Weekly Update

Police Department

• An unidentified male subject attempted to pass a counterfeit $100.00 bill in the Rite Aid. The bill was rejected and the subject fled.
• James McDonald was arrested for DWI. His passenger, Wendy Higgins was charged with Possession of CDS including marijuana and crack cocaine.
• Anthony Holden, 42, was arrested for trespassing and MDOP following a Domestic Disturbance at the Pocomoke Inn.
• Richard Smith, a Wal-Mart employee, was charged with theft of several items he was taking out of the loading area of the store.
• Eugene Zawatski was arrested at Midway Chevrolet on an outstanding warrant from Pennsylvania.
• Zelmayia Kelley and Willima Samuel were charged with attempted theft following an incident at the Shore Bank where they tried to cash a bad check.
• Gary Watts of 107 Fourth Street reported that someone had thrown a brick through one of his windows and also poured some type of oil on his parked vehicle.
• A store window at 202 Clarke Avenue was reportedly damaged.
• Officers responded to a complaint that two vehicles were racing on Rt. 13. One of the vehicles was located and the driver arrested.

Fire Department

• A review and refitting of all Fire Hydrants was commissioned this week to insure that all hydrants are fitted with universal threads and are functioning properly.

Public Works

• One of our paving contractors was in town and has scheduled work on Fourth Street, Berwyck Circle, the Golf Course paths, and the Bike/Skate Park Pad for the coming week.
• Our new well site received approval from the Worcester County Planning Commission and the County's Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan adjustments have been forwarded to the Worcester County Commissioners for approval.
• Crews winterized all of the water supply lines at the City Docks and at Cypress Park.
• One of our trucks has been outfitted with a Snow Removal Blade in the event of a significant winter storm.
• Crews cleaned out ditches behind Eighth Street and several other areas around the city.
• Crews continued work on the Cypress Nature Trail and new extension area.

MARVA Theater Update

• The balcony seating arrived and was installed by contractors this week. Unfortunately, the primary seating was not made to specifications and had to be returned to the manufacturer for modifications. This will cause some set backs in a grand opening date.

EMS Department

• Thursday, December 13th, will be the last day of employment for Director Barry Contee. Interviews are being conducted this coming week for a new director.

Congratulations Team Pocomoke!

Congratulations to our State Champion Girls Field Hockey

(fifth State Title in a row!) and to our State Champion Boys

Soccer Teams. It has to be a particularly sad time in

Poolesville as they were our opponent in both title games.

Coach Butler and Coach Byrd have made State Championships very common place in our city and we owe them a debt of thanks for setting a high standard and expecting only the best from each group of players.

Since taking office, it has been my privilege, along with the City Council, to host a reception in honor of our State Champions. We do this in January following the holidays. This is complete with medals and formal recognition during a ceremony for both teams, their parents, and special guests.


"Hats Off!!!" to a great season and to the State Champion Warriors!

American Education Week

This past week was American Education Week. I had the privilege of visiting our Elementary School as well as our Middle School during the week. On Tuesday, I was on hand at the Pocomoke City branch of the Worcester County Library to read to any pre-school children.

On Wednesday, I spent a half hour reading to fourth and fifth graders at the Middle School from The Adventures of Homer Price. I had a great time. It was nice that the students remembered me from their past field trips to City Hall during the past two years. All of the kids were well behaved and listened intently to the story.

I hope you had an opportunity to visit one or more of our schools during the past week. It is a real source of encouragement to the teachers and staff as well as a welcome surprise to the student body. When adults take the time to go, it sends a strong message to all involved that they care and want to be a part of the process we call education.

Even if you did not get a chance to drop by a school, make it a point to visit sometime in the coming weeks. It is important. Our children are our future and we have a responsibility to stay engaged in the process of their development.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• A resident in the 200 block of Walnut Street reported damage to two windows on his parked vehicle. The damage appeared to be the result of a BB-gun discharge.


