Getting to be time for another Pocomoke City election. Thank the Lord we have new faces in both districts up for election this year. I am especially thankful that Honis Cane is no longer in the picture. Now maybe there will be some semblance of proper elections.
I wish the new candidates well in their efforts. I hope those that are elected will truly remember they serve the people and their focus to that end is maintained while in office. Hopefully they will not buy into the old status quo as our current mayor has. Hopefully they will remember their promises to citizens throughout their term(s) in office.
I pray it is so.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Practice what you preach
The following is from the Sunday Salisbury Daily Times, July 5, 2009
Is it important to celebrate the Fourth of July as the birthday of our nation?
Independence Day serves to remind us who we are as a people. Our Declaration of Independence, delivered to King George, provided insight into our collective soul. No longer would we beg for crumbs from the king's table. What we "declared" to the king we must continue to declare to each other -- chiefly, that government exists to serve the people, not for people serve the government. We declare our rights are inalienable and given by God, not the product of government. Yet we did not stop there; we put all future government on notice that we would not suffer the yoke of bondage as a free people. From the day we declared it until now, we have been a vigilant guard of liberty's torch. Let us remind our children that we celebrate with fireworks that which is secured by the blood of patriots past, present and future.
This is the response to the posed question by Michael A. McDermott, Mayor of Pocomoke.
I cannot help but find Mayor Michael A. McDermott comments both insincere and not credible. One of the freedoms we celebrate on July 4th is the right to express our opinions, whatever they might be. Yet he stood on the steps of Pocomoke's city hall and told a candidate up for election and her husband they should stop their blog, the Pocomoke Tattler, and should move away because he does not like their opinions. He says the "right things". His actions, however, just do not back up what he says. How are we to believe him!
Maybe he should realize this incongruence between his words and his actions does not support his seeking of “intellectual” discussions. Pocomoke certainly could use an elected Mayor that understands “that government exists to serve the people, not for people serve the government,” to use McDermott’s words. The understanding of this concept is a rare occurrence in Pocomoke’s City Hall, at least when you disagree with City Hall.
Is it important to celebrate the Fourth of July as the birthday of our nation?
Independence Day serves to remind us who we are as a people. Our Declaration of Independence, delivered to King George, provided insight into our collective soul. No longer would we beg for crumbs from the king's table. What we "declared" to the king we must continue to declare to each other -- chiefly, that government exists to serve the people, not for people serve the government. We declare our rights are inalienable and given by God, not the product of government. Yet we did not stop there; we put all future government on notice that we would not suffer the yoke of bondage as a free people. From the day we declared it until now, we have been a vigilant guard of liberty's torch. Let us remind our children that we celebrate with fireworks that which is secured by the blood of patriots past, present and future.
This is the response to the posed question by Michael A. McDermott, Mayor of Pocomoke.
I cannot help but find Mayor Michael A. McDermott comments both insincere and not credible. One of the freedoms we celebrate on July 4th is the right to express our opinions, whatever they might be. Yet he stood on the steps of Pocomoke's city hall and told a candidate up for election and her husband they should stop their blog, the Pocomoke Tattler, and should move away because he does not like their opinions. He says the "right things". His actions, however, just do not back up what he says. How are we to believe him!
Maybe he should realize this incongruence between his words and his actions does not support his seeking of “intellectual” discussions. Pocomoke certainly could use an elected Mayor that understands “that government exists to serve the people, not for people serve the government,” to use McDermott’s words. The understanding of this concept is a rare occurrence in Pocomoke’s City Hall, at least when you disagree with City Hall.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Independence Day 2009
Here it is already, July 4, 2009. How time flies! Time to pause and reflect on the value of our freedoms and the hard fought efforts, which continue even today, to preserve them.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel (http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_12752907) has an excellent piece on the Declaration of Independence. The article is a modern day version of pertinent sections of the Declaration.
As Pocomokians we would do well to read the Declaration of Independence more often. Especially the powers that be in our City Hall.
Sections especially pertinent to us in Pocomoke:
"... that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ..."
...that God created every person equal, and He gave each person specific unchanging rights that should never be trampled upon...
"... that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness ..."
these include the right of the people to live life in freedom without undue harm, and pursue their dreams and goals.
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ..."
The very reason we have man-made governments is to protect these rights, not to interfere with them. Furthermore, whatever power and authority governments have are given by the people's permission and limited to their protection.
"...that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it ..."
When any government starts to undermine the very purpose of protecting the life, freedoms, and happiness of the people, then they have the right to change the government or even to pull the plug on the government if things get too bad.
"...and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
The people have the right to set up a new and better government based and organized upon tried and true principles that protect, rather than threaten, their safety and happiness.
"and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
And, in fact, history shows that people are more likely to put up with unbearable evil they even get used to it!, than they are to correct the problem. In other words: Put a frog in hot water and he'll jump out. But put him in cool water and gradually turn up the heat, and he'll fry to death.
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
But when a government becomes tyrannical and abusive with consistent, repeated violations of the people's rights, with the intent to make them slaves of the state, then the people have the right -- in fact, the duty -- to revolt and put new safeguards in place to protect their future rights.
Yes, there is still some work to be done in Pocomoke.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel (http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_12752907) has an excellent piece on the Declaration of Independence. The article is a modern day version of pertinent sections of the Declaration.
As Pocomokians we would do well to read the Declaration of Independence more often. Especially the powers that be in our City Hall.
Sections especially pertinent to us in Pocomoke:
"... that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ..."
...that God created every person equal, and He gave each person specific unchanging rights that should never be trampled upon...
"... that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness ..."
these include the right of the people to live life in freedom without undue harm, and pursue their dreams and goals.
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ..."
