Weekly Update

Police Department

• Our officers are partnering with the State Police for the next week to provide increased patrols. The MSP Scout Team is a special unit which travels the eastern shore providing local assistance. This arrangement will continue with MSP and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office from now and throughout the summer months.
• Employees of the Duck In reported that a man shoplifted a can of beer valued at $1.05.
• Officers noticed a vehicle on Payne Avenue with a broken side window while on patrol. They made contact with the owner and several items were found to have been stolen from the vehicle.
• Officers have increased their patrol checks of various city fuel tanks in recent weeks.
• Officers reported finding several locations with graffiti this week: Laurel Street, Riverside Drive, Gray Street, and behind the DP & L building on Broad Street.

EMS Department

• Our new ambulance, A-1, went into full service. Director Tighlman is working on securing all of the needed equipment for the spare ambulance to be completely operative.
• DOT inspections are being performed on the two older units.

Public Works

• Crews continued stabilizing berms at the treatment plant.
• Crews installed a new bleeder line and valve box at the end of Greenway Avenue.
• Crews repaired a storm drain and sidewalk problem on Front Street near Linden Avenue.

Golf Course

• DP & L installed a larger meter on our new pole location on Winter Quarters Drive. This is being done in preparation for a new line being trenched into the course which will eliminate the overhead line on Hole #2.
• Crews worked on our pump station and sprayers while repairing the foot valves at the site where we draft water for course irrigation.
• The cart path work was reviewed with the contractor and the bill submitted for payment.

Skateboard Park Update

• All of the equipment has been ordered from American Ramp Company (ARC)and delivery is expected within 8-weeks.
• A fence will be installed prior to the delivery of the equipment.

Heritage Tours in 2009

One of the add on items brought to the council meeting last Monday night involved a project I have been working on with several other government officials and private citizens. It involves the promotion of Heritage Tours in Worcester County, specifically for Black History and historical Worcester County figures and prominent sites. The group has included members of the NAACP such as President Edward Lee and Gabe Purnell, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale, Worcester County Director of Tourism Lisa Challenger, and Pocomoke Main Street Coordinator Michael Day.

The idea began to simply find a way to recognize the efforts and contributions of black individuals who were born or lived in Worcester County. It was agreed that establishing a historical record was the place to begin. At the same time, it was agreed that the effort could provide opportunity for commercial endeavors and tourism outside of Ocean City.

In earnest, the group is working toward a phase one goal of developing a series of Heritage Tours which would begin in the summer tourism season of 2009. Since Pocomoke City already has the Sturgis One Room School House Museum, Heritage House Museum, and the Delmarva Discovery Center, it seemed best to utilize these locations. The tour could also include a boat tour up river which would provide details of the Underground Rail Road established by Harriett Tubman which had a leg of the journey through the Pocomoke River basin. The day would be capped off with a theatrical performance at the Marva Theater of a play written specifically about black heritage on the eastern shore.

We are currently seeking support from the municipalities as well as Worcester County to assist in funding the historical research needed as well as the promotion of the tour events. Pocomoke City was ahead of the curve when we sat down at the table and, as a result, we will reap the benefit of being able to provide a wonderful opportunity for folks to explore the shore through Heritage Tours next year if the project becomes a reality.

PAC-14 "One on One" Show

I recently was a guest on the "One on One" show hosted by Phil Tilghman on PAC-14. It was a thrity minute interview with the initial airing this week. I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about Pocomoke City and the current and future growth issues which we face.

I also had a chance to speak with the PAC-14 folks about the broadcasting of government meetings. I am looking forward to disucssing this at our next city council meeting. I wanted to address it this past meeting, but I was unable to speak with Comcast prior to the meeting and was not prepared to have the discussion.

While I realize we do not receive PAC-14 in Pocomoke City, it was a great opportunity to showcase the city to Wicomico County and beyond.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Following a Domestic Disturbance at the Meadows Town homes, police arrested Michelle Roberts, 26, on charges of Disorderly Conduct and MDOP.
• Wal-Mart reported that they had received a counterfeit $10.00 bill during the previous week. The bill was sent to the US Secret Service.
• Following a Domestic Disturbance at 806 Second Street, police arrested Donte Washington when it was discovered that he was wanted on an outstanding warrant.
• Following a Domestic Disturbance at 103 Eighth Street, Paul Owen was arrested and charged with Second Degree Assault.
• Police located Marcus Dennis near the Bonneville Ave. Apartments. Following a brief foot chase, Dennis was arrested on Fourth Street on an outstanding warrant.
• Police observed and photographed some graffiti this week on the Cypress Nature Trail. Some was also discovered in the area of Fifth and Bonneville Ave.
• Officers assisted the Sheriff's Office and the State Police on six occasions in the past week outside of the city.

EMS Department

• The new ambulance is finished and was placed into service this week. All personnel are receiving training in the operation of new equipment.

