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OCFD Staff Changes Moves Forward

See Page 4 • File Photo

Resort Helps Fund Bull Riding Event

Quiet Times: Some peaceful scenes from early this week -- the Route 50 Bridge and the Worcester County Vet-

erans Memorial at Ocean Pines -- will soon be difficult to come by with the summer season looming in a matter of weeks.

Photos by Chris Parypa

See Page 14 • File Photo

Sports Complex Process Continues

See Pages 8, 25 • Photo by Charlene Sharpe

Springfest Kicks Off Next Week

See Page 42 • File Photo

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Approved OCFD Staffing Plan To Include New Hires

Page 4

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – An overhaul of the Ocean City Fire Department’s staffing plan, including new hires and a conversion of some positions from part-time to full-time, was approved this week by resort officials.

During budget deliberations last month, it became evident there was a critical need for more full-time firefighters and paramedics in the resort. Last year, there was a 12% increase in EMS calls in the department’s service area. However, it was learned during budget talks the department was out of crews on 58 occasions.

To that end, the Mayor and Council directed City Engineer Terry McGean and Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD)

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Chief Richie Bowers to come back with a new staffing plan to meet the department’s growing needs. That plan was presented to the Mayor and Council during Tuesday’s work session.

The proposed plan requests three positions. One is the conversion of the existing part-time training officer to a fulltime training officer under the rank of battalion chief. Another is a full-time community outreach and engagement officer, which will also be a firefighter-paramedic that can respond to calls and man shifts.

The third is a conversion of a part-time firefighter paramedic to a full-time backfill firefighter-paramedic position.

The revised fire department staffing plan is contingent on the town’s request for federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants.

The 18 SAFER grant staffing requests

are seeking 12 firefighter-EMTs and six full-time firefighter-paramedic positions.

Bowers said as it stands now, the fulltime personnel are often being asked to work overtime on long shifts because the part-time personnel, many of whom have jobs with other departments, are not always available.

“We’ve seen an increase in calls for service of around 12% to 15%,” he said.

“Our full-time personnel are often held over for overtime and they are ending up with 12-hour shifts or longer. There are times when we have to call them back in.”

For his part, McGean said he worked closely with Bowers and the department’s command staff on the proposed changes and supported the staffing plan as proposed.

“We met and discussed the creation

April 29, 2022

of these requested positions and the conversions from part-time to full-time,” he said. “I am in support of what is being requested here today.”

The cost associated with adding the full-time training officer as a battalion chief is around $54,000, while the cost of a full-time firefighter-paramedic backfill position is estimated at $36,000.

The total cost of all of the proposed staffing changes comes in at over $130,000.

In addition, the proposed staffing plan includes a step salary increase for parttime firefighter-paramedics as an incentive for them to devote more time to the town’s fire department.

The step-two increase would trigger when a part-time firefighter-paramedic reaches a total of 1,500 service hours with the town, according to McGean.

“We have part-time people, but calling them and having them show up are two different things,” he said. “This serves as an incentive for them to show up.”

The step-two salary hike would provide an incentive for part-timers to accumulate the number of hours needed to trigger the increase. The step-two level represents a 5% pay increase, or a total estimated cost to the town of about $40,000. McGean said part-timers might not hit the 1,500 hours needed to trigger the pay increase in the first year, but their hours would accumulate until they reached that threshold.

“It may take a couple of years for somebody to hit that 1,500-hour threshold,” he said. “That’s an incentive to continue to report. It builds up over time.”

Mayor Rick Meehan questioned if the proposed changes would help address the burgeoning overtime within the department.

“Are we going to tackle overtime with this?” he said. “That’s the goal here. I hope we can address that as we redirect the department’s resources.”

Of course, the growing offseason with more and more special events is part of the reason for the increase in calls for service and the need for more and more full-time personnel within the department.

On the one hand, growing more special events and expanding the season is creating more revenue for the town through room tax and other sources, but it also creates a strain on town departments including the fire department.

Councilman John Gehrig said the town needed to continue to grow its special events to offset the cost of providing services during them.

“There are more requests coming,” he said. “You have been consistent in keeping us abreast. We’re hiring more fulltime people with more salaries and benefits. It has to be paid for and there are limited resources to pay for it. We need to continue to grow events. If we don’t make the money, we’re going to have to raise taxes.”

After considerable debate, the council voted unanimously to approve the Ocean City Fire Department staffing plan as proposed.

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

Council Ups Reserve Fund Threshold

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – After months of debate, resort officials this week approved a proposed budget redirection plan that includes, among other things, increasing the minimum threshold for reserve fund balance from 15% to 17%.

In the weeks since fiscal year 2023 budget deliberations, City Manager Terry McGean, Budget Manager Jennie Knapp and Finance Director Chuck Bireley have been working on a proposal to address the town’s unrestricted fund balance and direct it in such a way as to prepare for disaster, other unforeseen circumstances or revenue shortfalls.

For years, the town’s stated policy has been to maintain a reserve fund balance of 15% of the general operating budget. The reserve fund balance is a rainy-day fund of sorts to cover potential storm damage or other disasters, pension investment return shortfalls or other dips in revenue sources. The reserve fund balance is also used for certain pay-as-you-go capital projects.

There has been talk in recent months about increasing the minimum reserve fund threshold from 15% to 20%, and following budget talks earlier this spring, the Mayor and Council directed staff to explore the options. In reality, the minimum 15% threshold is largely a paper one as fund balance has soared to over 30% in recent years to over $28 million.

However, that figure is somewhat deceptive because portions of the reserve fund balance are directed at other costs.

For example, at the outset of the presentation on Tuesday, McGean pointed out while the fund balance at the end of the last fiscal year was over $28 million, the actual balance at the 15% reserve policy was more like $14 million. The overall balance is reduced by $1.1 million for the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) parking lot fund, the fire apparatus fund at $1.5 million and a $1.5 million transfer to the capital reserve fund.

McGean explained there are factors to consider when deciding on the minimum threshold for the reserve fund balance.

“There are three major threats to fund balance,” he said. “The return on investment in the pension fund is one concern. The current operating budget includes $3 million in one-time federal COVID grants. There is also the impact of a natural disaster or just a bad summer to consider.”

In terms of the return on investment in the pension fund, the town, through its financial advisors, makes investments using pension funds based on an average return of 7%. In some years, the investment return exceeds the 7%, while in other years it falls short of the expectation. If the investment return falls short, the town must make an investSEE PAGE 63

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Feds Endorse New Bay Bridge Span At Existing Corridor

April 29, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Federal transportation authorities last week gave preliminary approval for a third bridge over the Chesapeake Bay in a corridor adjacent to the existing spans.

For the last few years, the Maryland Transportation Authority has been exploring options for another Chesapeake Bay crossing. Options explored have included a new bay bridge in the area adjacent to the existing spans along Route 50 between Anne Arundel County and Queen Anne’s County, the preferred option of the Maryland Transit Authority and Governor Larry Hogan.

Other options have included a new crossing in southern Maryland connecting that area of the state to the lower Eastern Shore, or a crossing well to the north of the existing bridges. Last week, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision naming the alternative that follows the existing Route 50 corridor, or Corridor 7, as the favored option under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

It’s important to note the results of the NEPA study preferring the existing Corridor 7 as best alternative for the location of the new span was just the next step in what will be a two-tiered study process.

The first phase was a broad review that

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explored the potential impacts of the many alternatives on the environment and on the communities on either side of the bay a new bay bridge route could potentially traverse.

The second phase of the two-tiered study will take a deeper dive into project impacts, potential costs and funding opportunities for the estimated $9 billion project. Five years ago, state lawmakers approved funding for the first phase of the study, but no funding is currently in place for the second phase. For now, however, the existing corridor between Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties is the preferred option for state and federal officials. In a release issued this week, the FHWA outlined the process by which the agency reached its FEIS and Record of Decision.

“The bay crossing study evaluated a range of alternatives, including a nobuild alternative, four modal and operational alternatives and 14 corridor alternatives to provide expanded traffic capacity, and additional access across the Chesapeake Bay to improve mobility, travel reliability and environmental responsibility,” the release reads.

In the release, FHWA officials explained how the final record of decision was determined and the existing Corridor 7 was the favored option.

“The FEIS also details the rationale and information supporting the selection of Corridor 7 as the preferred corridor alternative,” the release reads. “Through

an alternative screening process derived from the study’s purpose and need, the study concluded that the corridor containing the existing Bay Bridge – Corridor 7 – would have the most positive impact on reducing traffic at the Bay Bridge when compared to the other alternatives and would improve access and mobility in this essential transportation corridor.”

While the impacts of a new bay bridge will be felt most acutely in the bookend counties on either side, a future new bridge over the Chesapeake is intrinsically linked to Ocean City and the rest of the Eastern Shore. Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council approved a resolu-

Page 7

tion in support of the preferred option at the request of Queen Anne’s County officials.

The original two-lane bridge was completed in 1952, and at the time was the longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973 and the two bridges remain in the same place today. According to the resolution, the five lanes of the Bay Bridge that currently cross the Chesapeake Bay have not been adequate to effectively manage peak period traffic for many years, as evidence by the chronic backups in both directions on most weekends.

County Begins Planning Process For Sports Complex Site

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – With last week’s vote to move forward with a sports complex on Route 50, the county can now begin putting the pieces in place to bring the project to fruition.

An environmental site assessment, updates to Maryland Stadium Authority studies and a request for design proposals are now in the works. While questions abound regarding the sports complex, officials say the detailed work can begin now that the commissioners voted to proceed.

“Detailed concept and master planning has been on hold until a site was selected,” said Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young.

“These plans are not one size fits all and depend on the site’s location, size, soil

conditions and other factors.”

Following a public hearing April 19, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 to proceed with buying 95 acres for a sports complex and to bond $11.2 million for the project. Though a contract is in place regarding the plan to purchase the 95-acre parcel for $7,150,000, the county will schedule a National Environmental Policy Act study before the sale is finalized. Young said the environmental site assessment would identify any concerns with the land.

“The environmental study is due diligence before acquiring the site,” Young said.

The contract currently in place gives the county a 180-day study period and allows the termination of the contract during that time for any reason. As the county waits for the results of the environmental site assessment, Young said his

office was also reviewing requests for proposals (RFPs) done elsewhere for master planning and layout of the proposed complex.

“There’s a lot of options on the table for layout,” he said.

While some layouts might include little more than basic rectangular sports fields and a concession stand, others could be far more elaborate. The Town of Ocean City has made clear its desire for an indoor facility at the county’s complex.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said the Maryland Stadium Authority was updating its latest study to address a facility with indoor and outdoor space as well as the site location and what would suit the area.

Once that’s done Mitrecic said the county would be able to move forward with issuing an RFP for a designer and operator.

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taxpayers,” he said. “It was never meant to be run by the county.”

Though the county is moving ahead with the project, not everyone in the community supports the effort. Town of Berlin officials expressed concern during last week’s public hearing and agreed to send a letter seeking a meeting with Worcester County officials this week.

“The property may be located in the county but we all know that is the town of Berlin,” Councilman Dean Burrell said during Monday’s town council meeting.

“I am so disappointed that a project of this nature would be planned and the Town of Berlin not be informed nor consulted.”

Young said Wednesday the county would be including the town in the planning process moving forward. Commissioner Diana Purnell said that while she’d heard both excitement and concern regarding the complex from her constituents in the days following the public hearing, she believed it would be a positive for the community.

“I’m glad it passed,” she said.

Other citizens with questions about the sports complex are considering an effort to petition for referendum. They held an informal meeting Monday night.

“Several concerned citizens began to explore the possibility of launching a petition related to how the county plans to fund the Sports Complex Project,” said Ocean Pines resident Slobodan Trendic, spokesperson for the effort, in an email.

“We are in the preliminary stage and our discussions are ongoing. A critical research on the legal aspect of relevant state and local laws as well as the process that governs the petition is now underway. We intend to invite representatives from other communities to assist us with this important undertaking. We believe this effort needs to be collaborative and inclusive in order to have a valid petition and successful outcome.”

When asked about the possibility of a referendum, Worcester County Public Information Officer Kim Moses said Roscoe Leslie, the county’s attorney, advised that there was a state law procedure for referendums of public local laws. A referendum petition would have to be filed within 40 days after a public local law was enacted and would have to contain the signatures of at least 10% of the voters of the county.

“The bond bill to finance the sports complex is a public local law, so that component of the sports complex process is subject to a potential referendum,” Moses said in an email. “If bond funds were not available, the project could be paid for by other revenue sources, like fund balance.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino, one of those who opposed proceeding with the land purchase, said he remained concerned that taxpayers would end up footing the bill for the complex. He said he had heard that a petition for referendum was being talked about by some citizens.

“It remains to be seen if the referendum effort will move forward but it’s certainly within their rights to voice their concerns on an issue that’s going to hit them squarely in the wallet,” he said.

Residents Jump From Burning Home

April 29, 2022

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BERLIN – Three people escaped a house fire in Berlin Wednesday morning by jumping out of second story window.

Crews from Berlin, Ocean Pines, Showell, Ocean City and Newark responded to Railroad Avenue in Berlin Wednesday morning in response to a house fire reported at 8:15 a.m. Upon arrival, crews observed a working house fire at 206 Railroad Ave. with smoke and flames.

The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported, according to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office, although three occupants of the home had to jump to safety from a second story window prior to the arrival of first responders.

The fire originated on the first floor near the stairway, according to the fire marshal’s office, and was caused by an overloaded extension cord. The American Red Cross responded to assist the family.

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Council Considers Use Of ARPA Funds For Projects

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Municipal officials this week discussed a growing list of projects to be paid for with the town’s $4.7 million in federal recovery funds.

The Berlin Town Council on Monday talked about potential projects that could be funded with the town’s $4.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The town has already received half the money and is expected to receive the other half later this year.

“We’ll work internally to develop a

spending plan,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said.

According to staff, ARPA funds can be used to replace lost revenue, support COVID-19 public health and economic response, premium pay for eligible workers or investing in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

“This body has heard from the public with regard to ways to allocate that funding,” Tyndall said. “We’ve also had some internal discussions and received some emails from the group which is why it’s set up as a discussion item for this evening.”

The town already committed to spend-

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ing $1 million of its ARPA funds on smart water meters, $110,000 for a stormwater project on Washington Street and $350,000 for a new well. Other potential expenditures Tyndall brought up Monday included handheld radios for police that could be used during storms, an audiovisual system for council chambers, digitizing documents and premium pay.

Tyndall said the town’s planning department had suggested a growth discussion, which could be done in conjunction with the strategic plan that was cut from last year’s budget.

“It’s not in the budget currently but I would like to see a strategic plan added,” he said.

In addition, Tyndall said the Berlin Fire Company had requested ARPA funds to pay for self-contained breathing apparatus and cardiac monitors.

Councilman Jay Knerr asked about replacing the aging Broad Street lift station.

Jamey Latchum, the town’s stormwater and wastewater superintendent, said the last time it had received extensive work was in the 1970s and that some of the equipment dated back to 1934.

“It’s a waiting time bomb for something catastrophic to happen to it,” he said.

Latchum added that town employees had to perform maintenance at the facility twice a day now because of its age.

When asked what would happen if the station failed, Latchum said the town could have to pump and haul to the town’s

wastewater treatment plant.

Councilman Jack Orris suggested the town start drafting a request for proposals to replace the lift station.

“I think the lift station is probably one of the top priorities,” he said.

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols agreed that some smaller projects, such as the radios for police and audio-visual equipment, could wait when there were more urgent projects. She suggested the town develop a list of items that needed to be acted upon immediately.

Councilman Dean Burrell said he wanted to use some of the ARPA money to provide staff with premium pay. Tyndall said that was being explored.

Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald urged the council to remember the fire company’s need for new cardiac monitors.

“That would save somebody’s life,” he said.

Tyndall said he’d develop a list of projects proposed to be funded with ARPA money to include with his upcoming budget presentation. Resident Carol Rose encouraged the mayor to take staff recommendations such as the replacement of the lift station into consideration.

“We know what we need in this town.

Let’s do it,” she said. “Listen to your people.”

Tyndall said he’d present a list of ARPA projects at the next meeting, which is when he’ll also introduce the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.

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Berlin Officials OK $754K Contract For Smart Water Meters

April 29, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials agreed to spend more than $750,000 to purchase smart water meters.

The Berlin Town Council on Monday approved a bid for $754,990 from Core and Main for smart meters. The meters were recommended after a water and wastewater analysis last fall revealed that non-revenue water—water that is produced and treated but not billed for—accounted for close to 25% of the town’s production.

“The 20-25% of water that’s been not being billed for by the town in the past is going to go away,” said Josh Taylor of Davis, Bowen & Friedel. “You’ll have very accurate meter readings for years to come.”

A study by the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) last year revealed that the town was losing about $200,000 a year in water revenue because the town’s meters didn’t read accurately enough.

“We worked with the town over the past several months figuring out what kind of system the town wanted,” Taylor said. “We wanted a system that would last a long time, not just in regards to the meters and their quality but also with regard to software programming, usability, expandability.”

The town received five proposals, ranging from $672,000 to $1.2 million, for the meters. Taylor said Davis, Bowen & Friedel recommended moving forward with the Core and Main proposal. He said the meters from the company were American made and had a lifetime warranty. He also talked to other municipalities that had the meters.

“I continuously heard positive things about their service,” Taylor said.

Jamey Latchum, the town’s stormwater and wastewater superintendent, pointed out that accurate water readings would have a positive impact on wastewater operations as well.

“All your sewer’s billed off your water (use),” he said.

Latchum said once the meters had been installed he’d return to the council with a resolution to change the rate structure, as customers are currently billed per thousand gallons and the new meters will be measuring down to the gallon.

“Bottom line, the Berlin customer will be receiving a more accurate bill,” Councilman Dean Burrell said.

Latchum said the new meters would also help homeowners identify leaks sooner. He referenced a recent leak at a home on Main Street that left the homeowner paying for 36,000 gallons of water.

“It ran for 30 days before he realized it,” Latchum said.

The council voted 4-0 to move forward with the $754,990 purchase, which is being paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds. Staff noted this was equipment procurement only and did not include installation costs.

Plate Reader Helps Nab Assault Suspect

April 29, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man, wanted on a first-degree assault warrant from an incident in the resort in December, was arrested last weekend after a license plate reader on the Route 90 bridge alerted police.

Around 1 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers received a license plate reader (LPR) ping in reference to a suspect wanted on a warrant for an alleged first-degree assault from December. Ocean City Communications advised the suspect, identified as Matthew Moesle, 27, of Laurel, Del., was driving eastbound on Route 90.

An officer located the suspect’s vehicle heading northbound around 77th Street and confirmed Moesle was the driver who was wanted on the first-degree assault warrant from the incident in December. OCPD officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop of the vehicle around 112th Street and Coastal Highway with their weapons drawn, according to police reports.

OCPD officers ordered Moesle to get out of the vehicle and it was determined there was a young child inside.

Communications confirmed the active first-degree assault warrant and Moesle was arrested, according to police reports.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a plastic bag containing a glass jar in which there was a white powder residue. Moesle reportedly told police he had been given the jar by another individual and was unaware there was anything in it, according to police reports.

Moesle was arrested and the child was transported to the Public Safety Building and Child Protective Services was contacted. The child was later released to his mother. During a search of his person during the booking process, Moesle was found to be in possession of heroin, according to police reports.

Moesle was charged with possession of heroin and child neglect for the immediate incident. He was also served the warrant for the alleged

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

first-degree assault incident in December. According to police reports from the incident, around 8:45 a.m. on Dec. 16, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a residence at 103rd Street for a reported domestic assault that had already occurred.

The officers met with a female victim who reported she had been assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, identified as Moesle, who had reportedly left after the assault and was no longer at the unit. The victim reportedly told police she had moved to the unit recently to get away from Moesle. The victim and Moesle had been in a relationship and had a child together, according to police reports. The victim told police Moesle showed up at the unit stating he had baby supplies, but when he arrived he did not have anything, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police Moesle then passed out in a bedroom, and she let him sleep because she did not want to get into a fight with him. When the baby woke up in the morning, Moesle also woke up, according to police reports. When the victim told Moesle he had to leave, he reportedly became angry and grabbed the victim by the front of her neck and attempted to push her into a wall.

