Worcester County State's Attorney Oglesby Featured In Article

Staff Writer Brian Shane has written a wonderful article about a man that is an asset to Worcester County.  Only in office for about  18 months Worcester County State's Attorney Beau Oglesby isn't about to give up nor slow down. 

Great job, Mr. Oglesby!

Written by

Brian Shane
SNOW HILL — The criminals facing jail time at the hands of Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby can thank a computer glitch for their misfortune.
As a freshman attending Salisbury State College to study accounting, an error in the school’s course registration system blanked out the classes Oglesby had signed up for. He had to redo his schedule, and many of his classes were already full.

Oglesby recalls that the dean of the business school at the time was married to an attorney who taught business law. Her class was normally reserved for upperclassmen, but because of the good relationship he had with his dean, she let Oglesby in.

During the course of that semester is when Oglesby decided he wanted to be an attorney.

“I realized that the appeal of that was much greater than the appeal of being an accountant,” he said.

Today, the 42-year-old Oglesby is 18 months into his job at the helm of the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. He won his seat on his third try, in 2010, ousting longtime incumbent Joel Todd.





Oglesby grew up as a self-described Army brat, bouncing between homes in Georgia, Germany, Maryland and Virginia.



"Blessing of the Combines"
Snow Hill, Maryland 2011



His father retired from the Army and took a job in security with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The family settled in Prince George’s County, Md., and Oglesby graduated from high school there. It was his third high school.

“I think it made me stronger,” he said. “It taught me that you had to persevere yourself. You’ve got to learn how to make friends and deal with very cliquish communities sometimes.”

All that moving in some ways made it easier for him to take on new jobs at four different State’s Attorney’s offices on the Shore.

“If you look at my background, I’ve made my personal career of going into situations where I wasn’t known and having to fit. You move to two, three different middle schools, different high schools, you have to adapt and overcome,” he said.

After law school, Oglesby was hired by former Wicomico County State’s Attorney Davis Ruark. Oglesby spent 11 years working there and made a name for himself as a prosecutor of drug cases.

CONTINUE READING

The Rural Sign Painter

SCHOOL DELAYS

DUE TO FOG

2 HOUR SCHOOL DELAY THIS MORNING FOR

ACCOMACK COUNTY SCHOOLS

&

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY  SCHOOLS

TIME MACHINE ...

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)



I'm away this week but I've selected some postings from the past year that, perhaps, you may have missed or might like to read again. -tk



March, 1889

(The Herald And Torchlight- Hagerstown, Md.)

About eight o'clock last Thursday evening the large steam and planing mill, situated in the center of Pocomoke City, and owned by Messrs. Young and Colbourn, caught fire and was burned to the ground. The new fire engine and recently organized fire company did good service in saving the southwestern end of town, which certainly must have gone but for the assistance rendered by the engine. The loss was about twenty thousand dollars, covered by insurance.



August, 1908

(The Washington Post)

Amid a mass and jam of fully 15,000 people the third day of the Pocomoke Fair passed off without the slightest hitch to mar the pleasure of those who attended. Twenty-three carloads of visitors were hauled from the eastern shore of Virginia, and several thousand came from Delaware, in addition to the Maryland contribution.



February, 1930

J. Nelson Jester of Chincoteague, an 18-year-old free agent signed by the Washington Senators, was being mentioned as a prospect to bolster the team's 1930 line-up. However, an injury during minor league play forced an early end to Jester's professional career.

Footnote: Jester went on to a teaching and coaching career at Pocomoke High School for many years and later was high school principal at Chincoteague.



July, 1933

The presidential yacht Sequoia docked in Crisfield and President Roosevelt set out on a six-hour sight-seeing tour of the Eastern Shore, stopping in Pocomoke City for a soft drink. A crowd of several thousand were said to be on hand at the Crisfield dock to greet the president and were back later in the day to see him off.



1943

As a young Navy pilot former President George H.W. Bush trained at the Chincoteague base. As reported in various published accounts he flew low over an area of Crisfield where a circus had setup nearby and a frightened elephant broke away, in turn frightening nearby residents. Reports were that Bush's low fly-over was an attempt to impress a young Crisfield woman he had met at a USO dance at Chincoteague.