The very reason we have man-made governments is to protect these rights, not to interfere with them. Furthermore, whatever power and authority governments have are given by the people's permission and limited to their protection.
"...that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it ..."
When any government starts to undermine the very purpose of protecting the life, freedoms, and happiness of the people, then they have the right to change the government or even to pull the plug on the government if things get too bad.
"...and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
The people have the right to set up a new and better government based and organized upon tried and true principles that protect, rather than threaten, their safety and happiness.
"and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
And, in fact, history shows that people are more likely to put up with unbearable evil they even get used to it!, than they are to correct the problem. In other words: Put a frog in hot water and he'll jump out. But put him in cool water and gradually turn up the heat, and he'll fry to death.
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
But when a government becomes tyrannical and abusive with consistent, repeated violations of the people's rights, with the intent to make them slaves of the state, then the people have the right -- in fact, the duty -- to revolt and put new safeguards in place to protect their future rights.
Yes, there is still some work to be done in Pocomoke.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Value of the Internet
The CBS Early Show news had a story about cyber censorship in Iran this morning. The Iranian government is attempting to block opposition websites and the use of social networking sites such as Twitter to control the flow of information about what is happening in Iran.
CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante went on to say the impact of Twitter hasn't been lost on the U.S. State Department, which called on the company to put off planned maintenance to enable that Web site to stay up.
WOW! A government entity that recognizes the value of the internet and the free flow of information on a global, macro level!
Lets go micro with this concept. In Pocomoke our officials try to control and, in fact, block the free flow of information and opinion when it is negative. We should learn from the U.S. State Department.
CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante went on to say the impact of Twitter hasn't been lost on the U.S. State Department, which called on the company to put off planned maintenance to enable that Web site to stay up.
WOW! A government entity that recognizes the value of the internet and the free flow of information on a global, macro level!
Lets go micro with this concept. In Pocomoke our officials try to control and, in fact, block the free flow of information and opinion when it is negative. We should learn from the U.S. State Department.
Value of All American City designation
For a good post of the value of All American City designation, go to
http://www.globalerie.com/blog/2009/06/15/does-erie-really-need-all-america-city-honor/
The comments are very insightful, particularily the June 16 one by Jim.
Wouldn't it be a better use of our officials time AND Pocomoke tax revenue if they redirected the efforts and funds being used to seek this award to addressing issues here. They can start with an open discussion and re-write of Pocomoke's election policy and procedures.
http://www.globalerie.com/blog/2009/06/15/does-erie-really-need-all-america-city-honor/
The comments are very insightful, particularily the June 16 one by Jim.
Wouldn't it be a better use of our officials time AND Pocomoke tax revenue if they redirected the efforts and funds being used to seek this award to addressing issues here. They can start with an open discussion and re-write of Pocomoke's election policy and procedures.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The need for changes in Pocomoke
I have been reading and studying State’s Attorney Joel Todd’s Report on the Pocomoke City Election in April 2009.
Wrong doings, or irregularities, were found. None were deemed to be criminal. The report put us, both the Pocomoke citizens and the Pocomoke public officials, on notice that at least one of these irregularities must to be corrected before the next election. So now is not the time to let this issue go.
No, Stephanie Burke did not win the election. Yes, the report found no criminal activity with respect to her specific complaints. However, Stephanie won on a much more important level. The need for changes in how Pocomoke conducts its elections is clear in the findings of this report. Why is it we equate coming in first with the only way of being successful. By that measure most of us would be failures most of the time.
Thanks to Stephanie pushing forward with her complaints, we now have outside confirmation that change is needed in how elections are conducted in Pocomoke. I do not believe this would have happened had Stephanie not made her complaints. Indeed, she tried to raise these issues by filing a formal letter of complaint with the town. She has yet to receive a response to this letter. The shame of it is that it took an outside party looking at these complaints for Pocomoke’s public officials to see and, hopefully, face the need for changes.
This is not the first time an outside source has had to be brought in to help Pocomoke see its problems. Maybe this time will cause us all, both citizens and public officials, to be more proactive in the future and correct things BEFORE they become bigger problems.
To be proactive, we cannot afford to discredit or disregard those that raise negative issues. Negative complaints are opportunities to make things better. Every citizen has something valuable to offer and the right to offer their opinions and suggestions, even those people we may find annoying or that we do not like. This is another place Pocomoke needs to change.
Wrong doings, or irregularities, were found. None were deemed to be criminal. The report put us, both the Pocomoke citizens and the Pocomoke public officials, on notice that at least one of these irregularities must to be corrected before the next election. So now is not the time to let this issue go.
No, Stephanie Burke did not win the election. Yes, the report found no criminal activity with respect to her specific complaints. However, Stephanie won on a much more important level. The need for changes in how Pocomoke conducts its elections is clear in the findings of this report. Why is it we equate coming in first with the only way of being successful. By that measure most of us would be failures most of the time.
Thanks to Stephanie pushing forward with her complaints, we now have outside confirmation that change is needed in how elections are conducted in Pocomoke. I do not believe this would have happened had Stephanie not made her complaints. Indeed, she tried to raise these issues by filing a formal letter of complaint with the town. She has yet to receive a response to this letter. The shame of it is that it took an outside party looking at these complaints for Pocomoke’s public officials to see and, hopefully, face the need for changes.
This is not the first time an outside source has had to be brought in to help Pocomoke see its problems. Maybe this time will cause us all, both citizens and public officials, to be more proactive in the future and correct things BEFORE they become bigger problems.
To be proactive, we cannot afford to discredit or disregard those that raise negative issues. Negative complaints are opportunities to make things better. Every citizen has something valuable to offer and the right to offer their opinions and suggestions, even those people we may find annoying or that we do not like. This is another place Pocomoke needs to change.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Getting and being informed
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.
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.
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