The victim told police she was able to get away from Moesle and went to a bedroom to find her phone so she could call the police, according to police reports. Moesle entered the room knowing she had called 911 and grabbed the phone and threw it against the wall, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told officers the couple fought over the phone and she ended up getting pushed to the floor.

Moesle left after the altercation and officers were not able to immediately locate him. Based on the victim’s statements, a warrant was sworn out for his arrest. When the LPR pinged on his vehicle last weekend, Moesle was taken into custody and charged with first-degree assault and other counts related to the heroin possession and child neglect.

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Resort To Pitch In $75K For First-Year Bull Riding Event

Page 14

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Professional bull riding will make its inaugural appearance in Ocean City in June after resort officials this week signed off on a funding arrangement including a revenue share of ticket prices.

Earlier this month, the Tourism Commission got an update on the Bull on the Beach professional bull riding event set for a portion of the Inlet parking lot on June 3-5 and learned the promoter was seeking an additional investment from the town for the first-ever event to offset unforeseen costs. The tourism commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the full Mayor and Council, who heard the pitch and learned more details from the promoter during Tues-

day’s work session.

The promoter, Triple Creek Events, was seeking a $75,000 upfront contribution from the town’s tourism development grant (TDG) fund in exchange for a $5 per ticket revenue share from the three-day event. The bull riding competition would include roughly 4,000 tickets sold for each event including Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

The tourism commission recommended either the full $75,000 contribution with the revenue share or something more in line with $30,000, but no revenue share. On Tuesday, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo outlined the proposal for the Mayor and Council.

“The tourism commission met in April to discuss the tourism development

grant funding for the Professional Bull Riding event in June,” he said. “The request was in the amount of $75,000 in exchange for a revenue share of $5 per ticket. We are recommending participation from the tourism development grant.

There is ample funding to handle this.”

The event is a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Bull Riding and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo. An arena and bleachers will be constructed on a portion of the Inlet parking lot. Several truckloads of dirt will be hauled to the Inlet lot in advance of the bull-riding event in June, creating an eight-inch surface on which the rodeo will be held. Event organizers will haul the dirt back out of the Inlet lot and restore it to its pre-event condition after the rodeo is completed.

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off the island during the event and trailered on the days of the competition.

Councilman Mark Paddack questioned how many seats for the event were planned and how many had been sold with the bull riding event now about five weeks away. Paddack said he was coming around to the idea of the town forward-funding the event.

“Originally, I had some reservations about this, but think overall it can and will be a good program,” he said. “I know it’s in its infancy. Right now, how many seats are you planning to have in your bleachers?”

Triple Creek Events representative Bobby Vesper said the promoters had run into some cost overruns, which is why they were seeking additional support from the town.

“We’ve had two major obstacles that were unforeseen,” he said. “One is the scarcity of the equipment due to corona and the other is how the fuel costs are going up so moving the steel, in many cases from around the country, have affected our costs.”

Vesper said the promoter was creating a different VIP section with higher ticket costs to offset some of the unanticipated promotion pricing obstacles.

“We’re still going to have the same number of seats, but what we did to offset some of the costs is we’re going to have the arena seats in the bleachers, but also a back area as an elevated VIP section with higher ticket costs,” he said.

Vesper said ticket sales for the event were going well, but he anticipated sales really ramping up in the weeks leading up to the bull riding competition.

“We have sold about 1,500 tickets as of two days ago,” he said. “We are on pace with our other sold-out events.

With a general admission event, what we’ve learned is most of the seat sales occur within the last three weeks.”

There was discussion about the impact of the event’s footprint on the Inlet parking lot revenue in June, but Vesper said there was a contingency plan in the works.

“One of the things that is open for discussion is we’ve reached out to the casino to ease the burden on parking in the event footprint that we might take from you and they were nice enough to allocate 300 spaces to us,” he said.

“The dilemma is how to we shuttle the people back and forth?”

Paddack asked if the promoter had considered a different set of dates possibly later in the year.

“Have you considered the possibility of having this event maybe later in the fall to allow you to buy some time to sell more tickets?” he said. “If there was a window a little bit later in the fall where we could move this event. You’re looking at 4,000 on Friday, 4,000 on Saturday and 4,000 on Sunday. That’s 12,000 and you’re now at 1,500.”

However, Vesper said the Ocean City event is part of a larger PBR series that has already been locked in.

SEE PAGE 24

No Immediate Plan For Admin. Search

April 29, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – There are no immediate plans to fill the vacancy created by the abrupt departure of Berlin’s town administrator last week.

Following the retirement of Jeff Fleetwood, the town’s administrator for the last three years, Mayor Zack Tyndall said this week there were no immediate plans to bring anyone new into town hall. Instead, Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen will oversee operations.

“No search is taking place at this time,” he said. “The deputy town administrator is serving in her capacity as we work through the transition.”

Last Monday, Fleetwood advised Tyndall he wanted to retire in June, once this year’s budget process was complete.

Tyndall, however, told him his last day would be Friday but that he would be paid through the June date.

At Monday’s town council meeting, Tyndall addressed the issue with an operational announcement.

“I want to brief everyone that the town administrator retired effective Friday,” he said. “Our Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen will be stepping in to fill the capacity at this time through her role as deputy town administrator.”

He said Bohlen joined the town in 1991 and throughout the years held multiple positions such as customer service, grants administrator and special projects administrator.

“She’s also served as acting town administrator more than three times,” Tyndall said.

Council members expressed their appreciation for Fleetwood’s commitment during the 12 years he spent in Berlin.

“We are sorry to see him go,” Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said at the close of Monday’s meeting.

Councilman Jay Knerr said Fleetwood should be congratulated.

“Jeff was probably the best town administrator this town has ever seen,” Knerr said. “He was dedicated to his job beyond reproach. He was my friend and I’ll truly miss him.”

Following Monday’s meeting, Tyndall said no search for a new town administrator was planned at this time. He said as more information became available he’d make the public aware.

Councilman Jack Orris said Berlin was fortunate to have a deputy town administrator with such a depth of municipal knowledge.

“Of course Jeff will be missed but I have complete confidence and faith that Mary’s town knowledge and experience will create a fairly seamless transition,” he said.

When asked about filling the vacancy created by Fleetwood’s departure, Orris said officials would take some time to review things like the job description, which is normal with any personnel change, and then determine an appropriate timeline and path forward.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 15

Wicomico Adds $7M To Public Safety Building Project

Page 16

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Officials came before the county council this week seeking an additional $7.7 million for the construction of a new public safety building.

In a special meeting held Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted to approve a resolution amending the fiscal year 2022 capital improvement plan and fiscal year 2022 budget to allow $7,715,000 in additional funding for the construction of a new public safety building. While the new facility was budgeted at nearly $28 million, Sheriff Mike Lewis noted that inflation had increased construction bids.

“With the lowest bid, we’d need an additional $7.7 million to get this building underway,” he said. “We have been told by those that we’ve been working with, every day we wait this figure is going to steadily

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

climb. That’s why we are here requesting the additional $7.7 million.”

In the fall of 2018, a feasibility study was completed for a new public safety building in Wicomico. And that November, the county purchased an eight-acre site on which to build the new facility. Since that time, officials have been working with architects and engineers to bring the project to fruition, but many on the council have shared their concerns regarding the scope of the project and its $28 million price tag.

Lewis told council members this week factors such as the COVID-19 outbreak and inflation have contributed to yet another increase in the cost of the public safety building. Finance Director Pam Oland said the lowest bid the county received for the project was $33.3 million.

“The range of bids was from $33.3 million to $37 million, from highly qualified

companies …,” she said. “As such, we believe the company we would like to award this to is a responsible and responsive bidder and can complete the project at the amount we are suggesting.”

Oland said if council members were to approve the additional $7.7 million in funding, half would come from prior year fund balance and half would come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

“It would have no debt impact and it would have the ability for us to, if this legislation passes, immediately make the change to the budget and encumber funds for the project,” she said.

Purchasing Agent Nick Rice told council members this week the county received five bids for the project, but would need to approve the additional funding to secure the lowest contract.

“It’s important to state the scope has

April 29, 2022

not change,” he added. “We’re seeing this 18% across the board in construction contracts and inflation.”

Councilman Bill McCain said he supported the project, but was concerned about the scope.

“A lot of projects, when you get cost escalations like this, you change the scope of the project,” he said. “I’m not directing this at you, but that has never occurred anywhere in this process.”

Oland, however, noted that the project scope had to meet state and federal requirements for a public safety building.

This building is projected to have over a 50-year lifespan too,” Rice added.

When asked when construction would begin, General Services Supervisor Pate Matthews said site work could begin in the coming months.

“I don’t think it would be much more than two or three months, depending on availability,” he said.

After further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Nicole Acle absent, to approve the $7.7 million in additional funding for the public safety building.

The county council this week also voted to establish a Law Enforcement Review Board, required through the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021.

The legislative bill, passed in a 6-0 vote, included several amendments and discussions on active shooter training and eligibility criteria for Wicomico County Police Accountability Board members.

“This is state law, not our bill,” said Councilman Josh Hastings. “We’re trying to put together our own version of what the state has told us we have to do. That’s how we’re addressing it.”

Fenwick Eyes Seal Island For Bay Dredging Project

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – As the focus of a long-awaited dredging project shifts to Seal Island, members of a Fenwick Island committee met this week to discuss next steps.

On Wednesday, the Fenwick Island Dredging Committee met to discuss plans for a dredging project in the neighboring Little Assawoman Bay. While plans are still being explored for a beneficial use project at Seatowne, a residential community north of Fenwick, Councilman Bill Rymer, committee chair, announced this week the committee was shifting its focus to Seal Island as a potential deposit site.

“We feel that Seatowne is option 1-B for us …,” he said. “We want to investigate Seal Island.”

Rymer noted that the town joined with Delaware State Parks – owner of Seal Island – for a Joint Permit Processing meeting last week. There, he said, the town presented the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control with its plans to provide safe navigation of the Little Assawoman Bay while restoring the highly degraded marsh isSEE NEXT PAGE

… Seatowne Partnership Still Being Considered April 29, 2022

land.

“The JPP meeting was basically a 15minute presentation where we highlighted our goals and purpose,” he explained. “It was well received.”

While the town hopes to use its dredged material to reconstitute Seal Island – located in the middle of the Little Assawoman Bay – officials say it would take larger discussions on sediment retention, maintenance and cost.

“A prudent next step is to do some cost estimating around the potential perimeter materials that would be needed to keep this material in place and provide comfort to the regulatory agencies that this material won’t be washed away post-placement …,” said Anchor QEA’s Steve Bagnull. “We’d be looking at the most feasible and suitable options for the area.”

Rymer told committee members this week there was also the potential to take a cell approach, meaning the town would consider reconstituting a portion of Seal Island.

“We’ve got 19,000 cubic yards of material,” he said, “and one of our questions was will they accept a partial replenishment.”

Regardless of which location the town ultimately chooses, Rymer said Fenwick would need to explore funding opportunities for its dredging project.

To that end, Rymer said the town has filed a $100,000 grant application with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and a $350,000 grant request as part of the state’s fiscal year 2023 bond bill.

“Our representative, Ron Gray, has been unbelievably supportive …,” he said.

“My thought is we will hear in late June or July.”

Moving forward, committee members said they would need to update construction cost estimates for a Seal Island project, among other proposals. Rymer added that the town would also need to work closely with Delaware State Parks as it pursues the project.

“They will be our partner in this process, one way or another,” he said.

Plans for a dredging project in the Little Assawoman Bay began in earnest in 2018, when the town hired Tony Pratt, former administrator for DNREC, to guide them through the funding and permitting processes. By the following year, Anchor QEA, a Lewes-based engineering firm, was brought on board to provide design, bidding and construction management services.

Since that time, the town has explored numerous deposit sites for its dredged material, including a parcel of land off Route 54 owned by the Carl M. Freeman Companies. When those plans fell through, Fenwick officials turned their attentions to Seatowne, which would use the town’s material to replenish roughly 19 acres of wetlands near the community. Officials say the association’s homeowners will vote on the proposed partnership in late May. “This project for the town has been a long time coming,” said committee member George Murphy. “It has nothing to do with the dredging itself, but it has everything to do with where do we put this stuff.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

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Page 20

Domestic Dispute Leads To Assault Charges

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY — An Annapolis woman was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last weekend after allegedly ramming her boyfriend with her vehicle during a domestic argument near a downtown motel.

Around 4 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of 27th Street. Upon arrival, an officer met with two witnesses who advised they had seen a female, later identified as Caroline Bailey, 27, of Annapolis, strike a male with her vehicle, according to police reports.

The witnesses reportedly told police they had observed Bailey and a male arguing as they exited a nearby motel. The witnesses told the officer they observed Bailey get into her vehicle and attempt to drive away. The witnesses told the officer the male stepped in front of Bailey’s vehicle and said, “Stop trying to leave,” and “Don’t leave me,” according to police reports.

The witnesses reportedly told police Bailey then accelerated the vehicle forward, striking the victim numerous times, causing him to fall backward. The witnesses told police Bai-

April 29, 2022

ley then drove south on Philadelphia Avenue toward the Route 50 bridge.

Another OCPD officer observed Bailey’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

According to police reports, Bailey told the officer she just wanted to leave town because she had been in an argument with her boyfriend. Bailey told the officer she had not struck the victim with her vehicle, according to police reports.

An OCPD officer interviewed the victim, who reportedly told police he had not been hit by the car and that he did not wish to press charges. OCPD officers observed abrasions on the victim’s legs and hands consistent with being hit by a vehicle, according to police reports.

Numerous witnesses corroborated the story about Bailey intentionally accelerating and striking the victim multiple times in a malicious manner, according to police reports. Witness testimony and evidence suggested Bailey had struck the victim with her vehicle and had left the scene. She was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault. She was also charged with multiple traffic offenses including leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily injury, reckless driving and negligent driving among others. She was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

COPS & COURTS Juvenile Female Assaulted

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OCEAN CITY – A known local homeless man was arrested last weekend for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old juvenile female on the Boardwalk.

Around 1 p.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on bike patrol on the Boardwalk was flagged down by a female victim, a 12-year-old girl, who had allegedly been assaulted outside a business. The officer was able to identify the victim through her mother, who was accompanying her.

The victim pointed out the male suspect, whom police knew from previous interactions as Charles Davis III, 39, of no fixed address.

The victim told the officer about five minutes earlier, Davis had walked up to her, put his hand around her lower back and waist area and said something derogatory to her, according to police reports. The victim told police the physical contact was unwelcomed and unwarranted, and she told Davis to get off her.

Officers interviewed the victim’s mother, who also identified Davis and corroborated her daughter’s version of the incident, according to police reports. The officer advised Davis he was under investigation for assaulting a juvenile victim, but when Davis was asked for his name and date of birth, he told the officer he did not remember.

Davis was warned if he did not provide his information, he could be arrested for obstructing and hindering the investigation, but he continued to refuse to provide

any accurate information. At that point, Davis was arrested on suspicion of assault and he began to yell during the arrest, attracting the attention of numerous passersby, according to police reports.

All in all, Davis was charged with second-degree assault, making a false statement, obstructing and hindering, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order and other charges.

Second-Degree Assault Arrest

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested last week on assault and other charges after an alleged series of incidents with his live-in girlfriend at an uptown condo.

Around 1:55 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a condo at 127th Street for a reported domestic assault that had already occurred. The officer met with a female victim who advised her boyfriend, later identified as Calah Spells, 39, of Milford, Del., had text messaged her to inform he was going to leave their residence and take her cat with him, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police Spells was intoxicated and had a history of being violent.

The victim told police there had been multiple incidents in the previous two days including Spells throwing a beer can at her on April 17, narrowly missing her head; Spells poking her in the chest, leaving a quarter-sized bruise; and Spells placing his hands around her neck, leaving two distinct bruises, according to police reports.

After those alleged incidents, the victim decided to call the police to report them.

The victim told police Spells had sent her a series of threatening text messages and told her he was leaving with her cat, according to police reports. The officer reportedly observed bruising on the victim consistent with her stories about the previous alleged assaults.

The officer later spoke with Spells, who adamantly denied ever being violent with the victim. Spells also told police he was voluntarily leaving the residence and made arrangements for his elderly mother to pick him up, according to police reports. Spells did acknowledge the couple had been arguing over a belief the victim had been cheating, but said her bruising was likely caused by her falling down because she was clumsy, according to police reports.

Spells reportedly told the officer he was surprised she called the police.

Based on the evidence, Spells was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. During booking, suboxone was found in the plastic box on Spells’ person and additional possession charges were tacked on.

DUI, Weapon Charges

OCEAN CITY – A Grasonville, Md., man was arrested for possession of a fighting knife after being detained for suspicion of driving while under the influence on the Route 90 bridge last weekend.

Last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to Route 90 for a welfare check. Ocean City Communications advised a witness had called to report a female walking on the Route 90 bridge in an area where peSEE NEXT PAGE

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

... COPS & COURTS destrians are prohibited.

OCPD officers located a vehicle stopped on the Route 90 bridge within the corporate limits of the town and identified the driver as Ashon Whyte, 29, of Grasonville, Md. Whyte was reportedly yelling at a female in the passenger seat and he was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police reports.

The vehicle was stopped in a prohibited area and a tow-away zone and none of the other occupants were deemed sober or with valid driver’s licenses. During an inventory of the vehicle’s contents so that it could be towed safely, officers located an assisted-opening knife in the glove compartment. According to police reports, Whyte said he was aware of the knife in the vehicle, but was unaware it was illegal within the corporate limits of Ocean City.

Impound Lot Trespassing

OCEAN CITY – An Arnold, Md., woman was arrested last weekend after allegedly breaking into the town’s impound lot and smashing a window of her boyfriend’s vehicle, which had been towed earlier following his arrest.

Around 3:50 a.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer ending a shift observed a female inside the town’s gated impound lot. The officer observed a female, later identified as Corey Tippett, 31, of Arnold, Md., screaming and beating on the roof of the vehicle with her hands, according to police re-

ports. The officer could reportedly hear Tippett striking the vehicle from as least 50 feet away.

The officer got the impound lot key from the custody division and asked the suspect how she got into the lot. Tippett reportedly told the officer she went between a gap in the fence, and that she was attempting to get into her boyfriend’s vehicle because he had been arrested and she did not have a place to stay for the night, according to police reports.

Tippett reportedly showed signs of intoxication and she was arrested for trespassing in the town’s impound lot despite conspicuous “no trespassing” signs. The officer returned to the impound lot with a custody officer who had inspected the vehicle when it was towed in. The OCPD officer observed the front passenger-side window was shattered with an impact mark near the top and spiderweb cracks leading from it.

The officer observed the only thing keeping the window somewhat intact was the tinting on it. The officer observed a rock out of place on the ground that he believed may have been used to smash the window. Tippett was charged with trespassing, malicious destruction of property and intoxicated endangerment.

City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area observed a male later identified as Jude Hutchinson, 34, of Berlin, walking through a parking lot at 2nd Street with both hands under a large wooden object. The officer later determined the large wooden object was a railroad tie.

The officer observe Hutchinson walk down Wilmington Lane and continued to follow him until the officer heard a large crashing sound. The officer observed Hutchinson continue to walk south, but he no longer had the railroad tie in his hands, according to police reports.

The officer drove to the area where Hutchinson had last been seen just south of the parking lot at 2nd Street. The officer observed the roughly eight-foot railroad tie leaning up against the front door of a residence on Wilmington Lane. The of-

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ficer also observed the front door was scratched and there was a large light fixture broken and dangling from the siding.

The light fixture was broken from its mount and no longer lit, according to police reports.

The officer stopped Hutchinson, who appeared to be intoxicated, according to police reports. At that point, Hutchinson was placed under arrest for malicious destruction of property. During a search incident to the arrest, the officer located a bottle of Fireball whiskey with the seal broken and the lid on in Hutchinson’s jacket pocket and additional open container charges were tacked on.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, all of which was suspended. He was then placed on probation for 18 months.

