Thursday, January 31, 2013

Statement by Secretary Larry Hogan, Chairman of Change Maryland

Statement by Secretary Larry Hogan, Chairman of Change Maryland:
 Response to today's State of the State Speech
by Governor O'Malley
 
Annapolis - "Governor O'Malley's slogan used to be 'believe' but that speech was pure make believe.   The Governor continues to misuse facts to portray a false narrative of his administration's legacy. Only Martin O'Malley could actually call a 30 percent increase in spending and a budget he has increased by $9 billion as making government smaller and cutting more spending than any governor in history.

"The governor said he cut $8.3 billion but that's just not true. He has increased spending every single year since he has been governor, a total of more than $9 billion. So his math is off by more than $17 billion.

"He talked of making tough choices, but after 24 consecutive tax and fee hikes, the only tough choice he has to make is what can we possibly tax next?

"Governor O'Malley said we have the worst traffic congestion in the nation. On this we agree. But he failed to tell you that he is the reason we are in this predicament because he diverted funds from the transportation trust fund to pay for other things, and then of what was left in the transportation budget, he only allocated a tiny amount to roads.

"He talked about what he inherited. I was a cabinet secretary in the previous administration, and I can tell you that when we turned the keys over to the O'Malley administration, we had a billion dollar cash surplus in the bank, and the state was in the best fiscal shape it had been in decades.

"Just six years later and by any objective measure, by any objective group, the state is in far worse shape than ever before. Businesses, jobs and taxpayers are fleeing our state in record numbers. We have fallen behind all the states in our region and most states across the country in nearly every economic indicator.

"O'Malley's primary focus of this session seems to be making gas and electricity more expensive for working families and small businesses. He is again pushing the gas tax and an expensive windmill project guaranteed to drive up electric bills.

"Under Martin O'Malley there are  207,000 unemployed Marylanders. Since 2007, the private sector employment base Maryland desperately needs for long-term job growth has eroded.  Approximately 6500 small businesses have left the state and  Fortune 500 companies have left as well.  I believe that's where he should have focused his attention.

"The governor is good at making up numbers, spinning  magical tales, with no basis in reality. But, sadly the Governor's real legacy is a record of lost businesses, lost jobs, higher spending, record tax increases, and broken promises.

"Unfortunately he checked out of this job some time ago, and is focused on his next one. His entire focus is about his national political aspirations and not about the needs of average hard-working Marylanders who continue to struggle."

Accomack County Schools ~ Public Hearing Concerning Budget

By Wesley Edwards
At a public hearing on the 2013-14 Accomack County School Budget, Superintendent Dr. Bruce Benson presented a power point presentation showing the highlights of the proposed budget. He explained that the budget was not yet completed and any and all comments made tonight would be considered before a final budget was approved.

Benson went on to say there were 66 new teachers in the 2012-2013 school year equaling about 16% of the total number of teachers in the system. With it taking 7-8 years to become a good teacher and with Accomack having 25% of its teachers with less than four years experience, this group needed the most attention.

The section of his presentation that got almost all the attention from speakers was the phasing out of the early retirement plan. Twelve speakers from the audience of about 70 people spoke about how important this benefit was to all of them. All twelve of the speakers had more than 20 years experience and felt it was unfair to jerk it away from them at this point in their life. Only one of the twelve speakers mentioned salary.

Gary Reece a 32 year teacher and now athletic director at Nandua High School spoke about the retirement benefit also but gave equal time to how important athletics are to keeping children in school and off the streets. He went on to comment about how poorly coaches are paid and their effect on children's lives asking for consideration of this group. He used himself as an example stating he managed 26 different programs and got paid $90 for each program.

The School Board will now consider requests made at the public hearing and will prepare a final budget to submit to the Accomack County Board of Supervisors.

