5/22/2020 Ocean City Today

OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM

MAY 22, 2020

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

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RESTAURANTS OPENING

Ocean City establishments only offering carryout, but are preparing for dine-in service – Page 13

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Bertino replies to AGH on its loss of funding

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

TUBE TOPS Fish Tales on 22nd Street, bayside, unveiled its new, custom tables made by Revolution Event Design and Production of Baltimore to help keep customers six feet apart. It is just one of the ways Ocean City restaurants are adjusting to social distancing guidelines. See story on page 13.

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Armed with a prepared statement, Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino on Tuesday defended the commissioners’ decision last week to revoke the county’s $175,000 grant to Atlantic General Hospital.

Bertino, who joined the other commissioners via their now customary Zoom meeting, offered a detailed rebuttal to criticism of that move from the public and AGH leadership.

During the commissioner’s budget work session on May 12, the county zeroed out the grant, and cited as one of its reasons that 40 percent of emergency room visits are from Sussex County, Delaware. The commissioners contended that Sussex County provided no funding to Atlantic General and therefore it was wrong

Letter seeks relief for restaurants

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) As Memorial Day weekend begins, resort officials, business leaders, the Worcester County Commissioners and state representatives are urging Gov. Larry Hogan to allow outdoor dining for restaurants and bars.

“Without the ability to move forward as requested, I fear the Town of Ocean City will be placed in an untenable situation and unnecessary health and safety risks will arise,” Mayor Rick Meehan said in a letter to the

Rick Meehan

governor.

Meehan’s letter also asks that outdoor seating, if not already in existence, to be permitted on premises, but at 50 percent capacity and per local zoning office ap-

proval.

Last Wednesday, Hogan announced the commencement of phase one of his recovery plan, which lifted the stay-at-home order and reopened certain businesses and per-

sonal services effective last Friday.

Restaurants and bars, were not reopened, however, and remain conducting carryout services only.

Following Hogan’s announcement, Meehan announced last Thursday during a special council session that his short-term rental ban would be repealed as well, effective that afternoon.

This sudden freedom, coupled with great weather, led to a not-sosoft opening last weekend, as people flocked to the resort.

See HOLIDAY Page 2

for Worcester residents to shoulder that burden alone.

After last week’s meeting, Atlantic General CEO Michael Franklin countered in a public statement that the hospital does receive support from Delaware for critically ill patients.

He added that he was disappointed that the county withdrew its support in the Chip Bertino fourth year of its five-year financial pledge.

Bertino, however, said Tuesday that Worcester made no such pledge to the hospital.

“In February 2017, Mr. Franklin informed the commissioners that AGH would seek a county commitment for a $1 million pledge to be paid over five years,” Bertino See BERTINO Page 3

County to award $330K to resort for WOC service

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) When the Worcester County Commissioners discussed adjustments to their proposed FY21 budget on Tuesday, the most notable increase was in funding for the Ocean City and Stockton Volunteer Fire Departments.

With the revisions from the budget work session last week, the See COUNTY Page 2

PAGE 2

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Holiday arrives with no outdoor dining menu Continued from Page 1 City Manager Doug Miller said during Monday’s council meeting that the city had been “caught off guard,” and some Boardwalk vendors expressed being overwhelmed by the unanticipated stream of people.

Photos and videos of the Boardwalk that day show people crowded together.

Susan Jones, Ocean City HotelMotel-Restaurant Association, told Ocean City Today that the Boardwalk crowding problem had been perpetuated because no other amusements were open, leaving the beach and Boardwalk as the only place to go.

Last weekend was an eye-opener for resort officials, who anticipate and even greater number of people for Memorial Day weekend — the official start date of the resort’s summer season.

Though, a bleak weather forecast for this weekend may act as crowd control.

The council discussed the issue on Monday, and some members expressed their desire to see more than just outdoor seating reopen.

“I’m in a position where I would like our governor to do the 50 percent occupancy indoors where [it] impacts all of our restaurants that do not have outdoor [seating], of course all of

their staff are going to have to maintain PPE regulations and sanitation,” Councilman Mark Paddack said. “I get the steps, I get [going in increments], but it’s time to move on.”

“Instead of asking for specific variants … I think we should ask the governor to leave it [the decision to reopen restaurants and bars] up to counties or municipalities,” Councilman Matt James said. “I think what we have going on here and what we have to offer is much different than some of the other counties in the state. I think we probably have much more outdoor dining available than any other county in the state.”

Meehan said during a conversation with the governor’s Chief of Staff Matthew Clark last Friday, Clark had indicated that the governor had no intentions of straying from his reopening timeline.

As of Wednesday, Hogan has been silent on the issue.

“Being realistic, and I’ve said this before and I want to say it again, the governor is sticking to his plan, and we opened phase one on May 15, according to his plan,” Councilman Tony DeLuca said.

DeLuca said if key metrics, hospitalization rates, ICU stays and deaths, continued to plateau or decline for 14 days, phase two would likely occur on

May 29.

During Monday’s meeting, DeLuca asked once again for more guidance on reopening pools.

The question had been brought up during last Thursday’s special council session.

“Semi-public pools are able to open, recreational pools are still closed. Social distancing should be practice at all times when in the water,” County Health Officer Becky Jones told Ocean City Today in a statement.

Most condos and hotels are classified as semi-public, but any facility

that charges a fee or has water play equipment would fall under the recreational classification.

Pools are still subject to the governor’s executive order limiting social gatherings of more than 10 people.

Ocean City Today also requested clarification on carryout regulations, as there has been confusion over what constituted as “off-premises” for Boardwalk restaurants.

“Ordering carry-out from a restaurant and sitting off-premises, such as a nearby public space, is allowed,” Jones said.

County will pay for WOC service Continued from Page 1 new budget’s revenue is estimated at $204.3 million and expenses at $203.8 million, leaving the county with a surplus of a little more than $551,000.

Harold Higgins, chief administrative officer, reported that he offered Ocean City an additional $184,000 to provide ambulance service to West Ocean City, but that the city had yet to respond to the offer.

County Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic countered that the county had moved at the last session to pro-

vide the funding Ocean City said it needed, not to negotiate with them.

Higgins responded that he misinterpreted what the commissioners said, and that Ocean City had reduced its original request from more than $400,000 to $330,000, which he reduced to $184,000.

“I do not believe the current summer activity will be the same, which is why we made some of the comments we did,” Higgins said.

Higgins also reported that when the county offered the Stockton deSee RESORT Page 3

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 3

Ocean City Today

Bertino: rising fire, rescue costs come first Continued from Page 1 said. “During its deliberations that year, the commissioners voted not to commit county funds to an ongoing pledge drive, but did approve a single $100,000 grant for the capital campaign.”

He added that the county gave the

hospital one-time grants in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 as well.

Bertino said that the commissioners are still attuned to the public’s healthcare needs as they focus on funding emergency services and the volunteer fire companies.

“From fire trucks to ambulances,

protective gear to training, costs are rising,” Bertino said. “A fire truck can cost upwards of a million dollars. The cost of an outfitted ambulance isn’t far behind.”

He said volunteer fire companies have been struggling to recruit and retain employees because of intensi-

Resort to be paid for WOC service Continued from Page 2 partment $11,000 in funding for another full-time employee, Stockton Fire Chief and President of the Fire Chiefs Association Tim Jerscheid declined the offer.

“He felt that by singling out a full reimbursement for Stockton, that wasn’t fair to the other companies,” Higgins said.

Mitrecic expressed frustration that in both cases, what the commissioners had moved for had not been done.

“We’ve backpedaled and we’ve changed that,” Mitrecic said. “I don’t think that’s productive. What was made in the motion should’ve been put in the budget.”

County Commissioner Ted Elder said he felt it would be unfair to give Ocean City more funding for ambulance services than the other companies, especially since calls in Ocean City and West Ocean City are estimated to decrease this summer.

“Ocean City is getting ready to turn a profit on ambulance services to West Ocean City,” Elder said.

“There’s no other ambulance service in the whole county that’s making money. They’re breaking even at best.”

County Commissioner Joshua Nordstrom reminded commissioners that fully funding an additional full-

time employee for Stockton was requested and prioritized.

“It wasn’t about being fair or unfair, it was about the safety of the citizens in the southern end of the county because having one full-time employee in Stockton alleviated pressure at four different companies,” Nordstrom said.

Mitrecic clarified that the actual cost for Ocean City to run ambulances to West Ocean City is nearly a million when including equipment.

“I don’t that Ocean City is going to make a profit by any means,” Mitrecic said. “I think this is what they’re looking at and they think is a fair number.”

He asked the county to give Ocean City an additional $330,000 for runs to West Ocean City and to add back

in the full-time employee for Stockton.

“If they choose not to take that money, that’s up to their membership,” Mitrecic said.

Other revisions to the budget were reducing the Worcester County Detention Center’s revenue from immigration and customs enforcement by $1 million, reducing jail expenses by $175,750 and adding in two assigned fund balance projects – schematic design fees for Stephen Decatur Middle School and for the Pocomoke Warriors program.

The commissioners also agreed to fund three new plant operator positions for a total of $126,407.

With Tuesday’s revisions, the budget surplus was reduced to $377,297.

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Ocean City Today

fied training mandates.

“The volunteer companies have begun paying emergency medical technicians so that when an ambulance rolls up to emergency, a welltrained, qualified professional is on the scene,” Bertino said. “This is not inexpensive.”

The commissioners have increased grant amounts, funded scholarships for new recruit training, increased retirement compensation for service of 25 years or more and raised allocations for ambulance runs.

“Directing financial resources to other essential health care concerns within our county in no way diminishes the high regard AGH is held, nor overlooks the vital contribution it makes to our county,” Bertino said.

He also said Sussex County’s funding had no effect on his decision to support zeroing out the hospital’s grant. Finally, Bertino said creating the FY21 budget has been especially difficult because of the uncertain economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Despite our best intentions, there will be disappointment, Bertino said.

“For me, in this landscape of questionable revenue projections, it is best that the limited funding available be directed to our emergency responders in EMS, to EMTs and volunteer fire companies.”

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Nursing home records eight covid-19 deaths

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) All eight of Worcester County’s coronavirus-related deaths have been at the Berlin Nursing Home. It has recorded 19 staff cases and 45 resident cases.

Worcester County has reached 181 cases and eight deaths, according to the Maryland Health Department.

This is an increase of 54 from last week.

According to the Worcester County Health Department, most of the deaths have been women in their

80s. One of the deaths was probable – the individual was never tested.

There are 98 cases in the Berlin and Ocean Pines 21811 zip code, 16 cases in the Toni Keiser Ocean City 21842 zip code, 17 in the Snow Hill 21863 zip code and 49 in the Pocomoke City 21851 zip code.

A zip code must have at least eight cases to be listed.

Ninety-six people have been re-

leased from public monitoring.

Worcester has conducted 1,717 coronavirus tests.

As of Thursday, Maryland had 43,531.

As of Wednesday morning, there was one coronavirus patient in the intensive care unit at Atlantic General, three in the med/surg unit and zero in the medical intensive care unit, which was created specifically for patients with coronavirus, according to Toni Keiser, vice president for public relations. The hospital has released 11 patients so far. This week marked the

hospital’s first patient off a ventilator.

As of Thursday, next door Wicomico had 844 cases and Sussex County has 3,960 cases.

According to Toni Keiser, vice president for public relations for Atlantic General Hospital, said that although the hospital is saving lives throughout the pandemic, it is seeing a potentially dangerous trend – the number of patients coming in for emergency treatment is declining.

“Evidence suggests that people with serious health conditions or symptoms may be avoiding hospitals

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 5

Ocean City Today

Non-coronavirus medical care safe out of fear of catching covid-19 or contributing to its spread,” Keiser said. “Yet, delaying or avoiding care can lead to complications, long-term health problems, and, in some cases, death.”

She reiterated that with Gov. Larry Hogan’s lifting of the restriction on medical procedures, it is safe to seek out non-coronavirus care.

“It is critical, as we continue to respond to the needs of covid-19 patients, that community members experiencing non-covid health concerns seek out the medical treatment they need,” Kesier said. “We stand ready to ensure our community has access to medically necessary treatment that will prevent their health from worsening during this difficult time.”

The Worcester County Health Department said that as Maryland moves toward recovery, residents and visitors should remember healthy habits.

“Wash your hands frequently, continue with social distancing and wear a face covering wherever required,” the department said in a statement. “’Phase One’ doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet. I’s okay to enjoy the outdoors and visit business as they reopen. But do so safely and with minimal contact while following all executive orders from Governor Hogan.”

To treat patients, Atlantic General is asking for plasma donations from coronavirus survivors. This is for a Mayo Clinic study through the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

Coronavirus cases in Worcester County timeline: March 19 – Worcester County confirms its first case of coronavirus, a man in his 30s.

March 21 – A woman in her 20s tests positive.

March 30 – A third positive case diagnosed out of state is confirmed.

April 1 – A woman in her 20s tests positive.

April 2 – A man in his 40s tests positive; health department releases three cases from public monitoring.

April 4 – A man in his 40s and a woman in her 60s test positive.

April 5 – A man in his 60s and a woman in her 30s test positive.

April 6 – A man in his 40s tests for a total of 10 positive cases in Worcester; four total cases have been released from public monitoring.

April 9 – Six more people test pos-

itive.

April 13 – Five more people test positive.

April 15 – An out-of-county resident tests positive.

April 16 – Three more people test positive for a total of 25 cases; nine individuals have been released from public monitoring.

April 20 – Worcester counts a total of 33 cases; 11 individuals have been released from public monitoring.

April 21 – One more person tests positive; 13 individuals have been released from public monitoring.

April 24 – Five more cases diagnosed; 18 cases have been released from monitoring.

April 25 – Two cases are diagnosed.

April 26 – Two cases are diagnosed for a total of 48.

Continued on Page 6

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The first patient transfusion took place on April 24. Donors must have tested positive for the virus and have been symptom-free for 28 days.

Those who have been symptom-free for 14 days may also donate if they have tested negative.

When a case is confirmed positive, the health department conducts contact tracing to inform individuals and businesses that may have come into contact with the positive case.

If someone suspects they may have the virus, they should call their primary care provider or the health department. Do not show up unannounced to a medical facility.

As for local testing, the Worcester County Health Department has opened a hotline Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to determine if a person should be tested. Call 410-6321100 and select option eight.

For general information on the coronavirus call the health department 24/7 at 410-632-4321 or visit worcesterhealth.org. View updates from Atlantic General at atlanticgeneral.org/patients-visitors/c ovid-19-updates/.

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Coronavirus cases in Worcester County timeline:

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

VISITORS RETURN The Ocean City Boardwalk was bustling with activity last Saturday. A majority of the people followed the social distancing guidelines. Wearing masks outdoors is not required, but the town does suggest a face covering for personal safety.

Continued from Page 5 April 27 – Five people test positive.

April 28 – One person tests positive; 23 cases have been released from monitoring; a woman in her 80s has died.

April 29 – Worcester has 55 confirmed cases.

April 30 – Six people test positive for a total of 61 cases; 26 cases have been released from monitoring; a second case dies.

May 3 – Worcester counts 75 cases; 29 have been released from monitoring; a third death is probable.

May 4 – Five more people are diagnosed.

May 5 – One more person is diagnosed; 40 have been released from monitoring May 6 – Five more cases are confirmed; three more people are released from monitoring May 7 – Ten more people are diagnosed for 96 total; 47 total have been released from monitoring May 8 – Two people are diagnosed; one is released from monitoring May 9 – Four people are diagnosed; three are released from monitoring; another death is

recorded May 10 – Four people are diagnosed; one is released from monitoring May 11 – Seven people are diagnosed May 12 – One person is diagnosed May 13 – 11 people are diagnosed for a total of 125; eight people are released from monitoring May 14 – Two people are diagnosed; seven people are released from monitoring May 15 - Four people are diagnosed; four are released from monitoring May 17 - Six people are diagnosed; sixteen people are released from monitoring; six people total have died May 18 - 27 people are diagnosed for a total of 164; four people are released from monitoring May 19 - two more people are released from monitoring May 20 – Five people are diagnosed; one more person is released from monitoring; eight people total have died May 21 – 12 more people are diagnosed for a total of 181; three more people are released from monitoring for a total of 96

Weekly local, statewide and nationwide covid-19 update

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Here is what has occurred locally, statewide and nationally in regards to the coronavirus pandemic, since last Thursday.

Local May 14, 2020 — The Ocean City Mayor and Council held a special council session, during which Mayor Rick Meehan lifted his short-term rental ban, which had originally been slated to end on May 22.

City officials also asked County Health Officer Becky Jones for clarification on hotel reopenings and carryout technicalities.

Shortly thereafter, the Worcester County Commissioners followed suit and lifted the county rental ban.

May 18, 2020 — Meehan sent a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan urging the governor to allow restaurants with outdoor seating to reopen this weekend.

He also made a request for restaurants with no outdoor seating to be permitted to create outdoor seating at a limited capacity.

May 20, 2020 — As of Wednesday morning, Worcester County had 169 confirmed cases of covid-19, seven deaths and one probable death.

State May 19, 2020 — Hogan announces

appointment free testing to those who may have come into contact with covid-19, symptomatic or not.

Testing will roll out gradually beginning on Thursday.

May 20, 2020 — As of Wednesday morning, Maryland had 42,323 confirmed cases, 2,004 deaths, 173,007 negative test results, 2,993 patients released from isolation and 1,410 people currently hospitalized.

National May 14, 2020 — Another 3 million Americans filed for unemployment the week before, bringing the total count to 36 million.

May 15, 2020 — The House passed a $3 trillion stimulus package, but it is unlikely to receive Senate approval.

May 18, 2020 — Drug manufacturer Moderna said it saw promising results in early coronavirus vaccine trials.

Following the drug trial announcement, the Dow Jones Industrial jumped by more than 900 points.

May 19, 2020 — Carbon emissions plunge by 17 percent following global lockdowns.

The decrease in greenhouse gases, however, is expected to be temporary.

May 20, 2020 — As of Wednesday morning, the United States has 1.5 million confirmed cases of covid-19 and 90,340 deaths.

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 7

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The Ocean City Council approved a firework contract on Monday, stating the city needed it more than ever after months of hardship caused by covid-19.

City signs firework contract, date and locations up in air

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Ocean City Council signed a fireworks contract Monday evening, but when and where the displays will take place remains up in the air.

“Much of what we do is governed by what a gathering is,” he said, referencing the covid-19 large gathering restrictions, “but we have to make some decisions on Fourth of July fireworks,” City Manager Doug Miller said. “We have a contract with our provider that we will have a fireworks show at the cost of $55,000. Now knowing we are in the middle of covid-19, July 4th may or may not go, but the provider has offered two dates.”

Those dates were Aug. 7, and the other Sept. 5., and if the city signed the contract, it would be required to put down a non-refundable deposit of $13,750 to purchase the fireworks.

The fireworks would take place on the beach and at Northside Park on 125th Street, but live music planned for the event have been canceled.

There were several issues the mayor and council had to discuss — timing, show viability and finances.

Regardless of the date of the actual show, the city would need time to obtain Coast Guard permits to launch fireworks over the water.

Additionally, city officials also had to decide whether it wanted to risk losing the $13,750 in the event that Gov. Larry Hogan did not loosen, or perhaps tightened, social gathering restrictions.

Nonetheless, several councilmembers expressed their desire to see the contract signed.

“I think we should move forward with the fireworks,” Councilman Matt James said. “The beach, Boardwalk

and parks are all open, it’s up to people to maintain distance and like it’s been said many times, if you’re at risk, it would be best if you didn’t go out.

Those people know who they are, and we should let everybody else enjoy the fireworks and the Fourth of July celebration.”

Mayor Rick Meehan, however, disagreed, noting how crowded the beach and Boardwalk gets during the firework display.

“Down at North Division Street … it is one entire mass of people, you cannot even walk out onto the beach,” Meehan said. “There are so many people, and when they are over [the fireworks] the mass exodus of people just pouring out of there — if there’s anything contrary to social distancing that would be it.”

Councilman Mark Paddack countered that the event would take place six weeks from Monday, and reiterated James’ point of personal responsibility.

Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller reminded the council that there were two contingency dates, and said if none of those dates worked there would be a possibility of moving the fireworks to New Year’s Eve. “Regardless, of which date we decide to do, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, we need to start working on permits now, because the Coast Guard requires that we put in the Fourth of July date, as well as the two contingency dates, in one permit application,” Miller said.

Councilman Dennis Dare opposed having fireworks on the Fourth of July, regardless of the restrictions, with a preference for the Sept. 5, date.

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Fireworks worth risking $13.7K on contract Continued from Page 7 like the other communities around us that have canceled their Fourth of July fireworks. It’s not business as usual, it’s not going to be the season as usual, it’s not going to be our budget as usual,” Dare said.

Dare said he feared Ocean City could become a hotspot for the virus.

“What was demonstrated this [past] weekend … were all the people on the Boardwalk not maintaining social distance and not wearing masks,” Dare said. “We can hope that they abide by that, but it kind of demonstrated that that’s not going to happen, and by having these activities early on here we’re at risk of having reinfections.”

Councilman John Gehrig agreed with Dare about the financial feasibility of the contract, although person-

ally he believed the city needed fireworks more than ever to boost morale.

“I think we need them, Gehrig said.

“I think we need to celebrate our independence more than ever, [our] freedom. So I’m willing to risk the $13,750 to try to get back to normalcy.

We’ve been locked up.”

Gehrig said fireworks could be seen as the perfect social distancing activity, as fireworks can be highly visible depending on the location.

“I’m not proposing any details, I’m just saying it seems like we need to make a decision. I respect what Dennis says, he makes good points, hard to argue that, but at the same time …

Independence Day this year means a little extra.”

James agreed, and noted that the Northside Park fireworks display

could be seen throughout the northern end of the island.

Gehrig and James’ sentiments seemed to have swayed the mayor, who reminded the council it was during his tenure as city manager that the Sundaes in the Park and New Year’s Eve fireworks were added to the budget.

