A page from 1916's Maryland's Colonial Eastern Shore-

 

(Continues with another page next Saturday here The Pocomoke Public Eye.) 

Thank you Chief Downing, Sheriff Lewis, Captain Craven-

Chief Arnold Downing

 (WMDT)

BERLIN, Md. – The Town of Berlin has announced the retirement of Chief of Police Arnold Downing after over three decades of service to the Berlin Police Department (BPD).

Downing began his career with BPD on Aug. 26,1991 before being appointed Acting Chief of Police on Feb. 17, 2000. He was officially appointed Chief of Police on Dec. 1, 2002, becoming both the first African American administrator and the first African American Chief of Police in the department’s history.

(View full story:)

Berlin Police Chief Retires after 34 Years of Service - 47abc

Sheriff Mike Lewis

(Wicomico County Sheriff's Dept.)

The Claremont Institute honored Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis with the American Sheriff Award at the annual American Sheriff Dinner in Huntington Beach, CA. This award is given out to one sheriff per year. The event was attended by an esteemed group of community leaders, law enforcement officials, and public servants from around the country, all gathering to celebrate Sheriff Lewis’s decades of service and leadership in law enforcement. His award recognizes his unwavering commitment to public safety and the positive impact he’s had on both his local community and the nation.

Captain Brian Craven

(See earlier posts, Nov 17, Nov 26.)

Pocomoke City Police Captain Brian Scott Craven has retired after three decades of service. He was honored by colleagues and officials at a recent retirement party.

Parade Schedules courtesy Team Carozza

 

2025 Christmas Parade Signup

Publication of above does not represent a political endorsement by The Pocomoke Public Eye.

Thanksgiving!

1921

(Clarke Avenue, Pocomoke)

1935

1935

Good news for the new Pocomoke Library

The Worcester County Library Foundation has exciting news to share. The Philip A. Zaffere Foundation is providing a matching grant up to $50,000 to help fund the Children’s Porch at the new Pocomoke Library. We are incredibly grateful to the Zaffere Foundation for their generosity. With the new library set to open in late Spring 2026, this opportunity will allow your donations to go twice as far.

The Children’s Porch will be used for dynamic, engaging outdoor learning activities like story times, music events, art programs, and a space for children and families to read and play.

We are very fortunate that this matching grant came during this critical phase of the building project. Every contribution will help make the new library a special place that will be enjoyed by the Pocomoke community for generations to come.

(Notes:)

Phillip A. Zaffere Foundation Inc is a private foundation located in Towson, Md.

Funding for the Children's Porch had failed to get approval from the Worcester County Commissioners.  See Bayside Gazette Nov 13 article (page 21): 

11.13.25-Bayside-Gazette.pdf

To make a donation:

Worcester County Library Foundation | Shore Gives 365

Eastern Shore represented on national game show-

 

Retirement tributes-

 

See more pictures from Captain Brian Craven's retirement party:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Pocomoke-City-Police-Dept-100076911507861/

Tuesday black-out in portions of Accomack County-

 

(WBOC)

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden announced Tuesday that a blown transformer had caused an island-wide blackout on Tuesday.

According to Bowden, the transformer is located on the mainland near the NASA Wallops Visitors Center. Crews were working to have power restored, the mayor said on social media just before 12:30 p.m.

According to A&N Electric Cooperative’s website, the power outage was first reported at noon on Nov. 25. 5,600 customers were affected, according to ANEC.

A&N Electric Cooperative announced that power had been restored just before 3 p.m. The outage had impacted neighbors in Chincoteague, Wattsville, and Oak Hall, the Cooperative said.

SCAM: Funds for Clydesdales visit-

 (WBOC)

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - The Chincoteague Police Department is warning local businesses and neighbors of a false fundraising effort allegedly claiming the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale Hitch Team would be attending the town’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade in December.

(View news story:)

Chincoteague Police debunk Clydesdale Christmas parade rumors | Latest News | wboc.com

Mayor Nock urges community involvement-

 

Pocomoke City Mayor Todd J. Nock says:

(Posted on Mayor Nock's Facebook page)

A lot of people have been asking, Where is the Mayor

I’m right here, standing with the rest of our citizens, trying to make sense of what is happening and working every single day to keep our community safe. I do not have all the answers. None of us do. And that is exactly why we need the entire community to get involved.

Here is what we have already done to address crime in Pocomoke

• We assigned a full-time detective to CBI so our cases receive the attention and resources they need.

• We expanded our camera system from five cameras citywide to more than thirty different camera views watching over our neighborhoods and public spaces.

• We installed four new LPR cameras at key entrances so we know who is coming into our town and can track suspicious activity more effectively.

• We added the ShotSpotter system with thirty-three devices placed throughout the city to detect gunfire instantly and improve police response times.

• We held public safety meetings to hear concerns and share updates.

• We organized multiple neighborhood watch meetings but only one person has shown up at a time.

So yes, we have been working and yes, we have been trying to fix these issues. But we cannot do this by ourselves.

We need you. We need parents, neighbors, faith leaders, business owners, and everyday residents to step in with us. We need people willing to show up, speak up, volunteer, and help take back our streets. Community safety takes community effort.

I have to keep it real about the lack of support we are receiving. It is little to none! No calls, no meetings, no collaboration. Pocomoke should not be living like this. We should not be afraid to sit on our porches, walk down our streets, or let our children play outside.

But I am asking you to stand with me. Join the effort. Get involved. Let us work together and create the safe community we all deserve.

Anonymous

Didn't the mayor go to Utah for a national cities convention last week? Pocomoke passed to Princess Anne the monthly Lower Eastern Shore Mayor's Association (LESMA) dinner since city officials were out of state. Has that been announced?

Prison sentence for former Museum Executive Director-

 (WBOC)

SNOW HILL, Md. - The former executive director of Snow Hill’s Julia A. Purnell Museum has been sentenced after pleading guilty to stealing thousands from the museum over years.

(View news story:)

“Dr. Byrd betrayed all of us”: Former Julia A. Purnell Museum director sentenced for stealing | Latest News | wboc.com

She had to find a way to pay for all that jewelry in her ears.

Your friend,
Slim

Stirring the breeze in Annapolis: Offshore Wind Project-

 

Senator Carozza Calls Out Attorney General Using Taxpayer Dollars On Foreign-Owned Offshore Wind Project 

 

Senator Mary Beth Carozza joined with the Senate Republican Caucus leadership in sending a letter which calls out Maryland Attorney General for using taxpayer dollars on a federal lawsuit supporting a foreign-owned offshore wind project and for his failing response to their letter. In the SRCC letter, the Senators urge the Attorney General to refocus his office on protecting Maryland taxpayers and to withdraw the State’s participation in this wasteful lawsuit. 

 

The SRCC letter and the Attorney General’s response are attached. (see below)

 

11/22/1963

 

This past weekend marked the anniversary of an event that left an indelible mark in the minds of those of us who remember that time.

Two years ago, on the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination The Pocomoke Public Eye published an article reminiscing the event including Washington memories of a young college student from Pocomoke.

To read that posting enter "PHOTO 1" (using quotations) at the right of the screen where it says, "Search This Blog".  

(Posting concludes with an editorial from the Democratic Messenger in Snow Hill.)

Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1980, 2002.

 

                                                      

                                

(See larger text beneath ad)

*November 1980

Salisbury Daily Times

*March 2002

Baltimore Sun

I was there in Cole Field House for the final game in March of 2002. The outcome was a pleasant surprise. Danny and Nancy Miles were in the same row. Can't remember who else, after all it was well over 20 years ago.

Your friend,

Slim

tkforppe@yahoo.com