April 9

The Dispatch April 9, 2021

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Celebrating Spring: The Berlin Chamber of Commerce hosted the Spring Celebration of Hope last Saturday

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One-Year Lease Reached On Fields

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Boardwalk Parade Set For Grads

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Scaled Back Springfest Discussed

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The footprint of the typical Springfest, pictured at the Inlet parking lot, has been modified for next month.

File Photo

OCEAN CITY – With a modified 30th annual Springfest still scheduled to go on next month, resort officials this week approved the tent agreement with a private provider for the event.

The Mayor and Council on Monday heard a request to approve the tent lease agreement for Springfest 2021, which will mark its 30th year May 6-9 in a modified, scaled-back format because of ongoing COVID restrictions on gathering sizes and social distancing.

Special Events Director Frank Miller presented the proposed lease agreement with J.V. Chujko Communication and Event Services, Inc. The proposed contract calls for J.V. Chujko to provide the tents for the mod-

April 9, 2021

ified Springfest event with a total price tag of $68,545, which includes the rental, installation and tear down. With little discussion, the council unanimously approved the tent lease agreement. According to the terms of the contract, time was of the essence for approval with the event now just a month out.

In February, the Mayor and Council approved the modified format for Springfest 2021 because of the COVID restrictions. The event will still take place on the Inlet lot as usual, but the food and craft tents will be spread out and open-sided with strict adherence to social distancing, crowd size limitations and the wearing of masks in the event footprint for example. Throughout the pandemic, Miller has been charged with coming up with modified plans for many of the town’s special events, including the critically-acclaimed walk-through Winterfest of Lights, and his plans for a modified Springfest were well received earlier this year.

In terms of food service, there will be a food tent, but the tent will be open on all sides to create an outdoor feel.

There will likely be less vendors and they will be further spread apart. There will be tables in the food tent, along with an adjacent beer garden with tables, but visitors will be encouraged to purchase food and beverages, find a seat and consume it before moving on. Socializing around the tables will not be allowed and there will be a controlled entrance and exit point to limit crowd sizes within the food tent.

In terms of the traditional arts and crafts, there will be craft tents, but they will have wide, open airy walkways. Miller said he expects less vendors, but interest in the spring event has been solid. The vendors will be properly distanced with plenty of open space. The vendors will strictly adhere to the state sanitation guidelines and there will be sanitizer and wipes throughout the venue.

Perhaps the most noticeable change will be the entertainment. Current state directives do not allow for large gatherings for indoor concerts, so there will be no entertainment tent and no ticketed national act shows. Instead, there will be a single outdoor stage on the beach facing the ocean for smaller free concerts.

In terms of the cost of producing the event, Miller said he was confident Springfest would end up in the black.

Estimated decreases in expenses include lower tent rental costs, the removal of the custom inside stage with lighting and sound systems and, of course, the lack of national acts for ticketed concerts. The net decrease in expenses is estimated at $173,000.

However, losses are expected on the revenue side because of fewer vendors, decreases in beer, wine and merchandise sales and the loss of three days of ticketed concerts. Miller estimated the net gain on the revenue side at around $30,000 to $40,000.

April 9, 2021

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Graduation Parade On Boards Approved

April 9, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

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OCEAN CITY – Stephen Decatur High School’s graduation procession on the Boardwalk will return after resort officials signed off on the request this week.

Decatur’s graduation procession last spring during the height of COVID with stay-at-home orders still in place was perhaps one of the most feel-good events of the early pandemic. For much of the spring last year with gathering limits and other restrictions in place, it appeared Decatur’s class of 2020 would not have a graduation ceremony.

The Town of Ocean City then partnered with the Berlin high school on a unique concept of a graduation procession down the Boardwalk. The graduating seniors went down the Boardwalk in a motorcade of sorts with parents, family and friends lining the promenade and cheering them on.

Although many restrictions have eased, it remained uncertain what Decatur’s class of 2021’s graduation would look like this year. On Monday, the Mayor and Council had before them a request from Decatur to renew approval for the Boardwalk graduation procession again this year and the council unanimously approved the request.

Special Events Director Frank Miller explained the ceremonial procession down the Boardwalk would be held from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, with a rain date of Wednesday, May 26. The procession will begin at the north end of the Boardwalk at 27th Street with a photo opportunity at North Division Street, before the vehicles exit the Boardwalk at Dorchester Street.

Miller explained the 2021 event will mirror the 2020 procession for the most part with one exception. Last year, with gathering restrictions in place, the town provided a live-stream of the graduation procession. With many of the COVID restrictions eased this year, the town will not be providing the livestream and the school is making other arrangements.

“It was so popular last year, the kids and the school are asking to do it again,” he said. “The format is similar to last year, but the town will not be providing a live-stream. The school will be doing a Facebook live of the event.”

On a Tuesday in May, the graduation procession is not expected to disrupt normal activity on the Boardwalk.

Miller said the significant impact will likely be with the Boardwalk trams.

“Weather permitting, up to eight Boardwalk trams may be in operation after 4 p.m.,” he said. “For safety, the trams will cease operating during the procession. The trams will relocate south of Dorchester Street until the procession is complete.”

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 7

Proposed OC Budget Sticks To Constant Yield Tax Rate

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Members of the Ocean City Mayor and Council got their first look at a balanced fiscal year 2022 budget of around $158 million that reflects the constant yield tax rate.

City Manager Doug Miller and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp on Tuesday outlined the fiscal year 2022 budget, launching a two-week process that will ultimately end with an adopted spending plan for the city. The total budget for all funds is around $158 million with the general fund making up around $91 million.

“This is the kickoff to the fiscal year 2022 budget,” he said. “The staff worked with the budget manager to get us to this point. The departments brought us very

thoughtful presentations.”

The proposed fiscal year 2022 budget presented on Tuesday sets the property tax rate at the constant yield rate of .4561, which is slightly higher than the current rate of .4559. For the record, the constant yield is the property tax rate needed to provide the same level of revenue for municipal services and programs as the prior year.

Revenue from real property taxes in fiscal year 2021 was $42,033,993 based on the .4559 tax rate. At the constant yield tax rate of .4561 in the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, the anticipated revenue from property taxes is $42,252,082. For years, it has been the town’s stated policy to set the real property tax rate at the constant yield. Last year, the Mayor and Council set the property tax rate at the constant rate, mean-

ing it remained at the same level as the prior year.

However, 2021 brought a lot of challenges with COVID restrictions hampering many revenue sources. Miller said despite the challenges, the budget presented on Tuesday achieves all the town’s desired goals and financial responsibilities while maintaining a steady property tax rate.

“We’re bringing a balanced budget with a constant yield tax rate,” he said.

“This was a difficult year. This budget satisfies the needs of the departments and the desires of the council.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca asked what the budget would look like if the last year’s property tax rate was used instead of the constant yield rate.

“What would this look like at .4559?” he said. “It’s a slight, slight dollar in-

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crease. I’m a big supporter of constant yield, but I’m a really big supporter of constant rate.”

Knapp said that was considered, but the challenges of the prior year led to the decision to set the tax rate at the constant yield.

“We had some revenue challenges,” she said. “The property assessments were static and COVID had a big impact on room tax and parking revenue.”

Councilman John Gehrig pointed out the ever-so-slight increase in the property tax rate would not impact most property owners. Resident property owners are insulated from any increase in their property taxes by the Homestead Tax Credit, which is set at 0% in Ocean City. Non-resident property owners and commercial property owners are not protected by the Homestead cap, but Gehrig pointed out even with the modest increase, the impact will be minimal for most.

“With a $300,000 assessed value, the constant yield tax rate will amount to an additional $6 per year in property tax,” he said. “That’s 50 cents a day.”

It has long been the town’s stated policy to maintain a general fund balance at 15% of the entire operating budget, a rainy-day fund of sorts for emergencies, and the budget presented on Tuesday accomplishes that despite some needed transfers. Based on fiscal year 2021 general fund expenses, the unassigned fund balance is over 26%, with roughly $10 million available above the stated goal of 15%.

However, roughly $2.4 million of that $10 million has been appropriated to offset fiscal year 2021 losses, reducing the unassigned fund balance to 24%. The budget presented on Tuesday includes an appropriation of a little more than $2 million for various pay-as-you-go projects such as street paving and storm drain cleaning, for example.

There was plenty of good news in the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget presented on Tuesday. Last year, the town lost millions when the municipal bus service was significantly diminished, and the Boardwalk trams did not run at all because of the pandemic.

Normally, the transportation department is funded through service charges, operating grants and a contribution from the general fund. This year, however, the town got a federal Coronavirus Response and Relief grant that should cover 100% of the operating losses of the bus operation. Knapp said that federal grant award of over $3 million will cover the losses in the transportation department and then some.

“No general funds will be used for transportation in fiscal year 2022,” she said. “The federal COVID grant covers all of the losses in transportation. This is the year we all need to thank transportation. The grants will offset all of the losses.”

Knapp later said the federal COVID grant allowed for funds that would have been allocated to transportation to be directed to other areas of need.

SEE NEXT PAGE

… Budget Review Process Underway

April 9, 2021

“The biggest thing in this budget is the grant money for transportation,” she said. “That prevented us from transferring $1.4 million. That pushed us over the line.”

Another area of good news in the fiscal year 2022 budget is the estimated savings in the town’s Other Post-Employment Benefits, or OPEBs. Every two years, an actuary conducts a study to estimate what the town will likely have to pay in OPEB above and beyond the normal pension plan contributions.

As a result of the last study conducted two years ago, the town’s OBEB contribution in fiscal year 2022 will decrease by a little over $1 million. Knapp explained the reduction was the result of favorable medical experiences for retirees over 65 and an updated mortality assumption.

When asked if that trend would likely continue, Knapp explained a new twoyear study is in the works and the assumptions will be reset, but the hopes are that will hold steady and not increase.

“This is the first time it has happened since we set it up,” she said. “…I wouldn’t say it was an anomaly. … We don’t know what will happen with the next study.”

Because of the changing dynamics in the resort, Miller explained the fiscal year 2022 budget includes several new full-time positions in various departments, including funding for nine new police officers, six EMTs, six public

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works positions and the communications operator.

“We need more full-time personnel,” he said. “We’ve expanded the season and there is a tipping point in some of these areas.”

Gehrig said despite all the challenges, the proposed budget accomplishes most of the goals while maintaining the constant yield tax rate and maintaining a healthy fund balance.

“We’re adding nine police officers, six EMTs, six public works maintenance workers and a communications operator,” he said. “We’re adding all of these things, we’re coming out of COVID and we’re still at the constant yield. That’s pretty good stuff.”

Miller explained the proposed budget strikes a balance between anticipated expenditures and revenues, but more importantly, it allows the town to maintain a high level of services and programs for its residents and visitors.

“We do invest aggressively and wisely in our core services,” he said. “We also have been very good about staying ahead of our infrastructure.”

For example, Miller said the fiscal year 2022 includes a $40 million investment in public safety, a $2.6 million investment in protecting the beach with the beach patrol, a $6.2 million investment in trash removal, a $2.3 million investment in the beach and Boardwalk, and millions of dollars for infrastructure, including street paving, canal dredging and storm drain cleaning.

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Hybrid Format Set For Short-Term Rental Town Hall The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – A town hall on proposed short-term rental regulations will be held in a hybrid format next week.

On April 17 at 9 a.m., the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors will hold a town hall meeting to discuss proposed short-term rental guidelines.

The town hall – to be hosted upstairs at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club – will also be livestreamed using Microsoft Teams.

“Live capacity will be limited to 100 people because of COVID-19 restric-

tions,” a statement from the association reads. “Residents will be given priority to speak, and nonresidents will not be allowed to make statements.”

Late last month, the OPA Board of Directors withdrew a motion to approve proposed short-term rental guidelines after spending nearly two hours fielding questions and concerns regarding regulations, enforcement and long-term impacts on the community.

Instead, the board announced plans for a town hall meeting to discuss the proposed guidelines.

“If, from that town hall meeting, adjust-

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ately request board action,” Director Frank Daly, a work group member, told community members last month. “None of that today applies to short-term rentals.

There is nothing in our governing documents that controls short-term rentals or enables us to regulate them in any way.

That’s why this started out.”

According to association officials, there are roughly 180 short-term rentals in Ocean Pines. They noted, however, ongoing issues at three or four properties prompted the association to tighten controls on the short-term rentals.

More than 100 people – including short-term rental owners and representatives from the Coastal Association of Realtors – joined last month’s virtual meeting, and several voiced their concerns about the proposed short-term rental regulations and when they would take effect.

“I think we’re overcorrecting for the sins of a few, and penalizing everyone,” resident Mike Lombardi said.

Community members also called on the association’s board to hold a virtual town hall meeting.

“This is a really big deal,” property owner Theo Margas said. “I really insist that you guys make this town hall virtual, or have everyone be able to show up … I beseech you, this community is beseeching you, to make it a public town hall.”

For more information on the hybrid format, visit oceanpines.org.

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ments need to be made to the short-term rental motion, then it will give the work group time to do that,” President Larry Perrone said at the time. “But we want to have a vote by the next board meeting, and I think it’s appropriate.”

Last year, an Ocean Pines work group began meeting with community stakeholders to draft proposed changes to the association’s architectural guidelines on short-term rental properties.

As proposed, the rental regulations would require single-family residences rented for 28 days or less to have both a Worcester County rental permit and Ocean Pines rental permit and sticker.

It would also require short-term rental owners or representatives to live within 30 minutes of the property and to respond to and address complaints. Rental permits will be withdrawn for a period of one year if residences do not comply with occupancy and safety requirements.

The proposed regulations also require annual inspections to ensure the residence complies with maximum occupancy and safety requirements, which are also outlined. Officials say the proposed guidelines are complaint-driven and match what is required by the county in its short-term rental regulations.

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Boardwalk DJ Given Probation For Noise Ordinance Violations

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BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Washington, D.C., man, charged last summer with numerous counts of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct after blasting music from speakers on the Boardwalk, pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted probation before judgment on several others.

During the month of June last summer, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) received numerous complaints from citizens and businesses about loud music being played on the Boardwalk

by David Halmon, 30, of Washington, D.C. Halmon could often be found on the Boardwalk near 1st Street with two speakers set up playing loud music and occasionally freestyling with two juveniles in the evening hours.

OCPD officers met with Halmon on several occasions and instructed him that he needed to lower the volume of his music to a reasonable level. However, Halmon did not comply with the requests. Throughout the month of June, OCPD officers obtained noise meter readings from various distances from Halmon’s setup to confirm noise violations and support the citizen complaints.

The OCPD determined Halmon’s op-

April 9, 2021

eration created unreasonably loud noise and drew large crowds on the Boardwalk and the area surrounding 1st Street and applied for charges with a District Court Commissioner. As a result, Halmon was charged with 10 counts of disturbing the peace-loud noise, 10 counts of disorderly conduct and two counts of failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order.

In District Court in Ocean City on Monday, Halmon pleaded not guilty to all counts. A visiting District Court judge granted Halmon probation before judgement on six counts of disturbing the peace and he was placed on unsupervised probation for six months.

“The Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City Police Department welcome individuals to express themselves and enjoy their time here in Ocean City,” said OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro. “We do ask that you do so in a manner that does not disturb the peace of others.

Thank you to all of the citizens and business partners that assisted us in this case.”

Anyone wishing to report a noise violation in Ocean City can contact the OCPD at 410-723-6610. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Tip Line at 410-520-5136, or by visiting crimetips@oceancitymd.gov.

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Commission Gives Thumbs Up To Billboard Rebuilding Amendment

April 9, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A change being considered at the county level will allow for the replacement of billboards in Worcester County.

A text amendment that would permit billboards to be replaced received the support of the county’s planning commission last week despite staff’s recommendation against it. The change would allow a billboard knocked down in a storm last year to be rebuilt.

“We just want to be able to put back the billboard that was there,” attorney Hugh Cropper said.

Cropper, representing Jack Burbage, said a summer storm knocked over a billboard Burbage had near Whaleyville. When Burbage made plans to replace it, they realized the county code did not allow for the reconstruction of billboards.

“I never knew this law existed,” Cropper said, adding that other entities in the county had replaced billboards.

He said that Burbage had maintained a modest billboard, not one of the huge steel ones lining portions of Route 50.

“I realize there shouldn’t be any new billboards,” Cropper said. “I realize that we should discourage them where appropriate, but you go up and down Route 50, there’s a lot of stuff there. I don’t think rebuilding this billboard’s going to make any difference.”

Cropper said that if the commission incorporated the restrictions recommended by county staff—that the sign be replaced with in kind materials, that electronic components be prohibited and that signs only be replaced when destroyed by forces of nature—the text amendment would do as intended, nothing more.

“You’re not going to open up a floodgate…,” he said. “It’s just really unfair to say if a true act of god comes along and you’ve got something that’s well maintained and it gets knocked down that you can’t rebuild it.”

County staff, however, expressed concern with the proposed text amendment and wrote in a report to the commission that language prohibiting the reconstruction of billboards had been in the zoning code for nearly 30 years.

“The objective of this language was to intentionally phase out billboards, which have been regulated since the passage of the Highway Beautification Act in 1965,” the report stated. “The proposed amendment is contrary to the spirit of federal, state and local laws.”

Ed Tudor, the county’s director of development review and permitting, told the commission getting rid of billboards in Worcester County had been a “longstanding policy” of local elected officials for years and years.

Commission member Mary Knight

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said that was interesting, considering how prevalent they were.

“This is 2021,” she said. “They’re up and down Route 50. I think they’re effective. I know in my old job we found it extremely effective to advertise on billboards throughout the whole East Coast.”

She said she had no problem with the text amendment. Her peers agreed.

“I can’t see not being able to replace it,” commission member Ken Church said.

The commission voted unanimously to forward the proposed change to the Worcester County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation.

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Former Bay Club Property Transfer To State Moves Forward

April 9, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

The former golf course property off Libertytown Road and adjacent farm land will transition to uses such as “public hunting and trail-based activities” under a state plan.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BERLIN – Plans for the conversion of a former golf course outside Berlin to public trails and timber land continue to move forward.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week agreed to release easements associated with the Bay Club, a former golf course on Libertytown Road set to become public space.

“As attorney for Bay Club, LLC, owner of the property generally known as the Bay Club Golf Course, I am pleased that the county commissioners agreed to sign the Release of Stormwater Management Inspection and Maintenance Agreement,” attorney Mark Cropper said.

“This was a condition of closing on the sale of the property to the Lower Shore Land Trust which intends to sell the property to the State of Maryland, Department of Natural Resources. With this hurdle overcome, the parties should be able to move closer to a settlement date.”

Last fall, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposal to purchase two parcels— the Bay Club and a neighboring farm—totaling 673 acres. As part of the settlement, DNR required that forest conservation and stormwater easements and agreements be removed from the property. Bob Mitchell, the county’s director of environmental programs, said staff worked extensively with DNR and Cropper to come up with acceptable ways to terminate the agreements.

Commissioner Ted Elder expressed concern about the map provided, which he said wasn’t clear, and questioned the state’s intentions for the large property.

“They’re going to tear most of the buildings down,” Mitchell said.

“They’re going to plow up the cart path, they’re going to plant trees there and they’re going to make trails for a trail network … It’s going to add acreage to their forestry stock.”

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Elder opposed, to approve the release of easements for the property.

According to the Board of Public Works agenda last fall, the parcels contain a mix of forests and fields that will be managed by the Maryland Forest Service as an addition to the Chesapeake Forest Lands “for public hunting and trail-based activities such as walking and wildlife observation.” Equestrian trails will also be considered.

First-Degree Assault Charge Filed For Downtown OC Beating Philadelphia Man Arrested

April 9, 2021

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Philadelphia man was charged with first-degree assault last weekend after allegedly attacking and threatening to kill his girlfriend at a downtown residence during an argument over his alleged gang affiliation.

Around 2 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to an area of St. Louis Avenue for a reported stabbing incident.

Upon arrival, OCPD officers met with an individual, later identified as Luis Berrios, 37, of Philadelphia, who was bleeding profusely from his left arm. The OCPD officer rendered aid to Berrios until Ocean City EMS arrived and provided further medical attention.

According to police reports, Berrios told police he had been drinking at a downtown bar with a female friend when an unidentified male accused him of being in a gang. Berrios reportedly told police he denied any gang affiliation, but his female friend got angry because she believed he was lying.

Berrios told police the female went to the bathroom, and when she returned, the couple began to argue. Berrios reportedly told police the couple walked back to their rental condo where the argument escalated. Berrios told police the female got so angry with him, she stabbed him with a kitchen knife, according to police reports. Berrios told police he then went outside and called 911.

