Announcing My Candidacy for Delgate

Today, I officially announced my candidacy for the House of Delegates in District 38-B. You can find out by going to my official website at

www.electmikemcdermott.com

You can also check out my upcoming eastern shore, family friendly BBQ scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd. Tickets can be purchased through the website.

Weekly Update

Police

• Police arrested two men for disorderly conduct at Cypress Park: Gerald Philpot Jr. of Marion and Robert Satchell Jr. of Lynnhaven Drive.
  
• Jonathon Cave reported a theft from his residence at 102 Berwyck Circle. An investigation is continuing.
• Officers observed a suspicious person at the Railroad Station property. He was identified as Thomas Sellers, 52, of Delmar, DE. He was wanted on a warrant in Worcester County and was arrested and turned over to the Sheriff's Office.

Public Works

• We received some addional grant money toward the cost of our new well. The new funds should cover the entire cost of $350,000.00.
• Crews worked to pick up Bulk Trash this week.
  
• Crews inventoried all city signage making a list of those which need to be replaced. They also conducted a review of all Fire Hydrants to schedule repainting of those in need.
• Our new Public Works facilities are moving along. The Fire Suppression System was pressure tested this past week.
• The Fire Company tested the new Dry Hydrant set up for Jenkins Orchard and were very satisfied with the operation.

Visitors in Town

• We are expecting around 20 large cruising yachts associated with the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club to be tied up at our docks this weekend. The club will be taking tours around town at all of our attractions.

Awards

• The city was notified that we will receive three Crime Prevention Awards from the Governor's Office this fall. This is quite an honor as competition for recognition is tough throughout the state.

New Business Opening

• The Bay Queen Coffee Shop will be open for business by the end of next week. It will be located next to the MARVA Theater on Market Street downtown.
  

Golf Course

• Crews prepared for top dressing and aeration of the course for the next two weeks.
  
• Dead or dying trees/branches have been identified for removal this fall.

Play Ground

• The Tot Lot has some new play equipment as well as the playground at the Winter Quarters Recreational area.

Board of Zoning Appeals

• A hearing will be held on Wednesday, the 16th regarding a request for a variance submitted by Gordon Harrison on Winter Quarters Drive concerning a storage building in his rear yard.

Demolitions

• Contracts have been sent securing services for the low bidders on two demolition projects: 600 Young Street and 209 Laurel Street. Work will begin soon.
  

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Mark Burton, 42, of 434 Bank Street reported that he was assaulted by Kuyes Saecheing, 54. Saecheing was charged with Assault and Reckless Endangerment.
• Police have continued with Saturation Patrols in partnership with units from the State Police and Sheriff's Office.
• Police arrested Darren Mills, 22, at Sunshine Village Apartments following a reported Domestic Disturbance.
• Officers located and arrested Kirk Knox on a warrant at 206 Seventh Street.
• Eric Byrd was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
• Geneva Timmons, 26, from Snow Hill was charged with Shoplifting from Wal Mart.
• Daris Coxx, 19, was arrested at the Bonneville Avenue Apartments charged with possession of Alcohol in public and creating a disturbance.
• Kim Trainor was charged with Indecent Exposure.
• Fardale Johnson, 32, was arrested on an outstanding warrant following a traffic stop.
• Terrance Gale, 27, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct following an incident at the Meadows Town homes.

Golf Course

• Crews continue to work on general maintenance projects. A tree was taken down near the Log Cabin which was not doing well.

ENR Project

• We have been approved for our Stimulus funding for the Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades to our Treatment Plant. The grant award was for $500,000.00. A pre-bid conference will be held next week.

Public Works

• Crews worked hard in preparation for the Fair.
• Small paving projects were performed around town.
• Bulk pick up was performed throughout the city.

Weekly Update

Police

• A guest at the Quality Inn reported that his unlocked behicle had been entered and a few items were missing
• Active patrols continue on the waterfront as the department took on the Dock Master responsibilities this year. All live aboards on extended stays are being tied up on the western side of the drawbridge this year. Usage is up from previous years.
• National Night Out was deemed a great success with over 1000 hamburgers consumed and 1200 drinks provided. Neighbors came together for the annual summer cook out in Cypress Park for fun, food, and prizes.
• We were advised that we would not receive any grant money in the first round of COPS Grants from the Federal Stimulus Funds. Our low crime rate was a significant factor in their decision.

Finance

• Auditors were in town this past week reviewing our books. They will issue their annual report on the city's fiscal status in about 60 days.
• We continue to await our County Grant ($400,000.00) and the first round of Property Tax Collections from Worcester County. This year we saved money by having the county provide tax collection through their office and billing.

Cypress Park

• Paving contracts for the bike/walk paths will be opened on the 17th. This project is one of several being funded through Project Open Space funding.

Public Works

• Work should begin on the new well in the next two weeks. Somerset Drilling is our contractor for the project. We were successful in lobbying for stimulus money to pay for the project which is estimated at $368,000.00.
• We are in the process of advertising bids for our ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal) upgrade to our Waste Water Treatment Plant. We have secured 90% grant funding for this project as well.
• Crews have been preparing the Fairgrounds for the Great Pocomoke Fair as well as doing a lot of trim work around the city.
• Repairs are being made to the horse barn and storage facilities at the Fairgrounds as well.
• Paving projects continued around town. Several areas of Eighth Street were repaired along with others.

West Nile Virus

• On August 6th, the Maryland Department of Agriculture reported a detection of West Nile Virus in a mosquito pool sampling from our area. While this is typical for this time of year. residents are cautioned to use proper precautions when performing outdoor activities. For additional information, contact the MDA at 410-841-5870 or visit them on the web at www.mda.state.md.us

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Two juveniles were stopped after they were found riding dirt bikes through the greens and sand traps at Winter Quarters Golf Course earlier in the week.
• Maraunita Holland was arrested on an outstanding warrant through Worcester County. She was transported to the Worcester County Jail under $5000.00 bond.
• Craig Lamont Dooling was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia earlier in the week.
• Terry Latori Tankard, age 20, along with a juvenile were arrested for theft at Wal Mart.
• Marcus Lamount Dennis, 25, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop.

Public Works

• Crews worked on roadway repairs this week on Bel Air and Dorchester Streets.
• A dry hydrant was installed at the Jenkins Orchard storm water pond.
• Work continued in Cypress Park for brush removal and clean out of the creek area.
• Work continues on the older section of the Nature Trail.
• Crews worked on chipping debris still remaining from the storm from several weeks ago.

Golf Course

• Irrigation work was performed at the course.
• Crews applied pesticides to the greens.
• Regular mowing of the roughs and fairways was conducted.

Finance Department

• Auditors were in town this week conducting the annual review of city finances.
  

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!