April 3

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April 3, 2020

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Assateague Announces Foal Birth

See Page 2 • Photo by Penny Bowles Sperry

Company Supplying Face Shields

Spring Fog:

A dense fog and the lack of pedestrian and vehicle traffic last Saturday night provided eerie scenes Photos by Jim Halvorsen in Ocean City, above, and Berlin.

See Page 6 • Submitted Photo

Springfest Canceled In Resort

See Page 4 • File Photo

National Campaign Comes To Area

See Page 8 • Photo by Indigomagik Photography

Page 2

Assateague Welcomes 2020’s First Foal

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Assateague’s new foal is pictured above with mare Mieke’s Noe’lani and suspected sire, Mr. Frisky Hooves.

Photos by Penny Bowles Sperry

ASSATEAGUE – Amid the gloom and anxiety of the continuing pandemic, a little hope and a positive ray of sunshine appeared in the form of a new foal born into the herd of wild horses on Assateague last week.

Images of the new foal, known for now only as NSBHS-AIOS, were captured by intrepid photographers on the barrier island on Tuesday. The mare is Mieke’s Noe’lani and the suspected sire is Mr. Frisky Hooves although no other official details have yet emerged.

In any case, the parents were seen on Assateague taking good care of the new addition.

In the 1970s, the National Park Service began assigning alpha-numeric names to new foals on the island to better track their lineage as well as identify to which sub-herd they belong and the areas of the island they tend to frequent. The new foal born this week will later be given a proper name through one of the various naming rights auctions or other contests.

With the addition of the new foal born this week, the population of wild horses on the Maryland side of Assateague now stands at 73, or just below the ideal range of 80-100.

According to the March Census, there are 21 stallions, 51 mares and the new foal whose sex is unknown.

April 3, 2020

Three deaths were documented over the winter.

Each fall, Assateague Island National Seashore biologists conduct pregnancy tests on the mares among the population in an attempt to predict how many new foals are expected to join the herd in the coming year although the results of those tests are not known.

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Ocean City Cancels Springfest, Talks Summer Hopes

Page 4

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Next month’s Springfest was the latest shoe to drop after resort officials voted Wednesday morning to cancel the event due to uncertainties with the pandemic.

During Wednesday’s budget work sessions, the topic of Springfest was broached and a decision was ultimately made to suspend the event this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Just a day earlier, resort officials agreed to prohibit hotel, motel and other short-term lodging rentals until at least April 30 for non-essential people, and by Wednesday morning, cancelling Springfest became the next logical pro-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

gression in the town’s efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus. City Manager Doug Miller broached the subject during Wednesday’s budget deliberations along with Special Events Director Frank Miller.

“It’s my opinion and Frank shares this opinion this COVID-19 virus is going to extend well into May,” he said. “Now might be the right time to have a discussion on Springfest. We need to let the vendors and the entertainers where we are with that.”

While supporting the concept, Council Secretary Mary Knight questioned the financial impact of cancelling one of the resort’s prime special events.

“I agree it’s the right thing to do,” she said. “It would be improba-

ble that we can pull that off in the first week of May. That’s around $435,000 in revenue. How do we make that up?”

Budget Manager Jennie Knapp explained there were certain fixed costs such as the event set-up, for example, that could be saved by cancelling Springfest now. In addition, the town provides significant in-kind services to pull off the event which would provide additional savings.

However, the fiscal impact of cancelling Springfest ultimately paled in comparison to protecting citizens and halting or at least slowing the spread of the virus. Councilman Mark Paddack made a motion to suspend Springfest for 2020.

“I’ve been pondering this for a cou-

April 3, 2020

ple of weeks,” he said. “I’ll make a motion to suspend Springfest for this year. We need to start taking care of our vendors so we can get them back next year.”

Councilman Matt James seconded the motion, but questioned if Wednesday’s budget work session was the time and place for the decision.

“Do we need to make this decision today?” he said. “I can’t imagine a scenario where we’re not going to cancel it, but can we put this decision off for a few days to see how this evolves.”

Doug Miller said under the bestcase scenario, the pandemic would not ease in time to save Springfest this year.

“If you look at what’s happening at other places, it looks like it’s a twomonth cycle,” he said. “It started here in mid-March so that takes us into mid-May. Even if the governor relaxes the restrictions, it’s not like we’re suddenly going to be open for business.

I’m hoping at this point we’re fully open by Memorial Day.” James referenced a chart from an earlier meeting that showed peak predictions for the pandemic in Maryland and across the country.

“The chart shows the peak for the U.S. around April 15 and the peak for Maryland around May 1,” he said.

“We’re very close to that peak with Springfest. Either way, I’m fine with it. If we take another five days to decide this, I’m okay with that, too.”

Frank Miller said even if the pandemic eases and many of the restrictions now in place are gradually relaxed, it would still likely take several weeks for a complete return to some sense of normalcy.

“When we do go into recovery mode, it will likely be phased,” he said.

“It won’t go from where we are now to suddenly the lights come back on and we’re fully open with no restrictions. If we’re lucky enough to begin recovery in early May, it will be phased in over time. The reality is we’re likely to have restrictions to some degree as we head into mid-May toward Memorial Day.” Paddack also pointed to the chart referenced earlier by James.

“I also saw that model,” he said.

“We’re basically shut down right now.

We’re talking about inviting up to 250,000 guests in the first week of May, or about a month out. I’m in a position right now to be prudent and protect our citizens. This is not going to go away completely in the next four weeks. Having all of those people in town suddenly in the first week of May is not prudent.”

The council voted 6-0 with Council President Lloyd Martin absent to suspend Springfest for 2020. Plans are already in place to facilitate refunds for vendors and concert ticket holders and to mitigate the impact on the current fiscal year budget.

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

County Company Steps Up To Supply Critical Face Shields

Page 6

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, Hardwire LLC is now manufacturing face shields for medical personnel.

The Pocomoke-based Hardwire is now producing protective face shields to provide hospital staff with added defenses as the ongoing coronavirus crisis continues. The company worked with front-line doctors and nurses at Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) to design and test the shields. “’Enhancing the survivability of humans’ has not only been Hardwire’s mission statement since Sept. 11, 2001, but is part of our DNA,” Hardwire CEO George Tunis said. “We couldn’t sit idly by while heroic doctors, nurses and other emergency personnel battling this deadly virus don’t have all the equipment they need.”

According to Hardwire, the company created a new production line in less than a week to help address the growing need for protective equipment in hospitals.

Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General, said Tunis initially called to talk about N95 masks, which he hoped Hardwire could produce.

“He was having difficulty getting material,” Franklin said. “With the challenge of supplies we talked about ways we

Members of the AGH imaging staff are pictured with the new face shields provided by Hardwire.

Submitted Photo

could extend our current supply. That’s where the face shields came in.”

Hardwire produced a prototype and delivered it to AGH. Caregivers there tested it, using markers to identify changes that would make it more comfortable and better fitting. Hardwire quickly made the adjustments.

“We went from the initial prototype

to usable shields in less than a week,” Franklin said.

The Hardwire Face Shield is lightweight, weighing less than two ounces, comfortable and doesn’t fog up. The value of it at AGH, according to Franklin, is the fact that it enables caregivers to keep the same N95 mask on all day, since the mask is protected by the

April 3, 2020

shield. Without the shield, caregivers have to change masks between patients. While it’s difficult to quantify exactly the number of masks that are now being saved, Franklin said it was a substantial amount.

“The pace of reduction in inventory is less than it was before,” Franklin said.

Hardwire created 100 shields the first week, 50 of which went to AGH. The company is scaling to a production capacity of about 6,000 units a day. According to Tunis, production goals are set at closer to 60,000 units per day as demand dictates.

“This virus is simple and clever,” Tunis said. “We must also be the same, but much faster. The speed in Hardwire’s case comes from the efficient design and carefully selected supply chain partners. Our defense work has taught us that speed matters and you should listen to your troops, or in this case, our nurses and doctors. We will do everything we can to supply what they need.”

At AGH, Franklin said Hardwire’s efforts had increased the hospital’s supply of protective equipment at a key time, as hospital staff are interacting with patients that have or are presumed to have coronavirus.

“It gives health care workers more confidence they’re being protected, which allows them to focus on doing what they need to do for the patients,” he said.

Though many in the community have offered to sew masks for hospital workers, Franklin said that those masks were not ideal unless they were made with the right material. He added that health care workers nevertheless appreciated the community’s efforts and were using donated head caps, as they were helpful.

“Anything that demonstrates support from the community is a positive thing,” he said.

Franklin said that because there were widespread shortages of certain types of protective equipment, AGH was being cautious at this point. The powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), for example, will not be used until necessary.

“There are certain types of personal protective equipment there is a widespread shortage of so we’re being careful with how much we distribute because we haven’t seen the level of COVID here they’re seeing in other places like New York,” Franklin said.

When asked if there was anything else he wanted to share with the public, Franklin had just three words.

“Wash your hands,” he said.

He said that currently, AGH was experiencing only half the emergency room visits it typically did this time of year. There are also fewer patients in the hospital because elective surgeries have been postponed.

“That is creating capacity which is a good thing for when we start seeing an uptick in the people affected by COVID,” he said.

Worcester School System Tweaks Calendar, Seeks June 11 Last Day

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Estate Planning Wills & Trusts

Waiver Requested From State Superintendents

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Local education officials agreed this week to modify the school calendar as facilities remain closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to adjust the calendar as recommended

by Superintendent Lou Taylor. The spring break that was set for April 6-13 has been adjusted to April 10-14 and the tentative last day of school is now planned for June 11.

“Our spring break we will use as continuity of instruction days,” Taylor said, adding that students would still be off Good Friday and Easter Monday.

“That is the big ask today.”

In a meeting held via conference call Tuesday, Taylor updated the board on actions underway now that schools were engaged in a continuity of learning in spite of the fact that social distancing is still in place and educational facilities are closed. Taylor said advanced placement and dual enrollment students began online learning Monday while high school students would begin virtual classes Wednesday. Elementary, intermediate and middle school students have lessons resume Monday, April 6. Taylor said administrators and teachers had been engaged in professional development in recent days.

“One hundred percent of our employees have been cooperative,” Taylor said.

He added that the lack of internet access throughout all parts of the county was a problem but said the school system had 180 mobile hot-spots to distribute. Community groups have also offered to help purchase more.

“That’s something that’s been amazing but not shocking,” Taylor said. “I know how people rally in our county.”

Taylor said educators were prepared to focus on continuity of instruction online until they were advised otherwise by the state.

“We feel very good about where we are considering the times we are living in,” he said.

Carrie Sterrs, the school system’s coordinator of public relations and special programs, said the county would be seeking a waiver to the 180-day requirement regarding the state mandated closure from March 16-27. She said that instead of the lengthy spring break originally planned the school system would engage in continuity of learning, closing only on April 10, 13 and 14.

While school is closed to students April 14 that will be a professional development day for teachers.

If the waiver is granted, the school year would tentatively end June 11. If it is not granted, the last day for students would likely be June 25.

When asked about the likelihood of the state granting the 10-day waiver for March 16-27, Taylor said he couldn’t speculate. He said the issue had been brought up with State Superintendent Karen Salmon by each of Maryland’s counties but that she’d given no indication whether it would be granted or not.

“She has told us she understands where we are with that request,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of resuming normal school activities after April 24, which at this point is the date to which schools are mandated closed, Taylor said all he could do was hope.

“I have hope this will clear up and we’re back in the buildings as soon as possible,” he said.

Page 7

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Photographer Offers Services For Front Steps Project

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

A couple had fun with a recent photo session by staying in their pajamas on their porch.

Photos by Indigomagik Photography

OCEAN PINES – A nationwide initiative to celebrate family during an uncertain time has been embraced by a local photographer.

Kim DeBoy of Indigomagik Photography is taking part in #TheFrontStepsProject, a campaign started by a Boston photographer who wanted to document families during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Across the country, photographers — who don’t get within 10 feet of their subjects — are snapping photos of families on their front steps in exchange for donations to a nonprofit of their choice.

“It’s bringing the community together and supporting locally what your friends and neighbors need,”

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April 3, 2020

DeBoy said.

DeBoy, an Ocean Pines resident, learned about the photo campaign on the internet and decided to join in.

“It’s a project in these crazy times to find human connection,” she said.

DeBoy has enjoyed providing her fellow community members with an image of how they’re spending their days while much of society is shut down.

“I think it’s a cool, positive way to highlight how everybody’s spending their quarantine time,” she said.

While some people have opted to don their Sunday best for the family photo, others have decided to show their sense of humor, asking to be photographed in pajamas with laptops in hand.

“It breaks up the monotony,” DeBoy said. “It’s a neat way to give people something different to do.”

While some might be worried the project doesn’t fit in with social distancing efforts, DeBoy stressed that she’s not leaving her neighborhood and doesn’t get close to anyone. Interested families contact her through social media and then simply gather on their front steps as she takes a photo from the end of their driveway.

“I’m not crossing state lines,” she said. “I’m not asking people to leave their property or anything like that.”

There’s no passing of cash either, as DeBoy has families use the online payment service Venmo to make a donation. She hasn’t yet decided which local nonprofit should receive the proceeds but is considering something that supports the medical profession or even those in the restaurant industry who now have no income.

She encourages anyone who’s interested in participating in #TheFrontStepsProject to visit her Indigomagik Photography pages on Facebook and Instagram.

“There’s hasn’t been a huge push around here,” she said. “I’m surprised, considering how much it spread with the hashtag on Instagram.”

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OC Restricts Lodging, Extends Beach, Boardwalk Closures

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort and county officials this week took further steps to limit out-of-town guests and emphasize the “stay at home” message including extending the beach and Boardwalk closure and prohibiting new hotel, motel and other short-term rentals in town until at least April 30.

Last Sunday, the Mayor and Council extended the executive order closing the beach and Boardwalk, which had been in place since March 22, from April 15 to April 30. In addition, the executive order issued last Sunday closed the Inlet lot until at least April 30.

On Tuesday, resort officials continued to take drastic actions to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus including a new emergency declaration prohibiting hotels, motel, condominiums and other short-term accommodations from accepting any new reservations from anyone except those deemed essential lodgers. The prohibition on new short-term rentals in nearly all of their forms also extends to April 30.

The latest emergency declarations

are aimed at reinforcing the town’s consistent strong message advising out-of-town visitors to stay away from Ocean City until further notice until the pandemic eases and some semblance of normalcy returns. Following Sunday’s hours-long closed session that resulted in extending the beach and Boardwalk closures, Mayor Rick Meehan said many have complied with the directives to simply stay home and not visit the resort area and that is helping achieve the desired results.

However, many more are ignoring the directives and are still heading to Ocean City. Anecdotally, there was no shortage of license plates in town all last weekend from New York, New Jersey and other areas.

“We’ve seen some impact with regards to people heeding the directives to just stay away for now and there is evidence of fewer cars on the road and fewer cars in parking lots,” he said.

“Still, there are many that aren’t heeding the warnings. Again, we are asking people to please not come to Ocean City at this time. We can’t emphasize that enough. If we all work together and not lose all of the ground we’ve gained,

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April 3, 2020

hopefully we can get our season up and going sooner rather than later.”

Again, Meehan said most local residents are following Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s directives to stay at home when possible, limit travel and continue to practice social distancing.

However, Ocean City, particularly on weekends, continues to see an influx of out-of-town visitors.

