Feb. 1

The Dispatch February 1, 2019

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Serving Greater Delmarva Since 1984

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Just Too Cold: The Boardwalk was a chilly and lonely place on Wednesday as frigid temperatures and brutal wind kept walkers and runners away.

Council Continues Room Tax Increase Talk; Debate Centers On New Revenue

Nine New Towers In Neighborhoods Aimed At Boosting OC Cell Service

Former Students Fondly Remember Their Years At Worcester High

Council Questions Fire Company On Intentions For Old Berlin Library Site

See Page 4 • Photo by Chris Parypa

See Page 31 • Submitted Photo

See Page 10 • File Photo

See Page 8 • Photo by Charlene Sharpe

Photo by Chris Parypa

INSIDE PAGES

Cops & Courts PAGE 24

Business PAGE 41

Editorial PAGE 42

Things To Do

PAGE 45

Sports

PAGE 46

Fatherhood PAGE 48

Community

PAGE 49

Faces In Places PAGE 50

Things I Like PAGE 51

Music

PAGE 52

People In Society PAGE 54

Classifieds PAGE 55

Crossword PAGE 62

Vanishing OC PAGE 62

Page 2

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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February 1, 2019

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Council Discusses Room Tax Increase

February 1, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

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OCEAN CITY – After hours of often-tense debate, resort officials this week chose not to increase the room tax rate in Ocean City in favor of having their counterparts in the county begin to explore the potential change.

During Tuesday’s work session, the debate over potentially increasing the room tax in Ocean City from the current 4.5 percent to an even 5 percent began anew, and after hours of dialogue, no firm decision was reached on the increase. Instead, resort officials voted to have Mayor Rick Meehan write a letter to the Worcester County Commissioners, who would ultimately have to approve the requested room tax hike, to gauge their viewpoints on the increase.

The room tax was last raised from 4 percent to 4.5 percent in 2007 and 2 percent of the overall increase was dedicated by ordinance to advertising the marketing the resort. While it appears the majority of the council agrees it is time to revisit the room tax rate after the last increase 12 years ago achieved the desired results, there was no clear consensus on how best to spend the additional revenue the augmentation would create.

Several options were presented on Tuesday, but the bottom line in what is certainly a complicated formula is continuing to dedicate a portion to advertising and marketing while also making a significant contribution to the town’s general fund. The latter would be used to offset the cost of providing services during the growing shoulder seasons and special events.

In what is essentially a chicken and egg debate, dedicating room tax revenue from the last increase to advertising and marketing has been successful in expanding the shoulder seasons with special events throughout the year, according to tourism representatives. As a result, the cost of providing services such as police, fire, public safety and public works, for example, has gone up in kind, creating a strain on the general fund budget.

Room Tax Rate Increase Increasing the room tax rate as proposed effective July 1 would raise an additional $1.3 million in general fund revenue. If the effective date is moved to next Jan. 1, that figure would drop to under $500,000 because the peak summer season would not be included in the first year.

Again, a portion of the room tax revenue would be dedicated to the town’s advertising and marketing budget, including a potential dedication of some of the funds to exploring and tapping the growing youth sports market. In the short term, however, the proposed increase would support the general fund and help offset the increased cost SEE NEXT PAGE

… City Continues New Revenue Talk

February 1, 2019

From Page 4 of providing services and infrastructure to visitors. Budget Manager Jennie Knapp explained despite the last increase in the room tax rate 12 years ago, the contribution of room tax to the general fund has remained stagnant or even declined.

“For 10 years, we’ve seen the amount of general fund contribution for room tax steadily go down,” she said.

“Now, we’re just getting back to the level we were 10 years ago.”

Knapp explained the growing number of special events and an expanded off-season has increased the demand on services, creating a strain on the general fund budget.

“We spend $300,000 a year on police overtime for special events,” she said. “That illustrates just how special events effect the general fund. The same goes for public works. Those are indirect costs that aren’t reflected in the special events worksheets.”

Knapp said the alternatives to not increasing the room tax at this time may not be palatable for many.

“Those are all increased costs over the years,” she said. “If you don’t want to raise property taxes and you don’t want parking meters all over town, you have to find a different funding mechanism for some of these things.”

Council President Lloyd Martin supports raising the room tax rate in principle to help offset the increased cost of providing services to residents and visitors.

“I agree with raising the room tax to pay for the extra costs were incurring because of the growth,” he said.

“We’ve added 10 police officers because of growth and we’re considering adding more. We’re hearing from people they are grateful for the stronger police presence and they feel safer.”

Councilman Dennis Dare said there were essentially two elements of the issue, one of which was deciding to raise the room tax rate from 4.5 percent to 5 percent. The other issue, while intrinsically connected to the first, was coming up with a strategy to tap the growing youth sports market.

Dare said the council was literally and figuratively trying to digest both during the same discussion.

“The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time,” he said. “I feel like I’m choking down the whole elephant right now.”

Dare then presented some statistics for room rates in other tourist destinations to illustrate how there was room for growth in Ocean City’s rate. For example, he said Virginia Beach is at 13 percent, while Myrtle Beach is at 15 percent. Atlantic City is at 14 percent and Washington, D.C., is also at 14 percent.

“I like the idea of sports marketing and we should wade into that,” he said. “We should have started that already, but I don’t think we should deSee Page 30

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

Page 6

Repeat Drunk Driver Sentenced To 10 Years In Vehicular Homicide

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A Berlin man, convicted in November of negligent homicide while under the influence after a fatal hit-and-run collision involving a bicyclist, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison, all but 10 years of which was then suspended.

After two days, 100 exhibits and testimony from four experts, a Worcester County jury in November found Jonathan Kidder, 59, of Berlin, guilty of vehicular homicide while under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Back in court on Monday, Kidder was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Beau Oglesby to 10 years for the negligent homicide while under the influence count, five of which were suspended. He was also sentenced to 10 years for the leaving the scene of an accident involving death count, five of which was suspended, for a total of 10 years in prison. Upon release, he will be on five years’ probation including the requirement that an ignition interlock be installed on any vehicle he drives.

February 1, 2019

On May 6, Kidder was driving while intoxicated when he struck and killed another Berlin man on a bicycle on Route 589. Kidder fled the scene and was involved in another accident on Route 50 in West Ocean City about 10 minutes later and fled that scene on foot.

Around 10:10 p.m. on May 6, Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist in the area of Route 589 and Gum Point Road near Ocean Pines. Upon arrival, MSP troopers determined the operator of the bicycle JONATHAN KIDDER had suffered severe trauma.

The bicyclist, later identified as Jose Eduardo Madrid-Pineda, 38, of Berlin, a Honduran national, was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Kidder fled the scene of the fatal accident. After Kidder was involved in the fatal accident that killed the bicyclist on Route 589 near Gum Point Road, he fled, leaving damaged parts to his vehicle at the scene including a broken side view mirror and broken part of the grill.

About nine minutes later, Kidder was involved in a second unrelated accident near Route 50 and Keyser Point Road. According to witnesses, Kidder got out of his vehicle at the second accident and reportedly said things to those involved in the accident something to the effect that he was so drunk and needed to get out of there, and that he had just ruined his life.

He then fled the scene of the accident at Route 50 and Keyser Point Road on foot, leaving his damaged vehicle behind. Investigators were able to bring damaged parts of the vehicle from the scene of the fatal accident on Route 589 to the accident at Route 50 and Keyser Point and they were consistent with the damage on the vehicle, essentially like pieces of a broken puzzle.

In short, the damaged pieces of the vehicle left behind at the scene of the fatal accident on Route 589 allowed investigators to connect him to the second accident nine minutes later on Route 50 and Keyser Point Road.

Kidder turned himself in four days later and was charged with negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol and numerous drunk-driving-related charges.

The incident was Kidder’s fifth DWI arrest.

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 7

Council Questions BFC On Old Library Building’s Future

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials encouraged the Berlin Fire Company to consider leasing the former library building to generate additional revenue.

As Berlin Fire Company (BFC) leaders presented the organization’s quarterly report to the Berlin Town Council this week, the now vacant library building was a key point of discussion. Municipal officials said the building, which is owned by the BFC but was previously leased by the library, could generate revenue for the fire company.

“I think there is demand out there for space for a variety of things,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “For private sector, nonprofit sector, public sector. You could have a source of additional in-

come right there that would be guaranteed.”

Monday’s quarterly report, dated July 1 to Dec. 31, 2018, reviewed the fire company’s activities and expenses. Fridays and Saturdays continue to be the busiest days for the fire company, according to David Fitzgerald, president of the fire company. Roughly 45 percent of the fire calls the BFC responded to were in-town calls. He said the average fire call response time was 5.79 minutes, which was within recommended parameters for a volunteer company.

Fitzgerald said costs were up in several areas, including fire prevention, fuel, maintenance and physicals for new members. In addition, the boiler at Main Street station will need to be replaced once the weather warms

up and it’s not in use.

As far as EMS, Fitzgerald said roughly 59 percent of calls during the July 1-Dec. 31 timeframe were in-town calls. The busiest days for EMS crews were Saturday and Sunday.

Fitzgerald said that EMS response times were not split between staffed and unstaffed time periods so that the average response time was 7.53 minutes. He explained that number was skewed because on occasions when more than one call came in, the first call was responded to by EMS staff while the ensuing calls were left to volunteers. So while an EMS staff member might respond to a call within 60 seconds, a call that came in while they were gone would go to volunteers, who would need more time to get to the station.

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Fitzgerald said expenses were higher than expected in the area of professional fees, as there was significant legal and accounting work associated with the new EMS corporation being created in accordance with the fire company’s contract with the town.

When Councilman Thom Gulyas asked about the fire company’s plans for the building that used to house the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library, Fitzgerald said the BFC planned to use it for office space. He said what was currently office space in the headquarters building would be converted to a bunkroom.

“The main goal we want to do is free up area so the employees have a better facility for a bunkroom,” he said.

Gulyas said he thought the fire company had planned to use secondfloor space for a bunkroom and consider leasing the library building.

“There’s quite a few agencies looking for space,” he said. “I know two of them that were interested in that library, they’re paying several thousand dollars a month where they are now.”

Fitzgerald said that second-floor space wasn’t ideal for the bunkroom.

“With having to put employees upstairs, they have to go up and down responding to calls to make the 60second criteria,” he said.

Williams said he echoed Gulyas’ suggestion, as many organizations needed office space. He asked BFC leadership to consider the building’s revenue potential.

“There’s not many places available right on Main Street with parking and that proximity,” he said. “I think everyone understands that everyone needs money. But at the same time, I think it’s also important that we assure that everything’s being done with what we have because obviously, to maintain the level of funding that we are currently at, we’re going to have to raise more funds ourselves. So if we know everybody is doing everything they can – the fire company isn’t doing any less than the town – then I think it’s much more understandable to the public, which ultimately has to pay for all of this.”

When Gulyas asked if the BFC’s new Route 50 station would include bunk rooms or office space, Fitzgerald said it would not.

“The new station is strictly for apparatus bays, two bathrooms, and a mechanical room where you’ve got to put the breaker boxes and all that in and a small little radio room where you have a computer and answer the radio,” Fitzgerald said.

He said there was some open space that might be used for exercise equipment.

“I really think you guys are missing the boat on leasing that unit that you’ve got there, that old library,” Gulyas said. “You’re looking at probably $3,500 to $5,000 a month income from that.”

Only $20.00 To Anyone Who Needs Help But Has Never Been To A Chiropractor Before

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 9

(Or Who Hasn’t Been In A Long Time)

Dear Friends, If you’ve ever thought about going to a chiropractor but you’ve hesitated because you weren’t sure it was right for you, please read on:

To celebrate our 17th anniversary, Healing Hands Chiropractic, P.C. has agreed to give away (to anyone who asks for it) $350 worth of our services for only $20. That’s right – $20. In the last 17 years, we have helped thousands of people live healthier, more productive lives through chiropractic care. We would like to introduce even more residents to the many benefits our profession has to offer.

For instance, chiropractic care may be able to help you if you are suffering from any of the following conditions: * Migraine headaches

5. Helpful literature that shows how your body works and why you experience pain.

DOES CHIROPRACTIC REALLY WORK?

6. Answers to all your most probing questions about chiropractic care and what it can do for you.

The appointment will not take long at all. And like we said, we normally charge $350 for this (most of which just covers the X-rays). But now, as a part of this special offer, you can come in and find out for certain if you need chiropractic care and how it might help you eliminate the pain you are feeling.

Before you come in though, you will probably want to know a little bit about us.

Absolutely! Here is a study showing improvement ...

Effectiveness of Activator adjusting instrument - March 2012.

Activator adjustment instrument provided meaningful benefits to patients with spinal pain and trigger points.

Would you like even more proof that chiropractic works? Then listen to these comments from a few of our patients ...

MEET THE DOCTORS

* Lower back pain * Numbness in your arms or legs * Constant fatigue, lack of energy * Muscle spasms, sprains and strains * In addition to a range of other conditions from dizziness to ringing in the ears.

These symptoms can be caused whenever the vertebrae in your spine are out of alignment because these misalignments directly affect your nervous system.

Fortunately, if you are suffering from any of these problems or similar afflictions right now, they may be relieved or totally eliminated by proper chiropractic treatment (commonly called adjustment). So, if you have always wanted to “check out” chiropractic care and see what it can do for you, now is the best time to do so because for one week only, $20 will get you all of the services for which we normally charge new patients $350!

What does that offer include?

Everything! Take a look at what you will receive: 1. An in-depth consultation about your health and well-being.

2. A complete chiropractic spinal examination.

3. A set of specialized X-rays to determine if a misalignment in you spine is causing your pain or symptoms (NOTE: Nobody gives these kinds of X-rays free; they would normally cost you at least $350).

4. An analysis of your X-rays and spinal exam results so we can see what needs to be done to help relieve your problem.

Drs. Chris & Tracy Rush have been providing superior professional chiropractic care since 1998, 16 of those years in Maryland. They received their chiropractic doctorate degrees from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in South Carolina. Drs. Rush are multiple award recipients for quality achievement and service to the community and chiropractic profession.

The doctors are both Advanced Certified in Activator Method® which utilizes a hand held, non-electrical instrument, that puts a specific force into the spine without twisting or turning. This allows for a gentle, effective approach to correcting the cause of the problem. Drs. Rush have an extensive knowledge in nutrition and essential oils, and their value in the healing process.

Drs. Chris & Tracy Rush are active members at Ocean City Worship Center as well as the community as a whole. Their passion is to change the healthcare of the community by educating the public on chiropractic and a healthy lifestyle.

PATIENT SUCCESS STORIES Our family started seeing Dr. Tracy two years ago and she has changed our quality of life. My husband had severe lower back/leg pain (even after surgery) and he was unable to perform at work. Dr. Tracy made him 100% better after one year. My children (ages 2 and 5) see Dr. Tracy for routine preventative adjustments and I have also gone to Dr. Tracy for 2 years. After 2 years of treatment, I no longer need my asthma steroid inhaler and my spine has straightened.

Thank you, God, + Healing Hands!

– Candace G. Before starting the chiropractic treatment with Healing Hands I suffered from numerous ailments. My neck didn’t have the full range of movement from side to side. I had severe pain in my hip and was walking slightly bent over. I was experiencing leg and lower back pain. I also have emphysema and use prescription inhalers regularly. After a series of adjustments to my spine and vertebrae, I now have a new lease on life. I’m walking straight again; I have a much better range of movement in my neck and only occasional hip pain. The most wonderful change for me is that I have not needed to use my inhalers since starting with Healing Hands Chiropractic. I still have emphysema, but I have been able to breathe normally without using my medication.

– Donna C.

For years I had been suffering from back pain. I could not stand for more than five minutes at a time without having to sit down. I also had bronchitis and had to use my inhaler frequently when over exerting myself.

Since coming to Healing Hands Chiropractic, I am able to stand for long periods of time, I sit up straighter, I sleep better and I don’t have to use my inhalers as often. Thank you Drs. Rush for allowing me to get back on track with my life. And thank you to the entire staff at Healing Hands for their support. I recommend Healing Hands to anyone in pain.

– Joni M.

GUARANTEE OF GREAT SERVICE Obviously, we cannot guarantee results. No one can, but there is one guarantee we can give you, and that is a guarantee to give our best effort.

Plus, if we do not think we can help you, we will tell you and refer you to another specialist who might be able to help.

LIMITED TIME OFFER Cleary, with an offer like this, we cannot afford to do it for very long. So we picked February 1-15. If you’d like to take advantage of our offer to see what chiropractic can do for you, all you have to do is call our office and set up an appointment.

PHONE: 410-629-0610 Call this number only Call anytime between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tell the staff you would like to come in for the Special Introductory Examination between February 1-15.

We expect to get flooded with appointments for this event, so call as soon as possible so you don’t miss out.

Thank you very much, and we look forward to helping you get rid of your problems so you can start living a healthier, more productive life.

Sincerely, Dr. Chris Rush & Dr. Tracy Rush

Healing Hands Chiropractic, P.C. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10776 Gray's Corner Rd. Unit #8, Berlin, MD 410-629-0610 www.drsrush.com Due to Medicare regulations, some promotional offers may not apply.

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For BC/BS patients, If you would like to use your insurance benefits, the first visit cost may differ.

Council Delays Decision On Company’s New Cell Towers

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite a scaledback proposal that dropped one Ocean City community from consideration, a decision on the installation of cellphone towers in certain residential areas of the resort was again tabled.

In December, representatives of the private-sector company Crown Castle announced a proposal to install small cell towers in certain north-end residential neighborhoods in the interest of improving wireless data service. As far

back as 2015, Crown Castle announced a proposal to install as many as 90 Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), or small cellphone towers, at locations throughout Ocean City including many of the resort’s residential areas.

The small towers, often mounted on existing light poles and other utilities, are needed to expand bandwidth and improve internet accessibility in the densely populated resort, particularly in the summer months.

Crown Castle’s proposal pitched in December included Little Salisbury, Caine Keys, Caine Keys II, Caine

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Woods, Montego Bay and Heron Harbor, for example. At that time, the council voted down the proposal, largely because of objections from the Montego Bay community, but left the door open for the company to return with a proposal for other residential communities identified for service.

During Tuesday’s work session, Crown Castle officials pitched a scaledback proposal for nine small cell towers excluding Montego Bay. Couched against the backdrop of this Sunday’s Super Bowl, Crown Castle Government Relations Specialist Trey Spear said the demand for wireless data in Ocean City during the peak summer months dwarfs the needs of a host city for the NFL’s championship game, necessitating the need for more and more small cell sites.

“Just like Super Bowl sites have to prepare for the inundation of the host city, you have to prepare for the inundation of your wireless service in the height of summer,” he said. “The demand on your wireless service in July is the equivalent of 17 Super Bowls.”

Spear said the various wireless service providers bring in what are called cells on wheels, or COWs, during the summer season to meet the usage demand, particularly in the downtown areas. As the name implies, the COWs are temporary solutions to increased wireless demand and are removed during the off-season.

February 1, 2019

By adding more small cell towers throughout the resort, the demand would be met and the need for COWswould slowly be diminished. Council Secretary Mary Knight questioned if the COWs meet the seasonal demand, were more and more small cell towers needed throughout the resort.

“If the COWs work and we only need them in the summer months, why wouldn’t that be a good solution,” she said. “Maybe we wouldn’t need these towers all over the residential areas.”

Crown Castle engineer J.D. McCloskey said the COWs do work, but the speed and quality of service are weaker than the small cell towers.

“One thing to realize, as we become more dependent on data, you get better quality of service with the small cell towers,” he said. “The whole town is basically sharing one pipeline for data.

The user experience is significantly degraded during the summer months.”

Installing more small cell towers in residential areas would improve service and reduce the strain on demand.

Councilman Dennis Dare said the temporary fixes, or COWs, would not meet the growing demand and advocated for the installation of more small cell towers with certain design standards minimizing the impact on the neighborhoods.

“Where wireless communication is going, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “It’s SEE NEXT PAGE

… Utility Planning To Add Nine Towers To Neighborhoods

February 1, 2019

FROM PAGE 10 expanding greatly and the growth is tremendous. Temporary things like cows won’t keep up. The ones that were in Ocean City might be in Atlanta right now for the Super Bowl.”

Councilman Matt James questioned why the new cell towers were needed in residential areas where many year-round residents live and have their own wireless service.

“In the R-1 neighborhoods, a lot of people have wifi service in their homes,” he said. “Would this improve the quality of their service? They’re probably not even using the data provided by the small cell towers.”

Spear said because of the unique nature of the resort town, many visitors had their own service in their primary residences elsewhere, but relied on wireless service while in Ocean City.

“We talk to a lot of residents,” he said.

“They might have a home in Pennsylvania and a home in Ocean City and they don’t want to pay double utility bills.

They are using their wifi at home and using data from small cell towers when they’re on vacation.”

Nonetheless, the skeptical James called into question Crown Castle’s motivation for the installation of more and more tower sites in residential areas.

“I think it’s pretty obvious why Crown Castle is here asking for more

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

towers,” he said. “They don’t make any money with the cows.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca said he could not support the proposal because of the potential impacts on residents in those neighborhoods.

“The more I think about this, they’re called small cell towers, but they really aren’t that small when they’re in your front yard,” he said. “It could affect property values. I’ll be a no vote on this.”

Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave private sector companies such as Crown Castle more leeway in installing small cell towers in residential areas where they have historically been prohibited.

For that reason, Dare said the town could regulate where the towers are sited in the public right-of-way and possibly aesthetic issues, but could not outright forbid their installation.

“The FCC has said this is small cell tower installation and we don’t have a lot of say in some of these things,” he said. “They are a public utility and, therefore, have a right to do some of these things without our approval. We can regulate what is in our right of way, but we can’t regulate all of this.”

To that end, Dare suggested working closely with Crown Castle on the number of towers, the locations and the designs or face an alternative with multiple companies coming into the re-

sort with similar plans.

“I think we work with Crown Castle on this and maybe we don’t have Acme Antenna Company coming in,” he said. “We might end up with more of these then we want in town in the end because that’s permissible.”

Mayor Rick Meehan’s concerns were largely aesthetic after looking at some of the proposed designs.

“The boxes mounted at that height would be more obtrusive then the boxes mounted at the base,” he said.

“They’re all going to be objectionable to somebody. I’d just like to know what we’re approving if we go that way.”

Councilman John Gehrig agreed with tabling the issue largely on the issue raised by Meehan.

“I agree for different reasons,” he said. “I agree with the mayor that we need firm information on the locations and designs.”

James said he still wasn’t sure why the temporary mobile towers, or cows, wouldn’t serve the same purpose in meeting wireless demand during the height of the summer season.

“We had two temporary locations we’re trying to replace with nine permanent towers,” he said. “That doesn’t make any sense to me. Two very ugly temporary cows that aren’t here are better than nine permanent towers that are only slightly more aestheti-

Page 11

cally pleasing.”

Council President Lloyd Martin said he understood both sides.

“I look at the growth over the last 10 years and that’s only going to continue,” he said. “We need to be ready for that. I also want to see what we’re actually approving and be able to present that to the public.”

Councilman Mark Paddack said when Crown Castle pitched the idea a few weeks earlier, the discussion was tabled because there were engineering questions that couldn’t be answered by the contractor. Paddack said some of the concerns had been addressed, and while he could support tabling the issue again to explore some of the design features, he basically admonished his colleagues for continuing to drag their feet on the approval.

