Jan. 13

Reconstruction: The second phase of the Boardwalk re-decking project from Wicomico to 15th streets continued this week The

Photo by Chris Parypa

Council Opts For Two-Phase Baltimore Avenue Project

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With the cost of redeveloping the Baltimore Avenue corridor having doubled since the project was first planned, resort officials this week chose the option to do the project in two phases over the next several years.

In recent years, a major renovation of the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division Street to 15th Street has been on the town’s radar and this week the majority of the Mayor and Council pulled the trigger on a phased concept. The project includes undergrounding the utilities, widening the sidewalks and overall streetscape improvements. A similar project along Baltimore Avenue north of 15th Street was completed

years ago and helped revitalize the area and likely spurred redevelopment along the corridor.

The design work for the Baltimore Avenue renovation project is largely completed and staff has been working with the private sector on the undergrounding of utilities and the State Highway Administration (SHA) on other aspects of the plan from its end. When first presented, the Baltimore Avenue project came with an estimated overall price tag of $20 million, which would be funded in part by a municipal bond sale and a combination of potential state and federal grants.

However, in the many months since, the project’s estimated cost has soared and is now roughly double at about $40 million. On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean, who has been the lead on the

proposed project from the beginning when he was city engineer, presented several options for the Mayor and Council to move the project forward.

The first option was to fully fund the project with a fiscal year 2024 bond sale and start the project next fall with an estimated completion date of 2027. The second option, favored ultimately by the majority of the council, was to separate the Baltimore Avenue corridor renovation into two phases, including the section from 9th to 15th streets first, followed by the south section from 9th Street to North Division Street.

Under that proposal, the town would be able to allow more existing debt service to come off the books, while continuing to pursue grant funding. The section from 9th Street to 15th Street would be funded through a fiscal year 2024

bond sale with a fall 2023 start date and a spring 2025 completion date. The section from 9th Street to North Division Street would then be delayed for two years, ultimately beginning in 2027 and ending in spring 2030.

Another option was to delay the entire project for five years to allow more debt to come off the town’s books, with a fall 2028 start date and a spring 2032 completion date. That option would include continuing to pursue available grants in the meantime. A final option would be to remove the utility undergrounding element of the project, widen the sidewalks only on the east side of the corridor and simply repaving the roadway.

Before the Mayor and Council heard the presentation of the available options from McGean on Tuesday, they heard from different sources during the public comment period about the importance of the project. For example, former councilman Dennis Dare pointed to the success of a similar project along the Baltimore Avenue corridor from 15th Street to 33rd Street.

“The redesigns of Philadelphia and Baltimore avenues have changed the look of downtown,” he said. “The thinking was public improvements would spark private investment. It has happened. Motel row was transformed into hotel row. I think you’re looking at the same potential with the project you have before you today.”

Dare, a long proponent of redeveloping the Baltimore Avenue corridor downtown as the resort’s city manager, pointed to its importance as a gateway and first impression for a lot of visitors to the resort.

“A lot of people cross Baltimore Avenue at North Division Street and they look to the south and a see a tree-lined street and blue skies above,” he said. “When they look to the north, they see what basically looks like an alley.”

Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) Executive Director Glenn Irwin also weighed in on the importance of the Baltimore Avenue corridor renovation. He pointed to the potential private sector investment along the corridor, including, for example, the planned Margaritaville project.

“As all are aware, there has been ample land acquisition activity from North Division Street to 15th Street and should result in several new redevelopment projects,” he said. “This anticipated increase in the property tax base should be considered as part of the final decision to move ahead with these street improvements.”

Irwin urged the council to pull the trigger on one of the options presented by McGean on Tuesday.

“This project has been discussed for many years,” he said. “Let’s not let it sit for the next 20 years pondering if the perfect construction timing and pricing will become available. The cost of this

2023 Winterfest To Feature Trams, Hybrid Model

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite some weather-related hiccups, Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights was largely successful and tourism officials this week promised a few new wrinkles for next year including bringing back the trams in a hybrid special event.

During Monday’s Ocean City Tourism Commission meeting, members got a review of the 2022 Winterfest of Lights, the 30th rendition of the annual festival. Winterfest opened on the Thursday before Thanksgiving weekend and closed on New Year’s Eve just before a slightly rain-spattered fireworks show.

In between, over 100,000 paid attendees walked through the stunning array of holiday light displays and other amen-

ities including photo opportunities with Santa and other family-friendly events.

Winterfest last year did have a handful of weather cancellations but losing some of those dates did not diminish the success of the event, Special Events Director Frank Miller told the tourism commission on Monday.

“At around 104,000 visitors, we were a little up from last year,” he said. “There were very good numbers, and we lost a few key days.”

It was learned on Monday the 2023 Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park could go back to a hybrid event of sorts. A few years ago, because of ongoing COVID concerns, Winterfest was modified to a walk-through event, and it was an instant critical and financial success. For decades, Winterfest attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors who rode

the Boardwalk tram through the massive array of light displays around Northside Park.

However, because of social distancing and other pandemic-related concerns, Winterfest was modified in 2020 to a walk-through event and the long lines and families cramming onto the trams were eliminated. The modified event was well-received, and the visitor numbers bear that out, but Business and Tourism Development Director Tom Perlozzo told the commission this week the working plan is to bring the trams back to some degree.

“In 2023, we’re going to bring back the trams,” he said. “They appeal to a different demographic. We’re still going to maintain the walking path option. It will likely be a hybrid of the two elements.”

Perlozzo and Miller have visited the popular Schellville winter festival in neighboring Delaware to seek different ideas for enhancing Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights. Both have promised to retain the nostalgic elements of Winterfest in Ocean City while looking for new ideas.

Like so many other special events in Ocean City, Winterfest continues to evolve for a variety of reasons. Changes borne out of the pandemic have remained in place and more modifications are likely in the future. Miller said Perlozzo and the staff continue to look for ways to make Winterfest, and all special events, even more enjoyable for visitors.

Elements added in 2022 included fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve at both Northside Park as a crescendo for Winterfest, and downtown at the Inlet with another related event that included drive-in movies and other family-friendly events.

Inclement weather ultimately moved the downtown events to New Year’s Day, but the fireworks went off as planned at the end of Winterfest at Northside Park, according to Perlozzo.

“The fireworks on New Year’s Eve in the rain drew a lot of visitors,” he said. “It was very popular despite the weather. The fireworks downtown on New Year’s Day also turned out to be a big hit.”

Mayor Rick Meehan praised tourism and special events officials for pivoting and keeping Winterfest vibrant during challenging times around the pandemic in general, and for their vision with the 2022 event in particular. For example, the model train Winterfest Christmas Garden was on display at the convention center. Meehan on Monday suggested Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park should maintain regular hours during the week between Christmas and New Year’s because there are a lot of families visiting the resort during that time.

“The model train garden was awesome,” he said. “It was very well-received. For the week between Christmas and New Year’s, I would keep Winterfest open the entire time. There are a lot of visitors here that week and we have families that have relatives visiting here.”

Perlozzo said despite the success of the modified walk-through Winterfest the last few years, tourism officials are always exploring ways to make the event bigger and better and attract even more visitors during the offseason. He told the tourism commission on Monday the elements of Winterfest that have made the event so popular over the decades would remain, but adding new features is the goal for the 2023 rendition.

“In 2023, we have the ability to add a few elements,” he said. “When you look at Winterfest, it has $92 million in direct and indirect impact. We’re talking about going back to a larger tent and doing more things inside. We spoke to a local amusement park and have talked about bringing in some kid’s rides.”

Snow Hill Eyes Riverboat Release

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Officials agreed this week to start the process of disposing of the beleaguered Black-Eyed Susan.

The Snow Hill Town Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to authorize town staff to move forward with getting rid of the Black-Eyed Susan, the riverboat the town purchased in 2020.

“We need to start this process, as painful as it may be to some people,” Mayor Mike Pruitt said.

The Black-Eyed Susan, a 149-passenger riverboat, had a successful season running up and down the Pocomoke River in 2021. A mandatory inspection in Norfolk in 2022, however, revealed that the boat needed extensive repairs in order to resume regular cruises. The inspection revealed issues with the hull, hydraulics system and paddlewheel frame. Initial repair estimates exceeded $600,000. As a result, the boat spent this past summer docked in Snow Hill.

Snow Hill officials solicited public comment last month regarding the future of the boat. While few people weighed in, Pruitt shared what he’d learned about the town’s options after talking to a variety of captains and marine professionals. Most told him the town could expect annual maintenance

costs of $100,000 even once the boat was repaired.

This week, Pruitt asked the council to make a decision regarding the future of the Black-Eyed Susan. He suggested officials authorize Town Manager Rick Pollitt to start planning on releasing the boat from the town’s ownership.

Councilmember Janet Simpson asked how that would be handled.

Pollitt said he’d first obtain an appraisal. When asked if the town meant to completely get out of the boat business, Pollitt reminded the council that the boat needed about half a million dollars in repairs and, based on Pruitt’s research, would cost $100,000 annually in regular maintenance.

A motion by Councilmember Regina Blake to start the process of removing the boat from the town’s ownership passed unanimously.

Pruitt said he trusted Pollitt to handle the process in the best interests of the town.

When a resident asked if there was any way the boat could still be used as the town explored how to best get rid of it, Pruitt said that would be up to Pollitt.

“I’m going to leave it at that and let Mr. Pollitt work his magic,” Pruitt said.

John Paffrath, who shared his interest in the boat with the council during

Resort Council Recinds Right-Of-Way Ordinance

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With a successful petition for referendum opposing the conveyance of a narrow section of rightof-way between 13th and 14th streets verified last week, resort officials on Tuesday voted to rescind the ordinance approved last year setting in motion that process, thereby avoiding the need for a possible special election.

As part of a larger discussion on Tuesday about the proposed redevelopment of the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division Street to 15th Street, the Mayor and Council had before them several options on how best to handle a successful petition for referendum opposing the conveyance of an abandoned narrow strip of right-of-way between 13th

Street and 14th Street.

By way of background, the town in recent years has been in the process of planning a major redevelopment of the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division Street to 15th Street including the undergrounding of unsightly utilities, widening sidewalks and an overall streetscaping project. The $40 million Baltimore Avenue redevelopment project is not without its complexities.

For example, deeds platted decades ago show the Baltimore Avenue right-ofway at 75 feet, but the current roadway utilizes just 45 feet from curb to curb, creating a narrow strip of property not needed for the corridor. Over the years, adjacent property owners have steadily encroached on the no man’s land of sorts with signs, parking, driveways and landscaping, for example.

As part of the larger redevelopment project, the plan has been to convey that narrow strip of unused right-of-way back to the adjacent property owners. The initial approach was to work through that process piecemeal, property by property, or at least in sections, and it just so happened the first applicant for the conveyance was the block between 13th Street and 14th Street that could support the proposed Margaritaville project in that area.

In order to meet the requirements for a planned overlay district, the developers of the Margaritaville project would need that narrow strip of unused right-ofway to make the minimum 90,000 square feet needed to qualify for the special zoning district. Again, all of the adjacent property owners along the corridor can, and likely will, apply for conveyance of the

unused portion of Baltimore Avenue rightof-way, but that block just happened to be first and the Mayor and Council last year approved Ordinance 2022-23, which began the conveyance process.

However, last year, local resident and former councilperson Margaret Pillas launched a petition for referendum challenging that ordinance. The petition required the signatures of at least 40% of the voters who participated in the last municipal election in 2020, although there is some dispute arising if a successful petition would require 40% of all of the registered voters in the town whether they voted in the 2020 election or not.

Last week, the Board of Elections Supervisors confirmed Pillas’ petition met the required number of signatures. That left town officials with multiple options, including holding a special election at a later date specific to the ratified petition, holding off until the next scheduled municipal election in 2024, or other options allowed by the town’s charter. On Tuesday, the council veered in a different direction, voting to simply rescind Ordinance 2022-23, thus avoiding the need for a special election on the issue. It remains to be seen if that action ends the issue, although there have already been veiled hints at another petition if the town moves forward with conveying all of the abandoned right-of-way along the corridor.

City Manager Terry McGean on Tuesday outlined the lengthy process for conveying the abandoned right-of-way. Steps include preparing new plats, sending letters to the property owners with the new plats, meeting with property owners as necessary to discuss their options, receiving approval from the property owners, crafting an ordinance to abandon the town-owned property and, finally, recording the amended plats.

During Tuesday’s work session, a series of motions were made and ultimately approved by the majority of the council on the conveyance issue. Council Secretary Tony DeLuca made a motion to rescind or remove the approved ordinance related to the area between 13th Street and 14th Street.

McGean said the abandonment of the unused right-of-way and ultimate conveyance of the property to the adjacent property owners could be achieved in different ways. For example, the application for the conveyance of the abandoned right-of-way between 13th Street and 14th Street was just the first of what could be many and was needed to accommodate the proposed Margaritaville project. McGean on Tuesday outlined different options for proceeding with the abandonment process.

“One option is to complete it in multiple ordinances beginning with phase one immediately,” he said. “The other option is to craft a single ordinance for the entire scope of the project.”

City Solicitor Heather Stansbury explained there were multiple options on the table in terms of dealing with the suc-

cessful petition for referendum.

“One option would be to hold a special election but the timeline for that would be no less than 90 days,” she said. “The other option is to wait until the next municipal election. We need some direction.”

Again, DeLuca made a motion to simply rescind the ordinance approved last year providing for the conveyance of the section of right-of-way between 13th and 14th streets, a motion ultimately approved unanimously by the council.

“I choose option three,” he said. “I make a motion to rescind or remove Ordinance 2022-23.”

Essentially, that option takes the existing verified petition for referendum out of the current equation altogether. DeLuca then made a motion to immediately begin the right-of-way abandonment process for the approved first phase of the Baltimore Avenue corridor renovation from 9th Street to 15th Street, a motion seconded by Councilman Frank Knight. McGean explained the timeline for that process was estimated at around 90 days.

However, Councilman Will Savage raised questions about simply rescinding the ordinance passes last year to bypass the special election question.

“We all work for the public, whether you are staff or an elected official,” he said. “We have a segment of the population that petitioned to oppose the abandonment of this property. I think many of the people that signed the petition aren’t opposed to the Baltimore Avenue project. It’s a separate issue.”

Savage asked if the Baltimore Avenue corridor project as planned relied on the conveyance of the abandoned right-of-way. McGean explained the project could still be completed without conveying the narrow right-of-way strip. McGean said the abandonment of the unused right-of-way and ultimate conveyance of the property to the adjacent property owners could be achieved in different ways.

However, Savage pointed out rescinding the original ordinance related to the area between 13th and 14th streets, essentially ending the referendum issue and the need for a possible special election for now, and then starting a new abandonment process for the first phase

of

“I think it’s absurd,” he said. “We have a successful petition with enough voter signatures. It’s just going to go back to another referendum. If we’re going to do this, I would prefer to do the entire corridor all at once.”

Mayor Rick Meehan agreed a blanket approach was likely to be more successful than the piecemeal approach.

“I think it changes the entirety of the issue,” he said. “It makes sense to consider doing the entire area at one time.”

Council President Matt James said he wasn’t entirely sure about the concept of conveying the abandoned strip of rightof-way to all of the adjacent property owners in one fell swoop but said approving the motion as presented would at least begin the process.

“I don’t support this fully,” he said. “I support the motion in the sense that it begins to get this into ordinance form and starts the process and affords the public with a chance to weigh in.”

McGean said approving the motion as presented would not mean it would come back in ordinance form almost immediately. He said the signers of the successful petition likely did so for a variety of reasons but moving forward with at least a plan on Tuesday would set in motion what will likely be a lengthy process.