To that end, on Tuesday following another closed session, the Mayor and Council announced the next logical progression in the effort to limit travel and urge out-of-town visitors to avoid Ocean City during the pandemic. The executive order, made effective immediately after it was signed on Tuesday, restricts short-term accommodations for hotel and rentals to essential lod-gers only through April 30.

The prohibition on accepting new reservations through at least April 30 includes, but is not limited to, hotels, motels, condo-hotels and all other rental properties including private renters, management companies, homeowners’ associations and other online rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, for example.

“These are unprecedented actions because these are unprecedented times,” said Meehan on Tuesday. “This is incredibly difficult time for everyone, but the only way we can stop the spread of this virus is to work together.

Visitors should not visit Ocean City at this time, but are encouraged to reschedule or plan for future visits when this health crisis passes.”

According to Tuesday’s emergency declaration, hotel, motels and other lodging establishments shall not accept new reservations for persons other than essential lodgers. The list of essential lodgers is considerable and includes healthcare professionals and law enforcement personnel, National Guard members or state and federal government employees, journalists or others responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The list also includes full-time residents of the town of Ocean City who, for any reason, are temporarily unable to reside in their primary residential homes. The latter applies to local residents displaced by exigent circumstances such as a fire or flood at their primary residence. It also includes those seeking shelter in hotels or other accommodations due to domestic violence situations.

“These exceptions are meant to ensure that we have a place for individuals who must be in Ocean City because they are helping in this emergency, or those who have nowhere else to go, such as domestic-violence victims or those who had to vacate their homes unexpectedly,” said Meehan. “Voluntary compliance is our goal, but we will enforce this to the full extent if it’s not obeyed. This health crisis is deadly and the only way for all of us to stay healthy is to stay home.”

On Wednesday, the Worcester County Commissioners followed Ocean City’s lead on non-essential, short-term rentals.

The latest steps, outlined in the county’s new emergency declaration, restrict short-term accommodations for hotels and rentals to essential lodgers. This includes but is not limited to hotels, motels, condo-hotels, rental SEE NEXT PAGE

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Governor Issues Stay-At-Home Order To Stop Virus Spread

April 3, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a stay-at-home directive for state citizens effective this week, vowing stronger enforcement for those who continue to ignore prescribed social distancing practices.

Hogan on Monday announced a new executive order urging all Marylanders to stay at home beginning at 8 p.m., except for those employed in designated essential businesses or to go out for essential supplies including food. It’s important to note those essential businesses include grocery stores, gas and convenience stores, the media and carryout or delivery restaurants.

Essentially, the new executive order – the 26th Hogan has implemented since the COVID-19 crisis emerged – does not represent a major departure from recent actions. Instead, the new executive order changes the state’s position of suggesting Marylanders stay at home whenever possible to urging it and even ordering it.

“We have reached a critical turning point in the battle to stop the spread of this virus,” he said. “Maryland has already implemented some of the most aggressive social distancing measures in the nation. Despite the rapid escalation, some people are still choosing to ignore those executive directives.”

While most in Maryland have been practicing social distancing and remaining in their homes whenever pos-

... County Issues Lodging Directive

properties, inclusive of private renters or management companies and HOAs, Airbnb, VRBO style lodging, and other overnight accommodations.

“We recognize that the actions we are taking here today are unprecedented, in fact many of us have never seen or experienced such restrictions before in our lifetimes,” Commission President Joe Mitrecic said. “But these measures are meant to protect the public health by stopping the spread of COVID-19. These measures will, ultimately, save lives. We truly look forward to a day in the not too distant future when we can once again roll out the welcome mat and get back to the business of being a world-class destination that attracts residents and visitors from across the globe. But, today is not that day.”

As far as enforcement, Mitrecic added, “Our goal is to elicit voluntary compliance with the county’s latest emergency declaration. However, due to the deadly nature of this health crisis, in instances where these directives are not obeyed, we are prepared to fully enforce this action.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

sible, many are still not taking the crisis seriously. In at least one example over the weekend, a Charles County man hosted a bonfire party with around 60 guests in perhaps the most publicly reported flaunting of the governor’s directives. Situations such as that have forced Hogan to move from suggesting stay-at-home practices to ordering them.

“Anyone engaged in that behavior is violating state law and putting their fellow Marylanders at risk,” he said.

“Therefore, I am issuing a stay-athome directive. No Marylander should leave their homes unless they are employed in an essential business or have essential needs to go out such as food or needed supplies or medical needs.

We’re no longer suggesting they stay home, we’re directing them to do so.”

Hogan said state and local law en-

forcement will be stepping up enforcement efforts. Any person knowingly and willfully ignoring the directive is subject to up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine or both. State and local law enforcement officials have been directed to strictly enforce the order.

“Unfortunately, we’re only at the beginning of this crisis,” he said. “It’s going to get considerably worse before it gets better. I realize this is incredibly difficult for everyone in our state. I want people to know we’ve been through difficult challenges before and we are going to get through this together.”

Hogan said the new executive order should not be interpreted as citizens being prisoners in their own homes.

People can still go out on a very limited basis for food and needed supplies or to take a walk or walk their dogs while practicing social distancing.

Page 11

“I want to be clear people aren’t locked in their homes,” he said. “We’re just telling people to stay in their homes except for essential and necessary things. You need to get out for food and other essential things, but you should not be going out and congregating with a crowd of 100 people in a park somewhere.”

Hogan said the faster everyone complies with stay at home and social distancing directives, the faster the state and the nation can flatten the curve on the spread of the virus.

“Each and every one of us has a chance right now to do something to help our neighbors,” he said. “Every single Marylander can be a hero just by staying home and by practicing social distancing. It will keep you and your family safe, but it could also save the lives of thousands of others.”

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Pip The Beach Cat Launches Online Morning Show

Page 12

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A local feline is using his social media presence to entertain and uplift members of the community.

Last week, Pip the Beach Cat – a local feline that’s amassed thousands of social media followers with his quirky behaviors – began his own morning show with owner Emily Meadows and assistant Gretchen Cooper.

“We needed a personal project …,” Meadows said. “So this became a creative outlet for all of us.”

Last week, all meet and greet events and signings for the release of Pip’s new book were cancelled. And after spending days in self-isolation, Meadows said she and Cooper were starting to feel the effects of confinement.

It was then that they created a plan of action to spread joy and cheer to the community.

“We were depressed for a long time,” she said. “We have a friend who’s a therapist, and we reached out to her and started talking to her each

Owner Emily Meadows and assistant Gretchen Cooper are pictured with Pip during a morning show last week.

Submitted Photo

day. One day we were talking to her and it just hit me. Talking to Sharon every day helped me so much. We should be doing something like this.”

To that end, the two began a letterwriting campaign. She said everyone who writes a letter to Pip will receive a letter in return.

“We wanted to give kids something to do, and something that wasn’t elec-

tronic but was filled with positivity …,” she said. “We will always write them back. They can ask a thousand questions, we will answer all of them.”

Meadows and Cooper also began Pip’s Morning Show on Monday. Each day, Pip and his team open fan mail, share pictures and words of wisdom, answer questions and more.

“We tape them a day in advance,

April 3, 2020

and what we do is different each day …,” Meadows said. “It’s anything that can get a laugh from people and let them feel okay for a moment.”

Pip’s team will also host afternoon Facebook Live events that include storytimes for kids, question and answer sessions and “how to train cats” segments.

Cooper will also be making cards to send to hospitals and nursing homes.

“We do animal therapy at Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and we haven’t been able to do that for almost a month now and there’s no end in sight right now,” Meadows said. “So her next project is writing letters to all our friends there.”

Those interested in writing to Pip can send letters to Pip the Beach Cat, P.O. Box 4442, Ocean City, Md. 21843.

Pip’s Morning Show is aired Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. on the “Pip the Beach Cat” Facebook page.

“We had a great response, and people loved it,” Meadows said. “They thought it was nice to turn something on at a set time every day and know that it’s not going to talk about COVID-19.”

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Fenwick Adjusts Policies, Operations During Pandemic

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – While it’s more or less business as usual for the town of Fenwick Island, officials are taking measures to protect their employees with a new workforce policy.

Last Friday, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted unanimously to adopt a COVID-19 policy that would allow employees non-chargeable sick time if they or a dependent family member are diagnosed with, or under observation or quarantine for, the novel coronavirus.

“The people that are sick with COVID-19, or attending to someone who is sick with COVID-19, basically will not be charged a sick leave for at least 14 work days,” Town Manager Terry Tieman said. “Even if they were attending to a family member, that would also apply.”

Tieman said the town borrowed the concept for a COVID-19 policy from the town of Georgetown. She noted that the policy had also been reviewed by the town solicitor.

“This is a policy I never thought we would have to adopt …,” she said. “Well employees will still be expected to work, unless there is a case of confirmed COVID-19 in which they are required to self-isolate, if they are in a Center for Disease Control level three area of concern for COVID-19, or if they are instructed to refrain from attending work by their personal physician or public health officials.”

Tieman said employees who are out sick will be asked to enter absences on their timesheets for recording purposes.

“This is just to monitor because we may be asked to report that for reimbursement purposes,” she said. “When they return to work, they would have to return to work with a written medical clearance.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 7-0 to adopt the COVID-19 policy, which will go into effect immediately.

“So far, and I’m very thankful for this, no one in our workgroup has had any symptoms,” Tieman said. “We are very lucky.”

Page 13

For the most part, officials said the town would continue its normal operations. It should be noted, however, that town hall, the Cannon Street playground and basketball court, and the beach remain closed.

“We have mailed out and will be mailing out parking tags rather than coming to town hall to pick them up,” Mayor Gene Langan said. “There’s also going to be a drop box set up where you can put checks and things like that.

We know we still have to conduct business, and we want to accommodate you and our residents.”

Langan also praised Governor John Carney for communicating with the towns on a weekly basis.

“I’ve got to tell you that the governor and his staff have been very open and sharing information with all the towns,” he said. “They have at least two conference calls a week with the mayors and bring us up to date on everything.”

In Delaware, Carney has declared a state of emergency and ordered all non-essential businesses to close.

This week, he also ordered all out-ofstate travelers into Delaware to self-

quarantine for 14 days.

Fenwick Island officials issued a statement last week urging residents to stay home and practice social distancing.

“The demographics of our Town include a majority over the age of 60, the most vulnerable age at risk to be infected with the Coronavirus,” the statement reads. “We live in a very small community with limited hospitalization facilities that cannot handle the potential number of illnesses this crisis may bring.

Although the county numbers of those infected remain low, trends across the nation show an exponential rise in cases from the very first illness, thus the critical nature of this virus. We do not want the virus to spread amongst us.”

Councilman Bill Weistling said he was concerned about the upcoming summer season.

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Alert Issued Over Fraudulent GoFundMe Pages Berlin To Livestream

Page 14

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials warned residents about several fraudulent GoFundMe pages claiming to support Berlin businesses this week.

Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, asked residents not to donate to GoFundMe pages claiming to support Berlin businesses.

“None of the businesses have put GoFundMe pages up,” Wells said.

Wells said she was contacted by Sisters on Sunday when the shop had been made aware of a fundraising page in its name asking for support.

Wells said she’d been told there were similar pages for DiFebo’s Restaurant and Papa John’s Pizza. She said this week she thought all the pages had

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

been taken down but warned residents about them nonetheless.

“It was important to make sure people didn’t donate to those,” she said.

Wells said she was working to support local merchants as they explored the variety of assistance programs available through the state and federal government. She’s also encouraging landlords to work with merchants who may be struggling to pay their rent.

“These are very strange times we’re living in,” she said. “All I can do is help the businesses the best I can for the time being.”

She said many of the town’s restaurants were keeping as busy as they could with carryout and delivery. J&M Meat Market and the Atlantic Hotel — which is marketing the “Culinary Relief Package” for dinners — are doing well in particular.

“People are tired of cooking and they want to support the local restaurants,” Wells said.

While some Berlin retail shops were offering curbside service, Monday’s stay-at-home directive ended that. In an interview Wednesday Berlin Mayor Gee Williams acknowledged the lasting effect COVID-19 would have on the local businesses.

“At this time, it seems like it’s going to impact well beyond the stay-at-home order,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll be the hardest hit…but I do think we need to be cautious.”

Williams hopes the federal and state government will do all they can to help.

“They’re going to have to do some new and creative things to limit the adverse economic impact for all businesses, particularly small businesses,” he said.

April 3, 2020

Council Meetings

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – As efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 continue, the Town of Berlin will begin livestreaming council meetings.

Mayor Gee Williams announced Monday that the town council would hold its first budget work session April 13. The public will be provided with information on how to tune in electronically in the coming days.

“As the situation changes, we urge all citizens in our community to make decisions with an abundance of caution and obey the ‘stay-at-home order’ issued by Gov. Larry Hogan,” Williams said in a statement Monday. “The expected peak of the spread of COVID-19 in Maryland remains unknown at this time.”

Though recent meetings were canceled due to the ongoing health crisis, Williams said the council would hold a general fund budget work session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13. Immediately after the work session, a regular meeting of the council will be held at 7 p.m. Though council members will be at town hall for the meetings, no more than three town employees will be in attendance. Departmental budget requests will be made by one person at a time.

“We’re going to be testing the setup we have tomorrow,” Williams said in an interview Wednesday. “We want to work out all the bugs we can.”

He said officials were planning to use Microsoft Teams to conduct the meeting, as the town already had access to it.

He added that if the livestreaming went well, the town would continue it even after social distancing ended so that citizens unable to attend the meetings in person could still tune in.

“Maybe that will make the meetings more accessible,” he said.

Citizens are invited to submit comments and questions in advance of meetings via email or text, fax, or mail.

They can also be placed in the drop box at town hall. Questions, which must be received no later than noon on the day of a meeting, will be compiled for officials to review and discus during the meeting.

A second budget work session, to focus on utilities, will be held Monday, April 20. An updated budget schedule released by the town this week shows a public hearing on tax rate and the introduction of the budget are set to occur via livestream May 11. A public hearing on the budget to be held via livestream is set for May 26.

In further efforts to combat the spread of the virus, Williams said that the town had also tweaked its operations to allow employees who could work remotely to do so. Employees are also alternating so that some are on site Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday while others are present Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

“I’m very grateful that people in our community are taking this very seriously,” he said.

Developer Seeks Liquor License For New Fenwick Hotel

April 3, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – A local developer is seeking a liquor license for his new hotel, but some Fenwick residents are voicing their opposition to his requests.

On March 2, developer Spiro Buas applied with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner (ABCC) for a hotel liquor license with a patio permit and a variance to permit live entertainment, external speakers, a paging system and a wet bar on the patio at his property on Coastal Highway.

In 2018, Buas demolished the aging Sands Motel – which he purchased in 2015 – and began building a new hotel in its place. Fenwick Shores, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton, will be a 65room boutique hotel.

To allow alcohol service for hotel guests, Buas is seeking a hotel liquor license, which would encompass the entire property.

Some residents, however, took issue with the developer’s request for a variance for live entertainment, speakers, paging system and a patio wet bar.

Residents Voice Opposition In a teleconference of the Fenwick Island Town Council last Friday, residents voiced their opposition to outdoor live entertainment at the hotel.

While the town has no jurisdiction over the issuance of liquor licenses, officials were quick to add that the town did not allow outdoor live entertainment without approval from the council.

“We’ve gotten in writing from Spiro that he will not have live outdoor music without having the permission of the council and the town,” Mayor Gene Langan said.

Town Manager Terry Tieman said the town has also notified the ABCC of the town’s ordinance.