February, 1931

(Cumberland Evening Times)

Former World's Heavyweight Champion Goes Over Big In Pocomoke City

Pocomoke City, Md. Feb. 4(AP)- More than 2000 Eastern Shore fight fans saw Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, as he refereed two matches of a boxing card here Tuesday night. Dempsey attended a dinner as a guest of the Lions Club of Salisbury, and before he entered the ring he was kept busy autographing programs.

Footnote: A December, 1930, news item reported that a 2,500 seat boxing arena was set to open on the Pocomoke Fairgrounds.



October, 1943

"Gone With The Wind" was playing at Pocomoke City's Fox Theatre. Admission for all seats was 55-cents.



August, 1953

The Pocomoke Drive-In Theatre, two miles south of Pocomoke City on Route 13, was advertising $1.25 a carload admission with opening night features.. Jeff Chandler in Bird Of Paradise, and Fred MacMurray in Smokey, two big features every night. "No Need To Dress Up - Come As You Are- Bring The Entire Family" -- "Enjoy Movies In Your Own Car - Eat- Relax- Smoke"


January, 1975

"The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford was playing for six nights at the Marva Theatre in Pocomoke. Admission: Adults $1.50, Children 75-cents.



July, 1955

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.



January, 1885

(The Freeborn County Standard [Minnesota])

SHIPS SAILING IN AIR

Remarkable Mirage Seen From The Decks Of A Steamer In Chesapeake Bay

From The Baltimore Herald.

"At the time I discovered it," said Captain Wilson of the steamer Tangier "we were off Watts Island on the Pocomoke Sound. The day was clear and bright. I was standing on the hurricane deck forward with a passenger, and we were commenting on the strange action of a dense line of smoke which rose perpendicularly from the stack of a saw mill in Pocomoke City, which lay to the east of us. My attention was suddenly called to the distinct outlines of a three-masted schooner which appeared above the line where the smoke spread out and disappeared. I could hardly believe my senses, and, calling my attention to the gentleman who was with me to the strange sight, I rushed into the pilot house and got my glasses. Through them I discovered more clearly the outlines of the vessel. There was evidently no breeze, as the sails were lying inboard. Then I scanned the horizon on either side of the smoke with the glasses and discovered four additional schooners, all of them similarly rigged and all wearing a full set of sails which were also inboard. They were more or less distinct as they were nearer or farther from the shore. Three of them pointed north and two south. The vessels were enveloped in what appeared to be a transparent haze, which I at once supposed to be the ocean. Fringing the lower edge of the haze were the outlines, perfectly distinct of the Atlantic coast between Chncoteague and Cobbs Islands. Even the inlets and small capes were discernible. Next appeared the broad waters between the outer bar and the mainland. This was also depicted as a haze, the land dovetailing into it here and there. Skirting the lower edge of the haze was the mainland, with open fields and clumps of trees. The mirage extended down to the meeting line of the land and the eastern horizon. I called all the passengers up from the lower deck and saloon, and all of them gazed at the phenomenon with wonder and admiration. The sight lasted about twenty minutes and gradually disappeared from view."

Captain Wilson stated that a land breeze had prevailed for several days previous to the mirage, and the phenomenon is accounted for on the ground that there was unusual retraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a mirage being seen in the lower Chesapeake. This phenomenon, however, is not infrequent in the Chesapeake, and Captain Wilson states that he once saw Cove point light from the lower end of Tangier Island, a distance of 38 miles. He calculated the distance of the mirage of a few days ago to be 30 miles.





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!

Pocomoke Farmers & Flea Market

DOWNTOWN POCOMOKE CITY

FARMERS & FLEA MARKET

OPEN  TODAY

Sunday   May 20, 2012

7:00 AM  until  5:00 PM

(extended days this weekend only)

NO VENDOR FEES

Former Somerset County Deputy Awarded 1.1 Million Dollars

Written by

Liz Holland
Staff Writer

PRINCESS ANNE -- A former Somerset County sheriff's deputy was awarded more than $1 million Thursday after a jury found he had been denied his First Amendment rights.

James "Troy" Durham, 44, of Pocomoke City, who was fired after filing a grievance against Sheriff Robert N. Jones, was awarded $412,000 in economic damages, $700,000 in noneconomic damages and $200 in punitive damages in U.S. District Court, said Howard Hoffman, Durham's attorney.

