July 10

July 10, 2020

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Thunderbirds Booked For Air Show

See Page 22 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Committee Opposes Tram Service

Summer Views:

See Page 8 • File Photo

Some unique perspectives of the area can be seen from atop the Inlet Eye Ferris wheel this summer, including the northern tip of Assateague Island, above, and fishing vessels heading east into the ocean.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Three-Way Race For Berlin Mayor

See Page 16 • Photo by Chris Parypa

Cutest Pet Of The Month The winner of last month’s Cutest Pets of the Month Contest were Otis and Henry, a pug and basset hound owned by Faith Coleman. See page 52 for this month’s contestants.

Submitted Photo

Page 2

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Ocean City To Use Fourth Fireworks At NYE Celebration

July 10, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

EAT HERE 60th street in the bay 410-524-5500 • www.fagers.com

OCEAN CITY – The two fireworks shows that would have been held at both ends of town last weekend on the Fourth of July will now be condensed to a single show on New Year’s Eve after a compromise was reached this week between the town and the vendor.

Last month, the Mayor and Council agreed to postpone the traditional Fourth of July fireworks shows downtown at the Boardwalk and uptown at Northside Park over ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the thousands of spectators that cram into both venues. Instead, the town continued to work with the vendor, Celebration Fireworks, Inc., on alternative dates, including possibly in conjunction with the O.C. Air Show in midAugust or even Labor Day weekend.

Earlier in the spring, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the Mayor and Council agreed to the $55,000 contract with Celebration Fireworks, including a non-refundable deposit of $13,750, with the caveat alternative dates would be explored if the Fourth of July was a no-go. On Monday, after considerable debate, the Mayor and Council approved an arrangement that will utilize the $13,750 deposit for this year’s cancelled Fourth of July fireworks for a New Year’s Eve show.

That measure will save the town the balance of the $55,000 owed for the postponed Fourth of July fireworks in 2020 and a separate deposit of $13,750 will eventually be put down for the Fourth of July fireworks in 2021. Celebration Fireworks, Inc. signed off on the proposal with the promise of developing a request for proposal (RFP) for a three-year contract going forward.

Special Events Director Frank Miller told the Mayor and Council the plan all along was to develop an RFP with Celebration Fireworks, Inc. for a threeyear contract. Thanks to the somewhat odd COVID-19 mixed live and part Zoom council meeting format, Celebration Fireworks, Inc. officials were listening in on Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting and communicated with Frank Miller in real time they were amenable to the arrangement.

So, as a result, there will not be major fireworks shows in August in conjunction with the air show, nor will there be fireworks shows in conjunction with Labor Day weekend. Instead, the $13,750 deposit put down for the Fourth of July in 2020 will be rolled into a New Year’s Eve show this year. A new deposit of $13,750 SEE PAGE 68

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 5

County Seeks Safety Improvements At Health Pavilion

Page 6

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – County officials agreed this week to contact Maryland’s State Highway Administration to ask for safety improvements to Route 589 in the area of the Ocean Pines Health Pavilion.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to send the State Highway Administration (SHA) a letter expressing concern regarding the entrance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s Ocean Pines Health Pavilion. The missive comes at the request of Commissioner Chip Bertino, who represents the Ocean Pines area.

“There continue to be problems of people exiting and entering off Route 589,” Bertino said. “I’d ask if we could send a letter reminding State Highway this is an issue of concern to Worcester County but especially to those that use that facility.”

After the meeting, Bertino said he’d brought the issue up after being contacted by Dr. Jerrold Canakis, who’d expressed anxiety regarding patient safety as people entered and exited the facility.

“It is a real problem,” Bertino said, adding that it had been an issue since the complex, which includes various facilities, was built.

Canakis, who’s worked at the Ocean Pines Health Pavilion since last year

Safety concerns remain over the entrance to the Ocean Pines Health Pavilion off Route 589.

and is in the process of moving his own office there, said he’d seen many near accidents as people left the facility. Vehicles leaving the complex must turn right onto Route 589. Canakis says many drivers don’t realize that and later panic, making illegal U-turns.

“Do we need a serious accident to occur?” Canakis said. “God forbid someone gets killed. It’s a high-volume area and you have a number of cars. Even to

take a right there’s effort there.”

He said patients were coming to the facility to receive care at state-of-theart medical facilities.

“To put these patients at risk of getting in a car accident, it’s inexcusable,” he said. “We need to do something.”

Canakis said he’s had patients voice concern over the situation and has seen near-accidents himself. He believes it’s something that needs to be addressed

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

now rather than later. While he acknowledged that improvements would require funding, Canakis said he hoped SHA could find a way to get something done.

“Can you put a price to a life?” he said. “You can’t. To me this is paramount that we get something done. It’s so important. We have folks coming from all over to receive state-of-the-art health care. We have to provide them safe access.”

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“A COP ON THE TAKE” First he takes the oath.

Now look at all he takes -

He takes it in stride when people call him pig.

He takes time to stop and talk to children.

He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserve.

He takes on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.

He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.

He takes your injured children to the hospital.

He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it’s his turn.

He takes his life into his hands daily.

He takes you home when your car breaks down.

He takes time to explain why both your headlights have to work.

He takes the job no one else wants - telling you a loved one has died.

He takes criminals to jail.

He takes in sights that would make you cry.

Sometimes he cries, too, but He takes it anyway because someone has to.

If he is lucky, He takes retirement.

He takes memories to bed each night that you couldn’t bear for even one day.

Sometimes, He Takes a bullet.

And, yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.

Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.

- Support the brave men and women of the Ocean City Police Department, Worcester County Sheriffs Department and Maryland State Police as they patrol Ocean City.

Paid for by The Clark Family

Page 7

OC Committee Advises Against Boardwalk Tram

Page 8

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Evoking a “health before wealth” mantra, the Ocean City Transportation Committee this week opted to forward a recommendation to the full council not to run the Boardwalk trams this summer.

Over the last couple of months, resort officials have been debating if and when to resume running the Boardwalk tram. Back in May, with COVID-19 still rampant and Gov. Larry Hogan’s stayat-home and other directives still in place, the transportation committee debated the merits of running the Boardwalk tram at all this summer, regardless of what stage of the state’s recovery plan had been reached. It was quite literally a million-dollar question as the

committee had to weigh the balance of social distancing and public safety against significant revenue losses for shutting down the quaint feature on the Boardwalk for generations.

The debate continued in June as Maryland moved from stage one to stage two of the recovery plan and more and more of the restrictions were relaxed. The thinking at that time was training could begin in mid-June and the tram service could resume around the beginning of July and still salvage the peak months of the summer season.

However, still uneasy about the ability to achieve social distancing on the tram itself, along with the forcing of people on the Boardwalk together as the tram passes had the committee postponing any decision for another month. On Tuesday, the transportation

committee resumed the debate with an eye on beginning training in mid-July with a target start date for the service of July 29.

Maryland’s current COVID-19 directives for public transportation allow for essential riders with no other means transportation only. Public Works Director Hal Adkins explained the Boardwalk tram does not fit easily into any definition.

“We don’t feel the tram is an amusement ride,” he said. “We also don’t feel it’s an essential mode of transportation. If you consider it a shared-use operation, the staff and the riders would all have to wear masks and practice social distancing. We would also have Plexiglass around the conductor to eliminate potential exposure.”

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July 10, 2020

ches has a capacity of around 80 passengers. Running the tram at 50% capacity, for example, would reduce that number to around 40. Not running the tram at all in August and September would result in a loss of revenue of around $600,000. However, Ocean City is in line for federal grants through the CARES Act for transportation that could offset some of the losses.

“The purpose of running the tram is to provide a service, an amenity,” said Councilman Dennis Dare. “There wouldn’t really be a financial incentive to run it at this point.”

Councilman Mark Paddack said he had mixed feelings about moving forward with the tram for this summer.

“This is a tough decision,” he said.

“It’s not really essential, it’s basically an added amenity. Is it worth doing as an added amusement on the Boardwalk for two months? I don’t want to operate at a loss. If we can get to a net zero from running the tram, that would be great.”

Mayor Rick Meehan said the town can’t always control the public’s behavior with regard to socially distancing and wearing masks, but there is an opportunity with the trams at half capacity to set an example.

“As far as COVID, there are a lot of things we can’t control,” he said. “We can control the tram with the capacity reductions and the mask requirements.

I also have concerns about the tram, but I think there are some things we can control.”

Dare pointed out it remains uncertain where Maryland and Ocean City will be in the recovery plan by August, now less than a month away. Maryland’s key metrics continued to trend in the right direction this week, but there are still flare-ups in other areas including neighboring Delaware, for example.

“We don’t know what the situation will be in August,” he said. “Governor Hogan has been very conservative.

I’m not sure public transportation will be opened up by then, or if we’re even near stage three.”

Meehan said there did not appear to be any urgency to moving Maryland further along in the recovery plan at this point.

“I spoke with Governor Hogan at length last week,” he said. “I think he is trying to keep us right where we are without loosening things up just yet.”

Dare also pointed out concerns about tram riders specifically, and much of the public in general, and the reluctance, or even belligerence to some degree, about wearing masks.

“My other concern is for our employees,” he said. “Not only for potential exposure to the virus, but having to provide that enforcement. Some people are very passionate about not wearing a mask and I’m not sure we need to provide a non-essential service and put people at risk.”

Dare also pointed out the challenges of running the trams down the crowded SEE NEXT PAGE

Ethics Board Clears Nordstrom, But Offers Future Guidance

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Commissioner Josh Nordstrom announced this week the Worcester County Ethics Board found no wrongdoing related to his participation in a hospital funding vote.

At the end of Tuesday’s meeting of the Worcester County Commissioners, Nordstrom brought up the ethics complaint filed regarding his participation in a vote to provide Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) with a grant. He said the ethics board had met and found no wrongdoing.

“I really want to thank the administration and the ethics board for their due diligence and I want to thank the people who reached out to me by telephone and by email, some of whom I’ve never met before, who offered me a lot of support after reading the articles that were printed,” Nordstrom said. “I really appreciated that. Those folks know that the votes that I make here are for the best interest of the people of Worcester County and they always will be.”

Last month, Snow Hill resident Marvin Purnell submitted an ethics compl-

. Council To Vote On Tram Operation

Boardwalk and the issues it creates with pushing people together. He said the town has already taken some public relations hits earlier in the summer about the crowds on the Boardwalk and adding the tram to the mix could contribute to that.

“The trams part the sea and force people on the Boardwalk to no distance physically,” he said. “Most aren’t wearing masks anyway. The tram could add to that visualization. There is already a perception for some that we’re putting wealth before health.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca pointed out the committee only makes recommendations and the final decision would be up to the full council.

“I’d like to hear input from all seven members,” he said. “I’m not sure we’re ready as a committee to make a recommendation.”

However, Mark Paddack agreed it was likely the right decision to put the brakes on the Boardwalk trams for this season and made a motion to that effect.

“I’ll make a motion to recommend suspending the operation for 2020,” he said. “I agree it comes down to a health before wealth decision.”

The voting members of the committee voted 3-1 with DeLuca opposed to send a recommendation to the full council to suspend the tram operation this summer. DeLuca pointed out he was not against shutting down the tram necessarily, but wanted the discussion to be held by the full council.

Commissioner Josh Nordstrom is pictured making comments at this week’s meeting in Snow Hill.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

aint regarding Nordstrom’s participation in a vote to provide funding to AGH, where his wife works as director of community health.

“It’s a ‘conflict of interest’ when a Worcester County commissioner is al-

lowed to influence, sway, advocate, sponsor and vote to fund monies to a specific entity if and when there is a personal interest and/or gain,” Purnell wrote.

While all proceedings of the ethics board are confidential, Nordstrom volunteered to share the opinion issued regarding his AGH vote.

The opinion states that in general an official should not participate in a matter involving a business entity in which the official or their qualified relative is an officer, director, trustee, partner or employee unless the ethics board approved participation.

“We find that Commissioner Nordstrom had no intent to violate the ordinance,” the opinion reads. “Commissioner Nordstrom showed good faith by disclosing in open session his wife’s employment at AGH. It also appears th-

Page 9

at there was no direct financial benefit provided to his wife. Instead, the grant to AGH was for capital improvements.”

The opinion goes on to state, however, that this situation should be a learning opportunity.

“At the same time, the ethics board would like to use this occasion as an educational opportunity for all county officials,” the opinion reads. “We recommend that recusal under similar circumstances would be the optimal course of action. Additionally, pre-approval to participate from the ethics board is another option that could be requested.”

The board’s opinion goes on to recommend that all individuals covered by the county’s ethics ordinance should regularly review the law and consult the county attorney regarding any concerns to “prevent any potential perception of conflict of interest from occurring.”

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Ocean City Pleased With County Funding Support For WOC Service

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week said Worcester County including grant funding to the Town of Ocean City for providing paramedic service to unincorporated West Ocean City signaled a thawing of sorts in the oftenfrigid relationship between the two jurisdictions.

For years, Ocean City has been providing ambulance service to unincorporated West Ocean City in the county at-large, but heretofore has not always been fully compensated

by Worcester County. During budget deliberations this spring, the old issue reared its ugly head again as the Mayor and Council debated whether to continue to fund the service to West Ocean City at Ocean City taxpayers’ expense, or issue an ultimatum to the county commissioners to reimburse the town or find an alternative to provide paramedic service to West Ocean City themselves.

The long and short of it is, Ocean City provides ambulance service to West Ocean City in the county atlarge and is supposed to be compensated through a combination of user fees in the form of billing customers who use the service and grants from the county. The problem is, those who call 911 and receive medical attention and often transport to the hospital often don’t pay their bills.

In addition, the grants Worcester County pays to Ocean City for providing the service outside city limits fall short of compensating the resort.

The result this year was a roughly $330,000 deficit that resort officials have to consider folding into the budget and eating on the backs of the taxpayers, or seeking an equitable means of being compensated, either through more stringent collection efforts or an increase in the grants from the county to offset the expense.

During budget deliberations, the Mayor and Council sent a stronglyworded letter to the county commissioners seeking compensation for the $330,000 expense to provide ambulance service to West Ocean City.

The county in its own budget deliberations this year acquiesced and included the full $330,000 in its annual grant to Ocean City to continue to provide the service.

During Monday’s regular meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan said the town was pleased with the county’s grant to Ocean City this year and said the measure signaled a détente of sorts in the long-standing feud between the jurisdictions often over budget concerns.

“Each year we make a grant request to Worcester County,” he said.

July 10, 2020

“I can tell you what we received this year was very favorable. The Worcester County Commissioners addressed many of our concerns.”

Meehan particularly addressed the West Ocean City ambulance service funding issue.

“The one thing that is of significant importance is the fact they included the full $330,000 for providing service to West Ocean City,” he said.

“The cost of providing paramedics to West Ocean City was exceeding what we were getting from the county. They listened and they responded.”

Meehan said with the funding in place from the county, Ocean City would continue to provide the service in the future.

“I just want to thank the commissioners for listening and realizing this is a very important issue,” he said. “I don’t think anybody can provide the service better than we can and I don’t think anybody can provide it at the cost we can. It’s only fair to the taxpayers of Ocean City that they be reimbursed for providing that service.”

Meehan also praised County Commission President and former Ocean City Councilman Joe Mitrecic for taking the lead on the issue. He said the issue has served as a catalyst for a broader view of how fire and emergency services are provided to at-large areas of the county by the various municipalities.

“They have also agreed to fund a task force to look at ways to fund this throughout the county so other municipalities will be able to have funding for their departments as well,” he said.

Meehan said the county’s decision to provide funding for paramedic service to West Ocean City perhaps signaled an easing of the often-tense relationship between the town and the county. For years, Ocean City has been battling Worcester County over the tax differential issue, or the duplicated cost of providing essential services, to no avail, but the county’s decision to provide the full funding for the West Ocean City could signal an easing of those tensions.

“Many times up here we don’t always agree with the county commissioners, but they do support us and, in this case, they listened and they really understood the issue,” Meehan said.

Councilman John Gehrig agreed the county’s decision on the West Ocean City funding represented an olive branch of sorts.

“Hopefully, this will be a bridge,” he said. “We can be and should be good partners with the county. I think this opens up a whole new conversation.”

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July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Berlin planners support rezonings

July 10, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Rezoning requests for the former Harley Davidson property on Route 50 and the former Southern States on Broad Street moved forward with favorable recommendations from the Berlin Planning Commission.

The commission on Wednesday agreed to send both requests on to the Berlin Town Council with favorable recommendations. Two Farms Inc., the company that owns the former Harley Davidson property, is seeking a B-2 designation more in keeping with neighboring properties while purchasers of the former Southern States building are pursuing a B-2 designation to turn it into a carryout restaurant and market.

Attorney Joe Moore, representing Two Farms Inc., told the commission that his clients were seeking a rezoning on the basis that a mistake had been made when the property was zoned B1 Town Center. He said the former Harley Davidson property had been labeled B-1 when it was annexed into town at the same time as the adjacent school, which was also B-1. The property was used as a food store and then as a motorcycle shop, however, both uses Moore said would have been better suited to a B-2 designation.

"Basically all the uses that have been at that property should have more appropriately been in B-2," he said.

Moore added that the Royal Farms across the street was B-2 as were the businesses along Route 346.

"We are basically a continuation of that yet we are zoned downtown business district," he said.

The commission voted 5-0 to forward the request on to the town council with a favorable recommendation.

Attorney Mark Cropper told the commission his client, David Diehl, was asking to rezone the former Southern States building on Broad Street from M-1 Light Industrial to B-2. Cropper said that while all the commercial properties in Berlin that lined the railroad track had initially been zoned industrial, the use at the Broad Street site had always been more commercial than industrial.

"There's been a transition away from industrial use in the town," he said.

He added that while in theory any use allowed in the B-2 district would be permitted on the site if it were rezoned, his client wanted to set up a seafood market and set up space for various craft vendors.

"A commercial zoning classification on this property is actually more compatible than the industrial existing zoning classification," Cropper said.

When asked if the business coming in to the building would be year-round, Diehl said he wasn't yet sure.

"We haven't really figured it out yet," Diehl said. "Our intention is for it to be seasonal."

The commission voted 5-0 to support the proposed rezoning.

First White Marlin Prizes Awarded

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Members of the Reel Escape fishing team are pictured with representatives of the Fishermen United coalition after their check presentations.

Submitted Photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week awarded the town’s $5,000 check to the angler who caught and released the first white marlin of the season this year back on May 23, the earliest ever in the storied history of marlin fishing in Ocean City.

Each year, the Mayor and Council offers a $5,000 prize to the angler or boat crew that catches the first white marlin of the season in the White Marlin Capital of the World. This year, the honor went to angler Carl Sauer and the captain and crew on the Reel Escape, who caught and released the first white marlin of the season back on May 23, the earliest date ever for the milestone. The previous record was four years ago on May 25.

The milestone catch was a first for many reasons this year. For Sauer, it was his first time ever fishing offshore and his first billfish catch ever, he said at Monday’s Mayor and Council meeting when he received the symbolic oversized check for $5,000. In addition, it was a maiden voyage of sorts for the Reel Escape.

The boat owners had acquired the sportfishing vessel earlier this year and spent much of the spring outfitting it for the summer season. The boat owner said on Monday they had been waiting on an opportunity to take it out on a shakedown cruise of sorts on the day the first white marlin of the season was caught.

The Reel Escape’s first white marlin of the season was caught and released around 11:30 a.m. between the Norfolk and Washington canyons on May 23. Sauer said during Monday’s meeting it might not have happened for him and Captain Chris Miller and crew on the Reel Escape without some perseverance.

“It was a little rough heading out and we talked about turning around a couple of times,” he said. “We decided to press on and we were rewarded with the first white marlin of the season.”