“I think a lot of you have stated that we need to celebrate, and I agree with that too,” Meehan said. “You know

what if it isn’t July 4, and I think even John said it, if we do it in September, October, what we’re doing then is we’re really celebrating that we’ve moved on, [that] things are good, the economy is better, people are in a better shape — I think it’s a good thing to move forward with.”

Dare, however, remained unconvinced, and was the sole opposition vote.

“I favor Dec. 4,” Dare said jokingly.

Worcester to inquire on local control over outdoor seating

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously to ask the Worcester County Health Department to draft a set of guidelines for outdoor restaurants at their emergency meeting last Thursday.

As it stands, no restaurants are allowed to provide indoor or outdoor seating.

The commissioners will send a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan to request that he give counties local control over outdoor dining and to give him their plan on how Worcester would carry that out.

County Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic and administration staff clarified that the mandate states that restaurants can only serve carryout and delivery. The food must be taken off premises.

Mitrecic warned that any restaurant allowing patrons to consume food on a picnic table or bench on site is illegal.

“The liquor board is taking a stance that they, in fact, were appointed by the governor, and that they are there to enforce the governor’s rules,” Mitrecic said. “Anyone who opens and does on— premise services can … lose their liquor license.”

He said that the health department would have to enforce the mandate for restaurants that don’t have liquor licenses.

Crossword answers from page 56

Although he encouraged restaurants to follow the directives, Mitrecic said it’s unfair to not allow outdoor seating.

“You can take your bucket of Thrasher’s French fries and sit on a bench, then the next guy comes and sits on the bench, nobody wipes it off, whereas a place like the ice cream place [Island Creamery], they can have somebody wiping the tables and chairs off,” Joseph Mitrecic Mitrecic said.

As for requesting outdoor seating, he emphasized that the county needed to create a plan.

“We need to send answers to the questions of how we’re going to do this and solutions to how we’re going to accomplish this so that we’re not just asking for this, we’re showing him [Hogan] how we’re going to make this happen,” Mitrecic said.

Kelly Shannahan, assistant administrative officer, mentioned that various county departments were working to help restaurants without outdoor seating apply for that on a temporary basis through a streamlined process.

Ed Tudor, director of review and permitting, said that the free, streamlined process would not require a change in zoning code – the departments would work within the existing law.

“If we can find a way that they can put it, say in their parking lot or some other open space areas without interfering with setbacks type things or travel ways, things that the fire marshal may be worried about, if we can find ways to make it work, we want to make it work,” Tudor said.

Bob Mitchell, director of environmental programs, said this was especially important since if Hogan allowed outdoor restaurants to serve, only those that already have outdoor seating would be in the game.

County Commissioner Chip Bertino said that a streamlined See STATE Page 10

MAY 22, 2020

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MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

Soft opening harder than expected Mixture of warm weather, relaxed restrictions lead to guests flocking to resort

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The confluence of great weather and an easing of local and state covid-19 restrictions filled the beach, the Boardwalk and the streets of Ocean City with visitors last weekend.

“We admittedly were caught off guard for a multitude of reasons,” City Manager Doug Miller said Monday night. “We thought we were still in a soft opening mode … this weekend was far from a soft opening, as everyone is aware.”

Kicking off Friday afternoon was the arrival of foreign and modified car enthusiasts who spent the weekend racing on Coastal Highway, despite the cancelation of the Spring Cruisin’ Ocean City event.

Although police reported that crime did not go up dramatically, they were certainly occupied with keeping order in some areas.

“We had a full complement of officers on patrol this weekend to maintain peace and order,” said Ashley Miller, police deputy communications manager. “When you consider that this should have been the Spring Cruisin’ Event, it was not as busy as it has historically been.”

However, police did request aid from the Ocean City Transportation Department on Saturday to block the entrances of the Ocean City convention center parking lot on 40th Street.

“The parking lot was a nightmare Friday,” Transit Operations Manager Steve Bartlett said.

Bartlett said a police lieutenant contacted him around 3:30 p.m., and by 4:30 p.m. drivers and pedestrians

strolling by the convention center would have seen buses blocking the entrances to the parking lot, as well as orange cones at the adjacent overflow lot.

While the buses prevented motorists from entering the lot, the cones, not so much, and Bartlett said the lot was quickly overtaken.

While police dealt with the car racers in the streets, resort public works staff had to deal with harsh online criticism concerning overflowing trashcans on the Boardwalk.

“We clean this entire town — streets, Boardwalk, beach — from inlet to the Delaware state line with about 30 people,” Public Works Director Hal Adkins said.

The Department of Public Works is a conglomerate of nine divisions: aviation, construction, maintenance, service center, solid waste, transportation, wastewater and water, with roughly 185 full-time employees.

Of the 30 people in the maintenance division, a portion of those employees are streamlined into specialized tasks, Adkins said, such as sign technicians, further reducing the number of available maintenance staff available for cleanup to 12 fulltime, and eight part-time employees.

There also were other factors to consider.

With restrictions on restaurant services, customers no longer had the option to throw away their garbage on site, and public receptacles became the only option available.

Furthermore, Adkins said the trashcans often appeared more filled than reality, because of large carryout containers and pizza boxes.

“We had a number of trashcans that appeared to be overflowing like a snow cone, but when you removed the pizza box there was a big void below it, and the bottom of the trashcan was

completely empty,” Adkins said.

Maintenance crews clean the Boardwalk trashcans every morning from 6-10 a.m., and beginning this weekend evening crews will be deployed.

Nonetheless, Adkins said it has been difficult to find seasonal employees, and the department is short of 25-30 positions — although it will be ready this weekend, seasonal employees or not.

In short, the stellar weather and the loosening of travel and lodging restrictions created the perfect storm, Adkins said.

Adding wind to this storm was the fact that aside from Boardwalk businesses, little else was open throughout the resort as a result of restrictions still in place by Gov. Larry Hogan.

“The main issue was that the only activity was beaching and walking on the Boardwalk,” said Susan Jones, See BEACH Page 11

State has not yet relaxed mandate on restaurants Continued from Page 8 process reminds him of walking through Jell-O. “A week could make a difference with these small businesses,” Bertino said. “I hope that when you’re talking about streamlining, you’re talking about a very quick turnaround time of a day.”

Mitchell replied that the process would be more like a check list and the department would address specific cases, rather than a bunch of permit applications.

“We have to ensure that there is adequate parking and it doesn’t infringe upon other businesses,” Tudor said. “Each case is going to have to be an independent evaluation.”

As of Wednesday, the Worcester County Health Department had not commented on the status of the draft.

JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Ibrahim Aksut, left, and Gamze and Timur Unal pose in their family’s business, Piezano’s Pizza, on the Boardwalk. Although the family was caught off guard last weekend, Timur said it has since readied itself for busier days to come, although it is still short staffed.

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Ocean City Today

Beach, Boardwalk slammed as little else open in resort Continued from Page 10 Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association executive director. “That pushed everyone to the Boardwalk, which goes against trying to spread people out.”

The weekend did prove somewhat fruitful for the 37 or so hotels or motels that were open, with some seeing full bookings and others at 35-45 percent capacity.

Jones said this weekend, almost all lodging establishments would be open, but none fully booked — with occupancy ranging from 20-50 percent, as of Wednesday morning.

While normally no one would blink an eye at crowds of this size mid-May, now is not normal, and some business owners did not expect people to waltz right back to the resort so quickly.

“It was nowhere near what we anticipated, it was extremely busy,” said Timur Unal, manager and part of the family that owns Piezano’s Pizza on the Boardwalk.

Unal said he had believed people would be too afraid to venture out so soon following the governor’s decision to lift the stay-at-home order last Wednesday, and the store had not been stocked sufficiently to handle the sudden influx of visitors.

For Anna Dolle Bushnell, the owner of Dolle’s Candyland, Hogan’s announcement to enter phase one came too little notice.

“We were not prepared in that when we got the news on Wednesday it was not enough time to get all of our staff back. So we were only able to open one shift,” she said, despite being sufficiently stocked on sweets and eager customers abundant.

Unal expressed similar staffing woes.

“We usually work with maybe 20 people, now we only have four, which is family. It’ll be tough, but hopefully [we’ll] get through it,” Unal said.

This staffing issue is partly the result of international travel restrictions, which have kept the resort’s usual seasonal employees, J-1 students, from returning.

Bruce Krasner, owner of several T-

Shirt Factory stores, said he also had to employ family members after 60 percent of his J-1 staff said they couldn’t come, and the other 40 percent said they were uncertain.

Not all business owners’ experiences were the same, however.

“We were 100 percent prepared, and we’ve been working for the last month getting all of the [safety] protocols set,” said Yvonne Meyer, manager and co-owner of Somerset Jewelers on the Boardwalk.

Additionally, in spite of lackadaisical adherence to state safety guidelines by Boardwalk strollers, Bushnell, Meyer and Krasner said most customers respected in-store safety guidelines.

“Of course, we had quite a few that were not happy, that felt like they had their rights taken away from them by having to wear masks in the inside, and you know you’re going to have some people, of course, who don’t want to follow the rules,” Bushnell said. “But like I said, the majority did, and the majority were grateful that we had what we did have in place and had no problems whatsoever.”

The governor’s order requires facemasks to be worn indoors at retail stores, grocery stores and public transit.

Regardless of the chaotic nature of last weekend, business owners expressed their gratitude for the income it provided, during months of economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

Unal urged visitors, however, to be responsible and respectful, and to do their best to prevent an outbreak that could shut down businesses again.

“We need this, we need our place open,” Unal said. “Just like everybody else — everyone needs financial guarantee. Imagine, if you can’t open the restaurant for one summer, we don’t know what to do. We have a lot of staff that we need to pay for, [and] we have ourselves obviously and the restaurant has to be going.”

However, a not-so-great weather forecast for this weekend may dampen the influx of guests to Ocean City.

JOSH KIM /OCEAN CITY TODAY

Bruce Krasner, owner of several T-Shirt Factory stores, said covid-19’s effect on international travel has cut down his staff line for this summer, forcing him to rely on family members to run his stores.

PAGE 11

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

State troopers increase patrols (May 22, 2020) Due to the increased traffic volume and the favorable weather forecast, troopers from the Berlin Barrack conducted a threeday traffic safety enforcement this past weekend and saturated the major roadways in Worcester County.

From May 15-17, increased patrols and enforcement efforts focused on US 50, Maryland 90, and US Route 113. Troopers made 439 traffic stops, issuing 404 citations and 249 warnings. Of those citations, 145 were for exceeding the posted speed limit.

During the course of their traffic stops, troopers detected and arrested three impaired drivers, arrested two persons for outstanding warrants, one for handgun violations, and made five arrests for controlled dangerous substance possession.

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EOC: resort’s ‘brain’ during crises

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Behind the scenes, the Ocean City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been working to make sure all departments are up to speed and ready to handle pre-, mid- and post-coronavirus affairs.

“The Emergency Operations Center is something we stand up on during times of emergency and crises of a large scale,” Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald said. “What we do is we bring in employees from various departments from the city who have a specialty, and we operate the coordination, and sometimes the control of the incident, from that single room with all of the decision makers … to have a unified approach to mitigate whatever the problem may be.”

Over the years, the center has evolved into an almost formal city function, but on a per-need basis, Theobald said.

Tasks are divided into branches:

operations headed by fire and police department representatives, logistics by the public works department, finances headed by the city’s finance department and so on and Joe Theobald so forth.

“It’s a continuous cycle to address whatever the needs are, with the right people in the right place,” Theobald said.

Typically, the emergency operations center is put into use during natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods.

This year, however, Theobald said his every waking hour has been dedicated to coronavirus-related operations and tasks.

“We knew early on when things were changing we had to get our hands on whatever the virus might do to Ocean City — we wanted to get ahead of it,” Theobald said.

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Theobald said the emergency center has been working continuously since March 6 to recommend and implement various safety protocols and tools.

For instance, one early task was to ensure that all public safety and law enforcement officials had proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

Now that the state has entered phase one of Gov. Larry Hogan’s recovery plan, which lifted the stay-athome order and reopened some businesses, Theobald said the priority would be to ensure public spaces were kept clean and disinfected, and to keep pushing for people to practice physical distancing.

“We want to make sure that we have a common message that goes out to the public, as well as the business sector and the rest of government itself,” Theobald. “We want to make sure everyone is aware of what’s going on, and we constantly give the right information.”

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 13

Ocean City Today

Restaurants, bars prepare to open as recovery begins

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Ocean City restaurants and bars prepare to reopen for sit-down dining in the coming weeks after Maryland enters the first phase of the Roadmap to Recovery.

Employees are being trained for new protocols for both indoor and outdoor seating accommodations in accordance with local and state authorities as well as guidance from national health organizations.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 14 to instruct the Worcester County Health Department to draft a set of guidelines for outdoor seating. Then after that, the commissioners plan to send a letter to the governor concerning outdoor seating.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan spoke with the governor’s chief of staff on May 15 to have some of the restrictions on restaurants relaxed before Phase II. However, the governor declined to make any changes at that time.

The mayor since followed up with a letter to the governor and his staff that focuses on allowing outdoor seating at restaurants and bars effective this Friday to meet demand during

Memorial Day Weekend.

He asked for permission to allow restaurants without outdoor seating to create seating in the parking lots or other areas of the premises without exceeding 50 percent of the establishment’s lowest capacity load on the certificate of occupancy. This would require local zoning approval.

Before offering dine-in service, the U.S. Food and Drug Association states that restaurants should have signs posted about how to prevent the spread of coronavirus and daily protective measures to reduce exposure.

At the entrance of Fish Tales on 22nd Street, bayside, customers are notified about a “no mask, no service” protocol, said owner Shawn Harman.

Fish Tales has made national headlines after unveiling custom-made social distancing tables to keep customers six feet apart within the venue and its parking lot.

Harman’s wife, Donna, and her cousin, Aaron Cermak of Revolution Event Design and Production in Baltimore, developed the idea. The response on social media and vast news coverage have been overwhelming, Harman said.

“They thought it was going to get some buzz, you know, maybe region-

MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Marina Deck owner Dennis Kalchthaler welcomes customers for carryout only at his restaurant located on Dorchester Street, Friday, May 15.

ally but nothing like this,” Harman said.

Other businesses have also contacted the Fish Tales owner about the tables.

“We’ve immediately sent them toward Revolution because that’s the manufacturer of the table,” he said.

Revolution is selling non-customized tables for $400 or $500 with a logo. The Ocean City restaurant currently has 10 tables created with aluminum bases, tractor inner tubes and composite material. Customers will stand inside the tables, placing their food and drinks on the built-in bar top.

“It’s like an adult-sized baby

walker,” Harman said.

The tables will be sanitized between uses with EPA-registered disinfectants. Parts of the tables can be disassembled for thorough disinfecting.

In addition, the restaurant will reduce indoor seating to space out the tables at a minimum of six feet. To further practice social distancing, Fish Tales will offer curbside service, where customers order from one window and pick up at another.

“We also will come to the boat slip when you pull up,” Harman said. “It’s almost like Sonic by water if you want to look at it that way.”

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

MAY 22, 2020

OC restaurants take safety measures during pandemic Continued from Page 13 Carryout hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Seacrets on 49th Street will also encourage carryout throughout the summer to accommodate with limited occupancy within the establishment.

“I think it’s going to be in big need and high demand,” General Manager Scott Studds said. “So we actually have done some different things with our to-go containers we’re offering.

We’ve got some new signage out on the road, saying our phone number and the website to go on and do your online ordering.”

The new online ordering and pickup process for carryout limits contact between customers and employees at Seacrets.

“As far as right now with our carryout, people are using the touch pads on their own,” Studds said. “We’re not taking their cards. They’re doing it on their own, and then we disinfect the keypad afterwards.”

Seacrets is open for carryout from 12-8 p.m. daily.

On May 15, Marina Deck on Dorchester Street opened, offering its full menu and bar carryout. The restaurant’s hours are 12-8 p.m. daily.

Dennis Kalchthaler, owner of Marina Deck, said his restaurant has suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent slower business.

“This restaurant’s been here since the late ’40s and, who knows, it might not be here anymore,” he said However, restaurants cannot survive exclusively on carryout and curbside service, said Jeremy Brink, owner of Ocean 13 Restaurant on Atlantic Avenue.

“There’s just no way, but if we could encourage a lot of people to continue that, obviously we will,” Brink said.

Ocean 13 is open for carryout Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers can

PAGE 15

Ocean City Today

call ahead or stop in to order.

Restaurant owners had hoped to open Memorial Weekend for outdoor seating, which reduces the risk of exposure because warmer temperatures and sunlight decrease the time the virus survives on surfaces, according to the CDC. During the Ocean City council meeting on Monday, Councilwoman Mary Knight supported reopening restaurants for outdoor seating.

“I read a study this weekend from Harvard University, and outside is one of the lowest risk places you can be,” Knight said. “So, I’ve been in favor of the outdoor dining, you know, for a long time … and, [Council Member John Gehrig] made a great point about the Boardwalk. I was up there Saturday, and it was crowded because people did not have any place else to go.”

On May 13, Brink addressed a public letter to Meehan, Ocean City council members, District 38 Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Delegates Wayne Hartman and Charles Otto, the Worcester County Commissioners, the Board of Liquor License commissioners and Worcester County Health Department Health Officer Rebecca Jones, requesting a leniency on restrictions on Ocean City restaurants.

Brink outlined three requests in the letter that would alleviate some challenges faced by bar and restaurant owners: amending the open container ordinance, amending noise ordinances during an agreed-upon timespan and utilizing an establishment’s entire property for outdoor service, which includes sidewalks and parking lots.

Brink also asked other local business owners to provide feedback to his requests on social media.

As a local musician, Brink hopes to help other entertainers who have been negatively affected by restaurants and bars being closed.

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MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

Restaurants plan for outdoor, indoor seating changes Continued from Page 15 He desires to temporarily alter the liquor laws for the summer due to many entertainers “seriously hurting with no reprieve in sight because there is nowhere for them to safely play,” he said.

“It would be really great if we could get it changed that these entertainers could play outside, socially distanced and on the porches of some establishments or in the parking lots of some establishments,” Brink added. “That allows us to safely have people outside, enjoying food and drink, and then it also lets us save the local entertainment industry.”

Fortunately, Seacrets and Fish Tales have expansive outdoor seating, so customers will not be enclosed inside when the restaurants reopen.

Brink said Ocean 13 will also promote outdoor seating. The restaurant’s management plans to restrict indoor seating to 50 percent capacity or less. Indoor tables will be spaced to comply with social distancing standards.

In compliance with one of the National Restaurant Association guidelines, the Clarion Hotel on 101st Street has implemented floor stickers in high traffic areas of the restaurant to enforce a separation of six feet between diners.

The CDC’s new advisory tool lists other practices to help restaurants and bars reopen safely during the covid-19 pandemic.

The chart’s guidelines include requiring employees to wear face masks and other PPE, increasing spacing or adding partitions at establishments to promote social distancing and enhancing the process and frequency of cleaning, sanitization and disinfection.

The management at Fish Tales Bait & Tackle will permit only six people in the shop at a time and require all customers and employees to wear masks.

The staff at Seacrets has built plexiglass dividers for tables to enforce social distancing. Studds added that there will be numerous service areas to avoid employees gathering in one location during shifts.

The management will also insist employees wear face masks “in the public areas or in any areas with a high contingency of other employees,” he said. Similarly, the Clarion Hotel has added a partition at the hostess desk in the restaurant and will require employees to wear face masks and gloves.

In addition to a more intense cleaning schedule, the CDC advises restaurants to use EPA-approved disinfectants for use against the coronavirus to properly disinfect hightouch objects such as tables, doorknobs, point of sale systems, pens

MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Manning the carryout station at Ocean 13, on 13th Street and the Boardwalk, are co-owners Steve Bowers and his wife, Rumina, on Sunday, May 17.

and check presenters.

“We are using a solution called Peroxide Multi Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant,” said Phil Spinuzza, director of food and beverages at the Clarion Hotel. “That’s what we’re able to get our hands on right now. We are getting this from Ecolab, and it was part of a list found on the CDC’s website with EPA-friendly disinfectants and cleaners.”

Spinuzza added that it has been challenging to obtain disinfecting products as most are being allocated to frontline workers.

The FDA advises restaurants to remove self-serve options like buffets and table condiments as well as porous materials to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The Clarion Hotel has made dining adjustments accordingly for the 2020 summer season.

“If guidelines change, we will reevaluate, but as of right now we do not plan on opening our all-you-caneat prime rib and seafood buffet or our breakfast buffets we have been offering,” Spinuzza said.

The mayor’s appeal to Gov. Larry Hogan requires hand sanitizing stations with at least 60 percent alcohol to be accessible for customers and employees at the entrance and exit of all restaurants and bars.

Most restaurants preparing to reopen for dine-in service have already set up stations at doorways or have sanitizer upon request.

Since mid-April, Seacrets has been producing hand sanitizer at its distillery for health care workers and other essential employees. Now, the general public can purchase the hand sanitizer at Seacrets’ liquor store for $30 a gallon.

Lastly, the National Restaurant Association urges restaurants with paper menus to discard the menus after each customer use. Otherwise, reusable menus can be cleaned and sanitized.

Currently, Ocean 13 uses paper menus and Brink plans to continue that practice. Paper menus reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus beJOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The dining experience at the Clarion Hotel on 101st Street will be modified this year accordingly to guidelines from the National Restaurant Association.

cause they are single-use products.

“But there’s also the other side that leads to a huge amount of waste,” Brink said. “We want to do what’s safest for our customers. So, you know, eventually could we get back to a normal menu? If we can guarantee a safe passing back and forth, absolutely.”

Brink said he and his staff have also discussed temporarily using disposable plates and silverware.

Upon reopening for sit-down dining, Ocean 13 will operate with a smaller staff. All employees will be required to wear gloves and face masks.

Brink added that the staff will try to be as much hands-off as possible to limit contact with customers.

