April 24

The Dispatch Priceless

Serving Greater Delmarva Since 1984

April 24, 2020

www.mdcoastdispatch.com

When Will It Be Safe To Reopen?

See Page 2 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Schools Look To Honor Seniors

Getting Ready: Though the resort remains essentially shutdown during the pandemic, there were signs of life

this week in Ocean City with crews currently repainting the beach ball water tower and some residents getting in some Photos by Chris Parypa oceanfront exercise.

See Page 11 • Submitted Photo

Air Show Eyes Later Summer Date

See Page 2 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Worcester Schools Nix Final Exams

See Page 6 • File Photo

Air Show Eyes Late Summer Date Reopening OC Talks Continue

Page 2

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The O.C. Air Show, scheduled for mid-June, was postponed this week amid concerns over the lingering effects of the COVID-19 crisis although the show’s producers remain committed to rescheduling the event later in the summer.

The O.C. Air Show, originally scheduled for June 13-14, is one of the highlights of the town’s special events lineup and provides a significant jumpstart to the meat of the summer season.

However, like other significant special events scheduled for this spring and early summer, the O.C. Air Show this week was postponed, but not cancelled.

Instead, air show producers are scrambling to find dates later in the summer that are amenable to the many performers and the town of Ocean City. The air show’s website now lists the event as “coming in July or August.” O.C. Air Show Chairman Brian Lilley announced the move this week and said event organizers realize the importance of the air show to Ocean City and are working on potential new dates.

“The O.C. Air Show is one of the top economic impact-generating events in Ocean City,” he said. “With the distress that COVID-19 is causing to the local

economy, we are making a tremendous effort to reschedule the event and do our part to help all of the local businesses that prosper every year on air show weekend.”

While the air show can be seen from all over the resort area, there are certain events and viewing areas where large crowds gather and social distancing could not be accomplished even if there is some semblance of a return to normalcy by mid-June.

Ocean City officials this week continued discussions on a phased-reopening of the town when the coronavirus abates although it remains uncertain at this point what that might look like and what restrictions might be in place.

O.C. Air Show officials this week said any tickets that have been purchased in advance for the VIP Penthouse, Skybox, Flight Line Club and Drop Zone Beach will be honored on the new dates, when they are determined.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are scheduled to be the featured act this year, but it is uncertain if the Thunderbirds or many of the other acts scheduled this summer will be able to rework their schedules to accommodate an O.C. Air Show later in the summer. The Thunderbirds’ website by midweek still listed the O.C. Air Show with the original mid-June dates.

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – There appears to be continued hope for an eventual easing of some of the restrictions in place and a phased reopening of the Ocean City marketplace, but when that starts will likely be dictated by the governor and state directives.

Last Thursday, the Mayor and Council began debating the potential phasedin reopening and a return to some semblance of normalcy in the face of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. The following day last Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan addressed the reopening issue and laid out some milestones that must be reached before any easing of restrictions and directives currently in place can even be considered.

Hogan pointed to a couple of key statistical benchmarks that should be reached before any consideration is given to easing the restrictions and gradually reopening the state and local economies. Hogan specifically pointed to the numbers of hospitalizations, coronavirus patients in intensive care and confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the state.

The governor said only if and when those key indicators showed declines for 14 straight days would any early phases of reopening be considered.

However, as of Tuesday, those three key statistics continued to increase, al-

April 24, 2020

beit by rates considerably lower percentage-wise than in prior days and weeks. In short, the key numbers appear to be trending in the right direction, but not yet to the point to start the clock ticking on the 14-day window prescribed

by Hogan last week. President Trump’s guidelines say after two weeks after downward data states should enter the first phase of reopening, including some retail store openings with crowds not to exceed 10 and schools remaining closed.

During Monday’s meeting, the Mayor and Council renewed an informal debate about potential timelines for reopening the local economy. Before that discussion, State Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) weighed in on some of the initiatives she has been working on to get needed financial assistance and resources to small businesses and individuals in her district and around the state. Carozza also addressed the reopening issue and said while there appears to be a long way to go still in terms of flattening the curve, there have been discussions at the state level about relaxing some of the restrictions and declarations.

“Right after Easter, we saw the focus pivot to working with our small business operators on some recommendations on what a safe, phased-in recovery looks like,” she said. “I know that there have been discussions with the Mayor SEE PAGE 4

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 3

37314 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD | RT. 54, SELBYVILLE, DE 302-988-5000/302-993-6959 ALTHOUGH OUR DINE-IN PART OF RESTAURANT IS CLOSED WE WILL BE OFFERING FULL MENU & WEEKDAY SPECIALS FOR CARRYOUT, CURBSIDE PICKUP OR DELIVERY FOR FENWICK ISLAND & SELBYVILLE. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FULL MENU 11 A.M.- 7 P.M. DUE TO CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, SPECIALS ARE LIMITED ... WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIALS!

DAILY SPECIALS Monday:

Thursday:

CHEESESTEAK 1/2 OFF

ANGUS BEEF BURGER 1/2 OFF

Cheese Whiz, Provolone Or American

Swiss, Provolone Or American W/ Fries Crabcake Sandwich W/French Fries & Cup Of Vegetable Crab Soup $20

Tuesday:

TACO TUESDAY STARTING AT $2 • Margaritas $3 Crabcake & Steak Or Crabcake & Chicken $20

Wednesday:

Fryday: Fish Served W/French Fries & Slaw $13 Fried Bayside Combo: Fish, Clams, Shrimp With French Fries & Slaw $16

ROASTED PRIME RIB $13.99

Sunday:

10- To 12-0z. With Hand-Cut French Fries And Slaw

2 SINGLE CRABCAKE DINNERS $25 Served W/French Fries, Slaw & A Beignet

WE VALUE YOUR BUSINESS & MISS OUR BAYSIDE FAMILY

CaRRy OuT avaIlaBlE – 410-723-2120

To Our Valued Guests, The Original Greene Turtle has served communities for over 43 years and we attribute that legacy to our continued focus on providing an excellent, fun and hospitable envirionment. As we navigate the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), we’d like to thank you for your continued patronage and provide you with an opportunity to still enjoy our awesome menu at home or in your office.

AN OCEAN CITY TRADITION SINCE 1976!

Weekdays 11am-8pm • Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm EnjOy OuR DaIly SpECIalS ...

InCluDInG happy hOuR FOOD FROm 3-6 p.m.

GIFT CARD BONUS SALE:

Buy $100 In Greene Turtle Gift Cards & Receive $25 In Original Greene Turtle Bucks - OR Spend $50 & Receive $10 In Original Greene Turtle Bucks!

MONDAY: $6 CHEESESTEAKS 1/2-OFF SALADS TUESDAY: $6 SIGNATURE TACOS 1/2-OFF WINGS WEDNESDAY: 1/2-OFF ENTREES THURSDAY: 50% OFF BURGERS & CHICKEN FRIDAY: $10 CRABCAKE SANDWICH

The Original Greene Turtle - CARRY OUT SPECIALS PREPARED FAMILY MEALS - Feeds 4-6 people BACKYARD BBQ, $40 - 10 BBQ hog hammers, 5 Marv-A-Que pork chops, mashed potatoes, sautéed veggies SEAFOOD PARADISE, $60 - 4 crab cakes, 1 lb. of steamed shrimp, 2 dozen steamed clams, sautéed veggies, mashed potatoes.

SLIDER SENSATION, $40 - 10 cheddar cheeseburger sliders, 10 turkey & American cheese sliders.10 buffalo chicken tender sliders.

FAJITA NIGHT, $40 - 5 blackened chicken breasts, 20 blackened shrimp, corn pico,cheddar cheese, chipotle sour cream, shredded lettuce, soft flour tortillas, tortilla chips.

GAME NIGHT APPS, $50 - 50 boneless wings, half pan of buffalo dip, tortilla chips, half pan of Bavarian pretzel sticks, served with honey mustard & bleu cheese dressing.

DRINK KITS - MUST BE 21 TO ORDER

ORANGE CRUSH KIT, $25 - 16 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice. 16 oz. Sierra Mist. 1 handle of orange Fleischmanns vodka, 1 bottle of Triple Sec 12 PACK BOTTLES TO-GO, $15 - Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, or Budweiser

Call To Order (410) 723-2120 *PLEASE GIVE ONE HOUR NOTICE*

116th St. & Coastal hwy., Ocean City, md. 21842 • 410-723-2120

www.theoriginalgreeneturtle.com

instagram: originalgreeneturtle

facebook.com/originalgreeneturtle

… OC Officials Look Forward To Reopening Timeline

Page 4

FROM PAGE 2 and Council as well as the Chamber of Commerce and the HMRA to develop recommendations and package them in a way they can be helpful to Governor Hogan. That’s where the focus has been. I want to partner with each on of you and make sure we’re doing everything we can for a safe and healthy economic recovery.”

After last week’s Mayor and Council meeting on Thursday, Mayor Rick Meehan had a scheduled call with Hogan reportedly to discuss the ongoing pandemic and presumably some at least loose timeline for when reopening could be considered. On Monday, Councilman Matt James asked Meehan for an update on that conversation.

“After the phone call with the governor last week, do you have any idea

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

where we’re heading, almost a timeline?” he said. “I’ve been getting a lot of questions from business owners and property owners about a re-opening plan and I was hoping you can shed a little light on that. Many of our current declarations are in place until April 30.

Do we extend them or just let them run out?”

Meehan said he did have a conversation with Hogan last week, but the topics were largely conceptual and did not focus on any key dates. Hogan is expected to address the reopening issue later this week.

“I didn’t get any definitive timeline from the governor,” he said. “I think we’ll get an update on some of those timelines late this week. That will really be beneficial to us as far as making the next move. There are some decisions

to be made.”

Meehan did say he broached issues germane to Ocean City during his conversation with the governor last week.

“I have talked to him about our timeline and our season and some of the things we’re concerned about and the things we need to do to get Ocean City up and running again,” he said. “I expect him to announce some things that will be relevant to us. After that, we need to reconvene and look at where we are to make a better projection and what decisions need to be made.”

Meehan acknowledged the frustrations shared between the business community, local residents, non-resident property owners and the town’s elected officials.

“I know this is difficult,” he said. “It’s a moving target. I know it’s a cliché,

April 24, 2020

but we don’t have a roadmap. I think by the end of this week will be a better time to give some answers.”

Councilman John Gehrig, who last week was a fierce proponent for beginning the planning stages for reopening when the time is right, on Monday picked up where he left off.

“I know we’re all on the same page,” he said. “We all want to open safely and quickly. I know I’m probably pushing harder than anyone to do the planning sooner rather than later.”

Gehrig pointed to some of the key indicators referenced by Hogan last week as building blocks for recovery and said they were trending in the right direction.

“We could be approaching the midway point for some of these guidelines,” he said. “Some of the numbers that have been indicated by the federal and state governments are looking favorable and trending in the right direction. Of course, these numbers can be blown up at any given time, so we have to be careful, but all of these pieces are frankly coming into place.”

Gehrig said a recurring theme for many on various social media platforms is that the coronavirus is not going to abate in time to save some semblance of a summer season for Ocean City and said the town’s message should be to the contrary.

“After last week, when you look at social media, some of our residents do not think we’re going to reopen,” he said. “We need to let them know the governor has already said he’s going to open and the mayor has said we’re going to open at some point when it’s safe to do so. We’re going to have to have a plan that includes living with COVID-19 and what that’s going to mean for our high-risk populace.”

For his part, Meehan agreed with many of Gehrig’s sentiments and said the planning stages of reopening could happen sooner rather than later.

“We know a lot more today than we did 40 days ago,” he said. “Some of the things we’ve done with social distancing to combat that curve are starting to be successful. In the short term, the country has learned a lot and there’s a lot more to learn, but I think we’re in a better position today. Hopefully, that is what we’ll consider at the end of the week and into next week.”

Meehan said there were a lot of moving parts working in concert on a phased opening plan if and when the time is right.

“I want to thank the staff for putting together some steps we’re going to have to take and I want to thank the business community for doing many of the same things,” he said. “They are also preparing for the time, hopefully in the very near future, when we can open back up. We’re going to do it together and we’re going to do it smart.

The time will come very soon when we have to address some of these issues and the economics of reopening our city.”

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

Page 6

Worcester Cancels Final Exams

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – School system officials agreed this week to waive final exam requirements as a result of the statemandated school closure associated with COVID-19.

The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to cancel final exams for semester two and year-long courses for the current school year.

“We have determined it is not in our students’ best interest for final exams to be administered,” said Annette Wallace, the school system’s chief operating officer and academic officer for grades 9-12. “These exams were created with the mindset that our students who face the most challenges would be provided supports prior to the exam and during the exam in an equitable way.”

Wallace said that because of the ongoing school closure, which is set to remain in place at least through May 15, and the continuity of learning initiatives currently underway instead, Worcester County Public Schools administrators recommended waiving final exams.

“This recommendation also falls in line with the state’s application for a waiver for state assessments and ESSA requirements for the current school year,” she said.

April 24, 2020

Wallace said she’d keep the school board updated on the state’s waiver requests. Those requests would ensure waivers for assessments associated with Maryland’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as well as service learning requirements.

Superintendent Lou Taylor said that with the state’s recent extension of the school closure that’s been in place since mid-March educators were prepared to continue their digital learning efforts.

“We are staying the course,” he said.

Taylor said the school system was ensuring that students’ needs were met on various levels. Thousands of meals are being provided each week at feeding sites throughout the county while remote counseling is being offered to address mental health concerns. Teachers, meanwhile, are using technology to engage in virtual learning with their students.

Taylor praised educators for their willingness to adapt.

“I think it’s important we all recognize the challenges of the times we’re in,” he said.

He acknowledged concerns regarding senior graduations set to take place toward the end of the school year. He said he’d release more information in a message to the community Tuesday night.

“I will announce formation of a graduation committee to discuss plans for commencement,” he said.

Teacher Appreciation Efforts Eyed

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – The ongoing health crisis didn’t stop school system officials this week from recognizing the importance of educators.

The Worcester County Board of Education on Tuesday adopted a resolution establishing May 4-8 as Teacher Appreciation Week. Superintendent Lou Taylor said continuity of learning initiatives, through which teachers are using technology to offer students online lessons and digital learning while schools are closed, proved how devoted local educators were.

“Never in my many years as an educator have I appreciated teachers more than I do today,” Taylor said. “They have done this with open arms.”

Though schools have been closed for more than a month to stop the spread of COVID-19, teachers are still educating students, albeit online. Taylor said educators jumped into their new roles without hesitation. Not only are they providing lessons and instruction, they’re making sure students’ emotional needs are addressed and that they have enough to eat. Taylor said that though Teacher Appreciation Week wouldn’t feature the school-wide celebrations it typically did, he still wanted to highlight the efforts of educators.

“I certainly hope our community will

join us on social media that week to celebrate our hardworking teachers,” he said.

Beth Shockley-Lynch, president of the Worcester County Teachers Association, said teachers had familiarized themselves with new programs and went out of their way to make digital learning a success.

“Our teachers have really been rock stars,” she said. “They have gone above and beyond. It’s not perfect but it’s getting a little better every day.”

Shockley-Lynch said teachers in the county’s more rural areas weren’t even letting their lack of internet connectivity stop them from doing their jobs. She said some teachers were going with their husbands to work to take advantage of internet while others were sitting in parking lots with WiFi access.

“That’s real dedication,” she said.

She said that in spite of the difficulties associated with the coronavirus pandemic the Worcester County school system was in better shape than some.

“In the scheme of things we’re really in great shape,” she said. “We are handling this situation amazingly well.

Other counties are nowhere near as far along as we are.”

Shockley-Lynch said that was because of the cooperative spirit that existed here.

“We’re one team,” she said. “Our teachers feel very supported.”

Trimper’s To Add Berlin Farmers Market Returns Next Sunday ‘Fresh New Look’

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – While the start of the summer season remains in question, the new management team at Trimper’s Rides continues to move forward with renovations at the historic amusement park.

Since 1890, the Trimper family has owned and operated the historic Trimper’s Rides amusement park and other businesses at the south end of the Boardwalk, collectively known as Windsor Resort Inc. At different times during the park’s rich 125-year-plus history, various branches of the Trimper family, extending out in a long family tree from founder Daniel B. Trimper and his wife Margaret, have managed the park.

In March, it was announced a new management team at Trimper’s Rides, led by direct descendants of Daniel B. Trimper, was taking over the daily operations of the iconic amusement park. This week, the Trimper family announced in a statement the new management team is preparing the park to open as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

The management team promised a new look this summer with 10 new rides and renovated old favorites at Trimper’s Rides, the oldest continuously family-owned and operated amusement park in the country. Visitors this summer can expect fundamental improvements to the guest experience including a new “thrill pass” swipe card, “pay one price” wristbands available day and night and free WiFi in the park.

Also as part of the revitalization of the historic park, new food and beverage outlets are planned, including a special events party room. Plans also include improving the quality of the meal options available in the park.

Hoping to build on the historical appeal of some of its longest-existing attractions, the new management team, along with some longtime staff and new management team members, are researching their own archives along with the archives of the Maryland and Worcester County historical societies, to ensure the ongoing renovations are historically accurate while, at the same time, introducing modern technology and conveniences.

“It’s a privilege to lead this revitalization project and ensure the future success of such an iconic part of Ocean City,” said Windsor Resort board members Antoinette Bruno and Scott Savage said in a statement.

Also announced was the addition of new General Manager Mike O’Neill, a 25-year veteran of the amusement park industry.

“The park will have a fresh new look, new rides, new uniforms and new games,” he said. “I’m excited to see the transformation of Trimper’s Rides.”

BERLIN – The town will welcome the return of the Berlin Farmers Market the first week of May. As closures and cancellations related to COVID-19 continue to pile up, Berlin officials are pleased that at least one local event will go on. Farmers markets have been permitted to remain open as essential businesses during the ongoing health crisis.

“It’s now more important than ever to show your support for our local farmers,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.

The Berlin Farmers Market kicks off its 2020 season May 3 and will take place every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Pitts Street. The first 30 minutes of the market, from 8:30-9 a.m., are

Page 7

designated for senior shoppers only.

Vendors at Berlin’s producers-only market will include Baywater Farms, The Bay Mushrooms, Cross Farm, Goat Plum Tree Farm, Masterpiece Flower Farm, Splendid Earth Acres Farm, Sconer, Del Vecchio’s Bakery, Cherry Walk Gardens & Preserves, Gilbert’s Provisions, Baked Dessert Café, Una Bella Salute, Lyon Rum and Home Canning Classics.