Sauer and the Reel Escape crew have earned $11,000 total for the dis-

tinction of catching and releasing the first white marlin of the season, including the town’s $5,000 prize and another $6,000 prize package from Fishermen United. A few years back during budget time, the Mayor and Council briefly considered eliminating the town’s $5,000 prize and Fishermen United, a coalition of local businesses including Atlantic Tackle, Sunset Marina, the Ocean City Fishing Center, Bahia Marina, the Bank of Ocean City and Hooked on OC, ponied up a $6,000 prize package in its place.

The town ended up restoring the $5,000 prize and Fishermen United kept their prize package in place, so Sauer and the Reel Escape earned the combined $11,000 package. The Ocean City Marlin Club also awards a $5,000 prize to the angler and crew who catch and release the first white marlin of the season if they are club members and most years, the combined $16,000 package goes to the same winner.

This year, however, the Reel Escape is not a club member and did not get the additional $5,000 from the Marlin Club. Instead, that prize will go to the crew on the Talkin Trash, which, remarkably also caught and released a white marlin on the same date on May 23 about an hour apart.

Mayor Rick Meehan presented the town’s $5,000 check to Sauer and the captain and crew on the Reel Escape on Monday.

“This has been going on for a number of years,” he said. “It’s an annual tradition here in the White Marlin Capital of the World. It’s very special. The first white marlin catch of the season is a symbolic start to the fishing season and hopefully a sign of many more for our offshore fishermen this summer.”

A short time later, Fishermen United representatives presented their $6,000 contribution to Sauer and the Reel Escape crew outside City Hall.

Historically, the first white marlin of the season has been caught in a window of around five or six days in midto late June. Before this year’s May 23 date, the earliest ever was May 25 four years ago.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 15

Berlin’s Incumbent Mayor Makes Re-Election Bid Official

Page 16

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Mayor Gee Williams filed for re-election this week in an effort to win a fourth consecutive term in office.

The town now has a three-way race for mayor, as Williams, Councilman Zack Tyndall and resident Bill Todd are all seeking the position.

“From my past 16 years of town leadership I believe that by actively encouraging partnerships with all levels of government, the business community, advocates for environmental stewardship, and with citizens in every neighborhood, Berlin has made significant strides forward,” Williams said. “I am running for re-election because I believe we can keep making Berlin better.”

Williams, who served the town as a councilman for several years prior to taking over as mayor upon the death of Tom Cardinale in 2008, is eager to continue leading the town. He said Berlin’s “to do” list was being addressed.

“First, with continued citizen involvement, I will continue to work for incremental and sustainable growth that can be maintained and adapted with chang-

In a statement, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said, “Everything Berlin has achieved has resulted from first believing in our town’s potential, then rolling up our sleeves and going to work. I am seeking re-election to ensure that this work to make Berlin better and better stays on course.”

Submitted Photo

ing expectations, needs and economic conditions,” Williams said. “A stable and growing local economy is very important but must always be balanced with preserving our small town charm and a real sense of interpersonal connections.

It requires putting different areas and assets in our community to their best

use while continuing our ongoing commitment of balancing economic opportunity with our quality of life.”

Williams believes it’s important for the town to support its primary economic drivers—medical care, hospitality and downtown boutique shopping and dining.

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“I will continue to work to create and maintain our town as a great place to live and visit for both residents and guests. It is certainly necessary for the Town of Berlin to remain a special destination community,” Williams said. “In the past Berlin learned the hard way what it’s like to live without a thriving local economy. It is the foundation for the means to provide all of us with a good and decent life.”

He said the town’s commitment to planned growth needed to be “inclusive, thoughtful and take the long view” so it could serve citizens for the rest of the 21st century.

“If we do not remain committed to this process, no matter how challenging, we will just end up being the sum total of random development and not benefit from any overall vision for Berlin,” Williams said. “Unlike many small towns, we are not intimidated by change, we thrive on it.”

Williams said his previous work, first as a journalist, then a state employee, then working for the local nonprofit community, has given him a diverse view that serves him well as mayor.

This election, he says, will give voters the chance to continue the direction the town has taken for several years or reverse course and back down from the challenges facing the community.

“The bottom line is that I have the experience necessary to do the job well,” he said. “We should continue to base our community’s growth on the idea to strive for quality over quantity in all things. In Berlin we have so much to be grateful for, but we must never take our community for granted. Everything Berlin has achieved has resulted from first believing in our town’s potential, then rolling up our sleeves and going to work. I am seeking re-election to ensure that this work to make Berlin better and better stays on course.”

Williams encourages anyone who wants more information to visit www.mayorgeewilliams.com. The town’s election is set for Oct. 6. As of this week registered candidates included Jack Orris in District 2, Jay Knerr and Tony Weeg in the at-large category and Todd, Tyndall and Williams for mayor.

Candidates have until Sept. 4. to file.

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Committee Advises Against Shuttle Service To Events

July 10, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – With modified rules and regulations in place for two of Ocean City’s signature events this year, the city’s Transportation Committee this week recommended not providing the typical shuttle service to the venues.

On Tuesday, the committee reviewed the upcoming White Marlin Open in the first week in August and the O.C. Air Show a week later. In the past, the town has provided a shuttle service to encourage fans to utilize the parking lots at the convention center and the Park-and-Ride in West Ocean City.

Everything is different this year, however, for both major events. The White Marlin Open will go on as planned, just as it has for the last 47 years, but changes have been made to eliminate the huge gatherings at host Harbour Island at 14th Street.

The participating boats will still come to Harbour Island to weigh their potential winning catches each day, but the thousands of people who typically pile into the small community will be significantly reduced because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Instead, a satellite viewing area will be established at the bayside park between 3rd and 4th st-reets with large viewing screens for the weighins and family-friendly concessions and vendors.

Enthusiasts will still be able to go to Harbour Island to watch the daily drama unfold, but organizers will issue a limited number of wristbands daily on a first-come, first-serve basis. The intent is to significantly reduce the crowd size and distribute the masses across larger areas. The wristbands will be distributed at 2 p.m. each day and they will be color-coded for each day. In addition, face coverings will be required for everyone over the age of 10 and no chairs, blankets or coolers will be allowed.

In years past, the town has provided a shuttle service from the convention center to Harbour Island. However, given the changes this year, the transportation committee debated if that service is still needed. Mayor Rick Meehan, a resident of Harbour Island, said it was uncertain how many wristbands would be distributed each day.

“They haven’t given us a number yet for occupancy at Harbour Island,” he said. “Considering they are going to drastically reduce that, I don’t think we need to provide that service this year.”

Public Works Director Hal Adkins said much of the prescribed capacity at the venue would likely be eaten up by the residents of the community.

“The residents at Harbour Island will take a lot of that capacity,” he said.

“They’re going to issue the bracelets first come, first served, so I really don’t think we’re going to need that shuttle

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

at all.”

Adkins said cancelling the dedicated shuttle did not mean attendees won’t be able to utilize the city bus system to the venue.

“They can still park at the convention center and get dropped off at 14th Street or 3rd Street,” he said. “That’s still an option.”

Councilman Dennis Dare agreed the shuttle to the WMO was not likely needed this year.

“The White Marlin Open will be distributing the bracelets and I think they’ll reach the capacity pretty early,” he said. “I don’t think we should encourage large gatherings by providing a shuttle service to the venue.

Remember, mass transportation is supposed to be essential only.”

The committee voted to forward a

recommendation to the full council to postpone the shuttle service to the tournament this year.

The committee then turned its attention to the shuttle service provided for the OC Air Show, which was postponed in June and rescheduled for August 15-16.

In typical years, the town provides shuttle service to the main venue for the air show from both the convention center and the Park-and-Ride in West Ocean City. However, following the similar theme of the prior discussion, the committee considered suspending that service.

“It’s going to sound like I’m repeating myself, but the air show can be viewed from many vantage points,” said Dare. “I don’t think we need to encourage large gatherings by bussing a lot of

Page 17

people right into the middle of that.”

Councilman Mark Paddack agreed.

“I’m going along with the motion,” he said. “Everything has changed. In previous years, the town has been packed and traffic is backed up for hours and the shuttle was a way to move people out of their quickly. I don’t know that we’re going to see that this year.”

The committee voted to forward a recommendation to the full council to suspend the shuttle service for the air show this year.

“I still stand by not encouraging large gatherings,” said Dare. “I think that a private shuttle could be arranged for those with tickets to the various venues. We used to close the streets for vendors, but if the vendors aren’t going to be there, there could be street parking available in those areas.”

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Police Officials Talk Standards For Use Of Force

Page 18

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County leaders discussed use of force and police training with local law enforcement officials this week.

On Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners met with Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy Director John Moses and representatives of various other law enforcement agencies to talk about current practices following the death of George

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Floyd in Minnesota. Officials assured the commissioners that practices were in place in Maryland to ensure officers acted appropriately.

“The death of Mr. Floyd is deeply disturbing and should be of concern to all Americans,” Crisafulli said. “The officers’ actions are inconsistent with the training and protocols of our profession. When we look at incidents in other states, we must understand that each state has different standards for hiring, training and certifying police officers. In Maryland, we have some of the highest standards for

training and selection.”

Moses said that in Maryland, law enforcement agencies constantly evolved in response to incidents across the country. He said in the mid-1990s the state stopped endorsing the “knee on the neck” restraint and instead instructed officers to put a knee across a suspect’s back where it doesn’t go across the spine.

“But what’s more important than anything, those officers are now trained to assess the person’s health and get him immediately off his belly and off his stomach to a standing or prone position to be able to assess him further,” Moses said. “It’s their responsibility.”

According to Moses officers only had to use force 2% of the time.

“The whole goal, what we train at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, is voluntary compliance,” he said.

“We’re trying to train these officers with verbal skills to get voluntary compliance.

Voluntary compliance is a lot better than trying to go hands on. There’s a tremendous amount of emphasis placed on verbal skills and de-escalation techniques throughout the county.”

Commissioner Diana Purnell said her concern was that most of the incidents that made the news nationally were related to African Americans.

Moses interrupted to say that last year, more white males were killed than

July 10, 2020

African Americans.

“Where’s the problem in Maryland?” he said. “We haven’t had those incidents in Maryland because of the training.”

He said that Maryland mandated 700 hours of academy training but its academies all actually included closer to 950 hours of training. He said states like Georgia and Minnesota required significantly fewer academy hours.

“The training hours they spend in those states, it’s pennies compared to what we do,” he said.

Purnell said that just because there was training didn’t mean there weren’t issues in Maryland. She added that white suspects who’d killed multiple people were often arrested without incident while the arrests of African Americans and Hispanic people went less smoothly.

“When they’re apprehended, they’re jacked up,” she said. “They end up a lot of them being killed. Maybe that’s not happening in Maryland but it’s happening.”

She asked if academy students were being trained to look beyond color.

“I’m a woman of color and I know that I’m weaponized because of my color,” she said.

She said she was sure that local police were doing a great job but that as an African American she was concerned.

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… Commissioners, Law Enforcement Leaders Talk Current Events, Concerns

July 10, 2020

“I’m out a lot by myself,” she said. “I have been right out on (Route) 50 at the stoplight, young men, sometimes young women, will roll up beside you. They blow their horn, they give me the finger, they call you all kinds of names looking for a reaction.”

Moses said she was right but said he stressed to his students at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy that their color, nationality, sexual preference and other differences didn’t matter.

“We are here for one thing only,” he said. “We take an oath to serve everybody that God has placed on this earth fairly and impartially.”

Purnell said that institutional racism could still be a problem.

“I don’t know how you get it out or what you do,” she said. “I’m very passionate about this because I’ve had it in my family. I’ve had it in my friends.

I’ve seen older people doing nothing, they have nasty attitudes. It should not happen that way.”

Commissioner Ted Elder asked about the criteria for use of deadly force. Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser answered by acknowledging that there were strong feelings on the topic.

“I’d like to start by saying that I think that my experience has shown me that law enforcement in Worcester County is incredibly coordinated, collaborative, communicative,” she said, adding that local chiefs were all in attendance for Tuesday’s discussion.

She told Purnell honest discussions would continue.

“I understand there are a lot of feelings and those are justified at times,” she said. “With the things we see on the news, they’re even heightened. That’s why when cases come to me, I have to have the entire complete investigation.

I’m not going to comment on cases that occurred outside my jurisdiction.”

Heiser acknowledged that discussion of police training was important.

“But I also think based on the types of commentary I’m seeing in the police reports, an overwhelming number of cases recently during the month of June, that mutual respect and understanding and training and education, that’s a two-way street for law enforcement,” she said. “It requires education and training of everybody that’s involved in the situation and it requires the honest conversation to make that happen.”

She said local police agencies offered numerous opportunities for community education, including coffee with cops programs and a citizens police academy.

“We try to do as much community education as we can but if citizens don’t avail themselves of those opportunities then they’re missing out on being able to understand the life of a police officer, the life of a prosecutor, the life of a law enforcement family…,” she said. “Mutual respect and understanding can only happen when the information is pos-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

sessed by both sides. I want to use this opportunity before you to highlight the amount of work we’ve already done in our communities and we’ll continue to do that.”

Elder said he still wanted to understand the use of force.

“It’s great for you to look backwards on something, some situation, but if one of the officers is in a situation somewhere, they have to know by training when they can use that deadly force or how much force they need to use,” he said.

Moses said it was almost a last resort.

“You have to realize that a police officer that has a gun pulled on him has maybe 2.5 seconds to make a decision,” Moses said. “A court … has nine months to review that, and all the media has nine months to review that… That police officer—white black, purple or green—has a right to life also. He has a right to go home too. He has to make that split-second decision whether or not to do that.”

He outlined the various training procedures academy students went through, which include psychological evaluations, background checks, firearms lessons and more.

“I can’t get in and divulge all the tactics but all those things are important to shape a police officer’s choice to use force or not,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting said the Maryland State Police seemed to have a successful training program and asked if it could be replicated locally. Moses said that while a live-in training program would be great he wasn’t allowed to offer it on a college campus.

Commissioner Bud Church thanked law enforcement officials for their efforts.

“Most of the public have no idea what you put up with,” he said, adding that there could be a “bad cop” just as easily as there could be a bad county commissioner.

Moses said local chiefs were diligent.

“I can guarantee you in Worcester County that if there’s a bad cop in any of these chiefs’ ranks they’re gone in a heartbeat,” he said.

He added that roughly five out of every 25 students in an academy class was released.

“It’s not because we’re trying to lose people it’s because they don’t meet the standard that society has placed upon us,” he said. “That standard is high.”

Commissioner Chip Bertino encouraged local law enforcement officials to share information regarding the citizens police academy so that residents would become more aware of it.

Purnell said she appreciated the efforts of local police but continued to be passionate about race issues.

“I’d be lying to myself and I would be lying to you if I sat up here and said I’m not concerned because I am,” she said.

Page 19

Page 20

OC To Again Seek State Bike Grant

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

Full Moon Beauty:

Last week’s full moon is pictured over the newest addition to Ocean City’s skyline, The Inlet Eye at Trimper’s Rides.

Photo by Jim Halvorsen

OCEAN CITY – An $80,000 grant is expected to help Ocean City develop a strategic plan.

In a meeting of the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee this week, President Paul Mauser announced the town had recently submitted a grant application through the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Bikeways Program to complete a strategic plan as part of the resort’s effort to develop a more bikeable community.

“We applied for an $80,000 grant through the state,” he said. “That will be enough to bring in a pretty good private consultant to prepare plans and cost estimates for the town.”

In 2018, the town sought $80,000 in Bikeways funding to hire a consultant that would develop a bike master plan for the town. That application, however, was denied because the request did not meet the criteria for eligible projects.

Earlier this year, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville began the task of creating an abbreviated version of a bike master plan in-house. But in recent weeks, the town learned it would be eligible for grant funding to complete a strategic plan.

July 10, 2020

“We called and spoke to MDOT personnel, and we found out we would very likely be approved for a strategic plan,” he said. “It’s different than a master plan in that a master plan is going to inventory every single street in town as a broad brushstroke, whereas a strategic plan is going to be much more actionable. The idea is it will provide the preliminary design and preliminary cost estimates for five to six corridors in town. It’s actually much better for us than a master plan.”

Councilman Tony DeLuca, committee liaison, applauded the efforts to seek grant funding. He noted, however, that he would still like the town to complete a master plan.

“I’d prefer to have both,” he said.

Neville agreed.

“The master plan is still a good document to have …,” he said. “We’re partway there.”

The MDOT Bikeways Program is a state-funded reimbursable grant program allocated on an annual basis. In 2016, Ocean City received more than $50,000 from the program to create a bike route along Sinepuxent Avenue, which runs from 146th Street to Montego Bay. And just last year, the town pursued roughly $60,000 in grant funding to construct a shared bike path in the residential community of Montego Bay, but that application was denied.

County Planners Support Snow Hill Rezoning Request

July 10, 2020

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A request to rezone land off Nassawango Road in Snow Hill received a favorable recommendation from the Worcester County Planning Commission last week.

The planning commission voted 4-1 to forward a request to rezone close to 50 acres of land currently designated Resource Protection (RP) on to the Worcester County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation. Property owners have farmed the land for years and want the property returned to the A-1 Agricultural designation it had before the county’s last comprehensive rezoning.

“We’re talking about a property that’s been in a family 100 years,” attorney Hugh Cropper said. “It’s a farm and a forestry operation. If you owned this property and took pride in it like these people do, you’d say this is a farm and it should be zoned Ag.” Cropper told the commission that his clients owned and farmed the property on Nassawango Road for decades. The land, which was previously designated as primarily A-1 with the area along the water identified as conservation area, was rezoned RP in 2009. Cropper said that was a mistake which was why his clients were seeking a rezoning.

“We believe the entire (150 acre) pr-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

operty should have been a but we’re going to try to limit our scope to 50 acres,” Cropper said.

Commission member Jay Knerr said the property owners could continue to use the land for farming without seeking a rezoning.

“I’m really struggling with this change,” he said. “Quite frankly I don’t see the need for it. That area like you’ve stated is currently being farmed.”

Cropper said the property was an upland sandy field, not the sensitive sort of property the RP district was created to protect.

“It’s not environmentally sensitive other than the fact that it’s in the critical area,” he said. “RP is intended to preserve the most ecologically and environmentally sensitive parts of the county.”

Phyllis Wimbrow, deputy director of development review and permitting, said farming was allowed in any zoning district. Cropper, however, said that it was listed as a special exception in the RP zone.

Knerr again questioned the necessity of changing the zoning.

“If you owned it, you’d be hiring me or somebody like me to get it changed,” Cropper replied.

He added that his clients owned 150 acres of property and paid property taxes every year, but with the land zoned RP they could not build a house on it without going to the Worcester

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County Board of Zoning Appeals for approval.

“They should have the right to build one house on 150 acres,” he said. “I think that’s a basic right in this county.”

Bob Mitchell, the county’s director of environmental programs, said that while there might be an argument for rezoning a portion of the property, the section of it along the river should remain RP. Commission member Brooks Clayville made a motion to leave the section of the subject property closest to the river RP but to forward the rezoning request for the rest of the property on to

Page 21

the commissioners with a favorable recommendation.

“I deal with these zones on my own properties,” Clayville said. “A-1 is awfully restrictive. RP is doubly so. I just don’t see an issue with building a house on this farm.”

He brought up rezonings that had taken place in the northern section of the county.

“Look at some of the stuff we’ve rezoned in West Ocean City that I voted against,” he said, “how dense it is. I just don’t understand why these folks aren’t allowed the right to have a house.”

Thunderbirds Commit To Next Month’s OC Air Show

Page 22

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will join an already-loaded lineup during the rescheduled OC Air Show in mid-August, event officials announced this week.

Last week, OC Air Show officials announced the event originally scheduled for June 13-14 but postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation had been rescheduled for August 15-16.

