars. 

The automobile dealers and the three Salisbury newspapers are sponsoring the show this year on a co-operative basis. 

Tickets for five days of the show may be procured from members of the East Side fire company or independent sellers. Tickets for a single night may be obtained at the box office of the armory.

March, 1909
The Washington Post

Crisfield Cuts Out Phones

Special to The Washington Post

Crisfield, Md., March 25. -  Because the Pocomoke Telephone Company, which was recently acquired by the Diamond State Telephone Company, has established higher rates, at the end of the present contract, about 90 percent of the subscribers at a mass meeting last night decided to have the service discontinued.

July, 1955 (Time Machine Archive)

After five months under construction Pocomoke City's new J.J. Newberry Store was set to open at the northeast corner of Market and Second Streets where the old Wilson Hotel once stood.  The new store would feature 40 major departments as well as a lunch counter, and a half-mile of air conditioned selling and display space with slim-line florescent lighting and incandescent spotlights.  The new Pocomoke Newberry's would be five times larger than its' old store located on the west side of Market Street and would have about 40 employees.

July, 1891
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House)

The Fourth of July is to be celebrated at Mappsville, this year, in a manner worthy of the occasion. The programme recalling its glorious memories is to be an elaborate one and if not faultlessly rendered, the people of the town and vicinity having the matter in charge, will not be at fault for lack of interest in its success. Every demonstration, which patriotic impulses have suggested, will be brought into requisition, so far as practicable, with the resources at their command, and no thought save that, of our Country, will be allowed an expression among those participating whatever their diversity of opinions in other respects. The past and its glorious memories, not the present and living issues invite all who can to attend and every word or deed likely to mar the recollection of the glorious day has been jealously guarded against and will have the condemnation it merits on the occasion. To that end addresses alone have been invited which will reflect the patriotic sentiments of out forefathers and readings will only be permitted which breathe the spirit of liberty which the Fourth recalls. Everything, from the display of our nation's emblem in the light of the early morn to the exercises of the day, which close with fireworks and illuminations, will be intended only to honor our nation's birthday — and to such a feast all the citizens of the Eastern Shore whatever their condition or creed or politics are invited.


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.   Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Flying on for JMMB