Gumboro MudBog Season Opens

Gumboro Mudbog

Saturday  May 5, 2012

Mudbog season is finally here!

All trucks clean and shining....changes for some were made over the winter...and ready to go! 

 I  believe the final count was 72 entries in the various race classes.  Keep in mind that some of these driver enter two and three different classes and don't get to finish the racing day due to a malfunction with the truck....such as "The Short and Sassy" which suffered a broken drive shaft (and some other problems) in it's first race of the season. 

Now, to set the record straight concerning my thoughts (because I take this crap pretty seriously)... this can happen to any truck at any time.  I've seen it happen many times.  I'm just glad it happened during the first of the season instead of having accumulated points and be near the season end when points are most important.   

"Short and Sassy"/ Driver-Owner Barry Wise

"Sod Buster/Driver Barry Long
(center) "Wild Fire"/Driver Sonny Sturgis
"The Grey Ghost"/Driver Lee Sturgis

187 East Performance/ Bowden Racing didn't seem the same Saturday without Johnny.  It seems Johnny Edwards, driver of "In the Mix",  has taken the season off.  We're all going to miss him and his family this summer.  But at least I know I will leave at the end of the racing day with my nerves in tack.   His driving makes me nervous! 

On this particular Saturday mudbog history was made at Gumboro.  "Wild Fire" and driver Sonny Sturgis made their first venture to the muddy track.  Because Sonny wasn't able to drive he designated Donald to drive.  Well, the "Mud Doc", I call him,  had never driven in the mud.  Oh, he's a racer but all of his driving has been done on the dry tracks in places like Delmar. 



"Wild Fire" w/ Donald  Bowden driving



In case you don't know - Donald has worked on many of the engines in these trucks for many years.  He knows engines...he knows racing and how to race....but he's never ventured into the mud.

So, wearing the T-shirt that read "Drive it like you stole it"  under his racing suit Donald sets out for his first mud race competion! 

If believe this is the Modified Class and Donald ended with a time of 4.56 !!   If I'm not correct I'm sure one of them will correct me.  What a thrill it was for all of us to see!  Here's a guy that has been there for all of us through the years and is always there with us on racing days. 

He's seen trucks go into the mud and out of the mud.  He's seen them stuck in the mud and he's seen them zig zag and catch fire.  But he never had the opportunity to drive....until this Saturday. 

I hope he's still smiling........

More photos soon.

Be Sure To Give Chief Sewell A Big Wave....

Taken from "Why Do We Kill?" written by Kelvin Sewell & Stephen Janis

Case File 11- pages. 114, 115

Here is a part of what the current Chief Kelvin Sewell says about his first days in Pocomoke.  New to Pocomoke, and a Lieutenant with the Pocomoke City Police Department  at the time, he had an experience that we all think nothing of.....a simple wave of the hand. 

"I was standing outside the Pocomoke City P.D., waiting for a car, I think.  As I stood there waiting, I noticed someone across the street waving.  Instinctively I turned around to see who the person was waving to.

Suddenly I realized the woman was waving at me.

......That's what crossed my mind when I waved back at the woman in Pocomoke City.  It was a good moment:  I felt like I was a part of something, a community.  That they trusted me."

I hope by now you have read the book and have a true appreciation for what he has  written.  Pocomoke is like no other town.  And Baltimore, even with the beauty that is there, is just different. 

I, for one, appreciate the way Chief Sewell feels about the town  I grew up in.  I miss Pocomoke and times  and I'm only a few miles away.  And  it's always nice to run into him whenever I am in Pocomoke to take photos....because I'm certainly not going to be there to commit a crime!

A few days ago, while  driving by the police department  I stopped on Second Street to yell a "hello" to  Chief Sewell.  Councilman Malloy was with me since we were headed to the new restaurant to take photos.  Teasingly,  I offered the  Chief the opportunity to ride along in the back seat....the windows are tinted and no one would be able to see him.  He declined so I shared my freshly picked local strawberries with him. 

And then on the way home I thought about the woman in his book that had waved to him those few months ago. And I recalled what he had written that led to his confusion in a simple wave.  I actually felt a little  sad for the Chief.  He's probably never been offered  strawberries like that before....  Probably the only thing from a car window he has ever witnessed is a gun.  That's really sad.  Wish I had left the whole quart!

Honestly, Chief Sewell is a wonderful person, is doing a remarkable job and he does like Pocomoke!   Be sure to give him a big wave.