Last week, air show officials announced the U.S. Air Force had scheduled the F22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration teams to perform at the OC Air Show in August, which would be an impressive show in and of itself.

Left uncertain, however, was if the

USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team would still highlight the event. The Thunderbirds were originally scheduled for the air show in June, but much has changed since and it was uncertain if the jet demonstration team could work Ocean City into its schedule.

That question was answered on Wednesday when OC Air Show officials announced the Thunderbirds were indeed coming to Ocean City to headline what should be a memorable show in August. The new air show dates announced on Thursday come one week after the annual White Marlin Open, giving Ocean City a significant one-two punch in August at a time when the resort is still pulling out of what has been a decidedly different summer.

Air show officials are working closely with the town of Ocean City to imple-

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team is pictured over Ocean City in 2014.

Photo by Chris Parypa

ment a series of “Stay Safe and Separate” initiatives to take advantage of the wide-open spaces over the beach and Boardwalk to ensure physical distancing and other public safety measures

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for spectators.

Already, the OC Air Show has plans in place to ensure the safety of guests and spectators, particularly at the designated venues such as the Drop Zone Beach, the Flight Line Club, the VIP Skybox and the VIP Penthouse, for example. Those venues will be increased in size and a reduced number of tickets will be available at each venue to ensure guests can stay separated from other groups.

Tickets must be purchased on line or via phone and will not be sold on-site at the event. Air show officials also plan to mitigate lines at the venue entrances with additional entry points and by allowing early entry. There will also be provisions for six feet of separation between groups waiting to check in and contactless ticket scanning will be available along with individually-packaged wristbands guests can put on themselves.

In addition, there will be frequent sanitization of all surfaces and restrooms and hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations will be prevalent throughout the venues. New this year will be other premium viewing areas called the “Sand Boxes,” designed primarily for those at risk, the elderly and families with small children to enjoy the event in their own personal areas of the beach.

The public address sound for the air show normally available in the immediate area around the Show Center will be much more limited and only audible in the premium viewing areas to encourage spectators to spread out across the entire beach where the air show can be viewed. Instead, a text feed version of the narration will be made available via the event’s Twitter page.

In addition, new mobile device technology will be deployed to enhance spectators’ ability to enjoy the show anywhere within a 10-mile radius of where the jets are performing, allowing spectators to virtually enjoy the show.

Officials are encouraging spectators and guests to continue to adhere to the state directives in place including wearing masks while entering the various venues or going to the concessions or restrooms.

Wearing a mask will be optional while sitting and watching the show while separated from others. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available for purchase at the event merchandise stands around the venues.

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

TABLES

Armed Robbery During Pot Deal

OCEAN CITY – A Virginia man and a juvenile were charged with armed robbery and assault last week after allegedly threatening to shoot and stab three individuals during an apparent drug deal gone bad.

Around 12:15 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was patrolling in the downtown area when he was dispatched to a reported armed robbery. Ocean City Communications broadcasted a description of the suspects, later identified as Isaiah Westcott, 20, of New Church, Va., and a juvenile.

OCPD officers arrived and interviewed the three victims, who reportedly told police they were doing laundry at a motel on 9th Street and wanted to obtain some marijuana. They made arrangements with Westcott and the juvenile to purchase marijuana in the area of 9th Street and Washington Lane, but decided they did not like the location because they could see police on the Boardwalk nearby. Instead, they moved the transaction to an apartment on 9th Street, according to police reports.

Once at the apartment, the suspects told the potential buyers the marijuana was in a backpack, but when they reached inside, Westcott and the other suspect pulled out a silver revolver and pointed it at the three victims and demanded their money and valuables. According to police reports, Westcott told the three individuals if they did not comply, he would stab them and kill them while reaching for his waistband.

One victim reportedly handed over his wallet containing $700 in cash, while another victim handed over his wallet containing $170 in cash. The third female victim told police she did not have any money and Westcott reportedly told her to give him her gold necklace from her neck.

When the victim did not move fast enough for Westcott’s liking, he sucker punched her in the face and physically removed her necklace and cell phone from her person and threatened to stab her again, according to police reports.

Westcott and the juvenile were placed under arrest and charged with armed robbery, assault and theft. Westcott was searched and the female victim’s necklace was found in his pocket. During a search of the area, OCPD officers also located one of the other victims’ wallet, minus the $700 in cash. Wes-cott had a bail review hearing on Monday and was ordered to be held without bond.

Serious Assault Arrest

July 10, 2020

OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on first-degree assault charges last week after allegedly beating and choking his girlfriend in an attack that began late at night and continued into the next morning.

Around 8:25 a.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a hotel at 6th Street to assist with an eviction. The officers were met in the lobby by a male identified as Jason Price, 44, of Aston, Pa. Price advised police he had arrived in Ocean City the night before and was staying with his girlfriend in a room on the second floor.

Price reportedly told police his girlfriend was currently in the room with another unidentified male and that he wanted the officers’ assistance in removing them from the room. OCPD officers reportedly told Price they would go to the room with him, but that they could not evict the occupants because it was a civil matter that needed to be carried out by hotel staff. The hotel manager accompanied the officers and Price to the room on the second floor.

The officers approached the room and found the door open with Price’s girlfriend and another man, later identified as her cousin. Price’s girlfriend asked OCPD officers to come into the room and close the door so she could speak with them privately.

According to police reports, the female victim was emotionally upset and spoke in a scratchy, hoarse voice and had difficulty speaking. The officers also noted the room was in disarray with damage to the hotel’s microwave and a dresser drawer.

The victim reportedly told police she and Price had arrived the night before and went out to a nearby bar for drinks for several hours. As the couple walked back to the hotel, Price began to argue with the victim and verbally abused her, calling her several vulgar names, according to police reports.

The victim told police when the couple arrived back at the hotel, the verbal argument turned into a physical altercation. The victim reportedly told police Price violently slammed her head against the wall repeatedly throughout the night and early morning hours.

According to police reports, the victim told the officers she eventually left the hotel room and sat on the beach to watch the sunrise. When she looked back at the hotel, she saw Price on the front porch staring at her. According to police reports, Price eventually approached the victim on the beach and SEE NEXT PAGE

... Cops & Courts

July 10, 2020

told her he was going to kill himself by jumping into the ocean.

The victim went back to the hotel room and Price reportedly followed her, shoving her to the floor when she reached their room. The victim told police Price shoved her into a small closet in the room and she landed on top of her luggage. The victim reportedly told police Price then threw her on the bed and positioned himself on top of her and began to choke her with his arm around her neck.

The victim told police she never lost consciousness, but Price choked her to the point she could no longer breathe. She was able to fight back and Price eventually stopped assaulting her and left the room. The officers observed bruises and scratches on the victim’s neck and bruises on her arms and shoulder consistent with her story.

Oc-ean City Paramedics arrived and treat-ed the victim at the scene.

Price was arrested and charged with first-degree assault. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held without bond.

Holiday Plans Cut Short OCEAN CITY – Three Virginia men were arrested for motor vehicle theft and other charges last weekend after a license plate reader on Route 50 alerted police of the stolen vehicle.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Around 3 a.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was patrolling in the downtown area when he was advised by Ocean City Police Communications that a stationary license plate reader on eastbound Route 50 had alerted on a reported stolen vehicle. Communications advised the vehicle, which had been reported stolen in Fairfax, Va., three days earlier, had entered Ocean City at North Division Street.

The officer observed the vehicle traveling southbound the wrong way on Baltimore Avenue until it turned west onto Second Street. Other OCPD officers converged on the scene, initiated a traffic stop and detained three occupants including Luis Perez-Santiago, 19, of Seven Corners, Va.; Kevin Cinfuentes, 18, of Seven Corners, Va.; and Kevin Hernandez-Gomez of Falls Church, Va. Hernandez-Gomez agreed to speak with police after being read his Miranda rights. Hernandez-Gomez reportedly told police the occupants wanted to come to Ocean City for the day on July 4 and took the vehicle from its owner in Fairfax and made the trip. A search of the vehicle revealed multiple bottles of tequila along with methamphetamines, according to police reports.

Ocean City Communications confirmed with the Fairfax Police Department the vehicle had been taken from the owner without her permission.

Fairfax Police requested the vehicle be towed to the impound lot at the Public Safety Building where it could

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Page 25

be retrieved by the owner later.

Each of the suspects was arrested and charged with unlawful motor vehicle taking, theft from $1,500 to under $25,000, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and a violation of the town’s open container ordinance.

Each of the suspects were ordered to be held on a $5,000 bond.

Downtown Burglary Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore woman was arrested on burglary charges last weekend after allegedly being found passed out in a downtown residence in which she did not belong.

Around 5:25 a.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a residence

on 11th Street for a reported burglary in progress. The officer met with the homeowner who directed the officer to the area of the porch and a sliding glass door.

Just inside the residence, the officer observed a woman later identified as Nicole Surref, 41, of Baltimore, asleep on a couch. According to police reports, the couch was about 15 feet away from the sliding glass door and well inside the residence. The officer woke Surref and placed her in handcuffs.

The officer spoke with the homeowner who said he did not know Surref and that she did not have his permission to be in the residence. Surref was placed under arrest and was charged with fourth-degree burglary.

She later admitted she was homeless.

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Obituaries

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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OCEAN CITY – Burton James Jarman, 83, passed away on July 7, 2020.

Burton was the son of Beatrice (Hall) and James N. Jarman and an Ocean City native.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1966, after that he attended the University of Maryland College Park and began his long career in teaching history in public high schools in Prince George's County. DurBURTON ing the summers, BurJAMES JARMAN ton worked for his father at Jimmie's Beach Service and later calling Bingo on the Boardwalk.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by one brother and two sisters. He is survived by his sister-inlaw, Anna Jarman of Ocean City; nieces Melanie Jarman of Ocean City, Stacy Jarman of Ocean City and Abby Miller (KC Miller) of Pittsville; as well as great nieces Emersyn Englar and Sawyer Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his brother Christopher Jarman's name to the John H. Burbage Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center, 9707 Healthway Drive, Berlin, Md. 21811. A private service will be held.

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SNOW HILL – Leslie Munro, 108, of Snow Hill, passed away on July 2 in Berlin.

Leslie was born in Winnipeg, Canada to John Munro and Ann Leiper on June 15, 1912. He married Katherine Munro.

He worked as a Supervisor for a Life Insurance Company.

Leslie is preceded in death by the late Katherine Munro, his two brothers and sister.

Leslie is survived by LESLIE MUNRO son Paul L Munro & wife Barbara, grandchildren; Kimberly Lewis & Husband Scott, Deborah Bosley and Scott Munro. He also has four great grandchildren and one greatgreat grandson.

Funeral services will be held on July 7, 2020 at Atlantic United Methodist Church, Visitation is from 12pm to 1pm and the service will directly follow, with Rev. Barth officiating. Burial will be held July 8,2020 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland at 11am.

Arrangements are by The Burbage Funeral Home.

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OCEAN CITY – She is Betty Jean Benston, 91, formerly of Ocean City, passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 29, 2020 at Delmar Villa in Delmar.

Born in Cumberland, Md. on Sept.

18, 1928, she was the daughter of Charles W. and Leona Harper. After graduating with the Class of 1946 from Al-

Betty Jean Benston

July 10, 2020

legany High School, Betty worked as a telephone operator for C & P Telephone Company in Berlin and Ocean City where she met her former husband. When her children were young, Betty owned and managed Edgemore Cabins during the summer months in West Ocean City. In her free time, she enjoyed flower gardening and taking her children to the beach. She was a homemaker when they were young but later went back to school graduating from the Computer Programming Institute of Delaware in Wilmington.

She worked for Metropolitan Insurance Company, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and then the US Postal Service in Ocean City then Salisbury until her retirement.

Betty was a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church and The American Legion Auxiliary Post #166 of Ocean City. Her later years she spent in Salisbury at her daughter’s home then more recently at Delmar Villa Assisted Living.

She was a very loving mom and known by her grandchildren as “Mom Mom Betty” and always excited about BETTY JEAN spending time with th- BENSTON em. She truly will be missed by her family.

Betty is survived by her four children, Teresa (Terri) Ryall and husband John, Kathy Williams and husband Dean, Karen Miller, and Michael H. Benston, now all residing in Salisbury.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stephen Charrier and wife Diana of Severna Park, William Charrier and wife Elizabeth of Winchester, Va., Brad Williams and wife Brittney of Wake Forest, N.C., Ross Williams and wife Jesse of Springtown, Pa., Kelly Williams of Salisbury, Jessica Miller of Seoul, South Korea, and Katelyn Miller of Chambersburg, Pa., and six great grandchildren; Brett Charrier and wife Casey of Jessup, Md., Andrew Charrier of Severna Park, Alexandra, Julia, and Evelyn Charrier of Winchester, Va. and Robin Williams of Springtown, Pa. Betty was predeceased by her only brother, Charles W. (Wally) Harper, Jr. of Cumberland, Md., her ex-husband Carlton R. (Ben) Benston of Ocean City and her daughter-in-law Jennifer Benston of Binghamton, N.Y. Betty’s children would like to thank the staff at Delmar Villa for the gentle and attentive care given to their mother for the past few years.

Service and interment will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

OCEAN PINES – Joan Marie Deciutiis went into heaven on Sunday, June SEE NEXT PAGE

Joan Marie Deciutiis

... Obituaries

July 10, 2020

28 at Ocean Pines.

She died of cardiac arrest at the age of 74 years. She is survived by her two children, Nicholas DeCiutiis, Jr. (Roxanne) of Damascus, Md. and Nanette Bonsby (Michael) of Woodbine, Md. She leaves behind four grandchildren, Cierra, Samantha, Bridgette, and Nicholas III, and one great grandchild, Kendall. She is also survived by Elige Wilson Smith, Jr. who was Joan’s companion for many years.

Joan was born in Washington, DC on May 28, 1946. Joan’s parents were John and Margaret (Helfrick) Keegan. John was of Irish descent and Margaret was of German and Irish descent. She spent her formative years in the Silver Spring, Md. area and had a happy childhood and made life-long friendships with several of her playmates. She graduated from Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, Md. Upon graduation she worked at a department store, podiatrist office, and a few other jobs before joining the federal government. She enjoyed her various positions with the Department of Health and Human Services where she attained great success as an efficient and organized manager and executive secretary.

In 1965 she married Nicholas DeCiutiis. The couple had two children. A son Nicholas, Jr. was born in 1966 and a daughter Nanette was born in 1970.

Joan and Nicholas divorced in 1980.

Joan had her two children, Nicholas and Nanette, which in turn has two children each Cierra and Nicholas, III and Samantha and Bridgette in that sequence.

Cierra met Liam in 2018 and they had a child Kendall. In summary, Joan had two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In 1980 Joan met Elige (Smitty) at their place of work with the Indian Health Service in Rockville, Md. and they formed an instant relationship which lasted the rest of her life. Upon retirement in 2016, she and Mr. Smith moved to Ocean Pines where she quickly made many friends. She enjoyed going to the swimming pool and spending the day basking in the sun and playing games such as Mahjong. She loved retirement in Ocean Pines and really enjoyed life.

Joan will always be remembered as a “full of life” person and was extremely fond of her children, grand-children, and especially her great-grand child Kendall.

We shall all miss her in the most pleasant and fondest way and will forever remember her as a warm and loving person. Goodbye Joan and may God bless you.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church Poplar Springs, Mt. Airy, Md. 21771.

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.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Council Holding Firm On Delmar Property Purchase Price

Page 28

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ation, Parks and Tourism Director Steve Miller approached the Wicomico County Council with an opportunity to acquire one acre of land near the Mason Dixon Sports Complex in Delmar. The potential acquisition comes a year after the county purchased two other properties adjacent to the complex.

“At the time, there was a third lot that was not for sale, so we purchased

the two lots to help with parking and do other things for increased activity in Delmar,” he said last month. “Since that time, this third lot has become available, so we are here to ask the council to consider a request to acquire that property.”

The county would use $34,000 in Program Open Space (POS) funding – or the average appraised value of

Eligible small businesses in Wicomico County include those with no more than 25 full-time employees and a gross revenue less than $5 million annually.

The application period will conclude at 5 p.m. on July 10.

“Understanding that local government lacks the resources necessary to mitigate fully the impact of CV-19, hopefully these funds offer some assistance to small businesses as they adjust to the current and future impact of the pandemic,” a statement from the SWED website reads.

In a county council meeting this week, Councilman Bill McCain encouraged small businesses to apply for the grant funding.

“A lot of these businesses missed

that first wave of funding,” he said.

“And they (SWED) have substantial funding that’s available. They are taking applications, which started early last week.”

McCain noted the agency had received roughly 300 applications as of Tuesday. He said eligible businesses can contact the SWED office or visit the SWED website.

“I want to make that aware to our small businesses out there,” he said.

“There’s funding available here, money specifically for Wicomico County businesses.”

To view the eligibility requirements, or to apply, visit www.swed.org.

“It’s not nearly as onerous as going through the PPP process,” McCain said. “It’s pretty simple.”

Wicomico Still Accepting Grant Applications

SALISBURY – Citing the desire for additional space at the Mason Dixon Sports Complex, county officials will make another attempt to negotiate a lower purchase price for an acre of property in Delmar.

Last month, Wicomico County Recre-

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Officials say small business owners still have time to apply for financial assistance through a countywide relief grant fund.

Last week, Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development (SWED) opened its online application for the SWED CV-19 Relief Grant Fund.

The fund – capitalized through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act – offers working capital grants based on three months operating expenses, up to $10,000, to assist Wicomico small business with disrupted operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 10, 2020

the lot – to purchase the property. The owner, however, presented an asking price of $38,000, meaning the county would be responsible for the $4,000 overage not covered by POS dollars.

The council last month agreed to approach the seller with an offer of $35,000. But officials learned this week the seller did not accept.

“We did, based on the last council meeting and the concerns brought forth, re-approach him about the price,” Miller told the council this week. “His position is unchanged as far as his asking price for the property. That remains at $38,000.”

Miller said he was eager to see the county acquire the property. He noted the county could use the lot to expand parking, create additional ball fields, or relocate the concessions and restroom building, but added the public would have the opportunity to provide input.

“My feeling on this is I feel it’s a great opportunity both for the county and the town of Delmar and its residents,” he said. “If we accept the asking price, we are looking at a $4,000 investment for a little over an acre of land that would complete an existing property that we have and really allow us a few options to improve that property.”

Councilman Bill McCain agreed.

“In the last block of that sports complex, this is the last piece of land,” he said. “It would be a shame for us not to acquire that, especially for what the residents and youth of Delmar will get out of that.”

Council President Larry Dodd, Councilmen John Cannon and Joe Holloway and Councilwoman Nicole Acle held firm at the $35,000 price point, which they noted was more than the average appraised value.

“I think $35,000 is reasonable,” Acle said. “We need to be fiscally conservative at this time.”

However, McCain and Councilmen Ernie Davis and Josh Hastings urged the council to consider the $38,000 asking price.

“We are a county really well known for our parks and recreation, and this is part of who we are and can continue to build on …, Hastings said. “No one likes to spend the money, but ultimately this is Program Open Space dollars. We may not have these dollars if we don’t continue to spend them.”

After taking an informal poll, the council agreed to reapproach the seller with its $35,000 offer.

“I really want to get the property,” Dodd said, “but I don’t think we should go more than $35,000.”

McCain, however, continued to share his desire for acquiring the property, going so far as to offer $4,000 from his own pocket to pay the asking price.

“We should be here as a council to make things happen and make our community better,” he said. “The question should be how can we make this work, not how can we make this not work.”

Delegate Recaps Shortened Legislative Session’s Highlights

July 10, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY– Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38C) this week provided a briefing on the abbreviated 2020 General Assembly session including some good news and some rather grim news.

