Recently I got a call from some one asking what he could do to change things in Pocomoke. He is upset because he had written the mayor about how bad the water is in Pocomoke and had not gotten any response. He stated that his water in Pocomoke was undrinkable and could not be used for cooking because it had bacteria in it. He had been told by someone that the only way to correct his problem would be cost prohibitive because the old water lines need to be replaced. He said he had lived many places and this is the first place he has lived where he could not drink the water.
I advised him to visit the city’s website (cityofpocomoke.com) to read the charter and the council minutes and then read the Pocomoke blogs and comment. I also suggested he attend council meetings. Solving problems starts with identifying and discussing them.
Turns out there may be some good news for my caller.
I saw the May 20, 2009 Daily Times article about Stimulus funds skipping Worcester County. The last paragraph of the article is “Grants to Pocomoke City for an enhanced nutrient removal system for the town's wastewater treatment plant and local public safety services and $97,000 slated for Ocean City in justice assistance funding make up the rest.” How much being granted is not stated.
Then I did what I suggested my caller do – I checked the city website and found the following in the April 9, 2009 council minutes.
“Mrs. Debbie Underhill, of 1509 Princess Anne Lane, to discuss water quality problems
Mrs. Underhill and Charlotte Lee (neighbor) stated that the water had an odor and if they washed their white clothes, they become discolored. They asked if more could be done to correct the water problems in their neighborhood.
Mayor McDermott stated that the City is currently planning on pigging the lines and that looping of the lines was just completed. He hoped that would correct some of the problems. He continued to state that at this time the City could not replace all the water lines in the area and he knew that pigging the lines was putting a band-aid on the problem. He thanked the ladies for coming before the Mayor and Council with their concerns. Mayor McDermott stated that they could contact Congressman Katovil and the Senators to let them know that Pocomoke is asking for money though the Stimulus Plan to help with the water infrastructure within the City.”
In a very nice post on May 24, 2009, CL Marshall followed a list of good things about Pocomoke with “But with all this going for us we seem to always shoot ourselves in the foot.”
One way we shoot ourselves in the foot in Pocomoke is by not being better informed. We as citizens have responsibility to be informed. There are things that our city officials could do better to help us be informed. The council meetings could be telecast or recorded and streamed on the internet (using You Tube would be low cost). The city’s website we now have is good but could be much better used to keep us informed. More frequent updates would be helpful. Responsiveness by the mayor to citizens concerns is also helpful.
I would like to hear other ideas on this.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Good questions - got answers?
CL MARSHALL commented.
What do I see in Pocomoke?? Potential. There are basic elements that can lead to viable economic and societal successes. Look at what we have done lately...New firehouse (top shelf), Discovery Center opening, the Marva showing cool movies, HARDWIRE, Freddy Mitchell back where he belongs, Schers still at it, our own skatepark, and numerous other positive things on tap.
Something/some people here are getting things done.
But with all this going for us we seem to always shoot ourselves in the foot. Wiretapping allegations by the mayor, special investigations on issues ranging from last months election to the Frank White issues of ten or so years ago, and many others. It's always something. Repeated I am asked by folks from the northern part of our county the same question, "What the hell is going on down there?? Is it that bad?" My attempts at deflection and whitewashing are beginning to fall on deaf ears.
As a community we need to find a true identity. "Friendliest town on the Shore"..What the hell is that?? Who gave us that designation?? How did we earn it?? Time for an update??
Just who are we as a community?? What do we as a community stand for?? What will we not tolerate?? What will we represent?? Key questions whose answers will determine our future.
What do I see in Pocomoke?? Potential. There are basic elements that can lead to viable economic and societal successes. Look at what we have done lately...New firehouse (top shelf), Discovery Center opening, the Marva showing cool movies, HARDWIRE, Freddy Mitchell back where he belongs, Schers still at it, our own skatepark, and numerous other positive things on tap.
Something/some people here are getting things done.
But with all this going for us we seem to always shoot ourselves in the foot. Wiretapping allegations by the mayor, special investigations on issues ranging from last months election to the Frank White issues of ten or so years ago, and many others. It's always something. Repeated I am asked by folks from the northern part of our county the same question, "What the hell is going on down there?? Is it that bad?" My attempts at deflection and whitewashing are beginning to fall on deaf ears.
As a community we need to find a true identity. "Friendliest town on the Shore"..What the hell is that?? Who gave us that designation?? How did we earn it?? Time for an update??
