It's Official: Holdren Calls it Quits

Around lunch time today, former City Councilman Don Holdren came into City Hall and formally resigned his candidacy for the Third District Seat currently held by Councilman Bruce Morrison. That means it is officially a two person race with the incumbent, Councilman Morrison, facing off against newcomer Angela Hayes.

As I have always said, it is up to the challenger to make the case for change. In this case, I believe Councilman Morrison has worked with me over the past three years to promote positive changes in Pocomoke City. In fact, Councilman Morrison has supported a request by Ms. Hayes in funding a "Ladies and Gentleman Manner's Class" conducted earlier in the past year.

The fact is, Councilman Morrison has spoken with Ms. Hayes, as I have, a number of times and has always supported her efforts. She is a nice and gentle woman, but I do not believe she can make a case for change based upon Councilman Morrison's performance in office.

On another note, Ms. Hayes is a member of the Democratic Central Committee for Worcester County. Our local elections are purposely Non-Partisan. If Ms. Hayes is serious about serving our community in a Non-Partisan office, perhaps she should consider resigning from her current position. Just some food for thought.

Don Holdren Calls it Quits???

A letter to the editor appeared in yesterday's Daily Times authored by Mr. Holdren indicating his withdrawl from the District Three race for City Council. This was followed by another short article in the Worcester Times today restating the same information.

Yet as of this afternoon, Mr. Holdren has not officially withdrawn his name from the race as required by law. He visited City Hall, but apparently did not elect to officially resign from the race.

Perhaps it was an oversight or a time constraint issue. At any case, the former Councilman needs to make it official. For whatever reason, Mr. Holdren decided he was not up to the task at hand. I respect his decision, but now it is time to "officially" move on and allow the remaining candidates in the race (Councilman Bruce Morrison & newcomer Angela Hayes) to act accordingly.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Michael Garcia of 3 Clarke Avenue was charged with violating a Peace Order filed by his neighbor.
• A Warrant was issued for Demitrius Mills for the theft of several games from Wal-Mart.
• Brent Cooper of 926 Second Street was arrested on a Salisbury Warrant.
• A white male broke into the Duck-Inn convenience store early Tuesday morning and removed several items. A suspect was developed and an arrest is pending.
• Robert Johnson Sr. was arrested on a Somerset County Paternity Warrant.
• Pocomoke City Police have assisted the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation with the homicide investigation of Judy Wojcik. The investigation continues.

Public Works Department

• Several new street signs and other signage have been installed this past week.
• Work was performed on fencing at the sewage treatment plant.
• A Fire Hydrant was replaced at Lynnhaven Apartments after being struck and damaged by a vehicle collision.
• Crews worked on ditch clean outs near Sunshine Village and the surrounding area.
• Crews made several street repairs and patches with cold mix this week.
• Crews winterized the log cabin at Winterquarters. It will not be available for rental use until the spring.

Department of EMS

• Delivery of our new ambulance is set for early February.
• Interviews continue in our search for a new Director of the department.

Golf Course

• Superintendent Doug Gunns met with the paving contractors to review the time table for completion of the cart path project. We were advised that it would be weather dependant as to when the next paving would be accomplished.

Industrial Developments

• Hardwire Company has begun their new building construction. Blades Construction has been working 6-days a week during all daylight hours to get the project completed in time for the arrival of the industrial equipment in March and April. The new production facilities are being built on the old Campbell Soup site and will encompass over 100,000 square feet in the first phase.

Reception For State Champions

• The Mayor and Council have issued invitations to our Maryland State Champion Field Hockey and Soccer players, parents, coaches, and PHS faculty to join us as we host a reception in their honor at the Pocomoke Elks Lodge this coming week.

City Offices Closed

• City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 21st, in recognition of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.

Planning And Zoning

• Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 22nd at 3:00 pm at City Hall. Agenda includes a preliminary meeting with the recently hired Zoning Code Consultant, preliminary subdivision plat for the Jay Tapman property, and a review of the proposed renovations at the Pocomoke High School.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Downtown Pocomoke Association will meet on Wednesday, January 23rd at the Upper Deck Restaurant.
• The Marva Theater Board will meet at City Hall Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm.

