Friday, July 9, 2010 --

• State Delegate Page Elmore was being remembered as both a shrewd and caring lawmaker who worked across party lines to serve his constituents on the Lower Shore. Elmore, who died of a recurring cancer at age 71, was memorialized in service attended by more than 500 people at Bethesda United Methodist Church in Salisbury.

• It has been a hot and sticky week at the Government Office Building in Downtown Salisbury. The air-conditioning system in the office building shared by the Wicomico and Salisbury municipal governments has been broken since June 5. Office temperatures have reportedly reached 93.5 degrees. Tuesday’s temperature in Salisbury reached a record-setting 102 degrees, with temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday exceeding 97 degrees. The building’s HVAC system is more than 30 years old and requires about $8,000 in repairs. 

• After a legal battle with the city of Salisbury and six months of leave, former Police Chief Allan Webster announced he will challenge Somerset County Sheriff Bobby Jones for the top law enforcement post in the neighboring county. Webster, who lives near Marion Station, served as Salisbury’s Police Chief for the last 11 years, while Jones is a 24-year incumbent.

• A new Maryland law that took effect last week allows Wicomico County alcohol retailers to hold public beer tastings up to 20 times each year. Pitt Stop Beer and Wine was the first business in the county to hold a tasting, which featured a brand named The Old Chub Beer, and five others. Cheers! Beer and Wine near Salisbury University is expected to be the second tasting-holder, with an event featuring Dogfish Head Beers from Sussex County.

• Salisbury is once again advertising for a Fire Chief. Mayor Jim Ireton said he wants a definite consensus from both paid and volunteer firefighters before selecting a replacement for Chief David See, who retired more than a year ago. Richard Hoppes has been serving in the Acting Chief capacity since May 2009. According to the City Charter, the Mayor presents a name for the City Council to approve. City officials have been through two rounds of inconclusive interviews featuring multiple applicants.

• Wicomico County Republicans are seeking a candidate to replace Sam Vincent on the ballot for State’s Attorney. Vincent, the county’s Deputy State’s Attorney, was killed June 25 in a crash on Route 50 in Pittsville. He had served as a prosecutor for 25 years and was expected to challenge his boss, Davis Ruark, in the fall election.

• The Rev. Ryan Weaver of Remedy Church is now holding Sunday services in the Regal 16 Cinemas at the Centre of Salisbury mall. A Texas native, Weaver has most recently been serving as the Youth Pastor at Allen Memorial Church. On an average Sunday, about 75 people attend the 10 a.m. service.

• The Wicomico County school system’s annual auction this weekend will be a bit more interesting than usual this year as the entire contents of James M. Bennett High School is up for sale. More than 100 JMB alumni turned out Thursday to look over available items and take a final tour of the school that will be torn down later this summer. Auctioneer Pete Richardson plans to begin offering up items from classrooms and Industrial Arts rooms, before moving to the cafeteria and gym.