Just who are we as a community?? What do we as a community stand for?? What will we not tolerate?? What will we represent?? Key questions whose answers will determine our future.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pocomoke's Threats
I have been enjoying the comments and the memories you have been offering. So I am reluctant to move on to threats or obstacles to realizing some of the potential of Pocomoke to be a truly welcoming community where the opinions and views of all are valued. But here goes.
The last leg of our assessment of Pocomoke is to look at obstacles or threats to Pocomoke developing as the citizens wish.
What roadblocks or obstacles do you see for Pocomoke?
Some would argue that negative comments are detrimental. I take a different view. How can you address a problem unless you first name it, quantify it.
There is a model of management theory known as forming-storming-norming-performing. These four stages are considered necessary for growth and development. The forming stage is coming together and getting to know each other. We are doing this now.
We have also entered the second stage, storming. The storming stage is necessary for growth. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to those who are averse to conflict. So we need to be tolerance of all comments and our differences. I don't know if we will come up with viable, positive solutions. I hope we will. So all views are welcome at this point.
The last leg of our assessment of Pocomoke is to look at obstacles or threats to Pocomoke developing as the citizens wish.
What roadblocks or obstacles do you see for Pocomoke?
Some would argue that negative comments are detrimental. I take a different view. How can you address a problem unless you first name it, quantify it.
There is a model of management theory known as forming-storming-norming-performing. These four stages are considered necessary for growth and development. The forming stage is coming together and getting to know each other. We are doing this now.
We have also entered the second stage, storming. The storming stage is necessary for growth. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to those who are averse to conflict. So we need to be tolerance of all comments and our differences. I don't know if we will come up with viable, positive solutions. I hope we will. So all views are welcome at this point.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pocomoke's Potential
Third prong of our assessment of Pocomoke - Where do you see opportunity or unrealized potential?
First potential I see:
As you may be aware, fiber is being laid in Worcester thanks to the efforts of the County Commissioners and a group of forward thinking individuals. This fiber goes up route 13 from Wallops and will also go up route 113. There is a connection point (a POP) at the intersection of 13 and 113 and another on 13 at the bridge over the river. Fiber runs from the POP at the 13/113 intersection past the high school and elementary school to Broad Street and up Broad Street to Hard Wire.
If this fiber were extended from Hard Wire to the pop at the bridge, the loop would be complete. There is tremendous potential to attract technology based businesses that would bring highly skilled, high paying jobs.
Second:
The river. Snow Hill has 2 very nice parks on the river that are reasonablely well maintained and used often for a variety of purposes. I have often had lunch in the pavalion near the district court.
Third:
The Pocomoke City website. FINALLY, Pocomoke has an internel presence, but it is way underused to provide information to the public. It is very static and unchanging.
What opportunities do you see?
First potential I see:
As you may be aware, fiber is being laid in Worcester thanks to the efforts of the County Commissioners and a group of forward thinking individuals. This fiber goes up route 13 from Wallops and will also go up route 113. There is a connection point (a POP) at the intersection of 13 and 113 and another on 13 at the bridge over the river. Fiber runs from the POP at the 13/113 intersection past the high school and elementary school to Broad Street and up Broad Street to Hard Wire.
If this fiber were extended from Hard Wire to the pop at the bridge, the loop would be complete. There is tremendous potential to attract technology based businesses that would bring highly skilled, high paying jobs.
Second:
The river. Snow Hill has 2 very nice parks on the river that are reasonablely well maintained and used often for a variety of purposes. I have often had lunch in the pavalion near the district court.
Third:
The Pocomoke City website. FINALLY, Pocomoke has an internel presence, but it is way underused to provide information to the public. It is very static and unchanging.
What opportunities do you see?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Traveling
I am traveling this week so do not be discouraged if you do not see your comments posted right away.
This weekend I am in Charlottesville in the foothills of Virginia. I love to come to Charlottesville, especially in the spring. Its such a beautiful city with lots of diversity and hospitality. And with both a Whole Foods and a Trader Joes not that far away. If you ever get a chance to shop in one of these groceries, do it!
Since I am here I am taking some time to check out the city government and its website. I will report what I find later this week.
Its a beautiful sunny day here and I can see the Blue Ridge!
Enjoy your days. I am.