"Troy has been fully vindicated," he said.

Hoffman said he asked for only $1 in punitive damages since Jones is not a wealthy man, and was pleased the jury awarded 200 times that amount at the end of the four-day trial in Baltimore.
He said he also plans to ask the court to award Durham the cost of his legal fees.

The former deputy has been fighting a legal battle against the Sheriff's Office since 2008 when he filed a grievance alleging internal corruption and accusing co-workers of forcing him to change a police report.

In his lawsuit, Durham alleged he was ordered to alter a police report, but refused. He said he was threatened with his job and relented, but later filed a grievance with the Somerset County Commissioners.

Five days later, Durham was placed on administrative leave and was told his grievance was being investigated by Jones.

Durham was eventually terminated and has alleged Jones fired him in retaliation.

Durham filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court seeking reinstatement and claiming wrongful termination, but Judge W. Newton Jackson III said in a 2010 ruling there was not enough evidence to support Durham's claims.

Source:

TIME MACHINE Preview ...

I'm away this week but I've selected some postings from the past year that, perhaps, you may have missed or might like to read again. -tk

Take a look 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!

Legislative Updates From Delegate Mike McDermott

May. 18th, 2012

Field Notes…“Special Session Pirates”

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Behaving more akin to pirates than elected legislators, I witnessed first hand a budget slush fund crafted for the O’Malley-Brown administration and an overall budget increase of $938 million in new taxes and spending. All this in a three day session where the fix was in before we ever arrived in Annapolis.

As I stated to the governor at Monday night’s protest on the Lawyer’s Mall: “If you insist on behaving like pirates…you need to strike the Maryland colors on the State House and run up the Jolly Roger!!!”

The budget that was in place in April was a good spending plan. It increased the budget by over $700 million but was within the projected revenues. It also did not call for any tax or fee increases, no pension shifts to the counties for teacher retirement pay, and no transfers of any “trust” funds (such as Transportation or Bay Restoration). This budget, arguably the best spending plan in decades to come out of Annapolis, was not enough for most of the democrats who rule Maryland.

The new budget does several things to increase spending by a billion dollars. First, it increases Income Tax rates on wage earners making $100,000 or more and couples earning $150,000 or better. Second, it transfers teacher pensions (paid for since 1927 by the state) to county governments. The budget also adopts other fees and taxes which will provide additional reasons not to start or expand a business in Maryland at a time when our economy continues to struggle.

Another interesting item is the “Budget Restoration Fund” established in this new supplemental budget through which all of the new taxes, fees, and transfers will be collected and spent. The bill establishes this as a gubernatorial slush fund that uses the word “may” instead of “shall” when directing where the money can be spent. Essentially, this vast amount of money is not required to be spent for any of the purposes for which it was collected. We tried to change that one word with an amendment, but it was shot down.

In fact, many amendments were offered , mostly by Republicans, which would have provided better guidance to this bill or would have cut back some of the burden that will be borne by Maryland’s middle class. They were summarily defeated with around 7 to 10 Democrats voting with the loyal opposition to try and curb the madness.

Here’s how some of the Income Tax increases break down:
The new tax rates, by income brackets, are:

·                             $125,001 to $150,000 will go from 4.75 percent to 5.25 percent

·                             $150,001 to $250,000 will go from5 percent to 5.5 percent

·                             Incomes above $250,000 to be taxed at 5.75 percent

Joint filers in the higher brackets also will pay more:

·                             $150,001 to $175,000 will go from 4.75 percent to 5 percent

·                             $175,001 to $225,000 will go from 5 percent to 5.25 percent

·                             $225,001 to $300,000 will go from 5 percent to 5.5 percent

