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OC Balloon Festival, Area Events Planned

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A popular balloon festival and a national flag football tournament are expected to bring new visitors to Ocean City this summer.

On Monday, the council voted to approve a new Ocean City Balloon Festival, slated to visit the resort area in August, as well as a $5,000 tourism development grant for Flag Football Life, a tournament series to be held July 1-2.

Working with town staff, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said his team had developed criteria that was used in recruiting both events to the area.

“As a group, we’ve identified some criteria as we are out recruiting for events,” he town the council this week. “Is it unique? Is it ownable? Does it advance our mission? So before these guys go out, myself included, we have a clear understanding of what we’re looking for in the attractions and events coming through Ocean City.”

Last month, the Ocean City Tourism Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to approve a $20,000 title sponsorship for the Ocean City Balloon Festival. Developed by Triple Creek, the promoter of the Professional Bull Riding event, Perlozzo said the festival was seeking a move to the Ocean City area.

“It was formerly the Chesapeake Balloon Festival in Easton,” he said. “We did a bit of a recruiting effort. They were looking to find a new location, and we thought Ocean City was it.”

In his presentation this week, Perlozzo said that while the recommendation had a funding request, the promoter was not seeking money from the town. He said staff was simply seeking approval to move forward with the festival.

Officials say the event, to be held at Elevate Fields at Seaside Christian Academy, consists of tethered balloons, balloon rides, music, food and daytime activities. An added feature will be the Balloon Glow display, which will be held at night on the beaches of Ocean City.

“Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in finding a location in Ocean City that the balloon operators felt comfortable with,” he said. “At the request of the tourism commission, we did ask if we could move that particular event to Aug. 25, 26 and 27, which they agreed. So it is scheduled for the last week in August with the Balloon Glow continuing to be on our beach three nights as well.”

Mayor Rick Meehan said he had visited the former Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival. He praised the Balloon Glow component.

“It’s at night, and they light up the balloons. It’s all these different animated characters. It’s absolutely gorgeous,” he said. “I think the families downtown on the Boardwalk will be in awe of this if we pull this off. It’s really something special.”

Perlozzo said that while officials had

Resort Officials To Revisit Baltimore Avenue Project

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials have agreed to delay the approval of the town’s capital improvement plan, giving staff additional time to gather cost estimates for moving forward with at least one component of the Baltimore Avenue redevelopment project.

While the Mayor and Council was expected to discuss and adopt the fiscal year 2024 capital improvement plan (CIP) at its March 14 work session, officials this week agreed to postpone the matter once more in an effort to reach some sort of compromise on the redevelopment of Baltimore Avenue. Councilman Peter Buas proposed staff present the Mayor and Council with an option to resume the project by focusing on undergrounding utilities along the corridor.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much I think getting this project started at any capacity is of the utmost importance,” he said. “If we do the undergrounding now and postpone the streetscaping part to get it underway, that’s something we should seriously consider.”

The draft CIP was first presented to the Mayor and Council in January. And last month, the council reviewed the project rankings and the selection of projects that were included in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

While the proposed planning document classifies projects by level of importance – with number one being the most critical projects and number five being the least – a bulk of recent discussions have centered around the major renovation of the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division to 15th streets and its placement on the priority list. Ultimately, the council

agreed to keep the Baltimore Avenue redevelopment at its current ranking of three, but to put a pause on the $44 million project until grant opportunities could be explored.

“The cost changed the dynamics of this project …,” Mayor Rick Meehan said at the time. “Because of that and because there are some unknowns, I think putting it on pause is absolutely the right thing to do. I think it will give us time to answer some of those questions and hopefully be able to move forward at some point.”

Some of the work proposed for the phased Baltimore Avenue project included undergrounding utilities, widening sidewalks and improving the overall streetscape. While the Baltimore Avenue project was first presented with a price tag of $20 million – funded in part by a municipal bond sale and a combination of potential state and federal grants – the est-

imated price tag in recent months has more than doubled.

During Monday’s council meeting, Buas said he wanted staff to present a cost estimate for undergrounding of utilities and its debt service impact on the general fund. He proposed the Mayor and Council move its discussion of the CIP to the March 28 work session.

“I maintain and reiterate that I think it’s the most important project we’ve done and will do in some time,” he said. “In connection with the CIP, while I support the project at its current scope, in the spirit of progress I’d like to look at some compromises to get it moving again and reduce some of the fiscal impact.”

Council President Matt James said he supported the idea and questioned if the city manager could present a breakdown of the project’s different components.

“I’d be interested in looking at the numbers if we could have it broken out,” he said. “Could you get it to us prior to discussing the CIP so we have time to digest it?”

For his part, City Manager Terry McGean said he already had most of the information being requested.

“We can talk about it on the 28th if that works for you all,” he said.

Councilman John Gehrig, however, questioned if property owners should pay for undergrounding utilities.

“If my community has above-ground utilities and as an association we wanted our utilities undergrounded, shouldn’t we pay for it?” he said.

McGean said that would be the case if it only benefited that community.

“Baltimore Avenue is a little bit different animal in that it also has the transmission lines on it,” he said. “So undergrounding those transmission lines, if you accept the premise that an undergrounded line is more resilient than an aboveground line, which I think most people in the industry do, then undergrounding those particular lines, I would argue, has a benefit just beyond that corridor because those major transmission lines serve a good portion of the south end of town.”

Buas agreed.

“If you underground a neighborhood, you impact the people in your neighborhood,” he said. “If you underground a gateway, a major corridor, you’re impacting every person that drives down that corridor.”

Gehrig said he supported having a discussion on the Baltimore Avenue project, but noted there should be a town-wide plan for undergrounding utilities. He argued those property owners farthest away from the project should not bear the same cost as those along Baltimore Avenue.

“Who benefits and how it’s paid for matters …,” he said. “It is a fairness situation.”

Meehan, however, said the project would benefit the entire town. He argued the town should continue to reinvest in its community.

“If you underground the utilities, it improves the neighborhoods, it improves property values, and I think that helps all of Ocean City,” he said.

County Cops Seek Collective Bargaining

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A local law enforcement organization is seeking collective bargaining for deputies in the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 50 sent the Worcester County Commissioners a letter in January requesting their support for the lodge’s efforts to obtain collective bargaining with binding arbitration. Bryn Blackburn, president of the lodge, said the group has received no reply from the county.

“We will keep pushing for this,” Blackburn said. “We’re hoping the county commissioners will back us.”

Blackburn, who joined the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office nearly five years ago after working in Baltimore County, said FOP Lodge 50 has been looking into collective bargaining for years. He said members had voted to pursue it now in an effort to get better pay, better benefits and better working conditions.

“Right now, the way things are with law enforcement and the changes the legislature has done, taking away the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights and creating the police accountability board, labor contracts are important to help us deal with new regulations and laws,” Blackburn said. “This isn’t strictly about better benefits and better pay. We can negotiate for better working conditions also.”

When asked if deputies were complaining about their working conditions, Blackburn said they were not but noted that deputies were paid less than law enforcement officers elsewhere. He said a deputy at step six in Worcester County was making about $58,000 a year while the comparable position with Maryland State Police paid about $80,000. He said officers in Ocean City were also paid more than deputies in the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

“They’re having trouble recruiting,” he said. “Other agencies, they’re all down.”

He said fewer and fewer people were interested in law enforcement these days, particularly in Maryland with the legislation passed in 2021.

“There’s a lot of people that don’t want to go into police work, especially if they’re not going to be compensated at a good amount,” he said. “I don’t see how some of our younger guys support their families.”

He said Worcester would never be able to get to the pay level of Maryland State Police but that members of FOP 50 felt collective bargaining could help.

“We’re realists here,” he said. “We know that even with collective bargaining they’re not going to bump it $20,000$25,000, but each year maybe they a can bring it up a little bit more.”

Though the commissioners have not responded to the letter, Blackburn said even with their support the request would

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Berlin Requests Funding For EMS Staffing Costs

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – The Town of Berlin is seeking additional funding from Worcester County to help cover the cost of EMS staffing.

As municipalities presented their annual grant requests to the Worcester County Commissioners this week, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall asked for $122,000 to support EMS staffing at the Berlin Fire Company. He said the town was no longer pursuing the Flower Street roundabout the county provided $122,000 for last year and that municipal officials hoped to use that money to support EMS staffing instead.

“We’re cognizant of the fact that this is not going to be a year over year additional request,” Tyndall said. “This is just

something that we’re asking for for FY 24.”

The Town of Berlin is seeking $703,013 in grant funding for fiscal year 2024. The town wants the county to provide the $116,013 provided in previous years toward Rails to Trails program grant applications, the usual unrestricted $465,000 grant and $122,000 toward EMS staffing. Tyndall acknowledged it seemed like “a lot of money relative to previous years” but explained that the town’s unrestricted grant request—funding that it uses to support police, fire and EMS— remained $465,000.

Tyndall said the county had already provided the Rails to Trails grant application funding and that the town simply wanted to carry that funding forward so it could reapply. Tyndall said the project is one the town really wants to see come

to fruition, as it could potentially help with connectivity, parking and pedestrian and bicycle safety.

“We would be installing a passive use bike and pedestrian pathway running along the railway tracks through downtown,” he said. “That’ll connect hopefully the ability to expand some parking needs for the Town of Berlin as it relates to the use of Heron Park, which is the old Tyson industrial park to the north end of town, then there would be this passive use trail that runs all the way to Evans Road.”

He said the pathway would be a safe way for people to walk and bike through town.

“We’re grateful for your support previously and we ask that you carry that forward to this fiscal year,” he said.

Tyndall said that while the town had requested $122,000 toward a round-

about on Flower Street last year, something he thought would address speeding problems, other alternatives were now being pursued.

“The Town of Berlin is exploring some other options in conjunction with our police chief to hopefully roll out some speed camera enforcement and maybe address that in a different fashion,” he said.

As a result, Tyndall said the town would like to use the $122,000 elsewhere. The town recently began its budget development process and is facing a deficit.

“We’ve noticed that much like all of you, as our budget’s taking shape we’re seeing the impacts of the inflationary pressure on the business that we do day to day,” Tyndall said. “We’re asking for some assistance in helping divert this $122,000 in funding to help the fire company’s staffing needs for the additional two providers that we were able to help fund last year but this year I think due to the budgeting conditions of FY 24 we may not have that ability to do that without some assistance.”

He said the request was not one that would come back year after year.

“We’ve been sitting down with our department heads crafting our budget,” Tyndall said. “In the process we’ve come to a significant deficit that we’re trying to overcome. We’re much like many of you are going to be doing, or are already doing, pulling various different levers to try and help keep things whole. We’re not adding new services or anything like that this year we’re just trying to maintain the services we do have. We’re asking for your help and support in that process as well.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino said he spoke as just one commissioner but felt the request for the $122,000 was a big ask. Last year, when Tyndall requested the roundabout funding the commissioners agreed it would be restricted for that project.

“I don’t think it should be incumbent on county taxpayers to fix your budget, or plug the holes in your budget,” Bertino said. “The county’s already doing an awful lot with fire and EMS on its end.”

Tyndall agreed that the responsibility was a shared one.

“We’re also very supportive of that as well,” he said, noting that the town had allocated some of its federal COVID relief funding to the fire company so that it could purchase equipment.

He added that the funding would support EMS staffing and pointed out that those responders handled calls both in and outside of town.

“It’s not something they just stay in the Town of Berlin….,” he said. “Those folks may jump over to another piece of apparatus and respond to something in the county. It is a shared responsibility.”

Bertino agreed that the responsibility was shared but suggested that the town have a backup plan as far as that funding.

“I just didn’t want to raise expectations,” he said.

Del. Court Dismisses Fenwick Lawsuit

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FENWICK ISLAND – A company’s lawsuit against the Town of Fenwick Island regarding its development plans for the old Dairy Queen property has been dismissed.

In an order issued Tuesday, Delaware Superior Court Judge Mark Conner dismissed Balsamo Real Estate LLC’s case against the Town of Fenwick Island.

The decision comes six months after the company filed a complaint in Delaware Superior Court seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the town to enforce its code and vote upon the company’s development plan for 1007 Coastal Highway.

“Both Plaintiff and Defendant argue additional points regarding the requirements for issuance of a writ of mandamus,” the order reads. “However, the additional arguments do not warrant discussion. Simply, the requirements for issuing a writ of mandamus have not been met, meaning dismissal of the petition is appropriate. Since Plaintiff is unable to establish the necessary requirements for issuance of a writ of mandamus, the Court does not need to discuss any additional arguments made by the parties.”

Late last summer, Balsamo Real Estate submitted to the town its develop-

ment plan for the former Dairy Queen property. As owner, the company is looking to add 1,500 square feet to the existing building for the development of new restaurant space.

At the time, Balsamo Real Estate submitted its plan under Chapter 142 town’s subdivision code, in which an application of any subdivision or development of land must be submitted to the town council for plan approval.

However, town staff advised that the town refused to consider the company’s plans, asserting that it would have to submit a building permit application as required by Chapter 61 of the town code.

To that end, Balsamo Real Estate filed a petition for writ of mandamus, as well as a motion for summary judgement, in Delaware Superior Court, which heard arguments throughout the fall and winter months.

In the order issued Tuesday, Conner asserted the defendant had failed to meet the standards for obtaining a writ of mandamus.

“The party seeking the issuance of a writ of mandamus must prove that they have a clear legal right to the performance of the duty, no other adequate remedy is available, and the lower court, agency or official has arbitrarily failed or refused to perform that duty,” the order reads.

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The judge ruled the company had no legal right to review its renovation plan under Chapter 142 of the town code, which pertains to subdividing real estate. Conner added the company had an alternative remedy by applying for a building permit under Chapter 61 of the town code.

“The last requirement that must be met before a writ of mandamus can be issued is that the lower court, agency, or public official arbitrarily fails or refuses to perform the duty …,” the order reads. “Defendant is not arbitrarily failing or refusing to perform the duty of reviewing plans. Instead, Defendant is refusing to perform the duty in the manner Plaintiff wishes.”

The judge ultimately denied Balsamo Real Estate’s petition for writ of mandamus and motion for summary judgement and granted the town’s motion to dismiss the case.

In an interview this week, the company’s attorney, Richard Abbott, said the court had failed to address the plaintiff’s central argument, that Chapter 142 addresses land development.

“That was the lynchpin on which the entire decision was supposed to be based …,” he said. “It’s kind of baffling. From our perspective, a 1,500-squarefoot modification to the existing building is development because development is new construction. The point is you have to get plan approval.”

Abbott said his client could appeal the decision or ask for reconsideration.

“We’re currently considering our options,” he said. “As for the decision itself, the court sidestepped the fundamental issue, which was the meaning of the term development. If you look at the decision, it was not discussed.”

In a statement this week, Mayor Natalie Magdeburger said the town is pleased with the court’s order dismissing the case.

“This ruling clarifies that the Town’s position throughout the litigation has been the legally correct one and the Town is now hopeful that Balsamo Real Estate will proceed by filing for a building permit, as required by our code and as they were advised to do,” she wrote. “Recently, the Town worked hand-inhand with Balsamo Real Estate to promote the sidewalk project in which the Town will secure and pay for sidewalks on the northwest side of our commercial district. Hopefully, Balsamo Real Estate’s take away from that experience is that the Town truly wants to benefit and enhance our business community and will result in Balsamo Real Estate moving forward with constructive dialogue with the Town instead of resorting to meritless litigation. The Town looks forward to Balsamo Real Estate obtaining the necessary permits to begin making improvements to the old Dairy Queen site.”

Commissioners Approve Study For Buckingham Project

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A conceptual planning committee will help guide the design of a new Buckingham Elementary School.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week approved a feasibility study for the new school and agreed to appoint three commissioners to the Buckingham Elementary School Conceptual Planning Committee. Conceptual planning was a practice started when Showell Elementary School was built in an effort to work community and commissioner input into the design process.

“The path so far has been a heck of a lot better than Showell in the early stages,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said.

Superintendent Lou Taylor and representatives from Becker Morgan Group

shared the Buckingham Elementary School feasibility study with the commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. The study was initially presented to the Worcester County Board of Education in January.

“The feasibility study is the initial step in the planning process for a major school construction project,” Taylor said. “Beginning last July and continuing through this fall the team at Becker Morgan performed a very comprehensive evaluation of the Buckingham building and site and interviewed all members of the Buckingham staff to identify building and instructional deficiencies.”

The school, which was built in 1978, is 49,000 square feet and located on a 15acre site on Main Street in Berlin. Five portable classrooms behind the school are currently used to house the fourth grade.

Becker Morgan’s Emily Purdum said company staff met with teachers and talked about operational needs as well as ways to enhance instruction and how the future design of the school could support their diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

Bertino asked what motivated the last question.

“We ask this on all school projects to understand their culture and the makeup of the students and staff,” she said, adding that teachers talked about making sure there was space for counseling and that everyone had equal opportunities within the school.

“Did they not have that before?” Bertino responded.

“The school does a great job to accommodate that but we’re always looking for ways that a new school environ-

ment could support these goals,” Purdum replied. “Learning environments have changed drastically from the time this was built to now.”

Commissioner Caryn Abbott said it was odd that diversity, equity and inclusion was referenced in an engineering question.

“It’s more to understand the school culture,” Purdum said.

Becker Morgan staff worked with a construction management team to develop two potential options for the schools – a renovation/addition and a replacement school. The renovation/addition option would increase the school’s size to 125,000 square feet. It would include two classroom wing additions, a food service area addition, a gym renovation and complete demolition and renovation of the interior of the existing building.

Becker Morgan’s Allison Shockley said there were some inefficiencies with the layout and students would have to be moved multiple times during construction.

The second option, the one recommended by Becker Morgan Group, is a complete replacement school. The new facility, which would total 102,000 square feet, would be located in front of where the building sits now so the existing school could continue to be used during construction.

The floorplan, which includes a twostory section, features different wings for different grades as well as an entirely new traffic pattern. Buses would enter the property off Main Street while cars would come in from West Street.

Purdum said the renovation would cost about $60 million while a replacement school would cost about $53 million. Shockley said Becker Morgan recommended the replacement school.

“It’s the most efficient construction path and also the safest construction path,” she said.

Construction ideally would begin in December of 2026 and be complete in about 18 months. Demolition of the existing building would take place in the summer of 2028 and the new school would open that fall.

Commissioner Eric Fiori said the $203,000 in demolition costs estimated for the project seemed low. Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said that was likely because so much of the school was concrete it could be recycled rather than taken to the dump.

When asked if the school system was creating a planning committee as it had done with Showell, Taylor said it was and he hoped three commissioners would take part.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the feasibility study and approve the school system’s request for $60,000 in design funding to complete educational specifications and conceptual planning.

The commissioners subsequently voted 6-1, with Commissioner Ted Elder opposed, to appoint Fiori, Commissioner Diana Purnell and Commissioner Jim Bunting to the conceptual planning committee.

Commissioners Share More Concerns With Health Ed Bill

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Officials say recent changes make a controversial health education bill worse than when it was introduced.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week agreed to send state officials another letter of opposition to House Bill 119. They initially voiced opposition to the bill last month, as did the Worcester County Board of Education.

“It is very disappointing that the state legislature is moving forward on a house bill that disrespects and disregards the parental right we all have to raise our children the way we want,” Commissioner Chip Bertino said.

House Bill 119, sponsored by Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary of Howard

County, would require the Maryland State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, to develop a comprehensive health education framework and require county school boards to create age-appropriate curriculum consistent with that framework. The commissioners initially expressed opposition to the bill last month, citing their concerns about the specifics of the framework as well as the fact that they felt it took away the rights of parents.

At the close of this week’s meeting, Bertino told commissioners he hoped the body would send another letter of opposition to the state regarding the bill, as it recently left the House Ways and Means Committee in amended form. Bertino said the amended bill was worse than the initial bill, as it took out the ability for parents to opt their children out of certain aspects of comprehensive health education.

“It does not allow for parental opt out of the program,” Bertino said. “This yet again flashes a full light upon what I believe is an assault on parental rights in this county and throughout the state.”

He said it was wrong for the state to move forward with a curriculum that wasn’t supported by many parents, particularly when they couldn’t opt their children out of the instruction.

“I think at some point the people of this county are going to say they do not want county taxpayer money going toward an education process that removes the parents from the equation,” Bertino said.