The 2020 General Assembly session ended abruptly on March 18 as the COVID-19 pandemic started to ramp up to its peak in Maryland. In the months since, most local and statewide elected bodies held their meeting virtually through Zoom and only two weeks ago did the Mayor and Council start meeting in person again at City Hall.

On Monday, Hartman presented an overview of the 2020 General Assembly session including updates on legislation germane to the local area. Hartman said as the session was closed early, some bills made it through and others were left on the table.

“The Maryland General Assembly adjourned early for the first time since the Civil War,” he said. “We adjourned March 18, right around the same time the restaurants and casinos and everything else was shutting down.”

Perhaps the most significant bill locally during the 2020 session was legislation that would enhance Ocean City’s special event zone laws during certain motorized special events. Two years ago, the General Assembly passed legislation allowing for the creation of a special event zone on roadways in the resort including increased speed limits and enhanced penalties for certain traffic violations.

However, while that initial legislation did improve the situation to some degree, it lacked teeth in some regards and the reckless behavior continued and even increased during some events, particularly the unofficial H2Oi event in September.

To that end, Hartman and Senator Mary Beth Carozza went back to the General Assembly this year with an enhanced version of the special event zone bill that included, for the first time, provisions for jail time and the ability to impound vehicles for the most serious offenses. It also added a definition for exhibition driving with enhanced penalties. Hartman said the cross-filed bills had strong support in both the House and Senate, but needed a little creative finagling to get through before the session expired early.

“The big news locally for the session was the enhanced special event zone bill passed,” he said. “It was good to have all of the support for the bill locally. It took a lot of scrambling down to the finish line but it got through.”

Hartman said the enhanced special event zone legislation should provide some teeth and some more tools in the law enforcement toolbox with upcoming motorized special events.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“Hopefully it will help this year,” he said. “The bill allows for increased penalties for the driver and for taking that vehicle off the road for some of the most egregious offenses.”

Another bill sponsored by Hartman this session would have prohibited ceremonial and celebratory balloon releases. Unlike the special event zone bill, while the balloon release bill had strong support, it was left on the table as the session timed out.

“The balloon release bill passed both chambers, but got lost in the shuffle when the session ended early,” he said.

“As you know, balloons from a hundred miles away end up here in the ocean and threaten wildlife. The bill got caught up in crossover when the session ended abruptly, so we’ll have to go through that effort again.”

On a statewide scale, Hartman said perhaps the biggest issue during the session was the expansive Kirwan school funding legislation. Locally, the bill is extremely important because Worcester County historically pays one of the largest contributions to its public school system because of a flawed wealth formula based on property values.

“Kirwan did pass,” he said. “It’s going to cost the state about $30 billion over the next 10 years. It was vetoed by the governor, but it remains to be seen what happens with that.”

Hartman said House Republicans were able to thwart a major tax increase bill on certain services, which he claimed was a significant victory during the session.

“The largest tax increase in Mary-

Page 29

land’s history was proposed,” he said.

“It was about a $2.5 billion tax bill, but we were able to kill it in committee and it never made it to the floor, so that was exciting.”

Hartman also addressed the state budget and the real and potential impacts on revenue because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

“At the Board of Public Works last week, Governor Hogan cut $400 million from the budget and a few hundred more million could be cut at the next BPW meeting,” he said. “We had a good, well-balanced budget, but the pandemic arrived and wreaked havoc on the prior year’s budget and future budgets going forward. What we’re hearing is the budgetary effects of COVID are expected to continue until 2024.”

Page 30

Grant Funding Legislation Delayed

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

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SALISBURY – Officials agreed this week to postpone the introduction of legislation that would provide the county council additional oversight when accepting grant funds.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to postpone the introduction of a legislative bill that would amend the county code on grant funds.

“At the end of the day, it’s a total rewrite of the current procedure that we have,” Councilman Bill McCain said.

Each year, the county’s annual budget and appropriation bill contains a list of anticipated grant funding. Grant revenue that is not anticipated, however, must be approved by resolution of the county council.

From time to time throughout the budget year, unanticipated grant funding is brought before the council for approval. And while the county code outlines the procedures for accepting anticipated and unanticipated grant funds, the council this week had before them proposed changes that would provide the council additional opportunities to review grant documentation, impose restrictions and conditions, and more.

“I think the idea of this bill is transparency and accountability if needed,” Council President Larry Dodd said.

Councilman Ernie Davis, however, disagreed with the council’s ability to add conditions that could be contrary to grant specifications.

“If a grant is being proposed – and a grant has always got specific guidelines – how can the county council go in and put in restrictions?” he said.

Council attorney Bob Taylor noted the proposed amendment does not require the council to add conditions to a grant.

“You don’t have to do anything,” he said. “There’s nothing in here that says you have to do it. It simply gives the council the ability to do that.” .

Davis, however, disagreed with the language.

“I think we are starting to micromanage grants,” he said. “I don’t think that’s part of our job. That’s really the executive’s job.”

McCain echoed Davis’s concerns.

“We can put restrictions on a grant contradictory to the specifications in the grant,” he said. “That’s the way it’s written. So we’ve either got to add something saying we can’t make restrictions contradictory to the specifications in the grant, or we’ve got to strike it.”

After further discussion, the council agreed to postpone the introduction of the legislative bill, giving the council attorney time to address questions and concerns voiced in Tuesday’s meeting.

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

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Worcester Business Grants Available

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Boardwalk Sights: The sights along the Boardwalk and throughout

Ocean City are a little different this summer due to the global health pandemic.

Above, two Boardwalk customers are pictured showing their cautious approach.

Photo by Chris Parypa

SNOW HILL – Worcester County Back to Business grant applications are now being accepted.

The Worcester County Commissioners this week approved the grant program that will disburse $2.18 million to local businesses affected by COVID19. Approval came after the removal of questions deemed to be too subjective by the commissioners.

“My concern is we want this to be fair across the board,” said Commissioner Chip Bertino.

Tom Perlozzo, director of recreation, parks, tourism and economic development, presented the commissioners on Tuesday with an updated grant application as well as plans to have BEACON (Business Economic and Com-

July 10, 2020

munity Outreach Network at Salisbury University) and a committee of area residents (the Economic Development Advisory Board) review applications.

Though the county received $2.28 million in CARES Act funding to provide grants, staff expect $100,000 of that will be spent on administration. The majority of that — $60,000 — will go to BEACON. The commissioners were quick to ask whether BEACON was integral to the program. Perlozzo said that contracting with BEACON would provide a third-party viewpoint.

“From that standpoint BEACON is necessary,” he said.

Bertino expressed concern regarding a few questions on the application that were subjective rather than objective.

“I just don’t feel government should put conditions upon funding based on something that quite truthfully isn’t fair across the board,” he said, making a motion to remove three subjective questions from the application.

The commissioners approved the motion to eliminate the three questions referenced unanimously. Commissioner Jim Bunting reiterated the concerns regarding hiring BEACON. He said he hated to see $60,000 of the CARES funding not going to the public.

“I think that is not a proper use of that money,” he said.

Lachelle Scarlato, deputy director of economic development, said BEACON would be sorting, filtering and following up the applications submitted more efficiently than staff and committee members could. She added that committee members were set to receive $50 a meeting and would require more meetings if they had more work to do.

Bunting continued to have reservations.

“I’m not going to say what I have on my mind, but I don’t have a lot of faith,” he said.

When asked if the program would be impacted if BEACON was not hired, Scarlato said there would be an impact.

“It is definitely going to slow the process with us having to do it in house,” she said. “I’m concerned as I mentioned in the beginning about us being fair and transparent, and equitable representation, and I think a neutral party provides that with support with the Economic Development Advisory Board and leaves us as county employees out of any decision-making process.”

She added officials planned to disburse funds in August but that if county staff did the work in house, without BEACON, the process would be extended by months.

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Bunting opposed, to approve the grant program as proposed. Applications for the program, which offers grants of $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000, will be accepted until July 22. For more information on the grant program visit chooseworcester.org.

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 33

For Fisher’s, Much Has Changed And Stayed The Same

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

Donald Fisher Jr., pictured above right outside the Talbot Street location, and Donald Fisher Sr. are pictured together in the 1980s creating their famous popcorn from the copper kettles.

Submitted Photo and Photo by Bethany Hooper

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

(Editor’s Note: The following story is part of a series on long-running, familyowned Boardwalk businesses.)

OCEAN CITY – While much has changed at the Boardwalk, Fisher’s Popcorn continues the time-honored tradition of serving its famed fare to visitors year after year.

“If they want an Ocean City treat, if they want nostalgic Ocean City, it’s a good place to start,” said Don Fisher,

third-generation operator at Fisher’s Popcorn.

Located at Talbot Street and the Boardwalk, Fisher’s Popcorn has served generations of families at its corner concession stand, churning out fresh batches of popcorn from its large copper kettles each day.

In 1937, Everett Fisher went into business with Edmund Pusey, opening a Boardwalk concession stand.

Known as Pixton’s Popcorn – as Pixton was the maiden name of Pusey’s wife – the establishment used Fisher’s

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secret recipe and sold popcorn for 5 cents a bag.

“My grandfather worked with somebody up in Philadelphia, or somebody up that way, selling popcorn,” Don said.

“The man left one day, and my grandfather never learned how to make the popcorn. He never told him the recipe.

So he threw together his own little recipe and started making it. He left, came down here, got a business partner and opened the store.”

After a few years, Pusey left the business and the stand was renamed Fisher’s Popcorn. During those early years, Don noted that business was slower, and the Boardwalk was quieter.

“Back in those days the ocean came up to the Boardwalk,” he said. “My grandfather would basically make a batch of popcorn then go out there and fish.

That’s how slow it was. Of course, that was in the late 30s, so it wasn’t exactly the most prosperous time either.”

Joining in the family business was Don’s father, Donald Fisher Sr. When Everett Fisher was drafted into military service during World War II, Donald Sr. ran the store.

“And with all the rationing, they had to change the recipe a little bit,” Don said. “You couldn’t get the sugar, so they’d use molasses.”

Around 1978, Donald Sr. took over the family business. During that time,

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Fisher’s Popcorn started a newsletter, expanded the storefront and made a brief foray into distribution through a deal with Saks Fifth Avenue.

From a young age, Don and his two sisters worked alongside their parents at the store. He remembers when a small bag of popcorn cost 15 cents and Boardwalk businesses closed after Labor Day. But not everything has changed from those early days on the Boardwalk, Don said. Their secret caramel popcorn recipe remains the same, and familiar faces are seen working behind the counter year after year.

“I’ve even got kids working for me now whose parents worked for me,” he said.

In 2010, Don and his sister Cindy Twilley took over the family business and began introducing new popcorn flavors to the menu. His mother, Calvina Fisher, continues to have a hand in the business, and his other sister, Martha Hall, operates several Fisher’s Popcorn stores in Delaware, independent from the original Boardwalk location.

Don is even joined by his wife and two daughters, who will one day take over Fisher’s Popcorn for the next generation of Boardwalk visitors.

“It’s been fun,” he said. “It still is fun.

The work is hard, the hours can be long, but the employees are great and, in general, I love the town of Ocean City.”

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New West Ocean City Hiker-Biker Trail Completed

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – West Ocean City parking concerns and plans for additional bike racks near the beach highlighted a resort committee meeting this week.

On Wednesday, State Highway Administration (SHA) Assistant District Engineer Jana Potvin presented the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee with an update on bicycle and pedestrian projects in and around the resort, including the West

Ocean City Hiker-Biker Trail.

“The hiker-biker trail is now complete,” she said.

Last year, SHA broke ground on a new bike and pedestrian path in West Ocean City. For the most part, the 10foot wide trail runs along the south side of Route 50 from Route 611 to the bridge. The project also includes a crossing at the intersection near Hooper’s Crab House where bikers and pedestrians can access the path.

But as crews concluded construction work on the trail in recent months, resort officials pointed out the addition

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of guardrails had created a dangerous situation for motorists parking along the north side of Route 50 in front of Hooper’s.

To that end, SHA officials established a memorandum of agreement to prevent motorists from parking their cars along the shoulder of westbound Route 50 near the restaurant.

Councilman Tony DeLuca, committee liaison, told Potvin this week he had noticed the new “No Parking” signs. He noted, however, that cars continued to park along the highway.

“Every day since the signs have been

up, there’s four to five cars parked there all day long …,” he said.

When asked if the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office or Maryland State Police had been notified of the parking situation, committee members representing the Ocean City Police Department said they would reach out.

The committee this week also discussed ongoing efforts to install bike racks at select oceanside street ends in Ocean City. To date, the town’s public works department has installed racks at 28th, 67th, 120th, 123rd, 127th and 130th streets.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Business And Real Estate News

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Certifications Earned

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide safety training for hospitality workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Back to Work Safely Guideline Training” workshop provides housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, reservations, kitchen, wait staff, attractions attendants and other professionals with free online training to protect themselves and patrons as businesses reopen. So far 14 businesses have signed up for the training with more than 225 employees participating. Above, Foundation President Ruth Waters, left, is pictured with CFES President Erica Joseph.

Submitted Photos

BERLIN – Six staff members in Atlantic General Hospital pharmacy department have received advanced certifications in the field of pharmacy technology. The certifications, which are not required for the profession, further support the organization’s medication safety goals in providing high quality care to their patients.

Pharmacy techs Kelly Kline, Meghan Hudson, Jacquelyn Snowden, Gail Carrigg, Michelle Briddell and Elizabeth Esposito have nearly 85 years of combined pharmacy experience.

Kline joined Atlantic General Hospi-

July 10, 2020

tal’s Pharmacy Department in December 2017. Kline earned an advanced certification in medication history from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Hudson joined the Pharmacy Department six years ago and has worked in the field for 20 years. She decided to pursue the medication therapy management (MTM) certification to assist with the new MTM program launched by the organization’s AGHRx RediScripts Pharmacy in 2017.

Snowden has 15 years of pharmacy experience and has worked as a medication reconciliation technician for the last four, comparing the lists of medications and dosages that patients provide at admission with those prescribed during treatment to create the most accurate and up-to-date records. This type of continual cross referencing acts as a system of checks and balances and brings to light possible drug interactions or duplicated medications that could result in a negative outcome for patients.

She earned an advanced certification in medication history from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Briddell joined the staff of AGHRx RediScripts Pharmacy in 2015 after working in the organization’s inpatient pharmacy for five years. She pursued the medication therapy management (MTM) certification to support the efforts of the pharmacy’s MTM program lead pharmacist, Karan Bealla, to make sure patients are taking their medications correctly and are not taking medicines that interact with each other.

Esposito joined Atlantic General’s Pharmacy Department in 2008. Two years later, she advanced to the position of pharmacy purchasing technician. Achieving the Pharmacy Purchasing Certification was a validation of the training and experience she has acquired in her role over the last 10 years.

Therapist Announced BERLIN – Worcester Youth and Family Counseling in Berlin has announced the addition of a new therapist to its clinical team.

Madi O’Malley is a licensed graduate professional counselor, who has experience working with diverse populations.

She has also worked as a school Counselor.

She earned her Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University with a dual concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. She uses, primarily, a personcentered approach while incorporating cognitive behavioral techniques, trauma processing techniques, and dialectical behavioral interventions. She works with most populations having experience in play therapy, adolescents and teens, adults and couples.

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 39

Sentence In Last June’s Boardwalk Stabbing Incident

Page 40

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – A Pennsylvania man found guilty in February of two counts of reckless endangerment for stabbing two juveniles on the Boardwalk during a fight last summer was sentenced this week to a combined 10 years with all but three years suspended.

For three days-plus in February, a Worcester County jury heard testimony in the cases against Harold Nunez-Dominguez, now 20, of Harrisburg, Pa., who was charged with two

counts of attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for his role in a major melee on the Boardwalk last June 9.

After deliberating for about three hours, the jury returned with guilty verdicts on the lesser reckless endangerment counts and sentencing was deferred at that time.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, virtually shutting down the criminal court system for several months.

Back in court for sentencing on Wednesday, Nunez-Dominguez was sentenced to five years with all but 18

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months suspended for each of the reckless endangerment counts, which would be served consecutively. Combined, Nunez-Dominguez was sentenced to 10 years with all but 36 months, or three years, suspended.

However, because he was held without bond initially after the incident last June until the time of his trial in February, and because COVID-19 postponed his sentencing hearings, Nunez-Dominguez has already served 13 months.

Reckless endangerment is considered a misdemeanor, which makes Nunez-Dominguez eligible for parole at 25% of the sentence or in this case nine months. Because Nunez-Dominguez has already served 13 months, he has already surpassed that ninemonth minimum threshold for parole eligibility.

The case was an interesting one from the beginning. According to the facts in the case, a major fight broke out on the Boardwalk at Caroline Street around 12:30 a.m. last June 9 involving a friend of Nunez-Dominguez and a larger group of individuals including the eventual two victims. Defense attorney Richard Brueckner argued during trial the larger group was beating the defendant’s friend to the point Nunez-Dominguez feared for his friend’s life.

The fact Nunez-Dominguez reached in his pocket and pulled out a pocket knife before jumping into the fray was not disputed during trial. It was also not disputed Nunez-Dominguez ultimately stabbed two individuals involved in the melee. However, the defense argued Nunez-Dominguez was left with little recourse but to enter the fight and evoked his right under Maryland law to defend himself and/or others with the appropriate level of response.

Just how much force is the appropriate or valid amount of force appears to have been the deciding factor for the jury, which acquitted Nunez-Dominguez on the most serious counts including attempted murder, but found him guilty of two counts of reckless endangerment.

Pulling a knife out during a fight on the Boardwalk on a crowded night in

June certainly qualifies as reckless, but did the injuries sustained by the victims, who admittedly were combatants in the fight, elevate the case to attempted murder? After deliberating for three hours, the jury believed it didn’t.

Verdict sheets do not require jurors to explain how they reached their conclusion, but it appears in this case they believed the defense’s self-defense theory.

Around 12:30 a.m. on June 9, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives working in a plainclothes capacity downtown reportedly heard a loud commotion coming from the ocean block of Caroline Street. As the detectives turned the corner, they observed a large fight in progress.

According to police reports, the detectives were approached by a 15year-old juvenile male who was holding his abdomen with both arms as blood dripped from his midsection. As the officers approached, the 15-yearold juvenile male collapsed in the street on Baltimore Avenue and the officers immediately began attending to him.

The second victim, a 17-year-old juvenile male ran toward the officers near the west side of Baltimore Avenue pleading “please help me,” over and over according to police reports.

The officers observed the juvenile had a laceration to the right side of his abdomen with internal organs protruding.

According to police reports, the second victim pleaded multiple times “please don’t let me die,” as the officers attended to him and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

The 15-year-old victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, while the 17-year-old victim was flown to Shock Trauma. Both were taken into immediate emergency surgery and both survived the stabbing injuries. Before the juveniles were transported, they were able to provide a physical description of their alleged assailant to the police officers.

It was later determined the entire incident was captured on the City Watch video surveillance system. The video reportedly shows a large fight SEE NEXT PAGE

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Charges Filed After Two Separate Assaults

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on first-degree assault charges last weekend after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend once and then choking her to the point she could not breathe when she called him abusive.

Around 8 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a hotel on the Boardwalk at 2nd Street for a reported domestic dispute. Officers met with a hotel employee who told police he had heard loud banging coming from a room on the fourth floor and advised his manager to call the police.

OCPD officers went to the room and found a female victim with multiple injuries including red scratches all along the front of her neck and also on her arms. The victim told police her boyfriend, later identified as Oscar PerezTorres, 25, of Lancaster, Pa., had assaulted her. Perez-Torres was not at the hotel but returned a short time later and OCPD officers located him sitting next to a vehicle in the hotel’s overflow parking lot.

OCPD officers were able to identify

Perez-Torres because the victim had shown them a picture of him on her phone. Perez-Torres told police he was attempting to leave the hotel room, but the victim would not let him leave. Perez-Torres told police the victim had hit him in the mouth with an open hand, and that he had pushed her out of the way so he could leave the room.