“That was a concern,” she said, “and we addressed that concern.”

Jacque Napolitano, who lives directly behind the new hotel, said she was still concerned about the hotel’s ability to have recorded music, external speakers and a paging system.

“Anyone could be playing a radio or playing recorded music,” Tieman replied. “As long as it’s not interfering with the surrounding area, it’s not a problem, but we do have a noise ordinance. Like you would do with anybody playing loud music … you need to pick up the phone and call the police, and the police will address it.”

Resident Peter Frederick noted the town’s ordinance did not permit a bar in any outside service area and questioned why the town did not enforce its ordinance when the developer submitted his plans.

Town officials, however, said they sent the developer’s plans for an outdoor bar to the town attorney for review. Councilman Bill McCain said the town’s ordinance specifically addresses bars under the heading “restaurants,” but not “hotels.”

“As the bar is an amenity of the ho-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

tel, the town has no control over where that bar would be located …,” he said.

“Everything that has come up on this hotel we have passed it by our town attorney, and as councilmembers we might not agree with the town attorney, but we accept her guidance and interpretation of the town code.”

Several residents questioned if the solicitor was acting in the town’s best interests.

“In all my career, the attorney was always advising me or the company on what the interpretations were. The attorney was working for me or for my company, it was not the company or me working for the attorney …,” resident Nadia Butler said. “I hear the town saying we have to do whatever the attorney says … What I see happening is that the town has decided they want to do things, have the bar outside and have the hotel go above the height limit, and the attorney is helping them find ways to do that.”

Resident Natalie Magdeburger, an attorney, agreed.

“If they don’t have the right attorney that is willing to advocate for the town, they need to find an attorney who will …,” she said.

Developer Offers Explanation In an interview this week, Buas said he was aware of residents’ concerns surrounding the liquor license application, but wanted to offer some clarification.

“I’m really trying to do the right thing,” he said.

In a letter sent to the town on Wednesday, Buas said the public notice for the liquor license application had to include certain language. He noted, however, that he has no plans for any outdoor live entertainment.

“As a hotel with an event room we may, on occasion, have live entertainment for the event or maybe a piano player in our lobby,” he wrote. “We also anticipate having light background music in our lobby, our front desk area, our front entrance, our exercise room and our pool area. In addition, we plan on having TV’s with remote speakers in our lobby, our lobby bar and at our pool food and beverage area. Because of these reasons and because a liquor license encompasses the entire hotel property, those items had to become part of the public notice.”

Buas said he has voluntarily requested a restriction on the hotel’s liquor license that would require the hotel to obtain the town council’s permission for any outdoor live music or entertainment.

“Having this license will allow the town some control,” he said.

Buas added that his operation as a high-end, boutique hotel was dependent on the approval of a hotel liquor license.

“That Tapestry brand requires a

Page 15

food and beverage package …,” he said. “If I don’t get my liquor licenses, I don’t get my Tapestry brand. It could turn into a Days Inn. Do they want that quality of hotel?”

Letters Of Opinion Sought Individuals opposing Buas’ application will have an opportunity to provide their objections in writing to the ABCC, according to the public notice.

“The Commissioner must receive one or more documents containing a total of at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within 1 mile of the premises or in any incorporated areas located within 1 mile of the premises …,” the notice reads. “Failure to file such a protest may result in the Commissioner considering the application without further notice, input or hearing.”

Buas said he is seeking letters of support, which can be filled out on the Fenwick Shores website.

“I enjoy the atmosphere in Fenwick and hope to remain a part of the community for a very long time,” he wrote in his letter to the town. “As always, I’ve greatly appreciated your support, but I would like to ask that you please lend me your support one more time in reference to my liquor license application, by filling out this online letter. It would be beneficial to Fenwick Shores if you could write a personal note within the letter, as to why you support the application.”

OC Presents Budget Options Projecting Virus Impact

Page 16

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite concerns about the current pandemic, the first iteration of the Town of Ocean City’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget actually includes what would amount to a property tax reduction for most, but the spending document includes contingency plans if the crisis lingers into the new fiscal year.

The Mayor and Council and key staffers on Tuesday held a fiscal year 2021 budget introduction meeting, albeit it in a rather unconventional virtual format. The proposed combined budget for all funds is around $156 million, with the proposed general fund budget at roughly $91.7 million. By way of background, the overall budget

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

includes certain sub-budgets such as enterprise funds like water and wastewater that are fueled by user fees and are largely self-sufficient, while the general fund provides revenue for basic operations of the city including public safety and public works, for example.

In a typical year, City Manager Doug Miller and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp start the process by presenting a balanced budget based on anticipated revenue and anticipated expenditures in the coming fiscal year and that was no different with Tuesday’s introduction presentation.

What was different, however, is Miller and Knapp presented a “Plan B” option and even a “Plan C” option based on uncertainties surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic and

its potential impacts. Knapp led off the budget introduction presentation with three anticipated scenarios based on the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the current fiscal year’s budget.

Under the first scenario, if the crisis lasts six weeks, the current fiscal year would still come in over budget under revenue and expenditure projections.

Under the second scenario, if the crisis lingers eight weeks, the impact on the budget would be a decline of around $420,000. Finally, if the crisis lingers for 12 weeks, or roughly into the middle of June, the impact on the current fiscal year budget would be a decrease in revenue of around $4.6 million. Of course, the scenarios are based on projections for room tax and parking fees, which are moving targets right now because of uncertainties.

April 3, 2020

As far as the fiscal year 2021 budget, which begins on July 1, again a balanced general fund budget of about $97.1 million has been presented while adhering to the constant yield tax rate of .4559. For years, it was the council’s policy to set the property tax rate at the constant yield, or the rate that would generate the amount of municipal funding needed to maintain the same level of services and programs as the prior year.

Last year, however, faced with rising expenses including a state-mandated minimum wage increase, for example, the Mayor and Council adopted a budget at the constant rate of .4656, or the same rate as in the prior fiscal year. To some, depending on semantics, that represented a property tax hike based on changes in assessments for non-resident property owners and commercial accounts, while resident property owners are protected by the Homestead cap.

In the proposed budget introduced on Tuesday, the property tax rate is set at the constant yield rate of .4559, or the amount needed to balance projected expenditures and revenue. The .4559 constant yield rate proposed for the fiscal year 2021 balanced budget would essentially represent a property tax decrease compared to .4656 constant rate adopted last year.

The presented balanced budget with the constant yield tax rate represents Plan A and was drafted prior to the uncertainties surrounding the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Plan B as presented on Tuesday would maintain the same constant yield property tax rate of .4559 and is based largely on calculations from a similar budget crisis at the onset of the last major recession in 2008. As a result, Plan B includes potential reductions in key revenue sources such as room tax and parking fees, for example, which could be caused by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plan B predicts a reduction in revenue by about $1.9 million in fiscal year 2021 as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Under the proposed Plan B budget, certain capital projects or other ongoing projects would be delayed in the next fiscal year to offset the potential $1.9 million reduction in revenue. Among the projects that could see a reduction of funding, or could at least be put off for another year, include repaving the Inlet lot, expanding the next phase of the City Watch surveillance camera project or reductions in funding for street paving or storm drain cleaning among other things.

Finally, Plan C would maintain the current fiscal year tax rate of .4656, or the same rate approved last year and paid by property owners this year.

Maintaining the current property tax rate would generate roughly $896,000 in revenue and would allow some of those projects that face cuts or elimiSEE NEXT PAGE

Police Discuss Home Order Enforcement

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

OCEAN CITY – While state officials continue to assert education and outreach are still the preferred method of enforcing Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest stay-at-home directive, the Maryland State Police (MSP) on Tuesday issued guidelines for when other enforcement efforts will be initiated.

On Monday, Hogan announced a new executive order urging all Marylanders to stay at home, except for those employed in designated essential businesses or to go out for essential supplies including food. It’s important to note those essential businesses include grocery stores, gas and convenience stores and carryout or delivery restaurants.

Essentially, the new executive order does not represent a major departure from where the state was on Monday and where it is on Tuesday in terms of the stay-at-home directive. Instead, the new executive order changes the state’s position of suggesting Marylanders stay at home whenever possible to urging it and even ordering it in some cases.

As a result, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Woodrow Jones III has directed troopers to continue their public education and enforcement efforts regarding the governor’s executive order. On Monday night, Jones issued specific instructions regarding the stay-at-home order.

For example, enforcement of Hogan’s expanded executive order will be conducted by MSP troopers. However, troopers will not make traffic stops simply to ask drivers where they are going to determine if their travel is essential or not. However, if in the course of the regular performance of his or her duties, such as a crash investigation or a traffic stop, a trooper determines the individual was engaged in non-essential travel, enforcement action can be taken in consultation with the state’s attorney’s office in that jurisdiction.

While it is not necessary for drivers in Maryland to have documentation about the purpose of their travel, having such documentation may help resolve questions. Troopers will continue to initiate enforcement action when a business or a group of more

than 10 people is observed in violation of the governor’s executive order.

The executive order does not prohibit people from going to the store to get groceries or prescriptions, seeking medical attention at an urgent care facility or getting cleaning or laundry supplies or other necessities. In addition, the order does not prohibit people from going out to get needed supplies for pets or other livestock.

The order allows for travel to care for a family member, friend, pets etc.

Citizens are also permitted to travel for transporting family, friends, pets or livestock for essential health and safety activities. The order also allows for travel to and from educational institutions to receive meals or instructional materials for distance learning.

The order also allows for outdoor exercise activities, as long as they are done in accordance with social distancing guidelines and are done in crowds of 10 people or less. However, recreational activities may not be done at a public park that has been closed by state or local government. Finally, restaurants can be visited if individuals are obtaining food for carryout or drive-thru only.

nation under Plan B to be funded in fiscal year 2021.

In simplest terms, Plan A, which was prepared without the coronavirus impacts taken into consideration, would reduce the tax rate to the constant yield and allow all projects proposed in the capital improvement plan to proceed as planned in fiscal year 2021. Plan B would set the property tax rate at the constant yield, but certain projects could have their funding reduced or could be pushed out to further years. Finally, Plan C would main-

tain the same tax rate as the current fiscal year, but certain projects might have to be reduced or pushed back.

Another important consideration is the town’s fund balance, a rainy day fund of sorts for emergencies such as hurricanes, for example, and for unforeseen setbacks, which the current COVID-19 pandemic certainly qualifies.

The town’s stated position is to maintain the fund balance at 15 percent of general operating budget. Based on fiscal year general fund expenses, the town’s unassigned fund balance stands

at around 26%, or around $8 million over the stated goal of 15%.

Roughly $1.7 million of fund balance has been appropriated for fiscal year 2021, reducing the unassigned fund balance to about 22.6%. Tuesday’s budget introduction was the first step in a lengthy process that will go on all week and tough decisions will have to be made on the various options on the table relative to the property tax rate, what if any projects to reduce or defer along with other adjustments.

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Church Eyes Community Service

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

One of the newly illuminated stained glass windows at Stevenson United Methodist Church in Berlin is pictured.

Submitted Photo

BERLIN – A local church is looking to encourage the community with lighting and music.

Every day during the pandemic shutdown, Stevenson United Methodist Church will ring bells and illuminate its stained glass windows and façade as a display of hope and faith.

Congregant Beth Sise said members Ty Thompson and Kathy Azbell came up with the idea to project lighting and music from the church. In March, she approached the church council with their ideas in an effort to serve the community.

“It’s a time when we need it now more than ever,” she said.

With the support of Pastor Ron Schatz and the council, the church had interior lighting installed for the stained glass windows, and Thompson found a digital app – eCarillon – to broadcast faith-based music through the church’s bell tower speakers.

Landscape lighting for the facade will be installed in the coming weeks.

“We are a church at the center of Berlin, the center of our community … ,” Sise said. “This was a physical way of bringing light to downtown when the stores are closed and music when the streets are quiet.”

Sise said bell music will be broadcast

April 3, 2020

from the church bell tower each hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the pandemic shutdown. At night, the stained glass windows and façade will be illuminated for the community to view.

“It’s a dark and fearful time,” she said. “If we can light up our windows and give people hope and remind them to rely on their faith, we can reach our community.”

Although all gatherings at the church have been cancelled, Sise said Stevenson United Methodist continues to serve the congregation and community with live-streamed Sunday services online and drive-thru food pantries.

On March 26, for example, Stevenson United Methodist’s Spirit Kitchen partnered with the Maryland Food Bank, Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, the Berlin Police Department, the Town of Berlin and Hope4Recovery to give away more than 6,000 pounds of food to 175 families during its first drive thru pantry event.

“It was important to our pastor that we continue with our ministries and not shutter our doors,” Sise said.

For more information on Stevenson United Methodist Church, visit www.stevensonchurch.org.

“I hope it serves as a reminder to everyone that we are here,” Sise said.

“When our doors are open again, they can come inside and worship with us.”

Teachers, Students Adapting To Distance Learning April 3, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – Classes resumed for many Worcester County Public Schools students this week as teachers began using technology to provide online instruction in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With schools closed through at least April 24, educators on Monday launched a variety of distance learning efforts. The online education initiatives began for high school students this week and are set to extend to elementary, middle and intermediate school students April 6.

“It’s been exciting to see my kids,” said Pocomoke High School teacher Michelle Ott, whose classes resumed Monday.

According to Annette Wallace, the school system’s chief operating officer and chief academic officer for grades 9-12, the “continuity of learning” underway in Worcester County’s public schools as social distancing continues will vary based on age and grade level.

Officials are hoping students will benefit from a blend of instructional videos and video conferencing sessions with their teachers. Instructors are using both Schoology and the video conferencing program Zoom to connect with their students.

“We are so proud of the work our teachers have been doing to create amazing online learning spaces in their home where they will film or hold synchronous learning for students,” Wallace said.

Ott, who teaches sports statistics, Advanced Placement Statistics and Advanced Placement Calculus, says she’s holding a Zoom live session with her students every other day. After each session, she posts discussion questions about the lesson. Students are asked to respond and are able to read and discuss their peers’ responses. Ott is also using Schoology to give assignments and assessments.

“As a math teacher … I never imagined myself really delivering content through the computer,” she said. “It’s opening my eyes more. It can be done.”

She was pleasantly surprised by the level of participation her students have shown this first week. Every live session she’s offered has exceeded the scheduled time.

“They were excited to be there,” she said. “They miss school.”

Ott said she’d fielded a lot of questions about grading during the distance learning initiative. While teachers are being flexible with deadlines, she says they are still grading students’ work.

Because there are plenty of questions, particularly among the older students, Ott said high school teachers had set office hours to make themselves available to students. She’s used Zoom, Facetime and text messages in communicating with students

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

since schools are closed.

“The students are really learning how to use their resources,” she said. “In the big picture, they’re really experiencing what college will be like. Although it’s scary and there’s a lot of uncertainty, I think they’re getting a tool they can add to their toolbox.”

Here in Worcester County, one of the biggest challenges associated with distance learning has been connectivity. As a result, the school system has distributed laptops and mobile devices to those in need as well as mobile hot spots to those who lacked internet access.

“There have been some issues with connectivity but I’m hopeful it’s only going to get better,” Ott said.

As far as the long-term impact of the current school closure, educators

are hoping for the best.

“I think it is very difficult to make predictions on how this closure will impact student learning,” Wallace said.

“This is an unprecedented time in our history, but instructional coordinators, teachers and support staff really are rising to this challenge. They are being so creative and flexible when creating learning opportunities for our students, and we are so proud of the team work we have seen.”