“It will be months,” he said. “It’s not like it’s coming up again at the next Monday meeting. We believe some didn’t entirely understand what they were signing. Others were against any right-of-way abandonment, while some signed because they were specifically opposed to the Margaritaville project.”

After considerable debate, the council on Tuesday rescinded the initial ordinance allowing for the abandonment of the right-of-way between 13th Street and 14th Street, thereby ending, for now, the referendum issue. The council then voted, 5-2, with Savage and Councilperson Carol Proctor opposed, to begin the process of conveying all of the abandoned right-of-way along Baltimore Avenue to the adjacent property owners, a process that will likely take multiple months.

the Baltimore Avenue project simply set the stage for another petition for referendum drive.

Berlin Council

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Municipal officials agreed to transfer $1 million to a capital reserves fund for future projects.

The Berlin Town Council voted 5-0 Monday to transfer $1 million from unassigned general fund balance to the town’s capital reserves fund. The money will go toward town hall renovations and a new public works facility.

“Our fund balances are the highest they’ve been in six years,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “That’s good but we have

some things that now we need to start paying attention to.”

Tyndall said that last year, the town used its fund balance to set up stabilization and natural disaster funds as well as to set aside capital funds. The town also ended this year in good condition, with $1,166,000 more than the $1 million officials try to keep as an unassigned fund balance. Tyndall said he was recommending the town transfer the additional $1,166,000, primarily to the capital reserves fund. He suggested allocating $500,000 toward renovations to town hall, $400,000 to a new public works fa-

cility and $100,000 toward general fund capital projects. In addition, he recommended diverting $166,000 to the stabilization reserve fund.

The town hall renovations would target the former police department space on the ground floor.

“That building has no AC, no heat, it has no climate control at all or ventilation,” Tyndall said. “It has some things that are not aesthetically pleasing and things we probably don’t want to allow to continue.”

As far as public works, Tyndall said the existing cinder block building didn’t meet the town’s needs.

Councilman Jack Orris said he felt the town should consider communication needs, as cellphone service during large special events in Berlin has been inconsistent. Tyndall said that was a good idea but that it would likely be discussed during the budget process.

Councilman Dean Burrell asked where the $400,000 and $500,000 figures had come from. Tyndall explained they were estimates and were meant to send a message to employees that officials were planning for future improvements to working facilities.

When asked whether the former police station space was needed for employees, Tyndall indicated it was.

“We have employees working in closets that are not designed to be offices,” he said.

Resident Carol Rose said she felt the

Projects

town should consider the need for employee raises when it came to available funding. She also expressed concern about the tax rate.

Tyndall said the town was considering the needs of its employees and had commissioned a salary study.

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said she felt a new public works building should be the town’s priority.

“Even if every single dime on this page is spent on public works and then some, I would be smiling every day for the next 20 years,” she said. “Those men that work in that building need this money.”

Rose said $500,000 was a lot of money to set aside when the town didn’t yet have an estimate for the town hall renovations. Councilman Jay Knerr noted that if the projects cost more than the town had set aside, they’d go through another budget process and set aside additional funding when it was available.

“Part of what these monies will allow you to do is move forward with planning,” Town Administrator Mary Bohlen added.

Orris, while not opposed to the transfer, echoed Rose’s concern for the taxpayers during the upcoming fiscal year.

“Let’s keep an eye on our residents and what we can do for them,” he said.

The council voted unanimously to approve a motion made by Councilman Steve Green to transfer $1 million to the capital reserves fund and $166,000 to the town’s stabilization reserve fund.

OC Council Looks To Address Small Motorized Vehicles

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials essentially ended this week any further discussion about businesses renting electric bicycles, or e-bikes, while also exploring a prohibition of the rental of all smaller, motorized vehicles.

In 2020, the Mayor and Council narrowly passed an ordinance prohibiting all classes of e-bikes on the Boardwalk. When potential ADA issues arose, the council revisited the Boardwalk e-bike use and ultimately passed an ordinance allowing only the lowest rated Class 1 e-bikes on the Boardwalk. The ordinance opened a parallel issue about if and where e-bikes should be allowed to be rented in other areas of town. One of the main concerns was if only Class 1 e-bikes were allowed on the Boardwalk, but the Class 1, Class

2, and Class 3 e-bikes could be rented throughout town, those higher rated vehicles would ultimately find their way to the Boardwalk.

The realization led to the crafting of another ordinance, which the Mayor and Council had before them last month for first reading. The ordinance as presented would allow for the rental, sale and repair on all classes of e-bikes in town with the Boardwalk prohibition of riding the Class 2 and Class 3 bikes firmly in place. However, the debate continued this week, especially over the potential rental of the Class 3 e-bikes, which are pedal-assisted and can reach speeds of 28 mph.

Town staff, including City Solicitor Heather Stansbury, this week returned with a compromise ordinance of sorts, allowing for the rental of lower grade Class 1 e-bikes under the existing business license process, while making the rental of

the Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes only permissible as a conditional use approved by the Mayor and Council. Stansbury explained the essential elements of the amended ordinance.

“There was a void in the business license at the time,” she said. “The Class 1 e-bikes could be rented under a standard business license, but we are unsure how to treat the Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. As written, the code classifies them as small displacement vehicles. As such, it would require a conditional use to be allowed to rent them. It would require several code cleanups.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, who chairs the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, said the e-bike rental issue had been debated at several levels and the amended ordinance as presented on Tuesday represented a compromise of sorts.

“You know this is one of my favorite

subjects,” he said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on this at various levels. This should be a conditional use allowing for the rentals of the Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes.”

However, Councilman Will Savage, a fireman and first responder, said the ordinance as amended tackles only the e-bike issue and did not address the rental of other motorized vehicles such as mopeds, the low-riding scoot coupes and others that have proliferated in the resort in recent years. He pointed to safety issues with the small, motorized vehicles interacting on an eight-lane Coastal Highway with other vehicles and pedestrian traffic.

“Where does this stop and start?” he said. “Today, it’s e-bikes. In the immediate future, we’ll be talking about scooters, skateboards, one-wheels and hoverboards? What is next after that? We are going to be chasing this issue forever and, as proposed, this does not address the total issue. I think all should be banned for rental within our town.”

Savage said the proliferation of rented vehicles of all shapes and sizes in the resort represented safety and quality-of-life issues for residents and visitors.

“This is a quality-of-life issue for our residents and a safety issue for our stakeholders,” he said. “All of these devices would be rented if allowed to be primarily used as a thrill ride. We have examples now with mopeds and scoot coupes primarily being used as a thrill ride. Think about what we are allowing.”

Councilperson Carol Proctor agreed the rental of small, motorized vehicles, including e-bikes, was a quality-of-life issue.

“There is a difference between owning one and renting one,” she said. “Renters may have never been on one before. They maneuver differently and handle differently than a regular bicycle.”

Savage made a motion to end the discussion on e-bike rentals of any kind within the town and took it a step further to include all small, motorized vehicles.

“I make a motion that we discontinue discussion on this ordinance as presented and direct staff to present to us ordinance amendments necessary to stop issuing new business licenses for the rental of all small motor-powered devices,” he said. “This shall include, but not be limited to, mopeds, scoot coupes, electric bikes, electric and gas-powered scooters, onewheels and hoverboards. It should address holders of existing business licenses and give them three years from April 1 to adjust their business model to discontinue the rental of the previously mentioned items.”

Councilman John Gehrig said the motion as presented painted the issue with too wide of a brush.

“This is something we need to have more discussion on,” he said. “This is dropping the bomb on the entire thing. Just because it irritates us doesn’t mean we need to ban all of this stuff. Next, we’ll be banning jet skis because they cause a wake near our house, or surf fishing because we’re worried about hooks down the beach from where we’re sitting.”

The council voted 6-1, with Gehrig opposed, to approve Savage’s motion to end the discussion of e-bike rentals and all small, motorized vehicles and have existing businesses that rent the vehicles present their business plans.

County To Dispose Of Ice Rink

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – In a split vote this week, county officials agreed to get rid of the synthetic ice rink purchased in 2019.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 to cease ice rink operations and explore how best to dispose of it. While those in support of getting rid of it cited the expense and underutilization, others argued it was an amenity for citizens.

“To get rid of this is a disservice to the people,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said.

This week, county staff were asked to provide an update on the ice rink, which was purchased for nearly $70,000 at the urging of Tom Perlozzo in 2019. The county also spent close to $10,000 on a trailer to hold the rink and skate racks as well as new felt for the rink.

Director of Recreation and Parks Kelly Rados said the county typically worked with a civic organization or community event to set up the rink, and in those cases a 90/10 revenue split was used to help offset the county’s setup costs. It takes about eight staff members four hours to lay down the rink and another three hours to pick it up.

In her report to the commissioners, Rados said in late November, the rink was laid down at Sturgis Park for the Town of Snow Hill. The town had 150 skaters during the holiday season, charging $5 a skater for a total of $750. Per the split, the county received $75 of that. A sponsorship of $1,000 enabled the county to offer free skating Dec. 27-30. That attracted 243 skaters.

“While the ice rink does not pay for itself, it does allow us to bring in some revenue,” Rados said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting made a motion to cease use of the rink and to explore options to sell or donate it.

Mitrecic said that like many recreation facilities, the rink wasn’t meant to make money. Commissioner Ted Elder agreed that recreation and parks was a not a business.

“It’s not there to make money,” he said.

Commissioner Diana Purnell pointed out that before the county had the synthetic rink, there had been just one ice rink where kids could skate in the area.

“This is one of those services that show appreciation to the county,” she said. “I do not want to get rid of it.”

Bunting said that when staff had suggested the county purchase the rink in 2019, it had been presented as a money-making venture.

“You were going to sell ads on fencing,” he said.

Purnell said the rink operations had been affected by the pandemic, as everything had.

When Commissioner Caryn Abbott asked Rados for her thoughts, Rados

said events like the holiday one were good for the community. She added, however, that the county needed to find more locations to offer events like that where the rink could be set up for prolonged periods.

“When we set it up and break it down it does take eight staff,” she said.

Commissioner Eric Fiori said he agreed the rink was a public service but thought resources could be better used elsewhere to benefit more citizens.

Commissioner Chip Bertino said he’d taken his grandchildren to the rink last month and they’d enjoyed skating. He also said he’d gone back and reviewed the 2019 presentation from staff when they proposed purchasing the rink.

“This was promoted as a moneymaker for the county,” he said, adding that it had also cost more than the $50,000 staff initially said it would cost.

Bertino added that the rink, which is 52 feet by 32 feet, had only been able to accommodate 13 skaters at a time when he’d seen it being used.

“It was a nice experience, but this hasn’t lived up to the expectations that were presented to the commissioners,” he said.

The commissioners voted 4-3, with Mitrecic, Elder and Purnell opposed, to stop using the rink and to explore ways to sell or donate it.

Grant Expected To Improve Connectivity For Towns

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Downtown businesses could see improved internet connectivity thanks to a state grant.

Municipal officials this week discussed the $3.2 million Worcester County received through the Rural Maryland funds being dispersed by the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore. While there was some confusion regarding the town’s intentions, Mayor Zack Tyndall said Berlin was definitely interested in receiving some of the money Worcester County has allocated for Main Street connectivity in Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke.

“The Town of Berlin does want fiber optics and if the county’s willing to pay for it we’re willing to accept it,” Tyndall said.

At the close of Monday’s council meet-

ing, Councilman Steve Green brought up Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent announcement of a $50 million Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund. The fund will be administered by five regional councils throughout the state — the TriCounty Council here — and is meant to boost economic development, stimulate investment and create jobs in rural regions. Worcester County is set to receive $3.2 million and the county commissioners agreed last fall that certain projects —including downtown connectivity — would receive approximately $800,000 of those funds. The commissioners want to provide sustained fiber optic service to Main Street areas in Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke so businesses in Worcester County’s small towns have the same reliable, fast internet as businesses in major cities.

Green said the funding would bring fiber to local towns and wanted to know

more about the process between the town and the county.

Tyndall told the council he communicated regularly with Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young and that the county was working with someone in Salisbury on the project.

“That’s all I know at this time but when I have more information I’ll share that with you,” he said.

Green said faster internet for downtown businesses would be great news for the town.

“I think there are high speed accessibility issues downtown so I’m looking forward to hearing more about that,” he said.

Resident Carol Rose questioned Tyndall’s update, as she said she’d heard Tyndall was only interested in Berlin receiving grant funding if the town could own the fiber. She said she was con-

Therapy

cerned other towns would receive Berlin’s share of the funding if that was the case.

“The Town of Berlin has never taken a position we don’t want the funding for fiber optic,” Tyndall said. “I can’t speak to your conversation but I can tell you that Weston and I talk frequently and that’s not factual.”

Tyndall stressed that the town was interested in being involved in the project.

“The position of the town is if you’re going to pay for it we want it,” Tyndall said.

When contacted after the meeting, Young said the grant funding had only just been awarded and the project was in its early stages.

“While most of the grant money available for broadband is for the unserved or underserved communities, we found an opportunity to utilize these funds for the downtown businesses of Berlin, Pocomoke, and Snow Hill,” Young said. “We are very early in the process and will work with each town to try to reach as many businesses as possible with the limited funding available, as well as request help with the right-of-way and permitting needs to complete this project. In the event a town does not want to fully participate in this grant, we will use the monies for the other towns. The mayor and council of Berlin have made it clear they wish to participate. This will be a great project that should be able to be expanded at a later date for residential benefit as well.”

BERLIN – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) will activate a new traffic signal at the Route 113 (Worcester Highway) and Route 818 (Main Street) intersection in Berlin on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The traffic signal will be in flash-only mode for 72 hours beginning Saturday to give motorists a chance to get used to its operation. Portable changeable message signs will also be in place to alert motorists of the new signal. By Tuesday, Jan. 17, the signal will be fully operating.

Contruction on the $100,000 signal began in October 2022 as a result of discussions between SHA, local elected officials, the Town of Berlin and citizens. SHA traffic analysis determined a traffic signal would increase safety of motorists as well as pedestrians at this location. Nearly 20,000 vehicles use this section of Route 113 at this intersection each day.

“Safety is our top priority, and we are grateful for the discussions we’ve had with citizens and the Town of Berlin to move this project forward,” SHA Administrator Tim Smith said. “This will improve the safety of this intersection for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Commissioners Vote To Cancel West OC Sailboat Lease

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners this week opted to end an agreement that provided a sailboat with space at the commercial harbor.

The commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday to give the connections of the Alyosha, the sailboat that docks at the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor, notice that they were canceling the boat’s lease.

“Putting this use there was wrong,” Commissioner Jim Bunting said.

In 2019, the commissioners approved a five-year lease with the Alyosha that allowed the sailboat to dock in a 64-foot space that runs along the bulkhead at the county boat ramp. The lease cost the boat $8,500 a year and gave the county exclusive rights to sell advertising and corporate sponsorships on the Alyosha.

Bunting asked staff how much the county had actually collected for the lease.

Kelly Rados, director of recreation and parks, said the county had collected the $8,500 but had paid the Alyosha $5,500 for advertising.

“In essence they paid $3,000 for the slip,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said.

Rados added that at the completion of the last season, it was made clear to the boat’s owner that moving forward

the $8,500 lease would be due in full and that there would be no credit or payment from the county for running the Maryland’s Coast sail.

Bunting said he hadn’t supported the agreement with the sailboat when it first came up back in 2019.

“I think the dock is better used for people unloading their boats and having a place to tie up … and wait while they’re waiting for the opportunity to reload their boat,” he said. “I think that’s what the use of the dock, that area there, is for.”