·                             Incomes above $300,000 to be taxed at 5.75 percent

The government will raise an additional $52 million in the coming year by reducing personal tax exemptions for some tax brackets.
For individuals with federal adjusted gross incomes above $100,000, the exemption will be reduced from $2,400 to $1,600. The amount will be reduced from $1,800 to $800 for earners who make more than $150,000, and will be eliminated for those earning over $200,000. There will be similar reductions for taxpayers filing jointly.
You can get ready to feel the pain very soon. In fact, democrats rejected an amendment that would have only made the tax apply beginning January 1, 2013. Since it will be in effect this year, payroll deductions will be double for affected wage earners during the coming 6-months. Essentially, you’ll experience a double hit courtesy of the Special Session.
The transfer of the teacher pensions will result in  long term budget pain for county governments. This costs will, without a doubt, migrate to the tax payers through additional local taxes. The counties simply cannot absorb this hit from the state in such a down turned economy. The budget act also enacts the extortion override of county tax caps thereby authorizing the state to withhold county revenues and send them directly to the local Board of Education if a county cannot meet their Maintenance of Effort (MOE) spending obligations. This is a terrible act and I doubt it would even survive a Constitutional challenge in the courts.
There are one year “sweeteners” in the act designed to cushion the blow to local government, but they are a false hope. Even the $14 million MOE adjustment for Wicomico County pales when stacked against the longer term obligations of these pension funds. When the Thornton Act was passed in 2002, the General Assembly failed to identify a funding mechanism. Well, a decade later and they have now identified the funding source: County Government. Unfunded mandates continue to wreck havoc on tax payers.

If there is anything from which to draw encouragement from this latest act of piracy, it would have to be the final vote in the House:  77-60. For all of the hue and cry about a lack of “bi-partisanship” exhibited in the General Assembly, true bi-partisanship was displayed from those opposing this monster tax increase (consisting of 42-R’s and 18-D’s). Those 77 votes in favor are only democrats.

During the debate, I customarily projected my voice which prompted the Speaker to state that we should use our “inside voice”. Here is my response to his request. Pay particular attention at the very end to the Speakers comment...no truer words were ever spoken.

* How they voted:   On the shore, only the democrats voted for the tax and spend bills. Delegate Conway  and Delegate Cane  voted for both bills (Budget and Revenue-Tax bill). Senator Mathias  voted for the Budget Act and then against the Revenue-Tax bill.
Delegates Otto, Echardt, Haddaway-Riccio, and myself voted against both bills. Senator Colburn also voted against both bills.

Visit the Delmarva Discovery Center This Weekend

There will be NO guided trail walk  from the Delmarva Discovery Center on  Saturday, May 19th.

Something you may be very interested in:

 The Assateague Peoples of Delmarva will be hosting their 20th annual  Drums on the Pocomoke Powwow and Festival in Cypress Park this weekend.

After visiting the powwow stop by the Delmarva Discovery Center.

**The Delmarva Discovery Center will off half price admission to anyone with a powwow wristband or handstamp.**

The New Downtown Restaurant

Recent information concerning the new restaurant in downtown Pocomoke.

From Pocomoke City Hall

Angela Manos

Downtown Coordinator

The 145-seat restaurant and bar, located on the banks of the Pocomoke river in downtown Pocomoke City should open for business by mid-June.

 The new restaurant  will be managed by Corey Reeves, daughter of Mark Reeves who is the current owner of Back Street Grill in  Salisbury, Maryland.   

Lunch and dinner specials will be offered on the menu along with a  wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups and other specialty items, including seafood.

Indoor and outdoor seating  will be available. 

The new restaurant is boater-friendly which includes free docking.

Salty Dog Grooming & Cottage Art by Justine- Grand Opening and MORE

You don't have to be a dog owner to attend and become eligible for some GREAT door prizes!

Drums On The Pocomoke Powwow and Festival

By Bill Kerbin

POCOMOKE CITY -- The 19th annual Drums on the Pocomoke Powwow and Festival will be held on the banks of the Pocomoke River, Cypress Park in the Downtown area of Pocomoke City on May 19 and 20.

The event will be hosted by the Assateague People of Delmarva, a Native American tribe recognized by the Maryland Department of Indian Affairs.

On Saturday and Sunday, powwow grounds will open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the grand entry at noon. Several tribes will be represented including the Assateague, Cherokee, Cree, Navajo, Apache, Accohannock, Nause-Waiwash, Occanechi, Ojibwa, and Nanticoke tribes.

This year's host drum will be Na-Ma-Wo-Chi of North Carolina. Event hosts said this a powerful drum and singing group consisting of 10 members.

Their highest honor was in 2008 when they were invited by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to perform a sacred pipe ceremony honoring Native American veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, Va.