Commissioner Caryn Abbott said the bill did more than take away parental control.

“Not only is it usurping the parental role but it’s also taking the local control away from our school boards,” she said.

Abbott said the elected school board in Worcester County was made up of representatives taxpayers selected.

“They’re basically strong arming them into doing whatever they send down or they’re going to take part of their funding away,” she said. “I hope that everybody in this room and anybody listening will write letters not supporting this bill.”

Commissioner Ted Elder said the bill was an attack on family value and was another attempt by the state to take over parental rights.

“No one will care as much about a child than their own parents,” he said. “The fact that they’re even considering something like this, 10 years ago, 20 years ago it would have been unheard of. It’d have been something you’d hear from some communist country.”

Commissioner Eric Fiori said that as the father of three children in the public school system, he too was concerned about the bill.

“I think we need to do everything in our power to stop things like this now and in the future,” he said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter of opposition to the bill to the Maryland General Assembly.

Pictured at this week’s government meeting in Snow Hill, from left, are County Commissioners Jim Bunting, President Chip Bertino and Ted Elder. Submitted Photo

Redistricting Efforts To Begin In Worcester

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – County officials this week agreed to have staff begin the redistricting process in the wake of the 2020 Census.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to have staff utilize department software to begin developing potential map options.

“Some changes are going to have to be made,” said Jennifer Keener, the county’s director of development review and permitting. “Some districts will have to lose population and others pick it up.”

According to the 2020 Census, Worcester County experienced a growth in population and a shift in population across the existing election districts. As a result, Keener said her department would be launching the redistricting process. She said the department had software that would simplify the process but that the commissioners

could also create a redistricting commission.

“You can certainly establish one if you wish or we are fully prepared to begin preparing those maps in house for your review and having some options available,” she said.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked if the county could get public input during the process.

“Public hearings are required anyway. Whether you want to present one or more options at those hearings we can certainly do that,” Keener said. “Once we have maps developed we’ll come back to you to set up those public hearings, to decide where in the county we want to have the meetings held and get that feedback.”

Bertino said Ocean Pines was an area that had a population increase and asked whether the people the district would lose would go to District 6 or District 3.

Keener said that because Ocean Pines

– District 5 – was nearly surrounded by District 6, District 5 would lose people to District 6. What happens to District 6 would then need to be determined.

“So it would have a rippling effect,” Bertino said.

Keener agreed and said that the changes were not made house by house but rather by Census tract.

Commissioner Ted Elder said he didn’t think the 2020 Census was accurate, as his district had lost population when he’d seen numerous new homes built.

“I just wanted to make the statement this is all going to be based on faulty Census figures,” he said.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic expressed similar concerns. Staff noted that people had to fill out the Census form to be counted.

The commissioners voted unanimously to have staff proceed with developing map options.

OC Committee Reviews Storm Drain Cleaning

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – As work concludes on a storm drain cleaning project, members of a resort committee this week got a better understanding of how funds are used to remove sediments from the resort’s pipes and catch basins.

On Wednesday, representatives with the town’s public works department presented members of the Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee (Green Team) with an update on its annual storm drain cleaning project. With 43 miles of stormwater piping and more than 2,300 catch basins, Public Works Deputy Director Woody Vickers said cleaning efforts have been divided into phases.

“You can understand this cleaning effort helps, but there’s a lot of infrastructure,” he said.

Each fall, the town’s public works department works with a contractor to begin the task of cleaning out the resort’s storm drain system. Over a course of months, crews clean out thousands of linear feet of piping and hundreds of catch basins in multiple phases.

“One of our many obligations is to clean and maintain the storm drain systems throughout Ocean City – the pipes and the catch basins – all of which discharge out into the coastal bays,” Public Works Director Hal Adkins explained. “We’ve been cleaning during the offseason months of October through April for the last few years, and the Mayor and City Council have found it within their means to annually fund us, up to $100,000 worth of work.”

In this week’s update, Vickers reported crews removed roughly 154 cubic yards of sediment from the town’s storm drain system this year. That material was then hauled to the Ocean City Municipal Airport, where it was dewatered and disposed of.

“Cubic yards may mean nothing to you, but that’s waste of about 231 tons,” he explained. “If you’ve ever seen the city’s dump trucks, it’s about 12 of those.”

Officials say the annual storm drain cleaning effort not only improves system capacity and flooding conditions, but reduces the amount of nutrients entering into the bay. Vickers said crews were able to remove 98 pounds of phosphorous and 451 pounds of nitrogen during its 2021 project.

“That’s crucial,” Vickers said. “In that material, you have those nutrients that are not going to the bays. That’s a big advantage of doing this as well.”

Officials say the next round of storm drain cleaning projects will start at 146th Street and continue south to 120th Street. One of the phases, Adkins said, will include the Montego Bay community.

“If the Mayor and City Council follow through with our request in the capital improvement plan to fund $4.5 million in roadway reconstruction, we will be rebuilding a large number of streets in that area over the next 24 months,” he added. “In layman’s terms, when we’re done the pipelines will be brand new and whistle clean.”

County Leaders Approve Transportation Letter

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – Crosswalks at a key Route 589 intersection and a new traffic signal in Pocomoke have been added to Worcester County’s list of transportation priorities.

While dualizing Route 90 and Route 589, a new drawbridge into Ocean City and a signal at the intersection of Route 611 and Route 376 are still the initial items included in the county’s annual letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation, the missive has been updated to include a variety of other improvements in Worcester County.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted to approve the letter this week after adding a signal at the intersection of Route 50 and Route 610 to the list.

“It should be one of our priorities,” said Commissioner Ted Elder, who requested its addition to the list.

Dallas Baker, the county’s director of public works, presented the commissioners with the letter this week. He said it was essentially the same as last year’s communication but with a few additions.

“The year’s letter has everything last year’s letter had with a couple of additional items, including a signal at US 13 and MD 366 in Pocomoke, safety improvements on US 113 near Corkers Creek, crosswalks and audible pedestrian signals and countdown pedestrian signals on MD 589 at Manklin Creek and also a request to update the bathrooms at the welcome center on US 13 in Pocomoke maintained by State Highway,” he said.

Baker added that the items in the letter are no longer numbered, as that had led to confusion among state officials last year.

“We took the numbers off to clarify these are all priorities we want to see moving forward,” Baker said.

Officials are expected to discuss the list with Maryland Department of Transportation representatives at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference in Ocean City.

Projects included in the letter include the dualization of Route 90, the dualization of Route 589, a new drawbridge on Route 50 into Ocean City, a signal at the intersection of Route 610 and Route 376, a signal at Route 367 and Route 368 in Bishopville, a signal at US 13 and Route 366 in Pocomoke, safety improvements near Corkers Creek, the elimination of flooding on Route 12 near Snow Hill, a dedicated right turn lane on St. Martins Neck Road at Route 90, audible pedestrian signal at the intersection of Route 113 and Route 346 in Berlin, the addition of audible pedestrian signals and crosswalks at the Manklin Creek Road intersection with Route 589, a strategic plan for the Route 611 corridor and a shared used path on Route 611.

Weapons Found In OC

OCEAN CITY – A traffic stop for speeding on Coastal Highway led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and knife last week.

Jonathan M. Tagliareni, 42, of Florence, S.C., was pulled over after being clocked at 57 mph in a 40-mph zone on Coastal Highway near 130th Street in his Toyota SUV. Tagliareni volunteered to Ocean City police he had a handgun inside the driver door. When officer asked if he was licensed to carry in Maryland, Tagliareni admitted he was not but was properly registered in Florida.

A search of the vehicle found a GLOCK 43 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, which was loaded with six rounds in the magazine. Also discovered was a straight fourinch blade knife concealed within the front driver door panel and a black wooden police style baton, which was concealed under bags and clothing.

Due to not possessing a Maryland conceal carry permit to carry, wear or transport a loaded gun, Tagliareni was placed under arrest and charged with wearing and car-

rying a baton within town limits, wearing and carrying a knife within town limits and transporting a handgun on a highway.

Disorderly Charges

OCEAN CITY – A Berlin man was charged with disorderly conduct last Saturday night after police attempts to get him to quiet down were unsuccessful.

Shortly before midnight on March 4, a uniformed police officer patrolling the area of Wicomico Street observed Jeffrey Robert Helvig, 21, creating a scene while running into parked cars and yelling. A nearby security card informed police the suspect was being too loud and not responding to requests from him or friends to settle himself.

While waiting for a friend who was offering to give the suspect a ride home, a verbal dispute occurred between Helvig and his girlfriend with Helvig becoming further enraged and shouting expletives.

After ignoring requests to settle, he was placed under arrest.

Fugitive Sent Back To Va.

OCEAN CITY – A man wanted in a felony stabbing investigation in Virginia was apprehended in Ocean City last week.

Angel Giann Medina Ramirez, 26, of Arlington, Va., had been sought by authorities in Stafford, Va. for stabbing another man on or about Oct. 25, 2022. Ramirez will be transferred back to the charging jurisdiction after being located in Ocean City.

Armed Robbery

Suspect Sought

WILLARDS – Maryland State Police are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in Wicomico County.

The suspect is described as a Black male, wearing all black clothing with white stripes on his pants. He was last seen in

a silver passenger car believed to be a Hyundai Accent with the passenger side mirror covered in tape. Investigators believe the vehicle has a separation between the front bumper and the passenger side front fender.

Shortly before 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, the suspect entered a convenience store on Main Street in Willards. He allegedly approached the cashier with a mask covering his face. He brandished a handgun and demanded cash. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene in a small silver passenger car, believed to be a Hyundai Accent.

Any with information on this case is asked to contact Corporal Hager at 410749-3101. All calls may remain confidential.

Officer Shot In Traffic Stop; One Suspect Dead, Two Jailed

VIENNA – An investigation is underway after a trooper was shot while conducting a traffic stop in Wicomico County.

The trooper was not being identified as of Wednesday. He was transported to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury for medical treatment of injuries sustained in the shooting. He is an 18-and-a-halfyear veteran of the Maryland State Police.

The suspect is identified as Keiford Lee Copper, III, 23, of Trappe, Maryland. He was the driver of a Toyota Prius at the time of the incident. Copper was confirmed deceased on the scene by emergency medical service personnel from Hebron.

There were two other occupants in the Toyota Prius. They are not being identified at this time. Both are currently in police custody.

Shortly before 10 p.m. last night, a Maryland State Trooper from the Easton Barrack attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Toyota Prius on eastbound Route 50 near the Vienna Scale House. The trooper approached the passenger side of the vehicle to make contact with the driver.

During the traffic stop, the driver brandished a firearm and fired at the trooper, striking him several times. The trooper returned fire. None of the occupants in the vehicle were struck. The driver fled the scene traveling eastbound on Route 50.

A trooper on his way home heard the broadcast and immediately responded to the scene. Upon his arrival, he found the injured trooper suffering from multiple gun-

The suspect in the armed robbery is pictured. Submitted Photo

shot wounds. He provided the trooper medical treatment on scene until EMS arrived. The injured trooper was subsequently transported by ground to the hospital.

Shortly after 10 p.m., officers from the Delmar Police Department located the suspect vehicle in the area of eastbound Route 54 and Providence Church Road in Delmar. Officers followed the vehicle to the 600 block of Elizabeth Street, a deadend residential street in Delmar.

The driver, later identified as Copper, attempted to turn the vehicle around. He hit the curb, crashed into two vehicles, and came to rest after hitting a tree. Police surrounded the vehicle and observed Copper alone in the vehicle and slumped over the wheel with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No shots were fired by law enforcement at the scene of the crash.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. this morning, a 9-1-1 call reported two unidentified men with hooded sweatshirts walking around a neighborhood in Hebron. Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack responded to the area and located the two men walking on Porter Mill Road toward Route 50. They were taken into police custody without incident.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators responded and are conducting the investigation. Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to process both crime scenes. A gun was recovered in the Toyota Prius.

Maryland State Police from the Eastern Troop responded to both scenes. K-9 and Maryland State Police Aviation Com-

mand also responded to assist. Personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Personnel Assistance responded to set up detours. Assistance was provided by local, state and federal law enforcement partners.

The Wicomico County State’s Attorney was briefed by investigators. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be provided to the state’s attorney for review.

The State Police Internal Affairs Unit is conducting a concurrent investigation. The trooper involved in the shooting has been released from the hospital and placed on administrative leave, as is procedure.

The investigation is continuing.

Residential Fire Probed

POCOMOKE – The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a residential structure fire which occurred at 1936 Cedar Hall Rd in Pocomoke City on March 5.

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for a reported house fire at 7:45 a.m. First arriving crews observed smoke and fire coming from the second floor of the home. Crews were quickly able to assist the resident and a dog out of the residence and the fire was swiftly brought under control. One firefighter was injured during suppression operations who was transported to Tidal Health in Salisbury by Pocomoke EMS where they were treated and released.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and originated from an appliance in the kitchen. Smoke alarms were present an operational at the time of the incident. Pocomoke was assisted by Snow Hill, Stockton, Girdletree and New Church, Virginia Volunteer Fire Departments.

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county to charge del. customers For Boat ramp use pilot parking program approved By commissioners

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – The county is moving forward with plans to charge out-of-state patrons parking fees at the Shell Mill boat ramp.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week voted 4-2 to approve a pilot program that will charge out-of-state visitors a $10 daily parking fee at Bishopville’s Shell Mill boat ramp.

“We’ve got to start somewhere,” Commissioner Jim Bunting said. “It’s a problem there.”

Kelly Rados, the county’s director of recreation and parks, initially talked to the commissioners about the concept of parking fees at the Shell Mill ramp last month. She returned this week with a revised proposal for a pilot parking program at the busy Bishopville boat ramp.

“This would be to charge just out-ofstate patrons to park,” she said. “Due to its proximity to Delaware, Shell Mill experiences a high out-of-state use with our boat ramps. A pilot program would give us the ability to evaluate and adjust as needed before implementing at our other boat facilities in the future if that’s what is decided.”

She said the county planned to use the ParkMobile program or a similar parking

service to charge out-of-state patrons $10 a day to park at the boat ramp. The fee would be for any vehicles parking in the lot that do not have a Maryland license plate.

“This is the maximum amount that can be charged due to grant funding we receive at the boat landings,” she said. “Of this fee the county would generate $9.15 in revenue per user.”

She said ParkMobile would help install signage and that using the program would eliminate the need to sell parking passes.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic voiced objections to the proposal.

“I think what’s going to happen is we’re going to push these boat ramp users to our other boat ramps throughout the county…,” he said. “I understand Mr. Bunting doesn’t care where it pushes them to as long as it’s not in his backyard but we also need to, we need to think about our other boat ramps throughout the county and what this is going to do as far as traffic. If we’re going to do it we need to do it for all the boat ramps.”

Commissioner Eric Fiori said he disagreed. He said parking lots at the ramps were full by 9 a.m. on a Saturday and that boaters couldn’t simply leave and go to another ramp if they didn’t want to pay the fee.

“Also I believe Sussex County is build-

ing about 4,500 homes currently,” he said. “That pressure on our systems here in Maryland is great. Delaware unfortunately has not kept up with their residential growth so their access to water is very limited.”

He said one of the boat dealerships he owned was in Sussex County and he saw firsthand how limited the water access was there.

“Our surrounding states, Virginia and Delaware, charge fees for their facilities,” he said. “I think we should as well.”

Commissioner Ted Elder said that if the lots at the ramp were as full as Fiori said, the parking fee wouldn’t alleviate any parking problems.

“If they continue to go to that boat ramp, we’ll get $10 out of it I guess but it’s not going to alleviate any problems with parking along the road,” he said.

Elder echoed Mitrecic’s concern that boaters would just start frequenting other county ramps to avoid the fee.

Bunting said the county had to start to address the issue somewhere. He added that data from Shell Mill could show officials just how many boat ramp users were coming from out of state.

“It is a pilot program,” Commissioner Caryn Abbott agreed. “I think it’s a good start and it’ll give us a lot of good data that we can possibly use in the rest of the county.”

Commissioner Diana Purnell asked if the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office would be able to handle enforcement.

Rados said they already patrolled the boat ramps. She added that because there were more weekend events than ever before her department typically had staff working and they could also help patrol Shell Mill.

“That’s why we’re trying to do it as a pilot program, so we’re not designating all these staff and this funding to it before we can try it out,” she said.

Fiori said he’d spoken with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and that staff there had no problems with the proposal.

“They have no issue with continuing to patrol the boat ramps and enforce this particular change,” he said. “This is a pilot program. We really want to give it a shot and see if it works well. I think it’s a great fit for the county.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked how the issue of parking along the road around the boat ramp would be addressed. Staff said public works could add signs to prohibit parking.

The commissioners voted 4-2, with Mitrecic and Elder opposed and Purnell abstaining, to approve the pilot program.

Rados said the next step in the process would be working with the county’s attorney to make necessary code changes and with the procurement officer to get ParkMobile or something similar. As the service is being implemented, something she expects to take about six weeks, the county will get the Shell Mill lot striped to clearly define where parking is permitted.

Budget Amendment Leads To Advertising Discussion

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Approval of a budget amendment this week led to a larger discussion about the town’s advertising funds.

On Monday, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve the first reading of several budget amendments for fiscal year 2023.

The change reflects an increase in room, income and admissions tax revenues, and an increase in grant, salary and advertising expenditures, among other things. Following Monday’s vote, however, Councilman John Gehrig voiced his concerns regarding aspects of the budget amendment presentation. He pointed out the budget amendment labeled the increased advertising budget as a challenge.

“I just think we need to change our mindset here …,” he said. “Advertising is not funded by property tax. Advertising is funded by room tax. Room tax is generated when people visit Ocean City.”

Among the budget changes approved on first reading this week was an amendment to the budgeted room tax, which exceeded revenue projections. Gehrig said that money was used to pay for public safety, public works, roads and debt service, among other things.

“We are above budget, basically did

better than what we expected,” he said.

“We had $1.2 million from room tax above budget, which is over a penny on our tax rate. That goes towards funding our bills, paying our bills from the general fund.”

Gehrig argued the town should be celebrating its successes.

“All we do is beat down our revenue source,” he said. “It’s our secondary source, but it’s our fastest growing percentage wise.”

He added that the town should be

supporting its advertising budget.

“Instead of looking at the 60% going into the general fund, we’re persistently looking at the 40% going into advertising,” he said. “Every dollar we spend in advertising is clearly making us more money, every year.”

With increasing access to destinations around the world, he argued Ocean City should be competing on digital platforms.

“We just think people are coming to Ocean City because we’re sitting here,

because we have a beach,” he said. “We must be living in a time capsule and are out of touch with reality.”

For his part, City Manager Terry McGean said he meant for the presentation to show accounting challenges.

“I apologize if it came across that way,” he said. “I really think the intent, when the word ‘challenge’ is used in this presentation, is it’s more of the accounting challenge. But I understand how it comes across so we will work to change that perception in the future.”

Police Stepping Up Impaired Driving Patrol

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department along with allied agencies will be conducting additional impaired driving enforcement during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Ocean City.

Each year, the Ocean City Police Department is awarded grant funding for additional impaired driving enforcement. This year, a collective 84 hours of specialized enforcement will be conducted in the Town of Ocean City from March 9 through March 12 and again from March 15 through 19. This will cover the St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend and the actual holiday weekend.

Officers conducting this specialized enforcement will be on patrol looking for drug and/or alcohol-impaired drivers. Res-

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idents and visitors can expect to see additional Ocean City Police Department officers on patrol, along with Worcester County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police.

Looking back at the same timeframe in 2022, Ocean City police officers made a total of seven driving while under the influence arrests. Two of those arrests were results of property damage crashes where the drivers were found to be almost double the legal limit.

If you are planning to celebrate the upcoming holiday festivities make a plan ahead of time to ensure a safe way home. Friendly and knowledgeable bus drivers will be glad to take you down to our South Division Street Transit Center or the North

end Transit Center or anywhere in between. A $3 Ride-All-Day pass allows you to ride from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m. the next morning. Buses are running approximately every 30 minutes. Taxis and rideshare options are also available.

The Ocean City Police Department is prepared and proactively handling criminal violations and citizen complaints of illegal activity to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Police remind citizens that if they see something suspicious, or have concerns about possible criminal activity occurring in Ocean City, call the Tip Line at 410-520-5136, email at crimetips@oceancitymd.gov or contact the Police Department directly at 410723-6610.