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, who represents Ocean City, said he’d received no complaints about the sailboat. He said he’d also talked to Bud Church and that the former District 3 commissioner hadn’t received any complaints about the sailboat lease either.

“I don’t see what the issue is with this,” Mitrecic said. “It’s not a huge amount of revenue but it certainly is a lot more revenue than some of the other ideas that have come out of this county.”

He noted that the $8,500 in revenue could have covered the deficit of the county’s ice rink, which the commissioners voted earlier Tuesday to get rid of.

Both the ice rink and the sailboat lease were originally brought to the commissioners by Tom Perlozzo, who at the time was the county’s director of recreation and parks. In the case of the sailboat, Perlozzo suggested the com-

missioners allow the Alyosha’s owner to dock the 50-foot boat at the harbor, in the space in front of the public restrooms. Perlozzo told the commissioners the county would get the $8,500 for the lease fee as well as half the revenues derived from advertising and corporate sponsorships displayed on the boat’s sails and flags.

“To be honest with you, if we’re going to spend the next months or whatever undoing what the previous board of commissioners did and what Mr. Perlozzo brought to us, I’m out,” Mitrecic said. “Call me when we want to do some real business.”

Commissioner Ted Elder said he felt the county needed to honor the agreement it had made with the sailboat’s connections.

“To just pull the rug out from under somebody after you made an agreement with them is wrong,” he said. “I’ve lived up to my agreements and I feel we should live up to ours.”

He added, however, that the county should reevaluate paying the boat for advertising.

Commissioner Eric Fiori said the sailboat was in his district.

“I use that boat ramp on a regular basis,” he said. “What I will say is it’s really affected the flow of the boat ramp, and the delay, it’s taking time for folks to load and unload their boats because there’s nowhere for them to stage their

boats.”

He added that the county should consider the fee associated with the lease.

“If you were to rent this slip commercially… you’re talking about a pennies on the dollar lease for the amount of real estate that this particular boat takes up,” Fiori said.

He said he didn’t think the lease was “a fair deal” for the county.

“I think the detriment that we’re having to our recreational boaters is far greater than the $8,500, and if you add the advertising, considerably less than that,” he said. “I think it’s a disservice to constituents of the county.”

When Commissioner Diana Purnell asked if the connections of the Alyosha had been advised the lease was being discussed, staff said they had not.

“Aren’t we obligated to let him know?” Purnell asked.

Roscoe Leslie, the county’s attorney, said the commissioners would be giving the boat’s owner the 90 days’ notice that the contract required.

Bunting added that the county wasn’t not honoring its agreement with the Alyosha, as the contract stated that it could be canceled for any reason with 90 days’ notice.

The commissioners voted 5-2, with Mitrecic and Purnell opposed, to give the boat’s connection the 90 days’ notice that the contract was being canceled.

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department continues to seek applicants for its summer enforcement program.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro presented members of the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on seasonal recruitment.

For decades, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) has enhanced its workforce with seasonal officers and public safety aides (PSA) during the summer months. And while interest in the seasonal program gained some momentum two years ago, Buzzuro told commission members this week recruitment, particularly for PSAs, continues to lag.

“If you look at both seasonal officers and public safety aides, we’re fairly close with officers but are experiencing a drop off in interest in public safety aides,” he said.

Through the most recent January testing date, the police department reported having 51 seasonal officer applicants, with 16 failures, three conditional hires and 26 candidates remaining in the process.

Last year, OCPD had 115 total applicants and 42 hires, five of which were returning to the force.

“We are fortunate to have return seasonal police officers,” Buzzuro said. “There is an interest.”

In terms of PSA recruitment, the department reported having 24 applicants with no failures and no conditional hires.

Last year, OCPD had 50 applicants and 48 hires, 20 of which were returning PSAs.

“We’re fortunate all 24 [applicants] still remain in the process,” Buzzuro said.

Councilman Peter Buas, commission chair, questioned when the department would finalize its hiring numbers.

“When will we have a better idea of when those applicants will be able to convert?” he said.

Officials noted that numbers would be finalized in April, ahead of May training.

“It’s going to take a little while … because of the vetting process,” Buzzuro replied.

Officials noted the department would continue to hold testing throughout the winter months. The next round of testing is scheduled for Jan. 28-29.

The police commission this week also reviewed police activity for the month of December. The department reported officer calls for service decreased from 1,630 in 2021 to 1,187 in 2022, while citizen calls for service increased from 490 to 631.

“That is a difference of 141 calls for service,” Buzzuro said. “To put that into perspective, that’s about 21 calls a day in December, which is less than one an hour.”

In the top 25 calls for service, citizen assists decreased from 128 to 94, EMS assists increased from 36 to 80 and traffic stops increased from 582 to 664.

“I don’t see anything that’s rather glaring that calls for further attention in terms of activity,” Buzzuro said.

Nuisance Flood Events Reviewed

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say no immediate action is needed to address recent flood events in Ocean City.

On Wednesday, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville presented members of the Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee (Green Team) with an update on the town’s nuisance flood report for 2022.

He noted that while the resort reported five nuisance flood events last year, no immediate action was needed.

“If we end up with five nuisance flood events for the year, we are within that parameter of not taking any dramatic action yet,” he told committee members this week. “We established through our plan that once nuisance flood events exceeded 10 to 12 events per year, then the committee would prepare recommendations to forward to council about what we should do about it.”

A couple of years ago, the state of Maryland required coastal communities to prepare a plan outlining what the town can do to address nuisance flooding, or flooding that causes public inconveniences such as road closures or overwhelmed storm drains. Part of that project, Neville said, was a commitment to collect flood data for a five-year period.

“What we set up was a flood map where we said we’re going to track both high-tide flooding and flooding that was caused by heavy rainfall,” he explained. “We’ve completed two years of data collection, so we are headed into year three.”

Using news reports and the MyCoast reporting tool, Neville told community members the town was able to collect flood data over the course of 2022. That data, published on the town’s website, showed one nuisance flood event in each of the first three quarters of 2022 and two nuisance flood events in the fourth and final quarter.

“The beginning of October was one of our multi-tide cycle nuisance flood events caused by whatever hurricane headed up the coast,” he said. “It ended

up going off the coast, so it didn’t hit us directly, but it obviously caused a hightide situation around Oct. 3. That was when our concert event got canceled.”

With five nuisance flood events reported in 2022, Neville reiterated the committee did not need to take immediate action.

“What we decided last year at this time was that there weren’t any major red flags that would cause us to forward recommendations for mitigation to the council,” he said. “And I think we’ll come to that same conclusion here when we have a chance to review all four quarters.”

Ocean City Surf Club President Tommy Vach questioned what recommendations the committee would make.

“What would you do when you get to 10 or 12 flooding events?” he said.

Neville said state agencies are encouraging communities to develop their own recommendations. He noted, however, that officials are researching at-risk watersheds and first-floor elevations of properties within those areas.

“We’re slowly collecting this information so we’re ready to do something about it …,” he replied. “We can’t elevate the whole island by two feet, but we can at some point decide that in our most at-risk areas we can do something about it.”

Councilman Peter Buas, committee liaison, also highlighted ongoing efforts within the town’s planning and public works department. He also pointed to capital projects that will address nuisance flooding.

“They are always ahead of the curb,” he said.

Neville this week also presented committee members with a report on the town’s hazard mitigation plan, which is currently in the process of being updated.

“We did an update, and it was sent to the state agency and FEMA for review,” he said. “I believe we have received comments back.”

Neville said those comments would be reviewed at a work session with the Mayor and Council in February.

“Hopefully, we can get it approved in March,” he added.

Funds Approved For Tournament, Festival

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials last week approved Tourism Development Grant (TDG) funds for two special events in Ocean City.

During last month’s Ocean City Tourism Commission meeting, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo asked for and received a positive recommendation for the expenditure of TDG funds for two special events, including Premiere Basketball, a tournament that has been coming to Ocean City for nearly four decades, and the Ocean City Art League’s annual film festival, which has become a fixture on the spring special events calendar for the last seven years. Last week, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously to approve the tourism commission’s recommendations for TDG funding at the requested amount.

The Premiere Basketball tournament has been held on two weekends in late May and early June for the last 38 years. This summer, event organizers were seeking a third weekend and their request for funding from the town reflected that additional weekend of heads in beds and seats.

TDG funds for the Premiere Basketball event in the past were set at $18,000 for the two weekends, but the promoters were seeking $22,000 this year because of the added weekend. The tourism commission recommended funding at $15,000, or $5,000 for each of the three weekends, along with $7,000 in in-kind services provided by the town to help produce the event. That figure was approved by the Mayor and Council last Tuesday.

The Premiere Basketball event is essentially a series of weekend tournaments spread over three weeks. The first tournament set for Saturday, May 27 and Sunday,

May 28, is expected to draw 90 teams, or as many as 1,400 participants. The second weekend, set for Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4, is expected to draw 150 teams, or as many as 2,000 participants. Finally, the last weekend tournament set for Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, is expected to draw around 95 teams, or as many as 1,500 attendees.

Also last week, the Mayor and Council unanimously approved a $15,000 expenditure in TDG funds for the Ocean City Art League’s 7th annual Ocean City Film Festival set for this March.

The Ocean City Film Festival features works by independent filmmakers from all over the world and has become widely regarded as one of the best festivals of its kind in the mid-Atlantic region. The Town of Ocean City is the festival’s title sponsor and the TDG funding approved last week matches the town’s contribution of $15,000 last year.

Ocean Pines Committee Begins Budget Review

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – An Ocean Pines committee kicked off its annual review of the proposed 2023-2024 budget last week with presentations from various department heads.

Last Wednesday, General Manager John Viola presented members of the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Committee with the coming year’s proposed spending plan, which reflects total revenues and operating expenses of $14.45 million, bulkhead replacement expenses of $1.15 million and capital expenditures of $1.02 million.

Included in this year’s budget, Viola said, is a $21 assessment reduction for non-waterfront lots.

“I want to point out it was not our intent to specifically lower the assessment,” he said. “It’s a bottoms-up calculation so when everything was calculated, quantified, that’s where it showed up. There is a true-up component where we are trying to reflect a realized favorability that we have had over the last couple of years.”

Viola told committee members last week the preliminary budget also features increases in payroll and benefits resulting from statutory wage increases and wage inflation. The spending plan also proposed price increases for amenities.

“The bottom line is with all the inflation and everything, the rates we had for the increases are lower than inflation,” he said.

The coming year’s budget also reflects an increase in infrastructure spending for roads, drainage, mailboxes, deferred maintenance and new capital projects and initiatives, Viola said. It also includes a 1% increase in the police 401k benefit contribution, salary adjustments for police officers and the continuation of the police department’s Take Home Car Program.

“We did include some adjustments for the police a couple months ago that are baked into this year’s numbers,” he said. “We will continue that this year, along with other increases.”

Committee members last week met with representatives from each of the association’s departments to review spending plans for the coming fiscal year. Chair Dick Keiling said the work sessions will allow committee members to review the budget and make recommendations.

“This is a first pass of the budget presented by staff …,” he explained. “We’re to ask questions and make recommendations. That’s the limitation of our role here, to ask questions, understand the budget and make recommendations we feel necessary to the board and the GM.”

The Ocean Pines Board of Directors will hold its annual budget review Jan. 18-19. The association’s fiscal year begins on May 1 of each year and ends on April 30 of the next calendar year.

Officials OK Site Plan For West OC Mobile Home Park

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Plans for the expansion of a West Ocean City mobile home park moved ahead last week following approval by county officials.

The Worcester County Planning Commission last Thursday voted unanimously to approve a site plan for Salt Life Park. The project consists of a 34-lot expansion of an existing manufactured home park on Old Bridge Road.

“It’s really a nice continuation of the old park,” attorney Hugh Cropper said.

Cropper told the commission his client, Mark Odachowski, had purchased the existing park and started working to improve it. The 34-lot expansion is part of that improvement effort.

“It was really an eyesore,” Odachowski said.

He said he’d met with land planning professionals to develop an expansion plan that would complement what was already there. Odachowski told the commission the park was a community for those 50 and older and that renters were subject to background checks. He said he would not be offering short-term rent-

als. While the new units will be bigger than those currently in the park, their lots will also be bigger. Odachowski said he was hoping to improve the property and also provide affordable housing in the West Ocean City area.

Commission member Ken Church agreed that the proposed expansion should provide some much-needed affordable housing. He also praised the improvements Odachowski has already made.

“The change is just remarkable,” he said.

The commission voted to approve

the site plan contingent on a few minor housekeeping matters being cleared up.

The commission last week also approved a site plan for Salt Grass Point, a mini storage facility. The project, which will be located on Route 611 south of Snug Harbor Road, will consist of eight buildings totaling 75,000 square feet.

The project initially received site plan approval in 2021. Connections of the project said nothing had changed and they were simply seeking reapproval because the previous site plan had expired.

opa reports vandalism at skate park

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Officials in Ocean Pines were forced to close the community’s skate park last week to address vandalism that had occurred at the property.

Though the amenity reopened last Friday, officials say they will continue to monitor the Ocean Pines Skate Park after the most recent bout of vandalism.

After learning of the property damage last Wednesday, crews spent the following days making the necessary repairs.

“While we’re making necessary repairs, the rules sign will be replaced, and the sponsor sign will be upgraded and replaced,” Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said in a statement last week. “New opening and closing times will be posted, and signs mandating ‘no trespassing’ during off hours will be posted as well.”

Donahue said the skate park is monitored by the Ocean Pines Police Department. She said if the vandalism continues, the police department will remove the parties involved and potentially ban them from the skate park permanently. Police will also monitor the park for trespassers during the posted hours when the park is closed.

“Rec and Parks wants to be able to have a nice facility for Ocean Pines mem-

bers,” she said. “However, with the continued behavior it does not make sense to upgrade the facility or spend the money needed to continue to replace damaged property.”

She continued, “Closing the park is not something we want to do. Let’s work together to continue to have a nice facility, and to be able to add more items to the park and do any necessary upgrades.”

Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis said vandalism has been a recurring issue at the skate park, and General Manager John Viola reports there is a cost involved in its continued upkeep.

That cost, he said, must be passed on to all members of the Ocean Pines Association.

“It’s unfortunate, and you never want to see something like this,” Viola said. “We also want to remind people that we have posted rules at the park, and those are for the safety of those using the park and the safety of those around them.”

He continued, “We hope everyone will respect the rules of this facility, so we can continue to operate it for the benefit of our homeowners and residents.”

Some, however, say more is needed to deal with vandalism issues at the skate park. Ocean Pines resident Zachary Johnson, a skate park user, advocated for additional police presence.

“The entire population should not be punished for the misdeeds of one or two individuals,” Johnson said. “Forcing citizens to police themselves could cause more harm than good. Not every individual has the ability or disposition to do so responsibly. This is one of the reasons we hold our law enforcement in such high regard.”

Johnson also advocated for community involvement.

“I know that there were multiple skaters/family members who offered to help clean up the park after it was closed, due to ‘vandalism’ and were turned away,” he said. “This could be a missed opportunity to bridge gaps within our community and dispel some antiquated stereotypes about skateboarders.”

Officials say the Ocean Pines Skate Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and that skaters must complete a signed waiver to enter and skate in the park.

All skaters under the age of 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of Ocean Pines Recreations and Parks staff or Ocean Pines Police Department staff.

Skaters should wear safety gear. Helmets are mandatory. Elbow and knee pads are recommended. Shirts and shoes are required.

More information about the Ocean Pines Skate Park can be found on the association’s website.

Land Trust Seeks Reaccreditation

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A local nonprofit is seeking the community’s help as it applies for reaccreditation.