“I’m going to vote to table the issue for further discussion, but I think it is being politically motivated to kick the can further down the road from what is inevitably going to happen,” he said.

“We’re micromanaging in an area I don’t think we should be in. We need to stop grandstanding and kicking this can down the road.”

In the end, the council voted 6-1 with Dare opposed to table the discussion and have Crown Castle come back with firm locations and designs for the requested nine towers.

Charitable Women’s Group Hoping To Make Difference In Community

Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

Members of the 100+ Women Who Care on the Shore group are pictured at West-O Bottle Shop during a meeting when they donated funds to the Hope4Recovery program.

Submitted Photo

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

1/2-PRICE & DISCOUNTED MENU

BERLIN – A group of local women interested in making a positive impact on their community has a lot to celebrate, according to its organizers.

In its first two years, 100+ Women Who Care on the Shore – a group that donates money to local charities – has raised more than $20,000 for six nonprofits.

But the group’s philanthropic endeavors don’t end there. Those with the organization said they wish to grow their membership in an effort to support more nonprofits in a big way.

Organizers Janelle Mulholland, Susanna Eisenman and Anna Newton founded the local chapter of 100+ Women Who Care in 2016, shortly after Mulholland visited her mother in Iowa.

“I was home in Iowa and my mom said she had this group to go to after I left …,” she said. “She started telling me about it and I looked at her and said, ‘That sounds awesome. I want to start one.’”

After returning to Maryland, Mulholland quickly set out to find more information on the organization – which has more than 400 chapters world-

wide – and gather interest. Along with friends Eisenman and Newton, she soon began to reach out to others in the community.

“We knew it wouldn’t be a lot of work and that it might be a lot of fun,” Mulholland said. “We would learn what is going on in our community and make a direct impact.”

Unlike other organizations, Mulholland said 100+ Women Who Care on the Shore is not a 501c3, but rather a group that collects money for nonprofits.

“We don’t really go out and ask for money and we don’t go out and hold fundraisers,” she said. “We are basically a philanthropy.”

Three times a year, the group meets for one hour to learn about local nonprofits that are nominated by members.

The group then selects one agency to receive individual checks of $100.

“For a $100 donation, you get a nomination and a vote,” she said. “You nominate your charity, we throw every slip in a box, we pull three randomly, and then those three women get up and talk about their favorite charity and why it’s near and dear to their hearts. Then we vote and the charity with the most votes we write our checks to.”

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FROM PAGE 12 Mulholland said the only requirement is that women select a nonprofit that is local and benefits Worcester, Wicom-ico and Somerset counties.

“That rules out a lot of national charities,” she said. “Although we think they do good work, that’s not the purpose of our organization.”

Mulholland said the organization serves as a platform to raise funds for smaller charities. To date, the group has raised $20,100 for local nonprofits, including the Cricket Center, Stephen Decatur High School Band Boosters, Women Supporting Women, Atlantic General Hospital’s Health-

Berlin Approves Grant Policy Change

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials approved revisions to Berlin’s new nonprofit grant policy this week.

On Monday, the Berlin Town Council approved a resolution revising the nonprofit grant policy adopted last year.

“All of these recommendations came after this year’s first cycle under our current nonprofit grant policy,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “These are things that you learn by doing. That’s why they were recommended.”

In February of 2018, town leaders adopted a new nonprofit grant policy to codify the process. For years, the town has made a habit of providing funding to a handful of local nonprofits on an annual basis.

After going through that process with the new policy in place, staff recommended a few changes this week. The resolution presented Monday included a handful of changes to the policy. It removes the eligibility for faith-based organizations, eliminates community engagement and economic development from the list of eligible categories, includes a requirement to provide the Maryland Charity identification number and requires the recipient be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

“It’s modest tweaking that’s also important to make the process fair,” Williams said.

Councilman Thom Gulyas praised the new grant policy in general.

“I think it’s a great tool,” he said. “It’s a great idea.”

Councilman Zack Tyndall said a few modifications to the policy were to be expected following its first year of implementation.

“We’re learning what works and what doesn’t work, I mean, it’s a new policy,” he said.

The council approved the resolution containing the proposed modifications with a 4-0 vote. Councilman Troy Purnell was absent.

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way Drive Community Garden, Germantown School Community Heritage Center and Hope4Recovery.

“We really wanted to give a boost in the arm to the smaller local charities that maybe people haven’t heard about or that really don’t have the funds or staffing to raise a lot of money on their own,” she said.

While attendance fluctuates, Mulholland said an average of 26 women attend meetings regularly. She noted, however, that all women – younger and older – are welcome to join.

“Mainly we want to make a direct impact on our community, and not by buying raffle tickets and wrapping paper and doing bake sales,” she said. “You go to a meeting, have some social time, hear about what is going on in the community, vote and bam,

we raise whatever we raise. At the last meeting we had 25 people and we raised $2,500 in an hour.”

Committee member Michelle McGowan said she joined the group to help the community and support lesser-known nonprofits.

“This is really the first thing I’ve been involved in outside of work,” she said. “I really love how we are raising awareness for local charities that really don’t get a lot of publicity.”

McGowan encouraged anyone to attend a meeting.

“We welcome anybody that wants to see what we are all about,” she said. “Working together we can make a huge impact on our community.”

Mulholland said the group’s goal is to get at least 100 active participants, which would enable members to raise

Page 13

$10,000 at each meeting.

“We like to say it’s the power of giving collectively …,” she said. “It’s really amazing what we can do when we put our money together and help these smaller organizations.”

This year, meetings will be held at Fins Ale House and Raw Bar in Berlin on Feb. 5, April 30 and Oct. 1 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The group will also host a dinner for members in the spring to celebrate the power of giving and the organization’s accomplishments.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/100WomenWhoCareOntheShore/ or contact Janelle Mulholland at mjmulholland@mchsi.com or call 410-352-3910.

“It’s high impact and very little time and effort,” Mulholland said.

Page 14

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

Medical Care Demand Spikes At County Jail

February 1, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials agreed last week to increase medical staffing at the Worcester County Jail to meet the needs of the inmate population.

At the request of Warden Donna Bounds, the Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve medical staffing adjustments at the jail. Bounds said the changes were needed as health personnel at the facility handled more than 26,000 calls for service last year.

“I believe the staffing adjustments are necessary,” Bounds said. “We’re averaging seeing 72 patients per day.”

Bounds told the commissioners that Correct Care Solutions LLC, the company that provides medical and mental health care to the jail, recommended changes in staffing levels. The company suggested transitioning a nurse to a director of nursing role to provide support for nursing staff as well as increasing evening nurse coverage. The changes, paired with the 2.9 percent fixed increase included in the company’s five-year contract, will bring its annual compensation from the county to slightly more than $1.3 million.

Bounds said the jail’s medical department was overtaxed, in part because of requirements regarding inmate care.

She said every person coming into the jail had to be seen by a medical professional as did every person that was released.

“A lot of things are being shifted and we have a 24-hour window if a person submits a sick call request they must be seen,” she said.

Commissioner Bud Church said that the service calls the jail’s medical staff responded to last year – 26,332 – was an enormous number for a facility the size of the Worcester County Jail.

“I’m sure we’re above the average due to the fact we have an immigration population,” Bounds said. “Immigration has a standard that requires that all medical care be provided for free.”

Because of that, inmates that aren’t immigration detainees are also not charged for medical care.

“So if you’re a homeless person and you get incarcerated, you get free health,” Church said.

Bounds said he was correct.

In response to a question from Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, Bounds said average daily population was 325 per day.

“So 25 percent of them see a doctor every day?” he asked.

Bounds said they did, because in addition to one-time issues medical staff dealt with chronic care, diabetic clinics and physical exams required when inmates arrived at the facility.

She said that currently, 170 of the inmates at the jail were immigration detainees. The county receives $87.11 per detainee per day for housing those individuals.

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Page 16

Pines GM’s Proposed Budget Calls For Assessment Increase

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statement this week.

In an executive summary released STAFF WRITER Jan. 25, Bailey outlines the key asOCEAN PINES – Ocean Pines res- pects of the budget and explains that idents could see a substantial in- it creates a foundation for a healthy ficrease in their annual assessments if nancial future in the Pines. He said the the recommended budget is ap- budget he recommended include properly calculated reserve contributions, proved.

The budget proposed by Ocean updated depreciation calculations, Pines Association (OPA) General more than $600,000 in new capital expenditures – for additions at Manager John Bailey for the the police station and Sports coming fiscal year includes a Core Pool – as well as funding recommended $127 assessfor deferred operational mainment increase for property tenance and drainage. owners. The increase would “It does not arbitrarily atbring the annual assessment tempt to avoid addressing to $1,078.

OPA issues in favor of assessResidents will have an opment calculations,” Bailey portunity to provide feedback wrote in the executive sumon the proposed budget SaturJOHN BAILEY mary. “This approach provides day at a meeting of the board set for 10 a.m. at the Ocean Pines the community with the opportunity to participate in the decision process and Community Center.

“The budget that has been shared allows the board of directors to specifwith the membership is the recom- ically identify which areas will not be mended budget presented by the GM funded, if any, and why, in the next fisfor the board’s consideration and is by cal year.” no means the final budget,” said Doug The recommended budget also inParks, president of the board, in a cludes $128,000 to ensure currently underfunded positions in the Pines are brought into “better alignment with the competing marketplace.” Other proposed payroll adjustments include a 2 percent labor pool increase to be distributed based on merit as well as an increase in medical benefit costs.

Bailey stressed that the budget development process had been a collaborative one, with input from staff, board members, the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Advisory Committee and the public.

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While the board did provide input in several work sessions, Parks said in his statement that directors were still reviewing the proposed spending plan.

“The board is evaluating a number of items included in the capital expenses, reserve contributions and salary adjustments,” he said. “Other considerations are being given to the priorities of major projects and the expense associated with among other items, drainage, deferred maintenance, deficit recovery and road reserves. The intent is to determine what our operations team can realistically be expected to complete in the upcoming fiscal year, and only fund those initiatives in this budget.”

He said directors fully expected additional changes to the budget before adoption. Following Saturday’s meeting, the board will spend the next two weeks submitting budget adjustments to Bailey before adopting the final budget Feb. 16. The association’s fiscal year is set to begin May 1.

Dredging Effort Gets Funding Boost The Countdown

February 1, 2019

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – An additional $15,000 is expected to help a Fenwick Island committee further its efforts to secure a dredging project in the Little Assawoman Bay. Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council agreed to establish a $15,000 budget for the Fenwick Island Dredging Committee to complete soil testing, pay for consulting services and fund permits and application preparation as it moves forward in a lengthy process to secure a dredging project in the town’s neighboring bay.

Town Manager Terry Tieman said staff recommended $15,000 be taken out of the Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) reserve to fund the budget request.

“This would be a budget revision,” she said. “We are requesting the money out of RTT. Even with doing that, the RTT fund is in compliance with our reserve policy.”

Specifically, $6,200 would be used to pay Coastal & Estuarine Research Inc. to prepare state and federal permit applications and present the proposed Fenwick Island channel dredging project to state and federal representatives, while $5,840 will be used to pay John D. Hynes & Associates Inc. to complete soil testing in the north channel of Little Assawoman Bay. The remaining $2,960 will be used to pay Tony Pratt – a retired administrator with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control – for consulting services.

Councilman Bernie Merritt, chairman of the dredging committee, said the money will be used to bring a plan for the dredging project before state

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and federal officials.

“We are at the point now where we need to put a plan in place and take it to the state,” he said. “That way the state takes a review of it, looks at it and can tell us where the holes are.”

Merritt said once soil testing is completed at the north end of the Little Assawoman Bay, town and Coastal & Estuarine Research officials will arrange meetings with various stakeholders and gather information on how much the proposed project would cost.

Is On!M

Page 17

“That is what the budget amendment is for,” Tieman added, “to proceed.”

Councilman Roy Williams questioned if the committee’s efforts would require any additional funding in the future.

“Would this be the last study or last type of expenditure?” he asked.

Merritt said there would be no way of knowing what the committee would need moving forward.

“It’s hard to say yes to that …,” he said. “I think this moves the ball pretty far forward as far as understanding what we need to do to move forward with permitting, the types of dredging we can do, etcetera.”

While the $15,000 is expected to move the town forward in its dredging efforts, Merritt said a plan will also give officials a better understanding of how much a dredging project would cost.

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“We are hoping to get a price and begin to seek funding …,” he said.

“Right now, it’s just estimates. We don’t have any hard facts.”

Jenkins To Receive Legacy Award

With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to accept the $15,000 budget request.

BERLIN – The Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT) will present the inaugural Stephen N. Parker Conservation Legacy Award to Charles “Buddy” Jenkins at the Atlantic Hotel, in Berlin on Feb. 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

This award ceremony luncheon is an opportunity to recognize an individual and/or organization that has displayed an enduring and distinct dedication to conserving the vital lands of the Lower Eastern Shore.

This award is to be given in honor of Parker, a renowned conservationist who served on the Board of Directors of LSLT and the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and is remembered for his work as director of the Virginia Coast Reserve with The Nature Conservancy as well as being a long-time board member of the Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore. Parker’s background in business and nonprofits served to bring together economic development and conservation – further preserving the health and productivity of large ecosystems while meeting the needs of human communities.

Jenkins is known to have one of the most significant tracts of land in northern Worcester County, totaling over 2,000 acres of forest, prime agriculture and coastal wetlands and serving as an ecological anchor for the coastal bays.

Through deed restrictions, the Jenkins Family Trust has preserved the property from future development.

The LSLT is nationally accredited land trust that has, since 1990, protected more than 21,000 acres of pristine Eastern Shore farmland, critical habitat, streams, parks, trails and more.

Tickets for the event are $34 apiece. For more information or to RSVP, contact Josh Hastings at 443-234-5587 or jhastings@lowershorelandtrust.org.

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Pa. Man Gets 5-Year Sentence For Role In Assault, Theft

Page 18

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – One of three individuals charged in the beating and theft of a man in Ocean City was sentenced this week to 10 years, half of which was then suspended.

Jason Guzman, now 18, of Parkesburg, Pa., was one of three suspects charged in the beating of a male victim in a resort parking lot in June. Earlier last month, Guzman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Back in court on Monday, Guz-

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man was sentenced to 10 years, all but five of which was suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation for three years.

One of Guzman’s co-conspirators, Patrick Nolan, 22, also of Parkesburg, was found guilty last year of conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and received the same sentence. A third suspect in the case, Nicole Yake, 19, of Parkesburg, is set to appear for trial on Feb. 13.

On June 12, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers arrested Guzman and Nolan for their roles in the

beating and robbery of another man in a parking lot in the resort. Following the incident, OCPD detectives interviewed Yake, who told police the male victim allegedly beaten and robbed by Guzman and Nolan had raped her at a party, which is why the two men assaulted the victim. According to police reports, Yake told detectives the victim had followed her into the bathroom and raped her during a party.

Yake then changed her story and told detectives the victim threw her onto a bed and began choking her in front of everyone at the party including Guzman and Nolan. During an interview following the incident, Yake told police she had videoed the ensuing assault on the victim with her cellphone and provided the phone and a consent form for it to be searched.

OCPD detectives were able to find the video of the beating and robbery of the victim. According to police reports, Yake was sitting in a parked car next to the area where the assault occurred. The video also shows the victim on the ground in a fetal position unable to defend himself while Nolan and Guzman kicked his face and stomped his head multiple times, according to police reports.

The video reportedly shows Guzman and Nolan stop beating the victim long enough to go through his pockets and take items from him including

February 1, 2019

money, a necklace and a belt. According to police reports, the video then shows the two suspects continue attacking the victim.

Following the June 12 incident, the victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a laceration on the side of his head that required six staples, a concussion, broken nose, severe bruising to his right eye and multiple abrasions on his head, face, neck hands and arms.

According to police reports, the audio accompanying the cellphone video reveals Yake was laughing during the attack on the victim. A search of the cellphone data also revealed a text message thread between Yake and Nolan. According to police reports, Nolan texted Yake “record this right now,” and “we ‘bout down him,” according to police reports.

Yake later told police after speaking with her mother she now knew that she had used the word rape inappropriately.

Yake told police she did not know what rape really meant and that she meant to say she was sexually assaulted by the victim, according to police reports.

Ultimately, Yake admitted the victim did not sexually assault her or choke her in any way leading up to the assault and robbery of the victim. When asked why she told police she had been raped, she told officers she was drunk, according to police reports.

Council Approves Two Police Vehicles

February 1, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Satisfied with the need, the Ocean City Council approved the purchase of two new police vehicles to the tune of around $57,000.

In January, the Mayor and Council had before them a request to purchase two vehicles for the OCPD that were included in last year’s Vehicle Trust budget but were ultimately cut because of a lack of available funding.

Ocean City Procurement Manager Catrice Parsons at the time told the Mayor and Council she and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp had been able to find funding for the two new police vehicles through the State Aid for Police Protection grant.

However, the request was tabled in mid-January because it wasn’t clear from the proposal why the new vehicles were needed by the department and to which division they would be assigned. Two weeks later, the proposal came back to the council this time with OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro and Lt. Glenn McIntyre on hand to better explain why they are needed at this time. Knapp also explained why the vehicles were cut from the fiscal year 2019 budget last year.

“We are given a pot of money to try to accomplish everything that is needed and requested and no more,” she said.

“Sometimes, that pot isn’t big enough.”

The two vehicle requests include a Chevy Impala at $22,0000 and a Chevy Equinox at $23,000. Also included in the request presented on Tuesday was $6,000 each for uplifting the stock vehicles with the appropriate police equipment, bringing the total to around $57,000. OCPD officials explained the new vehicles would be used by detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division. While the vehicles would be unmarked, they still need an uplifting of the appropriate police equipment.

When asked if there was an urgency to complete the sale at this time and not wait for the next budget cycle, Knapp explained utilizing the available state grants now could free up funds for other requests during budget time.

“The reason I want to do this now is to make room in the fiscal year 2020 budget for other requests,” she said.

“Taking these vehicles off the list now allows us to do other things.”

For his part, McIntyre explained the timing was right for replacing the older vehicles, which had outlived their prime.

“From a maintenance standpoint, these vehicles have spent more time in the shop than in service,” he said.

“We’ve had detectives stranded on trips when they’ve broken down. It’s really not worth putting any more money into them.”

The council voted 7-0 to approve the requested two police vehicles.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 19

neighborhood Watch Groups recognize police officers

Page 20

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Pfc. Nathan Kutz was named Officer of the Year for 2018 last weekend by the Neighborhood Watch Associations.

Kutz was named Neighborhood Watch Association Officer of the Year at a special ceremony at the Grand Hotel last Friday. Nearly 200 guests attended the awards banquet with Kutz honored along with dozens of other OCPD officers and volunteers. Other finalists for the 2018 Officer of the Year award were Cpl. Chip Green, Cpl. Jeff Heiser, Pfc. Corey Gemerek, Pfc. Michael Karsnitz and Pfc. Edward Newcomb.

Kutz was chosen from among the finalists by coordinators from Ocean City’s seven Neighborhood Watch associations.

Kutz joined the OCPD as a seasonal officer in 2009 and was hired full-time in 2012, when he joined the Traffic Safety Unit and became a certified crash reconstructionist. He is a breath-test operator and is trained in crash investigation. Since joining the OCPD, Kutz has made 350 arrests for impaired driving and is deeply committed to keeping Ocean City streets safe for residents and visitors. The humble Kutz credited his fellow officers and

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thanked his family upon receiving the award last Friday.

The officer of the year award was just part of the larger award ceremony for the OCPD and several other officers were honored with various departmental commendations.

For example, Karsnitz was honored with a Meritorious Service Commendation. Several others earned Special Commendations including Lt. Dennis Eade, Sgt. Joe Bushnell, Sgt. Charles Kelley, Pfc. Ryan Flanagan, Pfc. Jacob Fetterolf and Officer Connor Finch.

Earning Excellent Performance Commendations were Lt. Greg DiGiovanni, Sgt. Freddie Howard, Cpl. Jeff Johns, Cpl. Michael Kelly, Cpl. Kyle Murray, Pfc. Likeke Arlington, Pfc. Joseph Centrofranchi, Flanagan, Pfc. Kevin Flower, Pfc. Amy Gutowski, Pfc. Daniel Jacobs, Kutz, Pfc. Sean McHugh, Newcomb, Pfc. Carl Perry, Pfc. David Whitmer, Pfc. Joseph Zurla, and officers Harry Miller, Riley Scott and Christopher Palmer. A certificate of outstanding service went to Daniel Burt, while a certificate of appreciation went to Lou Lombardo.

Of course, the OCPD would not be as successful without its countless volunteers, who were also recognized last Friday for contributing 2,483 hours in 2018. Since the inception of the unit in 1999, volunteers have contributed over 62,000 hours, which translates to

February 1, 2019

Ocean City Police Ross Buzzuro is pictured with Officer of the Year honoree Pfc. Nathan Kutz.

Submitted Photo

a cost savings of $2.2 million to the taxpayers of Ocean City. Kathy Grimes received an additional award for a remarkable 1,216 volunteer hours in 2018. Auxiliary Officer of the Year honors went to Charlie Judd, Dorothy Morse and Tonja Sas, who have each been active volunteers for the entire 20 years since the program was created.

Other officers were honored for their retirements in 2018 including Captain Kevin Kirstein, Captain Greg Guiton, Lt. Scott Kirkpatrick and Sgt. Mark Pad-

dack, who served a collective 125 years with the OCPD. There were several promotions in 2018 including Captain Ray Austin, Captain Elton Harmon, Lt. Greg DeGiovanni, Lt. Dennis Eade, Lt. Frank Wrench, Sgt. Allen Hawk, Sgt. Freddie Howard, Sgt. Jim Runkles, Sgt. Rick Wawrzeniak, Cpl. Jeff Heiser, Cpl. Jeff Johns, Cpl. Kyle Murray, Cpl. Chris Wrench, Pfc. Herbert Jenkins, Pfc. Jessica Johnson, Custody Officer Mary Chaney and Custody Officer Lucinda Kuehn.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 21

Tool Company Overhauls Worcester Tech’s Welding Shop

Page 22

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Students entered the welding shop at Worcester Technical High School in awe Tuesday following a makeover sponsored by Channellock.

Walls adorned in Channellock Blue and gleaming new tools greeted the students as they got their first glimpse of their newly outfitted workroom.

Worcester Tech was treated to a shop makeover and thousands of dollars in new equipment after winning a national contest sponsored by the tool company Channellock.

“Look at the excitement on the kids’ faces,” welding instructor Rick Stephens said. “How can you beat that?”

In October, high schools and colleges from throughout the country were invited to participate in the Channellock Trade School Trade-Up contest to win tools and prize money.

Worcester Tech’s welding students submitted a two-minute video outlining their program and its need for new equipment. The school was named one of three contest finalists and went on to be declared the winner after its video received the most votes in an online contest.

Channellock staff spent the weekend at Worcester Tech painting and outfitting the welding shop. Company

Cutting the ribbon on the new and improved welding workroom at Worcester Tech were, from left, Rick Stephens Ryan DeArment Jon DeArment and Tammy Hauck.

Photos by Charlene Sharpe

leaders arrived at the school Tuesday morning to unveil the newly equipped shop to students.

“The shortage of skilled tradesmen is huge,” said Jon DeArment, COO of Channellock, adding that programs like Worcester Tech’s would introduce teenagers to the field. “Anything we can do to help kids learn we wholeheartedly support.”