“We will absolutely adhere ‘to a T’ all guidelines that are set forth because we want to take care of our employees and our customers equally,” Brink said. “We want everybody to be safe but be able to come enjoy all that Ocean City and Ocean 13 has to offer.”

Ocean City restaurant and bar management teams await further guidelines from the local and state authorities. Meanwhile, they will continue to educate employees about the new safety measures and prioritize the wellbeing of their customers.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our guests,” Spinuzza said. “That’s our utmost priority, and we are thoroughly educating all of our staff on the new procedures that are our new policies in regards to disinfecting, proper sanitation and proper handling of food and beverage products.”

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 17

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Katie Callan new HR director for Ocean City

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) It was a dream come true for 46-year-old Katie Callan when she heard the news that she had been hired as Ocean City’s new human resource director.

“My husband and I had been wanting to spend more time at our home in Ocean City for years, but with me working full time two and a half hours away, this seemed impossible,” Callan.

The Maryland native was born in Baltimore City and raised in Baltimore County where she lived for the next 20 or so years until she met her husband, TJ Callan.

The two settled in Harford County, where they have lived for 25 years.

In 2012, the couple purchased a second home in Ocean City, and split

their time here and in Abingdon.

Callan has a long history in the human resources (HR) profession — obtaining her bachelor’s degree in mass communicaKatie Callan tions and a master’s degree in human resource development, both at Towson University.

She then obtained two additional professional certifications in the area of human resources management, including a PHR certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the designation as a SHRMCP from the Society for Human Resources Management.

Callan is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

“What originally drew me to the

profession and what keeps my passion for HR alive is the profoundly positive impact HR professionals can, and do, have on the workforce and the culture of the organization,” she said.

Her first gig in human resources came around 25 years ago, when Storage USA, located in Columbia, offered her a position as its human resources generalist.

She then moved on to Aon Consulting in Owings Mills.

“After a few years at Aon, I missed the diversity of responsibilities which comes from a more generalist HR role, and moved on to Baltimore Medical System (BMS), where I stayed for the next 14 years holding the titles HR generalist, HR director, vice president for HR and finally vice president for administrative opera-

tions,” Callan said.

Then in 2014, she joined Harford Community College as the institution’s director for human resources, where over the course of 5.5 years she would be promoted from HR director, to associate vice president for administration and technology and then to senior associate vice president for administration.

Despite her success at Harford, her time there was cut short after she found herself in the middle of controversy.

In early January, a newspaper article was published claiming Callan and two other senior level administrators had been let go after using their official e-mail accounts to create a “betting pool” of sorts, through which they improperly speculated about lower level employee termination.

Harford Community College, at the time, was going through a historic turnover.

The article went on to quote a former employee, who described the incident as a “hit list.”

None of the three administrators were quoted in the article, and the article states requests for comments made to several departments at the college were not returned.

However, Callan said reporters did not directly contact her for comment, and an email sent to the editor shortly after went unanswered.

She told Ocean City Today that the incident began two years ago, in December 2018, as a conversation between the three administrators about who might be at risk for attrition at the college in the near future.

“At that time, there was a tremendous amount of change taking place at the college resulting from the hiring of a new president in 2016,” she said. “This new president brought with her many new ideas and began implementing numerous large scale projects.”

Employees were struggling to adjust to the pace and the extent of changes being implemented, however, and as a result the college had a significant amount of turnover, particularly among senior-level administrators, Callan said.

“This was a trend my colleagues and I were extremely concerned about and were working very hard to reverse,” she said.

By July 2019, 30 of 35 administrators had been turned over in a 24month period.

“I was reminded that we had discussed potential departures and had even written down our thoughts at the end of 2018,” Callan recalled.

“This is where I made a significant error in judgment by translating that information into an email, which I sent to my two colleagues indicating whose instincts had been the most acSee CALLAN Page 19

MAY 22, 2020

Callan hopes to build trust, open to conversation Continued from Page 18 curate and stated that we owed that individual [a] drink.”

Callan stressed that the conversation had never been about lower-level employees, but her peer group.

“The story intentionally leads a reader to believe that these were individuals taking advantage of their position to humiliate the rank and file,” Callan said.

Callan also criticized the article’s implication that she held immense authority over the employment status of other employees.

She explained that the college has a robust employee grievance and due process procedure, and a termination requires the approval of the college president and review from legal counsel.

“To indicate that we would have the authority to influence the dismissal of any employee without cause due process is simply untrue,” she said.

Nevertheless, in an attempt to make amends, Callan said she wrote personal letters to all included on her list and provided context missing from the published article, the reasons why she felt they were at risk for termination and apologized for her actions.

She also offered to meet in person if they wished to discuss the issue further or just to clear the air, she said.

Following her resignation at Harford Community College, Callan immediately began job hunting, and applied for the city position in February.

“Katie was very forthright about her situation at Harford Community College,” City Manager Doug Miller said. “The press article was not totally accurate. She acknowledged it was a big mistake that she had made, [and] we understood that it did not disqualify her from our consideration.”

“I wanted to be completely transparent with the town from the start,” Callan said. “It would be difficult to build trust with my new colleagues if they were to discover this on their own.”

Despite securing the position this month, Callan knows the journey is not over, and she hopes to prove herself worthy of confidence and trust.

“Although this is not something I am proud of, it certainly does not define me, nor is it reflective of my successful 25-year career in HR,” Callan said. “I believe my skills and experience, along with the relationships I will build with my new colleagues will serve to relieve the initial reservations some people may have based on this one incident.”

Ocean City Today’s request for comment by the publication mentioned in the story went unanswered.

PAGE 19

Ocean City Today

Worcester tourism begins recovery

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Worcester County has begun the gradual reopening process in hopes of restoring the tourism-based economy, as most of the county’s revenue sources have been closed or are operating at limited capacity since the end of March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, Gov. Larry Hogan moved Maryland into phase one of reopening when he lifted the stay-at-home order and allowed retail establishments to open at half capacity. Ocean City and Worcester County governments both lifted the ban on short-term rentals.

Kathryn Gordon, economic development director for Worcester County, reiterated that the pandemic has hit the tourism industry hard. More than 7,000 county residents have filed for unemployment since the beginning of March.

For the week ending on May 9, there were 424 regular unemployment insurance claims, 224 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims and 65 PanKathryn Gordon demic Emergency Une m p l o y m e n t Compensation claims.

Gordon said unemployment filings have been slowing down, as businesses begin to reopen. Another factor is applicants struggling to file successfully, she said.

“My office has received, and so has other departments within Worcester County, have received phone calls from residents that are having an issue with either filing their unemployment or getting ahold of someone at the department of labor,” Gordon said.

On April 24, the Maryland Depart-

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ment of Labor launched the BEACON One-Stop unemployment application for residents to apply online around the clock for all claims and weekly certifications.

But the system crashed when thousands of Marylanders seeking unemployment benefits flooded the system at once.

The department has rolled out numerous improvement strategies, but many applicants say they still either still can’t file or haven’t received benefits.

Gordon said she sees a silver lining as the community supports local businesses and those businesses adapt to Hogan’s guidelines.

“Quite a few businesses have made an online presence that wasn’t there before to be able to offer their products or their services to their customers,” Gordon said.

Even though half capacity for retail stores may not still not be ideal for all See BUSINESSES Page 20

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PAGE 20

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

Budget approved, more work to be done due to virus

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Ocean City Council approved on second-reading the $135.5 million fiscal year 2021 budget, with a general fund budget of $88.7 million.

“The budget that the council passed will certainly undergo many changes as we assess the effects of covid-19 on the revenue and operating expenses of the town,” Budget Manager Jennie Knapp said.

Highlights of the new budget include a new property tax rate of 45.59 cents per $100 of assessed value, and personal property and corporation tax that has been reduced from $1.29 per $100 of assessed value to $1.14.

One penny on the property tax rate is equivalent to $923,600.

Nevertheless, the budget forecasts a $2 million revenue reduction, as a result of the novel coronavirus’ impact on the city’s tourism industry.

To reduce budget expenditures, fund balance in the amount of $1.7 million has been appropriated to pay for the following projects — street paving, $695,477; Atlantic General Hospital funds, $100,000; canal dredging, $400,000; storm drain cleaning, $100,000; City Watch surveillance phase II, $60,000;

SCREENSHOT/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Ocean City Council gave its final approval to the fiscal year 2021 budget on Monday, however, City Budget Manager Jennie Knapp said resort leaders and staff would have to monitor the city finances closely and adjust the budget accordingly because of covid-19.

and repairs to the transfer station tipping room at $352,000.

After accounting for the appropriated fund balance used, the budget increased by $1.6 million, or 1.9 percent in comparison to FY2020, with property tax revenue increased by .5 percent.

In terms of investments, the city’s biggest investment by far is made toward its public safety divisions, coming in at a total of $38.5 million.

These costs include an increase in public safety pension, $454,254; fire equipment replacement, $400,000; elevator repair at fire headquarters, $170,000; rescue truck equipment, $107,975; radio equipment mainte-

nance, $50,000; sallyport door replacement, $38,000; and a cellblock intercom system, $35,000.

Total expenditures in the police division saw an increase of $1.1 million, from See BUDGET Page 21

Businesses prepare to open following Hogan’s new orders Continued from Page 19 businesses, Gordon said any level of reopening will be beneficial.

“Being able to be there for their customers is exactly what they’re looking for,” Gordon said.

She added that the economy will improve with the slow phasing in of the different stages of recovery from Hogan.

“I know a lot of the hotels are beginning to accept reservations and our businesses are still preparing for that next phase of reopening for seating, either indoor or outdoor,” Gordon said. “I say, as long as we continue to prepare for those phases, we’ll be in good shape.”

She said that the Maryland Depart-

ment of Commerce website has a set of guidelines for businesses reopening.

Gordon advised businesses to “follow the guidelines that they have in place for sanitizing the work area, the work environment, whether it’s a restaurant, and making sure that there is the proper social distance between the customers.”

She praised Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-MotelRestaurant Association, for working with the business community to prepare.

“With the recovery, Worcester County is ready to go when we are able to open up,” Gordon said.

Visit the business guidelines at open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness/.

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MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 21

Ocean City Today

Budget carefully monitored White Marlin Open set for Aug. as covid-19 batters economy Continued from Page 20 $21.8 million in FY2020 to $22.9 million in FY2021.

This increase largely came from personnel costs, with salary and wages increased by $427,909 and employee benefits by $401,419.

Revenue generated by the police division was also set to increase by almost $1 million, at $997,919.

The volunteer fire division also saw an increase in expenditures totaling $448,354.

The bulk of these expenses derived from the division’s operating expenses, particularly costs associated with supply and material purchases budgeted at $173,166.

The career fire and EMS division also saw expenditures increased by $304,557.

These costs were associated with salary and wage increases, from $5 million in FY2020 to $5.3 million in FY2021, although employee benefits decreased by $94,843.

(May 22, 2020) White Marlin Open organizers announced on its Facebook page earlier this week that the 47th annual tournament will run as scheduled despite the covid-19 pandemic.

The event, which is known as the largest billfish tournament in the world, will begin Monday, Aug. 3 and run until Friday, Aug. 7.

“We will, of course, follow government guidelines on spectator crowd size,” the statement read. “At this time, we do not know what those restrictions will be in August.”

The White Marlin Open was created in 1974 by Jim Motsko, who still serves

as the organization’s president. The tournament has grown annually, and over the years has featured over 100,000 participants and distributed more than $63 million in prize money.

With weigh-ins held at Harbour Island Marina on 14th Street, the tournament runs for five days with different fishing categories such as white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, shark and dolphin.

“What we do know is that our awesome participants are beyond excited to get back on the water and hunt for a million-dollar marlin,” the statement said.

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Ocean City Today

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Text amendment to allow special events in RP, RCA

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Worcester County Commissioners approved two zoning code amendments – one to allow special events in the resource protection district and another for special events in the resource conservation areas in the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area.

Attorney and applicant Mark Cropper said that the amendment for the resource protection district is not site-specific and mirrors the language that allows for events like weddings, family reunions, birthday parties in A1, A2 and E1 districts.

He added that the second amendment was needed to make the natural resources code compatible and because some areas in the resource protection district are also in the conservation areas.

The Worcester County Planning Commission endorsed the amendment on March 5, but also pointed out several issues, such as whether the standards for the critical area were reviewed by a board for the critical area instead of the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals. In addition, the staff pointed out that areas in the resource protection zone were selected because they needed protection and that even though the impact would likely be minimal, the amendment could erode the zoning code.

Cropper said the best example of the amendment was the Rackcliffe House off Rum Point Lane south of Route 611, a resource protection zone. He said that many charitable and celebratory events take place there.

“To my knowledge, I’ve never heard anybody complain or be concerned about the impact on that

property,” Cropper said.

In the amendment, the event can take place no closer than 500 feet to a residence on a neighboring property and amplified music must stop at 11 p.m.

The commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.

Bob Mitchell, director of environment programs, introduced the second amendment and noted that the requirements for the critical area are stricter than the resource protection area.

Mitchell said that the lot coverage pertaining to special events must occur outside the buffer; the application must include a scaled drawing that details the zoning site requirements and demonstrates how the special event will minimize impacts to natural resources; activities must take place near existing structures; events can only take place on properties 25 acres or larger; events must be held between April 1 and Oct. 31; and lot coverage and proposed temporary structures must meet and comply with habitat protection area requirements.

“This amendment merely allows a temporary use within this designation and affords visitors to these events the enjoyment and appreciation of the environment in an undeveloped setting,” Mitchell said.

In the public comment, attorney Hugh Cropper said that the restriction on properties less than 25 acres seemed arbitrary.

County Commissioner Ted Elder agreed and said he thought the 25acre rule would exclude properties that should have the same opportunity.

“I don’t know where you need to set that number, but 25 does seem See EVENTS Page 24

SCREENSHOT/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Worcester County Commissioners signed two text amendments on Tuesday to allow special events in the resource protection district and the resource conservation areas in the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area.

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Events include weddings, birthday parties, reunions Continued from Page 23 kinda controversial,” Elder said.

Jenelle Gerthoffer, natural resources administrator, said the 25 acres was based on comments from other counties that had this same amendment.

Elder recommended setting the minimum at 15 acres.

“The staff only used recommendations from other counties,” Elder said. “We’re Worcester County, we don’t base what we’re doing on other counties.”

Mitchell said that it’s not an issue of Worcester being independent, but about following a statewide law.

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“The way that these changes come about is that the counties consult the critical area staff and we usually have some formation of policy that is statewide,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes, Worcester is the lead, the first to make the amendments. This was not that case.”

County Commissioner Jim Bunting pointed out that to build a home in the critical area, it must be one home per 20 acres and that this amendment would approve events throughout the months.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve both amendments as written.

PHOTO COURTESY JSD/THE DESIGN GROUP

After hashing out various details, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission approved on Tuesday a site plan for the Sanibel Seas 59-unit, multi-family condominium project.

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By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan for a 59-unit, multifamily condominium project Tuesday night.

The proposed townhouses, to be known as Sanibel Sea, would encompass a wide swath of land on the west side of Coastal Highway and the east side of Sinepuxent Avenue between 144th and 145th streets.

The Ocean City Planning and Community Development Department had been working on the site plan since last March, and while it met zoning and departmental requirements overall, such as entry/exit configurations, issues remained on which Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville wished to receive guidance.

“On its face value of just the property itself, it’s not completely in conformance with the [city’s] comprehensive plan, which calls for residential on the ocean block, and

commercial on the west side of Coastal Highway,” Neville said, at a May 5 meeting.

“The same is true with the zoning district review — the property is zoned Local Commercial 1 (LC1) so that’s a commercial zoning district,” he said.

“Our review has identified that as an item for the planning commission to consider because even though residential use is permitted under our pyramidal zoning pattern, the purpose and intent of the commercial zoning district is to be primarily for commercial uses.”

Neville did point out, however, that the area already was a good mix of residential and commercial buildings.

Other issues included the site plan’s parking tabulation — the application identified seven, four-bedroom units, but the plan seemingly shows 14 — and the addition of a pedestrian crosswalk in the area.

The parking issue was resolved quickly — project architect Jeff Schoellkopf of JSD/The Design Group See ARGUMENTS Page 38

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Warm pretzel bites served with velvety beer cheese dip

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (May 22, 2020) There are those who eat to live and there are those who live to eat.

If one were to chart my expanding waistline, it would be very clear which classification I fall into. But, at least I have an excuse, at least that is what I keep telling myself.

As a culinary columnist, it is imperative that I increase my repertoire of recipes. Therefore, it is mandatory that I gorge my body with every type of food imaginable.

Obsession has taken on new meaning. As someone who competes in culinary contests, it is vital that I familiarize myself with every style of cooking. As the expression goes, “Practice makes perfect.”

Saturday nights are not a reflection of high heels, little black dresses and red Channel lipstick. This image is overshadowed by sweats, an old baggie T-shirt and reading glasses, as I become one with my aspiring recipes.

Perfume and foundation are lost as swirls of perspiration and flour become my new look.

It is not a pretty picture, but this formal model has given herself permission to forget about her image and concen-

trate on her passion.

There are those who do not understand such a deep commitment, and I do not expect them to even begin to comprehend it. But, it is this degree of perseverance that must incorporate my entire being if proficiency is to prevail.

For those who adore cookery and love to bite into warm, soft pretzels, you must

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY WATER AND WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND FY 2020/2021 REQUESTED BUDGETS AND ASSESSMENTS The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the proposed operating budgets, assessments, user charges and other charges for each of the 11 sanitary service areas operated by the Worcester County Department of Public Works, Water & Wastewater Division on: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 9:20 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 The 11 sanitary service areas and proposed changes to the users fees to cover projected expenses are as follows: Assateague Pointe - increase from $15 to $25 per lot grinder pump flat surcharge.

Briddletown - increase in commercial water base fee ranging from $53 to $441.50 at present to $56.75 to $472.50 based on total EDU's; and increase in water usage charge from $9.19 to $9.75 per thousand gallons.

Edgewater Acres – increase from $160 to $175 per EDU per quarter domestic water and sewer base fee; increase from $98 to $103 per EDU per quarter domestic water flat charge; increase from $140 to $150 per EDU per quarter domestic sewer flat charge; and decrease from $25 to $0 per EDU per quarter accessibility fee.

The Landings - increase from $240 to $250 per EDU per quarter domestic water and sewer base fee; increase from $37 to $39 per EDU per quarter Lewis Road domestic water base fee; increase in commercial water and sewer base fees ranging from $275 to $2,300 at present to $295 to $2,461 based on total EDUs; and increase from $230 to $240 per EDU per quarter accessibility fee.

Lighthouse Sound - no proposed changes.

Mystic Harbour - increase from $173 to $178 per EDU per quarter domestic water and sewer base fee; increase from $172 to $175.75 per EDU per quarter domestic sewer flat charge; and increase in commercial water and sewer base fees ranging from $212 to $1,766 at present to $227 to $1,890 based on total EDU's. decrease from $54 to $18 per EDU per quarter oyster debt service; and increase from $47.50 to $48.75 per EDU per quarter sunset village domestic water flat charge.

Newark - new $55 per EDU per quarter sewer debt service.

Ocean Pines - increase from $175 to $179 per EDU per quarter domestic water and sewer base fee; increase from $161.75 to $164.75 per EDU per quarter domestic sewer flat charge; increase White Horse Park domestic water and sewer flat charge from $138 to $141 per lot per quarter; increase in commercial water and sewer base fees ranging from $212 to $1,766 at present to $227 to $1,890 based on total EDUs. Riddle Farm - increase from $190 to $200 per EDU per quarter domestic water and sewer base fee; increase in commercial water and sewer base fees ranging from $212 to $1,766 at present to $227 to $1,890 based on total EDU's; and new $35 per EDU per quarter effluent disposal charge.

River Run - increase from $54.69 to $56 per EDU per quarter domestic water base fee.

West Ocean City - no proposed changes.

In addition to user fees, assessments will be levied in the Mystic Harbour, Newark, Ocean Pines, Oyster Harbour, Riddle Farm, and Snug Harbour service areas or sub-areas to make debt payments. All assessments shall be made on an EDU basis.

Copies of the proposed budgets for each service area are available online at www.co.worcester.md.us. For additional information, contact the Worcester County Treasurer's Office at (410) 632-0686 ext. 1217.

read on.

Fascination and facts bestow the following paragraphs for a finale of fun and fascination. Space is limited, so let’s get started.

Pretzels can be traced back to 610 A.D., when a monk in France or Northern Italy is first believed to have folded bread dough into a pretzel shape. I am sure pretzel enthusiasts believe this was divine intervention.

Actually, the folding process it quite simple.

Roll out the dough to form a rope.

Take either end of the rope in your finger tips and draw them together so the dough forms a circle (ends facing away from you).

Twist the ends of the rope together once or twice, depending on your preference. Then bring the twisted end toward yourself and fold it onto the bottom curve.

Press the ends into the pretzel, this step keeps the pretzel intact.

In order to achieve pretzel perfection, pretzels must be dipped into a baking soda or lye solution.

This crucial step causes the texture of the interior to “puff” and is responsible for pretzel’s notorious dark brown color and distinct flavor.

Professional bakers use a lye solution.

This method produces more intense results but can also be dangerous to work with.

Pretzel salt is a must when making homemade pretzels. Kosher salt can be used but will not have that authentic look that pretzels are famous for.

Boise Salt Company makes a 4-ounce bag of pretzel salt which can be purchased at Amazon for $5.95.

This salt is very professional looking but is quite salty. Pretzel salt should be used sparingly.

Dipping sauces are quite popular and add to the overall flavor of the dish.

Mustard infused with prepared horseradish, cheeses incorporated with swigs of beer, and a dusting of cinnamon-sugar are just a few of the many options.

As someone who lived in Manhattan, spicy brown mustard is still one of my favorite toppings and is another possible alternative.

Entertaining is about memorable occasions. Homemade pretzel bites with a beer, cheese dip is a yummy appetizer that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Enjoy!

