Weekly Update

Police Activities:

• Police dealt with two Pit Bull Terriers that were on the loose in Woodland Manor. Worcester County Animal Control Officers responded to assist and were able to capture one of the dogs. A trap was set for the other.
  
• Worcester County Animal Control assisted officers with a raccoon which was located in the wooded area near Pocomoke Elementary School. The animal was located and removed.


• Denotta Sturgis (28) was charged with Shoplifting (theft) at Wal-mart.


• A hit and run property damage accident was reported in front of Lusby's downtown. A vehicle described as a white truck struck and damaged a DP&L pole and fled the area.


• The 200 block of Walnut Street had several vehicles with windows broken out by someone apparently using a brick.


• A New Jersey traveler called police and stated she had lost her wallet at the Dunkin Donuts. Police responded and were able to locate the wallet which had been picked up by a relative.
  

The Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) had an audit team in the city during this past week to review our police department operations and procedures. You can view their standards on line at: http://www.calea.org/Online/AboutCALEA/Commission.htm. They also toured the city and conducted a public forum which I have written about in an earlier post. The audit team was quite impressed with this city and our police department. We are well in line to receive certification known as CALEA Recognition following their review and our making any changes identified in their critique and review.

This is a huge step for an agency our size and we can be proud of the work that has been accomplished thus far. Earning this recognition will assist in lowering our insurance premiums and will further assist the agency in holding to established standards of excellence in law enforcement. Congratulations Chief Ervin, Lt. Michael Switowski, Lt. Lee Brumley, and the rest of the department on a job well done!

Reverend Thomas Wall

A viewing will be held at Salem United Methodist Church on Tuesday night from 7:00-9:00. The funeral service will be conducted at Salem United Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00.

YMCA Goose Hunt

Officials will conduct a special hunt September 1st for the local birds which over populate the ponds on the YMCA property.

Public Works

Sewer repairs were completed on a partially collapsed line on Second Street near Cedar Street. Downtown power washing of pedestrian areas continued.

Planning and Zoning

• The Board of P&Z has forwarded recommendations to the Mayor and Council to retain Third Street as a two-way street. They have recommended new loading zones and a new parking pattern for the entire street.


• Hardwire Corporation completed all of their required submissions and have contracted with M.L. Blades Construction for the 58,000 square foot building to be built this fall on the old footprint of the former Campbell's Soup Plant.
  

Department of EMS

Director of EMS Barrie Contee reported that Pocomoke EMT-B Sergio Castillo is currently in Montana helping fight wild fires which have plagued that region of the country. Please pray for his safety.

Ethanol Plant Concerns

I will be meeting with the Somerset County Commissioners on Tuesday at 3:00 pm during their regular public meeting to discuss our concerns with the proposed Ethanol Plant just across the river in Somerset County. I have provided more details in earlier posts on this subject. Our primary concerns are:

• Public Safety



• Securing Municipal Water Supply Aquifer

As with all things, I will keep you posted!

Message Board/Forum Discussions

I have added a Message Board/Forum Discussion Section on this site.
(you will find it on the left side margin). There are several categories on which you may post and there are no restrictions. It is my hope that this will be a very effective tool in supplying various city departments with real time information or to pose questions that you may have in the various categories.

Of course, there are more general categories for posting and having an exchange of your views ideas, and opinions with your fellow citizens.

Please join me in making Pocomoke City a better place to live and raise a family.

Reverend Tom Wall Passes Away...

I was advised earlier today the Rev. Tom Wall has passed away. He was a great man who I counted as a friend and he will be greatly missed. Please pray for his family during this difficult time. Our entire city will miss his presence.

Friday Flea Market-Downtown

Our Downtown Main Street Coordinator Michael Day has done a great job attracting various events and activities to our downtown area. One of the most successful is the Friday Flea Market at the Farmer's Market in Cypress Park on the river. Space is available. If you have any questions, just give Michael a call at 410-957-1333 and he will be happy to assist you.

Just another busy Friday in

Pocomoke City's Cypress Park

Back to School Party @ Cypress Park

Don't forget this Saturday from 1:o0-4:00pm at Cypress Park on the river, the Pocomoke City Police Department will sponsor their annual Back To School Party. There are light refreshments but the primary objective is supplying our young people with needed school supplies for the coming year.

Bring the kids and enjoy the fun!