Unofficial Minutes of January 7th Meeting

The following are the "unofficial minutes" which I keep during the regular meeting of the Mayor and Council:

• Mike Shannon was recognized for his efforts as Chairman of the Pocomoke Christmas Parade. Mike was presented with an Achievement Award and his faithful committee members were recognized. The parade is a signature event for the city which requires a lot of effort to run smoothly.
• A Public Hearing was held for Resolution A-07-03 concerning the proposed annexation of the Kenny Lankford property located on Map 92, Parcel 38. No one made any comment on this annexation. The council proceeded by unanimous vote to annex this property.
• President Jimmy Hammond and several Pocomoke Vol. Fire Company officials were on hand to review a Memorandum of Understanding to be established between the company and the city relative to the "old" fire house building and the future use of this property by the city and Fire Company. The MOU was approved and I signed on behalf of the city.
• Engineer Ed Young was on hand to provide his final report and findings relative to the water issues in Pocomoke Heights as well as the sewer issues for the Rt. 13 Corridor. After reviewing his findings and hearing his recommendations, I proposed to the council the following action to be taken: (1) Two "dead end" lines on Belair and Dorchester Streets will be looped to Market Street and Lynnhaven Drive thus eliminating stagnant water. This work will be done by Public Works staff in the next 4-months; (2) The city will provide funds in the upcoming fiscal year for "Pigging" the water lines throughout the affected areas of the Heights. This work will be accomplished during the summer months. (3) The City Manager will report back to the Mayor and Council with finance recommendations as to replacement of all infrastructure in the affected areas within the next 60-days. The City Council agreed unanimously with these recommendations and voted to do so.
• Ms. Kathy French presented the Pocomoke Police Department with a $1000.00 donation for the many youth programs they conduct throughout the year. Chief Ervin was on hand to receive the donation. It is one of many Wal-Mart provides to citywide organizations annually.
• Housing Coordinator Harvey Davis provided an update on our Housing Inspection Program conducted during the past year. Three phases have been accomplished and the fourth is underway. Over one hundred units have been inspected. Many have been identified with deficiencies and many citations have been issued. Mr. Davis also reported that there are 7 housing rehabilitation projects underway.
• A proclamation was read by Councilwoman Cottman recognizing January, 2008 as National Mentoring Month. The public was encouraged to be involved in the mentoring of our young people.
• The Council approved on a unanimous vote to allow controlled Goose hunting on property owned by Mr. Harold Scrimgeor which is located in the city limits off of Rt. 13. The approval was contingent on the hunting party providing a plan relative to their shooting.
• Appointments and re appointments were made to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of Elections Supervisors.
• One public comment was received complimenting the police departments efforts in making positive contact with the youth of the city, particularly in the black community. The resident stated she had seen a big difference in the past two years and she appreciated the effort.

This concluded the public portion of the meeting. Following this meeting, the Mayor and Council met in Executive Session to discuss and review a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding with the City Attorney; and to ask legal advice on fines related to code enforcement.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• One of our patrol vehicles was struck by a deer while on Old Virginia Road patrolling the area of Southern Fields. Minor damage.
• Mr. Victor Mills was arrested and charged with Trespassing at the Lynnhaven Apartments. He was placed in the Worcester County Jail under a $3000.00 bond.
• Mr. Robert Elmer of 605 Sixth Street reported that someone had entered his unlocked vehicle and removed several items.
• Ms. Shawanda Wharton was arrested on an outstanding warrant when she was observed on Sixth Street.
• After receiving a tip from Pennsylvania authorities, police arrested Michael Acevedo on a warrant and weapons charges from 1409 Somerset Avenue.
• The Abundant Life Church reported several doors and windows damaged on their building. Damage was estimated at $500.00.
• Police arrested Mr. Markeith Davis at Fourth and Bonneville for Disorderly Conduct and Possession of Marijuana.
• Police are investigating a reported Burglary at 5 Clarke Avenue.
• Police assisted the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office on several occasions during the past week.
• All of the new police vehicles (6) are now in service.
• Cpl. Scott Mitchell was assigned to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation as a Detective effective January 2nd.