“They’re very much looking forward to it,” Wells said, adding that many were eager to sell their wares since they were no longer supplying restaurants during the pandemic. “They need this.”

Because COVID-19 remains a concern, the market will feature fewer vendors than last year and will abide by social distancing regulations. Vendors will be at least 12 feet apart and handwashing stations will be set up. Vendors

Stay Safe Friends!

and shoppers will be required to wear face masks.

Wells added that she’d be using social media to share the market layout as well as vendor and product information in advance of each week’s market. She hopes shoppers will use that to make a list of what they want to purchase before they go so visits will remain brief and crowds won’t be a problem.

Though the Berlin Farmers Market typically features live music and children’s crafts, those aspects of the event have been canceled until further notice.

While coronavirus remains a concern, Wells said a trip to the market was a chance for residents to get some fresh air and their fresh fruits and vegetables.

“It’s for people to ride their bike or walk down and buy from their local farmers,” she said. “The philosophy of the market is still the same.”

M

Carryout Menu Available Thursday-Sunday 3-8 pm *menus online at nantucketsrestaurant.com*

In The M Of Fenwick Island • 302-539-2607

Md. Buys 500K COVID-19 Tests For $9M From South Korea Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – In what he characterized as a “game-changing step forward,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday announced the state has acquired the capability to conduct 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea.

Hogan on Monday afternoon announced the arrangement to secure the 500,000 coronavirus tests kits began weeks ago with 22 straight days of coordination with the state and the Republic of Korea along with the appropriate state and federal agencies.

Operation Enduring Friendship, as the initiative is called, culminated with the landing of an Air Korea jet on Saturday at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport,

ironically formerly known as Friendship Airport.

Hogan said the 500,000 test kits exponentially increase Maryland’s testing capability, which is a cornerstone of the state’s plan for an eventual phased reopening. Increased testing is one leg of a four-legged stool that also includes expanding hospital surge capacity, increasing the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), and building a robust contact tracing operation to connect the dots between patients and those with whom they might have contacted.

Among the four pillars, increased testing capability is likely the most important as a stepping stone toward a phased recovery in Maryland. Hogan said the acquired half-a-million

tests from South Korea is equal to the testing capability of four of the five top states in the country combined.

“This weekend, we took a gamechanging step forward in the state’s road to recovery,” he said. “We’ve been quietly working for a number of weeks on Operation Enduring Friendship with the Republic of Korea. On Saturday, the First Lady and I stood on the tarmac at BWI and welcomed the Air Korea flight, a flight with no passengers, but a very important cargo.”

Hogan said his Korean-born wife Yumi, the first Korean-born gubernatorial first lady in the nation’s history, was instrumental in brokering the arrangement to secure 500,000 coronavirus test kits. He spoke of the en-

Route 50 Carry-Out Ice Cream Is Open!

A Family Tradition For 80 Years!

WEST OC: CORNER OF ROUTE 611 AND ROUTE 50 EAST ICE CREAM MADE DAILY IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Ice Cream Our Specialty. Stop By Our West OC Location For A Wide Variety Of Homemade Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Sundaes, Floats And Much More.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN 80-YEAR-OLD OCEAN CITY BUSINESS GREAT PAY! SEASONAL OR YEAR-ROUND • DUMSERSDAIRYLAND.COM

April 24, 2020

during relationship between South Korea and the U.S. forged during the Korean War and how that debt of gratitude has now been returned 70 years later.

“My wife has said she would not be here without the dedication of the American people during the war,” he said. “The state of Maryland now owes an incredible debt of gratitude to the Republic of South Korea.”

Hogan said the deal with South Korea cost around $9 million, which he said was a worthwhile investment considering the daily drain on the state’s economy during the crisis. Hogan did not specifically address plans to re-open Maryland, but reiterated securing 500,000 tests was a positive step in the right direction.

Late last week, Hogan said he intended to announce a phased plan for reopening the state’s economy soon and said details could be coming later this week. He did say any re-opening would only occur after a handful of indicators reversed direction including the number of hospitalizations, the number of patients in intensive care and the number of recoveries reported.

Hogan said the total number of cases in Maryland was not one of the figures followed too closely because that number will likely spike with the greatly enhanced testing capability. Hogan said when those key indicators dropped for 14 straight days, the early phases or reopening the state would take place. As of Monday, those key indicators continued to climb, however, certainly to a lesser degree.

“We’re hoping to see a downward trend, but we’re not there yet,” he said.

“We’re pleased that we’re starting to flatten the curve and this testing capability will greatly improve that. It won’t demolish the curve, but it will allow us to move toward re-opening in a safe way.”

During Monday’s press conference, Hogan fielded a question about a regional approach to re-opening as opposed to a one-size-fits-all plan for the entire state when the time is right.

Over the weekend, state Republican leaders suggested some areas of Maryland could be re-opened before others in a regional approach based on case statistics. For example, while much of the densely populated center of the state is still very much a hot zone, while significant areas of western Maryland, southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, for example, are seeing much lower numbers.

Hogan said that approach is under consideration, but cautioned it could cause a setback in areas opened before others.

“It’s possible to do things from a regional perspective and that approach is under consideration,” he said. “What we don’t want is neighbors next door to come over and flood everything.

That would be counterproductive and we don’t want any setbacks.”

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 9

S

LIP

2

BISHOPVILLE 12321 SOUTHHAMPTON DRIVE $650,000 • MLS #MDWO109668 Golf Community “Lighthouse Sound” 3 bed, 3 bt, 3,228 sqft, built 2009 HOA fee $69/m, RE Tax $429/m High Corner Lot, Fine Water Views

NEWARK 9502 CROPPERS ISLAND ROAD $550,000 • MLS #MDWO105772 WATER FRONT 1.08 Wooded Acre 6 bed, 6 ½ bt, 4,755 sqft, built 1978 Country, No HOA fee, RE Tax $334/m 4-Bay Garage Detached with Full Loft

S AT O B

BAY FRONT ~ OC EMERSON TOWERS #304 on Wicomico Street $625,000 • MLS #1001953136 3 bed, 3 bt, 1,785 sqft, built 2006 Condo Fee $398/m, RE Tax $535/m Gated Parking, 545 Sqft Wrap Balcony, 2 Deep Water Slips - 35’ & 50’ with Lifts

BAY BLOCK ~ OC OCEAN SIDE ~ OC OCEAN FRONT ~ OC SILVER MOON #501 at 127th Street ENGLISH TOWERS #608 at 100th Street OUR PLACE AT BEACH #302H at 104th Street $220,000 • MLS #MDWO112916 $600,000 • MLS #MDWO110846 $550,000 • MLS #MDWO112046 2 bed, 2 bt, 974 sqft, built 1983 3 bed, 2 bt, 1,535 sqft, built 1986 3 bed, 2 bt, 1,386 sqft, built 1974 Condo Fee $322/m, RE Tax $191/m Condo Fee $837/m, RE Tax $455/m Condo Fee $495/m, RE Tax $355/m Top Floor, Large Screened Porch, Pool, Elevator, Beach & Ocean Views, North Corner, Pool, Elevators, Mgmt., Pool, Quiet Wooded Courtyard View Renovated, Den/4th Bed, 4 Pkg Spaces New Kitchen and Baths, Grand View

OCEAN BLOCK ~ OC SEA NYMPH #3B at 17th Street $140,000 • MLS #MDWO113198 1 bed, 1 bt, 450 sqft, built 1960 Condo Fee $236/m, RE Tax $116/m 1st Floor, Private Porch, 1 Parking Sp., Pool, Cable & Hot Water Included

LIGHTHOUSE SOUND LOT #6 12310 SOUTHHAMPTON via Rt #90 $250,000 • MLS #1001561434 Water View, Elevated ½ Acre, 2nd Tee, Quick Beach Access, Quality Homes, GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY

NEWARK ~ WATER FRONT LOT CROPPERS ISLAND RD via #113S $90,000 • MLS #1001558864 #7-1.04 Acres, 100’ +/- on Porter Creek Wooded, County Road Access, South of Berlin Country Lifestyle, Estate Sale with Current Survey

Students Prep For At-Home Advanced Placement Exams

Page 10

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – As schools remain closed through at least May 15, educators and school system officials are preparing Advanced Placement students to complete their exams from home.

Earlier this month, the College Board announced plans to develop Advanced Placement (AP) exams that students can take from home. In Worcester County, the school system continues to hand out mobile hotspots and deliver instructional content to prepare students

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

for the new online format.

“It’s going to be very, very different, more so than ever before.” said Annette Wallace, the school system’s chief operating officer and chief academic officer for grades 9-12.

The Advanced Placement Program, like the SAT assessment, is administered by the College Board and enables students to pursue college-level studies while in high school. Each year, AP courses conclude with a collegelevel exam.

This year, however, the College Board has developed a secure, online

exam for each course that AP students can take from home. Tests will only include topics that most AP teachers and students have covered by early March.

While the school system is not responsible for administering the AP exams, Wallace said teachers and school system officials are doing their part to make sure students have access to resources and materials needed to complete the online assessments.

“Our number one concern with the AP exams is making sure our students have connectivity to the internet,” she said. “We feel like we are in a very good place with that.”

As part of the school system’s distance learning initiatives, educators are using the learning management system Schoology and video conferencing programs to connect with students. At the high school level, Wallace said, 95% of students are participating in online instruction through Schoology.

Wallace added that the school system continues to hand out mobile hotspots that allow students to connect to the internet. To date, roughly 640 hotspots have been delivered to students.

“Regardless if we return to school or don’t return to school, those exams are going to be online,” she said.

Wallace said efforts to prepare students for the AP exams are part of a two-pronged approach.

“The second prong of our approach

April 24, 2020

is making sure that our kids are getting as much review as possible and we are covering all the content we need to cover through our learning management system Schoology,” she said. “The College Board has also been really supportive of virtual learning. They are posting lessons for the kids as well.”

This year, AP exams will take place between May 11 and May 22, with make-up testing dates between June 1 and June 5. Students will be able to take exams on their computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to either type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cellphone.

This year’s exams will also be “open book/open note,” according to the College Board, but students will not be able to consult others during the testing period. For students who may try to gain an unfair advantage, the College Board has developed a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating.

“If school reopens, they can certainly take the exams online at our schools,” Wallace said. “If our schools reopen, we would very likely do that … We wouldn’t ask them to do it at home.”

Wallace said the College Board has also canceled all spring and summer administrations of the SAT exam, but included new testing dates in August and September.

Your Countertop Specialists

Fabricating & installing quartz, granite and solid surface tops Up to date, state of the art equipment

Family Owned & Operated

SINCE 1982

Call: 443.856.4437 or See Us On Facebook 34407 Dupont Blvd., Unit 9 • (Rt. 113 North) Frankford, DE Visit our website for showroom hours • www.creativeincounters.com

High Schools Recognizing Seniors With Ongoing Campaign

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – High schools in Worcester County are making efforts to recognize graduating students as schools remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Friday, State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced public schools would remain closed through May 15 and that state and local school officials were actively preparing for a number of scenarios depending on when educators and students will be able to re-enter school buildings.

For high school seniors, however, the ongoing school closure highlights the uncertainties surrounding graduation and many end-of-year activities.

Just this week, for example, Superintendent Lou Taylor announced plans to form a committee to address commencement ceremonies.

But while many uncertainties loom, it is not stopping some high schools from recognizing the class of 2020.

At Stephen Decatur High School, for example, administrators and teachers are looking for ways to celebrate the school’s 295 seniors. In addition to lighting up the school’s scoreboard with the commencement date, May 27, and the graduation year, 2020, Stephen Decatur has also created an Instagram account – @sdhsseniors2020 – dedicated to the graduates. The school’s Facebook page features photos of seniors with their universities of choice for next fall.

Stephen Decatur Public Relations Liaison Mary Berquist said the idea stemmed from conversations with the senior class officers and National Honor Society officers. Within the first two days of creating the Instagram account, roughly a third of Stephen Decatur’s graduating class had submitted a profile detailing their accomplishments, fondest high school memories and post-secondary plans.

“This is really their time to shine, and they are being denied that opportunity …,” Berquist said. “I think the school really wanted to put a face on what is happening in education.”

Senior Class President Max Ewancio said the social media account is a way to connect with classmates during the pandemic and highlight the seniors’ achievements.

“It’s just a nice way to keep connected when we can’t see each other,” he said. “It also provides a sense of connection and togetherness.”

While he said it was unfortunate that the graduating class would miss out on many rites of passage – including prom – in their final months of high school, Ewancio applauded the teachers and administrators, including Berquist and Taylor, for their efforts to recognize the graduating class.

“We are going through hard times, but we are pushing through it,” he said.

“It’s not easy to have all of this happen your senior year.”

Principal Tom Sites said the school would make every effort to celebrate the graduating class, no matter what

Pocomoke High School Counselor Charlene Creese gives Atlanta Schoolfield a “social distancing” high five at her home.

Submitted Photo

the coming weeks will bring.

“We want to do everything in our power to recognize our seniors …,” he said. “They put in all this hard work to get to this point, and we will find a way to celebrate them. I don’t know what that will look like, but we are thinking of things to do to support these kids.”

At the south end of the county, administrative staff at Pocomoke High School spent hours last Thursday delivering yard signs to recognize the 2020 graduating class.

Principal Jenifer Rayne said it was important to her leadership team that

the school recognizes its seniors.

“It is extremely important to us to be intentional about it,” she said. “Our seniors are missing out on a lot of experiences they were looking forward to.”

Rayne said it is unclear how many spring events, including graduation and Intent Night – where seniors announce their post-secondary endeavors – will proceed.

“I’ve been very careful with my seniors to not ever use the word ‘canceled,’” she said. “We will be celebrating them, no matter what, this spring and possibly into this summer depending on what

Page 11

happens with COVID-19. What prom and graduation may look like I don’t know right now, but it will look like something. We are going to be creative.”

While she noted that the graduating class is anxious to see what the coming months will bring, Rayne said Pocomoke High will continue to recognize its seniors. In the coming weeks, the school will celebrate seniors with several planned activities.

“While they are wrestling with some of this anxiety and feelings of missing out, we wanted to be very intentional about celebrating them in some kind of visual way,” she said.

On Thursday, Rayne joined with the school’s two vice principals, the curriculum resource teacher and the school counselor to deliver yard signs to 90 graduating students at Pocomoke High.

“The best thing about the Pocomoke community is that it is such a tight-knit community,” Rayne said. “The kids are celebrated over and over again. They worked hard for 12 years, so they certainly deserve this ... It was one of the best parts of the month, honestly.”

Rayne said the school will collect pictures of each senior in front of their sign and create a collage for the school’s yearbook. Pocomoke High will also feature each senior and their future plans on social media in the coming weeks.

“Our memories may look different, but we don’t want those memories to be any less,” she said.

Resort ‘Not Paying A Penny’ For Water Tower Painting

Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Contractors are pictured Tuesday working on the beach ball water tower on 1st Street.

Photo by Chris Parypa

OCEAN CITY – Crews this week began the tedious job of repainting the downtown water tower’s beach ball design after the original paint job failed after a few years.

By midweek, an elaborate scaffolding network and been erected around the beach ball-designed water tower at 1st Street. In September 2016, the original beach ball paint job on the water tower was completed, creating a unique downtown feature near one of the main access points to the resort.

In January 2017, wireless cellular service contractors climbed to the top of the 1st Street water tower and discovered the paint at the unseen top of the tower had blistered and was peeling away. Essentially, the colored top coat featuring the beach ball design and the town’s welcoming logo was delaminating from the white primer undercoat.

The town had contracted with Chicago Bridge and Iron to both build and paint the 1st Street water tower back in 2016 at a cost of around $5 million.

When the original paint job started to fail, the town put Chicago Bridge and Iron on notice of the issue. Chicago

April 24, 2020

Bridge and Iron had contracted with Sherwin Williams for the paint and completed the project to the company’s specifications.

After considerable back and forth between the two companies, Sherwin Williams acknowledged the issues with the original specifications and has contracted with another firm, Minoan, to repaint the tower at 1st Street at its expense.

While the town owns the water tower, it is basically an interested and invested third party in the dispute and did not complete the project, nor is it on the hook for the roughly $5 million do-over that got underway in earnest this week. As a result, Sherwin Williams is footing the bill for the repainting of the water tower.

“We were obviously not at fault at all, being we had not performed the work that failed,” said Public Works Director Hal Adkins this week. “Sherwin Williams is paying the cost. The town of Ocean City is not paying a penny.”

There is no immediate timeline for the completion of the new project, which includes essentially power-washing off the old paint and applying new primer and top coat colored designs.

Adkins did say he hoped the repainted tower will be completed when the town is ready to welcome visitors again.

National Folk Festival Postponed

April 24, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Event organizers announced plans this week to postpone the 80th National Folk Festival to 2021.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, Salisbury Mayor Jake Day and National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) Executive Director Lora Bottinelli announced the decision to suspend planning for the 80th National Folk Festival this year and to reschedule the event for Sept. 10-12, 2021.

“As we look ahead into 2020 and the uncertain future that COVID-19 presents, we realize that the community effort required to support an event of the scope of the National Folk Festival should be refocused to the immediate needs of all of our partners and participants, no matter their location during this global crisis,” the statement reads. “The responsible thing to do is suspend planning for the 80th National Folk Festival in 2020, and focus those energies toward community health, safety, wellbeing, and recovery.”

By suspending event planning for 2020, officials said efforts could be redirected to meet the needs of the region during the global health crisis.

“We feel it is in the community’s best interest to pause our efforts and join others in devoting as many resources as possible toward flattening the curve so that we can return to our normal lives once health officials deem it appropriate to do so,” the statement reads. “It is disappointing to have to reschedule the festival, but it is necessary. We hope all of our supporters understand why we have come to this difficult decision.”

The 80th National Folk Festival was slated to return to downtown Salisbury Sept. 11-13 this year. The festival – a free, outdoor event produced by the NCTA – celebrates arts, culture and heritage through live performances, workshops, demonstrations, children’s activities and more.

This 80th National Folk Festival marks the last year of a three-year residency in Salisbury.

In the mayor’s daily coronavirus update briefing Wednesday, Day said uncertainties surrounding the COVID19 pandemic impeded the ability to effectively prepare for the festival. He said each event took months of planning, marketing, fundraising and contractual and logistical preparations.

“They aren’t things that can be easily shifted on a timeline, or they can’t easily be compressed into a shorter period of time,” he said. “As you can imagine, the planning that goes into this festival, the execution, is intense.”

