The development of this blog is the direct result of observing the events surrounding the most recent election in Pocomoke on April 7, 2009.
But that is not when my desire to see positive changes in Pocomoke began. It began in 1993 when I starting working in City Hall. Working there was not a pleasant experience, to say the least. In looking back at that two year period, I realize I learned some very valuable things. You can learn as much, if not more, from negative situations as you can in positive ones. One big lesson was what poor management looks like.
For example, take a look at the TITLE VII Registration, Nominations, and Elections section of the Pocomoke City Charter on the website http://www.cityofpocomoke.com.
Now take a look the Berlin, Maryland website http://www.townofberlinmd.com/5Elections.html#Elections. Take note of the sections on prohibited practices and absentee ballots. Similar sections do not exist in Pocomoke City's code.
So to start the discussion, I ask the following questions:
How should Title VII of the Pocomoke City code be improved?
What procedures need to be in place to prevent abuse of absentee ballots?
Please feel free to offer other municipal code examples for consideration.
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I just wanted to be the first to post ;)
ReplyDeleteGood-luck with the new blog.
Thank you XtraHam. I also own you a thanks for your asking "ok people, have you had enough yet?"
ReplyDeleteIts one of the reasons I decided to setup this blog. I know from reading your comments on the Tattler that you have a wealth of information and ideas to share, so please share here often.
Sharon Beyma said...
ReplyDeleteThank you XtraHam. I also own you a thanks for your asking "ok people, have you had enough yet?"
Its one of the reasons I decided to setup this blog. I know from reading your comments on the Tattler that you have a wealth of information and ideas to share, so please share here often.
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Thanks, it's great to know I helped spark another outlet for the truth. I enjoy posting on blogs and forums and I'll try to post as much as possible, be forewarned, I'm a trouble maker with a big mouth ;)
Thanks for the welcome and let me know if I can help in any way.
Sharon:
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you with the blog.
I am sure that your positive approach will create more discussion about how to fix the problems that we are constantly exposing.
Please feel free to continue contributing on the tattler.
Sincerely,
Billy Burke
Glad to see another blog in Pocomoke City. In reference to Mr. Bruke's arrest for wiretapping< which I think is "BS", Mr. Burke got his point across and opened the eyes of a lot of people locally. It was and still is being discussed at one of the local establishments.I wonder if this is going to effect the outcome of Pocomoke becoming an "All American City". Mr mayor you screwed up again. Gubby2
ReplyDeleteGubby2:
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that being arrested under the "wiretapping" laws was another attempt of intimidation by the crooked Pocomoke City government to silence our exposure of their misdeeds.
If you are anyone has a comment about Pocomoke City's All American City status why don't you let them know what you think?
http://ncl.org/about/contact.html
Sharon:
ReplyDeleteI wanted to contribute this snippet of code that I forwarded to Pocomoke City Mayor Mike McDermott and City Councilman Rob Clarke several years ago.
This is directed towards the City Manager position where the city manager *MUST* reapply for their job every 4-years.
After the nightmare of the past 33-years of one man rule due to aggregation of power combined with intimidation and gross abuses, it seemed like a very reasonable manner to control the city manager.
Every city official in other towns we have spoken with a quite surprised that the Pocomoke City Council exercises ZERO POWER over Russ Blake.
This method of control keeps any one person from being the "bad guy" for mentioning removal of the City Manager. It's simply written into their contract and the City Charter and voted upon every 4-years.
The Internet has created some pretty darned good executive recruitment websites where a search can be conducted online for a couple of hundred dollars. In years past an executive search for a new CEO or Administrator could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
That means the city manager could be measured against a number of fresh applicants with experience levels all across the board.
MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972As Amended
SEC. 21-9-27. City manager; term of office; removal.
The city manager shall hold office for such period (not to exceed four years for any one specified period) as may be provided by ordinance, and shall be eligible for reemployment, successively or otherwise.
The manager may be removed at any time by a vote of a majority of all the members of the council. However, he shall not be so removed until the reasons for his proposed removal have been furnished him in writing, and until he has received a public hearing thereon before the council, if he so requests.
Pending and during such hearing the council may suspend him from office.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 3825.5-16; Laws, 1948, ch. 385, Sec. 16; 1952, ch. 372, Sec. 11.
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/21/009/0027.htm
I say use the state laws and regulations for voting. As for the city manager, we don't need one, Drop that position completely and hand those duty's to the mayor and council.
ReplyDeleteTerm limits are an absolute must, a maximum of two, four year terms with the council members terms coming in @ two years. In other words we vote every two years, one for the position of mayor, and then for all council members, that would give new council members two years to see how/what the sitting mayors is doing, and two years for the mayor to see how/what the sitting council members are doing.
Here's an idea that popped in my empty head while reading the snowhill report on absentee ballots.
ReplyDelete1) if a voter is to be out of town for the election they must appear in person at the city hall to place an absentee ballot, the vote must be made while that person is at city hall, sealed and given back to the clerk. (NO DROP BOXES)
2) if out of town for a long period IE; service related, the ballot must be mailed to the location outside of town via receipt requested mail.
3) if a person is disabled and cannot go to the polls because of the disability the ballot must be mailed receipt requested to that person.
4) if a person must have assistance completing an absentee ballot because of a disability, the assistant must be a relative of the person receiving the absentee ballot and must sign the ballot as the assistant.
5) ALL, absentee ballots must be returned with proof of residents, IE: an old billing envelope with the name and address of the voter and return address of the biller.
in no-way shape or form can an absentee ballot be delivered by any person other than the USPS.