Family friendly and striving to be a worthy choice for your Internet browsing. Comments and material submissions welcome: tkforppe@yahoo.com . Pocomoke City-- an All American City And The Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Legislative Updates By Mike McDermott
Week 1 January 11-13, 2012
It Begins...
Opening day of session involves much pomp and circumstance coupled with historic traditions. The work of the day involves the election of presiding officers. These actions are all staged and predetermined by the Democratic Caucus. The first vote is for the Speaker Pro Tempore who then presides over the body until the election of the Speaker of the House is conducted. With this session, Michael Busch becomes the longest serving Speaker of the House in Maryland history.
All committee Chairmen are reappointed along with committee assignments formalized. No changes were seen this year over recent years. It is not unusual to have most of the congressional delegation present for the opening ceremony along with the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Comptroller. This year was no exception.
I found some of the comments made by the Governor and Speaker very interesting. Both mentioned how important it was to have the views “of the right and the left” expressed in the General Assembly and how we were made better by this diversity of thought and approach to government. On the heels of these fine sentiments came the Governor and Democrats Legislative Redistricting Map which seeks to destroy and eliminate many districts currently held by Republicans. They could not even get through the first stanza of “Kumbaya.’
Changes to the map are possible during the next 45 days but it seems more likely than not that many Republican lawmakers will have some decisions to make in the coming months. Del. Otto and I have seen our districts altered by well over half and now find ourselves together in a single member district. These are the actions of a ruling party that has little interest in hearing from those representing the values of the Eastern Shore.
Thursday
Judiciary Committee:
A hearing was conducted to review the use of phone contracts and collect call charges made by inmates in the prisons and jails throughout the state. In order to provide the specialized phones and recording services, the state and local jurisdictions contract with various companies to furnish all of the equipment needed along with billing services. It is a lucrative business whereby the state collects a profit/commission of roughly 42%. The companies themselves have a profit margin of approximately 5%. In some jurisdictions the profit is used for providing inmate services while in others it is simply placed in their general operating budget.
An advocate for reducing the cost to the inmates of making these types of calls questioned what she referred to as the “kickbacks” being received by corrections officials for providing these services. That term was a misnomer as she was actually referring to the negotiated commissions received by the state. It was pointed out that Maryland is among the lowest in terms of cost to the inmates for local calls. In fact, only Alaska came in lower due to their local calls being free. It was good to see that Maryland State government was competitive in something with surrounding states, even if it is the cost of inmate phone calls.
Friday
Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
Secretary of Planning
We met with Secretary of Planning Richard Hall to discuss Plan Maryland. The plan provides for increased state oversight of local planning and zoning land use issues. It seems clear from the discussion that the state can and will use state money as the lever to gain active compliance from resistant local governments. The Secretary skated around a lot of the issues that were addressed to him, predominately because the plan is so broad based, no one has any real notion how the implementation will affect local governments and Maryland citizens. The delegation expressed consternation with the plan not coming through the General Assembly and being back doored by the governor. The Secretary offered that the plan was authorized in 1974 and simply had not been acted upon until now.
I was particularly concerned over the private property rights which will be jeopardized by such a broad, centralized plan. It is clear that the governor wishes to expand state control over an additional 300,000 acres of farmland in the next 20-years. I asked if the administration would support a bill I am working with that would require the state to compensate land owners when they create laws and regulations that prohibit that same land owner from being able to develop or utilize their property as they may desire. Secretary Hall said they would take a look at the bill but could not express any support.
There was much concern expressed about the future of poultry on the shore if Plan Maryland continues to move forward with the adoption of additional rules and regulations that only serve to restrict farming activities or make them cost prohibitive. I mentioned that this type of system where rules and regulations are imposed on business create a de facto moratorium on any growth or development of an industry.
It was quite clear that we are at polar ends of the specter with the O’Malley administration when it comes to Plan Maryland, but the concerns expressed were bi-partisan in nature. Maryland has operated for decades with a State Department of Planning that has worked to provide guidance to local government. This plan will turn that “guidance” into direct oversight. Yet another layer of government bureaucracy to overcome. We met with the governor as a delegation last year to express our concerns over his proposed septic bill (which went down to defeat). It seems the governor has decided that the General Assembly is not needed when it creates a stumbling block for his programs. It was suggested that we meet with the governor again, but the governor appears to have dug his heels in on Plan Maryland.