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OC Council Adds $1 To Bus, Tram Fees For Summer

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials voted this week to support bus and tram fare increases ahead of the summer season.

The Mayor and Council had before them favorable recommendations from the Ocean City Transportation Committee to raise the town’s bus and tram fares by $1. Mayor Rick Meehan, committee liaison, said the increase will allow the town to cover the increasing costs associated with both operations.

“Considering the increase in expenses and fuel and the drivers and the cost of providing the service, we felt that these recommendations were warranted,” he said.

Last month, the transportation committee voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council to raise the town’s bus fare from $3 to $4, all day, year-round, beginning May 1 or sooner. Meehan told the council this week the town is required to offer a hearing on the proposed change.

“We want to go ahead and move that forward so we can be ready for the May 1 deadline,” he said.

Officials say the proposed increase would be the first in more than a decade.

“Bus fares have not been increased since 2011, which is 12 years,” Meehan said. “We’ve figured we’ve held that rate as long as we can. It’s still the best deal in town, $4 ride all day.”

Meehan told councilmembers this week

raising the bus fare to $4 would result in a revenue increase of $390,545 in fiscal year 2024. The committee also forwarded a favorable recommendation to increase tram fees from $4 to $5, resulting in a revenue increase of $94,885.

“This allows us to be able to fund increased salaries, which I hope will increase the number of trams we can have on the Boardwalk, which will benefit the tourists because they want to ride the trams,” he said. “We just have to make sure we can fund the system to have a sufficient number of trams on the Boardwalk.”

A motion was made by Council Secretary Tony DeLuca and seconded by Councilman Frank Knight to increase the bus fare from $3 to $4 and the tram fare from $4 to $5. The council voted 5-1, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent and Councilman Peter Buas opposed, to approve the changes. The town issued a notice

A tram is pictured heading south on the Boardwalk during the OC Air Show last summer. File Photo

Pines Officials Debate Licensed Contractor Registry

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN PINES – With agreement from the board, officials say it will be up to the administration to implement a feeless, voluntary registry for contractors.

Late last month, members of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors discussed the proposed implementation of a feebased licensed contractor registry. After a lengthy discussion, however, the board agreed to support a registry that did not require contractors to pay a processing or renewal fee to participate.

“I think there are a lot of misconceptions about this …,” said Director Colette Horn, liaison for the association’s architectural review committee. “It’s just a service. And if people have a problem with the fee, I would imagine CPI (Compliance, Permits and Inspections) would probably still want to do this without a fee.”

In a presentation, Horn noted there had been discussion among representatives of the CPI department and members of the architectural review committee (ARC) regarding the problem of work being done within the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) by contractors who are not licensed. She noted that while the association has applied the county’s licensing requirements when reviewing permit requests, it did not require the contractor to provide licensing and insurance documents with permit applications.

“The major concerns shared by CPI and ARC are that OPA may be unknowingly issuing permits to non-credentialed contractors who don’t meet Maryland state and Worcester County licensing and doing work in a way that does not meet prescribed and nationally recognized regional codes or standards for the trades,” she said, “leaving homeowners with inferior work that needs to be corrected at their own expense, without the assistance of the Maryland Home Improvement Commission Guaranty Fund.”

To that end, Horn said she wanted to discuss the implementation of a fee-based system in which contractors wishing to be on the association’s licensed contractor registry can submit a copy of their license and insurance certificate and pay a processing fee of $75 the first year and a $50 fee for each annual renewal. She said the registry would not only streamline the permit process, but would ensure that permit applications complied with county licensing requirements.

“There was a lot of discussion in the community about this being a license,” she said. “That is not at all what this is about. This is about volunteer registration.”

Horn said an additional proposal would require contractors applying for permits to submit a copy of their license and insurance certificate if they are not already on the registry. For those who are, residents will be able to search the list of

contractors.

“The idea here is to determine support from the board before the CPI department can move forward on this,” she said.

Horn said the association projects the registry to general roughly $1,800 in additional revenue for the CPI department.

Director Stuart Lakernick, however, said he did not support a fee-based registry.

“I’m okay with a free list,” he said. “I’m not okay with charging.”

Director Monica Rakowski said she viewed it as an additional service to association members.

“I don’t even think it’s a dollar and cents kind of thing,” she said. “It’s a service. As long as we’re not legally bound, and it’s voluntary, I don’t have a problem with it.”

When asked about the permitting process, Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin said contractors must first secure a county permit before they secure an Ocean Pines permit. She noted that the county also checks to ensure all contractors are licensed and insured.

While he understood the concept, Parks said he was concerned the registry would open the association to risk.

“One could argue if a name is on this registry, whether they paid for it or not, is that an implied endorsement? People will think that,” he said. “Secondly, if they are on the registry and they do substandard work, how do we enforce it, and what risk

do we incur? I don’t know the answer to that.”

He added that the county already had a licensing requirement for those that apply for a county permit.

“The idea that a county permit, where the county has already verified that they have the appropriate licensing at the state and county level, is good enough for me,” he said. “I think that’s where that decision point lies.”

Parks ultimately argued against a feebased registry.

“I don’t want to see us be involved in people’s decisions, who they want to use for the work they want done,” he said.

Director Steve Jacobs argued that the registry only created more problems.

“I think you can accomplish a lot by providing a level of consumer education,” he said. “But I do have a problem with setting up this registry.”

Horn ultimately argued that the registry was not an endorsement of contractors, but simply a voluntary list of credentialed contractors.

“There’s no recommendation, there’s no endorsement, and there’s a disclaimer of responsibility for us because we’re not warranting the work,” she explained.

While they shared their support for a fee-free registry, Parks said it was ultimately up to the administration.

“We’re not in operations,” he said. “We’ve given them our opinion. It’s up to them how they want to handle it.”

MEGA Brain, Lung Exhibit Visits Worcester Schools

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – The world’s only inflatable, walk-through brain and lungs exhibit provided local kids with a glimpse of how drugs affect their bodies.

With stops at Stephen Decatur High School and Snow Hill High School last week, the MEGA Brain and MEGA Lungs exhibit showed students how drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping affect the brain and lungs.

“It really makes them stop and think,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said.

Last year, the Berlin Drug-Free Coalition used a grant to bring the MEGA Brain exhibit to Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Students enjoyed the unique educational experience and so this year, Worcester Goes Purple and Worcester County Public Schools worked with the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center to bring the exhibit to more schools. In the past two weeks it has been at Stephen Decatur High School and Snow Hill High School.

The inflatables are meant to provide visitors with an interactive educational experience about the body’s most critical organs. Along with the chance to walk through the brain and lungs, students are engaged with an interactive presentation by working paramedics. The paramedics shared experiences they’d had responding to drug-related incidents and talked about the specific ways drugs damaged organs like the brain and lungs.

“Our youth are exposed to so much in the community, in their homes, on social media,” said Tamara Mills, coordinator of instruction for Worcester County Public Schools. “We believe it is really important to counter much of the misinformation about substance misuse and the dangers of drugs and alcohol that they see and hear from these sources. As teachers, it’s our duty to educate them, hopefully even before they are in a situation where they need to make a difficult decision.”

Mills noted that the MEGA Brain exhibit was also toured by Lt. Brian Washington, the Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Program coordinator, and U.S. Army Colonel William Fox, who is the counterdrug coordinator for the Maryland Counterdrug Program.

“We received very positive feedback about the event, presentations and our community partnerships,” Mills said. “Coordination between the drug-free coalitions, Worcester Goes Purple and Worcester County Public Schools provided our kids and community these events to help provide substance misuse education, to help be proactive around addiction and drugs, rather than being reactive.”

Students are pictured at last week’s exhibit of the MEGA Brain and MEGA Lungs inflatables. The displays are used to teach students the effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on vital organs.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

St. Patrick’s Parade, Festival Will Try Again In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City will be aglow in green as the St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish American Club (DIAC), returns Saturday, March 11. While COVID-19 restrictions and storms forced the cancellation of this Ocean City tradition the last three years, the DIAC hopes this year’s parade will be bigger and better than ever.

The event, which began in 1980, has grown to become the largest St. Patrick’s Parade in Maryland and is the seasonal kick-off for many local businesses. Over the years, the DIAC — a 501(c)(3) social organization — has donated more than $530,000 from parade proceeds to scholarships for local high school students and to other charities and organizations. The DIAC is especially proud to have made a $50,000 donation to the Macky and Pam Stansell House at Coastal Hospice.

Pipe and drum bands will bring the sounds of Ireland to the streets of Ocean City, along with high school marching bands and festively decorated floats sponsored by local businesses, groups and organizations. Leading the parade will be Billy and Madlyn Carder as this year’s grand marshals. And Larry Hogan, former governor of Maryland, will march in the parade as the honorary grand marshal.

The procession begins at noon on Coastal Highway at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing bleachers and judging stand will be located. Trophies will be awarded for best marching band, best commercial float, best noncommercial float, best motorized unit, best adult marching unit, best youth marching unit, special committee award, judges’ choice award and best overall entry in the parade.

In addition to the celebration on the parade route, the 45th Street Shopping Center will again be transformed into a spirited Irish festival complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, Irish apparel and souvenirs for sale and plenty of food and drink. Spectators can enjoy the free-admission festival beginning at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.

To avoid traffic delays, spectators are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 57th Street south to 45th Street.

Mike Bradley will serve as parade emcee on the judges’ stand. The parade will be live-streamed by UnScene Productions; details of the stream will be shared on the DIAC Facebook page.

The DIAC was founded in 1980, and its first membership drive resulted in 75 members. Today, there are close to 300 members. The club is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent or just likes things Irish.

There is no rain date for the parade or festival.

Billy and Madlyn Carder are long-time members and supporters of the Delmarva Irish American Club and many other local organizations.

Bill was born in Frostburg, Md., grew up in nearby Shaft, Md., and with his family spent a week every July vacationing in Ocean City. After graduating cum laude from Fairmont State University with a degree in business, he went on to attend West Virginia University Graduate School for Business for an MBA, finishing his masters at

Frostburg State University.

During college from 1971 to 1974, Bill worked summers as a busboy and later waiter at the Embers Restaurant. He received his Maryland real estate license in 1973 and became a year-round Ocean City resident in 1974. From 1974 to 1976, he worked as a bartender at the Hurricane Nite Club and at Fager’s Island. In real estate, he worked for such industry leaders as Moore, Warfield & Glick, Gene Parker Real Estate and Coldwell Banker.

From 1976 to 1979, he leased and operated the Riptide Pool Bar at the Flagship Hotel on 26th Street, operating the first outdoor bar with live music in Ocean City. In 1979, he built and opened BJ’s on the Wa-

ter on 75th Street with partners Gene Parker and John Carney, and it was only the second bayfront restaurant in Ocean City. BJ’s was widely known for its deck parties, signature canoe races and the popular daily duck feedings. Billy was named Restaurateur of the Year in 2011 and was inducted into the Maryland Restaurant Hall of Honor in 2014.

Born in San Diego, Maddy grew up in Harrisburg, Pa., where her father was a Naval dentist with his own practice and her mother kept the books. The family looked forward to vacationing in Ocean City each summer. In high school, Maddy was active on the school newspaper and in a singing group, and played basketball.

Each summer beginning in 1973, Maddy worked in Ocean City, first as a waitress at the House of Pasta and later as a cocktail waitress and bartender at the Carousel Hotel. In 1977, she earned her degree in interior design from West Virginia University and went on to the masters program in architectural design at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

After opening BJ’s on the Water with Bill in 1979, Maddy turned her attention to her degree and began working with Martin Groff Construction Company, then owned her own architectural design company. In 1987, she opened and operated BJ’s South on North First Street.

In 2014, out-numbered in party registration by more than 2-1, and outspent by more than 5-1, Larry Hogan pulled off the biggest upset in America on election night, becoming only the second Republican governor elected in Maryland in 50 years.

As governor, Larry Hogan cut taxes for eight years in a row by $4.7 billion, including the largest tax cuts in state history. Overall, after inheriting a $5.1 billion structural budget deficit, the governor left office with a record $5.5 billion in reserves — a more than $10 billion swing.

When COVID struck the United States in 2020, Hogan led the nation’s governors through this crisis as chairman of the National Governors Association. In Maryland, the governor’s decisive and balanced leadership helped save countless lives and livelihoods. Hogan left office in 2022 with 80% of Marylanders approving of his time as governor

The parade scene on Coastal Highway is pictured during a previous event. File Photo

Planters, Benches Eyed For Berlin

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – Planters, benches and window boxes will soon adorn town hall in Berlin.

The Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC) last week approved plans for the addition of planters and benches to Williams Street. The improvements were designed by the Berlin Horticultural Advisory Board, previously known as the Berlin Beautification Committee, and will be funded by a grant.

“This is all grant funded,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. “Last year we wrote a Main Street Improvement Grant and wrote that we wanted to improve Williams Street with benches and flower baskets.”

Andrea Weeg, Georgiana McElroy, and Hunter Smith of the horticultural board shared plans for the improvements with the HDC last week.

“We operate under the auspices of the town,” McElroy said. “We’ve been putting in pollinator gardens and enhancing the environment downtown. What we’ve come up with is a plan for Williams Street.”

The group wants to install window boxes on two of the town hall windows and add benches and planters around the building.

“There would be five benches,” Weeg said. “We’d replace the one currently in front of town hall.”

HDC member Mary Moore praised the creativity of the proposal.

“It fills in that dead area and makes it so inviting,” she said. “It goes to show with creativity and love of landscaping and design what can be done.”

HDC member Laura Stearns said the plants would add to the appeal of town hall, which already sports the popular “America’s Coolest Small Town” sign.

“That’s a big photo op spot,” she said, adding that the benches would complement the flower boxes.

When asked about who would be watering the plants, McElroy said the town’s public works crew had interns in the summer who would do it.

“We really try and select drought tolerant annuals and perennials so water is not … a major issue as long as we get a little rain,” she said.

Moore said she was glad the plan included window boxes, as were something commonly seen in charming towns.

“I think that’s going to be really lovely,” she said.

When asked if the planters and benches would impact ADA compliance, McElroy said they would not, as there was still plenty of space on the sidewalk.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the horticultural board’s plans.

Town Hall is pictured in Berlin.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Local Officials Testify For Enabling Room Tax Legislation

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Local leaders say enabling legislation will allow the county to increase its room tax rate.

On Feb. 28, local officials came before the Ways and Means Committee in Annapolis to seek support for House Bill 931. As proposed, the enabling legislation would allow Worcester and other code counties to increase the maximum hotel rental tax rate from 5% to 6%.

“This is a bill that impacts Eastern Shore code counties, and it has to do with altering the hotel tax rate …,” Del. Wayne Hartman told the committee. “This bill is completely enabling. It does not raise any tax. It simply allows the county commissioners of those counties, and maybe some of the municipalities within those counties, to benefit.”

Last year, the Worcester County Commissioners, at the request of the Town of Ocean City, worked with state representatives to pass enabling legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would allow the county to increase its room tax threshold. However, officials discovered the state constitution re-

County Draft Plan Public Hearing Set

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Planning Commission will host a public hearing on the draft Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) April 6, at 1:05 p.m. The hearing will take place in the Board Room on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill.

The State of Maryland requires counties to update their LPPRP every six years, one year prior to the revision of the statewide Maryland Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan. The LPPRPs qualify local governments for State Program Open Space grants and other programs related to three land resource elements: Recreation and Parks; Agricultural Land Preservation; and Natural Resource Conservation.

The draft Worcester County LPPRP was developed in accordance with guidelines provided by the Maryland Departments of Planning and Natural Resources. The LPPRP contains key information, goals, and recommendations to guide the county’s management and enhancement of its parks and recreation facilities, and conservation of natural and agricultural lands for the next five years.

Visit http://www.co.worcester.md.us/departments/commissioners/hearings to view the draft LPPRP. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the public hearing. Written comments may also be submitted to kmunson@co.worcester.md.us or mailed to Worcester County Environmental Programs, 1 West Market St, Suite 1306, Snow Hill, Md. 21863.

quired Worcester to obtain approval from all other Eastern Shore code counties, including Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.

“The Town of Ocean City and Worcester County wanted to simply increase room tax from 5% to 6%,” Hartman explained. “Through the bill drafting process, we found out that we are an Eastern Shore code county, and for us to have that, we need the support of our other three code counties, which are Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. Hence, we are here this year with that knowledge.”

Hartman told committee members this week officials have since secured letters of support from all code counties on the Eastern Shore and reintroduced the legislation, cross-filed in the Senate as Senate Bill 612.

Mayor Rick Meehan said the pro-

posed legislation would benefit jurisdictions such as the Town of Ocean City, which hopes to use room tax revenues to offset the increasing costs related to tourism.

“Room tax dollars support and fund our only industry in Ocean City, and that’s tourism,” he said. “It allows us to not only promote Ocean City as a summer vacation destination but also to fund the festivals and events that have helped us to expand our shoulder seasons.”

Meehan noted more than eight million people visited Ocean City each year, with more than 65% of visitors coming from outside the state of Maryland. He said tax revenue generated from tourism not only benefited the resort, but Worcester County and the state of Maryland.

“More importantly, the room tax helps to cover the increased funds associated

with providing the services necessary to manage our expanding season and our growing visitor base …,” he said. “Our budget for safety has increased $5.7 million since the year 2020. We’re looking to hire more police officers and more firefighter-paramedics in this year’s budget, again, to make sure we can provide the services that are necessary to be able to take care of all the visitors that come to Ocean City. The increase in the room tax of up to 6% would help dramatically in being able to do that.”

Meehan asked the committee for a favorable report on House Bill 931.

“Our goal is to make sure our Ocean City is always clean, safe and welcoming to our visitors,” he said. “This additional revenue would help to do that. Public safety is 41% of our budget. This revenue would help to offset those expenses.”

JA Inspire Event Set For March 15-16

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SALISBURY – Students from 10 Eastern Shore counties will have an opportunity to explore career paths at the fifth annual JA Inspire event.

Next week, more than 4,500 students from 10 counties will visit the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for a day of career exploration.

Hosted by Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES), eighth grade students from Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Kent, Sussex and Accomack public schools, as well as private and homeschool students, are expected to be in attendance.

“The 2023 JA Inspire will be bigger than ever,” said Jayme Hayes, president of JAES. “This event exposes students to the career opportunities in their own backyards. It gives our businesses an opportunity to find local talent and begin the process of keeping our future workforce here to contribute to our local economy.”

In 2019, JAES launched JA Inspire as a way to educate incoming high school students on the various job opportunities available to them on the Eastern Shore. By speaking with local employers across several sectors and learning about the skills needed for those fields, officials say students can select high school courses for the career they want.

This year’s event, sponsored by M&T Bank, will feature more than 120 exhibitors from across the Delmarva region, including TidalHealth, Delmarva Power, Whiting Turner, NASA and more. The event will also feature Eastern Shore colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs, trade schools, and internships so students can gather the information needed to achieve their goals from an educational aspect.

“M&T Bank is looking forward to participating in JA Inspire to help provide thousands of students with interactive learning opportunities that could lead them on potential career paths,” said Monty Sayler, M&T’s commercial banking group manager for the Eastern Shore. “As a bank focused on serving our communities, M&T is deeply committed to supporting organizations like Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore and its mission of providing local students with skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.”

JA Inspire will take place Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16. This year’s event will also feature a new addition, JA Inspire For Hire, to be held March 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“This will allow high school students and community members currently seeking employment an opportunity to interact with the same vendors to fill immediate openings,” a press release reads. “All members of the public are welcome to attend this portion of the event.”

For more information about JA Inspire, visit easternshore.ja.org.

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore will hold its fifth annual JA Inspire event next week. Above, a student is pictured learning how to draw blood at a TidalHealth exhibit during the 2022 event.

Photo Courtesy of Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore

Zoom Car Wash To Serve Thousands At New Location

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – Fast service. Flexible pricing. State-of-the-art systems.

That’s what co-owners Charles Holland and Bruce Rogers say customers can expect at Berlin’s new Zoom Car Wash.

“There is no other car wash of this magnitude anywhere,” Holland said.