This weekend I am in Charlottesville in the foothills of Virginia. I love to come to Charlottesville, especially in the spring. Its such a beautiful city with lots of diversity and hospitality. And with both a Whole Foods and a Trader Joes not that far away. If you ever get a chance to shop in one of these groceries, do it!
Since I am here I am taking some time to check out the city government and its website. I will report what I find later this week.
Its a beautiful sunny day here and I can see the Blue Ridge!
Enjoy your days. I am.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pocomoke's Weaknesses
In a way I was not surprised to not get many strengths.
I am a new blog so people have not found me yet. As a culture we generally find it easier to criticize than to praise.
And a lot of Pocomokians have become resigned or cynical. That's my first weakness - a great deal of citizen apathy.
I am going to limit my list of weaknesses for now or my post will get very long.
Stagnation due to too few people staying too long in public positions in city hall. And yes, I include the city manager in that group. One reason city managers typically do not stay in one position more than what is average is because they grow in their careers. Cities and towns also grow and change. Except Pocomoke.
Totalitarian tendencies in city hall. City officials attempt to suppress and/or discredit critics of city hall and city officials. I have observed this in the town elections over the last 15 years. Any challenger to the status quo and those currently "in power" faces considerable efforts to discredit them.
Because there are these totalitarian tendencies, people in Pocomoke are afraid to speak out. A relative works in city hall, so their job may be in jeopardy if their mom or dad speaks out. Small business owners fear having difficulties.
Pocomoke is not friendly to small business. Prior to moving to Pocomoke I owned a small, successful business in what at one time was a small town that is now part of Hampton, VA. I have lived in Pocomoke 30 years now and there is no way I would have a business in Pocomoke. There is too much interference from city hall, among other issues.
That's enough from me now.
What is wrong about Pocomoke? What needs to stop or be fixed?
I am a new blog so people have not found me yet. As a culture we generally find it easier to criticize than to praise.
And a lot of Pocomokians have become resigned or cynical. That's my first weakness - a great deal of citizen apathy.
I am going to limit my list of weaknesses for now or my post will get very long.
Stagnation due to too few people staying too long in public positions in city hall. And yes, I include the city manager in that group. One reason city managers typically do not stay in one position more than what is average is because they grow in their careers. Cities and towns also grow and change. Except Pocomoke.
Totalitarian tendencies in city hall. City officials attempt to suppress and/or discredit critics of city hall and city officials. I have observed this in the town elections over the last 15 years. Any challenger to the status quo and those currently "in power" faces considerable efforts to discredit them.
Because there are these totalitarian tendencies, people in Pocomoke are afraid to speak out. A relative works in city hall, so their job may be in jeopardy if their mom or dad speaks out. Small business owners fear having difficulties.
Pocomoke is not friendly to small business. Prior to moving to Pocomoke I owned a small, successful business in what at one time was a small town that is now part of Hampton, VA. I have lived in Pocomoke 30 years now and there is no way I would have a business in Pocomoke. There is too much interference from city hall, among other issues.
That's enough from me now.
What is wrong about Pocomoke? What needs to stop or be fixed?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pocomoke's Strengths
I can think of several:
The water has gotten better over the 30 years I have lived in Pocomoke. When I first lived on Walnut Street the water was often pink and had a strange odor. Later the water would at times smell like rotten eggs. This was due to the use of sulfur to remove the high iron content. This odor persisted even after making the recommended change in our water heater. Now the water has no odor. It is still hard water.
The sanitation/trash truck crew does a good job and is reliable.
Communication of changes in trash schedules, bulk trash days, city hall closures has improved with improved use of the comment area on our water/sewer bills.
Pocomoke has a website so the agendas, minutes, other basic information is available.
I would really like to develop this list of strengths and need your help to do that.
Please comment and answer the question - what is good about Pocomoke?
The water has gotten better over the 30 years I have lived in Pocomoke. When I first lived on Walnut Street the water was often pink and had a strange odor. Later the water would at times smell like rotten eggs. This was due to the use of sulfur to remove the high iron content. This odor persisted even after making the recommended change in our water heater. Now the water has no odor. It is still hard water.
The sanitation/trash truck crew does a good job and is reliable.
Communication of changes in trash schedules, bulk trash days, city hall closures has improved with improved use of the comment area on our water/sewer bills.
Pocomoke has a website so the agendas, minutes, other basic information is available.
I would really like to develop this list of strengths and need your help to do that.