Day said the decision to postpone this year’s festival came with the sup-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

port of the leadership and executive teams.

“We gather together to unite around the bonds of arts and culture, music, and things that allow for humans to enjoy one another in close proximity,” he said. “The day will come again, I assure you, that we will be doing precisely that, it’s just not right now. So we have to be cautious and careful, and that is precisely why we have chosen to postpone.”

Bottinelli, however, urged the community to continue supporting the arts during this time.

“We recognize for some of you that have read the news, this will be more news that illustrates the great need for relief and recovery that will be needed in the arts sector,” she said.

“Please remember the arts, the artists and the industries and professions and organizations that make events like these happen in your advocacy efforts.”

Additional details for sponsors, artists, vendors, contractors, and volunteers will be available from the National Folk Festival leadership team in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com.

“I don’t want to miss out on 2020, and I know none of us do,” Day said, “but I’m glad the National is sticking around for another calendar year.”

LOOKING FOR A RENTAL?

Don’t look at Zillow, Trulia or Hotpads!

Starting May 1, 2020 these sites are going to charge $9.99 for each rental listing per week.

To keep costs down for owners and subsequently the renters, BUNTING REALTY INC. will not be using Zillow, Trulia or Hotpads for our rental listings.

Our listings will be found at: www.buntingrealty.com www.rentpath.com www.forrent.com www.rent.com www.rentals.com www.apartments.com www.apartmentguide.com www.livelovely.com www.apartmentlist.com Call Cam Bunting 410-713-2065 24 Broad Street, Berlin, MD • 410-641-3313 www.buntingrealty.com

Page 13

Input Sought On Comp Plan Addition

Page 14

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Berlin Liquor Store

Largest Liquor Store In OC Area!

Cold & Warm Beer

BEER•LIQUOR•WINE Every Thursday And Sunday Senior Citizens Get

10% OFF

10% OFF

Liquor And Wine

Liquor And Wine

(On Orders Of $50 Or More) Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Must bring in coupon. Expires 05.10.20 • MCD

10% OFF ALL CASES OF WINE! 7 DAYS A WEEK (Must Be Same Size Bottles 750 ML or 1.5 L)

10818 Ocean Gateway, Berlin, MD 21811 410-973-2873

BERLIN – Town officials are encouraging citizens to share their thoughts on a resilience element set to be added to Berlin’s comprehensive plan.

Citizens have until April 30 to provide comment on the resilience element that has been prepared by the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center as an addition to Berlin’s comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan, which guides the future of the town, must be reviewed and updated every 10 years.

“We need the public to participate and buy into the process and the plan,” said Mary Bohlen, Berlin’s deputy town administrator.

After receiving a $20,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the town worked with the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC) to create a resilience element for its comprehensive plan last year. The town held several public input meetings in the spring of 2019 and EFC’s Brandy Espinola spent the ensuing months working with town staff to write the resilience element.

The town received a draft of the element in December. In the weeks since, the lengthy document has been reviewed by town staff as well as members of the Berlin Planning

April 24, 2020

Commission. It is now available on the town’s website. Bohlen encourages citizens to read it and share their thoughts.

“The document is available as a Google Doc, allowing visitors to make comments directly on the site, and as a PDF, which will allow comments to be submitted via email,” Bohlen said.

Comments left on the Google Doc so far decry the length of the resilience element and question its purpose.

“This is an absolute waste of time and municipal resources,” resident Jason Walter wrote. “There is no requirement to invest in or to include this proposed element into our comprehensive plan. The Town of Berlin has no ability to control the unknown or mitigate the ever-fluctuating suggested impact of the climate change boogeyman.”

Walter said this week he was disappointed only comments on the document so far were from him and someone listed as “anonymous.” He said the input sessions had been steered by the several non-residents who’d attended the meetings.

“We were supposed to participate once but it was mostly the same crowd voting to support the same points in each meeting,” he said.

The draft resilience element can be found online at berlinmd.gov on the “Administration” page under the “Departments & Services” tab. Officials are expected to approve the final document later this year.

Park Lighting Concerns Addressed

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Concerns regarding lighting at Newtown Park in Pocomoke have been addressed, according to one county official.

Worcester County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom said this week that the potential safety issue regarding the wiring of field lights at Newtown Park had been corrected. He plans to ask his fellow commissioners to approve reconnecting the lights in the coming weeks.

“When we’re ready to play baseball again we’ll have lights,” Nordstrom said.

In January, Commissioner Chip Bertino advised county staff of a complaint he’d received regarding the wiring for the field lights at Newtown Park.

Though the lights were installed last year after the Pocomoke Little League received funding from the state, Bertino said he’d just been contacted by someone who said the wiring was not buried deep enough in the ground. County officials determined there was an issue with the depth of the wiring and when the issue had not been corrected by March, the commissioners voted to disconnect the lights to ensure public safety.

“I don’t think any of us really want to do this, however we’re in the middle

of a situation that’s out of our control so we need to do something to bring it back in,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said at the time.

In the weeks since, Nordstrom said various parties got together to address the problem. He said the contractor who initially performed the work returned and corrected the issue at no cost.

“The work was completed last week,” Nordstrom said. “The cables were reburied. Now there’s just some minor landscaping work that needs to be done but it’ll be completed well before the first pitch.”

He said the work took two weeks and had gone smoothly thanks to the cooperation of the various parties involved, included the Pocomoke Little League and the City of Pocomoke as well as the contractor.

“It’s great when you can get everybody together to get an understanding of the problem and figure out a plan to address it,” Nordstrom said.

The Pocomoke Little League season was set to begin April 18 but has been delayed as a result of COVID-19. Nordstrom said that whenever the organization was able to begin playing games, the lights would be ready to use.

“No one really knows at this time when they’ll be able to play again but I’m looking forward to that day,” he said.

Council Overrides Special 90th Birthday Parade For Resident Executive’s Veto

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 15

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – County leaders voted this week to reaffirm a legislative bill that was vetoed by County Executive Bob Culver.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to reaffirm a legislative bill adopted by the council on April 7 and vetoed by the county executive on April 13.

The legislative bill extends a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for dissolved air flotation (DAF) storage tanks that hold waste, or sludge, from poultry renderings.

“Legislative Bill 2020-02, to extend the moratorium on the issuance of building permits for agricultural storage tanks that will store dissolved air floatation – also referred to as DAF – washdown water from a rendering process, was introduced on March 17,” Council Administrator Laura Hurley said. “Council then held a public hearing and adopted the bill on April 7.

The legislation was then presented to the county executive on April 8, for which he has 21 days to return the bill to the county council with his approval or veto.”

Hurley said the bill was returned to the council on April 13 with Culver’s veto. She explained that no written statement of the executive’s reasons for vetoing the bill were provided.

“The veto message shall be entered in the journal of the county council, and no later than its next legislative session day the council can reconsider the bill,” she said. “If upon reconsideration at least five members of the county council vote in the affirmative, the bill shall be law. The council office has not received a written veto message explaining the reasons for the veto, but we do have the cover sheet with the executive’s signature vetoing the bill.”

With no further discussion, a motion to reaffirm the legislative bill passed in a 6-0 vote with Councilman Ernie Davis absent.

Last year, Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development issued a building permit allowing a Wicomico County farmer to construct a three-million-gallon storage tank containing poultry by-products on his property in the area of Porter Mill Road. Since that time, several nearby residents have shared their concerns with the council regarding the potential smells and hazards associated with the tank.

To that end, the council passed a legislative bill in November declaring a six-month moratorium on the issuance of building permits for DAF tanks.

While the moratorium on building permits does not affect the Porter Mill Road project, officials in Wicomico County argued it would allow for further review of the permitting process and zoning issues in agricultural areas.

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With a little creativity and a lot of behind-the-scenes moving parts, a local resident this week had a 90th birthday celebration in style amid the new normal.

With Ocean City resident Toni Wagner’s 90th birthday approaching, her son Mark Wagner was searching for a way to celebrate his mom’s milestone while observing social distancing directives and stay-at-home orders.

Wagner reached out to Mayor Rick Meehan’s office for suggestions and city staffers responded with the idea to host a drive-by parade in honor of Toni Wagner’s 90th birthday.

As a result, on Tuesday, which was Wagner’s actual birthday, a parade of vehicles including the mayor and a few city council members, police, fire and public works department vehicles along with family and friends lined up along side streets in north Ocean City.

At the appointed time, the parade cruised slowly past Toni Wagner’s residence led by a police patrol vehicle playing “Happy Birthday” over its loud speaker as the surprised honoree waved from her porch.

“We planned a bigger-than-normal birthday party for her, but as you well

A long line of vehicles containing well-wishers drove by Toni Wagner’s house this week.

Photos courtesy of Ashley Miller and Kevin Matthews

know, normal as we knew it no longer exists,” said Mark Wagner.

Wagner said that was when he had the idea to reach out to the mayor’s office for advice. The results were more than he hoped for. Lauren Davis, administrative office associate from the mayor’s office reached out to the various departments and arranged the socially-distanced birthday celebration.

Wagner said Davis and city staffers and elected officials all worked together on the plan to celebrate his mo-

ther’s 90th birthday.

“When she did call back with a smile in her voice, she said that the mayor, councilmembers, the police department, fire department and the public works department were all on board and excited to participate in this special celebration,” he said. “She even thanked me for allowing them all to help out. It is so awesome. I am over the top happy with these public servants and town administrators’ willingness to help celebrate my mother’s special milestone birthday.”

Full Service Real Estate Settlements For 30 Years

Page 16

No Waiver For Special Event Fees

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

neW COnstRUCtiOn The Latitudes Townhomes Bayfront 25th Street

Council Votes Against Excusing Cost

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

• 3 Bed/3 Bath • 30 Year Architectural Roof • Direct Bayfront w/ Slip • No Shared Wall Construction OPEN • New 50 Year Bulkhead • Hardwood and Ceramic Thurs-Mon 10am - 4pm • 200' of Waterfront • Gas Tankless Water Heater • 2 Car Garage + Storage • Builder Warranty Only 6 Units Available - Starting at $646,250

Contact Your new Construction Project specialists to see e View

Listing Agent Mary McCracken 410-430-7302

steve Mastbrook 302-604-2694

tina Busko 865-300-5609

Patricia Abrams 443-365-5884

LOng & FOsteR ReAL estAte, inC. 11701 Coastal Highway • Ocean City MD 21842 Office 410.524.1700

April 24, 2020

OCEAN CITY – A couple of seemingly innocuous special event requests this week touched off a larger debate about when, if ever, it’s appropriate to waive fees for nonprofit groups and organizations.

In the consent agenda portion of the Mayor and Council meeting this week were a handful of requests for recurring special events typically rubber-stamped with little discussion.

Among the requests was a concert by the Woodson Elementary School Band from Crisfield scheduled for May 29 at the Somerset Plaza near the Boardwalk. Also included in the consent agenda was a concert by the Ambridge Area High School Steel Drum Band on June 17 also at the Somerset Street Plaza.

Each of those events comes with a fee of $87.50 based on the town’s formula for special events, which helps offset the town’s costs for hosting them including setting up stages or cordoning off areas, for example.

Under the town’s policy, concerts and events put on by Worcester County public school groups have their fees waived, while school groups from out of the area are given the discounted nonprofit rate.

The nonprofit rate for these two particular school band concerts is $87.50. It should be noted the fees are imposed on a sliding scale commensurate with the amount of resources the town dedicates to them. For example, a road race that requires coning off areas and extra police, for example, would require much higher fees.

The council appeared to be poised to pass the consent agenda including the two school band concerts in May and June with a motion and a second.

However, Councilman Mark Paddack suggested the $87.50 fees for the two concerts be waived in this particularly unusual time. Council Secretary Mary Knight, who seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda, said she understood Paddack’s sentiment, but wasn’t inclined to waive the fees.

“I’m not against waiving them, I just wonder if it would set a precedent,” she said. “We’ve never done it before.

I’m just not sure we want to go down that road.”

Councilman Dennis Dare explained the city used to consider fees for certain special events on a case-by-case basis that wasn’t always consistent or even equitable before developing a firm policy.

“We have a lot of special events that take a considerable amount of effort from the city,” he said. “For years, we worked on a system to finally manage these events and came up with a policy that has worked well. I know it’s

a nominal fee, but I’m not sure I’m willing to waive it at this point.”

Council President Lloyd Martin said with the current uncertainty about the season, it wasn’t necessarily a bad idea to waive the nominal fees for the two school band concerts.

“This is an odd year,” he said. “It might be worth $87.50 to bring them in from a good will standpoint. When we open, we’re going to want groups like this in town to entertain people and bring people back to town.”

Councilman John Gehrig agreed with Dare, pointing out the fee policy was put in place for good reason and after considerable research and debate.

“What we would be doing here is going back in time,” he said. “It would open the door for all kinds of similar requests. We have a policy in place.

We all want to help the nonprofits and we do that in our personal lives. We have an equitable system here and it’s predictable.”

Paddack did not disagree, but suggested under the circumstances it was not a bad idea to waive the fees for the two school concerts.

“I understand the policy,” he said.

“These are public school children and they have to travel here. I don’t see a huge expense associated with their requests. They’re only asking for $87.50 each. Let’s give them a chance.

Sometimes, you have to use discretion.”

Dare reiterated the history of how the town came to set a fair and equitable policy on special event fees and raised concern about opening that door again if the fees were waived in these two cases.

“All of these events are good, worthwhile, worthy events that help the organizations and help the town,” he said. “Once you open Pandora’s Box by waiving one fee, we’ll be back to where we were five, six, seven years ago where we’re having this discussion week after week after week.”

Gehrig pointed out the uncertainty of the timing for the two events scheduled for late May and mid-June. When the town reopens as expected at some point, there will likely be restrictions on large gatherings and social distancing.

“Frankly, for these two events, I just hope we’re open and ready to accommodate them,” he said. “These organizations know the fees and they have booster programs and a lot of support.

This was a major problem and we’re going to see it again. It was a laborious process to come up with a fair formula we can use.”

After considerable debate, the council voted to approve the consent agenda, including the two band concerts, but did not vote to waive the fees.

School System Providing 7,300-Plus Meals A Week

April 24, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – While schools might not be filled with teachers or students, skeleton crews are staffing some of their kitchens to make sure kids in need have access to food.

When schools closed in mid-March to stop the spread of COVID-19, an immediate concern for local educators was what that closure would mean for students who rely on the free and reduced meals they get at school. Worcester County Public Schools quickly launched a meal program to ensure that access to food continued even as schools remained closed.

“We want to make sure when school isn’t in session kids stay healthy and have something to eat,” said Worcester County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom, who volunteers at the Pocomoke meal distribution site. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Last week, the school system served more than 7,300 meals at its distribution sites, which are typically open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meals are served at Bay Terrace Garden in Berlin, Buckingham Elementary School, Snow Hill Elementary School, Ebenezer Church in Snow Hill, Windy Gardens in Pocomoke, St. Paul’s bythe-Sea in Ocean City and Pocomoke Middle School.

Nordstrom, who represents the southern part of the county, said the meals in Pocomoke were critical because so many students there lived in poverty.

“It means so much to the people here,” he said.

On a typical meal distribution day at Pocomoke Middle, kitchen staff report at 6 a.m. to begin prepping meals. On Wednesday, they packed up 230 lunches—a chicken sandwich, macaroni and cheese, kale and a snack—for volunteers to roll out to the parking lot. All parents had to do was drive up to the curb and say how many lunches they needed.

“It’s fantastic,” said Melissa Freistat, assistant principal at Pocomoke Middle. “Many of our students depend on school for breakfast and lunch.”

As parents pick up lunches, they’re also offered bags of canned goods, fruit cups and granola bars. Thanks to the support of the Maryland Food Bank, the school is able to maintain a pantry of staples to provide to families in need.

While many parents come to the school to pick up lunches for their kids, not all have transportation. Nicole Selby, coordinator of student, family and community connections, delivers meals to students who come from families in transition — those who are homeless or lack transportation. She says those delivery trips also serve to help her identify other children who might lack access to food.

“We’re able to identify students just by being out in the community,” she said.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Though the canned goods and snacks are provided by the Maryland Food Bank or through local donations, the school system is providing the meals being distributed. According to Vince Tolbert, the school system’s chief financial officer, those are being distributed through the USDA Summer Meals Program and costs are being monitored.

“They are eligible to be submitted for reimbursement under this program,” Tolbert said. “Our Worcester County Commissioners also provided $50,000 in funding in support of providing meals to our students in need. We are currently monitoring and reviewing other potential federal revenue sources that are included in the recently passed CARES Act. All revenue/costs are being recorded in our food service fund.”

Page 17

Cafeteria workers are pictured preparing meals to be distributed at Pocomoke Middle School.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

Officials Urge Action On Airport Water Extension Project

Page 18

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – An effort to advance a water main extension project at the airport highlighted a meeting of the Wicomico County Council this week.

Less than a month after tabling two agreements that would have allowed a water main extension project to proceed at the Salisbury airport, the county council this week fielded comments from community leaders requesting the resolutions be put back on the agenda for discussion and possible action.

“The council process of pointing fingers and not governing has to stop,” Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bill Chambers wrote. “There needs to be real leadership on this issue, a project that should have sailed through as our neighboring jurisdictions seem to have no trouble getting public works projects with state money built.”

Last November, Wicomico County secured $4.4 million in funding from the state’s Board of Public Works to run a water main from the Wor-Wic Community College water tower to the airport campus.

Before construction could begin, however, the city – which owns the water tower – required a pre-annexation agreement and water system agreement for the extension of water utility service to the airport.

The approval of the two agreements would be the county’s final step to begin construction on a water main extension project that would enhance fire protection service in the area, address

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

water quality issues at the airport and increased development potential at the airport’s business park.

During a legislative session earlier this month, however, the council voted 4-3 to table the agreements until more information could be provided to nearby residents. Some members of the council called for a public hearing to further discuss the matter.

“The citizens on that side of the county heard about this pre-annexation agreement and they do not know exactly what that means,” Councilman Joe Holloway said. “I think you need public hearings on this or you can have a town hall to explain it. That’s why I’m asking for a vote to table.”

In a public comment portion of Tuesday’s virtual meeting, community leaders called on the council to move forward with a public hearing and vote on the two resolutions. Greater Salisbury Committee President and CEO Mike Dunn urged the council to do what was necessary to advance the project.

“What matters now is moving this airport water project forward without useless delay,” he wrote. “In these unsettling times, the last thing we need to be is the county that had to give the state of Maryland its monies back because we couldn’t get a project off the ground.”