However, the victim told police a different version of the events. The victim said just before police arrived, PerezTorres had struck her in the face and she fell to the floor. While the victim was on the floor, Perez-Torres punched her multiple times in the body. Ironically, the victim told police Perez-Torres was assaulting her because she had called him an “abuser,” according to police reports.

Perez-Torres reportedly asked the victim over and over in Spanish “Who is the abuser?” as he choked her and pinned her against the bed in the hotel room.

The victim told police Perez-Torres continued to choke her and squeeze her neck tighter and tighter to the point she could only breathe “a little bit,” according to police reports. The victim

did admit kicking Perez-Torres in an attempt to defend herself.

The victim told police Perez-Torres’ abuse of her began with a separate incident the night before. She said around 9 p.m. the night before the couple was walking on the sidewalk at 2nd Street when Perez-Torres allegedly grabbed her by the hair from behind and accused her of taking his wallet.

The victim told police an unidentified female came to her assistance and the Good Samaritan got into an altercation with Perez-Torres after he stopped grabbing his girlfriend by the hair.

The investigation determined the two separate assault cases had occurred within 48 hours and that PerezTorres was the primary aggressor. The victim told police she had been assaulted by Perez-Torres numerous times in the past but had never reported it or done anything about it.

Based on the evidence and testimony, Perez-Torres was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault. Perez-Torres was ordered to be held without bond initially, but was released on recognizance on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing has been set for July 31.

erupt on the Boardwalk near its intersection with Caroline Street. The two victims were involved in the altercation. The video also reportedly shows Nunez-Dominguez swinging a knife and stabbing both victims.

OCPD detectives posted surveillance still pictures of the suspect throughout the following day via social media. Shortly thereafter, OCPD detectives got a call from employees at a hotel on 13th Street indicating NunezDominguez had been a guest at the es-

tablishment. The employees provided detectives with room registration information that included a copy of his driver’s license. Video surveillance reportedly shows Nunez-Dominguez leaving the hotel with friends at 1:22 a.m.

The vehicle he was driving left Ocean City at 1:48 a.m.

Around 10 a.m. on June 10, an OCPD detective received a phone call from Nunez-Dominguez, during which he stated he was scared and admitted he had been involved in the fight. Dur-

ing the call, Nunez-Dominguez told the detective “I hit someone with a knife,” according to police reports.

Nunez-Dominguez was held in custody in Pennsylvania for about two weeks following the alleged admission.

Two weeks after his arrest, he waived extradition and was transported back to Worcester County where he was charged initially with first- and seconddegree assault. He was later indicted on two counts of attempted seconddegree murder.

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Swim Team Honors Graduating Leaders

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

The Ocean Pines Swim Team honored team leaders Kiley Hamby and Richard Poist during a Senior Send-Off event.

Submitted Photos

OCEAN PINES – Although the setting was a little unconventional, the Ocean Pines Swim Team (OPST) last week honored two of its graduating seniors who missed out on what would have been their last summer season with the club because of COVID-19.

Like many student-athletes in the area, the last few months of their high school year was quite different because of the coronavirus and the associated restrictions in place. OPST athletes and Stephen Decatur High School swim team members Richard Poist and Kiley Hamby missed what was to be their last season of summer swimming when the Delmarva Swim Association followed the lead of USA Swimming and made the decision to cancel the summer season due to safety concerns surrounding COVID-19.

During the last home meet of each summer season, OPST traditionally recognized graduating seniors.

There would be a break in the meet with families, teammates and coaches gathering around the pool deck and the team would recognize each senior athlete as they stood on a starting block. This year, although not during a meet but still surrounded by mask-wearing teammates, family and coaches, the OPST hosted a Senior Send-Off to recognize Poist’s and Hamby’s commitment to swimming and the club.

“It’s important for teammates to see their success and hear how much swimming has meant to Richard and Kiley through the years,” said Coach Kim Wanner.

Poist began swimming with OPST in fifth-grade and was a member of the Decatur swim team all four years of high school. He served as team captain in his junior and senior year and qualified for and placed at the Maryland High School State Champion-ships. He will attend the U.S. Naval Academy.

Hamby also joined the OPST in fifthgrade and was a member of the Stephen Decatur swim team all four years of high school. She as four-time state qualifier and served as captain in her senior year. Hamby will continue her education in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Delaware, where she will also continue her swimming career for the school’s club team.

For OPST Coach Kristina Watts, seeing Poist and Hamby graduate was special because she started with the club the same summer they did. Watts said she was proud of the young adults they have become.

“I have been able to watch them grow from timid swimmers to leaders of the team,” she said. “I’m going to miss seeing them every day, but I am excited for their futures.”

Shorebirds Planning Community Events Over Summer

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Delmarva Shorebirds’ general manager told officials this week planning is underway to host several community events at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium this year despite the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League season.

On Tuesday, Delmarva Shorebirds General Manager Chris Bitters met with the Wicomico County Council to discuss the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League baseball season.

“We planned for all scenarios,” Bitters said this week, “and the worst result came with the announcement we would not have a Minor League season.”

Last week, Major League Baseball (MLB) informed Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams that it would not be providing its affiliates with players for the 2020 season. As a result, the 25th anniversary season of the Delmarva Shorebirds – the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles – has been shelved.

“If you are a baseball fan, and you are following along, they are having their own challenges just getting the Major League season off and running …,” Bitters said. “Minor League Baseball is a multi-level entity of eight levels, 16 leagues, 160 cities and 43 states.

An effort to try to send players to 43 states, 160 communities, while testing

all the things they are trying to pull off at the Major League level, I’m assuming is the directive on why they were unable to provide us players. Also, under the current directives of the governor, even if they did send us players we can’t have fans.”

As Shorebirds staff worked remotely in the earlier months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bitters said the stadium was used to host drive-thru testing events.

With the cancellation of the season, he said staff will now work to provide other activities at the facility.

In addition to hosting youth sporting events, the Shorebirds organization also has plans to offer a drive-in fireworks show and socially distanced movie nights on the field, among other things.

“Not all of it is firmed up yet, but we are positive we can create some good community activities and make it to the backside,” he said, “and hopefully next April we are playing ball and back in the stadium if that’s allowed.”

Bitters also noted that 2020 partners, season ticket members, groups, silver sluggers and individual ticket holders will be contacted about their accounts with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

“It’s tough but we will be fine,” he said. “I don’t want any pity … We have good ownership and management and we’ll get through it.”

When asked what financial impact the organization could expect for the

2020 season, Bitters declined to provide specific numbers.

“It’s going to be significant, like really big,” he said. “We have 16 full-time staff members we are trying to keep employed.”

Bitters noted that the Shorebirds have already made some layoffs and furloughs. But he said the more events the organization has, the more working opportunities it can provide to its employees.

“In reality, the more events we have, the more hours I can give staff to work,” he said.

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Councilman Bill McCain asked Bitters if there had been any news regarding negotiations between MLB and MiLB. A Professional Baseball Agreement between the two organizations is set to expire this year, and MLB has put forward a proposal to eliminate 42 Minor League teams as part of its renewal.

“Fortunately, we are not affected by that,” he said. “Have you heard any rumblings that that may change …?”

Bitters replied that he has yet to hear any news of the negotiations.

“Nothing has been finalized with that …,” Bitters replied.

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STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum kicked off the 2020 season last week with a new exhibit highlighting a slave who got his freedom in exchange for fighting in the Civil War. Delayed by the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Taylor House Museum opened to the public July 1 for the 2020 season. Museum representatives are eager to show off the Taylor House’s newest exhibit, a multimedia display about Isaiah Fassett, a Berlin native who was released from slavery on the condition that he join the Union Army in 1863.

“We feel it is an important thing right now to be telling the story of the entirety of Berlin,” said Melissa Reid, president of the Taylor House Museum. “Isaiah Fassett is an amazing historical figure from Berlin.”

Reid said plans were underway for an exhibit about Fassett several months ago when Rev. David Briddell, one of Fassett’s descendants, offered to provide the museum with additional photos and documentation. Briddell and his wife Jane also introduced museum officials to Berlin resident Gregory Purnell, who was able to provide narration for the display.

“It’s dramatically changed the way the information is presented,” Reid said.

“It’s become a story that’s much more

July 10, 2020

dynamic and meaningful and purposeful than just the words.”

Jane Briddell agreed that the narration brought the exhibit to life.

“Hearing it makes it much more real,” she said.

The Briddells, who published a history of the Fassett, Waters and Briddell families a few years ago, were eager to help share the story of Isaiah Fassett.

“Isaiah even now is a very well-known person in Berlin, particularly within the African American community,” Jane Briddell said.

Fassett was born a slave in Berlin in 1844. He and his three brothers were released from slavery in 1863 by Sarah Bruff, who was given $300 per slave for them to enlist in the Union Army. Fassett and his brothers received no compensation for enlisting.

Jane Briddell said the government started compensating slaveholders to free their slaves when the president realized he needed more people to fight if the Union Army was going to win the Civil War. “If that hadn’t happened the Union Army would have lost the battle,” Briddell said. “That fact is never highlighted when they talk about the Civil War.” Fassett went on to fight in South Carolina and Virginia. After Richmond fell, Fassett was promoted to corporal and sent to Texas, Cuba and New Orleans before receiving his discharge in 1866.

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… Taylor House Featuring ‘Amazing Historical Figure’

July 10, 2020

Fassett returned to Berlin and became a carpenter. He married and had eight children, building a home on Branch Street. He also served as commander of the Berlin post of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Army veterans. Fassett, who liv-ed to be 102 and was the second oldest Civil War veteran in Maryland when he died, is remembered in his later years dressed in his uniform and standing at attention on his porch during the town’s Memorial Day celebration.

“His character survives,” Purnell said.

“That’s what heroes are made of. So many fashioned themselves like Isaiah Fassett.”

Briddell said one of her husband’s favorite recollections touches on Fassett’s nickname of Uncle Zear.

“Everyone called him Uncle Zear,” Jane Briddell said. “It wasn’t until David was about 40 that he realized he was actually his uncle.”

Purnell said the nickname was a mark of respect.

“When someone is older and well respected he becomes uncle,” Purnell said.

Purnell said what made the Fassett exhibit stand out at the Taylor House was the fact that Fassett was the only man featured inside that had to fight in a war for his own freedom. He says the museum will be remembered for taking the step to create the exhibit.

“This is a giant step ahead, particularly in this community,” he said.

Purnell, who grew up in Berlin and attended the all-black Worcester High School, remembers well the days of segregation. He recalls the colored bathrooms and sitting in the balcony at The Globe and using the back door to enter establishments.

“This is where Berlin was,” he said.

“I remember when they built (Route)113 which at that time, it destroyed a couple of black businesses and came right through the African American community, it wasn’t much spoken of it or whatever because back then people didn’t rock the boat. But it became almost like the Berlin wall.”

Jane Briddell recalls visiting Flower Street the first time to meet her hus-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 45

A new multi-media exhibit featuring Isaiah Fassett is pictured inside the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum.

band’s parents.

“I was the only white person on the street,” she said, adding that that portion of town had only started to change in the last 5-10 years.

Purnell said that Berlin today was far different than the Berlin he experienced growing up.

“Now it’s almost unrecognizable,” he said. “The integration of the community is going off without a hitch…The town

is evolving. Berlin now is one beautiful community.”

Reid said the Fassett exhibit was an attempt to ensure the museum was sharing all of the town’s history.

“This is a step along the road toward telling many more stories,” she said.

Purnell applauded the effort.

“It opens the door for more of a complete history to be told,” he said. “The exhibits here, when the entire history is

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

told here and you can come and see this history of Berlin and how it has manifested, that’s what a museum is about.”

The Taylor House Museum is now open for tours Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors are asked to call in advance to schedule a tour or sign up at the museum entrance. For more information visit www.taylorhousemuseum.org.

Page 46

The Dispatch

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

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July 10, 2020

Air Show, Fireworks Decisions Confusing HOW WE SEE IT

If crowding was the main concern for fireworks on the 4th of July being scrapped in favor of beefing up the planned New Year’s Eve fireworks, it would seem logical for Ocean City not to support the rescheduling of the annual air show.

Like most folks, we enjoy the Ocean City Air Show each year. From a business perspective, we think Ocean City will thrive in August with the air show following the two strong back-to-back White Marlin Open weekends. However, it’s a fact thousands of people converge on the beach around 16th Street to get the best vantage points of the e-

vent.

The criticism the resort has received once the new air show date was announced and the holiday fireworks displays were canceled is valid.

For the air show, social distancing will not be followed as beach-goers will seek out the best viewing angle possible. This was the argument against having fireworks on the beach and at Northside Park.

Those of us who know the air show realize full well you can view the event almost as well a mile north up the beach, but that’s not common knowledge. Some people want to gen-

erally avoid the crowds anyway and take whatever views they can get from their preferred beach area. The majority, however, will center around the main show area.

Ocean City has been responsible with most of its decisions during this pandemic, including grounding the holiday fireworks and potentially shuttering Boardwalk tram through the summer. Erring on the side of caution to reduce the spread has been the thought. Allowing the air show to take place is one call where criticism is warranted. It’s inconsistent based on previous decisions.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Poor Decisions In OC Editor: (The following was addressed to the Ocean City Mayor and Council.)

Coming to Ocean City has been a sacred tradition in my family starting with vacations as a young child to my family owning a condo in North Ocean City for over 20 years. We are now disgusted with how the city leadership for the sake of money in the pockets of a few are encouraging an element of our society who thrive on violence and me-first philosophy to take over our family resort.

Over the 4th of July weekend, Ocean City was the only resort town in Delmarva that didn’t require masks and social distancing in public areas. This just encouraged those who do not care about the common good to flock there.

Pictures from the Boardwalk Cam of people without masks pushing together just puts everyone in the area in danger of COVID-19 spreading to all those places that those people go home to.

These decisions by O.C. politicians truthfully put many O.C. citizens in harm’s way. My heart goes out to waitstaff in restaurants, store workers, lifeguards and first responders whose lives and the lives of their family members were carelessly put in danger.

As a condo owner in O.C. that pays taxes double what I pay on my twice as big home in Delaware, the poor decisions you are making are not only devaluing my property, but making it impossible for my family and I to even enjoy it. I have heard many friends and family comment on how your decisions are ruining the O.C. that they love. I even doubt that the better restaurants and hotels made money this weekend because that is not the kind of patrons your lawless decisions are appealing to.

I pray the politicians running O.C. will start doing some responsible governing before it is too late, and they ruin this summer and our beloved town. How can you not require masks by workers in restaurants and stores to protect the

common good? How can you continue to allow people without masks and no sense of social distancing to pack public places? Since there has been so much violence at ridiculous hours like 2 a.m., why isn’t there a curfew in place? If lack of revenue is the concern, follow the lead of Delaware beaches and fine those not following the mandates. Please O.C. Mayor and Council do the right things to protect those who pay the taxes that pay your salaries.

Sharon Pitcher Ocean City

Immigration Halt Support Editor: Maryland's economy is in free-fall.

Over 600,000 of the state's three million workers have filed for unemployment since the coronavirus struck.

Despite this widespread joblessness, Maryland's leaders have pressed to bring in more foreign workers.

Gov. Larry Hogan has repeatedly urged the federal government to issue more guest-worker visas, especially for our seafood industry, which for many generations depended on locals.

Thankfully, the Trump administration put an end to this madness. The president just signed an executive order suspending the entry of most new foreign guest workers through the end of 2020. The president should get a lot of credit for doing the right thing despite opposition from Silicon Valley CEOs and other corporate lobbyists who yield tremendous influence in D.C. However, a short-term solution will not fix a longstanding problem.

I harbor no hostility towards immigrants. In fact, I'm an immigrant myself. I came to this country legally from Bangladesh in hopes of achieving the American dream. And I have nothing but empathy for others who come here in search of a better life.

But I also have empathy for my fellow Marylanders who have lost their livelihoods. It's time to prioritize the

needs of these citizens and legal permanent residents -- by ensuring they don't have to compete for scarce jobs with new workers coming from abroad.

Earlier this year, Hogan and Congressman Andy Harris (R), who represents the Eastern Shore, called on the Trump administration to issue additional guest-worker visas for Maryland's crab-picking industry. Even in March, after the coronavirus crisis had already begun, Congressman Harris called the supposed shortage of these H-2B visas -- which businesses use to bring in seasonal workers for non-agricultural jobs like construction, landscaping, and meat and seafood processing -- a "debilitating issue for the economy."

And the governor warned in January that "local seafood processors will be unable to open for business" if they can't hire guest workers.

These claims are fearmongering, pure and simple. There has never been a shortage of Americans willing to fill such jobs. Fifty-two percent of seafood hand packers and packagers were born here in America. Many of the remaining 48 percent are naturalized citizens like me. Only a relatively small percentage are guest workers.

And especially now, as the unemployment rate soars to levels not seen since the Great Depression, it's ludicrous to claim that businesses can't find enough Americans.

In reality, seafood processors and other businesses clamor for these visas because guest workers will accept lower wages. The average laborer in the meat, poultry, and fish cutting and trimming sector earns $11.39 per hour -but H-2B guest workers in that industry earn just $8.25 per hour, according to an Economic Policy Institute review of federal data from 2012. That means employers increase their profit by $3.14 per hour, a 28 percent discount.

Marylanders face competition not only from guest workers, but also from SEE NEXT PAGE

July 10, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR illegal immigrants. Unscrupulous businesses often hire these vulnerable laborers and treat them terribly. Nearly four in 10 illegal aliens have been paid less than minimum wage.

Too often, Maryland officials turn a blind eye to this problem -- or worse, actively abet it. Earlier this year, lawmakers introduced several "sanctuary" bills that would have forbid local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Such policies merely encourage more illegal immigration, thus perpetuating a cycle of abuse and wage theft that hurts legal and illegal workers alike. The bills didn't pass, but lawmakers will surely reintroduce them next year.

Maryland's legal residents -- both native-born and immigrant -- deserve better. In other states, elected officials have already stepped up to protect their citizens.

Many states require some or all businesses to use E-Verify, a free online tool that assesses whether newly hired laborers are authorized to work in the United States. Just across the Mason Dixon Line, for instance, all Pennsylvania construction firms must start using E-Verify this fall, thanks to a bill passed by the Keystone State's Republican legislature and signed into law by its Democrat governor. There's no reason Maryland shouldn't follow Pennsylvania's example.

President Trump did the right thing when he suspended new H-2B and other guest worker visas during the pandemic. That will go a long way to relieve pressure on Maryland's struggling workers.

Hundreds of thousands of Marylanders have lost their livelihoods. In a crisis like this, it's insane that our state officials wanted to continue allowing guest-workers and illegal immigrants to take jobs that'd otherwise go to Maryland's citizens and legal permanent residents.

Shakil Hamid (The writer is an immigrant from Bangladesh who lives in Gaithersburg, Md.)