See USE Page 28

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 27

Ocean City Today

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Carry-Out & Delivery NAME

PHONE

WEBSITE

HOURS

ADDRESS

Albertino’s

410-250-2000

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Daily, 3-9

13117 Coastal Hwy,, OC

Backshore Brewing Co.

410-289-0008

Backshorebrew.com

Sat., 11-7 • Sun., 11-5

913 Atlantic Ave., OC

Beach Barrels

410-250-0522

Beachbarrels.com

Sat.-Sun., 11-10 • Mon.-Fri., 11-8

13207 Coastal Hwy., OC

Billy’s Sub Shop

410-250-1778

Billyssubs.com

Daily, 11-11

140th St., Oceanside, OC

BJs On The Water

410-524-7575

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Daily Noon-9 pm

115 75th St. OC

Blue Fish Restaurant & Sushi Bar

410-524-3983

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Fri.-Sat.,12-10 • Sun.-Thurs., 12-9

9401 Coastal Hwy., OC

Bourbon Street

443-664-2896

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Fri.-Sat.,12-8 • Wed.-Thurs., 4-8

11604 Coastal Hwy., OC

Captain’s Table

410-289-7192

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2 15th Street, OC

Carousel - Patio Bar & Grill

410-524-1000

Carouselhotel.com

Sat.-Sun., 7-12 and 5-9 Mon., Thurs., Fri., 5-9 Fri., 5-9 • Sat.-Sun., 12-5

Caruso Pizza

410-289-1990

Oceancitymdpizza.com

Daily, 10-midnight

420 S. Atlantic Ave., OC

Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill

410-289-6846

Castleinthesand.com

Daily, 11am

3701 Atlantic Ave., OC

Coins Pub & Restaurant

410-877-6040

Coinspuboc.com

Sat.-Sun., 12pm • Tues., Thurs., Fri., 2pm

2820 Philadelphia Ave., OC

Cowboy Coast Saloon

410-289-6331

Cowboycoast.com

Daily, 11-2

1706 Philadelphia Ave., OC

Crab Bag

410-250-3337

Thecrabbag.com

Daily, 11-9

130th St. & Coastal Hwy., OC

DeNovos

410-208-2782

Denovos.com

Tues-Sat. 7 am-9 pm; Mon. 11 am – 9pm

11310 Manklin Creek Rd. OP

The Dough Roller – OC

410-524-7981

Thedoughroller.com

Daily 11 am – 8 pm

6909 Coastal Hwy. OC

The Dough Roller - WOC

410-213-7655

Thedoughroller.com

Daily, 11-8

12849 Ocean Gateway, WOC

Dry 85

443-664-8989

Dry85.com/ocean-city/

Wed.-Sun., 12-7pm. & Mem. Day Monday

12 48th Street, OC

Duffy’s Bayside Bar & Grill

410-787-5126

Duffysoc.com

Daily, 10:00-2

12923 Coastal Hwy., OC

Fish Tales

410-289-0990

Ocfishtales.com

Daily, 11-8

22nd Street, Bayside, OC

Hammerheads Bar & Grill

410-289-0006

Hammerheadsocmd.com

Sat.-Sun., 11-7

913 Atlantic Ave., OC

Hooters

410-289-2690

Hootersofoc.com

Fri., Sat., Sun., 11-7

5th Street on the Boards, OC

Horizons/Clarion

410-524-3535

Clarionoc.com

Daily, 3-10

10100 Coastal Hwy., OC

Johnny’s Pizza – OC

410-723-5600

Johnnyspizzapub.com

Daily, 12-8:30

5601 Coastal Hwy., OC

Johnny’s Pizza – OP

410-208-1212

Johnnyspizzapub.com

Daily, 12-8

11019 Manklin Lane, OP

Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grille

410-524-3535

Clarionoc.com

Fri., 4-9 • Sat.-Thurs., 11-10

10100 Coastal Hwy/Clarion, OC

Longboard Café

443-664-5639

Longboardcafe.net

Daily, 11:30-8

6701 Coastal Hwy., OC

Marina Deck Restaurant

410-289-4411

Marinadeckrestaurant.com

Daily, 12pm

306 Dorchester Street, OC

Marlin Moon

410-289-1201

Marlinmoonocmd.com

Daily, 12-6

3301 Atlantic Ave., OC

My Thai

410-250-9918

Mythaioc.webs.com

Fri.-Sat., 11-8 • Wed., Thurs., Sun., 11-7

138th St., Bayside, OC

Nori Sushi Bar and Grill

443-880-6258

Norioc.com

Fri.-Sat., 11:30-10 • Sun.-Thur., 11:30-9

11403 Coastal Hwy., OC

Ocean Pines Yacht Club

410-641-7501

Opyachtclub.com

Wed,-Sun., 4-8

1 Mumford's Landing Road, OP

PGN Crab House Phillips

410-289-8380 410-289-6821

Facebook-PGN Crab House Phillipsseafood.com

2906 Philadelphia Ave., OC 2004 Philadelphia Ave., OC

Pickles Pub

410-289-4891

Picklesoc.com

Daily, 11-11 Fri., May 22-Mon., May 25, 12-8 Thurs., May 28-Mon., June 1, 12-8 Daily, 11:30-2

Popeyes

443-664-2105

Popeyes.com

Mon.-Sat., 10:30-10 • Sun., 10:30-9:30

12522 Ocean Gateway, WOC

Seacrets

410-524-4900

Seacrets.com

Sun.-Fri., 12-8 • Sat. 12-10

117 49th Street, OC

Shenanigans

410-289-7181

Ocshenanigans.com

Thurs.-Sun., 11-7

309 Atlantic Ave., OC

Skye Bar & Grille

410-723-6762

Skyebaroc.com

Fri, Sat., Sun., 11:30am

6601 Coastal Hwy., OC

Starbucks

410-390-7029

Starbucks.com

Daily, 7-4

17th Street, OC

Whiskers Pub

410-524-2609

Whiskerspub.com

Fri.-Sat., 11:30-10 • Thurs.-Mon., 11:30-9

11805 Coastal Hwy., OC

Whisker’s Bar & Grill

410-208-3922

Whiskersbar.com

Courtesy of ???????

Fri., Sat., Mon., 2-7

118th St., Oceanfront, OC

706 Philadelphia Ave., OC

11070 Cathell Road, Ste. 13, OP

PAGE 28

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Use baking soda or lye solution for pretzels Continued from Page 26

Pretzel Bites 1 ½ cups warm water 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons table salt 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 ounces melted unsalted butter, plus one stick of melted unsalted butter canola oil for oiling bowl 10 cups water 2/3 cup baking soda pretzel salt 1. Combine water, sugar and salt in a medium bowl and sprinkle yeast on top.

Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.

Add the flour and two ounces of melted butter, and using a hand held blender, mix until the ingredients are completely combined and has formed a dough.

Remove dough and knead on a clean surface until it is smooth, approximately 5 minutes.

2. Clean the bowl, and then oil the inside with canola oil.

Return the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm area for approximately 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

3. Divide dough into 6 equal por-

tions. Shape the dough into a cigar, and then use the palms of your hands to roll it back and forth against the counter.

Work from the middle of the dough and gently press outward as you roll it to lengthen the rope until it has a thickness of about 1 to 1 ½-inches.

Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. You can also roll some of the 1-inch pieces into balls for a variety of shapes. Oneinch pieces are recommended because the dough will expand when it cooks.

4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. In the meantime, combine water and baking soda in a medium pot. Allow mixture to come to a boil.

Dip pretzel bites into the baking soda solution for 30 seconds, then place them on the parchment paper. Add pretzel salt and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Place pretzel bites on a cooling rack and brush with remaining melted butter.

Serve immediately.

Beer Cheese Dip 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ small sweet onion, minced 2 large cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup of all-purpose flour ½ cup heavy cream 1 bottle (12-ounce) pale beer

4 ounces mascarpone cheese (room temperature) 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon favorite hot sauce 1 pound of sharp cheddar cheese, grated ¼ pound Pepper Jack cheese, grated kosher salt to taste 1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are translucent.

Sprinkle flour and stir to form a roux.

2. Add cream, then beer, and simmer, constantly stirring until the sauce

has thickened, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Stir in mascarpone, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce until smooth and creamy.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses.

Keep stirring until cheese sauce is velvety and free of any lumps. Add salt to taste.

Serve warm with pretzels. * The pretzel dough recipe is an adaptation of Alton Brown’s Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe.

Secret Ingredient: Home Cooked Foods – Happiness is Homemade

Worcester Tech group seeks votes for national contest

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Although the SkillsUSA national competition has gone virtual and most events will not take place this year, one that will be held is the safety video contest.

Nine Worcester Technical High School students collaborated to create an educational video focusing on safety for auto shop and welding. The video placed

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY LIQUOR CONTROL ENTERPRISE FUND FY 2020/2021 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGET The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed FY 2020/2021 Liquor Control Enterprise Fund Operating Budget as requested by the Worcester County Liquor Control Department on: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 9:20 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 Copies of the detailed budget are available for public inspection online at www.co.worcester.md.us.

WORCESTER COUNTY 2020/2021 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGET LIQUOR CONTROL ENTERPRISE FUND Personnel Services .................................................................................................................................$177,678 Supplies & Materials...............................................................................................................................$14,200 Cost of Goods Sold .................................................................................................................................$632,400 Maintenance & Services..........................................................................................................................$67,400 Other Charges............................................................................................................................................$5,736 Payout of Net Income (Loss) to County and Pocomoke City.................................................................$17,586 Interfund Charges ................................................................................................................................. $15,000 TOTAL REQUESTED EXPENDITURES ........................................................................ $930,000 Sales - Retail ..........................................................................................................................................$930,000 TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES ...................................................................................$930,000 For additional information, contact the Worcester County Treasurer’s Office at 410-632-0686, ext. 1217.

in the top 12 for the national competition.

The top 12 videos were selected by judges from CareerSafe, SkillsUSA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for round one.

For the second round, the videos have been released for public voting. The final round will combine the scores from the first two rounds.

The deadline to vote Rick Stephens is Sunday, May 31. The winner will be announced in June during the virtual competition, but an exact date has not yet been determined.

Rick Stephens, welding teacher and lead SkillsUSA advisor for Worcester Tech in Newark, said this was the first time the school has participated in the video contest.

“It can’t be any longer than two minutes,” Stephens said. “It has to show some type of scenario of safety that you’re promoting in your school.”

The students in the video acted out several scenarios of what can happen when proper safety precautions are not taken.

“We used the example of the pressurized tank not being in good shape,” Stephens said. “If you used it, it would catch fire or blow up.”

He added that working on the video was an eye-opener for the students to realize that the danger is real.

“In the welding shop, kids will tell you, we’re constantly going over safety,” Stephens said. “All the time we talk about it because there is a lot of potential there, and we don’t want anything to happen.”

Tammy Hearne, assistant SkillsUSA advisor, said that since student safety is number one, the video was a good hands-on learning opportunity.

“Doing what’s right and what’s wrong for a safety video gives them a better aspect of looking for the unexpected,” Hearne said.

See WOR. Page 30

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 29

Ocean City Today

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

DONATION Ocean City Lions Club donated $500 to the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Pictured, from left, are Bryan Shepherd, accounts manager; John Topfer, OC Lions president; Marie Forestal, director of Donor Recruitment; and Richard Thomas, executive director.

GUEST READER Fourth graders in Dr. Melanie Biscoe’s class had guest Julie Justice read to them during Read Across America Day at Ocean City Elementary School.

SCHOLARSHIPS

LUNCHEON

Ocean City Paramedics Foundation, Inc. recognized recent scholarship winners during its annual appreciation dinner at Seacrets on 49th Street. The scholarship, named in honor of Dr. Robert T. Adkins, has awarded more than $46,000 since its inception in 2017.

Scholarships are awarded to those wishing to pursue certification as an EMT or those individuals currently working in the field of Emergency Medical Services within the Ocean City Fire Company and would like to advance their current certification and pursue a degree. Interested parties can find more information at www.ocpf.org. Pictured are board members Nancy Howard Hal Adkins and Buck Mann, right, with paramedics, Tyler Fritz, Mike Hill, Mike Copeland, Eric Olson and Jason Williams.

The Republican Women of Worcester County held its February luncheon meeting at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club on Feb. 27.

The guest speaker was Corine Frank, executive director of the Maryland Republican Party. Pictured, from left, are Beth Rodier, president RWWC, Frank and Sandy Zitzer, first vice president, RWWC.

BREAD SALE

STUDENT ART Berlin Intermediate student entries from the Worcester County Media Expo are were displayed in the school’s media center. Parker Brittingham shows off his entires.

Worcester Prep teacher Jackie Knowlton and her students hosted the annual second grade Bread Sale as part of a hands-on learning lesson combining English, science, social studies (civics and community), mathematics and philanthropy. The project is modeled like a small business, with the young entrepreneurs baking bread, selling it to Lower School classmates in a “Café” and donating the proceeds to charity. This year, the class partnered with the Bad Monkey West in Ocean City where they learned how to make and bake the bread. The students made $773.36 and donated the proceeds evenly between Atlantic General Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Second graders Lea Jaoude, Estelle Damouni and Lilly White prepare to make and bake bread.

PAGE 30

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Wor. Tech students enter safety video into competition Continued from Page 28 She said the students were excited when they found out they qualified for nationals.

“It’s a little different not being in school and having to email and text and call everybody and use the Remind app to let them know that they made the top 12, but it was a nice experience for them while they were in school to create this,” Hearne said.

Like all Maryland schools, Worcester Tech has been closed since March 16 as a result of the coronavirus. The students worked on the video for about two months and submitted it at the beginning of March.

SCREENSHOT/OCEAN CITY TODAY Jessica Janney, a junior at Stephen Decatur High School, is a part of the ge- Nine students from Worcester Technical High School in Newark created a safety video that qualified for the national SkillsUSA competition. ographical information systems program at Worcester Tech and filmed the video.

“I worked with people that I’ve never She was asked to film for the SkillsUSA worked with before and I got to know competition after she entered a contest more people who work in Skills at within the school to create a drug safety Worcester Tech,” Janney said. video.

She added that she had never made “We started filming around the school, videos before. like in the welding classroom or the auto “Now, I make videos, even small videos classroom – areas that obviously can be re- at my house, all the time,” Janney said. “I (May 22, 2020) Worcester Roadmap to Recovery plan. ally dangerous and require a lot of safety would say to try new things because you County Recreation & Parks has Public Landing beach will remain precautions,” Janney said. “And then I used might find a new hobby and you might end reopened Homer Gudelsky Park closed until the current park renovaan iPad to take all the film and put it to- up liking it.” to the public. tion project at that location is comgether into the app so I can have music and She will finish the geographical inforVisitors are reminded to ad- plete. sound effects and to make it into a video.” mation systems program next year. here to physical distancing guideHomer Gudelsky Park is located at Janney said she enjoyed the opportuTo vote for the Worcester students’ video, lines and gathering limits in the end of MD Route 707 in West nity to work with other people and com- go to careersafeonline.com/vote and vote for compliance with Phase One of Ocean City, directly across from the pete nationally. number 11. Each device can vote once.

Gov. Larry Hogan’s Maryland Ocean City Inlet of the Sinepuxent Bay and offers sweeping views of Ocean City, Assateague Island and the bay.

The park closed on April 9 as part WORCESTER COUNTY of a countywide effort to stop the SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND FY 2020/2021 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGET spread of covid-19.

Worcester County parks and trails, The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed with the exception of Public Landing, FY 2020/2021 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Operating Budget as requested by the Worcester County are all open for passive recreation, Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division on: such as walking and jogging.

Worcester County Recreation & Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 9:20 a.m.

Parks playgrounds and basketball in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room courts, which are high-touch areas Room 1101 Government Center, One West Market Street where the coronavirus could potenSnow Hill, Maryland 21863 tially spread very easily, will remain The Proposed Budget for solid waste tipping fee includes increases from $70 to $75 per ton for municipal closed at this time. waste and maintains the $80 per ton for construction and demolition debris. Copies of the detailed budget For more information or to speak are available for public inspection online at www.co.worcester.md.us. with Worcester County Recreation & Parks staff, call 410-632-2144, MonWORCESTER COUNTY day through Friday between 8 a.m.

2020/2021 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGET and 4:30 p.m. or email recandparks@co.worcester.md.us.

SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND For current Worcester County Personnel Services..............................................................................................................................$1,375,142 Government notices, visit Supplies & Materials...............................................................................................................................$27,025 http://www.co.worcester.md.us/covi Maintenance & Services ....................................................................................................................$1,008,475 Other Charges .......................................................................................................................................$670,861 d-19-info.

Debt Service ...........................................................................................................................................$443,430 Interfund Charges...............................................................................................................................$(243,370) Capital Equipment ..................................................................................................................................$42,000

Homer Gudelsky Park in WOC open again to public

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TOTAL REQUESTED EXPENDITURES ..................................................................... $3,323,563 Tipping Fees........................................................................................................................................$3,977,945 Permits .......................................................................................................................................................$4,500 Interest and Penalties .............................................................................................................................$82,000 Other Revenue .......................................................................................................................................$125,800 Transfer to Reserves ...........................................................................................................................$(866,682) TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES ............................................................................... $3,323,563 For additional information, contact the Worcester County Treasurer’s Office at 410-632-0686, ext. 1217.

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 31

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS

MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY

GETTING CARRYOUT

BOARDWALK STOP

Ocean City resident Kimberly Chambers waits in line for her meal at Marina Deck on Dorchester Street, Friday, May 15.

Stopping at Ocean 13 on 13th Street and the Boardwalk, Sunday, May 17, are Leonard Wheatley and his son, Leonard Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland.

FIRST PLACE Sixth grader Adelaide Dawkins, a student in Rhonda Walsh’s class at Berlin Intermediate School, was awarded first place in the grade six poetry category in the Young Authors Contest for the Eastern Shore Literacy Association. Her poem was titled “The Four Intervals.”

TOP TEAM The Stephen Decatur High School Academic Team took first place in the Eastern Shore Academic Invitational Tournament on March 6. The team coasted through competition, going undefeated and outscoring opponents 995-655. Pictured, in back, are Charlotte Vit, Jacob Vanderwerff, Grayson Wolf and Advisor Belinda Sawyer, and in front, Erin Trask, Bradley Moore, Rina Dirickson and Maxwell Ewancio.

LORAX VISIT Showell Elementary Principal Diane Shorts joins the Lorax who, “Speaks for the Trees,” during Read Across America Week activities at the school.

DONATION Ocean City Lions Club Vice President Mike Hooper, left, presents a $1,000 check to Brandon O’Brien, executive director of Hope4Recovery. This house provides a safe and sober home for men who are in recovery.

32

MAY 22, 2020 Classifieds now appear in Ocean City Today & the Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com and baysideoc.com.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Hiring ALL Positions!!

HVAC Maintenance Technician Great Pay & Benefits based on experience • Work with a well-established OC Hotel/Restaurant Group • Perform preventative, routine, & emergency maintenance • Repairs on restaurant equipment with emphasis on refrigeration • Provided a company vehicle – with valid driver’s license • Prior experience with diagnostic abilities, electrical, major plumbing & troubleshooting

Full time & Part time To apply go to: www.mygcjob.com

Forward resume to - Restaurant, PO Box 160, Ocean City, MD 21843. FAX 410-289-7686 or email romeara@harrisongp.com

Is currently hiring for the following full-time jobs:

Work on the Beach in Ocean City, MD Renting Umbrellas and Chairs to Beachgoers • Over 65 Beach Attendant Positions Available • Make Lifelong Friends & Memories • Earn Valuable Sales & Customer Apply Online at Service Skills EightyFiveAndSunny.com/ • Competitive Wages Employment • Hourly + Commission + Tips

Correctional Officer Trainee ~ Transfer Station Attendant Roads Worker ~ Maintenance Mechanic Plant Operator ~ Building Maintenance Landfill Operator ~ Vehicle & Equipment Mechanic EOE/AA Job descriptions and application available: 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 At The BEACH...

Work With The BEST!!

Top wages, excellent benefits package and free employee meal available to successful candidates.

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Employment Opportunities:

HOTEL OVERNIGHT FRONT DESK

Year Round, Full/Part Time: HOUSEKEEPING ~ $12/PER HOUR

We are looking for dependable, service oriented hotel front desk clerks to work our overnight desk shifts. Ability to work multiple properties a plus. Must be able to work weekends and holidays. Excellent starting pay.

Free employee meal and excellent benefits.

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

Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel Attn: Human Resources Dept.

10100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 Phone: 410-524-3535 Fax: 410-723-9109 EOE M/F/D/V

Come Join Our Winning Team!

Maintenance Technician Competitive Salary: $17 - $20/hr. depending on experience.

• Help build and maintain Delaware and Maryland's fastest growing restaurant group • Perform interior and exterior finish work, such as drywall, painting, paneling, ceiling and floor tile, plumbing repairs, heating and air conditioning system repairs • Perform routine and emergency repairs on restaurant equipment, including diagnostics on electrical and refrigeration components • On call on a rotating emergency schedule for weekends and holidays • Basic skill sets must include some Electric, Plumbing, Carpentry, Refrigeration Benefits: Health Insurance, 401K, Sick Leave Fax to 410-520-0199 For faster processing please apply online at www.joindunkin.com.

You are applying for work with a franchisee of Dunkin’ Donuts, not Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Any application or information you submit will be provided solely to the franchisee. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who are solely responsible for their own employees and set their own wage and benefit programs that can vary among franchisees.

ssifieds la C r u o Y r e Ord

Now accepting applications for the following positions!

Over Night Front Desk Front Desk Agent Recreation Attendant Room Attendant Houseperson Laundry Attendant Maintenance 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.

Online

HELP WANTED

HIRING Kitchen Manager, Pizza Makers, Grill Cook and Delivery Drivers at year-round Pizzeria. Call 443-856-5935 to set up an interview.

Trimper's Rides of Ocean City Help Us Get The Park Ready To Open For The Season!