The female was interviewed and told a different version of the events. The female reportedly told police she went with Berrios to a Boardwalk bar. Berrios began to drink heavily and became intoxicated to the point he was attempting to fight people in the bar, according to police reports.

The female reportedly told police she advised Berrios it was time to leave the bar, which only made him angrier. The female told police she and Berrios walked back to their rental unit, at which time the argument escalated. The female victim told police she attempted to lock Berrios out of the unit, but let him back in out of fear he was going to break the door in.

The victim told police once Berrios was back in, he became more enraged and punched her multiple times in the face with a closed fist, according to police reports. The victim reportedly grabbed a beer bottle and attempted to pour it out so Berrios would stop drinking. According to police reports, Berrios snatched the empty beer bottle from the victim and swung it at her, nearly hitting her in the head.

The victim reportedly told the police at that point, she reached back to the kitchen counter and grabbed a utensil

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

she believed at the time was a fork. According to police reports, the victim slashed at Berrios in a defensive manner and cut him with what turned out to be a kitchen knife.

At that point, Berrios threatened to kill the victim, grabbed her and pinned her against the refrigerator and continuously punched her in the face and pulled her hair, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police the beating continued for about a half a minute and she told police she feared for her life.

The victim reportedly told police she was able to break free from Berrios, grabbed the beer bottle, gathered her children and retreated upstairs to call 911. According to police reports, OCPD officers interviewed nine children at the scene, each of whom corroborated the victim’s version of the incident.

Berrios was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault.

He was held initially without bond, but was later released on Monday after posting a $5,000 bond. The female who slashed Berrios was not charged in the incident.

Page 15

Smaller AGH Facility Near Approved By Planning Commission

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Atlantic General Hospital has modified plans for a facility on Route 589.

The Worcester County Planning Commission last week approved revisions to the Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) facility proposed for a location on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. Though presented two years ago as a two-story facility, AGH representatives told the commission they now wanted to build a one-story structure.

“Not much has changed and we think it’s a great project,” attorney Hugh Cropper said.

In the spring of 2019, the hospital received site plan approval for a twostory, 99,912-square-foot building. Because needs have been modified in the years since, Cropper said AGH was now proposing a structure that had the same footprint but would only be one story. The 50,349-square-foot building will include pharmacy space as well as medical offices.

“We think it’s a great looking building,” Cropper said. “It’s going to be an asset to AGH.” Engineer John Salm echoed Cropper’s comments about the building’s location on the site.

“It is in the exact same footprint,” he said. “It didn’t move one bit from when the commission approved it in February 2019. Because there’s less space in the

A modified one-story Atlantic General Medical Center is now planned for Route 589 south of Ocean Pines.

Submitted Rendering

building, there’s less requirement for parking.”

The site plan now includes 257 parking spaces, which Salm said was still above the minimum requirement of 199 spaces. He pointed out that the parking lot would be pervious asphalt.

“So the stormwater system is actually

the parking lot,” Salm said.

Kent Doss of Array Architects said the facility had been designed for brand consistency with AGH’s cancer center.

“That’s the material palette we used as a starting point,” he said, adding that variations in brick color were also meant to add to the appearance of the facility.

When asked if there were plans to eventually add a second story to the building, Doss said there were not. He said there was space for an addition on the back of the property if it was needed in the future.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the revised site plan.

Worcester County Receives $6.5M In Rental Assistance

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 17

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BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A rental assistance grant is expected to help Worcester County residents struggling with housing costs.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week approved a grant agreement with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for nearly $6.5 million in emergency rental assistance funding released through the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding will be split between Diakonia Inc. and the Worcester County Department of Social Services.

“We have already put in our application for funding and we are requesting the whole amount our jurisdiction is allowed, which is $6,465,772,” said Kim Reynolds, senior budget accountant for Worcester County.

Reynolds said the county submitted the 16-page grant application last week and that she was now asking the commissioners to approve the grant agreement supplied by DHCD. She said two subrecipients, the Department of Social Services and Diakonia, would administer the grant. Up to 8% of the grant can be used for administrative costs.

“We propose they split the award and split the administrative fees that go along with it,” she said.

When asked how soon the funding would be available, Reynolds indicated there shouldn’t be too much delay.

“We submitted the application last week, which was 16 pages, and they already supplied us with a grant agreement so I believe once we have this uploaded into their portal that the funding will come very quickly,” she said.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic asked if the grants were meant to help renters who hadn’t been paying their landlords during the pandemic.

Reynolds said that was correct.

“It’s only rental assistance and utility assistance,” she said. “It’s not mortgage assistance.”

Mitrecic pointed out the program could still have an indirect impact on mortgages.

“It trickles down because it allows these property owners that have been paying mortgages on these houses that haven’t received any rent to catch up with their mortgage too so it’ll benefit everybody really,” he said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the grant agreement.

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April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 20

County, Berlin Lions Club Strike 1-Year Deal On Little League Fields

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A one-year lease between Worcester County and the Berlin Lions Club will ensure local children continue to have the use of ballfields adjacent to the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a oneyear $50,000 lease with the Berlin Lions Club for the use of the fields next to the county’s athletic complex on Route 113. The lease is intended to give the county and the Berlin Lions Club time to negotiate a long-term solution for the use of the fields.

“We thought it best not to rush through this process to purchase the land,” Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins said.

The commissioners were presented Tuesday with a one-year lease for the fields located on Berlin Lions Club property next to the county’s fields. The lease would give the Berlin Lions Club $50,000 for the use of the fields. In the past, the county has leased the fields for $5,000 a year and subsequently leased them to the Berlin Little League.

Commissioner Josh Nordstrom asked what had changed in the last month or so, since the lease was first discussed by the commissioners.

“Generally, this agreement is based on the lease that’s been in effect for the past almost 20 years,” said Roscoe Leslie, the county’s attorney.

“It’s more or less the same.”

Nordstrom expressed concern about the cost.

“Paying this amount of money per year I don’t think is tenable,” he said.

“But I certainly favor keeping Berlin Little League right where it is as long as we possibly can.”

He went on to ask why the county hadn’t tried to buy the property. Two years ago, the potential purchase of the property, using Program Open

April 9, 2021

Space funds, was included in a Worcester County Recreation and Parks five-year plan. At that time, there was talk of certain convenience stores being interested in the property.

Higgins said Tuesday the county didn’t want to rush through the purchasing process.

“I think there are too many things at play with COVID and what’s going to happen in the next three, four, five months,” Higgins said, adding that staff thought a one-year extension was the best solution.

Commissioner Chip Bertino pointed out that while the language in the lease might be similar to the language in past leases, the amount was significantly higher.

Higgins said that was because staff had been advised another entity was willing to pay the Lions Club $84,000 to lease the land. Because the county spends $50,000 a year on a youth program in Pocomoke, Higgins said he thought that was a fair figure to pay in Berlin.

“We thought $50,000 gave us that year’s time to negotiate,” he said.

When asked if that $50,000 would go toward the purchase price if the county did buy the land, Higgins confirmed that it would.

“We heard you loud and clear at the last meeting,” he said.

Jack Mumford III, president of the Berlin Lions Club, offered a statement from the organization following Tuesday’s vote by the commissioners.

“The Berlin Lions are pleased to be able to continue the legacy of the Berlin Little League on Lions Club property for another season,” the statement reads. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve the local community and provide support for youth athletics. We also appreciate the support of our county executives and commissioners as we work together to build a better future for the residents of Worcester County.”

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Inaugural Maryland Coast Bike Festival Planned For May

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 21

Three Different Rides Available

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

WEST OCEAN CITY – With a month remaining, event organizers are gearing up for the first annual Maryland Coast Bike Festival.

On Saturday, May 8, community members are invited to join the inaugural Maryland Coast Bike Festival, a day-long celebration that starts and ends at the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor.

Event co-owner Salty Selt said the day will begin with a series of bike rides, and participants can register for any of the three routes. The Island Ride (17 miles) features a family friendly loop that explores the area around Assateague Island, while the Surf & Turf (35 miles) and Metric Century (62 miles) loops around Assateague Island and the scenic back country of Worcester County.

The rides will begin and end at the harbor, which will feature live music, food, craft beer, vendors, and paddleboard, skateboard and electric bike demonstrations.

“We wanted to do an outdoor, community event,” he said. “We love the Harbor Day at the Docks event the county puts on and we love the cycling events, so we wanted to do a combination of the two.”

Selt said participants will also have an opportunity to join a cleanup in partnership with 4Ocean. A portion of event proceeds will go to support the nonprofit.

“Because of the concern we have for the environment, we wanted to have a cleanup component to it, as well” he said. “There will be cleanup opportunities not only around the harbor and waterways, but the roadways as well.”

Selt stressed that the event will follow safety protocols consistent with guidelines set by public health officials and established endurance event experts. Start times for the three bike rides will also be staggered to avoid crowds and ensure social distancing.

“Everything will be spaced out …,” he said. “We want everything openair.”

Selt said the Maryland Coast Bike Festival will begin with the Metric Century bike ride at 7:30, followed by the Surf & Turf ride at 8:15 and the Island Ride at 8:45. The start line will be open for all until 9 a.m.

“It gets everyone to come back at the same time,” he said.

Online registration for the Maryland Coast Bike Festival ends Monday, May 3, at 11:59 p.m. Registration fees are $35 for the Island Ride, $55 for the Surf & Turf ride and $65 for the Metric Century.

Every rider will receive a T-shirt, a free beverage coupon for a beer or soft drink, bike mechanics and course support, several well-stocked stations along the routes, que sheets and GPS maps, complementary cold brew energy coffee, and free parking a short walk to the start and finish line.

“For a first-year event, it should be a lot of fun,” Selt said. “We are expecting a good turnout.”

Online sign-ups are also open for cleanup volunteers and event vendors. Fees will be waived for local businesses.

For more information, visit marylandcoastbikefestival.com.

“We’d like to make this an annual event, something that people can put on their calendars,” Selt said. “It’s a great way to start off the spring.”

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April 9, 2021

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Taser Used On Unruly Suspect

OCEAN CITY – A Hanover, Pa. man was arrested on numerous charges after causing a disturbance outside a downtown nightclub and ultimately had to be hit with a Taser.

Around 11:15 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a nightclub on Worcester Street for a reported alcohol overdose. OCPD officers met with the club owner who reportedly told police a person was “going crazy” on the public sidewalk outside of the establishment.

The suspect, later identified as Lefere Alston, 22, of Hanover, Pa., had reportedly been unconscious on the sidewalk and when he woke up, he tried fighting everyone around him.

OCPD officers approached the scene and observed a group of six to eight people attempting to calm Alston down, according to police reports. Alston was reportedly attempting to get back into the club, but was being held back by a security guard. Alston reportedly pushed the security guard’s hands away in his attempts to get back into the club.

As the OCPD officer attempted to assess Alston, the suspect reportedly put his hand on the officer’s chest to keep him back. Alston was warned if he kept pushing the officer, he was going to jail, according to police reports. Alston then shoved the officer one more time, causing the officer to lose his balance and step back due to the force of the shove, according to police reports.

At that point, OCPD officers attempted to place Alston under arrest, but he reportedly continued to resist. A Maryland State Police trooper had arrived to assist and grabbed one of Alston’s arms while the OCPD officer grabbed the other, according to police reports.

Alston reportedly continued to resist as other OCPD officers joined the attempt to restrain him. At one point, an OCPD officer drew his taser and told Alston if he did not stop resisting, he would be tasered. However, Alston reportedly shoved that officer with his shoulder and the officer ultimately used his Taser on him to bring him into compliance. He was charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and other charges.

Refused To Leave Hotel Bar OCEAN CITY– A Baltimore man was arrested last weekend after reportedly refusing to leave a hotel bar at closing time and then scrapping with officers forced to arrest him.

Around 1:35 a.m. last Saturday, Oc ean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a hotel at 21st Street to assist staff. OCPD officers met with a

April 9, 2021

security guard and the suspect, later identified as Reginald Jackson, 51, of Baltimore, in the bar inside the hotel. Bar staff had reportedly told Jackson he needed to leave because they were closing the establishment, but he refused to leave. OCPD officers confirmed with staff Jackson had paid his check and all he needed to do was just leave the bar.

Bar staff reportedly told police Jackson was intoxicated and had tried picking fights with other guests.

OCPD officers asked Jackson to leave the bar, but he continued to refuse and launched into a expletivelaced tirade for them to arrest him, according to police reports. Again, Jackson told if he simply left the bar, he would not be arrested, but he continued his tirade.

OCPD officers asked the security guard if he would like Jackson to be trespassed from the bar, to which the security guard said yes. Jackson was told he was now trespassing and that he needed to leave. When he continued to refuse, he was placed under arrest.

While police were reportedly walking Jackson to a transport vehicle, he allegedly began to twist his body and stopped himself from walking. He was told to cooperate, or additional charges of resisting arrest would be added. Once at the transport vehicle, Jackson refused to get inside.

According to police reports, OCPD officers asked Jackson at least 20 times to get inside the vehicle, but he continued to refuse and started screaming “Help, they are hurting me, Please help,” according to police reports.

Meanwhile, OCPD officers called for another transport vehicle because of Jackson’s lack of cooperation. While he continued to resist, Jackson reportedly let his weight go, causing two OCPD officers to bear all of his weight. With the two officers now on the ground, Jackson reportedly spit in the direction of the two officers, striking one. He was ultimately charged with second-degree assault, trespassing, resisting arrest and other counts.

Hotel Ruckus Leads To Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore man was arrested last week on trespassing and disorderly conduct charges after alleg edly causing a ruckus at a downtown hotel.

Around 1 a.m. last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a hotel at Seabay Lane to assist with an eviction. The officer met with the hotel’s assistant manager, who advised he had received multiple calls in reference to a room on the fourth floor SEE NEXT PAGE

... Cops & Courts

April 9, 2021

about loud music and the occupants bothering other guests, according to police reports.

The assistant manager reportedly told police he had been up to the room to address the complaints and had been argued with and called a racist by the occupants. The assistant manager reportedly told the officer he wanted the occupants evicted and permanently trespassed from the property.

The OCPD officer went with the assistant manager to the room in question and met the occupants, identified as Anthony Leonard, 38, of Baltimore and an unidentified female. The assistant manager advised Leonard and the female they were being evicted and had to pack their belongings and leave.

While the female went inside to pack, Leonard continued to argue in the hallway and was advised by OCPD officers to quiet down because he was disturbing other guests, or he would be arrested. Leonard refused to go inside and pack, instead telling the OCPD officers he worked in law enforcement and “knew the system,” according to police reports.

When asked where he worked in law enforcement, Leonard reportedly would switch back and forth from Baltimore County to Baltimore City. By now, other hotel guests were coming into the hallway to see what the commotion was. According to police reports, Leonard then became fixated on speaking to the management to get his money back. He was advised he would have to leave the property and not to return or he would be arrested. Leonard was reportedly told to call in the morning and work out the details about payment for the room.

The female agreed to get Leonard to leave and find another place to stay for the night and OCPD officers cleared the scene around 1:50 a.m. However, about seven minutes later, OCPD officers were called back to the scene because Leonard had returned to the front desk. When OCPD officers returned, they reportedly found Leonard arguing with the front desk and disputing the charges, and to get his card, according to police reports.

At that point, Leonard was arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct.

While officers were walking Leonard to the patrol car, he reportedly told them “if you ever come to Baltimore, I will treat you with the same respect,” according to police reports.

Drug, Assault Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Chester, Md. woman was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting family members and possessing cocaine during an incident at a downtown rental.

Around 10:30 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department officer was dispatched to a downtown residence for a reported domestic assault and a welfare check. The officer arrived and met with the caller, who reportedly told police his wife, identified as Tonya Wilburn, 46, of Chester, Md., was staying in the residence with his wife’s mother and a juvenile girl.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch The caller told police he had received a call from his daughter, the juvenile staying in the unit, earlier that morning and the juvenile expressed concern about how Wilburn had been acting, according to police reports. The juvenile reportedly told her father Wilburn had been hallucinating and shoved her mother, according to police reports.

Based on the information provided by his daughter, the caller drove to Ocean City from Annapolis to check on the family, and called police when he arrived.

The OCPD officer knocked on the door and the juvenile answered and invited the officer in. The juvenile reportedly told police Wilburn had cornered her and grabbed her arm earlier that morning.

The suspect’s mother reportedly told police Wilburn had pushed her earlier that morning. The two alleged victims told police Wilburn had retreated into a bedroom and had been in there for quite a while, according to police reports.

OCPD officers entered the bedroom and found Wilburn asleep, ac-

cording to police reports. An OCPD officer observed in plain view on a bedroom sink a plastic bag of suspected cocaine along with paraphernalia for ingesting cocaine, according to police reports.

Wilburn reportedly woke up and became irate, kicking on of the police officers attempting to detain her. She was arrested and charged with multiple accounts of assault, possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.

Fake Story Leads To Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore woman was arrested this week after allegedly punching her boyfriend with a closed fist and then lying to a police officer about the incident.

Around 12:25 a.m. on Monday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a residence on St. Louis Avenue for a reported assault. The officer met with a complain-

Page 25 ant identified as Kameron Huem-mer, 19, of Baltimore, who complained her finger was broken and that her boyfriend had caused the injury.

According to police reports, Huemmer’s pinky finger was clearly injured and appeared to be broken. After Huemmer told the officer her boyfriend had caused the injury, she recanted her story and said she did not want to get him in trouble and that she broke her finger when she punched a wall because she was mad at him.

The officer interviewed the boyfriend and got a different story. The boyfriend told police Huemmer was angry at him because she believed he was texting his ex-girlfriend. She wanted to pack up and go home and while he was packing their things, she allegedly punched him in the face with a closed fist, according to police reports.

Based on the investigation, Huemmer was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and providing a false statement to a police officer.

Suspect Held After Knife Used In Domestic Incident

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Milton, Del., man was arrested on first-degree assault charges this week after allegedly slashing at his girlfriend with a knife during a domestic dispute at a midtown hotel.

Around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a hotel at 66th Street for a reported assault that had occurred. Ocean City Communications advised the complainant, identified as Scott Allen, 55, of Milton, Del., had re-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ported his girlfriend was intoxicated and had punched him in the face, according to police reports.

Allen reportedly told police after his girlfriend had punched him, she had locked herself in the hotel bathroom.

OCPD officers responded to the room on the eighth floor and reportedly heard yelling from a male voice inside. Officers knocked on the door and Allen answered and agreed to speak with police.

According to police reports, Allen had dried blood around his nose and blood on his shirt. Allen reportedly told

April 9, 2021

police he and his girlfriend had been drinking in the room and he left around 1:30 a.m. to meet with his sister. When he returned, his girlfriend yelled at him and locked herself in the bathroom, according to police reports.

Allen reportedly told police he grabbed a steak knife from the kitchen and used it to unlatch the bathroom door before putting the knife back on the kitchen counter, according to police reports. He told police his girlfriend then struck him in the face with a closed fist.

Later in the investigation, Allen reportedly altered the story and made no mention of the knife, instead telling police the bathroom door was already unlocked.

According to police reports, Allen told officers his girlfriend was lying in the bath tub and when he went in, she kicked him in the face. OCPD officers then interviewed the victim, who told a similar version of the events. The victim reportedly told police Allen had been the aggressor in the argument and she attempted to hide from him in the bathroom.

While the victim was attempting to enter the bathroom, Allen reportedly slammed her hand in the door, causing the laceration on her finger, according to police reports. The victim hid in the bathroom and she could hear Allen opening a kitchen drawer, according to

police reports.

Allen then reportedly used the knife to open the door and grabbed both of the victim’s hands with his left hand.

Allen then wielded the knife in his right hand and began swinging the knife in a downward motion toward the victim’s wrists, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police when she saw Allen swinging the knife at her, she feared for her life.

The victim was able to kick Allen away, at which time he dropped the knife and released her. Allen then struck the victim an estimated three times in the forehead with a closed fist, according to police reports. OCPD officers inspected the bathroom and found a serrated knife on the floor between the sink and the toilet, according to police reports.

When interviewed again, Allen told police, “I’m ambidextrous, so I can wield a knife with both hands,” according to police reports. When interviewed further, Allen reportedly told police he did not assault the victim. The officer did not say anything and stared at Allen, who recanted his statement and told the officer, “I came at her with a knife, but that was it.”

Based on the evidence and testimony, Allen was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Following

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Community Stepping Up For Beloved Dumser’s Employee

April 9, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Community members are rallying around a long-time Dumser’s employee as she undergoes treatment for end-stage kidney disease.

Late last week, organizer Kathy Grimes launched a Go Fund Me page on behalf of Iris Jarmon, a long-time Dumser’s employee facing mounting medical bills as she awaits a kidney transplant.

“Iris has been with the 49th Street Dumser’s for 30 years,” Grimes said.