Greg Padgham, executive director of the Tri-County Council, also offered his support for the project.

“In contrast to other regional assets, the size and scale of the economic impact to the Lower Shore of a robust regional airport would be profound and far-reaching and would im-

pact a diverse and wide range of economic sectors,” he wrote.

The council this week also heard from residents concerned about the pre-annexation agreement between the county and the city.

Eric Jones, president of Kilbirnie Estates Homeowners Association, requested a public hearing or town hall where citizens could share their concerns.

“Members of the community I represent have voiced their concerns of the annexation of the water main proposed along the western border of our community on Walston Switch Road,” he said. “I do not speak for all in the community, but I proudly call this place home and I would like to voice my concerns about possible repercussions that the water extension may have today and years from now.”

Walston Switch Road resident Jessica Peters said she opposed the preannexation agreement.

“As a property owner that would one day be negatively impacted by the proposed airport water pre-annexation agreement, I am requesting you to please vote no should it come up again,” she wrote. “None of the properties between the water tower and the airport should be forced into being part of the city, not today, not tomorrow, not next year, not 7,300 or 10,950 days from now, not ever. There must be other options and we the people deserve to know what they are and why they are not being presented or pursued.”

Councilman Bill McCain noted this week the pre-annexation agreement required to move the project forward was

April 24, 2020

a routine agreement. He said the city required such agreements when providing water service outside the municipality.

McCain said approving the two agreements was critical, as a contract to begin construction will expire on May 12.

“This very well might be the most important economic development project that our region has experienced in decades, and it’s actually at this point a very straight-forward project …,” he said. “Time is of the essence. We need to get this on the agenda.”

Councilman Josh Hastings and Councilman John Cannon agreed.

“My opinion is when you don’t allow these resolutions to come to the table, you don’t allow the benefit of the citizens nor the seven members of this council to even discuss these issues politically,” Cannon said. “We could have spent a lot of time today discussing these issues and most likely answer a lot of the questions the public has.”

Holloway, however, said he wanted to keep the two resolutions tabled until a public hearing was arranged.

“Until we get a public hearing arranged – and I mean an actual public hearing and not a Zoom meeting – and get the facts out there, I don’t think we should move forward on it,” he said.

Council President Larry Dodd and Councilwoman Nicole Acle agreed to a public hearing.

“I think we all have the same end goal of water at the airport and working toward that,” Acle said. “Trying to get a public hearing to address the citizens’ concerns is at the top of my agenda.”

Following Tuesday’s county council meeting, County Executive Bob Culver issued a statement on the council’s actions.

“The County Council’s decision today is not only disappointing but it is also misguided and based on false assertions,” he wrote. “I want to thank Councilmen McCain, Hastings and Cannon for their efforts to bring some semblance of reason to the discussion. … The hysteria that certain Council members have created is inexcusable and not in our citizens’ best interests. And it is also counter-productive to our economy at a time when economic stimulus is clearly needed.”

Annual Business Competition Goes Virtual Next Month

April 24, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A local competition that assists business startups will go virtual this spring.

Last week, organizers of the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery Program announced its annual entrepreneurship competition would go virtual next month.

On May 7, entrepreneurs will vie for their share of $200,000 in business funding during the 14th round of a 10year, $2 million program to create new jobs. However, competitors will pitch their business ideas via Zoom, a video conferencing program.

Shore Hatchery Director Bill Burke, Salisbury University’s executive director for entrepreneurship and economic development, said the competition will be moved to a virtual format for the first time in the program’s history. Instead of having judges and competitors come to the Salisbury University campus, participants will be invited to a Zoom video conference, where they will present their entrepreneurial efforts.

“Last week and this week I was on several calls with other programs throughout Maryland and throughout the United States and many of them are doing the same thing,” he said. “As opposed to canceling the competition and saying, ‘We can’t do it,’ it’s inspir-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ing to see the entrepreneurial competition programs stepping up and saying, ‘Let’s continue to do this, to award and recognize our entrepreneurs.’”

The Shore Hatchery competition – administered through Salisbury University’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business – is open to any mid-Atlantic business startup and assists entrepreneurs in creating new jobs in the region. Burke said the program has awarded funding to 58 entrepreneurs since its inception in 2013.

“Those entrepreneurs have created 373 jobs, and they have reported upwards of $26 million in annual revenue for the year 2019,” he said. “We are not totally responsible for all that happening, but it’s a good indicator that the judges are selecting good entrepreneurs that are making a big economic impact.”

The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery Program was established with an initial $1 million contribution in 2013. In 2017, the Ratcliffe Foundation announced a second $1 million gift to continue the Shore Hatchery through spring 2023.

The goal of the program is to fund entrepreneurs and have new businesses opening within six months, with the potential of employing three or more within three years.

Up to $200,000 annually is available for those applying for grants through the Shore Hatchery program.

RACETRACK AUTO SALES

WE PAY CASH!

We Buy Like-New And Used Cars, Trucks, Trailers

(410) 641-4600

This semester, recipients will be selected based on Zoom presentations to the program’s board of directors.

Through the initiative, applicants representing multiple geographic territories and business sectors pitch their business ideas to the board during a “Gull Cage” competition similar to the format used for ABC-TV’s Shark Tank. Each spring and fall, the program awards a share of $100,000 to business startups.

Burke said more than 50 individuals applied to participate in the spring competition. Through a vetting process, 15 will compete for funds to grow their

Page 19

business.

“Typically 10% of entrepreneurs are successful,” he said. “We’ve been lucky.

From those entrepreneurs we’ve selected through the competition, 90% are still successful.”

Instead of canceling this year’s competition, Burke said officials decided to hold the competition virtually “in the spirit of entrepreneurship.”

“A big part of entrepreneurship is solving problems during tough times,” he said. “This is one of those tough times, and it should be a time for entrepreneurs to excel.”

Wicomico Councilman Defends Comments After Complaint

Page 20

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A county councilman defended himself this week after being called out for his comments regarding a new Pittsville library branch.

In a public comment portion of Tuesday’s Wicomico County Council meeting, resident William Wallace shared his concerns regarding comments made in an April 7 meeting of the legislative body.

At the time, Wicomico Public Library Executive Director Ashley Teagle issued a letter to the county council regarding plans for a new Pittsville branch, which is currently located in a portable trailer off Old Ocean City Road. She said the proposed site, a former John’s Auto Body shop, would not have enough space to serve to the community.

“The proposed location is 3,655 square feet,” she wrote. “When taken into consideration the basic needs of the library, I determined the new Pittsville branch should be 6,512 square feet. This would anticipate future growth on the east side of the county and the needs of the community.”

Teagle told the council the library would need enough space to accommodate library collections, a meeting room, a branch manager’s office, restrooms and storage rooms. She said the construction of a new library would cost roughly $3,256,000, but noted the county could be eligible state library capital grants that would cover up to 86% of the project.

“With the uncertainty of the Kirwan Commission and COVID-19 on local budgets, I feel it is important we keep in mind the state offers significant assistance with library facilities,” she wrote. “However, these grants prioritize projects that are owned by the county. The current proposed lease agreement for the body shop completely blocks the library from applying for any state funds.”

At the time, Councilman Joe Holloway, who represents residents on the east side of the county, shared his frustration with Teagle’s comments.

“The people on the east side have worked really hard trying to find a building to expand the library, and I do want to thank the county executive for

his attention to that,” he said. “I guess some people are never satisfied.”

Holloway said it wasn’t clear if the county executive would support the construction of a new library, but argued the proposed site would offer more room for the Pittsville branch than the current location.

“I hope her letter doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into the people on the east side getting a new library branch,” he said.

In a letter to the council this week, Wallace said his concerns surrounded Holloway’s statements at the April 7 meeting.

“I would like to express offense at Councilmember Holloway’s dismissive response to executive director Ashley Teagle of Wicomico Public Library and the value of her professional input on the capital project for her organization,” he wrote. “As Councilmember Cannon saliently pointed out at the same April 7 meeting, it is common practice to consult with an organization’s leadership, for example, board of education and the sheriff’s department, regarding the capital projects

April 24, 2020

and expansions related to their organizations. Why then would Councilman Holloway so derisively disregard the practical critiques offered by Ms. Teagle? … Once more, I take particular umbrage with the use of the phrase ‘throw a monkey wrench’ when referring to a black woman, Director Teagle, who Councilman Holloway has met on more than one occasion and should know to consider his words more carefully when referring to her.”

Holloway responded this week, saying, “If he knew much about my life and my past, he would know I’m very sensitive to any kind of statement that would insult anyone as far as a racial slur … I apologize if I offended anybody. That wasn’t my intent.”

Councilwoman Nicole Acle also came to Holloway’s defense.

“I don’t believe it was Councilman Holloway’s intention to insult with the phrase ‘to throw a monkey wrench,’” she said. “The phrase can be found in just about every dictionary, either referencing to an actual type of wrench itself or a disruption, as I believe Councilman Holloway intended.”

HERE’S MY CARD

For More Information, Contact Pamela Green PHONE: 410-641-4561 • FAX: 410-641-0966 • EMAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM CARPET CLEANING

PORCH COVERS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

• Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Oriental Rug Cleaning & Repair • Tile & Grout Cleaning

Quality Service by Certified Technicians Since 1983

(302) 436-5652 www.brasurescarpetcare.com

HOME & PATIO SERVICES

302-212-9800 meckservicesanddesigns@gmail.com MHIC #135919 DE #2018608353

HOME & PATIO SERVICES/INTERIOR & EXTERIOR • General Repair • Tile • Pavers • Hardscaping & Maintenance • Painting • Drywall • Landscaping • Flooring Contact us today for a free estimate!

LAWN CARE

Proper ty Services L n e LC old Junk Removal JUNK REMOVAL

G

ROOFING

Trash, Furniture, Appliances, Hot Tubs, Construction/Yard Debris, Clean-Outs & More

443-783-0680 Avery Golden Licensed & Insured

Eastern Shore, MD

ATTORNEY Free & Flexible Consultation Call Today!

Matthew S. Farr 11032 Nicholas Lane, Suite A202 Berlin, MD 21811 Phone: (410) 430-7887

Work Injury Claims Personal Injury Claims

mfarr@matthewfarrlaw.com www.MatthewFarrLaw.com

PERSONAL TRAINING

Obituaries

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Janice L. Winkler FELTON, DE – Janice L. Winkler passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020 at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. She was born on May 1, 1945 in Salisbury, daughter of the late James Norman Green and Katherine (Townsend) Layfield.

Mrs. Winkler enjoyed her youth where she grew up next door to JANICE L. her grandmother’s farm WINKLER and shared many stories about her, her brother and their cousin’s interactions. During summers, she enjoyed attending 4-H Youth Camp and time at the beach with friends and family, particularly Ocean City. She graduated from Wicomico High School in 1963.

After graduation she attended Cambridge Nursing Academy in Cambridge, where she obtained her Licensed Nurse Certificate. She worked in Cambridge and then Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Del. One of her early nursing career accomplishments was being accepted as the first Anesthesia Technician at Peninsula General Hospital in Salisbury. She served as a Sunday School teacher at Felton United Methodist Church, Lake Forest Elementary School PTA past Presi-

dent and was a member of the Harrington New Century Club and past president. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking and tending to her flowers. She had a love for classic cars, reading Southern Living Magazine and many farm and country related publications. She most enjoyed collecting “bunny rabbits” and spring was her favorite time of year. She cherished family gatherings and hosting dinners at her home for friends and family alike. She was a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. She always kept up with the lives of those whom she touched and enjoyed being around people. She will be missed by many who knew her.

Mrs. Winkler is survived by her husband, David W. Winkler of Felton to whom she was married for 47 years.

She worked with him on the family farm and road side market, as well as with Winkler Brothers Enterprises for many years. She will be remembered for attention to detail and service to customers through that time. Additionally, she is survived by her daughter and

Page 21

son-in-law, Kim (Mark) Shafer of Clear Spring, Md.; her son and daughter-inlaw, Vince (Julia) Winkler of Middletown, Del.; and her daughter Jodi Winkler Pries of Felton, Del.; her grandchildren, Blake (Paula) Shafer, Heather (Adam) Branch and Frank Winkler; great-grandson Colt Branch; her nephews Brett Winkler and Steve Green; and her niece Jill Gray. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jay Green.

We very much want to honor Janice’s life and together share our appreciation of her contributions to the community, however, in consideration of the current public health environment, and to protect the health of Janice’s family and friends, services will be private.

A Celebration of Janice’s Life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by McKnatt, Carpenter & Baker Funeral Home in Harrington. Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com.

husband of the late Mary Patricia Dukehart and caring father of Mary Ann, Dr. Peter J., Stephen C., Andrew G., and Dr. Matthew R. Dukehart: cherished grandfather of eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Betty Quinn, and brother, Reverend CH Dukehart.

Due to the continuing pandemic, memorial services will be postponed until sometime this summer. Donations may be made to The Joseph House Crisis Center, The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, PO Box 1755, Salisbury, Md. 21802 or St. Charles Villa, 603 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, Md. 21228.

Carolyn Hartye Dorman OCEAN PINES – Carolyn “Carol” Hartye Dorman was born in the Bronx, N.Y. to parents Col. Robert and Helen Hartye (US Army Retired) on June 16, 1945. She died peacefully on April 20, 2020 at Coastal Hospice at CAROLYN HARTYE the Lake.

As a proud Army brat, DORMAN Carol and her family were stationed in Japan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and France. She attended Orleans American High School, where she met the SEE NEXT PAGE

HERE’S MY CARD Joseph Carl Dukehart

CATONSVILLE – Joseph Carl Dukehart of Catonsville passed away on April 20, 2020. He was the beloved

For More Information, Contact Pamela Green PHONE: 410-641-4561 • FAX: 410-641-0966 • EMAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM

WAINWRIGHT’S TIRE CENTER INC. AUTO

Licensed & insured ocean city #35727 Maryland #95090 delaware #2007214173

SALES & SERVICE Custom Wheels Computer Wheel Alignment Lube & Oil Change Shocks & Struts

Exhaust Systems Air Conditioning & Brake Service Road Service – Truck & Farm

WASTE & SEPTIC SERVICE

ROOFING

• All New Roofs Carry 10-Year Warranty • All Jobs Inspected By Owner At Completion • Customers’ Satisfaction Guaranteed Over 25 Years Experience In Roofing & Siding

CALL FOR PRICING

LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED

QUALIFIED MECHANICS TO HELP WITH YOUR ROOFING NEEDS! Septic Installation, Service & Pumping Hydro Jetting | Drain Fields & Pump Stations Porta Potty Rentals | Roll-Off Dumpsters | Grease Traps

410-641-2000 • 18 Broad St. • Berlin

for a free estiMate caLL office: 410-289-1115 or caLL the owner direct: 443-366-2786

2kuzlandonsepticservices@gmail.com | 410.957.0379

HOME IMPROVEMENT

MVA LICENSED

BLINDS/SHADES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

LANDSCAPING

2kuzlandonseptic.com

Let’s scheduLe your spring projects now!

Ken waLsh – 410-641-3762 est. 1977 • Mhic 8465 www.WalshHomeImprovementInc.com

Specializing In: Custom Additions, Kitchens, Baths

PROFESSIONAL HOME ORGANIZER MHIC#76938

Del.#2007215731

LANDSCAPING • IRRIGATION HARDSCAPING • FREE ESTIMATES Full Service/Yearly Maintenance Contracts Available

443-235-6249 • ARTISTICRENOVATIONS.COM

443-783-2224 • edgarcjr@aol.com

... Obituaries

Page 22

FROM PAGE 21 love of her life, Charlie “Chuck” Dorman.

He was one of those GI’s your Mama told you to stay away from, ha-ha. Upon returning to the states, she and Charlie were married on Feb. 14, 1964 in Catonsville. They lived there for 23 years.

Carol worked at Baltimore Federal Savings & Loan in Baltimore City. In 1986, Charlie was transferred to the Naval Facility at Wallops Island as Director of Public Works and they moved to Ocean Pines.

Carol’s favorite past times were reading and singing with the Pine Tones Chorus. She joined that group in 1986 and considered the members her extended family. She particularly enjoyed singing at the nursing homes, which was part of the Pine Tones’ commitment.

Carol was currently a member of the Rotary Club of Snow Hill, the Worcester

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch County Arts Council, OC/Berlin Optimist Club and Furnace Town Museum. She was also a past-president of the Ocean Pines Woman’s Club, Ocean City/ Berlin Optimis Club, Gamma Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and the Worcester County Arts Council. She was currently serving as Vice President of the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club.

She is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 56 years, Charlie; her sister and her husband, Connie and Dean Merrell of Minnesota; her sister-inlaw Lisa Hartye of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; her sister-in-law Maxine Brisbane of Ocean Pines; and her wonderful nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Helen Hartye; her brothers, Bob Jr. and Michael; her inlaws, Charles and Helen Dorman; and nephew, Steven Hocheder.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Snow Hill Rotary Club Scholarship Fund. PO Box 1, Snow Hill,

Md. 21863 and/or the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club Scholarship Fund. PO Box 1403, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home P.A., 501 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, Md. 21804. To send condolences to the family please visit www.hollowayfh.com.

Lois Lohmeyer OCEAN PINES – Lois Lohmeyer of Ocean Pines passed away peacefully at Atlantic General Hospital on April 14, 2020 at the age of 89.

A 35-year resident of Ocean Pines, Lois was a neighborhood fixture whose long walks and ready smile touched the lives of her neighbors near and far. Having reLOIS tired to the area with LOHMEYER the love of her life, her late husband Kenneth Vaughn Lohmeyer, Kenny and Lois found a true home among the welcoming embrace of the Pines commu-

April 24, 2020 nity and spent many happy years there in a house built just for them.

The daughter of John and Margaret McCloskey, Lois was the eldest of five children, and was something of a second mother to her youngest siblings.

Coming of age in the shadow of World War II, she spent her teen years in Europe with her family following her father's US Army postings, graduating from high school in Heidelberg, Germany. Lois maintained close ties with her brothers and sister throughout her life and always treasured their time together. She is predeceased by her brothers, Dennis R. McCloskey of Virginia Beach, and A. Joseph McCloskey of Orlando, Fla. Lois enjoyed an independent and quiet life, taking pleasure in the simplest and best things, the fellowship of her friends and family, the companionship of pets, and the satisfaction of doing and providing for herself when and where she was able. In recent years as her health declined, Lois took solace in her orderly home life. Her friends and neighbors made this independence possible, becoming for Lois an extended family of “guardian angels” that she could always rely upon for safety, support, and love.