Source:

Watercolor Art Class With Willie Crockett


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Wednesday Riverside Grill Specials


WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 30, 2013

Ale Battered Fried Shrimp
-Beer & Cheese Soup w/ 1/2 sandwich or side salad 5.99
 -NC Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich w/ cole slaw and hush puppies 6.99
 -Cold Plate w/ shrimp salad, chicken salad, and pasta salad 7.99
 -Apple Cranberry Salad 7.99
 -Ale-Batter Fried Shrimp Basket w/ fries 8.99



Crab Dip









 

Our Crab Dip is only $5 after 8 pm on Wednesdays!

Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off appetizers

8pm: 
$5 crab dip
 $5 pink or white cosmos
 $2 house wine
 $2 Coors light drafts

Early Morning Fire In Accomack County

Early morning fire on Drummondtown Road developing

An early morning fire on Drummondtown Road is being investigated as a possible arson. The fire was reported at 12:08am at an abandoned house at the intersection of Drummondtown Road and Chancetown Road near Wachapreague. It is believed this is another in the series of arson fires.

According to Sgt. Michelle Anaya of the Virginia State Police, as of 6:00 this morning, the fire was still smoldering and the State Police will be investigating as soon as it is possible.

Wachapreague, Melfa and Onley and Tasley responded to the early morning blaze.

A $5000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist. Contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Department or the Virginia State Police.

 
If  you  have ANY information call:
 1-800-582-8350 or (757) 424-6820

 Accomack County Sheriff's Office at (757) 787-1131.

Source:


Worcester County Library ~ PLAY TIME !


LIKE ON FACEBOOK

Mar-Va Theater This Weekend

 ~The movie so many have been waiting for ~


FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 1st & 2nd
7PM
Tickets  $5
 
 

A Second Time Around 30% OFF Coupon

TIME IS RUNNING OUT......
TWO MORE DAYS....

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

NASA Rocket Launch

NASA Rocket Launch
Earlier this evening.
 
 
 
 
Photos BW

The Francis Makemie Society Archeology Project.

 
 
 

Tuesday Specials ~ Riverside Grill Pocomoke

 
TUESDAY
JANUARY 29, 2013
 
 -Beer & Cheese Soup w/ 1/2 turkey sandwich or side salad 5.99
 -Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and green beans 6.99
** -Raspberry Walnut Salad 7.99**
 -Buffalo Shrimp Wrap w/ fries 8.99

Special today
Raspberry Walnut Salad



 @ 4 pm: 99 cent kids meals
 Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off appetizers
 @ 8 pm: 50 cent wings




Kids Menu:

Kids meals are only 99 cents Tuesday after 4 pm

 
Grilled Cheese
Kids Meal

 

Rocket Launch Planned For Today



High School Principal Removes ALL Toilet Paper From Boys Bathrooms

MAHANOY CITY - Vandalism in Mahanoy Area High School boys' bathrooms has resulted in toilet paper being issued by request as needed, a policy that one parent believes is embarrassing for students.

Karen Yedsena, Mahanoy City, spoke during the public portion of Thursday's school board meeting, asking about the policy.

"I'm asking about the high school and why the boys are not allowed to have toilet paper except if they go to the nurse or the office to get it," Yedsena said.

The boys' bathrooms in the high school do not have toilet paper due to vandalism. Any boy needing the bathroom tissue must ask for it and sign it out.

High school Principal Thomas Smith said it was a solution to a major problem.

"We've had serious destruction to our bathrooms for the past two years," Smith said. "We have a case pending with the police where a bathroom down by our gymnasium was absolutely destroyed. I'm sure Mr. (Robert) Pastucha (district facilities director) could tell you the times that our toilets have been jammed with toilet paper and other papers. And after we took the toilet tissue out of there, people were throwing books. It was our way to try to curb the destruction in the bathrooms."

Smith explained the procedure in getting the toilet tissue.

"Our policy is that if you need toilet paper, you would come to the office. We're not refusing anyone toilet paper," Smith said. "You would sign out and then sign back in. I randomly go in to check if anything is going on. Since we've done that, we've cut down on the destruction."

Yedsena said there are students who have been embarrassed to go to the office for toilet paper and instead would go to the nurse saying they're not feeling well and go home instead. Thomas said he was unaware of any such problem from the monthly reports from the nurse.

