Worcester County

Voters to decide fate of bond for proposed sports complex

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer

Voters will have the opportunity during the Nov. 6 General Election to determine whether to allow Worcester County to issue bonds to pay for the construction of a new sports complex on land near Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin.

Question A on the ballot is a Local Referendum by Petition on the bond issuance for design and construction costs of a Worcester County Sports Complex. The question asks voters to determine whether the County Commissioners may finance a portion of the costs of designing and constructing a Worcester County Sports Complex by issuing a bond.

The issue was brought to referendum by the People for Fiscal Responsibility Committee after the commissioners voted to move forward with issuing bonds to pay $11 million for the purchase of land sports complex project.

This spring the commissioners introduced a flurry of bond bills, including ones to fund the sports complex purchase. They had to pull all of the bills due to an advertising error, but opted not to reintroduce the one relating to the sports complex.

With Ocean Pines’ representatives continuing to oppose the project, in September a majority of commissioners voted to extend their $7.1 million contract for the purchase of land to Jan. 31, 2023.

The county approved the property purchase settlement extension to give the commissioners time to identify a funding source for the proposed purchase of property for the sports complex.

Vince Gisriel, chairman of People for Fiscal Responsibility Committee, in a September letter to the county said that in order to purchase the land the commissioners must pass a resolution or bill.

“I submit that a land purchase which facilitates a major capital project requires a resolution or bill, to be voted upon, and only after proper advanced, advertised notice; and thus, subject to referendum by the people.” A majority of the commissioners voting to enter into a contract for the land acquisition following a public hearing doesn’t meet that criteria, he said.

Gisriel also argued that the actual contract of sale, which was not seen by all commissioners before its signing, should be signed only after a separate resolution or bill is adopted. “Again, in my opinion, a simple voice vote is not sufficient.”

He also questioned why the county signed a contract to purchase the land for $7.15 million, when the capital improvement plan showed land projected at $2.38 million.

Commissioner races

Only one of the races for a commissioner seat in District 1 is contested in the General Election. Incumbent Democrat Josh Nordstrom faces off against Republican challenger Caryn Abbott.

Ocean Pines area Republican Commissioners Chip Bertino, District 5, and Jim Bunting, District 6, face no general election competition. Democrat Diana Purnell retained her District 2 seat, while Republican newcomer Eric Fiori captured the District 3 seat being vacated by long-time Commissioner Bud Church. District 4 Republican Commissioner Ted Elder fended off several primary challengers to keep his seat, and District 7 Republican Commissioner Joe Mitrecic faced no competitors in the primary.

Legislative races

Republican Wayne Hartman, District 38C representative in the House of Delegates, has no competition in the general election. Incumbent Republican Senator Mary Beth Carozza will face off against Democratic challenger Michele Gregory.

Board of Education races

In the District 6 Board of Education race, Nate Passwaters faces off against Katie Ann Addis. The District 5 seat is not up for election this year.

Other races

Republicans Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli, State’s Attorney Kris Heiser, Clerk of the Court Susan Richardson Braniecki and Register of Wills Terri Delaney Wescott are all unopposed in their bids for their respective seats. Republica candidates for Judges of the Orphan’s Court, Mike Diffendal, Linda Hess, and Cheryl Jacobs, are all also unopposed.

September financials

From Page 40 the Beach Clubs’ net earnings were $196,819.

Although the beach parking generated relatively little in earnings during September, it is one of the OPA’s top three net earners for the year. Its operating surplus in September was $6,496, with a negative variance to budget of $20.

But for the year through September, beach parking has netted $240,105, ahead of budget by $84.259. Through September, beach parking netted $447,981, ahead of budget by $18,453. Through September of 2021, beach parking netted $423,582.

Although it dropped into negative territory in September, aquatics continues to out-perform. It lost $45,613 for the month, but that was ahead of budget by $5,426. For the year through September, Aquatics was in the black by $304,396 with a positive variance to budget of $120,068. Aquatics is ahead of year’s last’s net by about $100,000.

Last year’s Aquatics net at the end of September was $228,485.

Marina operations also tapered off in September, with net revenue of $2,255. But that was

Other state races

With Larry Hogan terming out, voters have a choice between Republican Dana Cox and running mate Gordana Schifanelli and Democrat Wes Moore and running mate Aruna Miller, and a handful of minor party candidates.

The comptroller’s race is between Republican Barry Glassman and Democrat Brooke Elizabeth Lierman.

The attorney general’s race is up for grabs between Republican Michael Anthony Peroutka and Democrat Anthony Brown.

Republican Chris Chaffee is battling Democrat Chris Van Holden for the U.S. Senate seat, while Republican incumbent Andy Harris is facing Democrat Heather Mizeur and Libertarian Daniel Frank Thibeault for First District representative in Congress.

Voters are also asked to vote on continuance in office for the Stuart Berger and Terrence M.R. Zic for judges of the Court of Special Appeals.

Other ballot questions

A series of other constitutional amendments are on the ballot as well. Topping the list is Question 4 asking voters “Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age on or after July 1, 2023, in the State of Maryland?”

Other questions relate to changing the name of Maryland appellate courts, and asking voters to change the requirements for civil jury trials. Another question adds an eligibility requirement that to serve as a senator or a delegate to the Maryland General Assembly, a person must maintain a primary place of abode in the district that the person has been chosen to represent.

ahead of budget by $17,688.

For the year through September, marinas netted $269,991, ahead of budget by $34,844. A year ago through September, marinas netted $269,156 for the OPA, about the same as this year’s cumulative net earnings.

Pickleball continues to be leader among the three racquet sports, both in net earnings and positive variance to budget. But tennis and platform are holding their own.

Pickleball is the leader through September with $59,294 in net earnings and a positive variance to budget of $15,686. A year ago through August, pickleball had netted $47,077 for the OPA.

Reserve summary -- The Sept. 30 reserve summary indicates total reserves of $8.819 million, compared to $$8.513 million in August, $9.159 million in July, $9.385 million in June and $9.624 million at the end of May.

The replacement reserve balance as of Sept. 30 was $6.03 million, with bulkheads and waterways at $1.354 million, roads at $1,054,841, drainage at $252,767, and new capital at $129,429.

The roads reserve received a one-time infusion of funds resulting in Board approval of a transfer of funds from the operation fund surplus.