Residents speak out on boat ramp use ahead of county vote

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(July 28, 2023) Perhaps as soon as next month, the Worcester County Commissioners will decide what to do with boat ramp use regulations, a move that will address what has become a tense situation at some of the county’s public landings.

Last week, the commissioners tabled a vote on a new ordinance for boat ramps that would allow commercial users access to boat ramps so long as certain stipulations are satisfied. Currently, commercial users technically are not allowed but the county has a longstanding tradition of not enforcing the code to the letter of the law.

In South Point, a homeowners association at the end of Stephen Decatur Highway and its residents have long been at odds with charter captain Marc Spagnola, whose business they say is the precipice of what will be a slippery slope toward an unregulated summertime mess.

Natural Resources, I’ve leased out to crabbers, other charter people. None of it has ever been true. It’s just false.”

Spagnola said that he tries to be a courteous user of the ramp at the end of South Point Road, helping someone out if they need it. The only incident close to a confrontation that he’s had was when someone penned a disapproving letter and left it on his truck several years ago.

“I’m not selling a product or transporting merchandise,” Spagnola said. “I’m not commercial. They’ve twisted this to (make it fit their needs).”

Stelzner, however, doesn’t see Spagnola’s designation as exonerating. Many commercial users are in and out and use the ramps very sporadically, like when they make a sale. Spagnola, on the other hand, is a constant presence.

“If we’re going to continue (to let businesses like Spagnola’s use county ramps), we need a permit system for each ramp. We need to treat South Point and anyone else who comes here — but no one else does (save for) one crabber — everyone equally.”

Stephen Katsanos

“He’s the elephant sticking his foot underneath the circus tent,” said resident and South Point Association Secretary Diane Stelzner. “He’s the first and he won’t be the last.”

“He’s been lucky so far (but) the residents overwhelmingly want no commercial use down there.”

Spagnola operates Dusk To Dawn Bowfishing, which specializes in bowhunting sting rays. According to his website, his charter charges $800 per boat for a five-hour trip for up to four bow fishing anglers and $1,100 for eight hours. He promotes May through September as the ideal window to book a trip. Fishing licenses are not required for “stingray hunts,” as the website describes it.

But Spagnola has pushed back on the narrative that some of the South Point residents have promoted, including one particular rumor that he’s only their issue because the Ocean Pines Association barred him from using its private boat ramp.

“I have never ever had a conversation with Ocean Pines about boating there,” Spagnola said. “I live there. (SPA president) Michael LeCompte … pretty much started a public meeting with the residents at the boat ramp a few weeks ago saying I had been run out of Ocean Pines and they’re keeping me out of there. None of that is true. Over the years the emails from (SPA to its residents) have said I’ve had run-ins with the Department of

“He’s more of a concessionaire than a boat dealer,” she said. “If a food truck came up, they’d have to be licensed.”

Stephen Katsanos, Stelzner’s husband, said that a significant aspect of the issue is that boaters like Spagnola are a drain on the public ramps.

“If you look at the revenue that goes into building these ramps, the recreational fishing licenses by far pay for the ramps,” Katsanos said. “The guide fees are minimal in comparison.”

Katsanos said he spoke with Spagnola at length earlier this month and the conversation was “very civil,” and that the only issue he communicated is that Spagnola seems to be the only one who won’t “abide by the rules.”

“That’s why we’re here now,” Katsanos said. “I fully agree that … we need enforceable rules that are applicable to everyone.”

“If we’re going to continue (to let businesses like Spagnola’s use county ramps), we need a permit system for each ramp. We need to treat South Point and anyone else who comes here — but no one else does (save for) one crabber — everyone equally. This is no different than someone who buys a booth at Sunfest.”

Though the residents insist that his presence has been a constant headache, Spagnola said he’s not at the ramps for long.

“I’ve had no interactions other than helping people who need help,” he said. “Normally I’m in and out in five minutes. I don’t hang out there. I drop the boat in the water and go about my business.”

The county commissioners have yet to reschedule the vote.