Water/Waste water Department

• Crews continued to work on stabilizing the berm areas around the treatment ponds.
• Crews continued to work on painting fire hydrants this week.
• Three of our employees attended training sessions at Chesapeake College this past week.

Other Announcements

• The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Police Department will be held Saturday, March 22nd from noon to 2:00pm at Cypress Park.
• Friday, March 21st is Good Friday and City Hall will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• The owner of 207 Seventh Street reported that someone caused damage to two windows with a BB gun.
• Clyde Adams of Onancock, VA was arrested at the Walmart Parking lot on a Worcester County warrant. He was placed in the Worcester County Jail under a $2500.00 bond.
• Police reported graffiti on the street surface at the corner of Oak and Second Streets.
• The resident of 105 Oak Street reported that someone caused damage to two windows on their vehicle parked at that location.
• Tremayne Rogers received a citation for Excessive Noise from a Vehicle while driving on Eighth Street near the Middle School. He was also found to be driving on a Suspended Out Of State License and was charged accordingly.
• Police responded to a horse in the roadway at Broad Street and Eighth Street. Public Works and the Police Department staff were able to guide the horse back to the stables at the Fairgrounds.
• Raymond W. White, age 47, was charged with DWI and Attempting to Elude Police. He was first observed on remote surveillance cameras consuming an alcoholic beverage and then getting behind the wheel of his vehicle near Bonneville Avenue and Second Street.
• Residents of 700 Second Street reported that their residence had apparently been entered by unknown person(s), but nothing appeared to be missing.

EMS Department

• Our new Director of EMS, Daniel Tilghman, began working for the city this week in his new position.

Public Works

• Jimmy Hammond has agreed to allow the city to extend our Dorchester Water Line across his property to allow for a connection on Market Street. We are also working with Lynnhaven Baptist Church to secure the ability to cross their property and make a connection with the dead end line at Bel Air Drive. Both connections will eliminate dead end lines in the Heights.
• Bids requests have gone out for the Skateboard/Bike Park equipment. They will be opened on March 10th.
• MES worked with our crews in running a camera in four suspected problem areas of our sewer lines. The problems were identified for future repair.
• Crews were repairing berms at the Sewage Treatment Plant.
• Crews repaired picnic tables in Cypress Park and worked on the Nature Trail.

Golf Course

• Crews worked on new fill which was brought into supplement low areas on hole #1 and #3.
• Crews worked on rebuilding the Ladies Tee Box located at hole #7.
• Crews worked on Cart Path edges.
• Repairs and maintenance continue on our fleet of golf carts.

Fire Company

• The Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company is slated to move into their new Station 100 located on Market Street this week.

City Charter/City Code

• The City Charter and City Code are now available on line at www.cityofpocomoke.com

Planning and Zoning Commission

• The board met on Tuesday to review the Comprehensive Zoning in the city. This included a tour of the city conducted by all of the board members with the professional staff hired to assist them in the process.
  

Other News

• The Board of Education agreed to donate surplus fencing from the high school to the city. They also donated the field lighting to the YMCA.
• The annual MARVA Theater Dinner will be held on Friday night, March 7th, at the Fire Hall.

Weekly Update

Police Department

• Walmart Employees reported that two juveniles threw a few items over the fence in the Garden Center area before fleeing the store and making off with the goods across the highway.
• Brian L. Harmon was arrested as he walked on Second Street on an Outstanding Warrant. He was incarcerated in the Worcester County Jail under a bond of $20,000.00.
• Officers confiscated 86 cartons of cigarettes which had been purchased in Virginia by John J. Martin. Police work with the State Comptroller's Office on these apprehensions and Martin was charged with Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes.
• Claude R. Ward, 36, was charged with DWI following a motor vehicle accident near the Days Inn on Rt. 13.

Public Works

• Crews continued work on the Cypress Nature Trail.
• Crews repaired a broken Storm Sewer line a the corner of Market and Third Streets

Golf Course

• Crews relocated all Tee signage and Golf Ball Washers to the cart path side of all Tee Boxes.
• Crews removed a bridge on the 7 fairway
• Crews cleaned the area surrounding the #9 Tee Box.
• Crews installed a new Safety Rail on the Cart Path at #6 hole.
• Work continues on servicing the fleet of golf carts.

Planning and Zoning

• Board members will meet on Tuesday with the Zoning consultant to review the current city zoning issues in preparation for a comprehensive zoning review being conducted by the city.

Community Legacy Grant

• The city has been selected to receive a grant through the Governor's Office but we will have to wait until Thursday to find out which projects are being funded.

Chamber of Commerce News

• The Chamber will host a Business After Hours event on Thursday at 5pm at the Discovery Center downtown.

EMS Department

• Danny Tilghman has accepted our job offer and will become the new Director of Emergency Medical Services for Pocomoke City beginning in March. I will do a more extensive article on Danny and his background on another post.
• Our new ambulance is being painted and striped and will be in service soon.

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.