Please comment and answer the question - what is good about Pocomoke?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
All American City Finalist - An honor?
Gubby 2 also wondered if the wiretapping arrest is going to affect the outcome of Pocomoke becoming an "All American City" finalist.
I have mixed feelings about Pocomoke being named an All American City finalist and competing for the destinction of being named one of the top ten All American cities for 2009.
Have you ever seen a neighborhood movie set? There is a beautiful façade of freshly painted homes with beautiful landscaping. Go behind it though and you see the 2x4s, etc, that prop up the beautiful façade. The beautiful landscaping involves a lot of potted plants with lots of mulch. It is all pretense. Go deeper and there is no real, lasting substance.
Maybe if Pocomoke citizens had been more aware and involved in the application process, I would feel differently. One of the current mayor’s goals prior to his first election was to maximize citizen input. This would have been a golden opportunity for involving all Pocomoke citizens and seeking their input.
One of our sister 2009 finalists, Salisbury, did this. When you go to the Salisbury website you can see the evidence. A community committee was established early and the input of all citizens was sought. There are periodic reports of the committee’s progress toward developing the application. I hope Salisbury makes their application process part of their presentation in June. It would put the substance behind the beautiful face. The website of some of the other finalists shows the same. Some even have the submitted application available to read.
I can’t find anything about the application process on the Pocomoke website, not even in the council meeting agendas and minutes. Who submitted the application for Pocomoke? Since it impacts all of Pocomoke, shouldn’t the application been presented at a council meeting prior to submission? I think so. That would have been good city management.
Maybe this is the city managers last hurrah before retiring from his much too long tenure. That would make this honor a good thing for me. We can hope.
I have mixed feelings about Pocomoke being named an All American City finalist and competing for the destinction of being named one of the top ten All American cities for 2009.
Have you ever seen a neighborhood movie set? There is a beautiful façade of freshly painted homes with beautiful landscaping. Go behind it though and you see the 2x4s, etc, that prop up the beautiful façade. The beautiful landscaping involves a lot of potted plants with lots of mulch. It is all pretense. Go deeper and there is no real, lasting substance.
Maybe if Pocomoke citizens had been more aware and involved in the application process, I would feel differently. One of the current mayor’s goals prior to his first election was to maximize citizen input. This would have been a golden opportunity for involving all Pocomoke citizens and seeking their input.
One of our sister 2009 finalists, Salisbury, did this. When you go to the Salisbury website you can see the evidence. A community committee was established early and the input of all citizens was sought. There are periodic reports of the committee’s progress toward developing the application. I hope Salisbury makes their application process part of their presentation in June. It would put the substance behind the beautiful face. The website of some of the other finalists shows the same. Some even have the submitted application available to read.
I can’t find anything about the application process on the Pocomoke website, not even in the council meeting agendas and minutes. Who submitted the application for Pocomoke? Since it impacts all of Pocomoke, shouldn’t the application been presented at a council meeting prior to submission? I think so. That would have been good city management.
Maybe this is the city managers last hurrah before retiring from his much too long tenure. That would make this honor a good thing for me. We can hope.
SWOT
Seeking Sunshine in Pocomoke objective:
Exploration of municipal best practices by all persons interested in improving Pocomoke City governance. All views are welcome.
How do we go about doing this? How do we, the Pocomoke citizenry, work toward improving Pocomoke City governance?
Be forewarned, I am about to be a bit of a school marm here.
I have had the privilege of working for a boss that makes very effective use of strategic planning. For more than ten years I was the Director of Administrative Services for the Worcester County Health Department. I was part of the management team at the health department and we routinely used strategic management tools. My boss was the Health Officer.
For any organization to be progressive, effective strategic planning is needed. For this planning to be effective, the current situation, or environment, needs to be analyzed. You cannot just look at the positives. You have to consider the negatives. You cannot fix problems unless you acknowledge them and assess them. With the world changing as fast as it does now if an organization isn’t striving to be progressive, that organization is not maintaining status quo; it is moving backward.
I want to introduce you to the strategic planning tool know as SWOT analysis.
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Strengths and Weaknesses are the positive and negative internal factors that need consideration to do strategic planning.
Opportunities and Threats are the positive and negative external factors.
In my next posts I want us to start using SWOT. I need the help of all Pocomoke citizens to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Pocomoke City and its government. We will start with strengths.