“She’s seen babies come in, babies grow up, babies get married and babies have their own babies. Everyone that comes into Dumser’s is part of her family. She’s well-known not only to the people of the Ocean City area, but to the visitors that come back and go in to see her.”

A few years ago, Jarmon was diagnosed with kidney failure. However, she said her health started to decline last September.

“I wasn’t able to work as much,” she explained. “The owner is a very understanding family man, along with the (general manager), who has worked around all the doctors’ visits.”

Earlier this year, Jarmon was hospitalized twice. She’s now receiving dialy-

Campaign To Thank Firefighters In Berlin

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Area residents are invited to help recognize the efforts of Delmarva’s volunteer firefighters this month.

As the Del-Mar-Va Volunteer Firemen’s Association Inc. prepares to visit Berlin for its 91st annual convention, Berlin is asking children and adults to submit thank you notes and drawings to honor volunteer firefighters.

“We’d like to give the community a chance to say thank you by displaying their letters and pictures in the front window of the Berlin Welcome Center for all to see,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.

The Berlin Fire Company will host the 91st annual convention of the Del-MarVa Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the 86th annual convention of the DelMar-Va Auxiliary at the end of the month.

The event is set for April 30 and May 1.

Though the convention has been modified because of the pandemic, members will still visit Berlin for a variety of yearly activities and discussions.

While firefighters from throughout the peninsula are in town, Berlin officials want to welcome them with a display of notes and pictures from local youth. Kids and adults are invited to submit thank you letters and drawings at the Berlin Welcome Center during the next two weeks. Those will be displayed in the welcome center windows from April 28May 3.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

sis for end-stage renal disease.

“My effort is to return to a fully functioning life while waiting for a transplant and going back to work full time,” she said.

Grimes said she wanted to do something to help her friend. With Jarmon’s permission, she launched a Go Fund Me page to help cover her medical expenses.

“She has been in and out of the hospital, but her demeanor is so upbeat … ,” Grimes said. “She’s helped so many people throughout the years, and it was something I felt we needed to do, to reach out, put our arms around her and say now it’s our time to support you.”

Within 24 hours, Grimes said, more than $7,000 had been raised through the fundraising website. And as of Wednesday, community members had donated more than $9,600 toward Jar-

Page 27

“I’m blessed to have family, friends, a church and a community that has given back time after time,” said Iris Jarmon, who is undergoing treatment for kidney disease.

Submitted Photo

mon’s medical expenses.

“There has absolutely been an outpouring of support, and as soon as this Go Fund Me went up people responded

right away …,” she said. “We have people as far as Bulgaria who have reached out, who have worked with her.”

Grimes said those who cannot give financially can also support Jarmon by sending letters of encouragement.

Cards can be mailed to 207 Bayview Lane, Unit 301, Ocean City, Md. 21842, in the care of Kathy Grimes.

“All I want to do is help her and her family,” Grimes said. “I think our prime purpose in life is to help others. Now is a time for us to help someone who has helped all of us in the community.”

For her part, Jarmon thanked her employer and community members for their support.

“I’m blessed to have family, friends, a church and a community that has given back time after time,” she said. “But I cannot do it without help from supporters like you.”

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Midnight Start Time Eyed For Boardwalk Bikers

Page 28

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – It has already been established bicycles will be allowed on the Boardwalk an hour later than normal this summer, but changes could be coming to the start time as well.

Last month, the Mayor and Council approved a proposal to move the stop time for bicycles on the Boardwalk from 11 a.m. to noon from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Last year, with COVID restrictions in place and the trams not operat-

ing, bicycles were allowed on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Throughout much of this winter and early spring in different committees and the Mayor and Council, the discussion changed from moving the start time for the Boardwalk trams to noon and allowing bicyclists on the Boardwalk for an extra hour from the existing 11 a.m. to noon. The Mayor and Council essentially approved the concept last month, although there is still some housekeeping to do to affect the change.

On Monday, there were two measures

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presented to complete the proposed changes in the bicycle stop time on the Boardwalk. The first was an ordinance amending the town code to acknowledge the hours of operation for bicycles and similar vehicles on the Boardwalk will now be established by resolution. That was approved on first reading.

The second was an actual resolution presented formally establishing the new bicycle hours on the Boardwalk to stop at 12 p.m. rather than the existing 11 a.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That was presented on first reading and required no formal action from the council, ostensibly because the aforementioned ordinance had not yet been approved on second reading.

While much of the debate has focused on the bicycle stop time in coordination with the daily start time of the Boardwalk trams, the discussion switched over on Monday to a potential change in the start time for bicycles on the Boardwalk. Currently, bikes are allowed on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day during the summer.

However, Council Secretary and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Chair Tony DeLuca said the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC), through its Boardwalk committee, will be coming forth with a proposal to change the bicycle start time each day from 2 a.m. to midnight.

“I just want to state for the record that

April 9, 2021

the OCDC is coming before the bike committee,” he said. “They’re going to recommend that we move the hours from 2 a.m. to midnight, so that we have it from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m.”

DeLuca said the discussion will likely occur at the next BPAC meeting as it was recently added to the agenda.

“Now, we’re going to discuss this at the bike committee,” he said. “We just make recommendations to the council. I just wanted to let you know that’s in the process of happening.”

OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin confirmed the proposal to amend the bicycle start time on the Boardwalk from the existing 2 a.m. to midnight is going to be presented to the BPAC. “The recommendation came from our bicycle committee,” he said. “We’re going to be making a recommendation to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.”

Irwin later explained the OCDC Boardwalk Committee’s reasoning behind recommending to move the bicycle start time earlier than 2 a.m.

“The intent is to allow the Boardwalk seasonal workers to be able to bike along a well-lighted Boardwalk before 2 a.m. to get home,” he said. “The committee stated that Boardwalk businesses are closing earlier in evening for the past few summers, and that an earlier bike time before 2 a.m. would be useful and safer for them.”

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 30

Obituaries

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Dale Richard Pruitt BERLIN – Dale Richard Pruitt, age 79, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021 at the Macky & Pam Stansell House of Coastal Hospice in Ocean Pines.

Born in Friendship, he was the youngest son of the late Howard S. and Dorothy (Quillin) Pruitt.

He is survived by his wife Linda Watson Pruitt; son Gregory Watson Pruitt and wife Kristen of Berlin; and two grandchildren Heather (Madison Heights, Mich.) and Avery (Berlin). Also surviving is a sister, Geraldine Mitchell of Berlin.

Preceding him in death DALE RICHARD were brothers Howard PRUITT Pruitt and Jack Pruitt and sisters Mabel Rhodes, Doris Donoway, June Livingston and Dorothy Hudson.

Mr. Pruitt was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, and worked as the Superintendent of Public Works in Berlin until he retired. He served his country in Vietnam as a Military Policeman with the US Army 1st Air Calvary Division. He was a member and past Commander of American Legion Post 123. He was a Gold Badge member of the Berlin Fire Company and volunteered for 40 years, serving as Chief and Chief Engineer.

Being an avid outdoorsman, he was a member of the National Rifle Association, life member of the Assateague Mobile Sportsfishermen Association and North Carolina Beach Buggy Association. He also enjoyed gardening in his spare time. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will leave a hole in our hearts forever.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, April 8 at Friendship United Methodist Church (casual dress). Pastor Pam Ward officiated. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Park.

A donation in his memory may be made to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company, 214 N. Main St. Berlin, Md. 21811, or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Mary W. Smith BERLIN – Mary W. Smith, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at her home.

Mary loved life, loved to travel, loved people and people loved her. Her wisdom and kindness impacted the lives of so many. She always had a positive take on every situation and helped her friends to look with hope to their future. Her presence touched so many MARY W. SMITH people.

Born in Port Huron, Mich., she was the daughter of the late F. Granger Weil and Louise (Karrer) Weil. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Henry Smith, Jr., and brother, Stephen Weil. Surviving, are her chil-

dren, Sandi Smith and Mark of Ocean City, Joseph Henry Smith, III and his wife Susan of St. Augustine, Fla., Frank Granger Smith of Berlin and William Stephen Smith and his wife Rebecca of Pittsville. She was an adored grandmother to six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Griffin, Anna, Spencer, Stephanie, Taylor, Rebecca, Caroline, Layna, Parker and Olivia. Also surviving is her sister, Ann Durand of Port Huron, Mich., and her brother, Frank Weil of Bowie, Ariz. And last, she leaves behind her beloved dog Lilly.

Mrs. Smith received her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and worked for many years at Bloomingdales in Rockville as the home economist. After retiring and moving to the shore, she had a multitude of part-time jobs and volunteered for a multitude of organizations including Diakona for over 20 years. She was truly loved by all.

Cremation followed her death. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. A donation in her memory may be sent to: Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804, or the John H. Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Dr., Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Rebecca Lynn Hein BERLIN – Rebecca (Becky) Lynn Hein of Berlin passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2021, due to complications of a lifetime spent battling cancer.

Born on June 28, 1956, to Edward Carroll Myers and Isabel Cecilia Glorioso.

Becky was a graduate of Andover High in 1974. In the years after, she had 3 sons and worked as a bank teller at Union Trust, then later Signet Bank. In the spring of 1996, she moved to Berlin MD, close to the ocean where she had vacationed with her family every summer and the place she had always felt so at peace.

Becky loved the beach, walking the boardwalk, working in her gardens, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. For the past 15 years, she worked at Smokers BBQ Pit. The owners and staff always treated her like family. Becky lived decades beyond the expectations of her doctors. The love for her family gave her the determination to beat the odds time after time. She will be dearly missed and remembered always.

She is survived by three sons, John W Hein Jr, Joshua E Hein, and Jess M Hein; three grandchildren, Elliot, Angela, and Ashton; three siblings, Anthony Myers, Christopher Myers, and Edward Myers; as well as nieces and

nephews.

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

Calhoun Kenneth Carter BERLIN – Calhoun Kenneth Carter passed on Friday, April 2, 2021.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Calhoun Fergerson Carter and Marguerite Estelle (Tyler) Carter. His wife of 57 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Ann (McAllister) Carter, preceded him in death in 2007. He is survived by his daughters, Betsy Carter Clendaniel CALHOUN of Lincoln, Del. and sp- KENNETH CARTER ouse Rick and family consisting of two children and their respective spouses and three grandchildren, and Sandra Phillips of Whaleyville and her spouse Jeffrey and family consisting of two children their respective spouses and grandchildren; brother Maurice of Cocoa Beach, Fla. and his wife Jackie and their family consisting of three children and their spouses and one great grandchild. Brother Clifford passed in 2019 leaving his wife Beverly and three children and six grandchildren.

Ken served in World War II on the Battleship Maryland in the Pacific Theatre.

Kenneth spent several years in Maryland with the Department of Transportation supervising the construction of several roads and bridges, surveying and layout of projects. Kenneth was licensed in Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia as a professional land surveyor. He wrote then Legislative Surveyors Law for Delaware, while serving on the State Board, with the help of several Professional Land Surveyors. Kenneth represented the Town of Ocean City and Worcester County in the rebuilding of the Coast after the March 1962 Storm. He coordinated the cleanup and staked out the Dune Line for the Army Corp of Engineers. He also instituted the erection of the Sand Fence and started the grass planting program in Maryland and Delaware.

Ken represented 90% of land owners as a witness in testimonies in the acquisition of federal taking of Assateague Island. He testified in Court's in Maryland and Delaware on Land disputes. Kenneth wrote the first Zoning Law for both Worcester County and Sussex County, Del. He was very active in many of the development projects in Worcester, Sussex and Wicomico counties, from the survey of land, land planning, development of new lands and salvaging of borrow pits for residential use. He was

Obituaries cost $50 to appear in The Dispatch and photos are no extra charge. Direct all inquiries to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com, fax to 410-641-0966 or mail to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

April 9, 2021 skilled at obtaining permits, layout and supervising construction. Ken was a 73-year Mason, member of Doric #30 Masonic Lodge serving two terms as chaplin.

A funeral service will be held at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin on April 17 at noon. Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Granite Memorials in Bishopville.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriot’s Way, Milford, Del. 19963, or Calvary Church, 301 S.E. Front Street, Milford, Del. 19963. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

William James Cunningham OCEAN CITY – William James “Bill” Cunningham, age 79, a fifth-generation Washingtonian, passed on April 2, 2021 at his Harbour Island home in Ocean City.

Bill was a beloved brother, cousin, father, grand “pop” and uncle.

Bill was born to Wilbur Edward and Rose Loretta (Callow) Cunningham on Jan. 17, 1942, at the “Old” Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. He attended Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia, Saint John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. and the University of Maryland, before joining the U.S. Army Reserves.

Bill enjoyed his childBILL hood summers at the family’s Sherwood For- CUNNINGHAM est home on the Severn River. He worked at the family’s Cunningham Paint Company, then later at ClarkFontana Paint Co. and C.I. Smith Paint Co. before joining National Capital Building & Supply, which after 24 years, he retired as vice president/general manager.

Bill raised his family and lived in Montgomery County for 30 years. Bill enjoyed blue crabs from The Wharf in DC, trips to museums and vacations in Ocean City with his family. He spent the next 16 years in Annapolis before retiring in 2004 to Harbour Island in Ocean City.

In his retirement, Bill enjoyed his home electronics, expanding his world geography knowledge, and watching bald eagles and sea birds. Most of all, he valued precious time and visits with his brothers, his children and his grandchildren. We will greatly miss his sense of humor.

Bill’s final resting place is Gate of Heaven, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Aspen Hill, Md. Viewing will be Tuesday, April 13 from 2-4 p.m. at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Md. Interment will be private for immediate family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Cunningham. Bill leaves behind his brothers, James “Jim” F. Cunningham and John W. Cunningham (Patty), and his children, Karen Furda, Kristy Miers (Clint) and Kevin Cunningham (Cheryl); grandchildren Mary, Matthew, Hope, Brooke, Cole, Justin and Lauren; as well as nephews and nieces.

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

Freeman Arts Pavilion Announces 14th Season Lineup

Page 32

SELBYVILLE – More than a year after COVID-19 forced the Freeman Arts Pavilion to pause its plan on its 13th season, the arts nonprofit announced its 2021 summer lineup.

A week before its scheduled season reveal in 2020, the nation began a supposed two-week lockdown. Like many, Freeman Arts Pavilion, a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, pivoted with the ever-changing health guidelines outlined by state and federal officials.

Last year was devastating for many arts organizations around the world, but Freeman Arts staff and board of directors were determined to provide access to the arts for residents and visitors to Delmarva. In 2020, the nonprofit presented a smaller season, featuring local favorites, tribute acts and regional artists — to crowds of less than 15 percent ca-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Tickets On Sale April 22 For Early Shows

pacity.

Now entering its 14th season, the Freeman Arts Pavilion is honored to “press play” on a season that includes dance, theatre, children’s performances and live music.

Headlining performances include Indigo Girls on June 18, The Mavericks on June 25, Jake Owen on June 26, Clint Black on July 2, Don McLean on July 3, Fitz & The Tantrums on July 10, Grace Potter on July 11, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on July 16, Amos Lee on July 23, comedian Kathleen Madigan on July 24, REO Speedwagon on July 27, Jamey Johnson on July 29, Leslie Odom Jr., on July 30, Straight No Chas-

er on July 31, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on Aug. 7, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Aug. 8, ABBA The Concert on Aug. 12, Black Violin on Aug. 13, Train on Aug. 14, Tower of Power on Aug. 19, Foreigner on Aug. 21, Steve Earle and Los Lobos on Aug. 26, The Commodores on Aug. 27, Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 28, Blackberry Smoke on Sept. 10, Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sept. 17 and Earth, Wind & Fire on Sept. 25.

Crowd favorites, who will once again grace the stage, include the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the First State Ballet and Brown Box Theatre Project.

The Young Audience Series, sponsored

April 9, 2021

by the PNC Foundation, will take place every Saturday morning throughout the season.

Additional performances include Kashmir: The Live Led Zepplin Show on June 17, Austin Colby and Caroline Bowman will return with “Broadway Under the Stars: Stage and Screen Edition,” on June 24, Yacht Rock Revue on July 1.

Choir! Choir! Choir!, an interactive performance sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, on July 8, EagleMania — The World's Greatest Eagles Tribute on July 22, Sonia De Los Santos on Aug. 11, Tartan Terrors on Aug. 18; The Bronx Wanderers on Sept. 4 and A1A — The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show on Sept. 11.

“The mission of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation has been to provide access to the arts since its inception,” said Patti Grimes, executive director. “We worked diligently to continue that mission in 2020 and are thrilled to be able to present a robust season of diverse arts programming as we present our 14th season at our new venue, Freeman Arts Pavilion.”

Seating for performances through July 31 will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 22. The remaining performances will go on sale at a later date to be announced.

“As we work with local, regional and national touring artists, we will remain flexible as they navigate the logistics of tours, which may allow us to add artists to our rosters as those tours continue to come together,” Grimes added.

Along with contactless entry and cashless concessions, this season will feature pod seating, which will allow for proper physical distancing and can seat up to four people. Masks will be required upon entry, exit and moving around the venue. Patrons will also bring their own chairs to all performances.

“As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, our top priority remains the health and safety of our staff, patrons and the artists,” Grimes said.

As an arts nonprofit, Freeman Arts can offer performances for all ages to enjoy with the support of local organizations, such as its Season Sponsors, who include Schell Brothers and Sodoka, Inc. (Sara Chase Carlson). For more information, visit freemanarts.org.

Freeman Arts Pavilion is a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, with a purpose of creating experiences that elevate the human spirit.

This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

Grant support is also provided by the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, the Sussex County Council, and the state of Delaware.

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 33

Two Finalists For New Director Post After Much Discussion, Council

Page 34

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City is moving closer to finding its new Director of Tourism and Business Development, a quarterback of sorts to direct the town’s sales and marketing strategy.

In January, the Mayor and Council signed off on a major overhaul of Ocean City economic development and sales teams and directed City Manager Doug Miller to define a job description for a new leadership position within the tourism department. With an emphasis on economic development and sales in order to attract more family-friendly events, sports teams and groups to Ocean City to fill the resort’s hotel rooms and accommodations, the town is looking for a single individual, or perhaps a small team of individuals in the future, to go out and market the resort and all it has to offer.

Although they wrestled somewhat with the semantics of the title of the new position, council members agreed on the job description and gave Miller his marching orders to begin interviewing and eventually filling the position earlier this year. After posting the employment opportunity, the town received over 100 applications and has now winnowed the list down to two finalists.

“We had over 100 people apply,” said Miller this week in an email. “Of those, we Zoom-interviewed eight.

From there, we had four come in for inperson interviews. We are now down to two finalists. This should wrap up very soon.”

Formalizes Capital Project Plan

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The vision for the new position is to hire a dynamic point person to serve at the top of the town’s talented team that includes communications and marketing, special events, the convention center and recreation and parks, all under one umbrella. While the town already has talented and dedicated people at the head of those departments, the new position would serve as a team leader of sorts.

While the new position would oversee those departments, the real goal is sales. Essentially, the new Director of Tourism and Business Development would focus more on the latter. The intent is for the new hire to hit the streets, knock on doors and really sell all the town has to offer with the goal of bringing more economic development to the resort such as conventions, large groups, sports tournaments and the like.

During earlier discussions, Councilman Lloyd Martin used a football analogy to describe his vision of the new position.

“We already have a great team,” he said. “This position can be like getting a star quarterback. We just need a good team player to pick up the ball and bring it back home. The people we have in place are outstanding.”

For Mayor Rick Meehan, the new position is all about sales.

“The primary goal of this position is somebody who goes out and really sells the town,” he said. “We want this position to have a defined role. We don’t want to put them in a box. We need them to really go out and sell.”

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BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and Council this week formalized the capital improvement plan (CIP) and approved a plan to fund projects not included on the critical list in the future.

Last month, the Mayor and Council narrowed the list of projects deemed critical in the proposed capital improvement plan based on their own rankings and the rankings of the staff. Each year, the town creates a capital improvement plan including projects large and small for funding consideration in the coming fiscal years and in out years.

Those projects are ranked as either critical, very important, important, less important or for future consideration.

The projects deemed critical are just that, projects that need immediate attention and must be funded for public safety reasons, repair failing critical public infrastructure or, in some cases, because the project is already in progress.

The projects in the CIP under the very important list often tip-toe the line between being critical or not, and the projects in that category are most often the ones with the greatest disparity in the rankings. Projects in the other categories are largely considered “nice to haves,” and are included in the CIP for future consideration, or when projects

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ahead of them on the list are completed.

On Monday, the Mayor and Council approved the proposed CIP, formalizing the planning document. City Engineer Terry McGean, who spearheads the CIP process each year, said the final document reflects the Mayor and Council and staff rankings with a few tweaks and changes from when the original document was proposed.