Now Hiring: painters, carpenters, trim work electrician, plumber, gardener, ride operators, games tech, cashiers, park services. Apply Online at https://www.trimperrides. com/employment or 410-289-8617

HIRING ALL POSITIONS!!

Worcester County Government

Health Insurance, 401K, sick leave, vacations included.

HELP WANTED

Full time & Part time Stop by our location on 52nd street! or call 443-664-2825

Now Hiring • COOKS • CASHIERS • DELIVERY DRIVERS Make $13-$20/hr.

Call 410-289-1200 or apply in person at downtown location 710 N. Philadelphia Ave.

PGN Crabhouse 29th Street & Coastal Hwy. Help Wanted • Delivery Drivers • Kitchen Help • Waitstaff Please call 410-289-8380

Hiring Line Cooks for immediate openings. $15/hour.

Apply in person.

117 49th Street, OC

AUTOMOTIVE POSITIONS We are a full Tire & Service Center that has been in business for 36 years. We have a clean, completely remodeled work environment with State of the Art equipment. We are now hiring for: - Service Advisers -Maryland State Inspector We offer many benefits including company matched retirement plan, health insurance reimbursement, employee discounts and more!!!!!

We have locations in Ocean Pines, Long Neck and Clarksville.

Exc. Pay & Benefits!

302-228-2353

Become a Better You in 2020!

To Order Product Call Christine 443-880-8397 or email: snowhillavon@ comcast.net To Become an Avon Representative Sign Up at www.

ChristinesBeautyShop.com

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

www.oceancitytoday.com

Convenient, quick, no waiting, no calls ~ Days, nights and weekends

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $17.50/hr.

Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

RENTALS RENTALS OC Seasonal Rental: 28th St., 2 Bedroom Apt. Immediately thru 9/30.

Furnished and utilities included. Off street parking.

Contact Bo @ 410-251-0576 Ocean City, Waterfront w/ 25 ft. Boat Slip. 2 bdrms, tastefully furnished. 4-month seasonal rental. $8,500/season, plus security deposit.

Email: molly@mollyb.com or call 443-641-0990.

Summer Bayside Condo near Jolly Rogers. 2BR, 2BA W/D & AC. Cable, Wi-Fi, fully furnished. Sleeps 4-6. 2 units available May-Sept. $13,500.

Call Mike at 410-603-6120. www.mbjcproperties.com

RAMBLER MOTEL 9942 Elm Street, WOC (Behind Starbucks) Sleeps 4, $250 per week Manager onsite 410-213-1764

MAY 22, 2020

RENTALS

REAL ESTATE

DONATIONS

Large House to Share Summer Seasonal Large Kitchen All Utilities Included Close to Beach, Malls, Bus Stops $1500 per person for the season 443-880-2486

Taking on New Listings.

Need help selling your house?? Call Howard Martin Realty, 410-352-5555.

We also handle year-round rentals.

Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

Year Round, 3 BR, 2 Bath Home off Keyser Point Road in WOC. Heat pump. 2 sheds.

Great neighborhood. Ideal for retired couple.No smoking, no pets. Unfurnished. $1400/ month + sec. dep. Taking applications. Call or text 410422-2100.

Downtown OC Seasonal Apartments Available May 18-Sept. 16 Utilities included No pets/No smoking For inquiries call, 443-373-1443

PAGE 33

Ocean City Today

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL 1 Office/Retail Space & 1 Warehouse Unit available in West Ocean City.

Call 443-497-4200 BERLIN: From 225 sq. ft. to 700 sq. ft. office space. From $350 to $1100 per month.

Includes utilities. 120 sq. ft. storage sheds each $95/mo.

Call 410-726-5471.

www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com

FOR SALE FOR SALE

Two Netgear Readynas Pro 4 servers, 4T storage on each, with four-drive raid setup with hot swappable drives on each unit. Bought in 2011, but still run flawlessly.

Can be used to back up a ton of data, as a network server, networked hard drive, or media storage. $150 for the pair. Call Ocean City Today at 410-723-6397.

SERVICES

BUDGET MOVERS 443-664-5797 LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING Full Packing Service Piano Movers - Full Service www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK Serving the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/ NOTICES Recently diagnosed with MARYLAND STATEWIDE LUNG CANCER and 60+ years old? Call now! You and CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING your family may be entitled to NETWORK a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Call 855-404-8251 AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS today. Free Consultation. No DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, Risk.

RVs Lutheran Mission Society of MD. Compassion Place EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION TRAIN ONLINE TO DO ministries help local families MEDICAL BILLING! with food, clothing, counseling Tax deductible. MVA li- Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! censed #W1044.

Get Trained, Certified & ready 410-636-0123 www.CompassionPlace.org to work in months! Call 888453-2456. (M-F 8am-6pm ET) BUSINESS SERVICES HEALTH/MEDICAL Bulk advertising at its best: SUPPLIES advertise in over 70 newspapers and reach millions of Attention: Oxygen Users! readers with ONE call. Gain freedom with a Portable Broaden your reach and get Oxygen Concentrator! No results for pennies per reader. more heavy tanks and refills!

Call Wanda at 410-212-0616 Guaranteed Lowest Prices!

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PAGE 34

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

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TOWN OF BERLIN

NOTICE

OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 2020-03 APPROVING THE FY 2021 BUDGET AS SUBMITTED The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berlin will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Berlin Town Hall Council Chambers, 10 William Street, on Ordinance 2020-03. A copy of the proposed Ordinance will be available in the Mayor and Council Packet on the Town website, www.berlinmd.gov or can be emailed or mailed to you upon request, please call 410-641-2770 or email info@berlinmd.gov to request a copy for inspection.

Ordinance 2020-03 An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of The Town of Berlin, Maryland approving the FY21 Budget as submitted.

OCD-5/14/2t _________________________________ HUGH CROPPER IV, ESQ 9923 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY., SUITE D2 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18268 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF VIRGINIA LEE Notice is given that L. Monty Hawkins, 74 Bramblewood Drive, Berlin, MD 21811, was on May 04, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virginia Lee who died on March 19, 2020, with a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 4th day of November, 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 de-

PAGE 35

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.

The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction beginning MAY 21, 2020 or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.

Line No Year 042-20 2016 049-20 1997 055-20 1989 056-20 N/A

Make TOYOTA FORD VOLKS INGERSOLL

Model COROLLA RANGER SEDAN RAND TRL

Color SLATE RED RED WHITE

Style 4S PU 4S TRL

VIN 2T1BURHE0GC498539 1FTCR14U0VTA62798 WVWPG01G2KW862626 0031790752925

Mileage N/A 215001 382081 N/A

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police OCD-5/21/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ livery 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.

L. Monty Hawkins Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 07, 2020 OCD-5/7/3t _________________________________ IN THE MATTER OF GAYLORD DOTT PITZ 352 Ocean Parkway Ocean Pines, MD 21811 FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO: GAY DOTT PITZ CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY MARYLAND Located at Snow Hill, Maryland Case No. C-23-FM-20-000173

NOTICE

FOR PUBLICATION (ADULT) (Md. Rule 15-901) The above Petitioner has filed a Petition for Change of Name in which she seeks to change her name from GAYLORD DOTT PITZ to GAY DOTT PITZ. The Petitioner is seeking a name change because GAY is the name she has used and been referred to by her family and friends since her childhood.

Any person may file an objection to the Petition for Change of Name on or before June 27, 2020.

The objection must be supported by an affidavit (written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation) and served on the petitioner (Md. Rule 1-321). If no timely objection is

filed, the court may issue a default judgment or grant the name change.

A copy of this notice must be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county/city at least fifteen (15) days before the deadline to file an objection.

Susan R. Braniecki Clerk True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-5/21/1t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18270 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CEAN LISA BUNTING Notice is given that David Orlando Bunting, 906 Rosalie Way, Salisbury, MD 21804, was on May 04, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cean Lisa Bunting who died on April 6, 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 4th day of November, 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.

David Orlando Bunting Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 14, 2020 OCD-5/14/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18278 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JEAN BRYSON Notice is given that Libera A. Northam, 2826 Laytons Drive, Pocomoke City, MD 21851 and Valerie J. Overholt, 3733 Sheephouse Road, Pocomoke City, MD 21851, were on May 11, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean Bryson who died on March 21, 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

PAGE 36

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 11th day of November, 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.

Libera A. Northam Valerie J. Overholt Personal Representatives True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 21, 2020 OCD-5/21/3t _________________________________ MATTHEW A. MACE ESQ BAKER DONELSON 100 LIGHT STREET BALTIMORE, MD 21202

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18281 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF RUTH VIRGINIA ALT Notice is given that Nancy Jean Thomas, 12629 Whisper Trace Drive, Ocean City, MD 21842, was on May 13, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ruth Virginia Alt who died on March 29, 2020, with a will.

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

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

Nancy Jean Thomas Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 21, 2020 OCD-5/21/3t _________________________________ JOSEPH E. MOORE ESQ WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18259 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DOROTHY V. MOORE Notice is given that Timothy F. Moore, 10321 Shingle Landing Road, Showell, MD 21862, was on May 18, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy V. Moore who died on February 29, 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 November, 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.

Timothy F. Moore Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 21, 2020 OCD-5/21/3t _________________________________ GEORGE T. HORMAN, ESQ OFFUTT, HORMAN, BURDETTE & MAY, P.A. 10 W. COLLEGE TERRACE #220 FREDERICK, MD 21701

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18287 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JAMES LARRY KRANTZ Notice is given that James Paul Krantz, 3423 Widows Cove, Fallston, MD 21047, was on May 18, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Larry Krantz who died on April 27, 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

MAY 22, 2020 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 November, 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.

James Paul Krantz Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: May 21, 2020 OCD-5/21/3t _________________________________

OCEAN CITY TODAY Legal Advertising Call Nancy MacCubbin 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net

Commentary

Ocean City Today May 22, 2020

Page 37

Welcome, please act responsibly It’s the Memorial Day weekend, sort of.

Normally, this would be the opening bell of the traditional summer for Ocean City, but not this year.

This year’s holiday weekend will be unlike any other since at least World War II, when millions of the nation’s finest young men and women were overseas fighting to prevent world conquest by some of the evilest people ever to walk the planet.

Unlike then, this Memorial Day will be a shadow of its former self because of bizarre circumstances visited upon the globe by an all-but-invisible creature, the covid-19 virus.

While science has yet to develop a way to stop it, governments have responded by attempting to limit its spread: hence our Memorial Day without bars, restaurants and mass gatherings of people anywhere.

It’s a rough situation for all: businesses, workers, residents and visitors. It’s so rough, in fact, that it’s hard to find fault with people who have just had enough, and want to forget all about the rules and restrictions and even the disease itself by going out and having fun.

That’s okay, too, as long as people don’t decide to have too much fun, as in running a little too wild, congregating a little too much, and creating scenes that might be a little too out of control.

As much as Ocean City needs the business and the return of its usual bustling nature, it doesn’t need any celebrating that involves a lack of personal responsibility and consideration of others.

The key to reopening Ocean City sooner rather than later is to show state officials that it has the situation well in hand, and that its crowds are acting responsibility and are staying healthy. Anything less than that won’t help the resort’s appeals for more leniency in its approach to guarding against the spread of the virus while also allowing the business of summer get underway.

So welcome to the beach. Please don’t ruin Ocean City’s chances of offering an even warmer welcome a little later on this summer.

Ocean City Today P.O. Box 3500, Ocean City, Md. 21843 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR ................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS .................. Greg Ellison, Morgan Pilz, .................... Joshua Kim, Elizabeth Bonin, Ally Lanasa ASSISTANT PUBLISHER .......................... Elaine Brady ACCOUNT MANAGER.............................. Mary Cooper CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTISTS ................ Kelly Brown, Kyle Phillips PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts Ocean City Today is published weekly by FLAG Publications, Inc. at 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842.

Ocean City Today is available by subscription at $150 a year.

Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.com.

Copyright 2020

PUBLIC EYE

Blown up sports fans

After years of thinking, and maybe even accepting, that I might be a little off center, it turns out it’s not me but the rest of the world whose plumb is bobbing in the wrong direction.

I didn’t realize this in a flash of instant insight, as in one of those shower-thought epiphanies that normally occur when you’re thinking of something entirely unrelated.

We all know how those things work: you reach for a towel that isn’t there because By you forgot to replace the one Stewart you threw in the laundry pile and — wham, a burst of clarDobson ity — “Oh, that’s right,” you say, “E does equal mc2!”

It beats me why shower thoughts work that way, but it is how I came to comprehend the painting approach known as “Cubism,” or, to put it another way, why some of the people in Picasso’s paintings look like flounder, with both eyes on the same side.

I still remember that moment of realization. I was in the mental meandering phase of lathering up when it just whapped me in the back of the head: “Oh, now I get it …!”

Seconds later, I was running downstairs, clothes in various stages of assembly on my person, yelling, “Guess what? I understand Cubism!”

Now there are many things one might inexplicably realize that would evoke an excited response from the party with whom you are sharing this information. Announcing your grasp of Cubism isn’t one of them.

I imagine, for instance, that Aristotle got

an excited response when he ran downstairs from his shower and declared, “Hey! Guess what? The earth is round!”

“Noooooo, really?” Mrs. Aristotle replied.

“Wow!” But reporting on one’s illumination on the concept of Cubism doesn’t make the bells ring in my house. Not even a tinkle, unless you count the dog, and that only happens when she’s nervous.

“Cubism! I get it!” I proclaimed. “I mean, I really get what the artist was doing!”

“Well,” she says without looking at me, “Aren’t you something?”

Okay, so she has a fine arts degree. How am I supposed to remember everything?

But that was one of those circumstances that, along with many others, reinforced my long-held belief that I might have a chip in one or two of my marbles.

That is until I read this week’s papers. It seems that everyone’s nuts these days, from mildly loopy to bat-doo-doo crazy to being one runner short of a sled.

The story that made my day and rethink my mental latitude and longitude came from South Korea, where a soccer match was being played in an empty stadium between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC. FC Seoul, being the home team, I guess, decided the stadium wouldn’t look so dreary if it filled some of the empty seats, which they did with “premium mannequins.”

Which, apparently, is a nice way of saying “inflatable sex dolls.”

Here’s what’s so crazy about that: It says something about the world today when a sports team gets fined $81,000 by its league for blowing up its fans even before the game began.

PAGE 38

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Arguments ensue over site plan conditions Continued from Page 24 said the group had intended for the wall on the second floor of certain units to be removed, which would make it a three-bedroom unit.

As for the commercial versus residential district issue, commission members seemed unconcerned.

Some pointed out the difficulty of establishing a viable business in an area so near the Delaware state line, as Maryland’s northern neighbor does not charge sales tax.

“I think it would be a real challenge to build brand new retail shopping and LC1 elements in that spot,” commission member Christopher Shanahan said. “If you look at a lot of the LC1 or commercialist elements that are there right now, they’re all pretty antiquated quite honestly … I think what he’s proposing probably is a very smart move.”

Commission member Lauren Taylor disagreed.

“I think it may be smart for him, but the intent of the code is clear. The intent for that [area] is to be commercial,” Taylor said. “The eight blocks around it are commercial. You have a major transit center there, you have a movie theater [with] cars going in and out all day all night, and you have no crosswalk.”

Taylor also feared this would set a precedent and encourages business

owners in the area to shut down.

The applicant’s attorney, Regan Smith, of Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, argued that the code primarily addressed redeveloping existing commercial property into residential, rather than blank parcels of land.

“It’s also a principle permitted use in this district and I think we’re entitled to do this,” Smith said. “We are not asking for zoning relief — we’re permitted to do it.”

Neville also addressed another issue, which was the fact that as an LC1 district, commercial use of the property would be permitted.

The first example he gave was a buyer who converted his or her den into a small shop or dentist office.

There would be no way to prevent this, unless it was explicitly restricted in the condominium covenants.

The second example involved the phased development of the site.

“Phase three looks an awful lot like a commercial pad site to me,” Neville said. “If the residential sales don’t go well, it would make a great site for a mini mart and a gas station.”

Neville suggested a condition be added to restrict commercial use for the development — a simple solution, but important nonetheless.

Moving on to the crosswalk installation, the developer expressed his de-

sire to see that handled and paid for by the city and the state.

“We’re not going to take on responsibility for an additional item that we don’t know what it is or how much it costs,” Smith said. “We don’t want it as a condition of our site plan approval because again, if it’s a citywide issue, it needs to be addressed citywide in partnership between city and state highway in pursuant to some studies.”

He also reminded the commission that the developer already was paying $326,000 in impact fees.

The commission members agreed the busy intersection in that area warranted a traffic control device.

“We have to vehemently state in our recommendation that we want the city and/or state to do something there for pedestrian safety, not for just this project, but for all residents there,” commission member Joel Brous said.

The pedestrian crossing device would become a heated point of debate on the follow up meeting Tuesday, after Smith asked for the removal of the condition requiring the developer to write a letter to the mayor, council and State Highway Administration requesting the device.

“Prior to first building permit being issued, developer shall request in writing to the Mayor and City Council and State Highway Administration that a

pedestrian activated signal and pedestrian crosswalk be installed on Coastal Highway, MD 528 north of 144th Street consistent with the MDOT Traffic Engineering study warrant analysis dated September 2000,” the condition states.

Smith called it an inappropriate condition, and said the study was outdated.

However, commission members pushed back, saying the condition was not forcing the developer to commit to installing the device, but simply to send a letter addressing the issue.

It would not hinder the developer’s building permit approval process, commissioners said.

Schoellkopf said rather than calling for the developer to request a device to be installed, the language could be modified to request the developer bring the issue to the attention to the aforementioned leaders and state departments, which satisfied the planning commissioners.

After confirming that other issues addressed previously had been, or were on track of being solved, the commissioner’s voted to approve the site plan.

For further details on the site plan v i s i t http://oceancitymd.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=247 9&Inline=True

MAY 22, 2020

PAGE 39

Ocean City Today

The Hobbit takes first step toward composting goal

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Garvey Heiderman, owner of The Hobbit restaurant on 81st Street, has made huge strides in his efforts to create a composting program after he received Board of Zoning Appeals approval.

“The plan for this year, to summarize it, is to compost stuff from The Hobbit. Now that Ryan James [is] going to be right next-door, if we can work something out, we might try to compost there too,” Heiderman said during last week’s Ocean City Green Team meeting.

James is co-owner of Mother’s Cantina restaurant, which is opening a new location on 78th Street.

Although Heiderman said he did not have the formal permit yet, the successful board hearing should make the rest fall into place relatively easily.

“That is step one, this is the formal starting point,” Heiderman said. “We did the pilot program a couple years ago, [but] got shot down last year by an HOA next to the site we were shooting for, so this is very good news.”

In September 2018, Heiderman, in conjunction with the Go Green OC group, launched a four-week pilot program at Heiderman’s restaurant to collect data in preparation for a large-scale composting project.

The result was almost 2,000 pounds of waste, with every single dinner sold generating 1.23 pounds of food waste, Josh Chamberlain, founder and executive director of the group, previously told Ocean City Today.

This potentially meant yearround, The Hobbit was producing roughly 33,000 pounds of food waste.

Rather than letting that waste, well, go to waste, Heiderman’s goal was to turn it into compost, which is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow.

Compost is made of three key ingredients: browns — dead leaves, twigs, branches; greens — grass clippings, vegetable waste and coffee grounds; and water.

It not only has excellent agricultural benefits, but also is phenomenal in preventing runoff, as it has great moisture retention.

The goal for this year, Heiderman said, is to get his feet wet and work out all of the variables before expanding the project to other local restaurants.

“The goal would be to understand what the recipe of Ocean City input JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Hobbit restaurant on 81st Street will begin a formal composting project, after owner Garvey Heiderman received an OK from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

SCREENSHOT/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Garvey Heiderman, owner of The Hobbit restaurant and Go Green OC compost director, said after a successful Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing, he was well on his way of starting a small scale composting operation at his restaurant. He said year one and two he would focus on getting his feet wet, and then hopefully expand the project to other local restaurants.

material would be like, so what we would need for the carbon source, and also just try to understand the process and scaling it,” Heiderman said.

The restaurant owner also said he had been in talks with Ben Grumbles, state secretary of the environment, who told Heiderman his project was exactly what state legislators and local municipalities were encouraging people to do — a fiscally responsible alternative to the traditional recycling market, which constantly shifts and grows in cost.

Ocean City eliminated its all-encompassing recycling program in 2010 to cut down on costs, and saves approximately $500,000 a year.

Heiderman will personally transport all compost material to his site in Bishopville, and do the composting manually.

“Again, this is the starting point, I know we’re not going to get appropriate funding or anything like that, but that is the ultimate goal — to somehow finagle our way in there [the budget],” Heiderman said.

Free counseling to be available for restaurant workers (May 22, 2020) The Jesse Klump Suicide Awareness & Prevention Program has joined with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling and the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association to offer free counseling to people employed in the restaurant trade.

“During the Coronavirus pandemic, mental health counseling is more important than ever,” said program President Kim Klump.

“There is help available, by telehealth for now, but talking to a counselor by phone can still be very effective in relieving stress.”

People struggling with having lost their jobs, whose restaurant careers are threatened, and who are having difficulty getting from day to day, can at no cost reach a counselor at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling by calling 410-641-4598.

Callers should identify themselves as restaurant professionals, and subsequent counseling will be provided free of charge.

“Our newest counselor has experience in helping both young people and adults with mental health and substance abuse issues, including depression, anxiety and trauma,” said Dr. Jennifer Leggour, executive director of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling. “We are conducting teletherapy during the COVID 19 crisis and welcome all calls.” www.oceancitytoday.com

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

County tracks 2020 census response rate

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Worcester County’s response rate for the 2020 U.S. Census ranges from five to 67 percent so far, with the lowest rate of participation occurring in an Ocean City census tract and the highest response rate belonging to a Snow Hill tract.

Residents still have Kelly Henry time to fill out the survey, as the U.S. Census Bureau extended the deadline from July 31 to Oct. 31 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Worcester County had the lowest response rate of all Maryland counties in 2010.