All of you locals have seen the new sign in front of the soon to be Police Station.  It looks wonderful and I like where it has been placed.    Cameras have been placed on the building and from what I could tell on the inside too. 

When they make the move from Second Street to Market  Street  the department  will probably the   have  much needed new furniture and supplies already in place.   Pocomoke City Council, at the last meeting,   approved a certain  dollar amount of  to go towards new items.

Photos taken Friday  May 11, 2012

Nature Trail Spring Cleaning

 Pocomoke Nature Trail Spring Cleaning

By Bill Kerbin

A group of naval personnel from the Surface Warfare Center at Wallops Island was prepared to trek into the Pocomoke nature trail for a cleanup prior to the summer season.

Don Malloy, Pocomoke City Council member, said that this is the second year that volunteers from the naval installation have worked to clean up the trail.

Pictured are: (left to right) Jonathan Spalding, Melanie Brink, Malloy, David Corey, and David Caison. They spent an afternoon last week cutting out brush and cleaning up the trail. 
Photo/Bill Kerbin

GO NAVY!!

Many thanks to Bill Kerbin.

Remembering........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. MAYOR

Former Mayor of Pocomoke City

Curt Lippoldt/  1986 to 1998

B.  May 17, 1926

D.  May 18, 2011

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." - Helen Keller

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM Honored

On May third 2012 Members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team were honored by the Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office of the eastern district of Virginia. The U. S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride presided over the ceremonies honoring several Law Enforcement

Officers from Eastern Virginia for the outstanding work they had done solving major crimes in the area.



Pictured in the back row are U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride Deputies Wells, Trader, and Sgt. Passwaters. In front of Sgt. Passwaters is Cpl. Ramey



Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Sgt. Passwaters, Cpl. Ramey, Deputy First Class Trader, and Deputy First Class Wells, were among the Officers honored for the investigation, arrest, and conviction of several subjects that were distributing drugs in the Maryland and Virginia area.

Operation “Bakers Dozen”, as it was called, initially identified 13 people that were involved together in selling drugs on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The investigation revealed that the drug activity reached into Worcester County Maryland.

Virginia State Police investigators called on the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team to assist them in the investigation and apprehension of subject selling large quantities of drugs in the Maryland Virginia area. The investigation led to more than the original 13 people that were involved in the drug trade.

The major target of the investigation was arrested and charged federally for distribution of controlled dangerous substances. That subject was sentenced to close to 20 years in federal prison for his actions. 

-Congratulations.  Working together does make a difference.-jmmb   

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release

On 05/15/2012 at approximately 1520 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrested Jose Deonte Green, 22 years of age, of Leesburg, Virginia for a District Court Arrest Warrant issued for Burglary-1^st Degree. Mr. Green was later held at the Worcester County Jail on $10,000 bond.

On 05/15/2012 at approximately 1613 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrested Stephen Douglas Cymek, 33 years of age, of Ocean City, Maryland for a District Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Probation after being charged with Trespassing. Mr. Cymek was later held at the Worcester County Jail without bail.

On May 8, 2012 at approximately 0729 hours a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrested Artilda Frances Purnell of Snow Hill, MD on a District Court Warrant through Somerset County for Failure to appear for court on May4, 2012.  Ms. Purnell’s original charges were for uttering a bad check $500.00 plus, and theft less than $1000.00.  Ms. Purnell was released on personal recognizance.

On May 12, 2012 at approximately 0908 hours a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrested Alvin Eric Church Jr. of Salisbury, MD on a Circuit Court Warrant for Violation of Probation on May 9, 2012.  Church’s original charge was theft $1,000.00- $10,000.00. Mr. Church was held at the Worcester County Jail on $2000.00 bond.

On May 13, 2012 at approximately 1109 hours a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy arrested Corey Lonnel Hinmon of Snow Hill, MD on the charges of Second degree assault and reckless endangerment. Mr. Hinmon was held at the Worcester County.

Grand Opening & Open House

NEWS RELEASE

Another Grand Opening & Open House

Pocomoke City –15 May 2012 – Pocomoke City Mayor Bruce Morrison proudly announces the grand opening of “Cottage Art by Justine,” an internet-based business featuring eclectic, repurposed, and “up- cycled” items.  He is also celebrating the completion of renovations of the recently revamped “Salty Dog Grooming” studio.  Both businesses are owned by Justine Oneal.