In 2017, Lower Shore Land Trust received national accreditation from the Land Trust Commission. Now, the nonprofit is seeking reaccreditation and encouraging community members to provide public comments.

“The public comment period is a way that the commission can hear from the community in which the land trust works,” said Lower Shore Land Trust Executive Director Kate Patton. “They are interested in learning about the impact the organization has in protecting land.”

The voluntary land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.

“The process for applying to accreditation and reviewing our policies and processes actually strengthened the board and how we operate,” Patton said. “It gave our board more confidence in our work and positioned the organization to be proactive about our land conservation work.”

Land trusts are required to renew their accreditation every five years. The process, Patton said, ensures that policies and procedures are keeping up with the growing organization.

“A lot can happen between renewal,” she explained. “For example, there can be a change of leadership and staff. For LSLT, after COVID hit and pushed our organization to work mostly remotely, we had to pivot like so many other organizations and businesses. This meant we were holding meetings virtually and voting on land transactions and we had to make updates to how we operated. The renewal will look at how we made those changes, and this ensures that our transactions are secure, and we can forever defend the conservation values of our easements.”

A public comment period for Lower Shore Land Trust’s reaccreditation process is now open. The commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications.

“The accreditation seal shows landowners, donors, community members and other stakeholders that the land trust has gone through a rigorous application process and can be entrusted with managing conservation easement properties and donations,” Patton said.

Comments must relate to how Lower Shore Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These stan-

dards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. A full list of standards can be found on the Land Trust Accreditation Commission’s website.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866.

“The public comment period coincides with the application review period,” Patton said. “Once the commission reviews the application and gathers comments and any supporting information, they will determine whether to renew accreditation.”

Comments on Lower Shore Land Trust’s application will be most useful by March 31, 2023. For more information about Lower Shore Land Trust, visit www.lowershorelandtrust.org or call 443-234-5587.

“Lower Shore Land Trust is one of several Maryland land trusts which are accredited,” Patton said. “The certification launched in 2008 and represents the commitment of the land trust community across the country to ensure conservation lands are viable for today and for future generations.”

Loaded Handgun, Drugs

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested last week after a loaded handgun and various drugs were located in his vehicle with his toddler son.

Around 8:45 p.m. last Tuesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were patrolling in the area of 90th Street and observed a vehicle with Virginia tags without an operating headlight. The officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle for an equipment violation.

Because officers detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, they asked the driver, later identified as Andrew Turner, 27, of Rehoboth, to step out of the vehicle and he complied. Turner retrieved his two-year-old son from the back seat of the vehicle before officers conducted a search, according to police reports.

Under the driver’s seat, officers reportedly located a loaded 9mm handgun. In the center console, officers located three marijuana cigarettes and a box containing three “baked bars” vape cartridges, according to police reports. In the back seat, officers located a mason jar containing marijuana residue.

Turner was placed under arrest at that point for the handgun violation. During a search of Turner’s person, officers located rolled up dollar bills containing powder cocaine residue along with a crystalline substance suspected of being methamphetamine. Turner was charged with possession of a loaded handgun and various drug possession counts.

Taser, Spiked Belt Located

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware woman was arrested last weekend after being found with various weapons in her vehicle following a seatbelt stop.

Around 1:30 p.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was patrolling in the area of 33rd Street and observed a vehicle driven by Tiffany Tersak-Chereches, 39, of Millsboro, Del., not wearing a seatbelt and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with Tersak-Chereches, the officer noticed on the front passenger seat a black Taser that was fully charged and ready to be used, according to police reports. The officer activated the Taser and noted it produced an electrical spark, according

to police reports.

On the passenger side floor, the officer observed a black leather belt equipped with several spiked studs. According to police reports, the spikes were sharp, and the belt could have easily been used as a weapon. Both the Taser and the spiked belt were within easy range of the driver’s seat, according to police reports.

Tersak-Chereches was arrested and charged with multiple weapons violations counts. Possession of a Taser is prohibited by city ordinance and the spiked belt was defined as a martial arts weapon according to the town’s weapons ordinance.

First Punched, Then Arrested

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean Pines man was arrested last week on multiple charges after allegedly being involved in a scuffle at a midtown nightclub.

Around 1:15 a.m. last Sunday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a reported fight in progress at a midtown nightclub. While officers were speaking with bar security about the initial incident, they heard people shouting behind them that a second fight had broken out, according to police reports.

The officers identified one suspect as Victor Hopkins, 36, of Ocean Pines, and another unidentified male actively resisting bar security officers, while a crowd of people had gathered to watch the incident, according to police reports. OCPD officers approached Hopkins and attempted to take him into custody, but he tensed his body and pulled his arms away from the officers’ grip, according to police reports.

Hopkins was ultimately taken to the ground but continued to resist, concealing his hands underneath his body to avoid being placed in handcuffs. Security footage showed the unidentified male said something to Hopkins, which resulted in Hopkins shoving him in the chest. The unidentified male then punched Hopkins in the face, according to police reports. Hopkins was ultimately arrested and charged with affray, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Traffic Stop Nets Drug Bust

OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested last week after various drugs were found in his vehicle following a routine traffic stop.

Around 12:10 a.m. last Monday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer observed a vehicle parked at a midtown convenience store. The officer observed a female in the passenger seat and the driver’s seat to be empty. The officer reportedly observed the driver, later identified as Phillip Hicks, 43, of Ocean City, exit the store and get behind the wheel of the vehicle.

The officer detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to police reports. The vehicle left the parking lot and headed south on Coastal Highway. OCPD officers caught up with the vehicle in the area of 57th Street and conducted a traffic stop. Officers believed Hicks was attempting to elude them, according to police reports.

During a search, officers located four bags containing marijuana packaged in such a way to suggest distribution. The amount of marijuana was far more than the amount of a normal user for personal consumption, according to police reports. OCPD officers also located a package containing around a half an ounce of cocaine, which is also more than a normal partaker would have in his or her possession, according to police reports.

Officers also located psilocybin mushrooms packaged in such a way to suggest distribution, according to police reports. Hicks was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, marijuana and mushrooms.

Downtown Bar Assault

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested for assault last weekend after allegedly shoving another man during an altercation outside a downtown bar.

Around 12:35 a.m. last Sunday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area observed a fight in progress outside a bar

at 8th Street. The officer observed two men arguing, one of whom was identified as Robert Johnston, 21, of Selbyville.

As the officer approached, he observed Johnston shove the other man with both of his hands at least twice. The officer observed the second man attempt to defend himself by swinging a six pack of beer bottles in Johnston’s direction, which fell to the ground and exploded on the sidewalk, according to police reports.

Several bystanders had reportedly gathered at the scene. Johnston was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct because the officer had observed him make the initial contact and determined he was the primary aggressor in the altercation, according to police reports.

Johnston was reportedly apologetic and admitted pushing the other man first, according to reports. He said he and the other man were having an issue inside the bar and pushed each other outside when the altercation began. Johnston reportedly offered to apologize to the other man.

Two Arrested For Trespassing

OCEAN CITY – Two local homeless men were arrested for trespassing last weekend after allegedly swiping items from a downtown Boardwalk arcade.

Around 12:10 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a reported theft at a Boardwalk arcade in the south end of town. Officers met with the manager who advised a suspect later identified as Gerald Gannon, 60, of no fixed address, had entered the loading dock area behind the business and had stolen a rocking chair, a deck scrub brush, a dustpan and a fivegallon water jug, according to police reports.

Officers reportedly reviewed video surveillance footage from the arcade with the manager. Officers recognized Gannon from prior police contacts as the suspect who removed the aforementioned items from the arcade’s loading dock area. The manager advised he did not want to press charges, but wanted Gannon to be issued a formal trespass warning and return the stolen property, according to police reports.

OCPD officers were able to locate Gannon and another suspect, identified as Walter Everett, 60, of no fixed address with whom they were also very familiar. Gannon and Everett were located on the town-owned concert stage at Caroline Street surrounded by their belongings along with the property taken from the arcade, according to police reports.

Gannon reportedly admitted taking the items. Gannon and Everett are two of the town’s known homeless population and no strangers to run-ins with police. OCPD officers observed Gannon and Everett sitting under posted “no trespassing” signs at the stage at Caroline Street, a known trouble spot, according to police reports.

Each of the suspects had been warned many times not to hang out there, according to police reports. An OCPD officer reported seeing Everett urinating on the wall just below a posted “no trespassing” sign upon arrival. Gannon and Everett were arrested for trespassing. No charges were filed for the theft of the rocking chair, deck brush and water jug, which were returned to the business, according to police reports.

… Bond Sale To Fund Baltimore Avenue’s First Phase

FROM PAGE 4

project will only increase in time.”

Mayor Rick Meehan asked McGean why the section from 9th Street to 15th Street was chosen as the initial phase under the second option.

“Why was 9th to 15th Street chosen to do first?” he said. “As former councilman Dare alluded, when you come into town and turn left, you basically see an alley.”

McGean explained that section was less complicated in terms of northsouth directional flows along the corridor.

“We’re kind of doing the easy one first,” he said. “It becomes more complicated when you start going south of 9th Street.”

Councilman Peter Buas urged his colleagues to continue to move forward with the long-awaited project.

“Now is the time to do it,” he said. “Do it now and get it right. I think we’ll all be pleasantly surprised in five years.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca made a motion to move forward with the second option presented by McGean, which includes completing the project in two phases with each phase funded by a separate bond sale while continuing to pursue grant funding.

Council President Matt James said he supported the Baltimore Avenue renovation concept but could just not get past the inflated $40 million price tag.

“I love the project,” he said. “I just never anticipated it at $40 million. There are other areas of town where that money could be utilized.”

Councilman John Gehrig questioned the timing of the project considering the $40 million estimate over several years. Gehrig also questioned the urgency of the project when Baltimore Avenue is currently serviceable.

“We have a lot of projects coming up,” he said. “This is not an emergency. You could argue it’s not even a top priority. I support the project but the $40 million is too high. It’s not like we can’t use Baltimore Avenue. I think the timing is all wrong. I think this should be tabled until we discuss the capital improvement plan.”

However, DeLuca said waiting to see if the cost estimate would come back down was not the direction to take and urged his colleagues to pull the trigger.

“I really believe the time is now,” he said. “The longer we wait, the more expensive it’s going to get. Some people do and some people review.”

Buas said Baltimore Avenue has already been listed as a top priority in the most recent capital improvement plan review.

“We already ranked this in the capital improvement plan,” he said. “It’s time to just do it. All of the pieces are in place and the staff has come up with a plan to do it.”

Meehan reiterated the success of

the Baltimore Avenue corridor renovation north of 15th Street years ago as reason to move forward with the next section.

“I remember what a difference it made when we did Baltimore Avenue north of 15th Street,” he said. “This is an opportunity to continue that. I’ve always looked at Ocean City as one community, not uptown and downtown. Everything we’ve ever done has benefitted all of the town and increased the tax base and kept the tax rate stable.”

After considerable debate, the council voted 5-2, with James and Gehrig opposed, to move forward with the twophase option beginning with the 9th Street to 15th Street section, funded through a fiscal year 2024 bond sale, while continuing to pursue grant funding for the overall project.

A portion of Baltimore Avenue that would be part of the project’s second phase is pictured in south Ocean City.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Promotion Announced

SALISBURY – John W. Breda, president and CEO of The Bank of Delmarva, recently announced that Stephanie Krause was promoted to senior vice president – senior relationship manager/group manager.

Krause joined The Bank of Delmarva in 2017 and has become an integral part of its success.

“Stephanie excels at finding creative solutions for her customers,” said Carl Cottingham, EVP –senior lending officer. “She’s been a vital part of our lending success.”

Krause is a graduate of Wilmington University where she earned her MBA with a concentration in finance. She started in the industry as an underwriter, which gave her an exceptional foundation to become the skilled commercial lender and relationship manager she is today. Krause has over 22 years of experience, including 18 years in the commercial sector.

The Bank of Delmarva has 11 locations in the Eastern Shore of Maryland/Delaware metro market. Offering a full range of deposit and lending products and services, The Bank of Delmarva focuses on serving its local communities, understanding the needs of its clients and providing superior customer service.

Luncheon Scheduled

SELBYVILLE – The Rehoboth BeachDewey Beach Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a General Membership Luncheon for Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 at 12 p.m. Guest speaker, Sussex County Councilman John Rieley, will speak to members on how the county council plans to face the current affordable workforce housing issue in Sussex County.

The luncheon will be held at Rehoboth Ale House on the Mile in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The cost is $20 per person including gratuity for buffet lunch and beverage (iced tea/ soft drink).

Buffet will include Caesar salad; macaroni and cheese; shrimp salad sliders; RAH burger sliders with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onion, cooper sharp American, black garlic aioli, pretzels with whole grain mustard; and house cole slaw.

Reserve your seat now by registering

online at https://www.beach-fun.com/make-a-payment.html; please put "Membership Luncheon" and the names of those in your party in the "Invoice Number" line.

You can also reserve a seat by contacting Shannon Felici at 302-227-2233 ext. 14 or shannon@beach-fun.com.

New Board Members

SALISBURY – The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recently announced that Bill McCain and John Phoebus have joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“We are excited to welcome Bill and John to our Board of Directors and look forward to them sharing their vast experience and knowledge with the Community Foundation,” stated CFES President Erica Joseph. “The Community Foundation prides itself in maintaining a board of directors that brings diverse skill sets and backgrounds to our leadership team.”

William “Bill” McCain is the chairman and founder of W. R. McCain Associates, Inc., one of the largest comprehensive real estate valuation and consultation companies located in the midAtlantic region. McCain is active in community affairs and has served as a member of numerous civic and professional organizations including prior service as a Wicomico County councilman, TidalHealth Board of Directors, and YMCA of the Chesapeake Board of Directors. He is an active member of the Wicomico Rotary Club and has served as president and was a former Rotarian of the Year. McCain is active with Trinity United Methodist Church, having served in numerous leadership roles. He is also a 2013 inductee into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame.

John K. Phoebus is a partner at Anthenelli, Phoebus & Hickman, LLC., and concentrates in criminal defense and

personal injury cases. A native of Crisfield, Md., Phoebus graduated from Crisfield High School, Washington College, and the Dickinson School of Law. Phoebus has served on a variety of civic organizations including the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Wor-Wic Community College Foundation, Hudson Health Services, Coastal Hospice, the McCready Foundation, and the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee. He is presently the chair of the Leadership Council of the Lower Eastern Shore YMCA and a member of the Edward A. Plank, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Committee.

As leaders, grant makers, and stewards of philanthropy, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore connects people who care to causes that matter for the common good of the Lower Eastern Shore. We are a 501c3 nonprofit with an inspiring history of fostering charitable endeavors and have provided $100 million in grants and scholarships to the local community since 1984.

Grant Award

SALISBURY – As part of Perdue Farms’ Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors outreach, The Salvation Army of Salisbury has been awarded a $30,000 grant funded through the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to help fund its kitchen renovation project.

“This generous donation from Perdue will allow us to purchase new commercial kitchen appliances for our kitchen,” said Capt. Matthew Trantham, commanding officer of The Salvation Army of Salisbury. “The renovations will help with food preparation while we help individuals and families through our food programs. The kitchen has not been used in full capacity since before 2010. Financially, it has impacted our opera-

tions and programs.”

The kitchen appliances that will be purchased include a commercial refrigerator/freezer, an industrial oven, an industrial utility sink, a commercial prep station, and a grease trap.

“The community and our events will benefit greatly from the funding,” Trantham said. “Our youth and senior programs will now be able to have concessions during public events and we will be able to prepare food for our church, clubs and programs.”