"I think it's been pretty much accepted," Superintendent Joie Green said.

"Well, it's not," Yedsena said.

Yedsena also asked about the restrictions that students can only go to the bathroom during the first five minutes of a class.

"We're cutting down on people walking through the hallways for no reason," Green said. "What we're trying to do, is that they're going to the bathroom at the beginning and end of class."

Yedsena asked if the toilet paper policy could be changed, to which Smith said it could.

"I'm not against putting toilet paper back in (the boys' bathrooms). I could do that but if there's destruction to the bathroom, then it would go back to my policy," Smith said. "We had the policy last year, but at the beginning of this year, it was destroyed in the first day. I made warnings, talked to students, talked to class presidents to talk to their students and student body.

"I agree with you that it's a drastic measure," Smith said.

Board member Julie Fazio asked Yedsena, "What happens if we put the toilet paper back in the bathroom and your son is in the bathroom and two other kids come in and destroy the bathroom? And then we find out your child was in bathroom at that time?"

The policy is set by Smith as principal of the high school. The elementary and middle schools do not have a similar policy.

"I'm willing to communicate with anybody," Smith said. "I'm willing to put the toilet paper back, but if the bathroom is destroyed, it will be removed."

Thomas told Yedsena that he would be willing to speak with her about the matter during a school day.

MORE.....

Attorney General Acts On Gun-Data Sharing and Collection

Not waiting for Congress to act, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. is moving on gun control, submitting three measures Monday to increase data sharing and data collection on firearms and potential gun purchasers — and illustrating the limitations President Obama's administration has to act unilaterally on the issue.

The first of Mr. Holder’s proposals would expand access to information on gun permits to Indian tribal law enforcement agencies; the second would allow local law enforcement to access the FBI’s national criminal database to conduct background checks on people they’re transferring weapons to; and the third would authorize the FBI to maintain records on denied firearms transactions in a separate database for longer than 10 years.

All three were published Monday in the Federal Register for comment.

“These proposed changes are intended to promote public safety, to enhance the efficiency of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) operations, and to resolve difficulties created by unforeseen processing conflicts within the system,” Mr. Holder wrote.

Under the Brady Act of 1993, background checks are required for any gun transfer from a federal firearms licensee to any unlicensed person. But access to NICS for background checks unrelated to those outlined in the law currently is limited to providing information in connection with a firearm- or explosives-related license or responding to an inquiry from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey said after a meeting Monday with Mr. Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden and Mr. Holder that such measures are important “low-hanging fruit” even thought they may not get the attention of more contentious proposals such as on so-called assault weapons or limits on high-capacity magazines.

“Let’s get meaningful legislation on the books that’s going to actually make a difference, even things like universal background checks, which may seem simple on the surface but are something that would be of help,” he told CNN. “Knowing when a gun is lost or stolen or transferred to another owner — we lose an enormous amount of man hours just tracing a gun, only to find out it was lost or stolen, you know, five years ago or 10 years ago.”

Mr. Obama has said he will take the steps that he can on gun violence unilaterally, but he won’t be able to get major pieces of his package — an assault weapons ban, limits on high-capacity magazines, expanding background checks — without action from Congress. He signed three “presidential memoranda” when he rolled out his proposals earlier this month directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research on gun violence; ensuring firearms recovered from crime scenes are traced; and directing Mr. Holder’s Justice Department to outline guidance for federal agencies on submitting records to NICS.


READ MORE

Change Maryland Cites Dysfunctional Transportation Policy

Change Maryland Cites Dysfunctional Transportation Policy


Annapolis - Change Maryland charged that several years of poor budgeting decisions are causing elected officials to propose drastic transportation policy changes including leasing the Inter-County Connector, establishing new layers of government in the form of regional taxing districts and what is emerging as a perennial favorite - raising gasoline taxes.

"Our elected officials are throwing mud up against the wall to see what sticks," said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. "If the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker really cared about improving transportation, they would not have let it reach crisis proportions."

