I have been talking about this on the air and have had numerous conversations at different levels of government to determine the status of a permit being sought by a proposed (and apparently Somerset County approved) Ethanol Plant to be located just across the river .
Ethanol production is water intensive and the owners have asked for a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment to draw up to one million gallons per day from local ground water. I have been told that their preference is the Patapsco Aquifer (around 1000-feet), however they also want provision to tap into the Pocomoke Aquifer in case they cannot get the flow rate they need from the deeper source.
The Pocomoke Aquifer is where we draw our municipal water supply and we currently are permitted to draw up to one million gallons per day. We currently only draw about 750,000 gallons per day. I am obviously concerned about any impact a draw of that much water could have on our municipal water supply.
We are waiting on a report from the MDE to determine any impact this permit would have and if it will even be allowed. I have asked Worcester County for support and they have come to our aid. The city and county have gone to great lengths to work within the state guidelines for smart growth and development by protecting much of our environmentally sensitive areas and this includes the collection areas where our aquifers are recharged.
We have very little control over another county, and hence the need to involve the state in this process. The question is not whether or not there is enough water for today, but whether or not we can secure enough water for our own future growth and development.
Pocomoke City will continue to grow in coming years and our water needs will increase proportionally. We need to insure that one large user of water will not cut off our ability to expand when the time comes.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Tracking Sex Offenders
Most of you are computer savy enough to know how to find and track sex offenders on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. For those who may be unaware of this site, a link is available at http://www.worcestersheriff.com/
There are four categories of registered sex offenders in Maryland:
Predators, Violent Sexual Offenders, Child Sexual Offenders, and Offenders.
Predators are the worst sort of offender and usually they never get out of prison.
Currently, there are only 6 Predators who are being tracked and they all reside on the western shore. These people must report in person every 90-days and they are the subject of constant confirmations and monitoring by law enforcement. The other categories are relative to the crimes they committed and the ages of their victims. Most are now required to register for life while those listed as "Offenders" must register for 10-years.
Sex Offenders in Maryland must register every six months in person at their local Sheriff's Office. This registration involves fingerprinting and photographing and a review of their file information. Following the registration, their information is verified by law enforcement through mailings, phone calls, and in person visits. Their residency is verified as well as their place of employment.
If a registrant cannot be located or information is found to be invalid, a warrant is issued for their immediate arrest.
On the Maryland Sex Offender Registry, you can register to receive email notifications when a sex offender registers in your specified zip code. Users can log up to five zip codes from which they will receive notifications.
The purpose of the registry is to educate the public and thereby provide some level of protection through education. I encourage you to review the site often and receive the notifications so you may alert your family members, friends, and neighbors to sex offenders who may be living in your area.
Some communities have attempted to restrict the locations in their communities where a registered sex offender may reside. These are often referred to as "Banishment" laws. Whether or not these types of restrictive laws will stand up in a court of law remains to be seen, but it is an interesting concept.
If you have questions concerning registered Sex Offenders in Worcester County, you may contact Worcester County Sheriff's Office Detective Louis Esposito M-F @410-632-1111.
Currently, there are 10 registered offenders in the Pocomoke City zip code. One of those is listed as an "Absconder". If someone is listed as an Absconder, it means there is an active warrant outstanding for their arrest and their whereabouts is not known. "Non-Compliant" implies that the registrant is currently not up to date on their registration requirements, but they may be in the process of updating and a warrant has not yet been issued.
There are four categories of registered sex offenders in Maryland:
Predators, Violent Sexual Offenders, Child Sexual Offenders, and Offenders.
Predators are the worst sort of offender and usually they never get out of prison.
Currently, there are only 6 Predators who are being tracked and they all reside on the western shore. These people must report in person every 90-days and they are the subject of constant confirmations and monitoring by law enforcement. The other categories are relative to the crimes they committed and the ages of their victims. Most are now required to register for life while those listed as "Offenders" must register for 10-years.
Sex Offenders in Maryland must register every six months in person at their local Sheriff's Office. This registration involves fingerprinting and photographing and a review of their file information. Following the registration, their information is verified by law enforcement through mailings, phone calls, and in person visits. Their residency is verified as well as their place of employment.
If a registrant cannot be located or information is found to be invalid, a warrant is issued for their immediate arrest.
On the Maryland Sex Offender Registry, you can register to receive email notifications when a sex offender registers in your specified zip code. Users can log up to five zip codes from which they will receive notifications.
The purpose of the registry is to educate the public and thereby provide some level of protection through education. I encourage you to review the site often and receive the notifications so you may alert your family members, friends, and neighbors to sex offenders who may be living in your area.
Some communities have attempted to restrict the locations in their communities where a registered sex offender may reside. These are often referred to as "Banishment" laws. Whether or not these types of restrictive laws will stand up in a court of law remains to be seen, but it is an interesting concept.
If you have questions concerning registered Sex Offenders in Worcester County, you may contact Worcester County Sheriff's Office Detective Louis Esposito M-F @410-632-1111.
Currently, there are 10 registered offenders in the Pocomoke City zip code. One of those is listed as an "Absconder". If someone is listed as an Absconder, it means there is an active warrant outstanding for their arrest and their whereabouts is not known. "Non-Compliant" implies that the registrant is currently not up to date on their registration requirements, but they may be in the process of updating and a warrant has not yet been issued.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
"Soda Bottle Bombs"
In response to a post by "Sue", I wanted to address a great concern that I have with the use of so called "Soda Bottle Bombs" in our area. There were two reported incidents last night on Cedar Street. I am also aware of an incident two weeks ago on Second Street and one out in the county the same night in the Unionville area.