“Per the council’s direction, project rankings were based on the staff rankings, with the exception of Baltimore Avenue, which was elevated to critical, and the sports complex, which was elevated to very important,” he said.

“Somerset Street was accelerated to occur in fiscal year 2022 using OCDC funding. In addition, the downtown recreation complex phasing and funding was modified to accelerate the east park renovations and reflect feedback from state agencies regarding grant opportunities and timing.”

During last month’s discussion, the council approved a short list of critical projects for fiscal year 2022 with a price tag of around $1.5 million. Those projects include continued street paving, replacing a section of bulkhead at Chicago Avenue, upgrading the communication system at the Public Safety Building, repairing the elevator at fire department headquarters, continued storm-drain cleaning and replacing the gym floor and soccer field lights at Northside Park.

One major project left off the critical list in advance of last month’s meeting was a major renovation of the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division Street to 15th Street, including the undergrounding of utilities, the widening of sidewalks, repaving and some streetscaping. It’s perhaps the largest project in terms of investment in the CIP with a price tag that could reach $20 million. As such, it will likely be largely funded with a future bond sale SEE NEXT PAGE

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and paid for over several years.

When the rankings first came out, Baltimore Avenue was on the very important list, largely because of the extensive design and engineering work required. However, at the council’s request, Baltimore Avenue was moved onto the critical list in the final CIP. Like many jurisdictions, Ocean City is anticipating an influx of COVID-related federal grant money for infrastructure projects. Mayor Rick Meehan asked if including Baltimore Avenue on the critical list in the CIP could result in the approval of federal relief funds to expedite the project.

“Are projects such as Baltimore Avenue eligible for federal relief funds? he asked. “It is better to show that with funding identified or without an identified funding source?”

McGean said Baltimore Avenue’s mere inclusion as a critical project in the CIP could help the town secure federal relief funding.

“The most important thing is it’s in the document,” he said. “It shows that it is in our plan and that it is a priority for the Mayor and Council.”

Meehan said it was critical to show Baltimore Avenue remains a top priority for the town.

“I think it’s important to show it is in the plan and we’re ready to move forward with it,” he said.

McGean said he will soon be able to present some preliminary cost estimates for the Baltimore Avenue renovation project after consulting with the utility companies about undergrounding, which will make up the lion’s share of the project, and with the State Highway Administration (SHA) about the costs of repaving and expanding sidewalks. McGean said the Mayor and Council might be taken aback somewhat with the initial estimates, but advised the estimates were just that, initial.

“You may get a little sticker-shocked, but it’s going to be the worst-case scenario,” he said. “We’re still working with State Highway on how much red tape there will be.”

Another project in the CIP that warranted some discussion on Monday was the renovation of the downtown recreation complex between 3rd and 4th Streets. The plan calls for a complete overall of the existing parks that straddle St. Louis Avenue. The project will be done in phases as funding and grants become available.

The initial plan was to start with the wide open west side of the park along the bayside, but in recent discussions, some city officials expressed a desire to include the east section of the park in the first phase. McGean said based on the desire of the majority of the council, renovations to the east section could be moved up in the CIP. However, Councilman John Gehrig said he wasn’t sure a decision had yet been made about the phasing of the project.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“I thought we were still debating the phasing for the downtown recreation complex,” he said. “The west side of the park is that money-maker. That’s the star of this project.”

McGean said the east side was included as phase one in the CIP, but it was merely a place-holder and the exact phasing of the project can be debated further down the road.

“We can continue to discuss the phasing,” he said. “What I heard from you is a desire to accelerate some of those things on the east side.”

Many of the projects in the CIP are pay-as-you-go projects paid for through general fund contributions, while other large projects are bonded and paid for over time. As part of the CIP presentation on Monday, McGean and Budget

Manager Jennie Knapp pitched the idea of creating a capital reserve fund, which would, as the name suggests, create a slush fund of sorts for capital projects that need to be moved up the list, or emergency, unforeseen repairs with big price tags.

“The second piece of this is the process for pay-as-you-go projects,” he said. “I’ve heard complaints before about surprises coming up. This could alleviate some of that.”

McGean and Knapp proposed a one-time installment of seed money in the capital reserve fund, followed by yearly contributions from the general fund.

“We thought about expanding that process,” he said. “We’re proposing a capital project reserve fund. It would be

Page 35

a $3 million initial investment and $1.5 million would be added each year. It would cover unbudgeted emergency projects and repairs. We would maintain a $1 million balance at the end of each fiscal year.”

The Mayor and Council embraced the concept and ultimately voted to approve it.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Council President Tony DeLuca. “I love reserve funds.”

McGean said the capital reserve fund could be used to finance projects that don’t quite make the critical list in the CIP in a given year.

“We know we want to do the critical projects,” he said. “This might allow us to do some of the very important projects as well.”

Page 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

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Page 37

Community

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

News In Photos

The Ocean City Surf Club presented a $1,200 sponsorship check to the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department (OCRP) for its 2021 OCRP Youth Program. Pictured, from left, are OCRP Recreation Manager Travis Davey, OC Surf Club Vice-President Rusty Ruszin and OC Surf Club President Tommy Vach.

Submitted Photos

Lion Bill Kahler was awarded the Dr. Arnall Patz Fellowship for his distinguished leadership of the Ocean City Lions' Eye Screening Program. Kahler has organized and led a team to provide in-school pre-k and kindergarten eye screenings in the Ocean City area. The OC Lions look forward to resuming this program, which was halted by the pandemic. The Fellowship is named for Patz, a distinguished international leader in the advancement of retinal research and past director of the Wilmer Eye Institute of The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Kahler is pictured receiving the award from Past OC Lions President John Topfer.

After a six-month delay due to COVID-19, the Ocean City Lions Club spent a sunny morning last month cleaning up trash along Route 611.

The Ocean City Center for the Arts hosted its First Friday reception and judged show on April 2. Rose Bean won Best in Show for her black-and-white photo, "Justice in the Clouds," in the Art League of Ocean City's annual Corporate Partner Juried Group Show.

Don Hartman, shown during the First Friday opening at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, won honorable mention for his bold, colorful painting in the Art League of Ocean City's Annual Corporate Partner Juried Group Show.

George Sass, shown during the First Friday opening at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, won third place for his black-and-white photograph in the Art League of Ocean City's annual Corporate Partner Juried Group Show.

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 39

Resort Planning Department Makes Case For More Staff

Page 40

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A new full-time staff member for the city’s Planning and Community Development Department could be the first significant addition to the fiscal year 2022 budget introduced this week.

On Tuesday, the fiscal year 2022 budget was introduced and on Wednesday, individual department reviews began. Once the budget is introduced, each town department comes before the Mayor and Council to present what they do, how they do it and any budget considerations.

Those presentations began on Wednesday and will continue through much of the next week. As the individual departments make their presenta-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

tions, the Mayor and Council make notes of various budgetary needs or shortcomings, which come back up for review during budget wrap-up sessions.

It didn’t take long for the first significant addition to come up on Wednesday. Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville made his pitch, outlining the many responsibilities of his department, including, but not limited to, development reviews, building permits, building inspections, housing inspections, housing code enforcement and even Boardwalk code enforcement. The department also acts as a liaison for the planning commission, the board of zoning appeals and other town agencies.

With a recent growth spurt in the town, Mayor Rick Meehan pointed out

Neville’s department needs at least one more staffer to handle the myriad of duties.

“I think you’re one person down in your department,” he said. “I think you need the full complement in your office.

I think sometimes we fall short of all of the goals with code enforcement because of a staff shortage.”

The department has five staff members in the planning and zoning section, including one part-time seasonal Boardwalk code inspector. There are seven staff members in the building and inspection section, including one part-time seasonal housing inspector, along with two staffers in the plumbing permit and inspection section.

The department has become adept and managing the caseload with crosstraining and double duty for some staff-

April 9, 2021

ers. While Neville has not asked for additional staff, Meehan said it was time to bolster the department.

“You’ve held the line too long,” he said. “We’re stretching this department too thin. You can only do so much with what you have.”

Of course, adding a full-time employee with an attractive salary and benefits package would come with a price, but Meehan said it would be a small price to pay for the benefit it would provide to the town.

“I know it’s a budgetary hit,” he said.

“We say why weren’t more buildings inspected, or why wasn’t the code always enforced. You’ve done a great job with what you have, but you need more help.”

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca asked if the role could be filled with a parttimer.

“We’ve heard a lot of comments on delays with permits or delays with getting plans approved,” he said. “Would a part-time staff member fix this?”

Neville explained even a part-timer would need to be trained, which would take time away from the existing staff.

“It’s a very important and very skilled position,” he said. “We’ve benefitted from our part-timers, but we could really use a full-time staff member. There’s a great benefit to the town with a full-time staff member.”

Council President Matt James acknowledged he has heard complaints about delays in permits and inspections and the like, but said it was not a problem unique to Ocean City.

“We do hear the comments,” he said.

“Somebody from your staff checked with other municipalities about turnaround times for permits, and while there is room for improvement, we do better than most.”

Councilman Mark Paddack said the volume of growth and development in the town warranted adding another staffer to the department.

“When you look at the growth on Coastal Highway, there’s a lot of work and permitting going on,” he said. “You are being stretched too thin. We hear a number of complaints from contractors about delays in the permit process and plan reviews.”

Paddack said the department could probably use even more than one additional staffer.

“The Boardwalk inspector should be a full-time position,” he said. “You need a full-time trained and certified staff member. Look at the trend line for growth. We need to be able to ensure it’s constructed properly and up to code.”

For his part, while Neville did not come in seeking funds for a new staffer, he would welcome the help, especially on housing issues.

“I would need to come back with a job description,” he said. “It’s important to have someone wholly focused on overoccupancy and housing issues.”

After some debate, the Mayor and Council decided to revisit the issue during budget wrap-up sessions.

Trimper, Parents Worcester County Eyes Constant Tax Rate Offer Senior Night Of Rides Next Week

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Local parents are working together to ensure their kids have a special senior year in spite of the pandemic.

While schools are limited in what they can do for seniors within current guidelines, Stephen Decatur High School parents are doing what they can to come up with activities to celebrate students’ final year of high school. Next Friday, seniors are invited to Trimper Rides in Ocean City to enjoy an evening of rides, dancing and refreshments at a special $20 rate.

Organizers are hoping it’ll give seniors a chance to have fun with their friends as they finish off their high school careers.

“Not many kids get to grow up in a resort,” said Melanie Pursel, one of the parents involved with organizing the event. “We want them to experience a fun night at the rides.”

Pursel said parents, aware that schools couldn’t offer much in the way of special events with current COVID protocols, have been working together to find ways to make sure their kids have a special senior year. Noting that this year’s seniors already missed homecoming and fall football games, Pursel said parents put their heads together to create new events. With the help of Kim Mueller at the Harrison Group, the April 16 evening at Trimper Rides was organized. For the cost of $20, significantly less than the usual rate, seniors can enjoy unlimited rides from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. They can also enjoy a live DJ, dancing and snacks, which will include blue and white cotton candy. Pursel said parents are still working on collecting donations of snacks and little items to give to attendees.

Tickets can be purchased online at trimperrides.com/Deals by entering the code SDHS. Pursel, who has fond memories of taking her kids to the rides when they were little, says parents are doing their best to come up with ways to celebrate their seniors and show them they’re proud of their academic accomplishments.

Along with the Trimper’s event, some parents are also working with Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery for a special event for seniors later this spring. In addition, there’s an “Adopt a Stephen Decatur Senior 2021” group on Facebook that has been working to provide little surprises like cards and gift baskets to Decatur’s seniors.

Anyone interested in making a donation for the Trimper’s event can contact Mueller at the sales office at the Holiday Inn on 67th Street or call 973-219-6012.

SNOW HILL – As the annual budget process gets underway, Worcester County is advertising plans to keep the tax rate steady.

Though real property tax revenues will increase by .9% in the coming fiscal year, the county is considering not reducing its tax rate to the constant yield level. The Worcester County Commissioners this week approved advertising to maintain the current $.845 rate into the next fiscal year. The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the tax rate next month.

“The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4 at 7 pm,” said Budget Officer Kathy Whited.

According to the advertisement ap-

Page 41

proved this week, the county’s estimated real property assessable base will increase .9%, in coming fiscal year.

If the county maintains its current tax rate of $.845 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by .9%, resulting in $1,242,574 in new property tax revenues. In order to fully offset the increasing assessments the real property tax rate should be reduced to $.8374, what Whited said was the constant yield tax rate.

“The calculation states that as assessments rise, the tax rate should drop to the point that the revenue derived from the property tax stays at a constant level from one year to the next,” she said.

The county, however, is not planning to reduce the rate to offset increasing assessments. The county is advertising

a real property tax rate of $.845, which will provide an extra $1.2 million in revenue. Officials are currently facing increased maintenance of effort costs related to the school system as well as a potential decrease in revenue related to the county jail, as legislation being considered at the state level would prohibit it from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We are watching,” Whited said, adding that figures would be finalized as the budget process continued.

A public hearing on the budget and tax rate is set for May 4 at the Worcester County Government Center. Citizens who wish to attend and comment are asked to pre-register. People can also submit comments in advance by email to wchearing@co.worcester.md.us.

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Students

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

In The News

In honor of National Student Art Month every March, the Art League of Ocean City hosts the Shirley Hall Art Show and Competition exhibit featuring artwork by Worcester County middle and high school students. Five Worcester Preparatory School students from George Zaiser’s art classes captured five of the six top awards. Winners from the school were first place, freshman Izzy Huber, "A Brighter Future"/Colored Pencil (pictured below) and third place, senior Hannah Perdue (Salisbury) "Cuddle Puddle"/Charcoal (pictured below). Middle School winners were first place, eighth grader Angie Todorov, “Reunion”/Colored Pencil; second place eighth grader Sydney Tingle, "Chicken Soup"/Colored Pencil & Watercolor (pictured above); and third place sixth grader Akum Kang, "The Flash"/Graphite on Paper.

Several winners in the Art League of Ocean City's annual student Manga/Anime art show were present on First Friday, April 2, at the Ocean City Center for the Arts to receive their awards. The Art League developed this show to promote creativity among students outside formal art programs and to increase community awareness of this art form. Students in middle, high school, and higher education in Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Sussex counties submitted entries judged by UMES professor Brad Hudson. Art League President John Sisson sponsored cash prizes to the winners. Pictured are, above, Harmony Carter, second place, middle school division, eighth grade, Crisfield Academy & High School; below, Jordyn Welch, first place, high school division, ninth grade, Wicomico High School; and, bottom, Liam Gillis, second place, high school division, 11th grade, Indian River High School.

Submitted Photos

Fourth grade students at Ocean City Elementary School recently completed research projects on famous Marylanders. Some students even dressed up as their famous Marylander including Rhys Thompson, left, and Michael Brittain, who each portrayed Babe Ruth.

Two Native Plant Sales Offered

April 7, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Native plant sale fundraisers have returned to Worcester County.

Through April 23, community members can pre-order native plants through the Lower Shore Land Trust’s 14th Annual Native Plant Sale. Purchased plants will be available for contactless curbside pickup at the nonprofit’s Snow Hill office on April 30 and May 1.

“There’s no come and browse,” said Executive Director Kate Patton. “With the concerns about the virus and not everyone being vaccinated, we thought it would be safest to do curbside pickup again this year. It was really popular last year, and we’ve had a tremendous amount of support, which is really encouraging.”

Patton said the annual plant sale is one of nonprofit’s largest fundraisers.

She said money raised from sales and event sponsorship allows the Lower Shore Land Trust to offer programs and educate the public on topics such as native habitats, water quality and conservation throughout the year.

“We can’t do that without the support of individuals,” she said.

Additionally, the Assateague Coastal Trust is holding its 22nd Annual Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 1. Online orders are now being accepted at actforbays.org with the online plant store offering a wide selection of native plant as well as vegetables and herbs. All sales must go through the website with pickup at the ACT office in Berlin on May 1. Once orders are placed, ACT will notify buyers of their personal pickup times.

For the second year in a row, the Lower Shore Land Trust has opted to forgo its Delmarva Pollinator Festival, which is typically held in conjunction with the Native Plant Sale.

Patton, however, said the nonprofit hopes to educate the public on the benefits of native plants and pollinator gardens by hosting a Pollinator Garden Tour in June. The event will allow participants to tour 10 local pollinator gardens throughout the Lower Shore.

“We’ve chosen gardens that have been certified under our pollinator certification program ...,” she said. “There will be opportunities to learn from people who have really gotten into their native landscaping.”

Patton said programs like the Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Garden Tour are important, as they teach community members about the importance of native landscaping and the habitat it provides to birds and insects.

“Seventy-five percent of land use across the country is in private hands.

It means it’s up to private individuals to make sure we are doing the right thing in our yards and in our landscaping … ,” she said. “If we’re not planting native species, if we’re not supporting the

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species that have evolved here for millions of years and provide one in three bites of food we eat, that trajectory is not good.”

This year’s Native Plant Sale features more than 75 varieties of native plants, perennials, shrubs, grasses and ferns.

Patton thanked this year’s sponsors – Ayers Creek Adventures, Baked Dessert Café and Goody Hill Sand and Gravel – for their support and encouraged anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities to email kpatton@lowershorelandtrust.org.

“This year with the Pollinator Garden Tour we are giving sponsors twice the exposure with both the sale and the pollinator garden tour event,” Patton said.

For more information on the Native Plant Sale, or to view the online order form and native plant guide, visit lowershorelandtrust.org or the plant sale’s Facebook event page.

“Planting native plants is something everyone can do,” Patton said.

“Whether you put something in a pot on your deck, or plant a pollinator meadow, or reduce the amount of turf grass in your yard to support habitat, not only are you doing actions that will improve food for insects and birds, but also reducing the things that run off our yards and into our waterways and creeks.”

Page 43

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resort council Favors Frequent employee evaluations

Page 44

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

budget presentations this week, Human Resources Director Katie Callan was one of the first one deck. Once the budget is introduced, the various departments come before the Mayor and Council and outline what their department’s responsibilities are and what specific budgetary needs they might

have beyond what is already included in the town’s spending plan.

Callan was among the first to present this week and outlined the vast number of responsibilities her department has.

She presented data on the average age and length of service of the town’s employees, including a vast number of vet-

passed in December.

The grant is a pass-through from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to the DOT, the funds can be used for economic relief in a variety of ways including operations costs, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments or, in a larger sense, combating the spread of the coronavirus or other pathogens at the airport.

Cardin, Van Hollen and Harris issued a rare joint statement as the delegation in Washington representing Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

“The Salisbury Airport is a critical infrastructure hub for the Delmarva Penin-

sula and Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” the statement reads. “We’re glad these additional funds have been allocated to offset some of revenue lost due to the COVID19 pandemic. We remain committed to ensuring businesses and our local communities are able to stay afloat and get back on their feet after the severe hardship they have endured the past year.”

The Salisbury Airport is a growing regional destination for quick access to Ocean City and area beach resorts and all of Delmarva. Over the last 15 years, the airport has reconstructed and expanded its runways, with plans for further extension to accommodate larger commercial aircraft in the future.

airport receives $1m Federal relief Grant

OCEAN CITY – Resort employees could see more frequent performance evaluations if the Mayor and Council get their way.

In the opening salvo of departmental

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SALISBURY – The Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport is getting a significant fiscal shot in the arm through a federal relief grant, Maryland’s congressional delegation announced this week.

Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Maryland), along with Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) announced the sizable $1 million-plus federal grant to the airport on Thursday.

The funding for the grant is coming from the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which

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erans who are inching closer to retirement. She explained many of those positions would have be refilled in the near future, which prompted Councilman Mark Paddack to ask if there was a plan in place for that eventuality.

“What’s the succession plan?” he said. “Are we grooming people for those positions? We’re looking at maybe 100 retirements in the next five to seven years.”

Callan explained many would be refilled from within, while some would require outside hires. Council Secretary Tony DeLuca said there should probably be a healthy combination of both.

“Most Fortune 500 companies have a balance of around 50-50 with internal hires,” he said. “You don’t want to go to far in one direction or the other.”

Callan said part of her department’s responsibilities was employee evaluations. DeLuca said he was hoping all of the town’s employees would be evaluated at some point.

“You told me 55% have had evaluations,” he said. “I think it’s important too get closer to 100%. I really think it’s important to have employee evaluations.

You sit down with them and say you’re great at these three things, but you need to grow on these other three things.”

Callan said she is working through that process. She said a challenge is tying performance evaluations to compensation.

“It will take some time,” she said.

“There are some systemic changes we’re working through. We’re working toward performance evaluations. There has to be something tangible to base performance compensation on. There has to be some criteria.”

DeLuca urged the department to expedite the process.

“I would like to see you work to get closer to that,” he said.