This Saturday, Oneal will host a joint grand opening and open house, along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  She is inviting the public to browse her newly renovated building and creative workspace.  Local business owners and public officials will be on hand.  Food and beverages will be served and a number of exciting door prizes – provided my local downtown businesses – will be distributed.  The event begins at 10:00am and will wrap-up by 12:00pm, with the ribbon-cutting scheduled for 10:30am.  It will all take place at 21 Clarke Avenue, across the street from City Hall.

Items sold at Cottage Art by Justine include painted and faux-finished furniture, fixtures, frames, accent pieces and other decorative items, along with original paintings. The business also sponsors several artists boasting different techniques, including her artist-in-residence, Annette Hicks. Annette is known locally for her canine portraits, but specializes in all custom portraits and mixed media canvas paintings.  A number of original artworks will be on display this Saturday, but a full selection can be found at: www.cottageartbyjustine.com

Salty Dog Grooming is a “doggie day spa” for pampered pets. The spa offers all-breeds grooming by Justine Oneal. At Salty Dog all pampered clients receive “hydrosurge bathing” with specialized shampoos, and plenty of “bling” accompanies all standard service. 

Justine has over 30 years experience in the pet care industry. She built and operated for over 16 years a successful resort boarding kennel on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also earned her CKO status from the American Boarding and Kennel Association. Salty Dog hours are by appointment only.

Cottage Art’s opening marks another milestone in the city’s efforts to attract new businesses to Pocomoke’s downtown as it repositions itself as a tourist destination.  Members of the community who are interested in learning more about either business are encouraged to stop by on Saturday.  Those interested in the city’s downtown efforts in general, should contact Angela Manos, at 410-603-1178, or downtownpocomoke@gmail.com

photo/Justine Oneal

Salty Dog Grooming

Cottage Art by Justine

Search For Escaped Inmate In Caroline County

WINDON HAS BEEN APPREHENDED.

WMDT News

FEDERALSBURG, Md. - Maryland State Police are searching for an escaped inmate.

Police say 32-year-old Jeremiah Windon walked off of a job detail at a farm on Turner Road outside of Federalsburg on Wednesday.

Windon is white, about 6-feet tall, 190 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. He also has a iron cross with wings tattoo on his throat.

Police say he was last seen wearing a beige long sleeved shirt over a green T-shirt and torn blue jeans with brown leather D.O.C. shoes. 

Windon is a prisoner at the Church Hill pre-release unit. He is originally from the Cecil County area.

Troopers from the North East barrack are checking locations in Elkton and North East.

Anyone with information on Windon's whereabouts should call the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack at 410-819-4747.

Source:

Community Crime Watch Meetings

Please join us at your local Crime Watch meeting; we will have a special presentation by Mr Fred Webster of the Worcester County Emergency Services regarding the 911 Center and Emergency Preparedness.

May  18    Stockton Fire Dept., Stockton Area Crime Watch Meeting

May 16     Germantown, New Bethel Church on Germantown Road, Germantown Area Crime Watch Meeting

May 25     Girdletree Fire Dept., Girdletree Area Crime Watch Meeting

**ALL times are 6 PM**

 

Movie At the Mar-Va This Weekend

Friday, May 18th at 7 PM

Saturday, May 19th at 7 PM

Tickets: $5

www.marvatheater.com

Woman Charged in School Bus Crash

Lauren King

The Virginia Pilot

ACCOMACK COUNTY

No children were injured in a crash involving a school bus this afternoon. (Tuesday)

The crash in the 33000 block of Chincoteague Road occurred at about 3:20 p.m., Virginia State Police said in a news release.

Jalisa Fosque of Accomack County has been charged with following too closely. She and the bus driver, who was not identified, were taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The bus was from the Eastern Shore Agency Head Start.

– Pilot writer Mike Connors contributed to this report.

Source:

Driver Killed In Oak Hall, Virginia Accident

On May 15, 2012, Virginia State Police was called to a two vehicle accident on Route 175 ,Chincoteague Road, half a mile east of Route 13, Lankford Highway.

The accident occurred at approximately 0939 hours, a 1990 Chevrolet Geo Prism was traveling west on Route 175, entered into the east bound travel lane, and striking a 2007 Toyota Highlander head on.