DeArment told Worcester Tech students the story of Channellock, which

was created in 1886 by George DeArment, a Pennsylvania blacksmith. The business that began with him selling his hand-forged tools out of the back of a wagon expanded exponentially through the next century and today manufactures more than 130 sizes and types of pliers and tools.

Jon DeArment said the family business now employed close to 400 associates and shipped tools to customers in 45 countries.

“There’s no question trade schools in America are very important,” he said. “What kind of world would we live in if we didn’t have skilled tradesmen?”

He said the average tradesman was 56 years old, which meant that it was imperative that the country supported a younger generation of skilled workers. He added that his own daughter, now a college student, had benefited from a welding program at a technical high school.

“She learned how to work with her hands and that it’s okay to get a little dirty,” DeArment said.

State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon also addressed the growing need for skilled trade workers.

She praised the education children were receiving at Worcester Tech.

“I think it’s probably one of the best models of a career and technology center we have in the state,” she said.

Salmon particularly praised the school’s SkillsUSA program, which is headed by Stephens. It was at a national SkillsUSA competition that students first learned that Channellock would be hosting a contest. Salmon thanked students for entering the contest and congratulated them on the win.

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February 1, 2019

Worcester Tech students Ross Quilter and Caleb Myers are pictured checking out the new tools now available at their school.

FROM PAGE 22 everybody else,” she said.

Lou Taylor, superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, said the contest couldn’t have come at a better time, as the school had been in need of additional welding equipment. Taylor said there were 30 kids enrolled in the welding program and there were at least that many more on a waiting list. Because there was no welding program when the school was built 10 years ago, what once served as the manufacturing shop has been retrofitted to serve the welding program.

Welding, which is now in its fourth year at the school, has proven increasingly popular.

“Rick Stephens does a fantastic job with this program,” Taylor said. “To our Channellock friends, you couldn’t have picked a better instructor, a better program, to focus your resources and energy on.”

Taylor said the Channellock tools and equipment would ensure that even more students were able to take part in the growing program.

“We appreciate this more than words can tell you,” he said.

Students agreed.

“It’s a blessing,” said sophomore Caleb Myers. “There were kids that didn’t even have equipment before.”

Junior Ross Quilter, among the students admiring the new tools, apparel and equipment in the shop, said Channellock had done more than he’d hoped.

“It’s insane,” he said. “I was not expecting all of this.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 23

Page 24

Cops & Courts The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Homeless Man Arrested On Burglary Charges OCEAN CITY – A homeless man was arrested on first-degree burglary charges last week after allegedly taking up residence in a vacant midtown condo.

Around 7 a.m. last Sunday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a unit on 32nd Street for a possible breaking and entering. The owner of the unit had advised Ocean City Communications he received alerts on his mobile phone app that the unit’s thermostat at his vacation home had been adjusted manually.

OCPD officers arrived and set up at the front and rear of the residence.

After knocking on the front door, a man, later identified as Alex Alexis, 29, of no fixed address, exited the rear patio door and was immediately taken into custody. According to police reports, Alexis was carrying numerous items of clothing and boots in his arms and had a white blanket over his shoulders.

According to police reports, Alexis told officers he was cold, which is why he entered the home. He reportedly told police he would not have entered the residence if the door was locked.

OCPD officers contacted the unit owner, who told police he did not know Alexis and no one had permission to be in the residence.

While searching Alexis, OCPD officers found two separate keys in the pocket of a sweater he was carrying, both of which were on a Century 21 key ring. Alexis also told police the slippers he was wearing and the blanket over his shoulders did not belong to him and that he got them from inside the house.

Alexis told police he was homeless and had entered the unit through an unlocked rear patio door. He reportedly told police he entered the unit the day before around 4 p.m. and stayed overnight, during which time he had consumed some food and took two sets of door keys.

He told police he did not know what the keys opened, but found them near a closet inside the home and took them. The unit owner later told police the keys were spares he kept on hand for rental purposes. According to police reports, Alexis told officers he was

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out of work because of the offseason in Ocean City and only entered the home for shelter.

Based on the evidence and Alexis’ own statements, he was charged with first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary along with theft for allegedly swiping the keys. Alexis was initially held on a $5,000 bond. After a bail review hearing on Monday, he was ordered to be held without bond.

Weapons Charges OCEAN CITY – A Berlin man was arrested on weapons charges last weekend after metal knuckles and a knife were found on his person during a traffic stop.

Around midnight last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was patrolling in the area of 94th Street when a license plate reader (LPR) alerted his in-vehicle computer of a driver with a suspended license coming across the Route 90 bridge. The LPR provided a description of the vehicle and the driver.

A background check revealed the driver, identified as Trent Crame, 23, of Berlin, had his license suspended for a pending driving under the influence arrest on Jan. 17. The officer stopped the vehicle around 122nd Street. According to police reports, Crame acknowledged his hard-copy license had been taken following his DUI arrest about a week earlier but that he had in his possession a temporary paper license pending trial provided by police.

While Crame was searching for his temporary license, the OCPD officer observed in the glove compartment a set of silver metal knuckles. Crame acknowledged the weapon was his and that he kept them in his vehicle

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Crame also told police he was carrying a knife on his person, which turned out to be a spring-assisted knife.

Based on the evidence, Crame was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a deadly weapon.

Hotel Burglar Sentenced OCEAN CITY – A Salisbury man, arrested in June on first-degree burglary and other charges after Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives were able to connect him to a series of break-ins at a mid-town hotel, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to five years, all but one of which was suspended.

Around 8:15 p.m. on June 16, OCPD detectives were dispatched to a hotel at 55th Street for a reported theft that had already occurred.

The officers met with two victims, one of whom told police he had noticed his cellphone valued at around $600 missing from the drawer in his hotel room. Another victim told police he had noticed a Louis Vuitton belt valued at around $740 was missing from his hotel room.

The OCPD officer followed up the next day at the hotel and met with an assistant manager, who showed police video surveillance she had taken from the hallways in the hotel. The video surveillance showed a male suspect entering different rooms in the hotel at various times over a two-day period from June 15 to June 16. At least five different rooms were entered by the suspect.

The OCPD officer was able to determine the suspect was able to enter each of the rooms using a master key each time. The assistant manager provided police with a printout of the num-

February 1, 2019 ber of times and locations the master key was used to enter the various rooms.

The staff at the hotel was also able to determine the suspect, later identified as Benjamin Giles, 20, of Salisbury, had been staying in room 316, which was one of the rooms accessed by the master key. The staff had found Giles’ belongings in the room, including a Maryland identification card, phone chargers and other items.

The OCPD officer compared the identification card to the description of the suspect caught on surveillance video and determined it to be Giles.

OCPD officers returned to the hotel on June 18 after hotel staff had found other belongings hidden in a cabinet in room 312, a black drawstring bag in room 312 and a backpack containing various sets of clothes in room 316.

Through the investigation, OCPD officers were able to determine Giles had been staying in both room 316 and room 312 without any reservation, payment or permission for a period of two days, based on the master key entry log provided by staff.

In the backpack found in room 312, OCPD officers located the Louis Vuitton belt that had been reported stolen by one of the victims. On June 19, Giles reportedly returned to the hotel and tried to claim his belongings from room 316. Hotel staff immediately called police and issued a trespass warning.

Last week, Giles pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and was sentenced to five years with all but one suspended. He was also ordered to pay $594 in restitution to one of the victims.

Restaurant Assault Results In Jail Time OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania woman, arrested last June after jumping the fence of a Boardwalk business after it was closed and scrapping with employees attempting to get her off the property, was found guilty this week of affray and resisting arrest and was sentenced to 45 days for each conviction.

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February 1, 2019

FROM PAGE 24 rant on 5th Street.

When officers arrived, they observed a woman, later identified as Tajaee Johnson, 19, of Wilmerding, Pa., actively throwing punches at restaurant staff.

Johnson was still fighting with employees when an OCPD officer was able to wrap his arms around her waist, lift her up and throw her to the ground, where she was placed under arrest. The officer then escorted Johnson to an area near 5th Street and sat her on the ground.

According to police reports, Johnson was still screaming and yelling and kicking her feet and continued to try to stand up when she was told by police to stay seated.

Another OCPD officer was instructed to get a violent person restraint device, which only incensed Johnson further, according to police reports.

Johnson was ultimately subdued and was carried to a transport vehicle for transportation to the Public Safety Building for processing.

OCPD officers interviewed the bar staff including the manager to determine what had happened. The manager told police the restaurant was already closed and the gate to the outside seating area was locked. The manager told police he went out to make sure the outside area was clean and secure for the night when Johnson jumped the fence.

The manager told police Johnson was asking for the bathroom, but he told her the restaurant was closed and did not have a public bathroom. The manager went to unlock the gate to let Johnson back off the property, but when he turned back around, Johnson was heading toward the restaurant, according to police reports.

The manager told police he went back toward the restaurant and with the help of other employees attempted to escort Johnson off the property.

During the attempt to get Johnson off the property, the manager and one employee were pushed by Johnson, another employee was punched in the jaw by Johnson’s closed fist and yet another employee was punched in the eye with a closed fist by Johnson, according to police reports.

The other employees’ version of the events corroborated the manager’s story.

However, two people claiming to be friends of Johnson told a distinctly different version. One witness told police the group was walking south on the Boardwalk when Johnson said she had to go to the bathroom and jumped the fence at Hooters and was greeted quickly by the manager.

According to the witness, Johnson attempted to go into the restaurant to use the bathroom when she was greeted at the door by six males who viciously beat her. According to Johnson’s friend, the six males then push-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch ed Johnson and threw her back over the fence.

However, OCPD officers viewed security footage from the restaurant, which matched the story given by the restaurant manager and the employees.

Based on the testimony and video footage, Johnson was charged with multiple counts of second-degree assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Page 25

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Around 9:20 p.m. last July 29, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Ocean City Police Department, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) and Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 4 were all dispatched to the area of the Route 50 Bridge to initiate a search effort for a reported jumper.

Several people in the area had contacted the bridge tender and the Coast Guard and advised a woman had jumped off the bridge into the water.

The allied agencies searched the area for over two hours but did not locate anyone in the water or in the surrounding area.

The Ocean City Fire Department fire boat was also launched from its berth at 14th Street to join the search efforts but was later recalled. The MSP helicopter searched the area with several passes over the bay side in the downtown area.

Around 11:30 p.m., several people walking off the Route 50 bridge alerted OCPD officers they saw a woman in a bikini stumbling around in the gravel parking lot on the bay side at North Division Street and that she had fallen on her face.

OCPD officers contacted the woman, later identified as Brooke North, 39, of Ocean Pines, who told police she had jumped off the bridge and had been washed up on the rocks.

According to the OCPD, North told the officers she was in an argument while crossing the bridge and decided to jump over the rail and into the water.

North reportedly told police she did not intend to harm herself but rather jumped into the bay because she “likes swimming and wanted to get away.”

According to police reports, North told OCPD officers she had been lying in the gravel passed out for several hours and did not know what time it was. She also told police she was drunk at the time she was in the water and was slammed against the rocks several times before she could get out.

While OCPD officers were interviewing North, she would randomly start screaming at vehicles passing by and at the police. She was ultimately arrested and charged with causing a disturbance in a public place while intoxicated and disorderly conduct.

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Committee Hears Local Support For Post-Labor Day Start

Page 26

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The resort area’s support for a post-Labor Day school start was expressed this week during an initial committee hearing on bills seeking to end the three-year-old mandate.

In 2016, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan surprised many when he issued an executive order mandating a postLabor Day start to the school year for public schools in the state. Despite some pushback from certain school districts across the state, Hogan’s mandate remains in place.

However, a pair of bills introduced last week in the state Senate could overturn the governor’s edict if successful. Senate Bill 128, introduced by Sen.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Nancy King (D-39-Montgomery) and Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-22-Prince George’s), would allow each school district in Maryland to set their own start and end dates including possibly year-round school. Senate Bill 131, introduced by King, would allow local jurisdictions to make school start date decisions without approval from the state school board or any other entity.

On Wednesday, the two bills had initial hearings in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Matters Committee, ironically chaired by Pinsky, and passionate testimony was presented by both sides. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and Ocean City Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Melanie Pursel each testified in favor of retaining Hogan’s mandate for a post-Labor Day school start from both

an economic and societal standpoint.

“These bills will essentially repeal the governor’s executive order to start school after Labor Day and end by June 15,” Pursel said. “Statewide, we have seen such a positive impact from this mandate and hope to continue this Maryland tradition.”

Ocean City has been at the forefront of the issue, beginning several years ago when Comptroller Peter Franchot announced his “Let Summer Be Summer” initiative and launched a petition drive from the Boardwalk. When Hogan announced the executive order in 2016, he made it from practically the same spot on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

“It is not just about economics,” Pursel said. “It is about family time and truly enjoying a full summer, not just at the beach but at our statewide muse-

February 1, 2019

ums, parks, lakes, mountains, historical spots and countless other attractions and activities.”

Pursel’s testimony pointed out no nexus has been established between the slightly later school start and student success. For example, Worcester County has voluntarily started school after Labor Day for five years and continues to be among the state leaders in student performance and test scores.

“Starting school immediately after Labor Day does not change the current state mandate for 180 instructional days and retains local school boards’ authority to develop and approve all other elements of an annual school calendar,” she said. “Finally, no empirical evidence has been presented that a post-Labor Day school start has had a negative impact on student test scores and performance.”

While Meehan pointed out the economic benefits of a later school start and longer summer, his testimony also focused on the family issues and societal benefits, especially at a time when they appear to be increasingly challenging.

“You know how important that is in today’s world?” he said. “Probably more important than ever and maybe more important than a couple of days in a classroom. There is certainly a social advantage to this and something that is extremely important.”

State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R38), who represents Ocean City and much of the Lower Shore, issued her own statement prior to Wednesday’s committee hearing.

“I simply don’t understand why we are spending time trying to reverse starting school after Labor Day when we have so many pressing education priorities,” she said. “There is no solid evidence that a post-Labor Day school start would have a negative impact on test scores and a later start date can generate significant economic gains.”

Opponents have asserted the governor’s post-Labor Day mandate puts potential economic gains ahead of what’s best for the state’s school children.

However, Franchot’s Chief of Staff Len Foxwell testified and pointed out the revenue generated during the last weeks of summer can and does impact public education funding in Maryland.

“This is not a choice between education and business,” he said. “We need the success of the latter to ensure the success of the former.”

For his part, Pinksy said the postLabor Day school start issue from the beginning has been politically motivated and urged autonomy be returned to the local jurisdictions.

“School policy should not be a political football,” he said. “I believe those closest to the community should make those decisions. Taking it out of the hands of the 24 jurisdictions two-anda-half years ago was then a political act. Now, we have the opportunity to right that act.”

No vote was taken following the committee hearing on Wednesday.

Firm Selected To Reassess Properties

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 27

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FENWICK ISLAND – Officials in Fenwick Island last week selected an appraisal firm to reassess all properties in town as part of a revaluation project.

In October, the Fenwick Island Town Council agreed to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for appraisal services to reassess the value of real property within the town’s corporate limits.

At the time, Town Manager Terry Tieman said property taxes accounted for 34 percent, or $728,000, of town revenue in fiscal year 2019, and residential and commercial property assessments totalled more than $36 million.

Officials noted, however, the town’s last revaluation project took place in 1976 and that 580 residential properties, or 75 percent of the people in town, paid less than $1,000 in taxes each year.

“I think that is really telling,” Mayor Gene Langan said last fall. “Twentyfive percent of the town is paying a majority of the taxes.”

To that end, the council issued an RFP for appraisal services, which officials said would fairly distribute the tax burden in town. And last Friday, the Fenwick Island Finance Committee made its recommendation based on qualifications, technical proposal content, quality of service and price.

“The town council asked the finance committee to review two proposals that we received for revaluation,” said Councilman Richard Mais, chairman of the committee. “We looked at those this morning, and of the two the committee was unanimous in recommending Pearson’s Appraisal Service.”

Tieman said the appraisal firm was well known in surrounding towns.

“Pearson’s is a reputable firm,” she said. “They were used by many of our local municipalities, and I think they’ll do a fine job.”

Councilwoman Julie Lee added the appraisal firm could begin revaluation work immediately.

“They can begin right away,” she said. “That’s important.”

The council voted unanimously to accept the favorable recommendation.

While assessments are expected to increase, Tieman told residents in October that property taxes would likely decrease, as state law requires municipalities reassessing taxable properties to maintain the same tax revenue as was levied in the prior fiscal year.

“The tax rate would be lowered to get that $700,000 …,” she said. “That doesn’t mean everyone’s bill will go down.

Some people’s bills will go up. Some people’s bills are going to go down.”

Tieman added that any tax rate increase would be advertised prior to council approval.

“We would only increase the tax rate if the council voted to increase the tax rate,” Tieman said, “and we would advertise it as such.”

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Serious Crime Report Confirms Decrease In Salisbury

Page 28

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

‘Incredible’ Drop In Major Incidents

By Bethany hooper

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Part I crime decreased nearly 12 percent in Salisbury in 2018, according to preliminary data released last week.

In a briefing held last Wednesday, City of Salisbury Police Chief Barbara

Duncan reported on preliminary yearend crime data for 2018.

“The data that I am going to present today is what we report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their Uniform Crime Reporting Program …,” she said. “UCR data is really a snapshot of crime which is reported to law enforcement on a monthly basis.

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Sometimes there are variations in our numbers because of late reporting of crimes or crimes that are not fully investigated by the end of the month or in fact the end of the year.”

According to Duncan, overall reported Part I crimes, – which include homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny-theft and arson – decreased nearly 12 percent compared to 2017.

“We have a grand total of 1,821 crimes reported through just about the end of December of 2018,” she said.

“That is the lowest number of Part I crimes that we have worked on here in the city in over 20 years. That’s incredible.”

While reported rapes increased from 20 to 21 in 2018, homicides decreased from seven to three, robberies decreased from 94 to 73, aggravated assaults decreased from 170 to 166 and burglaries decreased from 275 to 196.

In addition, larceny-theft decreased from 1,439 to 1,312, motor vehicle thefts decreased from 70 to 41, and arson decreased from 9 to 6.

“Our goals in 2018 were to push those numbers down and increase community engagement,” she said, “and that result, as you can see, worked very, very well for our whole

city.”

Duncan attributed the decrease in reported crimes to the police department’s involvement in youth sports, mentoring programs, community conversation events and pop-up bus stops, among other things.

“In addition to that we are also fortunate enough here in the city to have local businesses, area businesses, connect and support with our city administration to provide full-time summer employment for our youth here in Salisbury,” she said. “All of these things, combined with the talented skillsets here at the police department, are really making a true, significant impact in our overall crime.”

Duncan also recognized department staff and supporting agencies for their efforts.

“Simply put, we have some incredible men and women here, both sworn and civilian, that work very, very hard every single day to provide police services to the city,” she said.

Duncan added the department would continue its efforts in the new year.

“In 2019, we continue to look forward to our partnerships we’ve developed over the years and continue to provide policing services to once again continue in that direction,” she said.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 29

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Regional Digest Frozen Pipe Warnings Issued OCEAN CITY – With frigid temperatures arriving in the resort area this week, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) is hopeful education and prevention will lead to a decrease in calls for frozen pipes in residential and commercial properties.

Citizens in Ocean City and beyond should be reminded to follow simple maintenance tips to ensure fire sprinklers and domestic pipes do not freeze or break due to recent dip in temperatures.

“Frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in water damage as well as rendering fire sprinkler systems inoperable,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal David Hartley.

“Maintaining wet pipes above freezing is a key concern. Domestic water pipes can be insulated or wrapped with an approved UL listed heat tape. In the event that a unit is unoccupied for the winter season, domestic water pipes can also be drained.”

Wet sprinkler systems, however, usually cannot be wrapped with heat tape. All sprinklered areas of a building should be checked to make sure they are above freezing. Setting a unit thermostat to keep pipes around 50 degrees Fahrenheit will help prevent sprinkler and domestic pipes from freezing. With regard to dry sprinkler systems, auxiliary condensate drains should be drained by a licensed sprinkler company or person knowledgeable about sprinkler systems.

Winter Blood Supply Low SALISBURY – Winter storms, frigid temperatures and seasonal illnesses are making it harder for the Blood Bank of Delmarva to maintain their critical blood supply for hospitals throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.

Cancelled blood drives and reduced donor turnout throughout January have resulted in substantially fewer blood donations than what is needed to meet the needs of patients in the 19 hospitals served by Blood Bank of Delmarva.

“Patients rely on blood donors year-round, and it is especially difficult to maintain a stable blood supply during the winter months,” said Karesa Fleary, director of donor recruitment of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. “Blood reserves have now reached critical lows and we are calling on everyone who can to donate blood and save a life.”

The blood supply typically drops during the winter months, but this year’s decline is worse than expected. Donations are below what is needed to maintain SEE NEXT PAGE

… OC Council Tables Room Tax Increase For Now The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FROM PAGE 5 rail the room tax increase issue because of that.”

Procedural Questions While the majority of the council agrees with the concept of raising the room tax a half a percentage point, Tuesday’s marathon spurred some procedural questions about how best to affect the change. Councilman John Gehrig, who has been a fierce proponent of going after the youth sports market, questioned if Tuesday’s work session was the right time and place to vote on the increase and pointed to the tabling of another issue earlier in the meeting to illustrate his point.

“I just want to make sure I understand the proposal,” he said. “We just delayed nine cell towers so we can get more information about how they will look and where they will go exactly.

Now, we’re trying to rush this major decision through without weighing all of the information or hearing from our constituents.”

However, Councilman Tony DeLuca, who had made a motion to approve the change earlier, called Gehrig out for his alleged surprise over the call for a vote.

“You and I have talked about this,” he said. “We’ve all talked about this.

Today, you’re talking like all of this is a surprise. Shame on you for that. We’ve been talking about this for months and months. This is not a surprise today.”

Councilman Matt James said it might be disingenuous to vote on raising the room tax rate on Tuesday without first defining how the potential windfall would be spent. James questioned the motivation for raising the room tax merely to pay bills for increased service.

“If we’re going to raise the room tax, I don’t think we should do it today,” he said. “I think if we’re going to do it, there should be a wow factor. I just don’t want to do it to pay bills with it.”

Council Secretary Mary Knight said she supported the idea of pursuing the youth sports market, but urged her colleagues to move forward with first approving the tax hike as a necessary first step.

“I’d like to see a positive vote on this today, so we can move forward,” she said. “I also think we need to vigorously pursue this now and not keep kicking this down the road.”

Gehrig again questioned if the work session was the right time and place for a vote on the room tax hike.

“I thought we had a policy not to vote on major decisions during work sessions,” he said. “How are we at the point where this is the first time we’re discussing this publicly and we’re ready to vote on this? What would be the harm in putting the brakes on this and making good decisions based on the numbers? I think we’re all in agreement. I just don’t know why we need to do this today. I’m sure we can work through this and come up with a solution everybody loves.”

Dare said there had to be a starting point and voting to approve the room

tax hike as proposed could provide that.

“The thing to remember is what we have to do to affect this change,” he said. “Everybody is acting like if we vote on this, that’s it and it happens tomorrow. We need to have the county approval and we then we need an ordinance change that has to be advertised and all that entails. In between, we can have another work session.

We have time to work all of this out.”

City Solicitor Guy Ayres proved to be the voice of reason in the tense debate, pointing out Worcester County will ultimately have to approve any proposed room tax hike.

“I could have probably saved us all the last hour or so,” he said. “You have to remember this is a county tax. You don’t have the authority to simply raise this on Monday night. One of the first steps in this is getting the County Commissioners to approve the change.”