Paddack drew from his decades with the town’s police department on the evaluation issue.

“In my 30 years with the department, I had at least one evaluation a year, and in probably 28 of them, I was evaluated twice a year,” he said. “It’s critical for development and succession planning.

We had to stay on top of it constantly.”

Wicomico Receives $7.3M Md. Grant

April 9, 2021

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Up to $7.3 million in grant funding from the state could provide emergency rental and utility assistance to Wicomico County residents.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted 5-0, with Councilmen Josh Hastings and John Cannon abstaining, to accept up to $7,380,680 in Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Department of Housing and Community Development, through the Maryland Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, has been awarded $401,575,014 for financial programs to prevent eviction.

Wicomico County is among 15 counties applying for up to $258 million.

Wicomico County Planner Jesse Drewer said the funds are expected to help citizens needing emergency rental and utility assistance. While the Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development will administer the expenditure of funds, the money will be divided among three subrecipients.

“This allows us more flexibility in reaching wide numbers of people,” he told the council this week. “This also covers utilities.”

If approved by the state, Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services will receive $587,500, Shore-Up, Inc. will receive $1,075,000 and Wicomico County Habitat for Humanity will receive $1,000,000. The planning, zoning and community development department will also receive $100,000 for administrative support and case management.

“Currently, we know how the funding will be distributed to our subrecipients,” Drewer said. “The exact policy guidelines of who qualifies and the income level still hasn’t been released yet. We’re expecting that by the middle or end of this month when the grant awards are announced.”

Drewer told council members the county submitted an application for funding to the state last week. He said once that funding is approved, 50% had to be spent by July 30 and 65% had to be spent

by Sept. 30.

“We’re expecting grant awards by the 15th of this month,” he said, “and expenditures have to be started by May 1, if not sooner.”

When asked about previous grant awards the county received for rental assistance, Drewer said funds from the most recent grant round had yet to be spent.

“They have been allocated but they currently have not been spent,” he replied. “Previous rounds, we spent approximately $700,000 so far.”

Councilwoman Nicole Acle asked if funds for utility assistance would be paid to the landlord or to the tenant.

“We do not have any guidance yet if we would be paying directly to the tenant or to the landlord,” he said. “But it’s expected to be the landlord right now.”

With no further discussion, the council voted 5-0 to accept up to $7,380,680 in the grant funding.

Berlin Market’s Exterior Changes Endorsed The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A variety of exterior changes are expected at J & M Meat Market in the coming weeks following approval from the Berlin Historic District Commission this week.

The commission on Wednesday approved ground decking and fencing, lighting, and a carryout window for J & M Meat Market. Several commission members complimented the efforts of J&M Meat Market’s Heidi Johnson.

“It looks so attractive,” commission member Mary Moore said. “You’re really a shop owner that looks at the whole structure.”

Johnson told the commission she wanted to install a floating deck made of natural wood underneath the market’s existing outdoor tables. Because the

market will be seeking a beer and wine license, she said she was also planning to install a wood fence around the seating area.

Moore praised the concept and said the outdoor seating area would be improved by the addition of a wood deck.

“No one’s ever going to give asphalt an A-plus for looking attractive,” she said.

Johnson said that because the market wasn’t too large, she also wanted to convert an existing window into a carryout window so people wouldn’t necessarily have to wait for their food inside.

“You definitely need this,” said Carol Rose, chair of the commission, adding that all the town’s businesses had made changes because of COVID-19.

Commission member Laura Stearns acknowledged that it would help keep people from crowding inside but said she

Page 45

thought it also had appeal on its own.

“I think it adds to the charm,” she said.

“It shows that the town is walkable.”

Rose said her only concern was signage, as she felt the building didn’t need more of it. Johnson said all she was planning was a menu board so customers could see what was offered.

She added that as far as lighting, the market would install string lights around the seating area but that they would only be on during business hours.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the changes for J&M Meat Market.

The commission also approved a sign for Sterling Tavern, the restaurant taking over the former Fins location, as well as a sign for East & Main Shore Supply and a new piece of playground equipment for the rear yard of Buckingham Presbyterian Church.

Page 46

Checking in families for the Ocean Pines Easter Egg Hunts were Delaney McDaniel, Katie Goetzinger, Paisley Goetzinger, Kathy McDaniel and Jessica Conaway of the Recreation and Park Department.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

People

By Jeanette Deskiewicz

FEATURING THOSE HELPING CAUSES IN THE RESORT AREA

High five to Kyle Jarmon and Omar Almashni who were on hand to hide all the eggs in between the hunt times for the Ocean Pines Easter Egg Hunts.

In Society

April 9, 2021

Looking festive in their Easter bonnets were Cameron Barnes, Avery Yerkes, Kate Barnes, Lee Grier and Brittany Yerkes at this year’s Berlin Spring Celebration.

Local non-profits supported the Ocean Pines Easter events including Luz Castillo of the Pine’eer Craft Club and Carol Ludwig of the Delmarva Chorus.

The Easter Bunny made his first stop of the Berlin Spring Celebration with Lotoya Jones at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services.

Bruder Home sponsored a shell painting station for Berlin’s Spring Celebration with Kaitlyn Hardt and Macy Woroniecki keeping the supplies stocked.

Ocean City Easter Festivities Event Coordinator Anne Patterson helped Easter Bunny get into place at the drive-thru station for the scavenger hunt participants.

Hoppy couple, Dan and Joanne Duffey, were happy to help out at the Ocean City Easter Egg Hunt held at Northside Park.

For the Ocean City Easter Egg Hunt, Janet Vincent and Eddie Pinto got the 7-10-year-old age group registered for the fun.

Volunteer Lyn Graham joined OC Recreation and Park’s Kim Allison in registering 4-6-year-olds for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt.

Library Branch Renaming planned

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 47

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The downtown Salisbury branch of Wicomico Public Libraries is pictured.

Photo by Bethany Hooper

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – The downtown branch of Wicomico Public Libraries will be renamed in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to rename the downtown library the Wicomico County Public Libraries – Paul S. Sarbanes Branch.

Wicomico Public Libraries Board of Trustees Chair Michele Canopii said a suggestion to rename the downtown branch came before the board late last year, shortly after Sarbanes’ death on Dec. 6.

“The discussion didn’t take long,” she told the council in a public hearing this week. “The Sarbanes name is synonymous with integrity, respect for others, hard work and commitment.”

Sarbanes – a Salisbury native and Wicomico High School graduate – served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 1971, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 and the U.S. Senate from 1977 to 2007. During his political career, he drafted and introduced the first articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon and sponsored the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reforming federal securities laws amid corporate accounting scandals.

Several community members and former classmates this week also highlighted Sarbanes’ academic achievements. After graduating from Princeton University, he attended Balliol College as a Rhodes Scholar before moving on to Harvard Law School.

“Paul exemplifies what everyone thinks of as the American dream,” said former classmate Nevins Todd. “It was no question that Paul was the superior student. He went from WiHi to Princeton, he got a Rhodes Scholarship and Harvard Law degree, and from there he ultimately became a United States senator for 30 years. That’s an incredible record. I think it’s an honor that we consider naming the library for him.”

As children of Greek immigrants, Anthony Sarbanes said he hoped his brother’s story of achieving the “American dream” would inspire future generations that come through the library’s doors.

“He served at a time when people honestly talked to each other and got things done. He did a lot of things to help

the state of Maryland …,” he said of his brother. “He provided personal service to people who had problems, and that’s what it’s all about when you get right down to it.”

The council this week voted 7-0 to approve a resolution renaming the downtown branch. In a memo to council members, Canopii said supporters of the name change have volunteered to fund the creation and installation of a plaque at the entrance of the library.

“I want to thank the people from the library and the citizens that spoke on behalf of Senator Sarbanes,” Councilman Bill McCain said. “I think that was a very nice gesture we were able to do to recognize the family. I know it meant a lot to his family and a lot to his friends and community members that knew him well.”

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Page 48

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

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Md. Police Reform Bills Too Much, Too Fast The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

HOW WE SEE IT

The police reform package headed toward passage in Maryland is not all bad, but the new legislation will certainly make a law enforcement career unappealing to many.

With roots in some extreme examples of police misconduct across the country, Maryland lawmakers debated a series of bills this year aimed at heightened transparency and accountability for police. There appeared to be some hints of a bipartisan compromise in the Senate’s early version of the bills, but the amendments offered by the House of Delegates confirmed the state prefers to react with extreme changes rather than a slower, more reasoned approach.

The veto-proof legislation includes new rules on how officers facing misconduct charges are disciplined; creates a new standard for allowable force and imposes new sentencing requirements for officers convicted of excessive force; establishes tougher stands for “no knock” warrants; mandates body camera use by all officers by 2025; repeals the Maryland Law Enforcement

Officers’ Bill of Rights; and provides public access to certain records for police officers previously sealed.

While we will always favor enhanced transparency and accountability, we feel Maryland lawmakers have gone too far with these sweeping changes. The bills will place unnecessary legal handcuffs on officers and limit their abilities to maintain peace and order when dangerous situations present themselves.

Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, the police reform package will have a significant impact on recruiting efforts for law enforcement agencies.

Police departments across the country have been struggling in recent years with manpower concerns, as veteran officers opt for early retirement or second careers and new, prospective cop interest has waned as a result of the changing feelings toward law enforcement.

There are beneficial measures included in the police reform legislation, including the requirement for body cameras and greater transparency when it comes to police misconduct investigations. However, for the most part, the

package passed by the legislature is far too sweeping and unnecessary.

There have been numerous disgusting acts of violence by police officers during apprehensions and other even more heinous examples of bad cops framing the innocent. There are plenty of extreme examples to confirm the need for changes in police operations, but it’s important to remember these unfortunate situations are beyond the pale. The great majority of police officers are commendable, communityminded individuals who simply want to protect their communities and better their surroundings.

Maryland’s legislation will do more harm than good by severely impacting recruitment efforts for law enforcement agencies. This is not the intended consequence of the police reform package, but there is little doubt the job of a cop will be far less appealing after this legislation passes than before. It’s an unfortunate over-reaction to national affairs that will have far reaching ramifications on recruitment efforts for years to come.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Disappointed By Prosecution Approach Editor: At the end of her first year as the State’s Attorney for Worcester County, Kris Heiser reported that her drug prosecutors and drug treatment court team had been busy ensuring that “those suffering from addiction receive treatment, while those dealing drugs receive prison time.” She also recognized that crime was often a symptom of larger issues such as addiction and mental illness.

As a volunteer with Life After Release, I spent an afternoon in Worcester Circuit Court last month. I can tell you that the assistant state’s attorney did not get the memo about addiction or mental illness. Last week, Assistant State’s Attorney Joaquin Cabrera prosecuted a local man charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The loved one asked the court to release him to a rehabilitation facility to deal with addiction and the childhood trauma he had denied until recently. The judge did not disbelieve the man saying, “It’s a small county, Mr. C. I know your father.”

But Mr. C was not released. Calling him a maximum offender, the ASA told the judge he would have asked for more than 20 years (for a non-violent crime) if he could. The defense counsel argued for rehabilitation, something the court has not tried in two decades of interacting with Mr. C. Instead, the judge sentenced this black man, father of an

11-year-old, to 12 years of incarceration.

The same ASA had prosecuted two white men who maintained a vast potgrowing operation with state-of-the-art technology. They were both found guilty of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and given suspended sentences of less than two years.

State’s Attorney Heiser, your words don’t match your prosecutor’s actions.

Your teams have made sure that those suffering from addiction get prison time, while those managing a sophisticated drug manufacturing infrastructure go home. The residents of Worcester County deserve to know what’s really happening in their courts. They deserve prosecutors and judges whose actions reveal an understanding of addiction, mental illness and racial disparities. And until that happens, we at Life After Release will be in the courtrooms, knowing too well that, “Injustice happens in empty courtrooms every day.”

Life After Release is an organization based in Prince George’s County, Md., led by formerly incarcerated women who demand greater transparency and fairness from the criminal legal system.

Debbie Polhemus Washington, DC

Suggested Change For Berlin Bathtub Races Editor: I understand that, as of now, the Berlin Bathtub Races are scheduled for June 11 in downtown. This is a tremen-

dous event and brings a great deal of potential customers to Berlin. We hope it will be held this year and not be cancelled due to pandemic concerns.

However, whether or not there are pandemic concerns at the time of the races, I think one guideline should be included with the rules. We went to the event only once and saw how crowded it can get. This may not be the case this year due to the pandemic. In any case, if the event is crowded, I think a simple courtesy should be encouraged – asking those who are spectators to the races to pretty much remain in one place.

We found in our one experience as spectators that, in the midst of the crowds, people would keep walking back and forth, obstructing the views of those who wish to see the races. Why is it so difficult to remain in one place rather than walking back and forth throughout the races? This is very discourteous and annoying. Thank you.

Bob Faszczewski Berlin

Incarcerated Individuals Deserve Right To Vote Editor: Maryland is one of only 20 states that allow people with felony convictions to vote once they have been released from incarceration. This means that even if someone is on parole or probation, they are eligible to vote in the state of Maryland.

SEE NEXT PAGE

April 9, 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR While we made great progress in restoring the rights of voters in 2016, the state has failed to provide a process to ensure eligible voters who are incarcerated have access to ballots and voting information. There continues to be a broad misunderstanding among jail and prison officials, and indeed among incarcerated persons themselves, on whether pretrial detainees and people incarcerated for misdemeanors are eligible to vote and how to go about voting.

But the Maryland General Assembly has an opportunity to address this issue with the Value My Vote Act (HB 222). If passed, the bill will ensure eligible incarcerated Marylanders – the majority of whom are Black and Brown – are knowledgeable about all aspects of the voting process, including how to exercise their right to vote while incarcerated.

The bill builds on the progress made during the 2020 general election, when election officials, for the first time, worked with advocates to provide eligible incarcerated voters with voter registration and ballot request forms. The bill includes those components and requires secure drop boxes at all facilities throughout the state, ensures people can call the State Board Elections hotline at no cost to ask voting questions and report issues, and provides access to nonpartisan voter education materials. It would also ensure incarcerated people are made aware of their right to vote and how to vote upon release.

At the time where we see attempts being made throughout the country to suppress the votes of Black and brown people, Maryland can be a national leader by ensuring the rights of eligible voters who are incarcerated. As a matter of fairness and justice, we must ensure voting is truly accessible for all eligible Maryland voters – no matter where they temporarily reside.

I urge the Maryland General Assembly to listen to formerly and currently incarcerated citizens throughout the state that are calling on you to value their votes. Pass the Value My Vote Act (HB 222).

Kadi-Ann White (The writer is a Legislative Fellow at Common Cause Maryland.)

Parking Waivers Need Elected Officials’ Review Editor: I am writing in regard to your article in the April 2 issue addressing outdoor seating applications.

Temporary relaxing of the requirements due to the pandemic for the local hospitality businesses was necessary.

Parking should not be waived or changed to allow for outside seating on public property on a permanent basis.

Beach Barrels, a north Ocean City bar and non-conforming site, recently received an additional six waivers bringing the total at site to 18.

Additionally, a wooden deck a few inches above the parking lot and ADA parking was stipulated. No safety or bumper poles were on architectural

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

drawings. This for a business that advertises carry-out liquor.

Petitioner made no mention of available property abutting business that is available. Petitioner is aware of this as a "POD" was previously placed on corner of property.

This needs to be reviewed by higher authority. The Mayor and City Council need to review parking waivers as this is a long standing problem in Ocean City.

Outdoor drinking and eating for the industry? Yes. Elimination or waiver of parking? No. Robert R. Hemp, Jr. Ocean City

Governor’s Vaccine Comments Irresponsible Editor: Last week at his press conference, Governor Larry Hogan said, “It's great for people all over Maryland to drive to Salisbury to get vaccinated. We want to encourage far more people to do that.

Like, this is Easter weekend; it's a big weekend for Ocean City. I think if you haven't gotten a vaccine. You want one, I would say, get in your car tomorrow, drive to the beach, stop in Salisbury, get everybody vaccinated, and then go to Ocean City and get some Thrasher's French fries, stay for the weekend and go to Easter brunch on Sunday morning.”

With COVID cases once again over 6% and rising across the Lower Eastern Shore and so many of our residents waiting to receive their shots, many of which are frontline workers, over 60 years old, or have pre-existing conditions, the Governor’s comments are nothing short of irresponsible and dangerous.

LSPC Chair Jared Schablein had the following to say on the Governor’s comments: “COVID cases are on the rise across the Lower Shore right now. It is irresponsible, dangerous, and a total disregard for the well-being of Eastern Shore residents for Governor Larry Hogan to be encouraging people to travel here unvaccinated to vacation. To those on the Western Shore, we ask that you do not come here to use our vaccine supply or vacation when it is clearly not safe to do so. There are so still many people here on the Shore with pre-existing conditions, are over the age of 60, or are frontline workers that haven't been called for their shots yet.”

The Governor’s comment shows that he believes that Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths on the Eastern Shore are acceptable losses, and it is shameful.”

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus also calls on our state delegation comprised of Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Senator Addie Eckardt, Delegate Sample Hughes, Delegate Chris Adams, Delegate Johnny Mautz, Delegate Charles Otto, Delegate Carl Anderton Jr, and Delegate Wayne Hartman to stand up for the safety of our residents, and our vaccine supplies by publicly disputing these ridiculous claims.

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus

Page 49

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

For months, I tracked Maryland’s coronavirus website daily for data on the positivity rate. I only check it once a week now and pay more attention to the vaccination numbers. Here’s a look at some key points after a review of both metrics this week.

•Test Data: After about a month of positivity percentage numbers falling below 5%, Worcester County saw a modest jump starting March 28 when the county’s daily positivity percentage hit 5.5%. It continued up until March 31, reaching 8.26% and 8.77% on April 4 before dropping most of this week.

As of Wednesday, April 7, the rate was at 6.38% (state average 5.56%). There is no concrete reason for the jump experienced last week, but it’s important to keep these numbers in perspective. For instance, one year ago, Worcester County positivity rate was on the climb, reaching 14.17% on April 10, 2020. The numbers will likely continue to fluctuate, but we are heading in the right direction, according to the medical community.

•Vaccine Data: Updated information released this week shows 24% of Worcester County residents are now fully vaccinated compared to 18% in Wicomico and 14% in Somerset County. As far as the state, fully vaccinated numbers are unavailable, but 44% of the adult population has received at least one shot with 78% of individuals 65 years of age and older getting at least one shot. Though no data to support this opinion, I noticed this week a tremendous uptick locally in the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine availability. The local Rite Aid pharmacies had a solid supply this week with representatives even asking customers if they were interested in getting vaccinated while shopping. Additionally, there was a Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic held this week in Berlin at Henry Park for individuals with underlying medical conditions. The supply appears to be heading in the right direction on all fronts.

It’s always interesting to learn of successes as a result of the pandemic.

One such example would have to be this upcoming season at the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville, Del. With large venues still restricted from hosting major concerts due to capacity restrictions and some simply choosing to not operate this summer due to profitability concerns, it seems the smaller venues, especially those outside, are prospering.

The Freeman Arts Pavilion announced its impressive lineup this year after not being able to host any major performers last year. This year’s bookings resemble a “normal” pre-pandemic lineup, and congratulations are in order for all those responsible for attracting 15-plus national acts, including Indigo Girls, Jake Owen, Clint Black, Grace Potter, Fitz & The Tantrums, Amos Lee, REO Speedwagon, Straight No Chaser, Train, Sonia De Los Santos, Tartan Terrors, The Commodores and others. The pavilion will feature roughly 550 seating pods for guests.

Another example of a success story borne out of COVID-19 would be the popular graduation processions on the Boardwalk last spring. The events were derived out of a desperate hope from school system officials to salvage some graduation memories for the Class of 2020. The result was a wonderful experience, as the students and their families relished the casual event and were celebrated in grand style along the boards. It was announced this week Stephen Decatur High School will be holding another graduation procession on the Boardwalk as part of its graduation planning in late May. Other events include senior awards night, Baccalaureate and graduation in the football stadium on school grounds.

A major concern has surfaced at the Ocean City Municipal Airport over President Biden’s travel plans. Biden has a vacation home in Rehoboth and is expected to visit it this summer. If he travels by air, the town’s airport on Route 611 is included in the 30-mile restricted radius. Therefore, whenever Biden travels to Rehoboth by air, all activity, such as flight lessons, private aircraft use and skydiving operations, among other things, at the Ocean City airport must cease. The major concern and unknown is how often Biden plans to travel to Rehoboth. If it’s once or twice a summer, it might be bearable. Anything more is cause for concern. Local airport businesses and operations already struggle during the OC Air Show weekend because it essentially shuts them down for much of the week.

Senator Mary Beth Carozza got involved this week with a letter to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Congressman Harris.

