Recent News

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Our Outstanding Achiever for this issue is Thomas V. Kimball, Jr. of Salisbury, MD. He was installed as the Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander of the Department of Maryland for 2006-2007 during a ceremony held on June 8, 2006 at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, MD. The VFW has 106 Posts in the State of Maryland with some 30,000 members who have served in foreign wars in all branches of the US Armed Forces. Kimball has chosen the March of Dimes as his project for the year and will lead the Department in raising funds for the charity this year.

A US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, Kimball was enrolled in the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. by the new VFW Ladies Auxiliary Department president. He received several other presentations at his installation ceremony including the Commander's gavel and an engraved silver platter from his home Post.

Kimball is a past commander of his Post #1059 in Salisbury and has held several other Post offices. He has been a member of the VFW over 20 years. Kimball has also served as District Commander for VFW District 16 which includes the ten VFW Posts of the Lower MD Eastern Shore. He is also a member of American Legion Post #145 and the Military Order of Cooties in Salisbury. A native of Baltimore, Kimball is the son of Thomas Kimball, Sr. and Mary Winter. He moved to Salisbury 18 years ago. A graduate of Coppin State University, he also has an Associate Degree from Catonsville Community College. He has had a lengthy career as a correctional officer and has served the last 13 years at the Howard County Department of Corrections where he is an administrative captain. He also has the distinction of having been the first Black Wicomico County Court Commissioner.

Although he commutes to Howard County, Kimball lives in Salisbury with his wife, Jacquelyn. She is active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and served as its State president in 1998-1999. He is the father of one daughter and one son.

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Cambridge native Derrick D. Cephas has named president and CEO of Amalgamated Banle Based in Manhattan, NY, it is the nation's only fully union-owned bank. Amalgamated Bank was founded in 1923 by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. It now has $4 billion in assets and 10 branches in the New York City area, including six in Manhattan, two in the Bronx and one in Queens. It also has branches in New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and California.

Cephas has served as Amalgamated's general counsel for the last 10 years and was banking and corporate law partner in the New York office of Cadawalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP from 1994 to 2005. He was the superintendent of banks for the State of New York from 1991 to 1994 where he became a leader in several areas of bank regulatory reform. Prior to becoming NY superintendent of banks, Cephas was a partner in the NY law firm of Breed, Abbott and Morgan.

A former member of the Merrill Lynch International Bank board of directors, Cephas also served on the board of directors of Dime Savings Bank until Dime was sold to Washington Mutual in 2001. He is currently a director of D.E. Shaw & Co., Inc., the Fresh Air Fund, and the United Hospital Fund. The son of Marie Cephas Brummell of Cambridge and Jake Sampson of Hurlock, Cephas graduated from Cambridge High School and earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard College and law degree at Harvard Law School. He and his wife, Donna, have two daughters.

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Hilary Spence recently announced the appointment of Patrice L. Stanley of Dorchester County as her campaign manager in her bid for the District 37 Maryland State Senate seat. Spence said, "Patrice's commitment to improving the lives of all the residents of the 37th District, regardless of P. Stanley political affiliation is aligned with my own. I am delighted that she has decided to join the campaign team."

As a former White House appointee, Stanley served as an intergovernmental liaison between the Executive Office of the President and the nation's governors, mayors, locally elected and appointed officials and governmental organizations. Most recently, Stanley assisted small, minority and disadvantaged businesses through the State of Maryland's procurement process.

In 2002, Stanley created BBF Consulting, a small government relations and political consulting firm providing clients with a wide range of services including business development, constituency outreach, campaign management, event planning, and legislative research. A Dorchester County native, Stanley is a graduate of North Dorchester High School and Washington College. She is the daughter of Faye Evans-Stanley of Finchville, MD and Carlton W. Stanley, Sr. of Cambridge, MD.

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The Berlin native is a Lt. in the Sheriffs office.

Democrat John Dale Smack ITI of Snow Hill, MD recently announced that he is a candidate for one of the three seats for Judge of the Orphans' Court in Worcester County. Elected to the Worcester County Democratic Central Committee in 2002, this is only his second bid for an elected office. A deputy for the Worcester County Sheriffs office for over 18 years, Smack is now lieutenant for the Road Patrol division there. He is also the Patrol and SWAT Commander for the agency.

Smack is a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County and of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Berlin. He is the 2nd Vice Commander and a past Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron #231 in Berlin. The son of John Dale, Jr. and Leola Smack of Berlin, Dale is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy., where he is a part-time instructor. He and his wife, Sheryl, live in Snow Hill, MD. In an election where those elected are the three with the highest number of votes, a vote for one of the others running may count against the candidate that you want to elect.

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The June 6th town commission elections for Princess Anne resulted in three of the five seats now being occupied by African Americans. Steve Golston and Tanitta M. Thomas won four-year terms joining longtime commissioner Garland Hayward who was unopposed in his bid for another four-year term. Although the town of some 2,600 residents is 60% Black, this marks the first time in its 233-year history that its commission has had more that two Black members.