Lois is survived by her two sons, Kenneth Vaughn Lohmeyer Jr. of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jeffrey Allen Lohmeyer of St Petersburg, Fla, as well as her brother, John McCloskey and his wife Patricia of Boca Raton, and her sister, Catherine Ward of Baltimore, together with many nieces and nephews. Lois knew the blessings of four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Alexa Martinek, her husband Adam, and their son Daniel of Spokane, Wash.; Alastair Lohmeyer and partner Cassie Jones of Tacoma; Giles Lohmeyer, his wife Gaby, and their daughter Camille also of Tacoma; and Issy LaVe and husband Louis of Post Falls, Idaho.

A funeral service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to The American Lung Association of Maryland, 211 E. Lombard St. Baltimore, Md. 21202 or to Coastal Hospice P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md., 21804.

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

Allen F. Hastings BERLIN – Allen Hastings of Berlin passed away Monday, April 20, 2020 at the age of 84. He was the son of the late Preston Hastings and Lilly (Allen) Hastings as well as the loving husband of Dorothy Hastings.

In addition to his wife, Allen is survived by his ALLEN F. children, Tina Donaway HASTINGS and Lori Hastings and her significant other Richard Jones, and brother, Robert Taylor Hastings and wife Edith. He is also survived by grandchildren Breezy Popp, Jessica Donaway and Rachael Donaway; step-grandchildren Lane Jones, Richard Jones and Colin Jones; great granddaughter Ariana Wells; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Allen was preceded in death by his sister, Amanda King.

Allen had spent most of his life working as a poultry farmer before retire-

... Obituaries

April 24, 2020

ment. He enjoyed spending time with his family and at home washing his cars and mowing the grass. He was a Nascar fan and specifically a fan of Jimmy Johnson.

Allen also enjoyed feeding his squirrels and loved watching his hummingbirds.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch a good fried shrimp platter, watching anything sports oriented and the Hallmark channel at Christmas.

A graveside service will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring and will be private for the family. A donation in her memory may be made to the Worcester County Developmental Center, 8545 Newark Rd, Newark, Md. 21841. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Kristie Ann Dennison

Matthew Ballard Cooper

OCEAN CITY – Kristie Ann Dennison, age 67, died Saturday April 18, 2020 at Harrison House of Snow Hill.

Born in Washington DC, she was the beloved daughter of the late Ernest E. and Shirley F. Miller Dennison. She is survived by her sisters, Cyndy Dennison of Ocean City and Sherry Dabney (David) of Bethany Beach, Del. Also surviving are her nephews, Matthew Dennison, Jimi Dennison (Maria) and Peyton Miller Bernell; cousins Ka- KRISTIE ANN ra Moyer, Patrick Moyer DENNISON (Selena), Megan Moyer, Michael Moyer; sister in law Anne Dennison Creech; and uncle George E Miller III. Preceding her in death was her twin brothers, Kevin and Stephen Dennison.

Kristie was a graduate of Wheaton High School. Her great love was her music and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed the beach life, a beautiful sunrise, sunset,

DELMAR – One of the brightest stars in our universe was extinguished as Matthew Ballard Cooper “Flea Dog,” passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born May 23, 1964 in Washington, D.C., a son of Beverly and Gary Cooper of Delmar.

Matt graduated from Southern High School near Annapolis with the class of 1982. He was a sports enthusiast and a faithful fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Redskins. Also known as Matt, Mateo, Flea and Flea Dog, he loved life and could light up a room wherever he went and will be remembered by so many who knew and loved him. He was an accomplished salesman and sold various products and services throughout his lifetime. God gave him the gift of a great smile and the ability to talk and sometimes talk very loud. Flea and his wife Denise opened “Bistro 54” in Delmar, where they met many wonderful and close friends. Along with

$ 00

1 OFF

Any 3-, 4-, 5-Litre Wine Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 4-30-20 • MCD

15% OFF

Cheers!

Any Case Of Wine

Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 4-30-20 • MCD

10% OFF

750 ml/1.5 L Bottle Of Wine Not Valid With Other Offers Or Discounts Exp. 4-30-20 • MCD

BEER • WINE • SODA Open 7 Days A Week Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Gas • Ice Cigarettes 410-641-2366 • Main St. & Old O.C. Blvd., Berlin, Md.

“Your Friends At The Beach”

Resort Property Management

DCMA PCAM® AMS® CMCA Certified MHIC #68055

•Administrative Management •Financial Management •Building Maintenance Service •Custodial Services •Pool Services •24-Hour Emergency Service

410-213-7144 9923 Stephen Decatur Hwy., Suite D-6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Steve@OceanPointLtd.com • www.OceanPointLtd.com

friends, he was in the process of opening “Bin 54” wine bar in Delmar.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of almost 18 years, Denise (Cobb) Cooper; a brother and his wife, Mark and Karen Cooper of Bishopville and their children, Kristin Stortini of Rockville and Paul Stortini of Philadelphia; in-laws, Meredith and Daniel “Doc” Cobb of Delmar; and a broth- MATTHEW er-in-law and wife, Dan- BALLARD COOPER ny and Wendy Cobb and their children, Emily and Brendan of Ada, Michigan; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of close friends. He is also survived by his six furry, four-legged “children,” Pra-

Page 23 da, Meadow, Bistro, Oliver, Freckles and Louie, his beloved Shelties. He was preceded in death by grandparents June and Ted Cooper and Helen and Lester Ballard; uncle Lester “Pee-Wee” Ballard; and twin brothers who died in infancy.

Due to the present COVID-19 restrictions, services and a celebration of his life for family and friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, c/o Memorial Gifts, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 or by visiting https://www.medstarhealth.org Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Woman Faces Multiple Charges After Two Arrests In Same Week

Page 24

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City woman was arrested twice in the span of a couple of days last week including an incident during which she ran down the Boardwalk completely naked.

Around 6:45 p.m. last Tuesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a grocery store parking lot at 94th Street for a suspicious female suspect, later identified as Tatiana Foreman, 33, of Ocean City, looking through vehicles. According to police reports, Foreman had also caused concern for customers inside the grocery store. OCPD officers met with a store employee who advised Foreman had been scaring people inside the grocery store and was now in

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Resident Ran Naked On Boardwalk

the parking lot pacing around her vehicle, a black Mercedes.

OCPD officers approached Foreman and found her around her vehicle. According to police reports, Foreman kept getting random things out of the vehicle including a soccer ball and there was a piece of raw salmon on the vehicle’s dashboard. Foreman reportedly told police she was in the grocery store parking lot taking an online course and showed the officers a video conference on her phone.

When the officers asked Foreman for her license, she reportedly told police her license was suspended and

presented a U.S. passport instead.

When asked if she had driven her vehicle to the grocery store, Foreman acknowledged she had and that she knew her license was suspended, but that she drove to the store anyway because she was hungry, according to police reports.

OCPD officers confirmed Foreman’s license was suspended and told her to call her husband to come pick her up because she was not allowed to drive. Instead, Foreman asked the officers to call her husband for her because she did not want to interrupt the online course on her

April 24, 2020

phone. OCPD officers reached Foreman’s husband and made arrangements for him to pick her up.

According to police reports, OCPD officers walked back across the parking lot to their patrol vehicle and were standing outside when Foreman allegedly became agitated and held her cellphone out of her vehicle’s window.

Foreman then started the vehicle and accelerated toward the OCPD patrol vehicle, nearly striking it.

Foreman then put her vehicle in reverse and backed up next to the OCPD vehicle with just inches to spare and began barking like a dog at the OCPD officers. Foreman was instructed to turn off the vehicle and TATIANA exit and she was sub- FOREMAN sequently arrested for driving on a suspended license.

Three days later around 8 a.m. last Friday, OCPD officers were dispatched to the Caroline Street comfort station on the Boardwalk for a reported naked and disorderly female who may have been stealing items from storefronts. OCPD officers were directed by a town public works employee to the area behind the comfort station where they found Foreman sitting on a chair with no pants on, according to police reports.

As OCPD officers approached her, Foreman reportedly stood up and began frantically putting on her pants and jacket while rambling in both English and foreign language. Among Foreman’s scattered belongings, OCPD officers observed a balled-up piece of black canvas with a screen print design on it often used by Boardwalk T-shirt shops as samples.

Foreman told police she did not steal the store sample, but had taken it from a shop where she knew the owner. Upon closer inspection, OCPD officers located four more balled-up pieces of black canvas among Foreman’s possessions, each with a different screen print design on it.

OCPD officers went to the store and observed a T-shirt display with several blank spots where samples were missing. Foreman was arrested at that point for theft.

OCPD officers also noticed a local resident with whom they were familiar because he often exercises on the Boardwalk early in the morning standing nearby. According to police reports, the local resident told police “that was crazy,” and that he was just enjoying his first cup of coffee when he saw Foreman running south on the Boardwalk in her birthday suit.

When asked to clarify, the witness told police Foreman had been running on the Boardwalk completely naked and that he had seen everything.

Foreman was charged with theft, malicious destruction of property and indecent exposure.

Atlantic General Prepared For Virus Surge If It Comes

April 24, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – As the number of COVID19 cases continues to increase in Worcester County, a local hospital is hoping to meet the demands of a predicted surge with additional beds and overflow space.

In recent weeks, Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) has taken several measures to prepare for an influx of patients. Based on state and federal projections, the facility has increased its capacity to meet the demands of an anticipated hospital surge.

“We put this plan in place at the facility about a month ago, to go from our 40 licensed beds up to a capacity for 83 beds,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General.

The hospital started to execute its surge plans last month, creating additional overflow space adjacent to the emergency department waiting room, adding additional negative pressure rooms, modifying the airflow in inpatient and emergency room areas, and transforming its post anesthesia care unit (PACU) into a seven-bed ICU ward for patients with COVID-19.

“Where we’ve had to discontinue doing elective cases by the governor’s order, that’s freed up space in the recovery area to create this special expansion of the ICU where we can put all the COVID patients and keep them isolated from the rest of the hospital,” Franklin said.

Franklin noted many of the hospital’s efforts were made possible through partnerships. Royal Plus, for example, loaned AGH 20 pressurized air personal respirator systems for nurses and physicians to wear when treating patients with COVID-19 and six air scrubbers to create additional negative pressure rooms.

“Negative pressure means all the air is taken from the room, filtered and sent out of the hospital …,” he said. “We have an entire floor of the hospital that has negative flow to cohort patients and to protect nursing staff and physicians and the rest of the patients in the hospital.”

Franklin said AGH has also partnered with Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to open a 16-bed, hospital-staffed alternative care site in the lower level of the nursing home. The area has a separate entrance and exit and will be used as an overflow area to treat lowacuity patients who do not have COVID19.

“If we get to a point where we need the added capacity, we will move those low-risk patients to that facility and manage them with community-based physicians and telemedicine so hospitalists can consult with those patients, he said.”

While the hospital has taken several steps to expand its capacity, Franklin said efforts were made easier by the hospital’s participation in yearly stateled surge drills.

“Nobody saw this coming to be able to budget for this,” he said. “But we have done this scenario before … We have

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

practiced it and thought about what we can do to expand capacity, what we could do to protect our hospital and make sure we don’t have unintentional spread of a disease, or in this case COVID-19, around the hospital. It shortened our think time for what we needed to do to put things into place that protect the hospital, the patients and the staff.”

As of Tuesday, the hospital had seven patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and five patients who were awaiting test results, Franklin said.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve had a big surge of COVID-positive patients,” he said.

“We’ve had a steady number of COVIDpositive patients for about the last two weeks.”

Franklin said AGH’s census is down significantly, as people are staying away from the hospital. But that has created

other issues.

“People are waiting longer than they would have to come into the hospital,” Franklin said. “So we’ve seen a ruptured appendix last week that probably would’ve been prevented if they’d come to the hospital earlier. We’ve also had similar problems with kidney stones.”

Officials said people are also canceling appointments with their physicians. Public Relations Vice President Toni Keiser said the health system’s providers offer telemedicine visits utilizing the Follow-My-Health patient portal and continue to see patients in the office when it is appropriate to do so.

“We don’t want people to stay home or disconnect from their regularly scheduled appointment, or any urgent care they may need,” she said. “We want people to be proactive instead of

Page 25

waiting until they are too sick.”

In an effort to reduce the number of people coming to the hospital, AGH has worked with the Worcester County Health Department to convert the Atlantic ImmediCare at 10th Street to a COVID-19 testing site.

“The canary in the coal mine that we have is our test location,” Franklin said.

“After the first week we opened it up, we were seeing about eight patients a day on average. We’ve had closer to 20 patients today going to 10th Street to be tested ...”

As the number of cases continue to increase in surrounding counties, Franklin said AGH could see activity ramp up.

“It shows that it’s knocking on our door …,” he said. “I think there are a number of signals out there showing things are picking up around here.”

Page 26

cops & courts The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Beating, Choking Arrest OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested this month on first-degree assault and other charges after allegedly beating and choking a female victim during a domestic argument.

Around 10:50 a.m. on April 6, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives responded to a trailer park at 134th Street to follow up on a domestic assault from the night prior. The officers met with the female victim who reportedly told police she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, identified as Neal Herrell, 38, of Ocean City, during a domestic argument. According to police reports, Herrell allegedly threatened to kill the victim and choked her to the point she lost consciousness.

The victim reportedly had a protective order against Herrell and when OCPD officers arrived, Herrell was seen walking away from the residence.

Herrell reportedly told police he was walking away because he knew he was not supposed to be near the victim

gainst a wall, according to police reports. When the victim fell to the ground in a fetal position, Herrell then allegedly punched and kicked her all over her body. The victim said Herrell grabbed her by the neck again and pushed his thumbs into her throat until she started to see white stars and then she lost consciousness.

The victim said she was uncertain just how long she was unconscious. According to police reports, the victim told officers that throughout the alleged assault, Herrell expressed several times

NeeD cash

Immediate Evaluation And Payment

Highest Prices Paid

and that the couple was on their way to the courthouse to get the protective order cleared up that day.

According to police reports, the victim told officers Herrell had accused her of cheating on him and grew angry and told her to drop the protective order against him. Herrell allegedly told the victim he would kill her if she did not drop the protective order against him and then said, “In fact, I’m gonna kill you now,” according to police reports.

Herrell then allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck and threw her a-

Gold And Silver Prices Are Very High!

we pay top Dollar!

Gold & Silver Coins

Gold Jewelry

Not Sure What You Have?

Bring It In!

Any Quantity Large Or Smal1!

Silver Jewelry Silverware

Silver Bullion, Bars And Ingots

we buy golD & silver

White Gold • Yellow Gold ALL KARATS: 24 KT • 22KT • 18 KT • 14 KT 10 KT • 9 KT

Premium Paid On Rare Dates GOLD COINS PRE-1933 SILVER COINS PRE-1965

FOREIGN & DOMESTIC OLD U.S. PAPER CURRENCY

DENTAL GOLD PLATINUM,TOO

buyiNg & selliNg coiNs

call or stop by to maKe aN appoiNtmeNt call For more iNFormatioN

410-buy-golD (410-289-4653) D.a. Kozma Jewelry

HOPE TO BE OPEN FOR REGULAR BUSINESS SOON

FooD lioN shoppiNg ceNter

route 611 at route 50 west oceaN city

9936 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY.

410-213-7505

www.DaKozmaJewelers.com lic. No. 2294

April 24, 2020 he was both willing and able to kill her.

OCPD officers examined the victim, who was reportedly covered in bruises over her entire body. The victim had several dark bruises on her legs and shoulders and arms in addition to red fingerprint marks on both sides of her neck.

According to police reports, the incident was the third time since January that OCPD officers had responded to an incident where Herrell allegedly assaulted the victim. Based on the evidence, Herrell was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and violation of a protective order.

First-Degree Assault Charge OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested and charged with first-degree assault last week after allegedly strangling and beating his girlfriend during a dispute over money.

Around 11:45 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a reported domestic assault at an apartment complex near 12th Street. Upon arrival, the officers met with a female victim who was bleeding from her mouth, arm and thumb and also had obvious red marks on her neck, according to police reports.

The victim told police she had allegedly been assaulted by her boyfriend during an argument over his request for her to transfer money to his bank account. The victim reportedly told Larry White, 39 of Ocean City, she would make the bank transfer, but she wanted to have a cup of coffee and a cigarette first. At that point, White became irate and smacked the victim on the right side of her face and began strangling her with both hands until she went unconscious, according to police reports.

When the victim regained consciousness, White reportedly apologized but she told him to leave. At first, White refused to leave, but ultimately did leave and the victim locked the door behind him. He then returned a short time later and banged on the door while yelling to the victim to let him back in. White then picked up a chair from the patio and broke a window to gain entry to the residence.

According to police reports, once back inside White told the victim he was going to throw out all of her food.

When the victim attempted to stop him, he reportedly pushed her out of the way and punched her in the mouth.

White also pulled her to the floor and continued to punch her in the mouth, according to police reports. When the victim attempted to call the police, White allegedly stole her phone, but ultimately left the residence.

While police were interviewing the victim, White reportedly called her phone multiple times. White reportedly told the victim he was going to kill himself and told her to meet him at a convenience store in West Ocean City when the police left. OCPD officers spent much of the day searching for White to arrest him for assault, and also to potentially prevent a suicide.

He was later found in the area of 12th Street and was arrested and charged with first-degree assault.

Del. Man Arrested After Truck Theft, Hotel Burglary

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested on numerous charges last week after allegedly stealing a box truck, driving it to Ocean City and breaking into and stealing numer-ous items from a resort hotel over 12 hours.

Around 7:30 a.m. last Monday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a hotel at 54th Street to assist another police agency in locating a stolen vehicle.

Ocean City Communications advised the Elkton, Md. police department was trying to track a stolen Herr’s Snacks box truck. During the course of the investigation, it was learned the stolen company truck was equipped with a hand-held tablet that was sending a traceable wireless signal from the area of 54th Street in Ocean City.

The OCPD officer arrived on the scene and located the stolen Herr’s truck in the hotel parking lot. Piled next to the truck were roughly 30 boxes of unopened Herr’s snacks along with a blue couch belonging to the hotel, bed sheets, hotel keys, a hotel employee key card and lanyard, a luggage dolly and multiple hotel bar beverage coupons.

A hotel maintenance supervisor led OCPD officers into the hotel to point out several areas that had been damaged or were out of place. It should be noted the hotel was unopen because of the ongoing restrictions in place because of the coronavirus. While in the hotel, OCPD officers heard a power tool activated on an interior upper floor and followed the sound toward its origin.