Compared to fiscal year 2007 levels, counties' transportation funding has declined nearly $380 million through what state government calls highway user revenues. For every jurisdiction except Baltimore City, fiscal year 2013 levels are 90% lower than just six years ago. The dollar amounts Maryland counties have lost is staggering. Compared to 2007 levels, Baltimore County went from $45.7 million to $3.7 million; Montgomery County went from $40.4 million to $3.3 million; Anne Arundel went from $31.8 million to $2.6 million.

“Maryland transportation policy seems to be done on the fly as an afterthought. Governor O'Malley's legislative priorities this session are focused on pet issues and reacting to the latest headlines," Hogan said.

Last year O'Malley floated raising gasoline taxes on a radio station towards the end of last year's session and the initiative subsequently flopped in the legislature. Nearly seven months has lapsed since O'Malley has named a transportation secretary leaving a massive state agency a rudderless ship.

Senate President Mike Miller last week proposed to raise gasoline taxes 3% and establish regional taxing districts to allocate money for local projects. House Speaker Micheal Busch has expressed doubts about Miller's proposal. Meanwhile, there is still no consensus of how any new or existing transportation revenues derived from gasoline taxes and vehicle fees would be dedicated to that purpose.

"The three-ring circus approach to making transportation policy must stop," said Hogan. Hogan said the current approach is backwards and outlined specific steps to restore the public's confidence that state government can address the challenges of maintenance and undertaking new road and mass-transit projects.

First, sound budgeting must apply to transportation. Second, the public must be assured that the transportation taxes and fees already collected are dedicated to this purpose. Third, elected officials must come up with cuts to other parts of the budget before even discussing additional taxes and fees. O'Malley's latest budget is up 30%, more than $9 billion since 2007.

The Change Maryland Chairman and its 26,000 members say no gas tax increase is needed. The state already collects enough from motorists to maintain roads and bridges. One of the problems is that revenues collected from motorists is disproportionately spent on expensive mass transit and even for non transportation related expenses.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Bronze Stolen From Turner Statue

Sometime over the weekend a large quantity of bronze was stolen from Turner Sculpture on Lankford Hwy. near Melfa. The Accomack County Sheriffs Department is investigating.

Turner Sculpture is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.

 If you have that information contact Turner Sculpture at 787-2818.

Source:

Get Involved And Help Support Our Troops!!

Learn what a local young lady has been doing for the past few months to support our troops! Your donations can be dropped off at the Enchanted Florist Pocomoke! I will have a list of what is needed for donations posted very soon. Until then browse this page and take notice of the wonderful items made available for sale. And don't forget to hit the LIKE button.


Team Britt's Support Our Troops project was started in July. The first adopted soldiers name was brittaney and the creator of the team as well as the sender is Brittany. After adopting one and sending packages she adopted another and another..and so on.... We have adopted 6 soldiers and their group...CONTINUE....
 

Delicious Specials From the Riverside Grill Pocomoke

MONDAY
JANUARY 28, 2013
 
 * N E Clam Chowder w/ 1/2 deli sandwich or side salad 6.99
 (It was so good and popular we made it again!) * Cajun Shrimp Caesar Wrap w/ Fries 8.99
 * Taco Salad 6.99
 * Chili Cheese Dog w/ fries 4.99 or 2 Dogs 6.99
 
 Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off appetizers
 @ 8 pm: 1/2 price appetizers, 1/2 price import drafts
 
 
Come get some yummy clam strips tonight during all of our great appetizer discounts!

Remembering January 28, 1986

Do you remember this day in NASA history?
 
Remembering the Challenger CrewThe NASA family lost seven of its own on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch.
 
In this photo from Jan. 9, 1986, the Challenger crew takes a break during countdown training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Left to right are Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist.

NASA /facebook

Correction: 41st Arson For Accomack County

Once again an unexplained fire for Accomack County fire departments, emergency personnel and investigators.  Just as the arsons settle down and we begin our lives again with some normalcy the fire alarm sounds and once again the citizens are wondering WHO!  41 fires since  the first declared arson that occurred on Dennis Drive on November 12,  2012.