Kelly Henry, technical services director and Complete Count Committee coordinator, said that much of this is because 60 percent of homes in Worcester County are second or vacation homes.

Although the county may not be a person’s primary residence, Henry recommended filling the census out for both the primary and secondary home. When filling out the survey for the second home, the survey asks if the address is a primary residence.

“By responding at both homes, this gives the U.S. Census Bureau the as-

surance that the inhabitants of every household were contacted,” Henry said. “While the statistical data does not impact Worcester County as far as population count or services, the county does get credit for the response.”

Submitting the census for a second or vacation home would bring up the county’s participation rate.

“As covid-19 restrictions are relaxed and people start to travel to vacation and secondary homes, and the press informs the public about the importance of responding to the census survey, I am hoping responses will increase,” Henry said.

Another low response tract is South Point at 37 percent. Ocean Pines ranges from 43 to 59 percent.

Pocomoke City is at 59 percent. Berlin ranges from 53 to 61 percent.

“Another factor impacting current response rates is the limited internet coverage,” Henry said. “This year was the first year that the census survey was available online, by phone or by mail.”

Although the committee had planned to make computers and cenPHOTO COURTESY U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

The census response map shows the participation rate thus far for 2020 and the end participation rate for 2010. The deadline to submit the survey has been extended to Oct. 31.

sus assistance available at the library branches, health department locations, senior centers and department of human services office, those offices

are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Henry said Wi-Fi is available outside the buildings and that See THOSE Page 42

MAY 22, 2020

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WCPS students have online access

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Worcester County Public School students are continuing to learn with a high online activity rate of 85 percent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief Operating Officer Dr. Annette Wallace told the county’s board of education members during its monthly teleconference meeting on Tuesday that around 98 percent of students have internet access, whether through means of their own or hotspots acquired by the board.

A majority of students have been using an online learning management system called Schoology.

“Our Schoology usage has decreased a little bit over the past weeks,” she said. “But we’re very proud to say that 85 percent of our students are actively logging on and participating on Schoology as of this week. And the other 15 percent of students are receiving packets and teachers are working with their students and making sure that they are supporting them.”

Teachers are currently not able to collect packets to be graded, so the school system has been monitoring them in other ways.

Wallace also acknowledged the difficulties younger students who might not be able to reach yet and the

strain that puts on their parents as well as the tasks ahead for high school students who might be resuming work once more businesses reopen.

“We recognize that those are challenges out there,” she said. “I would remind the board and anyone else who might be listening that we do have supports in place and have office hours where parents Dr. A. Wallace can contact [us] and get extra help for their students. Also, we have a variety of ways that parents or students experiencing technical issues can get in touch with.”

The Help Desk is one of several tools available on http://worcesterk12.org/home where parents, students and faculty can reach out for assistance with technical issues. In addition, the board is offering online counseling for students of all 14 schools.

Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor praised parents, students and teachers alike for their dedication to education amidst the covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s hard to believe that we’ve gone through eight weeks of this,” Taylor said during the meeting. “And

I just want to say how proud I am of our teachers and our entire staff, but also our parents and students who are in the midst of challenging circumstances and are still showing up, are still engaging, and hopefully, we believe are still learning.”

Wallace finished the report with her own thoughts on the success of the Continuity of Learning Plan.

“We feel really good about where we are,” she said. “We believe that we have some of the best teachers in this state. We know that when we get our students back in school that we are going to fill all of those gaps that have occurred and we are going to make sure that we get our students where they need to be. We have all the confidence in the world in our teachers, and I think that’s the message that we want our community to hear as well: that everyone is doing the best they can in a very challenging time.

“It’s a challenge for our teachers,” Wallace continued. “It’s a challenge for our students and it’s a challenge for our parents because our parents aren’t certified teachers. And certainly, we know that we hear from them sometimes that they’re struggling with figuring all of this out. But, we are making a commitment to everyone that when we get back that we are going to be better than ever.”

MAY 22, 2020

Those with second homes need to fill out 2020 census Continued from Page 40 once the buildings re-open to the public, census assistance will resume.

She added that other response factors are socioeconomics, age, trust in government and education.

“The largest groups of people that are under-counted are children under 5, elderly, homeless, veterans and people not fluent in the English language,” Henry said.

Worcester’s Complete Count Committee has shifted strategies away from public gatherings and door-to-door visits to social media campaigns and other advertisements. Henry said Lower Shore counties are collaborating on several public service announcements. Five Family Dollar or Dollar General stores in Worcester will be printing ads for the census on the back of receipts for 12 weeks.

The census determines funding for schools, health care and road construction. It also determines congressional districts. For every person not counted, state and local jurisdictions lose $18,250 in federal funds over the next 10 years.

Call 844-330-2020 to complete the census over the phone. The phone line is open every day from 7-2 a.m. Visit 2020census.gov for more information.

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

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Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

Updated school calendar approved amid coronavirus

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) A modified 20192020 Worcester County Public Schools’ calendar was approved by the Board of Education during its teleconference monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The Maryland State Department of Education initially closed all the state’s schools from March 16-27 to limit the spread of covid-19, but on March 25 extended the closure by four weeks until April 24. On April 17, State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced another extension to May 15. Finally, on May 7, the state decided that schools would be closed for the rest of the semester.

Since the initial closure, students have been using online learning services so they wouldn’t falling behind academically. According to Worcester County schools’ Chief Operating & Academic Officer, Dr. Annette Wallace, around 98 percent of Worcester County public school students have access to the online learning system either through means of their own or hotspots acquired by the school board.

Carrie Sterrs, coordinator of public

relations and special programs for Worcester County Public Schools, gave the updated calendar recommended by county Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor.

“Mr. Taylor, our superintendent, has received a response to the school system’s waiver request,” Sterrs said.

“Within that response, State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon agreed to waive five of the 10 days that Maryland schools were mandated to be closed in March.”

In addition to the five waived school days, the board has also approved convereting April 7-9 from closure days to “continuity of learning days.”

“This has left a gap of two student instructional days, which the school system needs to address through a final modification,” Sterrs said.

The school board’s recommendation is to end the school year for students on Friday, June 12 and Monday, June 15. Sterrs said this was the same end date as previously approved on the original school calendar.

“We have left June 12 and 15 as early dismissal days for our students,

PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE STERRS

as this will allow teachers to utilize this time to close out the school year and finalize grades for both quarter four and semester,” she said.

This updated Worcester County Public Schools 2019-2020 calendar reflects the changes made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic closing schools for the remainder of the year.

Construction of new Showell Elementary School continues

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The construction of the new Showell Elementary School is continuing as scheduled according to the latest update report during the Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education teleconference meeting held on Tuesday, May 19.

Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert provided the monthly update to the construction of the new school.

“I had a chance to tour the building yesterday with Mr. [Steve] Price,” Tolbert said. “It’s amazing how finished that building is getting and how beautiful it’s turning out to be. And as we were leaving [Monday] morning, furniture trucks were pulling up to deliver the furniture. I hope you [will] be able to tour the building very soon.”

Within the last 30 days, work has

been completed on the roof drains and the front entrance. Plumbing work has been done and sprinkler heads and fire alarms have been installed.

Work is currently being done to complete the courtyard concrete paving, installation of drywall, carpet and tiles, kitchen equipment, insulation and light fixtures.

Tolbert noted that furniture is expected to be placed in the appropriate locations within the next 30 days.

In addition, within the next 30 days, construction crews will begin the process of demolishing the portable classrooms and the existing building and staff parking.

Work is also being done to create a new front entrance for the school and expand the school’s playground.

The new 9,600-square-foot building will replace the current 5,200-

Construction continues on the new Showell Elementary School in Showell on Tuesday, May 19.

square-foot school, and will eliminate the need for the nine portable classrooms at the school.

At present, the 40-year-old school has 536 students from kindergarten through third grade. Fourth graders, who were moved out of the building

because of insufficient space, will return once the $47 million school opens.

The school is expected to accept over 130 new students once it is open for the 2020-2021 school year in September.

MAY 22, 2020

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Ocean City Today

County Board of Education approves ratified agreement

By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education signed and approved a ratified 2020-2021 School Year Negotiated Contract agreement between the Worcester County Teachers’ Association and the Worcester County Educational Support Personnel Association on Tuesday, Lou Taylor May 19.

The agreement was presented by Supervisor of Human Resources Dr. Dwayne Abt during the board of education teleconferenced meeting.

During a typical meeting, the signing would have taken place at the same time, however, according to Abt, signatures were obtained prior to the teleconference.

“We did have some language modifications, edits and additions,” he said.

According to the agreement, the teachers’ contract has been agreed upon for one step increase to eligible employees and a 2 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

The contract will also offer one step increases to eligible employees in a 2.5 percent COLA in the food service scales that will be adjusted to meet the minimum wage requirements by law over the next

five years.

“We also increased our longevity payment $100 from $1,300 to $1,400,” Abt said. “It is my pleasure to say that we have two signed agreements with our employees and I’d like to thank Mr. Gary McCabe, Beth Shockley-Lynch and Mr. Ivory Smith, as well as the committees from the board as well as the association.”

Shockley-Lynch, the president of the Worcester County Teachers’ Association, expressed her gratitude for the support of the agreement.

“We would just like to thank the board in all of our support through all of this,” she said. “Our negotiated contract was ratified at 100 percent. I had no one that was displeased with it. We are very grateful to have the relationship with the board and with the leadership team. So thank you.”

Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor also expressed his gratitude for the camaraderie between the organizations.

“It is a pleasure to work with you, Mr. McCabe and Mr. Smith,” Taylor said. “It’s been a true team effort through negotiations, and that’s carried and even gotten deeper as we’ve gone through these uncertain times. So thank you for your partnership and for most importantly, keeping our kids first, and all of us doing the right things. It takes both sides and we appreciate that way of working together.”

PHOTO COURTESY NAI COASTAL

Hardwire, a Pocomoke City-based company that has been producing face shields for the covid-19 pandemic, secured a lease for the Worcester County liquor warehouse in Snow Hill.

Hardwire secures lease for Worcester liquor warehouse

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Worcester County government finally has a tenant for its empty liquor dispensary building: Hardwire LLC, the military armor company in Pocomoke City that has been producing face shields since the end of March.

The company announced this week that it has secured a lease for the county-owned commercial build-

ing in Snow Hill.

The 40,000-square-foot building was formerly the liquor dispensary warehouse building. It will be used to store the face shields for front-line workers in the coronavirus pandemic, as well as private orders.

The company can churn out a face shield every two seconds and is producing more than 100,000 a day and half a million a week, according to See HARDWIRE Page 46

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MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

Hardwire face shield production increases Continued from Page 45 CEO George Tunis. He said this is the equivalent of two 18-wheeler truck loads a day.

“We could fill our manufacturing space with our own production in about three days,” Tunis said.

“We ran ourselves out of space.”

NAI Coastal, the commercial brokerage firm involved, said that Hardwire will bring more than George Tunis 100 jobs to the area.

“Partnering with Worcester County to lease commercial space at this time is an indicator of their commitment to public safety,” NAI Coastal said in a statement. “This additional space addresses a vital storage need, as Hardwire LLC ramps up operations

to provide our nation’s healthcare workers with face shields and other personal protective equipment in light of covid-19.”

Tunis said Hardwire recently hired an additional 120 employees and has kept its staff steady.

“We’ve had some folks go back to their normal jobs and we’ve had an influx of college-aged summer hires that are looking for work because a lot of the restaurants are not open yet,” Tunis said.

According to County Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic, it’s a temporary lease.

“Although I like having them there, I hope it’s not long-term because that means this pandemic is going to go on longer than we all hope,” Mitrecic said.

He said he wished Hardwire well.

“I believe that everybody in

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFS

By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The Worcester County Commissioners made the following decisions during their meeting on Tuesday via Zoom:

Tourism grant Commissioners agreed to extend its grant from the Maryland Tourism Development Board. The board decided to suspend many marketing efforts as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Because of this, it offered a grant modification that would allow Worcester County to spend the funds by September instead of July. There are $53,728 remaining in the funds.

Covid-19 funding Worcester County will hold a public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant funding for the coronavirus pandemic. That grant is typically used for senior services, food programs and homeless assistance.

Worcester County is trying to help and do their part and certainly Hardwire is setting the example,” Mitrecic said.

County Commissioner Bud Church said he was proud to have Hardwire expand in the county.

“This was a major leap out of what they normally do, but they saw a need throughout the country,” Church said.

“It’s going to benefit us because we have a manufacturer in the county that’s answering a national need,” Church said. “Monetarily, it’s going to help us because he’s renting a facility that was sitting empty.”

Tunis said Hardwire plans to keep the lease for about a year.

“Our commercial business continues to grow on the public facing side,” Tunis said. “There’s a lot of face shields going to work in Ocean City as a face covering to meet the mandate.”

He reiterated that face shields are a safer alternative to cloth face masks.

“We’ve been looking at the physics of cloth face coverings and they’re 50 percent open when you put them under a microscope,” Tunis said.

“Compared to a virus, it’s equal to a mosquito flying through an open window.”

Although the growth is positive for the business and for increasing public safety, Tunis said it’s a reluctant growth.

“We hope there’s a cure for the virus and this segment of our business goes away,” Tunis said.

Working with Hardwire on the deal for NAI Coastal was Merry Mears, who knew the property well.

Mears was the director of economic development for the county until January 2018.

OCEAN CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS

The funding could be used to help the Commission on Aging, Diakonia and Samaritan Shelter with costs associated with the pandemic. The public hearing will be on June 2.

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The following took place during the Ocean City Council meeting on Monday, May 18:

Mystic Harbour

Consent agenda

The commissioners voted to close out the Mystic Harbour effluent disposal project and to purchase a skid steer loader. For the past few months, the county had been working with Davis, Bowen and Friedel to resolve minor operational issues with the effluent disposal system for sending treated effluent to Eagle’s Landing course.

The issues have been resolved and to finalize the project, the county needed a resolution of final costs from the engineer and schedule the closing of the supplemental loan.

With $16,276 for additional engineering services and an extra $21,092 for onsite inspection time, the county expects to have $40,000 in unused grant funds for the project.

John Tustin, director of public works,

The council approved consent agenda items that included private event request approvals for the beach volleyball series, slated for June 25 and Sept. 12-13; 2020 OC More Than Pink Walk, Sept. 12; Out of the Darkness Walk, Sept. 26; and Run the Boards Like Rob 5K, Oct. 25.

Part of the approval called for the elimination of $25,000 of in-kind services for the pink walk, as it moved from the inlet parking lot to the West Lagoon field and/or the soccer field at Northside Park on 125nd Street.

In addition, each event was subject said the funds can only be used for something related to improving the project and suggested the county purchase a skid steer loader.

to Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive orders.

TAB The council approved $25,000 in funds to support the Tourism Advisory Board’s (TAB) “We Are Ready for You” ad campaign.

The commercials will run in conjunction to the city’s own marketing campaign, and will feature business owners getting their stores ready for guests.

The goal is to comfort visitors by showing the safety precautions being implemented by businesses, and to encourage advanced bookings.

The funding will come from the Ocean City Tourism Department’s allocation for TAB.

Extension The council approved extended construction hours for the Sunset Island Garden Condominiums.

The hours were extended to 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 1 to June 20, for stair tower repairs that were delayed by the coronavirus.

MAY 22, 2020

BIKE COMMITTEE BRIEFS

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The following took place during the Ocean City Bike Team meeting held last Wednesday, May 13:

Hiker/biker trail Public Works Director Hal Adkins said thermoplastic striping would be installed along the West Ocean City hiker-biker trail in the next two weeks.

He also told the group that the State Highway Administration (SHA) had removed a portion of elevated concrete curve on Kelly Bridge Lane, which had been a hindrance for bus transit.

Additionally, the elimination of parking on Route 50 next to Hooper’s Crab House was still in the works.

Path project City Engineering Manager Paul Mauser said the State Highway Administration had done a fantastic job on paving, sidewalk and thermoplastic work on the shared use path on Philadelphia Avenue, North Division Street to S. First Street.

He added that Jana Potvin, State Highway Administration assistant district engineer, emailed him and said plans for signs in the area had been developed, but did not have an exact date on when the installation would begin.

Potvin did not attend last week’s meeting.

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Ocean City Today

Adkins added that the highway administration was replacing approximately 140 signs in the city, and hoped this project would follow suit.

146th Street Mauser said he completed a design for a 146th Street “Delaware Connector” project, which is a proposed bike route along the street from Sinepuxent Avenue to Dukes Avenue.

The project might qualify for a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) bikeways funding application for thermoplastic crosswalks, pavement markings, striping and would likely cost about $30,000.

Adkins added that the Department of Public Works could complete the project using in-house labor and paint, while the city waits for the installation of thermoplastic.

Bike racks To date, design has been completed for bike racks at four streets — 67th, 120th, 127th and 28th streets.

Two installations have been planned at 123rd and 130th streets, however, the latter must be coordinated with the Ocean City Beach Patrol staff, Mauser said.

The team’s overall goal is to have seven Oceanside bike racks completed

by December.

Additional areas the group consid-

ered are 26th, 33rd, 90th, 94th, 139th and 142nd streets.

Glenn Irwin, Ocean City Development Corporation executive director, later added that the corporation funded a bike rack installation at Sunset Park on 700 S. Philadelphia Ave.

MDOT grant Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville gave an update on the group’s efforts to secure funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

He said the department’s grant distribution priority has shifted, and it is currently looking to fund “shovel ready,” large-scales projects — not planning documents.

He and other staff looked at the city’s upcoming projects to see if any were eligible under the state transportation department’s grant criteria, but none really were.

Mauser said he went ahead and submitted a grant for the 146th Street “Delaware Connection” project, but said it would be unlikely for it to result in any funding.

As the group waits to hear back, Mauser said it would be best to go ahead and use in-house labor and paint a bike route. Nonetheless, the bike team’s hope to develop an in-house bike master plan has been moving forward, Neville said.

Bike month The group’s Mayor’s Bike Ride event,

scheduled for May 1, had been canceled because of covid-19 and the closure of the beach and Boardwalk.

The League of American Bicyclists has rescheduled “National Bike to Work Week” as Sept. 21-27, and “National Bike to Work Day” on Sept. 22.

The committee will evaluate these dates for the new Mayor’s Bike Ride date.

Lights on bikes Councilman Tony DeLuca said the Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility #2560 provided $1,500 in grant money to support the bike light program.

Nevertheless, because of covid-19 and its effect on international travel it was uncertain as to when J-1 students would come to the city.

When, and if, the J-1 students do arrive, the group will begin its bike safety education efforts.

Hotel easements DeLuca and Adkins said with the current covid-19 situation it was not a good time to approach local businesses regarding the group’s desire to obtain easement agreements for a bike route.

DeLuca and Irwin said they hoped to see a bike easement at the Cambria Hotel property as an “alternative route,” with the main bike route remaining on St. Louis Avenue.

This will be discussed at the next bike team meeting.

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MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

OC GREEN TEAM BRIEFS

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) The following took place during the Ocean City Green Team meeting held last Wednesday:

Flood report Ocean City Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville said the April 8 meeting of the nuisance flood plan work group had been canceled because of covid-19.

As a result, steps three and four — plan documentation, best practices and the preparation of a draft plan — were combined and will be discussed at the next meeting slated for June 10.

Neville thanked Gail Blazer, city environmental engineer, for reaching out to a group of volunteers to begin collecting nuisance flood examples through the MyCoast app.

Neville said Patrick McLaughlin documented Ocean City’s first reported sample locations on April 4, following high-tide conditions.

Storm drain Public Works Director Hal Adkins gave an update on storm drain cleaning.

Adkins said the situation had been worse then he expected, with over 70 percent of the circumferences of the drains clogged with silt, dirt and sand — about 520 tons.

To date, Adkins said 313 catch basins, 53 manholes, 352 feet of trough and 127 feet of slot drain had been cleared.

This equals 28,457 feet, or 5.4 miles, of pipes.

Cigarette huts Adkins said the expansion of the city’s public cigarette butt huts to the Delaware state line had been completed.

Some butt huts have been increased in size based on use, and Dune Patrollers have volunteered to keep an eye on the huts and empty them when needed.

The project’s private effort has been stalled because of the pandemic, said Sandi Smith, Maryland Coastal Bays Program development and marketing coordinator. She added, however, that an

COPS & COURTS BRIEFS intern was still coming.

Four benches made from the recycled cigarette butts had also been ordered and should arrive by mid-June.

One will be placed at Seacrets bar and restaurant on 117 49th St., and the council hopes to see the other three placed at high-profile places, such as the Boardwalk, City Hall on Third Street, the city entry point off of Route 50 or Northside Park on 125th Street.

Final placement will be discussed and approved by the City Council.

Smith went on to say that funding from the Environmental Protection Agency for a paid part-time position had fallen through.

She also said the group could see $20,000 from the organization Keep America Beautiful, which had expressed its approval of the program.

However, Smith said the group would need to discuss with city leaders about partnering on the effort, perhaps on a paid position, as it could not be sustained by volunteer work alone.

Source reduction Smith said funding for the Protect our Sand and Sea advertising had been secured.

However, the group decided that it would be best to delay the program, as restaurants suffer from supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, according to Garvey Heiderman and Ryan James, owners of The Hobbit on 81st Street and Mother’s Cantina on 28th and 78th streets, respectively.

The program will be on hold for 60 days until

Open comments Smith said one of the big conversations among environmental groups is the high volume of plastic glove and facemask waste, as more and more businesses and individuals rely on the material during the pandemic.

Smith said there’s efforts being made to not only encourage the use of reusable cloth masks and washable gloves, but to also warn the public to not pick up the debris bare handed.

Heiderman inquired as to whether there were any glove recycling programs in devel-

Grand theft auto Ricky Allen Bylan, 32, of Annapolis faces nine charges after he was accused of stealing a vehicle on Monday, May 11.

That morning, around 9:50 a.m., an officer was dispatched to St. Louis Avenue and 12th Street in regards to a vehicle theft.