The bombs are easy to construct and instructions are readily available. They are generally a product of juveniles. We take the matter very seriously and have requested additional assitance from the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office. We are also stepping up with overtime Bike Patrols in targeted areas in hopes of making an apprehension.
The use of these types of devices is actually down in Worcester County for the year. There have been similar reports in Snow Hill, and Berlin. If anyone sees a juvenile acting in a suspicious manner (particularly at night and with any sort of bottle paraphernalia), please contact the police department immediately.
I am, of course, disappointed by this type of conduct; however I have seen these types of devices deployed for years and view it as common juvenile delinquent behavior which cannot be tolerated. If you find a suspicious looking bottle: AVOID DIRECT CONTACT AND CONTACT THE POLICE. Do not attempt to remove the cap or otherwise tamper with the device. Stay clear and call.
The bombs are easy to construct and instructions are readily available. They are generally a product of juveniles. We take the matter very seriously and have requested additional assitance from the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office. We are also stepping up with overtime Bike Patrols in targeted areas in hopes of making an apprehension.
The use of these types of devices is actually down in Worcester County for the year. There have been similar reports in Snow Hill, and Berlin. If anyone sees a juvenile acting in a suspicious manner (particularly at night and with any sort of bottle paraphernalia), please contact the police department immediately.
I am, of course, disappointed by this type of conduct; however I have seen these types of devices deployed for years and view it as common juvenile delinquent behavior which cannot be tolerated. If you find a suspicious looking bottle: AVOID DIRECT CONTACT AND CONTACT THE POLICE. Do not attempt to remove the cap or otherwise tamper with the device. Stay clear and call.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Councilman Clarke on Night Out
Mike,
It certainly was hot out there at Cypress Park tonight, but at least it did not rain. It was good to see you and other council members out there. Everyone seemed to be having a great time despite the heat.
I wanted to express my thanks to the Pocomoke PD, city employees, citizen volunteers and sponsors who made the program possible. What a wonderful and positive way for our police to interact with our youngest citizens and their families. Hats off to all of them for a job well done!
It certainly was hot out there at Cypress Park tonight, but at least it did not rain. It was good to see you and other council members out there. Everyone seemed to be having a great time despite the heat.
I wanted to express my thanks to the Pocomoke PD, city employees, citizen volunteers and sponsors who made the program possible. What a wonderful and positive way for our police to interact with our youngest citizens and their families. Hats off to all of them for a job well done!
Rob Clarke
Night Out in Cypress Park was Crowded
Wow, what a crowd! I just returned from the park. I am soaking wet, but my spirits were certainly not dampened one bit from the showing our city put on and the wonderful talent that unfolded on our stage tonight.
500 pieces of chicken; 500 fat hamburgers; 500 hotdogs and untold cases of french fries cooked by Councilman Bob Hawkins
AND NOT ONE BIT OF IT LEFTOVER!!!!
All of the celebs were a show including a late addition of stunt performing motorcycle riders who performed to the cheers of everyone in attendance.
A big thank you to Chief Ervin and our police department. What a great event!
500 pieces of chicken; 500 fat hamburgers; 500 hotdogs and untold cases of french fries cooked by Councilman Bob Hawkins
AND NOT ONE BIT OF IT LEFTOVER!!!!
All of the celebs were a show including a late addition of stunt performing motorcycle riders who performed to the cheers of everyone in attendance.
A big thank you to Chief Ervin and our police department. What a great event!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Protected By Pocomoke City
A relatively new business that recently located in the Pocomoke City Industrial Park is Hardwire. They manufacture a state of the art armor product that has wide application for the US Military as well as a host of civilian projects all over the world.
The proprietary technology is based upon the same concept as is employed in the production of steel belted tires (in simple terms).
Hardwire will begin building their new manufacturing facility on the former site of the Campbell's Soup Plant following a joint effort by Pocomoke City and Worcester County. The new facilities will be going up soon and will consist of approximately 40,000 square feet. They will also be providing dozens of quality jobs for our region.
They recently finished outfitting a Humvee with the armor which affords our fighting men and women protection from IED's on the current battlefield. The armor is much lighter and more effective than steel plating (currently in use) and will not keep the vehicles from being able to go off road where it is safer for them to travel.
Just think, our troops will soon be protected by armor manufactured right here in Pocomoke City! Truly this is something of which we can all be excited and proud!
May God bless our troops.
Veteran's Bandstand Upgrades in Cypress Park
I am pleased to announce the funding of additional upgrades to the Veteran's Bandstand located in Cypress Park on the banks of the beautiful Pocomoke River. The funding came from Project Open Space money passed through the State of Maryland. It includes $13,000.00 in funding for additional lighting and a sound system to enhance the stage. Open Space money is set aside for recreational projects submitted by local government entities and is awarded on a competitive basis.
This is the second phase of the project with the final request for an attached dressing room/storage component and Concession Stand. We look forward to these additional funds in the next twelve months and I will keep you posted.
This is the second phase of the project with the final request for an attached dressing room/storage component and Concession Stand. We look forward to these additional funds in the next twelve months and I will keep you posted.
Up and Coming Events
Today!!!-Tuesday the 7th: National Night Out @ Cypress Park 6-9pm
August 23rd, 24th, & 25th: The Great Pocomoke Fair-details next week
Flea To Pocomoke: Every Friday morning-until, Farmer's Market Downtown
The Mayor's Report: Every Wednesday morning from 10:30-11:00am AM540 WGOP
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