Bike Patrols/School Patrols

I receive requests for our Police Department to provide additional Bike Patrols in the neighborhoods, and I like the idea very much. I have spoken with Chief Ervin and he provided me with an update on our current Bike Patrol status and current plans for their usage.

There are currently only three officers who have Bike Patrol capability. One of those officers is currently on "light duty" and is not assigned in the field. The other two have general patrol duties and assignments, however they also ride the bikes whenever patrol assets make this feasible. The agency only has three bikes but there are plans to purchase additional units and for additional officers to receive the proper certifications required.

I spoke with the chief about the need to have a police presence around the schools and immediate school neighborhoods particularly when the schools dismiss students at the end of the school day. He advised that he will have additional units in these areas and will make an effort to have increased Bike Patrols during those times.

I encourage all our citizens to make a phone call to the police department if you see anything suspicious in their neighborhoods. If you see students acting in an inappropriate manner, please make the phone call so that action can be taken and future problems thwarted.

Adult Education Classes in Pocomoke City

Adult Only Classes for GED/ESOL

• Are you looking for a job or better job and need to improve your basic reading, math, or writing skills?
• Are you dreaming of receiving a high school diploma?

If you answered "yes", Worcester County will be offering free classes with individualized learning plans designed to meet your goals in a relaxed, comfortable environment You do not have to register, simply show up!

Here is the schedule for GED/ABE classes in Pocomoke City:

Pocomoke Public Library on Sept. 17th & 19th from 1:00pm-3:30pm

Pocomoke High School on Sept. 18th & 20th from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Here is the schedule for "English as a Second Language Classes":

Family Connections (124 Willow Street Pocomoke) Sept. 17th & 19th from 6:00pm-8:00pm

For additonal information, please call the Adult Education Program Director @410-632-5071

Pocomoke City as the Capitol of Maryland???

I am inviting Governor O'Malley to Pocomoke City for a state visit. I recently met with the Governor in Ocean City and we spoke about the planned rennovations of Pocomoke High School and the need for a firm committment on state funding for the project. He seems to understand how important this is to the city.

During a recent visit to Salisbury, the Governor named Salisbury the official capitol of Maryland for the day. I told him I thought that was a great idea and that I would like him to extend the same status to Pocomoke City.

If I can get a hard date for the Grand Openning of the Marva Performing Arts Theater, I may be able to provide the Governor's staff with enough time to plan his visit in conjuction with the openning festivities. He seemed very interested in the idea.

Pocomoke High School History/Civics Teacher Meme Suznavick spoke with me recently about a potential visit by Maryland Lt. Governor Brown. I told her I would be glad to work with her on this as well.
Stay tuned and I will keep you posted!

Wednesday's Radio Show on AM540 @10:30am

I will be talking about recent news updates and I would like to spend some time on the subject of zoning issues. Issues such as:

• How did we start letting land lords cram five families into a single family residence?
• What about off street parking for these conversion properties?
• How do we take back our city and make it safer for everyone?

I also want to update you on the Police Department Accreditation Process. The auditors have been in the city since Sunday and they have been a buzz of activity.

Still wondering about that ethanol plant and our water supply? I have some updates.

You say you have a hard time picking up the station at the office? Well, you can listen live online at http://www.easternshoreradio.com/

Dunkin Donuts Opens Their Doors

In case you did not know it...Dunkin Donuts is now open for business in Pocomoke City! Check them out at the intersection of Rt. 13 and Rt. 113. I understand they have been doing a brisk business.

THANK YOU!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank those of you who encourage me on a daily basis to fight the good fight. It can often be discouraging, yet in those moments, someone always seems to appear on the horizon with a good word.

This is a good city and we have our Father in Heaven to thank for all of the many accolades that come our way. We will never be without areas which can be improved, but we must continue to move forward one positive step at a time. Our citizens truly make the difference.

As you continue to encourage and pray for me and my family, I just wanted to say, "Thanks!"

Police Department Community Forum

Over twenty five attended the open forum meeting conducted by the National Accreditation Review Committee held at City Hall tonight from 7-8:30 pm. 95% positive/5% negative.

On the negative side, folks wanted to see increased cooperation with the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation. This is something I have been working with the Chief on during the past two years and we are making strides. We would like to see a full time detective assigned to the bureau this fall as the council provided the additional position last February.