She said a key concern for educators was the health and safety of their students. The school system has been able to ensure students have access to food with a meal program.

“With the help of our outstanding school food service team and volunteers, we are addressing this issue with great success,” Wallace said.

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From March 23-27, the school system distributed more than 9,000 meals at feeding sites throughout the county.

Wallace acknowledged that while teachers also have concerns about their ability to ensure a continuity of learning via virtual lessons, she’s confident they’ll find success. She said Worcester County’s teachers were among the best in the nation.

“They are problem solvers and innovators, and I know that through this newest challenge, they will do all they can for students to have every opportunity to learn throughout this time,” Wallace said.

For more information on the school system’s efforts, see the “Parent Guide: Worcester County Public Schools Continuity of Learning Plan” at www.worcesterk12.org.

Wicomico Braces For Tax Revenue Impact On Budget

Page 20

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 3, 2020

80% Of Spending Plan Allocated To Education, Health, Public Safety

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A discussion on the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and various state mandates highlighted a public hearing on the fiscal year 2021 budget last week.

Using a video conferencing program, Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver presented the public with a proposed operating budget of $153,250,029 for fiscal year 2021.

“If anything can be said about this year it’s different than any other year we’ve had in the past, and it’s going to continue on that way for a while,” he said.

The spending plan for fiscal year 2021 includes a $607,537 increase in maintenance of effort funding for the Wicomico County Board of Education, a $828,345 increase for volunteer ambulance services, a $302,089 increase for volunteer fire services, and a $288,904 increase for the Wicomico Public Library.

“This year we actually have money set aside to renovate a building and to go ahead and move into a building for the Pittsville library,” Culver said. “This will be on a lease basis, much like the one that’s there now. But it’s a much better building.”

Culver, however, noted that this year’s budget development came with several challenges.

“There will be some disappointment to some people on certain items, and I’m sorry to say that,” he said. “So much is facing us this year.”

Officials noted the COVID-19 crisis could impact local tax revenue in the coming fiscal years. Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg said he anticipated local income tax revenue to “flatten out” in late fiscal year 2021 and early fiscal year 2022.

“We anticipate that the economic impacts of COVID-19 are going to negatively impact local income taxes, which in the past several years have been increasing rather nicely,” he said. “However, because of the timing of state income tax distributions we expect that any downturn in receipts would occur in late fiscal 2021 into fiscal 2022. We also anticipate weakening of investment income given the current market dynamics.”

Officials also highlighted the challenge of funding the state’s plan for improving the public education system.

“On the spending side, the Kirwan mandate will increase the board of education’s 2022 board of education operating appropriation by $2.6 million,” Strausburg said. “That’s coinciding with the anticipated lessening of local income tax receipts. For those reasons, we are being conservative with spending and any utilization of reserves.”

On the revenue side, Strausburg said the county anticipates an increase in

property tax revenue for the coming fiscal year.

“Without the revenue cap, our real property taxes would rise 2.65% in 2021 because of the increase in the real property base,” he said. “However, because of the revenue cap of 2%, that increase will be limited to $1,174,000, or $382,000 less than what would have been available otherwise. Our property tax rate for the current year we’re in is .9346 cents. We are proposing a revenue cap rate of .9284 for fiscal 2021.”

On the spending side, Strausburg said 80% of the county’s budget is earmarked for education, health and public safety. This year, for example, major expenses include $57.6 million for the board of education, $18 million for the department of corrections, $13 million for the sheriff’s office and $9.1 million for the roads division.

Strausburg also provided an explanation for the increase in this year’s spending plan, which is roughly $4.8 million more than last year’s budget.

“You will see here that our year over year proposed spending is going to increase somewhat, and that might strike you as a bit odd,” he said. “But the reason that’s increasing is because we are anticipating using a bit more of our savings account, our reserve fund, for onetime capital projects.”

Strausburg said new capital spending would be closely reviewed in the first quarter of 2021, but added that ongoing

projects would continue.

“We are not going to make any firm commitments on new capital projects until we have a better understanding of the environment we are going to be in during the first quarter of 2021,” he said.

The coming year’s budget also proposes a 16.5% increase in health insurance premiums, a 6.34% increase in worker’s compensation and a 5% salary increase for eligible employees.

“The state minimum wage is increasing to a maximum of $15 an hour,” Strausburg said. “That is causing what is called wage scale compression, so we are attempting to address that wage scale compression through a 5% salary increase.”

During the public hearing, officials read questions and comments submitted by the public. Wicomico County resident Diane Raubenstine urged county officials to include the Mardela Middle and High School renovation and improvement project in the capital improvement plan.

“I understand we are certainly in uncertain times, but what better time than now to take advantage of all the opportunities Governor Hogan is making available along with his commitment to the allocation of funding for school construction,” she wrote. “The time for us to act is now.”

Superintendent Donna Hanlin also offered her support for the Mardela project.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with the county as we learn what the county considers an appropriate plan for Mardela,” she wrote.

“The Board of Education and Wicomico County Public Schools remains committed to the building and maintaining of appropriate facilities to support optimal levels of student learning and safety.”

The Wicomico County Executive’s Office will continue to take comments from the public. To view the county’s budget presentation, visit www.wicomicocounty.org.

Stevenson United Methodist

Stevenson United Methodist Church

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

Due to concerns over the Coronavirus, Stevenson has halted ALL church related activities.

Our next worship service will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 9am.

We look forward to seeing you then!

In the meantime, please take responsible precautions to stay healthy amid this extraordinary time -and trust in the Lord!

Ocean City Tourism Director Fondly Remembered By All

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The resort community lost a treasured friend and icon this week with the passing of Ocean City Tourism Director Donna Abbott.

Abbott succumbed on Wednesday after a ferocious battle with cancer at the age of 62. Abbott was a fixture in Ocean City for decades, beginning her career in municipal government as public relations director for the town in April 1997. Since 2012, she had served as tourism director, overseeing destination marketing and working closely with the town’s advertising agency to promote Ocean City as a premiere vacation destination.

Abbott grew up in Cambridge and later attended Towson University where she majored in mass communications.

Following college, she began her communications and public relations journey back on the Eastern Shore as a news editor, holding publication management positions in print and radio media.

With her impeccable writing skills and a passion for public relations, Abbott also held positions as public information officer for the Ocean Pines Association and Perdue before joining the Town of Ocean City in 1997.

“Donna dedicated nearly 23 years of her life to the town of Ocean City,” said Mayor Rick Meehan on Wednesday. “She was as devoted as they come and was passionate about destination marketing. She was highly respected by everyone who knew her and her loss will be felt in Ocean City and throughout the state of Maryland.”

Indeed, Abbott excelled at tourism marketing and her fingerprints were all over some of Ocean City’s most successful campaigns. She also tirelessly recruited and retained many of the popular special events in the resort each year and organized press junkets for the mayor and others in several of the town’s target markets each year.

As an avid Orioles and Ravens fan, she loved the state of Maryland as much as she loved Ocean City. She was also deeply respected as a tourism director and public relations manager all over the state. Along with her roles within the town of Ocean City, including

Ocean City Tourism Director Donna Abbott is pictured with Mayor Rick Meehan, left, and Gov. Larry Hogan.

Submitted Photo

the resort’s first communications manager, Abbott was active within the tourism community across the state.

Abbott was the recipient of numerous awards including two Governor’s Citations for marketing and public relations campaigns. In addition, she recently served as Vice chair on the executive board of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations. Throughout her career as public relations director, communications manager and ultimately tourism director, Abbott worked closely with the resort’s hospitality industry including the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, which fondly remembered her in a statement this week.

“It is with heavy hearts and tremendous sadness that we share the news of our beloved Tourism Director Donna Abbott’s passing,” the statement read. “She was so loved and respected and we will deeply miss her and her infectious smile. Prayers and love to her family.”

Beyond all of her professional accomplishments, which were numerous, perhaps most importantly Abbott was a devoted family person, colleague, friend and just a genuinely nice person.

“Not only was Donna a fabulous colleague, but she was a fantastic mother, grandmother and dear friend,” said Meehan. “The only thing she loved more than her profession was her family. Her

mother, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren were her true passion. Ocean City won’t be the same without her, but I am confident the legacy she left with the town will last forever.”

Clearly more than these few words can express was a heartfelt and somewhat light tribute authored by her son Ryan Abbott this week. The tribute spoke fondly of Abbott’s upbringing in Cambridge, including being named Ms. Rescue Fire Company Queen and a ride on the back of her fire truck, wearing a crown and waving to parade attendees. It was a role she would

Page 21

later reprise often as part of her official duties with the town of Ocean City and clearly a role she relished.

“When she became media relations manager for the town of Ocean City, it was apparent she had stumbled onto her dream job, and that job bled into her next job as director of tourism,” her son’s tribute reads. “That job, sharing the joy of the beach with people from all over the world, tossing taffy from Boardwalk trams during all of the parades, was her calling in life.

So many of us ricochet through life without finding that perfect fit. She had it and it showed, and the town of Ocean City is a better place because of her work.”

Abbott passed this week in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented event during which she would have clearly summoned her many talents to help the town of Ocean City navigate. In his tribute, her son said there will be a celebration of her life when the time is right.

“There will eventually be a celebration of life, but I’m not going to let that happen by way of live stream or a remote service,” he wrote. “You can forget that. There will be a gathering, there will be hugs and there will be human touch, just not right away. Once the pandemic gripping the world ebbs and it’s safe to assemble, we will have ourselves a shindig and celebrate the coolest woman I’ve ever known.”

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Ultimatum Possible In WOC Emergency Services Dispute

Page 22

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Frustration with the growing financial strain of providing emergency services to West Ocean City at Ocean City taxpayers’ expense boiled to the surface again during a Thursday budget work session and ended with resort officials considering an ultimatum to Worcester County.

During the budget work session related to the town’s fire and EMS divisions, the issue of Ocean City providing ambulance service to West Ocean City ended with more questions than answers.

The grants Worcester County pays to Ocean City for providing the service outside city limits fall short of compensating the resort. The result is a rough-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ly $400,000-plus deficit that resort officials must fund or seek an equitable means of being compensated by county, either through more stringent collection efforts or an increase in grants.

For the purposes of Thursday’s budget discussions, the decision was whether to include the roughly $400,000 cost of providing service to West Ocean City in the fiscal year 2021 budget, or finding a better way of making sure the town is compensated. In either case, Councilman Mark Paddack said the issue had to be resolved.

“Ocean City taxpayers are paying for fire and EMS service in West Ocean City, but aren’t being fully compensated,” he said. “It’s wrong and it needs to be addressed.”

Councilman John Gehrig said the

town should set the price for providing ambulance service to West Ocean City and should be compensated, either by the individual users, their insurance companies, Medicaid or from the county.

In either case, the town had to be compensated.

“We’re talking about a deficit in West Ocean City,” he said. “We shouldn’t have a deficit because we set the price.

This isn’t a city versus county problem, it’s a collections problem. I’m thinking of this as a business. I don’t care about the government side of this. We provide a service and we should get paid.”

Gehrig utilized a basic business principle to illustrate how the town should be paid for providing the service, suggesting an upfront collection system akin to a simple business transaction.

“We have to be like Taco Bell,” he

April 3, 2020

said. “If you go in there and get three tacos and a Pepsi, you pay before you leave the building.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca agreed, but said the discussion was likely more appropriate in a different forum then budget deliberations.

“We provide a service, but we don’t get paid,” he said. “I think we need to take this to a work session. I don’t think it’s a discussion right now for the budget. We need to find a solution.”

Mayor Rick Meehan said he believed it should be put in the budget to illustrate to the county that Ocean City is serious about collecting what it is owed.

“I think we should put it in the budget,” he said. “We put it in there because it’s the right thing to do. If the county doesn’t acquiesce, it’s on them.”

Budget Manager Jennie Knapp reminded the Mayor and Council simply including the roughly $400,000 request doesn’t mean it will be paid.

“If I put it in the budget and we don’t get it, it will have to be reconciled in the budget,” she said. “It would have to be made up somewhere to balance the budget, and it would probably have to come from fund balance.”

Meehan said recent history suggests if the request is not included in the budget, the county, and presumably the users of the service, will continue to not compensate the town.

“If we don’t put in what we’ve requested, we don’t get it,” he said. “It’s plain and simple. Unless we continue to be persistent, that’s on the county.”

For his part, Gehrig continued to focus on the end user paying for the service simply by paying what is owed to the town for providing it.

“This is a business,” he said. “If they make a call and get service, they have to pay the bill. It’s that simple. We’re not trying to be cold-hearted. That’s just the way it is.”

Paddack agreed it could be a collection issue.

“This is not a case where we’re trying to be mean-spirited,” he said. “We’re coming up with a shortfall of $400,000 to $500,000. Either people aren’t paying it or the county isn’t paying it. Either way, our taxpayers are footing the bill.”

There have been discussions of reworking the county’s fire districts to help fund the ambulance service in areas of the county at-large, areas in which the municipalities are footing the bill. Earlier this year, Meehan and the mayors of the other municipalities addressed the issue with the county although no firm action has been taken.

Under that concept, residents in atlarge areas of Worcester such as West Ocean City could pay a special assessment attached to their tax bill to help support the cost of the service. Paddack said he supported that concept.

“I like the idea of creating fire districts with an assessment to pay for fire and EMS service all over the county,” he said. “It’s totally wrong our constituents are paying to provide service to West SEE NEXT PAGE

DNR Clarifies State Order Forbids Recreational Boating April 3, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With the arrival of April and a typical increase in recreational boating and fishing season around the area, state officials this week clarified just what is allowed and what is not under the governor’s stayat-home directives.

Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday stepped up the state’s response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic with an enhanced stay-at-home directive, essentially saying no Marylander should leave their home unless except for going to work at an essential job or to seek food and other needed supplies or medical attention. While the order does allow for outdoor exercise and recreation, in all cases individuals should adhere to the governor’s directives including maintaining a six-foot distance from others and avoiding groups of 10 or more.

Many questioned just what those orders mean for recreational fishing and boating. On the one hand, the governor’s directives allow for and even encourage exercise and outdoor activity on a limited basis for health and mental well-being during the crisis. On the other hand, the orders limit the types of activity allowed out on the water. In sim-

… $400K Shortfall Hurts OC’s Budget

Ocean City.”

Gehrig reiterated residents in the atlarge areas make a 911 call and receive service without understanding someone is footing the bill. It’s a fair expectation to call 911 and expect service and that should not change, but there is a cost associated with that.

“I think people think the service is free,” he said. “The bottom line is if people think the service is free, they’re going to keep using it. If they know it’s not free, maybe they use the service differently. It seems like a collection problem.”

City Manager Doug Miller suggested perhaps finding a level of funding the town is comfortable with and continuing to provide service to the at-large areas of the county until that level of funding is exhausted.

“One option is to keep it as it is and tell the county whatever we put in is the level of service we’ll provide,” he said.

“When we go beyond that level of funding, we no longer provide the service.”

That option was the preferred option for the majority of the council. A straw poll of the councilmembers suggested that could be the route to pursue although no formal motion was made and no formal vote was taken. The issue of whether or not to include the roughly $400,000 shortfall in the budget will likely be decided during budget wrapup sessions set for Friday.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

plest terms, recreational and commercial fishing are allowed as long as the other directives are observed, but recreational boating is not, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“Under the executive order, no Marylander should leave their home except for an essential reason,” the DNR statement reads. “Therefore, recreational boating is not allowed. Subsistence hunting and fishing -- limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance -- can continue. However, social distancing must be adhered to strictly. No permits for fishing tournaments will be issued by the department until further notice.