Without exact evidence to link these fires to a person or persons, even if  there is an arrest, charges will not stick.  I've said this from the very beginning:  Someone has to know exactly WHO in this area is responsible for this type of destruction!  It should NOT matter that the majority of buildings have been abandoned properties and have been for many years.  What DOES matter is that someone has taken destruction into his/her/their own hands wasting time, jeopardizing the lives of our beloved community fire departments, emergency personnel, law enforcement officers and the list goes on.

The reward for information leading to an arrest in these arsons  has been set at $5,000!  Many in the area seem to think that the reward should be more!  More???  That being so,  it is truly a sad day in Accomack County when someone feels that the information they hold is worth MORE.

But then it has occurred to me that perhaps it isn't the amount of reward money the citizens are holding back for.  Maybe, just maybe, it is the fear of having to testify in court.  Maybe someone in law enforcement should take the time to reassure the citizens that they will remain totally anonymous! 

Here are the numbers to call if you have any information:
1-800-582-8350 or (757) 424-6820
Accomack County Sheriff's Office at (757) 787-1131.

What State Police are calling an outbuilding fire in Parksley Saturday night is another in the string of arson fires that have plagued the Eastern Shore since early November.

The fire occurred Saturday night and will be arson number 41. The fire occurred in an outbuilding on Cassat Ave. in Parksley. There were no injuries and the building was not a total loss.

State Police are asking anyone who may have any knowledge that could help them catch the arsonist to contact either them or the Accomack County Sheriff's Department. 

There is a $5000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fires.

Source:

Worcester County Library ~ February Youth Programs


Beginning Yesterday New Credit Card Fee Kicked In

Starting Sunday, paying by credit card could get more expensive. Under the terms of a $7.2 billion settlement reached last summer between credit card companies and merchants, merchants will be free to impose a surcharge on customers paying by credit card.

How big a surcharge depends on how much the merchant pays in processing fees, but the amount legally permissible will be between 1.5 percent and 4 percent of your purchase price.

No one knows how many merchants will exercise this right, but Gerri Detweiler, director of consumer education at Credit.com, expects the number to be small, at least at first.

READ MORE: Credit card settlement may not help consumers.

Smaller merchants, she says, typically feel gouged by processing fees and are more likely than big chains to pass the cost along to their customers. Service providers, she says—your accountant, your massage therapist—are the most likely to pass the charge along. Among big retailers, however, only gas stations have historically distinguished between cash and credit customers, offering a discount to customers paying cash or imposing a surcharge for those using credit cards.
      
Smaller merchants, says Detweiler, don't always know what they're paying in processing fees. "If you think your own credit card statement is confusing," she says, "take a look sometime at a merchant's credit card agreement with VISA or MasterCard." If she herself were a merchant, she says, she'd be hard pressed to figure out the right percentage to pass along to customers. "I wouldn't want to wade into those waters," she says.

MORE STORY....

Lowcost Rabies Vaccination Clinics


Hackers Take Over Sentencing Commission Website

WASHINGTON (AP) — The hacker-activist group Anonymous says it hijacked the website of the U.S. Sentencing Commission to avenge the death of Aaron Swartz, an Internet activist who committed suicide. The FBI is investigating.

The website of the commission, an independent agency of the judicial branch, was taken over early Saturday and replaced with a message warning that when Swartz killed himself two weeks ago "a line was crossed."

The hackers say they've infiltrated several government computer systems and copied secret information that they now threaten to make public.

READ MORE..........

National Review Online: Mickelson the Migrant

Mickelson the Migrant
The golfer is far from alone in seeking a place with lower taxes.
By Jim Pettit

"So if Governor Jerry Brown and the California legislature plan to
ever balance the budget, they can start by figuring out how to stop
nearly $380 million in annual income from leaving their state to Texas alone.

"However, there will be no public-policy changes if powerful elected
officials are in denial. And, make no mistake, they are in denial."
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/338882/mickelson-migrant-jim-pettit

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Will This Be Confirmed As Arson #40?


 
Fire was reported in and unoccupied
structure last night (Saturday, Jan. 26) in Parksley, Virginia. 