“As a small local airport, Ocean City’s airport is very active especially in the summer months and provides income for a number of businesses as well as convenience for those private plane owners who regularly visit the resort town. The details of the TFR including the size, altitude, time period of the TFR, and types of operations to be restricted and permitted may have varying degrees of impact. This airport is located on the periphery, near the outer-most perimeter of the TFR,” she wrote. “… These businesses, like others, already have been severely impacted by the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. An active summer season is essential to securing their financial viability. I respectfully ask that you as federal representatives request that the United States Secret Service and FAA Air Space Security Working Group meet with Ocean City Airport officials and commercial stakeholders, and work with them to consider alternative security procedures. I also request that financial aid considerations be made to offset the loss of income to the Ocean City Airport and its allied businesses ....”

Page 50

Sports

Seahawks Improve To 4-1 With Rout

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

In The News Tough Guy Of The Week:

This week’s Atlantic Physical Therapy “Tough Guy of the Week” award was shared by a pair of offensive linemen, Luke Scott and A.J. Trimble, who anchored the Seahawks’ offense during a recent win over Parkside. Pictured above are ATP Clinic Director Charles Curran, Scott, Trimble and Coach Jake Coleman.

Submitted Photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Worcester’s sophomore attackman Griffin Jones moves in against the Smyrna defense during the Mallards’ 10-6 win last week.

Photo by Chris Hoen

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team beat Smyrna, 106, last Saturday in the home opener.

The Mallards jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and led 4-1 at the half after Smyrna scored an extra-man goal just before the intermission. Smyrna cut the

Worcester lead to 6-4 in the third quarter, but the Mallards pulled away for the 10-6 win.

The Worcester boys return to action on April 14 with a road game against Gunston. The Mallards will then play three straight home games against old rival Salisbury School, a rematch with Gunston and a Saturday, April 24 battle with familiar foe Cape Henlopen.

Mallards Soar Past Eagles In Opener

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team stayed on a major roll last week, routing Bennett, 76-0, to improve to 4-1 on the season.

The Seahawks led 22-0 after one quarter and added 38 points in the second quarter to lead 60-0 at the half.

Decatur scored just one touchdown in each of the last two quarters with the clock running and the bench cleared to pull out the 76-0 rout.

The win completed a season sweep of Bennett for the Seahawks, who beat the Clippers, 52-8, back on March 13.

The Seahawks have now won their last two games by a combined 106-6. Their only loss on the season was a 25-12

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Worcester Prep’s Myranda Beebe scores a goal against Smyrna last weekend.

Beebe led the Mallards’ scoring onslaught. Above right, Worcester Prep sophomore midfielder Caitlyn Hoen, left, prepares to take a draw.

Photos by Chris Hoen

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team got its 2021 campaign off to a good start last weekend with a 11-5 win over visiting Smyrna in the season opener.

Behind the sharp shooting of junior Myranda Beebe, the Mallards got off to a fast start and led Smyrna, 6-3, at the half. Worcester outscored Smyrna, 5-2,

defeat at the hands of Wicomico on March 19. Decatur was scheduled to play Wicomico again this week, but the game was scratched and replaced with a home game against Easton on Friday, the Seahawks only game this shortened season against a Bayside North team.

Against Bennett, Decatur quarterback Ashten Snelsire went 10 for 17 passing for 198 yards and five touchdowns. Caden Shockley rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries, while Derron Doughty rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Zimere Handy caught five passes for 124 yards and four touchdowns, while Koby Higgins caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Luke Mergott and Jack Quisgard each had rushing touchdowns for Decatur in the 76-0 win.

in the second half to cruise to the 11-5 win in the opener.

The Mallards will have to wait a week before getting back on the field. The Worcester girls play Gunston on the road next Wednesday before starting a run of four straight at home starting Friday, April 16 against Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference rival Salisbury School, followed by another big home game against Saints Peter and Paul.

Ocean Pines Golf Superintendent Provides Course Updates

April 9, 2021

BERLIN – Ocean Pines Golf Club Superintendent Justin Hartshorne recently supplied updates on conditions and maintenance efforts to several advisory committee members.

General Manager John Viola helped facilitate the meeting, to address their questions and concerns.

He engaged experts from the amenity, Hartshorne and General Manager of Golf John Malinowski, to present current plans for maintenance, and specifically the greens.

“I wanted to ensure that everyone knows exactly what we are doing to address course conditions and the overall golf course results,” Viola said.

On the maintenance side, Hartshorne said much of the recent focus has been on finding drainage lines, and addressing drainage and irrigation issues.

"This was stuff we knew we were going to have to work on and touch up," he said. "We were also ninja-tining, and just working on diluting the thatch layer while we had favorable weather this winter. That was also a big focus, on improving the playing surfaces."

Ninja tines are an aerification mechanism that helps pull unwanted material out of the ground.

"The tines are really shallow. We go 1-2 inches below the surface, and it just removes some of that organic matter that's built up in the top layer," Hartshorne said. "When you cut the grass,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

dead leaf tissue and dead grass just gathers in there and starts creating a harmful layer, so we get sand to dilute that and the tines help us get that out, mechanically, which helps us get a lot more oxygen to the profile and helps the roots grow much deeper. You might also encounter some days when you see some sand on there. The ultimate goal for us is to drive those roots deep and dry things out, so the surface becomes much firmer and there are less ball marks. It's all about plant health for us."

Hartshorne added April is typically the busiest time of the year for a golf course superintendent.

"There's a lot we need to do in the next two months to be ready in July and August, so I'm going to be very busy," he said.

Malinowski also said regular updates to advisory committee members would continue. The Golf Advisory Committee has not officially met in several months, which is normal during the winter.

"We have communication with them every month throughout the season," Malinowski said. "So, we'll continue to give updates throughout the season and probably periodically during the offseason."

Golf Advisory Committee Chairman Fritz Lahner said the update answered many of his questions, and he praised Golf Club staff, including Hartshorne.

"It was received very well," Lahner said. "I thought they were informative

and pretty much stuck to the agenda.

What I did as chair of the Ocean Pines Golf Advisory Committee is, I sent a summary out to all my members [who were not present]. We had some questions about some of the greens and about some areas of the course, and we were given the answers. Justin provided most of the information to us.”

On course conditions, Lahner said the greens had been in great shape, just prior to recent aeration efforts, which are a normal part of golf course maintenance.

"That's as good as I've seen the greens in a while," he said. "There's

Page 51

some areas that need to be addressed and that's what they're addressing."

Lahner said there was still some water on the 18th hole, and Hartshorne was investigating whether a clogged drainage pipe is the culprit.

"There also were some fairways where the grass wasn't coming in ... but one thing they did get started is a sod garden, and I think there's 10,000 square feet that they're going to start filling in some of the areas with,” he said. "They're also going to install a fan on [the seventh hole] to address that, because there's a lot of shade in that area.”

Page 52

Provider Earns Recognition BERLIN – Jordan Braniff, a nurse practitioner and primary care provider at TidalHealth Primary Care in Berlin, was recently honored with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses for his compassionate and skilled care.

A colleague at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional nominated him for the award, saying, “Over the past year, our nursing floor has seen lots of COVID-19 patients die alone, our nursing staff being the hand they’re holding instead of their families. Last night, we had a COVID patient on comfort care. The family of our patient chose not to come visit him, but asked us to play music for him. We had our phones on Pandora for him as requested.

“Around 6:30 pm, I walked down the hall and saw Jordan gowning up to go into the patient’s room. Jordan was this patient's primary care provider. When he got the alert that he was passing, and was alone, he said, ‘I told my wife I needed to come in and be with him, because I didn't want him dying alone.’ He knew this patient very well from the office, and went out of his way, above and beyond. He sat with the patient and talked to him for over an hour. The patient wasn't responsive, but we knew he knew we were with him. This may seem like a small act of kindness, but it speaks volumes to who Jordan is as a person and a practitioner.”

Braniff was honored with the Daisy Award on Friday in a ceremony before his colleagues. He received a certificate commending him for being an extraordi-

TidalHealth’s Jordan Braniff is pictured with the Daisy Award he received recently.

Submitted Photos

Business The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

And Real Estate News nary nurse, which reads, “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”

He also received a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Hospice Board Changes SALISBURY – Coastal Hospice has announced the election of five new members to its Board of Directors, including Filippa Etherton of Tidal Health, Morgan Fisher of Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, LLP, Dr. LaKeisha Harris of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dr. Sharon Milbourne Washington of Tidal Health and Dr. Tina Reid of the Salisbury University School of Nursing.

BYRON BRANIFF Leaving the board is Byron Braniff, a dedicated member who served the maximum three terms of three years each, culminating in the position of vice chair.

“Board changes are always bittersweet,” said Coastal Hospice President Alane Capen. “While we are sad to see those like Byron, who has meant so much to the organization depart, our feelings are tempered by the excitement of having new members join with new ideas and enthusiasm. These five women will make such a difference to our patients, families and organizations and we are excited to move ahead.”

The owner of a retail company for 45 years and a property management company in Ocean City for 35 years, Braniff brought a strong business background to his board seat. He was instrumental in the creation of Stansell House, and he and his wife Anne sponsored the Admissions Office.

“Coastal Hospice is a highly regarded organization that has touched so many

lives,” said Braniff. “It was a pleasure and honor to serve.”

Several board members have changed positions on the executive committee. Steve Farrow has graciously agreed to another term as chair. Richard Laws (previously treasurer) has stepped up to vice chair, with Madalaine How (previously secretary) filling the treasurer spot.

Immediate Past President Mike Dunn has filled the role of secretary. A new position, Member at Large, has been created and is being filled by Board member Wiltssy Payero-Edeen.

Returning board members are Colleen A. Bunting, David A. Dykes, Parisa Gholamvand, Roger L. Harrell, Andy Kim, Robert M. Purcell, Anthony Sarbanes and Margaret M. Whitten.

Leadership Posts Filled BERLIN – Geoff Failla, chair of the Board of Directors for the Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, announced several new leadership positions have been filled. A new executive director, Jasmine Dennis, and a new program panager for the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance R.I.S.E. program, Leikia Hallett, has joined the center.

Dennis is in the unique position of knowing the inner workings of the center from the inside out. She has been a client, volunteer, junior board member, vice chair of the board and now executive director. She is a life-long JASMINE DENNIS resident of Worcester County. She holds a B.A. in Business Management from Salisbury University and Marketing from Jones International.

In addition to the work she has done for the Grace Center, she has a long employment history in the area having served as the front desk manager for the Francis Scott Key Family Resort (2012-2016) and assistant general man-

April 9, 2021 ager/events coordinator for NRG Sports/Food Services (2014-2020).

Hallett comes to the center after 10 years of experience working for Verizon Wireless in a variety of positions including technical support manager, customer experience manager, executive relations analyst and senior analyst business operations-executive relations. Her role at the Grace Center is to coordinate all activities connected with the workforce development grant from the Lower Shore Workforce AlliLEIKIA ance for R.I.S.E. (Rais- HALLETT ing. Independent. Skilled. Employees.) she is responsible for supervising the two full-time and two part-time career advancement coordinators associated with the program.

SU Employees Recognized SALISBURY – Salisbury University recently recognized some 133 employees with more than 2,000 years of service to the University at the annual Service Awards reception, held in a virtual format.

Those recognized for the longest service included Drs. Michael O’Loughlin (political science) and Paul Scovell (Communication), honored for 40 years.

Dr. Kashi Khazeh (Economics and Finance) was recognized for 35 years of service.

Marie Bradford (Student Affairs), Wanda Dale (University Dining Services), Dr. Diane Davis-Hayes (Medical Laboratory Science), Gloria Horner (Career Services), Cheryl Morris (Payroll), Pamela Penuel (Registrar’s Office), Bruce Pryor (Physical Plant), Sandra Ramses (Biological Sciences) and Sherman Wood (Athletics) were lauded for 30 years.

Also recognized for 25 years of service were Jeffrey Canada (Procurement Office), Charisse Chappell (Psychology), Eleanor Coleman (Student Counseling Services), Dr. Mary DiBartolo (Nursing), Raymond Fantini (Information Technology), David Jones (Physical Plant), Dr. Deborah Mathews (Social Work), Karen Penuel (Physics), Candice Polk (University Dining Services), Iva Riggin (Conference Planning), Gaylord Robb (SU Libraries), Jill Stephenson (Athletics), Dr. Bart Talbert (History) and Judy Twilley (University Dining Services).

Annual Delmarva Birding Weekend expands To Six Days

April 9, 2021

BERLIN – The 2021 Delmarva Birding Weekend has evolved into a weeklong event with hundreds of nature enthusiasts flocking to the shore April 21-26 to enjoy the full array of mid-Atlantic birds.

The region will welcome warblers, tanagers and other spring migrants and say goodbye to its loons, falcons, and waterfowl as they head northward. Registration for the expanding event is now open at www.delmarvabirding.com.

With half of the 21 trips filling within three weeks of the March unveiling, organizers added eight more trips from Wednesday, April 21 to Monday, April 26 to accommodate stir-crazy patrons eager to get outside. These include a Delaware After Dark trip along the Delaware Bayshore, additional walks through Blackbird State Forest and Saint Jones Reserve, a trip to woodlands around Phillips Landing near Laurel, Del. and a birdy stroll through the Delaware Botanic Gardens, plus additional Shorebird Explorer, Harriet Tubman Byway, and Smith Island trips.

Spring Birding Weekend staples still include an Ocean City Sunset Park and Berlin Heron Park trip, the Chincoteague Bay Landings trip, a Warblermania walk near Nassawango Creek Preserve and a paddling trip from Porter’s Crossing to Snow Hill.

With COVID-19 protocols in place, nature lovers can register for just one field trip, or multiple field trips each day. While several trips have sold out, the sheer number of offerings leaves plenty to be enjoyed.

Guided by local fun-loving birders with decades-long experience, the walking tours, boat trips, and canoe and kayak paddles will accommodate visitors from the curious nature lover to fowl fanatics. Every year, birdwatchers from surrounding states descend on Delmarva for the event.

“This is one of our biggest natureoriented weekends,” said Melanie Pursel, tourism director for Worcester County. “People go crazy over the number of warblers and shorebirds, but they will see a lot more than that birding with our guides around Assateague Island and our cypress swamps near Snow Hill.

Newport Farms and Ayers Creek are especially beautiful this time of year.”

“The April weekend is spectacular,” said Southern Delaware Tourism Director Scott Thomas. “Imagine hiking a trail at Redden State Forest to be met with one of the most beautiful crimson reds you’ve ever seen in the form of a Summer Tanager. Or spend an afternoon at Prime Hook or Bombay National Wildlife Refuges followed by happy hour in Lewes. That’s what the weekend is all about.”

Social events for new and experienced birders are scheduled throughout the weekend. These socially distanced

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

"Tally Rallies" are held at local breweries, bars, and restaurants, and allow participants to add to the species checklist and swap nature stories with new friends.

According to event organizers, participants traditionally recount the event in terms of experiences rather than simply observing birds – a majestic Bald Eagle soaring over the marsh, a Tri-colored Heron in breeding plumage catching fish, or the eerie hoot and shadow of a Barred Owl at dusk. An outdoor experience is the true draw.

The Delmarva Peninsula is one of the country's premier birding areas, thanks to an extensive variety of habitat protected by our coastal parks, refuges and wildlife management areas. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in

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Birders are pictured at the Inlet looking offshore during a previous Delmarva Birding Weekend event.

Submitted Photo

the region and previous Weekend tallies have topped 200 species.

If boasting that many species isn't

enough, participants should feel even better knowing that they’ve helped Delmarva's birds by promoting birding and habitat conservation. Birders, both novice and experienced, make an important statement about the economic value of birds and their habitats through the money they spend in local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Participants are encouraged to remind local businesses that they are here to enjoy Delmarva’s natural areas and the birds that inhabit them. This is more important now than ever.

“It’s our vast shallow bays and large tracts of protected marshes and bald cypress forests that make the Delmarva Peninsula one of the finest birding regions in the nation,” said guide and organizer Dave Wilson. “During the weekend, our guests will hike on private farmland and woodland that are normally off-limits to birders, and our waterborne trips go where the birds are.”

Wilson added most trips are not physically taxing and that the event provides a rare opportunity to tally 100 species in a day in places that are normally inaccessible to the public.

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April 9: Bingo Is Back After a tough year, the Knights of Columbus on 99th Street behind St. Luke’s will bring back its weekly Bingo night on Friday nights. Doors open at 5 p.m. and with bingo starting at 6:30 p.m. Social distancing and masking rules in effect. 410-5247994.

April 9: 2nd Friday In Berlin 2nd Fridays in Berlin are back with a new vibe from 5-8 p.m. Live outdoor and indoor music, kids art, shops open late, plenty of restaurants offering outdoor dining as well as desserts.

April 9: Crab Cake Dinner Stevenson United Methodist Church will host from 4-6:30 p.m. carryout only. One crab cake dinner with green beans, baked potato and cole slaw, $12; two crab cake dinner, $20; and $8 crab cake sandwich.

April 10: Oyster Fritter Sandwich Sons of the American Legion Post 123 will hold from 2 p.m. until sold out at 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin.

Carryout or eat in with a legion member. Public welcome. Cost is $9.

April 10-11: Kids Create Art projects will be organized by the Art League of Ocean City at Trimper Rides. All-day rides available for $20 open at noon.

April 15: NAACP Guest Speaker Tidal Health Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Dr. Jacques Conaway will be the guest speaker for the Worcester County NAACP Zoom meeting. Conaway specializes in sleep disorders. Email judymarieh55@gmail.com for Zoom link.

Things To Do The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 17: Chicken & Dumplings The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be holding a “Chicken & Dumplin'” carryout only at the main station. 5-7 p.m.

Chicken, dumplings, green beans and sweet potatoes. Cost is $13 and $7 for an additional pint of dumplings.

Call ahead by April 14 to have your carryout ready 619-922-9950.

April 17: Walk With A Doctor Educate, exercise and empower during the virtual “Walk with a Doc” at 9 a.m. on the Atlantic General Hospital Facebook page, where there will be a short presentation by neurologist Dr. Preeti Yonker, who will discuss Parkinson’s disease. You can then walk wherever you want and share your selfies on social media with the hashtag #walkedwithagh.

April 17: Bikers Food Drive The public is invited to join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Food Lion in Ocean Pines for the Fill-the-Truck Food Drive. Members will be collecting canned goods, nonperishable food items, and monetary donations for local food banks.

April 17: Drive-Thru Luncheon Powellville United Methodist Church, located at 35606 Mt. Hermon Road,

will offer a drive-thru luncheon 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring oyster fritter sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches and homemade soups. Platters available. No preorders.

April 17-18: Kids Build Trimper Rides will welcome kids to take a look at construction vehicles up close and design their own skyscraper. All-day rides available for $20 open at noon.

April 22-25: The Wall That Heals The Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines will host The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C, at 2 p.m. daily.

April 24: Church Rummage Sale From 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Ocean City Presbyterian Church will host at 1301 Philadelphia Avenue. Wear masks and social distance.

April 24-25: Kids Unite Trimper Rides will hold safety education and demonstrations featuring first responders and their vehicles. All-day rides available for $20 open at noon.

May 1: May Day Celebration The Ocean Pines Garden Club will host its 3rd Annual May Day Community Celebration on May 1, rain or

April 9, 2021

shine. It is your chance to show your community support by creating a beautiful basket of fresh flowers and display it in a way that it is visible from the street. The only rule is the basket must contain fresh flowers and greens. Place a zip lock bag near your creation that contains five copies of your name, address and the inspiration for your creation for the judges.

Judges will visit displays between 9:30 and 12:30. Baskets will be judged on condition, distinction, originality, color harmony and design, balance and proportion. All participants will receive certificates of appreciation and winners will receive ribbons.

May 13, 20, 27: Diabetes Education The Atlantic General Diabetes Center at Atlantic General Hospital will be offering diabetes self-management education classes through three, three hour sessions. From 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. the sessions will address blood glucose monitoring, foot care, nutrition, exercise, and other self-management skills to help individuals better manage their diabetes. A family member is invited to attend. The program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for quality education, and program staff includes a registered nurse and a registered dietitian, both of whom are certified diabetes educators.

May 29: Kiwanis Car Show The first Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City Car Show will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial Park. Registration is $15 per entrant, 9-10 a.m. There will be judged classes, trophies and awards. Food concessions.

Things To Do activities are printed free of charge. To ensure that an event is listed in a timely manner, please submit information as early as possible, since all items will be listed in advance as space permits. Be sure to include the date, name of event, time, location, address and a contact number. Email to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com; fax to 410-641-0966; or mail to The Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Third Youth Environmental Action Summit Organized

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A virtual youth summit in Wicomico County this week provided local students with funding to support environmental projects.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University and community partners worked together to host the third annual Youth Environmental Action Summit (YEAS) on Wednesday. The sum-mit provided a space for students to develop and present environmental action projects to a panel of experts and community partners in a bid for funding and guidance.