Many were very complimentary of Chief Ervin's handling of the agency and the department in general. Some mentioned specific incidents where the officers were of great assistance. One negative was turned into a positive by the way the Chief stepped in and corrected a mishandled investigation to the satisfaction of the victim. It was very rewarding to hear this heart felt story told by the victims mother.

Several on the City Council were in attendance. These included Councilmen Cane, Clarke, and Morrison. I was in attendance as well. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes. From here, the comments will be evaluated and reviewed by other staff. The auditors will be in the area for two more days to check all aspects of the police department and their operations in our city.

National Accreditation is very difficult to achieve; particularly for departments of less than thirty officers. While the road is difficult, there is great pride in achieving this goal. Achieving National Accreditation status can also result in lower insurance premiums for local governments. That would be a great benefit to the city.

A Great Report From Councilman Clarke

I received this great report from Councilman Rob Clarke which we both wish to share with you on the Pocomoke Citizen's Forum:

The brass band concert was absolutely great! We should invite them back again soon. A wise decision was made to move the concert into the Marva, due to the heat. As it turned out, downtown was awash with rain before the concert ended. As I said, a wise decision.What a great weekend for the Marva and Pocomoke City! Three very different live shows in as many days. Friday afternoon many local, talented youth highlighted two weeks of theater camp by presenting the play "The Secret Garden". On Saturday afternoon we were entertained with a trip down memory lane by Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower (Bill & Sue Wills). Such talented actors and what a huge amount of research went into the show.Finally this evening (Sunday) we were treated to delightful music from movie themes, to blues, marching & military themes, medleys and a grand finale of the "Stars & Stripes Forever"! In addition, we learned from the narrator what an "all brass" band is all about and what instruments are included.All shows were well attended, but not sold out. Don't miss another show at the Marva. The shows are great and the memories are wonderful. This was such a fantastic weekend at the Marva I can hardly wait for the grand opening next year.The Marva is definitely back. She has had a strong pulse for a while now and due to the hardwork of countless individuals will make a complete recovery! She will truly be a shining jewel pumping energy into downtown Pocomoke once again.And to top it all off, we had the Great Pocomoke Fair, with the horse racing, cake auction, great food and blue ribbon contest in categories from soup to nuts, animals, too.

Rob ClarkeCouncilman, 5th DistrictPocomoke City

Police Feedback Meeting

Tonight (Monday) at City Hall from 7-9pm there will be a public forum to receive comments on the Pocomoke Police Department. All comments will be received by a three person committee as part of the accreditation process for the department.

This process began three years ago and this four day visitation by the accreditation staff is a rigorous inspection whereby the department will be evaluated. Following the review, a recommendation will be forwarded regarding their status under the national accreditation process.

Please feel free to come by and make your comments regarding the department. There will also be a time in the near future where comments can be received via phone calls, fax, or email.

National Accreditation would mean Pocomoke City would join with an elite list of law enforcement agencies who have excelled in their commitment to uniform standards and operational procedures. Generally, insurance premiums are also lower for agencies meeting these stringent requirements.

Terrible Fire

Our Fire Company responded to a house fire at this converted single family/five apartment home at the corner of Market and Fifth Street today.

While no firefighters were injurred, one of the residents required treatment for injuries but none were life threatening.

Five families were apparently displaced by this fire. The American Red Cross is providing aid and assistance to the families. You may be able to donate specific items needed through the Samaritan Shelter (4th Street). I will keep you posted as I learn more.

Additional photos are available on http://www.pocomokefire.com/ courtesy of Mr. Choppy Layton.

Horse Races And The Fair

We had 80 horses sign up for the annual Harness Racing at the Great Pocomoke Fair. This meant 17 races conducted from 12:30-4:45pm! Man, were those guys busy on the track and was it ever hot!

Many thanks to all of the racers who collectively took home purses totaling over $20,000.00. This was a record breaking year for entries and number of raises run. I gave out embroidered blankets to the winners as we posed for photos.

Thanks to Delegate Jim Mathias who made the trip down and helped me with the first couple of raises before traveling to Salisbury for the Little League Home Coming Parade. Also on hand was Councilmen Robert Hawkins, Bruce Morrison, and Rob Clarke. A special thanks to Jack Dolby, Chuck Barnes, Dean Ennis, Rev. George Tasker, John Smith, and so many others who make the racing possible and help make the fair such a success!