The Salvation Army of Salisbury offers human services through its programs, including food and utility assistance to those in need in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Other programs include worship services, Bible study, senior citizen pickle ball and social clubs, and after-school youth clubs and sports activities.

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, praised the work of the Salvation Army of Salisbury.

“Perdue is happy to support The Salvation Army of Salisbury,” she said. “The kitchen renovation will allow this worthy organization to help more people in our community and we’re proud to be part of that.”

Practitioner Welcomed

SALISBURY – TidalHealth is pleased to welcome Amanda Larsen, FNP, MSN, to TidalHealth Neurology in Salisbury, Md.

Larsen received her Master of Science in nursing, family nurse practitioner, from Walden University with a Sigma Theta Tau International honor.

Larsen is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Neurology. She has extensive knowledge of spinal cord injuries, neurotrauma, complicated orthopedic injuries, septic shock, and soft tissue injuries.

When she is not treating patients, Larsen enjoys Eastern Shore living with her husband and three kids. They love boating, fishing, and going to the beach.

Larsen is accepting new patients at TidalHealth Neurology, located at 1630 Woodbrooke Drive in Salisbury, Md. To schedule an appointment, call 410-9126114.

STEPHANIE KRAUSE

JOHN PHOEBUS

AMANDA LARSEN

WILLIAM MCCAIN

People in Society

by Charlene Sharpe

Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Toni Remy, Sue Parker, Chase Pool and Bethany Pool greeted attendees at Smoothfest on Saturday.

Nate Clendenen, Emily Dean and Wayne Blake were among numerous attendees at Smoothfest, a fundraiser to help local musician Joe Smooth with medical bills.

Danny Jacinto is pictured with Gwen and Don Lehman at a fundraiser for local musician Joe Smooth.

Former Ravens players Evan Oglesby and Daniel Wilcox participated in Legends Sports Show at the Residence Inn by Marriott to benefit Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation.

Jen Pettolina and April Imparato are pictured at Smoothfest at Bourbon Street on the Beach.

Kathy and Tom Winte attended Smoothfest at Bourbon Street on the Beach.

Melissa Bolich and Donna Hons-Hickson attended a benefit for Ocean City musician Joe Smooth.

Michelle Schachter, Joanna Wilkinson and Liz Engh sold raffle tickets at Smoothfest.

Courtney Blackford and Daniel Wilcox, former Ravens tight end, are pictured at a fundraiser for Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation at Residence Inn by Marriott.

Ashley and Danny Jacinto are pictured at Smoothfest, a benefit for local musician Joe Smooth at Bourbon Street on the Beach.

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443-880-8444.

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus

All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410-629-9383 or Carol 302-2427062.

Every Monday: Bridge Games

Are you interested in joining others for a game of Bridge at the Ocean City 50+ Senior Center? If so, please call or text Tish at 410-804-3971.

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:304:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410-2894725.

Every Tuesday: Dancing

The Delmarva Hand Dance Club holds dancing at the Selbyville Elks Lodge 2173 from 5:30-9 p.m. delmarvhanddancing.com.

Every Tuesday: Beach Cleanup

Beach Heroes, a volunteer Ocean City group, holds cleanups 9-10 a.m. yearround. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page "Beach Heroes-OC" for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City. Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for light fare. 410-2502645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles

Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302-436-9577 or BeachSingles.org.

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Caregiver Support Meeting

The Caregiver Support Group will continue to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays in the Ocean Pines Library. Meetings will run from 3-4:30 p.m. The meetings are private and confidential.

Jan. 13: Bingo

Knights of Columbus Bingo on Friday nights at 9901 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. Building behind St. Luke's Church. Refreshments for Sale Doors open at 5 p.m.; games begin at 6:30 p.m. 410524-7994.

Jan. 13: Crab Cake Dinner

Stevenson United Methodist Church will host its monthly dinner from 4-6:30 p.m. Carryout and eat-in. Bake sale table available. Cost is $14, one crab cake sandwich, green beans, baked potato and cole slaw; $24, two crab cake sandwiches, green beans, baked potato and cole

Things To Do

slaw; and $10, crab cake sandwich.

Jan.

13-15: Berlin Restaurant Week

Dine three times for a chance to win restaurant gift cards and $100. Pick up an entry card at the Berlin Welcome Center, dine at three different participating restaurants and get your card stamped. Drop off card in the entry box at the Berlin Welcome Center. Random drawing for the winner. Participating restaurants will be 410 Social, Atlantic Hotel Bistro Bar, Baked Dessert Café, Berlin Pizza, Blacksmith Restaurant, Boxcar on Main, Burley Cafè, Burn Brick Oven Pizza, Gilbert's Provisions, J&M Meat Market & Grille, Jun & Juice, Mandala Pies, On What Grounds?, Pop's Kitchen, Rayne's Reef, The Globe Gastro Theatre, Rusty Anchor Seafood & Sushi and The Sterling Tavern.

Jan. 13-15: OC Dreamfest

The three-day music event will be held at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center, taking guests through the decades of the '50s, '60s and '70s with musical acts The B.B. King Experience featuring Claudette King, Thomas McClary's the Commodores, and The Spinners. Tickets for Dreamfest can be purchased at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center or by visiting https://ocmdperformingartscenter.com.

Jan. 16: General Meeting

From 10 a.m.-noon, the Democratic Women's Club of Worcester County will hold its general meeting at the Ocean Pines Community Center Assateague Room. Guest speaker will be Reverend J. Jones, African-American Leaders of the Eastern Shore. All are welcome.

Jan. 18: AGH Open House

From 1-3 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria, those individuals interested in learning more about volunteering at Atlantic General Hospital are invited to an information session. Opportunities include assisting patients, clerical work, thrift shop shifts and more.

Jan. 20: Fish Fry

Bowen UMC in Newark is having a fish fry beginning 4:30 pm. Platters are $10 and include flounder filet, macaroni and cheese, green beans, cornbread & dessert. For those who eat in it also includes beverage. Carryouts available.

Jan.

21: Fried Chicken Dinner

All you can eat includes vegetables, beverage and dessert from 11 a.m. until at New Hope United Methodist Church in Willards. Cost is $15 for adults. Carryout available. 410-543-8244 or 410713-2468.

Jan. 25: Monthly Meeting

The First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League meets the fourth Wed-

nesday each month at the Ocean City American Legion Post 166 on 23rd Street and Coastal Highway at noon. Any Marines and Navy Corpsman who have served in our Corps, living in Worcester and Sussex counties, are welcome to join us to meet their fellow veterans and consider joining the Detachment and support our mission for community service through camaraderie and volunteerism. You can contact us by phone at 410430-7181 or email websergeant@firststatemarines.org.

Feb. 3-5: Wool, Fiber Expo

A show to promote the fiber industry through vendors, classes and art at the Ocean City convention center. Admission $4. Hours are Friday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 a.m.5 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m.3 p.m.

Feb. 7-9: Safe Boating Course

It’s never too early to plan for boating season. The first class of 2023 will be held virtually, making it possible for anyone to attend from anywhere. The Vir-

tual course is taught by the same US Coast Guard Aux. instructors as the inperson class. All the required material is covered along with time for questions. Classes are 6-9 p.m. The Maryland Boating Safety Education Act requires that anyone born after July 1, 1972 must possess a Maryland Basic Boating Safety Certificate to operate a boat in the state of Maryland. Those attending the class and passing the test will receive a Maryland Boating Certificate which is NASBLA approved and valid in all states. A fee of $20 covers the cost of the course and materials. Checks should be made payable to USGCAUX 12-05 and mailed to PO Box 1682 Berlin, Md. 21811. Payment via paypal is also accepted. For more information or to register contact Barry Cohen at 410-935-4807 or email CGAUXOC@Gmail.com.

Feb 17-19: Seaside Boat Show

Over 350 boats and associated dealers will be on hand for the 40th annual event at the Ocean City convention center. Admission. Adults $10; under 14, $1; and weekend pass $15. Hours are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ocboatshow.com.

March 1, 8, 15, 22: Square Dance Lessons

Free square dance lessons from 7-8:45 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Community Center.

COMMUNITY

News In Photos

SoDel Cares presented a check for $2,000 to the Southern Delaware Education Foundation (SDEF), which provides scholarships to the unemployed and underemployed. Pictured, from left, are Barbara McCully, SDEF secretary; Scott Kammerer, founder of SoDel Cares; Jackie Boyd, SDEF vice president; and Howard Boyd, SDEF president.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City recently heard from local farmer Carol Cross. Cross and her husband own Cross Farms, a hydroponic and conventional farming operation. Club President Bob Wolfing is pictured with Cross.

The Legends Sports Show was held at the Residence Inn by Marriott on Jan. 7 to benefit the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. Participants in the event included, from left to right, Tom Davis, Evan Oglesby, Daniel Wilcox, Dave Johnson and Al Bumbry. Submitted Photos

New York resident Claire Dunphy, left, and Salisbury resident Beverly Pettus, right, show off the artwork they created in a “Pet Portraits in Pop Art” class offered at the Ocean City Center for the Arts.

Several Ocean City firefighters and their families and friends delivered Christmas cheer to residents at the Berlin Nursing Home. This is the fourth year in a row that Ocean City firefighters have made it a goal to remember senior residents in honor of the late Delores Kenny.

With clippers, garden gloves and greens from their yards in hand, members of the Worcester County Garden Club recently braved the cold to decorate Historic St. Martin’s Church in Showell for the holidays. Rebecca Galyon and Ginny Outten are pictured standing in front of a decorated window sill.

King Short Film, Guest Speaker Set For Saturday In Ocean City

Arts Center To Host Open House, 3-5 P.M.

OCEAN CITY – A 92-year-old Salisbury woman who in the 1950s dated a young Martin Luther King, Jr. and studied voice with Coretta Scott King – before the couple ever met – will be a featured guest at this Saturday’s MLK festivities at the Ocean City Center for the Arts.

Their relationship is the subject of a new film, “The Boston Photograph,” to be shown Saturday at the Arts Center at 3:30 p.m.

“I look forward to sharing what I remember about them before they were a couple, entered the world stage, and became household names,” La Verne Weston Briddell Eagleson said.

Directed by Clennon L. King, this film screening is part of a free open house reception on Jan. 14, 3-5 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside, and the public is invited. The open house, hosted by the Art League of Ocean City, honors the birthday of the civil rights leader and also Berlin native Rev. Dr. Charles Tindley. In addition to “The Boston Photograph,” three other films related to civil rights will be shown, including one that pays tribute to Tindley, the musical composer largely responsible for the anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” which became the soundtrack of the movement Dr. King led.

La Verne Eagleson was a music student in Boston when she became friendly with and dated MLK. She also attended classes at the New England Conservatory with Coretta Scott, who would later marry Martin. The film was inspired by a photograph of Martin and Coretta taken with La Verne and her first husband, Rev. David Briddell, that had been packed away until La Verne’s granddaughter, Syeeda, heard about it and asked to take it to show-and-tell at school. Rev. David Bridell passed away in Feb. 2022 in Berlin. Eagleson still has her health at 92.

Following the screening of “The Boston Photograph,” Eagleson and her daughter, Dr. Jocelyn D. Briddell of Berlin, will comment and field questions from the audience about the relationship to Martin and Coretta.

“The Boston Photograph” film is eight minutes in length and produced and directed by Clennon L. King. A native of Albany, Ga., King hails from a prominent civil rights family, where his grandfather for whom he is named was a buggy driver for Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee, while his father was a lawyer for scores of civil rights demonstrators during the historic Albany Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The film has been accepted into the 7th Annual 2023 Ocean City Film Festival, to be held in the resort March 2-5, 2023.

Clennon King filmed the story at the

Berlin home of Jocelyn Briddell in Jan. 2021.

The film is “a time capsule of a story that is nothing short of amazing,” Clennon King said. The director had previously interviewed Eagleson for an article for Boston Magazine, but said, “I wanted to make this journey to this lane and this house owned by her daughter [in Berlin] to hear her story again directly from her lips.”

The film will be shown along with three other films curated from the Black History showcase of the upcoming Ocean City Film Festival to be held in the resort in March. The Saturday event will

include a live musical performance by Bryan Russo and the Tindley Family Gospel Choir, an “I Have a Dream” art show by students of Most Blessed Sacrament School in Ocean Pines, and complimentary refreshments.

The Town of Ocean City is celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during Dreamfest weekend, Jan. 1315, with a three-day music event held at the convention center’s Performing Arts Center. Guests who attend the free open house at the Art League’s Arts Center will receive a 2-for-1 coupon good for ticket discounts to the R&B concerts at the Performing Arts Center.

La Verne Weston Briddell Eagleson is pictured with “The Boston Photograph.” Submitted Photo

Best Beats

On The Beach

Who’s Where When

COINS PUB

410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 13: Lennon LaRicci Saturday, Jan. 14: First Class

CORK BAR Saturday, Jan. 14: TBA

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, Jan. 13: Full Circle Duo Wednesday, Jan. 18: Kevin Poole

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, Jan. 20: Rogue Citizens Saturday, Jan. 21: Shots Fired

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, Jan. 13: DJ Greg, DJ RobCee Saturday, Jan. 14: Mallow Hill, DJ Hook, Downhill Uprise Monday, Jan. 16: Bryan Clark

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rt. 611, West O.C. Saturday, Jan. 14: TBA

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, Jan. 13

BRYAN CLARK Fager’s Island: Monday, Jan. 16

KARAOKE W/WOOD Pickles Pub: Mondays

410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Thursdays & Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, Jan. 14: The Dunehounds, DJ Jeremy Sunday, Jan. 15:

PICKLES

PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Deogee Saturday, Jan. 14: The Dunehounds Sundays: Beats By Deogee Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee Thursdays: Beats By Wax

SEACRETS

410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 13: DJ Tuff, Party Fowl Saturday, Jan. 14: DJ Bobby O, John McNutt Band, Kinsoul Thursday, Jan. 19: Opposite Directions

STUDENTS

In The News

During December, Worcester Preparatory School students practiced ways to help each other be happy as part of this year’s THRIVE theme (Trust, Happiness, Respect, Innovation, Value and Empathy), and the Lower School was all smiles with a balloon activity. On Dec. 13, 2022, the Lower School participated in a “Happiness Activity.” Teachers started the day with a group discussion about things that make them happy. Students were then instructed to go out into the hallway, which was filled with balloons, and find the balloon with their name on it. When they realized how difficult it was to find their balloon within the mix of the other balloons, they were then instructed to select the balloon nearest to them and give it to the student whose name was written on the balloon. The goal was to teach the students that when they are focused only on their own happiness, it can be harder to find, but when they focused on the happiness of others, they were able to find happiness too. Pictured above are kindergarten students Claire Leiner and Anna Harrison, and below, pre-kindergarten students Hannah Farr, William Hall and Enzo Fitzgerald.

Announcements

BERLIN – The following represents a collection of announcements received for local students.

•Zachary Tucker of Fenwick Island, Del., is one of more than 60 Lebanon Valley College students who graduated in December 2022. Tucker received a master of business administration in business administration from LVC. Tucker is a graduate of Century High School.

•Gabrielle Izzett, of Berlin, is one of 429 students who made the President's List at Shenandoah University for the Fall 2022 semester.

•More than 1,980 students have been named to the Fall 2022 Dean's List at Kutztown University, including Page Athey of Selbyville, Del. To be

eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

•Julianna Fohner, of Ocean City, is one of 477 students who made the President's List at Shenandoah University for the Fall 2022 semester.