James reiterated it wasn’t fair to ask the county to raise the room tax rate without a clear plan on how best to spend the new revenue.

“How can we ask the county to raise the tax when we haven’t identified what we’re going to spend it on?” he said. “How can we ask them to do something when we don’t even know what we’re doing yet? I just think it’s irresponsible to ask them to increase this tax without identifying what we want to spend it on.”

Sports Marketing Debate While clearly much of the revenue derived from increasing the room tax rate would continue to be dedicated to general resort advertising and marketing, along with a considerable contribution to the general fund, Gehrig continued to push for a portion to be utilized to tap into the youth sports marketing. It was a narrative he began at the Tourism Commission level in January. He said Ocean City’s target market has always been families and did not suggest that should change, but emphasized the billion-dollar youth sports market could provide an opportunity for new growth in the resort.

“The last time we invested, it clearly worked,” he said. “There are different challenges now. People are traveling differently now and we need to attack those differences. The youth sports movement is hurting us. There are 150 million kids playing youth sports and that’s what is driving family vacations now. Parents are traveling up to 30 weekends a year for youth sports tournaments and camps.”

Gehrig said Ocean City’s target audience has changed somewhat over the years and tapping the youth sports market represents an opportunity to keep up with the times.

“Let’s face what we are,” he said.

“We’re a last-minute, weather-based destination. It’s not the 1970s anymore. We talk constantly about a supply and demand problem and how we have more supply than demand. People are making their vacation deci-

February 1, 2019

sions based on youth sports tournaments. We’re built to dominate that market, but we’re late to the game.”

Gehrig said significant private sector investments in youth sports have been made in areas that have embraced the concept. To be sure, Ocean City has done a great job with embracing the market with indoor and outdoor tournaments filling up Northside Park and other venues almost every weekend, but Gehrig suggested there is more to be done and the town is lagging behind other areas.

“Cal Ripken is a Maryland guy and he built nine baseball fields in Myrtle Beach because Myrtle Beach is out in front of this and built nine baseball fields on their own,” he said. “That’s almost embarrassing. We need to take some leadership on this. This proposal doesn’t include any of that. We’re pushing this through because we want to pay our bills.”

Gehrig said tweaking the figures somewhat on the proposed room tax rate proposal could provide an impetus for jumping into sports marketing while achieving the other goals as well.

“We need to consider going from 2 percent to maybe 2.2 percent,” he said.

“That would leave roughly $750,000 to start planning and building a sports facility. That would allow us to pay our bills and invest in our future. We have to suck it up and identify this trend and start acting on it.”

James said he could not support the motion to approve the room tax hike until the youth sports marketing concept was fully vetted.

“During the tourism commission meeting, I thought it was clear we need to have a discussion on sports marketing,” he said. “I’m not ready to support this motion until we have a real discussion on how much of this to spend on sports marketing.”

Knight said she agreed with exploring the youth sports market, but said it could be a tough sell for the taxpayers to dedicate funds to what would likely be an off-island facility.

‘It’s an amazing opportunity, but we need to sell it,” she said. “How can we justify spending say $2 million a year on something outside Ocean City? I think it’s a good idea and we should do it, I just think we’re going to need to sell it to the taxpayers.”

Gehrig pointed out the town and its residents and visitors have been adamant about alternatives to some of the existing special events in the resort.

“We need to have a plan to fill our rooms,” he said. “You think the residents wouldn’t like that? You think they wouldn’t like to see some of these less desirable events with burning rubber in the roads go away because they couldn’t get rooms?”

Vacation Costs And Perception Knight pointed out Ocean City already has one of the highest average daily room rates (ADR) in peak seaSEE PAGE 32

Locals Remember Old Worcester High School

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Nearly 50 years after the last graduating class walked the halls of Worcester High School, the tradition of the black and gold lives on.

While the county’s all-black high school closed in 1970, memories made at the Newark facility remain vivid for those who call it their alma mater.

“I’ve got that ‘W’ on my chest forever,” Berlin resident Gregory Purnell said.

Though few modern-day students know it, the facility that serves as the central office for Worcester County Public Schools was originally Worcester High School. The small African American school that was originally in Snow Hill was moved to the new brick structure on Route 113 in 1953.

“It was a brand new facility,” Purnell said. “You had these hallways and alcoves. They were adding on even as we were there. We built a new stateof-the-art library and had new science equipment and so forth.”

Between 1953 and 1970, more than 1,200 students graduated from the school, which housed seventh through 12th grades. It was the county’s only high school for African American children.

“Students came from the Delaware line to the Virginia line,” said Teola Brittingham, a Berlin resident who graduated from Worcester in 1968.

“We met a lot of people.”

Purnell, who’d attended elementary school on Flower Street in Berlin, said it was at Worcester that he met people from other parts of the county who went on to become lifelong friends.

“Pocomoke, Stockton – I didn’t even know where those places were until I went to Worcester,” he said. “being able to form relationships with all these children, There was a kinship that still applies, it was such a tight knit group.”

The fact that they were attending an all-black school was not something

Page 31

Regional Digest FROM PAGE 30 an ideal seven-day supply of blood. Currently, Blood Bank of Delmarva has just a three- to fourday supply with types O- and B- at critically low levels.

Snow Hill Police Chief Resigns

Prior to integration, Worcester High School, which today serves as the Board of Education offices in Newark, was exclusively for African American students from 1953 to 1970.

Submitted Photos

most Worcester students considered.

“We didn’t even really know we were in a segregated high school, just because that’s the way we grew up,” Purnell said. “I went to Flower Street (School) six years. We had no white teachers or any of that.”

Nevertheless, students were eager to attend seventh grade at Worcester, knowing they’d be joining students from across the county. Though they didn’t all know each other firsthand, many knew cousins and siblings of their fellow students and were able to make connections.

“Everybody knew everybody,” said Brittingham, who grew up in Snow Hill.

When it was time for her to attend Worcester, she wasn’t worried about being a seventh-grader among so many older students.

“We were all so glad to get in there so we could look at all the senior boys,” she said with a laugh.

Looking back on her time at Worcester, Brittingham said what strikes her is the discipline and respect evident in the hallways.

“We knew when we stepped through the doors that we were there for education,” she said. “When that bell rang the halls were clear. Our teachers were dressed in suits and ties every single day. The women, always heels and always nylons. We could not wear jeans unless it were a certain day. We all had to wear skirts and dresses. It was a disciplined school.”

The Class of 1964 from Worcester High School is pictured.

Purnell says that’s because teachers there taught not three but four “r’s”– reading, writing, arithmetic and respect.

While he wasn’t at the top of his class academically, Purnell can still appreciate the quality of education offered at Worcester High.

“When I look back at it now it was kind of like an academy,” he said.

Because it was the only black school in the county, it was the only local option for African American teachers.

“All of the black teachers had to teach at Worcester,” he said.

The benefit to students is that they were taught by highly qualified graduates of places like Bowie State University and Morgan State University.

Purnell credits Worcester High School Principal John McDowell with seeking out the best teachers for the school.

“He wanted the best,” he said. “He was a principal’s principal.”

Beyond their skill academically, teachers at Worcester were also known for their compassion.

“The teachers were wonderful,” Brittingham said. “They were concerned about your education, they were concerned about your life. A lot of times, kids who’d come from low income families – I was one – they’d find jobs for us to do to have a little money.”

Many are still remembered fondly, 50 years later. Brittingham says there’s not a Worcester student who wouldn’t remember music teacher Winifred Dutton.

“She still plays piano,” Brittingham said.

That, however, is not why Brittingham remembers her.

“She made everybody in music class sing a solo in front of the whole class,” Brittingham said. “We were doing everything we could not to laugh.”

The high school also featured a successful marching band. Purnell, who played French horn, still remembers being at marching practice one Friday in late November.

“We were out on that lane from the highway to the school, marching, SEE PAGE 33

SNOW HILL – The resignation of the chief of police in Snow Hill last week will result in the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office filling in temporarily.

Snow Hill Police Chief Tom Davis tendered his resignation last Friday and his last official day of duty is set for Feb. 10. The town of Snow Hill this week thanked Davis for his service and offered him well wishes as he moves forward to his next opportunity.

In the meantime, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to provide an interim police chief for Snow Hill while the town seeks qualified candidates to fill the position. Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ed Schreier will be serving as interim chief of police in Snow Hill beginning Monday.

Meanwhile, the town is currently working on advertising the position.

It will be advertised on the town’s website, its Facebook page and in a local newspaper of record.

New DNR Secretary Named OCEAN CITY – Governor Larry Hogan last week announced former Delegate Jeannie HaddawayRiccio has been appointed new secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Haddaway-Riccio served in the House of Delegates representing District 37-B on the Eastern Shore from 2003 to 2015. Before her appointment was announced last week, Haddaway-Riccio had been serving as a deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office where she advised on environmental-related issues.

“Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio has been a strong member of my executive team since day one and has a proven track record of working to protect Maryland’s environment,” said Hogan. “I know that Jeannie will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to build on our incredible progress in preserving our state’s precious natural resources.”

Haddaway-Riccio will replace former DNR Secretary Mark Belton, who is returning to his former post as Charles County Administrator. The DNR oversees environmental issues, fishing issues and habitat preservation and to some degree farming, all key issues in and around Ocean City and throughout the Lower Shore.

Page 32

… County asked to support Hike

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From Page 30 son among similar destinations. She questioned if the typical family with a couple of kids playing in a soccer or lacrosse tournament in Ocean City would pay the high peak-season rates.

“We have the highest average daily room rate in our concept,” she said. “In July and August, we have rooms for $500 a night. I’m not sure what these families with kids are paying or what they’re used to paying, but I’m sure they aren’t spending $500 a night when they go to tournaments in Ohio and Pennsylvania. I love the concept, I just think we need more information.”

Dare said Ocean City’s room tax rate was among the lowest compared to other destinations, yet the ADR in the resort was considerably higher.

“We have one of the lowest room tax rates, but a higher ADR,” he said.

“It’s not about the room tax rate. In the big scheme of things, its not that big a deal. It might mean another $5 on a typical stay. We know it’s the right decision to go from 4.5 percent to 5 percent on the room tax rate.”

James pointed out supply and demand drive the ADR in Ocean City during the season, and with more and more hotels coming on line, the supply could outstretch the demand. He also pointed out the roughly $800,000

February 1, 2019

pitched during the debate as a shortfall in meeting the cost of providing services was a function of poor budgeting and not the room tax rate or ADR. “We’ve seen a 10-percent increase in the number of hotel rooms in the last two years,” he said. “I think you’ll see the ADR go down because of that. It’s a simple supply and demand thing. I think we’re raising the room tax rate because we didn’t meet our budget.”

Martin took exception to James’ notion the $800,000 or so shortfall was the result of poor budgeting.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “We’re at a point where we’re getting strapped by things out of our control like the minimum wage increase, for example.

We’re going to see a $15 per hour minimum wage for our part-time seasonal employees and there are other factors we don’t control. We’ve done a lot of great things while keeping our tax rate low. We made it through last year without raising taxes. What we can do with this increase is pay for the services required by people who use them.”

Knight summed up the debate by pointing out a failure to increase the room tax rate would potentially result in other measures to make up the reported $800,000 shortfall.

“If we don’t make up the $800,000, the only other way we can make up this money is by raising taxes, to charge for parking all over town or to decrease services,” she said. “That’s all part of this equation. How are we going to make up this money if we don’t do this?”

End Game During the course of the hours-long debate, several motions were made and later tabled. Others failed to pass while one ultimately gained unanimous approval.

For example, DeLuca’s motion to approve the proposed room tax hike with an effective date of July 1, which he made right from the outset, was voted down by a 4-3 vote with DeLuca, Knight and Dare in favor, and Gehrig, Paddack, James and Martin opposed.

Ayres’ point about needing the approval of the County Commissioners for the proposed room tax change sparked a motion late in the meeting to have Mayor Rick Meehan send a letter to the county commissioners to begin exploring the request to see if the county elected at least concurred with the concept. That motion passed on a 5-2 vote with Gehrig and James opposed.

Finally, Dare made a motion to have town staff begin preparing information on a potential economic study of the youth sports marketing issue and perhaps begin to prepare requests for proposals. That motion passed unanimously.

… Purnell: ‘I’ve Got That ‘W’ On My Chest Forever’

February 1, 2019

FROM PAGE 31 when John Fitzgerald Kennedy was killed,” Purnell said. “We were out there practicing, getting ready for the parades, and somebody came out and told us to bring all the students back.”

Purnell says if Worcester lacked in any way, its students weren’t aware of it. They looked to their teachers for a quality education and enjoyed extracurriculars like track, basketball, band and cheerleading. Purnell was one of the school’s first male cheerleaders.

“We didn’t know that we didn’t have what we didn’t have because we had so much of what we did have and that was each other,” he said.

When the school system moved to end segregation in 1965, few students wanted to leave Worcester, the facility they’d come to know and love. Some were even apprehensive about the potential for violence, as they’d seen what happened elsewhere throughout the country. Berlin Mayor Gee Williams was a student at Stephen Decatur High School when the integration process began.

“It was the winter before the African American kids were given the option to go to their local school (instead of Worcester),” he recalled. “It was voluntary that first year or two. Even with that transition there was concern by people in this county at the time that this might create a lot more than just tension. They were afraid there might be fights and violence when integration occurred. So they came up with an experiment.”

As a precursor to school integration, local educators decided to host a basketball game between Stephen Decatur, Williams’ team, and Worcester High School.

“It was precedent setting,” Williams said.

While it was held at Stephen Decatur, it was set for a Saturday and closed to the public. Williams recalls police stationed around the gym – the doors to which were locked – and board of education members sitting in the stands.

“Obviously they were expecting trouble,” Williams said.

When the teams emerged from the locker rooms, however, several opposing players called friendly greetings to each other. What the adults didn’t realize was that the teenage boys had been playing ball together unofficially for years.

“They were in shock,” Williams said.

He says both teams went on to enjoy the game, which Worcester won convincingly.

“The interesting thing is by half time the school was unlocked, the doors were open and most of the police had left, though some went into the stands to watch the game,” he said.

Williams says it just goes to show how important human relationships

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

are.

“What really makes things better is when people have a chance to get to know each other,” he said. “It’s not just the official things that you do that define a community’s spirit. It’s how people treat each other.”

While no one disputes the success of that initial Decatur-Worcester game, Brittingham and Purnell, like the majority of Worcester students at that time, opted to stay at the school at which they’d started their high school careers.

“You knew the people here,” Purnell said.

Brittingham, who even today raves about the spaghetti and meatball lunches served at Worcester, agreed.

“It was a tight knit school,” she said.

She went on to meet her husband Elroy there.

“He says we probably wouldn’t be married if it weren’t for Worcester High School,” she said. “He’s right.”

Purnell, whose wife also attended Worcester – albeit only for one year before it closed – said the relationships he made at Worcester are ones he still values today. As Worcester graduates have passed on, the school song has become a popular refrain at their funerals.

“The spirit lives in us in that song,” Purnell said. “Usually before the ceremony’s over they will sing that school song – everybody in the whole church, because everybody is connected to somebody from Worcester.”

As Worcester County Public Schools

Page 33

celebrates its 150th anniversary, school system officials want to highlight the camaraderie and spirit of Worcester High School. School system officials are currently seeking memorabilia from the school to create a display for the building’s lobby.

“We’re hoping to get more alumni to connect with us,” said Carrie Sterrs, the school system’s coordinator of public relations and special programs.

“We don’t want it to become a forgotten memory.”

Anyone with memorabilia they’d be willing to include in the display is asked to contact Sterrs at 410-632-5000. Students from Worcester Technical High School’s hospitality program are working on the display now and hope to have it completed by mid-February.

Negligent Driving Bill Introduced No More ‘Shall’ In Fenwick Code

Page 34

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza last week introduced a bill that would increase the penalties for causing life-threatening injuries while operating a vehicle or vessel negligently.

Senate Bill 248 was Carozza’s first official piece of legislation as a senator.

The bill, if approved, would establish the offense of causing a life-threatening injury by motor vehicle or vessel as criminal negligence and greatly enhance the penalties associated with a conviction.

The current maximum penalty for criminally negligent driving causing a lifethreatening injury is a $500 citation.

Carozza’s bill, which has 11 cosponsors in the Senate, would make the offense a misdemeanor. A violator convicted of the offense would be subject to a maximum of 18 months in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. The bill was cross-filed in the House by nine co-sponsors including Lower Shore Delegates Wayne Hartman and Charles Otto, among others.

Carozza said the issue was brought to her by the families of victims of a criminally negligent driving incident in Worcester County in February 2016. A Stockton man drove through a work zone along a roadway in the south end of Worcester County, killing one

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

county roads department employee, Scott Tatterson of Pocomoke, and critically injuring another, Wade Pusey of Seaford.

The driver, Marion Jones, then 60, of Stockton, was ultimately indicted on charges of manslaughter, criminal negligence manslaughter, negligent driving and reckless driving. Jones was found guilty of negligent driving and reckless endangerment and was fined $500 for each conviction. The vehicular manslaughter charges were not prosecuted. The case revealed a gap in current law when it comes to prosecuting individuals who cause lifethreatening injuries with a vehicle in a criminally-negligent manner. Carozza said her bill, if approved, would close that gap and create stronger penalties for negligent driving cases during which life-threatening injuries are sustained by victims.

“It only makes sense that when lifethreatening injuries are sustained as a result of criminally-negligent driving as they were in the case of Wade Pusey that we pass legislation to bring a more just penalty to those convicted of causing life-threatening injuries with a vehicle or vessel,” she said.

Carozza introduced similar legislation in 2017 as a member of the House of Delegates. That bill breezed through the House with a 140-0 vote, but failed to get in front of the full Senate.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Concerned over its vague definition, officials in Fenwick Island last week agreed to stop using the word “shall” in all new or amended ordinances of the town code.

Last Friday, Councilman Roy Williams presented his request to use the words “must” or “will” in any new or amended sections of the town code.

He argued a recent review of the town’s zoning code made the definition of the word “shall” unclear.

“A while back I investigated the word ‘shall’ to see what showed up,” he said. “My concern is that ‘shall’ has three different meanings. … What I am suggesting is because ‘shall’ could be looked at as a gray area – we all know what that has cost us in the past – that we start to use plain language going forward,” he said.

Williams said using the words “must” or “will” would eliminate any confusion. He added he would also like existing portions of the town code to define the word “shall” when used.

“I think that’s what an ordinance is all about, to make things stronger so that it can’t be looked at as a gray area,” he said. “Also, I would like to see it mentioned some place, where we’ve already used the word ‘shall,’ that it should be looked at as being mandatory.”

February 1, 2019

Town Manager Terry Tieman, however, said Town Solicitor Mary Schrider-Fox urged the council to take a cautionary approach to defining the word “shall.”

“I remember her recommending not to do that,” she said.

Tieman added a recent search of zoning codes from surrounding municipalities revealed several towns used all three words interchangeably.

“As you can see, most everyone uses a mixture of all [three],” she said.

“Bethany [Beach] doesn’t ever use ‘will’ or ‘must,’ which is an oddity.”

Williams made a motion to use the words “must” or “will” in any new or amended sections of the town code and to define the word “shall” in existing portions of the code.

“I just think it would be a good idea to reference, for all intents and purposes, the word ‘shall’ would mean mandatory,” he said.

Councilwoman Vicki Carmean seconded the motion.

“I think we should move forward,” she said. “Anything we can do to make the code clear is fine. This isn’t going to cost us any money. But if we don’t do it, it may cost us a lot of money in terms of attorney’s fees.”

The council voted 5-2, with Mayor Gene Langan and Councilman Gardner Bunting opposed, to change the language.

Bay Taxi Service Seeks To Educate About New Service

February 1, 2019

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The owners of a new water taxi service are seeking the community’s support, and the town’s approval, to continue operating their business from a north Ocean City canal.

On Feb. 20, business partners Stephen Butz, David Butz, Jeff Mason and Adam Douglass will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission to obtain a Conditional Use permit, which will allow them to continue operating a water taxi service – known as the OC Bay Hopper – from its headquarters at the end of a canal at 118th Street.

But Douglass said opposition from nearby residents, and misinformation regarding the water taxi service, could threaten their business.

“We learned that this process is not as cut and dry,” he said. “There is a great deal of risk that we may not be granted this Conditional Use permit, and we would not be able to utilize this space in the way we had intended.”

Last February, the four partners decided to combine their software skills and passion for boating and launch a water taxi business in Ocean City.

“There really wasn’t anything like that in Ocean City,” he said. “It’s really just tour boats and things like that.”

For the four partners, the idea of a water taxi service also supported their vision of connecting north Ocean City – where they rented or owned homes – to the rest of the resort.

“The whole north end of Ocean City is sort of disconnected from the rest of the excitement …,” he said. “Driving to a restaurant is stressful. Not only are you sitting in traffic, where there is nothing to see, but parking can also be really difficult.”

With a business plan fully developed, the partners soon began making the arrangements for a water taxi service, which included purchasing and outfitting a 27-foot, flat-bottomed Carolina Skiff, securing the necessary certifications and licenses, and making practice runs up and down the bay to scout out water-accessible restaurants and bars.

By late July, Douglass said OC Bay Hopper was in business, and in August, the group spotted a vacant kiosk along the canal at 118th Street. After seeking approval from Ocean City Planning and Zoning, the partners signed a three-year lease.

“We saw this as a home base where we would staff that kiosk with someone who could answer questions and where we could expand our taxi service to do a couple of family activities,” Douglass said, noting opportunities to offer sightseeing cruises and outings to SEE PAGE 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 35

… Planning Comm., Council To Hear Permit Request

Page 36

FROM PAGE 35 view the fireworks at Northside Park.

He added the partners also developed a phone app to locate and book an OC Bay Hopper for transportation to and from bayside restaurants and bars.

“In the afternoons and evenings, we sort of operated like an Uber,” he said.

After a successful pilot season, Douglass said he and his partners began to regroup and focus on needed improvements at the kiosk, which included a ramp and floating dock that would make the taxi service more accessible to families and older clients.

But during the permitting process, the business partners learned several neighbors were opposed to their plans.

“We were surprised,” he said. “The entire six weeks we operated, we heard nothing but positive feedback from people.”

For many residents, however, the business came with several concerns.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Some were concerned OC Bay Hopper operated illegally during the summer season, while others thought the business would grow to include other unwanted activities, such as boat and Jet Ski rentals.

It was also during this time that the business partners were told they would need a Conditional Use permit to continue operating at the 118th Street location.

“They basically said that because a water taxi is not a specifically allowed use at that location, we now needed to apply for a Conditional Use permit,” Douglass said. “It was a surprise for us, mostly because we had reached out to the city before we signed our lease to make sure we could use that location.”

Because a public hearing was already scheduled, the business partners came before the Board of Port Wardens in January to obtain a Marine Construction permit, a request that

was met with opposition from several nearby residents.

“Some of them thought we were going to be renting boats out or that we were going to have Jet Skis and parasails,” he said. “Some of them thought we were going to bring a 50-foot boat into the canal, which was never our plan.”

He added the group did have plans to operate a sightseeing sailboat, but had no intention to dock it in the canal.

“We want to address all the neighbors’ concerns,” he said. “I really hope they were all angry because they misunderstood or were misinformed.”