Hopefully I have not turned you all off now.
Exploration of municipal best practices by all persons interested in improving Pocomoke City governance. All views are welcome.
How do we go about doing this? How do we, the Pocomoke citizenry, work toward improving Pocomoke City governance?
Be forewarned, I am about to be a bit of a school marm here.
I have had the privilege of working for a boss that makes very effective use of strategic planning. For more than ten years I was the Director of Administrative Services for the Worcester County Health Department. I was part of the management team at the health department and we routinely used strategic management tools. My boss was the Health Officer.
For any organization to be progressive, effective strategic planning is needed. For this planning to be effective, the current situation, or environment, needs to be analyzed. You cannot just look at the positives. You have to consider the negatives. You cannot fix problems unless you acknowledge them and assess them. With the world changing as fast as it does now if an organization isn’t striving to be progressive, that organization is not maintaining status quo; it is moving backward.
I want to introduce you to the strategic planning tool know as SWOT analysis.
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Strengths and Weaknesses are the positive and negative internal factors that need consideration to do strategic planning.
Opportunities and Threats are the positive and negative external factors.
In my next posts I want us to start using SWOT. I need the help of all Pocomoke citizens to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Pocomoke City and its government. We will start with strengths.
Hopefully I have not turned you all off now.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wiretapping and such
Gubby 2 commented
In reference to Mr. Burke’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.
It is good that eyes got opened and I hope the discussion continues because it means people are thinking about the state of things in Pocomoke. I am stunned that the major even thought to confront and blast away at the Burkes like this. It was such an abuse of his position as mayor. I also don’t think it was very smart, especially with respect to self preservation and his interest in seeking other public office. That is regardless of any recording being done.
Obviously the mayor hates the Pocomoke Tattler and wants the Burkes to go away. But to be so arrogant in confronting them this way is astounding. And to do it when Stephanie Burke is a candidate in a town election tells me he meant to intimidate them as publishers of the Tattler and her as a candidate, thus interfering with the election. This is really stepping over the line. I hope it all comes out. Let the Sunshine in. I hope the judge is wise and finds the mayor should not have any expectation of privacy when berating private citizens and shouting in a conversation on the front steps of city hall with other people passing by.
I cannot fault the State’s Attorney for informing McDermott of the existence of the recording he received from Billy Burke. He was just doing his job. It is interesting that McDermott decided to file a complaint. Oh boy, got ‘em now. Let’s shut down that nasty Tattler.
Things happen for a reason. Now the stage is set. Maybe people will see that the emperor isn’t really wearing any clothes. I agree with the judge in the Salisbury blogger defamation case. If you can't take the heat as a public official, you really do need to get out of the kitchen. It goes with the territory.
In reference to Mr. Burke’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.
It is good that eyes got opened and I hope the discussion continues because it means people are thinking about the state of things in Pocomoke. I am stunned that the major even thought to confront and blast away at the Burkes like this. It was such an abuse of his position as mayor. I also don’t think it was very smart, especially with respect to self preservation and his interest in seeking other public office. That is regardless of any recording being done.
Obviously the mayor hates the Pocomoke Tattler and wants the Burkes to go away. But to be so arrogant in confronting them this way is astounding. And to do it when Stephanie Burke is a candidate in a town election tells me he meant to intimidate them as publishers of the Tattler and her as a candidate, thus interfering with the election. This is really stepping over the line. I hope it all comes out. Let the Sunshine in. I hope the judge is wise and finds the mayor should not have any expectation of privacy when berating private citizens and shouting in a conversation on the front steps of city hall with other people passing by.
I cannot fault the State’s Attorney for informing McDermott of the existence of the recording he received from Billy Burke. He was just doing his job. It is interesting that McDermott decided to file a complaint. Oh boy, got ‘em now. Let’s shut down that nasty Tattler.
Things happen for a reason. Now the stage is set. Maybe people will see that the emperor isn’t really wearing any clothes. I agree with the judge in the Salisbury blogger defamation case. If you can't take the heat as a public official, you really do need to get out of the kitchen. It goes with the territory.
Friday, May 1, 2009
It May be Happening Again
Check out the following May 1st story at www.delmarvanow.com
Sneak peak at voter info is criticized
Snow Hill absentee ballot tactics raise questions
By Jenny Hopkinson
Staff Writer
Excerpts from the article:
"Using absentee ballots, (Eddie) Lee said, is a tactic he has used to win several campaigns in Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, including Councilman Eric Mullins' Eastern District race last year.