“It is such a powerful experience to see hundreds of students be so passionate about our environment,” said Eric Stewart, marketing and communication coordinator at the Ward Museum.

“These students have worked for months to develop projects that have real potential to make an environmental difference in their communities.”

Eight action projects were submitted and student groups presented on local issues, earning a total of $1,900 in funding toward their projects. Teams from Snow Hill High School presented on the need for installing rain gardens on campus, the development of a wildlife habitat, and organizing a trash clean up on Assateague Island. According to Stew-

Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s Liz Wist is presenting during last week’s youth summit.

Submitted Photo

art, the “Wildlife Habitat Project,” presented by Makayla Fetters of Snow Hill High School, was awarded $200 to install birdhouses and a pollinator garden to increase specific native biodiversity on the school grounds. The “Rain Garden at Snow Hill High School” project, presented by Jerry Velasquez-Arreaga and supported by the school’s AP environmental class, will build on an existing garden space at the high school that floods. The group has carefully selected plants that will absorb water and provide

unique habitat that is currently lacking.

The project was funded at $270.

YEAS included 11 different environmental issue workshops throughout the day. Liz Wist of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) held a session that addressed the importance of pollinators and the role they play in environmental health.

“The summit embodies empowerment. It places the learning, brainstorming, collaboration, and decision-making into the hands of current students—our

Page 55

future leaders,” said Wist, education coordinator at MCBP. “I have had the privilege to attend each year, and I continue to feel humbled to be involved on such an impactful project.”

Stewart said $1,500 was awarded to student ambassadors who worked tirelessly to bring YEAS to life. Organized in part by the students who participated, this year, student ambassadors volunteered more than 350 hours in making the event a reality. Because COVID-19 prompted a virtual event, the summit was actually more accessible for some students.

“Any student in grades 3-12 can participate in YEAS,” said Aurelio Giannitti, education director at the Ward Museum.

“They can work with a group of friends and put together a proposal or they can come without an idea for a project and meet students who they may collaborate with down the line.”

Stewart said students who attended the summit but did not have a project to present were encouraged to work together during breakout sessions to begin early stage planning of action projects they could work on throughout the year, or present at next year’s Youth Environmental Action Summit. In the coming months, the Ward Museum will present mini-grants to these student groups to aid in the development of their projects.

Relocation Announced For Salisbury Zoo’s Bear Cub

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SALISBURY – Cub Sinchi was recently separated from her mother, Chaska, at the Salisbury Zoo in preparation for a move this month.

In a statement, the zoo reported, “In the wild at around 1-2 years of age a cub will leave its mother and venture out into the forest ready to start a new life, perhaps with offspring of its own someday. … Andean bears are naturally solitary animals, rarely come in contact with other bears unless they are seeking a mate.

Our bears are just exhibiting expected and normal behaviors and we must honor their instincts.”

The statement continued, Our keepers have worked very hard to provide our bears with a stimulating and supportive environment. Their success is marked by the fact that our bears are acting like bears. It has been a great year sharing this baby bear’s birth and growth with you, our visitors. We want to thank you for being involved in his life, for the support the community has given to the Salisbury Zoo, and for understanding these next chapters in Sinchi’s life.”

Sinchi will be moved to the Philadelphia Zoo this month.

April 9, 2021

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Submitted Photo

Sinchi, pictured, will find a new home at the Philadelphia Zoo this month.

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Dates Announced For Local Wall That Heals Ceremonies

April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BERLIN –The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation is asking local people to show their support during several historic events this month as part of the visiting Wall That Heals exhibit.

The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and is sponsored by the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

“The Wall That Heals travels throughout the United States, giving those who cannot visit the wall in Washington, D.C. the opportunity to honor those who gave their lives for their country in Vietnam,” Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said.

Local people are asked to line the sidewalk along Route 589, south of Manklin Creek Road, on Tuesday, April 20 at 4 p.m. A 53-foot trailer carrying the exhibit will travel to Veterans Memorial Park in Ocean Pines, led by a motorcycle escort of more than 100 volunteers and local law enforcement.

"We’re asking that everyone come and show their support, and safely line the sidewalks to help welcome the Wall

Page 57

The Wall That Heals will be open for visits 24 hours a day beginning April 22.

Submitted Photo

That Heals to Ocean Pines,” Gilmore said.

Volunteers will begin assembling the wall at Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday, April 21. The exhibit will be open to the public, 24 hours a day, from Thursday, April 22 until Sunday, April 25

at 2 p.m.

The Memorial Foundation will host a “welcome home” opening ceremony for the exhibit on Thursday, April 22 at 11 a.m., and a candlelight ceremony on Saturday, April 24 at 7 p.m.

During the latter, Gilmore said guests

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may walk along the wall, holding a candle, as volunteers read aloud the names of “hometown heroes” from Worcester County, as well as from other counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, and Sussex County in Delaware.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit this exhibit in our community, and to honor the sacrifices of our Vietnam veterans,” Gilmore said. “The Wall That Heals is a national traveling exhibit and does not normally visit Maryland. We’re very happy that an exception was made to bring the wall to Ocean Pines, and we hope that everyone in our community will come and show their support and appreciation.”

Organizers will supply about 100 chairs for each event, but guests are encouraged to bring their own seating.

COVID-19 protocols are still in effect, including mask mandates and social distancing.

Veterans Memorial Park is located at Route 589 and Cathell Road, in Ocean Pines. Public parking will be available, and volunteers will staff the exhibit, 24 hours a day.

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April 9, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 59

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 9, 2021

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9748 Stephen Decatur Hwy. #112 Ocean City, MD 21842 www.batielaw.com

443-856-4676 Monday-Friday

Call us for a free 30 minute phone consultation.

The Dispatch Classifieds

April 9, 2021

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 FULL MOON SALOON: Now hiring full or part time server, line cook, kitchen expo. Apply within at 12702 Old Bridge Road, WOC. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LANDSCAPE WORKERS NEEDED: Must have valid DL. Reliable transportation to work. Call 410-641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 Hwy. 410-2131572.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CHURCH MUSICIAN: Vocal and instrumental skills. Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, Berlin, MD. Call 410641-4882 or email secretary@htcanglican.org ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BALI-HI RV PARK: Bishopville, MD. Maintenance Man/ Groundskeeper. Grass cutting. Experience in plumbing and electric.

40 hrs/wk, $15/hr. 410-352-3140.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– C L E A N E R S / VAC AT I O N RENTALS: Needed for Ocean City and Ocean Pines. Experience preferred but not necessary. Text or call 443-397-1189.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Daytime & Evening Positions Available

APPLY IN PERSON 1800 Baltimore Avenue

Apply in Person IN THE OF FENWICK

Now Hiring ALL POSITIONS Kitchen, Servers, Bussers, Hostess Apply in Person

RT. 54, FENWICK ISLAND

WAREHOUSE/YARD/TRUCK DRIVER 40 HOURS PER WEEK. LOCAL DELIVERY-FRANKFORD, DE. VACATION BENEFITS & INSURANCE CALL 302-732-9200 FOR INTERVIEW. MONTEGO BAY MARKET 12903 COASTAL HIGHWAY

HIRING Evening Cashier Day & Evening Deli Personnel Please Emailmontegosuperthrift@gmail.com Or Apply In Person11am-4pm Monday-Friday

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

Must have: Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

I NDI A N RI VER MA R INA NOW HI R ING SUMMER POSI TI ONS!

•FUEL DOCK ATTENDANT •DOCK HANDS •RAMP ATTENDANTS

Apply Online at delawarestatejobs.com For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

Monday-Friday 11am-4pm

Now Hiring ALL POSITIONS Kitchen, Servers, Bussers, Hostess

Now Hiring

• DELIVERY DRIVERS Make Up To $20/Hour Full-Time or Part-Time Call 443-856-5652 or Apply In Person Downtown Location 710 N. Philadelphia Ave.

THUNDERBIRD BEACH MOTEL NOW HIRING FRONT DESK HOUSEKEEPING MAINTENANCE/ BELLMAN APPLY IN PERSON Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Thunderbird Beach Motel 32nd Street, Ocean City

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.

THE SPINNAKER NOW HIRING FULL-TIME SEASONAL: HOUSEKEEPING MAINTENANCE/ BELLMAN

Page 61

NOW HIRING - YEAR ROUND COOK OCEAN PINES LOCATION

Call 410-726-7061 for Interview NOW HIRING SEASONAL SALES ASSOCIATES FULL-TIME & PART-TIME POSITIONS Set Schedules. Starting Wage $12.00/hour.

Must be 18 years or older.

Apply On Website: www.ronjonsurfshop.com/thecompany/careers Send Resumes To: OCSales@rjss.com Store Address: 6701 Coastal Highway #8, Ocean City, MD 21842

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Now accepting applications for the following positions!

Reservationist Over Night Front Desk Front Desk Room Attendant Houseperson Laundry Attendant Room Inspectors Maintenance Server Cashier Barista Looking for experienced personnel with customer service skills. Must be flexible with hours. Email resume to jobs@carouselhotel.com or stop by and complete an application at the Front Desk.

We require satisfactory pre-employment drug testing and background check.

Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 11700 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD 21842 EOE

Have you ever wanted to be a kayak guide or to work outside all summer?

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Coastal Kayak is hiring for the 2021 season!

Go to CoastalKayak.com for more information and to apply. ’S E T OC WES UN PLAC F T S R MO TO WO KE MAK A N D $$$$

NOW HIRING! YEAR-ROUND FULL- OR PART-TIME

•LINE COOKS •HOSTESS •BARBACKS Please apply in person.

Greene Turtle West, Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500 Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Year Round Positions ~ROOM ATTENDANT ~LAUNDRY ~LOBBY ATTENDANT ~OVERNIGHT CLEANER ~HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR ~FRONT DESK AGENT ~NIGHT AUDIT ~RESERVATIONS ~PAINTER ~FRONT DESK SUPERVISOR ~FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER ~MAINTENANCE ~EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Seasonal Positions ~SERVER ~BARTENDER ~HOSTESS/HOST ~BUSSER ~FOOD RUNNERS ~POOL ATTENDANT ~WAREHOUSE CLERK ~GRILL COOKS ~BEACH STAND ~SECURITY EXCELLENT BENEFITS! FAX RESUME & SALARY REQ. to: 410-723-9109 Online at www.clarionoc.com APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CLARION RESORT FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL 10100 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD. 21842 EOE M/F/D/V

The Dispatch

Classifieds

Page 62

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

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

Exp. pref., but will train right person.

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

Call 410-352-5252

Berlin’s Newest Eatery!

Now Hiring: ALL POSITIONS Host, Bar, Servers, Bus, Kitchen, Dish Seasonal Part-Time Full-Time Call Matt at 302-593-4141 or email

HIRING AT BOTH LOCATIONS ALL POSITIONS INCLUDING MANAGEMENT APPLY IN PERSON South Location 31st St. Coastal Hwy. 410-289-2581 North Location 128th St. Coastal Hwy. 410-250-2304

TOWN MANAGER POSITION TOWN OF SNOW HILL, MARYLAND

thesterlingtavern@gmail.com

The Town of Snow Hill seeks a well-qualified candidate for their Town Manager position. Prior Town Manager experience is required. Please visit www.snowhillmd.gov for more details.

TO APPLY: Send letter of interest/resume via email to mresto@snowhillmd.com Deadline for application: May 12, 2021

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

CASHIER/ SALES ASSOCIATE Must be friendly & dependable FT/PT - Year Round & Seasonal - Various Shifts Competitive Hourly Wage Benefits Available Temporary $2 extra per hour until further notice

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

NIGHT SUPERVISOR FT, YEAR ROUND BENEFITS INCLUDE VACATION, SICK DAYS, HEALTH INSURANCE, 401-K. Competitive hourly wage + Temporary $2 extra per hour until further notice

To Apply-go online www.petromg.com *Employment *Retail *OC MD *Night Supervisor *Search *Night Supervisor-Wine Rack Rt. 50 Wine Rack 12827 Ocean Gateway West OC, MD

Sunset Island, Ocean City, MD A Beautiful Bayside Location in Ocean City with a Friendly Team Environment.

Now Hiring Clubhouse/Pool Attendants.

Part-Time Seasonal Position.

Excellent people skills a must.

You must be able to work mornings, nights and weekends. 8 hour shifts.

Please Fax Resume to 410-520-0398 or Email: linda.horensavitz@casinc.biz

I NDI A N R I V ER MA R I NA I S NO W HI R I NG! •MAINTENANCE •NIGHT WATCH 3PM-11PM SHIFT

•GENERAL CLERICAL

Apply Online at delawarestatejobs.com For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

NOW HIRING DRIVER, BARTENDER, COOK & COUNTER Call 410-726-7061 for Interview PART-TIME FRONTLINE ASSOCIATE Farmers Bank of Willards has a Part-Time Frontline Associate position available at the Talbot Branch, Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to 12641 Ocean Gateway, OC, MD 21842 or email: jennie.rice@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 04-19-2021 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

April 9, 2021

AUTOMOTIVE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES! Large automotive center with auto parts/ marine store, service centers, and used car dealership, is now hiring for: ~Service Parts & Advisors ~Experienced Tow Truck Drivers ~Technicians ~Maryland State Inspector Excellent Pay and Benefits.

RETAIL SALES PERSON Call: 302-344-9846

Needed for fast growing, established outdoor furniture company. Exceptional Opportunity to Earn and Learn! Must be Professional, Detail-Oriented, and Courteous. Occasional deliveries and assembling.

5 days a week, 9 months a year.

Hourly pay plus commissions.

Resume and References Required.

WINDSOR info@WindsorTeakFurniture.com .COM or drop off Mon-Fri, 4pm-5pm

TEAK

1300 Coastal Hwy., Ocean Bay Plaza, Fenwick Island

Off the Hook Restaurant Group is hiring energetic individuals who desire to execute the total Guest Experience to the fullest.

We offer an Honest, Fresh and Local approach to each of our guests in our five restaurants; Hooked OC, Tailchasers OC, Just Hooked Fenwick Island, Off the Hook Bethany Beach, and Hooked Up Millville.

• • •

FRONT OF HOUSE POSITIONS BACK OF HOUSE POSITIONS Permanent Employees Seasonal Employees Growth Motivated Employees Be available for open/close shifts, weekends and holiday schedules.

If you are interested in a rewarding career with a winning team, please visit any of our restaurants or please send resume to: gbowers@irseafood.com

UI Professional I Contractual Recruitment #21-001150-0002 The Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL) Division of Unemployment Insurance is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of UI Professional I. Worksite Location: Salisbury, Maryland SALARY $17.94 per hour Bilingual (Spanish) applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university.

Experience: None Note: Applicants may substitute additional experience in unemployment insurance as defined above for the required education at the rate of one year of experience for one year of education, for up to four years of the required education.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS Applications that meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be referred to the hiring manager for interview selection.

Must have two years using Microsoft Office.

To proceed with your application, please visit the link to apply directly to this position. https://www.jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?

R1=21&R2=001150&R3=0002

The Dispatch

Classifieds

April 9, 2021

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

Currently hiring manpower for

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

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

RENTALS

YEAR ROUND RENTAL: Houses for rent in Salisbury, MD. Only 40 minutes from Ocean City. Rents are $900-$1200/month. Call 443373-5638.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMER SEASONAL: 2 rooms, Sleeps 2 per room. May-September. Electric included. $4000 per person. Call Tricia 443-610-4665.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WEEKLY RENTALS Poolfront Room $215.

Efficiency Room $245.

2 BR Apartment $350.

3 BR Suite $400.

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

REAL ESTATE MOBILE HOME FOR SALE: 14x45. Ground and 2 boat slips included in price. 2BR on 24th Street, OCMD. $299,000. Call 410-477-6073.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

COMMERCIAL

FOR LEASE: Retail Banking Center with drive thru. Contact Brian Gamm. 443-880-2225.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT: 416 West Street. Berlin, Md. Available April 1, 2021. Can be used for contractor shops or storage. Has 3 overhead doors, high ceilings, vanilla shell. Electric, water, sewer, and parking provided. Also included is forklift rental in the lease. If interested call (410) 251-2892.

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BOATS

PONTOON BOAT WANTED: 27’ Tri-Hull with Trailer. Ocean Pines or surrounding areas. 410-8323824.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SERVICES

MOWING/LANDSCAPING: Over 30 years experience. Call Tony for free estimate at 443-513-0271.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ceja’s Landscaping & More!

FOR SALE BEDROOM FURNITURE: Twin Beds, Chest of Drawers, & Night Stand, with Full Bedding. $400.

Call 410-213-1897.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

The Dispatch

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 63

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

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

THIRD INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18652 To all persons interested in the estate of ORLANDO HARRISON MARINER JR, ESTATE NO. 18652. Notice is given that ORLANDO HARRISON MARINER III, 211 EAST FEDERAL STREET, SNOW HILL, MD 21863 was on, MARCH 17, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ORLANDO HARRISON MARINER JR, who died on DECEMBER 31, 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 17TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

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 26, 2021 ORLANDO HARRISON

MARINER III 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, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

THIRD INSERTION

STEPHEN M HEARNE ESQ STEPHEN M HEARNE, P.A. 105 W. MAIN ST, 1ST FLR SALISBURY, MD 21801 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18660 To all persons interested in the estate of RONALD MITCHELL WILSON, ESTATE NO. 18660. Notice is given that STEPHEN M HEARNE, 105 WEST MAIN STREET, SUITE 1, SALISBURY, MD 21801 was on, MARCH 17, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of RONALD MITCHELL WILSON, who died on FEBRUARY 22, 2021, 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 17TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

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 26, 2021 STEPHEN M HEARNE 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, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

THIRD INSERTION

WILLIAM E. ESHAM III ESQ. AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18663 To all persons interested in the estate of CHARLES B WHEELER JR, ESTATE NO. 18663. Notice is given that MARTHA ANN WHEELER, 5 CANNON DRIVE, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, MARCH 18, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHARLES B WHEELER JR, who died on JANUARY 26, 2021, 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 18TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

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, ex-

cept 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 26, 2021 MARTHA ANN WHEELER 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, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

THIRD INSERTION

LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000037 BORDERLINKS I TIME INTERVAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

SAMUEL PASCHALL, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE BORDERLINKS CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester

The Dispatch

Page 64

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Legal Notices

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

County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-21-000037, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Borderlinks Condominium, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit Ae5 Ae5 Aq17 Bi35 Bi35 Bu47 Bu47 Bv48 Bz52

Time Interval 5 9 37 1 37 3 10 19 46

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

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2021 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the

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

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 26, 2021 3x, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

THIRD INSERTION

LESLIE LOBOS, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000041 VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES BORDERLINKS TIMESHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff v.

THERESA A. BUONOMO, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN THE VILLAS OF OCEAN PINES, BORDERLINKS CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN PINES, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-21-000041, the undersigned Trustee, will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the Villas of Ocean Pines, located at, 438 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, Maryland, the following described property located in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland, on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit Aj10 Aj10 Aj10

Time Interval 7 10 44

Aj10 Am13 Am13 An14 Au21 Au21 Au21 Au21 Au21 Ay25 Ay25 Ay25 Bh34 Bh34 Bq43 Bq43 Bx50

52 10 49 19 2 3 19 20 52 2 7 16 16 44 45 52 49

FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MD C-23-CV-20-000127

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

AND THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees.

A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2021 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Leslie Lobos, Esq., Trustee, at 240-449-8862.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 26, 2021 3x, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

SECOND INSERTION

I WILLIAM CHASE, ESQ. THE BELVEDERE TOWERS 1190 W NORTHERN PKWY #124 BALTIMORE, MD 21210 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

WILBARGER, LLC P.O. BOX 2367 DENVER, CO 80201 Plaintiff vs.

SHIH FAMILY TRUST C/O JAMES SHIH, TRUSTEE 10850 NANTUCKET TERRACE POTOMAC, MD 20854

SERVE ON: ROSCOE LESLIE COUNTY ATTORNEY 1 WEST MARKET ST. ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 AND All other persons having or claiming to have an interest in 56.6’ X 94’ X 74’ X 64’ N Side Newbridge Rd S of Pocomoke Defendants ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property, 56.6’ X 94’ X 74’ X 64’ N Side Newbridge Rd S of Pocomoke, Pocomoke, Maryland 21851 assessed to Shih Family Trust, and sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiffs in these proceedings: 56.6’ X 94’ X 74’ X 64’ N Side Newbridge Rd S of Pocomoke Account No.: 01-008447

April 9, 2021 WORCESTER COUNTY Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 26, 2021 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

SECOND INSERTION

SHAHZAD KHAN, ESQ. RACHEL STARIHA, ESQ. KHAN LAW FIRM, PLLC 1315 FREEWAY DRIVE REIDSVILLE, NC 27320 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 21 CVD 323 ALYSSA MARIE WRAY Plaintiff v.