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.
Liquor traffic cited in Pocomoke and other towns.
Controversial anti-liquor crusader (she was known as a saloon smasher) visits Eastern Shore.
It's 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!
POCOMOKE CITY RESIDENTS DAY ~ Delmarva Discovery Center
Friday, January 13, 2012
Planning Commission Says NO To Atlantic Sewage Plant
Atlantic Properties LLC contended that according to the State code that public utilities could by right build sewage treatment plants in agriculturally zoned areas and that their proposed sewage treatment plant which would serve their proposed planned unit development in Wattsville, was in fact a public utility as defined by the state code.
Dozens of speakers from the Atlantic area and as far away as Melfa , New Church and Greenbackville spoke and almost all were opposed to the change. Among the reasons for opposing the change were that putting the treatment plant in Atlantic would destroy property value and property rights. The speakers also told the Commission that passing the text amendment would allow developers to build anywhere and any time and the County would give control over development to the developers. They feared the change would open the door to private development without public input.
Meanwhile others felt that the proposed sewage treatment plant might pollute water wells and water ways and at the very least, the sewage treatment plant should be contained on the property of the planned unit development itself. One speaker feared that the sewage treatment plant could damage the water quality of the Columbia aquifer itself.
Speaking for developer Atlantic Properties, attorney Mark Baumgartner defended the proposal stating that the local areas could connect and that doing so would actually benefit the environment because , he contended, septic tanks and drainfields or non point source pollutants do damage to surrounding waterways and water sources would be reduced.
Baumgartner countered arguments that public utilities should not be privately owned by citing that A& N Electric is a perfect example of a privately owned public utility. He cited several counties, 27 in all in Virginia that allow these types of utilities. He said that the need for waste water treatment facilities on the Eastern Shore is urgent and serious.
In the end the members of the Commission voted not to recommend the change in wording to the text amendment tothe Board of Supervisors. Several members spoke against the amendment with Commission member George Parker citing his concern that there wasn't a clearly defined service area for the sewage treatment facility.
A motion was made not to recommend the change and it was unanimously passed . The recommendation will be passed on the Board of Supervisors which will hold its own public hearing at a later date and then will vote on the matter at a future meeting. The public will be notified when the public hearing is scheduled.
Source;
Shore Beef and BBQ
Alleged Pocomoke Arsonist Deshields Not Guilty
Nancy Powell
Staff Writer
(Jan. 13, 2012) The 43-year-old Pocomoke man who was found not guilty last week of arson and other related charges found it impossible to obey the judge’s order to be quiet in the courtroom.
When Judge Thomas C. Groton III admonished him, Deshields said, “I’m excited. You have to excuse me.”
“Just his general height and weight and clothing,” said Corbin, who admitted he did not see the suspect’s face.
Corbin also testified that he “really had not much experience with him except for the past two weeks and he wore the same clothing the entire time.”
Photos: Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company
Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office
**NOTE: The Pocomoke City Police Chief's correct first name is Kelvin.**
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Pam's Story
Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.
While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to
consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we'll name him Timothy and we'll make him a preacher.
Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and
eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam's
youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father's ministry in the Philippines . He also plays football. Pam's son is Tim Tebow.
The University of Florida 's star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football's highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.
Tim's notoriety and the family's inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women's centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!
Hat Tip: Kack
Pocomoke City Police Chief Makes USA Today News.....
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHTOieVTXnk/Tw8UUwfWtSI/AAAAAAAAKcA/9EMw8jOQEME/s320/Pocomoke+Cit+Chief+Kelvin+Sewell.jpg)
I received an autographed copy for Christmas and haven't completely finished it yet but I will tell you this: The book is a MUST read and I just can't say enough about it.
I'll report more on this wonderful book when I have finished reading.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOicmwtj7XI/Tw8VEE7LT2I/AAAAAAAAKcI/OWoKAfpAPCg/s200/Kelvin+Sewell+Book.jpg)
City police find new challenges as small-town chiefs
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Early Days Of Anti-Liquor Sentiment On The Eastern Shore.
It's 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!
SHORE BEEF and BBQ
Hostess Bankruptcy 2012:
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnHMhVucro4/Tw5uYPrEW7I/AAAAAAAAKb4/xegAUhqisR8/s200/hostess+twinkies.jpg)
A spokesman for the privately held Irving, Texas, bakery company declined to comment on the report.