The driver of the Geo Prism, Isabel Blanco, 58 of the 33000 block of Collins Lane in Wattsville, Virginia, suffered life threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the Peninsula Regional Hospital, Salisbury, Maryland. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor, and there was no indication that subject was wearing her safety belt.

The driver of the Toyota Highlander, Jean Lopez, 56 of Pocomoke City, Maryland, suffered non life threatening injuries.

Source:

In Case You Missed It: Change Maryland / Larry Hogan

Special Session: The SequelWashington Times 5.14.12

"One of the rituals of summer is the arrival of big-budget blockbuster films to your local neighborhood multiplex. Sequels are a huge source of revenue for Hollywood. Unfortunately, they are a big moneymaker for Maryland’s ruling political establishment in Annapolis as well."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/14/omalleys-ark-of-the-tax-coffer/

Tax Burden
Baltimore Sun 5.13.12

"Change Maryland estimates that the General Assembly has raised taxes or fees 20 times since 2007. Recent examples include an alcohol tax increase and higher toll fares."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-session-taxes-20120510,0,6431836.story

Reliance on Income Tax
Maryland Reporter 5.11.12

"If our elected officials won’t listen to the 96% of Marylanders who are opposed to higher taxes,” Hogan said, “maybe they should at least listen to their own budget analysts who are raising red flags about over-reliance on the income tax.”

http://marylandreporter.com/2012/05/11/maryland-is-too-reliant-on-income-taxes-one-group-says/

Special Session Preview
Examiner.com 5.11.12

"(Hogan) questioned the need for an income tax increase, pointing out the state already has a high reliance on its income tax.  Speaking on behalf of the group Change Maryland, he said that the state’s Department of Legislative Services reported the news at length prior to the 2012 session."

http://www.examiner.com/article/picket-line-and-dueling-rallies-to-punctuate-maryland-special-session

Levyland - the "Fee" State
Gazette 5.11.12

"During Gov. O’Malley’s six-year tenure they’ve increased just about every tax and fee on the books, some of them twice! You don’t believe me? Here’s a list compiled by “Change Maryland,” a taxpayers group led by Larry Hogan."

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120511/OPINION/705119665/1033/blair-lee-levyland-the-fee-state&template=gazette

$2 billion / 20 new taxes
Fox 45 5.11.12

"At some point people vote with their feet and they leave."

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_13424.shtml


Income Tax Preview
Washington Examiner 5.09.12

"They over-rely on the income tax to support state spending," Hogan said. "Now our elected officials are on the verge of making that problem even worse."

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland-news/2012/05/maryland-lawmakers-meet-raise-income-taxes-100k-earners/592836


Why Does Annapolis do These Things?
WGMD 5.04.12

"You are warning about one-party government."

http://www.wgmd.com/?p=56058


"Doomsday" Budget: the Aftermath
WCTR 5.04.12

"It's doomsday for those of us who pay taxes."

http://www.wctr.com/uploads/2/9/3/6/2936517/tottmay4.mp3


###

changemaryland.org
facebook.com/changemaryland

Restaurant Completion Is Getting Closer......

The New Restaurant

 Thursday  May 10, 2012

Pocomoke City, Maryland

Finally the day I had been waiting for arrived.  All the windows  on the restaurant can now be seen as you enter Pocomoke City from the downtown drawbridge.  It's just so hard to believe that in December when I took my first photos of this spot along the Pocomoke River  there was nothing but dirt and barricades.

  On Monday May 7 the Pocomoke City Council voted to authorize Mayor Bruce Morrison to sign a 5 year lease  of the waterfront restaurant with owners of  (SMMR Inc.)  Back Street Grill in Salisbury, Md.  Plans are to have the restaurant open mid to late June.

Last window to be installed and recently uncovered.  This window will make service  onto  the deck alot easier and so much faster.

Kitchen area

A team of two brothers were working hard in the restroom area when I was there.  The other brother said "no"  to a photo and that's okay. 

The bar is in the process of being set up and is located just inside the rear entrance or from the waterfront entrance.   

Won't be much longer before riverfront dining will be in Pocomoke!  I can't wait.

More on the restaurants progress soon............ In the meantime be sure to take a look at all the accomplishments being made downtown.  And for those of you that say it isn't, I say downtown Pocomoke IS alive! 

And the next time I'm downtown I'm going to have one of those yummy cupcakes from Coles Cakes! 

 As always, a big thank you to Councilman Malloy for making it possible for me to take these photos.    A special thank you to my husband who understands my enthusiasm in documenting changes in Pocomoke City through pictures  and who always provides me with nice cameras. 

