(May 26, 2016) Sheila Nelson’s campaign to represent District 1 on the Pocomoke City Council paints a broad picture of the town she grew up in and calls home.
“The voters know me. They know my family, and I can speak for all citizens,” she said. “One thing this town needs is unity.”
She contends that electing her to replace George Tasker is one way to foster that unity.
“We know our town has been diversified and needs unity. There’s a lot of anger and animosity, but it’s not all about what happened to the former police chief,” she said.
Water quality, she said, is a main issue. Dilapidated homes are a main issue. The controversy surrounding the Winter Quarter Golf Course in town is another issue that needs addressing.
“We already know it doesn’t make money, but children play there. I had my wedding reception there,” she said.
Within the last month, the council voted unanimously to keep the golf course open.
“Roads are a concern, but that can be put on the back burner. We need something for children to do. There are closed buildings that can be used — I don’t like seeing these things in Pocomoke,” she said.
What she does want is a revival.
“Morally, spiritually and financially. I want people to come to Pocomoke as a destination. I want them to stop and shop at places other than Wal-Mart,” she said.
She wants these things on her own terms.
“I honestly request no one vote for me because I’m African-American or if I’m a member of the fire department, I want people to vote for me because they want a change,” she said.
The town is experiencing a flow of negativity Nelson said she’s never seen before.
“There’s always room for improvement. I know Pocomoke like Mayor [Bruce] Morrison does, or like [District 2 representative] Diane Downing does. The others are doing a good job too, but there’s always room to improve,” she said.
It’s important to her the town knows what it’s signing up for.
“I’m not a ‘yes’ person. I’m not going to concur if I think it’s not right,” she said.
She said the town made a mistake last year when it dismissed Police Chief Kelvin Sewell.
“I’ve met the new chief [William Harden] a couple of times — he is a professional and he knows law enforcement,” Nelson said. “I got up and spoke when the chief of police was dismissed. This was a man of value, a man of training, and a man of law enforcement. He gave 110 percent.”
Nelson said she and others were upset when the town didn’t provide an explanation. Town officials have maintained the dismissal is a personnel issue that won’t be elaborated upon.
“No offense to anyone, but I think Sewell was the man for Pocomoke,” she said.
Nelson has worked at the Worcester County Commission on Aging for 33 years, beginning as a clerk/typist and is now the operations and risk manager as well as managing the nutrition programs.
“The voters know me. They know my family, and I can speak for all citizens,” she said. “One thing this town needs is unity.”
She contends that electing her to replace George Tasker is one way to foster that unity.
“We know our town has been diversified and needs unity. There’s a lot of anger and animosity, but it’s not all about what happened to the former police chief,” she said.
Water quality, she said, is a main issue. Dilapidated homes are a main issue. The controversy surrounding the Winter Quarter Golf Course in town is another issue that needs addressing.
“We already know it doesn’t make money, but children play there. I had my wedding reception there,” she said.
Within the last month, the council voted unanimously to keep the golf course open.
“Roads are a concern, but that can be put on the back burner. We need something for children to do. There are closed buildings that can be used — I don’t like seeing these things in Pocomoke,” she said.
What she does want is a revival.
“Morally, spiritually and financially. I want people to come to Pocomoke as a destination. I want them to stop and shop at places other than Wal-Mart,” she said.
She wants these things on her own terms.
“I honestly request no one vote for me because I’m African-American or if I’m a member of the fire department, I want people to vote for me because they want a change,” she said.
The town is experiencing a flow of negativity Nelson said she’s never seen before.
“There’s always room for improvement. I know Pocomoke like Mayor [Bruce] Morrison does, or like [District 2 representative] Diane Downing does. The others are doing a good job too, but there’s always room to improve,” she said.
It’s important to her the town knows what it’s signing up for.
“I’m not a ‘yes’ person. I’m not going to concur if I think it’s not right,” she said.
She said the town made a mistake last year when it dismissed Police Chief Kelvin Sewell.
“I’ve met the new chief [William Harden] a couple of times — he is a professional and he knows law enforcement,” Nelson said. “I got up and spoke when the chief of police was dismissed. This was a man of value, a man of training, and a man of law enforcement. He gave 110 percent.”
Nelson said she and others were upset when the town didn’t provide an explanation. Town officials have maintained the dismissal is a personnel issue that won’t be elaborated upon.
“No offense to anyone, but I think Sewell was the man for Pocomoke,” she said.
Nelson has worked at the Worcester County Commission on Aging for 33 years, beginning as a clerk/typist and is now the operations and risk manager as well as managing the nutrition programs.