Eventually, the officers located Matthew Webb, 20, of Nanison Farms, Del., on the third floor of the hotel.

OCPD officers identified themselves to Webb and ordered him to stop, but Webb fled from police and attempted to hide in a unit on the third floor. A Worcester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was on hand to assist, but Webb allegedly fled down a flight of stairs and out of the hotel with officers giving

chase.

According to police reports, Webb was wearing plastic bags and tiedoff pillow cases on his feet instead of shoes, which would later prove to be a piece of evidence. Webb was apprehended after a short chase and was arrested.

During a follow-up interview, Webb reportedly told OCPD officers he had stolen the Herr’s Snacks truck in Elkton on the day prior and drove to Ocean MATTHEW WEBB City. Around 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, he arrived at the hotel on 54th Street and broke into the hotel via a ground-level beachfront unit. Sandy footprints and Webb’s sneakers were later found just outside the beachfront unit through which he had gained entry to the hotel.

Webb reportedly told police once he was inside the hotel, he gathered a couch, multiple televisions, safes, power tools, various other electronic equipment and even a live turtle from the hotel’s atrium pond. He then un-

Page 27

loaded the contents of the stolen box truck of its Herr’s Snacks merchandise and began to load items from the hotel into the truck. According to police reports, Webb told police he came to Ocean City because he was homeless and remembered visiting the 54th Street hotel in his youth.

The investigation revealed Webb was inside the hotel for about 12 hours, maliciously stealing and destroying property. He had been staging the items stolen from the hotel in a room on the fourth floor until he could move them to the stolen box truck in the parking lot. OCPD officers investigated the entire hotel to assess the extend of Webb’s damage and theft.

At the beachfront, first-floor unit, they discovered the sliding glass door was destroyed and Webb’s sand-covered shoes were sitting just outside.

The officers also discovered an ATM machine in the lobby was destroyed as Webb allegedly attempted to steal the roughly $2,500 inside.

OCPD officers also learned a basement storage area and a television storage area had been broken into.

Throughout the hotel, OCPD officers learned multiple computer monitors, keyboards and flat-screen televisions had been stolen along with numerous power tools and other property belonging to the hotel.

In addition, a hotel coin changer had been stolen from an office and had been destroyed with bolt cutters.

A vending machine on the fourth floor also had its front glass window shattered and the contents inside were stacked neatly on a luggage cart.

Inside the room on the fourth floor, OCPD officers found many of the items Webb had stolen from throughout the hotel organized and staged for transportation from the hotel to the stolen box truck outside. The stolen items, including computers, televisions and power tools of all shapes and sizes had been loaded onto luggage dollies and even a wheelchair for transport to the stolen box truck.

Webb was charged with multiple burglary, theft and malicious destruction of property charges. He was ordered held without bond.

Eastern Shore Physical Therapy We Are Open To Help You If You Have Pain.

Following CDC Guidelines.

410-641-2900 STAY SAFE.

410-641-2900 • WWW.EASTERNSHOREPT.COM 314 FRANKLIN AVENUE, SUITE 405 (NEXT TO LAB CORP), BERLIN, MD. 21811

Those we love, don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near.

So loved, so missed, so very dear.

Mom, Happy 3rd birthday in Heaven.

Hoping you are smiling and laughing with all of your loved ones!

We feel you with us every day! xoxoxo

Page 28

Business And Real Estate News

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 24, 2020

SoDel Concepts, a hospitality group with 12 coastal Delaware restaurants, recently donated $87,042.25 to help the Beebe Healthcare COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Organized by the Beebe Medical Foundation, the fund supports Beebe health care workers on the frontline of the pandemic. The donation came from 100% of the restaurant sales on April 18. Pictured, from left, are Tom Protack, president of the Beebe Medical Foundation; Alan Levin, SoDel Concepts’ senior advisor; and Dr. David Tam, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare.

Submitted Photos

Management Promotions BERLIN – Taylor Bank has announced the following promotions.

Lori Simon was recently promoted to branch administration manager. Simon joined Taylor Bank in 2006. She has over 36 years of financial industry experience. In her new role, she provides leadership to branch LORI SIMON operations and establishes branch operating guidelines. In 2019 Simon was promoted to vice president. She also holds the title of CRA officer, and is responsible for administering the Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. Active in the community, she volunteers with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services and serves on the board in Worcester County for Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore.

Hanna Ford has recently been promoted to branch manager of HANNA FORD the bank’s South Ocean City branch. Ford began her career at Taylor Bank as a customer service associate in 2013. She has also served as associate trainer, senior customer service associate and operations supervisor. Ford is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement of the EaALLISON stern Shore.

LANKFORD Allison Lankford has recently been promoted to branch manager of the bank’s West Ocean City branch. Lankford has 12 years of banking experience. Her background includes branch management and customer service.

Lankford is active and involved in the local community, volunteering for Junior

Achievement of the Eastern Shore and serving on the Board for H.O.P.E. Kathy Warren has recently been promoted to loan operations manager at the bank’s Main Office in Berlin.

Warren’s duties include KATHY oversight of loan docu- WARREN ment support staff, loan document production and review, and management of the bank’s loan document systems. Warren joined Taylor Bank in April 2014 as a loan processor. She came to Taylor Bank with 25 years of banking experience in branch management, loan operations and loan production.

Harley Davidson has recently been promoted to credit analyst. Davidson began her career at Taylor Bank as a partHARLEY DAVIDSON time and seasonal customer service associate in May 2017.

Earlier this month, she concluded a 10week internship with the bank, gaining exposure in branch management and the credit department. In her new role, she will be managing the process of file compliance review in the bank’s loan department. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Finance from Salisbury University later this year.

Landmark Property Sold SALISBURY – Principal Joey Gilkerson recently co-brokered the sale of 107 West Main Street, longtime home of Kuhn’s Jewelers in Salisbury. After nearly 100 years of family ownership, seller Susan Purnell, represented by Tonney Insley of SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, sold the iconic buildSEE NEXT PAGE

... Business News

April 24, 2020

ing to local investor Doug Church.

Prior to settlement, Advisor George Merritt secured a lease with Lilac Clothing Company, a women’s fashion boutique owned by Jennifer and Jamie LeCates. The much-anticipated replacement of Kuhn’s is scheduled to open doors in May of 2020.

“Kuhn’s Jewelers has occupied this building for decades and as we move forward, we plan to always pay homage to that history,” said Church. “As an investor in downtown Salisbury, it’s great to see local business opening up and paving the way for the future the Plaza.”

Upon opening, Lilac will join several other locally owned shops including The Shady Sun, Angello’s Unique Gifts, Bombshell Boutique, Dryden’s Dress Company and more. The addition of the boutique is expected to increase foot traffic on the Plaza and spark newfound appreciation and interest in downtown Salisbury as a local retail hub.

“This is a prominent building in the history of the Plaza and will probably always be known as the ‘Kuhn’s building,’” said Merritt. “I know that the LeCates family will show it the reverence it deserves while bringing their own brand of women’s fashion to compliment Downtown’s retail resurgence.”

The second floor of the building is leased to Perdue Art Therapy, a company that blends traditional counseling principles with art-based therapies that encourage creative expression.

“The Plaza is the perfect location for my business and offers so much opportunity,” said owner Sivan Perdue. “I am excited that we are remaining Downtown and can be a part of the Plaza’s growth and culture.”

Main Street Land Closing SALISBRY – Tonney Insley, Advisor with SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, has sold yet another downtown Salisbury property with the latest closing of 146 W. Main Street. Tonney represented both sides of this transaction with oversight from Allison Conick from SVN and John Custis handling the settlement and other legal matters pertaining to the deal.

The property has been home to Market Street Books since 1993 and has apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Betsy Henry owned the property with her husband Keith and operated Market Street Books in Downtown all these years. As she noted on the business Facebook page, “I will miss my ringside seat to the downtown revival. But most of all I will miss you, my customers, who shared your interests and your stories and sometimes your lives with me. “ Of his time as a downtown owner and his experience selling his property, Keith Henry said, “Playing a small part in the downtown community has been rewarding. Tonney’s efforts to transition the building to a new owner and purpose made the process flawless.”

The property neighbors the proposed site of a walking bridge to cross the river to Mill Street. City of Salisbury is hoping to “bridge” West Downtown and East Downtown. The new owner

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 29

of 146 W. Market has not yet solidified plans for the property but hopes to incorporate a use that takes advantage of the potential bridge traffic, and the vity garden that is expected to open along the river just behind the building.

Becker Morgan Group Ranked SALISBURY – Architectural Record Magazine ranked Becker Morgan Group in the top 300 architectural and engineering firms nationwide for 2019.

Architectural Record Magazine is a leading source of news and information in the A/E industry nationwide.

Becker Morgan Group has ranked in the top 300 firms for the last four years. Projects that led to the ranking include Horry Georgetown Technical College renovation and master planning, Ocean City Convention Center expansion and improvements, Beebe Healthcare Rehoboth campus expansion and New Hanover County Fire Station No. 16.

When the coronavirus pandemic first struck, Sarah’s Pantry manager Marian Bickerstaff was concerned whether the Community Church at Ocean Pines would have enough resources to nourish its regular pantry clients. But due to the generous support of donations from Mountaire Farms, WaWa, Food Lion, the church family and people in the community, Sarah’s Pantry, which distributed over 116,000 pounds of food last year and on average serves about 300 people a month through its county referral program, has been able to also assist those that are food insecure due to the pandemic. Those in need are just asked to call Sarah’s Pantry at 410-641-8392. Currently anyone picking up food is asked to call upon arrival and the food will be brought to their car. Pictured, from left, are volunteer Sidney Ward, Bickerstaff and volunteer Carlyn Crout.

Page 30

Puzzle Answers

PUZZLE ON PAGE 38

St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church 3 Church Street Berlin MD 410~641~4066

JOIN US FOR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SUNDAYS At 10:30 a.m. On Our Facebook Page St. Paul’s Epsicopal Church - Berlin, MD

www.stpaulsberlin.org

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

O

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

ne clear positive from weeks of isolation has been a closer relationship with my kids.

It’s been amazing to observe over these last five weeks.

Though only 18 months apart in age, Beckett, 11, and Carson, 10, are as different as they come. Beckett is extroverted and verbose. Carson is introverted and non-verbal. Beckett could care less about order and organization, while Carson needs both to survive. Beckett has ADHD. Carson has Autism and a rare genetic disorder called Duplication 7. Beckett loves playing and following most sports. Carson enjoys shooting the basketball and kicking a soccer ball at the goal, but has little interest in watching games on television or any sort of competition. Carson loves to read. Beckett only reads when he must. Carson has an aptitude for art where Beckett struggles.

While their differences are many, over the last two weeks, I have never been more proud of Beckett. He is working hard in his digital school environment. While the curriculum is challenging, there are daily electronic obstacles that must be inevitably overcome with submitting assignments.

While being a diligent student is expected of him, Pam and I have marveled over this new big brother role he has taken on with Carson. They are brothers, of course, but we’ve seen them developing a friendship as well.

I have always known Beckett would look out for his special needs brother.

He would never allow his little brother to be bullied or taken advantage of because of his disabilities. I fondly remember the first time he thought his brother was rudely treated. He was 6 or 7 years old and we were at a park.

Carson was waiting his turn for the slide when a kid bumped him out of

Allen And Connie Davis’s Home Of The

Stay Healthy! Let us Deliver to you!

Heavyweights Philly-Style Cheesesteaks & Hoagies

Delivery Available OPEN MONDAY-WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY, NOON - 8 P.M. THURSDAY, FRIDAY 10:30 A.M. - 8 P.M.

410-742-0094 106 TRUITT ST. • SALISBURY, MD. 21804

April 24, 2020

Free Fries ($3.99 VALUE)

WITH PURCHASE OF REGULAR-PRICED SUB • MUST PRESENT COUPON • MCD

the way to get to the slide because he thought Carson was taking too long.

Beckett immediately charged toward the kid. I was able to stop him, but I have no doubt Beckett was going to give him a piece of his mind or maybe even get physical. Later I talked with him about the importance of defending his little brother while also balancing any aggression built up in his feelings.

Fast forward to last summer when we were at Frontier Town water park and Carson was clearly bullied by a couple of brothers off a piece of pool equipment. Pam and I watched the whole thing transpire. When we saw the boys clearly push Carson, we jumped up to intervene until we saw Beckett. After helping Carson up, Beckett turned and said something to both brothers, who were both older than him. He never shared what he said to them, but the end result was they stayed away the rest of the day.

We have always known Beckett would stand up for his little brother.

It will be a role he will likely have to don forever and probably long after Pam and I are gone. I believe in my heart he will do his best because he loves his brother unconditionally.

Life has not been easy for Beckett with his brother. There have been many instances when he has been physically hurt by his brother while in full tantrum. Most frequently, however, are the constant distractions for time Carson requires of Pam and me.

Beckett knows if Carson screams from upstairs one of us is going to have to stop doing whatever we are doing with him to tend to his brother.

These sorts of situations play out multiple times each day. In many ways, it’s unfair, but it’s also taught Beckett empathy and patience.

Though the challenges are real and daunting, Beckett has learned how to manage it. These weeks of isolation

Locally Famous For 40 Years!

are the best evidence of that.

Beckett has helped Carson with his homework. He has introduced fun and appropriate games on the iPad that both play together. They have read together. They have played countless basketball games and even helped a little with cleaning and vacuuming on the weekends.

One night this week, however, was one of my proudest moments. Beckett asked me quietly if I wanted to go outside and play basketball around 8 in the evening. I said I couldn’t because it was my turn to get Carson showered and ready for bed. He asked if he could help. I told him he could but reminded him it wasn’t play time. The goal is to get Carson settled and in bed before it gets too late. Beckett said he understood and wanted to help. He chose helping with his little brother over driveway basketball.

After the nightly routine of showering, teeth brushing and prayers, Beckett said he would hang out with Carson and get him asleep. I was skeptical, so I hung outside his room and observed.

As he has seen his mom and dad do for years, Beckett sat in the chair

by Carson’s bed, read him a couple books and talked to him for about five minutes in a quiet voice. Carson was asleep in no time. I was astounded.

When Beckett came downstairs after making sure his brother was asleep, Pam and I let him know how amazing he is. We reminded him that’s not a burden he has to bear every night by any means. He said he liked doing it, but would like a bowl of mint ice cream every night after doing it. I told him that’s a deal. He then asked if he could have $20 each night, too.

(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.)

Cafe

Breakfast Reopening may 1st

Try Our Casino Omelette SUBS • SANDWICHES

Rt. 50-West Ocean City • 410-213-1804 Located Between Comfort Inn Suites & Starbucks Across From Outback Steak House

Campground Looks To Add 112 Sites

April 24, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County approval of additional sewer capacity for Frontier Town Campground is expected to allow expansion plans to proceed.

The Worcester County Commissioners on April 14 approved a request for 38 EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) from Frontier Town, which will allow for the addition of 112 campsites. Though county staff highlighted concerns regarding excessive daily flows associated with the Frontier Town Water Park, the commissioners said that was a separate issue.

“I am satisfied that they are working diligently to correct that issue with the water park,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said. “Although it is the same property I’m not sure this EDU allotment has anything to do with the actual water park issue.”

Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Shannahan told the commissioners Frontier Town had asked to purchase 38 EDUs to serve an additional 112 campsites. The request was initially submitted last year but no decision was made because the county’s standard sewer flow calculations were pending adoption. The standards were approved in December, however, and in March the Worcester County Technical Review Committee (TRC) looked at plans for the campground expansion.

“Among other comments the TRC found that the campground expansion plans cannot proceed unless additional sewer capacity is allocated to the property and there is currently no available undesignated sanitary capacity in the southern part of the Mystic Harbour service area,” Shannahan said.

He added that last fall county officials discovered that Frontier Town’s water park was exceeding its permitted average daily flow by 252%. Shannahan said that, coupled with the lack of capacity in the southern portion of the service area, kept the Worcester County Sewer Committee from supporting the request for 38 EDUs. Mitrecic said he’d spoken to Frontier Town’s attorney and was satisfied that the company was looking into the water park issue.

“They’ve flown experts in from other states even to look at it and they are on top of that and plan on correcting that as soon as possible,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting made a motion to approve the request for sewer capacity by allocating a mix of available EDUs from the northern and southern portions of the Mystic Harbour Sanitary Service Area. The commissioners voted 6-1, with Commissioner Josh Nordstrom opposed, to approve Bunting’s motion.

“I’d like to see this water issue resolved before we grant these EDUs,” Nordstrom said. “I’m not against it in principle I’m just not prepared to vote for it at this time.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

Page 32

The Dispatch

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

Berlin, Md. 21811 PHONE: 410-641-4561 FAX: 410-641-0966 WEBSITES: www.mdcoastdispatch.com www.facebook.com/thedispatchoc J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT SHAWN J. SOPER Managing Editor ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHARLENE SHARPE Staff Writer/Copy Editor csharpe@mdcoastdispatch.com BETHANY HOOPER Staff Writer bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHRIS PARYPA Photographer

SALES DEPARTMENT TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Executive jeanette@mdcoastdispatch.com

ART DEPARTMENT COLE GIBSON Art Director cole@mdcoastdispatch.com DAVID HOOKS Graphic Artist/Webmaster dhooks@mdcoastdispatch.com

BUSINESS OFFICE Bookkeeper/Classifieds Manager classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com

The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices.

The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year.

Subscription rates are $75 per year, $55 for six months.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Maryland Coast Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are located at Route 346 and Graham Avenue, Berlin, Maryland.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 24, 2020

Feds Must Decrease Unemployment Stipend HOW WE SEE IT

Though clearly well intentioned, it’s counter-productive for the federal government to supplement the states’ unemployment benefits with a $600 boost a week in “pandemic unemployment.” It’s simply too much money to accomplish the goal of unemployment – keep people afloat while jobless but low enough to incentivize seeking work.

It’s clear the majority of people are unaware what’s happening on the unemployment front. Many people are making more unemployed than while they had a job. Working types should be outraged by how much money those who are unemployed are taking home.

For example, an individual who makes $45,000 a year ($865 per week)

was laid off temporarily March 23. For a couple weeks, the person received $430 per week from the state – the max amount allowed if taxes are not taken out. Effective the first week of April, the federal government added $600 to the weekly amount, resulting in the person making more -- $1,030/week -- on unemployment than working full-time. The individual’s employer received the PPP grant/loan and told the employee to come back to work. The employee refused out of fear for her health. Though that’s an obvious cover in most cases, it’s a scenario playing out across the country. The individual is getting paid more for not working.