Public Works

• A cellular phone has been purchased for the On Call Public Works employee to replace the unreliable pager that has been in use.
• The primary trash collection truck has been down for engine repairs but should be back in service next week.
• Paving projects came to a stop with the colder weather. It is unclear if the contractors will complete their jobs until warmer weather arrives. Most have been completed, with the exception of the golf course paving of cart paths (which is half completed).
• Contractor Mike Hall has completed his roadwork on Phase 1 of Woodland Manor subdivision.

EMS Department

• The search and interview process continues for the new Director of EMS to replace outgoing Director Barrie Contee. Mr. Michael Thornton has been the Acting Director of EMS following Contee's departure the end of November.

Upcoming Election

• I filed for a second term of office this week as did Councilman Morrison. I hope to continue the progress we have made over the past three years.

Meeting of the Mayor and Council

• The next meeting of the Mayor and Council is Monday night at 7:30PM. The Agenda for the meeting is available on line at www.cityofpocomoke.com

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Morris Waters was arrested for Trespassing at the Lynnhaven Apartments
• Rick Welch was arrested for Trespassing at a residence on Moore Street.
• Cane Cottman was charged with Theft of a watch from the Show Show. He was also charged with Possession of CDS.
• Two vehicles were damaged with cut tires at Wendy Court Apartments
• Shawn Collins was cited for Shoplifting at Walmart
• Johnny Lee Collins was charged with Disorderly Conduct at Walmart

EMS Department

• Thursday was Director Barry Contee's last day on the job. Mike Thornton has been appointed as the Acting Director of EMS.
• The city received the first check for reimbursements of Medicare Funding for EMS from the federal government. The check totalled $37,031.00. There should be no further delays in receiving reimbursements for services provided.

Public Works

• Paving projects continued with many being completed. The Skate/Bike Park pad was completed in Cypress Park; the resurfacing of Berwyck Circle; and multiple patch areas including Fourth Street. Next week they will be working at Winter Quarters Golf Course.
• Crews worked on picking up bulk items in the city as well as brush piles.
• Crews chipped many large branches and recycle the mulch.
• Crews completed winterizing the Fairgrounds.
• Crews continued work on the Cypress Park Nature Trail.

MARVA Performing Arts Theater News

• The Balcony seats arrived and were installed by contractors last week. Unfortunately, the lower seating was not built to specifications and had to be sent back to the manufacturer for replacement. This will delay the permanent seating for a few weeks.

Pocomoke River Discovery Center

• Bids were awarded for construction of exhibits. The bulk of the contract will go to a company located in Dulles, Virginia in the amount of one million dollars.

Historic Christmas Home Tour

Laura and I have been particularly busy in recent weeks preparing for the Christmas Home Tour being conducted by the Costen House (photo on right) and held this past Saturday. The tour was well attended it was a delight to see many folks from Pocomoke City and the Snow Hill area as well. Folks were very gracious with their compliments, and that means a lot to the owner of an older home.

It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to maintain any home. You can multiply that several times when you are talking about homes that are 100 years old or more. I enjoy opening the home and sharing with others the architecture of our home and the many stories that go along with the history of this house of which we have become caretakers.

This is something I find very common among those who purchase historic homes, and that is the sense of being a "caretaker" of history. The oldest homes in Pocomoke City that remain after the many fires that came and ravished the city since it was incorporated are found on Walnut Street. The architecture represented in the 200 block is a great representation of the time period from the late 1800's through the 1920's. It is wonderful to see the effort that is placed into these homes by our neighbors.

It is not unusual to find many folks who visit the area and take a stroll on our block. Particularly during the warmer months. Many of them stop and ask questions when Laura and I are sitting out on the porch swing. Walter and Pam Eskowitz (keepers of "Littleton's Bed and Breakfast") have introduced many to this area. Most who stay at the inn take a stroll and take a lot of photos of the area, and it is nice to see the interest in our community.

Thanks again to all those who participated in the tour and to those who take the time to maintain their homes. A special "thank you" to those of you who decorate for the Christmas Season and share the joy of the season with your neighbors.