Located on Samuel Bowen Boulevard, in front of Home Depot, Zoom Car Wash features six bays, 38 vacuum stations and top-of-the-line technology. Rogers noted the car wash utilizes license plate readers to identify members and the most advanced equipment to clean vehicles.

“There’s no wait,” he explained. “You pull up, go through the kiosk, the license plate reader reads your license, and you go through.”

He said customers can visit the car wash without having to interact with a single person.

“In this time, I think it’s what people are looking for,” he said. “They don’t want people in their cars, going through their trunk or personal things. So we think this is a totally different model that people in the COVID world are looking for.”

What makes Zoom Car Wash unique, Holland said, is that it offers customers the ability to become members. As members, they’re entitled to one car wash per day.

“The idea of coming through once every single day if you want to is where it

really sells the membership …,” he said. “It works for customers because they can come to the car wash any time they want.”

Officials note that self-serve washes start at $4, express car washes start at $10 and Zoom tunnel washes start at $20. Memberships range from $39 per month to $59 per month.

“We even do multi-car packages and fleets,” Holland said.

The car wash also offers different cleaning packages, featuring foam wash, tire shine, bug remover and ceramic glaze, among other things. Customers who use

the in-bay automatic system bring their cars through the 150-foot tunnel, the largest car wash tunnel on the eastern seaboard.

“This can wash 160 cars an hour …,” Rogers said. “We’ve modeled it so when you pull up, you pull through. And twoand-a-half minutes later you drive out with a clean car.”

With locations in Salisbury and Milford, the co-owners say they are eager to bring their brand to the Berlin community. Holland said Zoom Car Wash expects to serve between 6,000 and 8,000 members

at its new facility.

“We understand the Eastern Shore, we understand the people and we understand service,” he said. “We’re a certain breed of people here. We’re honest, we integrity-driven, and we’re local.”

Zoom Car Wash will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the express tunnel open 24 hours. For more information, visit zoomcarwashberlin.com.

“It’s not your ma-and-pa car wash,” Rogers said. “We will clean and wax your car like never before … And a clean car drives better.”

The 150-foot car wash tunnel is pictured at the new Zoom Car Wash location in Berlin. Submitted Photo

OCFD Celebrates Annual Honorees

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department held its Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony at Ocean City Fire Department Headquarters last month, honoring members for their commitment to public safety and protection of the Ocean City community.

The celebration, named Firefighter of the Year, Member of the Year, and Paramedic of the Year, along with several Years of Service Awards, Distinguished Service Awards and Resuscitation Awards.

Along with Fire Chief Richie Bowers, Deputy Chief James Jester, and OCVFC President Freddie Senger, several dignitaries attended the ceremony, which began with the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) Ladies Auxiliary Awards. The OCVFC Ladies Auxiliary Member of the Year A-

ward was given to Susan Teach and the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to JoAnne Wagner. In addition, the Ladies Auxiliary donated funds they raised to the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company.

Following the Ladies Auxiliary, awards were presented for length of service and incident citations.

"As fire chief, I am humbled by the selflessness and dedication of our firefighters and EMS providers, who serve our community day in and day out. Years of service awards are a small token of appreciation for the immense sacrifices these individuals make, and they serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of those we serve,” Bowers said. “We are grateful for their service, and we look forward to celebrating their continued dedication in the years to come."

Also, the department recognized successful resuscitations of patients who were in cardiac arrest. These were patients who were successfully resuscitated and discharged from the hospital with no deficit from their quality of life before their Cardiac Arrest. This comes after the Ocean City Fire Department adopted a High-Performance CPR program that has increased the department’s survival rate to almost 40 percent, which is well above the national average of 11 percent. In 2022 there were 8 calls in which a person survived cardiac arrest because of the care provided by our paramedics and EMT’s.

Award recipients included:

• Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: Michael A. Knowles

• Career Firefighter of the Year: David R. Macia

• Paramedic of the Year: Yvette M. Rode

• Member of the Year: J. Mark Wilson, Jr.

• Training Award: Thomas D. Saunders II

• Chief's Award: Anthony J. Villani Jr.

• President's Award: Patrick J. Mum-

David R. Macia was named OCFD Career Firefighter of the Year. Pictured, from left, are Battallion Chief David Peterson, Macia with his family and Bowers. Submitted Photos

Paramedic of the Year Yvette M. Rode is pictured with her award and Bowers.

Lengthy Service Awards Presented

ford & Kevin K. Knowles

Incident & Unit Citations: Robert Magee, Darrick Elliott, Ryan Stacey, Richard Koch, Sr., Cory Brown, Travis Hearn, Daniel Wills, Justin Harper, Ryan Wooten, Aaron Driscoll, Alexander Bean, Christopher Shaffer

5 Years Active Service: Cory J. Brown, James E. Carter, Ryan L. Cropper, Michael A. Knowles, Kyle H. Tanner, S. Ryan Wooten

10 Years Active Service: Joseph Lessman

15 Years Active Service: Frederick A. Senger IV, Parker Shandrowsky

20 Years Active Service: Darrick R. Elliott

25 Years Active Service: William C. Savage, III

35 Years Active Service: Christopher M. Shaffer

45 Years Active Service: David N. Cropper

50 Years Active Service: Reginald H. Bell, Roger A. Steger, Sr.

"On behalf of the Ocean City Fire Department and the entire community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to

David N. Cropper for his 45 years of dedicated service,” Jester said. “David's unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community is a testament to his outstanding character and devotion to the fire service. We are grateful for his contributions and the sacrifices he has made to keep our community safe.”

Highlighting, 50 years of service, Jester acknowledged the following members, saying, “Reginald H. Bell and Roger A. Steger Sr., 50 years of dedicated service, highlights your unwavering commitment to the fire service and the safety of our community. Reggie and Roger's selfless acts of courage, sacrifice, and dedication have made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals.” In conclusion, Chief Jester noted the sacrifices of the firefighters families, saying, “These families represent 100 years of saying goodbye to their loved ones, not knowing if they would return with all their digits, all their limbs, or even returning at all. They deserve our recognition and thanks as well."

Pictured, from left, are Fire Chief Richie Bowers, Deputy Chief James Jester and 50-year honorees Roger A. Steger, Sr. and Reginald H. Bell.

Legislation Would Add Sundays For Certain Worcester Hunters

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – Two bills to expand Sunday hunting are moving forward at the state level.

Hearings were held last week in front of the Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee regarding House Bill 466 and 467. The bills, introduced by Del. Charles Otto, would expand Sunday hunting in Worcester County.

“This is our way of life here on the shore,” Worcester County Commissioner Caryn Abbott testified during the hearing. “In our rural communities, our families use this time to build their freezers for the winter as well as help other neighbors.”

Otto said HB 466 would add Worcester County to a list of several other counties that allow Sunday hunting in certain conditions.

“It’s for game birds and mammals,” he said. “It doesn’t affect waterfowl.”

The bill would allow people in Worcester County to hunt game birds and mammals on Sundays during the open season for that bird or mammal. It would also allow them to hunt on public lands on Sundays and alter the safety zone from 150 yards to 50 yards around occupied buildings.

In addition to a representative from the

Maryland Grain Producers Association, Abbott also testified in support of the bill, which she said would allow more time for family bonding and the teaching of a respect for the outdoors.

“Many counties, like Del. Otto said already, have this ability to hunt on Sundays,” she said. “We are just asking that we’d be able to have the Worcester way of life on Sundays as well.”

Otto said he didn’t think HB 467, which relates to hunting just wild turkeys on Sundays, would be needed in addition to HB 466 but that he would leave that to the committee’s discretion.

Abbott again spoke in support of Sunday hunting, noting that many hunters in Worcester County leased land.

“A lot of people lease land in Worcester County,” she said. “They should be able to use that land when they are able to.”

A representative of the Maryland Horse Council spoke against both bills, arguing that the majority of Marylanders didn’t support Sunday hunting. She said there were deer management permits that allowed farmers to shoot deer if they were harming their crops.

“If you keep mixing recreationists with hunters you’re going to have more accidents,” she said. “We want safe Sundays.”

The bills remain at the committee level. HB 466 has been cross filed with Senate Bill 824.

County Approves Grant Writing Support For Local Fire Companies

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SNOW HILL – County officials agreed to spend $5,000 for grant writing services in an effort to identify funding opportunities for local volunteer fire companies.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week voted unanimously to encumber $5,000 to be used for grant writing services to assist the county’s volunteer fire and EMS companies.

“Being volunteers, our companies often lack the capacity to apply for and manage grant monies that are available out there,” Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said. “This proposal is a pilot project to try to bridge this gap.”

Young told the commissioners this week he was asking that $5,000 currently available in the budget for consulting services be used to provide grant writing support to volunteer companies in Worcester County. His memo to the commissioners includes a proposal from the Institute for Building Technology & Safe-ty (IBTS), which is described as a nonprofit organization that delivers a broad variety of services to help governments meet challenges while enhancing

public safety, economic development and general welfare.

“IBTS has certified grant writers on staff that can support Worcester County by researching and preparing grant applications as requested,” the proposal reads. “It is understood that the county initially has priorities in the emergency management and fire safety service areas. These professional services would be provided on an as-needed, time and material basis.”

Young said the grant writing support could help the fire companies acquire state and federal grant funds.

“We’re proposing to initially allocate $5,000 for this effort,” he said. “From there we can present at future meetings what successes we may have had and request more funding if it seems to be working.”

The pilot program concept was borne out of the county’s fire funding work group meetings, as it was during those discussions county staff realized the volunteer companies lacked the capacity to pursue certain funding opportunities. Officials are hopeful that working with IBTS local companies can take better advantage of potential grants at the state and federal level.

Memorial Fund Started For Groton

SALISBURY – The Tyler Groton Memorial Fund was recently established at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Created by Judge Thomas Groton III and Althea Smith Groton to honor the memory of their late son, the fund will award grants to nonprofits which provide support to LGBTQ+ youth.

Tyler Groton grew up in Berlin and passed away suddenly in the fall of 2021.

“Tyler was a swimmer, Eagle Scout, organ donor, and dedicated time to building shelters for homeless cats, but his greatest passion was theater,” said his mother, Althea Groton. “As a gifted actor he performed in numerous plays in the Baltimore region, most notably at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater. He loved working on theatre projects with children and was a talented director.”

The fund was inspired by Tyler’s advocacy of the LGBTQ+ community. As the assistant theater director of the McDonogh School, Tyler’s greatest accomplishment was directing “The Laramie Project.” The play details the brutal killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard.

Tyler Groton said at the time he not only wanted to stretch the actors’ ability with the demanding piece of documen-

tary theater, but he also wanted to foster discussion about the treatment of LGBTQ+ people.

“The experience was eye opening and enlightening as noted by all involved including students, parents, and

faculty,” said Judge Thomas Groton, Tyler’s father. “LGBTQ+ youth are often mistreated and stigmatized in society and the resulting mental health issues are all too real. Through this memorial fund we want to continue our son’s work

by helping to create safe spaces and support for those in crisis.”

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund visit CFES.org/donate and select the “Tyler C. Groton Memorial Fund” in the drop-down menu.

Pictured, from left, are Erica Joseph, Community Foundation president; and Althea Groton and Judge Thomas Groton, who hold a photo of their son Tyler Groton. Submitted Photo

Berlin Mayor Visits Students:

The fourth-grade classes at Worcester Preparatory School met with Town of Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall last month to discuss this year’s “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. Each year it is a tradition at Worcester Prep for students to enter the “If I Were Mayor” essay contest, and this year’s theme is “Preserving the Past to Power the Future”. During Wednesday’s meeting, Tyndall talked about his role as the mayor of Berlin and the traditions and events the Town of Berlin features. Above, teachers Erin Shimko, right, and Kim Jankowski stand with their classes and Tyndall. Submitted Photo

art competition Winners:

The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club presented checks last month to the winners of the student art competition held at the Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin. Pictured, first row from left, are Sandy Glassman, judge; Kady Haley, third place, painting, Stephen Decatur High School; Christina Dolomount Brown, club president; Makayla Murphy, second place, drawing, Snow Hill High School; Anisha Batra, third place, digital, Worcester Preparatory School; and Alexia Shepherd, first place, digital, Pocomoke High School; second row, Tamara Mills, coordinator of instruction, Worcester County Public School; Olivia Brink, third place, painting, Stephen Decatur High School; Payton Carlile, honorable mention, drawing, Pocomoke High School; Karen Ciancitto, art teacher, Stephen Decatur High School; Alexa Arnold, first place, painting, Snow Hill High School; George Zaiser, art teacher, Worcester Preparatory School; Luke Loeser, Blick gift certificate, Worcester Preparatory Upper School; Izzy Huber, second place, painting, Worcester Preparatory Upper School; and Jacob Payne, first place, drawning and People’s Choice, Pocomoke High School. Not pictured were Angie Todorov, third place, drawing, Worcester Preparatory School, and Cayden Wallace, second place, digital, Worcester Preparatory School. Submitted Photo

People in Society

by Charlene Sharpe

Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Paige Hammond and Sandy Stevens were among the numerous attendees at the opening of the “Untold Stories” exhibit at Germantown School.

Diane Denk and Bob Wolfing are pictured at the St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines.

William Birckhead, Karen Sully Birckhead, Eldon Sully and Dr. Jan Bray are pictured at the “Untold Stories” exhibit at Germantown School.

Velda and Patrick Henry are pictured at the Germantown School Community Heritage Center where Patrick Henry’s “Untold Stories” exhibit is now on display.

Lily Sperry and Julia Park served drinks at the St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast in Ocean Pines.

Nancy Schwendeman and Diana Purnell attended the exhibit of historic photos at Germantown School.

Jillian Donahue and Taylor Jacobs of Stephen Decatur helped out at the breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club.

Pat Winkelmayer, Tom Southwell and Candy Foreman sold raffle tickets at the pancake breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club.

Paige Hammond and Sandy Stevens were among the numerous attendees at the opening of the “Untold Stories” exhibit at Germantown School.

Jack Orris and Karen Prengaman are pictured at the opening of the “Untold Stories” exhibit at Germantown School.

HealthFest To Return March 25 Fenwick Island Announces Public Hearing Dates For Two Requests

SALISBURY – TidalHealth will once again partner with the Wicomico County Board of Education to present HealthFest on Saturday, March 25 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The event is designed to provide people of all ages the opportunity to learn just how healthy they are and what they can do to ensure an even healthier, more productive and active lifestyle.

TidalHealth’s annual health fair will be held at James M. Bennett High School on East College Avenue in Salisbury, and will feature more than 25 exhibitors, healthy living information, presentations and demonstrations, entertainment and more. TidalHealth clinical professionals will be on hand to provide a showcase of exhibits and free screenings.

Some of the more popular services and screenings offered at no cost include blood pressure testing, health assessments, anxiety and depression screenings, stroke risk, body mass index, nutrition advice, cancer prevention information, diabetes assessment and A1C blood draws for those scoring high on the risk test.

The daVinci surgical robot will also be at HealthFest to give anyone a “hands on” opportunity to experience the very same cutting-edge and revolutionary technology TidalHealth surgeons are using in the operating room today.

Also available are Ask the Doctor and Ask the Pharmacist booths, and sign up for TidalHealth’s Lifeline personal emergency alert and response system. Attendees will have opportunities to register for TidalHealth’s MyChart personal healthcare management service, get help in finding a family physician and learn more about kidney health from the National Kidney Foundation.

HealthFest will again be joined by the Blood Bank of Delmarva for a local blood drive. The need for blood of all types is at a critical level not only across the nation but also in our own region. Advance registration is not necessary.

Local mascots, including Sherman the Shorebird and Trauma Roo, will visit. TidalHealth’s Therapy Pets, local law enforcement, emergency medical teams, rescue agencies and other special events will be featured throughout the morning. Participate in a senior aerobics demo, a cooking demonstration, climb a rock wall, learn to juggle and enjoy performances by a youth dance company and a unicyclist.

Speak with more than 20 different

exhibitors, all featuring healthy advice or options to improve your overall care.

HealthFest’s Kids Corner will give youngsters of all ages an opportunity to play games or to take home a personalized balloon animal.

The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore will also join HealthFest with information on making our community stronger, opioid intervention and a local high school art exhibit.

If you cannot attend the Salisbury event, TidalHealth will be hosting its Delaware HealthFest later this spring at Laurel High School in Laurel, Del. on Saturday, May 6.

To learn more about HealthFest, please visit TidalHealth’s website at www.tidalhealth.org and search HealthFest for the latest information on updates on screenings, activities and special events.

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

FENWICK ISLAND – Members of the Fenwick Island community will have an opportunity to weigh in on a variance request.

On Tuesday, April 4, the Fenwick Island Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on a variance request for the construction of a dock in the canal of Glenn Avenue. Officials say plans will be available for review at town hall during business hours.

“There will be a public hearing before the Town of Fenwick Island Board of Adjustment in accordance with Chapter 160 (Zoning) of the code of the Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, on a request for a variance under Chapter 160-8b for the

construction of a 22’ x 9’ triangle dock in the canal at 501 Glenn Avenue … located within the incorporated limits of the Town of Fenwick Island,” the notice reads.

The hearing will be held in town hall at 2 p.m. A Zoom link is also available on the town’s website, fenwickisland.delaware.gov.

The Town of Fenwick Island Town Council will also hold a public hearing next month on a request to subdivide a lot at 900 Schulz Road. The owner has plans to divide the property into two buildable lots.

“The hearing will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. in Fenwick Island town hall,” a notice reads. “Interested persons may inspect plot plans at town hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.”

Practitioner Welcomed

BERLIN – Allison Pusey, FNP, has joined Atlantic General Health System to provide primary care services to the Ocean Pines community.

Pusey was born and raised in Worcester County and began providing patient care in 2014, when she joined Atlantic General Hospital as a nurse technician and began working on her nursing education.

She is a recipient of Atlantic General’s Barrett Nursing Scholarship and earned her associate’s in nursing from Wor-Wic Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilmington University while working at the hospital.

Pusey has been active in the Showell Volunteer Fire Department since 2010, most recently serving as vice president of their auxiliary.

In May of 2022, she completed her Master of Science in family nurse practitioner studies at Wilmington University and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

She lives in Bishopville, Md., with her husband and daughter. She is currently providing care at Atlantic General Primary Care in Ocean Pines and will transition her practice to the Gudelsky Family Medical Center on Racetrack Road when construction is complete.

She is currently accepting new patients. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 410-208-9761.

Job Fair

OCEAN PINES – The Ocean Pines Association will hold a job fair on Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocean Pines Community Center at 239 Ocean Parkway.

Seasonal and year-round positions across multiple Ocean Pines departments and amenities are available.

“Ocean Pines has vacancies in a variety of fields and for all ages. Whether you’re a 15-year-old looking for your first job, a retiree looking for part-time work or someone interested in a full-time, year-round career, we’d like to meet you,” said Ocean Pines Human Resources Manager Lisa Carson.

Individuals interested in serving as police officers, lifeguards, public works laborers, junior and senior camp counselors, racquet center attendants, golf

BUSINESS And Real Estate News

cart attendants or seasonal front desk clerks are encouraged to attend.

Job fair attendees are asked to bring a completed employment application, available at oceanpines.org/we/pages/work-here. Applications will also be available at the event.

Statewide Award

BERLIN – On Feb. 19, 2023, the Maryland Pharmacists Association named Atlantic General Hospital’s Kelly Kline, CPhT-Adv, the 2023 Maryland Pharmacy Technician of the Year.

Kline earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, she worked at an inpatient hospital pharmacy in Pennsylvania for 20 years as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), until she and her husband moved to Willards, Md.

In 2017, Kline began her career at Atlantic General Hospital. In 2022, she earned her advanced certified pharmacy technician (CPhT-Adv) credential, making her among 0.16% of all certified pharmacy technicians in the United States with the advanced status. She holds national certificates from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board in medication histories, vaccination administration, hazardous medications management and regulatory compliance.

In addition, Kline received her technician product verification certification from the National Pharmacy Technician Association and her controlled substance diversion prevention certification from the Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties.

Along with her wide range of pharmacological duties throughout the hospital and health system, Kline has maintained the role of buyer for the past two years.

Buyers, who are responsible for procuring medications and supplies for the hospital and supporting health system practices, play an integral role in daily operations.

During her time as buyer, Kline has been instrumental in developing, implementing and maintaining Atlantic General Hospital’s inventory management system and drug dispensing devices.