• Our officers assisted the Maryland State Police with a stolen vehicle/vehicle chase which entered the city limits on Tuesday night. Our officers located two of the three suspects. The vehicle had been stolen from Prince George's County. Officers also recovered a firearm from one of the suspects.


• Jimmy Washington was charged with Trespassing at the Newtowne Apartments.


• Virgil Simms was arrested on an outstanding warrant from the Salisbury Police Department.


• Our officers responded to assist the Worcester County Sheriff's Office on three occasions in the past week.

Animal Control

• Our officers assisted the Worcester County Animal Control personnel with two Pit Bull Terriers running loose in the McDonald's Parking Lot. The animals were secured and removed from the premise.

Public Works

• The test adaptor for the fire hydrants should arrive next week. If it works as designed, the remaining order will be filled. The adaptors are required to insure that the hose connections are universal for all fire companies who may come to Pocomoke City to render assistance in an emergency.


• P&A Paving Contractors will begin paving the Golf Cart Paths, the Bike/Skate Board Park, Berwyck Circle, and Fourth Street in the coming two weeks.


• Crews worked on placement of Christmas decorations this week.


• Crews installed "No Parking" signs on Third Street in preparation for the changing parking pattern requested by citizens in the area and St. Mary's Church and Day Care Center.

Downtown

• A new privacy fence will be installed at Milano's Pizza to block the view of the dumpster and Propane tanks within the next two weeks.


• Demolition is on schedule for the former Liquor Store at the corner of Clarke and Willow.

EMS

• We have received over 20 applications for the Director's position. Interviews will be conducted following an initial review of qualifications.
• Unit A-2 is back in service following body damage repairs.

Golf Course

• Preparation for the new cart path sections was completed.
• To date we have had 46 Water Bills redeemed for play at the course.
• During the previous six months, 5,932 rounds of golf were played. This represents an increase of 500 rounds when compared with last years same period.

Ribbon Cuttings

• A grand opening has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 30th for the Worcester County Liquor Store following their move to Newtowne Blvd.

Upcoming Events

• Pocomoke's annual Christmas Parade will begin at 7:00pm on Monday, November 26th. A rain date is set for Wednesday the 28th.

Slots, Slots, & More Slots

I have previously stated my feelings regarding the use of Slots as a revenue source for government. On Tuesday, I attended the afternoon session of the Worcester County Commissioners and spoke to them regarding the issue of a casino operation in Pocomoke City. It seems there was an attempt by Delegate Jim Mathias to raise the idea of locating a Worcester County casino operation in Pocomoke City if it was not welcomed at Ocean Downs. The late Delegate Bennett Bozman had proposed something similar several years ago.

Well, they should have checked with us first. Much has changed in the past few years and the idea of locating a casino a quarter mile from our High School is totally unacceptable to the current Mayor and Council. With many looking for some options up in the north end of the county, it looked like they were standing in line to throw Pocomoke City under the bus.

Following many phone calls and two meetings with the County Commissioners, everything was straightened out. After all, Governor O'Malley is only interested in placing his bets at Ocean Downs with Mr. Riddick. In the end, it appears we will have a chance to voice our collective desires at the polls next November, then we can let the chips fall where they may (pun intended).

Basing tax collection and increased revenues on gambling is as risky as the gamblers themselves. At the same time, the current administration is also raising corporate taxes on business along with sales taxes. This is a recipe for corporate movement and folks voting with their feet. When you live so close to neighboring states as we do in Worcester County, folks can also shift money out of the state economy at will. This will only add to a further decline in collected revenues.

I could not help but notice that all of that money we were going to get back was snatched away and subjected to a quick evaporation process in Annapolis. The governor had to know this would happen, but he peddled that bill of goods none the less.