The complainant told police that his 1997 Blue Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had been stolen from the area of Dayton Lane and 12th Street, and it had last been seen traveling south on St. Louis Avenue, police reported.

An officer reported seeing the stolen vehicle leave a gas station and head west on the Route 50 Bridge.

Police reported stopping the vehicle, and apprehended Bylan.

Bylan told police that a man named “Jim” said he could borrow the truck for groceries if he put gas into it before returning it.

The complainant, who is not named Jim, told police he had left the key in the truck while he was on his job site and was approximately 150 feet away from it.

He did not give anyone permission to use or move his vehicle, and said he did not know Bylan.

Nothing was stolen from the vehicle, although the owner did have a gun and Bylan was prohibited form possessing firearms and/or ammunition.

Police later discovered Bylan’s driving record, and found his license had been suspended since Dec. 14, 2017, and he had been stopped and cited for the suspended license four times in the last week.

Police arrested Bylan, and found three packets of Suboxone sublingual film in the suspect’s wallet, and a pill bottle containing Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine in his pants pocket. opment as usage continues to increase, and Smith said she would do some research and come back with an answer.

Adkins suggested Smith look into the company Kimberly-Clark, which is one of the industry leaders that produces recyclable glove products.

Street cleaning There were not many updates in re-

Bylan faces multiple charges for the motor vehicle theft, as well as for possessing narcotics and ammunition.

Domestic assault Jonathan Dale Smith, 33, of Lititz, Pennsylvania was arrested for second-degree assault on Saturday, May 16.

Around 3:13 a.m., an officer was sent to Philadelphia Avenue to assist with a domestic assault.

Upon arrival, police met with the alleged assault victim, who told police that her significant other, Smith, had assaulted her at a downtown hotel.

She told police Smith was extremely intoxicated and screamed at her for several hours about being unfaithful to him.

He allegedly punched a hole in the hotel room, and pinned the alleged-victim to the bed.

Police reported that she had a bruise on her right bicep area.

She said he did not strangle her and denied an EMS medical examination.

Officers reported going to the hotel to meet Smith, but he would not open the door to police.

The alleged-assault victim gave police the key to the hotel room.

Smith agreed to speak with police outside of the room, and police noted Smith, who was shirtless, had a scratch on his chest and exhibited signs of intoxication.

Smith reportedly did not know his location, and repeatedly told police he was in Pennsylvania.

Police reported that Smith admitted to the argument, but denied any physical altercation.

He told police that he comes from a home of domestic violence and, “Would never put his hands on a woman.”

Continued on Page 49 gards to the Adopt your Beach/Street cleaning program, other than four cleanups have occurred this year.

The program has largely been on hold because of social gathering guidelines, aside from smaller individual cleanup efforts.

Smith said local schools, such as Stephen Decatur Middle School, have also had students clean up their neighborhoods.

The ReStore is temp porarily closed due to COVID-19.

A pick ups scheduled during All d this time will be contacte ed to be rescheduled.

We ask that no donattions be left outside at the ReSto ore during the closure perio od.

We are still looking for Volunteers o for when we ope en.

9026 Worcester t H Highwa i h ay, B Berlin li • 410 410-208-4440 208 4440 • h hab bitatworcester it t t .o org

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

COPS & COURTS BRIEFS Continued from Page 48 Police arrested Smith for second-degree assault.

Second-deg. assault Police arrested Jordan Joseph Hinton, 33, of Gwyn Oak after he was accused of assaulting his wife.

On Saturday, May 16, around 9:41 a.m., police responded to a call about a disorderly subject at a downtown gas station.

At the site, the officer reported seeing a black Nissan Maxim parked in the gas station parking lot, and that the vehicle’s left tire was deflated, the driver side door damaged, the side view mirror destroyed and blood on both passenger windows.

A woman there told police that she and her passenger had left a downtown hotel and realized the vehicle’s tire was deflated. She said she pulled into the gas station, but then a black Dodge Ram pulled in behind her, blocking her in.

The passenger told police that he saw Hinton get out of the car and that he exchanged words with the suspect, but the woman told him to walk away.

As the passenger walked away, Hinton reportedly punched the woman in the face, scratched her arm and smashed her phone.

Police arrest Del. man for hundreds of bags of heroin (May 22, 2020) Devine Jakar Lynch, 24, of Dagsboro, Delaware was charged with possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and host of other charges last Thursday after police caught him with hundreds of bags of the drug.

After a two-month investigation that apparently included surveillance of the suspect, members of the Worcester County Devine Lynch Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a car in which Lynch was riding.

According to a release from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Lynch attempted to flee but was caught and found to possess 306 bags of heroin. He was committed to the Worcester County Jail to be held without bond.

A subsequent search and seizure warrant executed at the motel room where Lynch was staying resulted in the seizure of 351 more individually wrapped bags of heroin.

In December 2019, Lynch was charged with various drug related offenses, which are currently pending trial.

In addition to the heroin charges filed in the current case, Lynch is also charged with resisting arrest, obstructing and hindering, and failure to obey a lawful order.

Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli said additional charges and arrests are pending.

He then punched the driver side mirror and then yanked the driver’s door past its maximum opening point.

When she told Hinton police were on the way, Hinton allegedly fled west on Route 50.

A Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy located Hinton on Route 50 and Friendship Road, and after his alleged victime confirmed his identity, he was placed under arrest and charged for second-degree assault.

and took pictures of the area, they discovered a shattered fire extinguisher case, and pieces of glass with wet blood.

Police interviewed maintenance workers on scene, and they told police that Mitchell pushed the woman toward the wall, while throwing things out of the car they were standing next to.

Police arrested Mitchell, who faces charges for second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and vandalism.

Disorderly assault

Public urination

Joel Kedrick Mitchell, 33, of Baltimore was arrested on Saturday in connection with a domestic incident near a 91st Street parking garage.

Toward the southern end of the parking garage, police reported seeing Mitchell standing over a woman with her back against a large concrete pillar, seemingly cowering from Mitchell and sobbing.

Police went up to Mitchell, who reportedly became visibly agitated, moving side to side and flailing his arms.

Police also reported seeing blood on Mitchell, and noted he had small cuts on his face, hands and legs.

The woman also had blood on her person, but was uninjured, police said.

While officers processed the scene

John David Kibbe, 33, was arrested after he was accused of exposing his genitalia publicly.

On Sunday, May 16, around 4:30 p.m., police responded to a call near a downtown rental unit.

The complainant told police that Kibbe had pulled down his pants and began urinating while walking, and that she saw his genitalia.

Officers found Kibbe at a gas station near the area holding several items he had stolen, and reported he smelled strongly of alcohol.

After the complainant confirmed his identity, Kibbe was arrested and charged for indecent exposure, theft and intoxicated endangerment.

Police arrest man after he threatens ex with handgun

By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Police arrested Nathan William Smith II, 20, last Wednesday after he was accused of pointing a loaded handgun at his ex-girlfriend.

At around 3 p.m., an officer reported to a downtown rental unit to meet with a complainant, who said had been living in the unit for about four months and that Smith had moved in Nathan Smith II with her early on.

The two have a history of domestic issues. During an incident in 2019, Smith used a firearm on himself during a dispute, according to the police document.

The complainant told police she spent several days in April with her aunt outside of Ocean City instead of at the unit, which angered Smith.

On or around April 17, Smith, irate over the situation, began yelling at the complainant at the rental unit, she told police.

He then reportedly went to the bedroom and emerged in the doorway holdLed by the county’s Criminal Enforcement Team, the investigation was joined by The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, Delaware State Police Sussex Drug Unit, and the Ocean City Police Department.

ing a black handgun — visibly manipulating the slide and chambering a round.

He later put the gun away and apologized.

The complainant left the unit and stayed with her aunt for several weeks before returning, she told police, and she kicked Smith out.

She told police she had been afraid to report the incident until her family encouraged her to do so.

She then told police that since May 10, Smith had been sending her text messages saying he had hidden a gun in her bedroom and wanted to retrieve it before returning to Pennsylvania, but she refused to let him in.

Police reported that Smith eventually told the complainant where the handgun was located, and when she found it she called police.

Inside her closet, police found a Star Super B 9 mm handgun wrapped in foil, which was the handgun Smith had brandished during the April 17 incident.

Members of the special enforcement unit found him at a store located near 114th Street and he was arrested.

Police reported that Smith was prohibited from possessing ammunition and possessing a firearm because of a conviction on Aug. 14, 2019, in New Castle, Pa., for carrying without a license.

Smith was charged for first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm and ammunition and illegal possession of ammunition.

PAGE 49

PAGE 50

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

WORLD WAR II

Battle of Arras prevents conquest of Dunkirk

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (May 22, 2020) This week, 80 years ago, French and British forces frittered away their last opportunity to halt the German conquest of France.

The German plan for the invasion of France was to send their armor through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, which the Allies thought was impassable for armor, cross the Meuse/Maas River, and, instead of heading for Paris, turning right and heading for the English Channel.

If this operation was successful, it would accomplish two things: 1) avoidance of the very formidable Maginot Line; 2) split the Allied forces between those in Belgium and Holland and those in the rest of France.

Up until this week, it had been working perfectly. The panzers raced in front while the non-motorized infantry struggled to maintain the pace.

Quite often, the infantry was two or three days behind the armor, making the German High Command very nervous. The High Command was concerned that the armor could be pinched off and destroyed, and it could have happened near Arras.

Arras is a 900-year-old city, which

currently has a population of 43,000.

It is located 113 miles north of Paris, near the Belgian border on the Scarpe River, 50 miles from the English Channel.

Leading the German advance there was the 7th Panzer Division, commanded by Erwin Rommel. His division was moving so quickly that quite often its whereabouts were unknown by the brass, earning it the sobriquet of “Ghost Division.”

On May 17, the French 4th Armored Division, commanded by Col. Charles de Gaulle had attacked the units of the XIX Panzerkorps, commanded by Heinz Guderian, near the village of Montcornet, whose population is 1,600. However, the French progress was hampered by a number of factors: poor communications, the utilization by the Germans of their 88 mm anti-aircraft guns as antitank guns, lack of maps, mechanical problems with the French tanks and finally, the lack of training and combat experience.

However, the French tanks proved impervious to the standard German antitank gun, which is the reason the Germans resorted to the 88. The attack had made the German brass nervous. Two days later, the French tried again, but they lost 80 of 155 ve-

hicles. Much of the loss was suffered at the hands of the Luftwaffe’s Fliegerkorps VIII, commanded by Gen. Baron Dr. Wolfram von Richtofen, land mines and the 88s.

By May 21, Gen. Rommel’s “Ghost Division” was threatening Arras, and Gen. Guderian’s XIX Panzerkorps had reached the English Channel. The threat to the British Expeditionary Force, the French First and Seventh Armies and the Belgian Army, that were opposing Gen. Fodor von Bock’s Armeegruppe “B,” had now become apparent to the British High Command. By May 19, BEF’s commander, Gen. John Vereker (Lord Gort) had instructed his staff to begin planning for an evacuation.

When the leaders in London learned of the proposed evacuation, they were stunned. Sir Edmund Ironside, chief of the Imperial General Staff, as well as new Prime Minister, Sir Winston S. Churchill, thought that the BEF could attack, and cut through the panzer column and reunite with the bulk of the French armies to the south.

Ironside met with Lord Gort and conveyed these thoughts to him. The BEF commander explained that, since the BEF, with its French and Belgian allies, had its hands full fighting Gen.

von Bock’s Armeegruppe “B,” in front of them, the idea was impractical. The chief grasped Lord Gort’s difficulties, but suggested that the BEF’s two reserve divisions be used.

Now the British would take a turn.

Lord Gort assembled a force under the command of Gen. Sir Harold E. Franklyn to attack the German panzer corridor. It included Franklyn’s 5th Infantry Division, the Northumbrian Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Sir Giffard Le Quesne Martel, and the 1st Armored Brigade, commanded by Col. C. Willoughby Norrie. But the same problems that had plagued the French at Montcornet now plagued the British.

The Tommies were equipped with 58 Matilda I and 16 Matilda II tanks. Although the Matilda Is were slow and lightly armed, they were, like the French tanks, heavily armored, making them almost impervious to the standard German antitank gun. The Matilda II was a different story. It was twice as fast, had a crew twice as large and was far more heavily armed than the I. In order to knock out a Matilda II, the Germans would have to use the 88. However, because of the urgency of the situation, Allied planning, preparation and coordination had See Page 51

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PAGE 51

Ocean City Today

Matilda II MARY COOPER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Mike’s Flooring and Design Center in Fenwick, Delaware, will be offering “shop at home” services that allow customers to have samples sent directly to their homes.

Mike’s Flooring and Design Center open for business (May 22, 2020) Taking into consideration the safety of his fellow citizens and employees and continuing to follow social distancing guidelines, Mike’s Flooring and Design Center, previously known as Mike’s Carpet Connection, is safely “open for business and here to serve you” as always.

For the past 25 years, Mike Strobel has successfully provided the Delmarva Mike Strobel area’s residential homeowners, custom home builders, contractors, as well as the Main Street commercial businesses with the quality products and services.

As the company has continued to serve the area through this unfortunate time, Strobel has also taken the time to refresh and update the inside of his showroom, continue to educate his staff in the areas of his business, and has decided to change the name of his business to “Mike’s Flooring and Design Center.”

Mike’s has always offered more floor covering choices (ceramic/porcelain tile, hardwood, waterproof luxury vinyl planks and tiles, laminate, vinyl, custom window

treatments, and interior design services) than just carpet, so Strobel saw it as a good time to make these improvements and reopen as “Mike’s Flooring and Design Center.”

Mike’s Flooring and Design Center also provides “shop at home” service.

Staff will bring samples directly to a client’s home. Or, if a customer knows what products they want, staff can safely provide them with a free estimate.

This allows clients the flexibility of not having to be at home for Mike’s to do an estimate, nor the installation.

All Mike’s needs to know is what areas in the home they would be working on and how they can gain access.

This service is tailored around the homeowner who needs to get their unit ready for the season or simply enhancing their residence but does not want to leave their home, or can’t make it to town.

This service is not new to Mike’s.

He has been providing it for the past 24 years.

Contact Mike’s Flooring and Design Center of Fenwick Island, Delaware, at 302-537-1899, visit www.mikesflooringanddesigncenter.com or email mike@mikesflooringanddesigncenter.com.

WORLD WAR II Continued from Page 50 greatly suffered.

On the afternoon of May 21, the British and Germans collided, with the Matildas essentially running over the German antitank guns and gunners.

They would do the same to the Italians in December in Egypt, at Sidi Barrani.

The British occupied the villages of Achicourt, Agny and Beaurains. Beaurains is located 3 miles south of the city, while Achicourt and Anna are located two miles southwest of the city.

By now, Rommel had recognized the danger, brought up the 88s and called in the Luftwaffe. Fortunately for the Germans, the 88 gun crews had been supplied with both anti-aircraft and antitank ammunition, while the designers had outfitted the guns with both sighting systems. The British advance was stopped, with the loss of 20 tanks.

The fight was renewed the next day. Tanks from the French 3rd Light Mechanized Division joined the British, but it was not enough. Gen. René Altmayer, commander of French V Corps, who thought that the war was lost, refused to support the offensive.

Although the Allied attacks had failed to cut the German column, it had cost Rommel’s division 40 tanks, 600 casualties and most of its antitank guns, while British casualties numbered 100. More importantly was the time it cost the Germans to beat back these Allied attempts. It bought additional time for Allied forces to assemble at Dunkirk for evacuation.

Without the delays caused by the

French and British attacks, the Germans probably would have occupied Dunkirk. These attacks also contributed to the German high command’s nervousness about the armor being so far ahead of the infantry.

There was constant tension between the high command and the panzer commanders, such as Rommel and Guderian, with the former always trying to reign in the latter, because they were afraid the panzers would get too far ahead of the infantry, get cut off and destroyed. Gen. Gerd von Rundstedt, commander of Armeegruppe “A,” making the dash to the English Channel, said later that, “A critical moment in the drive came just as my forces had reached the Channel.

It was caused by British counterstroke, southward from Arras, on May 21. For a short time, it was feared that the panzer divisions would be cut off before the infantry divisions could come up to support them. None of the French counter-attacks carried any serious threats such as this one did.”

The German warlord shared some of the high command’s concerns and these attacks undoubtedly contributed to his decision to, on May 24, order them to halt, which allowed the British Expeditionary Force to escape.

Next week: Dunkirk Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

PAGE 52

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

ON GUARD

OCBP ready to keep everyone safe

By Kristin Joson Contributing Writer (May 22, 2020) This offseason is one none of us will forget.

I know we are all ready to try to get back to some normalcy.

Once the first day of the summer season makes its glorious mark, I think it is safe to say that we are all about letting those sunny vibes flow.

Although we still might be getting use to the “new normal,” we still associate the beach with relaxation time.

We welcome the upcoming warm months, the season of endless possibilities and adventures that will be sure to include safety and social (physical) distancing.

We will begin with our annual prayer service to start the summer season. Historically, we would begin by gathering on the Boardwalk.

This year, we will move onto the beach to have more space, where we will pray for our residents, visitors, town leaders and elected officials for a safe and successful season for all of those involved with public safety and emergency response in the Ocean City area; the United States Coast Guard

Station Ocean City, the Ocean City Police Department, Ocean City Fire Department, and the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

We encourage members of these agencies and members of the community they serve to join us as we ask for protection for those who serve and for those they work to protect.

Anyone can come to this kickoff and everyone is invited.

Based on the past few months, this year’s prayer service may be the most appropriate of any of the past 22 years.

It will be located at Somerset Street on the beach at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 and we will be sure to practice our physical distancing with others.

Following the prayer service our season begins.

I know that everyone is anticipating that feeling of soaking up some Ocean City rays with the scent of the salty water air, the sound of crashing waves and sand between your toes. We have waited all winter and spring for this.

Ocean City expects to see over 8 million visitors this season and although we are expecting things to be different, rest assured that when you go on the beach you will see a reassuring sight that hasn’t changed, your surf rescue technician on their stand, just like “normal.”

We want everyone to enjoy their time at the beach and stay safe while experiencing adventures in the sun, and with a bit of education, it can be.

A relaxing beach weekend can turn sour with just one rogue wave or a careless mistake from a uniformed beach goer.

While most bad beach days end with little more than sunburn in need of a good slathering of Aloe Vera gel, serious injuries are more common than we’d like to believe.

At the beach when there is an emergency, seconds count and you can count on your surf rescue technician (SRT/lifeguard) to be there when and where you need them.

Ocean City employs over 200 surf rescue technicians that man the stands over 10 miles of beach.

Our lifeguards are the fastest, bravest, best trained lifeguards in the world, making thousands of rescues each summer.

With the help of Ocean City Today we will begin our weekly series of Beach and Ocean Safety Tips.

Before hitting the waves and to get you started off on the right “sandy” foot, here are a few tips to help you keep your beach trips as safe as can be.

• Only swim when a lifeguard is on duty.

PHOTO COURTESY KRISTIN JOSON

Ocean City Beach Patrol Crew Chief Rob Flynn scans the beach during his shift last summer.

He will again be in the area of the Clarion Hotel on 101st Street, managing his crew.

We are dedicated to guarding and maintaining safety along Ocean City’s beach seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

With that being said, let me remind you of one of our most important messages; “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguards in the stand!”

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PAGE 53

Ocean City Today

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Assateague Island National Now great time to sell home, Seashore partially reopened but take extra safety steps

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (May 22, 2020) Listing inventory is at record lows both around the country and in our local area, and buyer demand is coming back as the country eases restrictions, so it’s a great time to sell if you have been considering putting your home on the market.

With the pandemic and the knowledge that the less interaction/exposure you have to the virus, the less likely you are to contract it, listing your home does come with some extra steps to staying safe.

In addition to requiring that buyers and their agents wear masks, you can also provide disposable gloves and booties, along with disinfectant wipes at your entry door.

But, to be safe, sellers should wipe down all high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, tables, remotes, banisters, toilets, sinks and faucets after each showing.

Contact time is another key aspect of

County libraries to remain closed, but book returns open (May 22, 2020) All five Worcester County Library buildings remain closed, but plans are now in place for a gradual restarting of public services.

Beginning Monday, May 18 at 11 a.m., all branches will open up library book returns. Items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours to remove any contamination following recommendations from the State Library Resource Center.

Library staff will be available to answer phones Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Questions can also be sent to askus@worcesterlibrary.org or to its social media sites.

All library due dates have been extended until June 1 and the library is fine-free, so there are no overdue charges.

Items should be returned to the outside book drops so staff can safely handle materials. At this time, the library is not accepting any donations.

Contactless Curbside Pick-up service will begin sometime after Memorial Day. Virtual programs continue to be offered. A variety of classes are available to educate and enrich learners of all ages.

Some programs will be live on Facebook along with activities posted on Worcester County Library’s Instagram account.

Visit www.worcesterlibrary.org for more information.

surface sanitizing.

Disinfectants vary on how long it takes before you should wipe it off after spraying.

For instance, you want to leave a bleach solution on the surface for 10 minutes before wiping it off. And, the brand Microban, which offers 24-hour continual bacteria growth resistance, says to let its product stand for 60 seconds.

The EPA has these guidelines when choosing a disinfectant: • Check that your product is EPA-approved. Find the EPA registration number on the product. Then, check to see if it is on EPA’s list of approved disinfectants at: epa.gov/listn.

• Follow the product’s directions.

Check “use sites” and “surface types” to see where you can use the product.

• Find the contact time in the directions.

The surface should remain wet the whole time to ensure the product is effective.

• For disposable gloves, discard them after each time you clean. For reusable gloves, dedicate a pair to disinfecting covid-19. Wash your hands after removing the gloves.

— Lauren Bunting is an Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.

(May 22, 2020) Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Assateague Island National Seashore is increasing recreational access to beaches and nature trails.

The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the covid-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to gradually increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 17, Assateague Island National Seashore restored access to recreational beaches, parking areas and restrooms at North Beach, South Beach, Ferry Landing and Bayside Peninsula, and nature trails in the Maryland District.