A Take On Current Affairs Editor: Here are some undeniable truths: *Jim Comey answered, “I don’t know.” “I don’t remember.”, and “I don’t recall” 236 times while under oath. He remembered enough to write a book. *Not one feminist has defended Sarah Sanders. It seems women’s rights only matter if those women are liberal. *Every woman has the right to be believed unless you are raped by Bill Clinton, beaten by Keith Ellison, groped by Cory Booker, or killed by Ted Kennedy. *Chelsea Clinton got out of college and got a job at NBC that paid $900,000 per year. Her mom flies around the country speaking out about white privilege. *If walls and guns don’t work; then why are celebrities and politicians surrounded by them? *Liberals: “Don’t let unvaccinated kids into our schools!” Same liberals:

Between The Lines

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“Let thousands of unvaccinated illegal immigrants in!” *You know that you live in a great country when even the people that absolutely detest it refuse to leave. *The law allowing for separation of children from their parents who cross the border illegally was signed by Bill Clinton in 1997. Why is it a problem now? *In 2018, 68 people were killed by mass shootings. In that same year, 2,000 people were killed by illegal aliens. *Democrats say that you can’t give a lethal injection to killers, rapists, pedophiles, and school shooters. But, you can give a lethal injection to an infant. *Liberals are against foreign interference in our elections but want illegals to vote. *Trump’s wall costs less than the Obamacare website. *It is easier to kill and American child than it is to deport an illegal alien. *Russia donated $0.00 to the Trump campaign. Russia donated $145,600,000 To the Clinton Foundation. BUT, Trump was the one investigated. *Liberals feel the same way about firearms as they do about wealth. It is okay for them, but not for you. *A party that supports abortion over life, illegal aliens over its citizens, and refugees over its veterans is lecturing me on morals! *If you think capitalism is the problem, there are 195 other countries where you can get a whole lot less of it. Why don’t you move there?? *We spend $18 billion a year on healthcare for illegals and the Democrats can’t find $5 billion for border security. *Alexandria Ocasio Cortez wants to ban cars, ban planes, give out universal income and thinks socialism works.

She calls Donald Trump crazy?!? *Bill Clinton paid $850,000 to Paula Jones to get her to go away. I don’t remember the FBI raiding his lawyer’s office. *The problem with socialism is that sooner or later, you run out of other people’s money. *The electoral college worked fine until Hillary Clinton lost in 2016. The Democrats now want to abolish it. *The Supreme Court has had 9 justices since 1868. Now the Democrats say that it needs to be expanded to nullify the conservatives on the court. *It is now clear. Bob Mueller quit digging when all of the tunnels led back to Hillary and Obama. *Katy Perry: “No barriers. No borders. We all just need to coexist.” She lives in a $19 million mansion in a gated community, surrounded by security. *Maxine Waters thinks voter ID is racist, and at the same time requires one to attend her town hall meetings. *We are one election away from open borders, socialism, gun confiscation, and full-term abortion nationally. We are fighting evil.

How can any thinking, patriotic individual vote Democrat?

Dennis Evans Berlin.

Page 47

By Publisher/Editor Steve Green

It’s a wonderful surprise to see so much interest in Berlin’s fall election. Three council seats as well as the mayor’s post are up for grabs in the October election.

As of this week, there are three candidates for mayor (including incumbent Gee Williams), two candidates (Jay Knerr and Tony Weeg) for the at-large seat currently held by Thom Gulyas, a single candidate (Jack Orris) for the District 2 seat currently occupied by Zackery Tyndall who is running for mayor and nobody has officially signed up yet to challenge 32-year Councilman Elroy Brittingham, who typically waits until close to the filing deadline before deciding whether to run again.

Though it remains to be seen what will happen in Districts 2 and 3 at this time, it’s a welcome change to see individuals interested in serving the small community. History shows this is not typically the case for Berlin. In 2018, for example, the election in Berlin was cancelled because incumbents Thom Gulyas (at large district), Troy Purnell (District 1) and Dean Burrell (District 4) were unopposed. This was only two short years ago. For his part, Purnell has never been challenged in his district since defeating Phil Cropper and Rex Hailey for the seat in the 2008 special election, which was needed to fill the council seat held by Williams after he was elected mayor a couple months before.

Williams, who confirmed his intention to see a fourth term this week, was elected 12 years ago after serving as interim mayor for several months after then-Mayor Tom Cardinale’s death in office. In 2016, Williams cruised to victory over embattled then-Councilwoman Lisa Hall, scoring 81% of the vote. A three-way race for mayor will be interesting because it will likely only take a few hundred votes to win. In the 2016 election, Williams received 588 votes and Hall received 137. In the 2012 election, Williams received 335 votes and a write-in candidate scored 122. The filing deadline is not until Sept. 4 and there could be more challengers. However, I suspect any new entries will be in the council races rather than for mayor.

The Ocean City Mayor and Council will soon review the transportation subcommittee’s recommendation to not start the Boardwalk tram this summer.

Councilman Dennis Dare viewed sidelining the tram for the remainder of the summer would be a wise move and an opportunity for the resort to “put health before wealth in everything we do as a town.” The committee agreed for the most part and the council will have the ultimate say next week most likely.

This is not a difficult decision for the council. I would suspect there’s a demand on the boards for the tram to return, but the social distancing and sanitation moves required will make it an impossible operation to run in a safe manner. Starting the tram service and requiring facial coverings would be an impossible requirement to enforce. It’s simpler to keep the tram stored, save the town some money, protect visitors and would-be drivers and not provide the opportunity this summer.

Due to the sensitivity surrounding race and police relations, the conversation this week between the Worcester County Commissioners and the law enforcement community was worthwhile.

For the most part, the conversation centered around police training and the high level of standards Maryland agencies use before putting a cop on the streets. Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy Director John Moses clearly takes pride in what his training facility is producing.

He also pointed out the state has not used the “knee on the neck” restraint used in the disgusting George Floyd incident for 25 years.

“The whole goal, what we train at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, is voluntary compliance,” he said. “We’re trying to train these officers with verbal skills to get voluntary compliance. Voluntary compliance is a lot better than trying to go hands on. There’s a tremendous amount of emphasis placed on verbal skills and de-escalation techniques throughout the county.”

During the meeting, Commissioner Diana Purnell, a Black woman, made some pointed comments that struck me. I admire her for taking on a difficult subject. She asked Moses at one point if looking beyond race was part of the training for police prospects.

“I’m a woman of color and I know that I’m weaponized because of my color,” she said. “I’m out a lot by myself. I have been right out on (Route) 50 at the stoplight, young men, sometimes young women, will roll up beside you. They blow their horn, they give me the finger, they call you all kinds of names looking for a reaction.”

Moses assured Purnell at his academy prospects are taught to look beyond differences.

“We are here for one thing only,” he said. “We take an oath to serve everybody that God has placed on this earth fairly and impartially. … I can guarantee you in Worcester County that if there’s a bad cop in any of these chiefs’ ranks they’re gone in a heartbeat.”

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I

The Adventures Of Fatherhood

By STEVE GREEN

t’s always interesting to me how my kids react to things.

At 12 and 10 years old now, most of the time my boys are calm and mellow about things, but there are some instances – usually unpredictable -- when they are dramatic and extreme with their reactions.

It’s the latter cases that make for better copy in this space so here are some recent instances.

•At 12 years old, Beckett is laidback for the most part. There are exceptions and I’m sometimes surprised when he reverts back to a toddler.

The tantrums of a tween are a lot different than that of a 3-year-old, however. They seem more complicated and represent something altogether different than the matter at hand.

An example would be a recent morning when I had the nerve to not have a bagel ready for him when he came downstairs ready for camp. I handed him his smoothie and he said, “what no bagel?” I let him know I had forgotten and said give me a few minutes.

His reaction was shock and awe followed by some other unnecessarily rude comments that resulted in me intentionally making him wait longer.

It was at that point I realized this was not just about a bagel, which I decided to deliver to him nearby. He did say in seemingly grateful fashion “thank you,” which I also took as an apology for snapping.

I have found a short-term memory helps make parenting easier.

•Carson fell off his bike the other night and skinned up his knee bad.

Beckett’s reaction was worse than Carson’s.

Beckett took the angle the fall was going to slow him down and prevent him from going as fast as he would like. Once he found out the injury was minor, Beckett was a typical ol-

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der brother, questioning Carson as to how it happened and whether he would be able to keep up now that he was injured.

That’s when the crying got intense from Carson and I ordered Beckett to just go ahead of us. Once I finally got Carson back on the bike, I could see tears streaming down his face. I told him if it hurts to bike let’s just walk.

He insisted on biking, but his tears continued. This was one of those rare moments when I didn’t immediately now what was going on with him. It surely would have been a lot easier if he could tell me, but it was clear something was bothering him besides the injury. I finally figured out what our non-verbal son had on his mind.

He wanted his big brother to be biking with him.

As soon as Beckett was back riding with us, he started cracking jokes with Carson and all was well in the world.

It turns out short-term memories are a good thing for all family members.

•While at Speed World in Ocean City recently, the kids showed their immaturity a bit.

Carson wants no part of driving, so he and I partner in double carts on the tracks. Common sense would tell you the both of us would not be able to keep with Beckett in his single cart.

Nonetheless, Carson during the entire ride had his foot firmly planted atop mind on the gas. When Beckett lapped us, he started slapping his foot down on top of mine until my threats to end the afternoon early finally resonated. A limp for me was still a result of his stomping.

A few tracks later, Beckett showed his competitive side. I could tell something was up with his go-kart, as he wasn’t keeping up with others, including us in a double cart. Five years ago or so, he would have cried and proba-

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bly had a tantrum. Instead at 12 years old, he calmly said he was done and wanted to leave. An hour later, after getting in some wins, he wanted to stay beyond our paid for time.

It turns out winning does cure most things.

•Carson is mellow about most things but there are two clear exceptions – food and electronics. He can be obsessive about both at times.

For today, I will retell a story shared to me by Pam. She found herself in a similar situation to me a few weeks ago. She took the boys to get haircuts in Ocean City and wanted to take them to lunch afterwards. They just wanted to go home because it was pouring rain, which was just an excuse. They talked their mother into McDonald’s.

She must have just been over them at this point because she rarely eats fast food.

With it raining and the place packed, she probably should have known the order would be messed up. Along with being out of apple juice, which Carson loves, there was also cheese on his burger and he’s dairy-free. At this point, she was already out of the drive-thru line and the inside was closed due to the pandemic. The result was a breakdown from Carson and his big brother – whose meal was just fine -- making fun of him.

To make matters worse for Pam, her unsweetened iced tea she had was sweetened, which she hates. It was at that point she lost it. The result was a quiet ride home and the three of them going their separate ways once home.

It happens to the best of us.

(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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Page 49

Fenwick Adds Two Crosswalk Intersection Lights

Page 50

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Fenwick Island has installed two new crosswalk systems in an effort to improve pedestrian safety along Coastal Highway.

Late last month, two new crosswalk lights were installed at the intersections of Bayard Street and Coastal Highway and Oyster Bay Drive and Coastal Highway.

“I think people need to be aware of them,” Councilwoman Vicki Carmean said in a late-June meeting.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

In February, the town council voted unanimously to support the installation of the crosswalk lights after learning the town could utilize roughly $26,000 in state Community Transportation Funds to purchase Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) systems.

Efforts to install the RRFB crosswalk systems began last fall, when town officials met with representatives with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to discuss pedestrian safety in Fenwick Island. While DelDOT had presented the town with a plan to place signage at crosswalks, it did not include

July 10, 2020

funding for the RRFB systems.

To that end, town officials asked DelDOT representatives if Fenwick Island could fund the crosswalk systems at the two locations. And after approaching Senator Gerald Hocker and Representative Ron Gray, Fenwick was able to secure Community Transportation Funds.

Because the town agreed to buy the systems, Town Manager Terry Tieman said DelDOT had contractors install the systems.

“Getting them installed was a real benefit to us because DelDOT had contractors working in Bethany and South Bethany come down and install them,” she said.

Carmean, who chairs the Fenwick Island Pedestrian Safety Committee, said the next step is to educate both motorists and pedestrians on how to use the new crosswalk systems.

“The only concern I have is a lot of people aren’t expecting to see them, and they don’t know what to think when they see these flashing lights,” she said.

Acting Police Chief John Devlin, however, said the town would use pedestrian safety grant funding to promote the new crosswalk systems.

“We will educate people as we go along …,” he said. “We received a considerable amount this year, which will help with the new lights.”

Under Delaware code, vehicles must

yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalk and are not required to stop until a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. By the same token, pedestrians cannot suddenly leave the curb or any other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle.

To operate the new system, a pedestrian must push the button and cross the roadway when it is safe to do so.

The RRFB systems will flash to alert any oncoming vehicles.

Councilman Gardner Bunting told the council last month the town could pursue additional crosswalk systems for other intersections. Tieman agreed.

“We need to do further study and maybe include the police department on where they think the other ones would be needed,” she said.

The town is also working with the private firm Century Engineering to begin the first phase of a sidewalk construction project along Coastal Highway.

“As a result of a teleconference with the company two weeks ago, the town is going to pursue further grant funding,” Carmean said. “I think it is important for everybody to know. So we have to wait until after the state budget is approved. After the meeting with state officials in July we will try to schedule a meeting for the entire committee, and the town will probably begin approaching the business property owners about the final plans.”

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33rd Annual OC Tuna Tournament Set For This Weekend

July 10, 2020

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The 33rd Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament is underway with dozens of boats and hundreds of anglers searching the canyons off the coast of the resort in sear-ch of the burly behemoths.

The tuna bite has been excellent summer, setting up what should be a memorable 2020 Ocean City Tuna Tournament. The event got started Thursday with a captain’s meeting and late registration at the host Ocean City Fishing Center, but the real action gets underway today with the first of three official fishing days.

The annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament is one of the highlights of the summer offshore tournament season each year, second only perhaps to the White Marlin Open in terms of prize money awarded and anglers participating. Hosted by the Ocean City Fishing Center, the four-day event has become a celebration of fishing, food, drinks, live entertainment and, of cour-se, the daily weigh-ins at the scale. Weigh-ins will be held Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Fishing Center and Sunset Marina, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Fishing Center only.

From modest beginnings in 1988 when just 38 boats competed for $9,000 in prize money, the tuna tournament has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two decades plus. Last year’s event was one of the biggest ever with 109 boats competing for a share of over $800,000 in prize money.

In the single largest tuna category, the crew on the Moore Bills tied the crew on the Reel Chaos for first place, each weighing a 99-pounder.

The Moore Bills earned $221,347 in prize money, while the Reel Chaos won $214,350. The Seakeeper took third with a 90-pounder worth $9,655, while the Restless Lady was fourth with an 89-pounder worth $32,220.

In the heaviest stringer category, the crew on the Theresa Jean took first place with a combined stringer of

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

426 pounds and earned $252,715 in prize money. The Sea Wolf was second with a 256-pound stringer worth $63,960, while the Marli was third with a 249-pound stringer worth $40,210.

The crew on the Sea Wolf took first place in the dolphin division with a 33-pounder worth $28,960 in prize money. The Hall Pass took second with a 25-pounder worth $1,000, while the C-Boys was third with a 24pounder worth $500. The Troublemaker won the largest wahoo category with a 70-pounder worth $11,520.

The top lady angler award went to Kylleigh Wiygul on the Fin Chaser, who earned $1,500 in prize money.

J.L. Cropper on the Myra HT took second and earned $1,000, while Joyce Collins on the Margarita earned third and took home $500. William Morrison on the A Salt Weapon III took the top junior angler award and earned $1,000. Zach Little on the Talkin Trash was second and earned $500, while Jackson Morgan on the Hammer Down was third and earned $250.

Page 51

The single largest tuna division in last year’s 32nd Ocean City Tuna Tournament ended in a dead heat with a pair of 99-pounders weighed by the Moore Bills and the Reel Chaos. Pictured above, the happy Moore Bills crew shows off its co-winner worth over $221,000.

Photo courtesy Fish in OC

THE DISPATCH’S PETS OF THE MONTH

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Pet’s Name: Maverick Pet’s Age/Breed: 3-year-old yellow Labrador Pet’s Owner: Jennifer Booth

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Pet’s Name: Daisy Pet’s Age/Breed: 14-year-old miniature pinscher Pet’s Owners: Rita & Mark Tennant

Pet’s Name: Lenny Pet’s Age/Breed: 1-year-old Jack Russell rescue mix Pet’s Owner: Gerard Zitnik

July 10, 2020

Pet’s Name: Mojo Pet’s Age/Breed: 8-year-old shih tzu Pet’s Owners: Julie & Troy Warehime

EDITOR

STEVE GREEN

Pet’s Name: Paco Pet’s Age/Breed: 5-month-old havanese Pet’s Owners: Damira & Marten Hill

The Dispatch presents the latest edition of its Pets of the Month Contest.

Each month one special animal, or two, in some cases, is picked as the cutest photo of the bunch through a private vote of our staff. Here we present this month’s pets, submitted by our readers.

On the front page is last month’s winning entry, Otis and Henry, owned by Faith A. Coleman.

Those interested in participating in future months’ contests are invited to send their lovable pet photo to us at editor@mdcoastdispatch.com (preferred) or to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811 or drop it off at our office in Berlin at 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd.

Please be sure it’s a high-quality photo suitable for reproduction and to include your mailing address, the pet’s name, age and breed and the owner’s first and last name. The next series will appear in this space on Aug. 14

Pet’s Name: Tipper Pet’s Age/Breed: 2-year-old goldendoodle Pet’s Owner: Kelly Greaney

Salisbury Zoo To Open Only On Weekends In July

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – The Salisbury Zoo will open during the weekends throughout the month of July.

The zoo will be open Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m. throughout the month.

“After a variety of discussions with associates from other zoos and our own keepers, we’ve come up with a few alterations to our normal routine,” Zoo Director Leonora Dillon said. “All of these are being put in place with the safety of our animals, our keepers and of course

the public in mind.”

The Salisbury Zoo closed to the public this spring in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Since that time, the zoo has increased its online presence with virtual programs and social media interactions.

Now, the zoo will enter its first phase of reopening with several safety and social distancing measures.

Masks or face coverings will be required, and hand-sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the zoo. Officials have also created a map for one-way foot traffic and have blocked off a few paths to select animal exhibits.

Page 53

“We are aware there will be a lot of guests that want to watch our Andean Bears, especially Sinchi,” Dillon said.

“We’ve created viewing stations at the exhibit to help family groups to be able to safely space out and view.”

Dillon noted the zoo has also established two timeframes during which guests can visit.

“This allows us to easily control the number of people in the zoo at one time as well as provide us time between the groups to sanitize areas easily,” she said. “We will have set times within the ‘open’ timeframes where we will sanitize the bathrooms.”

Dillon said expanding hours of operation will largely depend on public cooperation and case numbers.

Dillon encouraged the community to come visit the zoo.

“We have been told the zoo is a place where people reconnect a little with nature, a safe place they can come with the family and get to see some beautiful animals, an escape from the normal routine,” she said. “We want to provide that opportunity for our community. With the respect of our guests following safety precautions, we hope everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy our little slice of nature.”

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Page 54

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above, some serious Boardwalk people watching was going on last week. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

July 10, 2020

Wealth Of Knowledge

What Might Be Next Inflation Or Deflation?

BY KRISTIN COANE

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

BERLIN – Consumer prices fell by 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, the biggest drop in more than a dozen years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Conversely, prices for grocery items jumped 2.6%, the highest one-month increase in 46 years, with eggs rising by 16%.

What’s going on here? Well, the devil is in the details, an important lesson to learn about interpreting data. It’s true that supermarket prices are rising, mainly because of two factors: The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted supply lines and more Americans are eating at home and buying more groceries.

Together, these factors have contributed to the tight food supply, and per the economic theory of supply and demand, when supply is low and demand is high, prices rise.

As for the decrease in consumer prices, that’s the other side of the coin.

With the nationwide efforts to close businesses and shelter in place, people are simply buying less. They may be out of a job or worrying about that prospect, so they’ve been hanging onto every last dollar — buying only the necessiKRISTIN COANE ties.

The thing about falling demand is that it requires retailers and manufacturers to drop prices to entice sales. If they can’t sell what they are producing, then they cut back production, and people lose jobs. It’s a vicious circle, and one that can lead to deflation.

Let’s face it, both inflation and deflation can have negative effects on investment portfolios, so it’s important to take steps to help protect against those risks. We have strategies that can help mitigate the effects of volatility on your retirement plan. Give us a call, and we’ll help tailor a plan for your personal circumstances.

