WELCOME
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| Pocomoke City Drawbridge |
I welcome you to Pocomoke City, Maryland known as "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore". We are located on the banks of the Pocomoke River, one of the top ten scenic rivers in the country. Pocomoke City is the center and heart of the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia) Peninsula on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland. To live in Pocomoke City is to be within "a half hour of everything". Pristine beaches, National Seashores, State Forest, the Chesapeake Bay, coastal resorts of Ocean City and Chincoteague Island, all are within a half hour of our peacefult river town. Pocomoke City is a a progressive center of commerce for our region. We are a family-friendly community with a host of job and recreational opportunities nestled in a town of 4000 which has thrived since the mid 1800's. Our history is dear to us. Community restoration projects currently underway include an original Art-Deco Theater
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| POCOMOKE CITY |
known as the "Marva", and the establishment of a regional ship building museum and exploration site known as "The Discovery Center". We currently boast the celebrated "Costen House" museum and gardens, as well as the recently added Sturgis One-Room School House. All of these sites are within a block of our extensive park and boat docking facilities located on the river. I invite you to join us for our many celebrations and festivals. Come relax on the banks of our river. Wet a line or play a round of golf at our municipal course. Take a stroll on our historic draw bridge after you dine in one of our local restaurants. Better yet, come be a part of our future. Let us help you start up or locate a business here or assist you with an industrial site to expand your corporation. We have a wide range of housing available for you and your family, from historic to contemporary and everything in between. Perhaps a condo overlooking our river is more your style. All this and more awaits you in Pocomoke City. Come for a visit, and stay for a life time. God's Blessing, Michael A. McDermott, Mayor.
********************************** Pocomoke City said "goodbye" to spring with the annual Cypress Festival held in Cypress Park. The weather was perfect with visitors and locals enjoying a carnival atmosphere while supporting many civic groups known for their specialized food offerings every year. I especially enjoyed participating in the Flag Day Ceremony resented by the Pocomoke Elk's Lodge with the help of local Cub Scouts. Entertainment was outstanding on the Veteran's Memorial Bandstand and the fireworks display over the river was a fitting "welcome" to summertime.
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| Cypress Park Bridge |
In the closing days of spring, I met with all of the Sixth Grader's as they participated in a series of Field Day's at the Lower Shore YMCA. We talked together about making right choices and having the courage of your convictions. The city also played host to all of the Fourth Grader's as part of their "Walking Tour" of interesting sites in Pocomoke City. The students
learned about local government and participated in a mock meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Boy do they know how to "adjourn" a meeting!
Working with young people and encouraging their involvement in their community and government is one of my passions. After all, they are our future. If our government is approachable and vibrant, we secure our own future liberty by sowing the seeds of freedom in the hearts of our young. These opportunities for interaction are priceless.
Commercial growth and development continues as new signs go up around the city. I attended two Grand Openings in the past week: one for Jae's Clothing located downtown on Clarke Ave., and another for Domino's Pizza on Newtowne Blvd. The company was great and the pizza was terrific! You may have noticed a sign going up for Dunkin Donuts at the Pocomoke Market Place which means their Grand Opening cannot be far away. If you enjoy a good book, check out the newly opened CR Booksellers located in the Shops on Market Street near
Fifth Street. As Mayor, it is a real honor to cut the ribbon for a new business and ask God's Blessing on all who enter. I have gone through four rolls of ribbon in the past two years!
This past Saturday marked a reunion of sorts for many of the original members of the Cypress Park Nature Trail Committee. They gathered with many new
faces to extend the trail head all the way out to Cypress Park within yards of the river. This brand new 200 foot trail extension is the first new construction to the project in over a decade. The new section offers a rare
glimpse into a very mature Cypress Swamp. The next phase will link the new trail head to the River Boardwalk and will include a canoe/kayak launch. While the materials are being
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| Perfect for Retirement Parties |
purchased through a grant made by the State Highway Administration, the intense labor is being provided by a number of dedicated citizens. Hats off to: Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, Don Malloy, Jim Norton, Lem Hooper, Larry Fykes, Nate McDermott, Debbie Waidner, Barbara and Robert Gray. If you see any of these folks, thank them for their hard work on behalf of our city. "Thanks" as well to Public Works staffers Eric Gomez and John Miller for their hard work in support of this project.
Last Friday I attended a Retirement Party for long time Winter Quarter's Golf Superintendent, Bill Stewart. Bill was praised by former Mayors Curt Lippholt and Marion Butler for his years of dedication to the city and his help in building up the course over the years. He also received high praise from Councilman Robert Hawkins and former Councilman, Don Holdren. I had the
honor of presenting Bill with a Certificate of Retirement and Commendation on behalf of the city, and City Manager Russell Blake presented Bill with a gift
from the city.
Bill Stewart is a humble man and took a moment to mention what a great job his replacement, Doug Guns was doing on the golf course. Bill's daily presence around the greens will be missed by staff and golfer's alike.
While the Golf Course is in good hands, the city welcomed our new Director of Emergency Medical Services. Director Barry Contee began his job
last week preparing for the July transition from a volunteer Ambulance Company to a City Department of EMS. I had a nice chat with Barry his second day on the
job and share his enthusiasm for continuing to provide the best services available for our citizens, and those who find themselves in need in our area.
Pocomoke City and the greater Pocomoke area owe our volunteers a debt of thanks for many years of responding to the needs of our community. We simply
could not have achieved the current level of service without the dedication of the volunteers who have answered the call day and night over the years. As the
demands for service and training increase, our new Department of
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| COME TAKE A TRIP ON THE BAYQUEEN! |
EMS will take us to the next level as we prepare to meet the growing demands for service in
our area.
Keep your eye on the MARVA Performing Arts Theater in the coming months. They have several performances slated and are riding high on the recent
success of their first Dinner Theater presentation of "The Glass Menagerie". "The Fantastics" is a light musical comedy coming soon and it will not be long before we hear the words, "Grand Opening" being uttered around the theater.
The Delmarva Discovery Center continues to make huge strides on their way to a 2008 opening. Ambitious? Absolutely, but one needs only view the work that has been accomplished to date to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I recently met with Designer Doug Mund to review ideas for the City sponsored opening exhibit which will welcome folks to the museum and give them a flare for the past, present, and future of Pocomoke City. We continue to work with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development on plans for
making a river front restaurant a reality in Pocomoke City.
So, what are your plans this summer? Take the time to see if you can help out with a project in your community. I have mentioned several in this article that are always looking for faithful volunteers who can lend a hand. The Pocomoke City Soroptomists are looking for support as they rally the community behind an expansion project for the Samaritan Shelter which will serve women and children in need. What is more fundamental in a community than taking care of our most vulnerable in their critical time of need?
Your support and participation is vital for a healthy, prosperous community. Look for ways this summer that you and your family can help continue the Pocomoke City tradition of being, "the friendliest town on the eastern shore". The best is yet to come!
Michael A. McDermott, Mayor
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