The Wall Street Journal said people familiar with the matter said the company is facing a cash crunch with more than $860 million in debt, high labor expenses and rising ingredient costs.
When the company, then called Interstate Bakeries and based in Kansas City, Mo., filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004, it blamed low sales and high fixed costs. It emerged in February 2009.
Hostess Brands employs about 19,000 workers and operates in 49 states. Annual sales are about $2 billion, according to the company's website.
Source:
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Virginia Beach Victim-Witness Program Receives Award for Service to Crime Victims
Presented annually since 2004, over 100 Victim-Witness programs throughout the state were candidates for the award.
Reimbursed expenses included medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, personal property, moving expenses, temporary housing, and transportation costs.
“Virginia Beach has undergone quite a few changes in recent years, and the improved services to victims are evident all of the way to Richmond,” said Ware. “You all have a lot to be proud of.”
MORE
Handmade Greeting Cards
But those are the days that seem to be almost gone having been left behind because of modern technology and email making it more "convenient". An emailed card never put a smile on my face like getting a card in the mail did.
If you send cards quite often or if you are bored with the cards sold in the stores today take a look at this website www.handmadecardsbykaren.com
The cards you see on the website are ALL handmade by Karen Rees Freiberg. Name sound familiar? That's because it is. Karen, known as Karen Rees grew up in Pocomoke and graduated with many of us in the class of '71 from the Pocomoke High School.
Karen makes each and every card by hand. There's a card for every occasion and most times 2 or 3 designs for any occasion you can think of. And if you have an occasion she hasn't thought of and you need a special card send her an email with your idea. She will be more than glad to hand craft a card that will put a smile that special someones face.
All the information you may need is on the website.
Karen is also available for fundraisers.
Handmade Cards by Karen
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sounding Rocket Launch ~ Wednesday
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fQMV_5cXqU/TwvX7MB4XDI/AAAAAAAAKbI/b9ddwq0Oxa4/s1600/Terrier+Improved+Malemute+NASA.bmp)
Based on the approved range schedule, the rocket is set for launch between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. EDT. The backup launch days are January 12 and 13. The rocket will be visible to residents in the Wallops area.
The NASA Visitor Center will open at 6:30 a.m. on launch day for public viewing.
The mission will be web cast beginning at 6:30 a.m. on launch day at: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast
Mission status on launch day can be followed on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/NASA_Wallops
Launch status also is available on the Wallops launch status line at 757-824-2050.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/jan11la.html
Wednesday Night ~ Public Hearing on Atlantic Sewage Plant
The Accomack County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing Wednesday night at Metompkin Middle School.
The meeting is slated to start at 7:00 PM and the public hearing will begin at 7:30.
The public hearing will give Atlantic area residents and others the opportunity to speak concerning plans by a developer to create a planned unit development in the Wattsville area and build a sewage treatment plant near Wisharts Point Road.
In anticipation of a larger than usual crowd the meeting was moved from the Board Chambers in Accomac to the cafeteria at Metompkin Elementary School in Parksley.
Source; shoredailynews.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
Pocomoke City Police Department ~ Press Release
Arrests – January 3, 2012 to January 9, 2012
1-03-2012 Kevin D. Fisher, 48, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with "Driving on the Highway without a required License". Fisher was released on a Citation pending trial.
1/05/2012 Dwight A. Sampson, 40, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged on a Bench Warrant for "Theft". Sampson was taken before the District Court Commissioner and incarcerated in the Worcester County Jail pending Bond.
1/06/2012 Omar A. Williams, 28, of Pocomoke City was arrested on a Federal Warrant from the US Marshalls Office and has been extradited to Baltimore for prosecution. At the same time, Williams was arrested and charged with Burglary 1st Degree and Theft of a television on a Pocomoke City Warrant for a December 2011 B & E. Williams will be prosecuted after he serves his time with the US Marshalls.
1/06/2012 Diane Mills, 52, of Pocomoke City and Sabrina Trader, 41 of Pocomoke City were arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree stemming from an altercation between the two females. Both Mills and Trader were taken before the District Court Commissioner and released on their own recognizance pending trial.
1/06/2012 Shawn A. Brown 41, of Pocomoke City was cited on a Civil Citation for "Hampering Free Passage" of customers at the Wal-Mart Plaza. Brown was released on Citation pending payment of fine.