•Grace Watson, a sophomore Biblical Counseling major from Berlin, was among approximately 720 Bob Jones University students named to the Fall 2022 President's List.

•Gavin Hentschel of Berlin is among the more than 900 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2022 semester at The Citadel.

On Tuesday, Jan. 4, the College Counseling Department, together with the Alumni Association at Worcester Prep, started a new tradition with a College Age Alumni Luncheon & College Fair. The event provided an opportunity for current juniors and seniors to ask recent WPS graduates about their experience with the college application process, choosing the right school and college life. Above, alumni in attendance were, front with Director of College Counseling Vickie Garner, Grace Baeurle '22 (University of North Carolina, Wilmington), Hannah Merritt '19 (University of Delaware), Brooke Phillips '22 (Penn State University) and Olivia Bescak '17 (Salisbury University '21, New York University-MA candidate); middle, Summer Walker '21 (Duke University), Meredith Cummings '21 (New York University), Isabel Abboud '19 (University of Redlands), Owen Tunis '19 (Virginia Tech) and Devin Wallace '20 (Furman University); and, back, Joseph Schwartz '21 (Duke University), Frank Carter '20 (United States Naval Academy), Anderssen Taylor '22 (University of Maryland, College Park) and TJ Bescak '21 (Arizona State University). Below, some of the WPS alumni panel couldn’t help but laugh when it came to answering a question in regards to how to cope with “senioritis.”

Students in Julie Vorsteg's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary showed off their creativity after developing a strategy to solve a two-digit word problem and prove the answer is correct. Pictured, from left, are Bryce Kerchner, Wyatt Brown, and Angie Raffo. Submitted Photos

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): An old adversary wants to make amends now that a new year has commenced. The decision is yours, but wouldn't it be nice to share the new year with another friend?

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): As news of your work gets around, expect to receive a special "gift" from influential contacts who could help you launch your upcoming projects for this year.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Instead of fussing over what you didn't get to do during the holidays, relax and enjoy kudos for a job truly well done. A happy surprise awaits you soon.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): The best way to shake off lingering holiday blues is to reach out to some loved ones or close friends. A confusing situation starts to make sense in upcoming weeks.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Special emotional rewards mark this time for Leos and Leonas who are able to open up to new relationships and the possibilities they offer during this upcoming year.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): Your efforts to make time together memorable for some people in your life will be rewarded in some unexpected (but very welcome) ways this year.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Be assured that your efforts to make this new year special for everyone won't

go unnoticed by those who could make some important changes within your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Lots of folks want you to light up their days with your presence. But try to take some quiet time 'twixt the fun and entertainment to spend time with some very special people.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): While the round of holiday revels had your social life on the fast track these past few weeks, someone special might want to keep pace with you this year as well.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Even though you should be enjoying all the fun you deserve during Capricorn season, don't lose sight of the need to make some changes now that the new year has begun.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): What happens during this time can help clear up some of the confusion jeopardizing a once-stable relationship. Follow your instincts on what to do next.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Your days are brightened by new friends eager to become part of your life. But don't forget to spend time with that one special person. (You know who!)

BORN THIS WEEK: You have the ability to encourage people to reach their potential by setting an example with your own efforts.

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above, members of the Ocean City Fire Department work to clear the traffic lights on Coastal Highway in Ocean City after a blizzard in January of 2022. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

By Steve Green

Ocean

There was no Boardwalk at that time nor were there any stores, arcades, or amusement parks. The first permanent Boardwalk would not be constructed until 1885; built on pilings two feet above the sand; it was just ten blocks long.

A temporary boardwalk of sorts had existed since 1879 but had been strictly seasonal in nature. Consisting of sections of planks tied together with rope, it was rolled up and stored during summer storms and over the off-season. In the photo above (circa 1881) three ladies sit beside that original makeshift Boardwalk.

Today a modern Ocean City Boardwalk stretches 2.6 miles in length from the Inlet to 27th Street.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Photo courtesy of the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum

City dates its “official” birthday to July 4, 1875, the day the original Atlantic Hotel opened on what was then a remote barrier island. There was no bridge from the mainland that first year and the only way to reach the new hotel was by boat.

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials say a recent audit of Fenwick Island’s financial statements revealed no major findings for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2022.

On Wednesday, the Fenwick Island Audit Committee voted unanimously to accept a fiscal year 2022 audit report from PKS & Company and to make a favorable recommendation to the Fenwick Island Town Council. PKS representative Alyssa Revell noted the auditing firm was presenting the town with a clean, unmodified opinion.

“We are happy to report we’ve issued an unmodified opinion, which is the highest level of assurance we can give you …,” she said. “We did not have any instances of noncompliance or material weaknesses.”

Councilman and committee chair Bill Rymer noted, however, that PKS had identified an issue relating to the town’s ability to create annual financial statements.

“It’s saying the town runs a general ledger package but doesn’t have the sophistication to pull together this 48-page financial statement,” he explained. “Our town and most towns don’t have the financial expertise to create this document.”

In fiscal year 2022, the town reported an unrestricted net position of $1.5 million, which represents an increase of $483,000. PKS representative Ashley Stern said the town’s financial position currently exceeds Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommendations.

“The GFOA recommends that amount be at a minimum of 60 to 90 days of operating expenses …,” she explained. “You are not deficient and are right at about six months of operating expenses.”

Under the town’s statement of activities, total expenses remained consistent while total revenues decreased by roughly $400,000. Stern said that decrease was a result of declining realty transfer tax.

“Last year was a big year for real estate,” she said. “So that decrease is expected.”

Under governmental funds, officials noted the town had an unassigned general fund balance of $706,000. Revenues increased by $311,000 as a result of increased building permits, grants and gross rental taxes. Increases to police salaries and capital outlay resulted in a $148,000 increase in expenditures.

Comparing budget to actual, Stern noted that revenues were over budget by $606,000, while expenditures were under budget by $1.5 million. Councilman Bill Rymer, committee chair, noted that difference was a result of uncompleted dredging and sidewalk projects.

“If you remove capital outlays from expenditures, expenditures were very

much in line with expectations,” he said.

With no further discussion, the committee voted unanimously to accept the final audit report and recommend that the town council accept the audit report.

The committee this week also highlighted ongoing efforts to protect the town’s finances. Rymer noted that $3.4 million of the town’s cash was now under FDIC protection.

“In last year’s audit report, the town had $3.3 million in cash on hand,” he said. “Of that, about $1.6 million was not under FDIC protection. So our focus for 2022 and going forward is trying to maximize the number of funds we have under FDIC protection.”

Rymer added that the town was working with Bank of Ocean City and the InterFi Network to protect the town’s finances. He also applauded the bank for adding a second layer of protection for the town.

“Bank of Ocean City has purchased $4 million worth of bonds, which are used as backstop collateral on behalf of the town,” he added. “So Bank of Ocean City has gone above and beyond.”

Rymer told committee members the town currently held $5 million in cash on hand.

“Big picture, our number one asset in this town, other than our people, is cash …,” he said. “So we try to protect that cash as much as possible.”

CUSTOM

PAINTER: Transportation and tools necessary. Call Tom at 443497-0010. EXPERIENCED MAINTENANCE

TECH: needed for two apartment complexes in Pittsville, MD. 410835-3560 Equal Employment Opportunity.

SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC: Small Engine mechanic, Year round, Competitive Wages. Call 443-754-1047.

WORCESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

ACCOUNTANT SUPERVISOR I- Full Time, State Benefits. This position is responsible for preparing and managing the operating budget for the Worcester County Health Department. Duties include, but are not limited to managing the accounting, financial and statistical data for the presentation of budgets to upper management, as well as managing and performing all accounting functions in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. This position creates, monitors and manages internal controls for the department.

Background check required.

APPLY ONLINE at www.jobapscloud.com/md by January 18, 2023.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling 410-632-1100 ext. 1221.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19503

To all persons interested in the estate of EUNICE S. POGUE,Estate No.19503.

Notice is given that WILLIAM ROBERSON POGUE, III, 8684 SPUR LANE, EASTON, MD 21601, was on DECEMBER 22, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EUNICE S. POGUE who died on MAY 29, 2021, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22ND day of JUNE, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of

the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 30, 2022

WILLIAM ROBERSON POGUE, III, Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-30, 01-06, 01-13

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19484

To all persons interested in the estate of BARBARA HAINES,Estate No.19484.

Notice is given that NANCY MOORE, 3019 ACTON ROAD, BALTIMORE, MD 21234, was on DECEMBER 21, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BARBARA HAINES, who died on NOVEMBER 05, 2022, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or be-

HAIRSTYLIST

The Dispatch Legal Notices

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim

forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication DECEMBER 30, 2022

SUITE B SALISBURY, MD 21804

NOTICE OF

APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19521

MOORE Personal Representative True Test Copy

NANCY

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 12-30, 01-06, 01-13

To all persons interested in the estate of THOMAS GLEN CASALASPRO,Estate No.19521. Notice is given that JESSICA BUEDE, 187 REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, CHARLES TOWN, WV 25414, was on JANUARY 9, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of THOMAS GLEN CASALASPRO who died on NOVEMBER 9, 2022, without a will.

tacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of JULY, 2023.

R. CAWLEY, 134 8TH AVENUE, NORTH, TWIN FALLS, ID 83301, was on JANUARY 5, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GERALD A. DELANEY, who died on DECEMBER 4, 2022, with a will.

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19429

REENA J. PATEL, ESQ. 1321 MT. HERMON ROAD,

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by con-

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills. Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of JULY, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills. Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 13, 2023

To all persons interested in the estate of BETTY WOOD, Estate No. 19429. Notice is given that DONNA LYNCH, whose address is 33135 DUBLIN ROAD, PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853 was on OCTOBER 24, 2022 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of BETTY WOOD who died on SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 13, 2023

DONNA

In The News

Worcester Girls Split Pair After Break

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team got back in action this week after the holiday break and split a pair of games.

During the first half of the season, the Mallards won one game and lost their next and ended up with a 4-3 record before the holiday intermission. The pattern continued this week for the Worcester girls who were back in action.

The Mallards beat Salisbury School, 35-26, last Friday on the road in their first game after the break. Anne Carter led the way with 11 points, while Caitlyn Hoen added eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Sydney Mize also contributed five points. On Monday, however, the Worcester girls got routed by their old nemesis Saints Peter and Paul, 4115, on the road. The Worcester girls play four straight on the road starting next week. Their record now stands at 5-4.

Seahawks Fall To WiHi, Rout Mardela

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team rebounded from a narrow loss to rival Wicomico on Monday with an 81-15 rout of Mardela on Tuesday.

The Seahawks won their first game after the holiday break last Thursday with an 81-55 rout of North Dorchester. That set up a January showdown

with Bayside South rival Wicomico and the Tribe prevailed, 64-59, on Monday in a narrow, back-and-forth contest.

The Seahawks wasted little time putting that tough loss in the rearview mirror, routing Mardela, 81-15, at home on Tuesday. Decatur will find out a lot about where they stand in the Bayside South this week with a pair of road games including Parkside on Friday and Bennett next Tuesday.

Streaking Decatur Girls Remain Unbeaten

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team remained unbeaten in the regular season with a run of four impressive wins since dropping a pair during the Governor’s Challenge Holiday Tour-

nament.

The Seahawks are now a perfect 9-0 in the regular season after winning their first four after the holiday break. The streak includes a 71-37 win over Wicomico, a 58-34 win over North Dorchester, a 61-10 rout of Crisfield last Friday and a 59-2 rout of Mardela on Tuesday.

Tough Guy Of The Week:

Seahawks Strong At Iron Horse Duals

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team turned in a strong performance at the Iron Horse Duals last weekend, finishing fourth overall against some of the best programs in the region.

The Seahawks fell in a close one in their opener to Cape Henlopen, 39-34. Decatur got wins from Juan Hinojosa (106), Elijah Collick (113), Aaron August (120), Reid Caimi (126), Logan Intrieri (132), Z.J. Lyons (145), and Gavin Solito (160). In the second round, the Seahawks defeated John Carroll, 69-6. Decatur got wins from Logan Intrieri, Brady Marshall, Lyons, Evan Haworth, Solito, Parker Intrieri, Kole Kohut, Eden McMullen, Collick, Jake Saullo and Caimi.

In the third round, the Seahawks beat Boys Latin, 61-14. Winning matches for Decatur were Donovan Henry, Logan Intrieri, Lyons, Haworth, Solito, Parker Intrieri, Nate McDaniel, Kohut, Collick, Saullo and Liam Hugues. Next up was Leonardtown, who the Seahawks handled, 45-24. Earning

wins for Decatur were Hinojosa, August, Caimi, Logan Intrieri, Marshall, Amarian Manuel, Solito, Kohut, and Collick.

In the fifth round, Decatur defeated Montgomery Blair, 50-18. Earning wins were Collick, Hinojosa, August, Caimi, Logan Intrieri, Marshall, Haworth, Solito, McDaniel, and Kohut. In the sixth round, the Seahawks beat Archbishop Spalding, 53-28. Winning bouts were Collick, Logan Intrieri, Manuel, Haworth, Solito, Parker Intrieri, McDaniel and McMullen.

In the seventh round, Decatur fell to South Carroll, 54-27. Wins came from Collick, August, Caimi, Parker Intrieri, and Kohut. Decatur faced Sparrows Point in the third-place match and fell in a close one, 42-36. Wins came from Solito, Kohut, Hinojosa, Collick, Henry and Logan Intrieri.

This weekend, Decatur will host its own annual War on the Shore Tournament featuring some of the best high school wrestling programs in the region and beyond. A total of 24 teams will compete over the course of the weekend with champions crowned on Saturday following the finals.

Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team last weekend celebrated its remarkable season, the best since 2004, with an awards ceremony including the annual Hammond family “Tough Guy of the Year” award. Throughout the season, the Hammond family honors an individual player each week with a “Tough Guy of the Week” award and a “Tough Guy of the Year” award is bestowed at the end of the season. This season, the “Tough Guy of the Year” award went to Duke University-bound Luke Mergott. Pictured above, all of the award winners throughout the season are pictured with Coach Jake Coleman (left) and the Hammonds (right). Submitted Photo

Berlin Town Council Seeks Casino Funds For LEOPS

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Berlin leaders made official their desire to use casino revenue to fund enrollment in a pension fund for police with a resolution this week.

The Berlin Town Council this week voted 4-1 to approve a resolution supporting the future use of the town’s casino revenue to cover the costs of funding LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officers Pension System) for Town of Berlin officers. Enrolling in LEOPS is meant to help with police retention and recruitment.

Mayor Zack Tyndall said the resolution was meant to show that the council was serious about its intentions.

“It’s saying it’s a priority for us, and we want to continue that conversation,” he said.

Tyndall told the council that each September, the town had to submit a report regarding its use of casino revenue. At that time the municipality is also asked about how it plans to use future funds. This past fall, the Town of Berlin advised the Local Development Council (LDC), the group that oversees the community’s use of casino revenue, that it wanted to use its annual casino grant to fund LEOPS. While the LDC asked to see the LEOPS study the town commissioned, which is still underway, Tyndall said in the interim he wanted to have the council pass a motion regarding the intention to pursue LEOPS to show that the council was unified in the ef-

fort.

“I kind of feel this motion as it is now is a little premature,” Councilman Jack Orris said.

Tyndall said the motion was imperative because the town wanted to enroll in LEOPS this summer.

“We’re up against the timeline of our FY24 budget process,” he said.

Orris pointed out that LEOPS might not require all of the town’s annual casino revenue. He said the council hadn’t yet discussed how it might use any excess funding. Orris added that the LDC still had to consult state officials to ensure LEOPS was a valid use of casino revenue.