For the Maryland District Over Sand Vehicle Zone (OSV) valid OSV permits are required. OSV permit sales will be available at the Maryland District visitor contact/ranger station.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/osv.htm.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time: Assateague Island National Seashore Visitor Center in the Maryland District and the Toms Cove Visitor Center in the Virginia District, as well as all front coun-

try and backcountry campgrounds.

While most outdoor areas will be accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased in and visitor services will be limited.

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, maximize physical distance from each other, avoid crowding in all areas, limit gatherings to less than 10 individuals and practice “Leave No Trace” principles.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Sick or vulnerable individuals should stay home.

Assateague staff will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of covid-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

For people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time, check out the virtual tours at Find Your “Virtual” Park!

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on its website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

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ON GUARD

Beach safety tips for ocean trips Continued from Page 52 The ocean is unpredictable and statistics show that most of the drownings in the world occur during a time when lifeguards are not on duty.

In Ocean City, over 95 percent of all drownings that have occurred in the near 90 years of the beach patrol, have occurred when guards were not on duty.

• Check in with the lifeguard.

We also encourage you to touch base with the lifeguard each time you visit to learn about current conditions.

Each day they write a beach or ocean tip on the back of their stand.

Be aware that currents will naturally push you down the shore, so make note of where you started. Try remembering a stable landmark like the lifeguard’s stand or a particular condo or building on shore.

Make a note of which way the current is moving. Return to that spot in the water regularly so you’re never far from a lifeguard.

Parents also have had moments of panic when suddenly there child is no longer where they last saw them, only to see them running back from a block down the beach, due to this long shore current.

• Watch for rip currents.

Waves don’t always break evenly along the shore. And when they don’t – when they break more strongly in some areas than others – it can cause a circulation in the water that produces a rip current.

They are the number one hazard for beach goers and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea.

If you see a current of choppy, off-colored water extending from the shore, steer clear. If you do get pulled out, stay calm, save your energy (let the current carry you for a while) and keep breathing.

Don’t try to swim against the current.

Gain your composure and start swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. Then, turn and swim diagonally toward the shore.

If you can’t make it to the shore, wave your arms and make noise so someone can see or hear you and get help.

The best advice, again, is to check in with the lifeguard. They can tell you the best place to swim and they have a nice description of how to spot rip currents on the back of their stand.

Remember, if the beach patrol is off duty and you get in trouble there is no one to save your life.

• Be aware of the waves.

They’re much more powerful than you think.

We have found that injuries resulting from strong waves can range from simple sprains, broken collarbones and dislocated shoulders to more serious injuries, including blunt organ trauma and spinal injuries (which can lead to paralysis).

Another culprit to be aware of is

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

shorebreak, or waves that break directly on shore (rather than breaking a few yards out and rolling in more slowly).

These waves in particular have the potential to cause serious neck and spinal injuries.

Never put your back to the waves (letting large waves impact your back can result in the same type of injury as a rear end auto collision).

Just be sure to check in with the surf rescue technician before hitting the surf to ask about the wave conditions for the day. Your lifeguard is more than happy to point out shorebreak and let you know when and where there is a safer place to swim.

• Sand holes can be dangerous.

People love to dig holes at the beach, but it can be dangerous because they can collapse on the people digging them.

Once a person is buried in the sand it is very difficult to dig them out. Even a small hole can trap you.

Just as a person can drown in a small amount of water, it doesn’t take a very deep hole to trap a child.

The rule followed by the beach patrol is that holes may only be as deep as the knee of the smallest person in the group. Lifeguards enforce the kneedeep policy for your safety.

• Stay sober.

Alcohol doesn’t only affect judgment, it can also dehydrate you, increasing the likelihood of heat-related sicknesses.

The beach may seem like a great place to relax and enjoy alcoholic beverages; however, it is both illegal and unsafe to do so.

Compounded by the heat, the dehydrating and disorienting effects of alcohol and impaired judgment, you can understand why Ocean City does not allow alcohol on its beach.

Alcohol depletes your body of the vital fluids it needs to keep you up and running throughout the day and it can also give swimmers a false sense of confidence when it comes to ocean swimming.

Almost every guard has a story about rescuing a swimmer who drank too much alcohol.

A person who has a healthy understanding of the ocean and their own swimming ability might not usually head out very far, but after a few drinks they might find themselves feeling braver.

They take risks they usually would not and can end up hurting themselves in any number of ways.

We know it’s tempting to enjoy a few Pina Coladas while soaking in the sun , but if you’re going to partake, make sure you are obeying the law, staying off the beach and steer clear of the surf and hydrate properly.

• Save your skin.

Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance for

developing melanoma (skin cancer) later in life.

Racking up more than five sunburns at any age also doubles the risk for melanoma.

Keep the burns at bay by slathering on a high quality broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 or higher (our guards use Panama Jack for sun protection).

Make sure you have a source of shade like hats, umbrellas and tents that are readily available, especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Remember, if you are using an umbrella for shade, you are responsible for its safe use. Never leave it unattended if you leave the beach and keep an eye on wind direction and changes in weather.

Your eyes can also be damaged by exposure to the suns UV rays, so never forget to wear a pair of high-quality sunglasses.

Lifeguards wear polarized glasses to help cut down the glare off the water and so they can see you better.

• What to bring and not to bring to the beach.

Always bring any medications that you might need in an emergency (epi pen, appropriate snack for diabetics, heart medication, etc).

Also, bring plenty of water because once you are thirsty you are already becoming dehydrated.

Don’t forget footwear, because on a hot day the sand can cause very serious second-degree burns by just crossing the beach to your towel.

Never bring valuables to the beach.

Leave them at home, in your condo or in your car and have an extra set of keys with you.

Keep the above tips in mind and have an action plan before hitting the waves.

Even if you’re heading to the pool or lake instead of the ocean, heed our warnings. Many of the tips above apply to hanging out near any body of water.

No matter where you’re headed, we’ve rounded up eight major safety tips to help you keep safe at the beach.

We’ll never know how many lives will be saved by the lifeguards’ vigilance, but you can help and do your part by reading our safety advice each week and sharing the information with others.

You are strongly encouraged to check in with the lifeguard each time you visit to learn about current conditions. Each day they write a beach or ocean tip on the back of their stand.

Let the summer adventures begin in Ocean City, and always remember to “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand!”

If you think you would like a position with the beach patrol, ask any of our surf rescue technicians or visit our website at www.ococean.com/ocbp.

We are still hiring for this summer. We have tests scheduled for May 24, 25 and 30. There is no certification required and we pay you $15.25 while we train you.

HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 After a misunderstanding with someone close, you may be licking your wounds, Aries. Don’t let one or two arguments derail your friendship.

Find a way to remedy things.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 If you are tired of taking one for the team, you may need to be more assertive in your work and social circles, Taurus. Set your limits and then stick with them.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Try not to commit to anything out of a sense of guilt, Gemini. Rather, commit to things for the right reasons, which might make you more likely to see them through to completion.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, as you step out of your comfort zone, think about figuring out some thrill-seeking ideas. Now is the time to push the envelope and really see the wild side.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You are often a force to be reckoned with, Leo. This week will be no different. You can direct your focus in any direction. So think clearly on what you want to do.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, are your aspirations in tune with your actions? Long-term goals come into focus, and you now have to set the course to realize all of your goals.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Honest and diplomatic communication may be needed at the office or your place of employment, Libra. Others may turn to you to be a mediator.

Put those skills to use.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, are you spreading yourself too thin? You probably have too many irons in the fire and will have to prioritize and pull back; otherwise, you may feel overwhelmed.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Check all of the balances in your accounts, Sagittarius. You may have to make very important financial decisions as they pertain to your family’s future.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, family dynamics may be a little strained lately. It may be time for family members to redefine their roles and boundaries. Things may be sorted soon.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you will support the people you feel closest to and be their ultimate champion. However, sometimes you need to step back and let others fight their own battles.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, normally you are a relatively friendly, easygoing person who is apt to reconcile quickly. But this week you could be out of sorts.

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 55

Assateague Coastal Trust to Community Foundation adds offer Swim Guide program Owens as office coordinator (May 22, 2020) For the ninth consecutive season, Assateague Coastal Trust and the Assateague Coastkeeper will offer the Swim Guide program to monitor bacteria levels in area waterways and keep the public informed on the health of the coastal bays.

The Swim Guide smart phone app allows people to find safe beaches and back bay areas to recreate on and enjoy their waterways in one easy place.

For beach goers, swimmers and surfers across the country, finding and enjoying beaches and local swimming holes has become much easier with Swim Guide, the free smart phone app (available from App Store, Google Play, or www.actforbays.org/watermonitoring.html/ As the only Waterkeeper Alliance member program on lower Delmarva, ACT’s Assateague Coastkeeper advocates for clean water that is swimmable and fishable for all.

The Assateague Coastkeeper boat is back on the water and patrolling area waterways. Water quality results will be made available to the public Friday, May 22, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, and then weekly each Friday from Memorial Day weekend

to Labor Day weekend.

Visitors to Worcester County and the coastal watershed are encouraged to observe current covid-19 recommendations for social distancing in public places such as kayak launch areas, boat ramps and when congregating on bayside beaches.

Contact the Coastkeeper for information about supporting additional areas to be monitored and reported in the Swim Guide App. Coastal bayside waterfront communities may contact Assateague Coastal Trust to find out how their swimming or water recreation areas can be monitored and added to the Swim Guide if they are interested.

Contact the Coastkeeper at 410629-1538 or coastkeeper@actforbays.org.

More information on the Swim Guide and app download instructions can be found at www.actforbays.org/water-monitoring.html.

The Assateague Coastal Trust’s mission is to promote and encourage the protection of the health, productivity, and sustainability of the coastal bays watershed of Delmarva through advocacy, education and conservation. Visit www.ACTforBays.org.

(May 22, 2020) Jennifer Owens has joined the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore as office coordinator.

She will lead the foundation’s frontfacing operations, customer service, meeting and conference coordination, and will offer executive office support.

Jennifer Owens Owens’ hire comes after the retirement of Patt Strausburg in early April after 17 years of service to the foundation.

“We are excited to have Jennifer join the Community Foundation,” said Erica Joseph, CFES president. “Her background in the nonprofit industry and business administration, coupled with her strong communication skills make her a perfect fit for this role.”

Her professional experience includes five years spent with the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake, where she quickly advanced in a variety of roles, as well as time spent as an administrative assistant, bookkeeper, sourcing analysist, and office manager, amongst other roles in her career.

Owens will be the first point of con-

Your Online Community: www.oceancitytoday.com

tact to community members calling or visiting the foundation offices.

“I am excited to join a team that makes such a great impact on our local team,” Owens said. “While integrating into a new role in the midst of a pandemic has been interesting, the CFES team has been welcoming and has worked to swiftly onboard me into their current remote operation.”

As leaders, grant makers, and stewards of philanthropy, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore connects people who care to causes that matter for the common good of the Lower Eastern Shore.

It is a 501c3 nonprofit with an inspiring history of fostering charitable endeavors, and has provided $84 million in grants and scholarships to the local community since 1984.

It collaborates with individuals, families and businesses to match their charitable interests with community needs and strengthens local nonprofits through grants and resources.

It is devoted to improving the regional community and believes in the power of philanthropy. For information, contact Victoria Kent, marketing officer, at 410-742-9911 or vkent@CFES.org.

PAGE 56

Ocean City Today

MAY 22, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Much to celebrate for Dyer family Editor, It has been a long winter and spring for John and Kitty Dyer of Bayshore Drive in Ocean City.

Last August, they celebrated their joint 90th birthdays with a huge family celebration. They also received the Key to the City in celebration of their long-time commitment to the town of Ocean City.

Over the winter, both John and Kitty battled illnesses and each was hospitalized on several occasions.

At the start of the pandemic, a decision was made to keep both at home and provide 24/7 care so that they could recover and rehab in a safe environment.

To facilitate their care, their daughter, Joanne, a longtime nurse, flew from

Now not time to politicize healthcare Editor, I hope that I read your newspaper correctly.

Am I to understand that our county commissioners stopped funding our local hospital because 30 percent of the patients served by Atlantic General’s emergency room came from Delaware?

A state a few miles away from AGH? A state AGH intended to serve when the hospital was built?

So 70 percent of AGH’s patients, most of whom are purportedly represented by our commissioners, therefore need to be punished by cutting AGH’s funding, to teach the State of Delaware and its residents a lesson.

Or, is the real reason for the cut Commissioner Joe Mitrecic’s dissatisfaction with the service he or a family member received during a visit?

One patient/commissioner was dissatisfied, so four commissioners decide to cut funding during the fourth year of a five-year commitment.

This seems like a good reason to cut operational and long-term campus funding for the other 117,000 patient interactions provided by AGH. No emergency room can meet every-

California and moved in to help.

In addition, her two adult children made the decision to travel long distances to assist their mother and provide much needed care for their grandparents.

David, a national paralympic snowboarder, decided to make the journey when his place of employment at Squaw Valley in California closed in early March.

An early riser, he is up with the sun and trains each morning so that he is able to help his grandparents during the day.

Catherine, a master’s degree candidate at Columbia University in New York, joined her family after an internship trip to Chile was canceled in March.

Her school moved classes to an online format so she has been able to help, while keeping up with her coursework from school.

It is now time to celebrate!

Both John and Kitty are on the mend thanks to the wonderful level of care that they have received from Joanne and her kids.

On Monday, May 18, John celebrated his 91st birthday. On Wednesday, May 20, Catherine [took] part in a virtual ceremony where she will receive her master’s degree from Columbia.

While these last few months have offered their share of trials and tribulations, [this] week will be a week of celebration for all!

Mary Beth Dyer Eastham, Massachusetts/Ocean City

John and Kitty Dyer

CROSSWORD

one’s emergency health needs, especially a rural ER which has over 37,000 annual patient interactions.

I feel fortunate that my family has always received exceptional service with our AGH ER visits, but AGH cannot be perfect.

But four commissioners address Mr. Mitrecic’s service complaint by cutting operational funding for those critical services.

Hospitals are at risk – the procedures and treatments that fund their operations have been suspended during this pandemic.

They are financially strapped without revenue sources while they are legally required to care for every infected or hurt person (including every Commissioner), without regard to ability to pay.

Our health care workers have endured incredible pressures and risk. We should be thanking them every day.

This is not the time to politicize healthcare or AGH, which appears to be precisely what happened.

This is the time to come together to showcase our assets. Quality healthcare is a quality of life asset, and something people consider when making a decision about where to live and where to retire.

Jim List Ocean City

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

R&R Although a bit windy and cool when the sun was behind the clouds, a number of people relax on boats docked at 22nd Street near Fish Tales restaurant, bayside, last Saturday.

Answers on page 8

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

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MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

OBITUARIES

CELEBRATING SGT. GREEN A memorial procession honoring Sgt. Charles “Chip” Green of the Ocean City Police Department was held on the Boardwalk, Wednesday. Green passed away on May 6, at the age of 47. He was currently the supervisor and assistant coordinator of the Mounted Unit. Sgt. Green and his horse, Benson, have been an icon on the Boardwalk for the past 10 years.

(Top) Pictured, from left, are PFC Joseph Laughlin standing with Benson, Sgt. Green’s horse; PFC Erika Rhode and Moose; PFC Jessica Johnson with Scout; PFC Corey Vincent and Tucker; and PFC Connor Finch with Trevor. Benson was walked

by PFC Laughlin with Sgt. Green’s boots placed backwards in the stirrups, a tradition called “riderless horse.” (Right) Chief Ross Buzzuro, right, (joined by Lt. James Grady) presents a flag and badge to Green’s brother, Brian, and sister, Samantha Green-Peach.

PHOTOS COURTESY BILL FUNKHOUSER

MARY VERHEY Berlin Kathleen Mary Verhey, at age 60, went to be with God, and at long last her brother, Johnny, on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland.

Born in Westwood New Jersey, she was the daughter of Veronica Weinheimer Mary Verhey and the late Francis Weinheimer, but she will always be remembered as our mother and our Noni.

She is survived by her loving husband of 12 years, Arthur Verhey, and her children, Melinda, Richie, Teresa and Tommy, as well as their spouses, Brendan and Mark.

She is also survived by her stepchildren, Zach, Laurel and Cassandra, and their spouses, Annie, Cameron and Kyle.

Our Noni lives on the most, however, through her seven grandchildren, Layla, Makenna, Anthony, Victoria, Tyler, Ella and Skylar.

Her greatest love was spending time with them and helping them grow into the wonderful people they are and will continue to be.

Standing tall with her in the best and worst of times throughout her whole life too, were her siblings, TJ, Jimmy, Michael, David and Barbara, along with her in-laws, Ann and Kelly, and her nieces and nephews that were all like her children to her.

Mom worked for the United States Postal Service for decades and wore her profession like a badge of honor.

Some of our best memories are of her coming home in that blue postal polo.

She enjoyed the ocean and walking on the Boardwalk, fulfilling her lifelong dream of living in her beloved Ocean City by the water.

Missed almost as much as her, is Noni’s cooking as well. You knew you were family if she ever made you poor-man’s pie.

Kathy’s biggest legacy, other than her family, was her endless charity work, always helping others when she could.

She was a proud participant of meals on wheels and D.A.R. Her kindness and giving knew no ends, just like her love.

No formal services are planned at this time, because Noni will be having a celebration of life once the weather is a little warmer, and the world is a little calmer. When the time comes, all of our family and friends are welcome, and all of you will be Irish on that day.

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

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, who we thank immensely for helping us through these hard times.

We love you mom, we love you Continued on Page 59

MAY 22, 2020

Ocean City Today

PAGE 59

OBITUARIES Noni. Our angel finally has her wings BARBARA ANN PARRISH Ocean City Barbara Ann Parrish, age 77, died on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Born in Whiteville, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Pauline and Captain Reaves.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Darrell (Bud) Mason Parrish, and children, Barbara Parrish Donna Reeder and her husband, Leonard, of Glen Burnie, and Keith Parrish and his wife, Deana, of Sykesville, Maryland.

She has five beloved grandchildren, Brandon, Nicole, Benjamin, Anna and Luke.

She is also survived by her twin sister, Sally (Peggy) Garber, and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara, or Pat as she was known to friends, had worked for the Southland Corporation (7-Eleven) for 27 years prior to her retirement and move to Ocean City, Maryland.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was always ready for a game of putt putt or cards.

She also enjoyed shopping for her children and grandchildren.

She was always the most gracious hostess when anyone visited her and Bud in Ocean City. She really enjoyed having friends and family visit.

Though Pat’s health was failing for years, few people knew the extent to which she struggled.

Her joy for life, love for her children and grandchildren, and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain.

Her and her husband, Bud, would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this October. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service and celebration of her life is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Letters of condolences may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

A donation in her memory can be made to Coastal Hospice at: https://coastalhospice.org/make-adonation.

RAYMOND J. KRAMER Ocean City Raymond J. Kramer, age 87, of Ocean City, died Sunday, April 26, 2020, at Macky and Pam Stansell House in Ocean Pines.

He was born in Baltimore and was the son of the late Joseph M. and Anna M. (Kawecki) Kramer.

He retired from Peterson, Howell and Heather Leasing as a service manager. He was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Ocean City and was a U.S. Army veteran.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary LaVerne Kramer of

Ocean City; a son, Christopher Kramer of Bel Air, Maryland; and a grandson, Grant Kramer.

Services and burial will be private in Bel Air, Maryland.

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

PAUL CHARLES CORBETT, SR. Ocean Pines Paul Charles Corbett, Sr., 82 of Ocean Pines, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020.

Paul was born in Baltimore on June 7, 1937 to Ruth Palardy Corbett, and Stephen Van Lill Corbett, Sr. Paul was one of seven brothers who all graduated from Paul Corbett, Sr. Calvert Hall College High School, and later received his bachelor’s degree from Loyola College in Baltimore.

Throughout high school and college he was an avid basketball player.

He also loved playing tennis for many years, including as a member of the Hunt Valley Golf Club and Ocean Pines Tennis Club, and relished acting with the Ocean Pines Players.

Paul was a born salesman and worked for Koppers Co./Environmental Elements Corp. and a number of paper companies, including Erving Paper Mills in Massachusetts where

he was national sales manager.

In recent years, he was proud to be a front-of-the-house manager at Fager’s Island in Ocean City where he thrived on getting to know the customers and staff.

He hosted Sunday brunch and was nicknamed “Mr. Brunch.” Paul loved to make people smile, whether through welcoming them to Fager’s, or telling jokes with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bobbie) Beatty Corbett; sons and daughters, Anne Denise Corbett Cross (Bruce), Chuck Corbett, Kevin Corbett (Amy) and Nancie Corbett; stepsons, Steve Ports (Elaine) and Doug Ports (Julie); and 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He is also survived by his six brothers, Stephen (Betty), David, James (Barbara), Robert (Linda), King (Pat) and Jack.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Burbage Funeral Home, Berlin, Maryland will be assisting the family.

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

ROBIN F. DERRICKSON Ocean City Robin was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Norton and Phyllis Fowler on Jan. 22, 1940.

She married the late Jack Derrick-

son.

She worked as a director and crisis minister for Ocean City Crisis Coalition.

She was heavily involved in the Cold Robin Derrickson Weather Shelter.

She had such a large impact in the community. She touched many people’s hearts and changed so many lives.

She will always be remembered through the kind actions and compassionate people who were so blessed to have known her, who will continue her work and help the community as she has.

She passed away on May 17, 2020, in Ocean City, Maryland.

Robin is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Dale, John and Lorie Derrickson; along with her grandchildren, Alicia, Megan and husband, Anthony Blanton, Dustin, Shelby and fiancé, Ian, Joshua and Fiancé, Brittany, and Taylor and husband, Kyle Ailstock; and great-grandchildren, Aylah, Anthony Jr., Kinsley, Mason and Dawson.

Funeral services will not be held at this time. Arrangements will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Ocean City Crisis Coalition at: 12637 B Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Ocean City Today

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MAY 22, 2020

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