The federal government needs to place a time limit on this extra payment or cut the amount in half. It’s too

much money, although it’s become a political football for some elected officials including in Maryland.

Even the most scrupulous will have a difficult time making the choice before them today -- not work and make more money than working. The emergency nature of the boost is understandable, but providing this for more than six to eight weeks contradicts the intent of unemployment insurance.

With employees unwilling to work and state agencies too overwhelmed to vet each case of employee malfeasance, businesses are now being hurt by this stipend. Common sense dictates the feds must either reduce the rate or officially put a cap on the number of weeks the jobless can receive the boost.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Arguments Need Facts Editor: A frequent contributor to this column penned a piece titled “Cure Worse Than Disease” in the April 3, 2020 issue. His opinion piece managed to speak disparagingly of folks from a certain country (Germany), accused Governor Hogan of fearmongering, touted a drug that is unproven (hydroxychloroquine) and stated that we should “expect the increases in deaths to start dropping next week”. At the time of his writing on April 3, there were 52,000 COVID-19 deaths around the globe, and 5,900 here in the USA. Not even two weeks later on April 15, the numbers were 137,000 globally and 31,000 in the USA. The writer finished his submission with the promise of another piece for us next week.

In the April 10 issue, the contributor insinuated that Presidents Harding and Coolidge were more productive than President F.D. Roosevelt. I realize there is a great deal of polarization and partisanship in our current world. However, when it comes to ranking the effectiveness of our US Presidents, almost all sources will put Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington and F.D. Roosevelt at the top of the lists. While they may not be in that order they will most certainly appear in the top five of just about any credible list. Two names you will never find near the top are Warren G Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Both Republicans, Harding gave us countless extra marital affairs and the TeaPot Dome scandal.

Coolidge rose to fame by squashing the Boston Police Officers in their quest to form a Labor Union. Both have consistently been considered failures in office.

Lincoln preserved our Union, Washington was the Father of our Country, Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and FDR gave us the New Deal which helped put men and women

back to work and got us back on our feet after 12 years of the Harding/Coolidge/Hoover team. He threw in the kitchen sink to resurrect our economy.

It is interesting that the contributor failed to mention Hoover in his ramblings, although the same philosophies were practiced. In fact, during the stock market crash of October of 1929, Hoover famously wanted no federal government intervention. This is America and we are all free to believe whatever we want, but we can’t change the facts.

Opinions are not facts.

It’s also important to note that this same contributor is probably the most vocal critic of the Mayor and Town Council. Every penny of revenue brought in by the town is somehow viewed to be thievery by the gentleman in question. I wonder if he will sing a different tune now after criticizing the Mayor and Town Council for having too high of Reserve Fund Balance. I doubt it, but it would be nice to see. However, there is a chance that this just might happen. Although he views the government as unnecessary and not good for much, he does see fit to come before the Mayor and Town Council each year to request taxpayer money for his pet entertainment and theater project. So, hey, you never know.

M. Scott Chismar Crofton and Ocean City

A Question Of Control Editor: I witnessed something on Resurrection Day Easter Sunday that brought back a memory of my past in the ’50s.

A time that many of you will not remember but I lived through it. Back at that time all restaurant, bars and most business were closed on Sundays.

The only place that was allowed to be open was a drug store.

If you had more than one in town

they took turns opening, never two on the same day. Well what was the memory?

Back then Sunday was a day of families going to church in the morning and spending the afternoon together with family and friends. It was always a very special day. Well things were about to change.

The government, after building new highways that gave access to large shopping malls outside of the town, allowed all malls to open on Sunday.

It gave access to all kinds of different stores, restaurants and even movie theaters. The result of this change caused many to go to the malls for the full day effectively ending our church and family Sunday.

Oh we still had jobs and money to spend but it changed our lives. We eventually started to go back to church again on Saturdays and Sundays but life was never quite the same.

Now we’re in a whole different situation. This time it’s much more severe and controlling.

Not only are the churches and business closed but everyone is being told and required to stay at home.

If you have to go out you’re required to follow their guide lines because of a virus?

Question: We’ve had viruses through all the years but never closed anything down so why now?

What is the difference it’s just a virus and our bodies will adapt and build a natural resistance. I’m afraid it has more to do with control than concern for our health.

There’s definitely a movement today to change our country.

If we allow the special interest groups, politicians and the media to achieve their desired end we will no longer be the United States of AmerSEE NEXT PAGE

April 24, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ica we’ll become the Controlled States of America and the government will have total control of our lives.

Is this what you want? Are you willing to give up your freedom of choice, your right to determine what you want to do with your life. Are you willing to allow those special groups to decide what you can or cannot do with your life?

If you give them that power, they will also have the right to punish those who refuse their directions and remove them from their world.

As for me I can’t see allowing them to do that. Maybe it’s because I’m older and I don’t have many years for them to effectively change my life.

But for you, the younger generation, you better watch what’s happening and decide now as to what you’re willing to allow the government to do as far as control over your lives.

This is an election year and I suggest you consider this as a possibility when voting. These is no need to shut everything down because of a virus.

They are using the virus as a political tool to take controls of our lives. I, for one, will stand against giving them that right. I hope and pray that many of you will stand with me against their efforts and plan.

Paul St. Andre Ocean City

The Fake Vaccine Editor: A week ago, my wife, a nurse, asked me if I was going to take the COVID-19 vaccine when it became available. She said, “You’ve never taken a flu vaccine,” which is true.

I said “Nope.” Let me tell you why. To be clear, I took the malaria medication for 10 days prior to a trip to Africa some years ago and would love to have some in my medicine cabinet now.

Dr. Anthony Fauci reminds me of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. Before the Wizard was figured out, remember “don’t look behind the curtain.”

Estimates were released for the 2019-2020 Flu season by the C.D.C. on April 4th Hospitalizations were estimated at between 410,000-740,000 and deaths were estimated between 24,000-62,000. The Flu vaccine never seemed to work that well to me.

Dr. Fauci, in a letter, instructed physicians to put COVID-19 as the cause of death for patient deaths when the patient tested positive for the virus. In so doing he violated the CDC’s explicit instructions on how to fill out a death certificate.

For example if a person dies of a heart attack or phenomena and was positive for COVID-19, the heart attack was the cause of death and the virus was a contributing factor, not the cause, in accord with medical practices—not the other way around. Filling out death certificates correctly, I believe, would greatly reduce the daily number of deaths attributed to COVID19 as the primary cause and defuse much of the pandemic drama. The good doctor is ‘cooking the books.’

Bloated daily death numbers attrib-

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

uted to COVID-19 are compared daily to fake death projections to make politicians and the doctor look good for their recommendation of economic paralysis while the mesmerized nation is misled. Small business the pulse of our economy is being crushed. By falsely overstating the numerator (deaths) and underreporting the denominator(infected) Fauci expands the unwarranted fear and plays to big Pharma. The naval vessel had more than 100 sailors who tested positive without symptoms, they didn’t even know they had the Wuhan virus.

I have never seen any man, let alone this wizardly doctor, wield such extraordinary powers over Americans by manipulating the decisions of our political leaders who for the first time have forced an unnecessary stoppage of the American Economy with unknown consequences.

In Maryland, Governor Hogan has bought into the pandemic drama, hook, line and sinker. In so doing, Hogan has staged a profusion of unending public appearances espousing edicts, executive orders, based on falsehoods. Sadly, I fear, many of the mom-and-pop businesses that are shuttered now, due to orders by the Governor will be unable to sustain themselves next year when a sea level change in consumer behavior fails to sustain our economy after the expected economic pick-up second half of this year. Yes, scary self-destructive forces, have been self-imposed, on our once great economy.

Mr. Hogan, 26 executive orders? Really? Aren’t you off the conservative political reservation? Recently Mr. Hogan’s daily, high profile, ego-driven, proclamations of new executive orders are not only off the political reservation, they expose a pompous side of his boundless ego that is destructive and I believe many Marylanders won’t like and will remember. Hogan said last Friday, “The Easter Bunny is an essential employee.” Really Mr. Hogan?

This is an unmitigated power grab by both Mr. Trump and Mr. Hogan.

Last week Fauci caught my attention when he said we will need a “certificate” to tell us who had taken the future vaccine. Also, yesterday Dr. Oz, not the wizard, the professor from Turkey, said, “The vaccine would be administered subcutaneously” or under the skin, not penetrated into the muscle as the usual vaccines. Red flags went up with me.

The tuberculous vaccine is the only other vaccine that was administered subcutaneously, and at the end of last year they changed that to a shot deep into the muscle like other vaccines finding it to be twice as affective. In 2018, 1,500,000 people died of tuberculosis.

On March 3, 2020, the Sinclair Broadcast Group did an article on Bill Gates who has donated $100,000,000 to fight the coronavirus. In the article it is revealed that Mr. Gates is working with MIT, among others, on embedding microscale capsules under the skin, subcutaneously, along with the vacSEE PAGE 39

Page 33

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will detail his “recovery roadmap” in a press conference on Friday. From the early indications, it’s not going to feature a definitive timeline for easing of restrictions as sought by many in the Ocean City area. What it will include is some specific phases for reopening when the time is right. It appears today the timing is not right yet.

While Hogan and President Trump are not on the same page about much these days, there does appear to be a consensus on what needs to happen to allow for reopening of the marketplace. Before any sort of phased opening of the economy can be begin, hospitalizations, acute care admissions and deaths must decline for two weeks. Neither indicator was decreasing in Maryland as of Thursday – hospitalizations were up 152, deaths rose 49 and acute care admissions were flat. The good news is the increases are not surging by as much as they were a week ago, resulting in some light being seen at the end of this COVID-19 tunnel.

In media interviews Thursday, Hogan revealed some details about his recovery roadmap, which some Maryland health officials believe could begin as soon as mid-May. Many in the local business community are optimistic mask and social distancing restrictions will be lifted by Memorial Day weekend, but they realistically expect it to be the Fourth of July before any sense of normalcy returns to the resort.

A key piece of Hogan’s recovery plan will involve tiering businesses based on their risk level. All “non-essential” businesses, such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels and real estate offices, will be classified as high, medium and low risk with each classification carrying a certain set of guidelines for opening and how it should look. Hogan has described his reopening plan as “carefully and gradually.”

“We’ll get some quality of life things back, in a safe way, with masking and social distancing,” Hogan said Thursday in The Baltimore Sun. “Every one of us wants to get things open as quickly as we can, but we’re only going to do that in a safe and smart way. It’ll be a while before you see people close together.”

A preliminary survey of businesses and nonprofits in the marketplace confirm many operators were recipients of the Payroll Protection Program’s (PPP) first phase, including this newspaper company. The PPP has been described by many as a “lifeline” because it’s keeping us in business and our people employed. The PPP has essentially bought time by funding payroll expenses for two-and-a-half months. Unfortunately, there were many operators who were not so fortunate, and they are irate their applications were not approved, especially when they hear who did receive a piece of the $350 billion program, including Harvard University, which boasts a $41 billion endowment, and national restaurant companies Ruth’s Chris and Shake Shack.

In a letter to the Small Business Administration, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot outlined his hopes the second round of PPP gets the funds in the hands of small business operators who are dying amid this unprecedented government shutdown.

“Small businesses across Maryland and throughout our country are on life support and on the precipice of permanent ruin. For example, our Bureau of Revenue Estimates has reported that our state’s hospitality sector – which includes local restaurants and employs about 458,000 Maryland residents – could lose up to 90 percent in employee wages and more than 60 percent in revenues as a result of just one month’s closure. When just one small business goes into such dramatic decline or closes its doors for good, it has a deeply disruptive effect on an entire ecosystem of workers, consumers and other community-based businesses,” Franchot wrote.

“Businesses such as these – not major corporations that are highly capitalized by Wall Street – must be the exclusive emphasis of the Paycheck Protection Program and the exclusive beneficiary of every single dollar that will be approved for this program by Congress.”

Watching President Trump’s press conferences is not good for my health. I like to deal with facts and they are tough to come by with these daily debacles. These are clearly campaign events and they are nearly as embarrassing for the president as his immature tweets.

Along those lines, over the last month, I’ve dreaded each time Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces a press conference. He truly has earned the nickname “Lockdown Larry” with his series of executive orders that have been handed down over the last five weeks. Unlike Trump, however, Hogan deals with reality. I don’t always like what he has to say, but he can at least be trusted for sharing facts.

In Delaware, Gov. John Carney is somewhere in the middle between Trump and Hogan. Carney shocked businesses along the Delaware resorts on Tuesday when he expressed doubt he would open beaches and Boardwalks for Memorial Day weekend.

“A lot of things are going to have to fall in our favor,” said Carney. “I would like nothing more than to do that, but it’s really hard to see. That’s going to be a really hard thing to do in a month. We’ll see. We’re going to be guided by the situation on the ground.”

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 34

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

$15/Week For Minimum Of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available)

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

Deadline For Insertions, Cancellations And Payment Is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Pre-Payment Is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard.

CLEANERS: Cleaners needed.

Male or Female. High School students welcome to apply. PT, but can lead to FT beginning in May. Call 410-422-4826.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

April 24, 2020

SUMMER CLEANERS: Now hiring Summer cleaners for 2 condo’s. 2x wk or more, min.

Must be dependale & have own trans. 267-254-0111.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HELP WANTED SOUTHSIDE GRILL WOC: Hiring Line Cooks, Kitchen Help, Dishwashers. YR, FT or PT. Ambitious, willing to work individuals only. Pay neg. based on performance. 9923 Stephen Decatur Hy. 410-2131572.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MAINTENANCE: F/T. Y/R. 32-40 hours/week. Dependable handiman with good skills. Must have transportation/tools. Send resume to Fred@paradiseoc.com .

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Storm Shutter & Window Installers

Local specialty contractor seeking individuals for our storm shutter division and window division. Experience in storm shutters, windows & doors, and garage doors is a plus, but training is available. Driver’s license and transportation required.

Please forward resume to: paola@masterjackwindows.com.

Applications available on site at 11935 Hammer Road, Bishopville, MD

Would you like to work outside, helping people enjoy their vacation?

Coastal Kayak in Fenwick Island, DE is hiring all positions for Summer 2020!

Previous experience isn’t as important as the motivation to learn!

Go to CoastalKayak.com for job descriptions and application.

IN D IA N RIVER MA R IN A N OW HIRING!

•RAMP ATTENDANT •CUSTODIAL/GROUNDS •FUEL DOCK •BOATYARD For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

Executive Director Announcement

The Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. Ideal candidates will have chamber or association management experience and should hold a BS/BA in Business Administration or Management. Must possess strong financial management and computer skills, and excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. Candidates should exhibit strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Ability to effectively lead and influence others in a confident, positive, and results-oriented manner. Salary commensurate with experience. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Submit resume and cover letter to: Greater Ocean City, MD Chamber of Commerce ATTN: Executive Director Search Committee 12320 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842 or email Danielle@oceancity.org

TECHNICIANS Peninsula Irrigation, Inc. is expanding & currently seeking exp. installation & service technicians.

Exp. pref., but will train right person.

Must be self-motivated, have drivers license & transportation.

Call 410-352-5252

CASHIER/ SALES ASSOCIATE Must be friendly & dependable FT/PT-Year Round Various shifts Competitive hourly wage Benefits available To Apply-go online www.petromg.com *Employment *Retail *OC MD *Cashier Wine Rack *Search *Cashier Sales Assoc.-Wine Rack Rt. 50 Wine Rack 12827 Ocean Gateway West OC, MD

$1000 SIGNING BONUS FOR PLUMBERS with POSEIDON PLUMBING HOME SERVICES!

Currently hiring manpower for

•STUCCO & EIFS MECHANICS • CARPENTERS •CONCRETE BLOCK •COATINGS SPECIALISTS •FLAT CONCRETE •CONCRETE REPAIRS •PT WELDER •COMMERCIAL CAULKING •WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLERS Experience Preferred. Tools, transportation & a valid driver’s license are a plus.Competitive benefit package available.

Please apply in person at 11935 Hammer Rd, Bishopville, MD, or apply online: http://allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

We offer paid training, vacation and personal days. We also offer a quality benefits package including health, dental, vision and life ins. Wage is BOE from $15-$30.

Based in the Berlin/OC area.

What we require: -Min. 4 years experience -Valid Driver's License -Reliable form of contact -Background Check -Ability to pass a drug test -Positive attitude and willingness to learn If you feel that you can fill this position call us to set up an interview.

We can be reached at 410-251-1096.

POSEIDON PLUMBING & HOME SERVICES

The Dispatch

April 24, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Classifieds

RENTALS

ROOMMATES

SERVICES

YR BERLIN: 1BR APT. $775/MONTH includes utilities. $700 sec. dep. required. Unfurnished. Must have good work and personal references. Available May 1. Please email inquiries to: OCREVENUEMGT@GMAIL.COM –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEEKLY RENTAL: 4BR, 2 1/2BA. Fully furnished. W/D, Pool, Tennis court. Quiet community. 7 miles from the beach. $2,500 per wk. Call Mike for details. 410-877-3894.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR-ROUND WEST & NORTH OCEAN CITY RENTALS: Efficiency, 1 Bdrm, 2 Bdrm & 3 Bdrm. From $750 per month. Call 410-430-9797.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR-ROUND: 11212 Gum Point Road/Berlin Waterfront Rental. 4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom $1,300 per month.

Call 410-430-9797.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YR, MONTEGO BAY: 3BR House.

Large porch, fireplace. Near the pond on large lot. 443-513-1150.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

OP ROOMMATE: Spacious Master BR w/BA in quiet home. 5 mi. from the beach. Prefer mature female, long term. $950 per mo. + shared util’s. 410-963-4366.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMER ROOM FOR RENT: Summer Rental May 1-Sept 1. $3,500 per person + sec. dep. & electric. 4 spots available. 443610-4665.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SNOW HILL:Young woman seeks same to share adorable 2BR cottage. Upscale renovation. Central Air, W/D. Downtown near river.

Walk to everything. $395/month.

No smoking/pets. 410-972-9411.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMER SEASONAL: Housing available for seasonal workers in Montego Bay near Coastal Highway.

Room for 2. Luxury housing w/ prime amenities. Call Tammy 443-513-1150.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HOUSE CLEANING BY LOCAL COMPANY, EVERCLEAN: 8 years in business. Affordable rates. Reliable service. Discounts available. 443-856-5301.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HANDYMAN SPECIALIST: General maintenance of all types, All powerwashing. Build/Stain/PWash Decks. Drywall repair. Painting.