“This is not an indication I don’t’ want to do this, I just feel this is premature,” he said.

Tyndall said there was a municipality in Maryland that used casino revenue to fund two officers and their benefits.

“All signs at the state level point toward yes,” he said.

Orris asked if the town had a backup plan for funding LEOPS, which is expected to cost the town more than $200,000 a year, in case casino revenue declined in the event of a catastrophe like a pandemic.

Tyndall said the town would create a reserve fund, a LEOPS stabilization fund, as it had done for health care in case those costs went up suddenly.

“When were we going to hear about this?” Orris asked.

Tyndall said officials would have a more detailed discussion once the LEOPS stud-

y came back. Staff said it was expected next week.

Councilman Dean Burrell said the LDC had recommended last year that the town submit its casino revenue spending plan along with its LEOPS study.

Orris added that the request to use the money for LEOPS might be viewed more favorably if the town showed it had a multifaceted proposal, including a backup funding plan.

Burrell said he didn’t see anything wrong with informing the LDC of the town’s intentions but said he felt it didn’t need to be done with a motion.

“I’m just kind of hesitant not having the study in hand,” he said.

Tyndall said the motion wouldn’t take the place of a more comprehensive casino revenue spending plan.

“We have to start the conversation with the LDC sooner rather than later,” he said.

Orris maintained that he supported enrolling in LEOPS but just wanted to make sure the town was prudent and got the process right.

Tyndall stressed that the LDC meets next week, and he felt the town should make its intentions known then if Berlin wanted to get LEOPS in place this summer.

Councilman Steve Green said the LDC meeting was Jan. 18 and that council wasn’t going to take Berlin’s LEOPS request to the state until the study was in hand.

“It’s going to require a special meeting of the LDC,” he said, adding that he didn’t

see the immediate need for a motion.

“This would merely say the mayor and council support LEOPS,” Tyndall said.

Councilman Jay Knerr said all council members were saying was that they wanted to see the study data before approaching the LDC.

Police Chief Arnold Downing said the town should approach the LDC with consensus.

“As soon as we say we’re for LEOPS we have the opportunity for other people to hear it and maybe come to us,” Downing said. “Maybe if they hear it, the officers working now won’t be listening to $10,000 Salisbury, or to Worcester County, and those other places that have better benefits. It’s as simple as that. It’s more a perception than anything else.”

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols made a motion to support the future use of casino revenue for LEOPS. The council voted 4-1, with Knerr opposed, to approve it.

“My words mean something, but if this has to be done tonight to show we support our police officers, I’ll support the motion,” Green said.

Knerr said he supported pursuing LEOPS but didn’t want to do it in a piecemeal manner.

“I want to see the study,” he said. “I want to formulate a plan.”

To that end, Orris made a motion to schedule a work session to review the LEOPS study once it was available and formulate a specific funding plan.

The motion passed unanimously.

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – School system officials this week approved a calendar for the 2023-2024 academic year that starts after Labor Day.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a post-Labor Day start to the 2023-2024 school year.

Board Chair Gene Malone noted that while an overwhelming majority of survey respondents supported an academic calendar starting Sept. 5 and ending June 13, several had submitted comments pertaining to other dates within the proposed calendar. Those comments, officials say, will be taken into consideration, and a revised post-Labor Day calendar would be presented to the board in February.

“We’re not trying to over-engineer the calendar for next year …,” Malone said. “It was an overwhelming response for a post-Labor Day start, but there were a lot of suggestions about other tweaks to the calendar. We have time, so we should look at it.”

In December, Kim Miles, assistant superintendent for student and family services, presented the school board with a pre-Labor Day and post-Labor Day draft school calendar for consideration. While both versions were similar, they proposed different start dates, end days and professional days.

In the pre-Labor Day calendar, the academic year began on Aug. 28 and ended on June 12. It also proposed a spring break from March 27-April 1 and three professional days in which students will be off.

In the post-Labor Day calendar, the academic year began Sept. 5 and ended on June 13. Spring break ran from March 28-April 1, and three professional days were considered early dismissal days for students.

“The Thanksgiving and winter breaks are the same on both drafts,” Miles told the board in December.

With approval from the school board, both calendars were posted on the school system’s website. An accompanying survey – available through Jan. 4 – asked respondents their preferred calendar choice.

… Town Abandons Riverboat Effort

FROM PAGE 7

last month’s public comment session, said the nonprofit he was involved with was still interested in the BlackEyed Susan. He added that they’d done a walk-through of the boat last week.

“I can see where it needs some immediate attention,” he said.

Pruitt indicated that the town would be happy to consider a proposal from the nonprofit as it moved forward with getting rid of the riverboat.

“All options are on the table,” he said.

“We had received a total of 2,258 responses, 1,901 in favor of a post-Labor Day start and 357 in favor of a pre-Labor Day start,” Miles told board members this week. “So it was quite a resounding support for a post-Labor Day start.”

She noted, however, that there were several comments pertaining to other dates within the post-Labor Day calendar. To that end, the school board voted

Snow Hill purchased the riverboat in 2020 after Tom Perlozzo, then the county’s director of recreation and parks, tourism and economic development, pushed the idea as a way to attract visitors to Snow Hill and Pocomoke. The town was able to purchase the boat with a $400,000 zerointerest loan from Worcester County. Despite a successful season in 2021 under the guidance of operator Jim Washington, officials learned of the array of repairs needed on the boat in the spring of 2022. Though docked on the river, the boat hasn’t been in operation since.

to approve a post-Labor Day start, with the understanding public comments would be reflected in a revised calendar, which will be presented in February.

“Finding 180 days that’s going to satisfy everyone is a very difficult job to do,” school board member Allen Brown told Miles. “But I really appreciate the fact that you have gone out and solicited input from families and the community.”

Higher Pay, Incentives eyed For Resort’s seasonal Hires

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY –Updated salary and incentive packages for part-time seasonal employees were reviewed this week ahead of the summer recruitment season.

It’s no secret Ocean City has struggled to recruit, hire and retain much-needed seasonal part-time employees to fill out its ranks in several key departments. To that end, resort officials over the last few post-pandemic years have been coming up with creative ways to inch up pay rates and add incentive programs to retain returning employees and attract new workers in almost every department.

Just this week, the Police Commission learned through the most recent testing dates in January, the Ocean City Police Department reported having 51 seasonal officer applicants with 16 failures for a variety of reasons, three conditional hires and 26 candidates still in the process. By comparison, last year the OCPD had 115 total applicants for seasonal officer positions, resulting in 42 hires. Similar numbers thus far bear out for the hiring process for much-needed public safe-

ty aides (PSAs).

Similar issues remain with the recruiting and hiring of municipal bus drivers and Boardwalk tram drivers and conductors. Last year, resort officials implemented an aggressive salary increase and incentive package for bus and tram drivers, and while the programs have nudged up the numbers, the ranks are still a little thin just months before the summer season ramps up again, Transportation Committee officials learned this week.

Similar issues remain with the Ocean City Beach Patrol, which continues to hold recruiting and testing sessions in advance of the summer season. Last summer, the Beach Patrol fell a little short of the desired number of Surf Rescue Technicians, resulting in creative deployment efforts to ensure the beach was covered.

On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean presented an update on the town’s seasonal employee salary and incentive program for 2023. For example, all seasonal part-time employees will see their pay tables increase by an average of 3%. The adjustments also include a 2% step increase for returning part-time em-

ployees. A seasonal returning part-time employee is defined as having worked at least 400 hours the prior year, while a year-round part-timer is defined as having worked 1,000 hours

For municipal bus drivers, pay rates for 2023 will be set at $20.50 per hour for new drivers and $21 per hour for returning drivers. There is also a referral bonus of $500 for a driver that recommends a new hire. There are also different levels of end-of-year bonuses for those drivers who stay through Labor Day and beyond including enhanced bonuses for drivers who stay through Sunfest.

The same hourly pay rates in 2023 will apply to for solid waste drivers. New tram drivers in 2023 will earn $15.91 per hour, while returning drivers will see their hourly wage increased to $16.23 per hour. Tram conductors will also see a step increase in their hourly pay rate to $15.45 for new employees to $15.76 for returning employees.

Beach Patrol SRTs will see their hourly pay rate increase in 2023, to $18.45 for new hires and $18.82 for returning lifeguards. There will also be a $250

signing bonus for SRTs, along with a $500 referral bonus for those who refer others to the job. The Beach Patrol will also see an end-of-season loyalty bonus for those who come back on weekends after they return to school or other jobs, although the loyalty bonus will vary depending on travel allowances, for example.

As far as the OCPD goes, salary and benefits are largely determined by Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union contracts although there are some slight changes with the pay rates for seasonal officers and PSAs for 2023, or those not covered in the FOP contract. For example, new seasonal officers will earn $19 per hour, while returning seasonal officers will earn $19.38.

There is also a $500 bonus for returning seasonal officers, in addition to a $500 bonus for a PSA from last year that returns as a seasonal officer this year. Ocean City firefighters, EMTs and paramedics largely have their salary and incentive packages dictated by their union contract although there are some step increases included for 2023 under certain conditions.

Robert Leo Heimert

BERLIN – Robert Leo Heimert “Bob”, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at The Dixon House in Easton.

Born on June 1, 1934, in Baltimore, Bob was the son of the late Albert E. Heimert, Jr. and Dorothea Blondell Heimert.

Jenny. He loved dearly and cared for Inez McClung, the love of his life, until her passing in 2016. Bob will surely be missed.

flowers, donations can be sent to Little Sisters of the Poor – St. Martin’s Home, 601 Maiden Choice Ln., Catonsville, Md. 21228.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

Robert Karl Biel

OCEAN PINES – Captain Robert Karl Biel (Bob or Bucky) of Ocean Pines peacefully passed away on Jan. 6, 2023, surrounded by his family.

ROBERT HEIMERT

Bob grew up in Baltimore, graduating from University of Maryland School of Law. He worked many years as an attorney for Commercial Credit before retiring and pursuing a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. He was an avid member of the Shore Seekers Artifact and Recovery Club. Bob was a loving uncle to Chris, Jon, Lee and

Bob is survived by his nephews, Christopher S. Heimert (Chrystal) and Lee H. Heimert (Azucena). Also surviving is his niece, Jennifer E. Heimert, and his cousin, Antoinette “Toni” Blondell Gibson.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Inez McClung; two brothers, Albert E. Heimert, III and Richard F. Heimert; a nephew, Jonathan C. Heimert; and a niece, Kimberly Ann Heimert.

Services were held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, Del. In lieu of

Letters of condolences can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Lester Francis Lytle, Jr.

SNOW HILL – Lester Francis Lytle, Jr., “Chip”, age 74, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 at Harrison House Nursing Facility in Snow Hill.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Lester Francis Lytle, Sr. and Madeline Hurt Lytle.

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He is survived by his wife, Brenda Carter Lytle, and puppy, Kimberly. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Lytle (Nita); a sister-in-law Darlene Dennis (Richard); his brother-in-law Clint Carter (Nancy); and his best friend Darren Vick.

Chip retired from the Flowers Baking Company. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

No formal services are planned at this time. Interment will be private with the family at a future date.

Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via wwwburbagefuneralhome.com.

Dorothy B. Godfrey

BISHOPVILLE – Dorothy “Dot” B. Godfrey, age 97 of Bishopville, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of the late George W. Taylor and Erma B. Shockley Taylor.

She was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Bishopville and the Worcester County Farm Bureau.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa A. Nugent and husband Todd of Bishopville; a niece who was like a daughter to her, Tammy D. Kane and husband Bobby of Ocean Pines; a sister, Lois Perdue of Salisbury; a brother-in-law, Donald W. Godfrey and wife Patricia of Delmar; a sister-in-law, Alberta C. Godfrey of Pocomoke City; her grandchildren, Jeffrey E. Godfrey Jr. and wife Carrie, Rita S. Godfrey, Chelsea R. West, Mason E. Kane, Aiden R. Kane and Noah R. Kane; six great grandchildren, Austin, Emily, Wyatt and Aliza Godfrey and Ruby and Remy Windsor; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett B. Godfrey Jr.; a son, Jeffrey E. Godfrey Sr.; a nephew, Everett H. Godfrey; and two brothers, Billy Taylor and Gerald Taylor.

A funeral service was held at BishopHastings Funeral Home in Selbyville with burial in Zion Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Zion Church Cemetery, c/o Naomi Johnson, 35141 Johnson Store Road, Selbyville, Del. 19975 or Bishopville Vol. Fire Dept., P.O. Box 350, Bishopville, Md. 21813.

He was born and raised in Mt Airy, Pa. He attended Germantown High School, Temple University & Park University in Texas. Predeceased by his parents, Dr. Karl O.S. and Effie (Pepper) Biel. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Adele Wolverton Biel; children Wende Biel, Karen (David) Adamczyk, Robin (Tom) Garrahan and Tracy (Robert) Hughes; grandchildren Heather (Frank) Biel, LT Sean Trip (Nohely), Tanner, Robbie and Grayce; greatgrandchildren Kyleigh and Caiden; sister Ruthanne (John) Lamb; brother John (Patty) Biel; and several nieces and nephews. He has many cousins in the Delaware and Maryland area.

Bob took his first airplane ride in “Flying Farmers” Horace Pepper’s Cessna 140. That day he knew he wanted to be a pilot. After serving in the Navy as a Meteorologist, he began his flying carrier at Wings Field in Ambler, Pa. He flew for Flying Tigers, Capital Airways, Eastern Airlines (32 years), Trump Shuttle, where he was Donald Trump’s number one pilot, and U.S. Air Shuttle. He was a member of the Quite Birdman (QB), an international flying club for many years with hangers in Florida, N.J., and Salisbury. He was awarded the FAA Wright Brother’s Master Pilot Award, a prestigious award for pilots. He was a member of Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) as well as the American Legion. His military service was honored by a flag on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Bob was an avid tennis player where he hosted neighborhood tennis matches at his home in Lawrenceville, N.J. He continued to play tennis after moving to Ocean Pines.

After retirement, Bob and Adele went on a 15-year adventure experiencing the country through boats, airplanes and R.V.s. They sailed the Chesapeake Bay. They lived on a Trawler, Cloud Walkers, traveling down the Intercoastal Water Way. Then lived on the Trawler in St. Petersburg and Treasure Island, Fla. Trips to the Florida Keys were often and adventuresome. He flew his family in his private airplanes enjoying the sites of the country.

He discovered the R.V. life where he and Adele worked as Tail-Gunners for Tracks to Adventure where they experienced numerous trips to Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. He also worked with Fantasy Tours where they traveled the Northwest U.S., Alaska, and Canada.

Bob and Adele summered in Ocean Pines and wintered in Destin, Fla.

A Memorial will be observed by immediate family.

Bob will be remembered by his favorite saying, “Live your life with no regrets,” which he certainly did.

Memorial contributions may be made to Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 4th St #3908, Ocean City, Md. 21842 or Coastal Hospice Salisbury. Letters of

ROBERT KARL BIEL

DOROTHY GODFREY

LESTER LYTLE, JR.

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How We See It

OC’s Response To Petition Disturbing

The Ocean City Mayor and Council went the wrong direction this week in essentially ignoring a successful petition effort and its intention. It was a bad look for a representative government body at the same meeting to rescind the successfully challenged ordinance and then essentially outline a plan to accomplish the same goal.

There has been speculation the registered voters who signed last fall’s petition drive were unaware of what they were signing. There does appear to be some legitimacy to the claim, as the petition basically became more or less about the overall Margaritaville redevelopment project than the conveyance of property. Furthermore, confusion is evident, as two citizens who signed the petition argued with us this week the challenge was about an alley decision rather than the conveyance.