The host tribe called the powwow an opportunity for the public to interact with Native American dancers, singers, drummers, artists and craftpersons. There will be fun activities for children such as face painting, storytelling, the candy dance and the friendship dance. Patrons will have the opportunity to be entered for door prizes.

Powwow venders will be selling crafts like dream catchers, moccasins, pottery, drums, rattles, beadwork and turquoise jewelry.

The Accohannock Tribe of Marion Station will be cooking buffalo burgers, fried bread, tacos, and oyster fritters.

This year a wristband can be purchased for the two-day event; adults pay $8 and children under 11 pay $6. For one day of fun, adults are $5, children ages 5-11 pay $3 and children 4 and under and those with a military ID enter free.

The Delmarva Discovery Center will be offering half price admissions for anyone with a powwow wristband or hand stamp.

Source

Pocomoke Farmers & Flea Market OPEN

Downtown Pocomoke City

Farmers  & Flea Market

OPEN FRIDAY

AT 7:00 am

FOR THIS WEEKEND HOURS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED

Saturday and Sunday

7:00 AM until 5:00 PM

Get there early for the best produce!

NO VENDOR FEES

Change Maryland: Special Session Made State "a Laughing Stock"

Change Maryland: Special Session Made State

 "a Laughing Stock" 

5.16.12
Change Maryland, the state’s largest non-partisan, grassroots citizen organization representing more than 13,000 members, described the outcome of the special session today as a reckless fiscal policy that ignores the will of the overwhelming majority of Marylanders while creating a liability for those interested in private sector job growth.

“Not only did the Governor and legislative leaders ignore the 96% of the people who oppose higher taxes, but they ignored their own independent budget analysts who warned that the state already relies too heavily on the personal income tax with the second-highest rates in the nation," said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan.  "They may have just moved Maryland forward to number one.”

Maryland's hostile business environment has led to stagnant job growth. Maryland's unemployment rate is a full point higher than neighboring Virginia - 6.6% compared to 5.6%, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics March report. 

"The tax policies and the fact that we are the 4th highest in state and local tax burden, has cost Maryland thousands of jobs," Hogan said.  “Maryland has been bleeding jobs and has become a national laughing stock.”  On an interview with Fox Business Network today, Hogan noted graphics that appeared during his interview segment that says "taxed to death" and "Maryland money grab" -  the kind of publicity that does not enhance Maryland's perception to the business community.

In the last six years, Martin O'Malley has raised taxes and fees 20 times, taking an additional $2 billion out of the economy.   After the General Assembly adjournment today, that list will now swell to 24 tax and fee increases with an additional annual burden of $2.3 billion.   Change Maryland also raises concerns about the net effect of over-reliance on individual income taxes.

In 2007, an individual income tax hike was supposed to bring in $489.3 million in additional revenues by 2009. In anticipation of this "windfall" from the wealthy, government increased spending by $153.3 million during this time.   However, instead of increased revenues, the net revenue from those paying the increased tax dropped by over $800 million.  The net result, spending goes up, revenue goes down.

Another item that many picked up on, including national media outlets,  is redefining wealth.   “They have redefined the term wealth. I guess the millionaires tax out so well, that this time they decided to raise taxes not just on ‘millionaires and billionaires’ but even on ‘thousandaires’, or almost anyone who has a good job,” said Hogan. “This time, if a firefighter is married to a teacher, their income taxes just got raised.”

Despite Governor O'Malley's claims in recent days that less than 1 in 4 will be affected by this latest increase in income taxes, the game of pitting one segment of society against another is just political cover for massive tax increases on everybody.  

“The 24 tax increases under his watch have taken $2.3 billion a year out of the pockets of struggling Marylanders and have had a negative impact on every single man woman and child in our state,” added Hogan. 

Spending under O'Malley has increased by $6 billion during his term in office - $3,000 per Maryland taxpayer.