Despite opposition, the business partners were granted a Marine Construction permit with the condition that they obtain a Conditional Use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hear their case on Feb. 20. The commission is then expected to forward its decision, and the

February 1, 2019

results of the public hearing, to the Mayor and Council.

“The scariest part is we learned a previous business that tried to operate out of our location years ago did not fare well in this process,” Douglass said. “A number of years ago, a gentleman wanted to open a parasail business at that location. Planning and Zoning approved his Conditional Use permit, but then the Mayor and Council denied it and he did not get to open his business.”

Douglass said the process is concerning to him and his partners, who recently invested additional funds to purchase a second water taxi. He added any restrictions included in a Conditional Use permit could also threaten their business.

“They can also restrict certain behaviors about our business …,” he said. “Depending on the types of restrictions they give us, it could make our business a nonstarter.”

While the process is likely to play out over the coming weeks, Douglass said he and his business partners wanted to address any misunderstandings.

“We want to tell the people what we are planning to do,” he said, “and hopefully they can support that idea.”

Those seeking more information are asked to visit www.ocbayhopper.com or the “OC Bay Hopper” Facebook page.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 3 Church Street Berlin, Md. 410-641-4066

Worshiping Sundays

At 8:30 And 10:30 a.m. www.stpaulsberlin.org

New recruiting position sparks Fire Company interest

February 1, 2019

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While the sample size is fairly small, the hiring of a new recruitment and retainment coordinator for the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) appears to be achieving the desired results.

Last year, the OCVFC gained approval from the Mayor and Council to hire a recruitment and retainment coordinator. The OCVFC ultimately hired Christine Bennett, an experienced firefighter and EMT from New Castle County, Del., to fill the new position.

On Tuesday, OCVFC Assistant Chief Jay Jester presented to the Mayor and Council an overview of the first six months, or the second half of 2018, with the new recruitment and retainment coordinator. Volunteer fire companies across the region and beyond have been experiencing a drain on membership rolls in recent years and the OCVFC has not been immune to some degree.

The OCVFC has a maximum membership number of 125 in the first-due response area and that number had dwindled to around 77 active members, or about 67 percent of the ideal total at the time the new position was created.

To that end, the OCVFC took a proactive approach to reversing that trend with the hiring of Bennett, who has

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been ramping up the company’s recruitment efforts and increasing its online and social media exposure since starting six months ago. As of this week, the number of OCVFC active members had increased to 81 from the 77 reported when the position was created.

Thus far, it appears her efforts are bearing fruit, at least from the amount of interest shown. For example, in the first six months of last year, one application for an active membership had been distributed and that number jumped to 12 in the last six months. There were 11 applications distributed for associate memberships prior to Bennett’s hiring and that number has since increased to 58.

There were two applications for new cadets distributed prior to the creation of the new position and five after.

Similarly, there were eight applications

for the company’s live-in program in the first half of last year and 19 in the second half. Finally, there were 12 applications for the ride-along program prior to Bennett’s hiring and 85 after.

Bennett has also overseen a significant jump in the company’s website and social media activity. For example, the OCVFC’s website had 41 new posts throughout the entire year in 2016 and just 11 in 2017. Last year, the OCVFC website had 77 new posts, four before Bennett was hired and 73 in the six months since she has been hired.

Prior to the creation of the new position, the most visitors in one day to the OCVFC website was 12,166 and that number has jumped to 17,144 since.

Similar trends are bearing out with the company’s social media platforms.

For example, in 2016 the OCVFC

Page 37

Facebook page had less than 15,000 followers and around 16,000 in 2017.

In the last half of 2018, that number had increased to around 20,000. The number of messages, or interactions with the public, on Facebook also increased from 180 in the first half of 2018 to 266 in the second half when the new position was created.

According to Jester, the plans for the next six months include a recruitment video and an aggressive recruiting campaign, a firefighter discount incentive program wherein members can receive discounts at participating local businesses and the launch of a new website, for example.

“This is really bearing fruit,” he said.

“It’s a shining example of the great partnership between the company and the city.”

Page 38

Obituaries Paul Evans Gorman Jr.

BERLIN – Paul Evans Gorman Jr., 86 years old, of Berlin, passed away Jan. 4, 2019.

A Baltimorean born and bred, he was raised in the Roland Park area where his family owned and operated the Grauel’s Grocery stores. Active as a boy in Boy Scouts and the American Red Cross, he taught water safety courses throughout his teenage and early adult years, including PAUL EVANS as part of his service in the GORMAN JR. Army during the Korean War. He was an avid sports participant and fan, watching many ball games, swim meets, tennis matches, field hockey games and gymnastic meets. The left-hander played a mean game of horseshoes and ping pong and would beat you right-handed as well. As a longstanding fan and season ticket holder

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch with the Orioles, Baltimore Colts and Ravens, he enjoyed games at Memorial Stadium at 33rd Street, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.

After completing high school at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he earned a Bachelor in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Teaching from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He was a lifelong educator in the Baltimore City Public School System, moving from classroom teacher to vice principal of Northern Parkway Jr. High School, to principal of Northwestern High School, and to assistant superintendent in the administration.

Pop, as he was known, had a love for the beach and ocean that began as a child when his family vacationed in Rehoboth Beach. He frequented Ocean City with his family where he taught his kids and grandkids the respect of the ocean and the joy of riding waves. His love extended into retirement as he and his wife, Dollie, settled “down the ocean” in their beloved Ocean City and Berlin homes where they enjoyed friends and family visiting, participating in their community, supporting local charities, murder

mystery dinners, walking their beloved dogs, and, of course, eating, whether good old home cooking or at a favorite restaurant.

Pop was as laid back as they come, always a quiet, keen observer reading a room. He had miles of patience whether teaching math homework or life skills, no doubt with an explanation requiring all 10 fingers. He valued the simplicity of pencil and paper while forever mastering the art of an Excel worksheet. He was most content sitting back, with moccasins on, arms and ankles crossed, people-watching, with a little nap thrown in no matter where he was or what was happening, only to throw in a quick-witted word of wisdom just when you thought he was not listening. He had a gift for engaging little ones and would happily get on the floor to play games, blocks, Legos, trains or princesses. He was happy to take a ride just for the pleasure of seeing what was going on or at home tinkering with his house projects, the computer, a Rubix cube or puzzle and Lottery ticket numbers.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Catherine “Dollie” Gorman;

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February 1, 2019 his sister, Ann Richwien Gorman; and his parents, Paul Evan Gorman Sr. and Elizabeth Grauel Gorman.

He is survived by his sisters, Colonel Elizabeth Grauel Gorman Jr., and Gail Breyer [Robert]; daughters, Beth Renwick, Peggy Crockett [David], Ginger Patron [David], and Julie Gorman [George]; and grandchildren, Brooke, Quincey, Anne, Kiersten, Max, Tyler, Emma, Keegan, Zoe and Paul; stepdaughters, Jodi Glaser [Joseph] and Melissa Braford [Brad]; five step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; and many beloved extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Feb. 2, 2019,, noon-3 p.m., at MitchellWiedefeld Funeral Home at 6500 York Rd. in Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

Edward Cornelius Evans SALISBURY – Edward Cornelius Evans, age 63, went on his ultimate trip on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, to be with his loving family.

Born in Salisbury, he was the son of the late John Thomas Evans and Mary Mildred Pilgrene Evans. He is survived by his brother, John Evans, and his wife, Christine, of Clearwater, Fla. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Virginia Daisey and Sue Quillen. Also EDWARD surviving is his niece, Fe- CORNELIUS licia Birch, and her hus- EVANS band, Robert, of Berlin, nephew Mike Daisey and his wife, Ana, of Salisbury, and niece Kelly Quillen Birch and her husband, Keith, of Salisbury, and devoted close friend Faye Stearns of Salisbury. There are several greatnieces and nephews, Charles Senft, Matthew Senft, Jamee Boswell and Jennifer Turner, along with their spouses and families.

Ed had been a teacher with the Wicomico Board of Education, and had also worked as a guidance counselor at WiHi. He loved to travel, which he did extensively. He was also a collector of TV Guides, National Geographic Magazines, Monopoly Games and had a large plate collection. He also collected DVDs and CDs. Cremation followed his death. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made the Salisbury Zoo, 755 S. Park Dr., Salisbury, Md. 21804, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10004.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Eileen Gibbons BERLIN – Eileen Gibbons, age 86, passed away on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.

Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of Robert Harvey and Marie Hagan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe P. Gibbons Sr., on Jan. 14, 2019. She is survived by her son, Joe P. Gibbons Jr. (Barbara); daughters Colleen Deptula (Jim) and Karen Cooper (Mark); six grandchildren, Ryan Fontello (Jacklyn), Marie SEE NEXT PAGE

... Obituaries

February 1, 2019

FROM PAGE 38 Fontello (Jake Jones), Joe P. Gibbons III, Jack Gibbons, Kristin Stortini, Paul Stortini; and three great-grandchildren, Emma Jones, Claire Jones and Carson Fontello.

Eileen enjoyed all Maryland sports teams. She square and round danced.

She played golf and was a long-time member of the Federation of Garden Clubs as well as the Ocean Pines Garden Club. Eileen was recognized in 2018 for 25 years of volunteer service with Atlantic General Hospital. She participated with the Women’s Club and the Red Hat Ladies. She playEILEEN GIBBONS ed bridge with many special friends and was a Life Master Card holder. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Eileen was a graduate of the University of Delaware and taught Special Education at the Governor Bacon Health Center.

Interment will be private at the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery at later date. A memorial service and luncheon will be held for Joe and Eileen Gibbons on Feb. 2, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Ocean View Church of Christ, 55 West Ave., Ocean View, Del. 19970. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Carl Edgar Lemaster OCEAN CITY – Carl Edgar Lemaster, "Bud," passed away after a brief illness in the hospital on Jan. 28, 2019.

Carl was born on January 9, 1942 in Sitka, Ky., to the late Carl E. Lemaster and Addie White. Carl graduated from Flat Gap High School in 1960. Carl proudly served in the United States Army, spending one year in Vietnam.

After Carl's discharge from the Army, he married the love of his life, Judy Carpenter, in 1964. Carl and Judy moved to Essex where they started their family and he started working at General Motors, until his retirement 31 years later.

In 1996, Carl and Judy retired to Ocean City where he could devote more time to his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren. Carl always had time for his family and friends. He was generous, compassionate CARL and the best husband, fa- EDGAR ther and grandfather. Carl LEMASTER worked various seasonal jobs in Ocean City, driving the tram on the Boardwalk, bait and tackle shops, and the old fishing pier at "Shantytown." Carl also worked as a golf course marshal so he could also play for free.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Judy, Carl is survived by his three children, Carl Lemaster (Sandy) of Willards, Carla Huth (Gary) of Harford County, Md., and Cyndy Lemaster (Rob) of Raleigh, N.C., and five grandchildren, Daniel Schofield of Baltimore, Alex and Andrew Huth of Harford County, Md., and Emily and Carl T. Lemaster of Wil-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch lards. Carl is also survived by his sister, Virginia Murray, of Sitka, Ky. On Feb. 1, 2019, at 1 p.m., all are welcome to attend a visitation at Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service located at 504 Franklin Ave. in Berlin. This will be followed by a Celebration of Carl’s Life at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Frank E. Harpster III of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 666758517 or the Worcester County Humane Society, 12330 Eagles Nest Rd., Berlin, Md. 21811.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service, a division of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 504 Franklin Ave., Berlin, Md. 21811. Please visit www.easternshorecremation.com to express condolences to the family.

Alva Patrick Pantall MILLVILLE – Alva Patrick Pantall,

“Duke,” age 69, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at his home.

Born in Annapolis, he was the son of the late William and Mary Keough Pantall. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Symons Pantall, and children, Robert W. Pantall of Stevensville, Md., and G. Scott Pantall of Ocean City. There is one granddaughter, Katlyn Eure. Also surviving are two brothers, Thomas Johnson and his wife, Brenda, of Florida and David Pantall of New York, and two sisters, Patricia Rector and her husband, Randy, of Indiana and PatriALVA PATRICK cia Gier and her husband, PANTALL Scott, of Hawaii, and sisterin-law Sandra Pantall of Maryland. Preceding him in death was a brother, William J. Pantall, and sister, Mary Eskins.

Mr. Pantall was a graduate of Southern High School of Harwood, Md., where he played football and wrestling.

He worked for 20 years for Katcef Bros.

Page 39 Inc., in Annapolis, selling and delivering Anheuser Busch products. After “retiring” from Katcef, he became a builder of homes and then a truck driver delivering pharmaceuticals to hospitals and doctors.

From the age of 21, Pantall was active in the Elks Lodge, volunteering in the lodge and coaching football and lacrosse to the youth at the Elks, Annapolis Crusaders and Rolling Knolls Lions. He loved working with youth.

He has been a member in the Annapolis, Kent Island and Ocean City Elks Lodges. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, cousin, best friend and mentor.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m., at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Pastor Andy Ehlers will officiate. A donation in his memory may be made to the Elks National Foundation.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Campaign Donation: Robert Hammond, owner of Atlantic Physical Therapy, and his family donated a generous

$25,000 towards the Atlantic General Campaign for the Future. Atlantic Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine has eight physical therapy clinics throughout Delmarva with locations in Ocean Pines, Berlin, West Ocean City, Salisbury, West Fenwick, Millsboro, Ocean View and Laurel, Del. Pictured, from left, are Michael Franklin, president and CEO of AGH; Toni Keiser, vice president of public relations at AGH; Hammond; Bobby Hammond; Michelle Fager, AGH Campaign for the Future co-chair; and Greg Shockley, chair of the Board of Trustees at AGH. Submitted Photo

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Emergency Response Course Set For April

February 1, 2019

OCEAN CITY – Emergency Services personnel from the Town of Ocean City and Worcester County are teaming up to offer a community wide training course to residents.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic training program will be offered for approximately nine weeks in April at the Ocean City Public Safety Building.

Designed as a grassroots initiative, the CERT program educates community volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area. It is specifically structured to allow local and state program managers to have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their community by training participants in basic disaster response skills.

CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their community in non-emergency events as well.

“The program began in 1993 and has since impacted communities across the country, in all 50 states with over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and 600,000 individuals trained in the program,” commented Joseph Theobald, director of Emergency Services for the Town of Ocean City. “CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks.

Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is enhanced.”

To register for the training or to learn more, contact Amanda Lewis at 410-723-6616 or email alewis@oceancitymd.gov or visit www.ocmdemergency.com.

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And Real Estate News Bank Names New Officers

OCEAN CITY – Bank of Ocean City President and CEO Reid Tingle and the Board of Directors has welcomed three new officers.

Barbara Knickman joins Bank of Ocean City with over 30 years of banking experience. She comes from Howard Bank, headquartered in Baltimore. She brings extensive knowledge in operations, technology and management skills. She will serve as a vice president in the operations department and has been named director of business continuity.

Mary Ann Moore joins Bank of Ocean City as an assistant vice president with 30 years of banking experience, specializing in commercial services. Prior to joining Bank of Ocean City, she proudly served the Delmarva area in small business lending, bank operations and management. She also held the role of investment representative.

Ashley Godwin joins the Bank of Ocean City with over 15 years of banking experience, specializing in credit analysis. She most recently was a senior portfolio manager at a regional bank serving the Ocean City area. She has been appointed as assistant vice president and will serve the bank in commercial credit.

Accreditation Earned BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital Vascular Laboratory, located in Berlin, has been granted a three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Vascular Testing in the areas of Peripheral Arterial Testing, Peripheral Venous Testing and Extracranial Cerebrovascular Testing.

Comprised of a detailed self-evaluation followed by a thorough review by a panel of medical experts, the IAC accreditation process enables both the critical operational and technical components of the applicant facility to be assessed, including representative case studies and their corresponding final reports.

“All ultrasound staff at the Atlantic General Hospital Vascular Lab are registered vascular technologists with specialized vascular training. They are held to strict continuing medical education requirements, keeping them current with the most up-to-date standards. They are part of the vascular team, along with our radiologists,” said Jill Todd, lead ultrasound technologist at Atlantic General. “Vascular exams can help reveal blocked or reduced blood flow in arteries and veins and assist with identifying problems that could potentially lead to issues such

as stroke, poor arterial circulation in the extremities, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), among other problems.”

Youth Coordinator Welcomed BERLIN – Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) has welcomed Tiffany Scott as the new youth programs coordinator, which oversees programming for adolescent programs and the Berlin Youth Club (BYC).

The position also organizes cultural, educational and social activities for the youth throughout the year.

Scott comes to WYFCS from the Worcester TIFFANY SCOTT County Health Department where she worked as a community health outreach worker and a community health educator.

Scott earned her bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University in 2015 with an area of concentration in Community Health and Health Education. Currently, she is a full-time student at Maryland University of Integrative Health working toward her dream of becoming a Certified Clinical Nutritionist.

Branch Director Named SALISBURY – Peninsula Home Care, a locally owned and operated home health care agency providing award winning skilled care to patients on the Lower Shore since 1985, has announced the addition of Barbara Murray to its leadership team. As branch director, she is responsible for organizing and managing all aspects of administrative and clinical activity in the Maryland branches.

BARBARA A native of Salisbury, MURRAY Murray graduated from James M. Bennett High School in 1980 and Salisbury University with a business degree in 1984. Upon graduation, she launched a career in pharmaceutical sales for 12 years. A background in sales and marketing helped her make the move to long term care where she became the director of marketing for over 14 facilities, and then moved on to become an administrator/executive director.

Murray transitioned into wound care as a director and was instrumental in the opening of two wound care centers and ended up spending four years as the director of one of the largest wound care centers in the country, the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Page 41

Page 42

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Forever In Memory Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005) The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

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February 1, 2019

Tech School An Asset For Entire Community HOW WE SEE IT

Worcester Technical High School was in the spotlight this week when a privately-funded makeover was unveiled for its welding program. It was an occasion to demonstrate the wealth of learning opportunities available to students in a non-traditional learning environment.

Thanks to winning an online contest through the Channellock Trade School Trade-Up contest last year, the school’s welding workroom was retrofitted with thousands of dollars in new tools and equipment. The online contest featured schools from across the country competing against each other for a monetary prize. The contest was decided by online votes and the tech school was represented by a two-minute video created by welding students.

Representatives from the Channellock company were on site Tuesday when students were surprised with the welding shop transformation.

Company officials were impressed with the school and stressed the importance of trade schools like Worcester Tech. It was pointed out the average tradesman today is 56 years old and how interest in the field of car-

pentry, automotive and heating and air conditioning fields, for example, has waned in recent decades. “What kind of world would we live in if we didn’t have skilled tradesmen,” asked Channellock representative Jon DeArment.

The tech school is a true jewel in Worcester County’s crown. It’s much more than just a school for many students. It offers an outlet for many students who may not excel in the classroom and may be looking for a trade of sorts for a career. The tech school offers courses in automotive technology, robotics, construction, masonry, cosmetology, culinary arts, horticulture, nursing, pre-engineering, computer science, interactive media production, hospitality management and much more. It offers students a wealth of avenues to pursue during their high school years.

The reality is there will be about 450 graduates from Worcester County public schools this spring. Traditionally, according to past surveys of graduates, about 80 percent of graduates either enroll in college of some sort or the military, leaving the remain-

der – about 120 graduates – planning to start work immediately. More than likely these young adults will be entering a trade, whether it be HVAC, automotive, culinary arts, carpentry or tourism.

This week’s unveiling of the new welding workroom was an opportunity to shine the light on what an asset Worcester Tech is for the community.

That’s why when the new school was built more than 10 years ago it was a game changer in Worcester County.

The modern and expansive facility was a massive improvement over the former career and technology center. Worcester Tech annually serves about 1,500 high school students in the county.

The significance of the school and its importance in shaping the education of student was not lost on State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon, who was on site for the unveiling this week.

“I think it’s probably one of the best models of a career and technology center we have in the state,” said Salmon.

We would agree with that sentiment.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Big Tech’s Impact On Jobs Needs Attention Editor: I wonder if we as a nation are capable of learning from the past.

While politicians in our nation’s capital play tit-for-tat over just about everything, there are important issues that need to be addressed.

An issue that is of particular concern to me is what technological advances are likely to do to the employment picture in the United States.

We know that one of the main contributors to the despair and hopelessness that fueled the opioid crisis was lack of employment in traditionally blue-collar jobs – these jobs went “overseas” or were just eliminated due in part to trade agreements and environment regulations (such as closing of the coal mines).

The next big tech break-through appears to be “driverless cars” or “automated vehicles.”

Millions and millions of Americans, mostly blue collar workers, drive for a living. Truck drivers, taxi and Uber drivers, parts deliveries, UPS and Fed Ex and other overnight services, etc.

I wonder if anyone in our government, or in private industry, has given any thought to what could be a tsunami of unemployment and its attendant hopelessness and despair. Is anyone finding ways to mitigate the damage

to these workers and their families? Is anyone discussing ways to encourage transition to different kinds of work? We gain our self-esteem from work and accomplishment, from feeling needed. When the jobs go away and unemployment is rampant, despair sets in. The unspoken message is, “We don’t need you, you have nothing to contribute”.

Although this technology is still in its developmental stage, I believe we need to start a conversation about this issue – because it’s coming whether we like it or not.

Please encourage your elected representatives on the state and federal level to work with private enterprise to address this issue.

Carol Frazier Ocean Pines

Legislature Should Endorse Kirwan Commission Changes Editor: I write this letter in response to the guest editorial by Chip Bertino, “What Others Are Saying: Education Changes Would Be Alarming.” Interestingly the writer discusses omissions regarding the state education funding formula while the writer himself has left out a glaring omission.

The Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education

was established to review and make any needed recommendations to the state education funding formula and make policy recommendations that would enable Maryland’s pre-k-12 system to perform at the level of the best-performing school systems in the world.

The Kirwan Commission concluded that in order to determine what adjustments in the education funding formula are necessary that they must first define for Maryland what constitutes a world-class education system.

In its analysis the Kirwan Commission learned alarming data that suggests not only is Maryland’s education system not globally competitive, it is also moving backwards. Our state was the only state in the nation where students performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress regressed.

In Maryland only 8 percent of all Maryland high school graduates, graduate with an industry recognized certificate. Maryland’s rate of absenteeism among students is the 10th highest in the country. And the list goes on in all of the ways we are not successfully graduating students who are college and career ready.

In response the Kirwan Commission has made a series of policy recSEE NEXT PAGE

February 1, 2019

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 42 ommendations that include: •Expansion of early learning programming; •Resources to improve training and compensation for educators; •Enhanced career and college training aligned with the needs of business; and •More resources for schools with concentrations of poverty so that schools where 55 percent or more are eligible for free and reduced meals will have resources to provide wrap around services to students and families through the community schools strategy and school based health centers.

Our students would benefit from all of these enhancements and more specifically benefit from career-aligned training courses in our schools to introduce our students to tourism, maritime, agriculture and other entrepreneurial opportunities.

It is our job to communicate with the Kirwan Commission and our elected legislative leaders. We should voice support for a world-class education and

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

we must ensure that our unique needs as a county including our tourism business are considered when local wealth is determined and calculated.

The writer was correct there are significant questions that remain as it relates to the funding formula including the state and local cost share, the base amount per pupil, and how local wealth will be assessed.

However, it is clear in the report that any accountability measures will not be implemented until the full funding is agreed to and passed in the legislature in 2020.

Now is not the time to lament that these questions remain unanswered but rather to engage in the democratic policy making process and lay the foundation necessary not. Our kids cannot wait another year for us to act.