Nonetheless, whether people knew what they were signing or not, the petition clearly successfully challenged a passed ordinance. Normal protocol in these circumstances would have been a special election to garner the full citizenry’s opinion. Instead, likely fearing the vote’s outcome, Ocean City pulled the ordinance and is going a longer route to achieve the same thing.

The result of this week’s action will eventually be a new ordinance to accomplish the broader goal. Whether the petitioners have the energy and ability to initiate another petition drive is unknown at this time, but it seems clear Ocean City is playing politics, looking to essentially nullify the petition avoiding a special election by finding a new means to accomplish the same goal. This way, if petitioners attempt another signature effort it will be the entire Baltimore Avenue redevelopment project at stake.

Reconstructing and reconfiguring Baltimore Avenue is a worthwhile goal and a good use of public funds, but new Ocean City Councilman Will Savage was right when he called the council’s action “absurd” this week. He’s probably right with his prediction, “It’s just going to go back to another referendum.” He added, “We have a successful petition with enough voter signatures.”

This is a political play by the city. We would oppose a petition effort to block a future ordinance starting a new abandonment process for Baltimore Avenue because it would likely slow and hinder the reconstruction effort from moving ahead. Council members seem to think this will be the majority opinion of the citizens, and they are probably correct. It doesn’t mean it’s the right approach though to disregard a successful petition.

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Wednesday marked the six-month anniversary of 14-year-old Gavin Knupp’s death in a hit-and-run collision on Grey’s Corner Road. Officially, there is nothing to report aside from the case remains an active investigation and no charges have been filed. Meanwhile, arrests continue to surface around the state after similar incidents. The aggravation with the pace of the process is understandable and mysterious.

Signs of patience wearing thin are evident throughout the community. Gavin’s mom, Tiffany, was on Ocean 98.1 WOCM Tuesday morning discussing the Do It For Gavin Foundation as well as making another plea for witnesses with knowledge about her son’s death to do the right thing and come forward. “There are people in this community who absolutely know. There are eyewitnesses who have not come forward that just won’t speak. I don’t know why. I just want them to come forward and we are begging them to come forward,” she said. “… I am not backing down … I am ready for justice for my son. … We do get briefed on the case. Every two weeks our attorney gets briefed by the State’s Attorney’s Office. He talks to us about it. It’s progressing. We do trust in the system and the process. It’s just my patience is done. I’ve had enough. It’s six months. I’m done. We are ready for some movement. I want an arrest. I want this justice. We should not be fighting this hard for justice.”

Summer Knupp, Gavin’s older sister, was driving Gavin the night her brother was struck and killed as a pedestrian. “Patience is gone. It feels like it’s yesterday but when you do realize it’s been six months …,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for six months. I’ve been told since July 12, the day after, he would be arrested soon and six months later I’m still waiting. It’s getting tiring.”

While privately the anguish must be intolerable, the family continues to publicly show tremendous grace and patience. As more time passes, it’s impossible to not wonder what justice will ultimately look like in this case. Faith and trust in the process is important, but it’s understandable for examples of expired patience to surface from time to time among the family and supporters.

The Worcester County Commissioners continued this week to undo previous decisions made by the former leadership led by Commissioner Joe Mitrecic and specifically efforts spearheaded by former tourism and economic development head Tom Perlozzo, who is now employed by Ocean City.

Last month it was the sports complex process that was officially ended as far as the county is concerned. The vote last month assures no county dollars will be spent on the sports complex effort for at least four years. This week orders to sell the synthetic ice rink and end a lease at the West Ocean City harbor with a private sailboat were approved. The separate decisions stem from the new board majority’s feelings these are not valuable uses of public funds. Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting had previously opposed the measures. With Bertino and Bunting now leading the commission as a result of last year’s elections, changes are happening and philosophical approaches and changes in direction are evident at every meeting.

Mitrecic understands this significant shift, as he’s now going to fall on the losing vote of many decisions. Mitrecic still continues to stress the county needs economic development as a revenue generator to stave off what he perceives as an inevitability due to mounting education expenses – increased taxes. During what was clearly a moment of frustration after the Alyosha lease in West Ocean City was canceled, Mitrecic said, “To be honest with you, if we’re going to spend the next months or whatever undoing what the previous board of commissioners did and what Mr. Perlozzo brought to us, I’m out. Call me when we want to do some real business.”

If you spent anytime on the beach in Ocean City last summer, you most likely saw the Aloysha sailboat cruising with the Maryland’s Coast logo on it. The advertising was part of a deal with the county giving the boat a home in the West Ocean City harbor for $8,500 a year. The county paid the boat $5,500 for the advertising, leaving the slip to cost about $3,000 for the boat operator.

As a result of Tuesday’s vote to end the five-year lease early, connections to Alyosha are encouraging supporters to reach out to their elected officials, specifically new Commissioner Eric Fiori, who voted for ending the lease, saying, “I think the detriment that we’re having to our recreational boaters is far greater than the $8,500, and if you add the advertising, considerably less than that. I think it’s a disservice to constituents of the county.”

In the “We Need Your Help To Save Alyosha” appeal spread far and wide this week, an email read, “last summer it treated more than 2,300 OC residents and visitors to an experience unlike any other in OC. The reasoning behind the decision to cancel Alyosha's agreement is difficult for us to understand: we have never heard a complaint about Alyosha since arriving in 2019 ... It does appear clear that a newly elected set of commissioners - led by the two commissioners who have always been against our presence - made this decision quite suddenly and without any input from the public. If you're an Alyosha fan and you don't want to see this beautiful boat … removed from West OC then we need you to speak up and let the county know how you feel. … we urge you to consider contacting any of the commissioners you might know, or even those you don’t, and ask them to reconsider. The only chance we have to rectify this situation is to loudly voice our displeasure. We need your help.”

Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 35

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

Over the course of my parenting life, there have been moments of anguish and, dare to admit, embarrassment as a result of actions and decisions by my kids.

If you have never had any of these as a parent, it’s either one of two things –you live in the clouds of denial or you are simply blessed and fortunate.

I have written about this subject before when things are heavy. I accept both my kids are challenging. It doesn’t mean my wife and I are bad parents. Some people – those judgmental types – think, however, kids are direct reflections of their parents and upbringing. These folks come to hasty, ignorant conclusions devoid of empathy and understanding. It happens all the time, but I refuse to meet commonplace with acceptance.

While I have accepted my parenting road is unique – and probably tougher than most while easier than some – I have learned along the way a bit of compassion is needed toward other parents. We need to lift each other up, rather than tear down. If it’s to be believed it takes a village to raise a kid – and I do think it’s true – we should all accept none of us know everything that goes on within a family. There’s likely a bit of ugliness within every home at times.

These people we are raising need us in their lives, but they may also make horrible decisions along the way. It’s okay to feel shame every now and again internally, but we must take a holistic view to parenting. We need to have our eyes open with a keen perspective. Lapses in judgement should not be met with absolute condemnation. Some scolding packaged with consequences for a wrong choice seems important to us, but these are family decisions. One direction was not for all, and that’s okay. There’s no real right or wrong when it comes to parenting because each child is different. Criticism of fellow parents is not a productive course and it can be

harmful when it’s done with deceit.

On this general topic of divisiveness, Dr. Ben Carson says, “We, the American people, are not each other’s enemies. The enemies are those people behind the curtain jerking everybody’s chains and trying to divide us up by age, by race, by income.”

Parents don’t need community judgment over this or that action done by a teenager. If we are keeping it real, most teens are immature, entirely too obsessed with themselves and selfish. This is not a direct result of parenting. It starts at home but there are many instances when the right course is being set by parents and the wrong direction is chosen.

I found a favorite new page to follow recently called Whitney Fleming Writes. A mother of three teen daughters, she keeps it real, and I like how she writes, especially on teens. Here’s an excerpt.

There's a reason why parents of big kids shut down when their kids hit the teenage years.

There's a reason why moms stop talking to other parents at pick up lines and dads avoid people at all cost

You know that phrase little kids, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems? It is so true.

And if you are lucky enough to raise a teenager that never drank or smoked or did drugs, if you are lucky enough to have a child that never got arrested for a misdemeanor or snuck out or cheated on a test, if you are lucky enough never to feel like you were just a complete and utter failure as a parent because of the behavior of your kid despite your best efforts, consider it just that: lucky.

Because for most big kids who do something bad, it is usually not from bad parenting as much as the teen making a bad decision.

And we need to sit on that for a second. Kids who make bad choices often come from a loving home and from great parents.

Before we rush to judgment. Before

we roll our eyes and start mentioning all the things we think those parents did wrong. Before we fill ourselves with righteous indignation.

We need to remember that it could be our kid, and how do we want people to treat us?

Sure, we need to be conscientious parents and raise our kids to the best of our abilities. Kids raised by engaged parents have the best shot at developing into productive adults.

But unless you have severely neglected, abused, or traumatized your child, we need to recognize that sometimes teenagers lose their way despite our best efforts.

It's their brain wiring. It's outside influences. It's rebellion. It's seeking control.

It's growing up.

… I speak from experience. Sometimes good kids just make bad decisions. Sometimes good kids have addictions. Sometimes good kids are hurting and don't know how to express it. Sometimes good kids cave under pressure. Sometimes good kids want to impress their peers so they do something bad.

And oftentimes these good kids come from good parents, great parents, loving parents.

There is enough guilt when it comes to parenting. Did I do too much for them? Not enough? Did I give them too much freedom? Was I too overbearing? … So, the next time your local rumor mill starts running with the bad behavior of a child coming from a "good" family, maybe resist the urge to spread the gossip to another friend. Instead, maybe use it as a discussion springboard with your own child.

... We have to dig deep within ourselves to understand each other.

(The writer is the publisher and editor of The Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com.)

OBITUARIES

FROM PAGE 44

condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Robert Andrew Gray, Sr.

PITTSVILLE – Robert Andrew Gray, Sr., age 70, passed away at his home in Pittsville on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of the late Victor W. Gray and June Bodimer.

Andy dedicated his life to his family. He shared his love of learning and musical talent with his children and could fix every broken thing they brought him. He loved Judy Gray. His passion for radios inspired Ginger, Robert and Alex to follow his example and become licensed Amateur Radio Operators. Andy’s quick wit impressed everyone. He surrounded himself with electronics until the end of his years on The Farm. With love, we honor him.

He is survived by a daughter, Virginia D. Gray; two sons, Robert A. Gray, Jr. (Erin), and Alexander J. Gray (Anastasiia); two brothers, John Gray and Gary Gray; and two sisters, April Bethel and Tina Naseef (Marty). He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kylie, June, and Wilder.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jeffrey Gray.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Coastal Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Trees for a Change via www.treesforachange.com.

Arrangements in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Mary D. Smith

BERLIN – Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Doyle Hall Smith of Seaford, Del., formerly of Ocean Pines, passed away in Seaford, Del. on Jan. 2, 2023.

The daughter of the late George Altair and Henrietta Keelan Doyle, she was born on March 7, 1925, in Pittsburgh. She moved to Philadelphia, attended Lower Merion Senior High School, and studied at Pennsylvania State University, where she received a B.S. in Science with a major in Chemistry. Following graduation, she took a job at Monsanto Chemical Company in Dayton, Ohio. During the Cold War, Monsanto's Mound Lab was under the auspices of the Atomic Energy Commission, where she worked on a project requiring Top Secret clearance.

While in Dayton, she met and married James E Hall, Jr. She was involved in the community and volunteer work serving on the initial Women's Board of the Children's Hospital as it was being built, the Board of the Dayton Chapter of the Christ Child Society, and the Junior League of Dayton, serving as its president from 1963-65.

In 1970 she married Carter T. Smith and moved to Columbia, S.C., for three years. In 1974 relocated to Laurel, taking

a position at the University of Maryland until her retirement in 1986.

In 1987 she and Carter moved to Ocean Pines where they became involved in the community and in their church, the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, where she served several years as Deacon.

She was elected president of the Women's Club of Ocean Pines in 1990 and was a member of the Art League of Ocean City, the Sinepuxent Chapter of Questers, and the Worcester County Arts Council.

Aside from her parents, Libby is predeceased by her husband, Carter T. Smith; her oldest daughter, Diane H. Fritschle of Sarasota, Fla.; her brother, Col. Lawerence A. Doyle of Dover, Del.; and her nephew, Scott Doyle of Indianapolis. She is survived by her son, James E. Hall III of Sanford, N.C., and three daughters, Amy H. Coughlin (Robert) of Dayton, Mary C. "Molly" Day (Richard) of Lansdale, Pa. and Jane H. Hill (Lance) of Dagsboro, Del., son, Steven C. Smith (Sally) of Horsham, Pa., daughter, D.D. (John) of Indian Trail, N.C., and son, Creighton C. Smith of Catonsville; 18 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, James H. Doyle of Indianapolis, and several nieces and nephews.

She was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta, a former member and past president of the Sinepuxent Chapter of the Questers, a nonresident sustaining member of the Junior League of Columbia, S.C., and a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Seaford. "Libby," "Mother," "Mimi" was the heart

of our family. She will be dearly missed by us all.

A memorial service will be held at Manor House in Seaford, Del. on Jan. 18, 2023, at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends at Manor House following the service for refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Manor House Benevolence Fund, 1001 Middleford Rd., Seaford, Del. 19973, or the Worcester County Arts Council at 6 Jefferson St., Berlin, Md. 21811. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Edgar Norman Jones Jr.

OCEAN PINES – Edgar Norman Jones Jr., age 71, of Ocean Pines, slipped away on Jan. 3, 2023 at UMMC in Baltimore.

These last years of Norm’s life were challenging, but he met them head-on with the gusto and spirit for life by which he was known. Born in Annapolis and raised in Eastport, he is the baby brother of the remarkable Jones team. With his devastated wife, Diana, he is survived by his son, Edgar N. Jones III (Shannon), and his grandchildren Macie E. Jones and Edgar N. Jones IV, all of whom he deeply cherished and adored. Norm was predeceased by his parents, Edgar N. Jones Sr “Wimpy” and Marybelle “Mutt”, and he is also survived by his sister, Geral Parks-Lisi (Richard), and brothers James Michael Jones (Bob-

bi) and John Frank Jones (Mary Ann). Norm served proudly in the US Navy on the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam war. From a long fire service family line, he followed his father and brothers into and retired from the Annapolis City Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic during the early development years of Maryland’s Emergency Medical System (Shock Trauma). Having lived in Maryland, Florida and Tennessee, he finally settled in his beloved Ocean Pines, working hard and playing hard at Berlin’s GlenRiddle Golf Course until he no longer could. Norm was positively thrilled with an ocean fishing trip with his son this last birthday, a dream fulfilled. His enthusiasm was infectious; he never met a stranger, and he loved his family, friends, children and animals as they loved him. Jokester and trickster that he was, he was also funny, impulsive, honest, smart, intuitive, thoughtful, creative, kind and generous. He treasured great fun, good food, and a helluva house party. Norm lived life thoroughly and never missed an opportunity to take you on that ride with him. His soulmate, Diana, was his rock; and Norm was her rocket.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at The Links at Lighthouse Sound Golf Course, 12723 St. Martin’s Neck Road, Bishopville, Md. 21813, with a lite fare reception following. In lieu of flowers, gifts and donations in Norm’s memory may be made to The Church Mouse, a thrift shop and local outreach, PO Box 429, Berlin, Md. 21811. Your “Stormin' Norm" stories and memories may be shared using the Memories tab on the Kalas Funeral Home Crematory Website.

EDGAR NORMAN JONES, JR.

MARY D. SMITH