Commercial fishing is deemed essential and may continue since it is part of the food supply change.”

Although the directives seem as clear as the muddy bottom of most state waterways, the bottom line appears to be a handful of people- a handful of people including a couple of neighbor or friends should or a father and a couple of kids should not go out on a boat for a joy ride and some fresh air on the water without at least wetting a line and attempting to catch a fish or some crabs for sustenance.

“Recreational boating is prohibited until the governor lifts the executive order or until the state of emergency has ended,” the DNR’s explanation of the directives reads. “However, if an individual is boating to seek food for themselves or their family, boating is permitted. Social distancing guidelines and the prohibition on social gatherings must be strictly followed.”

Page 23

Other forms of recreation on the water are allowed under the directives because they are generally individual activities, according to the DNR directives.

“Since kayaking and paddle boarding are a form of exercise, they are permitted under the executive order,” the DNR guidelines read. “However, guidance on social distancing and the prohibition on social gathering must be strictly followed.”

Charter boats are basically allowed because they fall under the fishing for sustenance category, but again the same social distancing rules apply.

“As part of the food supply chain, charter boats can continue to operate, but must abide by social distancing guidelines and the prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 individual on the vessel at any time.”

Wetlands Created To Mitigate Work Heavy Metal Playground In WOC?

Page 24

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

WEST OCEAN CITY – As part of a mitigation for disturbing sensitive areas during a runway improvement project at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, the town is creating an expansive wetlands area along a nearby creek.

Ocean City and state and federal partners are improving one of the runways at the municipal airport and, as a result, some environmentallysensitive areas along the waterfront end of the runway had to be disturbed. The sensitive areas could not be preserved on-site because of the project.

To that end, Ocean City and its state and federal partners are creating a vast 8.5-acre wetlands area along Ayres Creek just to the north of Assateague Road, Ocean City Airport manager Jaime Giandomenico said this week. In total, a little over six acres would be impacted and a mitigation area of at least that size must be located somewhere within the coastal bays watershed. In simplest terms, an in-kind amount of non-tidal wetlands must be created to replace the wetlands and other environmentally-sensitive areas impacted by the two-phase project at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“We had to remove some obstructions and stabilize the end of the runway closest to the water,” said Giandomenico. “In the process, we had to impact some sensitive areas. In order to get that project permitted, we had to create other wetlands in a sensitive location just off Ayres Creek.”

The creation of a protected sensitive area actually represents a new gain of wetlands in the area. The site disturbed as part of the runway enhancement project at the airport is around six acres, while the newly-created area along Ayres Creek nearby is about 8.5 acres.

“It’s a good thing for everybody,” said Giandomenico. “It’s really a winwin. There are a couple ways of doing it. You can mitigate it on-site if you have the room, but if you can’t, you have to find another area in-lieu. Just because you’re an airport doesn’t mean you get a free pass on disturbing wetlands. All of those rules are in place for a reason.”

Giandomenico said creating the new wetlands area along Ayres Creek made sense because of its closeness to the airport and it’s in the same coastal bays watershed.

“It’s really turn-key,” he said of the roughly $1.4 million project, which is shared by a state and local split. “We put it out for a competitive bid and the work is being completed now.”

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

WEST OCEAN CITY – A business that gives people the chance to play with construction equipment could soon be coming to West Ocean City.

Heavy Metal Playground, a Boonsboro establishment where patrons dig in the dirt, stack tires and smash cars with heavy equipment, aims to open a second location in West Ocean City.

“Everything is lining up,” Heavy Metal Playground’s Mark Stevanus said. “We’re just waiting on approval from the county.”

Stevanus initially approached Berlin officials in February regarding plans to bring a second location of Heavy Metal Playground to the area. While Berlin Planning Commission members liked the concept, they said it would be too loud for a relatively residential area. As a result, Stevanus began looking for property outside town limits. He believes he found the perfect location at 12325 Old Bridge Road in West Ocean City. The property is near the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s an empty lot there,” Stevanus said, adding that it was in close proximity to a go cart track so he didn’t think noise would be an issue. “Go carts are going to be a lot louder than our machines. You probably won’t hear us at all.”

April 3, 2020

At Heavy Metal Playground, customers are able to use the Bobcat E35 to “dig holes, move dirt, smash, drop and bury things,” according to the company website. Stevanus told Berlin officials there were only a few companies like it in the United States and that he’d hosted corporate events for organizations such as Google, Amazon, Volvo and Cisco at his location near Frederick.

He said he had been looking for land in the Ocean City area ever since he’d done a speaking gig in the resort and realized how well his business would fit in. He says Heavy Metal Playground would be the perfect addition to the area because it’s a tourist attraction but is also involved in workforce development. When the machines aren’t being used by visitors, they’re used to train individuals to operate heavy equipment.

“That demand is there,” he said.

At the West Ocean City location, Stevanus said he’d start with four Bobcats and build to as many as 10 machines.

The Worcester County Technical Review Committee is set to review the Heavy Metal Playground proposal next week. From there, it would go to the Worcester County Planning Commission. Though Stevanus had hoped to have the operation up and running by summer, he said progress would depend on how long the current health crisis lasted.

Horoscopes

April 3, 2020

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might be upset about having to deal with problems that are no fault of your own. But you can turn the annoyance into an asset by showing how quickly and how well you can resolve them.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The Bovine's fondness for tidiness pays off when you untangle a situation that seems hopelessly snarled. You might later be surprised to learn who will be expressing his or her gratitude.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Although you can tackle your assignment the way you prefer, it might be a good idea to at least ask for suggestions. Who knows? One or two might even turn out to be helpful.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Make all the changes in your plans or proposals that you feel are necessary before -- repeat, before -- you submit them to your colleagues. You'll come off looking more decisive that way.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): You might feel a mite intimidated in a new environment, be it a job, a classroom or meeting the future in-laws. But enter with a big smile, and everyone will see you as a real take-charge Cat. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): This could be a romantic time for you if you can set aside your cynicism and let yourself believe that someone really cares. If you're already in a relationship, expect your partner to be extra-loving.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): It's a good time to shed any doubts about your abilities. You've proved yourself in the past, so why not accept that you'll do just as well, or better, in dealing with the new challenge ahead?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Your suspicions might be on the mark, but unless you can prove what you assume, you need to exercise that Scorpion discretion and let events unfold without your assistance.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): Be careful not to go over the top this week. Avoid overeating (especially of the wrong foods), or drinking too much, or working too hard. You can do it all, but in moderation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): A family matter is given to you to resolve because you have the gift for bringing quarrelsome kinfolk together.

But while you're playing Dr. Phil, don't neglect your career obligations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Someone of importance shares your goals but disagrees with your plan to achieve them. Never mind. Defending your methods with logic and facts earns you admiration and respect.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Consider getting away, perhaps for the weekend, despite all the demands made on your time and energies.

You'll return refreshed and ready to tackle it all with your usual finesse.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a sense of honesty that makes people believe and trust in you. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Scam Attempts Running High Amid Pandemic The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With every crisis comes an in-kind number of scammers attempting to prey on the fear and anxiety of others and the current coronavirus pandemic has been no different.

In recent weeks, more and more scams have surfaced preying on residents in Maryland and around the local region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some reported scams are health-related, offering vaccines or remedies that simply aren’t available or even possible at this time. Others are financial-related, offering loans and other assistance.

U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert Hur is encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic.

Scams are being perpetrated on citi-

zens all over the country including Maryland and right here on Delmarva.

For example, scammers recently sent out mass emails to people in Maryland purporting to be from a local hospital and offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee.

Other scammers are posing as public health officials and offering fake cures for the virus. Still others are using fake websites that appear to be legitimate, but are actually fake websites that infect users’ computers with harmful malware aimed at collecting personal information that can later be used to commit fraud.

“Fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis are reprehensible,” said Hur this week. “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing fraudsters who prey on our most vulnerable citizens to justice. I urge citizens to remain vig-

Page 25

ilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, emails or websites that request personal information or banking information while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”

Meanwhile, Delmarva Power officials said this week the utility company has seen a spike in potential scams targeting energy customers during the crisis.

Scammers are threatening to shut service off or are offering cash and credit incentives to obtain personal financial information.

“It is unfortunate that scammers are using the public’s concerns around health and financial uncertainty to deceive and harm our customers,” said Derrick Dickens, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Pepco Holdings, the parent company for Delmarva Power.

Page 26

Ryan Lee Wilson OCEAN PINES – Ryan Lee Wilson, 38, of Ocean Pines, died on March 24, 2020 at his home.

Born in Lancaster, Pa., he was the son of Dianne Desmond of Ocean Pines and the late William O. Wilson of York, Pa. Ryan graduated in 1999 from Southwest High in Hanover, Pa. and had an associate’s degree in computer science from YTI in York, Pa. He had a career in sales, finance and insurance for a motorcycle/ recreational vehicle comRYAN LEE pany in Pennsylvania. He WILSON was also a bartender and server for many years, most recently at The Lobster Shanty and Nantucket’s in Fenwick, Del. He loved motorcycles, building computers and computer gaming. Ryan battled Cystic Fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at University of Pennsylvania in May 2015.

In addition to his father, Ryan is preceded in death by his wife, Lindsay;

Obituaries

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

brother, Keith; and grandfather and grandmother, Paul and Marge Desmond of Ocean Pines.

In addition to his mother, Dianne, Ryan is survived by his aunts, Linda Cagiwa, Michelle Grudi and Sally Wilson; uncle Paul Desmond; many cousins; step mother, Eunice Wilson of York, Pa.; step brother, Josh Shaffer; and step sister, Brittany Shaffer.

Due to the current global health crisis, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to www.giftoflifefamilyhouse.org. or fightcf.cff.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Avenue, Berlin, Md. 21811.

To send condolences to the family and

for updated service information, please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

Allen Robert Mumford BERLIN – Allen Robert “Bob” Mumford, age 82, died Monday March 23, 2020 at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Ocean City, he was the son of the late Allen Radcliff Mumford and Naomie Ellen Bennett Mumford. He is survived by his children, Allan Mumford and his ALLEN wife Kim of Berlin and ROBERT Teresa Scott of Salisbury. MUMFORD There are four grandchildren, Lauren Truitt, Cole Mumford, Shawn Scott, and Alex Scott; five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Angeline, Brantley, Skylar and Dallas;

April 3, 2020 and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary Lou Manning and Marian Manning.

Mr. Mumford was a United States Air Force Veteran. He had worked for many years as a boat mechanic before retirement.

He was a member of Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean City, loved being outdoors, boating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, dancing and socializing.

Services will be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Condolences may be sent to the family via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Thomas Grant Wilkes SALISBURY – Thomas Grant Wilkes, 55, of Salisbury, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the family vacation home in Ocean City.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late William Judd Wilkes and Marilyn Bronner Weinberger, and his late stepfather, Carl Stanley Weinberger.

Tom was a graduate of Dulaney High School of Timonium. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences from West Virginia University in 1986 and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Tom had a long career in horticulture that aligned with his love of nature and the outdoors.

One of Tom’s favorite things in the world was THOMAS spending time with his GRANT WILKES beloved daughter, Jessica, watching movies, playing cards, seeing concerts, hiking, and body surfing.

He loved all things outdoors, especially anything having to do with the water, including fishing, boating, body surfing, and spending time at the beach with his family and friends. Tom was always willing to volunteer his time coaching girls’ softball and helping with the James M. Bennett High School Marching Band.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Stephanie J. Willey Wilkes; a daughter, Jessica M. Wilkes; a brother, Chuck Wilkes (Alex); three step brothers, Carl Weinberger (Corri), Dane Weinberger (Neve), and Neil Weinberger (Angie); an aunt, Judith Morgan (Chuck); a cousin, Rich Morgan (Hannah); and a brother-in-law, Barry Caudill. In addition to his parents and stepfather, Tom was also preceded in death by a sister, Susan Elizabeth Caudill.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to NPDPSC, Institute of Pathology, 2085 Adelbert Road, Room 419, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.

Harry Murray, Jr. BERLIN – Harry “Earl” Murray, Jr., of Berlin, was taken to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, March 25.

SEE NEXT PAGE

... Obituaries April 3, 2020

Earl was a life-long resident of Berlin.

He was born to Virginia and Harry Earl Murray, Sr. on Sept. 17, 1938.

Earl graduated from St. James School and was captain of the soccer, football and track teams. He obtained his BA in Business from Elon University in Burlington, N.C. It was there in the HARRY MURRY, JR. cafeteria, that he met his college sweetheart, Donna Kampe.

Earl and Donna enjoyed 58 years of marriage raising their daughters and a few beloved dogs on Turville Creek. Their backyard was always filled with work colleagues, friends and family in the summertime. Earl taught many, young and old, how to water ski and then coached friends on how to eat and pick steamed crabs.

He enjoyed fishing and clamming in the summer and duck hunting in the winter with his family. Earl was also an avid golf and tennis player and enjoyed participating in charitable tournaments in the area.

Earl was distinctively known for his “quick wit” and very dry sense of humor.

He had many different endearing nicknames that he answered to throughout his life.

Earl’s early career began as manager at Kellam Propane. He went on to work as a poultry service supervisor with Ralston Purina. He decided in the mid-80’s to parlay his skills into a successful career as a Regional Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in the animal health division of various pharmaceutical companies.

After retirement he enjoyed a decade of working summers and early Fall at Sunset Provisions.

Earl and Donna spent winters in Florida where Earl continued to surf fish on the space coast. They would celebrate spring each year by hosting their “Annual Strawberry Shortcake Social” in the clubhouse at Paradise Beach Villas. Continuing their desire to entertain their many friends.

Earl was the most wonderful and loving father to his two daughters, Holly Murray Miller (Reid) of Wake Forest, N.C. and Kelly Murray Thompson (Raymond) of Ocean City. In addition, he was an adoring “Poppy” to his two granddaughters, Logan Irene Miller and Reilly Pate Miller of Wake Forest, N.C., and two grandsons, Nathan Richard Thompson and Miles Kane Thompson of Ocean City.

He is survived by his brother, John “Dennis” Murray (Vicki) of Summerville, S.C., and two nephews, Jonathan Murray (Amber) and Drew Murray (Sara) of Berlin.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Chester (Bill).

Additionally, Earl has a niece, Ginger Warren (James) of Berlin, and two nephews, Tom Cropper, Jr. (Tina) and Craig “Big Bird” Cropper (Tammy) of Powellville.

Due to the current restrictions on gatherings, a closed family graveside service was held on March 27, officiated by Rev. Olin Shockley. A Celebration of Life will be considered in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests, donations be made to Macky and Pam

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Stansell House of Coastal Hospice, 1500 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811.

Charles J. Kenny OCEAN VIEW, Del. – Charles J. “Jerry” Kenny, age 83, of Ocean View, Del., passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Atlantic Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Millsboro, Del. Jerry was born in Newfoundland, Canada on Oct. 5, 1936 son of the late William Kenny and the late Catherine (Lawlor) Kenny. He at- CHARLES J. KENNY tended grade school at St. Bernard’s in Fermuse, Newfoundland, Canada and moved to West Chester, Pa. with his family in 1948.