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Suspended Sentence For Railroad Tie Destruction

OCEAN CITY – A local man arrested in February after damaging a door and a light fixture with a railroad tie pleaded guilty this week to malicious destruction of property and was sentenced to 30 days, all of which was suspended in favor of probation.

Around 9:55 p.m. on Feb. 9, an Ocean

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Page 24

… Council To Help Fund New Event

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April 29, 2022

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FROM PAGE 14 “This is a national presence,” he said.

“We can’t move it and pivot that easily.

There’s a schedule all over the country that was set in motion months and months ago.”

Vesper said Triple Creek Events and the PBR had larger plans for Ocean City beyond the proposed June event in the resort.

“We’re committed to this venue for three years with professional bull riding coming,” he said. “In addition to that, if we create an atmosphere here where we do bring in that demographic that is different than what is currently coming here, we’re already in discussion about bringing in other events like a full rodeo.”

Mayor Rick Meehan allayed concerns from a citizen during the public comment period about stacking events in early June on top of what is already a busy time in the season. The Jellyfish Festival will be going on in the same general area near the pier at the Inlet.

“I think this is an exciting event and an exciting opportunity,” he said. “I actually think the two events will support each other with one on the north side of the pier and one on the south side of the pier, and I think the Jellyfish Festival is geared more toward country music this year and that really plays into this. I think we’ll be able to handle those crowds with the existing parking, the other lots downtown and the Park-andRide, which could really be used well for this event.”

Meehan recommended a hybrid option of sorts, including a $50,000 contribution from the town along with the $5 per ticket revenue sharing plan.

“That seems realistic to me,” he said.

“If this event is going to be as successful as everybody thinks it’s going to be, that gives you the upfront investment to work with. I think we can make this a very good weekend with two simultaneous events.”

However, Councilman John Gehrig said if the funding was available, he recommended providing the full $75,000 requested along with the ticket revenue sharing plan. He said he did not want to hold up the event over $25,000 if the funding was available.

“There’s another option,” he said. “If we’re going to be committed to making this work, I don’t want $25,000 to be in the way. I’m willing to invest to get this event off to a great start. We’re talking about multiple events, so the balance can be covered in future events.”

It was pointed out the planned VIP section would have higher ticket prices.

After considerable debate, Gehrig amended his motion to include the $75,000 contribution with a ticket revenue sharing plan of $5 per seat sold or 10% of the entire ticket sales based on the VIP section sales. The motion passed with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

Berlin To Request Meeting With County Over Sports Complex

April 29, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Berlin leaders agreed to formally request a meeting with Worcester County officials following last week’s vote to move forward with a sports complex.

Members of the town council on Monday expressed their disappointment with the Worcester County Commissioners for not including the municipality in discussions regarding a sports complex proposed for property next to Stephen Decatur High School. Municipal leaders are worried about the negative impact the project will have on the town.

“When you say it’s great for the community, what community is it great for?”

Suspect Jailed For 25 Years In 2010 Stabbing

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A Federalsburg, Md., man, arrested in Texas last spring 11 years after stabbing a man in a 54th Street restaurant parking lot, was found guilty last week of first-degree assault and was sentenced to 25 years in jail.

On July 24, 2010, a man was found to be stabbed multiple times in the parking lot of a restaurant at 54th Street. At the time, the investigation revealed Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers arrived on the scene shortly after 2 a.m. to find the victim lying in the parking lot.

The investigation revealed an unknown suspect approached the victim and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Witnesses at the scene reported the suspect stabbed the victim and that the incident was believed to be connected to an earlier disagreement inside the restaurant.

The OCPD offered a $5,000 reward for information about the suspect at the time, but he was not located, and the case was cold for over 10 years. However, the investigation led to identifying the suspect as Manuel Escalante, Jr., now 48, of Federalsburg, Md. Despite the reward and Escalante’s photograph being widely distributed to the media, he remained at large until last March 22, when he was located in Laredo, Texas, and taken into custody.

Escalante was transported back to Worcester County where he was charged with first-degree assault and other counts. Last week, Escalante entered an Alford plea to one count of first-degree assault. In an Alford plea, a suspect does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to prosecute the case. After nearly 12 years since the incident, Escalante was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

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Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said.

“Because it’s not great for my community.”

During a public hearing last Tuesday, Berlin Planning Director Dave Engelhart and Mayor Zack Tyndall were among the people who expressed concern regarding Worcester County’s plans to purchase 95 acres next to the high school for a sports complex. Following three hours of public comment, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 to approve moving forward with the purchase.

Engelhart this week urged the council to send the county a letter regarding the town’s desire to be involved in the process moving forward. Though the property is currently in the county, Engelhart said annexation into the town was likely because the project would probably need town water and sewer.

“Water and sewer is our leverage to

make sure that we don’t get all the negative impact from this project—which is a wonderful project I don’t dispute it—but none of the positive impact,” he said.

He added that if the land was purchased by the county there would be no real estate taxes to collect and that increases to room tax revenue would primarily benefit Ocean City. Berlin, however, will get traffic, trash and wear and tear on its infrastructure, Engelhart said.

“All I see is negative impacts on the horizon and someone else benefiting,” he said.

Councilman Jack Orris asked if the county had reached out since the public hearing. Engelhart said no one had but that he had reached out to county staff.

“So you are talking,” Orris said. “’Talking’ I would use loosely,” Tyndall replied. “We have indicated we would like to have a conversation.”

Page 25

Engelhart said proponents of the project talked about the revenue it would generate. He suggested a formula like the one created when the Ocean Downs Casino was developed to provide those impacted with some financial support.

He said there was little doubt the town would see increased expenses in the areas of its infrastructure and public safety costs.

Councilman Dean Burrell expressed his “total disappointment” with the county’s lack of communication with the town.

“The property may be located in the county but we all know that is the town of Berlin,” he said. “I am so disappointed that a project of this nature would be planned and the Town of Berlin not be informed nor consulted.”

He suggested the town invite county leaders to come speak to the council.

SEE PAGE 26

… Nichols: Sports Complex ‘Not Great For My Community’ Page 26

FROM PAGE 25 Nichols, who lives on Flower Street, agreed and indicated she was surprised that the commissioners felt there was widespread support for the complex.

“Never once were the residents of Briddletown notified or asked what their thoughts were on this monstrosity,” she said. “That’s what I’m calling it, because that thing right there will not service those kids that live on Flower Street. That thing will not service the children that live in Berlin unless you are part of an elite team.”

She added that a sports complex adjacent to the high school meant it could never expand.

“As this community grows—and we are growing leaps and bounds—that’s going to cut us off at the knees,” she said. “Where’s our high school going to grow? How can it grow if this thing is right there? So if they had come to us first they would have heard that before tonight.”

Resident Ron Cascio thanked the council members for their level of concern regarding the sports complex. He said the town had to be careful about what the county and the Town of Ocean City were foisting on it.

“I think we need to be very careful,” he said. “We’ve watched Ocean City over the years make that town essentially for most people unlivable. We need to be very careful they don’t bring that

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

Berlin Council members Shaneka Nichols and Dean Burrell, center, with Councilman Jay Knerr, left, and Mayor Zack Tyndall, were outspoken in their disappointment with the county over the sports complex site. Nichols and Burrell represent Photo by Charlene Sharpe districts neighboring the proposed location.

whole thing this way.”

Tyndall suggested inviting county representatives in for a work session so the town’s concerns could be addressed.

“I don’t know how much attention they truly pay to Berlin and what goes on,” Nichols said. “I’m hoping that they do but

I’d like for them to at least have a true picture of what Town of Berlin is and what we’re dealing with infrastructure-wise and what the impact of that site could mean to us.”

Burrell suggested the county representative attend a regular meeting rather

than a work session.

“That would allow the public to participate and ask them questions,” he said.

Tyndall indicated he’d proceed with drafting a letter to the county expressing municipal concerns and inviting officials to attend a council meeting.

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 27

Park Path To Be Replaced Rep. Praised For Pandemic Efforts

Page 28

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials are moving forward with plans to replace the walking path at Stephen Decatur Park.

Elected officials said Monday the scrap tire walking path at the park would be replaced with asphalt. Though alternatives were discussed, asphalt was deemed the best long-term solution.

“We could possibly get 20-25 years out of asphalt,” said Jimmy Charles, the town’s director of public works.

Though officials agreed to pursue replacement of the aging walking path at the park last fall, they decided this spring to look at the possibility of using crush and run gravel rather than asphalt. Staff said that the contractor advised that would equate to savings of about $20,000 but that it would not last as long as asphalt.

“The crush and run would require more maintenance than asphalt,” Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said.

Mike Wiley, chair of the town’s parks commission, said elderly residents were worried about the possibility of a gravel path. Laura Stearns, another parks commission member, said she thought asphalt was the best affordable option. She added that the poor condition of the path at the park was what had inspired her to join the parks commission.

“That park is my happy place,” she said.

She said she’d slipped and fallen on the existing path, which is cracked and buckled in places and gets slippery when wet. That experience prompted her to worry about the potential for a lawsuit related to the path.

She believes replacing the current path with asphalt would be an improvement for the town’s residents.

“It’s not ideal but it’s a heck of a lot better than stone dust,” Stearns said.

Councilman Jack Orris thanked the commission for its input. Mayor Zack Tyndall said that with the council’s consensus plans for the asphalt path would move forward.

The project is being done in conjunction with street work approved by the council last fall. Paving is set to occur on Stevenson Lane, the east section of Graham Avenue and Decatur Street.

While the condition of the scrap tire path, built in 2009, has been a cause for concern for years, there hasn’t been funding to repair it. While replacing it with asphalt will cost about $80,000, set to come from an increase in highway user revenues from the state, replacing the path with in-kind material would cost more than $400,000.

Bohlen said that she was waiting to hear from the contractor regarding the project’s timeline, which could be impacted by material delivery times.

April 29, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners honored a local resident last week for her efforts to assist the unemployed during the pandemic.

The commissioners last Tuesday presented a commendation to Pat Schrawder, district representative for Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, for her efforts to assist more than 2,000 residents of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties in securing unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

“It was an unbelievable effort by one person to help thousands of people here,” Commissioner Josh Nordstrom said.

The commissioners said last week they wanted to thank Schrawder for her role in providing assistance to Eastern Shore residents during the height of COVID-19. Nordstrom said she helped thousands navigate the often-confusing state and federal assistance programs during a critical time. Carozza echoed his praise and said Schrawder was dedicated to serving the greater good.

“Pat Schrawder epitomizes servant leadership,” she said.

While area residents were struggling to adapt to lost jobs, school closures and health concerns, Schrawder listened to their concerns and did what she could to help. She said she was shocked by the array of ways the pandemic affected

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people’s lives.

“As I talked to them I realized the width and breadth of the problems people were facing…,” Schrawder said. “I was hearing from older people who had worked 50 years and never applied for unemployment.”

She said they didn’t understand the terminology and in many cases didn’t even have a computer they could use to submit the required online application.

“We had young families that were living paycheck to paycheck and suddenly there’s no paycheck,” she recalled. “They were panicked, they were scared. I’d find myself trying to direct them to food shelters and they didn’t want to go, they were embarrassed. They’d never done that before.”

As the pandemic continued, the concerns changed. Eventually Schrawder began hearing from employers who couldn’t find people to work. At that point she started advising those she was helping with unemployment claims about the openings.

“It has been a learning experience,” Schrawder said. “It was very often frustrating, sometimes quite overwhelming, but on those days when you got the email from somebody saying thank you, that was a very good day.”

Schrawder assisted more than 2,100 Lower Shore residents with securing unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

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Fenwick Island Cleared Of Alleged FOIA Violation

April 29, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – A complaint against Fenwick Island was dismissed last week after the Delaware Attorney General’s Office reported it found no evidence to support allegations the town had violated the state’s Freedom of Information Act. In a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting last Friday, town solicitor Luke Mette announced the results of a FOIA petition against the Town of Fenwick Island.

The complaint, filed by resident and former council member Bill Weistling, alleges the town violated FOIA’s open meeting requirements by limiting public comments during a March 4 public hearing to consider four proposed code amendments.

Mette said the attorney general’s opinion, issued last week, found no violation had occured.

“A FOIA petition had been filed with the attorney general in connection with a public meeting that was conducted on March 4,” he said in last week’s town council meeting. “The attorney general’s opinion was returned two days ago and concluded that the factual record did not support the alleged violations in the petition.”

Last month, Weistling filed a petition with the attorney general’s office alleging the Town of Fenwick Island violated FOIA’s open meeting requirements during a March 4 public hearing on four ordinance changes.

“The last ordinance change regarded Ch. 153 of the code and prohibited low speed vehicles (lsv) within town limits,” his petition reads. “The Mayor stated that although not required, for transparency, this change to Ch. 153 would be included in the public hearing.”

Weistling said the public hearing included public attendance, as well as Zoom and phone callers. His petition, however, alleges the specific violation occurred when the town’s mayor, Vicki Carmean, announced those who had submitted written statements would not be permitted to speak.

“One member of the public who Zoomed in to the meeting, James Simp-

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son, had submitted a written response to council members and town officials that included 155 signatures of property owners in opposition to the ordinance change,” he wrote. “He was not allowed to speak. His comments, along with many others who wrote responses, could have been beneficial to a large number of people who attended the hearing.”

When public comments exceeded the allotted time, officials opted to continue the public hearing at the following town council meeting. Weistling, however, argued that Simpson was allowed to speak during public participation, when most of the public had left and after the town council had voted on the ordinance change.

“In case number 19-ib58 10/24/19 the Attorney General’s office stated that although not required, when a comment period appears on an agenda it is subject to FOIA’s open meeting requirements,” he wrote. “I believe the Town of Fenwick Island violated FOIA by not allowing all members of the public to speak at this public hearing.”

Weistling requested the town council read the written comments at the start of the next council meeting, should his

complaint be validated.

In an opinion issued April 20, however, the attorney general’s office concluded the evidence provided did not support the alleged violation.

The opinion states the town provided its response to the petition on March 30, as well as copies of approved minutes for the March 4 public hearing and town council meeting.

“The Town asserts that it ‘did not prohibit any member of the public from providing written or verbal comment,’” the opinion reads. “Prior to the vote, the Town states that the public was specifically asked whether there were additional comments. The Town asserts that ‘[i]f some members of the public chose to leave the meeting, or otherwise chose not to make verbal comment, that was their choice, not the Town’s.’”

The town also argued the public had an opportunity to speak during public participation.

“Further, if certain members of the public chose to speak at the ‘Public Participation’ period after the ordinance passed, the Town asserts that it was their decision to do so,” the opinion reads. “The Town contends that there is no FOIA pro-

Page 29

vision requiring that written public comments be read aloud at a meeting, and such a requirement would hinder the efficiency of the meeting and only serve to discourage public bodies’ acceptance of written comments.”

Ultimately, the attorney general’s office ruled it found no FOIA violation had occurred at the March 4 meetings. The opinion stated anyone who wanted to voice their opinions had the opportunity to do so.

“Based on this evidence, we find that this ordinance’s public comment period, although it was conducted in a bifurcated format, allowed for verbal comments from citizens who submitted written comments,” the opinion reads. “Thus, we determine that the factual record submitted by the parties in this case does not support the alleged violation.

The opinion continues, “To the extent that this dispute perhaps arose out of a misunderstanding regarding the acceptance of verbal public comments, we recommend the Town Council clearly inform attendees at future meetings how to offer verbal comments during the public comment period, especially when that comment period must be bifurcated.”

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Pines Candidate Application Revised

April 29, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Changes to the association’s candidate application were approved at a special meeting last week.

In a special meeting last Friday, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted to revise the candidate registration form for board elections.

President Colette Horn said the reflected changes make a section of the application optional.

“The motion is to revise Attachment B of Resolution M-09, the candidate registration form, such that all questions in Section 2 of the form are identified as optional,” she said. “The purpose and effect is to remove confusion about the necessity to respond to the questions in Section 2 of the recently revised candidate registration form.”

Horn said that while the Ocean Pines Bylaws and Resolutions Committee acknowledged the questions were meant to inform voters, they were not required.

“There was no intention that answering these questions would be a requirement for a candidate’s application to be considered,” she said.

“The form that was approved did not indicate this. This proposed motion corrects that and removes any confusion about the necessity for candidates to answer the questions in the section.”

Director Doug Parks said he was in support of the proposed revisions, but questioned if the applications would still be considered public record. Horn said they would.

“I just want to make sure that it’s public record and that people understand there’s going to be different perspectives on whether or not those questions are answered,” Parks added.

Director Larry Perrone noted that the upcoming referendum on proposed bylaw revisions could change the candidate application.

“The only issue I have is if the bylaws don’t change the way we want them to change, then we’ll need to go back and take a look at this form again in regard to a couple of these questions,” he said. “Nothing we have to do now, but depending on how the bylaws vote goes, we have to take another look at this. I’m at the point where if these questions are optional, I’m not sure they have a lot of value anyway.”

Director Amy Peck questioned what would be required of candidates who have received the older form.

“If someone’s already filled out and turned in an application – I know we have one so far, and it’s the old application – do they need to resubmit this new one?” she asked. “Or is any application good at this point?”

Horn said either application would be accepted. Parks, however, recommended each candidate complete the

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same form.

“Nobody can come back and argue there was an inconsistency in the forms,” he said. “We can go on the record saying we updated the form and gave that individual an opportunity to resubmit the form, and he or she did not but we still accepted the original application.”

Perrone agreed.

“I think we have to take them as they are …,” he said. “But just for consistency, it might be nice for everybody to fill out the same form. If a candidate refuses, a candidate refuses.”

With consensus from the board, Horn said all applicants would be asked to complete the new form. Perrone suggested that Tom Piatti, chair of the community’s Search Committee, be tasked with reaching out to candidates.

“You should talk to Piatti, as chairman of the search committee, because quite honestly we should have no idea how many applications have been submitted at this point,” he said.

Horn agreed.

“He’s scheduling a candidate workshop soon, and that would be a good time for him to address this,” she replied.

With no further discussion, the board voted 5-0, with Directors Frank Daly and Rick Farr absent, to approve the revisions to the candidate registration form on second reading.

Page 31

Ordinance Targets Historic Buildings

Page 32

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Town officials last week voted to adopt a new ordinance on historical residences.

In an effort to preserve some of the town’s remaining cottages, the Fenwick Island Town Council last Friday voted to amend the town’s zoning code exempting historical residences from some of the town’s residential use regulations.

Councilwoman Natalie Magdeburger, chair of the town’s Charter and Ordinance Committee, said the town’s height regulations would still be mandatory, but that historic residences – single-family dwellings built prior to 1967 which have historic significance to the town – would be able to complete alterations or repairs if those alterations maintain the historic nature of the residence, as well as its original size and footprint.

“It was decreed in our 10-year comprehensive plan in 2017 that the town do things to help preserve historic cottages,” she said. “As a result of that, this ordinance was formulated because we had one of our citizens who wanted to preserve their historic cottage but because of the way our zoning ordinances are written today they wouldn’t be able to do anything because there’s two buildings on their lot. He wanted to basically maintain that property in keeping with the way it appeared back in the 1930s and couldn’t do so. This

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was brought as a referral from him to council and then from council to Charter and Ordinance.”

After having reviewed the town’s zoning code, Magdeburger said her committee recommended adding a definition for historic residences. The group also recommended a new ordinance that reads, “With the exception of 160-4(B) (Height regulations), which shall remain mandatory, the provisions of 160-4 shall not apply with respect to alterations or repairs to existing Historic Residences if, in the discretion of the Building Official, such alterations or repairs (a) maintain the historic nature of the Historic Residence, (b) are otherwise safe, and (c) maintain the original size, dimensions and footprint of the Historic Residence.”

In a public hearing prior to last Friday’s vote, Bunting Avenue resident John Chay explained it was he who had brought the issue to the town council, as he had wanted to renovate his home but was denied both a building permit and variance. He said he was in support of the proposed ordinance.

“I would love to see this occur,” he said, “not only for me but for others in the community that have these types of homes.”

During council comments last week, Mayor Vicki Carmean said she also supported the ordinance.

“I think this is a wonderful thing,” she said. “I think the topic of historic houses and preserving them has been discussed

April 29, 2022

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for many years, and this is the first step that has actually been taken to protect these houses.”