The building, located in the Cassatt Avenue area,  received some fire damage but was not a total loss. 

The fire is being investigated and according to the Virginia State Police last nights fire is believed to be linked with the other fires that have occurred in Accomack County since November 2012.

No one has been injured and police are reminding citizens that if they have ANY information to call:
 1-800-582-8350 or (757) 424-6820; or call the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at (757) 787-1131.


A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest!

Sunday Specials ~ Riverside Grill Pocomoke

Photo/Riverside Grill  Pocomoke

SUNDAY
JANUARY 27, 2013
 
-New England Clam Chowder w/ 1/2 deli sandwich or side salad 6.99
 -Neptune Wrap (lump crab and shrimp salad) w/ fries 9.99
 -Open Face Roast Beef w/ mashed potatoes and green beans 6.99
 -1 Chili Cheese dog w/ fries 4.99 or 2 dogs 6.99
 -Taco Salad 6.99
 -Chili Nachos 5.99
 
 
 
 Happy Hour All Day w/ $1 off Appetizers! $2.50 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas
 $1.50 Coors light, Bud light, and Yuengling drafts
 $5 bombs
 
 

TIME MACHINE ... 1983, 1948, 1925, 1941, 1890

 
(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)


July, 1983
(Frederick News Post- Frederick, Md.)

Somerset group prepares to fight state prison plan

Princess Anne, Md., (AP)- A Somerset County attorney said Friday a group of Princess Anne residents is gearing up to fight location of a new state prison near this lower Eastern Shore community.

Alexander Jones said the group, which calls itself The Lower Eastern Shore Citizens Opposed to the Prison, or LESCOP, hopes to raise $20,000 to carry on the battle against location of the prison in the area.

Jones said the group, composed of about 20 county residents, has retained Baltimore attorney Melvin J. Sykes and attorney and lobbyist Bruce Bereano of Annapolis, to assist them in their opposition to the prison.

Jones, co-chairman of the group, said LESCOP will cite costs of building the prison at the site near Princess Anne, and costs of transporting prisoners to and from the Baltimore area, as arguments against locating the facility in the rural community.

In addition, Jones said location of the prison here would adversely affect the rural atmosphere of Somerset County, many residents of which are watermen and farmers.

"When all you have got is farmers and watermen and you put this thing (prison) here, you have totally destroyed the quality of life in this county," he said.

In April, the State Board of Public Works approved an option to buy a 603-acre site in Somerset County for the 1,500-cell medium-security prison.


September, 1948 

88-year-old Pocomoke native Dr. Edward A. Clarke..owner, publisher, and editor of The Worcester Democrat since 1922..was honored by his hometown citizens in an event given by the Pocomoke Rotary Club for his "service to the community as an honest newspaper spokesman." Prior to acquiring the local newspaper Dr. Clarke was a 30-year faculty member of Washington College and head of its' English Department, and earlier had taught in Eastern Shore public schools. Samuel M. Crockett, who died in 1922, had operated The Worcester Democrat prior to Dr. Clarke.


March, 1925 

The disappearance of steamships on Eastern Shore rivers had left just two lines still in operation according to a special correspondent to The Baltimore Sun. While there were direct lines remaining from Crisfield and Cambridge to Baltimore, inland operations to such points as Pocomoke City and Snow Hill no longer existed. A similar decline in steamship routes had been seen throughout the Eastern Shore. Expanding railroad lines were said to be the reason.


December, 1941 (TIME MACHINE Archive)

Pocomoke City and other other Eastern Shore residents were tuning in to a special statewide radio broadcast "WHEN THE BLITZ COMES KNOW YOUR TASK." A newspaper ad advised that officials will tell you what an enemy attack will mean to Maryland..to you..to your family..and what your part will be when that time comes. Front page news items such as Approaches To Bay Mined By Navy and Eastern Shore Guardsmen On Active Service reflected the worrisome news of that era.

 
February, 1890
(The Daily News- Frederick, Md)

The canners of Worcester County refuse the demands of the farmers to pledge themselves to pay $5.50 per ton for the next crop of tomatoes.
 