Jerry graduated from St. Agnes High School in West Chester, Pa. Jerry proudly served his country in the US Army as a paratrooper stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He worked as an ironworker for ITE Circuit-

breaker Corporation in Philadelphia, Pa. and then owned and operated J&J Bulkheading, Inc. in Selbyville, Del. for over 40 years, retiring six months ago.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Chase Alchin, and his siblings, Robert, Thomas, Ned, William, Leo, Gerald, Jeannie, Josephine McCorry and Mary Moore. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rose Marie (Lorenz) Kenny; his three sons, Brian Kenny, Gary Alchin and Rick Alchin; five grandchildren, Kailei Kenny, Madison Alchin, Luke Alchin, Josiah Chicas and Peyton Chicas; two sisters, Catherine Kenny of West Chester, Pa. and Sheila Kenny Boyle and her husband, Joseph of Chadds Ford, Pa.; 16 nieces; and 25 nephews.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be announced at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.

Denny D. Rayne BISHOPVILLE – Denny D. Rayne, age 87, of Bishopville, died Friday, March

Page 27 27, 2020 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Denny was born in Bishopville and was the son of the late Raymond E. and Mary (Cropper) Rayne.

He was a retired poultry farmer and served in the US Army.

He is survived by one son, Denny D. Rayne II and wife Terry of Berlin; two daughters, Debra R. Weber of Monkton, Md. and Deneen D. Rayne of Berlin; five grandchildren, DENNY D. Patrick, Jeremy, Shelby, RAYNE Kasey and Andrew; one step-grandchild, Jordan; and two great-grandchildren, Clara and Caleb.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth C. Rayne in 2019.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bishopville Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 350, Bishopville, Md. 21813.

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

Page 28

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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S

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

ome stories from week two of quarantine, or is it week three? No matter, the days are all running together. Here are some thoughts on our experiences and fortunately today they have nothing to do with chasing after my son in a golf cart.

•There are worse things than having to stay around the house with your family all the time. However, at the risk of sounding insensitive, balance is also important in life.

We are accustomed to being active, juggling work and home responsibilities. A few weeks ago, a typical day for us involved getting the kids ready for school, working, picking up the kids, homework monitoring, driving to a sports practice or game and then ensuring everyone was in bed at a reasonable time. The days were full and usually didn’t result in Pam and I wrapping everything up till about 9 at night.

In some ways, this extended period of school closure and canceled activities has been a welcomed break from our hectic routine. There surely has not been a whole lot of rushing around. There’s nowhere to go and no time to be there. It’s been nice to be free.

In other ways, this lack of a set schedule is so unnatural it’s difficult to process on many levels. This downtime when I am not working has given me too much time to think about the world’s pandemic and wondering about the appearance of this new normal we are facing. Overthinking about the uncertain future is probably the worst way to spend this downtime.

I could learn from my kids in this regard. They are embracing this current world and seem to be less stressed and worried. In fact, they are as laidback as I have ever seen them. The

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don’t seem to have a care in the world about anything, especially regarding the importance of going to bed at a reasonable time even if there’s no school to get up for the next morning.

Did I mention we need some balance?

•During homeschooling, both kids have been introduced to Zoom, which is now a well-known word around the house. It’s a video conference platform that allows a teacher to lead a class online with all students appearing in a gallery format on the screen.

Beckett has been doing virtual learning for two weeks now. He has daily Zoom sessions with his teachers. He insists on us leaving the room whenever he has a session.

We eavesdrop, of course, every time for a bit, especially when we hear footsteps when he should be listening to his teacher. I checked around.

Most parents are doing it.

During one session, his science teacher allowed he and his classmates a few minutes to catch up.

What resulted was a bunch of silly antics and everyone talking at the same time. His teacher read my mind when she muted everyone as it was her time to teach. She then proceeded through her lesson and assignments, and the kids were given a few minutes to talk amongst themselves at the end. I went downstairs when I heard her come back on and announce she was signing off since everyone was being silly.

These kids seem to have adapted just fine. It doesn’t appear they miss school yet.

Carson had his first Zoom session with his classmates and teachers this week. It was a bit overwhelming for him. He hid behind the laptop the entire time, poking his head around to be seen by his classmates and teachers only when he heard laugh-

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ing. Going in, I had a bet with Pam the over/under on his screen time was three minutes. After a few seconds of seeing himself, he was gone.

He sat and listened, but he wanted nothing to do with being seen. The result was a moving beach scene I placed where Carson’s face should have been.

•One day this week I challenged Carson to keep track of how many basketball shots he made. There has been a lot of basketball playing in our driveway in recent weeks. The first day he made 44 shots. On another day, which happened to be rainy, Carson said, “zero”. I joked with him his math lesson for the day would be to tell me what was greater the baskets he made or the cookies he had eaten. When I went to put the math question on paper, I put a zero and asked how many cookies he had. He said three, which I laughed off as ridiculous. He put the less than sign after the zero. I told him at least he got that right because the cookies estimate was way off. He then ran off to the pantry and hid somewhere with a few more cookies.

•It was around 3 in the afternoon.

When I told the boys the school work was done for the day, I left their bedrooms, saying, “you guys can have a break, but you can’t stay on electronics the rest of the night.”

As I closed the door, I couldn’t help but smile. I could hear each boy laughing as I walked down the stairs. They knew the statement came with little to no teeth. In reality, I was thinking do what you want, just leave me out of it and don’t get hurt.

(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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Business And Real Estate News

April 3, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Cares Head Named

Construction Completed

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Lauren Herlihy has been named president of SoDel Cares, the charitable arm of SoDel Concepts, a hospitality group with 12 restaurants in Sussex County, Del. Herlihy, who is a director of operations for SoDel Concepts, will serve a two-year term.

For the past two years, she’s been active on the organizing committee for the annual SoLAUREN HERLIHY Del Cares fundraiser.

“Lauren is an integral and valued member of our team,” said Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts and the founder of SoDel Cares. “She is always looking for growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. She is already familiar with SoDel Cares, and the board felt that she would be a wonderful leader.”

The foundation was created to honor the philanthropic work of SoDel Concepts’ founder, Matt Haley, who died in 2014.

Other board members include Kammerer, Lindsey Barry, who is the past president, Alan Levin and Nelia Dolan, currently the vice president.

SALISBURY – Gillis Gilkerson, a construction management, general contracting and development firm, announced the completion of the Ocean Landings, two-pad development on Samuel Bowen Boulevard in Berlin.

“The location of this project had great visibility along Route 50 in front of an active and expanding shopping center,” said Dwight Miller, president, Gillis Gilkerson. “We greatly appreciate the return business from Aspen Dental and the opportunity to build new locations for both businesses’ growth near the beach.”

The project included new construction of 2,000-square-foot shell for Verizon and 3,500 square feet Aspen Dental shell and fit out. The two singlestory buildings are wooden and steel framed construction with brick and exterior insulation and finish system façade.

“Gillis Gilkerson was able to work through some tough circumstances to get the job done,” said Patrick Zieno, construction manager, Aspen Dental Management. “We are happy with the final results of the build and glad to be open for business.”

Gillis Gilkerson project manager Greg Ennis and superintendent Steve Eshleman managed the project. There is an additional 1,500 square feet of space shelled out and ready for lease.

Top 100 Women Listing SALISBURY – The Daily Record recently named Salisbury’s Meredith Mears to its 2020 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. This year marks the 25th anniversary of award, which was founded in 1996 to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of the state’s women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.

"These women lead companies, create change, break barriers, chart new territory and make a difference at home, at work and in their communities," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. "Additionally, Maryland's Top 100 Women mentor others and inspire future generations. Top 100 Women help others see something special in themselves, something they might not have known was there. We at The Daily Record are honored to recognize these leaders in our community and beyond."

“I’m both humbled MEREDITH MEARS and honored to receive recognition for the important work that goes into the daily grind of business, the growth of our community and perhaps most importantly, the mentoring of our youth,” said Mears. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand beside the phenomenal women who have also been recognized for their work.”

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Training Coordinator Named SALISBURY – The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Eastern Region at Salisbury University announced the appointment of Catherine Raley as training coordinator in the Salisbury office.

Raley is a recent graduate from SU’s M.S. in Applied Health Physiology Program. She has professional experience in higher education, fundraising, clinical exercise physiology, recreation and event plan- CATHERINE RALEY ning. She previously worked as the graduate assistant for the Salisbury University Foundation, Inc. and Sea Gull Century (SGC) bicycle tour.

“Having Catherine on board is an exciting opportunity for us,” said John Hickman, SBDC regional director. “Her energy and passion for organization is an excellent attribute to focus on the entrepreneurship potential and assist in the Eastern Shore region’s need for training and new workshops.”

An outreach of SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, the SBDC serves the citizens of Maryland in improving the success of their small businesses through low cost training, no fee consulting and research.

Page 29

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Page 30

The four Horseman of Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City Jim Spicknall, Ed Ahlquist, Tom Southwell, and Dick Clagett worked with the serving team during the February pancake breakfast.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

People

By Jeanette Deskiewicz

FEATuRING THOSE HELPING CAuSES IN THE RESORT AREA

Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department EMT Fletcher Case and Paramedic Alexander Lasley helped with traffic flow for the Auxiliary’s Carrabba’s Carryout Dinner Fundraiser.

In Society

April 3, 2020

Ocean Pines Chamber President Kerrie Bunting thanked Ocean Downs Casino’s Nancy Dofflemyer and Kate Maloney for hosting the March Business After Hours.

All hands were on deck for the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Carrabba’s Carry-out Dinner with Krista Redina, Bev, David, Ed and Thelma Gault, and Susan Childs delivering orders to the cars.

Celebrating her birthday and 53 years of marriage were Jennifer Albright and her husband Jerry, with all their friends during the OC Downtown Association March After Dark.

Big winner at the Ocean Pines Chamber March Business After Hours, Anita Hicks, won a door prize donated by Carol Vaillancourt of JDog Junk Removal.

Partners in crime, Dee Gabriel and Jimmy Farrell, kept members of the OC Downtown Association well-watered and well-fed during the After Dark held at Captain’s Table Restaurant.

Officemates of the new O’Conor, Mooney & Fitgerzald Realtors, James List and Tamara Ivan, joined in last month’s ribbon cutting celebration.

Partners Tom Mooney and Sean O’Conor opened the new office for O’Conor, Mooney & Fitgerzald with a ribbon cutting last month.

During the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean PinesOcean City first pancake breakfast of the year Candy and President Roy Foreman helped out on the floor.

3 Things To Do Now During A Market Downturn

April 3, 2020

Wealth Of Knowledge

BERLIN – You often don’t hear much about the markets when they’re doing well. Life goes on as normal, and you have a sense of security that your financial future is in good hands.

But when the market goes down, people tend to panic. That’s a natural reaction when you see your savings decline right in front of your eyes. You might start having second thoughts about how you could have allocated your money a little differently, but what you can actually do about it now?

First, take a deep breath. You have resources in your corner to help you stabilize your retirement income avenues. No matter how much of your portfolio is tied to the market’s performance, here are three things you should consider doing when the market is declining: Schedule a risk review: How much of your income can be affected by a market downturn? You might think you have a good idea, but do you honestly know? A Risk Exposure Review will tell you the truth and help give you clarity on whether now might be a good time to make some adjustments or to stay the course.

Request a retirement income analysis: This is nothing more than an analysis of the different sources of income you plan to use in retirement, which might include your 401(k), personal savings, Social Security or even a pension. With everything laid out on the table, this will help you think through strategic ways to make your money last as long as you live.

Develop a holistic financial plan: You deserve a great retirement, and we believe a great retirement starts with a plan. However, there’s a big difference between having a financial portfolio and having a financial plan. Sit down with a financial advisor to develop a sound financial strategy that is designed to hold up – regardless of what happens in the markets.

It’s normal to have questions and concerns about your financial situation especially during a market downturn. You don’t have to answer your questions alone – we’re here for you. We have plans and products available to help mitigate further financial loss.

During this time period of COVID19, the Key Financial Services office is working diligently with individuals by teleconference and phone. Call us today at 410-629-0357 for professional financial guidance.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

Page 32

The Dispatch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 3, 2020

Find Silver Linings During Uncertain Time HOW WE SEE IT

In this unprecedented time of anxiety and uncertainty, it’s incumbent upon us to seek out the good things in life.

With a somber future ahead for now, it’s these silver linings in our daily life that require attention and reflection and even celebration when possible.

We have published numerous stories with this objective in mind in recent weeks. We remain committed to continuing reporting the harsh realities of the local news world today, but we see many rays of light in this community each day. We aspire to share these stories with the goal being to provide hope.

Over the last few weeks, a cliché has developed. “We are all in this together” has become the mantra for many. We encourage people to resist the eyeroll from the corniness of the statement. Instead let’s find the truth in the belief. It’s true to survive and endure we have to pull together as a team. We must commit to staying home, keeping our distance from people we cherish and love and be responsible for our own impact on strangers and friends alike.

As he has multiple times over the

last month, Gov. Larry Hogan was frank with Marylanders this week. He said, “Each and every one of us has a chance right now to do something to help our neighbors. Every single Marylander can be a hero just by staying home and by practicing social distancing. This will not only keep you and your family safe, but it could also save the lives of thousands of others. In the days to come, we are going to need to depend on each other, to look out for each other and to take care of each other, because we are all in this together.”

It’s easy to fall into a dark outlook these days. Schools, restaurants, bars, retail stores and real estate offices will be closed for the entire month at least.

More closures and restrictions will surely follow for the month of May. As a newspaper, we want to provide examples of how this community is working together to get through this unprecedented time in all our lives. Inspiration can be found all around us every day and this time is no different.

We just have to look harder these days for it.

The ongoing effort to provide lunch meals to school children in need is remarkable. The work of Hardwire to step in and provide safety equipment for staff at Atlantic General Hospital deserves lauding. The front steps charitable project underway by a local photographer will be a highlight of the day for many.

Stevenson United Methodist Church is looking to literally brighten the lives of pedestrians and motorists by illuminating its beautiful stained glass windows.

Teachers across the county are committing to adapting through communicating with and educating their students in a virtual fashion. Banking institutions and other vendors are showing their commitment to their business partnerships by stepping up and agreeing to mercy requests from customers on payables.

It’s these positive stories spotlighting impressive efforts in our community that will get us all through these dark days. We encourage you to join us in sharing these shining lights of hope by letting us know of any stories that should be told. We look forward to it.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Cure Worse Than Disease Editor: Part I: March 30 was my 71st birthday. My wife and I watched a 211 TV movie called Contagion. The events are eerily similar to what is happening today. It stars Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow. If you haven’t seen it, you might want to watch it.

Yesterday, Governor Hogan in a 45-minute oration, enacted his 26th executive order. He misquoted Dr. Fauci saying “millions would be stricken and 100,000 would die.” Dr. Fauci did not give a death number after mitigation. The governor is fear mongering. Furthermore, Fauci said the rate of illness in New York has started to decline and that should show up with a lag in declining deaths within a few days. The governor is a better speaker than listener. His fear mongering tactics to impose additional constrictors on the already hobbled Maryland economy are unneeded and damaging.

Particularly so for Ocean City which has a fragile seasonal economy.

Recently I googled Saint Corona and learned she lived in Damascus, Syria and was martyred as a professed Christian around 160AD. She is venerated by those seeking luck over money, gambling or treasure hunting. She is not the Saint of epidemics although on the internet a group of Germans were praying to her. My opinion of the Germans will

always be tainted by a picture of Germans on the internet praying to Saint Corona.

The good news is that the medication approved in America for Malaria prevention, hydroxychloroquine, works and is being used. On our trip to Africa 10 years ago my wife and I had to take it, one a day for 10 days.