Kline is board certified in supply chain and inventory management, a certification that is only held by 550 others nationwide. Her expertise in the field was exemplified when, in 2022, she significantly reduced pharmacy inventory dollars, eliminating unnecessary costs to the organization.

As a result of her career-long accomplishments, Kline serves on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board advisory committee, and is a member of the Maryland Pharmacists Association, Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacy, National Pharmacy Purchasing Association, National Pharmacy Technician Association, and the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians.

“Kelly is genuinely curious,” says Atlantic General Hospital Director of Pharmacy James McGinnis. “She continuously demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing medication safety and serves as role model for other Certified Technicians to have the curiosity and drive to further their professional career and benefit the patients they serve.”

Clinic Recognized

SALISBURY – The ALS Association has recertified the ALS Clinic at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional an ALS Recognized Treatment Center (RTC).

TidalHealth was the first hospital in Maryland to earn the initial designation in 2018.

In again honoring the ALS Clinic team, the national association thanked the team for providing outstanding care and services to people on the Delmarva Peninsula who are facing this most horrific disease.

“It is through a complex continuum of care and collaborations between providers, institutions like TidalHealth and

the ALS Association that people, families and caregivers are better prepared to address the challenges associated with living with ALS,” said Kimberly Maginnis, ALS Association senior vice president of care services.

To earn the status of an ALS Recognized Treatment Center, the clinic at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was required to achieve and maintain a set of standard and components.

They include a multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health professionals assigned to ALS patients, a neurologist with the specific knowledge base to evaluate and treat people living with the disease and an ongoing process of improvement initiatives.

“I’d like to congratulate the entire team for their outstanding efforts in not only achieving this recognition but maintain it,” added James Morgan, MD, neurologist and medical director for the TidalHealth ALS Clinic. “Without the dedication and careful attention applied by each member, this level of distinction would not have been possible, and the care we provide our patients would not be as exemplary as it remains.”

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional has operated its ALS Clinic since 2009 and treats approximately 100 people annually.

New Hire

SALISBURY – TidalHealth is pleased to welcome Katherine (Katie) Arensmeyer, CRNP, to TidalHealth Medical Oncology and Hematology in Salisbury, Md.

Arensmeyer received her Master of Science in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and Wilkes University, both in Pennsylvania.

Arensmeyer has 14 years of experience as an oncology nurse practitioner in private practice, inpatient and outpatient infusion and hospice settings.

When she isn’t treating patients, Arensmeyer enjoys going to the beach with her husband and their dog, Bella, reading and being part of a book club. They have two grown children whom they enjoy doing family hikes and day trips with when they visit.

A physician referral is required, so talk to your primary care physician if you’d like to schedule an appointment.

KATIE ARENSMEYER

COMMUNITY News In Photos

recently

$25,000 for

his

The Black Excellence Community Fund (BECF) awarded three inaugural grants. Pictured from left to right are Sonya Whited, BECF founding member; Mandel Copeland of #50KSouls; Vastina Omosebi of Sisters Empowering Sisters; Shanda Ward of The Eastern Shore of Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association; Sharon Morris, BECF founding member; and Lori Carter, BECF founding member.

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES)

received

the 1944 Legacy Circle Fund in honor of Bill and Carolee List, given by

son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Kim List of Ocean City. The 1944 Legacy Circle represents individuals who have committed to ensuring the long-term vitality of UWLES and the community they serve. Pictured, from left, are Pam Gregory, UWLES president and CEO, donors Kim and Jim List, and Cathie Thomas, UWLES leadership and planned giving officer.

Barbara Purnell, president of Germantown School Community Heritage Center, right, receives a commendation on her 80th birthday from Diana Purnell on behalf of the Worcester County Commissioners. Submitted Photos

Nicholas Cranford, executive director of Worcester G.O.L.D. (Giving Other Lives Dignity) recently spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City about the nonprofit’s efforts to provide assistance to area residents in need. Cranford, right, is pictured with Kiwanis Club President Bob Wolfing.

A portrait of Commodore Stephen Decatur Jr. was gifted to the Worcester County Historical Society by Mrs. Catherine Spence. The portrait will be displayed in the Maryland Room of the Berlin library. Pictured are Jennifer Ranck, Worcester County Library director, and Newt Weaver, Worcester County Historical Society president.

Volunteers from The Dress Ministry—Eastern Shore, Md. are pictured with jump ropes they recently made out of cotton t-shirts. The ropes will be distributed to Guatemalan children in schools and orphanages by Kelly and Rob Smith of Living Sent Ministry.

STUDENTS In The News

At the March 2 dinner meeting, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club hosted the winners of the annual essay contest. Each student read their essay. Pictured, from left, are Kathy Cater, Optimist member and chair of the essay contest; Jude Damouni, third place winner; Marian Hanna, second place winner; and Sydney Todorov, first place winner. Submitted Photos

The Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma worked with the students of Stephen Decatur Middle School Builders Club, SADD, SGA, National Junior Honor Society and the Ocean Pines Kiwanis Club to gather, package, and distribute toiletries and essential items to Diakonia. This is a yearly project to help local shelters.

Two Worcester Preparatory School seniors are one step closer to earning a Merit Scholar title by being named Finalists. In September, Parker Tingle of Fenwick Island, Del. and Christopher Todorov of Bishopville were named 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists, and this month they have now been named Finalists. As Finalists, the seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million offered in the spring. Pictured, from left, are Director of College Counseling Vickie Garner, Todorov, Tingle and Head of School Dr. John McDonald.

The Ocean City Elementary PTA held a Paint Night last month for students and their families. Pictured are Cheeky Vitjathorn, Morgan Connolly, Everly Hill and Noelle Diesel from Laura Black's kindergarten class.

Ocean City Elementary recently celebrated its 100th day of school by enjoying a school-wide celebration in the gym. This celebration always gets the students and faculty members excited for the next 80 days of school. During the celebration, Jake Coleman, head football coach at SDHS and some of his players, pictured, spoke with the students about eating healthy and being physically active so they can keep their bodies strong and healthy for successful future endeavors in life.

Worcester Preparatory School students received awards for their artwork entered into the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club’s Worcester County High School Art Contest. In February, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club’s gallery featured the Worcester County High School Art Contest, a juried art competition. The exhibition featured 26 pieces of student artwork submitted by high school art teachers, including WPS Art Director George Zaiser. The competition awarded a total of $2,000 in cash prizes to the student artists. The selection of artwork was judged by artist and former educator, Sandy Glassman. Pictured, from left, are Angie Todorov, third place drawing; Izzy Huber, second place painting; Cayden Wallace, second place digital; Anisha Batra, third place digital; and Luke Loeser, Blick gift certificate.

Delmarva Power Offers Energy Savings For Businesses

No-Cost Tune-Up Incentive Now Available

BY MARK McCLESKEY

OCEAN CITY – What is a HVAC / building tune-up?

Just like an automotive tune-up for a car, a building tune-up is a systematic process for fine-tuning your facility’s HVAC, mechanical and control systems so they operate at an optimal efficiency.

It starts with a unitary HVAC tune-up service that can fine-tune existing HVAC equipment by cleaning and replacing filters for all your rooftop and split units as well as hotel PTAC units and return e-

quipment to its proper operational state, reduce future maintenance and repair costs that focus on no-cost to customer measures. This energy service is available to all commercial businesses at no cost.

The Small and Full Building Tune-ups is available to all commercial businesses with a monthly energy demand greater than 60kW over the last 12 months. This service can fine-tune existing equipment throughout a building by optimizing the life of existing equipment, Increase operational energy and demand savings via a multistep process monitor-

ing-based commissioning, maximize potential incentives with a deeper dive into your building’s overall performance, monitor and identify cost savings opportunities, benefit from a continuous process to improve comfort and optimize energy usage, Work with Chesapeake Smart Energy Solutions, an approved service provider, to reduce energy consumption, save with a lower capital investment than replacing equipment and maximize the operational efficiency of your building.

A building tune-up is the process of monitoring, troubleshooting and adjust-

ing systems in existing buildings to optimize energy performance. Typically, the energy incentive will fully fund the entire job with zero capital investment to the customers as well as significantly reduce your overall energy consumption and optimizing your equipment. Because today’s control systems are highly interactive, proper system integration is critical. The presence of sophisticated equipment and control systems results in a trickle-down effect on operations. That means small problems can have big impacts on performance and energy use.

How can a building tune-up help you? It can reduce energy use and save money, reduce maintenance, and repair costs, return equipment to its proper operational state and extend equipment service life, improve occupant comfort, and reduce complaints, improve outside air control and indoor air quality, rebalance air handling systems, adjust and correct equipment operating schedules and reduce compressed air system leaks.

What to expect from a building tuneup? A walk-through energy assessment and development of an action plan, calibration of your building’s systems and controls, replacement of your equipment filters, cleaning your evaporator and condenser coils, sealing any compressed air leaks and rebalancing your air handling system.

How to get started and take advantage of these incentives? You must be a Maryland Delmarva Power customer with a commercial electric account. You will be provided with an account executive from Chesapeake Smart Energy Solutions, who will be your main point of contact throughout the program. The account executive can assist you in meeting the eligibility requirements, completing applications, service and install the energy measures and navigating the program requirements. Visit www.hvac-tuneup.com for more information.

For more information, call Mark McCleskey, Ocean City representative, at 410-956-5050.

Mark McCleskey

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a look back at this newspaper’s entry into the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 70

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Stop being the wool-gathering Lamb, and start turning that dream project into reality. You have the ideas, the drive and the charisma to persuade others to follow your lead. So do it.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You've scored some big successes. But remember that all hard-working Ferdinands and Ferdinandas need some time to restore their energies and refresh their spirits.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You're gaining a stronger mental image of what you're trying to achieve. Now, look for the facts that will help get this to develop from a concept into a solid proposal.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Some of you eager-to-please Moon Children might want to delay some decisions until midweek, when you can again think more with your head than your heart.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): A new business venture seems to offer everything you've been looking for. But be careful that this rosy picture doesn't betray traces of red ink under the surface.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): A volatile situation needs the kind of thoughtful and considerate care you can provide right now. There'll be plenty of time later to analyze what might have gone wrong.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Your loyalty to a friend in a tough situation

earns you respect from people you care about. Those who criticize you don't understand what friendship is all about.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Your strong work ethic is rewarded with the kind of challenging opportunity you love to tackle. Now, go ahead and celebrate with family and/or close friends.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): A legal matter you thought had been finally resolved could require a second look. But don't make any moves without consulting your lawyer.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Taking charge is what you like to do, and since you do it so well, expect to be asked to lead a special group. This could open an exciting new vista for you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): An important matter might wind up being entrusted to you for handling. The responsibility is heavy, but you'll have support from people able and eager to help.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): A spouse or partner might make an important, even life-changing, suggestion. Consider it carefully. It could hold some of the answers you've both been looking for.

BORN THIS WEEK: You always try to do the right thing for the right reasons. No wonder people have come to depend on you.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like... vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITYWITH BUNK

By Steve Green

Transparent types of people

An estimate that’s less than reality

Short and sweet family visits

The way death brings people together

An inexpensive fix on a vehicle

Flowers blooming this time of year

Steve Harvey

When something clicks with my teen

A win with a warranty

Looking forward to the Orioles this year

At least one big snow a winter

MANN

Prior to World War I, Ocean City looked much different than today’s popular resort.

The beach was narrow with the Boardwalk raised several feet above the sand. There was no Inlet and the northern city limits ended at 15th Street; beyond the “Catholic Home” on 14th Street were only sand dunes. The town was bleak and mostly deserted in the long off-season.

The only way into town was by the railroad bridge and most tourists arrived by train. The popular hotels of this era – the Atlantic, Nordica, Colonial, Breakers, Plimhimmon, and Hamilton – were located within blocks of the railroad station on Wicomico Street. They would hire horsedrawn carts and wagons to meet the arriving guests and transport them with their baggage to their rooms. In a time of unpaved streets this was much appreciated by the summer visitors.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

courtesy Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum

Photo

The Dispatch Classifieds

$15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line

Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch

HELP WANTED

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

FOR THE FOLLOWING POSI-

TION: PROGRAM DIRECTORSBDC.The regional program director will direct the operations of the SBDC on the Eastern Shore and consult with entrepreneurs with starting and growing their business

To be considered an applicant for this position, you must apply online via Salisbury University’s Online Employment Application System. Go to http:// www.salisbury.edu/HR/careers/

See the FAQs of the Online Employment Application System for more information. SU is an EEO employer and is strongly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER TECHNI-

CIAN : Full or Part Time, No Weekends, No Nights, Will Train, Must have good driving record, & some Basic Mechanical Skills. Perfect for Retirees. Small Local Co. 30 Years Serving Delmarva. 410-641-4411.

FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN: Full Time Position. Exp. wi/Low Voltage a Plus, but will Train. Some Electrical/ Mechanical Skills Are Required. Must Have Good Driving Record. Monday- Friday. Paid Vacation and Holidays. Small Local Co. 30 Years Serving Delmarva. 410-641- 4411.

SMALL OFFICE POSITON: Accounts Payable, general office duties, knowledge of commonly used operating systems, Access Excel, Office Word, etc. Full or Part Time. Perfect for retirees. Small Local Co. 30 Years Serving Delmarva. 410641-4411.

CLEANER NEEDED: For Summer Seasonal 1BR/1BA Condo at 127th St., Ocean City, Maryland. Call 267-254-0111.

PIANO PLAYER: Needed to collaborate songs. Must be able to improvise. Call Kimberley 443-2052714.

VOCALIST: Needed for video. Chorus and leads. Ages 30 and above. Call Kimberley 443-2052714.

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON: Hiring a sound/production person and security positions. Apply in person. Located on the boardwalk between Talbot and Caroline Streets.

SECURITY POSITIONS: Positions in Salisbury, Ocean City & Berlin. Must be reliable. Call 443-5134198 or email: abcoinvestigations@yahoo.com

SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC:

Small Engine mechanic, Year round, Competitive Wages. Call 443-754-1047.

4-H Program Assistant

University of Maryland Extension seeks 4-H Program Assistant. This position works under the direction of the 4-H Educator to support the Worcester County 4-H Educator with various programming efforts including 4-H outreach within the afterschool and in-school settings, as well as community outreach programs and club development. This position will work within the office, schools, community events and outside locations. High School Diploma or GED AND Five years’ experience performing a variety of duties in support of the teaching, demonstration, and advising work of Extension agents or in community outreach, health care, research, or social services programs. All candidates MUST apply online.

See the detailed position announcement at: https://ejobs.umd.edu for position #128153

Base salary of $37,418. The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package, more information regarding employee benefits can be found by visiting https://uhr.umd.edu/benefits/.

Apply by March 10, 2023.

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

SEASONAL STAFF

Beautiful community in Ocean View is seeking parttime seasonal staff May through September to work in our clubhouse and pool areas.

Availability to include days, nights, weekends and holidays. Excellent people skills a must! Some computer skills preferred. Competitive salary and incentive bonus program offered.

Perfect position for individuals looking for extra income.

•KITCHEN

NOW HIRING MAINTENANCE POSITIONS SECURITY GUARDS

Maintenanceand security guard positions available at local high rise condominium.Part time and/or full time. Good starting pay with salary increases and bonuses available annually. Send resume to apurnell@legumnorman.com

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

Worcester Preparatory School is seeking experienced teachers.

Candidates for this position should possess a degree in education. Previous experience teaching lower, middle and upper school students is desirable. State certification is not required.

Candidates with experience and an interest in coaching are desirable.

——— CHECK HERE FIRST! ———

RED SUN CUSTOM APPAREL

Red Sun Custom Apparel is hiring in our production department. No experience needed, just a great attitude and willing to learn. Excellent starting pay. Apply in person, 10-3 Monday through Friday.

1 Mason Drive Selbyville DE

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Berlin just fifteen minutes from the Ocean City beaches, Worcester Preparatory School is a co-ed independent day school of over 500 students in grades pre-K -12. The school has comprehensive facilities on a 45-acre campus just a mile from the vibrant town center in Berlin. Governed by an independent board of trustees, WPS was founded in 1970 and enjoyed rapid growth in the decades that followed. It is the premier independent school on the Eastern Shore, drawing students from Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware; some travelling over an hour to reach campus. AII graduates matriculate to four-year colleges or universities, many among the most selective in the nation. Worcester Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion. gender, national 0rigin, age, disability. veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compensation and benefits are competitive with other area private schools and are adjusted based on experience level and credentials.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest, employment application. resume, and educational philosophy (if available) to Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, at lwatson@worcesterprep.org

The Dispatch Classifieds

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

RENTALS

ROOMMATE

ENGLISH TEACHER

Worcester Preparatory School is located in beautiful Berlin, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The school is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 5OO students in grades PK -12. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Upper School English Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.

This vibrant individual will have a strong education background and be capable of teaching the highest levels of high school English. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in English, successful classroom experience, and the ability to participate In other areas of school life are requirements for this position. Advanced Placement experence and advanced degree would be desirable.

Worcester Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion. gender, national 0rigin, age, disability. veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compensation and benefits are competitive with other area private schools and are adjusted based on experience level and credentials. Interested persons should mail or email resume with cover letter to:

Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, at lwatson@worcesterprep.org

Currently Hiring Manpower For: Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work

o Experience preferred.

o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus.

o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

WINTER RENTAL: 3BR/2BA. 117th St. $1350 per mo. + Utlil.’s (no pets,no smoking) Call 410202-2632.

WINTER WEEKLY RENTALS

Utilities Included

CONTACT US AT burgundyinn@gmail.com 410-289-8581

Fully furnished Room for rent in a beautiful home to share in Ocean Pines. Full house privileges, all utilities included.

Only $600 mo + sec dep

Year-round. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2486

ROOMMATE

OCEAN CITY

ROOMMATE

Furnished, Extra Large Master Bedroom w/ Private Bath. Full house privileges. All Utiilities included! Only $800 mo + sec dep Year-round. No smoking. No pets. Call 443-880-2486

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800 ——————

COMMERCIAL FOR SALE

ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR: Quantum Edge Electric Wheelchair. Only 6 months old. Heavy duty. Preston Md area. $2,000 OBO Call 302-703-1010.

Not more carefully, Just pour it out in a gush, Forgiveness, Faith, Love!

ROOM(S) FOR RENT: Seeking Roommate(s). YR or Seasonal. Indoor Hot Tub. Non smoking, pets welcome. Single Family Home, 94th St. area. Rent negotiable. Call/text for more info. 410-7265200.(Job inhibits phone calls, text if can’t reach by calls).

WEST O.C OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACES AVAILABLE: 2

Office/Retail Spaces for Lease Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200. ––

The Dispatch Legal Notices

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

tacting the personal representative or the attorney.

REENA J. PATEL, ESQ.

1321 MT. HERMON ROAD SUITE B SALISBURY, MD 21804

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19423

To all persons interested in the estate of WANDA JEAN COHEN, Estate No. 19423. Notice is given that MERYL COHEN, 27421 JOHN J. WILLIAM HWY, MILLSBORO, DE 19966, was on

FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WANDA JEAN COHEN, who died on OCTOBER 09, 2021, without a will.

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

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 16TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not pre-

sented 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 24, 2023

MERYL COHEN

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

MARIANNA BATIE, ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HIGHWAY SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19593

To all persons interested in the estate of MARGARET MARY NEVINS Estate No. 19593. Notice is given that MICHELE MARIE NEVINS, 877 FERN ROAD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974, was on FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARGARET MARY NEVINS, who died on JANUARY 30, 2023, 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

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

(or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 16TH day of AUGUST, 2023. Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim

forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper:

The Dispatch Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19594

To all persons interested in the estate of OLIVE G. BAKER, Estate No. 19594. Notice is given that BRIAN J. MURTAGH, 12406 STARLIGHT LANE, BOWIE MD 20715, was on FEBRUARY 16, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of OLIVE G. BAKER, who died on JANUARY 01, 2023, 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 16TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

BRIAN J. MURTAGH

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19592

Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS COURT of YORK COUNTY, PA, appointed DEBORAH ANN LAU, 149 E. MARKET STREET, YORK, PA 17401, as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of RONNY KAY PLATTS, who died on NOVEMBER 12, 2022, domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ, whose address is 204 W. GREEN STREET, SNOW HILL, MD 21863. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER.