Memories of Accomac, 1890
John S. Wise Jr.. "Memories of Accomac, 1890" Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac, Va.: August 21, 1937)

(Introduction)

A friend recently said to me that after all, our memories remain with us and with many are all they get out of life. Certainly I cherish nothing more than my memories of old Drummondtown and Accomack County in 1890, now nearly half a century ago, when I spent a summer with my dear old cousin, Dr. John J. Wise, at his old home "Woodburn," about a mile north of Drummondtown.

I was then a lad of fourteen and full of youthful vitality and activity and interest and curiosity about all things of the Eastern Shore new to a boy who had spent most of his time in the inland country mountains.
 
(PART 5)

Dr. George Scarburgh was a gray bearded Confederate veteran and a familiar figure around the town.

Miss Sadie Bayly was living at her house Rural Hill and always neatly dressed and with her parasol would be seen on her afternoon walk. Then the croquet game on the lawn of the Episcopal Rectory.

Mr. Cammie Oldham was County Clerk and was beloved by everybody.

Fitchett was the indispensable harness maker of the town with his little shop on the road just at the end of the row of the law offices.

John Richardson was then building his sailing skiffs, the best the shore ever knew, and Welly Coard was beginning to build dead rise bateaux.

George Parker was then running a general store.

Boss Henry Melson was familiar figure. So was Mr. Alfred Lilliston.

Floyd Nock was then an established lawyer as was Sam Ross, afterward County Judge.

Judge Thomas C. Parramore was a great friend of Dr. Wise and in pleasant weather was usually at the gathering.

He was a bit irascible and it was proverbial that when the dinner bell of the hotel rang and the dog barked, the old judge swore blue streaks.

George Parramore was then a young lawyer, if he wasn't on one of his distant sea travels.

Miss Lizzie Parramore and Miss Betty Parramore were the young ladies of the day.

Bayly Brown was Congressman.

John Edmonds was running the Enterprise and James Rowles and Bob Coleburn were his main staff.

His brother Ned Edmonds was a pretty regular attendant at the noon meeting.

FOOTNOTE: LOOK FOR MORE PORTIONS OF THIS ARTICLE ON FUTURE TIME MACHINE POSTINGS. 


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!




Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

 
Field Notes
Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
By Delegate Michael A. McDermott
 
Week 2 Jan. 21-25, 2013
Monday Regular Session:

As tradition dictates, a member of the Black Caucus deliver a speech relatvie to the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on his recongized Holiday. This evening’s address was delivered by Delegate C.T. Wilson (D-Charles). He focussed on his own upbringing and how his life and opportunities had been make better by the civil rights path created by Dr. King and others.The speech was very personal and I believe everyone was touched by his words.

Tuesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:
HB-14 addresses a gap in the law which did not cover part-time school employees and coaches who may attempt to engage in sexual contact with a student. The current law only deals with “permanent, full time” personnel. The bill seeks to insure this custodial relationship is covered whether someone is full time or part time. We heard testimony about several cases in Maryland where sexual relations had occurred that, once found out, could not be prosecuted since they were only part time employees of the school.HB-31 attempts to cover the same gap in the law as the above stated HB-14. I will be offering an amendment to this bill which would also cover non-salaried personnel who are engaged in coaching and other activity within the school system.HB-1 seeks to make Cannabimimetic Agents illegal. These are the “bath salts” which are being abused by some people and used as synthetic marijuana. We heard testimony regarding the elimination of these drugs locally by ordinance in Worcester County. This bill seeks to do so statewide. We heard testimony about multiple adverse affects these new synthetic drugs are having on young people who are the targeted audience.HB-12 addresses the pointing or aiming of laser pointers at aircraft. We passed this bill last year but it was stalled in the Senate. We heard testimony from State Police Pilots who testified that this is a significant safety issue for them while operating their aircraft as the laser reflects upon striking their cockpit area and impacts their ability to safely operate. Some who have been caught doing this have been charged with Reckless Endangerment successfully. There was discussion about the need to create a new law if we are already seeing successful prosecution under existing statutes.HB-27 seeks to eliminate Diminution Credits for offenders convicted of Child Pornography. These are the credits provided for inmates who participating in various approved programs within the correctional facilities which allow them to reduce their prison sentences.“A Minute with Mike”: Keeping Government Local