It is my hope the legislature will endorse the policy recommendations this year and provide funding to begin the journey to a world class education system for Worcester County and all of Maryland.

Joan Roache Ocean City

TO OUR READERS: The Dispatch welcomes any and all letters from our readers. All letters are encouraged typed, but not required, and we reserve the right to edit each letter for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Letters should include writer’s name, address and day and evening telephone numbers. If we are unable to reach the writer, we will have to withhold the letter. Due to space restraints, letters under 500 words in length will be given top priority. Letters can be mailed to The Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811, emailed to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com or faxed to 410-641-0966.

Quotable Quotes “We were surprised. The entire six weeks we operated, we heard nothing but positive feedback from people.”

OC BAY HOPPER PARTNER ADAM DOUGLASS ON CONCERNS BEING EXPRESSED ABOUT HIS WATER TAXI SERVICE DURING THE PERMITTING PROCESS

“So if you’re a homeless person and you get incarcerated, you get free health.”

COUNTY COMMISSIONER BUD CHURCH DURING A DISCUSSION OF THE WORCESTER COUNTY JAIL NEEDING MORE FUNDING FOR MEDICAL CARE

“If you don’t want to raise property taxes and you don’t want parking meters all over town, you have to find a different funding mechanism for some of these things.”

OCEAN CITY BUDGET MANAGER JENNIE KNAPP ON THE NEED FOR NEW REVENUE

“Let’s face what we are. We’re a last-minute, weather-based destination.

It’s not the 1970s anymore. We talk constantly about a supply and demand problem and how we have more supply than demand. People are making their vacation decisions based on youth sports tournaments.

We’re built to dominate that market, but we’re late to the game.”

OCEAN CITY COUNCILMAN JOHN GEHRIG ON HIS BELIEF THE CITY NEEDS TO DEDICATE FUNDS TO YOUTH SPORTS MARKETING

“In July and August, we have rooms for $500 a night. I’m not sure what these families with kids are paying or what they’re used to paying, but I’m sure they aren’t spending $500 a night when they go to tournaments in Ohio and Pennsylvania. I love the concept, I just think we need more information.”

OCEAN CITY COUNCILWOMAN MARY KNIGHT ON THE NEED TO FLUSH OUT THE YOUTH SPORTS CONCEPT MORE

“We had two temporary locations we’re trying to replace with nine permanent towers. That doesn’t make any sense to me. Two very ugly temporary COWS that aren’t here are better than nine permanent towers that are only slightly more aesthetically pleasing.”

OCEAN CITY COUNCILMAN MATT JAMES ON HIS SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF TEMPORARY MOBILE TOWERS, OR COWS, IN THE SUMMER TO MEET CELL SERVICE DEMAND

“I really think you guys are missing the boat on leasing that unit that you’ve got there, that old library,” Gulyas said. “You’re looking at probably $3,500 to $5,000 a month income from that.”

BERLIN COUNCILMAN THOM GULYAS ENCOURAGING THE BERLIN FIRE COMPANY TO LEASE THE OLD LIBRARY BUILDING

Page 43

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

The Town of Ocean City’s bid for the Maryland Court of Special Appeals to reconsider its ruling last month over ownership of a landmark Boardwalk property was denied this week.

In late December, the Court of Special Appeals issued an opinion asserting the town had not presented sufficient evidence to prove ownership of the iconic building on the east side of the Boardwalk at South Division Street, which for decades has been home to Dumser’s Dairyland. The town quickly filed a motion for reconsideration of the Court of Special Appeals opinion handed down in late December. The Court of Special Appeals in short order said no.

Nathans Associates representative Mona Strauss said her family received notice of the Court of Special Appeals decision to deny the motion for reconsideration on Tuesday.

“We got notice of the decision regarding the city’s filing for reconsideration,” she said. “It was received before 1 p.m. on Tuesday. I would imagine that the city was also notified at that time. It was an unbelievably short time within which to render the decision. I guess there is a message in that.”

What will Ocean City do now? It seems clear to me the city will now ask the highest court in Maryland to rule on the case. It was obvious the request for reconsideration before the Court of Special Appeals stood no chance of ever getting approved. It was just a mere formality necessary before asking the state’s highest court to hear the case. Like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals has discretion over which cases it chooses to hear. Although it’s unclear how long this process will take, one legal source said recently it could be the fall before the Court of Appeals decides whether to accept the case.

Last week’s decision by the Worcester County Commissioners to create a building permit allowing developers to ignore a state requirement to install sprinklers in new homes has garnered a lot of attention. The commissioners plan to adopt the new permit through ordinance and then forward to the state for comments.

As would be expected, the commissioners will likely get a sharp rebuke from state officials advising against approving the change, which directly contradicts a 2015 law requiring automatic fire sprinkler systems in all new residential construction.

As that process plays out, it was interesting this week to read a blog by Lorraine Carli on the National Fire Protection Association website headlined, “Maryland County uses baseless information to consider opting out of sprinkler requirements.”

“One of the arguments being used by Worcester County Commissioners in Maryland to try and opt out of the statewide requirement for home fire sprinklers in new homes is that sprinklers thwart building, a notion that has been proven erroneous in other areas,” she wrote. “This is an example of unsupported reasoning being used to allow substandard homes to be built and deny new homeowners the protection home fire sprinklers afford. A research report done several years ago concluded that the presence of sprinkler ordinances had no negative impact on the number of homes being built. The study compared residential construction in the Washington D.C. suburban counties of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, Md. and Montgomery, Md. and Fairfax, Va. Prince George’s County and Montgomery County have sprinkler requirements; Fairfax County and Anne Arundel County did not at the time. … A similar study was done in California more recently and concluded there was no indication the presence of sprinkler requirements negatively impacted housing starts.”

Eight years ago, the Ocean City Mayor and Council went against its planning commission, which consists of council appointees, and squashed a planned parasail business in north Ocean City.

The plan was for a certified captain to operate a parasail business out of a small building near the Food Lion in the 118th Street shopping center and to use the adjacent canal to get to and from the bay. Back then, the council caved to unsubstantiated quality of life concerns expressed by neighbors who live on the nearby canal. I took the council to task for overturning the planning commission’s decision and squashing the entrepreneurial dreams of a young man without letting the venture begin to see if it truly would be a nuisance to nearby property owners.

Fast forward to today, a conditional use permit is being sought by the connections of OC Bay Hopper to continue operating a north-end water taxi service out of the same location near the Food Lion. The venture began last summer and operated for six weeks without any reported complaints from nearby residents. The permit request will be made before the planning commission later this month. I am sure it will be approved by the commission before heading to the Ocean City Mayor and Council.

My hope is this council will see this matter differently than it did in 2011.

The good news is only two voting council members remain in office since that foolish vote to deny the parasail operation.

Page 44

Students

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

In The News

Thanks to the local Kiwanis Club and its donation of $500, the Stephen Decatur High School Key Club will be engaging in more exciting activities this year including sponsoring the second of two annual blood drives and attending the annual Key Club leadership conference in Washington, D.C., this spring. Pictured, back from left, are Advisor Stella Malone, Kyla Scherlag, Nick Poist and Assistant Principal Dr. Curt Bunting and, front, Lydia Woodley, Kiwanis liaison Roy Foreman, Zehra Mirza and Gabby Izzett.

Worcester Preparatory School third-grade teacher Jackie Knowlton incorporated making hats for the homeless into her social studies lesson plan this year. While studying the Constructs of Civic Engagement, Knowlton and her students discussed problems that exist in the local community and brainstormed ways they could help beyond the classroom. Not only did they extend good-will in the commu-

Another truck load departed Stephen Decatur High School loaded with donations during the week of Jan. 22. This time it was filled with toiletries for Believe in Tomorrow, thanks to senior Connections and National Honor Society member Jude Al-Hamad, who led the drive. The lot of toiletries was collected in a twoweek period by the student body and several clubs.

nity, they incorporated their math skills in measurement and circumference to create the hats they donated to Diakonia in Worcester County.

Knowlton is pictured at top with students Aidan Browne and Ayven Browne. Above, third-grader John Crossett models his completed, handmade hat. At left, Scarlett Shimko and Brooke Moore cut out the pattern for hats for the homeless.

Submitted Photos

Ocean City Elementary first-grade students recently had a visit from the tooth fairy. She came to talk with the students about how to care for your teeth and some healthy eating habits to keep your teeth healthy. Pictured are students from Lauren Truitt's class, from left, Yonathan Jasinski-Elbaz, Olivia Reddick and Anna McCormack.

February 1, 2019

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

5:30-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.410-641-0157.

Every Monday: Delmarva Chorus Meeting

7 p.m. Ocean Pines Community Center. Women of all ages invited to sing with the group.

410-641-6876.

Second Monday Of Month: Ocean Pines Camera Club

Things To Do The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

7 p.m. Ocean Pines branch library. Monthly gettogether to share photos, tips, programs. Group goes on a photo shoot the Saturday following meeting and hosts a hands-on workshop the last Thursday of each month. Professional and amateur photographers and new members welcome. Meets second Monday of each month.

July, August. 410-723-2639 or 410-250-2548.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 9715 Healthway Dr., Berlin. Free caregivers group. 410-629-6123.

10 a.m.-noon. Berlin branch, Worcester County Library. Anyone interested in writing is invited to join the group and share a story, poem or essay or just come and enjoy listening to others. This is a free activity. New members are always welcome. The group is comprised of amateur as well as professional, published writers willing to share their knowledge and offer tips on being creative with words.

Third Tuesday: Alzheimer’s Support Group

Every Wednesday: Delmarva Hand Dance Club Dance To Sounds of ’50s And ’60s Music

5:30-9 p.m. Ocean City Elks Lodge, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. $5 donation per person to benefit veterans and local charities in the Delmarva region. Dance lessons with Certified Hand Dance instructor Diane Engstrom on first and third Wednesdays of every month, 5-5:45 p.m.

Dancing afterward until 9 p.m,. All are welcome. dance@delmarvahanddancing.com or http://delmarvahanddancing.com. 410-208-1151.

Second Wednesday: Polish American Club Of Delmarva Meeting

2-4 p.m. Columbus Hall. Anyone of Polish or Slavic descent is welcome. No meetings June,

Every Friday: Knights Of Columbus #9053 Bingo

Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo at 6:30 p.m. 9901 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City. Possible to win the $1,000 big jackpot each week. 410-524-7994.

First Saturday Of Month: Writers Group

Feb. 1: Chicken And Fish Dinner

11 a.m.-until. St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower St., Berlin. Fried chicken platter: $8; fried fish dinner: $8; chicken and fish combo platter: $10; fried chicken or fried fish sandwiches: $5. Sides: Greens, string beans, potato salad, fried potatoes and onions, cornbread/rolls. Sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church Men’s Ministry. 443-523-5527.

Feb. 2: All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken Buffet

11 a.m.-until. Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Willards. Includes chicken, vegetables, beverages and desserts. Adults: $14; children: $7; under 6 years: free. Bake table and carryouts. 443-614-9898.

Feb. 5: 10th Annual $1 Taco Night

2:30-7 p.m. Stephen Decatur High School cafeteria. Chicken and beef tacos, sides, drinks and desserts. Reservations not necessary. Dine-in or carry-out. All proceeds benefit Stephen Decatur High School. 410-641-2171.

Feb. 5, 6, 7: Md. Basic Boating Safety Course

U.S. Coast Guard offering the program. Ocean Pines branch library. The Maryland Safe Boating Certificate is required for all boat operators born after July 1, 1972, and is awarded after successful completion of the course, which includes piloting in local waters, tying nautical knots, foul weather tactics, legal issues and common marine maintenance. $15 for all three evenings. Register: 410-935-4897 or email CGAUX1205-@Gmail.com.

Feb. 6: Grace Parker All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

7 a.m.-noon. First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 13th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. Eggs any style, pancakes, buckwheat pancakes, sausage, ham, biscuits, hash brown

Page 45 potatoes, grits, coffee, tea. Cost: $9; carry-out: $7. Milk, soda, orange juice available. 410-2899340, leave a message.

Feb. 14: AARP Meeting

10 a.m. Ocean City Senior Center, 41st Street and Coastal Highway (behind the Dough Roller). Please arrive early at 9:30 a.m. for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will discuss “Guarding Your Identity.” Optional luncheon will follow the meeting at High Stakes Restaurant. New members welcome. 410-2500980.

Feb. 14: Ocean Pines Garden Club

10 a.m. Ocean Pines Community Center.

Speaker: Catherine from Roots Landscaping will give a presentation on air plants and a demonstration on how to create an air plant terrarium. Visitors and new members welcome.

Club meets second Thursday of each month.

Feb. 16: Yard Sale Fundraiser

8 a.m.-noon. Ladies Auxiliary of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, rain or shine, OCFD Headquarters, 1409 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, second floor. Tables available for $10 each or three for $25. Also accepting gently used goods. Refreshments available. Proceeds raised go toward the fire company, cadets and scholarships. Table rental or information: 410251-7224.

Feb. 17: Authentic Italian Dinner

1-5 p.m. St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Church, Ocean City. Benefits The Fellowship Commons. Meal will be prepared by Vi Candeloro and her family and friends. Celebrating the birthday of Galileo Galilei, who has been called the father of observational astronomy, modern physics, scientific method and modern science. Advance tickets recommended. 410-289-3453, 410-6418171 or office@stpaulsbythesea.org.

Page 46

Sports

Seahawks Top Rams In Battle Of Unbeatens

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

In The News

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team beat Parkside in a battle of Bayside South unbeatens last week in front of a big crowd at home.

Something had to give at Decatur last week with both entering the highly-anticipated match with 9-0 records in conference play. The match went back and forth with the Seahawks emerging with the 47-25 win to remain unbeaten.

At 106, Parkside’s Landon Church beat Decatur’s Caleb Myers. Anya Knappenberger got Decatur going with a win over Jorryn Pearson at 113 and Jagger Clapsadle beat Devin Webb at 120. After Parkside’s Chris Bouchelle beat Decatur’s Jeremy

February 1, 2019

Mitchell at 126, the Seahawks won the next three.

Nico D’Amico beat Sharoz Chaudry at 132, Noah Reho beat Matt Lewis at 138 and Kyle Elliott beat Caleb Thamert at 145. Parkside ended the mini-run with a win by Michael Daugherty at 152, but James Parana came right back with a win over Anthony Betts at 160.

The two teams essentially swapped bouts through the middle to upper weight classes. Parkside’s Elijah Sellinger beat Decatur’s Lukas Layton at 170, but Micah Bourne came back with a win over Justin Tucker at 182.

Trevor Palmer Appleby beat Decatur’s D.J. Taylor at 195 and the Rams’ Alex Waidner beat Daletez Smith at 220, but Dakota Souder took care of business against Michaelangelo Collins at 285.

Seahawks Solid In Bayside Championships

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Decatur Girls Complete Sweep Of Snow Hill

Decatur’s Sofia Gordy pulls down an offensive rebound in traffic during the first quarter of Tuesday’s home game against Snow Hill.

Photo by Shawn Soper

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team took care of business at home against county rival Snow Hill on Tuesday, routing the Eagles, 55-14, to pull even at 7-7 on the season.

With the win over Snow Hill on Tuesday at home, the Seahawks earned a season sweep over their

county rivals after beating the Eagles, 53-5, back on Dec. 20.

The Decatur girls also swept Pocomoke this season.

After a sluggish start, the Seahawks steadily pulled away from Snow Hill on Tuesday.

The Decatur girls started the second half of the season with three straight losses but have now won three of their last four to pull even at 7-7 on the season.

Seahawks Drop Rematch To Eagles

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team fell to Snow Hill, 49-43, on the road this week to split the season series with their Worcester County rival.

The Seahawks edged the Eagles in a barn-burner at home just before the holiday break and the rematch on the road in Snow Hill on Tuesday matched that enthusiasm. The Eagles led 10-7 after a sloppy first quarter, but the two teams were tied at 19-19

at the half.

Snow Hill got a little separation from the Seahawks through the third quarter and ended the period with a 33-28 lead in a low-scoring game. A big run by the Eagles increased their lead to 41-33 about halfway through the fourth before Decatur countered with a run of its own to cut the margin to 45-41 with just under two minutes remaining. However, Snow Hill made its shots down the stretch and held on for the 49-43 win in front of a big home crowd. With the loss, Decatur’s record dropped to 8-7 on the season.

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track teams turned in solid performances at the Bayside Conference Championships at Parkside last week with several strong individual performances.

On the boys’ side in the 1,600, Kevin Beck finished second, while George Cheynet was ninth and Sam Rakowski was 15th. Beck also finished second in the 800, while Carter McClendon was sixth and Cheynet was 13th.

Gavin Bunting finished sixth in the 500, while Chad Fischer was 11th and Raul Gault was 19th. Bunting also finished 16th in the 300. In the 3,200, Tristan Dutton came in 13th, while Liam Foley finished 16th. Jonathan Santana finished 17th in the 55-meter dash.

Samuel Oates came in 10th in the 55-meter hurdles, while Andrew Ball was 15th and Zachary Fuchsluger was 17th. In the field events, Fuchs-

luger was seventh in the high jump, while Daquon Collick was ninth. Decatur’s Aaron Cohen finished 18th in the shot put. The Decatur boys finished fifth in the 4x400 relay and second in the 4x800 relay.

On the girls’ side of the meet, Decatur’s Alyssa Romano finished 10th in the 300, while Jabria Lewis came in 14th. In the 800, Caroline Gardner finished sixth while Dori Krasner came in 10th. Erika Hicks finished 16th in the 1,600, while Amalia Murphy was 20th.

Avery Braciszewski finished eighth in the 3,200, while Murphy came in 14th.

Chloe Candeloro was 17th in the 500, while Jenna Banks came in 20th.

Lewis finished 20th in the 55-meter dash, while Gina Cauble came in 18th in the 55-meter hurdles.

Margie Rayne finished second in the shot put, while Zoriah Shockley was seventh and Alexis Duvall was 18th. Romano finished 13th in the high jump. The Decatur girls finished ninth in the 4x200 relay and fourth in the 4x800 relay.

Local Kids Advance In Hoops Shoot

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Local students participating in the annual Elks Lodge Hoops Shoot competition turned in strong performances at the regional level last weekend including three first-place finishers who now advance to the state tournament.

On Jan. 12, 53 local students competed in the Ocean City Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot event at Worcester Prep with six young players winning their respective age and gender divisions and advancing to the regional tournament. At the regional tournament in Seaford on Sunday, all six local competitors turned in strong performances and three won their respective divisions to advance to the state finals

at Washington College in Chestertown on February 10.

Finishing first in the girls’ 10-11 division was Worcester Prep’s Isabella Marinelli. Taking first place in the girls’ 12-13 division was Berlin Intermediate’s Samantha Boger. Alex Navarro of Stephen Decatur Middle finished first in the boys’ 12-13 division. Each of the first-place finishers advanced to the state finals on Feb. 10.

Other strong performances in the regional competition for local participants included a second-place finish in the girls’ 8-9 division by Kennedy Kirby of Ocean City Elementary, a second-place finish in the boys’ 10-11 division by Brookes Waters of Berlin Intermediate and a third-place finish in the boys’ 8-9 division by Jason Ryan of Showell Elementary.

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 47

Page 48

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 62

P

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

rior to becoming a parent, I admit to never thinking much about the term inclusion.

However, it’s a big part of life now with our special needs son, Carson. For us, inclusion means being part of a community that is understanding of him, supportive and genuinely caring.

Inclusion means our non-verbal son is still able to participate in a meaningful way in a singing performance at his school. It means our son is part of the general education classroom as much as possible. Inclusion provides him the supports needed to meet individualized expectations. Safe to say inclusion means the world to us.

It’s worth pointing out inclusion is mandated by law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but it does not require my son’s teachers to care about him on a deep and personal level. There’s nothing in the law that stipulates teachers communicate regularly with us about our son, indulge his current FitBit obsession, watch him participate in Surfers Healing in the middle of the summer, or make accommodations for a class presentation that requires speaking.

Although he’s just 9 years, Carson has been attending Ocean City Elementary School for six years. Enrolled at 3 years old in the Early Intervention Program, he is literally growing up inside this school. The same could be said about his parents.

It’s been a bumpy ride. It’s been challenging. There have been days he hasn’t made it through an entire school day. There have been instances when we got a call from school before lunch about a situation. I have teared up in the principal’s office after learning of a particularly disturbing account of Carson’s actions. Pam has cried her eyes out multiple times in IEP meetings. These same heart-

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felt emotions have been shared by his education team over the years.

Through all the ups and downs over the last six years, we have been embraced with an overwhelming source of positivity from his many teachers, aides, administrators and therapists. They are supportive and encouraging no matter how much hell our son has put them through.

In many ways, being a parent to a special needs child is completely different than parenting a neuro-typical child. However, the same general hope is there. All parents hope their children will be accepted by the community and lead normal and active lives. While Carson’s life is anything but ordinary, we do feel he has been accepted in his community.

What’s incredibly special to us is how many of Carson’s classmates treat him. They know and understand he’s different but seem to embrace his strengths.

When we are out and about eating dinner or at a sports game, these kids and their parents always make a point of saying hello to Carson. Because he’s shy, introverted and doesn’t talk, Carson typically buries his head as if he’s embarrassed. He has anxiety over these sorts of situations, but these friends never stop saying hello, although they know he’s not going to reply. This past Saturday one of his school classmates walked past Carson after finishing a soccer game.

He made a point to stop and say hello and waved at Carson. The boy’s father said hello to Carson and put out his hand for high five. Carson obliged.

That was a big step.

A recent conversation with a mother has stayed with me for weeks. She said, “You know my Maggie loves Carson so much, right? You know that, right?” I remarked that I didn’t know it, but that’s it’s great to hear. I just knew their daughter and our son were in the

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(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.)

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same class in second grade, but I didn’t know she had a special affinity for him.

There have been other instances through the years. One conversation I had in Carson’s first-grade year I still recall vividly. Because I didn’t know what else to do, I approached a classmate Carson had mistreated one day to apologize and thanked him for how he handled himself. He said, “I understand, he didn’t mean it.

It’s just harder for him than it is us.”

What the boy meant was school, and really life for that matter, was far more demanding for Carson than it was for him and his normal friends. It was such as intuitive perspective for a young kid.

These examples prove a point about the importance of inclusion in school. These kids are becoming better humans because of their experiences with Carson. They understand not everyone is the same thanks to their relationship with our son. Although Carson has his challenges and struggles at times, they seem to focus on his positives. By being friends with Carson, they are learning real life lessons about empathy, which I think is one of the greatest traits a person can possess.

It’s a tremendous relief to have a positive school environment for Carson. We have a lot of daily battles in our world with him, but one challenge we are fortunate to not have to fight is with our school. It’s not taken for granted because we know it may not always be this way. For now, we are simply grateful and appreciative for all the souls who have impacted our son’s life.

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Community

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

News In Photos

Members of the Democratic Women's Club and Indivisible Worcester delivered coffee and donuts to the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Ocean City and inquired about what else the community could do to support staff during the recent government shutdown. Pictured are Gail Jankowski, Dell Purell, Joe Jankowski, Joan Roache, Ron Jones, Toby Perkins, Cindy Dillon, Lyle Dillon and Becky Simonds.

Submitted Photos

Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 649 have been working on their Silver Award with the Worcester County Humane Society. The shelter was in great need of "Adopt Me" vests for the shelter dogs when they go out to events. The girls put their ideas together and through research on the Internet found a pattern and got to work on the vests. They worked several weekends in a row to finish the project and presented the vests to Jessica Summers at the shelter last month.