"I employ and encourage people to vote absentee who are not going to come to the polls," Lee said. "It's a form of citizen participation in their government. If you have to take the ballot to them, you take it to them -- whatever you have to do to get people to vote, you do it."
With more than 250 absentee ballots applied for in the Snow Hill election, town Mayor Stephen Mathews is worried that widespread absentee voting in Tuesday's election will cast a shadow over the results.
"I've been watching Pocomoke City, and that has been my concern," Mathews said. "I thought about having the council look at it and tighten it up, but when you tighten it up, you create an environment that says if you are around, then you have to come downtown and vote."
At least Mayor Stephen Mathews is concerned and realizes that Snow Hill's elections procedures need to be looked at.
If the trend is increased voting by mail or absentee ballots, government officials have a duty to put in place procedures to assure, to the extent possible, that elections are fairly conducted without voter coercion and intimidation. Having observed Pocomoke elections over the last 14 years, I know it happens. I too have seen voters arrive at the polls and go up to one of the candidates to say "I'm here, now who am I voting for." When I campaigned in 1996 for the District 5 seat in Pocomoke I had numerous citizens tell me about being offered money, drugs, and alcohol for their votes. It wasn't me that made these offers.
While I agree it is good for all citizens to participate and vote in elections, I find the practices discussed in this article and observed by me at Pocomoke elections to be perversion of our rights and duty to vote our conscience. At least one voter in the recent Pocomoke election has said online in a comment that this was the first time they have voted in a Pocomoke election and probably the last time. The voter went on to say they didn't really care about the election. Is this the type of citizen stewardship we want to encourage in getting people to vote? I hope not. What a manipulation of one of our most basic civil rights!
The duty of election officials is to assure fair, honest elections. Unless there are good procedures in place, election officials can't assure this when absentee ballot practice is exploited, as it appears happened in Pocomoke. Hopefully the absentee ballots that will be cast in Snow Hill will receive sufficient scrutiny so the election is fair to all that vote.
Sneak peak at voter info is criticized
Snow Hill absentee ballot tactics raise questions
By Jenny Hopkinson
Staff Writer
Excerpts from the article:
"Using absentee ballots, (Eddie) Lee said, is a tactic he has used to win several campaigns in Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, including Councilman Eric Mullins' Eastern District race last year.
"I employ and encourage people to vote absentee who are not going to come to the polls," Lee said. "It's a form of citizen participation in their government. If you have to take the ballot to them, you take it to them -- whatever you have to do to get people to vote, you do it."
With more than 250 absentee ballots applied for in the Snow Hill election, town Mayor Stephen Mathews is worried that widespread absentee voting in Tuesday's election will cast a shadow over the results.
"I've been watching Pocomoke City, and that has been my concern," Mathews said. "I thought about having the council look at it and tighten it up, but when you tighten it up, you create an environment that says if you are around, then you have to come downtown and vote."
At least Mayor Stephen Mathews is concerned and realizes that Snow Hill's elections procedures need to be looked at.
If the trend is increased voting by mail or absentee ballots, government officials have a duty to put in place procedures to assure, to the extent possible, that elections are fairly conducted without voter coercion and intimidation. Having observed Pocomoke elections over the last 14 years, I know it happens. I too have seen voters arrive at the polls and go up to one of the candidates to say "I'm here, now who am I voting for." When I campaigned in 1996 for the District 5 seat in Pocomoke I had numerous citizens tell me about being offered money, drugs, and alcohol for their votes. It wasn't me that made these offers.
While I agree it is good for all citizens to participate and vote in elections, I find the practices discussed in this article and observed by me at Pocomoke elections to be perversion of our rights and duty to vote our conscience. At least one voter in the recent Pocomoke election has said online in a comment that this was the first time they have voted in a Pocomoke election and probably the last time. The voter went on to say they didn't really care about the election. Is this the type of citizen stewardship we want to encourage in getting people to vote? I hope not. What a manipulation of one of our most basic civil rights!
The duty of election officials is to assure fair, honest elections. Unless there are good procedures in place, election officials can't assure this when absentee ballot practice is exploited, as it appears happened in Pocomoke. Hopefully the absentee ballots that will be cast in Snow Hill will receive sufficient scrutiny so the election is fair to all that vote.
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