Dr. Fauci and the scientific community are of one opinion saying the government is trying to “flatten the bell curve.” What does that mean?

The bell curve is used in science to talk about the cycles of many living organisms. The steep rise in the bell curve refers to the onset and spread of the disease. If the spread is slowed the steepness of the curve will be flattened and medical system will not be overwhelmed. Therefore, they will be better able to treat infected citizens and consequently resulting in a slowing of the death rate.

Therefore “flattening the bell curve” refers to slowing down the spread of the disease.

The current discussion of above 2% fatality has a good chance to drop significantly more as more and more are tested over the month. Expect the number of infected to go up and the death rate per 100 of infected to drop. Also expect the increases in deaths to start dropping next week. This is a good sign that shows the rate of increase of the disease is slowing.

Due to the federal government’s induced stoppage of demand, the economy likely will recess in the first and second quarters, however I expect it to snap back in the third and fourth quarters. Ocean City should have a rebound in July and August but not a repeat of last summer. By April 15, the virus should be in decline, despite the press’s obsession with this sensational drama.

COVID-19 is easier to catch and more dangerous than the flu. The weighted average age of deaths is 75 years old and few children have been afflicted. Schools should be reopened even if late to finish this year. But will they?

In the Spanish Flu 1918-1920, 500 million were stricken, 27 percent of the world’s population at the time. An estimate of up to 25 to 50 million perished. My Aunt Katina caught the influenza at three years old in 1920. I was told she was taken to the porch of their island home where the cool breeze and warm Mediterranean sun of their island home helped cure her.

We will discuss the risks in the government’s purported $2.2 trillion (could be over $6 trillion) bailout next week. Will it work? What are the risks to our future?

Tony Christ

Support Appreciated Editor: Having proudly served Baltimore SEE NEXT PAGE

April 3, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR for nearly four decades, the health and safety of our guests and team members continues to be our top priority. To aid the country’s efforts to lessen the impact of Coronavirus, we have made the difficult decision to pause our operation until further notice.

Like many in this uncertain time, we are taking each day as it comes.

The situation is constantly changing, as are the needs of the community.

We are prepared to move quickly, reevaluate, and resume operations in Baltimore when it’s safe and legal to do so. We are currently accepting bookings from May onwards.

We are honored to provide dining, private charter and excursion experiences on Baltimore’s historic waterways to guests from around the country and the world. This summer, we will enhance our offerings with the debut of the newly refurbished Spirit of Baltimore II. These visits fuel the local economy and jobs. Our broader industry has called on Washington to establish a fund to keep workers employed and provide emergency liquidity to help keep travel businesses open. Congress must act now to ensure Baltimore’s tourism industry can sustain itself through this painful economic period.

All of us at Hornblower Cruises and Events would like to thank the people along the Maryland coast, Baltimore, and the state of Maryland, for their tremendous support.

Chad M. Barth Baltimore (The writer is the general manager of the Hornblower Cruises and Events.)

Hospice Remains Committed Editor: As an organization with its mission rooted in the health of our community, we want to reassure patients, families and the broader community that Coastal Hospice remains open and available to serve.

Using the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and our local health departments, we are vigilant in the war against COVID19. Our staff is taking every known step to protect our patients, their families and themselves (and their families) against its spread. From logging temperatures daily and selfmonitoring for symptoms to educating caregivers about steps to stop COVID-19 and staying home when ill themselves, our team is diligently assisting those in need.

We recognize that some families are hesitant to have staff members come to their homes. Our chaplains and social workers are providing most care via phone or video chat, except when there is an urgent need. Nursing and aide staff are adjusting schedules to meet needs and minimize intrusion.

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Having a loved one with a terminal illness is never easy; having one in the time of COVID-19 is beyond stressful. Our hope is to help families manage during this time as best as possible. That said, I also must take a moment to recognize our staff on the front lines. They are doing an amazing job with passion and commitment, and we, the management team, are extremely grateful for their efforts, as we know our patients and families are, as well.

We developed a rack card that explains steps that can be taken to protect against this virus. It can be found on our website at www.coastalhospice.org along with a Q&A addressing the questions we receive most. If you would like a copy of the rack card mailed or emailed to you, please call us at 410-742-8732 or email acapen@coastalhospice.org.

Together we will get through this.

Alane Capen (The writer is the CEO of Coastal Hospice.)

Are Liquor Stores Essential?

Editor: With virtually all businesses shut down, in Delaware and in some other states liquor stores remain open.

Governor Carney, when asked about this, said that he had been advised that closing them might flood health care providers – at a time when all are needed to fight coronavirus -with problems due to those calling with withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary widely in severity. Symptoms may occur from two hours to four days after stopping alcohol, and they may include headaches, nausea, tremors, anxiety, hallucinations, and seizures. Although in severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening, in most cases the symptoms do not require medical attention.

Having a healthy skepticism of statements from politicians, I wonder whether liquor stores remaining open is linked to the fact that the alcohol industry spends tens of millions of dollars lobbying federal lawmakers and agencies each year. I cannot ascertain how much they spend in Delaware nor in any other state how much they spend lobbying state officials and donating to their campaigns, but you can bet it is a bunch.

Alcohol is, by far, the most harmful and most costly drug, harming individuals and society alike. Perhaps some good investigative reporting can examine whether it is more likely that liquor stores remain open because the main concern of too many politicians is their re-election!

Ken Abraham Dover, Del. (The writer is the founder of Citizens for Criminal Justice.)

Page 33

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

It’s human nature to wonder when the current pandemic will run its course.

It’s just too early to tell, but it’s natural for dates to be considered. In our area, the seasonal economy is dependent on tourism. For at least the month of April, there will be no tourism, bringing the local economy to a standstill. It’s a devastating situation for many businesses. There is the obvious well-documented health crisis from COVID-19, but it will be months before it’s known exactly how crippling this pandemic will be from an economic standpoint.

At this point, it’s safe to say this dual-headed crisis – public health and financial – could not have come at a worse time for Ocean City. It has all but shut down the hot real estate market, which has a layered trickle down to all other aspects of the economy. The early spring is also the time of year many businesses in the service industry begin seeing the light. If they stayed open through the winter, many businesses have utilized reserves to get through the off-season. Many operators were busy in early March investing remaining funds in their restaurants, hotels, bars and retail stores before getting back onto the positive side of the ledger. The government-ordered shutdown, though the right course of action, comes at a crippling time for businesses.

Governments across the country are also finding the timing to be problematic as it’s budget time. During budget discussions this week, Ocean City Manager Doug Miller again broached the subject of when Ocean City can expect to get rolling again. Miller cautioned everyone to remember health officials are not going to simply allow businesses to one day open without any restrictions. There will clearly be phases associated with how restaurants and bars, for example, will be allowed to return to business.

Normal operations could be months away. One restaurant operator I talked to this week expects his dining room will not be allowed to be at capacity all summer. He expects to be required to sit parties away from each other all summer. He expects occupancy restrictions to apply until the fall. Though a scary proposition for many, he is probably right on the expectations front. Miller discussed something similar this week.

“When we do go into recovery mode, it will likely be phased,” the city manager said. “It won’t go from where we are now to suddenly the lights come back on and we’re fully open with no restrictions. If we’re lucky enough to begin recovery in early May, it will be phased in over time. The reality is we’re likely to have restrictions to some degree as we head into mid-May toward Memorial Day.” On the subject of the timeline for this health crisis, there is an interesting website I have been tracking over the last few weeks. It’s projections for when hospitals will become overloaded have turned out to be accurate thus far in many areas, such as New York City. The website is worth a look at www.covidactnow.org. You can enter in the state and county and take a look at the forecasted curve. Though projections are just that, I have found this website to be accurate to date.

For Worcester County, the website predicts peak hospitalizations will occur around April 22, due to the stay at home actions in place. General advice for states and counties where major limitations have been placed on people movements is it will take two months for the virus to work through the curve from start to finish. If that’s to be believed, we are looking at mid-May before we see the numbers fall out of the concerning level.

Of course, the question will then be how much is too much to prevent a reoccurrence. It’s an impossible situation.

The Town of Ocean City and all local governments have not had a hard decision to make yet when it comes to COVID-19.

Springfest’s cancelation was a no-brainer. It’s a month away and society will not be ready or even be allowed to converge in crowds by then.

Closing the beaches and Boardwalk were easy calls because people were bound to engage once warm weather stays around. Shutting down hotels and rentals to non-essential types was also an easy call after reports were heard of groups of young people converging in rooms around the state.

Equally facile was the call to tell people to stay away from Ocean City who do not live here permanently. One day later, Worcester County predictably came through with its own declaration restricting short-term accommodations and encouraging people to refrain from coming here for now.

“We’ve seen some impact with regards to people heeding the directives to just stay away for now and there is evidence of fewer cars on the road and fewer cars in parking lots,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “Still, there are many that aren’t heeding the warnings. Again, we are asking people to please not come to Ocean City at this time. We can’t emphasize that enough. If we all work together and not lose all of the ground we’ve gained, hopefully we can get our season up and going sooner rather than later. … This is incredibly difficult time for everyone, but the only way we can stop the spread of this virus is to work together.”

These are uncomfortable decisions to make because we are a tourism area, but they are simple choices and should not be represented as anything but common sense.

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 34

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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

HELP WANTED BOATYARD HELP: Help need to bottom paint boats. Work is outside with social distancing. Face masks, hand sanitizers & protective gloves provided. Call Harbor Marine 410-213-2296.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SKILLED CARPENTERS & LABORERS NEEDED: Construction company. Must have own transportation. Call 443-880-4327 or 443-373-3687.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLEANERS: Cleaners needed.

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

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GO-CART SMALL ENGINE MECHANIC NEEDED: FT/YR. Call 410-289-4902.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DYLAN’S LAWN CARE: Exp. grass cutting & landscaping. Call 443-944-3559.

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

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

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

Storm Shutter & Window Installers

AUTO

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

Please forward resume to: paola@masterjackwindows.com.

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

FOR SALE 1995 JAGUAR XJB 88,550 MI. $7,300.

410-600-2037

IND IA N RI VER MA RINA NOW H IRING !

•RAMP ATTENDANT •CUSTODIAL/GROUNDS •FUEL DOCK •BOATYARD

COMMERCIAL

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

Please submit contact info & res. to: St. Matthews By-the Sea, UMC, Attn: SPRCK, 1000 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, De 19944 or email: smbts@verizon.net

RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTALS Pool Front Room $199 Family Room $235 2 BR Apartment $315.

3 BR Suite $400.

Currently hiring manpower for

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

#Staysafe #Stayhome

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

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581 SEASONAL RENTAL: 2BR, 2BA, NORTH OC. Luxury, Modern, Reno., First fl. Townhouse w/hardwood flr., deck, pool, parking. Sleeps 5. $12,500 for May-Sept. No pets or smokers.

Cred. ck., ref.’s, sec. dep. For families or professionals. Vic 410-422-5164.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YR, MONTEGO BAY: Multiple properties. 3 & 4BR. From $1,200-$1,600 per mo. + util.’s. 443-513-1150.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEEKLY RENTAL: 4BR, 2 1/2BA. Fully furnished. W/D, Pool, Tennis court. Quiet community. 7 miles from the beach. $2,500 per wk. Call Mike for details. 410-877-3894.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ride the B in OC!

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

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WINTER ROOM FOR RENT: $600 for ea month March & April. Summer Rental May 1-Sept 1. $3,500 per person + sec. dep. & elec. 4 spots available. 443-610-4665.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––--–

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SERVICES Ceja’s Landscaping & More!

PT CHURCH PIANIST/ ORGANIST/ACCOMPANIST: Salaried (negotiable), 6-8 hrs per wk. Accompanies worship service hymns & special music.

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

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

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

COOK: Now hiring, Cook. Send resume to American Legion, Post #166, Po Box 63, Ocean City, MD 21843 or for info call Post Steward 717-756-8552.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

April 3, 2020

•YARD MAINTENANCE •PAINTING •POWER WASHING 410-251-3425 410-202-2545 HOUSE CLEANING BY LOCAL COMPANY, EVERCLEAN: 8 years in business. Affordable rates. Reliable service. Discounts available. 443-856-5301.

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The Dispatch

April 3, 2020

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

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

THIRD INSERTION DEBORAH ULLMANN ESQ 203 2ND STREET POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18222 To all persons interested in the estate of MABEL CAROLYN ISEMANN, ESTATE NO. 18222.

Notice is given that BONNIE CAROL CLAUSS, 727 GREENBACKVILLE ROAD, STOCKTON, MD 21864, was on, MARCH 13, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MABEL CAROLYN ISEMANN, who died on FEBRUARY 9, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of SEPTEMBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 20, 2020 BONNIE CAROL CLAUSS 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, 3-20, 3-27, 4-03

SECOND INSERTION PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON ESQ. PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, P.A. 11791 SOMERSET AVENUE PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18232 To all persons interested in the estate of PATSY MEARS, AKA: PATSY LYNN MEARS, ESTATE NO. 18232.

Notice is given that LOUIS A. HICKMAN JR,. 26742 JOHNSONS CREEK ROAD, CRISFIELD, MD 21817, was on, MARCH 20, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PATSY MEARS, who died on MARCH 4, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of SEPTEMBER, 2020.

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

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 27, 2020 LOUIS A. HICKMAN JR. 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, 3-27, 4-03, 4-10

SECOND INSERTION AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, PA WILLIAM E. ESHAM III ESQ 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, STE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Estate NO. 18236 Notice is given that the SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE of ONTARIO CANADA, appointed PATRICK MIKHAIL, 148 CRICHTON STREET OTTAWA, ONTARIO CANADA K1M 1W2, as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of SAAD ATTALLA HANNA MIKHAIL, who died on JULY 28, 2019, domiciled in CANADA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is WILLIAM E ESHAM III, whose address is SUITE 200, 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND coun-

ties: WORCESTER. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice.

Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Page 35

ESQ., whose address is 616 WILLIAM STREET, BERLIN, MD 21811. At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice.

Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

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 SEPTEMBER, 2020.

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

ANTHONY FLEMING Personal Representative True Test Copy

(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.

SECOND INSERTION

TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 3-27, 4-03, 4-10

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 27, 2020 KIMBERLY B. COOK Personal Representative

AMBER B. WOODLAND ESQ. 616 WILLIAM STREET BERLIN, MD 21811

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 27, 2020 PATRICK MIKHAIL 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 3-27, 4-03, 4-10

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 27, 2020

Estate NO. 18235 ESTATE NO. 18215 Notice is given that the CHANCERY OF SUSSEX COUNTY, DE, appointed ANTHONY FLEMING, 32037 NORTH AUTUMN COURT, LAUREL, DE 19956, as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of ADLYN J. FLEMING, who died on NOVEMBER 10, 2018, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is AMBER B. WOODLAND

To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM P. COOK, IV, ESTATE NO. 18215.

Notice is given that KIMBERLY B. COOK, 3418 W. FIELDER ST., TAMPA, FL 33611, was on, MARCH 20, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM P. COOK, IV, who died on FEBRUARY 21, 2020, without a will.

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, 3-27, 4-03, 4-10

FIRST INSERTION LESLIE CASE DIPIETRO ESQ. PROCINO-WELLS & WOODLAND, LLC 616 WILLIAM STREET BERLIN, MD 21811 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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

To all persons interested in the estate of RICHARD R. NEVILLE, ESTATE NO. 18244.