All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative 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 foreign 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. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name

Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

I. WILLIAM CHASE, ESQ. 1190 W. NORTHERN PARKWAY, APT. 124 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21210

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000284

WILBARGER, LLC

P.O. BOX 2367 DENVER, COLORADO 80201

Plaintiff

vs. GEORGE ISLAND LANDING, LLC

C/OILENE SHULMAN, Last known Resident Agent and Member I0221 Montgomery Avenue Kensington, Maryland 20895 and

THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER SERVE ON: ROSCOE LESLIE COUNTY ATTORNEY 1 W. MARKET STREET, ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 AND ALL OTHER PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN LOT GEORGE ISLAND LANDING ROAD, SE OF STOCKTON, DISTRICT 08, ACCOUNT NUMBER 008663 Defendants

ORDER OF PUBLiCATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton, District 08, Account Number 008663, assessed to the George Island Landing, LLC, and sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiffs in these proceedings: Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton District 08,

Account Number 008663

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid, although the required time for filing a Complaint has elapsed.

It is thereupon, this 8th of February, 2023, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation once a week for three successive weeks, before the 9th day of April, 2023, warning all persons interested in said property to be and appear in this Court by the 9th day of April, 2023, to redeem the property, Lot George Island Landing Road, SE of Stockton, District 08, Account Number 008663, and answer the Complaint of or thereafter a final decree will be rendered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property and vesting in the Plaintiff, WILBARGER, LLC, a title free and clear of all encumbrances, except forground rents.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE

TRUE TEST COPY

SUSAN R. BRANIECKI CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

WORCESTER COUNTY, MD 3x 2-24, 3-03, 3-10

THOMAS K. COATES ESQ COATES,COATES & COATES, P.A.

6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300

OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19363

To all persons interested in the estate of CHRISTINE CROPPER RAYNE, Estate No. 19363. Notice is given that WILLIAM TIMOTHY RAYNE, JR., 11730

MANKLIN CREEK ROAD

BERLIN, MD 21811, was on FEBRUARY 21, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHRISTINE CROPPER RAYNE, who died on MAY 28, 2022, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21ST day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 24, 2023

WILLIAMTIMOTHY RAYNE, JR. Personal Representative True Test Copy

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

the estate of DEBORAH LYNN WOOD, Estate No. 19590. Notice is given that DONALD E. WHITE, JR, 805 HEMINGFORD CT., WESTMINSTER, MD 21158, was on FEBRUARY 14, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEBORAH LYNN WOOD, who died on JANUARY 31, 2023, 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 14TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication MARCH 03, 2023

To all persons interested in

The Dispatch Legal Notices

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

BALTIMORE, MD 21221

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19603

To all persons interested in the estate of ANGELA M. RUTKOWSKI, Estate No. 19603. Notice is given that EDWARD F. RUTKOWSKI, JR., 100 BOURBON COURT, BALTIMORE, MD 21234, was on FEBRUARY 24, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANGELA M. RUTKOWSKI, who died on NOVEMBER 13, 2022, 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 24TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication MARCH 03, 2023

EDWARD F. RUTKOWSKI, JR.

Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT,

Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 3-03, 3-10, 3-17

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19611

To all persons interested in the estate of PAUL MCMANUS, AKA: PAUL E. MAMANUS,Estate No. 19611. Notice is given that B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ., COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A., 204 WEST GREEN STREET, SNOW HILL, MD 21863, was on MARCH 02, 2023 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of PAUL MCMANUS, who died on JANUARY10, 2023 with a will.

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

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

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

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will

be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 10, 2023

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A. 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 1x 3-10

sentative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication MARCH 10, 2023

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966

Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

(or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 27TH day of AUGUST, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19610

To all persons interested in the estate of RUSSELL COURTLAND JUSTICE Estate No. 19610. Notice is given that LESLIE ANN JUSTICE, 1708 DUN SWAMP ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851, was on MARCH 02, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RUSSELL COURTLAND JUSTICE, who died on DECEMBER 25, 2022, 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 2ND day of SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal repre-

LESLIE ANN JUSTICE Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 3-10, 3-17, 3-24

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 10, 2023

ANTHONY J. CAIN Personal Representative True Test Copy

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 3x 3-10, 3-17, 3-24

To all persons interested in the estate of MARGARET T. BRAND,Estate No. 19476. Notice is given that ANTHONY J. CAIN, 701 DEERPARK ROAD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, was on FEBRUARY 27, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARGARET T. BRAND, who died on JULY 18, 2022, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment

Notice is given that MARSHALL ASHER, whose address is9515 DEERECO ROAD. SUITE 710. TIMONIUM, MD 21093. andMARK T. WILLEN, whose address is4 RESERVOIR CIRCLE, #201, BALTIMORE, MD 21208, was on MARCH 07, 2023, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GERTRUDE RUSSO who died on DECEMBER 06, 2022, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 7TH day of SEPTEMBER 2023.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:

Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

MARK T. WILLEN, ESQ WILLEN, LIMSKY, STAMPER & DOWLING P A 4 RESERVOIR CIRCLE SUITE 201 BALTIMORE, MD 21208-7301

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19544

To all persons interested in the estate of GERTRUDE RUSSOEstate No. 19544.

Annual Musical Cheered:

Worcester Preparatory School’s performing arts program was celebrated last month for the production of The Lion King Jr. Members of the community and Worcester Prep families and friends turned out in large numbers to support the cast and crew, resulting in standing ovations for both performances. The show was made possible thanks to the creative collaboration and determination of talented student performers and amazing teachers, Director Paulette DeRosa-Matrona, Music Director Christopher Buzby and Art Director George

Zaiser. The cast is pictured above. Front, from left, are Hayden Wagner, Sophia Mealy, Juliet Webster, Summer Vent, Ava Conaway, Sydney Parker, Ella Conev and Kaylin Zervakos; standing, from left, are Grant Crothers, Sydney Tingle, Jackson Fernley, Isabella Spangenberg, Elaina Elrick, William Mumford, Sara Freih, Cayden Wallace, Chris Todorov, Natalie Chadwell, Jake Timmons and Moorea Phillips.

Above left, standing from left are Elaina Elrick, Sydney Tingle, Jackson Fernley, Cayden Wallace, Isabella Spangenberg, Grant Crothers, Sophia Mealy and Sydney Parker; kneeling, Juliet Webster, Ella Conev, Kaylin Zervakos and the zebra in a split is Moorea Phillips. Above right, from left, are Moorea Phillips, Jake Timmons, William Mumford, Grant Crothers, Sydney Tingle and Juliet Webster.

Below, from left, are Timon, played by Jackson Fernley, and Pumba, played by Isabella Spangenberg; middle, junior Sara Freih, who played the adult character of Nala; and Scar, played by Chris Todorov. Submitted Photos

City Hall Hours To Change In April Vote Reduces Day By 30 Minutes

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY –Resort officials have agreed to reduce operating hours at city hall.

Last month, the Mayor and City Council had before them a recommendation to reduce the hours of operation at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., effective April 3. City Manager Terry McGean said the recommendation comes from requests by the city clerk and smaller departments within the building.

“The typical workday for a city employee is eight hours plus a half hour of unpaid lunch,” he explained. “Especially with these smaller departments, they are always sort of fighting with people coming in a half hour ahead or overlapping a half hour behind.”

McGean pointed out that the city clerk had tracked visitation over the course of four months last summer and had found only 33 of city hall’s 3,300 visitors had entered the building after 4:30 p.m.

“I also asked the clerk to look at all the other municipalities and government offices in the area,” he said. “None of them stay open past 4:30. We do get

Pines Announces Election Dates

a lot of people coming in early, particularly on the building permit side because we have contractors starting earlier in the morning.”

To that end, McGean said he was recommending that hours be abbreviated by 30 minutes. Council Secretary Tony DeLuca questioned if the town had considered staggered shifts.

“That’s essentially what happens now,” McGean replied. “What happens is when you have smaller departments, even that sometimes can become an issue. If somebody is sick, somebody’s on vacation, manning the office becomes a problem.”

DeLuca said he wanted to see hours of operation at city hall be extended.

“Looking at this, my initial thought was instead of decreasing the hours, we should extend the hours …,” he said. “To me, at city hall, we’re in the customer service business.”

McGean said he would agree if the demand was there. Council President Matt James agreed.

“I initially had the same thought,” he said. “But as someone who has to manage schedules, I completely understand, especially when we have some departments with limited staff. I think the initial thought was spot on, but from

BERLIN –The Ocean Pines Elections Committee has announced important dates for the 2023 election process, including filing and voting deadlines.

The seven-member volunteer board is the governing body of Ocean Pines. Terms for elected directors are three years.

This year, two seats on the Board of Directors will be up for election: those currently held by directors Doug Parks and Colette Horn. Both are currently serving the last year of two consecutive terms and cannot run again because of term limits.

The deadline to file is by 4 p.m. on

a practicality standpoint, it doesn’t work.”

McGean noted that with more services available online, fewer people were coming to city hall to conduct their business. He said he saw no reason to keep the facility open to 5 p.m.

“There’s just not the demand to have a physical presence in the building at those hours, quite honestly,” he said.

James pointed out that officials could always revisit the issue, should they receive any complaints.

“If I get a motion to move forward with this, and it doesn’t work, we will certainly hear from the public,” he said. “If we get calls and complaints, we can

Wednesday, May 10 for the summer election. All ballots must be returned by Aug. 9 with results announced Aug. 11.

“We encourage anyone who is thinking about running to do their homework, read up on the Association’s governing documents, attend the regular meetings, and volunteer,” Elections Committee Chairperson Tom Piatti said. “Volunteers have helped make this community what it is today, and there’s no better way to give back than to serve on our Board of Directors.”

Applications are available at the administration building or on the Ocean Pines website.

revisit it if we have to.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 6-1, with DeLuca opposed, to modify hours of operation at city hall. Officials noted that city hall hours and additional city services can be found on the town’s website, www.oceancitymd.gov.

“With electronic bill pay and online accessibility for permitting and other city services, the need for city hall to remain open until 5 p.m. has changed,” McGean said in a statement last month. “We are confident that we can offer our residents and visitors the same high level of service with a 30-minute reduction in our operating hours.”

Who’s Where When

On The Beach

RobCee, The 19th Street Band, Tranzfusion

Saturday, March 11:

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island:

March 10 CHRIS BUTTON Crabcake Factory Bayside:

March 10

KEVIN

March 15

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub:

Saturday,

Thursday-Saturday

March 11

Saturday, March 11

Who’s Where When

GREENE TURTLE WEST

410-213-1500

Rt. 611, West O.C.

Tuesdays: Bingo w/ Blake

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West O.C.

Thursdays & Fridays:

DJ Billy T

Saturday, March 11:

DJ Billy T

DJ Bigler

Sunday, March 12:

Opposite Directions

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By Deogee

Saturday, March 11:

Beats By Styler, Casper, Adam Dutch

Sunday, March 12:

Beats By Deogee

Mondays:

Karaoke with Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax

Wednesdays:

Beats By Deogee

Thursdays: Beats By Wax

PURPLE MOOSE

SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards

Friday & Saturday, March 10 & 11:

Vertigo Red

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, March 10: DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O, Jimi Milligan Duo, Kono Nation

Saturday, March 11:

Jordan, DJ Magellan, Jimi Milligan Band, Keltic Rock Warriors, Ocean City Pipes & Drums, Turning The Tide, Kono Nation, Element K, The Way Outs, The Benderz, 3 DJs

Thursday, March 16: DJ Connair, Full Circle Duo

FIRST CLASS Coin’s Pub: Saturday, March 11

ROGUE CITIZENS Cork Bar: Sunday, March 12

JAMES GALLAGHER & OFF THE BOAT Shenanigan’s Pub: Friday & Saturday, March 10 & 11

KONO NATION

Seacrets: Friday & Saturday, March 10 & 11

THE 19TH STREET BAND Fager’s Island: Friday, March 10

FUZZBOX PIRANHA Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, March 10

AARON HOWELL TRIO Dry Dock 28: Saturday, March 11

SHAKE THE ROOM Fager’s Island: Saturday, March 11

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, March 12

FULL CIRCLE DUO Seacrets: Thursday, March 16

Penguin Swim Committee Presents Proceeds To AGH

Atlantic General Hospital leadership, Atlantic General Hospital Foundation representatives and members of the 2023 Penguin Swim Committee came together last month to commemorate the success of the New Year’s Day event.

With the help of the many sponsors, donors and 959 participants, the 2023 Penguin Swim raised $116,000 for Atlantic General Hospital – the most in event history.

The 2023 Penguin Swim Committee, led by Michael Cylc and Ryan Kirby, were commended at the February foundation meeting for their countless hours of volunteered time that resulted in a recordbreaking event.

Proceeds from this year’s event enable Atlantic General Hospital, a not-forprofit healthcare organization, to advance the health of the residents and visitors of the community through a coordinated care delivery system that provides access to quality care, personalized service and education.

Pictured, at right from left, are AGH Foundation Vice Chair Emily Tunis, AGH Vice President Public Relations Toni Keiser, Penguin Swim Co-Chair Michael Cylc, AGH Board of Trustees Chair Charlotte Cathell, AGH CEO Don Owrey, Swim Committee member Bill Harrington, AGH Foundation Chair Steve Green, Foundation Donor Relations Officer Steven Tyson, Swim Co-Chair Ryan Kirby, Foundation Grants/Operations Director Kam LaBrunda and Foundation Events Coordinator Laura Powell. Submitted Photo

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting

5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443-8808444.

Every Monday: Acapella Chorus

All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410629-9383 or Carol 302-242-7062.

Every Monday: Bridge Games

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

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting

Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410289-4725.

Every Tuesday: Beach Cleanup

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

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City. Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for light fare. 410-250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles

Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302-4369577 or BeachSingles.org.

2nd and 4th Thursdays: Caregiver Support Meeting

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

March 10: Vegas Style Fundraiser

Entertainer Tony Pace will headline a charity event for the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. Pace is known as “The Man with the voice … who just happens to be funny,” and is a 40-year veteran of the entertainment industry, frequently seen performing in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He’s been compared to a combination of Andrea Bocelli, Billy Crystal, and Sammy Davis Jr. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $70 and a cash bar will be provided. Checks may be sent to WCVMF, P.O. Box 1576, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811. Tickets are limited and no tickets will be sold at the door. Single tickets are available, or tables of 10 can be purchased. All proceeds benefit the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. For more information call Sharyn O’Hare at 410-603-4777 or sharynop@gmail.com.

March 10: Crab Cake Dinner

Stevenson United Methodist Church will host from 4-6 p.m. with dining in and carryout available. Cost is $14, one crab cake

Things To Do

sandwich with sides; $24, two crab cake sandwiches with sides; and $10 for crab cake sandwich. Bake sale table offered as well.

March 10-11, 17-18: Pines Players Show

The Ocean Pines Players is poised to get you rolling in the aisles with laughter with performances of “Four Old Broads.” The production by Leslie Kimbell and directed by Ed Guinan is a hysterical mystery. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ocean City. Tickets are available at: https://oceanpinesplayers.org. All tickets are reserved seating so it’s best to buy early and ensure you get the seats you want.

March 11: St. Patrick’s Parade

The procession begins at noon on Coastal Highway at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing bleachers and judging stand will be located. Trophies will be awarded for best marching band, best commercial float, best non-commercial float, best motorized unit, best adult marching unit, best youth marching unit, special committee award, judges’ choice award and best overall entry in the parade. In addition to the celebration on the parade route, the 45th Street Shopping Center will again be transformed into a spirited Irish festival complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, Irish apparel and souvenirs for sale and plenty of food and drink. Spectators can enjoy the free-admission festival beginning at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.

March 11: Drive Thru Lunch

Powellville Volunteer Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary will offer from 10 a.m. until sold out. Items include oyster fritter sandwich, chicken salad sandwich and individual pints of chicken salad, peas and dumpling soup, vegetable beef soup and Maryland crab soup.

March 11: Artist’s Talk

Patrick Henry will present an artist’s talk from 10 a.m.-noon at Germantown School Community Heritage Center, 10223 Trappe Rd. Berlin, Md. The talk will discuss his show, “Untold Stories: Chronicling our Delmarva History,” a curated cross-section of his historical photographs and stories dating from the late-19th into mid-20th century. Space is limited. To reserve a space, email germantownschool@gmail.com, or call 443-235-9803 or 410-641-0638.

March 13: Crafts For A Cause

Burley Oak hosts fundraiser with ACT guest bartenders, Kathy Denk and Michelle Schachter of Full Circle Band as they pour the night away. Music provided by Stringbuzzards. Proceeds to benefit ACT. Prizes, drawings and 50/50 raffle, 6-9 p.m.

March 15: Town Hall Meeting

Worcester County Commissioner President Chip Bertino will host a town meeting at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Pines library. Bertino will give an update on what is going on around the county. Guests include Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young and Atlantic General Hos-

pital President and CEO Don Owrey. “This will be an informative meeting,” said Bertino. “There’s a lot going on in the county and I believe my two guests will have a lot to share.”

March 15: Free Theatre Event

The Worcester County Library is offering at the Berlin Library branch, 13 Harrison Avenue, at 2 p.m. Celebrate Women’s History Month and join independent, visionary artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, as she reflects on her life through the tumultuous years with photographer Alfred Stieglitz in New York City to her sanctuary in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Local actor Kelley Rouse will perform O’Keeffe Sunset of an Artist, written by Martha Furey. For more information on this event, contact Elena Coelho at 443-7836164 or ecoelho@worcesterlibrary.org.

March 15, 22: Square Dance Lessons

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

March 17-19: Home Show In OC

The 39th Annual Home Condo and Outdoor Show with arts and crafts will be held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Exhibitors will showcase ideas on decorating, remodeling, accessorizing, renovating, and even building a home. Thousands of ideas for your home all under one roof. A must attend event for current and future homeowners. Hours are March 17-18, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; March 19, 10:30 a.m.3:30 p.m.

March 18: Drive Thru Church Lunch

From 10 a.m.-until sold out at the Powellville UM Church located at 35606 Mount Hermon Road, Powellville. Features oyster fritter sandwiches, homemade chicken salad, homemade soups including peas and dumplings, and vegetable beef. Bake sale items will be available. No pre-orders.

March 18: Job, Resource Fair

The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host a Seasonal Job and Resource Fair from 9 a.m. until noon at the Princess Royale Ocean Front Resort located at 9100 Coastal Hwy in Ocean City. Spaces are available for $150 for current chamber partners and $200 for business non-Ocean Pines Chamber partners. Along with hundreds of seasonal employment opportunities, the fair will also feature resources from Ocean City such as housing assistance, transportation information, legal aid providers, safety information, urgent care facilities, and more. Employers, reserve your space ASAP at business.oceanpineschamber.org.

March 18: St. Joseph’s Festival

The 11th Annual St. Joseph’s Festival will open its doors at St. Andrew’s Hall, Sinepuxent Avenue and 144th Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The festival is sponsored by the Ocean City Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and proceeds are used to fund scholarships and charitable causes. Visitors will be greeted by the aroma of homecooked Italian foods, including pasta and meatballs and sausages, fried

dough specialties, and baked goods, breads, cakes, muffins and more. The St. Joseph’s Festival will feature raffles for over-stuffed gift baskets, silent auctions with local bargains from restaurants, local stores and grocery stores, the sale of specialty Italian items, and St. Joseph religious articles for sale. Also available to bid on will be tickets from professional sports teams, as well as team-themed gift baskets. All of this will come with a backdrop of Italian music.

March 18: Early Bird Cleanup

ACT hosting 7 a.m. in front of Sterling Tavern, Main Street. All clean-up tools will be provided to make the town beautiful. Bring your own work gloves and dress according to the weather.

March 23: Card, Game Party

The Republican Women of Worcester County will be hosting a Card and Game Party Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Grand Hotel Terrace Room, 2100 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City. Cost is $30 per person. Please call Merilee Horvat at 410-641-6110 to make your luncheon selection and for more information.

March 25: Carryout Dinner

The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be holding a chicken and dumpling carryout from noon-2 p.m. at the main station. Chicken, dumplings, green beans and sweet potatoes. $15 per dinner. Extra pint of dumplings is $8 per pint. Call 619-922-9950 to reserve your dinner and pint before March 20.