ELIZABETH IRENE JONES Defendant NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION TO: ELIZABETH IRENE JONES, the Defendant herein: TAKE NOTICE that a pleading has been filed against you in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: ABSOLUTE DIVORCE BASED UPON ONE YEARS CONTINUOUS SEPARATION.

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

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty days from the date of the first publication and upon your failure to do so, the Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

It is thereupon this 18TH OF MARCH, 2021 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County,

This the 16th day of March, 2021.

ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three (3) successive weeks before the 12th day of APRIL, 2021 warning all persons interested in said property to be and appear in this Court by the 18th day of MAY, 2021 and redeem the property, 56.6’ X 94’ X 74’ X 64’ N Side Newbridge Rd S of Pocomoke, Pocomoke, Maryland 21851 and answer the Complaint of or thereafter a final decree will be rendered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff, WILBARGER, LLC, a title, free and clear of all encumbrances, except for ground rents.

BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT FOR

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication MARCH 26, 2021 3x, 03-26, 04-02, 04-09

SECOND INSERTION

HAROLD S. LINK, ESQ. 875 VICTORIA PARK DRIVE SUITE 303 SALISBURY, MD 21801 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18657 To all persons interested in the estate of CONNIE LEE TAYLOR, ESTATE NO. 18657. Notice is given that PATRICK JOSEPH ROBERTSON, 13047 SELBY ROAD, BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813 was on, MARCH 23, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CONNIE LEE TAYLOR,

who died on JUNE 14, 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 23RD day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

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 02, 2021 PATRICK JOSEPH ROBERTSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-02, 04-09, 04-16

SECOND INSERTION

RAYMOND D. COATES JR, ESQ COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18673 To all persons interested in the estate of BARBARA MITCHELL EVANS, ESTATE NO. 18673. Notice is given that ROSANNA EVANS BRUNING, 5334 TAYLOR ROAD, SNOW HILL, MD 21863 was on, MARCH 25, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate

The Dispatch

April 9, 2021

Legal Notices

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

of BARBARA MITCHELL EVANS, who died on JANUARY 05, 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 25TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2021.

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 02, 2021 ROSANNA EVANS BRUNING Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-02, 04-09, 04-16

SECOND INSERTION

COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A. RAYMOND D. COATES JR, ESQ 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18675 Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS court of LANCASTER COUNTY, PA, appointed JUDITH S SANDT, 523 RED MAPLE WAY, LANCASTER, PA 17603 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of ANDREW D STAUFFER, who died on DECEMBER 18, 2020, domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is RAYMOND D COATES JR, whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

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 delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 02, 2021 JUDITH S SANDT Foreign Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-02, 04-09, 04-16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SECOND INSERTION

MARK H. WITTSTADT, ESQ. JUSTIN HOY, ESQ. QUINTAIROS, PRIETO WOOD & BOYER, PA 1966 GREENSPRING DRIVE, SUITE LL2 LUTHERVILLE-TIMONIUM, MD 21093 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 409 BONNEVILLE AVENUE POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND 21851 By virtue of a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from Ernest J. Barnes to Bank of America, NA dated April 20, 2005 and recorded in Liber 4449, Folio 392 in the Land Records for Worcester County, Maryland, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction, at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, (Sale will be held at the courthouse door), on APRIL 19, 2021 AT 1:00 PM All that lot or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Town of Pocomoke, in the Election District, Worcester County, State of Maryland, and BEGINNING for the same on the Northeasterly side of Bonneville Avenue at the line of the property now or formerly of Lewis Gunby, and running thence by and with said Bonneville Avenue in a Southeasterly direction a distance of 47 feet and 6 inches the line of the property now or formerly of George H. Long, which was conveyed to him by deed from Quince Ashburn and wife; thence running in a Northeasterly direction by and with said Long land a distance of 85 feet to the line of a certain Johns Sidney Collins to a point a distance of 102 feet from an iron pin driven in the ground on the inside of the sidewalk on Fifth Street, said iron pin being a boundary between the property now or formerly of the said John Sidney Collins and the property now or formerly of Harrison Hargis; thence running in a Northwesterly direction by and with the line of the said Collins property a distance of 47 feet and 6 inches to the line of the property now or formerly of Lewis Gunby; thence running in a Southwesterly direction by and with the line of the said Gunby land a distance of 85 feet to the place of beginning; The improvements thereon being known as 409 Bonneville Avenue, Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851.

The property is residential and is believed to be improved by a dwelling. The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reli-

able but is offered for informational purposes only.

Neither the auctioneer, the Trustee nor their agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of the information.

Prospective purchasers are urged to perform their own due diligence with respect to the property and the uses thereof, prior to the foreclosure auction.

The property will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $2,345.00 in the form of certified check or cashier’s check will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price to be paid in cash within 10 days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. If the purchaser fails to settle within the aforesaid ten (10) days of ratification, the purchaser relinquishes their deposit, and the Trustee may file an appropriate motion with the court to resell the property.

Purchaser waives personal service of any paper filed with the Court in connection with such motion and any Show Cause Order issued by the Court and expressly agrees to accept service of any such paper or Order by certified mail and regular mail sent to the address provided by the purchaser and as recorded on the documents executed by the purchaser at the time of the sale. Service shall be deemed effective upon the purchaser 3 days after postmarked by the United States Post Office. It is expressly agreed by the purchaser that actual receipt of the certified mail is not required for service to be effective. If the purchaser fails to go to settlement the deposit shall be forfeited to the Trustee and all expenses of this sale (including attorney fees and full commission on the gross sales price of the sale) shall be charged against and paid from the forfeited deposit. In the event of resale the defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property regardless of any improvements made to the real property. Interest is to be paid on the unpaid purchase money at the rate of 6.375% per annum from the date of sale to the date the funds are received in the office of the Trustee. Taxes, ground rent, water rent, condominium fees and/or homeowner association dues, all public charges/assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to date of sale and assumed thereafter by

Page 65 the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for the costs of all transfer taxes, (including agricultural transfer taxes, if applicable), documentary stamps and all other costs incident to settlement. Purchaser shall be responsible for physical possession of the property.

Purchaser assumes the risk of loss from the date of sale forward. If the Trustee is unable to convey either insurable or good and marketable title, or the sale is not ratified for any reason by the Circuit Court including errors made by the Trustee, the purchaser’s sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to a refund of the deposit without any interest.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 02, 2021 MARK H. WITTSTADT SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE JUSTIN HOY SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE AUCTION.COM 1 MAUCHLY, IRVINE, CA 92618 3x, 04-02, 04-09, 04-16

FIRST INSERTION

WILLIAM E. ESHAM III ESQ. AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 11320

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 09, 2021 LORETTA B. BRIDDELL Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-09, 04-16, 04-23

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 18048 Notice is given that the SUPERIOR court of SUSSEX COUNTY, DE, appointed KRISTOPHER T. LIU, 5401 FM 1626 #170-217, KYLE, TX 78640 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of PENNY W. LIU, who died on JULY 27, 2019.

To all persons interested in the estate of WALTER D BROWN, ESTATE NO. 11320. Notice is given that LORETTA B. BRIDDELL, 418 HAMMOND STREET, SALISBURY, MD 21804 was on, APRIL 01, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WALTER D BROWN, who died on JANUARY 6, 2002, with a will.

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is STEPHEN M. KENNY, whose address is 9800 COASTAL HWY, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

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 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:

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 1ST day of OCTOBER, 2021.

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

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER.

(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 delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date ex-

The Dispatch

Page 66

LEGAL RATES

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Legal Notices

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. tended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 09, 2021 KRISTOPHER T. LIU Foreign Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-09, 04-16, 04-23

FIRST INSERTION

ARLETTE K. BRIGHT ESQ THE LAW OFFICES OF ARLETTE K. BRIGHT, PC 1002 EASTERN SHORE DRIVE, #B SALISBURY, MD 21804 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18680 To all persons interested in the estate of CARL J. KALOUSTIAN, ESTATE NO. 18680. Notice is given that LARA ELAINE ADAMS, 36 RAYMOND STREET, MEDFORD, MA 02155 was on, APRIL 05, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CARL J. KALOUSTIAN, who died on JANUARY 17, 2021, 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 5TH day of OCTOBER, 2021.

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 09, 2021 LARA ELAINE ADAMS Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x, 04-09, 04-16, 04-23

FIRST INSERTION

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 15571 To all persons interested in the estate of FELICIA CHRISTINA HANDY JOHNSON. Notice is given that RONALD L. JOHNSON, 9631 PEERLESS ROAD, BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813, was on MARCH 29, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of FELICIA CHRISTINA HANDY JOHNSON, who died on FEBRUARY 13, 2014 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 shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. 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 09, 2021 RONALD L. JOHNSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 04-09

FIRST INSERTION

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18679 To all persons interested in the estate of FRANCIS ANTHONY PETTOLINA III. Notice is given that JENNIFER L. PETTOLINA, 9800 MOORING VIEW LANE UNIT 14, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on APRIL 01, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of FRANCIS ANTHONY PETTOLINA III, who died on MARCH 22, 2021 with a will.

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

All persons having any ob-

jection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. 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 09, 2021 JENNIFER L. PETTOLINA Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 04-09

FIRST INSERTION

LAW OFFICE OF JOHN E. REID, PLLC 5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W. SUITE 700 WASHINGTON, DC 20015 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MD CIVIL DIVISION C-23-CV-20-000132 TAX SALE EB 2EMIMD, LLC Plaintiff vs.

ROBERT ELMER, WORCESTER COUNTY, MD AND All unknown owners of the property described below; all heirs, devisees, personal representatives, and executors, administrators, grantees, assigns or successors in right, title, interest, and any and all other persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property and premises with Account No. 030410; situ-

April 9, 2021

tate in Disrict 01 of Worcester County, Maryland, known as 805 Market St., Pocomoke, MD 21851 and described as 60’V201’N Side 805 St. Pocomoke on the Tax Roll of the Director of Finance Defendants AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the herein above described property sold, either directly or via assignment, by the Collector of Taxes for the State of Maryland and Worcester County to the Plaintiff in the proceeding. The Complaint states, among other things, that the amount necessary for the redemption for the subject property has not been paid although more than six (6) months from the date of the sale have expired, and more than two (2) months from the date that the first of two (2) separate pre-suit Notices of the the tax sale was sent to each required interested party have expired.

It is thereupon this 31st day of MARCH, 2021 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in a newspaper having general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, on or before the 26th day of APRIL, 2021 warning all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property described above to appear in this Court by the 1st day of JUNE, 2021 and redeem their respective property, or answer the Complaint or thereafter a final decree will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in and as to the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff, a title in fee simple or leasehold, free and clear of all encumbrances.

FIRST INSERTION

DON E. RICHARDSON ESQ P.O. BOX 258 SALISBURY, MD 21803 SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18685 To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL J. NORKELUN JR. AKA MICHAEL JOSEPH NORKELUN JR. Notice is given that DON E. RICHARDSON, PO BOX 258, SALISBURY, MD 21803, was on APRIL 06, 2021, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of MICHAEL J. NORKELUN JR., who died on FEBRUARY 23, 2021 with a will.

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

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

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

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

The Defendants are hereby informed of the latest date to file a written Answer or Petition to Redeem the property mentioned in the Complaint described above, and that failure to file a response on or before the date specified may result in a Default Judgement foreclosing all rights of redemption in and as to the property being rendered by this Court against them.

(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MD

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 09, 2021

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 09, 2021 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x, 04-09, 04-16, 04-23

DON E. RICHARDSON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 04-09

Worcester Public Works Head Retiring After 36-Year Career

April 9, 2021

SNOW HILL – During their April 6 meeting, the Worcester County Commissioners paid tribute to Public Works Director John Tustin, who will retire later this month following a 36-year career with Worcester County government.

“Many have contributed to the success of Worcester County, but none more than John,” Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins said. “His hard work, integrity and honesty are second to none. But these are not John’s most endearing qualities. During the 1996 Thanksgiving holiday, my first in the county, John invited me and my family to break bread with his family. His goodwill and kindness to a stranger will never be forgotten by me.”

Tustin began his career as the county engineer on September 16, 1985, was appointed as the department head for the Water Wastewater Department in 1994, and was promoted to director of the newly-formed Department of Public Works in February 1997, where he oversaw the roads, water and wastewater, solid waste, maintenance, and fleet management divisions. He has dedicated his career to expanding and improving public services, and he championed modernization of the progressive maintenance programs for county owned buildings and grounds.

“The past 36 years have certainly been a highlight in my life, and I have no regrets,” Tustin said. “If I would do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

The employees that work for the county are amazing and many solid friendships have developed over the years.”

Throughout his career, Tustin spearheaded numerous infrastructure projects that have played an important role in shaping Worcester County. In 1986, Tustin played a key role in acquiring, designing, and developing a 724-acre property for the Central Landfill in Newark. Since that time, he has overseen the development of five landfill cells at this site. He initiated the recycling program in 1992, and he oversaw the design and construction of Samuel Bowen Boulevard, the cap and closure of three old landfill sites in Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Berlin, and headed pump station upgrades in Ocean Pines as well as multiple wastewater treatment plant expansions. He also coordinated upgrades and improvements to all the Worcester County boat ramps.

Tustin was involved in the design and construction of the 1988 County Jail expansion, the construction of Healthway Drive, the Worcester County Health Department office in Berlin, and the Ocean Pines Library.

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Retiring Public Works Director John Tustin is pictured, from left, with Commissioners Chip Bertino, Jim Bunting, Josh Nordstrom, Jim Mitrecic, Ted Elder, Bud Church and Diana Purnell.

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Page 68

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The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

y family is in an interesting period along this parenting journey.

We are clearly making a major transition as the boys, 12 and 11 years old, respectively, are changing and gravitating away from their parents.

The differences in our days currently compared to years ago are vast and bring on mixed emotions.

Easter morning was yet another example of how things have changed.

Rather than a loud early morning of excitement of Easter baskets, rowdiness and candy before church, it was a quiet Easter morning this year. Though it was much more relaxing, the differences were noted throughout the day.

The kids opened their Easter baskets at different times because Carson is an early riser and Beckett loves sleeping in on non-school days. There were neither Easter egg hunts nor dress ups for church this year due to life’s changes.

It was a ho hum Easter. It was simpler but enjoyed nonetheless for different reasons than in years past.

It’s sad on one hand watching these changes take place, but kids grow up and become more independent. There is an understanding and clear recollection those younger days were exhausting, frustrating and mindboggling. We couldn’t stay in the toddler period forever and thankfully so. Two young kids only 19 months apart required a ton of time, energy and effort for many years.

I clearly remember just going to the backyard by myself with the boys was a big deal and typically involved a lot of sweat and usually an injury or three.

While there are tremendous memories from those days when calls for “mommy” and “daddy” seemed incessant, I do not long for those days. They were wonderful and are now memories.

Nowadays, with more social chan-

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ges taking place especially with our older son, a whole new host of concerns preoccupy our time and prevent spare moments to reflect on days gone by. What was simpler psychologically and mentally was much more demanding physically.

Thanks largely to the kids being much slower starters in the morning, I am generally finding myself with some free time. Carson is an early riser but is perfectly content doing his own thing with technology until we say enough.

Though he’s up early (by 6 each morning thanks to an early bedtime), it doesn’t mean he’s eager to do anything. There was a time when if he was awake at least one parent had to monitor him closely, as he was a flight risk and didn’t understand safety and danger. Carson, 11, has become a loner these days and has become shyer than ever. It’s a consequence of the pandemic and his disabilities.

When awake, in Beckett’s case, he would rather not be around his parents at all. I do not find it sad. It’s probably because he’s not always a joy to be around anymore, due to puberty and moods. There are also things clearly bothering him at times he refuses to share with us for whatever reason. He tells me he keeps things to himself because he doesn’t want to sit through a lecture. I respond maybe I can help because I have lived through being a 12year-old boy. He says times are different now than they were in the ‘80s.

I agree with him because technology has clearly changed the dynamics for kids, but I also remind I can sympathize with some of the challenges he seems to be facing socially at times.

It was inevitable he would start to push away as he tries to solve his own problems and maintain some level of privacy and independence. There is an unexpected secrecy he seems to live

with that’s bothersome and alarming.

He shares little unless threatened with a consequence, which is unfortunate.

I am more concerned about him than anything else. I am told this is a normal progression into the teen years. He’s incredibly impressionable and seems to gravitate to the types of friends his parents are skeptical of these days. We don’t necessarily think they are bad kids, but we can infer from their actions, body language and words these are not the types we want our kids around.

A conversation with him about this point gave some indications of what’s going on with him lately. He remarked how we were being judgmental when coming to conclusions about some friends by their clothes, words and actions without truly getting to know them. It was a good point, but I deflected by making some observations of their actions (which may or may not have been seen from a nearby porch) that were clearly representative of bad decisions by his friends.

I firmly believe remaining connected with him is key, even if it’s challenging and frustrating. That’s why when he came to me at 7:45 on Easter night asking me if I still wanted to play basketball after dismissing the notion earlier I acquiesced. It didn’t hurt that Pam was behind him shaking her head yes vigorously. My only initial reluctance was being tired from having family over, but she was right. It was good to get some guy time in and he shared some concerns I had not heard before about school and other aspects of life.

It says a lot that parenting an Autistic boy is easier right now than our 12year-old kid.

(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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April 9, 2021

Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): It isn't always easy for the rambunctious Aries to give a second thought to their often spur-of-the-moment choices. But aspects favor rechecking a decision before declaring it final.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Information emerges for the business-driven Bovine who feels ready to restart a stalled project. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed at any time during the process.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Part of you wants to complete plans for an upcoming event, while your other self wants to see how things develop first.

Compromise by moving ahead with your plans while being open to change.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): An unexpected change in a relationship could open up a problem or could lead to a much-needed and too-long-delayed reassessment of a number of matters. The choice is yours to make.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Time for the Lion to total the plusses and minuses resulting from recent personal and/or professional decisions. See what worked, what didn't and why, and base your next big move on the results.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): The clever Virgo can make persuasion work by presenting a case built on hard facts. Sentiment might touch the heart, but it's good, solid information that invariably wins the day.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): You usually can win over the most stubborn

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

skeptics on your own. But this time you can benefit from supporters who have been there, done that and are willing to speak up on your behalf.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): You win admiration for your determination to do the right thing. Don't be distracted from that course, despite the offer of tempting alternatives that might suddenly turn up.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): While you still need to maintain control of a dominant situation, a new development emerges, making the task easier and the outcome potentially more rewarding.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): New factors might have a positive effect on a still-pending matter, but only if the information proves to be credible.

Trusted colleagues might be able to offer needed advice.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): The week favors moderation, especially if a health problem is involved. Resist the impulse to do more than might be good for you at this time. You can catch up later.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): You could feel more than a mite upset by someone or some people who might be creating problems for you. Find out why they won't change their ways. Their reasons might surprise you.

BORN THIS WEEK: You know how to inspire others to do their best by setting a persuasive example of your own. © 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

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OCEAN CITY

vanishing

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Things I Like ...

By Steve Green

Baby birds chirping

Receiving word of a grant approval

Stories shining a spotlight on good deeds Men in suspenders

When my son needs a hand to hold A cold beer with spicy wings New shoes that feel old An old dog’s kind soul

Learning something new in a biography Hearing kids at recess in the distance A quiet dishwasher

April 9, 2021

WITH BUNK MANN

Thelma Conner (1913-1999) has been called “a visionary entrepreneur who was ahead of her time.” The successful hotel owner was the first woman ever elected to the Ocean City Council, serving from 1976 to 1984. She helped form the Ocean City Museum Society and was instrumental in moving the old Coast Guard building to the Inlet to become the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, she married Milton Conner in 1940 and moved to Ocean City to join him in the family hotel business. They would manage the Hastings-Miramar Hotel on the Boardwalk before purchasing the Dunes Motel in 1965.

Milton died in 1979 but she kept their dream of building a firstclass Victorian-style hotel alive. Approaching age 75, Thelma opened the elegant Dunes Manor Hotel on April 1, 1987, explaining, “they said only a fool would open a grand hotel at my age so I opened on April Fool’s Day.” Her hotel was a major success and at age 81 Thelma Conner received the Maryland Independent Hotelier of the Year award. Although she passed away five years later, her beloved Dunes Manor continues to be one of Ocean City’s finest hotels.

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

Lens Art photo courtesy of Dunes Manor Hotel

April 9, 2021

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April 9, 2021