Wednesday Judiciary Hearing:
HB-32 would require someone convicted of Transporting a Minor While Intoxicated to submit to having an Ignition Interlock System installed on their vehicle and would mandate their participation in the program. There were some questions regarding the cost  (which is born by the participant) and the impact on families economically. This has been before the committee in the past and I am unsure if it is going to get out to the floor this year.HB-8 seeks to address the specific amount of money which may be deposited into a single account belonging to a minor in cases before an Orphan’s Court. Currently there is a restriction placed upon the rules governing fiduciary estates which is $75,000. This bill seeks to lift the amount to $200,000. It seems the bill seeks to update the amounts to keep up with the times rather than alter any legislative language.

This afternoon I released this Press Release on my
School Safety proposals.

Thursday Judiciary Hearing:
HB-54 seeks to create a State Registry of Adult Abusers. The list would be maintained by the state in similar fashion as a Sex Offender Registry. We received statistics on the number of elder abuse occurring and the repetitive nature of these acts when employees that are abusive move from one job to another. This bill was opposed by Occupational Health Care Practitioners as they feel the reviews are already being conducted by employers through background checks. We heard from the Sex Offender defenders who do not believe the public should be entitled to this type of information.

Gun Bill-Speaker’s Special Committee: I attended the initial meeting of a newly formed Special Committee which will review the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill and hear from various professionals who can speak to the many layers covered by this coprehensive legislation. There are three committees represented: Judiciary, Health & Government Operations, and Economic Matters. We will be meeting many times in the coming weeks as we break the bill down. I have reviewed the O’Malley-Brown Bill,
SB-281, and it would create a ban on assault weapons and magazines over 10-rounds. It also includes extensive registration and training requirements along with many fees. There are no provisions which address school safety or security in the bill, and the changes will not make us any safer. I will provide a complete breakdown on the bill next week for your review.

This afternoon I released this Press Release on the upcoming HB-106 Hearing, the Repeal of last years SB-236. It is a call for action for those concerned about their property rights.

This afternoon I released this
Press Release on the upcoming HB-106 Hearing. It is a call for action for those concerned about their property rights.

Friday Morning-Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
The delegation heard from Secretary Dominick Murray from the Department of Business and Economic Development. We also heard from the Commercial Watermen’s Association President Gibby Dean and several representatives from the regional Tri-County Councils. I will post up the minutes from the meeting in a later update.

REMINDER: The Crisfield Choir At The Mar-Va Theater TODAY



***BE ON TV***

Watch The Crisfield Choir
Led by International Choirmaster Sensation Gareth Malone as they perform for a television show on the USA network!
 
WHEN
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Audience Check-in will be at 5 PM at the Mar-Va Theater
103 Market Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851
 
Come support and show your love for the community
 
Admission is FREE!!
 
(Minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
 

 

Support Our Troops Project In Pocomoke City

Another great thing in downtown Pocomoke

Here's something that I found to be very exciting and a very worthy cause.

Have you heard about Team Britt's Support Our Troops Project??

A local young lady by the name of Brittany Hines organized a Support Our Troops Project by adopting one troop and has now adopted a total of  6 soldiers and their group!

She is responsible for collecting and sending those  donations that our troops love to recieve from home.  How wonderful!  And how many times have so many of us wished we could send items to our soldiers in any country but didn't know how to start or where to send the items?

Well, here's the easiest part!  You can drop your items off at the Enchanted Florist Pocomoke  in downtown Pocomoke!  They have a list of  items these soldiers can use so be sure to contact them before you shop.  I am hoping to receive a copy of the list very soon and will post it.

See what Team Britt's Support Our Troops Project is all about on her face book page   Be sure to take a look at those bracelets!

LET'S ALL SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!