Councilman Richard Benn agreed.

“I think it will help protect what’s left of the historic nature of Fenwick Island,” he said.

Councilman Paul Breger said he also supported any measure that preserved the historic cottages.

“I find it incredible that you can still find traditional cottages in this town, considering all the storms we’ve been through and they are still standing,” he said.

After further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to amend the town’s zoning code to add a new ordinance for historic

residences.

The council last week also voted to introduce an ordinance amendment on first reading. The new language would set limits on the number and size of storage containers used for building and construction, as well as time constraints on the number of days a container can remain on the property, among other things. The issuance of permits for such containers would be limited to two within a 12-month period.

“My hope is that we’re keeping it to two 15-day blocks,” said Councilman Bill Rymer.

After further discussion, the council also voted unanimously to the first reading.

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Page 33

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Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club Celebrates 50 Years Of Service

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

Since its inception, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club has donated more than $8.5 million to local programs. Above, Optimist members are pictured volunteering at a Youth ID program event at Pocomoke Elementary School.

Submitted Image

OCEAN CITY – A local organization is celebrating 50 years of service within the community.

This year, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club celebrates its 50th anniversary. With five decades spent serving the community’s youth, 50th Anniversary Committee Chair Charles Smith says club members are eager to see where the next half century takes them.

“Our goal is to make sure kids have the opportunity to be all they can be,” he said. “And I think we can do that because, like other service organizations, we have people who care and want to

April 29, 2022

do it right.”

Smith said the organization’s commitment to the community first began in April 1972, when 30 members banded together to form the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club. By May 6 of that year, the club was presented its charter at the Commander Hotel in Ocean City. Hotelier John Lynch served as the club’s first president.

“Somebody in the Salisbury Optimist Club indicated that they thought there should be an Optimist Club in the Ocean City area,” Smith explained. “It took them about four or five months to get 30something people together, but it was chartered in 1972.”

Since its inception, the club has grown to include more than 100 members and several community programs, all made possible through donations and fundraising efforts.

“We’re the largest Optimist Club in the state of Maryland,” Smith said, “and we have the largest budget, of over $200,000 a year.”

Smith noted that events such as its annual golf tournament and Seaside Boat Show allow the Optimist Club to support local youth through arts and oratorical contests, WeXL award banquets, recreational and sports activities and scholarships, to name a few.

To date, the organization has donated in excess of $8.5 million to local programs, including $150,000 to Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services and $2.5 million in scholarships to Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur high school students.

“At this time, we’re giving $15,000 a year to Pocomoke seniors, $15,000 a year to Snow Hill seniors and $40,000 to $50,000 a year to Stephen Decatur seniors since it’s three times as large as the others …,” he said. “We have donated more than $2.5 million to over 500 kids. That’s a lot of money.”

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Smith said the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club will host a dinner at the Ocean City American Legion on April 30, during which local and state members will join for presentations, live music and food.

He noted that the organization’s success would not be possible without the support of the community and the volunteer efforts of Optimist members.

“We’re very happy with the strong people that we have, and we expect to be around a long time providing these services,” Smith added. “We also have a strong organization behind us with Optimist International, which is in 25 countries and almost every state.”

Smith said those interested in learning more about the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club can visit ocberlinoptimistclub.org. Meetings are held monthly at the American Legion.

“Our motto is ‘Friend of Youth’ and we’ve been very involved with the community,” he said.

Fenwick Selects Company For Town Street Assessment

April 29, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – The approval of an $18,000 contract will allow the town to complete a street assessment that will be used for the development of a street improvement plan.

Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted unanimously to approve a contract with AECOM in the amount of $18,700 for the development of a town street assessment and capital street improvement plan.

Councilman Richard Benn, chair of the town’s Infrastructure Committee, said AECOM would assist the town in developing a plan for prioritizing, scheduling and funding needed street maintenance and improvements for a 10-year planning period.

“This is for reviewing our streets and determining a maintenance action plan going forward,” he explained. “We have 5.95 miles of road within the town of Fenwick Island.”

In recent months, members of the town’s Infrastructure Committee have discussed the need for a comprehensive plan and budget for redoing the town’s roadways. While there is currently no plan for road improvements, Benn told the committee in March he’d like to see something be done.

To that end, Benn told the council last week that two companies – Mott MacDonald and AECOM – had submitted proposals for a street assessment, which

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

will assist the town in prioritizing street projects and developing schedules based on needs and finances.

“While the Mott MacDonald proposal was less expensive, the committee came to the conclusion AECOM was a more extensive proposal,” he said. “It would also give them an advantage because they are also doing our resiliency project. There were things that were transferable from both that we could use going forward, and it gives us a 10-year plan to maintain our streets, which is vastly needed.”

Benn told council members his committee was recommending the town proceed with a proposal from AECOM. Councilwoman Natalie Magdeburger noted that while it wasn’t the cheaper proposal, it was better of the two.

“I think your committee did it very well,” she said. “They didn’t go for the cheaper number but the better number, which still isn’t that high, and I wholeheartedly support where you’re going with this. I think we’re going to get a better result for Fenwick Island.”

Benn recognized his committee’s work in reviewing the proposals and developing a recommendation.

“By the end, we came to a unanimous conclusion that this was the better proposal …,” he said. “We worked hard to get to this point, and I want to thank them.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to use $18,700 from the town’s dedicated street fund to complete an

analysis of Fenwick’s roads.

“I just see a concrete direction we are going and a concrete plan to get some resolution to some of these long-standing problems,” Magdeburger said.

Councilwoman Janice Bortner, chair of the Residential Advocacy Committee, also presented the council last week with a recommendation to have the town’s Budget Committee evaluate increased parking fees.

“We feel, fiscally, it’s a good idea …,” she said. “There are different things we can look at.”

Bortner added her committee also recommended the town’s Ad Hoc Parking

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Committee evaluate parking hours in Fenwick. Currently, parking along the town’s side streets is free after 4 p.m.

“You would have to pay to park for a longer time during the day, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. …,” she said. “We felt that was something other towns do. We are really on the low end of that. Most of them go to 11 o’clock at night.”

As extended parking hours would impact town revenues, Magdeburger recommended the topic be sent to the Budget Committee for consideration. However, Vicki Carmean, chair of the Parking Committee, agreed to discuss the issue with members at the May meeting.

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April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022

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April 29, 2022

Art Honor Society Inductions: On Thursday, April 14, a select group of Worcester Preparatory School students were inducted into the National Art Honor

Society during a ceremony in the Guerrieri Library. The National Art Honor Society recognizes students who have shown outstanding ability in art scholarship, character and service. Pictured are this year’s WPS National Art Honor Society inductees starting in the front row, from left, Lily Baeurle, Aria Islam, Ava Wilsey, Sophia Spadaro, Jenna Hess and Anna McDonald; middle, from left, Jordan Willey, Riley Schoch, Tim Hebert, Jeffrey Hamer, Jack Gardner, Cole Myers, Cayden Wallace and Rory Pugh; back row, history teacher Madelyn Beebe, middle school and upper school art teacher George Zaiser, Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School Mike Grosso, Head of School Dr. John McDonald and technology teacher Nancy Raskauskas. Not pictured are inducted students Jett Odachowski and Thalia Vasilikos. Submitted Photo

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Resort officials Dedicate new statue

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials celebrated the resort’s newest piece of public art at a dedication last week.

On April 22, municipal officials joined representatives of the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) to dedicate “Approaching Geese,” a statue recently installed along the bay outside the Ocean City Convention Center. The six-foot-tall bronze statue was created by William and David Turner of Turner Sculptures in Onley, Virginia.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “What a beautiful day to dedicate this sculpture.”

According to David Turner, the sculpture was initially installed outside a home in Chicago. When the owner sold the property, however, the sculpture became available and he reached out to the public to see if there was any interest. Members of OCDC decided to bring the bronze work of art, which depicts geese in flight, to the resort.

“I’m honored to have another piece here in Ocean City,” Turner said.

Meehan said the sculpture, which is OCDC’s 10th public art project, was the

perfect complement to the convention center.

“There’s going to be thousands of people throughout the summer, throughout the year, that come out here and have an opportunity to view this,” he said of the bayside statue. “I’m sure we’re going to get numerous compliments about this.”

The mayor also praised OCDC for its commitment to art in the resort.

“Public art has really taken off I think as a result of OCDC and your public art committee,” he said. “This is just another example of that. Showcasing the arts in Ocean City is just another message we give to the visitors and our residents that art is important, and it is part of what we do in Ocean City. This certainly helps us communicate that to everyone.”

Kevin Gibbs, a member of OCDC’s public art committee, thanked the donor who supported the project. Those who made contributions include Herman H. and Eunice Q. Sorin Endowment for Ocean City, Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Telescope Pictures, C. Terry and Janet Hough, Paul and Patricia Dufendach, Jon and Judy Tremellen, In Memory of Milton and Thelma Conner, Harrison Group, Delaware Elevator, Worcester County Commissioners, Ocean

“Approaching Geese,” a statue recently installed outside the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, was celebrated at a dedication ceremony last week.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. He thanked Village Greens for landscape design and Signs Illustrated for signage.

Public arts programming is one of sev-

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People in Society Volunteers Nichole Spicer, Jon Rollins and Jonathan Franklin are pictured at the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s open house event on April 23.

by Charlene Sharpe Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Bob Hryczamiuk, Patricia Dufendach and Ivy Wells are pictured at Berlin’s townwide cleanup April 23.

April 29, 2022

Ocean City Development Corporation Public Art Committee members Jason Hickman, Nancy Bradford and Kevin Gibbs are pictured with sculptor David Turner at the dedication of “Approaching Geese,” a public art project at the Ocean City Convention Center.

Dan Healy, left, and Barry Gusst chatted with Sen. Mary Beth Carozza during an open house at the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.

Berlin residents Natalie and Nora Blanton picked up litter at Stephen Decatur Park during Take Pride in Berlin Week.

Donna Greenwood, Lauren Taylor and Mary Ann Manganello of Ocean City Development Corporation attended a statue dedication at the Ocean City Convention Center.

Berlin residents Laura Stearns and Ivy Wells planted flowers along Main Street during Take Pride in Berlin Week.

Fire Police volunteers Jack Panuska and Tracy Jones talked to visitors at the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department during an open house Saturday.

Town of Berlin employees Willie Mumford and Justin Newsome helped out at the town’s annual cleanup at Stephen Decatur Park.

Volunteer firemen Marlin Deacon and Bobby Bradley welcomed visitors during an open house at the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.

Remember To Keep Market Volatility In Proper Perspective

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 41

Wealth of Knowledge

BY COLLIN MACOMBER

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

BERLIN – Global turmoil and rising inflation have presented today’s investors with some pretty daunting risks.

But remember, this is the situation for which you built a longterm asset allocation strategy. If you haven’t developed such a strategy yet, we are happy to help you do so. We can help identify your long-term goals, parCOLLIN MACOMBER ticularly with regard to retirement planning and multiple streams of income to help mitigate the risks of outliving your savings. An all-weather portfolio is designed to withstand the types of challenges we have encountered in recent years – and position your assets for growth in the future. Contact us if you would like a portfolio review.

It is also important to appreciate where we live and how well the United States has fared recent misfortunes.

The U.S. post-pandemic economic recovery is unlike any in recent history.

Here’s a not-so-small sampling: • Businesses are eager to hire and have increased wages to attract new

workers.

• 74% of U.S. counties reported more businesses in their area than before the pandemic.

• New businesses are launching at the fastest pace on record.

• The Great Resignation is a marker for worker confidence in the labor market.

• In just one year, the S&P 500 gained 75% after its crash on March 23, 2020.

• In 2021, the median sales price of existing homes increased by 15% in one year, and the typical home value rose by about $50,000.

• The U.S. was one of the quickest out of the gate to vaccinate.

• We are an energy-independent nation.

In short, the way to keep recent volatility in perspective is to recognize how good things really are, especially given how much we’ve been through in recent years. While investing abroad is a viable means to diversify your portfolio, also remember that there’s a reason our nation is so strong. Our companies are consistent performers. When it comes to investing, remember some basic principles, such as brand loyalty, knowing what you buy and that the most

reliable path to wealth accumulation is a slow one.

A diversified allocation in domestic equities is a good way to build wealth and confidently stay ahead of long-term inflation. After all, since the S&P 500 Index was conceptualized in 1957 through the year 2021, the average annual return was 10.5%.

Believing in our nation’s capabilities and your own strategic asset allocation can help you progress toward a successful future.

(The writer is an investment advisor with Key Financial Services. The entire KFS team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

Page 42

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT & SAFETY INSPECTION

A $249 VALUE FOR ONLY $99 • Check the electrical service panel and wiring • Tighten screws and lugs on circuit breakers to ensure proper functioning • Apply Noalox on branch circuits’ aluminum wires • Check all outlets with tester for loose connections, open grounds, neutral wires, proper polarity

• Test/inspect GFCI outlets and breakers • Check for double tapped breakers to eliminate overloading a circuit breaker • Survey for proper surge protection • Check smoke detectors and make recommendations for compliance with local electrical codes

Call 410-641-1434 Worcester County Lic. #M917 • Maryland Lic. # 3506

OC’s Springfest Set To Begin Thursday

April 29, 2022

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s Springfest Arts and Crafts Festival returns this year for the 31st anniversary, May 5-8.

Come to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for live music, art, crafts, food and more – all located in the Inlet parking lot, adjacent to Ocean City’s Boardwalk and beach.

Springfest comes to life with a diverse variety of live outdoor musical entertainment all day long for four days. Visitors should bring their appetite as the event includes delicious offerings from famous Eastern Shore delicacies to a wide assortment of food, beer and wine. Springfest, one of the top Arts and Crafts Shows in the United States, features over 250 vendors selling art and crafts.

New to this year’s Springfest, there will be free opportunities for the public to watch, learn, and even try beach tennis, which combines elements of tennis and volleyball on a court size the same as beach volleyball. Open play will be offered with clinics planned and an exhibition tournament on designated courts set up behind the indoor entertainment stage.

Springfest is fun for people of all ages and admission to the four-day event is free, including daytime entertainment.

Headliners for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows include Romeo Delight “The Ultimate Van Halen Experience,” Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.

Tickets can be purchased online at ococean.com.

The free entertainment schedule is as follows: Thursday, May 5, Indoor Stage, Noon, Recreation Dancers; 2 p.m., Among the Stars; 4 p.m., Lennon La Ricci & the Leftovers; Thurday, May 5, Outdoor Stage, 10:30 a.m., Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis; 1 p.m., Poole & the Gang; 3 p.m., The Rockoholics; 5 p.m., Rick K Road Trip; and 6:30 p.m., BK and Chrissy of Radio OC. Friday, May 6, Indoor Stage, 10:15 a.m., Rick K Road Trip; Noon, Saved by Zero; 2 p.m., Kittyback; 4 p.m., Jimmy Charles; Outdoor Stage, 11 a.m., Still Rockin’ Band; 1 p.m., Beach Bandits; 3 p.m., Rick K Road Trip; 5 p.m., Dad Jokes; 6:30 p.m., DJ Kutt.

Saturday, May 7: Indoor Stage, 10:15 a.m., Rick K Road Trip; Noon, Real Diamond “Neil Diamond Tribute Band; 2 p.m., Sapphire; 4 p.m., Randy Lee & the Saltwater Cowboys. Outdoor Stage, 11 a.m., Jukehouse Bombers; 1 p.m., Rick K Road Trip; 3 p.m., Route 50; 5 p.m., Guys in Thin Ties; 6:30 p.m. BK & Crissy of Radio OC. Sunday, May 8: Indoor Stage, 11:30 a.m., Recreation Dancers; 1:30 p.m., Bob Lougheed & the Memphis Mafia; 3:30 p.m., Doc Marten & the Flannels. Outdoor Stage, 10:15 a.m., Island Fusion; 12:30 p.m., Mathew Street Band; 2:30 p.m., Mike Hines & the Look; 4:30 p.m., Back to the Beach Band “Beach Boys Tribute” Hours for the event are Thursday to Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

April 29, 2022

Workforce Specialist Hired

SNOW HILL – The commissioners welcome Nancy Schwendeman as the new workforce development specialist within Worcester County Economic Development (WCED). She stepped into her new role on March 28. Schwendeman earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant business management.

She brings 36 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her new position.

“We are thrilled to bring on Nancy as part of the Tourism and Economic Development team,” Tourism and Economic Development Director Melanie Pursel said. “She brings an outstanding set of skills, solid experience, and excellent relationships in the Worcester region. She will truly be an asset as we move forward to address the workforce and training needs of our community.”

Prior to joining WCED, NANCY SCHWENDE- Schwendeman worked MAN with the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, where she served as the publications manager and later as the interim director and then deputy director. In her new role, Schwendeman will oversee the county’s workforce development initiatives to educate and train individuals to meet the needs of current and future businesses and industries offering livable wages. Her primary responsibilities will include creating, managing, and delivering workforce development programs and services.

“I am so excited to be working for Worcester County Economic Development,” Schwendeman said. “I look forward to partnering with the businesses and industries throughout the county and offering the services and support they need.”

Schwendeman will serve as the primary liaison with local, state, and federal partners, including Worcester Technical High School, area chambers of commerce, Maryland Department of Commerce, DLLR, Small Business Development Center, and the Small Business Association.

Promotions Announced

SALISBURY – The architectural and engineering firm of George, Miles & Buhr, LLC (GMB) is pleased to announce the following promotions.

Stephen L. Marsh, P.E., LEED AP, CPSWQ has been promoted to east re-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Business And Real Estate News gion director of operations. Marsh is a senior vice president with the firm and has served on the Board of Members since 2013. He began his career with GMB in 1994 as a civil engineer focused on hydrology and low-impact development, ultimately establishing the firm’s Site/Sustainable Design Group. Marsh has served as prime engineering consultant for the award-winning BaySTEPHEN MARSH side community in Selbyville, Del., for over 20 years. He now oversees our Salisbury, Md., and Seaford, Del., office operations.

Jason M. Lytle, P.E. has been promoted to west region director of operations. Lytle joined GMB in 1998 and has served as a senior vice president on the Board of Members since 2019. He has designed and managed water and JASON LYTLE wastewater engineering projects throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, including Cambridge Farms Water Treatment Plant in Frederick County, Md., which recently started construction. Lytle oversees our Sparks, Md., office operations.

Christopher B. Derbyshire, P.E., Morgan H. Helfrich, AIA, LEED AP, and Katherine J. McAllister, P.E. have been selected as senior vice presidents on GMB’s Board of Members, after serving six years as vice presidents.

Derbyshire joined GMB’s Water/Wastewater Engineering Group in 2002 and now serves as group leader. His expertise lies in the planning, managing, designing, and constructing of water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout MaryCHRISTOPHER land and Delaware. He DERBYSHIRE is currently working with the Town of Rock Hall, Md., and the City of Seaford, Del., where he is designated as city engineer, on upgrades to their wastewater treatment plants.

Helfrich has served as GMB’s architectural group leader since 2016, after joining the firm in 2006. A registered architect in Maryland, Delaware, and Vir-

ginia, she works with public and private clients on a wide variety of projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, institutional, and educational.

Currently, she is managing the second GMB design of a new community health center in FederMORGAN HELFRICH alsburg, Md., for Choptank Community Health Systems, Inc. McAllister joined GMB's Water/Wastewater Engineering group in 2005. As a project director in the Salisbury office, she has extensive knowledge of municipal public works, funding agency requirements, rate structures and grant writ- KATHERINE ing, as well as strong MCALLISTER technical skills. She serves as city engineer for the City of Fruitland, Md., where she recently completed a new water supply well and upgrades to the water treatment plant.

New Medical Facility

BERLIN – Chesapeake Health Care (CHC) has opened a new medical facility in Berlin that provides adult and pediatric care, behavioral health, and lab services to residents in Worcester County.

The brand-new 7,200-square-foot building is located right off Route 50 at 9958 N. Main Street in Berlin, Md. The facility replaces CHC's smaller medical office which was located nearby in Berlin Main Place.

