By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Dec. 28, 2107) Voters in Pocomoke and Snow Hill went to the polls this spring for a pair of contested council races, in one case returning a familiar face, while welcoming a new official in another.

The Pocomoke District 3 race pitted incumbent Councilman Dale Trotter against challenger Monna Van Ess on April 4.

Trotter was returned to office after defeating Van Ess 86-67.

Mayor Bruce Morrison ran unopposed for his third term in office.

During the campaign, Trotter said serving the residents of Pocomoke was his primary motivation for seeking office. He also noted a background in the military and law enforcement helped instill a service-oriented perspective.

“Service has been my watchword and I have made it a life-long aspiration and choice,” he said prior to the election. “During my first term as city councilman I have been, and remain committed to, making Pocomoke City a better place for us to live.”

Van Ess and her supporters campaigned vigorously, hanging fliers and knocking on doors to encourage participation from the 250 households in District 3.

“I do know the town and I think I know what I’m getting into,” she said. “I think I know how to communicate or interpret things for people.”

Healing racial-based divisions between residents and police was another aim for Van Ess.

“I want to try to remove that divide and try to bring things together and have everybody live in peace,” she said.

The candidates shook hands and exchanged well wishes when the final vote count tally was announced at about 7:30 p.m. on April 4.

Trotter noted that evening’s turnout was larger than the 2014 election, when he received 62 votes. Van Ess concurred the community involvement in the municipal election was noteworthy.

“I think it was a big turnout,” she said. “The weather played a lot in that … it was such a nice day.”

Van Ess said despite the election loss she would remain a fixture at council meetings, honoring her principal campaign pledge to provide a voice for residents.

Speaking on election night, Morrison expressed uncertainty about his own political future.

“Most likely, this would be my last term,” he said. “There are a few more things that I need to complete [in office] that I had on my list.”

The three-term mayor, who previously served two-terms on the Pocomoke Council, is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery to treat a subdural hematoma. Morrison was rushed to the hospital overnight on Nov. 29 after losing consciousness.

On election night, Morrison said he “enjoyed every minute” of his time in office.

“After 15 years it’s time for someone else,” he said. “When I retire – when I finish – I’ll be 67.”

In Snow Hill, two political newcomers faced off for the Western District seat, with Latoya Purnell defeating Sylvester Dale by a 45-36 tally on May 2.

Councilwoman Jenny Hall, who was unopposed, returned for another term as Central District representative.

Initially the sole entrant, Purnell announced her candidacy in mid-March after incumbent Michael Pruitt offered to step aside in an effort to improve minority representation on the council. An election was mandated when Dale submitted his application on the March 31 filing deadline.

Both candidates ran amicable campaigns, with Dale explaining his rationale for entering the race was simply to give voters a choice.

“I know she lives right down the street from me and I have no objection against her running,” he said. “The reason why I ran is I just didn’t want one person to run.”

After serving on multiple municipal boards, including the Property Reuse Committee and the Housing Review Committee, Dale said he hoped to continue the positive trend the town has charted.

“It’s changed for the good, Snow Hill has,” he said. “There have been a lot of improvements in town.”

For her part, Purnell said engaging the community was the most rewarding part of her campaign.

“The outpouring of support has really been amazing,” she said. “I’ve been truly blessed to be able to network with people.”

Both council hopefuls worked the shoe leather to share their visions for positively impacting Snow Hill directly with constituents, with Purnell expressing pleasant surprise at the community reception.

“I had a lot of people that I was hesitant to approach and they welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “I’ve had people come to my house to talk to me.”

Dale, who served as a Marine during the Vietnam War, attempted a similar approach during the amicable campaign.

“I’m a battlefield man, so I walked door to door and exposed myself,” he said. “I think that was the best way to talk to people.”

On election night, both candidates huddled outside the Old Train Station on Belt Street awaiting vote totals. Despite coming up just short, when Dale learned Purnell was victorious his face beamed approvingly as the pair embraced.

Mayor Charlie Dorman thanked both candidates for their well-run campaigns and desire to improve the community.

In 2018, Pocomoke Council members Brian Hirshman, District 4, and Esther Troast, District 5, end their current terms.

In Snow Hill, Dorman and Eastern District representative Alison Cook are up for re-election next year.