Golston, 42, is a native of Chicago who migrated to the town to coach basketball at UMES. He was appointed to the District 1 commission seat to finish the term of James White who resigned after buying a home outside the town limits. He defeated former District 2 commissioner Robert McCready 144 to 84 votes. Golston recently acquired Rudo's in Princess Anne. Thomas, 26, is a native of Somerset County who graduated from UMES. A political newcomer, she defeated incumbent Donald Price 189 to 83 votes for the at-large seat. She is employed at PRMC handling health care claims.

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Incumbent Catherine Brown leaves the Council.

IBPOEofW Elks Past Grand Exalted Ruler Raymond Anderson led in the votes won as a slate called the "Clean Sweep Team" removed two of the three incumbents from the city council. The third, Percy J. Purnell, defeated the incumbent mayor for his post. Anderson won his seat with 500 votes and becomes the only African American on the Council replacing Catherine Brown, who had served there since 1992.

Anderson is a native of Queen Anne's County who immigrated to Crisfield 18 years ago and has worked at the Side Street since then. He is now one of the Seafood Market and Restaurant managers there. A member of the Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the World since 1988, Anderson served as Exalted Ruler of the Crisfield Pride Lodge from 2002 through 2007. He is a Past Grand Exalted Ruler and Past State President. He has served as a trustee of the Lodge for the several years. A member of St. Paul AME Church, he also serves on the Crisfield Zoning Board. He has been married to Cynthia Anderson since 1997.

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Brenda Hughey-Jones of Salisbury has announced that she will seek one of the two at large seats on the Wicomico County Council in the November 7, 2006 elections. She is running as a Democrat and it her first attempt at seeking public office. Retired from Verizon, Hughey-Jones is an ordained minister at First Baptist Church in Salisbury where she is administrative coordinator of the ministerial staff, heads the outreach ministry board and teaches. The 55year old Philadelphia native is the daughter of Leroy and Georgia Mae Smith Hughey and moved to The Shore with her parents while young.

She is a graduate of Wicomico Senior High School, UMES, and the International Seminary in Florida (Fruitland, MD Campus). She has also studied at Morgan State u., Salisbury u., and the Christian Life School of Theology and is now working on a Masters Degree. Brenda and her husband, Louis Matthew Jones, have one daughter.

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C. Brown and Dr. Judy Lynn Mitchell were awarded statewide Excellence for Minority Achievement Awards at an April 28th gala ceremony and dinner held at Martin's West in Baltimore. The Maryland State Department of Education established the Achievement Initiative for Maryland's Minority Students (AIMMS) awards program in 1998 to inspire people in their efforts to assist in the advancement of success among minority students throughout Maryland. Brown received the Chair Award and Dr. Mitchell received the Educator Award.

Allen C. Brown has been the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services at the Wicomico County Board of Education for the last nine years. A Wicomico County native, he graduated from the former Salisbury High School, earned his BS Degree in elementary education from Bowie State u., and earned his Master's in Education from Salisbury U. He has been an educator for 37 years.

Dr. Judylynn Mitchell is the Supervisor of Education that is Multicultural, Library Media Services K-5, and Elementary Education for Wicomico County public schools. Winner of several community service awards, she hosts "The Land of Books" television reading program aired twice daily on Comcast Cable TV in Queen Anne's County and across the Lower Eastern Shore.

She has been principal of two schools with high minority populations that were recognized for their success in closing the achievement gap between racial groups. Dr. Mitchell was born in Salisbury and graduated from its public schools. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Bowie State u., a Master's Degree in Reading from Bowling Green State u., and a Doctorate in Education Degree from Nova Southeastern University.

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Rev. Clarence Hawkins, Reporter

Some 380 pastors and their wives and friends from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia were treated to an appreciation banquet held by Bennie Smith Funeral Homes at the Sheraton Hotel in Dover, DE on March 24, 2006. Dr. & Mrs. Smith took the opportunity to Praise the pastor's for their long-time service. The invitation only affair provided free dining and refreshments.

A brief program included: an invocation by Rev. Joseph Henry, Reflections by Dr. Francis Gates, music by Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Thomas and Rev. Andrew Tilghman, and acknowledgements by Rev. William Ward, Jr. Bennie Smith spoke offering his appreciation for the support that he has received from the community and the service that those in the audience have provided the community. Reactions from the guests were most positive. Impressed by the thoughtfulness of the Smiths for having the affair, the guest were even more impressed by how well planned the affair was, how good the menu was, and how appreciative the host was.

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Elder Glen T. Robinson, is celebrating his 30th year as pastor of Mt. Enoch Holy Church in Salisbury, MD. He became Pastor of Mt. Enoch Holy Church in 1976 succeeding Elder Brewington, his late mentor and pastor. Robinson earned the Doctorate in Theology from North Carolina College of Theology last June 2005, and a Master of Arts in Theology there in June 2003.

A native of Virginia, Robinson became an ordained minister in 1970. During his thirty years as Pastor, Elder Robinson has led his church to build a new sanctuary on Rockawalkin Ridge Road in Salisbury and opened Guardian Angel Learning Center child day care facility. He is now the CEO of Enoch Christian Ministries, Incorporated. A farmer and poultry grower, Robinson also serves on several boards in the community including the Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Board. He resides in Salisbury with his wife and Church First Lady, Elaine Robinson.