This new state-of-the-art facility gives residents convenient access to a variety of health care services. Features of the new Berlin medical building include 17 therapy rooms for mental health services, eight exam rooms and a lab for adult and pediatric care. There is also space to provide group therapy and telehealth treatment. CHC is now accepting new patients in Berlin. For more information, or to schedule appointments, call 410973-2820.

Restaurant Sold

OCEAN PINES – Senior Advisor Wesley Cox, CCIM of SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, announces the sale

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of an Ocean Pines local restaurant, DeNovo’s Trattoria.

Cox was engaged by the owner’s to confidentially sell their restaurant after 17-years of operation. Upon executing a confidential marketing plan, Wesley connected with Meredith Mears, also of SVN, who represented the buyer in this transaction.

DeNovo’s, an Italian restaurant, was located just four miles west of Ocean City within the Manklin Station shopping center located at 11310 Manklin Creek Road, Ocean Pines, Md. A favorite among locals, DeNovo’s has been family owned and operated for 17 years and will continue to be family owned and operated by the new owner whose name will be released at a later date. The owners of DeNovo’s will continue to operate their other restaurant, Pop’s Kitchen, located in downtown Berlin, Md. The new owner of this location will undergo a short renovation period of the 4,860-square-foot restaurant and plan to reopen shortly under a new name. The new owners have a 30-year history of operating restaurants, and they are excited to enter the Ocean Pines market.

“It was a pleasure to work as part of the team of dedicated professionals who cohesively saw this very detailed transfer through,” said Mears, who represented the buyers. “I'm incredibly excited for my clients, who are well established, heavily experienced, and successful restaurateurs."

The buyers have announced they will honor all previously purchased and unused DeNovo's gift cards. Once the Ocean Pines restaurant opens, gift cards can be redeemed until Sept. 30, 2022.

Gift cards will be honored at Pop’s Kitchen in Berlin, Md., indefinitely.

Kelli Beck, the owner of DeNovo’s had this to say about the transaction, “Our agent Wesley Cox gave a lot of time and attention to all the details in this transaction. Even though our deal was smaller than the typical deal Wes works on, I never felt that he gave any less than 100% attention to the details. Thanks to his efforts we had a successful ending.”

Cox later commented, “I grew up in my family’s restaurant, so I can personally relate to many aspects of the business including the heart and sole the owners put into it. After 17 years of operating this successful restaurant, I was honored to help Kelli and Bob sell their asset and make one step closer to retirement.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos

The Worcester County Arts Council recognized winners of the “Down to Earth” art competition at a reception on April 8. Pictured are, from left to right, Executive Director Anna Mullis, winners Rebekah Simonds, Kathy Gibson, Gail Stern, Martha Pileggi, Dee Brua, Jason Giusti and competition juror Doris Glovier. Submitted Photos

The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club presented the Outstanding Optimist Award to Wayne Cott, co-chair of the organization’s annual boat show, on April 7. Pictured are boat show co-chair Charlie Dorman, Cott and President Bill Hickey.

Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League of Ocean City, welcomed Amanda Morell of Maryland Citizens for the Arts, a grassroots advocacy organization working to increase public funding for the arts in Maryland, to the Ocean City Center for the Arts on First Friday.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City is a service club of volunteers dong good things in their community. The club recognized Jim Maratea as “Kiwanian of the Month” for March 2022.Tim Lund, president of the club, is pictured presenting the appreciation award to Maratea at the club’s April 13 meeting.

Nancy Howard and J.D. Quillin III received certificates recognizing their status as emerita and emeritus board members of the Ocean City Museum Society.

Howard joined the board in 2010 and was elected president in 2013. Quillin was one of the founding members of the Ocean City Museum Society and has served on the board since 1978. Pictured from left to right is Howard, current board president Mabel Rogers and Quillin.

Four Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapters on the Eastern Shore recently honored their respective members serving as officers of the Maryland State Society DAR at the Poplar Hill Mansion in Salisbury. Pictured from left to right are General Perry Benson Chapter Regent Jerry Seiler, State Treasurer Libby Hinson, State Registrar Sue Brenchley, Great Choptank Parish Chapter Regent Robin Herman, Maryland DAR State Regent Mernie Crane, State Curator Lee Ellen Griffith, Samuel Chase Chapter Regent Marion Robinette, State Editor Pat Arata and General Levin Winder Chapter Regent Gail Weldin.

April 29, 2022

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

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

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City.

Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m. Kitchen open for light fare. 410250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302436-9577 or BeachSingles.org.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus will host with doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Columbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke's Church. Play every game for just $24. Light refreshments available. Call 410-524-7994 with any questions.

April 30: Breakfast Buffet AUCE breakfast buffet at the Whaleyville United Methodist Church located at 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road. $8/adult and $4/child from 7-10 a.m.

Buffet will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages.

May 1: Poplar Hill Festival Come to Poplar Hill Mansion for a festival from noon to 4 p.m. for a celebration of the early 1800s history of Salisbury, including the War of 1812 re-enactors: Chesapeake Independent Blues, music and dancing of the federal period, educational displays, a children's activity tent with crafts and games, a May Pole to celebrate May Day, and baby goats. There will also be a tented Market Square with vendors selling handcrafted items. This is a free event.

410-749-1776.

May 6: Spring Dinner Meeting

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Things To Do The Worcester County Historical Society will hold its annual spring dinner meeting at the Pocomoke Community Center on Market Street. Dinner guests will learn about Worcester County’s past from Dr. Ray Thompson, retired history professor at Salisbury University while enjoying a delicious meal of chicken and dumplings with all the fixings prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary. Doors will open for the event at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by sending a check to Robert Fisher, WCHS Treasurer, 230 South Washington St., Snow Hill, Md. 21863.

The deadline for reservations for the dinner, which is open to the public, is April 29.

May 7: Native Plant Sale Assateague Coastal Trust’s 23rd Annual Native Plant Sale will be held at its office at 10959 Worcester Hwy. in Berlin from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Online orders encouraged. Explore ActForBays.org/PlantSale to view a wide selection of native sun and shade plants. New for this year, Assateague Coastal Trust is offering a few native grasses and sedges for those looking to ascent their property.

May 7: Blessing The Biker Event From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery will host the Bikers Without Borders Foundation’s Annual Blessing the Biker Event led by Chaplain Jeff "Buster" Bowden who will pray over and bless each individual motorcycle, rider/passenger. There will be food on site to purchase. There is no entry fee but feel free to bring non-perishable food items to support food pantry efforts. All welcome.

May 8: Mother’s Day Breakfast American Legion Riders, Post 166 in Ocean City will host a Mother’s Day Breakfast, from 8-11 a.m., featuring scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, chipped beef, biscuits, pancakes and fruit cup. Bloody Marys or Mimosas for $5. Adults $15, Children 10 and Under $10. Open to the public.

May 11: Hospice Fundraiser Coastal Hospice will be hosting its an-

nual signature event, Taste of Finer Things! featuring a pairing of fine wine and delectable food from local restaurants. This spectacular evening is a chance to sample some of the best that the Ocean City area has to offer. Reservations for this sell out event are $100/person and includes open bar, wine and food pairings, live entertainment and dancing by “On the Edge”, free play, and so much more at the Ocean Downs Casino 6-9 p.m. To learn more about Taste of Finer Things, sponsor or attend, www.coastalhospice.org/taste/.

May 12: Wine Night At Museum The Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum is partnering with The Buzzed Word to bring “Wine Night at the Museum.” Free from 5-7 p.m, offering wine, refreshments, music by Jack Worthington and book signing with local author and historian Bunk Mann.

May 14: Town Cats Food Drive Join Town Cats and the Ocean City Jeep Club at 1 p.m. at the PetSmart parking lot for a cat food drive. There will be raffles for a Jeep quilt, Huk bucket, auto supplies basket and golf package. Bring cat food, litter, supplies.

May 14: Fun Pines Run Families of all ages are invited to enjoy a day of fitness fun as the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department hosts its first one-mile fun run/walk on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The event, which will include a 1-mile walk or run around the South Gate Pond and a variety of other fun activities, is designed to encourage families to exercise together. The after-walk party at the park will last until 2 p.m. and will feature moon bounces, face painting, music, vendors and giveaways, all of which are included in the registration fee.

Food will also be available for purchase. To register, call at 410-641-7052.

May 14: Plant Sale Worcester County Garden Club Plant Sale and Gathering at Windmill Creek Winery in Berlin, noon-3 p.m. Rain date is May 21. Club will have seed and bulb

Page 45

planting workshops for kids and adults, floral demonstrations, 50-50 raffle and ask a local gardener and Master Gardener table.

May 17: Candidates Forum The Republican Women of Worcester County are holding a Candidate’s Forum/Meet & Greet at the Marlin Club in West Ocean City from 5-8 p.m. Open to the public, Mike Bradley of WGMD will emcee the event. Come and meet many of our local candidates. Light refreshments will be served.

May 21: Museum Benefit To celebrate the Delmarva Discovery Museum's growth with programs, like STEM for our children's education, the public is asked to support and attend a full Hawaiian dinner, with dancing, and a silent auction. The dinner, dance and party will be held at 6 p.m. at the newly renovated Ocean City Golf Club on Country Club Drive in South Point, near Berlin. The live band will be performing with Dawn Jones and Rewind. Admission to attend the event is $75 per person and can be purchased online at delmarvadiscoverycenter.org or by calling Christy Gordon at the Museum, at 410-957-9933, for tickets.

May 25: Public Forum The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will host a Worcester County District 5 & 6 Commissioner Public Forum with all four candidates from 6-8 p.m. at the Ocean Pines branch of the Worcester County Library. The public is invited to attend and will have the opportunity to ask questions of all candidates.

June 11: MAC Walk Registration is under way for MAC’s Soles for Seniors, a one-mile walk stepping off from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Registration and check-in starts at 8 a.m., the walk begins at 9 a.m., and awards and food are planned for 10 a.m. Registration is $10 and includes a visor, breakfast and the awards ceremony. Donate a total of $50 (which includes registration) and also get an event T-shirt. All ages are welcome. Children under age 5 walk for free and don’t need to register. Proceeds will benefit MAC’s Life Bridges Dementia Dare Day Program and Connections senior center activities. To register, visit www.macinc.org.

Page 46

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a spring scene from the bayside of Assateague Island. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 47

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 70

HOROSCOPES

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You've come through a difficult period The often-skeptical Aries might find of helping others deal with their probthat an answer to a question is hard lems. Now you can concentrate on to believe. But check it out before you putting your energy to work on your chuck it out. You might well be sur- own projects.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): prised at what you could learn.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Forget about who's to blame and, Your resolute determination to stick by instead, make the first move toward a position might make some people patching up a misunderstanding beuncomfortable. But if you're proved fore it creates a rift that you'll never be right (as I expect you to be), a lot of able to cross. changes will tilt in your favor.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You 21): Good news for the travel-loving might feel conflicted between what Sagittarian who enjoys galloping off to you want to do and what you should new places: That trip you had to put off do. Best advice: Honor your obliga- will. soon be back on your schedule. tions first. Then go ahead and enjoy CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): your well-earned rewards.

A mood change could make the greCANCER (June 21 to July 22): garious Goat seek the company of just That financial matter still needs to be a few friends. But you charge back into sorted out before you can consider the crowd for weekend fun and games. any major monetary moves. Pressures AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): ease midweek, with news about a po- A decision you made in good faith tential career change. could come under fire. Best advice: OLEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): A work- pen your mind to other possibilities by place problem threatens to derail your listening to your challenger's point of well-planned project. But your quick view. mind should lead you to a solution and PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): get you back on track without too much You can avoid being swamped by all delay. those tasks dangling from your line VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): this week by tackling them one by An opportunity opens up but could one, according to priority. The weekquickly close down if you allow pessi- end brings good news. mism to override enthusiasm. A trustBORN THIS WEEK: You have a ed friend can offer the encouragement fine business sense and a love of the you need. arts. You enjoy living life to its fullest. (c) 2022 LIBRA (Sept. 23 toANSWERS Oct. 22): ON PAGE 46King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 48

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

vanishing

OCEAN CITY

April 29, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

Birds actively building their nests Berlin’s Main Street at night

Feeling connected with my teenager Pictures under the OC Pier NBA playoff upsets

Geese formation flying overhead A lab’s love of a tennis ball

Fried oyster sandwich fundraisers How simple life was in college Thinking before speaking

Cookies warm from the oven

The Alaska Stand was founded by Benjamin Givarz in 1933 on the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street. Not only did Mr. Givarz overcome economic problems associated with the Great Depression but also lost a prime week of the tourist season that year to the hurricane that created Ocean City’s Inlet. The Alaska Stand survived both to become a local icon.

The Alaska Stand took its name from a homemade concoction called a “Frozen Alaska” where a slab of ice cream on a stick was dipped into warm chocolate. Other popular items included hot dogs, hamburgers and a variety of fresh fruit juices.

A second location opened on 9th Street in 1968 and the Wicomico Street stand changed ownership in the mid-90s and is now known as The Atlantic Stand. The Alaska Stand remains a Boardwalk tradition at 9th Street, despite the passing of long-time operator Bob Givarz – known as the “mayor of 9th Street” – in July of 2017. The business is still in the Givarz family – run by Jodi and Dennis Renner – and has been for nearly 90 years.

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

Photo courtesy Bob Givarz

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

Page 50

Town To Provide Staff Hazard Pay

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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April 29, 2022

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FENWICK ISLAND – Town officials last week elected to use a portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to give each employee $1,500 in hazard pay.

Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted unanimously to give each of the town’s eligible employees $1,500 in hazard paid made available through ARPA funding.

Mayor Vicki Carmean noted that the town had received $120,000 in local fiscal recovery funds last year and is set to receive another $120,000 in the coming months.

“The program ensures that governments have the resources needed to fight the pandemic, maintain vital public services and build a strong, resilient and equitable recovery,” she said.

With $61,000 of that money already spent on backflow preventer valves, air filters and cleaning services, Carmean said she was recommending some of the remaining funds be used to pay town staff.

“This particular program also has a section, a hazard pay and premium pay provision …,” she said. “We feel our employees are entitled to this hazard pay. So I would like to propose that we pay each of the eligible employees $1,500 as part of the COVID hazard pay program.”

Carmean said town employees have regularly interacted with members of the

public since town hall first reopened in September 2021. Councilwoman Natalie Magdeburger added that staff were also faced with a COVID outbreak.

“As a result of being exposed to the public, we actually had an outbreak of COVID,” she said. “During that time period, it was very stressful … I think this is a well-deserved and well-thought-out use of funding that is designed to support those that came to work and dealt with the public to make sure that government runs.”

Carmean agreed.

“We’ve got 14 employees, and the COVID rate was over 50%,” she added.

“It didn’t make any difference if they had vaccines or not, they got COVID.” Councilman Bill Rymer, the town’s treasurer, said he supported the idea.

“It’s a good idea and in line with what the government allows under ARPA,” he said.

After further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to approve the $1,500 in hazard pay to each eligible employee.

“We have a skeleton staff,” Carmean said. “When one got sick, someone else had to do double duty. It was not easy.”

Town Manager Pat Schuchman thanked council members for their recognition.

“On behalf of the police department, public works and administrative staff, thank you very much,” she said. “It’s a good feeling to know you guys recognized the work we did at a risk of our own families.”

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THURSDAY: DJ Billy T 3 pm

Open Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm • Sun.-Thurs. 11am-8pm South Harbor Rd • West End, Ocean City • 410-213-1846 Waterfront WiFi • www.weocharborside.com

dar honors local essay, Good citizen Winners

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 51

8th street & philadelphia ave.

410-289-4891 •picklesoc.com open year-round every day 8th st. liquors open every day

SUNDAY FUNDAY Food & Drink Specials Beats By Styler W/ Late Night

Happy Hour Drinks

HAPPINESS HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY 3-6PM

Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) hosted the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) essay contest winners and Good Citizen winners during a ceremony in the Guerrieri Library. The General Levin Winder Chapter of the DAR recently sponsored two American History essay contests in area schools. The chapter also recognized a senior from each of the four Worcester County high schools as DAR Good Citizens.

The topic for the American History essay contest, open to grades 5 through 8, was "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

Winners are as follows: Grade 6, first place, Eva Tekmen, second place, Chase Thompson; Grade 7, first place, Ronen Poddar, second place, Sydney Parker; and Grade 8, first place, Sydney Todorov, second place, Ben Parsons. All students attend WPS except for Ben Parsons, who attends Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School.

In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, a new Patriots of the American Revolution essay contest was established and was open to students in grades 9 through 12. Students were asked to select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773 – 1783) and discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution. James Haley was selected as the first-place winner and Travis Netting came in second. Both attend WPS. The first-place essays were forwarded to the competition on the state level, and it was recently announced that three WPS students placed first. Ronen Poddar and Sydney Todorov in the American History essay contest and James Haley in the Patriots of the American Revolution high school essay contest.

The DAR Good Citizens program was initiated by the National Society in 1934 to recognize male and female high-school seniors who exemplify the qualities of a good citizen: dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. The following seniors were recognized as DAR Good Citizens: Katelyn Kline, Pocomoke High School; Lauren Moses, Snow Hill High School; Danielle Consigli, Stephen Decatur High School; and Brooke Emeigh, WPS. Each was awarded a certificate, lapel pin and gift card.

Above, all of this year’s DAR American History essay contest winners and Good Citizens stand together in celebration following Wednesday’s ceremony. Pictured, front from left, are Danielle Consigli of Stephen Decatur High School, WPS students Chase Thompson, Sydney Todorov, Eva Tekmen, Sydney Parker and DAR Chapter Regent Gail Weldin. Back, from left, are Katelyn Kline of Pocomoke High School, WPS students Travis Netting and James Haley, Ben Parsons of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, WPS student Ronen Poddar, Lauren Moses of Snow Hill High School and WPS senior Brooke Emeigh.

Submitted Photo

Eastern Shore Physical Therapy Rotator Cuff/Shoulder Workshop FREE WORKSHOP TUESDAY, MAY 17 • 6 P.M.

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MONDAY: ALL DAY /NIGHT Happy Hour Wings

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(Some Burgers Do Not Apply) (Food Specials With Purchase Of Beverage Some Restrictions Apply)

Friday 9:30pm Beats By Styler 80’s & 90’s $5 Crushes 10pm Saturday 9:30pm Marlin City Madmen Sunday 9:30pm Beats By Styler

Late Night Happy Hour Drinks

Monday 9:30pm Karaoke w/ Wood $2 Natty Lights $3 Grenades 10pm Tuesday 9:30pm Beats By Wax $4 Seltzers $4 Deep Eddy Shots 10pm Wednesday

Weekly Select Craft Beer 6pm

Beats By Styler 9:30pm

Thursday 9:30pm Beats By Wax $2.50 Domestics $3 Grenades $4 White Tea Shots 10pm

Page 52

Who’s Where When COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Saturday, April 30: Shortcut Sunny Wednesdays: DJ Wax CORK BAR Sunday, May 1: Lennon LaRicci

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Best Beats

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, April 29: DJ RobCee, Denim & Lace, Pop Stereo Saturday, April 30: Fizz, DJ RobCee, Jumper Monday, May 2: Hot Sauce Band, DJ Hector

BEATS BY WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Wednesdays

Pickles Pub: Mondays Karaoke with Wood

ON THE EDGE Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30

DREW COOKE TRIO Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, April 30 SHORTCUT SUNNY Coins Pub Saturday, April 30

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rt. 611, West O.C. Friday, April 29: DJ Bigler Sundays: Karaoke w/ DJ Jeremy Tuesdays: Bingo w/ Blake Haley

HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, April 30: Side Project, DJ Jeremy Sunday, May 1: Opposite Directions, DJ Billy T Thursdays: DJ Billy T

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, April 29 & Saturday, April 30

On The Beach

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, April 29: Smooth & Rhythm Sunday, May 1: TBA Tuesday, May 3: Full Circle Duo Wednesday, May 4: Kevin Poole CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, April 29: Dust N Bones Saturday, April 30: Drew Cooke Trio

April 29, 2022

DJ TUFF Seacrets: Friday, April 29

AWAKEN Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30

FULL CIRCLE Seacrets: Saturday, April 30 Crabcake Factory Bayside: Tuesday, May 3 Seacrets: Thursday, May 5 (duo)

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays, Wednesdays

OCEAN CLUB 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The OC Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30: On The Edge

PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Styler Saturday, April 30: Marlin City Madmen Sundays: Beats By Styler Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, Sunday & Thursday

TEENAGE RUST & THE FABULOUS RUSTETTES Buxy’s Salty Dog: Friday, April 29

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, May 1

DJ BIGLER Greene Turtle West: Friday, April 29

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON Between Talbot & Caroline Streets On The Boardwalk 410-289-6953 Friday & Saturday, April 29 & 30: Awaken Saturdays: DJ Adam Dutch SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 29: DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Jexxa Duo,The Way Outs,Cherry Crush Saturday, April 30: DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, Full Circle, Liquid A, Stealing Savannah Thursday, May 5: Full Circle Duo

BLAKE HALEY Greene Turtle West: Tuesdays

FIZZ Fager’s Island: Saturday, April 30

MARLIN CITY MADMEN Pickles Pub: Saturday, April 30

KAROAKE WITH JEREMY Harborside: Saturdays Greene Turtle West: Sundays

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Classifieds CONTACT INFORMATION $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

HELP WANTED ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Full Time Admin Assis. needed.