The Republican Women of Worcester County (RWWC) collected $380 at their January luncheon meeting to be given to the Coast Guard Station in Ocean City during the government shutdown. RWWC member Marlene Ott purchased 19 $20 gift cards to be distributed to the Coast Guard personnel who are stationed in Ocean City.

Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) members Doris Fields, Sandy Sribnick and Debbie Shuster presented a donation of $1,175 to the Diakonia food pantry. Accepting the donation were Diakonia Executive Director Claudia Nagle and Food Pantry Manager Michelle Ascoli. Donations were collected at the Ocean City Women's March sponsored by the DWC and Indivisible Worcester County and at the DWC January meeting.

The Eastern Shore Running Club Scholarship is now accepting applications for its inaugural $500 scholarship. The Running Club established the scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore to support graduating seniors involved in an organized track and/or cross-country sports team from Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, including those attending Delmar High School. Additionally, applicants must also have a minimum 3.0. Pictured, from left, are Erica Joseph, CFES president, and club members Kenneth D. L. Gaudreau, P.A., Mike Piorunski, Vanessa Junkin and Lynn Sande.

Page 50

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

It was a fun time last Sunday helping the Greene Turtle West celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

I also checked out the Marlin Moon, Buxy’s Salty Dog and Dry Dock 28 on Friday night.

Marlin Moon: Staffers Sam Varano, Barb Wisniewski, Executive Chef Gary Beach, Michelle O’Ferrel and Nick Gibson

By Terri French

Faces

SPOTLIGHT ON THE REGIONAL RESTAURANT AND BAR SCENE

Dry Dock 28: Hilari Ashton, Madalyn Schnader and Anna Kelleher

Greene Turtle West: Kelly and Chad Rogers and Nina Williams ~ job well done, guys!

Greene Turtle West: Jean Bean Keagle and Boz

In Places

Dry Dock 28: New local band RoastJohn members Nick French, Steve Kollander (sound), Matt Smith, Logan Rodriguez, Otto Grundman and Will Chandler

Dry Dock 28: Joe “Smooth” and Michele Jacinto and owner Doug “Buxy” Buxbaum

Buxy’s Salty Dog: Mike “Goody” Goodbrod and Tiarra Estrella

Marlin Moon: Kristin Murray, Cindy Beatty and Deanna Briddell

Greene Turtle West: Tommy Hinkle, Janene Keay and John Clapsadle

Greene Turtle West: Brenda and Sonny Heinecke

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 51

Things I Like ...

By Steve Green

A home with local artwork

R E S TA U R A N T & B A R

Family movie outings

THE FINEST SEAFOOD, STEAKS AND POULTRY

The feeling after a morning workout

Located In The Courtyard by Marriott 15th Street & Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Md. For Reservations, Call: 410-289-7192/7191

LOCALS’ FAVORITE FOR OVER 61 YEARS

Looking back at old school yearbooks A book so good you don’t want it to end Close Super Bowl games

Movies with Anne Hathaway

When a snow forecast is accurate Driving on a freshly paved road

Sushi rolls without anything fried Humble professional athletes

Q BREAKFAST MONDAY-SATURDAY 7 A.M.-11 A.M. Q SUNDAY BRUNCH 7 A.M.-1 P.M. Q DINNER & LITE FARE TUESDAY-SATURDAY 5 P.M.-TIL captainstableoc.com

THURSDAY: PRIME RIB NIGHT

T

T

EARLY BIRD 5 P.M.-6 P.M.

Valentine’s Dinner: 3 Courses For $35 TAKING RESERVATIONS

PHIL PERDUE ON PIANO Friday And Saturday

KID-FRIENDLY

HAPPY HOUR 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Page 52

Best Beats

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019

on the beach

who’s where when 28Th/127Th sTreeT PiT and PuB 410-289-2020 443-664-7482 28th st. & coastal hwy. & 127th st. & coastal hwy.

Friday, Feb. 1: Jack & T, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays: DJ Wax (127th St.)

dJ wood greene Turtle north: every saturday

dJ roBcee Fager’s island: Friday & saturday, Feb. 1 & 2

aTlanTic hoTel 410-641-3589 2 north main st., Berlin Mondays: Earl Beardsley Tuesdays: Bob Miller on Piano Buxy’s salTy dog dry dock 28 410-289-0973 28th st. & coastal hwy.

Friday, Feb. 1: Lauren Glick Duo, 5 p.m.,

dJ dusTy clarion/ocean club: every Friday & saturday

aaron howell 45th st. Taphouse: wednesdays

caPTain’s TaBle 410-289-7192 courtyard by marriott hotel, 15th st. & Baltimore ave.

Every Thursday Thru Saturday: Phil Perdue On Piano clarion hoTel 410-524-3535 10100 coastal highway Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 1 & 2: New Censation Every Friday & Saturday: DJ Dusty Fager’s island 410-524-5500 60th st. in the Bay Friday, Feb. 1: DJ RobCee, 5 p.m., DJ Hook, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2: DJ RobCee, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 3: Everett Spells Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m.

greene TurTle norTh 410-723-2120 11601 coastal hwy.

Fridays: DJ Wax, 10 p.m.

Saturdays: Tranzfusion, 10 p.m.

greene TurTle wesT 410-213-1500 rte. 611, west oc Friday, Feb. 1: TBA Tuesdays: Blake Haley

evereTT sPells Fager’s island: Jazz Brunch sunday, Feb. 3

BeaTs By adam duTch Pickles Pub: saturday, Feb. 2

kevin Poole harpoon hanna’s: Thursdays

Bingo w/Blake greene Turtle west: Tuesdays

dave sherman harpoon hanna’s: saturday, Feb. 2

BeaTs By wax hooters: Friday, Feb. 1 greene Turtle north: Fridays 127th st. Pit & Pub: wednesdays Pickles Pub: Thursdays

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

Who’s Where When

NEW CENSATION Clarion/Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 1 & 2

LAUREN GLICK DUO Dry Dock 28: Friday, Feb. 1

HARPOON HANNA’S 302-539-3095 Rt. 54 & The Bay, Fenwick Island, DE Friday, Feb. 1: Dave Hawkins, 5 p.m., Identity Crisis, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2: Dave Sherman, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 5: DJ Rupe Thursday, Feb. 7: Kevin Poole HOOTERS 410-213-1841 12513 Ocean Gateway, Rte. 50, West OC Friday, Feb. 1: DJ Wax

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Seacrets: Saturday, Feb. 2

RANDY LEE ASHCRAFT & THE SALTWATER COWBOYS Johnny’s Pizza & Pub: Saturday, Feb. 2 & Wednesdays Smitty McGee’s: Thursdays & Fridays

TRANZFUSION Greene Turtle North: Saturday, Feb. 2

FIRST CLASS Clarion/Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 8 & 9

RACETRACK AUTO SALES

WE PAY CASH!

We Buy Like-New And Used Cars, Trucks, Trailers

(410) 641-4600

IDENTITY CRISIS Harpoon Hanna’s: Friday, Feb. 1

JACK & T 28th Street Pit & Pub: Friday, Feb. 1

JOHNNY’S PIZZA & PUB 410-723-5600 56th St. & Coastal Hwy., Bayside Saturday, Feb. 2 and Wednesdays: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Friday, Feb. 1: Beats By Jeremy Saturday, Feb. 2: Beats by Adam Dutch Mondays: Karaoke With Jeremy Thursdays: Beats By Wax SMITTY MCGEE’S 302-436-4716 37234 Lighthouse Rd., West Fenwick Ireland, DE Thursdays & Fridays: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St.& Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 1: DJ Cruz, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2: Opposite Directions, 5 p.m., DJ Cruz, 6 p.m.

$ 00

1 OFF

Any 3-, 4-, 5-Litre Wine Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 2-28-19 • MCD

15% OFF

Cheers!

Any Case Of Wine

Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 2-28-19 • MCD

10% OFF

750 ml/1.5 L Bottle Of Wine Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 2-28-19 • MCD

BEER • WINE • SODA Open 7 Days A Week Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Gas • Ice Cigarettes 410-641-2366 • Main St. & Old O.C. Blvd., Berlin, Md.

Page 54

Welcoming the community into their new office on Franklin Avenue were Francesca Kirk (Athletic Trainer), Dr. Michael Sean Hooker, and Lindsay Candeloro (X-Ray Tech) of Atlantic General Orthopedic Surgery.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

People

By Jeanette Deskiewicz

FEATURinG THOSE HELPinG CAUSES in THE RESORT AREA

Fox’s Pizza servers Brooke Glubka and Roy Flynn were thanked by Ocean Pines Chamber Ambassador Jennie Rice for their help hosting the January Business After Hours.

In Society

February 1, 2019

Chesapeake Bay Foundation representatives Karl Willey and Dan Johannes provided information on the non-profit at this year’s East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s Trade Expo.

At the 45th Annual East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s Trade Expo, Mickey Fins Executive Chef Glenn Baublitz and Michael Allen of Boxcar 40 prepared catfish samples for hungry attendees.

new members to the Ocean Pines Chamber, Billy and Sherry McFarland of Visiting Angels, came out to last month’s Business After Hours at Fox’s Pizza.

Explaining the oyster life cycle at the 2019 East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s Trade Expo were Alex Golding and Stephanie Alexander of the University of MD Environmental Science Horns Point Laboratory.

The Maryland Watermen’s Association raffled off a Ford F150 at this year’s East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s Trade Expo with Betty and Alicia Shuk selling tickets on Saturday afternoon.

newly retired Beth Sise kept on working, serving crab cake sandwiches with Linda Mitchell at the Stevenson United Methodist Church monthly dinner.

Making sure diners had everything they needed at Stevenson United Methodist Church’s crab cake dinner last month were Rob Jones and Peggy Murray.

Atlantic Physical Therapy’s Shannon Rock OT/CHT and Sally Hawkins OT/CHT celebrated the Atlantic General Orthopedic Surgery ribbon cutting during the open house.

The Dispatch Classifieds

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 55

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

$15/Week For Minimum Of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available)

Deadline For Insertions, Cancellations And Payment Is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Pre-Payment Is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard.

NOW HIRING

HELP WANTED DENTAL ASSISTANT FOR BUSY DENTAL OFFICE: FT w/benefits.

Radiology cert. needed. Call Patty 410-213-7575 or Send resume to: contact@atlanticdental.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SOUTHSIDE GRILL WOC: Hiring Line Cooks, Kitchen Help, Dishwashers. YR, FT or PT. Ambitious, willing to work individuals only. Pay neg. based on performance. 9923 Stephen Decatur Hy, 410-2131572.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MAINTENANCE TECHS ENTRY LEVEL HELPERS Apply in Person at:

301 Washington Street Berlin, MD 21811

Must pass criminal bkgrnd & drug test.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY for

Independent Cleaning Contractors Ocean City Beach Area

Coldwell Banker Vacations is looking for experienced, energetic individuals to deliver Truly Remarkable Service by providing quality cleaning services in a limited time window for the 2019 season.

Weekend hours, license, insurance, references and a great work ethic required.

Contact Kay, Jen or Sue at 410-723-8507 or email: cclean@cbvacations.com

Come Join Our WinningTeam!

The Carousel Group will be holding an onsite

JOB FAIR Tuesday, February 12th from 10am to 7pm for the following positions: NIGHT AUDITOR FRONT DESK CLERK HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISORS ROOM ATTENDANT HOUSEPERSON MAINTENANCE RECREATION ATTENDANT RESTAURANT SUPERVISOR HOSTESS/CASHIER BANQUET SERVICE STAFF RESTAURANT SERVER LINE COOK We are looking for experienced personnel with customer service skills. Must be flexible with hours. If unable to attend the Job Fair, email resume to jobs@carouselhotel.com or stop by and complete an application at the Front Desk. We require satisfactory pre-employment drug testing and background check.

Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 11700 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 21842 EOE

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 Part-Time YR Custodian Part-Time Custodians Spring Lacrosse Coach

Worcester Preparatory School, a coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 500 students in grades PK-12, is currently seeking the following -

PART-TIME 12-MONTH CUSTODIAN. Applicant must have experience in the maintenance, care, and cleaning of a large building. Candidate must be able to crawl, stoop, and lift a minimum of 50 lbs. and dexterity to perform all required tasks indoors or outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

Approximately 25 hours per week.

PT CUSTODIANS to clean school buildings daily from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

SPRING LACROSSE COACH. Head Coach for Middle School Girls Lacrosse. Minimum of 2 years experience.

CJIS Background Screening Required for All Positions. EOE.

Contact: Heather Parsons 410-641-3575 ext. 146 or hparsons@worcesterprep.org

FIND IT FAST IN THE DISPATCH Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Year Round - Full/Part Time ~POOL MANAGER ~SERVER ~BARTENDER ~HOST/HOSTESS APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Online at www.clarionoc.com

~FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER We are currently recruiting an experienced food & beverage manager to oversee and be responsible for our busy dining room & convention center. Must have strong management experience in a large restaurant, banquet and/or convention services experience, ability to train staff, excellent communication skills and ability to solve problems. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays.

Our current F&B Manager is retiring after 26 years.

Excellent salary and benefits package.

Send resume and salary requirements to:

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535 Fax: 410-723-9109

FREE EMPLOYEE MEALS AND EXCELLENT BENEFITS! EOE M/F/D/V

Now Hiring

Year Round

LINE COOKS KITCHEN STAFF Apply in Person or Online www.smittymcgees.com 302-436-4716 The Lighthouse Club Hotel Personnel Needed

Housekeepers Full & Part Time Please apply in person Monday thru Thursday at The Lighthouse Club Hotel 56th Street Bayside Ocean City, MD Positive Attitude, Good Grooming, and Good Work Ethic Required.

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE! Full Time Position for

RECEPTIONIST Construction Company Located in Ocean City, MD A fast-paced construction company is looking for a full time Receptionist to do daily laid-out tasks.

Prior experience answering phones and dealing with the public a plus. Candidate must be proficient in MS Word and knowledgeable in MS Excel, have experience in clerical work, have a professional outlook with outstanding etiquette with phone and customers, high work ethic, be highly organized and attentive to details, fast typist and learner. Position will report directly to the President and Managers of the company.

Responsibilities Answer phones, computer input and database maintenance, type office documents, filing, work closely with customers and employees, daily tasks assigned to the position.

Knowledge with accounts payable and blue prints and construction experience is a plus.

Competitive benefits package is available.

Only qualified candidates will be considered.

Please send resumes to allstates@allstatesconst.com

Looking for an

to join our Dental Management team for a

Experienced Person

Must have managerial experience in the dental field. Insurance knowledge is required.

Benefits, Health insurance, and 401k offered

FT POSITION(M-F).

Call 302-732-3852 or email to brafmanfamilydentistry@mchsi.com

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER

We’re looking for a professional, customer-oriented and dedicated banker with management experience to lead a talented team that supports and offers exceptional electronic banking services to our customers, Sound like you?

Please visit our career page at taylorbank.com to apply.

Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker position available at one of our Salisbury locations. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to P.O. Box 10, Willards, MD 21874 or email: kris.derickson@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 2-11-2019 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

RESTAURANT MANAGER YR/PM

INDEPENDENT CLEANERS

Entry Level Position Banquet exp. a plus

IICRC certifications a plus

DECK COATING APPLICATORS INTERIOR REMODELING PROFESSIONALS LEAD CARPENTER/FRAMERS

WEEKLY RENTALS

Contact Linda or Keti Shoreline Properties

410-524-6688

Inquire Within 32 Palm at Hilton Suites 3200 Baltimore Ave. Ocean City, MD

WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION TECHNICIANS & MANAGERS

Please apply in person 12905 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City MD or online at https://oceantowerconstruction.com/careers/ call 443-366-5556 during regular business hours

FULL-TIME ACCOUNTING CLERK Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Accounting Clerk position available. Looking for someone with strong accounting background, proficient knowledge of Excel and detailed oriented.

An Accounting Degree or 3-4 years accounting experience preferred.

Please send resume to P.O. Box 10, Willards, MD 21874 or email: kris.derickson@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 2-15-2019 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

LABRADOODLE PUPPIES: Multi-generation. Vet checked, first shots, non-shedding. Parents on-site. $850. 443-239-6254.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ROOMMATES

ROOM FOR RENT, OP: Private RR, shared house. Must like dogs.

Non smoker. $600. per mo. incls. utils. Avail. immed. 1 mile from North Gate. 215-852-2189.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RENTALS YR OR SEASONAL CONDO: 2BR, 2BA. Fully furn. Newly remodeled. W/D, central air, 2 parking spots. Call for details. Danny 410-708-8348.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2 YEAR ROUND CONDOS: 8th Street. 1BR/1BA each, includes cable. $850 & $925/month. 1 mo. + sec. dep., credit ref., and background check req. 410-603-9453.

––––––––––––––—-––––––––––– WINTER RENTAL: 1BR, 1BA. 122nd St. Oceanblock. Furn. No smoking. $700 + elect. + sec. dep.

W/S incl. Avail. Now-May 2019.

Call/Text 443-373-5638. ___________________________

Business Opportunity.

Cleaning condos in OC, MD. Must have experience & license.

PETS

2 BR Apartment $300.

4 BR House $500.

Burgundy Inn

1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

SERVICES **PAINTING**: Interior/exterior painting. Free estimates 24/7. Call Joe 443-610-4644.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ceja’s Landscaping

& More!

•YARD MAINTENANCE •PAINTING •POWER WASHING 410-251-3425 410-202-2545

RIDE THE B.

ANYWHERE IN OC

AFFORDABLE TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS Low and Moderate Income

~Accessible Units and Facilities Available ~Air Conditioning ~Kitchen-Furnished w/Range & Refrigerator ~Wall-toWall Carpet ~On-Site Laundry Facilities ~One Year Lease Call Us Now To See If You Qualify!

TTY users via MRS Dial 711 REEDY COVE APARTMENTS Germantown Rd., Berlin, MD 21811 410-641-0830 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer

February 1, 2019

FOR SALE

COMMERCIAL

ANTIQUE FURNITURE: Antique English 2 piece parlor set. Over 100 years old. For more information call 410-430-7823.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SHOP/STORAGE FOR RENT: 12’ x 24’ $150. per mo. 24’ x 24’ $300 per mo. Near Ocean Pines.

Call & Lv. msg. Steve 410-2513412.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEST OC AREA: 1,500 Sq. Ft. Retail/Professionals or Service space. Avail. immed. Layton Associates, 302-245-0315.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 3 Offices/Retail and 2 Warehouses.

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HAUL MASTER: 150lb. Drywall Panel Hoist (Red). 11’5” max. lift height. Used twice. $150/Best Offer. Cell: 347-931-0940.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SADDLE FOR SALE: Circuit Elite, English. Brown. Used but in great condition. Call for details.

410-713-9139.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Dispatch

Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

THIRD INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 17674 To all persons interested in the estate of PAUL ANDERSON SCOTT. ESTATE NO. 17674. Notice is given that W. KIRK BURBAGE, 108 WILLIAM STREET, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on DECEMBER 31, 2018, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PAUL ANDERSON SCOTT, who died on DECEMBER 30, 2018 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 30TH of JUNE, 2019.

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: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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 claims will be barred unless the credi-

tor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any 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 18, 2019 W. KIRK BURBAGE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 1-18, 1-25, 2-01

THIRD INSERTION

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 17700 To all persons interested in the estate of ALICE ELEANOR GOGOS. ESTATE NO. 17700. Notice is given that PATTY JEAN HORSEMAN, 10611 SHADY DRIVE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on JANUARY 15, 2019, appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of ALICE ELEANOR GOGOS, who died on DECEMBER 20, 2018 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the

The Dispatch

February 1, 2019

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information, call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

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 15TH of JULY, 2019.

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: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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 claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

unenforceable thereafter.

Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JANUARY 18, 2019 PATTY JEAN HORSEMAN Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 1-18, 1-25, 2-01

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 17707 To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES WILLIAM PHILLIPS JR. ESTATE NO. 17707. Notice is MARY JANE given that POW6361 GARRETT, ROAD, ELLVILLE WILLARDS, MD, 21874, was on JANUARY 24, 2019, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of

CHARLES WILLIAM PHILLIPS JR., who died on JANUARY 17, 2019 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 24TH of JULY, 2019.

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: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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

The Dispatch Can Be Viewed In Its Entirety

ONLINE

be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any 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 FEBRUARY 01, 2019 MARY JANE GARRETT Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-01, 2-08, 2-15

FIRST INSERTION

JEAN S. LAWS, ESQ. LAWS, INSLEY & BENSON, LLP 209 E MAIN STREET, PO BOX 75, SALISBURY, MD 21803-0075 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Page 57

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 17709 To all persons interested in the estate of CATHERINE SABINE. ESTATE NO. 17709.

Notice is given that MICHAEL J. SABINE, 3 TEAL CIRCLE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on JANUARY 25, 2019, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CATHERINE SABINE, who died on JANUARY 5, 2019, without 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 25TH day of JULY, 2019.

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:

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. Any 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 FEBRUARY 01, 2019 MICHAEL J. SABINE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-01, 2-08, 2-15

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Page 58

Q&A WITH SAM CARD

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BERLIN – Hiring and retaining Infor- cause of this, job roles aren’t defined by mation Technology (IT) professionals technical skills which makes it almost has gotten more and more difficult as impossible to provide performance metrics, a training path or a career technology becomes a mainstay plan for tech employees. in all types of business. TechnolJob descriptions lack detail ogy unemployment dropped to when the hiring manager only 1.9 percent in 2018, making it knows that the computers need to even more difficult to be a competitive employer to IT staff memwork and nothing else about the bers. Cards Technology founder aspects of the job. This actually and CEO Sam Card discussed SAM CARD can lead to over-hiring in IT. When this week IT hiring challenges and op- you over-hire, you’re paying for skills and expertise you don’t need for your tions.

Q: What are some common chal- IT systems, and the employee may get lenges businesses face when look- discouraged quickly because of lack of ing to hire in-house IT professionals challenges or boredom.

Q. What are your recommendaon Delmarva?

A: It’s really a buyers’ market for IT tions for business owners who want professionals today because they can to hire in-house IT staff?

A: The first thing you need to do is pick and choose which jobs they want.

Because unemployment among IT peo- define the requirements for the job. ple is so low, they seek out jobs that put Here are some considerations for that: them on a good track for their career What technical skills are needed? while providing satisfaction and opporWill they be responsible for developing IT strategy? tunity.

Do you want them to manage the Often, businesses looking to hire inhouse IT employees don’t have a clear budget and monitor expenses?

Are business skills needed to suppicture of what they need to hire for. Be-

February 1, 2019

Winter Sunset: Monday’s chilly sunset is pictured near the Route 90

Photo by Willie Frank

Bridge in Ocean City.

port operations?

As a high-performing business, you want to be sure job roles are well laid out and new hires are properly trained.

A formal training process is preferred to casual, social training from coworkers.

count and revenue. Most importantly, if technology is important to your business, you can’t withstand disruptions to your operations just because you can’t find an IT person to hire. A managed IT provider maintains a staff of IT professionals with the best qualifications and vast experience to keep disruptions to your business practically nonexistent.

HERE’S MY CARD Q. My business is small, and I don’t want to hire in-house IT staff.

Is a managed IT provider a good option for me?

A: Outsourcing IT can have great cost efficiencies regardless of staff

(The writer can be reached at SCard@cards-tech.com. To learn more about Cards Technology, visit www.cards-tech.com.)