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Millville, DE native Tyesha N. Burks was awarded the Richard Bernstein Achievement Award during spring commencement ceremonies at UMES. The Award is reserved for UMES seniors graduating in business, accounting, engineering technology, construction management technology, computer science, science, or mathematics.

Burks graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a grade point average of 3.99 on a scale of 4.0. She has been accepted to a number of doctoral programs and plans to accept the offer of a full scholarship from Johns Hopkins University, where she will study molecular biology. The recipient of the Richard Bernstein Achievement Award for Excellence must demonstrate leadership abilities at school and/or in the community, the ability to be effective on an interpersonal basis, and a high degree of integrity. He or she must also be someone who has had to overcome personal obstacles to earn their degree.

Finally, there must be evidence of outstanding performance in academic work and demonstration of the potential for continued scholarly efforts. It is awarded annually during each commencement exercise.

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Long-time acting chief of police Lawrence E. Wright was appointed to head the Dept. of Public Safety last March. The Salisbury native has a lengthy career in law enforcement that includes serving as an officer in the Salisbury City Police Department and in the U of MD College and Park Campus Police Department.

Wright is the son of Phyllis & Lawrence E. Wright, Sr. of Salisbury. He graduated from Wicomico High School and UMES with a major in Criminal Justice and is studying towards a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. He is also a graduate of the Police Academy.

A veteran of the US Navy, Wright is a member of American Legion Post #145 Lamech Lodge of the Prince Hall Masons in Salisbury, and Alpha Phi alpha Fraternity. He attends Brown Memorial AME Church. Married to Kimberly Wright, he has two children.

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WESM-FM 91.3, the UMES NPR News station, has been nominated for a JazzWeek Award in the category of "Jazz Station of the Year Markets 80+." The awards, given by ]azzWeek Magazine, recognize top jazz format radio stations, programmers, labels, and talent. Nominees were announced in the May 22 Issue. The winners were determined by vote of the magazine's readers and will be announced at the JazzWeek Summit in Rochester, NY on June 17 which representatives of WESM plan to attend. The UMES station is one of just five stations nominated in the category and the only one that is local. (Other nominees in the category include KANU in KS, KCCK in IA, KEWUin WA, and WWSPin WI.) Awards are given to stations in three categories, based on market size. The largest stations are in the top 25 markets, mid-size stations are in the "26-79 Markets" category, and smaller stations are in the "80+ Markets" category.

WESM-FM 91.3 self produces more than 40 hours of jazz, blues and gospel programs each week, according to station general manager Marva Lovett. In addition the station airs award-winning programs from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and other nationally syndicated offerings. It has been broadcasting from UMES since 1987.

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The VFW Auxiliary of VFW Post #10159 in Salisbury has elected Mildred Spence as its president for 2006-2007. A long-time member of the unit, she held the presidency in 2001-2002, was VFW Auxiliary District # 16 president in 2002-2003, and has held several other offices at all levels. Spence is also a member of the Military Order of the Cootie Auxiliary and the Senior Vice President of Pup Tent #27 in Salisbury. A member of the Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World, she is the Assistant Daughter Ruler of Success Temple #154 in Salisbury and was honored at their recent Tri-State Convention with a capping by Purple Cross Nursing with all honors. The mother of four children, Spence lives in Salisbury.

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Princess Anne native Mercedes Terrell received her Medical Doctorate Degree at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2006. The daughter of James and Huldah Terrell of Princess Anne, Mercedes attended Somerset County public schools and graduated from Washington Senior High School. Prior to attending GWU, Terrell was an honors program student on full scholarship at UMES who graduated summa cum laude with a BS Degree in chemistry. She is currently doing her residency in Internal Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital Medical Center in Baltimore. Salisbury native Aeshu Ashanti Johnson, was awarded her Masters of Social Work Degree from Delaware State University on May 22, 2006. The daughter of Asmar and Mary Ashanti of Salisbury, Aeshu received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Hampton University. She is currently employed as a community support advocate at GoGetters, Inc. Johnson is married to David Emieke Johnson and the couple has three children.

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Salisbury native Tiffany Marie Polk graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a BS Degree in psychology. She was a member of the honors program and Beta Kappa Chi scientific honor society at the Washington, D.C. university. She plans to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Florida. Tiffany Polk Tiffany is the daughter of Jeffery and Rachel S. Polk and the granddaughter of Mary Eure, all of Salisbury. She graduated from Parkside High School in Salisbury.

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Princess Anne native Mercedes Terrell received her Medical Doctorate Degree at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2006. The daughter of James and Huldah Terrell of Princess Anne, Mercedes attended Somerset County public schools and graduated from Washington Senior High School. Prior to attending GWU, Terrell was an honors program student on full scholarship at UMES who graduated summa cum laude with a BS Degree in chemistry. She is currently doing her residency in Internal Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital Medical Center in Baltimore.