Inflation usually gets top billing when discussing the economy because rising prices over the long term cut down on how much a dollar can buy. However, a little inflation, around 2% to 3%, isn’t a bad thing. It’s usually an indicator that people have jobs, spending demand is high and companies can afford to raise prices. Deflation, in contrast, can be more concerning, as it can lead to an economic recession or depression.

The Federal Reserve, as part of its efforts to shore up the economy during the pandemic, appears just as intent on mitigating deflation as it is inflation.

In early May, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said, “As long as inflation expectations remain anchored, then we shouldn’t see deflation. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping very close track of that.”

(The writer has been with Key Financial Services for over 15 years. The team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 57

with Scott Lenox Hello everyone and welcome to another week of the Fish in OC fishing report here in The Dispatch. I hope everyone had an awesome 4th of July holiday filled with family, friends and fun. The weather was absolutely fantastic last week, and the fishing was just as good with big bluefish, tuna, marlin, mahi and swordfish offshore and sea bass, flounder, drum and mackerel inshore. It was a great week of fishing for many anglers including me and my family.

Flounder fishing in the back bays over the past few weeks has been really good thanks to some of the cleanest water conditions that I’ve seen in a long time. Water conditions in our back bays can change in just a few hours depending on wind, rain and tide, but thankfully all those variables have been consistent enough for us to have very clean water in our back bays recently.

Calm winds have allowed the good conditions to stretch from the Route 90 Bridge all the way back to the Verrazano Bridge behind Assateague Island and flounder are being caught in good numbers everywhere in between.

There are a lot of throwback sized fish

to weed through this time of year, but there are also plenty of keeper sized fish over the 16 ½-inch minimum.

Larger fish are now being found in deeper channels and holes around the bay and are more susceptible to larger baits. Live bunker, spot and mullet should be in our bays any day now and if you can find them they will be the best baits for larger flounder. If you’re just looking to bend a rod with the kids then use live minnows, frozen shiners or Gulp baits in 4” or 5”. They will do the trick, but you’ll have to weed through more throwbacks. The Fish in OC Dale Timmons’ Deadly Double has been killing flounder all season and both pink and chartreuse are doing the trick lately.

This past week I had several reports of a good mackerel bite on the inshore lumps for anglers that were trolling small bucktails and spoons. Spanish and king mackerel have made a strong showing just off the beach in recent years and it looks like they might be here again this summer. Slow troll small spoons, Sting Silvers or other metal lures over the bumps and lumps like Little and Great SEE PAGE 58

Captain Anthony Matarese Jr. put his family on a jumbo yellowfin tuna and a gorgeous swordfish that weighed over 280 pounds.

Submitted Photos

Page 58

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

Top left, this angler hoists a beautiful yellowfin tuna he caught while fishing with Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters. Top middle, this doormat flounder was caught on board the Fish Bound with Captain Kane Bounds at the helm. Top right, this father and three sons had an awesome day of tuna fishing on board Rhonda’s Osprey with Captain Joe Drosey. Above left, Dave Borrell caught these flounder between 17 and 22 inches on white Gulp baits while drifting the south bay. Above right, these lucky anglers had a great day with Captain John Prather of Ocean City Guide Service putting eight keeper flounder in the fish box.

Opposite page top left, these guys went home with nine yellowfin tuna after having a great day of trolling on board the Fish On with Captain Andrew Dotterweich.

Opposite page top right, Captain Jason Mumford showed this group an insane day of inshore fishing that consisted of 11 keeper flounder and two black drum. Opposite page middle left, this crew had a nice day of offshore fishing aboard the Boss Hogg when they landed four yellowfin tuna and released a white marlin. Opposite page middle right, David Ward and Colin Wilson landed several tilefish and a 44-pound snowy grouper while fishing on the private boat Gone Phisin with Captain Tony Bonacci and mate Matt Frenz. Opposite page bottom left, Greg Alt from Harrisburg, Pa. caught this jumbo “knothead” sea bass on board the Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins. Opposite page bottom right, Captain Chris Mizurak of the Angler put this group on some tremendous ocean flounder fishing.

... Fish In OC

FROM PAGE 57 Gull and you could find some good eating mackerel fillets.

Sea bass fishing over ocean structure has slowed a little in the past week or two, but is still unbelievably good for July. Ocean bottom fishermen aren’t catching limit after limit of sea bass, but there are still lots of fish coming on board to make anglers happy and some of them are jumbos up to as big as four pounds. Ocean bottom fishermen are also seeing more and more flounder on the wrecks and reefs off of Ocean City and some other species including tautog, spadefish and triggerfish. The sea bass, tog, spades and triggers are going to be right over the structure in most instances, while the flounder will most

likely be on flat bottom surrounding the structure. Fish right on the bottom for all these species and use squid or clam for the sea bass, spadefish and triggerfish.

Strip baits or Gulp will work best for the flounder and clam, crab baits or sand fleas will entice a hungry tautog.

Maryland tautog season reopened as of July 1 with a size limit of 16 inches and a creel limit of two fish per person.

The size limit will remain the same, but the creel limit will go up to four fish per person on Nov. 1.

Offshore fishing was good again last week despite the arrival of a sometimes annoying gear destroyer -- the bluefish.

Some anglers are targeting bluefish and really enjoying the fishing, but offshore anglers looking for yellowfin tuna have been annoyed by the toothy, aggressive “chopper” bluefish that have arrived inside the Baltimore and Poorman’s Canyons. Catching bluefish beats not catching anything, but when they destroy ex-

pensive spreader bars and ballyhoo rigs it can tend to get a little aggravating. Unfortunately for the time being offshore anglers will have to deal with the bluefish because they are mixed right in with 30-50-pound class yellowfin tuna. Offshore along with the bluefish and yellowfin tuna bite there has been a pretty decent bite for white and blue marlin that some anglers are taking advantage of.

The winning boat in the Ocean City Marlin Club’s Canyon Kick Off Tournament was able to catch and release nine white marlin in two days of fishing and there were several other boats right there with them. There have also been some mahi joining the party lately and there should be more of them showing up all the time as the water temperatures warm.

This weekend the 33rd Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament comes to town with scales action at the Ocean City Fishing Center in West Ocean City. This

is a fish two of three-day event with categories for heaviest tuna, heaviest tuna stringer, heaviest wahoo and heaviest mahi. Rules changes for this year include no limit on the amount of rods that can be trolled and the ability to weigh multiple bigeye tuna for stringer weights.

Longfin tuna has also been added as an eligible tuna species to join bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin. Scales action will take place at the Ocean City Fishing Center right next to Micky Fins on Friday, July 10 from 4 until 8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11 from 4 until 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. I’ll be directing the live broadcast with the Hooked on OC crew that you can check out at www.OCTunaTournament.com all weekend. Until next week, tight lines.

(The writer is the owner of Fish in OC and host of Ocean City’s fishing television show Hooked on OC. He has worked in the fishing industry and been fishing the waters in and around Ocean City for over 25 years.)

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 59

Page 60

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

Some Advice For Avoiding Dreaded Lost Kid Situations GUARDING THE BEACH

BY DAMIEN SANZOTTI

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

OCEAN CITY – As a father of three children, two girls and a boy, one of my biggest fears is losing my kids in a crowded area and not being able to find them. Over my 17 years with the beach patrol, I have had the opportunity to return many lost children to their parents. Many of these situations could have been prevented. I’m going to give you some tips that will hopefully help prevent this scary moment during your time on the sand.

My children are 8, 6, and 2 years old, so one of the very first things that we do when we get to the beach is meet the lifeguard. I make sure that I take the time to introduce them and reinforce the fact that if they cannot find mom and dad, then they tell the person in the big white chair. Our lifeguards’ primary concern is watching the water, but they often spend a portion of their time on busy days reuniting families. They will be apprecia-

tive that you are taking the time to try to prevent that from happening. On a busy weekend in July, it is not uncommon that we have over 50 separated party cases.

Next, I show my kids the street sign that faces the beach at the dune access.

It has the number of the street on it and they can usually remember it with ease. I typically point out a few distinguishable buildings in the background to help orient them to the area.

To a young child standing at the water’s edge, DAMIEN the beach can look like SANZOTTI a repeating pattern of umbrellas and chairs, making parents disappear quite easily. My kids are also good with numbers, so we have been practicing the memorization of my cell phone number.

Our lifeguards have the ability to make radio contact with our dispatcher who can place a call to parents if needed.

When kids get panicked, they tend to pick up the pace and cover more ground

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as they search frantically for something familiar. Quite often a child is playing in the ocean and the current is moving them along the beach, when they come out of the water they are now a block away and no longer can locate their family, then they start walking trying to find a familiar location only to end up even further away from the family. They also tend to take paths of least resistance by walking at the water’s edge and with the wind at their back. These commonalities actually assist the lifeguards during their search by allowing the child to be more visible to the guards.

Once a search is initiated, semaphore communication is sent to each guard so that they can visually sweep their area from the high vantage point of their chair. This information typically includes the name, age and swimsuit color. Radio communication is also used to send the information faster and to a larger area. It is extremely important to have a group member stay with the lifeguard closest to where the individual is

HERE’S MY CARD

lost from. Keeping a group member close to the lifeguard stand allows us to return the lost individual to the correct location, and allows for a good flow of communication.

My hope is the next time you are on the beach with your kids that you will take the time to implement some of the ideas that I have outlined. Having a plan that your child is aware of is a surefire way to make the process of reuniting the two of you much easier, if needed at all. I’m proud to say that the beach patrol has been able to return 100% of all the children that have been lost on the beach.

Please remember to be respectful of others space on the beach and do your best to physical distance from other groups. And always "Keep your feet in the sand, until the lifeguards in the stand."

(The writer has been with the beach patrol for 17 years and is currently a sergeant. He is a physical education teacher at Berlin Intermediate School.)

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July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 61

OCBP ALUMNI OF THE WEEK

George Chester: Finding Your Family

(Editor’s Note: The following is a series on the men and women who have spent their summers protecting all those who came to Ocean City for fun and safe vacation.)

OCEAN CITY – Many of the men and women who have served on the Ocean City Beach Patrol can attest to the fact the experience of guarding can be life changing. It could be something monumental like proving to yourself just how much strength and determination you have in the face of a crisis. Or it could be something as simple as who you might meet on the beach one day. No one probably knew this better than George Chester.

Chester was a Baltimore boy through and through. He graduated from Poly in 1963 and soon started classes at the University of Baltimore. Like a lot of kids from Baltimore, he looked to Ocean City during the summer months for a job and a little adventure.

It was 1964 when Captain Craig dropped him off at the stand on 90th Street. Ocean City had been growing by leaps and bounds since the Bay Bridge

was finished and now the OCBP had been given the command to increase its presence all the way up to the Delaware line. Captain Craig must have seen something in Chester that he liked, because the stand he gave him was right in front of Hack Deeley's summer cottage. Deeley had been on the OCBP with Captain Craig back in the 30's, and his son, Sandy Deeley, had also just joined the patrol. The captain knew that the Deeley family would feed and look after the rookie guard.

Chester enjoyed his time guarding the north end of town. His skills as a guard impressed the officers and so they decided to move him downtown to 5th Street where the crowds were bigger and the rescues more frequent. He certainly missed the meals the Deeley family had been giving him, but he was glad to be sitting the stands near his roommates Wayne "Bru" Brubaker and Vern Rosenberger. Along with Deeley, the four made for quite a team, both on and off the beach.

When Hurricane Faith ran by the

CLEANING SERVICE

George Chester is pictured in the mid-1960s in Ocean City.

Submitted Photo

coastline on the Labor Day weekend in 1966, Chester, along with "Bru," Rosenberger and Deeley faced the heaviest surf they had ever seen.

"Bru" remembers that they "made over 40 pulls (rescues) each that Saturday. The current pulled so hard that on a couple of rescues, it took us swimming as far as 13th Street before we could swim in safely through the breakers. Our last pulls were well after the 5:30 p.m. blow off time."

Because of his actions at the end of the summer and his record of service, Chester was promoted to sergeant in 1967 and "soon thereafter to lieutenant.

HERE’S MY CARD FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT PAMELA GREEN

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He drove the Jeep along the beach stopping at the guard stands along the way and overseeing rescues and assisting if need be." Summers at the beach and on the OCBP were a wonderful time for Chester but, as with most guards, "real life" came calling and decisions needed to be made.

It seems that the Deeley’s also had a daughter named Candy. Four years after meeting George on that 90th Street beach, she would marry him in 1968. They moved to Baltimore and began a family, but as Candy reports, "by 1987 we couldn’t resist moving to the beach with our three children giving them the opportunity to grow up in a town that we loved!"

Chester was admired and loved by all who knew him, especially those on the OCBP. Sadly, he passed away when he was only 44 years old and has missed seeing the success of his children, John Chester, an award-winning filmmaker in California; Deeley Chester, owner of Coastal Surf supplies and topnotch Realtor in Ocean City; and daughter Cara, a successful Realtor in Baltimore. He would have taken so much joy in knowing his grandchildren, Rowan, Kade and Beaudie Chester.

Our thanks go out to Candy Chester for this story.

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Page 62

Who’s Where When BUXY’S SALTY DOG/DRY DOCK 28 410-289-0973 28TH ST. & COASTAL HWY. Friday, July 10: DJ Wax, 8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Sean Spiffy Styles, 8 p.m.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020

Best Beats On The Beach

CLARION HOTEL 410-524-3535 • 10100 COASTAL HWY. Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, July 10 & 11: On The Edge, 9:30 p.m.

Fridays & Saturday: DJ Dusty Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill: Friday-Sunday, July 10-12: First Class Monday-Thursday, July 13-16: On The Edge

COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL CASTLE IN THE SAND HOTEL 37TH & 38TH ST. • 410-289-6846 Friday, July 10: Darin Engh, Noon-4 p.m.; Lime Green Band, 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, July 11: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama, Noon-4 p.m.; Rockaholics, 5-9 p.m.

Sunday, July 12: Shortcut Sunny, Noon-3 p.m.; Rick & Regina, 4-8 p.m.

Monday, July 13: Bob Wilkinson & Joe Smooth, 4-8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: Aaron Howell, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Dave Hawkins & Joe Mama, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15: Keri Anthony, Noon-3 p.m.; Chris Button Duo, 4-8 p.m.

Thursday, July 16: Kevin Poole Noon-3 p.m.; The Everafter, 4-8 p.m.

ON THE EDGE Clarion/Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, July 10 & 11 Clarion/Lenny’s Beach Bar: Monday-Thursday, July 13-16

VERTIGO RED Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, July 10 & 11

DUST N’ BONES Crawl Street Tavern: Friday, July 10

JOE SMOOTH & BOBBY WILKINSON Coconuts Beach Bar: Monday, July 13

THE DUNEHOUNDS Pickles Pub: Saturday, July 11

FULL CIRCLE Seacrets: Monday, July 13 Wednesday, July 15 (Duo)

CORK BAR & GRILL WICOMICO ST. & BOARDWALK 410-289-6921 Sunday, July 12: Going Coastal, 2 p.m.

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 19 WICOMICO ST. OFF THE BOARDWALK 443-373-2756 Friday, July 10: Dust N’ Bones, 8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: DJ RobCee Every Sunday: DJ Wax PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8TH ST. & PHILADELPHIA AVE. Friday, July 10: Josh Pryor Duo Saturday, July 11: The Dunehounds Sundays & Wednesdays: Beats By Skyler Every Tuesday & Thursday: Beats By Wax PURPLE MOOSE SALOON 410-289-6953 • BETWEEN CAROLINE & TALBOT STREETS ON THE BOARDWALK Friday & Saturday, July 10 & 11: Vertigo Red, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 11: DJ Adam Dutch, 2 p.m.

Sunday & Monday, July 12 & 13: DJ Rut, 9 p.m.

Tuesday & Wednesday, July 14 & 15: DJ Adam Dutch, 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 16: High Voltage (AC/DC Tribute) SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49TH ST. & COASTAL HWY. Friday, July 10: Steal The Sky Duo, 4 p.m., Shake Shake Shake Duo, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 11: Shake Shake Shake Duo, 4 p.m., High Five Swan Dive Duo, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 12: High Five Swan Dive Duo, 4 p.m., Nowhere Slow Duo, 8 p.m.

Monday, July 13: Full Circle, 4 p.m., Steal The Sky Duo, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14: Opposite Directions, 4 p.m., Cherry Crush Duo, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15: Full Circle Duo, 4 p.m.

Benderz Duo, 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 16: John McNutt Duo, 4 p.m., Kono Nation Duo, 8 p.m.

ECLIPSE (JOURNEY TRIBUTE) Sunset Park: Thursday, July 16

DJ ROBCEE Crawl Street Tavern: Every Tuesday

BEATS BY WAX Dry Dock 28: Friday, July 10 Pickles Pub: Every Tuesday &Thursday

DARIN ENGH Coconuts Beach Bar: Friday, July 10

SEAN “SPIFFY” STYLES Dry Dock 28: Every Tuesday

OTTO GRUNDMAN Downy Oshun: Every Thursday

DJ DUSTY Clarion/Ocean Club: : Every Friday & Saturday

July 10, 2020

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 63

What a Fourth of July weekend it was around Ocean City. This week I spent an evening on Wicomico Street checking out the local legends The Cork Bar and The Bearded Clam as well as the new kid on the block, Crawl Street Tavern.

The Cork Bar: The Martin Family (Dylan, Kristen, Donna, Tom and Zachary)

By Tyler Horton

Faces

SPOTLIGHT ON THE REGIONAL RESTAURANT AND BAR SCENE

The Bearded Clam: Derek Ring, Joseph Bonner and Devin Lipping

In Places

The Cork Bar: Ken and Tanya Gross, Rob and Tammy Aleshire, Amanda Markos and Taylor Cain

The Bearded Clam: Joni Wagner, Matt Wagner, Jason Zinic, Mandee Blough, Kylee Ditzler and Davin Ditzler

The Bearded Clam: Bartenders Billy Amar and Ricky Cole

Crawl Street Tavern: Chelsea Holliday, India O'Boyle and Grace Bandini

The Bearded Clam: Brianna Yates, Kinley Hunt and Amanda Ray

The Cork Bar: Nevin Mcintosh, Danielle Dotson and Tristan Archer

Crawl Street Tavern: Natalie Davis Band members Scott Glorioso, Natalie Davis, Andrew Foltz and Kasey Briggs

The Cork Bar: Natalie Shaffer and Bailey Littleton (celebrating Natalie’s 21st birthday)

The Dispatch Classifieds

Page 64

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)

Take It Easy Home Services, LLC

DELIVERY DRIVER/ WAREHOUSE

Hiring responsible, dependable cleaners for full-time or part-time.

Now Hiring

PHOTOGRAPHERS No Experience Necessary

HELP WANTED

Full-time: Tues-Sat

Training and Equipment will be Provided

FULL MOON SALOON: Hiring year round & part time servers.

Great family atmosphere. Please apply in person. 12702 Old Bridge Road, West Ocean City.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION WORKERS NEEDED: Must have valid DL. Reliable trans to work.

Call 410-641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EXPERIENCED CLEANERS: Must have cell phone and own transportation. Great opportunity and pay! 443-880-0525 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SOUTHSIDE GRILL WOC: Hiring Line Cooks, Kitchen Help, Dishwashers. YR, FT or PT. Ambitious, willing to work individuals only. Pay neg. based on performance. 9923 Stephen Decatur Hy. 410-2131572.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HANDYMAN: Looking for all purpose person w/ exp. in drywall repair, painting, light carpentry, cleaning. YR, FT, pay based on experience. Call 410-213-4035.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– P/T ASSISTANT: for Association Site Office in OC. 2-3 days per week during off season. In season Saturdays & Sundays are mandatory with additional 2 days during week. Will also need to be able to cover office when Manager is off.

Starting pay depends on experience.