Notice is given that WILLIAM WALLACE NEVILLE, 24 LINKS LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, MARCH 31, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RICHARD R. NEVILLE, who died on DECEMBER 26, 2019, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of SEPTEMBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 03, 2020 WILLIAM WALLACE NEVILLE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 4-03, 4-10, 4-17

FIRST INSERTION B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES P.O. BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18243 To all persons interested in the estate of ALLAN BAKER MYERS, AKA: ALLAN B. MYERS, ESTATE NO. 18243.

Notice is given that JOHN WAYNE MYERS, 245 SOUTH MAIN AVENUE, ALBANY, NY 12208, was on MARCH 30, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALLAN BAKER MYERS, who died on DECEMBER 11, 2019, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or be-

fore the 30th day of SEPTEMBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 03, 2020 JOHN WAYNE MYERS Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 4-03, 4-10, 4-17

FIRST INSERTION HEATHER R. KONYAR, ESQ. 313 LEMMON HILL LANE SALISBURY, MD 21801

PUT YOUR LOGO IN COLOR FOR JUST $10

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

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

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

ESTATE NO. 18244

April 3, 2020

APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18237 To all persons interested in the estate of DAVID SCOTT DEANGELIS, ESTATE NO. 18237.

Notice is given that CRYSTAL DEANGELIS, 735 BRADLEY ROAD, UNIT 210, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, MARCH 26, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DAVID SCOTT DEANGELIS, who died on FEBRUARY 19, 2020, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 26th day of SEPTEMBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before

that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 03, 2020 CRYSTAL DEANGELIS Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 4-03, 4-10, 4-17

FIRST INSERTION MELVIN J CALDWELL JR, ESQ CALDWELL & WHITEHEAD PA 109 CAMDEN STREET P.O. BOX 4520 SALISBURY, MD 218034520 SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18241 To all persons interested in the estate of MALINDA B. WEST, ESTATE NO. 18241.

Notice is given that JOSEPH FISHER, 11539 SINEPUXTENT ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on MARCH 30, 2020, appointed Personal Representative of the small estate of MALINDA B. WEST, who died on DECEMBER 14, 2019 without a will.

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims to the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims 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 03, 2020 JOSEPH FISHER Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 4-03

Do You Know 15,000 People Read The Dispatch’s Daily Buzz Every Week? Sign Up At www.mdcoastdispatch.com And Get Local News Each Day. NOTICE OF

April 3, 2020

Sports

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

A Look at Local Sports this Week in Years Past In The News

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

With spring high school sports seasons on indefinite hiatus, The Dispatch thought it might be interesting and fun to take a look back at what was making local sports headlines this same week in years past. Many of the players went on to do great things in college both athletically and academically and some now even have kids of their own in local youth sports programs. The following is a look back at the last five, 10 and 20 years.

The following is a brief glimpse of what was making headlines on the sports pages of The Dispatch this week five years ago: •In an early battle of Bayside South powerhouses, Decatur’s varsity baseball team rallied late to defeat Parkside, 4-3. Decatur had its ace Grant Donahue on the mound against the Rams in an early-season test for both teams, but Donahue struggled early and gave up three runs in the second inning.

The University of Virginia-bound starter eventually settled down and held the Rams right there while the Seahawk bats eventually got it going. Several college scouts were in attendance to watch Donahue, Decatur’s Justin Meekins and Parkside’s Hunter Parsons, all of whom went on to play in college.

Decatur scored twice in the fourth to cut the lead to 3-2 and went ahead in the dramatic top of the seventh inning to take a 4-3 lead. However, the drama was not over yet. Brandon McKensie took over on the mound for Decatur in the bottom of the seventh and quickly

loaded the basis, putting the tying and winning runs in scoring position in the final frame. McKensie bore down and got the final out on a check swing-looking strike out to preserve the comeback win. With the win, Decatur improved to 4-0 on the season and knocked off Bayside South rival Parkside in an important early-season game.

•Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team stayed on a major earlyseason roll, winning the prestigious Karl Wolf Classic in Howard County for the third year in a row before routing old nemesis Saints Peter and Paul in an important early season clash. In the championship game against host Howard, the Worcester girls prevailed 17-7. Sophie Brennan led the Mallards with three goals, while Torri Barros scored twice and Grace Tunis and Molly Soule added single tallies.

Worcester then beat Saints Peter and Paul, 16-3, in an early clash between the old rivals. Brennan led the assault with five goals and two assists, while Soule added three goals and three assists.

•Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team fell to old rival Kent Island in a pulse-pounding 10-9 loss.

Kent Island had always been a measuring stick for the Decatur boys program and had beaten the Seahawks three times in the previous year including the Bayside Conference championship game and the state regionals.

Matt LeCompte, Corey Gwin and Jackson Mumford led Decatur to an early 31 lead, but Kent Island went on a late first half run to take a 4-3 lead into intermission. Late goals by LeCompte

This week five years ago, Decatur’s Grant Donahue outdueled Parkside’s Hunter Parsons in a key early-season matchup between the two Bayside South powerhouses.

Photo by Shawn Soper

This week in 2015, Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team routed Kent Island, 13-4, as Payton VanKirk scored five goals and Lexi VanKirk added two. Pictured above is Lexi VanKirk in a different game that same week against Cape Henlopen.

Photo by Shawn Soper

and Gwin gave the Seahawks an 8-7 lead with time running down, but Kent Island tied the game on an extra-man goal won it as time expired, 10-9, to continue their hex over the Seahawks.

•While the Decatur boys fell to Kent Island this week, the Decatur girls’ varsity lacrosse team took care of business against the Buccaneers, 13-4.

Payton VanKirk led the way with five goals, while Blair Yesko added three goals and two assists and Lexi VanKirk scored twice and dished out an assist.

The following are some of the highlights of The Dispatch sports pages from this week 10 years ago: •After dropping a pair of early games, Decatur’s varsity baseball team unleashed a little frustration in Wicomico, routing the Indians, 15-5.

Marshall Betts had two hits and drove in four runs, while James Rossi had two hits including a grand slam. Troy Bennett also collected four hits.

•Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team blanked CambridgeSouth Dorchester, 18-0, in a key early season contest. The Seahawk offense was clicking on all cylinders against Cambridge-South Dorchester in the home opener. Curtis Snyder led the way with four goals, while Brendan Wagner and Johnny Moore each added three goals. Kyle Gilbert and Dominic Quattrini also contributed two goals apiece in the win.

•Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team also had their way with Cambridge-South Dorchester in a 250 rout. The Seahawks scored early and often on their way to the big earlyseason win. Leigh Anne Flounlacker led the Seahawk’s offensive outburst with six goals, while Bethany Howe scored four. Lexi Nathan and Lauren Holloway each scored three goals in the 25-0 win over the Vikings.

•Decatur’s varsity softball team edged Wicomico, 3-1, to remain unbeaten on the season. Maddie Justice was dominating on the mound, scattering four hits and allowing just one run while striking out 14. Justice has allowed just two runs in two starts as the Seahawks improved to 2-0. Kylie Nottingham sparked the Decatur offense with a two-run homer, while Ab-

bie Schoor had a double, triple and drove in a run.

The following is a little snippet of the top sports stories in The Dispatch this week 20 years ago: •Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team pounded Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) rival Salisbury School, 15-3, to remain unbeaten at 3-0 early in the season. Liz Rauskauskus and Ashlee Reed led the way with three goals each, while Lacey Kenworthy and Keemis Khazeh each scored twice. Adding single goals for the Mallards were Alexis Gilbert, Lindsay Powell, Hannah Gilbert, Marissa Lucy and Jamie Schneider.

•Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team fell to heavily favored Kent Island, 15-7, this week. Decatur was just in its third season as a varsity program, while Kent Island was established as a powerhouse on the Eastern Shore. Decatur hung with the Kent Island early until the Buccaneers pulled away and took a 9-4 lead into halftime.

Kent Island closed out the game in the second half and won 15-7. Theresa Penn led Decatur with four goals including three in the first half. Jessica King added two goals for the Seahawks, while Kristie Briddell added one.

“Despite the score, I feel happy with how we played today,” said Coach Lisa Fitzpatrick. “We’re improving every game with our fundamentals. We’re such a young team and a lot of the girls are still learning the game.”

•Decatur’s varsity softball team rolled past Wicomico, 11-4, to remain unbeaten. Jennifer Davis was dominating on the mound and helped her own cause, going two for two at the plate.

Nadia Cortez drove in three runs and Tabitha Hays went 2-4 including a triple and three runs driven in. Lauren Butler also tripled for Decatur, which improved to 3-0 on the season.

•Decatur’s varsity baseball team fell to Wicomico at home and dropped to 2-4 on the season. Wes Maddy started on the mound for the Seahawks and was relieved after three innings by Brian Hazard. Blair Donahue hit a tworun homer and Josh Hay doubled and drove in a run. With the loss, Decatur fell to 2-4 on the season.

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

Ocean City’s beach and Boardwalk had a different appearance in the years prior to World War II. This photo looks north from Talbot Street. The Boardwalk in those days was narrow and raised about four feet above the beach.

On a hot day, bathers would sit under it in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch.

People dressed up to walk on the Boardwalk in that era. As can be seen in this circa 1940 photo, even in mid-day women wore high heels and men wore long sleeved shirts and ties. The attire was even more formal in the evenings.

The beach was narrow and waves often rolled up to the Boardwalk on high tide. It was well into the 1950s until the rock jetty at the Inlet caused lots of sand to build up at the south end of Ocean City. Today the beach in this location is nearly eight times as wide as it was 75 years ago.

The tower-like structure in the background was caused by the Coast Guard to watch for both boats and swimmers in distress. It was removed at the end of World War II. To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingPostcard from Bunk Mann’s collection oc.com.

Things I Like ...

By Steve Green

Notable sacrifices people are making

Seeing my son Zoom with his teachers

Governments livestreaming their meetings Commiserating with business owners these days

Binge watching old Cheers episodes Embracing each day’s silver linings A lab’s love of a ball

The look of a brick patio after a power wash Working remotely

The first grass cut of the year A budding tree

ANSWERS ON PAGE 28

April 3, 2020

Pair Arrested For Domestic Assault OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania couple was arrested last month after allegedly scrapping with each other in a vehicle and causing a disturbance on a downtown side street.

Around 9:30 p.m. on March 14, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to the area of Robin Drive for a reported domestic assault. Upon arrival, the officer met with a couple who told police they were out for a walk when they noticed a female later identified as Hunter Zimmerman, 21, of Chambersburg, Pa., who appeared to be intoxicated and lost.

The couple told police they walked Zimmerman back to where she was staying, according to police reports.

The couple told police they heard a lot of yelling and arguing behind them as they walked away after taking Zimmerman back to where she was staying with a male individual later identified as Nathaniel Tlanda and that they were concerned for Zimmerman’s safety, according to police reports.

OCPD officers responded to the area and heard a female voice belonging to Zimmerman shouting from a vehicle “get off me” and “get away from me,” according to police reports.

As the officers approached, Tlanda reportedly lifted his head from the back seat of the vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle and found Zimmerman and Tlanda crouched down between the front and back seats.

According to police reports, the driver’s side door was open and a box of carryout food appeared to have been thrown out of the vehicle and splattered all over the roadway.

Zimmerman’s clothes were in disarray as if she had been involved in a struggle, according to police reports.

Tlanda was reportedly not wearing a shirt and had various bruises, scratches, bite marks and cuts on his body. The injuries included scratches under his left eye, a laceration under his right eye with fresh blood and scratches on his back and neck.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman reportedly had fresh injuries including bite marks, scratches and lacerations. According to police reports, Zimmerman

Cops & Courts The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

said the injuries occurred while Tlanda was on top of her in the vehicle and she attempted to get him off of her.

Tlanda was arrested for domestic assault against Zimmerman at that point.

When Zimmerman learned Tlanda was being arrested, she reportedly leaped from her seated position and approached the officers to attempt to thwart the arrest, according to police reports. Despite warnings to sit back down, Zimmerman reportedly continued to intervene while shouting expletives at the arresting officers.

According to police reports, Zimmerman attempted to lunge past the OCPD officers arresting Tlanda. In the process, she reportedly grabbed the shirt of one OCPD officer, ripping the radio from the officer’s uniform shirt and destroying officer’s earpiece attached to the microphone. That action caused both Zimmerman and the officer to fall to the ground.

The officer placed his arm behind Zimmerman in an effort to keep both of them from hitting the ground hard, during which the officer sustained abrasions and pain. Only after Zimmerman was subdued on the ground did the officer realize the radio and earpiece had been destroyed.

Zimmerman was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering, resisting arrest, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct.

Glass Bottle Thrown OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania woman was arrested last month after reportedly throwing a glass bottle into a crowded bar while she was being escorted from the establish-

ment.

Around 11:40 p.m. on March 14, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a bar at 28th Street for a report of a female guest throwing a glass bottle in the establishment. The bar manager told police the suspect, later identified as Kelly Jo Emory, 44, of Hanover, Pa., and her group had left the bar after the incident and a male bartender had followed them.

Other OCPD officers located Emory and her group walking on Philadelphia Avenue in the area of 23rd Street and detained them. The initial officer met with the bar manager, who reported Emory became angry when a substance got on her sweatshirt while she was using the ladies’ room. When bar staffers told Emory there was nothing they could do for her, she became angry and would not calm down.

When the bar manager attempted to escort Emory out of the bar, she reportedly picked up a glass bottle and threw it at a high rate of speed back into the bar and a crowd of people.

The bar manager told police the bottle nearly missed a large crowd of people in the establishment, instead hitting a plexiglass wall behind the bar, causing it to shatter, according to police reports.

The shattered bottle and the broken plexiglass wall caused chards of glass and plexiglass to rain down on a group of bar patrons. Several bar patrons told responding officers it was a miracle the thrown bottle did not hit anyone in the crowded establishment. .

Emory was interviewed and admitted throwing the bottle because she was angry about her sweatshirt.

Page 39 She reportedly told police when she threw the bottle, it was not directed at any particular person. The plexiglass wall was valued at $250. Emory was charged with reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property.

Construction Site Tirade OCEAN CITY – A Florida man was arrested on numerous charges last month after allegedly driving over and backing over safety cones in a construction area before launching into an expletive-laced tirade directed at resort police officers.

Around 7:20 a.m. on March 14, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the area of 67th Street observed a vehicle quickly accelerating toward Coastal Highway pushing orange safety cones around the roadway. As the officer observed, the vehicle backed up and wildly reversed, pushing more safety cones around the roadway.

The officer then observed the vehicle accelerate toward a construction area and a crane, driving through the yellow caution tape and more cones, according to police reports. Construction workers in the area reportedly were in the roadway and on the sidewalk trying to replace the cones.

While the officer observed, the driver, later identified as Troy Hudler, 24, of Ocala, Fla., allegedly crawled across from the driver’s side of the vehicle and exited through the front passenger door. The officer approached Hudler and asked what he was doing, but he reportedly answered with a slew of expletives and began to walk away from the area.

Meanwhile, the construction workers continued to scramble to replace the displaced cones and told police Hudler was not part of their crew.

According to police reports, numerous individuals were leaving a nearby hotel and others on hotel balconies were clearly disturbed by Hudler’s actions and expletive-laced tirade. Hudler continued to yell loudly and told officers to quit harassing him and to lock him up, a request they granted, according to police reports. Hudler was charged with disorderly conduct, negligent driving and other traffic violations.

Page 40

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 3, 2020