That's all for now.

ESO School of Dance

Virginia Hurrican Preparedness Week .....

Buy emergency supplies, save money during

 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginians can save money and get ready for hurricane/flooding season during the Commonwealth’s tax-free shopping week set for May 25-31.

No sales tax is charged on the purchase of many items that can be used to prepare homes and businesses and to fill emergency supply kits during Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.   All retailers participate, according to Virginia law.
Among the items that will be exempt from sales tax are:

• Batteries, including cell phone batteries
• Battery-powered light sources, such as flashlights and lanterns
• Bottled water of all types and sizes, including flavored, carbonated and vitamin waters
• Battery-powered and/or hand-crank radios, including those with electrical power option
• Weather band radios and NOAA Weather Radios
• First aid kits
• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, duct tape
• Water storage containers, including coolers, buckets, barrels, canteens
• Storm shutter devices
• Portable generators

For a complete list, go to www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=STHoliday.

“Last year proved that Virginia is not immune from hurricanes and tropical systems,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.  “Five Virginians died as a result of Hurricane Irene in late August, which caused the second-highest number of power outages in Virginia history.  Then we were hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee in September that took the lives of five citizens and displaced hundreds more. 

Nearly the entire state was affected to some extent, and we were left with millions of dollars in property damage.  Everyone should take steps to prepare for this hurricane season.”  

Hurricane season starts June 1.  Additional information about preparing for hurricane and flooding season is available at www.ReadyVirginia.gov

Peaceful Rally To Be Held In Annapolis

Peacefull Rally In Annapolis Outside the Capital

To Overturn Ruling

***NOTE: NO DOGS! ONLY BRING YOURSELVES AND HAPPY PIT POSTERS FULL OF PICTURES!***

Tuesday- May 15, 2012

2:30 until 4:30

100 State Circle

Annapolis, MD

"The goal is to inform the Assembly that we love our dogs, they are part of the family and they have been misinformed and have generalized the breed. We will want to make a good representation for the breed, so we want to make this very peaceful. The best way to show we are responsible dog owners and the wrong end of the leash is being blamed is by remaining calm and show that we are responsible dog parents. By bringing posters with pictures hugging and getting kisses from our babies is best!"

"This ruling will impact not only thousands of “pit bull” dog owners and their landlords, but will spill over onto owners of other dogs and their landlords, onto animal shelters, pet stores, groomers, kennels, veterinarians, and all other animal service providers."

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/blog/maryland-court-decision-ignores-maryland-experience/

Grand Opening/Open House This Saturday

Local Post Offices Facing Hour Reductions

Buckling under pressure from Congress, the US Postal Service has dropped plans to close several thousand money-losing rural mail stations. Instead, plans are now to reduce hours on the rural facilities to offset the costs of keeping them open.

Eastern Shore Post Offices which are planned to have hours reduced are Assawoman, Atlantic, Capeville, Craddockville, Franktown, Greenbackville, Greenbush, Hallwood, Harboton, Horntown, Jamesville, Keller, Locustivlle, Machipongo, Mappsville, Nelsonia, Pungoteague, Quinby, Saxis, Tangier, Tasley, Temperanceville, Townsend, Wachapreague, Willis Wharf and Withams.


Most of the offices will be cut from 8 hours of operation each day to either 6 or mostly likely 4.


A full list of the Post Offices facing hour reductions can be found below.




More Information Full list of Post Services facing reduced hours

Source:

Downtown Pocomoke City- The New Mini-park

Pocomoke City Downtown Coordinator, Angela Manos, has done a wonderful, (actually amazing) job with turning her ideas into realities for downtown Pocomoke.

If you haven't traveled downtown lately maybe you should............

There's so much to see.   Plenty of stores to shop!

Photos of the mini-park.  Market Street and Second Street.

In no time the memories of this lot being empty will be filled with all varieties of summer blossoms. 

However, someone to put in a walkway is seriously needed. 
 Any takers?

Change Maryland

Change Maryland Releases Tax/Fee Increases

 Under O'Malley Administration

5.11.12
Annapolis, MD - Change Maryland, a non-partisan grassroots organization, released today a list of tax and fee increases from 2007 to 2012 that shows levies have been raised a staggering 20 times with a $2 billion annual impact to taxpayers.  Ranging from the $603 million sales tax increase in 2007, to more modest measures such as the $2.5 million 2011 fee increase for vanity license plates, the list also includes off-the-books revenue collections such as last year's record toll increases imposed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.