1/07/2012 Chico D. Kenney, 39, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault. The victim has an active Protection Order. Kenney was released on a Criminal Summons pending trial.
1/07/2012 Markeshia R. Ballard, 31, of Snow Hill was arrested and charged with "Knowingly driving an uninsured vehicle" after a traffic stop alerted Officers to an active Tag Pick-up Order. Ballard was released on Citation pending Trial.
1/07/2012 Jeremy W. Douglas, 19, of Pocomoke City was arrested and charged by Citation with "Driving on a Suspended License". Douglas was released pending trial.
Christmas Tree Recycle
Businesses and organizations selling trees will not be permitted to drop off trees at the convenience centers, but may take them to the Central Landfill where applicable tipping fees will be assessed.
The trees will be ground into mulch for use as cover at the Central Landfill. For more info, contact Recycling Manager Ron Taylor at 410-632-3177.
Good Luck, Courtney!
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iOjAx6tmMH0/Twp0r_IYYyI/AAAAAAAAKao/AsHRV-oc33A/s200/support+for+courtney+ribbon.jpg)
Courtney and Becky haven't been without support. It takes a mighty stong family unit to hold it all together and that's what they have. Courtney is blessed to have such a loving and caring brother and sister. And it always makes me smile when I read from Becky's daily writings that Courtney's has made noises prompted by no one else but her Father. - Yes, a daughter will do that for a dad.
Friends, family and extended family have kept close watch on Courtney through the many months. Many prayers have been said and still contiue to flow. Though so much better now than she was a few months ago Courtney still has that long road to travel. She's much stronger now than she was back in May of 2010 and her Mother has just as much determination now as she ever did. We are all hoping that this trip to Baltimore is the last major step for this family to take before Courtney can go home.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nD4lmK2KHAs/Twp0MzOnMoI/AAAAAAAAKag/6UARFYZVncY/s320/Courtney+Bloxom.jpg)
Crime Watch Meetings To Be Held
January 13, 2012 at 6 p.m. Bishopville area Crime Watch meeting at the Bishopville Fire Department.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
TIME MACHINE ... Eastern Shore Clay Eaters?
(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)
( In searching newspaper archives I occasionally come across an item that raises a flag as to its authenticity. It makes one wonder if such items were, in their day, like hoax items that flood the Internet today. The following item made its rounds in more than one newspaper, and was a front page news story in the 1885 publication mentioned below. Was it legend..hoax..or fact?)
December, 1885
(Reno Evening Gazette- Reno, Nevada)
Eastern Shore Clay Eaters
Of the "clay eaters" on the eastern coast of Maryland, it may be said that they are not reptiles or animals, but people- real human beings, most of whom have never seen a railroad, heard a locomotive whistle, or voted the Democratic or any other ticket. It is hard to understand the appetite that craves clay as a diet. Some people refuse to believe that people can live and eat clay, but a reputable and truthful physician who recently contacted a severe case of the shaking ague in making a tour of eastern shore swamps, declares that these peculiar specimens of the Maryland population do eat clay and have a passion or habit of chewing it like lovers of hasheesh. There is a kind of clay in that section that is oily, like putty, with little sand or grit in it. Dr. S. P. Denisen, the physician referred to, says that clay-eating swampers are miserable specimens of humanity. With legs that are mere sticks, narrow hips, depressed chests, pot bellies, and blush-yellow complexions, they present about the lowest type of the white race found in the United States. The swampers who acquire the habit of eating clay are generally short lived, but the other inhabitants of the Eastern Shore swamps are as hardy as others and as ignorant as Hottentots. Their morals are lax, and a man and woman will live together and rear a family without troubling themselves about a marriage ceremony. Many of their houses are built on piles, and they reach them in boats through the lagoons. Though they shake with the ague half a year, and have skins the color of saffron, they seem to be insured against any other disease, for it is rare to hear of any other sickness in the swamps than ague. It is astonishing what quantities of quinine and whiskey are consumed by these people. The women, who are not clay eaters, chew tobacco and drink corn juice the same as men. In the summer the women and children gather huckleberries, which are plentiful in the vicinity. The men go off in the woods and make shingles, which they sell to the nearest country stores for cheap wearing apparel, corn meal, bacon, quinine, and whiskey. These people are never reached by the tax collector, the preacher, the book agent, the politician, or the lightning rod agent, and when they are not shaking with chills they are happy and contented.