###

Background:  Larry Hogan on "Varney and Co." Fox Business Network

http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/varney-co/index.html#/v/1642529743001/maryland-redefines-definition-of-rich/?playlist_id=87060

MBRG: Special Session is Self-Inflicted Wound on Job Growth

May 17, 2012

MBRG: Special Session is Self-Inflicted Wound on Job Growth

Maryland Business for Responsive Government characterized the conclusion of the special session as yet another self-inflicted wound on the state's business climate.  The outcome of this special session, enabling the state to collect $264 million in additional revenues, comes mostly through increases in the individual income tax.  New tax brackets and reduced exemptions will hit those with annual incomes of $100,000 or greater and comes on the heels of such legendary ill-conceived tax policies including the 2007 tech-tax and its replacement - the millionaire's tax.  


"This latest self-inflicted wound on our business climate could have been avoided if our state government lived within its means, " said MBRG President Kimberly M. Burns. "Instead, our top elected officials chose the politically expedient route of continuing government spending at record levels and avoiding the difficult choices required of a fiscally-responsible approach to governing."


Over 80,000 businesses filed S-corporation tax returns in Maryland in 2010, according to the state comptroller's office. Income from S-Corporations, LLCs, and sole proprietorships are taxed at personal income rates.  Many businesses will simply reduce employment levels or reduce costs elsewhere. 


Robert Bauman, President of Trusted Systems, Inc. in Carroll County, and a member of MBRG, said businesses will adjust to tax increases in any number of ways including layoffs, pay cuts, raising prices or identifying other cost-saving measures.


“Many people don't realize that with this increase in the individual income tax, you are essentially taxing businesses at higher levels as well," said Bauman. "It's foolish to think that won't impact hiring and stunt private sector job growth." 

TIME MACHINE Preview ...

I'm away this week but I've selected some postings from the past year that, perhaps, you may have missed or might like to read again. -tk

Take a look 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!

Gumboro MudBog Season Opens

Gumboro Mudbog

Saturday  May 5, 2012

Mudbog season is finally here!

All trucks clean and shining....changes for some were made over the winter...and ready to go! 

 I  believe the final count was 72 entries in the various race classes.  Keep in mind that some of these driver enter two and three different classes and don't get to finish the racing day due to a malfunction with the truck....such as "The Short and Sassy" which suffered a broken drive shaft (and some other problems) in it's first race of the season. 

Now, to set the record straight concerning my thoughts (because I take this crap pretty seriously)... this can happen to any truck at any time.  I've seen it happen many times.  I'm just glad it happened during the first of the season instead of having accumulated points and be near the season end when points are most important.   

"Short and Sassy"/ Driver-Owner Barry Wise

"Sod Buster/Driver Barry Long
(center) "Wild Fire"/Driver Sonny Sturgis
"The Grey Ghost"/Driver Lee Sturgis

187 East Performance/ Bowden Racing didn't seem the same Saturday without Johnny.  It seems Johnny Edwards, driver of "In the Mix",  has taken the season off.  We're all going to miss him and his family this summer.  But at least I know I will leave at the end of the racing day with my nerves in tack.   His driving makes me nervous! 

On this particular Saturday mudbog history was made at Gumboro.  "Wild Fire" and driver Sonny Sturgis made their first venture to the muddy track.  Because Sonny wasn't able to drive he designated Donald to drive.  Well, the "Mud Doc", I call him,  had never driven in the mud.  Oh, he's a racer but all of his driving has been done on the dry tracks in places like Delmar. 



"Wild Fire" w/ Donald  Bowden driving



In case you don't know - Donald has worked on many of the engines in these trucks for many years.  He knows engines...he knows racing and how to race....but he's never ventured into the mud.

So, wearing the T-shirt that read "Drive it like you stole it"  under his racing suit Donald sets out for his first mud race competion! 

If believe this is the Modified Class and Donald ended with a time of 4.56 !!   If I'm not correct I'm sure one of them will correct me.  What a thrill it was for all of us to see!  Here's a guy that has been there for all of us through the years and is always there with us on racing days. 

He's seen trucks go into the mud and out of the mud.  He's seen them stuck in the mud and he's seen them zig zag and catch fire.  But he never had the opportunity to drive....until this Saturday. 

I hope he's still smiling........

More photos soon.

Be Sure To Give Chief Sewell A Big Wave....

Taken from "Why Do We Kill?" written by Kelvin Sewell & Stephen Janis

Case File 11- pages. 114, 115

Here is a part of what the current Chief Kelvin Sewell says about his first days in Pocomoke.  New to Pocomoke, and a Lieutenant with the Pocomoke City Police Department  at the time, he had an experience that we all think nothing of.....a simple wave of the hand. 