"For years now, our elected officials have not listened to the 96% of Marylanders who oppose higher taxes," said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. "Gov. Martin O'Malley was not elected saying 'I'd like to drastically increase state spending and raise taxes on struggling Marylanders.' He ran on a false claim of fiscal responsibility, and we had the wool pulled over our eyes."

The state's budget has grown $1.2 billion a year, on average - from $28.8 billion in 2007 to $34.7 billion in 2012.  While the Governor has claimed $7.5 billion in cuts during his term in office, the numbers simply don't add up.  Moreover, the aftermath of the special session next week is likely to result in higher individual income taxes with which to continue government spending at levels the one-party monopoly finds politically appealing.

The Change Maryland Tax and Fee fact sheet details measures including the expired millionaire's tax and the ill-conceived computer services tax - a case study in 11th-hour legislating and a nationally-recognized embarrassment. Although one expired and the other was repealed, these two measures branded Maryland as a non-business-friendly state generating national headlines.

A May report by Chief Executive Magazine ranks Maryland the 40th best state for business.  Maryland's dismal ranking is due to income-tax increases on the middle class which adversely impacts businesses, according to the magazine.   The latest among a dozen such studies, there is ample evidence that Maryland's ability to create private sector jobs is threatened by a hostile tax environment.

"All Marylanders - Republicans, Democrats and Independents - suffer when the professional politicians and the special interest groups go unchecked and continue to push the same failed tax and spend policies, year after year," Hogan said.

Addressing the Governor's press conference this week to announce the special session, Hogan noted a flurry of statistics the Administration selected in attempting to justify raising the income tax.

"We increased spending more than 46 other states and O'Malley says that's not enough," Hogan said.  "We are number four in total tax burden, which he must think is too low.  The state's own budget analysts said our income tax is already second in the nation. O'Malley is moving Maryland forward to number one in every objective measure of taxation levels."

###


Background:  MD Taxes Fees Fact Sheet

http://www.changemaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MD-Taxes-Fees-Fact-Sheet.pdf

www.changemaryland.org

TIME MACHINE ... Eastern Shore Strawberries, 1919 & 1920!

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

　

July, 1919

(The Charlston Daily Mail- Charlston, South Carolina)

PROHIBITION MAKES BERRY PRICE HIGHER

Strawberries In Great Demand for Soft Drink Trade;

Prices Are Unprecedented

Philadelphia, July 26.- Prohibition indirectly produced an extraordinary condition in the strawberry market this year. Prices went higher than ever before because a Chicago packing house opened what was said to be the largest fruit preserving plant in the world in the heart of the strawberry district in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and bought the product of great berry producing fields virtually without regard to cost to meet the tremendous demand for ice cream and soft drinks produced by the "dry" period.

Strawberries that normally sold from from 5 to 10 cents a quart were snapped up at from 30 to 37 cents. The price to the consumer never went below 30 cents this season. Strawberry syrup for flavoring soda water, formerly sold at 65 cents a gallon, is now quoted at $3.50 a gallon.

Farmers are elated. Many of them made an average of $1,000 an acre on their strawberry crop, and they are looking forward to big profits next year. The packers, when the strawberry season was over, sent their employees to other work and closed the factory.

　　

July, 1920

(The Sandusky Register- Sandusky, Ohio)

Strawberry Crop Big

(By International News Service.)

WASHINGTON, July 2.- The strawberry crop on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia will bring into the farmers and truck growers this year not less than $2,000,000 according to growers and bankers in that section. The bank accounts of the Wicomico County farmers alone have increased $65,000 as a result of their berry shipments for the season.

The average price is $7.50 per crate of 22 quarts. Their are 250 crates in a car load and each car is valued at $2,500. The shipments so far from the town of Pittsville have been 164 car loads, and from Marion, in Somerset County, almost twice that much.

　　

May, 1905

(The Daily News- Frederick, Md)

Eastern Shore farmers and housewives are in a dilemma on account of the cooks and farmhands leaving their employers for the strawberry fields.

　

April, 1893

(The Denton Journal)

Somerset County school commissioners will soon complete a high school building at Princess Anne that will cost $1,200.