March 25: Chicken Platters

Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, will host Fried/Baked Chicken Platters to go sale for $10, from 10:30 a.m. until sold out. Platters comes with two sides and roll.

March 26: Luncheon, Silent Auction

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ocean City will hold a spaghetti luncheon and silent auction from noon-3 p.m. Silent auction includes Orioles memorabilia and game tickets. Cost is $20 for adults; $10 ages 612; kids five and under free. For tickets, 443-604-8068.

April 1: Egg Hunt

Wor-Wic Community College is inviting the public to an egg hunt and family fun day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event features rides, carnival games, music, food and fun for all ages, with an egg hunt for children ages 12 and under. The egg hunt starts promptly at 11 a.m. This is a rain or shine event. The event will be held rain or shine. Visit the events section of www.worwic.edu for more information.

April 8: Easter Egg Hunt, Breakfast

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ocean City invites the public for breakfast with the Easter bunny at 10 a.m. followed by an Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. $10 donation for anyone 6 years of age and older. Free for kids 5 and under.

April 12: AARP Meeting

Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 will meet at 10 a.m. in the Ocean City 50-Plus Center located on 41st St. and Coastal Highway. Please arrive early at 9:30 for a social half-hour and refreshments. Guest speaker will be the new Atlantic General Hospital CEO Donald Owrey. New members are welcome. 410-250-0980.

Council Approves $5K Tourism Grant

FROM

wanted to hold the event in town, wind conditions and the nearby ocean had been deciding factors in moving the festival outside of Ocean City.

“We figured we’d start small this year, and see where it goes,” he said.

The council this week also considered a favorable recommendation from the tourism commission to approve a $5,000 tourism development grant for Flag Football Life, a youth tournament series that is part of the NFL feeder system. Perlozzo said the event is expected to attract 500 families to the resort this summer.

“That’s why we recommend the $5,000 for flag football,” he said. “We felt like let’s start it and see how it goes. It’s a six-, seven-day vacation for 500 families.”

Perlozzo voiced concerns about the event being held on the Fourth of July weekend. However, he said the tournament could be moved to a later date in future years.

“Unfortunately, it’s in July,” he said. “However, I want you to understand this is part of a national series. It’s got to start somewhere, and we want to be the host location in the future.”

After further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve the Ocean City Balloon Festival, as well as the $5,000 grant request for Flag Football Life.

In Monday’s meeting, Perlozzo also announced the relocation of this year’s Strongman Games, which was scheduled to be held at the convention center Dec. 15-17. While the tourism commission had made a favorable recommendation to approve $15,000 in tourism development funding for the Strongman Games, Perlozzo said the town had essentially lost the event during the lengthy approval process.

“Unfortunately, with the time between the approval process and all, they’ve decided to go somewhere else,” he said. “So we’re back on the list for 2024 and 2025 as we speak. Hopefully we can get them back.”

Councilman John Gehrig questioned if the council wanted to approve the $15,000 request for future Strongman Games as a way to expedite the process.

“If the terms are different, he has to bring it back before us,” he added.

A motion to approve up to $15,000 in tourism development grant funding for the next Strongman Games was approved in a 6-0 vote.

“As a team, we’re going to get out in front of these and figure out how to expedite the process through the tourism commission,” Perlozzo said. “I will tell you it is an issue when we go to the tourism commission, and they agree. Depending on the timing, it could be four or five weeks before we get a final answer. So we need to discuss how we’re going to manage it.”

Resort Transportation Recruitment Improves

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Transportation officials say recruitment numbers are up ahead of the 2023 season.

In a February meeting, Transit Manager Rob Shearman presented the Ocean City Transportation Committee with an update on seasonal hiring. He noted that the department received 40 bus driver applications, 16 tram driver applications and 12 tram conductor applications.

“The burning question is how are we with respect to this time last year,” he said. “You’ll see in most categories we are well ahead of the number of applicants we had in mid-February of 2022.”

Shearman told committee members that nearly all supervisors and dispatchers were returning this summer, while about half of tram driver applicants were returning from the previous season. Two-thirds

of bus driver applicants were also returning.

“We also have a good number of new folks, a handful of which either need the training for their CDLs or they already have a CDL and just need a passenger endorsement,” he explained. “But it’s been a strong showing so far with respect to bus driver applicants.”

Shearman noted, however, that the department lagged in hiring tram ticket sellers and bus technicians.

“Bus techs are grossly understaffed, both this time last year and this year,” he said. “Tram ticket sellers are a little bit down from last year, but it’s also probably one of our more entry level positions, so there’s not a huge concern on that.”

Mayor Rick Meehan questioned the effectiveness of the department’s incentives program.

“We have an incentive there for people to make recommendations, to bring somebody in,” he said. “Have we had any succ-

ess with that at all?”

Shearman said the department had received applications as a result of staff referrals.

“The numbers here are all looking good, and I think that’s a combination of the incentives, the work we did for the premium wages coming into this season, and some really good hiring advertising done by our human resources …,” he said. When asked the number of bus drivers the department was hoping to hire ahead of the summer season, Shearman said 60.

“We’re going to be closely monitoring attrition on all these positions, particularly trams, because we know, especially in these categories where there’s a high number of new employees who have not done the job before, we’re going to be watching those closely to see how many fall out of employment after they’ve done it a couple weeks maybe decide it’s not for them,” he added. “I know that was a problem last season.”

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A highlight of last week’s Ocean City Chamber Annual Awards Celebation at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center was the presentation of longtime Ocean City restaurateur and hotelier John Fager with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Fager is pictured above left and right being congratulated by his wife Michelle, who presented him with the award, family members, Delegate Wayne Hartman and Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.

Photos by Dana Marie Photography

The Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Bob Rothermel, who was presented his award by his sons Jonathan, left, and William. Rothermel is pictured above left with Hartman, County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, Meehan, Senator Mary Beth Carozza, his wife, Amy, and sons, William and Jonathan.

Other awards presented last Friday night were to Business Person of the Year Glenn Irwin of the Ocean City Development Corporation, above left; First Responder of the Year Galen Curtis of the Ocean City Fire Department, above right; Young Professional of the Year Rush Stehley of the Taustin Group, below left; and Non-Profit of the Year the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, below right.

Chamber Presents Annual Awards To Standout Citizens

OCEAN CITY – The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center last Friday night. The following awards were presented. Lifetime Achievement Award: John Fager of Fager’s Island. This award recognizes an individual for a lifetime of consistent community leadership and philanthropic endeavors that have made a lasting impact on their community. Their actions, achievements and contributions evoke admiration and respect. The nominee should have an exemplary community service record in the area and their influence and contributions will have made a tangible impact on the lives of those around them, their communities, and their place of business for many years of their lifetime and in the future. Fager visited Ocean City when he was a child then moved to the town permanently in the early 1960s. He started his entrepreneurial journey with the Purple Moose Saloon and grew his empire over the years. He is now the owner of Fager’s Island, The Lighthouse Club Hotel, Edge Hotel, Bad Monkey, and Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. Fager has been a monumental part of Ocean City’s growth and is always positively impacting tourists. He is on the Ocean City Life Saving Museum Board and Rackliffe House Historic Trust Board. He was also a founding member of the Atlantic General Hospital Board of Directors.

Business Person of the Year: Glenn Irwin of Ocean City Development Corporation. This award recognizes someone who is the founder, owner, CEO or president of a business that is a member in good standing with the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. The nominee should exhibit business leadership and vision, displaying a significant commitment to the success of both business and the area. The honoree serves as a positive role model for others, demonstrates a commitment to their community and is widely recognized as a successful business manager or owner. Irwin is the fearless leader of downtown Ocean City, with over two decades of experience working to revitalize and develop the area. Whether spearheading projects or working with officials at city hall, Irwin is one of the most well-connected and busiest people in town. Irwin’s OCDC is also well-respected because of its “Façade Improvement Program,” which since 2002, has given over 270 downtown buildings a facelift. Irwin has worked tirelessly over the years to improve downtown Ocean City with events like the Shorecraft Beer Fest and Sunset Park summer concert series as well as numerous public art projects. He helped create design standards for downtown Ocean City and then upper downtown.

Citizen of the Year: Robert A. Rothermel, Jr. owner of Tours, Entertainment, Amusements, Management, or T.E.A.M. Productions. This award recognizes an

individual who, through his or her unselfish commitment to the community, embodies the best characteristics of community citizenship and serves as an example to all. Rothermel was active at Ocean City Elementary School as Vice President and President of the PTA. This led to 16 years of elected service on the Worcester County Board of Education of which nearly half of which he served as Vice President and President. He was actively involved with Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troop 261 and has served in various leadership roles at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church. He has served on countless committees and initiatives including the Ocean City Art League, Ocean City Museum Society Foundation, the Wor-Wic Community College Foundation as well as leadership roles in the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, the Downtown Association, and the Worcester County Arts Council.

First Responder of the Year: Galen Curtis of the Ocean City Fire Department. This award honors one first responder from the 21842-area code for exemplary acts of valor, outstanding community service, as well as going above and beyond the call of duty. Curtis’s focus and direction during the COVID pandemic through today kept OCFD personnel safe, healthy, and provided the ability to maintain staffing for emergency responses to COVID-sick patients. His actions have saved and protected the

lives of personnel, residents and visitors.

Young Professional of the Year: Rush Stehley of the Taustin Group. This award recognizes a person between the ages of 21 -39 who is employed by or owns a business that is a member of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. Someone who has gone above and beyond to grow personally and professionally through community involvement, who exemplifies leadership skills and exhibits exceptional vision that contributes to success in the workplace. Stehley is beverage director of the Taustin Group and a partner of Captain’s Galley Crab Cake Shack. He is currently chairing the United Way Holiday Ball in December.

Non-Profit of the Year: the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. This award is presented to an active 501-C-3 organization that has made a notable impact on the quality of life for those who live and work in the area while adhering to their nonprofit’s mission statement. The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation (JMFF) was established in 2007 to honor Josh Freeman, the former chair of the Carl M. Freeman Companies, after his untimely death in December of 2006. Since its founding, JMFF has remained unwavering in its focus of making the arts accessible for all and has impacted more than 750,000 people through its arts programs at the Freeman Arts Pavilion as well as its Arts Access Initiative, including over 120,000 residents and visitors annually.

SPORTS In The News

Two Wrestlers Win State Titles

Decatur Wins Region, Bows Out

Members and coaches of the Stephen Decatur boys varsity team are pictured celebrating their win over Northeast last Thursday at home. Submitted Photos

BERLIN – After winning the regional championship last Thursday, Stephen Decatur’s boys basketball team’s playoff run grinded to a half Saturday night.

In the quarterfinals of the MPSSAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament, the Damascus Hornets crushed the Seahawks, 82-52. Decatur got off to a slow start, falling behind 14-6 in the first quarter before taking the lead briefly in the second quarter. At halftime, however, the Hornets were up by 11 over the Seahawks. The second half was all Damascus, scoring 39 points to Decatur’s 20 to cruise to a 82-52 playoff win to advance to the state’s semifinals, which were held this week. On Tuesday, Damascus won in the state final four over Frederick, 5350, to earn a matchup with City College in the 3A finals.

hawks were junior Brycen Coleman, nine points; sophomore Trybe Wise with eight points; sophomore Noah Tucker with five tallies; and sophomore Zakhari Baker had a bucket.

Two days before the season came to an end, Decatur was flying high with a 12-point win to capture the regional title over Northeast. The Seahawks controlled most of the game, leading by five at halftime. Decatur stretched the lead in the third and fourth quarters, gaining a 12point advantage in the final quarter with six minutes to play.

Submitted Photos

The varsity wrestling program at Stephen Decatur High School wrapped up its winter season with two individual state championships – Logan Intrieri at 132 pounds, pictured above center with top finishers, and Elijah Collick at 106 pounds, pictured below center. Altogether, all 11 regional wrestlers qualified for states with four state finalists, seven total state placers and three girls state placers. The full rundown includes Reid Caimi, fourth place, 126 pounds; Gavin Solito, second place, 152 pounds; Evan Haworth, sixth place, 160 pounds; Parker Intrieri, third place, 170 pounds; Kole Kohut, fifth place, 195 pounds; Madeline Reed, sixth place, 110 pounds; AJ Johnson, second place, 170 pounds; and Chaniah Bernier, fifth place, 235 pounds.

In a losing effort, junior Jayden Hudson scored 16 points, followed by sophomore Davin Chandler’s 12 points. Rounding out the scoring for the Sea-

A balanced scoring attack propelled Decatur with junior Brycen Coleman leading the way with 18 points. Also supporting on offense were Trybe Wise, 17 points; Jayden Hudson, 13 points; and Zakhari Baker and Davin Chandler with 12 points apiece.

Decatur finished the season 18-7 overall with a 12-4 record in the Bayside South conference.

Cheerleading Leaders: At the conclusion of the season, Worcester Preparatory School recognized its middle school cheerleading award winners. Pictured, front from left, are Abby Ferguson, most improved player, and Ava Holland, most outstanding teammate; and, back, Emma Brooks, coach’s award, and Addyson Wisniewski, MVP. Submitted Photo

Commission Supports Bringing Growth Planner To Berlin

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – An urban designer could help the Town of Berlin plan for future growth.

The Berlin Planning Commission voted 6-0 this week to recommend that the town council hire Dhiru Thadani, a well-known architect and urban designer. The commission wants Thadani to meet with residents and officials to help the town determine how to handle future growth.

“The pressure’s on,” commission member Ron Cascio said. “Everybody’s out of space. We’re having a nice party, and everybody wants to come to it. Eventually you run out of punch, and you run out of room.”

In January, Planning Director Dave Engelhart told the commission officials had set aside $30,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a town growth discussion. In the weeks since, Cascio reached out to Thadani, whose work he’s admired for years, and elected officials about the possibility of having Thadani consult with Berlin. Engelhart said town officials wanted to spur a townwide discussion on growth to determine what residents wanted to see in Berlin.

“It makes your job easier if you have more direction,” Engelhart said.

Cascio said the commission had sought planning funding for years. He said working with Thadani the town could pair Thadani’s insight with the views of residents.

“I really would like to make the best use of the $30,000 that’s earmarked for planning purposes,” he said.

… Worcester Lodge Pursues Bargaining

FROM PAGE 7

still have to go through the state legislature.

“We’re hoping to hear something soon, have a sit down and see what we can work out,” he said.

When asked about collective bargaining and how it could help deputies this week, Sheriff Matt Crisafulli pointed to the fact that there were multiple parties involved.

“The process for collective bargaining is a process between the Fraternal Order of Police and the county commissioners,” Crisafulli said. “I enjoy the partnerships with both entities.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino, president of the Worcester County Commissioners, also had little to say.

“We are in receipt of the letter,” he said.

Commissioner Caryn Abbott said she could only say what she’d already said to Blackburn.

“I’m still of the belief that working towards fixing the underlying issues is the direction I would like to see personally in hopes that we don’t need to go to collective bargaining with binding arbitration,” she said. “That’s what I’ve said all along and will continue to do so.”

Cascio believes the town should work with Thadani and then update its comprehensive plan.

“In doing that, we always seek the input of our fellow citizens,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t hear much, I think it’s because people are running their day to day lives and they don’t really understand the long-term effects of what’s going on in town, particularly today… To have a professional help us understand our situation, our circumstances, would be very beneficial.”

Cascio said that after serving on the commission for years, he was aware that residents want to maintain the livability of Berlin.

“I think this gentleman can help us understand that,” he said.

Cascio said Thadani would spend about two days in town and then formulate a presentation for residents and officials.

He said in a recent conversation Thadani had indicated he could get to Berlin in a matter of weeks.

Chris Denny, chair of the commission, said Cascio had been talking about Thadani for years.

“You’ve done the legwork,” he said. “I think it could be a great thing.”

Cascio stressed that the townspeople would have to make an effort to maintain Berlin’s small town lifestyle.

“Salisbury started this small…,” he said. “They need to understand it’s going to require some heavy action to maintain their lifestyle.”

Commission members agreed that they wanted as many citizens as possible to see Thadani’s presentation.

“I think if you write a good ad and put it in The Dispatch and the local rags within the week of the hearing … that’ll bring some people …,” commission member

Pete Cosby said. “People do come when there’s a focused issue like that.”

Commission member Matt Stoehr said that when people talked about maintaining the town’s livability they had to consider the financial aspect as well. He said government’s costs would keep going up.

“If we’re able to bring in more tax revenue in a small area where it’s not stretching our services, maybe we can afford the services we have,” Stoehr said.

Cascio agreed that taxes and fees should be a part of the discussion.

“We all know that for the last number of years it’s just been going up like crazy,” he said. “To find a way to maintain our livability in a fiscally sustainable way rather than things going up all the time is the only way we’re going to do it.”

The commission voted 6-0 to recommend the council hire Thadani to visit Berlin and share his observations.

OBITUARIES

Mary K. Goeckel

BERLIN – Mary "Marilyn" K. Goeckel of Berlin, formerly of Wilkes-Barre and Eynon, Pa., passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late James A. Kenney and Anna Callahan Kenney. She was a graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School Class of 1950. While she was a soda jerk at the Stanton Pharmacy, she met Jerry Goeckel, the love of her life. The couple married in 1960 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. Marilyn retired from Bell Telephone in 1992 after 30 years of service, and she went on to become president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Council Telephone Pio-

neers of America from 1993 to 1994. She enjoyed family gatherings and entertaining at her home. Throughout the years, Marilyn traveled to Ireland, Germany, Hawaii, Nashville, Las Vegas, and made more regular visits to Naples, Fla., Wildwood, N.J., Fenwick Island, Del. and Ocean City. She was proud of her Irish heritage and kissing the Blarney Stone. Marilyn loved writing poems and skits, telling jokes, cooking, baking, watching The Golden Girls, and listening to Frank Sinatra.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gerald C. Goeckel, brother James D. Kenney, and sister Ann E. Michak. Left to cherish her memory are her children Gerald Goeckel and his wife Dina of Wilkes-Barre; Lynne Ruskoski and her husband James of Berlin, with whom she resided; grandchildren Aleksander, Stanley, and Fiona; nieces and nephews; and the family dog, Skipper. Her family wishes to express their gratitude to the following: Dr. Ellen Rowe; Dr. Rabindra Paul; Dr. Kathleen Henley; and Heidi, Jessica, Briget, and Leigh from Amedisys.

Funeral service will be conducted on Monday, March 13, 2023, in WilkesBarre, Pa.

John L. Broschard, Jr.

BERLIN – John (Jack) L. Broschard, Jr., age 91, passed away at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late John L. Broschard, Sr., and Emma Heick.

Jack worked various jobs to pay for college at Brooklyn Polytech where he earned an engineering degree. Jack was an Army Veteran, serving in the Korean war. He and his wife Joan raised their family in Wayne, Pennsylvania as Jack worked for SKF as an engineer for 38 years. Jack retired in Ocean Pines, where he and his wife were active members of the boat, tennis and bridge clubs. They founded and enjoyed their Pennsylvania dinner club. Jack loved crabbing, clamming and being surrounded by his family. To the very end, he would gather his extended family to pick crabs and tell stories with a good martini.

He is survived by a son, John L. Broschard, III (Jill); two daughters, Susan Ohren (Bob) and Joanne Volm (Gerry); seven grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joan E. Broschard (Johnson) and a sister, Ruth Clayton.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ocean Pines Fire Department in Jack’s honor.

MARILYN GOECKEL

Worm Moon Rising: March’s full moon is pictured rising over the Atlantic Ocean Tuesday evening.

Photo by Tyler Horton Photography

JACK BROSCHARD

Resort Council OK’s Private Event Dates

BY BETHANY HOOPER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Dates for Professional Bull Riding, Cruisin OC and the Northeast Regional Surfing Championship were formalized this week.

Among the consent agenda items for Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting were requests to approve dates for several private events in the coming months. The council ultimately approved requests to hold the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) 2023 Northeast Regional Surfing Championships May 12-14, the 32nd Annual Cruisin OC May 18-21 and Professional Bull Riding June 2-4.

During council comments, Councilman Peter Buas questioned the promoter’s plans for alcohol service at the Professional Bull Riding event.

“What’s the status, if there is any, on beer and wine for Bull Riding?” he said. “Last year, I know there was wine because they couldn’t get a license. Do you know what they are doing this year?”