Property Management. Call for any other odd jobs! Joe 443-610-4644.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ceja’s Landscaping & More!

•YARD MAINTENANCE •PAINTING •POWER WASHING 410-251-3425 410-202-2545

Are You Getting Your Daily Buzz?

The Dispatch

COMMERCIAL

WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 1 OfficeRetail and 1 Warehouses. Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Local News Articles Delivered Daily To Your Inbox SIGN UP AT WWW.MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM

Legal Notices LEGAL RATES

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

SECOND INSERTION

JAMES W. ALMAND ESQ. AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMOND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18249 To all persons interested in

the estate of SHEILA K. ZIMMER, ESTATE NO. 18249.

Notice is given that ROBERT F. ZIMMER, 1579 BRIMFIELD CIRCLE, SYKESVILLE, MD 21784, was on, APRIL 7, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SHEILA K. ZIMMER, who died on MARCH 19, 2020, 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 OCTOBER, 2020.

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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. 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 APRIL 17, 2020 ROBERT F. ZIMMER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-17, 4-24, 5-1

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18252 To all persons interested in the estate of LINDA S. MATRICCIANI AKA LINDA SUSAN MATRICCIANI, ESTATE NO. 18252.

Notice is given that LAUREN CHRISTINE BUETTNER, 1218 CARROLLTON LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, APRIL 13, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LINDA S. MATRICCIANI, who died on MARCH 18, 2020, 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 13th day of OCTOBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative

Page 35 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 APRIL 17, 2020 LAUREN CHRISTINE BUETTNER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-17, 4-24, 5-1

FIRST INSERTION

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18247 To all persons interested in the estate of MERRELLEE KIRKLAND LEPPIN AKA MERREL LEE LEPPIN, ESTATE NO. 18247.

Notice is given that WALTER E LEPPIN, 10040 SILVER POINT LANE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, APRIL 14, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the small estate of MERRELLEE KIRKLAND LEPPIN, who died on MARCH 19, 2020, 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. A claim not served or filed within that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 24, 2020 WALTER E LEPPIN 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, 4-24

FIRST INSERTION

RAYMOND D. COATES JR, 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. 18248 To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES GUY COOK, ESTATE NO. 18248.

Notice is given that JOY TRACY PUERTA, 3007 SE RACCON WAY, STUART, FL 34997, was on, APRIL 14, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES GUY COOK, who died on MARCH 18, 2020, 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 14th day of OCTOBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other

The Dispatch

Page 36

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

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

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 APRIL 24, 2020 JOY TRACY PUERTA Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-24, 5-1, 5-8

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18254 To all persons interested in the estate of LAWRENCE CHARLES CALVERT, ESTATE NO. 18254.

Notice is given that RUTH ROSEMARY CALVERT LAWSON, 182 EASTERN ROAD, PASADENA, MD 21122, was on, APRIL 15, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LAWRENCE CHARLES CALVERT, who died on MARCH 20, 2020, 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 15th day of OCTOBER, 2020.

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:

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

(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

(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 OCTOBER, 2020.

(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.

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:

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 24, 2020 RUTH ROSEMARY CALVERT LAWSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-24, 5-1, 5-8

FIRST INSERTION

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. 18255 To all persons interested in the estate of LINDSEY JO MYERS, ESTATE NO. 18255.

Notice is given that NORMAN L MYERS II, 2105 POINTS REACH, OCEAN PINES, MD 21811, was on, APRIL 16, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LINDSEY JO MYERS, who died on APRIL 11, 2020, 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

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. 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 APRIL 24, 2020 NORMAN L MYERS II Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-24, 5-1, 5-8

FIRST INSERTION

MEREDITH B. MARTIN, ESQ. MEREDITH BLAKE MARTIN, P.A. 502 WASHINGTON AVE., SUITE 280 TOWSON, MD 21204 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18238 To all persons interested in the estate of ANN H. RUFFO AKA HARRIET ANN RUFFO, ESTATE NO. 18238.

Notice

is given that DEBORAH CHAPMAN, 9809 HICKORYHURST ROAD,NOTTINGHAM, MD 21236, AND LISA ANN GAINES, 169 SOUTH OCEAN DRIVE, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 were on, APRIL 21, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANN H. RUFFO, who died on JANUARY 7, 2020, 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 OCTOBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. 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 APRIL 24, 2020 DEBORAH CHAPMAN Personal Representative LISA ANN GAINES Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 4-24, 5-1, 5-8

April 24, 2020

FIRST INSERTION

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 17909 To all persons interested in the estate of FREDRICK LEE ROYER, ESTATE NO. 17909.

Notice is given that ROBERT EARL ROYER, 9170 MEGATHA LANE, OWINGS, MD 20736, was on, JULY 10, 2019 appointed Personal Representative of the small estate of FREDRICK LEE ROYER, who died on MAY 25, 2019, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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. A claim not served or filed within that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch

Date of Publication APRIL 24, 2020 ROBERT EARL ROYER 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, 4-24

CHECK OUT The Dispatch

ONLINE! Expanding Our Reach.

Broadening Our Commitment.

Facebook Twitter Instragram

Follow Us Today To Get The News As It Happens!

April 24, 2020

Sports

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

In The News A Look At Local Sports This Week In Years Past

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

With spring high school sports seasons on indefinite hiatus, The Dispatch thought it might be interesting and fun to take a look back at what was making local sports headlines this same week in years past.

Many of the players went on to do great things in college both athletically and academically and some now even have kids of their own in local youth sports programs.

The following is a look back at the last five, 10 and 20 years.

The following is a brief glimpse of what was making headlines on the sports pages of The Dispatch this week five years ago: •Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team enjoyed a big week, edging four-time defending Bayside Conference champion Queen Anne’s, 1110, in overtime before routing Delaware power Cape Henlopen.

Despite unprecedented success in recent years, standing in the Seahawks’ way has almost always been Queen Anne’s. Decatur lost in the Bayside title game the year prior to the Lions, who collected their fourth straight conference title. This week, the two teams met again in a game that had a playoff feel and this time it was the Seahawks exacting a little revenge with a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory.

Queen Anne’s tied the game at 1010 in the second overtime period, setting up the dramatic conclusion. With less than a minute remaining in the second overtime period, Decatur’s Elle Bargar scored a free position goal to put the Seahawks ahead 11-10.

Queen Anne’s wasn’t quite done yet

and appeared to score a tying goal with time running down, but the goal was waved off by a crease violation.

The Seahawks were able to hold onto the ball for the remaining 30 seconds to clinch the victory over their old nemesis, touching off a wild celebration. Blair Yesko led the Decatur attack with four goals and an assist, while Pay-ton VanKirk scored three goals and dished out three assists. Jillian Petito was outstanding in goal with 16 saves including two huge ones in overtime.

Three days later, Decatur was back in action at home against Cape and took care of business, 15-9, to improve to 7-0 on the season. Yesko led the way with five goals and three assists, while VanKirk scored four goals. Victoria Kerkovich scored three goals, all in the second half, while Claire Porter scored a goal and dished out an assist. Petito turned in another strong performance with 10 saves.

•Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team routed host Gunston, 183, last Friday to run their win streak to four games.

The Mallards’ record now stands at 6-1, their only loss coming to D.C. area power Bullis back on March 28.

Worcester scored early and often against the Herons on the road last Friday and cruised to the 18-3 win. Sam Cantello led the scoring barrage with five goals and three assists, while Wyatt Richins scored three times and dished out six assists. Tucker Brown scored four goals and two assists, while Pat Petrara scored two goals.

Ross Dickerson was very active as usual, winning 19 faceoffs and grab-

This week five years ago, Worcester Prep’s Tucker Brown moves the ball against the Bennett defense in the Mallards’ win over the Clippers. Photo by Shawn Soper

Decatur’s Blair Yesko, pictured above, scored five goals in the Seahawks’ 15-9 win over Cape Henlopen this week five years ago.

Photo by Shawn Soper

bing 20 ground balls.

•Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team ran into a buzz saw this week, falling to rival Parkside, 5-1, for their first loss of the season.

With a playoff atmosphere, several big-league scouts in attendance and a big bipartisan crowd on hand, the second game in the season series between the Seahawks and the Rams certainly lived up to the hype. The teams have now split two games this season with a Seahawks rallying for a 4-3 win in the first game in early April.

Decatur and Parkside are now tied atop the Bayside South with each team with just one loss.

The following are some of the highlights of The Dispatch sports pages from this week 10 years ago: •Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team ended a mini two-game losing skid with a 17-7 rout of visiting Sussex Tech. After falling to old rival Saints Peter and Paul and a doubleovertime loss to Tower Hill, the Mallards vented their frustration on Sussex Tech with an easy win over the Ravens. Molly Dickerson and Sara Noyes led Worcester with three goals each.

•Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team pulled away from Sussex Tech for a convincing 15-4. The Ravens hung with Worcester through much of the first half before the Mallards pulled away. Alex Ternahan led Worcester with four goals, while Justin Butler, Brad Harris and Jake Emche each scored three goals.

•Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team left nothing to chance against North Caroline, jumping out to an early lead and cruising to a 20-2 win over the Bulldogs. Leigh Anne Flounlacker continued her season-long assault on the opponents’ net, scoring four goals to lead all Decatur scorers.

Lexi Nathan and Bethany Howe also made big contributions, scoring three goals each. The win improved Decatur’s record to 6-1, just one game behind rival Parkside (7-0) in the Bayside South standings. Parkside handed the Seahawks their only conference loss this season with a 9-8 win back on March 31.

•Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team’s see-saw season continued this week with an 18-1 pasting of

visiting North Caroline. The up-anddown Seahawks thrashed the Bulldogs, 18-1, with a stingy defense that allowed a single goal, and a balanced scoring attack that saw several players get into the scorebook. Nick Abbaticchio and Brendan Wagner led Decatur with three goals each, while Brandon Terlizzi and Johnny Moore pitched in two each. The win continued a seasonlong pattern of highs and lows for Decatur, whose record now stands at 4-3.

In its last three games before beating North Caroline, the Seahawks edged Bennett, 11-0, crushed Wicomico, 140, and lost to Queen Anne’s, 15-5.

The following is a little snippet of the top sports stories in The Dispatch this week 20 years ago: •First thunder and lightning rolled, then Worcester Prep rolled to a decisive 12-6 win over neighborhood rival Stephen Decatur in an instant classic in the long-standing rivalry. The two local teams met at Decatur on Good Friday in a game interrupted for almost an hour because of a thunderstorm.

The game essentially was broken down into a pre-storm period dominated by Decatur and a post-storm period dominated by Worcester.

Decatur scored first on a goal by Will Mumford and Worcester answered quickly with a goal by Trip Dyer. The Seahawks scored again a minute later on a goal by T.J. Carven and it was 2-1 Decatur after just two minutes.

Things settled down after that early flurry, but Decatur got it cranked up in the second quarter to pull ahead, 5-1, on goals by Brian Harrison and Kyle Purcell.

Worcester battled back before the half and cut the lead to 6-4 on goals by Chris Mancini, Mike Otway and Mike Heiderman. At the start of the third quarter, the skies that had been threatening all afternoon opened up with a fierce thunderstorm and the game was delayed for nearly an hour. When play resumed, the third quarter belonged to Mancini, who scored three more goals in the period and ended the game with five goals total. During the decisive second half after the storm abated, Worcester also got big goals from Heiderman, Tosh Tryon and Marco Calcera, turning a Good Friday into a great Friday for the Mallards.

Page 38

Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You still might have to deal with some lingering confusion that marked a recent workplace situation. But for the most part, you should now be well on your way to your next project.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): A new commitment might demand more time than you'd expected to have to give it. But rely on that special Bovine gift for patience, and stick with it. You'll be glad you did.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You're earning the admiration of a lot of people who like the way you handle yourself when your views are on the line. Even one or two of your detractors are being won over.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Taking your responsibilities seriously is what you do. But ease up on the pressure gauge, and make time for much needed R & R. Start by making this weekend a "just for fun" time zone.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Some recently uncovered information might make a change of plans inevitable. If so, deal with it as quickly as possible, and then find out what went wrong and why. What you learn might surprise you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): Aspects favor moving carefully and deliberately when making any significant changes. Could be there are more facts you need to know, which you might overlook if you rush things.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): A problem neighbor might be looking to

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

goad you into an action you don't want to take. Ask someone you both respect if he or she would act as an impartial arbitrator for both of you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): A recent workplace accomplishment hasn't been overlooked by those who watch these things. Meanwhile, start making travel plans for that much-too-long-deferred trip with someone special.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Those money matters continue to move in your favor. Now would be a good time to start putting some money back into the house, both for esthetic as well as economic reasons.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): A changing workplace environment can create job pressures. But, once again, follow the example of your birth sign and take things a step at a time, like the sure-footed Goat you are.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Cheer up. You could soon have the funds you need for your worthy project.

Your generous gifts of time and effort are well known, and someone might decide it's time to join with you.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Your inner scam-catcher is right on target, and you're absolutely right to reject that "too good to be true" offer.

Meanwhile, something positive should be making its way to you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are generous, and also sympathetic to people who find they need the help of others. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like ...

OCEAN CITY vanishing

April 24, 2020

WITH BUNK MANN

The Paddock was built by Gabby Mancini on 18th Street and Philadelphia Avenue in what was then considered “way up the beach.” It opened in 1953 as a bar and restaurant specializing in live entertainment. The interior was knotty pine and had a mural painted over the bar featuring horse racing.

The original building, pictured, was partially destroyed by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. The tall chimney blew down, demolishing the roof and part of the interior, but Mancini rebuilt and turned it into one of Ocean City’s top nightclubs. An evening at the Paddock in the 1950s meant long dresses for ladies and suits and ties for men. Live bands were featured and the Saturday afternoon jam sessions were legendary.

Gabby Mancini gave up his business interest in the Paddock in 1969 but always believed in the future of Ocean City. His son, today, also known as Gabby, owns a popular restaurant in Fenwick Island appropriately known as “Mancini’s.”

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

Photo courtesy of Gabby Mancini Jr.

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

By Steve Green

ESPN’s “The Last Dance” A blunt conversation with a politician A wall of photos on canvas When a card game with my kids doesn’t end in an argument A great shower after a landscaping project Hearing about Class of 2020 college commitments Pasta leftovers for lunch Throwing the directions away after successful putting something together Reading about sports multiple times a day Smell of steamed crabs in the car Timely refunds when they are due ANSWERS ON PAGE 30

April 24, 2020 FROM PAGE 33 cine. After the vaccine dissolves the chip is left below the skin as a “certificate” to know who took the vaccine.

Well, there you have it, the tiny, wizardly Italian doctor (Fauci) and the professor from Turkey (Oz) and enter big pharma and finally, Bill Gates, the chip guy, and is now a purported philanthropist, to implant microbes under our skin.

Gates with his connections can easily design such a chip. What else would such a chip, inserted subcutaneously with the vaccine, be able to monitor?

So, no thanks, no Wuhan flu vaccine for me. The real cures for this virus are repairing deficiencies in our own immune systems. Strengthening your immune system is the sensible approach not social distancing.

A unique idea to reach herd immunity would be to infect all millennials, who have near a zero-death rate. Social distancing should only be imposed on immune deficient individuals.

Tony Christ Falls Church, Va.

Council Or Mayor In Charge?

Editor: Who is in charge?

Council Member Dennis Dare has been involved with the activities of the Ocean City government for at least 35 years. During the April 16, 2020 special meeting of the City Council to discuss issues related to the COVID-19 situation, Council member Dare told his fellow Council members that while he did not want to give them a civics lesson, they needed to understand that the “mayor is in charge”. In a pontificating lecture, he went on to admonish the other council members because their discussion on future actions needed to respond to the COVID-19 situation was “premature” and the council was acting “out of its lane.”

While I do not mean to give civics lesson to Council member Dare, the Ocean City Charter, the legal document controlling Ocean City government, makes it very clear the City Council is in charge. The Ocean City Charter established the council-manager form of municipal government with a mayor that has very limited authority. Section C– 413A of the Charter states the “Council shall consist of seven members elected at large and shall hold all the legislative and except for the mayoral veto, all the executive powers of the town.” (Emphasis added.) Under its legislative authority, the Council can pass an ordinance and use its executive authority to make sure the provisions of the ordinance are carried out as intended. The day-to-day administrative operations are performed by the professional city manager.

Under the charter, the mayor can take only one action without the approval of the council. The mayor is authorized to approve or veto a bill passed by the council. The charter also permits the mayor to be a member, along with three council members, of the Ocean City Police Commission, act as the city manager of the town during the pendency of any vacancy in the position of city manager, appoint members to all city boards, commissions and committees created by the council and be the spokesperson of the town

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR before all state, federal and other local governmental bodies.

Of course, if Council member Dare wants to make sure the “mayor is in charge”, he can always request the city attorney for a public legal opinion to clarify the issue.

Joseph H. Potter Ocean City

Get Priorities Straight Editor: (The following letter was sent to President Trump and this publication.)

I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the direction that this country is going under your chaotic leadership from the Oval Office as we battle the COVID-19 virus. I understand the increased level of frustration that a reported minority of people are experiencing because of the stay at home orders that the governors have issued.

Now to get more specific. I have seen you on television say that you, as president, had the power to declare, possibly as early as May 1, 2020, that our economy was opening for business.

This was quickly followed by a pronouncement that really that power rested in the hands of the governors.

And now I have watched the reports on television about demonstrators in the streets demanding that these stay at home orders be relaxed in order for some businesses to begin to open, etc.

The really sad part of all of this is the total lack of your support for the governors as they try with all their heart to protect the safety and well-being of their citizens. In fact, I view many of your comments on this issue as undermining the Governors while encouraging these protestors to continue their demonstrations. My greatest fear is that your behavior on this issue could lead to riots

Page 39 in the streets similar to what we had in Charlottesville, Va. a few years ago.

I believe that we have come a long way in our battle against this invisible enemy. However, we should not attempt to reopen the economy before steps are in place to do it in a safe and orderly manner. This includes a number of steps that have been identified by your Task Force such as wide-spread testing, tracing, etc. As horrific as this virus has been, it would be devastating to find ourselves back to square one in this battle because we opened the economy too soon.

In closing, I ask that you be less concerned about the stock market while paying greater attention to the medical and scientific professionals that can provide you with sound advice as to the best way to move forward in these difficult times. After all, we only get one-shot at getting it right the first time.

Harry W. Yeich Ocean City

Page 40

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 24, 2020