　

December, 1941

A system of guard duty was put into effect to allow Maryland State Guard members to return to their civilian jobs. The armories in Pocomoke City, Crisfield, Salisbury, and Cambridge remained under guard and closed to all public activities. All guard members were under orders to report to their armories each evening for roll call and orders.

　

December, 1936)

(Cumberland Evening Times- Cumberland, Md.)

Snow Hill, Md., Dec, 17(AP)- The trouble started when 74-year-old Mrs. Ida Altman Barton read a newspaper account of her husband's wedding. His wedding, that is, to someone else.

Today, as a result, Harry E. Barton, 53, of Salisbury, faced grand jury action on a charge of bigamy. Unable to raise $1,000 bail, he remained in the Worcester County jail.

Mrs. Barton alleged that her husband suggested she take a "vacation" to Baltimore in November. While she was away, she asserts, Barton journeyed to Pocomoke City and, after a "whirl-wind" courtship, married Mrs. Mary M. Grandee.

While the first Mrs. Barton still was in Baltimore, Barton removed some of the furniture from his Salisbury home and moved to Pocomoke City to live with his second wife.

Last week the first Mrs. Barton read the newspaper account of the wedding. Returning to Snow Hill, she checked the county records. Yesterday, she swore out a warrant for Barton's arrest before magistrate Walter W. Price.

Barton and the first Mrs. Barton were married in 1913.　

　

　

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Mother's Day

Hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Pocomoke City Mayor Signs Lease With Restaurant Operator

Written by

Bill Kerbin

POCOMOKE CITY -- Pocomoke City's new downtown riverfront restaurant took a major step forward this week with the City Council voting to authorize the mayor's signature on a five-year lease with SMMR Inc., owners of the Back Street Grill in Salisbury.

With plans to open the new restaurant in mid to late June, the building is nearing completion. It is being funded by about $750,000 in state and federal grants, plus $150,000 to $200,000 in local funds. The final breakout depends on the success of another grant application for $63,000, according to City Manager Russell W. Blake.

The city will be reimbursed by the restaurant operator on an increasing scale beginning with about seven-tenths of one percent of gross food sales in the first year and increasing annually to 4.29 percent of up to $1 million in sales in the fifth year. Any sales over $1 million will be charged at the 1.43 percent rate. The operator will also be paying $250 per month rent beginning at the end of the first year. Blake said the new restaurant will be employing about 30 people.

Grants approved

The council also approved an application for $435,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for various projects. The largest amount, $300,000, will be for resurfacing Fourth Street and other streets in eligible areas.

Another for $60,000 will fund a feasibility study of the possible re-use of the former fire house on Fifth Street and the former armory. The fire house has been vacant since the fire company moved to new quarters on Market Street. The police department will be moving out of the armory to new quarters also on Market Street in the near future.

The rest is earmarked for improvements to the downtown area -- $25,000 to replace dilapidated sidewalks and $50,000 to give assistance to buyers of vacant buildings for new business start-ups.

Police building

A resolution was passed to refinance about $1 million of the new police headquarters building with USDA funds and council approved an estimated expenditure of $17,854 for the purchase of new desks and other office furniture and supplies for the new building.

Councilman Robert Clarke was concerned about speeding on Cedar Street. He suggested the town locate three- and four-way stops along the street to help correct the problem. Suggestions were 10th Street, 11th Street, 14th Street and at Holiday Drive to stop traffic just before Pocomoke High School.

However, Mayor Bruce Morrison wanted the council to hear a presentation on radar along the street. The radar would have to be in a school zone of which there are two along the street, at Pocomoke Middle and Pocomoke High. The town would receive a large percentage of any fines imposed on speeders.

Source:

Melson's Power Show OPENS TODAY !

MELSON POWER SHOW

OPENS TODAY

Fun for the whole family!

Bring a lawn chair and sit under the shade trees or use the picnic tables

Tractor Pulling, Lawn Tractor Pulling, Truck Pulling

And in the Sand Drag Event look for familiar names like

"Little Red Dakota", "Freak Nasty" or my favorite "Mud Pie"

Registration @ 3:00PLEASE BE SURE TO BE REGISTERED BY 5:00 !
Admission: $5.00 - Children under 11 years FREE!

Refreshments available

9343 Guy Ward Road

Parsonsburg, Maryland

SEE YOU THERE!!

http://www.melsontractorpull.webs.com/

facebook ~ Melson's Tractor Pulling

EVENTS BEGIN AT 5:00