May, 1938
(The Daily Mail- Hagerstown, Md.)
Flags Down Train,
Water Stops Fire
POCOMOKE CITY, MD., May 20 (AP)- Opportunity blew a whistle for the Pocomoke City volunteer fire department.
Battling a lumber yard blaze four miles south of here, the department ran out of water. Undaunted, firemen flagged down a Pennsylvania railroad freight train, drew water from its boilers, and brought the fire under control with but one shed destroyed.
April, 1956
Jerry Miles was assigned by the Baltimore Orioles to the Thomson team in the Georgia State League. The 18-year-old Parksley, Va. righthander was a standout pitcher on Pocomoke City's 1955 Central Shore League team.
Footnote: Miles was in an automobile accident during the winter of 1957 and he later requested the Orioles to place him on the voluntary retired list for the upcoming season. No Information was found about his future activity in baseball.
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!
Four Arrested for Eastern Shore Arsons
![]() |
James M. Wood |
Five fires set between Sept. 2011 and Nov. 2011
Two vacant homes and three brush fires were set between Sept. 23, 2011 and Nov. 30, 2011.
A three month investigation led to the Jan. 6 arrests of James M. Wood, 24, two 17-year-old males and one 15-year-old male.
Charges against the suspects include arson and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
TIME MACHINE Preview ... Eastern Shore Clay Eaters?
Legend..hoax..or fact?
Read the story 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!
New trial for Skylor Harmon will be considered
Skylor Dupree Harmon of Pocomoke City shot Reginald Handy Jr. with a military-grade assault rifle from a distance on a dark Pocomoke City street in May 2010. When his guilty verdict was announced, he showed no emotion and turned to family in the courtroom to say, "It ain't over yet."
He attempted to make good on his statement with a letter he sent to Circuit Court Judge Thomas C. Groton III after his conviction that asked for a new trial because of incompetence of counsel, insufficient evidence and the fact that photographs taken days before trial were allowed to be included as evidence. Harmon also took exception to testimony from Torrance Davis, a witness who testified against him during the trial.
Groton wrote back to Harmon to advise him he will consider the request during the sentence hearing. Their exchange of letters is in Harmon's case file in the courthouse.
In Harmon's trial, the state's attorney presented evidence that convinced the jury to convict him on several felony counts, including first- and second-degree murder. Harmon was initially tried in July, but that trial ended in a mistrial when a jury couldn't agree on a verdict.
Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting
2. Review and approval of bills to be paid.
3. Mayor to introduce Mr. Bill Badger, recently appointed Economic Development Director for Worcester County.
5. Second Reading of Ord. # 408 to authorize a new franchise agreement with Comcast Cable, Inc for Cable TV, Internet and other services.
6. Discuss proposal from the Center for Research on Biotoxin Associated Illness which will result in a publication of a book concerning the ecology of the Cypress Park Nature Trail and up to $5,000 in grant funds toward completion of the board walk around Stevenson’s Pond.
7. First Reading of Res. A-12-01 to annex property at 1139 Ocean Highway (Dr. Leroy Johnson, owner).
8. Discuss request from Worcester County Commissioners concerning possible appointment to Commission on Aging.
9. City Manager to present six-month budget summary report.
10. Appoint members of the City’s Board of Elections Supervisors for two-year term beginning February 2012.
Comments from the Audience
Mayor and Council items.
Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and perform executive actions.
AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.
Shore Beef and BBQ
Friday, January 6, 2012
Delegate Lynwood Lewis ~ Town Hall Meeting
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzE-nswWDKw/TwaMUuTkNBI/AAAAAAAAKY4/I_A6KZtFVzA/s320/Del.+Lynwood+Lewis+3.jpg)
Delegate Lewis began the town hall meeting by elaborating upon the proposed budget McDonnell has outlined for the next two years. The eighty-five billion dollar, two-year budget is rather large for Virginia, but includes various 'rainy-day funds' to deal with potential cuts in spending at a federal level. Lewis acknowledged that unlike the national government, Virginia is required by its state constitution to maintain a balanced budget. Although Virginia has fared the recession better than most states, the growth rate is currently at three percent, down significantly from the average of six to eight percent. Governor McDonnell has borrowed 3.5 billion dollars to jumpstart the transportation sector, which has previously been what Lewis referred to as a 'self-financing government enterprise.'