(Feb. 16, 2017) Since her retirement as Pocomoke City’s finance coordinator in 2013, Monna Van Ess has been a fixture at council meetings.
Now, she has decided to attempt to transition from the gallery to the dais as she seeks election to the District 3 seat, currently held by Dale Trotter.
“I think I can make a difference. I know the people and I think I can bring them to the forefront,” Van Ess said. “I can get them to come volunteer, and come to the council meetings to express their opinions.”
Van Ess said there are plenty of people in town who think there’s no point to coming to town meetings because their voices won’t be heard or acted upon.
“I’m from the other side of the fence — I’ve seen government work from the inside,” she said. “I know the language they’re speaking and I’m up to speed on everything.”
Van Ess said, if elected, she would focus on improving the town’s infrastructure — everything from the basic look of the town to public safety and communications.
She said the town could stand to improve its social media presence, and said by way of example the recent unveiling of the town’s water study was not properly advertised.
“People can’t find what I do because I’m used to it,” she said.
She also said the town’s website could be more user friendly.
As an accountant with 35 years of experience, Van Ess said she would be more likely to be stricter with the town’s finances.
“We should tighten our belts. There are lots of places money has been misspent, but not in a bad way — there’s just no forethought.”
She said recent moves by the council to borrow money, and the recent circuit rider deal between Pocomoke and Crisfield to share a support employee as examples.
Tuesday, March 7 is the last day to register to vote in the election. According to Pocomoke City Clerk Carol Jacobs, voter registrations forms are available at the Pocomoke Library, the Post Office and the Motor Vehicle Administration in Salisbury. Voters in Worcester County remain registered to vote until they miss two federal elections, according to the Worcester County Board of Elections.
The city election is scheduled for April 4, and only District 3 is voting this year. The election will be held at the community center at the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company instead of the library, because of the anticipated town-wide mayoral contest, but no candidate filed to oppose incumbent Bruce Morrison, so he will retain his office for another term.
Now, she has decided to attempt to transition from the gallery to the dais as she seeks election to the District 3 seat, currently held by Dale Trotter.
“I think I can make a difference. I know the people and I think I can bring them to the forefront,” Van Ess said. “I can get them to come volunteer, and come to the council meetings to express their opinions.”
Van Ess said there are plenty of people in town who think there’s no point to coming to town meetings because their voices won’t be heard or acted upon.
“I’m from the other side of the fence — I’ve seen government work from the inside,” she said. “I know the language they’re speaking and I’m up to speed on everything.”
Van Ess said, if elected, she would focus on improving the town’s infrastructure — everything from the basic look of the town to public safety and communications.
She said the town could stand to improve its social media presence, and said by way of example the recent unveiling of the town’s water study was not properly advertised.
“People can’t find what I do because I’m used to it,” she said.
She also said the town’s website could be more user friendly.
As an accountant with 35 years of experience, Van Ess said she would be more likely to be stricter with the town’s finances.
“We should tighten our belts. There are lots of places money has been misspent, but not in a bad way — there’s just no forethought.”
She said recent moves by the council to borrow money, and the recent circuit rider deal between Pocomoke and Crisfield to share a support employee as examples.
Tuesday, March 7 is the last day to register to vote in the election. According to Pocomoke City Clerk Carol Jacobs, voter registrations forms are available at the Pocomoke Library, the Post Office and the Motor Vehicle Administration in Salisbury. Voters in Worcester County remain registered to vote until they miss two federal elections, according to the Worcester County Board of Elections.
The city election is scheduled for April 4, and only District 3 is voting this year. The election will be held at the community center at the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company instead of the library, because of the anticipated town-wide mayoral contest, but no candidate filed to oppose incumbent Bruce Morrison, so he will retain his office for another term.