Strong verbal & computer skills req’d. Property Management experience preferred. Send resume to: tmacintosh@legumnorman.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLEANERS WANTED FOR OC: If you are a conscientious individual or team looking for great pay & minimal hours on summer Saturdays in OC, then we are the cleaning company for you. Exp. preferred. Cell phone and vehicle required. (443)880-0525. ___________________________ FULL MOON SALOON: Hiring Year-Round Server. Great family atmosphere. Apply within. 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– C L E A N E R S / VAC AT I O N RENTALS: Needed for Ocean City and Ocean Pines. Experience preferred but not necessary. Text or call 443-397-1189.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BREAKFAST COOK: Hiring part time experienced breakfast cook to join the awesome team at Jimmy’s Kitchen in Fenwick Island. Willing to train as well. Great pay, great hours, 5am-1pm, lots of beach time! Apply in person Mondays or Fridays, 1300 Coastal Highway.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COOKS, KITCHEN HELP, FOOD RUNNERS: Flexible schedule.

Clean kitchen. New equipment.

Weekly pay checks. Friendly work environment. American Legion Post #166, Ocean City. Contact Sam Wiley at 443-235-0876.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YEAR ROUND POSITIONS: Small Engine Mechanic, Maintenance Man, Certified Pool Operator.

Competitive Wages.

443-754-1047.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LANDSCAPE WORKERS NEEDED: Must have reliable transportation to work. Call 410641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SECURITY: F/T Seasonal &YR positions positions available in OC. Great opportunity. If interested, please call 443-513-4198.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: For busy Landscape Contractors office in Berlin. This is a multi-tasking position for detail oriented individual including customer scheduling & routing crews. Must have strong computer skills and a pleasant personality. Call The Moore Companies, 410-641-2177.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Line Cooks Prep Cooks Host/Hostess

Call Matt at 302-593-4141 or email

Please apply in person.

Greene Turtle West Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500

WEST OC’S MOST FUN PLACE TO WORK AND MAKE $$$$

•FUEL DOCK •DOCK HANDS •RAMP ATTENDANTS •BOATYARD •NIGHTWATCH •MAINTENANCE •SHIP STORE CLERK •GENERAL CLERICAL (SEASONAL YEAR ROUND)

For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

Come Join Our Team in a Friendly, TeamOriented Environment at the Beach, in a Beautiful Bayside Community, with Stunning Water Views, in Ocean City, MD. Now Hiring - Clubhouse / Pool Attendants Part-Time up to 15-40 hours. Seasonal Employment. Excellent people skills are a must, and you must be able to work mornings, nights, and weekends. 5 and 8 hour shifts available. Start dates in May and the position runs through October 1st.

Send resume to Olivia.Smith@casinc.biz or fax 410-520-0398.

Currently Hiring Manpower For:

Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work

thesterlingtavern@gmail.com

PAYING TOP DOLLAR! •LINE COOKS •DISHWASHER •SERVERS •BARBACK

INDIAN RIVER MARINA IS NOW HIRING!

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Apply On Site - Safari Motel 13th Street & Boardwalk | 410-289-6411

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Apply online at BWDC.com Or Stop by in person any day between 9am-3pm.

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1800 Baltimore Avenue

We require satisfactory background check by all applicants.

Must work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Apply Online at delawarestatejobs.com

C o m e j o i n o u r f u n & exc i t i n g t e a m .

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FRONT DESK AGENTS, NIGHT AUDITOR, HOUSEKEEPING, LAUNDRY Starting $15-$18

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THE SPINNAKER NOW HIRING FULL-TIME: ALL SHIFTS MAINTENANCE/ HOUSEMAN DAYTIME HOUSEKEEPING STAFF APPLY IN PERSON

NOW HIRING - ALL SHIFTS

Page 53

o Experience preferred. o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus. o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: Check Out The Dispatch’s E-Dition Online - www.mdcoastdispatch.com

https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

THUNDERBIRD BEACH MOTEL NOW HIRING

ALL POSITIONS! APPLY IN PERSON

Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Thunderbird Beach Motel 32nd Street, Ocean City These feelings run deep Like water among the rocks.

Come to the edge, see.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 54

The Dispatch Classifieds CONTACT INFORMATION $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 CUSTODIAL STAFF

We are currently looking for Part Time custodial employees.

Hours are 3:30pm-6:30pm. Monday through Friday.

Apply to Linda Watson at lwatson@worcesterprep.org or mail application to Linda Watson 508 S Main St Berlin, MD 21811.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

For Beautiful Award Winning Master Planned Community in Ocean View, DE Administrative Assistant/Front Desk Help Needed.

Year-Round, Full Time Employment. Excellent people skills and Microsoft Office a must! Experience taking meeting minutes and website knowledge a plus.

Holidays, vacation, and personal time offered along with a competitive salary.

Please send resume with salary history to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz

EDEN ROC MOTEL NOW HIRING DAY-TIME FRONT DESK CLERK

**** TOP PAY **** 410-603-1731

April 29, 2022

CUSTOMER SERVICE/CASHIER Looking for Fun, Energetic, Fun-Spirited Person to work Day or Night.

Cool Company to work for.

Competitive Wages.

Serious Inquires Only. 410-250-5678

Associa is currently hiring a Maintenance and Contract Sales Specialist in the Ocean City, MD Area!

This position will be instrumental in helping us grow our sub-contracting business and ensure tasks are completed on schedule.

If interested please apply on-line at Associaonline.com or Email your resume to msmith@associaonline.com

B.E.S.T. Motels Now Hiring

Housekeepers for 2022 Season Apply In Person, ONLY

12 noon-3pm Tuesday-Friday ONLY Executive Motel 3001 N. Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD

EOE

B.E.S.T. Motels

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER FLOATER

Now Hiring

Desk Clerks All Shifts Available

for 2022 Season Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker/Floater position available for our North Ocean City and Millsboro locations.

Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please email resume to kelly.drexel@fbwbank.com or call Kelly at 410-250-1512 Application cut off is 5-02-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

Beautiful Community in Ocean View, DE is seeking part-time seasonal staff to work in our clubhouse and pool areas, May through Mid-September.

Availability to include days, nights, weekends & holidays.

Excellent people skills a must! Some computer skills preferred. Competitive salary offered.

Perfect position for individuals looking for extra income.

Send resume to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz

EOE

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License Must have:

NOW HIRING FULL TIME •COOK •DRIVER Call Pam at 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

Apply In Person, ONLY 12 noon-3pm Tuesday –Friday ONLY Executive Motel 3001 N. Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER

GET YOUR DAILY BUZZ! mdcoastdispatch.com

RENTALS Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker position available at our West Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to 12641 Ocean Gateway, OC, MD 21842 or email: jennie.rice@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 5-09-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

AUTOMOTIVE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!!!!

We are part of a large automotive group with parts stores, service centers and a used car dealership.Fast paced, energetic atmosphere with advancement opportunities!

We are now taking applications for:

Technicians- Call Matt – 302-344-9846 Used Car Salesman- Call David – 302-339-6910 Exc. Pay & Benefits !!

Locations in Long Neck, Ocean View & Ocean Pines

WOC, WATERFRONT COTTAGE: 4BR, 2BA. $12,500 for season.

Sec. dep. req’d. Call for more info.

443-859-3388.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WEEKLY RENTALS Rooms-SuitesApartments Utilities & Internet Included

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

HOUSING NEEDS SEEKING HOUSING OR ROOMMATE: Local real estate broker/widower looking for a small apt/studio or room. Will pay top $$.

Non smoking. Have a small, welltrained dog. Call 443-859-3210.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

COMMERCIAL WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 2 Office/Retail Spaces for Lease.

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

YARD SALE YARD SALE: Sat, 4/30, 8am2pm. Stereo equip. & electronics, crabbing gear, clothing & hshld. items. 11111 Charlie Dr, Holiday Harbor, Bishopville, Md 21813.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COMMUNITY YARD SALE: Sat. 5/7, 8am-noon. Decatur Farms, Berlin, off Rt 113, across from Stephen Decatur Park.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YARD SALE: GlenRiddle Community Yard Sale. Open to the Public.

Sat. 5/14, 8am-1pm.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Those we love, dont go away, they walk beside us everyday.

Unseen, unheard, but always near.

So loved, so missed, so very dear.

Mom, Happy birthday in Heaven. Hoping you are smiling and laughing with all of your loved ones!

We feel you with us everyday! xoxoxo

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 55

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Third Insertion IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CIVIL NO. C-23-CV-22-000069 ROBERT JAY HUDSON 58 Lookout Pt. Ocean Pines, MD 21811 Plaintiff VS. DONALD L. FRANCIS 2680 Shadow Ridge Kamas, UT 84036 And WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Serve on: Phillip G. Thompson, Treasurer, P.O. Box 248, Snow Hill, Md. 21863 And All persons or Corporations having or claiming to have interest in the hereinafter described properties situate in Worcester County, Maryland Defendants ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: "The property located in Worcester County, further described as List Number: 27 Parcel Number: 10025893 Property Description LOT 127 24467 SQ FT FOX RUN & KNOLL HILL assessed to: Francis, Donald L." The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

IT IS thereupon this 5th day of April, 2022 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 5th day of June, 2022, and redeem, "The property located in Worcester County, further described as List

Number: 27 Parcel Number: 10025893 Property Description LOT 127 24467 SQ FT FOX RUN & KNOLL HILL assessed to: Francis Donald L." and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Failure to answer or redeem this property within the time allowed may result in a Judgment foreclosing the right of redemption.

Judge Beau H. Oglesby Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Worcester County 3x 4-15, 4-22, 4-29

dersigned 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; 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 15, 2022

Third Insertion REENA J. PATAL, ESQ. 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19036 To all persons interested in the estate of NANCY MILLIONIE, ESTATE NO. 19036.

Notice is given that KATHERINE TWEEDLE, 1812 HILLCREST ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038, was on, FEBRUARY 03, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of NANCY MILLIONIE, who died on JANUARY 07, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 3rd day of AUGUST, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the un-

KATHERINE TWEEDLE 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 04-15, 04-22,0 4-29

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-21-000194 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 402 402 402 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 404 404 404 404 404 404 405 405 405

45 48 52 1 3 8 10 12 15 37 45 46 48 50 51 6 7 8 44 47 49 1 6 7

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000194 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

DODD FANALE, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any

and all bids.

Terms of Sale: The full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such payment to be made by e-check or credit card. Bids for intervals will open at $50.00. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the payment made may be forfeited and the property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-6728107, or email at afletcher@mdpropertyattorney.com.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000005 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

GROUPWISE INC., ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME

SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000005 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:15 AM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 409 409 409

20 22 36

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: The full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such payment to be made by e-check or credit card. Bids for intervals will open at $50.00. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratifica-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 56

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966. tion by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the payment made may be forfeited and the property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-6728107, or email at afletcher@mdpropertyattorney.com.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000029 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES SMITH, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000029 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN

CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit 206 206 206 208 301 301 311 311 401 403 409 409 410 410 410 411 411 411 501 501 501

Time Interval 49 51 52 39 2 6 38 39 6 37 22 36 20 25 36 27 38 39 1 2 4

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County,

Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:45 AM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 205 205 205 205 205 205 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206 206

14 40 43 45 50 51 2 6 7 9 11 14 16 18 31 34 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000045 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City,

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000045 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES LANDIS, ET AL. Defendants

essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307

30, 2022 at 12:00 PM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502

8 11 13 14 16 17 18 33 50 51 1 2 3 6 14 15 17 18 21 38 40 41 42 43 45

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000049 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000049 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

DANIEL HARRIS, ET AL. Defendants

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 57

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966. the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL30, 2022 at 12:15 PM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval 409 409 409 410 411 412 412 507 508 508 508 509 509 510 510 510 510 510 511 512

17 18 20 18 17 18 19 17 17 18 20 20 37 18 19 20 36 38 19 18

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000055 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

MILDRED BUTT, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000055 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City,

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the de-

posit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Third Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000062 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

CYRIL BYRON, SR., ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000062 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 12:30 PM the following timeshare intervals:

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 Condomimium Unit 207 208 210 210 210 211 211 211 212 212 307 308 308 309 309 310 310 401 405 407 407 407 408 408

Time Interval 18 19 18 19 21 17 18 38 17 21 18 20 36 18 19 17 19 46 16 17 18 20 17 36

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at

the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

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 15, 2022

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 22, 2022

TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Second Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19173 To all persons interested in the estate of GRAFTON H. GRISWOLD, ESTATE NO. 19173. Notice is given that RICHARD GRISWOLD, 3 CROSSBOW TRAIL, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, APRIL 13, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GRAFTON H. GRISWOLD, who died on MARCH 23, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13TH day of OCTOBER, 2022.

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; 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

RICHARD GRISWOLD 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

Second Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19181 To all persons interested in the estate of MARY ARLENE YOUNG, ESTATE NO. 19181.

Notice is given that JAMES LOUIS YOUNG, 12422 WINDSOR ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, APRIL 13, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY ARLENE YOUNG, who died on MARCH 16, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13TH day of OCTOBER, 2022.

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; or

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 58

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

(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 22, 2022 JAMES LOUIS YOUNG 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

Second Insertion AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, P.A. VICTORIA L. O’NEILL, ESQ 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19180 Notice is given that the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS of CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, appointed MICHAEL J. WARD, 6544 MISTY HARBOR COURT, FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542, as the ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JOSEPH L. WARD, who died on OCTOBER 26, 2021, domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTORIA L. O’NEILL, whose address is 6200 COASTAL H I G H WAY, S U I T E 200,OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must

file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or 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 claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 22, 2022 MICHAEL J. WARD Foreign 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19191 To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLOTTE K. HAHN, AKA: CHARLOTTE KAMMER HAHN, ESTATE NO. 19191. Notice is given that ELIEZER SOLOMON, 204 SOUTH HERON DRIVE, UNIT 302G, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on APRIL 20, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of CHARLOTTE K. HAHN, who died on MARCH 8, 2022 with a will.

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

All persons having any ob-

jection 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 any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 29, 2022 ELIEZER SOLOMON 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 04-29

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19193

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 JR., who died on MARCH 22, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20TH day of OCTOBER, 2022.

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; 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 29, 2022 MICHAEL V. JANKOWSKI 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 04-29, 05-06, 05-13

First Insertion To all persons interested in the estate of JOSEPH M. JANKOWSKI, JR., ESTATE NO. 19193. Notice is given that MICHAEL V. JANKOWSKI, 625 CHESTNUT AVENUE, TOWSON, MD 21204, was on, APRIL 20, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOSEPH M. JANKOWSKI,

BARRY A. HABERMAN 51 MONROE STREET STE 1507 ROCKVILLE, MD 20850 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19190

Notice is given that the SUPERIOR COURT of WASHINGTON COUNTY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, appointed WILLIAM H. GRUEN, 5608 KNOLLWOOD ROAD, BETHESDA, MD 20816, as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of MARGERY G. MYERS, who died on OCTOBER 29, 2021, domiciled in WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, USA. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or 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 claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 29, 2022 WILLIAM H. GRUEN Foreign 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 04-29, 05-06, 05-13

First Insertion REENA J PATEL ESQ 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY, SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

ESTATE NO. 19185 To all persons interested in the estate of JACOB LEROY SHEATS, ESTATE NO. 19185.

Notice is given that EARL SHEATS, 3047 STOCKTON ROAD, STOCKTON, MD 21851, was on APRIL 19, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of JACOB LEROY SHEATS, who died on JANUARY 29, 2022 with a will.

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

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 29, 2022 EARL SHEATS Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 59

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 04-29

First Insertion B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES, 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19196 To all persons interested in the estate of NOREEN H. GODWIN, AKA: NOREEN HARTLEY GODWIN, ESTATE NO. 19196. Notice is given that ELIZABETH GILLIAN GODWIN, 510 PENGUIN DRIVE, UNIT 201, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, APRIL 21, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of

the estate of NOREEN H. GODWIN, who died on MARCH 30, 2022, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21ST day of OCTOBER, 2022.

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; 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 29, 2022 ELIZABETH GILLIAN GODWIN Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 04-29, 05-06, 05-13

First Insertion B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES, 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19195 To all persons interested in the estate of TERRI LYNN MUMMA, ESTATE NO. 19195.

Notice is given that AMANDA LYNN MUMMA, 438 E. FRANKLIN STREET, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, was on APRIL 20, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of TERRI LYNN MUMMA, who died on APRIL 12, 2022, without a

will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20TH day of OCTOBER, 2022.

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; 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 29, 2022 AMANDA LYNN MUMMA 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 04-29, 05-06, 05-13

Page 60

Seahawks Top Mallards In Annual Backyard Brawl

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SPORTS

Decatur Nine Remains Perfect At 13-0

April 29, 2022

In The News

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team stayed on a major roll this week, sweeping four games to improve to a perfect 13-0 on the season.

The recent run started with a narrow

7-6 win over Queen Anne’s last Wednesday. The Seahawks followed that close win with a pair of blowouts including a 21-0 win over Crisfield last Thursday and a 19-1 won over Washington on Monday. On Tuesday, the Seahawks downed Parkside, 6-2, in a battle between Bayside South rivals.

Former Seahawk Aluma Declares For NBA Draft

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Former Decatur basketball standout Keve Aluma, who led Virginia Tech to a stunning championship in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament this spring announced this week he was declaring for the NBA draft.

Aluma, a three-year starter at Decatur, started his college career at Wofford College, then followed his coach to Virginia Tech, where he enjoyed a stellar career culminating with a win over Duke in the ACC tournament championship. With one year of eligibility remaining, Aluma this week announced he was hiring an agent and entering the 2022 NBA draft.

Decatur’s Lance Adams makes a move toward the goal as Worcester’s Brice Richins defends. The Seahawks pulled away for the 14-7 win against their crosstown rival.

Photo by Chris Hoen

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team took down crosstown rival Worcester Prep, 14-7, at home on Monday.

For years, the annual meeting between the Decatur and Worcester lacrosse teams has been one of the highlights of the spring season. Players

Williams Records 200th Career Save

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Worcester Prep girls’ varsity lacrosse goalkeeper Caitlin Williams recently recorded her 200th career save as a sophomore. Pictured above, Williams shows off the milestone 200th save ball with her father Chris Williams, who is the Mallards’ varsity coach.

Submitted Photo

Stevenson United Methodist Resuming In-Person Church Services Every Sunday At 9 a.m.

– Sunday School Back in Session

Stevenson United Methodist Church

123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

– Service Also Livestreamed On Facebook

on both teams grew up competing with and against each other in various youth leagues and travel teams, so there is obviously familiarity.

Between the lines, the teams compete ferociously during the annual rivalry game, but when the final whistle blows, there is always mutual respect. This year, the Seahawks got the upper hand and bragging rights for the next year with a 14-7 win at home on Monday.

BERLIN – Worcester Prep girls’ varsity lacrosse goalkeeper Caitlin Williams earlier this month recorded her 200th career save as just a sophomore.