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Horoscopes

February 1, 2019

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Seeing the silly side of some really ridiculous situations helps give the Lamb a new perspective on how to handle them. Some important contacts can be made this weekend.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Try to complete your outstanding tasks by midweek. This leaves you free to take advantage of new possibilities – both professional and personal – opening up by week's end.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): With both your creative side and your energy levels rising this week, you should be able to tackle that too-longneglected project again. A family member might have important news.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): An explanation you requested seems to be more confusing than enlightening.

You should insist on clarifications now, rather than deal with problems that might arise later.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Your en-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch ergy levels might be ebbing a bit. But that's no excuse for taking catnaps when you could be working on those unfinished tasks. There'll be time to curl up and relax by week's end.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): It's a good time to get those ideas out of your head and into a readable format if you hope to have them turned into something doable. A good friend is ready with worthwhile advice.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Careful -- you might be stepping into dangerous territory if you decide to "exaggerate" the facts too much. Remember: The truth speaks for itself and needs no embellishment.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Although your workplace successes have earned you many admirers, there are some colleagues who are not among them. Be careful how you proceed with your new project.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): You might have to go into great detail to explain why you're currently reluctant to make changes to an already prepared plan. Be sure you have all the facts to back yourself up.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Travel plans might still be uncertain.

But instead of getting upset about the delay, open yourself up to other possibilities, and begin checking out some

Page 59 alternative destinations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Changing conditions might require you to alter some of your plans. While you might be agreeable to this, be prepared with explanations for those who do not want changes made.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Although you might have to deal with some detractors who aren't too kind in their critiques, you gain points when you're willing to stand up and defend your work.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for creating a warm and loving environment between yourself and oth© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc. ers.

HERE’S MY CARD

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Page 60 FRUITLAND-SALISBURY RESTAURANT 213 213 N. Fruitland Blvd., Fruitland 410-677-4880 • www.restaurant213.com Recently named one of the 100 Best Restaurants for Foodies in America for 2015 by OpenTable (1 of the only 2 restaurants named in the State of Maryland), the food at Restaurant 213 is far from your conventional Chesapeake Bay fare. A former apprentice of Roger Vergé in southern France, chef Jim Hughes prepares unpretentious, globally influenced cuisine inspired by the area’s plentiful ingredients.

Chef Hughes has catered many events for Ronald Reagan, while he was President of the United States. He also served as Chef for the King of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Arabian Royal National Guard military academy. Chef Hughes has been honored by the James Beard Foundation and DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America). For 2015 Restaurant 213 was voted Best Chef, Best Special Occasion Dining, and Best Fine Dining Restaurant by Coastal Style Magazine, and Best Special Occasion Restaurant by Metropolitan Magazine.

Frommer's Travel Guide has Awarded Restaurant 213 its highest Rating of 3 Stars, making it one of only 3 restaurants on the Eastern Shore.

Additionally, "Special Finds" awarded this distinction from 2010-2015 in their Maryland & Delaware Travel Guide Edition. Open TuesdaySunday at 5 p.m. Special 5-course prix-fixe dinners offered on Sundays and Thursdays.

WEST OCEAN CITY-BERLIN OCEAN PINES ASSATEAGUE DINER Rte. 611 & Sunset Avenue, West Ocean City • 443-664-8158 www.assateaguedinerandbar.com Inspired by a classic diner culture, this new hotspot offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu here features classic comfort foods prepared and executed with a modern coastal trust.

Be sure to check out the exceptional coffee program and the Westside Bar within features delicious craft cocktails throughout the day.

BLACKSMITH RESTAURANT AND BAR 104 Pitts Street, Berlin • 410-973-2102 Located in the heart of America’s Coolest Small Town, Berlin, Md., Blacksmith has established itself as one the area’s most loved dining and drinking destinations for foodies and wine, spirt and craft beer enthusiasts. Chef owned and locally sourced, Blacksmith keeps the main focus on Eastern Shore tradition. Everything here is homemade and handmade.

Cakes and baked goods are delivered daily from down the street. Cozy and modern, traditional and on trend; Blacksmith has risen to the ranks of the area’s finest casual eating and drinking establishments. Visit and see why folks from Baltimore, D.C., Chincoteague and locals alike think Blacksmith is worth the trip.

Open daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch, dinner and bar snacks. Closed Sunday.

BREAKFAST CAFE OF OCEAN CITY 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open 7 days a week between Sunsations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice atmosphere makes a meal. I like to think we have many “House Specialties” which include our Crab Omelet, real crab meat, cheddar cheese and mushrooms, our Sunfest Omelet, Swiss cheese, ham and mushrooms; Cafe or French Sampler, pancakes or French toast, with eggs, bacon and sausage. Homemade creamed chipped beef on toast and sausage gravy on biscuits with browned potato home fries, with onion, excellent cheesesteak subs and fries and more!

We use Rapa Scrapple fried on the grill the way you like it for all our breakfasts, sandwiches and sides. Summer hours, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Come enjoy!

DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND

Dining Out The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

West Ocean City, Boardwalk locations, 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th St. & 123rd St. www.dumsersdairyland.com This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.'s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser's is celebrating 80 years of serving the shore, and the ‘40sstyle décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 49th and 124th streets locations offer vast lunch and dinner menus (breakfast too at 124th) in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats. You’ll find an impressive array of kid-favorites, along with fried chicken and seafood options, wraps, subs, sandwiches, salads and sides like sweet potato fries and mac-and-cheese wedges.

FOX’S PIZZA DEN 11328 Samuel Bowen Blvd.

West Ocean City 410-600-1020 • www.foxpizzamd.com Enjoy a brand new, spacious dining room.

Happy hour every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with $5 food specials. Full menu includes appetizers, salads, stromboli, hoagies and wedgies, pizza, spaghetti and more. Open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight.

FULL MOON SALOON 12702 Old Bridge Road, West Ocean City 443-664-5317 Locally owned and operated, this moderately priced casual restaurant/bar has freshly caught seafood, BBQ, and pork entrees, giant sandwiches as well as a variety of homemade soups.

Locally we are known for our jumbo lump crab cakes, pork and beef BBQ, cream of crab soup, and 100% angus burgers as well as a variety of other sandwiches and entrees that are cooked with a local flair. Open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch and open until midnight. Sundays breakfast offered 8 a.m.-noon. Fifteen televisions and a big screen available for all sports events.

GREENE TURTLE-WEST Rte. 611, West Ocean City • 410-213-1500 Visit Maryland’s No. 1 Sports Pub and Rest-aurant, the World-Famous Greene Turtle. Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables.

With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out. Something for everyone! Voted best sports bar, wings and burgers in West OC. Great happy hour and plenty of parking.

HOOTERS RESTAURANT Rt. 50 & Keyser Point Rd. West Ocean City 410-213-1841 • www.hootersofoc.com New mouthwatering smoked wings with half the calories. Traditional wings and boneless wings with 12 sauce selections. Burgers, quesadillas, tacos, and healthy salads. Extensive seafood selections with raw bar and Alaskan crab legs.

Children's menu and game room. Apparel and souvenir shop. Sports packages on a ton of TVs and live entertainment. Wing-fest every Tuesday from 6 to 8 with 50 cent wings. And of course, the world famous Hooters Girls. Large parties welcome. Call for private party planning.

LIGHTHOUSE SOUND St. Martin’s Neck Road • 410-352-5250 Enjoy the best views of Ocean City at the newly renovated, Lighthouse Sound. Come relax and dine overlooking the bay and the beautiful Ocean City skyline. Savor entrees such as local rockfish, tempura-battered soft shell crabs, char-grilled filet mignon and jumbo lump crab-

cakes. Open to the public, we serve Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner. One mile west of Ocean City, Md., just off Route 90 on St. Martin’s Neck Road. Reservations recommended.

RUTH’S CHRIS Within the GlenRiddle Community 410-213-9444 • www.ruthschris.com Ruth’s Chris specializes in the finest customaged Midwestern beef. We broil it exactly the way you like it at 1,800 degrees to lock in the corn-fed flavor. Then we serve your steak sizzling on a heated plate so that it stays hot throughout your meal. Many of our recipes were developed by Ruth, favorites such as shrimp Remoulade, Crabtini and Ruth’s chop salad. Located five miles west of Ocean City in the GlenRiddle Golf clubhouse. Extensive wine list. Reservations recommended.

THE SHARK ON THE HARBOR 12924 Sunset Ave., West Ocean City 410-213-0924 • ocshark.com We make real food from scratch. We believe that great food and healthful ingredients are not mutually exclusive of each other. Featuring local organic produce and seafood. All natural products – clear of preservatives and antibiotics. Whole grains and whole foods are used in the preparation of our menu – which our chefs write twice daily, based on what's fresh, available and delicious. Fresh. Local. Organic.

Taste the difference. Open Daily Year Round, Monday through Saturday for Lunch & Dinner and Sundays for Brunch, Lunch & Dinner.

Reservations suggested.

INLET TO 94TH STREET 28TH STREET PIT & PUB 28th Street & Coastal Highway 410-289-2020 • www.pitandpub.com Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub is known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy Hour daily, 3-6 p.m. Family friendly atmosphere. Weekend entertainment.

32 PALM 32nd Street Oceanside In The Hilton 410-289-2525 Executive Chef Rick Goodwin has introduced an exciting new menu. A favorite among many is the Bermuda Triangle, featuring cinnamon seared scallops finished with an ancho mango coulis along with house broiled crabcake with a sweet chili remoulade and finally, applewood smoked bacon wrapped around jumbo shrimp, grilled to perfection with jalapeno barbecue sauce. Other wonderfully delicious dishes cover the land and sea as well and each have a special touch that makes this restaurant unique among its peers. Children’s menu available.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

45TH STREET TAPHOUSE 45th Street and the bay 443-664-2201 At the newly remodeled 45th Street Taphouse, the best views of bayside Ocean City, MD are the backdrop where craft beer meets Maryland cuisine. This is vacation done right, all year long.

Wash down a Crabby Pretzel or homemade crabcakes with one of our 35+ craft beers on tap, all made right here in the USA. Not feeling crabby?

Pair your craft brew with our award-winning wings or even our brand new breakfast menu. Anyway it’s served, come get tapped with us.

BONFIRE 71st Street & Coastal Highway 410-524-7171 www.thebonfirerestaurant.com 150 ft. Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet

February 1, 2019 A famous Ocean City Restaurant for 37 years.

It’s all here. The service, the atmosphere and the finest, freshest food available. Fresh seafood, snow crab legs, prime rib, BBQ ribs, raw oysters, raw clams, steamed shrimp, fish, homemade soups & salads. Decadent dessert selection – homemade donuts & bread pudding, soft serve ice cream with hot fudge topping and lots more! Large selection of children’s favorites – chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, macaroni & cheese and pizza. A la carte menu available featuring fresh cut steaks and seafood. Open Monday-Friday at 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, at 3 p.m. Plenty of free parking.

BUXY’S SALTY DOG 28th Street • 410-289-0973 www.buxys.com Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known – Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis,egg-rolls and homemade crab dip. Don’t miss our daily specials.

CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street & Baltimore Avenue 410-289-7192 One of Ocean City’s premier restaurants is back with a new and improved atmosphere and a brand new home. However, the mission to provide the same fresh, quality food and attentive service has not changed. Excellent chefs, who inspect each dish for culinary perfection, prepare the meals here. The finest seafood is guaranteed and nothing but the best in black angus beef is served. Be sure to inquire about the daily specials and check out the new bar and lounge area. They have the kids covered as well with a quality kids menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza • 410-289-3100 Great mid-town location offering a complete dinner menu, lunch and lite fare. Coins features the freshest seafood, shrimp, scallops, clams, fresh catch and lobster plus the best crab cake in Maryland, hand cut steaks cooked to your liking, succulent veal and chicken dishes. Also authentic pasta selections. Enjoy live entertainment and dancing in the lounge nightly. Happy hour daily 3-6 p.m. Casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Special kids menu. Lots of free parking.

DRY 85 OC 12 48th Street • 443-664-8989 • dry85.com Steps from the beach. Gourmet "stick to your ribs" Lowcountry cuisine. A made-from-scratch kitchen with every sauce and every dressing hand crafted. It's that attention to detail that takes the concept of burgers, fries, ribs and wings and turns them completely on their head. Charcuterie boards. Late night bar. 120+ Whiskies. Craft beer. Artisanal craft cocktails. Seasonal outdoor seating. Named one of the Top 40 Whiskey Bars in America by Whiskey Advocate.

DRY DOCK 28 28th Street and Coastal Highway 410-289-0973 The new kid on the dining scene in Ocean City features eclectic pizzas, delicious sandwiches, soups, salads and hot steamers in a modern, nautical themed atmosphere. A beautiful boat bar is featured inside and features craft cocktails and brews. Outdoor seating is available.

Carry out available and beer and wine to go.

Live music is also offered in this kid-friendly establishment.

FAGER’S ISLAND RESTAURANT & BAR 201 60th Street On The Bay 410-524-5500 • www.fagers.com Fager’s Island is an award-winning popular bayfront restaurant where lunch is a forgivable habit, dinner an event and sunsets unforgettable. Lite fare lunch served from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m., famous raw bar, festive Sunday Jazz Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and children’s menu. Complete house wine list and award-winning proprietor’s list available upon request. Outdoor decks and bar. Nightly entertainment in-season, Friday-Saturday, off-season. Open every day, year-round. A Fun Place!

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February 1, 2019 FROM PAGE 60 HIGGINS CRAB HOUSE 31st Street & Coastal Highway 410-289-2581 There is no doubt about it. Higgins offers traditional Eastern Shore favorites for the entire family to enjoy. Of course, the house specialties include all-you-can-eat crabs, crab legs, fried chicken, steamed shrimp and baby back ribs.

In addition, there is a full menu offering a variety of delicious soups, appetizers and entrees.

Open Friday at 2:30 p.m., & Saturday at noon.

JOHNNY'S PIZZA & SPORTS PUB 56th Street & Coastal Highway 410-723-5600 • www.johnnyspizzapub.com The Official Pizza of OC, Johnny's Pizza & Sports Pub serves families throughout Ocean City and its surrounding communities 365 days a year. Eat in, carry out or have it delivered right to your doorstep. Our comfortable dining room features ample seating for small groups or large parties and our speedy delivery service will deliver your hot, delicious pizza right to your home, hotel or condo for your added convenience. From steaming homemade pizzas to lightly tossed salads and fiery hot wings, we have something for everyone. Live entertainment every weekend all winter and live entertainment four nights in the summer.

MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT 33rd Street in the DoubleTree Ocean City Oceanfront • 410-289-1201 www.marlinmoonocmd.com Eat where the locals eat. Marlin Moon is back in town with the talented Executive Chef, Gary Beach, creating his legendary food magic.

Marlin Moon combines an eclectic atmosphere of ocean views and a fresh vibe with creative seafood and steak dishes you won’t forget.

Winner of the Maryland People’s Choice Award, Marlin Moon delivers the culinary combinations you’re craving and uses only locally sourced seafood, meats and vegetables.

Some of the original classics, such as Mom’s Shrimp and Fred-dy’s Seafood Pasta, are back as well as a raw bar, small plate appetizers, fresh salads and entrees sure to satisfy any food mood. Open daily serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

RARE & RYE 32nd Street inside La Quinta 410-213-7273 Some of the house favorites at this brand new restaurant include the Paella pie flatbread, the mussels, brie baked oysters and the whiskey braised pork shoulder for the lighter appetites as well as beer braised short ribs and northwestern salmon for the bigger bellies. A variety of soups, salads, small plate offering and lite fare options round out the choices at one of the area’s hottest new restaurants. Be sure to try one of their specialty cocktails as well.

RED RED WINE BAR OC 12 48th Street 443-664-6801 • redredwinebar.com Steps from the beach. Fresh coastal cuisine with a focus on locally sourced seafood and hand tossed pizzas. Artisanal cheeseboards.

35+ Wines By the Glass. Full bar. Craft beer.

Late night bar. Luxurious colors and custom

Dining Out The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

built couches. Casual atmosphere. Seasonal outdoor seating. Named Best Wine and Beverage Program in Maryland by the Restaurant Association.

PICKLES PUB 8th Street, Ocean City • 410-289-4891 It’s pub food with a twist and a special emphasis put on quality and large portions. The big juicy burgers and oven baked wedge sandwiches are locals’ favorites as are the pub wings (in a variety of styles) and tacos (choose from thai pulled pork, grilled chicken and blacked ahi avocado). There are numerous unique craft pizza options to choose from as well with the house favorite here being the blackened shrimp and arugula.

SEACRETS On The Bay At 49th Street 410-524-4900 • www.seacrets.com We are Jamaica USA! Serving our world famous jerk chicken, along with a full menu of appetizers, soups, sandwiches, salads, entrees, desserts and a children's menu. Enjoy happy hour drink prices everyday until 7 p.m.and live entertainment in a tropical atmosphere.

Please check our website www.seacrets.com for a complete list of live bands and daily food and drink specials or call 410-524-4900. Find us and get lost!

94TH STREET NORTH-FENWICK BETHANY BILLY’S SUB SHOP • 410-723-2500 140th Street, Oceanside • 410-250-1778 Rte. 54, Fenwick Shoals • 302-436-5661 Now the best just got better because they deliver fresh-dough pizza, subs and shakes to your door and have three locations to serve you better. Washington Magazine wasn’t lying when it said Billy’s had the best milkshakes and fresh ground beef hamburgers at the beach and they don’t stop there. Fresh-dough pizza, cones, shakes, sundaes and more.

More cheese steaks sold than anyone else in Maryland. Billy’s accepts MC/Visa.

BREAKFAST AT THE CRABCAKE FACTORY 120th Street/Beachside (Serene Hotel) 410-250-4900 The Crabcake Factory started out as a breakfast house in 1996 and still serves one of the best and most creative breakfast menus in Ocean City. Try Eastern Shore favorites prepared daily by Chef-Owner John Brooks including a chipped beef, skillets, omelettes and their famous lump crab creations. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at

8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast. Try Sue’s Spicy Bloody Marys to start the day with a kick. Full breakfast menu available for carry-out. Online at: www.CrabcakeFactory-USA.com. See other listing (Crabcake Factory USA). Open year-round.

CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL AND CONDOS 118th and the Beach • 410-524-1000 Reef 118 Oceanfront Restaurant located in the Carousel Hotel offers beautiful oceanfront dining in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet or try one of our specialty omelets including lump crab and asparagus.

Our menu offers a wide variety of Succulent Seafood along with steaks, pastas & ribs. $5.95 kids’ menu available. Stop by the Bamboo Lounge serving happy hour daily 4-6 p.m. with super drink prices and $4.95 food specials. Visit the Carousel and get served by the friendliest staff in OC! THE CRAB BAG 130th Street, Bayside • 410-250-3337 Now serving lunch and dinner, trust us when we say you can’t go wrong with anything you order here. The crabs are fat and never disappoint and are available eat-in or carryout. The BBQ ribs are also worth a try as well as any of the char-grilled specialties. Remember “Super Happy Hour” offered seven days a week, all day. Plenty of bargains available on drinks and food.

CRABCAKE FACTORY USA 120th Street & Coastal Highway 410-250-4900 Voted “Best Crabcakes in Maryland, DC and Virginia,” by The Washington Post (July 2004).

Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily at 8 a.m. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheese-steaks, burgers and kids menu. Shipping crabcakes online year-round at www.Crabcake-FactoryUSA.com or www.-Got-Lump.com. Homemade soups served daily. See previous listing (Breakfast House at Crabcake Factory USA) for breakfast specials. Casual dress, full liquor bar, no reservations, year-round.

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE Rt. 54, Selbyville, DE 302-988-5000 Under new ownership but SAME award-winning crab cakes and bloody marys! Enjoy WATERFRONT dining.

Full-service family restaurant, carry-out & sports bar. Outside seating available. Open daily at 9 a.m. YEAR

Page 61

ROUND. Menu selections include crab cakes, prime rib, Philly-style cheese steaks, various seafood, kids menu plus full breakfast menu. visit us online at crabcakefactoryonline.com or on our Facebook page. Casual dress, full liquor bar, no reservations.

GREENE TURTLE-NORTH 116th Street & Coastal Highway 410-723-2120 www.facebook.com/OriginalGreeneTurtle This is the Original Greene Turtle, an Ocean City Tradition, since 1976! A fun and friendly Sports Bar & Grille, where every seat is a great spot to watch sports with 50+ High Def. TVs up & downstairs! Menu favorites include homemade crab cakes, kids’ menu, salads, burgers, wings and more! Join them for weekday lunch specials 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and happy hour 3-7 p.m. Popular features are game room, gift shop, carry-out, party trays, nightly drink specials, MD Lottery-Keno, Powerball and DJs with dance floor. Something for everyone!

Open 11 a.m-2 a.m., year-round.

HARPOON HANNA’S RESTAURANT & BAR Rte. 54 and the bay, Fenwick Island, DE www.harpoonhannasrestaurant.com 302-539-3095 No reservations required. Harpoon Hanna’s features a children’s menu & full bar. We are a casual waterfront restaurant serving lunch & dinner including fesh fish, seafood, steaks, sandwiches and all-you-can-eat Alaskan crab legs. Open year-round.

HORIZONS OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT Located inside the Clarion Resort 101st Street, Ocean City • 410-524-3535 Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant is proud to have Chef Rob Sosnovich creating beach-inspired dishes in both our oceanfront restaurants, Horizons and Breaker’s Pub. Our new all day menu, available 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., features many of your favorites and some exciting new creations with a local flare – from Lite Bites to Big Bites and everything in between.

Our deluxe Sunday breakfast buffet is open year-round and our “famous” all-you-can-eat prime rib, crab legs and seafood buffet is available most weekends throughout the year and daily in season. The Ocean Club Nightclub features top-40 dance music every weekend and nightly this summer. We’ve added some popular local bands to our lineup, so come join us “where the big kids play!” Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill: enjoy surf, sun and live entertainment 7 days a week on the deck, from Memorial day through Labor Day during our afternoon beach parties. Enjoy something to eat or drink from our extensive menu. Try our “Bucket of Fun”, or a fresh “Orange Crush”–two of our favorites!

SMITTY MCGEE’S Rte. 54-West Fenwick Ireland 302-436-4716 • www.smittymcgees.com Smitty McGee’s is the place to be for fun. Best wings on the beach for 28 years and counting.

Enjoy great food and drink specials in a casual atmosphere. Happy hour daily. Come enjoy the live entertainment Thursday and Friday. Full menu served unil 1 a.m. Banquet facilities available. Open seven days a week. We never close!

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The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

Answers On PAge 48

OCEAN CITY vanishing

February 1, 2019

WITH BUNK MANN

The Seaview was constructed in the World War I era on the Boardwalk between 3rd and 4th streets. More of a boarding house than a full-service hotel, the Seaview offered both rooms and apartments to summer guests.

The frame three-story building was built on pilings and survived many storms, including the famous March Storm of 1962.

The Seaview was damaged when the neighboring Hamilton Hotel burned down on Dec. 14, 1969, and was torn down after the fire.

The Polynesian, the first condo on the south section of the Boardwalk, was built on their sites and opened in 1971.

Postcard photo courtesy of Bill and Kitt Matthews

Come Join Us On Sunday

EVERY SUNDAY 8:30 a.m.: Fellowship In The He Brews Cafe

Stevenson United Methodist Church

123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

9 a.m.: Blended Sunday Worship Service

9:30 a.m.: Children And Youth Sunday School

February 1, 2019

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 1, 2019