Send resumes to: dwilson@legumnorman.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GENERAL’S KITCHEN: Now Hiring Cook, Bussers, Dishwasher, Servers. Call 443-859-7790.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KITCHEN STAFF: No experience necessary. Competitive pay. Apply within. 33195 Lighthouse Road, Selbyville, DE 19975.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MAINTENANCE PERSON: Light duty. Tools supplied. Family atmosphere. Seatime Condo, 135th Street. 410-250-2262.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LIGHTHOUSE SOUND: Looking for part time servers, bussers, and line/prep cooks to join our team in Bishopville, MD. Apply in Person.

12723 St. Martins Neck Road.

410-641-1199.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– P/T Y/R MAINTENANCE TECH: for premier local community, 15 hours a week, extra hours when needed. Regular work days are Wed., Thurs., and Fri., 8:30am1:30pm. Must have reliable transportation. Call 410-213-1554.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LANDSCAPING: Looking for hardworking person with valid drivers license. Position involves various landscaping work along with lawn maintenance. Experience welcome but not necessary. Pls call 410-250-0888 and lv msg.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NORTH OC AREA: Experience preferred but will train. Food prep, steam cook, fry cook, counter manager. Family owned & operated. Call 443-859-2401.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Please send res. to:

Send Resumes to: meslin@lifetouch.com

If interested, call Brian at 302-542-4304 or Brandon at 302-236-8477.

jmozingo@ockhf.com SUN N FUN MOTEL NOW HIRING PT FRONT DESK CLERKS & HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT APPLY IN PERSON Mon-Fri 9am-4pm 29th St & Baltimore Ave.

THE SPINNAKER NOW HIRING!

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.

Busy local furniture store.

July 10, 2020

SALES MANAGER & ASSOCIATES

Full and Part-Time furniture sales opportunities. Flexible schedules, some weekends & holidays required.

Experience is desirable, but not required. Please stop in our showroom to complete the application or email resume to: info@monogramfurniture.com

•FULL TIME FRONT DESK & HOUSEKEEPING

Now Hiring

Immediate openings: ASSISTANT MANAGER KITCHEN HELP

Apply in Person or Online www.smittymcgees.com 302-436-4716

12319 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842 410-213-2520 EOE/M/F/D/V

APPLY IN PERSON

10am-4pm 18th St & Baltimore Ave

Worcester County Sheriffs Office Is Currently Hiring For The Following Positions:

Deputy Sheriff Certified Full-time $45,864 annually Deputy Sheriff Certified Part-time $22.05 hourly Digital Forensics Technician Full-time $45,864-$50,648 annually (based on experience) Job Description Available: http://www.co.worcester.md.us/departments/hr/jobs.

Job Application Available: https://www.policeapp.com/ Excellent Benefits.

Email questions to Amy Titanski atitanski@co.worcester.md.us Call 410-632-1111- ext. 2222

EOE/AA

“Proud to Protect, Ready to Serve” Worcester County Government Is Currently Hiring For The Following Full-Time Postions:

Correctional Officer Trainee

Transfer Station Attendant

Roads Worker

Maintenance Mechanic

Plant Operator

Building Maintenance

Vehicle & Equipment Mechanic

Landfill Operator

Accounting Clerk EOE/AA. Job descriptions and application available at:

http://www.co.worcester.md.us/departments/hr/jobs Excellent Benefits. Call 410-632-0090 or fax applications to 410-632-5614. e-mail to Ann Hankins- ahankins@co.worcester.md.us

Work With the Best Ocean City has to Offer ...

We Invite You to be a Part of our Family!

Year Round - Full/Part Time ~SERVERS ~BUSSERS ~HOSTESS ~POOL ATTENDANT ~DRIVER ~GRILL COOKS ~DISHWASHER ~WAREHOUSE CLERK ~ROOM ATTENDANT ($13/HOUR) ~LAUNDRY ~HOUSEKEEPING HOUSESTAFF 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

July 10, 2020

Classifieds

CLASSIFIED RATES Line Ads $15/week for 5 lines. Display ads $20/week per column inch.

Deadline for insertions, cancellations, and payment is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

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

Storm Shutter & Window Installers

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

Please forward resume to: paola@masterjackwindows.com.

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

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Cambria Ocean City has the Following Open Positions: Guest Service Agents Night Auditors Room Attendants Laundry Attendants Houseperson Bartenders Bar Supervisor Please apply at: cambriaoccareers@ gmail.com

CASHIER/ SALES ASSOCIATE Must be friendly & dependable FT/PT-Year Round 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

Room Attendants Maintenance Front Desk Night Audit Currently hiring manpower for

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

Hourly rates starting at $14/hour.

Experience preferred, but we will train the right person.

Apply in person at the Comfort Inn Gold Coast 112th St., Ocean City, next to the Gold Coast Mall

AUTOMOTIVE - GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!

We are an automotive group with parts stores, service centers, and used car dealership...and still growing!

We have locations in the Ocean City, Bethany, and Rehoboth areas. We have openings for:

-TOW TRUCK DRIVER -TECHNICIANS - SERVICE ADVISORS - MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR We offer GREAT PAY & Benefits!

Plenty of room for advancement.

Call Matt at 302-344-9846

La Quinta Inn & Suites NOW HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS WE PAY MORE - $13-$15 PER HOUR! PLUS SEASONAL AND YEAR END BONUSES

SEE OUR JOB LISTINGS ON INDEED Or Apply In-Person at: 106 32nd St, Ocean City, MD, (410) 289-5762

NOW HIRING!

•COOKS •DRIVERS Apply Within or Call Pam at 410-726-7061 Johnny’s Pizza & Pub, Bayside, 56th St. & Coastal Hwy.

$1000 SIGNING BONUS FOR PLUMBERS with POSEIDON PLUMBING HOME SERVICES! Now accepting applications for the following full-time positions:

FRONT DESK ASSOCIATE ROOM ATTENDANT HOUSEPERSON MAINTENANCE Apply in person or email resume to duran.showell@marriott.com No phone calls, please All candidates must go through a satisfactory background check.

2 15th Street, Ocean City, Maryland

www.courtyardoceancity.com

HOUSEKEEPING ROOM ATTENDANTS We are looking for motivated and dependable candidates to work in our diverse housekeeping operations. The candidate should possess a solid attention to detail and dedication to high standards. Must be able to work weekends and holidays. Prior housekeeping experience a plus but not required. Excellent starting pay for beginners and $14.00/hour for experienced housekeepers.

Email resume to: jobs@carouselhotel.com or come in 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

Full Time Receptionist Ocean City, MD

COMFORT INN GOLD COAST We are seeking to fill the following positions:

•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)

Page 65

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

Based in the Berlin/OC area.

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

We can be reached at 410-251-1096.

POSEIDON PLUMBING & HOME SERVICES

A fast-paced construction company is looking for a full time Receptionist to do daily laid-out tasks.

Prior experience answering phones and dealing with the public a plus. Candidate must be proficient in MS Word and knowledgeable in MS Excel, have experience in clerical work, have a professional outlook with outstanding etiquette with phone and customers, high work ethic, be highly organized and attentive to details, fast typist and learner. Position will report directly to the President and Managers of the company.

Responsibilities: answer phones, computer input and database maintenance, type office documents, filing, work closely with customers and employees, daily tasks assigned to the position.

Knowledge with accounts payable and blue prints and construction experience is a plus. Competitive benefits package is available.

Only qualified candidates will be considered.

Please send resumes to paola@AllStatesConst.com

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Now accepting applications for the following positions!

Over Night Front Desk Front Desk Agent Recreation Attendant Room Attendant Houseperson Laundry Attendant Maintenance Server Line Cook Kitchen Utility 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

LOOKING EVERYWHERE? CHECK HERE FIRST! The Dispatch classified pages can point you in the right direction.

MORE JOB LISTINGS ON THE NEXT PAGE ;

The Dispatch

Page 66

Classifieds

CLASSIFIED RATES Line Ads $15/week for 5 lines. Display ads $20/week per column inch.

Deadline for insertions, cancellations, and payment is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

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

The Dispatch

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Legal Notices

July 10, 2020

LEGAL RATES

Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch. Deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

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

HELP WANTED SEASONAL OC HOTEL NOW HIRING FOR:

Seasonal Housekeeping Positions Must Be Dependable.

Call Seahawk Motel

YARD SALES CAINE WOODS: Neighborhoodwide yard sales. 136th-146th Sts. Bayside, Ocean City. Sat., 7/11, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Rain date 7/12.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SAT. JULY 11: 8am-12noon. Orchard Road, Berlin, Md. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Must have : Tools, Trans, Driver’s License

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS Call 410-641-9530

Hiring All Positions

SERVERS BUSSERS COOKS HOSTESSES BARTENDERS Apply Within 31st St. Coastal Hwy. 410-289-2581 128th St. Coastal Hwy. 410-250-2304

THE ATLANTIC HOTEL

RENTALS OC RENTAL: Fully furn. 1BR, 1BA. $1,100. per wk., $4,000. per mo. Util.’s not incl. No pets. 35th St. Oceanblock. 212-684-1723.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMER OR YR DOWNTOWN OC: 2BR/2BA, washer/dryer, central HVAC, cable, wifi, furnished, sleeps 4, non-smoking, no pets. 410-202-6353.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WATERFRONT WEST OC: 4BR/2BA cottage. Screened in porch. Call for details 443-831-9898.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMER/YEAR ROUND RENTALS: 3 Bedroom West Ocean City Home (12718 Old Bridge Road). 6 Bedroom Ocean City Home (305 Sunset Drive).

410-430-9797 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

WEEKLY RENTALS

DOWNTOWN OC 2BR Apartment for $675/week.

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

FRONT DESK

Please Apply in Person at Front Desk.

2 North Main Street, Berlin, MD

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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

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JUDY AN O’NEAL 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, 6-26, 7-3, 7-10

THIRD INSERTION

Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS COURT of NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE, appointed JUDY AN O’NEAL, 27264 SOUTH SARAVEL EXTENSION, MILLSBORO, DE 19966, as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of ALBERT WILLIAM KLEINER, JR., who died on NOVEMBER 12, 2019, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA.

PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, ESQ. PHILIP C. WIDDOWSON, P.A. 11791 SOMERSET AVENUE PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853

The Maryland resident agent for service of process is NANCY MILLER, whose address is 73 ANCHOR WAY DRIVE, BERLIN, MD 21811.

ESTATE NO. 18317

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or

Now Interviewing For:

MAINTENANCE HOUSEKEEPING KITCHEN STAFF YR SERVERS

KEVIN A O’BRIEN 3801 KENNET PIKE C204 WILMINGTON, DE 19807

ESTATE NO. 18314

410-524-1373

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS

THIRD INSERTION

(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JUNE 26, 2020

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of EVA J. LONG, ESTATE NO. 18317.

Notice is given that BILLYE JANE LONG HARRISON, 8018 GREENBRIAR SWAMP ROAD, SALISBURY, MD 21804, was on, JUNE 22, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EVA J. LONG, who died on MAY 12, 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 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2020.

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

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JUNE 26, 2020 BILLYE JANE LONG HARRISON 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, 6-26, 7-3, 7-10

THIRD INSERTION

MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ WEBB, CORNBROOKS, WILBER, VORHIS, DOUSE & LESLIE, LLP PO BOX 910 115 BROAD STREET SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18321 To all persons interested in the estate of ANDREW ANTHONY SZYPULA, ESTATE NO. 18321. Notice is given that MARK A SZYPULA, 9025 NE JUANITA DRIVE, UNIT B, KIRKLAND, WA 98034, was on, JUNE 18, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANDREW ANTHONY SZYPULA, who died on OCTOBER 18, 2015, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file

their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of DECEMBER, 2020.

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JUNE 26, 2020 MARK A SZYPULA 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, 6-26, 7-3, 7-10

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18326 To all persons interested in the estate of BETTY LEE HAWKINS, ESTATE NO. 18326. Notice is given that ROBERT LEE HAWKINS, JR., 725 MARQUIS AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD 21801 and DEBORAH ANN HICKMAN, 3640 STOCKTON ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851, were on, JUNE 23,

The Dispatch

July 10, 2020

LEGAL RATES: Legal advertising rate is $7 per column

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

2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BETTY LEE HAWKINS, who died on APRIL 7, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 18th day of DECEMBER, 2020.

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

Legal Notices

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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 JULY 03, 2020 ROBERT LEE HAWKINS, JR. Personal Representative DEBORAH ANN HICKMAN 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, 7-3, 7-10, 7-17

SECOND INSERTION

PETER S. BUAS, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

The Dispatch Can Be Viewed In Its Entirety

ONLINE

ESTATE NO. 18327 To all persons interested in the estate of ANNA M. EBAUGH, ESTATE NO. 18327. Notice is given that BONNIE SUE MANN, 305 LINCOLN STREET, CRAWFORDSVILLE, TN 47933, was on, JUNE 23, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANNA M. EBAUGH, who died on APRIL 26, 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 23RD day of DECEMBER, 2020.

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

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(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 JULY 03, 2020 BONNIE SUE MANN 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, 7-3, 7-10, 7-17

SECOND INSERTION B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18333 To all persons interested in the estate of IDA H. MARINER, ESTATE NO. 18333. Notice is given that GORDON MCPHAIL MARINER, 106 FRONT STREET, GEORGETOWN, DE 19947, was on, JUNE 26, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of IDA H. MARINER, who died on JUNE 5, 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 26TH day of DECEMBER, 2020.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or be-

fore 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 JULY 03, 2020 GORDON MCPHAIL MARINER 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, 7-3, 7-10, 7-17

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… Council Picks NYE Over Air Show, Labor Day Weekends

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FROM PAGE 4 will eventually be put down for the Fourth of July next year. As a condition of the agreement, the town will work on an RFP with Celebration for a three-year contract going forward in out years.

Essentially, it’s a win-win situation for all parties because the town realizes significant savings on the $55,000 budgeted for this year’s Fourth of July shows and gets a show at Northside Park on New Year’s Eve as a kind of crescendo to Winterfest and the end of 2020. Celebration wins because it will likely get a three-year extension for Fourth of July and New Year’s even in subsequent years. Before all that fell into place on Monday, however, there was considerable debate about the other alternatives on

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the table. City Manager Doug Miller laid out the options for the Mayor and Council.

“Two alternate dates have been discussed,” he said. “One was a patriotic event in connection with the air show.

The other was Labor Day weekend.

There has also been some discussion about simply cancelling them altogether this year and losing the deposit.”

From the beginning, the decision on Fourth of July this year hinged on the ability to achieve social distancing and the other state and local public safety directives in place with hundreds of thousands expected to gather downtown on the holiday. Frank Miller explained similar concerns existed with the air show option in August and even Labor Day to some degree, but the town has

started to ramp up its other special events and has proven it can meet the public safety goals associated with COVID-19.

“Both the first and second weeks in August are certainly very busy in town and now we’re having the air show in the second week of August,” he said. “By then, the hope is we will have shown the health department we can accomplish the public safety goals and physical distancing with the smaller events we already have in place. The air show will be the first really large event and there are a lot of safety measures in place that will meet the health department’s expectations.”

In terms of Labor Day, Frank Miller said that holiday has become the target date for many other jurisdictions

July 10, 2020

that postponed their fireworks shows last weekend. For example, Ocean Pines has already said they will do their fireworks shows on Labor Day weekend.

“Labor Day is the new Fourth of July in terms of fireworks,” he said.

“Many of the jurisdictions that postponed their Fourth of July fireworks are targeting Labor Day weekend as an alternative.”

Councilman Dennis Dare, who has been ultra-conservative in terms of COVID-19 and large gatherings and continues to participate in council meetings via Zoom, had another alternative.

“The option I’d like to put forth is postponing all fireworks this year,” he said. “I voted against the contract because I had concerns about spending $55,000 when we know the shortfalls we’re going to have in the budget.”

Frank Miller said the long-term goal was to reach an extended agreement with Celebration.

“We’re looking to create a threeyear contract with the vendor,” he said.

“If you consider Councilman Dare’s option, we could allow Celebration to do a New Year’s Eve show this year and the Fourth of July next year, then begin to work on a three-year extension.”

At that point, a Celebration official watching the debate on Zoom chimed in the company would be amenable to making short-term concessions on the existing contract in exchange for a promise of a long-term RFP. Councilman Matt James said he wasn’t sure the air show was warranted this year with everything else going on.

“I prefer Labor Day to the air show,” he said. “I’m not sure why we’re doing the air show this year. I support the air show and it’s a great event. I just don’t know if it’s practical when you look at all of the emergency directives still in place.”

Councilman John Gehrig said going with the New Year’s Eve alternative would eliminate the need for a second show downtown and could result in savings.

“If we’re paying $55,000 for two shows, maybe we don’t need two shows,” he said. “I’d rather celebrate the end of this long decade at the end of the year with a single show at Northside Park in conjunction with Winterfest.”

In the end, the council voted unanimously to utilize the original $13,750 deposit for a New Year’s Eve fireworks show and agreed to put down a new deposit for the Fourth of July next year. As a condition of the concessions agreed to by Celebration, the town will begin working on an RFP with the vendor for a threeyear extension.

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July 10, 2020

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Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): ): A perplexing situation needs to be dealt with in order to avoid problems later on.

Rely on both your own sense of what's right and the advice of someone you trust to help work it out.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Let your sharp Taurean business insight guide you when considering a "dream deal." Without all the facts, it could turn into a nightmare. Remember: Investigate before investing.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Sharing so much of your time and your gifts with others is what you do so well, and this week, don't be surprised if others want to share with you. Enjoy the experience. You've earned it.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): A difficult personal situation seems to defy efforts to resolve it. Perhaps you're too close to it. Take some time to reassess what went wrong, and then see where things can be set right.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Leonine pride could be piqued a bit when someone else appears to be standing in your light. Be patient and resist the urge to growl at the interloper. You'll soon be the "mane" attraction again.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): A professional situation benefits from your clear assessment of the circumstances involved. On the personal side, that new relationship looks as if it will continue to grow.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): More good news about a loved one helps re-

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assure others who could not share your more-optimistic view before. Continue to help everyone in need of your comforting presence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Creating new friendships could turn out to be the unexpected but welcome result of reconnecting with old friends. The weekend is a good time for fun and games.

Enjoy!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): The more you learn about what you plan to do, the more likely you are to consider making some changes in your plans.

This is good; don't resist it. Instead, go with it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): A career change is still in your aspect, but a potential workplace change could be what you've been looking for. See what develops before making any drastic moves.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): Your energy levels are high this week, which should help you get all your workaday tasks done and still leave you with enough breath to handle some domestic challenges.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): An unexpected fluke could cause problems with your plans. If so, use the time to troll for other available options, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what turns up.

BORN THIS WEEK: You enjoy the company of lots of people, but you also can treasure the moments shared with just one special person. Š 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

Things I Like ...

OCEAN CITY vanishing

July 10, 2020

WITH BUNK MANN

The Ocean City Fishing Pier is under construction circa 1906 in this photo, but the pier building had not been built. Work began in 1904 and was completed in time for the 1907 season. The original permanent Boardwalk can also be seen; it was narrow and raised above the sand.

On hot days, bathers would sit under it and seek shelter from the sun.

There was no Inlet in 1907 so the Pier was the only way that anglers of that era could fish beyond the breakers. The original Pier building burned down in the Great Fire of 1925 that destroyed two blocks of Ocean City.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishinPostcard image courtesy Ray Doppelheurer goc.com.

The Dispatch Crossword Puzzle

By Steve Green

Wave watching When my kids turn in early from exhaustion Nailing a steak’s temperature on the grill Smell of fresh laundry Weekends at home How every adoption has a unique story behind it Seeing a dog in the passenger seat at a traffic light Old jeans that are soft A summer heat wave Finding money in a pocket A morning of yard work followed by relaxation by a pool ANSWERS ON PAGE 48

July 10, 2020

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 10, 2020