Summer Happenings

At the midway point of the summer, Pocomoke has been buzzing with activity and grand openings of all types. In June we were all invited to take part in the grand opening gala for the Delmarva Discovery Center. This tremendous project is the culmination of years of effort by a dedicated group of volunteers to see a regional, interactive museum serve as an attraction for the lower shore. A crowd of over 400 attended the event to recognize the accomplishment. Kudos abounded to Barbara Tull for her determination and work at seeing this dream become a reality. The center will also boast the largest public aquarium in the region (set for fall completion) where visitors will be able to view the river from a most unique perspective.

June also marked the reopening of the Black Water Café (Second and Willow Streets downtown) following a successful renovation. The café is offering extended hours of operation and a new karaoke night.

July marked the completion of the Discovery Nature Tail extension which provided a direct boardwalk link from the River Walk and making a connection with the original Cypress Nature Trail. The extension project provides a beautiful walk for visitors and is designed to be handicap accessible. The trail was engineered and designed to “float” on the ground and was carefully woven through the land with no negative impact to the environment. It is a nature lover’s dream come true and a great place to take a stroll on a warm summer day.

A companion book has been authored by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, with art work by Doug Dryden, which provides the background on the nature trail and serves as a guide to those exploring the trail. It is a beautiful, collectible book and is available at the Discovery Center Gift Shop. The proceeds from the book are being utilized to secure the future of the trail and to hire a Naturalist for the city who will provide tours and help maintain the city’s park and trail system.

July also saw the grand opening for “The Vault”, an antique specialty store providing one of a kind items through direct sales and Internet/Live auctions. Entrepreneur Eileen Kirkwood purchased the majestic old Peninsula Bank Building downtown and is already drawing folks from outside of the region to view her unique offerings. Kirkwood has big plans for her business and her expansion plans include an art studio downtown.

This summer has also seen visits by Senator Mikulski and Representative Kratovil to discuss the expansion of our Industrial Park in light of the developments at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Port on Wallops Island. We are working with Virginia to secure a rail spur which could direct link the Space Port with our Industrial Park. This will provide a more efficient means of transporting rocketry and satellite components from one place to the other. The prospects are exciting. We have enjoyed working closely with the Business and Economic Development Departments of Maryland and Virginia to insure the success and expansion of opportunity for our region.

There is a lot to be optimistic about on the lower shore. Take advantage of these new offerings this summer in Pocomoke City and don’t forget to take in a movie at the MARVA where a fully restored, art-deco theater waits with a comfortable chair; and the $5.00 price for first run movies is a recession buster.

There is a lot to see and do on the lower shore. Get out and explore!

Nature Trail Extended

This photo shows the hard work being done by members of the Nature Trail Committee and volunteers. You can see Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker in the foreground and Jim Norton wearing his "explorer" hat directing the work of volunteer young people. The trail extension, which is now complete, connects the river walk to the original nature trail for easy access. The trail runs right along the banks of the river and goes by Stevens Pond and onto the Golf Course. It was designed and engineered to provide a surface which "floats" on the ground. The new section was woven through some mature Cypress swamp and was designed to be handicap accessible. Hats off to the volunteers and Trail Committee Members for their efforts in making this dream a reality!

Weekly Update July 10th

Police Department

• Police responded to a domestic assault complaint at 718 Sixth Street.
• Officers responded to Wal Mart for a shoplifting complaint. Keyrria Tenai Corbin, 20, of New Church, VA was arrested and charged with: Theft, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and Interference with an Arrest. Janet A. Sample, 20, of Pennsauken, NJ was also arrested for Theft.
• Officers responded to the America's Best Value Inn to assist the Department of EMS. Officers Tucker and Howe began CPR and activated their assigned AED to assist before the arrival of EMS. Their job performance under these circumstances generated Commendation Letter from the Worcester County Emergency Management Office.
• Police arrested Ceasar Sanchez Gomez, 34, and charged him with DUI and other traffic violations.
• Units responded to a hitch hiker on Rt. 13 reportedly carrying a sword. Police found Victor Wayne Taylor, 45, of Hallwood, VA and discovered that he was wanted on charges out of Florida. He was arrested and held without bond pending his extradition.
• Our officers assisted the Worcester County Sheriff's Office with four arrest warrants for persons located on Cedar Hall Road.
• Jerome Scruggs, 25, of 509 Bonneville Ave. was arrested for Second Degree Assault on Keisha Harris at 400 Walnut Street.

Public Works

• Crews began working on multiple paving jobs after obtaining hot mix from the asphalt plant.
  
• Mr. Bill Rice was contracted to install a new dry hydrant at the storm water management pond at Jenkins Orchard. This should assist in fire fighting efforts should the need arise.
• Crews worked on the Nature Trail and coordinated efforts with a volunteer youth group on the completion of the new boardwalk connections to the river.
• Bulk metal pick up was accomplished.
• The city tent was taken down following the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company annual Bar-B-Q on the highway.
• Crews installed connection lines for water and sewer for a new house on Eighth Street.
• Crews repaired a sink hole in the street at Second and Cedar Streets.
• A new hydrant was ordered for the Market Street hydrant in front of the Fire House.
• Serv-Pro began cleanup efforts at the administrative office for Public Works in preparation for the renovation following the arson fire.

Dignitaries/Visitors

• The city received a visit from Cabinet Secretary Raymond Skinner and his staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development. I took them on a tour of the Discovery Center as well as several business sites downtown and the MARVA Theater.
• Representatives from the State Highway Administration were in town to review our Nature Trail project and discuss sidewalk extensions.

New Business

• Eileen Kirkwood hosted a Ribbon Cutting for her new store, The Vault, located in the former Penninsula Bank building downtown. She is operating an antique emporium and live Internet auction site at the location which promises to be a great business venture.

Golf Course

• Crews continued debris cleanup from the last storm.
  
• Pesticides were applied to the greens.
• Fairways were manicured and irrigation utilized.
• Temporary workers were utilized for wood chipping underway.
• Mulch has been applied to various projects.

Sewage Treatment Plant

• The city continues to move forward with required ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal) for our plant. Engineering studies have to be submitted by the end of the month to assist in securing additional funding from the Stimulus Funds. We have already secured funding from the State Flush Tax account for much of the expansion and changes required.