Williams, who has been playing lacrosse for 10 years, recorded her 200th career save against old rival Saints Peter and Paul. Williams started at goalkeeper as a freshman for the Mallards and recorded 129 saves in

her first year. This year, about halfway through the season, she has already recorded 200 saves as a sophomore.

Williams last year was named to the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) All-Conference Team and earned the team’s Coach’s Award as a freshman. She also plays varsity field hockey, varsity soccer and varsity basketball at Worcester. This summer, Williams will play in the prestigious Under Armour 150, which showcases the top 150 players in the country, for the second year in a row.

Harris Urges Release Of H-2B Visas

April 29, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 61

Seasonal Businesses Await Workers

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – With the summer season quickly approaching and uncertainties surrounding the availability of a seasonal workforce for some key industries locally and across the Eastern Shore, Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) last week implored the federal government to release more H-2B visas.

The H-2B guest worker program provides access to seasonal temporary labor to businesses that can prove they were unable to hire willing and qualified American workers in certain non-agricultural seasonal roles. U.S. employers are allowed to bring foreign nationals to this country to fill temporary, non-agricultural jobs with H-2B status. Unlike the J-1 visas, the workers are generally not students and there is not a work and travel component connected to the H-2B visas.

The H-2B visa workers are seasonal and are relied upon heavily by the tourism, hospitality, landscaping, seafood and construction industries, for example.

There are 66,000 H-2B visas made available each year, allocated in half for the summer season and half for the winter season.

However, because of acute labor shortages in certain sectors of the economy, the Department of Homeland Security made an additional 35,000 H-2B visas available for the remainder of the federal fiscal year.

However, the additional 35,000 H-2B visas were expected to be released by April 1, but that deadline has come and gone, and the supplemental seasonal workforce visas had still not been released as of midweek, with May quickly approaching and many of the businesses that rely on them nearing their peak season. To that end, Harris fired off a letter to the federal departments that control the H-2B program to release them as quickly as possible.

“While I was pleased with the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement on the imminent release of 35,000 supplemental H-2B visas for the summer work season, although more work remains, I am disappointed that nearly a month later they have yet to make these visas available,” he said. “I have repeatedly stressed to both the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor that time is of the essence with respect to the release of these supplemental visas.”

Harris said the seasonal Eastern Shore businesses that rely heavily on the seasonal labor force are already feeling the pinch because of the shortage.

“Each day of bureaucratic delay is another day of cancelled contracts, lost income and lost jobs for our seasonal employers on the Eastern Shore and throughout the country,” he said. “The

busy summer season is upon us and businesses are desperate for the labor necessary to meet consumer demand.

He continued, “I urge the departments to recognize the damage, in some cases irreversible, that seasonal businesses sustain as they await access to their seasonal labor force and to do everything in their power to make these supplemental H-2B visas available to our seasonal employers without delay.”

Harris pointed out the number of guest worker visas applied for stands at 136,000, with only 35,000 still available.

Harris said the shortfall could be particularly hard on certain seasonal industries across his district on the Eastern Shore, including crab picking and processing plants.

Harris is also a co-sponsor of proposed legislation titled the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption Act, which could be a permanent solution to the chronic H-2B visa issues that plague seasonal businesses, particularly on the Eastern Shore.

The bill would exempt workers who previously held H-2B visas in one of the last three fiscal years from counting against the annual 66,000 statutory cap for the supplemental visas.

ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE JURORS

Since October 2020, prospective jurors have reported to the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Company for jury service.

Effective May 2, 2022, all jurors summoned for jury service in the Circuit Court for Worcester County are to report directly to the Court House located at One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. All jurors should call the juror information line at (410) 6325674 and report as instructed by the recorded message.

Please be assured that the Court will make every effort to assist you in performing your responsibilities as a juror and make your service as convenient as possible. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your jury service, you may contact the Jury Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 410-632-5660. You may also visit the Jury Office website at www.mdcourts.gov/circuit/worcester/juryinfo.html.

Brian D. Shockley Administrative Judge for the Worcester County Circuit Court

Page 62

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

STUDENTS In The News The second grade hosted a Habitat Fair for students, staff and family to attend and learn about the different places an animal makes a home, from the rainforest to polar and all the habitats in between. Following class lessons on habitats, it was the students turn to become the teacher by taking a month to research and write about an individual habitat selected.

Above, Mykolas Doyle was excited to have his dad, Brandon Doyle, visit his Polar Habitat display. Below, from left, second grader Charlize Damouni is pictured with mom Helen, sister Gabriella and brother Jude with her forest exhibit.

Second from bottom, Carter Harrison is joined by his mom, second grade teacher Abby Harrison and his dad, Chris Harrison, as they visit his savanna grasslands habitat. Bottom, parent Benjamin Kremer was as excited as his daughter, Sloane, to visit all of her classmates’ habitats at the fair.

Lynn Wrench's fourth grade class at Ocean City Elementary created posters after researching famous Marylanders during English Language Arts.

Submitted Photos

The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club presented $5,000 in scholarships to five Stephen Decatur High School seniors at a recent meeting. Receiving $1,000 each were Matthew Burns, Kendall Parsons, Mary Fogle and Danielle Consigli. Not present was Emma Sperry. Pictured with the students are scholarship committee members Ashley Furbay, Michelle Bankert and Linda Oliver and club President

Several Worcester Preparatory School students placed in the Shirley Hall Youth Art Show in Ocean City this year. The students were seventh grader Mia Jaoude, second place; eighth graders Elliott Windrow, third place, and Jake Campbell, honorable mention; and 11th grader Ava Wilsey, Honorable Mention.

... Budget Plan Highlights Pension Funds, Capital Projects

April 29, 2022

FROM PAGE 6 ment in the pension fund to make up the difference.

“Typically, what happens is, we look each year at the return on investment in the pension fund,” said McGean. “We based the budget on an average 7% return. If it exceeds 7%, it reduces our contribution to the pension plan. It’s just a snapshot in time. If it happened today, we would have to make a contribution to the pension plan.”

For that reason, the plan presented on Tuesday recommended setting aside $2.5 million from the reserve fund balance to cover a potential shortfall in the pension fund. Councilman John Gehrig said when there are times when the pension investment return exceeds 7%, the difference should be returned to the pension fund as a cushion against future shortfalls.

“We’re going to have periods when we’re above the 7% or below the 7%,” he said. “When we’re above, I always think it should stay in the pension fund.”

The plan presented this week also calls for setting aside $1.9 million in unspent federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover increases in salaries and benefits for employees in the coming fiscal year. The town received millions of dollars in federal COVID-related ARPA funds and there is a balance in that account of $1.9 million.

The plan also includes a larger contribution to the capital reserve fund (CRF). Last year, the Mayor and Council created the CRF as a source to fund ongoing capital projects such as street paving, canal dredging and the like. The initial contribution to the CRF was $3 million as seed money, with a plan to add $1.5 million in each out year.

McGean said the plan presented on Tuesday recommended increasing the fiscal year 2023 contribution to $3 million from fund balance. The current CRF balance is around $1.6 million, and upping the contribution to $3 million would leave a balance of $4.6 million.

McGean said there are several critical capital projects on the horizon that could be funded by an expanded CRF. He said those projects, which include repaving the Inlet lot, Caine Woods traffic calming measures, the OCDC police department project, a new police substation and a new floor at the transfer station, could be re-evaluated after the summer when the picture becomes clearer on anticipated room tax and other revenue sources.

“That would essentially allow us to do two years’ worth of projects in the next year,” he said. “The first thing is addressing the threats we perceive to fund balance and the second is to start adding these other projects.”

Finally, the plan presented on Tuesday includes increasing the minimum reserve fund balance from the current 15% to 17%. Again, there has been considerable discussion about raising it to 20%, but McGean said the proposed 17% figure represented a conservative compromise.

“The reserve policy should be inc-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

reased from 15% to 17%,” he said. “This increases our ability to cover lost revenue and additional expenses due to a disaster. Since theoretically the financial impact of these events will increase as the city budget increases, it makes sense to tie the reserve amount to the budget.”

McGean said all of the measures proposed in the plan would actually reduce the town’s unassigned fund balance considerably.

“The result of these actions will reduce the unassigned fund balance from $10.4 million to $2.7 million,” he said.

“Should revenues or pension performance exceed expectations, any additional unassigned fund balance should be used for other capital projects.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca praised McGean, Knapp and Bireley for the well-thought-out plan that was presented.

Page 63

“We assigned you this project,” he said. “You took all of this information and put together a very solid strategic plan.”

McGean said the plan as proposed represented a fiscally-responsible way for the town to prepare for peaks and valleys during its budget cycles.

“The perfect word is smoothing,” he said. “This allows us to smooth that out as we rebound from COVID and as we look to grow room tax, parking or other revenue sources. When we have a valley, we will be prepared for that.”

Councilman Mark Paddack agreed the plan as presented was conservative and prepared for any eventuality.

“I know there was a lot of ambiguity and you have been very prudent with this plan,” he said. “You’ve done the threat assessment homework. I feel comfortable with this proposal to protect the Town of Ocean City and its taxpay-

ers. This is conservative, responsible and prudent.”

Councilman Lloyd Martin said the information presented in the plan painted a more accurate picture of the level of reserve fund balance.

“This shows the public exactly why we have this fund balance and what we use it for,” he said. “It shows we’re not just hoarding funds. This is very responsible. It looks like we have $28 million, but it’s more like $15 million because some of it is dedicated to doing these important things.”

After considerable debate, the council voted 6-1 to approve the plan as presented, including increasing the minimum reserve fund balance threshold from 15% to 17%. The lone dissenting vote was Councilman Peter Buas, who voiced concern about setting aside too much money for recurring liabilities.

GRACE MASTEN, CRS, SRES, BROKER/OWNER LICENSED IN MD & DE ERIK DOWELL, REALTOR 12600 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES * No Condo Fees/HOA Fees/Rental Restrictions Duplex136th Street 3 Blocks to the Beach * Unit A = 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths * Unit B = 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths Central Heat/AC * Fenced yards, Plenty of parkin/Vacant as of May 14th $991,000.

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Units 1-6 = 3 Bedrooms 1.5 Baths * Units 7-10 = 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths All have central AC/Heat, Granite countertops, Well maintained building No Condo Fees * NO HOA Fees * Each has their own Tax ID number and eventually can be sold separately * $3,250,000.

410.250.4433 • Grace@NorthBeachRealtors.com • www.NorthBeachRealtors.com

Page 64

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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April 29, 2022

6

Clifford Lynn Buckley

OCEAN VIEW – Clifford Lynn Buckley, age 78, passed away at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

Born in Williamsport, Pa., he was the son of the late Robert Leroy Buckley and Dorothy Wolf.

He was a beloved brother, son and uncle and was a Vietnam veteran, skilled plumber, exceptional golfer, and caring friend. After returning from Vietnam and being awarded honors for his service, he served as a Naval SeaBee, stationed in Antarctica. It’s even rumored that his picture graced a National Geographic article while in his skivvies. He went on many adventures with CLIFFORD his family and was al- BUCKLEY ways up for a game of “whatever new thing the kids were playing,” particularly adept at Cornhole and CanJam. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Ron) Buckley and sister-in-law Pam; brother Paul (Craig) Buckley; nieces, Amanda Buckley and her significant other Brian Robertson, Sean Buckley, and his significant other Samantha Akshar, Amy Buckley and her significant other Brandon Gray; and great nieces Zoey Gray, Ruby Gray, Wren Robertson and great nephew Otto Robertson; and a great deal of extended family.

Uncle Cliff taught us all so much, brought incredible joy to our lives, and will be greatly missed. We definitely won’t be winning any golf tournaments without him. We love you Uncle Cliff and your legacy of kindness, service and adventure will live on with your adoring family.

He is survived by two brothers, Robert A. Buckley (Pam Greer), and Craig Buckley.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. Letters of condolences can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Mark Godfrey Abbott

BERLIN – Mark Godfrey Abbott, age 69, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury.

Born on March 14, 1953, he was the son of the late Henry Abbott and Mary Baker.

Affectionally known by his championshipwinning Purple Moose softball teammates as El Mouldo, Mark spent his life surfing, playing ball, playing something MARK ABBOTT that resembled golf, entertaining whomever happened to be lucky enough to be seated on a nearby barstool and showing his son exactly how to be the best dad in the world.

In 1986, he drove his young son to elementary school with “Spirit in the

Night” blasting from the tape deck of his old white Mustang and explained to him, “Ryan, this guy Bruce Springsteen, he’s the boss, the boss of everything.”

Later that day Mark was summoned to the principal’s office after Ryan had argued with his first-grade teacher, Mrs. Phillips, that Bruce Springsteen was the boss of the federal government, not Ronald Reagan. Mrs. Phillips is still wrong.

He met Carol, the love of his life, in 2002, and spent his later years explaining every hard-to-get joke twice to her.

Their love was special and timeless, and their adventures down south to see her daughter Kelly, who Mark considered his own, kept them smiling for years.

He never missed an important occasion, he never shrugged off somebody in need, and he never took for granted any of the joys life offers as so many of us do. His sensitivity, kindness, empathy and wit were unique, and though not many are gifted with such a generous stockpile of these qualities, he never passed on sharing them with others and left this world in such a better place than he had found it.

We’re also pretty sure the term “dad joke” was coined for him, but we cannot confirm that at this time.

He is survived by his fiancé of 20 years, Carol Stange. Also surviving is his son, Ryan Abbott (Melissa), his stepdaughter, Kelly Stange, his brother, Bruce Abbott (Susan), and his two grandchildren, Miles Abbott and Hazel Abbott.

A visitation will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. until noon with a memorial service immediately following. Inurnment will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church following the service.

Letters of condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Frederick Jay Heinlen, Sr.

OCEAN PINES – Frederick Jay Heinlen, Sr., age 89, of Ocean Pines died Monday, April 25, 2022 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. His was born in Sharon, PA and was the son of the late Robert Leslie and Geraldine (Shoemaker) Heinlen.

He retired from AMP, Inc. as a mechanical engineer. He had been a Mason for 60 years and was a member of Evergreen Lodge #153 and Tall Cedars of Lebanon.

He was the treasurer and a member of the Ocean Pines Boat Club, member of the Commu- FREDERICK nity Church at Ocean HEINLEN, SR. Pines, the American Legion, the VFW, and volunteered at Atlantic General Hospital. He was also an airplane pilot and a U.S. Army and Airforce veteran.

SEE NEXT PAGE

April 29, 2022

... OBITUARIES He is survived by his wife, Kathryn L. Heinlen of Ocean Pines; three children, Frederick J. Heinlen II and wife Jo of Ocean Pines, Jo Anne Heinlen Stepp and husband Doug of Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Robert D. Heinlen and wife Kelley of Carlisle, PA; a brother, Roy E. Heinlen and wife Zane of Weslaco, Texas; a sister, Roberta Slater of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law, Betty Heinlen of Cape Coral, Fla.; brother-inlaw, Don Reed of Hermitage, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Krista Follmer (Nick), Lauren Wist (John), Kelly Enders (Tim), Leah Unseth (Elliot), Kathleen Enders, Karis Sheffer (Paul), Caitlin Heinlen and Robert Heinlen Jr. (Ashley); and nine great . grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Leslie Heinlen and a sister, Donna Reed.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Community Church at Ocean Pines in Berlin with Rev. Bob Harris and Rev. Dale Brown officiating. Friends may call an hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33609 or to the Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Md. 21811.

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

Matthew F. Schmuff

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BERLIN – Matthew F. Schmuff was born on March 9, 1974 and passed peacefully on April 1, 2022.

He is preceded in death by his mother Pam Schmuff (nee Haus), grandparents William and Libby Schmuff and uncle “Bobby” Schmuff.

Matt was born and raised in northern Baltimore County, also known as the Hereford zone. After high school Matt accomplished many traits cooking, bartending, carpentry as well as the gift of gab.

Matt had many friends and made a lot of people smile.

He worked for years alongside his uncle, Bob MATTHEW F. Schmuff in many differSCHMUFF ent clubs/bars and restaurants; Daytonas, Thunderdome, Dicks Half Way Inn and Dicks Dock Bar. The last eight years he spent with family on the Eastern Shore.

Throughout all of Matt’s ups and downs in life, his greatest accomplishment was the birth of his son Lance Ridgley. They had the joy of working together for many years and during Lance’s most formative years, Matt taught him carpentry and flooring. Matt and Lance shared in day-to-day life and were best friends.

He has left behind his son Lance, father and stepmother Bill and Marlene, sister Lauren (Steve), aunt Beverly (Thom), niece Morgan (Riley), great niece and favorite playmate Nora, great niece Ella and nephew Hunter Kurtz as well as many friends.

To say he will be missed is an understatement for he made such a presence.

A Celebration of Life will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 22nd at the Marlin Club, 9659 Golf Course Road in Ocean City.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com

William John Wagner

SELBYVILLE – William John “Bill” Wagner, age 83, of Selbyville passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at home.

Bill was born Oct. 26, 1938 in Baltimore and was the son of the late William Ervin and Ruth Constance (Fishpaugh) WILLIAM Wagner.

Bill retired in 2001 WAGNER from Amtote Intl. Inc. of Hunt Valley as a remote operator. He enjoyed reminiscing about his many racetrack adventures. His favorite was as a young

Obituaries cost $50 to appear in The Dispatch and photos are no extra charge. Direct all inquiries to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com, fax to 410-641-0966 or mail to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Page 65

man in 1973 at Churchill Downs working the odds board in the historic win of Secretariat. In the earlier years he was an avid hunter and fisherman receiving several Maryland certificates, later losing interest in the hunt, he thoroughly enjoyed observing the waterfowl and fishing cycles with his wife Shelley. A kind and gentle soul who never met a stranger was how he was recently described.

He is survived by his loving wife and constant companion of 33 years Shelley Dryden Wagner; two sons Stephen T. Wagner of Berlin and Kevin A. Wagner of Bishopville; one brother, Louis "LR" Wagner (Deanne) of Reisterstown; four grandchildren, Derek Miller of Frederick, Andrew Wagner, Brenden Wagner and Benjamin Wagner all of Berlin; and one great -grandson, Weston William Wagner of Berlin. In addition, also surviving are three sisterin-laws, Darlene Hall (Danny) of Waynesboro, Va., Sherry Riggin and Sheila Milliner both of Crisfield; brother-in-law Bill Justice(Lynn) of Pocomoke; and many nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Bill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in laws, William E. and Joyce T. Justice.

At this time, no public memorial service has been planned per his request.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited Memorial Contribution, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, Tenn. 38120 (ducks.org).