Hang on to your wallet! Three years may seem like an eternity.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• McDonald's reported receiving a counterfeit $10.00 bill during the past week.
• Ernest Chisum was cited for Theft from Wal-Mart
• Winifred Blake was arrested on an outstanding Worcester County Warrant.
• Vernita Barnard was arrested on a Wicomico County Warrant.
• Sherry A. Johnson was arrested on an outstanding Worcester County Warrant.
• Officers assisted the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office several times during the previous week.

Animal Control

• Worcester County Animal Control Officers picked up 8 Pit Bull Terriers from a Laurel Street residence last week. Our officers assisted them in the seizure.

Public Works

• SHA completed work on repairing the brick sidewalk overlays downtown this week.
• Winter Quarters Drive was paved, as was Hampshire Terrace.
• The Eighth and Cedar Street intersection is nearly completed.
• Crews attended to Christmas lighting downtown.
• Crews worked at patching numerous pot holes located in the city.

Golf Course

• Crews finished fertilizing fairways and trees this week.
• Final grading was completed on the new Tee Box at Hole #6.
• Crews began preparing for the paving of cart paths to begin next week.

Upcoming Events

• The Marva Performing Arts Theater will play host to the musical, "Satchmo and Hoagy"on November 17th and 18th.

Weekly Updates

Police Department

• Ronnie Collins was arrested on Market Street on an outstanding Arrest Warrant.
• Worcester County Parks and Recreation reported the theft of a 4-foot tall newly planted Oak tree from Newtown Park.
• Antonio Wharton was charged with Disorderly Conduct following an incident at Bradley Court.
• Two females were issued citations for theft (shoplifting) from Wal-Mart.
• City officers assisted the Maryland State Police on several incidents outside of the city.
• One of our surveillance cameras was malfunctioning and was replaced by the vendor.

Water & Waste water Department

• Several valves were replaced at our Quinn Street site along with routine sampling from our primary filters.
• A preliminary report was received from our contractor on the water tower located just off of the Pocomoke Beltway. A recent inspection found the tower to be in overall good condition. We are still waiting on a report referencing the tower site on 7th Street. The inspections also included cleaning and disinfection at the 7th Street site.

Finance Department

• The annual audit report was received this week from PKS and Associates. Representatives will be presenting their report in person at the next meeting of the Mayor and Council on Monday night.
• Our staff went to Chesapeake College where they took exams for enhanced additional licensing as Sewage Treatment Plant Operators.
• We are expecting the arrival of out Hydrant Adaptors very soon. The city as well as Fire Chief Dick Gladding are working with the vendor to insure the threads will work for all of our hydrants.

Planning

• We received our bound additions of the recently adopted Comprehensive Master Plan. The city will now move forward with a comprehensive review of Zoning issues in the coming month.

Public Works Department

• Crews worked to install a new piece of conduit across Winter Quarters Drive for the rerouting of electrical lines at the Golf Course.
• Crews worked on cement work around many water meter locations.
• Street sweeping was done around the city.
• Crews worked on construction of the new office space for the EMS Director at the City Offices for EMS on 8th Street.
• Paving began on several contracts in the city. Hampshire Terrace was paved on Thursday morning, and Winter Quarters is slated for next week. Other projects being done in the next two weeks will include 4th Street, Berwick Circle, Golf Course pathways, and the Bike/Skate Park pad site.

EMS Department

• The city continues searching for a new Director of EMS through various advertising venues.
• Ambulance A-2 is in for repairs at Pohanka Collision Center following the accident with a deer.

Local Upcoming Events

• The Pocomoke High School Marine Corp JROTC will conduct a ceremony recognizing the birthday of the US Marine Corp on Saturday, November 10th at the High School. All are invited to attend.
• The Samaritan Shelter will host their annual dinner at the Pocomoke Fire House on Friday, November 9th. Tickets are available for those interested.

November 5th Meeting

• The upcoming agenda for the meeting of the Mayor and Council is posted at the city's official web site: www.cityofpocomoke.com