Officials noted that the promoter was seeking to add beer to its alcohol selection this year. City Solicitor Heather Stansbury, however, said state legislation to implement a promoter’s license in Ocean City would not be applicable for this year’s Professional Bull Riding event, should the bill be approved in the Maryland General Assembly.

“If the town is successful with its promoter’s license, that won’t be applicable until after this event,” she explained. “So we have reapply for our entertainment district license, and we’re hopeful the liquor board will approve that. Or, of course, they could go with the more traditional route that may be available with a nonprofit.”

Buas questioned if the promoter had decided how they were going to serve alcohol. Stansbury said it was still undetermined.

“The contract will be written as an either/or,” she said, “but it will not be under the promoter’s license.”

This week’s consent agenda also featured requests to hold an ESA Delmarva 2023 Surf Series on multiple dates, and a request to serve beer and wine at Fiesta Park for a wedding reception in April.

“Will the town be named as an additional insurer for the wedding with alcohol?” Council President Matt James asked.

Stansbury said there was no specific insurance requirement in the submitted application.

“Rather, there is language in the application that seeks to indemnify the town,” she said. “Whether we want to move forward and revise that application, and make changes to that, that would be my recommendation for best practices. Or we can ask this applicant now to do it. But in fairness to the applicant, that’s not a requirement for it to be on the application.”

After further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to approve the consent agenda.

Citizens To Weigh In On Skate Park Location

BY CHARLENE SHARPE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

BERLIN – The company evaluating sites for a Berlin skate park is expected to release findings this month regarding potential locations.

Representatives of We Heart Berlin, the nonprofit organization working to bring a skate park to Berlin, said this week they’re expecting information next week from Spohn Ranch, the skate park design company they’ve hired. Company representatives visited the town’s parks to evaluate the locations earlier this year.

“They’re going to recommend a space to put it,” said Brian Robertson of We Heart Berlin.

Robertson met with the Berlin Parks Commission this week to provide an update on skate park progress. We Heart Berlin contracted with Spohn Ranch in December. Their representatives visited

Berlin and toured Stephen Decatur Park, Henry Park, Heron Park and even the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex. Robertson said they were looking at things like accessibility, stormwater management, visibility and environmental impact, among other factors.

“That’s 75% of their study, the rest is feedback from us,” he said.

Once the sites are evaluated, town officials, the parks commission and the public will have the ability to weigh in on the options. Robertson said Spohn Ranch would conduct an online survey and issue flyers with a QR code to the online survey.

Representatives of We Heart Berlin will also be setting up a table at town events like the Berlin Spring Celebration to share information and gather input from citizens.

“That’s wonderful,” commission member Patricia Dufendach said. “People in town, they ask questions, they want to know. I’m grateful you’re planning on be-

ing at all these events.”

Tony Weeg, founder of We Heart Berlin, said there would also be a town hall meeting as part of the design process. He said once a location was decided upon, the nonprofit could begin fundraising seriously. According to Weeg, once roughly $250,000 is raised, the first phase of the park could be built. That would include stormwater management for the entire skate park as well as the first phase of a street park.

Robertson encouraged residents to look up the work of Spohn Ranch online.

“One of the reasons we picked that company, they had the design aesthetic we’re looking for,” he said, “that takes into account the environment. It’s not just a skate park, it’s a gathering place. There’s green space added in.”

Weeg said he expected to have the initial site review information back from Spohn Ranch by March 17.

The Dispatch

Forever In Memory

Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005)

“Iron Man” Shawn Soper (July 24, 1963-February 15, 2023)

The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings

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How We See It

Resort Right To Weigh Small Vehicle Rental Ban

When it comes to potentially outlawing small, motorized vehicle rentals, like scoot coupes, the Town of Ocean City seems to be exercising the right amount of discretion and fairness.

During a broader conversation about electric bike rentals in January, Councilman Will Savage asked the city to consider banning the rental of the familiar scooters, scoot coupes, mopeds and the like in Ocean City in the interest of public safety. At one time, there were several businesses renting these modes of transportation. It was difficult for years to watch as these vehicles darted in and out of traffic from the bus lanes with reckless abandon.

Recognizing the inherent safety issues associated with visitors – most of the immature ilk – renting these scooters for use on a congested highway, the city in 2012 enacted required training and practice areas and restrictions on where they could be used, putting more than 10 operators out of business effec-

tively. Last summer there was only one operator, Cycle City, renting the vehicles. The new regulations have severely cut down on the number of these small vehicles on resort roadways, but there are times when large groups are still seen, and the safety concerns are obvious.

Savage’s request to ban these small vehicle rentals was rooted in reason, suggesting to allow any business owner with an existing license in good standing to be able to continue until April 1, 2026. There are two existing licenses but only one business rented these vehicles last summer.

The sole operator and his attorney came before the Mayor and Council last month asking for reconsideration of the prohibition. Staff and council members met with the operator in an attempt to compromise and further regulate the business, such as with age limits, group size restrictions and keeping a log of incidents. Furthermore, at last week’s

meeting, it was agreed the city would place a moratorium of sorts on any new rental licenses while collecting its own incident data over the summer to provide further facts to the safety and community impact of these vehicles.

The handling of this matter and the process has been commendable. A councilman, Savage, put forward a request to ban the small vehicles out of public safety concerns he has observed as a citizen, business owner and first responder. The operator cried foul asking for a compromise as a result of marketplace changes. The city obliged essentially in favor of collecting a summer of data with a plan to revisit the situation later in the year. Even if the matter has council support to move forward with a ban, the existing operator will have three years to pivot and adjust to the law change. It may not be ideal to the operator, but there’s no disputing city government is being fair in evaluating the issue.

Letters To The Editor

A Stark Warning

Editor:

There is not a structure that can be built high enough nor a society that becomes rich enough to avoid investing in their children’s future. Today our county’s public school system although one of the most expensive in the nation and the world is a disgrace and must be promptly interceded with by the County Commissioners and changed.

Jim Thorpe, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente were all heroes of mine, and their books should be in every public school system but not at the expense of Christopher Columbus, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Frederick Douglass’s contribution should be taught but not to belittle Abe Lincoln.

Sexuality and racism should not be a part of public education. Public education is the study of reading, writing, mathematics and history and nothing else. We must promptly return to teaching our children how to think not what to think. By undermining historic Christian values by teaching attitudes of privilege and letting children use pronouns, our school system has regressed back to the stone age. Public schools are based on equality not equity. We are created equal and given inalienable rights by our Creator.

The county should reject educators who compare their weak achievements to the weaker achievements of other failing school systems in the State.

When comparing Stephen Decatur today to the classes at Stephen Decatur in the past, that graduated in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, you first notice that the costs to educate a student

after inflation has gone up more than 300%. Why? Also, that four-year college admissions have significantly declined, why?

The International PISA Tests tell the true story about failed American Public Educators and Education. In the 1960’s, 70’s & 80’s the United States was peerless, number one in the world in international testing, what happened? Google PISA Test and see for yourself how pathetic we are today. Of course, China is number one. The only thing we are number one in is money spent to educate. The Department of Defense released today that 80% of 17-24-yearolds are not qualified for military service.

In India the Cow is sacred but their education is based on merit. County Commissioners have to stop treating education like the ‘Sacred Cow’. Each year the Commissioners struggle to make sure Education is funded, why? Funding without accountability is foolish, particularly for an agrarian county totally dependent on Ocean City’s tourism.

Mr. Taylor, you must make up your mind, teaching young boys how to put “rubbers on,” even with parental consent, is not a part of your job. Hirings based on “privilege, diversity, equity and inclusion” have no place in education. Hiring should be done on merit. I was blessed at Falls Church High, a public school, to have Col. Mare teach US History and Admiral Tackne teach math. Hiring teachers based on race or ethnicity lowers the quality of education for our children. Also Mr. Taylor if you have a rotten apple in the barrel, you don’t transfer them to another school you expel them.

The Chinese are focused on merit, and where do you think they learned that from Mr. Taylor? Stick with reading, writing, arithmetic and history, please, not more. Mr. Taylor, either fix it, resign or be removed.

It is encouraging that the commissioners and the Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose Maryland Legislation 119. But it’s too little too late.

The Commissioners must use the county’s purse strings to tame the outof-control education beast. Failure to act soon and decisively will just exacerbate the decline while allowing the promotion of adolescent ignorance at a huge taxpayer expense.

Public education today has institutionalized and undermines the merit-based public education system that once informed the world. For the children’s sake it must be promptly changed.

With pressures from the Communists in state government we need all hands on deck for this is a fight for our cultural and religious heritage our way of life, yes, we need your help too Mr. Taylor.

How brave is Katie Addis for almost singlehandedly attacking the education beast.

Tony Christ Falls

Church, Va./Ocean City County Police Seeking Collective Bargaining Editor:

(The following was sent to the Worcester County Commissioners with a copy sent to this newspaper for pub-

Letters To The Editor

lication.)

On behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50, we would like to respectfully ask for your support in our endeavors to obtain collective bargaining with binding arbitration.

This request comes due to the recent updates about police accountability and the struggling economy to protect the members and their families. Collective bargaining with binding arbitration promotes a healthy esprit de corps for recruitment and retention. Also, with the current environment surrounding our profession, collective bargaining would ensure that our members are treated equitability for the services they provide and the dangers that could incur.

Not only is this in respect to wages but working conditions and the promotional process which directly affects salaries. Also, in respect to salaries, the potential to adopt a separate pay scale would honor the demanding work that our members provide. Surrounding agencies who have collective bargaining with binding arbitration are more marketable agencies to apply and transfer to. Therefore, this serves as a hindrance for the recruitment of new members to our agency.

Along with this, staying competitive with salary and opportunities will attract exemplary candidates. With exemplary candidates serving as law enforcement members, it would reduce costs associated with civil litigation and present the county in the most favorable light. With your support, we hope the Lodge can continue to make strides toward obtaining this goal.

”2Gen.” The 2Gen Approach targets low-income children and parents from the same household, combining parent and child interventions to interrupt the cycle of poverty. Community Action Agencies across the state are implementing 2Gen strategies to develop pathways that move families from crisis to economic mobility.

We’ve seen an 84% increase in the number of persons needing services since the pandemic years. Real solutions to the post-pandemic reality are needed, and we see the path forward toward greater economic mobility through the Family Prosperity Act.

The Family Prosperity Act, including the EITC and CTC, will strengthen 2Gen efforts by allowing families the cushion needed to make investments in their futures. These acts of legislation in combination with the continued work of MCAP’s Community Action Agency is exactly what it takes to move families toward economic mobility.

Community Action Agencies help families with budgeting, housing counseling and provide a range of services that strengthen financial capability of families. We are excited and pleased to see this as one of the Governor’s priorities. It speaks to his commitment to leaving no one behind. The Maryland Community Action Partnership serves as the unified voice for Community Action Agencies across the state and supports the bill to ensure the wellbeing of those most vulnerable. Expanding the state’s CTC to cover taxpayers with children five and under who have a federally adjusted gross income of $15,000 or less aligns with our target families for the 2Gen Approach to holistically serve families.

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Last weekend’s whispers of wet, windy weather forecasted for Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival became roars as the week progressed. For a few days, this week’s scenario mirrored last year’s week leading up to the parade as uncertainty loomed. The difference is this year Ocean City seems intent on having the parade even if it’s a little wet. As of mid-day Thursday, when this paper went to press, the parade was on as planned for Saturday in Ocean City. Writing about it here is an attempt to jinx Mother Nature into cooperating. Though much could change, and the parade could still be canceled for the fourth straight year, it looks like the heaviest rain for Ocean City would be Friday with conditions improving early Saturday. Let’s hope the parade does in fact go on as it has not happened since 2019 due to pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021 and bad weather in 2022.

The local skate and bike community has good reason to be excited about a couple initiatives underway.

First in Berlin, the grassroots effort to bring a skate park to town is being led by We Heart Berlin, a nonprofit that has contracted with Spohn Ranch, an international skate park design company. A representative from Spohn Ranch was in Berlin recently to meet with We Heart Berlin representatives, two town council members, a parks commission representative and town employees. The purpose was to discuss the skate park concept but specifically to evaluate potential sites near existing town parks. After reviewing the sites and their complexities compared to potential skate park layouts, the consultant is expected to make a recommendation to the town and We Heart Berlin as to the best spot. Once a site is selected, the consultant will work with the nonprofit and town on designs specific and unique to Berlin. The effort continues to move ahead and this week the Berlin Parks Commission expressed excitement over the early momentum behind the project. There is much to be done, but the process is well underway.

In Ocean City, a major part of the redevelopment of the downtown recreation complex between 3rd and 4th streets is the reconstruction of the old Ocean Bowl Skate Park. In its annual grant request to the county, the city has made an official request for Program Open Space funding of $250,000. Mayor Rick Meehan said it was the first Program Open Space funding request in seven years from Ocean City. It seems likely Worcester County will give this much consideration since Ocean City provides much of the .5% state property transfer tax that’s used to fund Program Open Space.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan could read the tea leaves. Hogan knew his popularity in Maryland would not transfer nationally. His broad appeal in Maryland to the general electorate was his moderatism. Though a committed Republican, Hogan had enough moderate views to also gain votes from Maryland Democrats in 2014 and again in 2018.

Bryn

Blackburn (The writer is the president of FOP Lodge 50.)

Economic Mobility For Most Vulnerable

Editor:

Serving the best interest of the poor, serves the best interest of all people. The Family Prosperity Act puts this premise into action by offering permanence of one of the most effective strategies for addressing poverty, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Permanently extending the state’s EITC and expanding the CTC puts money into the pockets of those needing it most and helps set them on a path toward success. As Maryland’s federally-designated antipoverty network, MCAP’s Community Action Agencies know well what it takes to fight against poverty across the state.

A proven strategy for fighting poverty is the two-generation approach, or

TO

Services and programs Community Action provides include services for children, seniors, affordable housing, homelessness, emergency assistance, food provision, employment, education, health, transportation, tax and financial planning.

The Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP) is a statewide non-profit organization comprised of Maryland’s 17 Community Action Agencies, which collectively serve every Maryland county. Together, we work toward eradicating homelessness and poverty to realize our vision of ensuring that all Maryland individuals and families are stable, economically secure, and live in safe and thriving communities. For more information, go to www.maryland-cap.org. MCAP media inquiries should be directed to info@maryland-cap.org.

Angela Martin

(The writer is the executive director of the Maryland Community Action Partnership.)

This same centrist philosophy that worked for Hogan in Maryland would not work in national Republican politics. He stood no chance and early polling showed he was not even close to being relevant in what appears to be a Ron DeSantis-Trump showdown. An editorial in The Baltimore Sun Monday put it well this week. It read in part, “Former Gov. Larry Hogan’s Sunday announcement that he will not seek the Republican Party nomination for president in 2024 likely came as no surprise to anyone who has been following national politics. Sure, there was a time when a governor who achieved extraordinary popularity leading a state that leaned toward the opposite political party would get serious consideration. Republican Ronald Reagan’s two terms as governor of California provides the most obvious example; Bill Clinton in Arkansas, the Democratic counter. But any hope that politics might revert to this norm simply are not borne out by polling. The Donald Trump cult-of-personality hold on the GOP is too strong. … Hogan will no doubt have a role to play in 2024, but it might be limited to regular appearances on network TV programs throwing shade at Trump. Some have suggested Hogan run for a Senate seat. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin has not said whether he is seeking reelection in 2024, but even if his seat opens up, electing a Republican to the U.S. Senate looks like too big a lift even for a popular ex-governor. It’s one thing for Maryland Democrats and unaffiliated voters to send a Republican to the top spot in the State House, where Democrats hold a big majority in the General Assembly. It’s quite another to send one to Washington, where it could tip the balance of power. And Larry Hogan is no Charles McC. Mathias Jr., an authentic GOP progressive from back when such a combination was possible.”

Next week should be an exciting week on the live music front. On Tuesday, March 14 at 11:55 a.m., the lineup for the first-ever Oceans Calling Festival will be unveiled on Ocean 98 radio by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo and C3 Presents Promoter Tim Sweetwood. Additionally, it was leaked this week that Train will be returning to the Freeman Arts Pavilion Aug. 26 with tickets expected to go on sale soon. More shows for this summer at the Selbyville, Del., venue will be announced in the near future.

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.

Puzzle Answers

Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

The daily memories are my favorite part of Facebook these days.

These memories pop up each day and some cause me to stop for a few minutes and truly remember that day in my life. In fact, I find myself at times now posting personal things to Facebook solely so I can remember each year moving ahead.

This week a memory that popped up involved a traumatic situation with Carson. Due to life’s pace and circumstances, it’s been a long time since I have reflected back to 2011 on a scary day in our lives.

Carson was 17 months old and undergoing several outpatient surgical procedures, each of which was labeled routine by the doctors but combined had been inhibiting normal growth progressions. Consequently, it was a day we dreaded and welcomed at the same time.

According to Facebook, Pam posted the morning of March 8, 2011, “On the way to Hopkins with little Carson. Should be an easy procedure, but any prayers would be loved. Thanks FB friends.” As is our community, there was an outpouring of messages that warm the heart and distract the mind during times of uncertainty. Later that night, she posted, “11 p.m. and still at Hopkins, looks like they will keep him overnight. Nothing is ever easy for this little guy.” One day later, she posted, “Finally home, a long night of vomiting/rapid heart rate and no sleep. Seems anesthesia and Carson don’t mix well. However, all is well tonight! Little man is sleeping … Thanks for all the prayers and support. Love you all!”

Reflecting on this scary time, I was grateful to have this weekly rambling to see where my head was in the days following. Here are some excerpts from the issue after the ordeal.

“Many parents have gone through

this, it’s no big deal.”

That's what I was thinking to myself, as I sat in the waiting room with Pam at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday for what seemed like a lifetime. … All of Carson’s “pre-op” procedures went smooth, leaving Pam and I to wait out the surgery together, trying desperately to ease the worries.

What makes the wait particularly difficult is all the activity at the hospital.

As we sat in the waiting room with dozens of people, including a woman waiting on word of her husband who was having open heart surgery and another lady whose husband was undergoing brain surgery, there were several bonding moments, as we all anxiously awaited updates of our loved ones.

The most exciting moments came when the doctors surfaced in their scrubs from the operating rooms. Without delving into the details in this space, there were two surgeons involved with Carson's four procedures.

Subsequently, after about 90 minutes, one came out and briefed us on her particulars. Good news, she said all went fine. Forty-five minutes or so later, the other surgeon emerged, reporting all went well, too, and she soon after led us back to him in the recovery area.

This was a moment I will never forget. We walked around the recovering room, pushing Carson’s empty stroller along the way, and my eyes scanned the beds for a head with red hair. Finally, we found him, and it was overwhelming. There was his little body on this big mattress on wheels. He was understandably dazed and confused and expressionless for the most part. It was horrible to see because he was so out of it, but a relief all the same as it meant he was okay. That image hit me hard, and I still can’t shake it today.

Although we thought the ordeal was now over, we had no idea what was ahead of us, as Carson had some unfortunate reactions to the anesthesia,

including bouts of vomiting and concerns over an increased heart rate. That eventually led us to stay overnight, something we were not expecting, making the situation worse than it should have been.

After a few hours, we finally made our way to a pediatric room with three young babies and their parents, which all seemed to have serious issues they were facing.

It was a shock to the senses, as babies were crying, nurses were scrambling, monitor lights were blinking, machines were beeping and buzzing and parents were stressing (and I was freaking out).

We were told only one of us could stay in the room with Carson that night, and I have no problem admitting Pam is better equipped to deal with a vomiting, sick little boy than I am …

Later, we talked how you can't leave Hopkins without feeling fortunate. There are so many people, including many little ones, always there, and many battling serious, life-altering issues of varying severities.

However, that’s not what I was thinking at 4 a.m. on Wednesday when I was curled up in a bright office hallway trying to get some sleep.

Every waiting room I could find in the hospital was full. One room I tried to sleep in was across from the cafeteria, which apparently is home to a nightly game of craps among hospital staff.

Therefore, I eventually landed in an office hallway a couple floors below Pam and Carson. While I was curled up on the floor in the fetal position with a pillow and a sheet, I kept telling myself, “many parents have gone through this, it’s no big deal.”

It didn’t really help.

(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.)

PUZZLE ON PAGE 47