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com

Atlantic General Recognizes Volunteers

Page 66

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 29, 2022

WORCESTER COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY 2023 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGETS

The Worcester County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budgets as requested by the Agencies and Departments which are funded by the Worcester County Commissioners. If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to pre-register by calling the County Administration office at 410-632-1194. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 2, 2022 in the County Commissioners’ Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. All commenters must identify themselves by their full name and address to be included in the public record. Written comments received by the deadline will be read into the record by Worcester County staff during the public comment portion of the meeting. Anyone not planning to speak may view the public hearing live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. The Public Hearing will be held at: 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, SNOW HILL, MD

General Fund requested expenditures exceed available revenues (based upon current tax rates) by $11,287,404. This difference must be reconciled by the County Commissioners either through reductions in expenditures or increases in taxes, fees and/or use of Budget Stabilization Funds. Copies of the requested budgets are available for public inspection on the Worcester County website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED REVENUES Requested Budget Property Taxes $ 152,507,544 Licenses & Permits Income Taxes 34,500,000 Charges for Services Other Local Taxes 16,941,000 Fines & Forfeits State Shared 2,572,746 Interest Federal Grants 378,886 Misc/Sale of Assets/& Other State Grants 4,344,131 Transfers In – Casino/ Local Impact Grant Funds

Requested Budget 2,496,231 1,510,055 29,000 100,000 411,986 2,499,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES $218,290,579

GENERAL FUND REQUESTED EXPENDITURES Requested Budget Requested Budget Board of Education: $100,983,605 Library 2,877,546 Operating Expenses 12,726,490 Maintenance 1,533,278 Debt Payments to be paid on behalf Boat Landings 381,250 Mosquito Control 157,946 Circuit Court 1,439,592 Natural Resources 612,489 Commission On Aging 1,514,783 Orphan's Court 36,400 County Administration 1,152,345 Other General 1,759,588 Government 2,796,402 Debt Service less Education Debt) Development Review Other General & Permitting 2,075,878 Government: Economic Development 443,150 (State Dept. of Assessment Operating Exp.) 555,440 Elections 1,355,240 Parks 1,625,297 Emergency Services 3,703,761 Public Works Environmental Programs 1,593,459 Administration 999,511 Extension Office 242,678 Recreation 1,850,067 Fire Marshal 661,470 Recreation & Culture 242,439 Grants to Towns 7,013,867 Recycling 942,809 Health Department 5,999,817 Sheriff 10,203,690 Homeowner Convenience Social Service Groups 838,368 Centers 793,992 State’s Attorney 2,619,551 Human Resources 519,825 Taxes Shared w/ Towns 2,644,157 Information Technology 644,914 Tourism 1,359,429 Insurance & Benefits: Treasurer 1,308,580 (Includes OPEB-all employees) 24,790,008 Vol. Fire Co. Jail 9,740,911 & Ambulance Co. 9,609,321 Roads 4,698,398 Wor-Wic Community College 2,530,242

TOTAL REQUESTED EXPENDITURES $229,577,983

During the annual celebration in April, the Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary presented a check for $25,000 to the AGH Foundation’s annual appeal and honored the continued dedication and volunteer service of their members. Volunteers support AGH by donating their time and expertise in every aspect of the hospital and health system, providing more than 30,000 hours of service to the hospital annually.

During the celebration, Jane Wolnik, Auxiliary Thrift Shop coordinator, presented an award to Stephen Decatur High student Myra Cropper, who was recognized as teen volunteer of the year for her outstanding service.

Above left, from left, are Kim Justice, AGH co-interim president and CEO; Richard Buccheri, Auxiliary treasurer; Jackie Choate, Auxiliary secretary; Cynthia Roman, outgoing Auxiliary president; Greg Shockley, chair of the AGH Board of Trustees; Sally Dowling, co-interim president and CEO; Steve Green, chair of the AGH Foundation; Ann Hamilton, incoming Auxiliary president. Above, recognized for 21-plus years of service were, from left, Kathleen Loetz, Joyce Brittan, and Nicholas and Jane Bartolomeo. Not pictured were Lorena Christian, B.J. Cohen and Mary Lou Jones.

Submitted Photos

BES PTA Hosts ‘Pints For Pencils’ Event

April 29, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – While the end of the school year approaches, the efforts of Buckingham Elementary School’s PTA are not slowing down.

Whether it’s shirts and snacks for Field Day, parade floats or teacher appreciation gifts, the PTA stays busy supporting countless causes at the Berlin school. A key fundraiser for upcoming projects is a Pints for Pencils event set for Burley Oak Brewing Co. from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, May 16.

“We really need the community's support to make it a success,” said parent Donna Pellinger. “The funds raised will ensure an outstanding Fourth Grade Recognition Day, a fun-filled Field Day and enable us to plan great future events.”

In addition to encouraging area residents to attend the May 16 event at Burley Oak, the PTA is seeking donations and gift cards from local businesses to create Pints for Pencils gift baskets.

Those interested in donating can email buckinghamelementarypta@gmail.com.

Buckingham’s PTA raises money throughout the year to provide funding support for initiatives at the school.

They make programs like Santa’s Workshop—which gives kids a chance to do holiday shopping for their families—and Teacher Appreciation Week possible.

The group also tackles special projects. Last year the PTA helped raise thousands to buy a kiln for the school’s art department.

“Buckingham’s PTA provides resources and materials for our students so that we can create robust educational experiences,” Principal Chris Welch said.

Pellinger said the May fundraiser is critical in providing funding for upcoming events.

“The Buckingham Elementary PTA's mission is to help make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering our families and our community to advocate for all our children,” Pellinger said. “We support programs such as One School, One Book, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support, Student of the Month, the Berlin Christmas Parade, Field Day, Fourth Grade Recognition, Teacher Appreciation Week, and much, much more. Without the support of our families and our community, we would not be able to support these important programs.”

For more information on the school’s PTA, or to learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities, visit the organization’s Facebook page, “Buckingham Elementary School’s PTA.” The group is also recruiting parent volunteers to serve as PTA officers for the 2022-2023 school year. Positions include president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.

2022 Maryland International Kite Expo The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 67

April 29, 30 And May 1 On The Boardwalk & Beach (5 Blocks Of Fun South From 6th Street)

Fun For The Entire Family Welcome to Ocean City

Ocean City, Maryland, and The Kite Loft welcome you to come and fly on the beautiful beaches along our famous Boardwalk!

The Maryland International Kite Exposition will feature three fun-filled days of kite flying on the beautiful beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. Throughout the festival, there will be exhibitions and demonstrations including stunt and power kite lessons and much more! The festival will showcase some of the best kite flyers from around the world. Everybody of any age, locals and visitors alike, are encouraged to bring your kites and fly on the beach.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT OPEN TO ALL. GIANT KITES WILL BE DISPLAYED BY OUR FEATURED INTERNATIONAL KITE FLYERS. For More Information, Please Call The Kite Loft At 410-289-7855 Or Go To The Web At www.kiteloft.com

Conflict Of Interest

Page 68

Editor: My letter should be of interest to all voters and tax payers in the Town of Ocean City as well as all of the Town’s employees.

In a letter appearing in the local newspapers on April 15, Mr. John Gehrig, a council member, wrote a letter under the title “Make money or take your money?”

He wrote, “The question is simple. Do you want your elected officials to seek ways to make money to pay their bills or do you want them to keep raising your property taxes?” Is it that simple?

Over the last year, the mayor and members of the council have hired over 30 new employees, and started a new expensive tourism department. These actions by mayor and council greatly increased Ocean City’s expenses going forward Now. Mr. Gehrig wants to spend many millions more on a sports complex saying “we have a gigantic opportunity to ride the wave of a $20 billion a year youth sports industry.” Mr. Gehrig’s as-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Letters To The Editor sertion is made despite the evidence to the contrary in the Town’s study revealing a significant slowdown in sports participation.

Can we trust Mr. Gehrig’s judgement with what looks to be the biggest project in the County in decades? What is his record? Have his efforts made the town money before?

Four years ago, Mr. Gehrig along with Dennis Dare and Mary Knight were assigned by the mayor to be architects, in closed sessions, of the Pier deal. The Pier property is approximately 6.5 acres and contains more than 25 amusements, games and businesses extending from Ripley’s to Thrashers and back to the Pier. I have always considered the pier property to be the most valuable property in Ocean City. The deal struck behind closed doors was approved by the Ocean City Council and extended Mr.

Jenkins’ lease another 25 years granting Mr. Jenkins’ company approximately 33 more years of control over the pier.

Certainly, questions have never been answered by Mr. Gehrig who was one of the three who met in closed sessions over many months before it became public. Why was the Pier the only property that wasn’t bid out to the public? Mr Gehrig, as Ocean City’s representative, why did you not review the subleases Mr. Jenkins entered into to better understand how to price the property for lease? How did you arrive at $250,000 a year beginning in eight years with 3% increases?

Maybe most important of all Mr. Gehrig, why did you not recuse yourself from voting on the Jenkins Pier deal let alone meeting with him in private for 18 months and being one of the architects that presented the present deal to the mayor and council? Isn’t Mr. Jenkins a substantial

April 29, 2022

customer of your company D3? Who were you representing, Ocean City or D3? How is this not a huge conflict of interest? Don’t the taxpayers and voters have a right to know how much money Mr. Jenkins’ various companies are paying D3 every year?

After the Jenkins deal, both Dennis Dare and Mary Knight stepped down from running for council. The State of Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board found the mayor and council in numerous violations for having these meetings behind closed doors including Lloyd Martin, Deluca, Paddock, James and the mayor. To this day the council has failed to make public the minutes of these meetings.

Mr. Gehrig should not have held closed meetings with Mr. Jenkins or voted to give Mr. Jenkins the Pier for an additional 25 years. Mr. Gehrig’s company, D3, has and had multiple business dealings with various companies that Mr. Jenkins owns which placed him in conflicts of interest and should be grounds for his expulsion from the council. The mayor, aware that Mr. Gehrig built and maintained multiple websites for a number of Mr. Jenkins’ companies, knew he was conflicted and should not neither have allowed Gehrig to go on the private committee that architected the Pier deal nor voted on the Pier deal due to his conflicts.

In my opinion, the Pier deal that Mr. Gehrig architected and voted for will cost Ocean City not millions but tens of millions over the next 33 years and should be of great concern to all who say they love Ocean City.

So, with Gehrig’s dubious record of “making the town money” lets fast forward to today and look at another Gehrig deal, the Sports Complex, also with tens of millions at stake once again. The present $11.2 million bond will just pay for the Harrison property and to draw up plans for the development. If we follow Gehrig again, we are looking at likely $40-$50 million in future debt for the County and Ocean City. Can we afford to let another Gehrig deal go through?

Or should the sports complex be looked over more carefully by people without a history of conflicts of interest?

Gehrig’s own words to the Ocean City voters and taxpayers sums it up best by the man who brought Ocean City the Pier deal.

“So back to the question do you want your elected officials to make money, or take your money?,” he said. Seems like Mr. Gehrig is threatening the voters and tax payers by saying if you don’t vote for my sports complex, I will raise your taxes.

In two to three weeks, I will give the local papers another letter in which we will explore what is a public good? What are the public’s best interests? I will also disclose further conflicts of interest as the weeks unfold leading up to the election. With an election coming it is important that we continue the conversation on conflicts of interest. It is my sincere hope that my letters will stimulate interest and cause more people to run for mayor and council in Ocean City in the fall elections.

Tony Christ Falls Church, Va. Ocean City

April 29, 2022

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 ONLINE WEBSITES: mdcoastdispatch.com facebook.com/thedispatchoc twitter.com/thedispatchocmd instagram.com/thedispatchocmd 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/Copy Editor bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHRIS PARYPA Photographer

SALES DEPARTMENT TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com AMANDA FORSYTHE Account Executive amanda@mdcoastdispatch.com

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

BUSINESS OFFICE PAMELA GREEN 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 $260 per year.

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

Berlin’s Frustration With County Justified How We See It

It’s understandable Town of Berlin officials are irritated about the lack of communication from the county regarding the development of a sports complex just outside town limits. The county’s response has been it wanted to wait until the public hearing was past and the bond resolution approved before diving into details with the town as well as state transportation officials. The town would like to meet with the county about the project.

The comments from town officials this week were equally understandable and predictable. Council members Dean Burrell and Shaneka Nichols – who represent the districts closest to the proposed site – led the charge of opposition at the public meeting. Burrell said, “The property may be located in the county but we all know that is the town of Berlin.

I am so disappointed that a project of this nature would be planned, and the Town of Berlin not be informed nor consulted.” Nichols was also blunt with her assessment, saying, “When you say it’s great for the community, what community is it great for? Because it’s not great for my community. … Never once were the residents of Briddletown notified or asked what their thoughts were on this monstrosity. That’s what I’m calling it, because that thing right there will not service those kids that live on Flower Street. That thing will not service the children that live in Berlin unless you are part of an elite team.”

As he did at the public hearing, Berlin Planning Director Dave Engelhart said at this point he foresees nothing but “negative impacts on the horizon and someone else benefitting” by the project’s development at the current site.

He said, “Water and sewer is our leverage to make sure that we don’t get all the negative impact from this project— which is a wonderful project I don’t dispute it—but none of the positive impact.”

Engelhart said he reached out to the county on the town’s behalf to start a dialogue.

There is a chance the county would not need town services if the complex was solely outdoor fields. However, if Ocean City funds a major indoor facility on the site as a few elected officials are saying will happen, the site will need a connection to the town. Discussions should have been held once the current site was identified as the front runner.

This will be a major project for the county if it proceeds through the 180-day evaluation period.

Though the county can say it did not want to waste anyone’s time with meetings and planning before the bond resolution was approved, it’s unfair to those most affected – the citizens of Berlin – to be in the dark. It’s unprofessional and confirms the hasty nature of the process.

Page 69

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green Ocean City has experienced success through the model of providing early seed dollars to help get new special events up and running. The latest being the Professional Bull Riding event with town officials agreeing this week to provide $75,000 in advance support in exchange for a ticket revenue sharing plan. The dollars are needed as a result of supply chain issues and the narrow timeline for the event.

Prior to the weekend of June 3-5, event organizers will transform a portion of the Inlet parking lot into a bull riding arena with eight inches of dirt and bleachers constructed to hold as many as 4,000 people. Over the course of three days, the event could host 12,000 people if there are sell outs. As of this week, just 1,500 tickets have been sold, but more interest will be seen as the event approaches. Once the event is over, organizers will return the Inlet parking lot to its former state.

The concept with the early event investment should work just fine for Ocean City and the private event promoter under the ticket revenue sharing plan. For all involved, however, it would be better for this to not be an annual practice. One or two years of pre-event funding is acceptable, but the resort needs to be leery of making it an annual contribution.

Fifty-eight times there were no available crews to respond to an emergency in Ocean City in 2021. The concern of emergencies going unanswered combined with an average annual increase in service calls of 12% justifies action to boost staffing for the Ocean City Fire Department.

The department reviewed for the Ocean City Mayor and Council a creative staffing plan – totaling $130,000 – to address the manpower shortage.

Though all officials feel comfortable with the plan, it would seem likely more changes will be needed in the near future to adequately manage manpower, especially if calls for service continue to climb annually at a 12% average.

With another editorial in The Baltimore Sun comes some more shots at Ocean City. The editorial, headlined “Ocean City needs a bigger investment in workforce housing,” hits the right marks. The time has come for a public-private partnership to address the seasonal workforce crisis.

Businesses in the marketplace cannot be successful over the long term without a better grasp on managing their payroll and being able to answer questions about housing for employees. There is simply no where near enough units to accommodate the number of employees needed for Ocean City to handle the summer crowds.

The editorial in The Sun reiterates many points we have made on these pages in recent months about the need for a major housing complex dedicated to employees and the need for private enterprise and government to work together toward a creatively financed solution. The editorial read in part, “The answer is for local businesses and the town government to underwrite what is known as workforce housing — units specifically for lowwage workers that are both affordable and near their jobs. Some investments have been made. The Ocean City Development Corporation, for example, provides more than 100 beds in rental properties downtown.

This spring, OCDC won approval for a new 3-story project, a $2.4 million effort (with nearly half expected to be financed through local parking fees), that will provide housing to 25 seasonal police officers that is intended to help boost recruitment. Yet more ambitious actions are required. There have been discussions about creating a much larger-scale dormitory hall accommodating up to 1,000 workers, but so far proponents (including an out-ofstate developer) have had trouble working out details. Even that, officials say, would be a fraction of what is needed, particularly given that J-1 visas require proof of housing in advance. But while it’s too late to take corrective action before this summer’s season, there’s still time to make a difference in 2023 — if Ocean City officials and private business owners can put their heads together and develop projects that can meet the growing need.”

However, the opinion piece unnecessarily ends with another shot at Ocean City – a major economic engine for the state of Maryland – as the newspaper is prone to do. “As much attention has been given what others can do for Ocean City from bending the public school calendar to delaying school start until after Labor Day to highway improvements along the U.S. 50 and Route 90 approaches to the resort, it’s time those who most directly profit from the vacation crowd took a little more responsibility for the welfare of their workers,” the editorial read.

There are some grassroots efforts currently being weighed to petition the bond resolution – authorizing the acquisition of the sports complex site and development. The clock is ticking for the organizers who have met to discuss a petition, which if successful would place the matter on the ballot in November in the form of a referendum question. The referendum petition would need verified signatures of 10% of the registered voters in the county.

There are currently 41,579 registered voters in Worcester County, as of March – 45% are Republican; 33% Democrat; and 20% unaffiliated. It would be a monumental effort to get more than 4,000 signatures. The county, meanwhile, seems resolute in moving ahead, saying in a statement the project could be funded through fund balance if the bond resolution is blocked.

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here are negatives with raising teens, but I try to be a glass half full type in my life. Therefore, here are some positives I have noted of late with my soon to be 14-year-old eighth grader.

•With a big research paper project underway for English, Pam and I were curious what Beckett would select as his topic. Sports and music are two of his passions, and I thought he might choose a topic about music. We had been asking him for a week or so what he was going to select. As a typical teen, he said he was still thinking about it and would decide at the last minute.

He ultimately decided to write about Autism and the varying severities of disabilities associated with the spectrum.

For most of his life, Autism has played a major role due to his brother Carson taking us along on his journey. If Beckett is being honest, he would say there are more negative impacts on his life than positives. He doesn’t have a brother he can ride bikes with around town or shoot hoops with. It’s more of a caretaker role.

It’s a shame. As he’s gotten older, I sense some resentment and it’s understandable.

Throughout his life, Beckett has always commented at Autism events about how different everyone is, wondering aloud why some people are so highfunctioning while others have major struggles to do the simplest of things. I remember last summer on the beach a chat we had as we watched some individuals struggle through their ocean sessions at Surfers Healing. The conversation was in depth for a teen, but he said, “Now I understand why they call it the spectrum.” He then commented how we were lucky with Carson, saying it could be much worse.

It tells me a lot about our son that he picked this topic out of all the subjects available to him. He wanted to learn more about Autism, though he’s an expert in some ways through first-hand ed-

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of Fatherhood ucation. He seemed interested in the science behind it and why it impacts people so differently.

What he’s not an expert in I have learned throughout the research paper process is properly creating a works cited page.

•Monthly photos of our teen’s body changes would be great to watch his growth. The problem is he despises photos like most kids his age. The juice is not worth the squeeze in this case.

Thankfully, we are able to compare the boy’s three sports season pictures – soccer in September, basketball in January and lacrosse in April. The contrasts are incredible with one common denominator – no teeth smiles. The smile annoys me because I think too much about the Invisalign bill I guess.

•A happy moment for me is when he does well on a test, quiz or project his parents know nothing about. As he gets ready to enter high school, we expect him to be able to keep his school work assignments in check without mom and dad having to micromanage.

Everyone needs to have a balance in life, and my kid is not always interested in the parts of life that he does not enjoy.

This is understandable, as adults also struggle with this balancing act. When he does juggle all aspects of his life well, he seems proud of himself. It’s a good feeling.

•When he sets his mind to something, he becomes fixated on it until he conquers it or gives up. He will not toss in the towel easily, but if he loses hope after a certain amount of time it’s over.

He abandons it.

For many months, he was nonstop working on a few skateboarding tricks.

His frustration got the best of him, resulting in him not skating at all for a few months. We encouraged him to keep trying but he was discouraged, frustrated and angry. We tried to talk him out of giving up, but it needed to be his idea to continue practicing and get back at it

when he was ready.

The time came last month and after a couple hours he landed whatever trick it was he was fixated on. He chalked it up to getting taller. Though it would have been better if he didn’t let his frustration boil over to where he gave up the sport, it was super to see get him back on track with it and observe his mental ride through it.

•My favorite time with my son is in the vehicle on the way to or from something.

He always changes the radio station to what he wants to hear whenever he gets in the car. He doesn’t even think about asking to do it. He just does it. It’s selfish but it is what it is.

These conversations give me a glimpse into his mind and soul. One time recently he was on a “woe is me” kick and I had to rough him up a bit because there’s no sense in playing the victim.

It’s especially unproductive when there is little reasoning for feeling sorry for himself.

A recent chat --- actually one I overheard -- coming home from an away lacrosse game tells me how much he’s changing. Two of his teammates had gotten injured and were heading to the hospital to learn their injuries. He had googled what the injuries could be based on what was known – one a bad hip injury and another involving the knee.

He wanted to go to the hospital to hang out with them.

Reminding him he had a load of homework, I encouraged him to text them to see how they were doing. A few minutes later, he was Facetiming with one of the boys. In this case, listening to he and his friend talk about the game and scenarios when he could come back and play on the schedule was awesome to hear.

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

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