"I was standing outside the Pocomoke City P.D., waiting for a car, I think.  As I stood there waiting, I noticed someone across the street waving.  Instinctively I turned around to see who the person was waving to.

Suddenly I realized the woman was waving at me.

......That's what crossed my mind when I waved back at the woman in Pocomoke City.  It was a good moment:  I felt like I was a part of something, a community.  That they trusted me."

I hope by now you have read the book and have a true appreciation for what he has  written.  Pocomoke is like no other town.  And Baltimore, even with the beauty that is there, is just different. 

I, for one, appreciate the way Chief Sewell feels about the town  I grew up in.  I miss Pocomoke and times  and I'm only a few miles away.  And  it's always nice to run into him whenever I am in Pocomoke to take photos....because I'm certainly not going to be there to commit a crime!

A few days ago, while  driving by the police department  I stopped on Second Street to yell a "hello" to  Chief Sewell.  Councilman Malloy was with me since we were headed to the new restaurant to take photos.  Teasingly,  I offered the  Chief the opportunity to ride along in the back seat....the windows are tinted and no one would be able to see him.  He declined so I shared my freshly picked local strawberries with him. 

And then on the way home I thought about the woman in his book that had waved to him those few months ago. And I recalled what he had written that led to his confusion in a simple wave.  I actually felt a little  sad for the Chief.  He's probably never been offered  strawberries like that before....  Probably the only thing from a car window he has ever witnessed is a gun.  That's really sad.  Wish I had left the whole quart!

Honestly, Chief Sewell is a wonderful person, is doing a remarkable job and he does like Pocomoke!   Be sure to give him a big wave.

All of you locals have seen the new sign in front of the soon to be Police Station.  It looks wonderful and I like where it has been placed.    Cameras have been placed on the building and from what I could tell on the inside too. 

When they make the move from Second Street to Market  Street  the department  will probably the   have  much needed new furniture and supplies already in place.   Pocomoke City Council, at the last meeting,   approved a certain  dollar amount of  to go towards new items.

Photos taken Friday  May 11, 2012

Nature Trail Spring Cleaning

 Pocomoke Nature Trail Spring Cleaning

By Bill Kerbin

A group of naval personnel from the Surface Warfare Center at Wallops Island was prepared to trek into the Pocomoke nature trail for a cleanup prior to the summer season.

Don Malloy, Pocomoke City Council member, said that this is the second year that volunteers from the naval installation have worked to clean up the trail.

Pictured are: (left to right) Jonathan Spalding, Melanie Brink, Malloy, David Corey, and David Caison. They spent an afternoon last week cutting out brush and cleaning up the trail. 
Photo/Bill Kerbin

GO NAVY!!

Many thanks to Bill Kerbin.

Remembering........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. MAYOR

Former Mayor of Pocomoke City

Curt Lippoldt/  1986 to 1998

B.  May 17, 1926

D.  May 18, 2011

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." - Helen Keller

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM Honored

On May third 2012 Members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team were honored by the Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office of the eastern district of Virginia. The U. S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride presided over the ceremonies honoring several Law Enforcement

Officers from Eastern Virginia for the outstanding work they had done solving major crimes in the area.



Pictured in the back row are U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride Deputies Wells, Trader, and Sgt. Passwaters. In front of Sgt. Passwaters is Cpl. Ramey



Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Sgt. Passwaters, Cpl. Ramey, Deputy First Class Trader, and Deputy First Class Wells, were among the Officers honored for the investigation, arrest, and conviction of several subjects that were distributing drugs in the Maryland and Virginia area.

Operation “Bakers Dozen”, as it was called, initially identified 13 people that were involved together in selling drugs on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The investigation revealed that the drug activity reached into Worcester County Maryland.

Virginia State Police investigators called on the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team to assist them in the investigation and apprehension of subject selling large quantities of drugs in the Maryland Virginia area. The investigation led to more than the original 13 people that were involved in the drug trade.

The major target of the investigation was arrested and charged federally for distribution of controlled dangerous substances. That subject was sentenced to close to 20 years in federal prison for his actions. 

-Congratulations.  Working together does make a difference.-jmmb