INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . 45A CLASSIFIED . . . . . . . . . . 8C ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . 5B LEGALS . . . . . . . . . . . . 12C
LIFESTYLE . . . . . . . . . . . 1B OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . 20A OUT&ABOUT . . . . . . . . . 17B SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . 40A
ST PATRICK’S DAY
SALARY ISSUE: It’s that time
Mark the end of winter in fine style while celebrating all things Irish this weekend in Ocean City PAGE 1B
again, when Ocean City Today publishes city government W2 wages, from top to bottom PAGE 1C
Sheryl Crow
FREEMAN STAGE ANNOUNCES SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE…PAGE 12A
Ocean City Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
MARCH 15, 2013
FREE WORCESTER COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Movin’ on up!
County schools will announce Teacher of Year ZACK HOOPES ■ Staff Writer
The final stages of Boardwalk reconstruction are under way, with the wooden promenade having been rebuilt up to about Ninth Street. The current phase of renovation will go up to 15th Street, above which was rebuilt last winter. The project includes not only re-decking, but also extensive renovation of the supporting substructure to include concrete rails, which will help bear the weight of the tram. As of the city’s last tally, the project was also a whopping $1.65 million under budget, due to the contractor’s ability to re-sell the used OCEAN CITY TODAY/ZACK HOOPES decking instead of having the city pay to dispose of it.
RESORT FIRE COMPANY GETS ITS MOU A long time in coming, agreement with volunteers was about command structure ZACK HOOPES ■ Staff Writer (March 15, 2013) After a considerable period of limbo, the Town of Ocean City has renewed its memorandum
of understanding with the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, ensuring that the volunteer division of the multi-pronged Ocean City Fire Department will remain steadfast in the ongoing ten-
sion over the organization’s hierarchy. OCVFC President Cliff Christello signed the agreement at this week’s City Council session along with Mayor Rick Meehan, who praised “the intangible and immense benefit that all such charitable and volunteer associations contribute.”
“It’s refreshing to have something like this that we can continue to do,” Christello said. “It reinforces to us that the mayor and council will continue to work with us, and want us to be here.” The substantive change to the MOU, city officials said, is that it removes OCFD Chief
(March 15, 2013) Worcester County will reveal its champion teacher for 2013 next Friday during the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, held at the Clarion in Ocean City as part of the larger state-level contest to determine who will be Maryland’s educational ambassador for the year. “It’s a great way to celebrate the teaching profession and exceptional teachers,” said county schools’ Director of Special Programs Barb Witherow. “Oftentimes our teachers are unsung heroes.” Every year, the state of Maryland charges each of its 24 school districts — 23 counties, plus Baltimore City — with selecting a top teacher to serve as a candidate alongside teachers from other districts in the contest for Maryland Teacher of the Year. Although the state does not dictate exactly how the districts are to select their candidate, Worcester’s process mirrors a similar rubric to what its winning teacher will face at the state level. At each of the county’s 14 public schools, according to Witherow, a selection committee of administrators is formed to receive nominations for that school’s best teacher. Nominations can be made by students, parents and fellow teachers. Following a review, the administrative panel selects one nominee to represent the school at the county level. At the point, the process becomes much more intensive, Witherow said. “Ours mirrors almost exactly what the state requires; however, it is a little more stringent,” she noted. The 14 finalists must submit an extensive portfolio of their work experience, which will also be used if they advance to the state level. But beyond that, each of Worcester’s candidates is interviewed by a six-person panel, consisting of four education specialists from local universities, as well as one retired veteran teacher Continued on Page 8A
See LARMORE on Page 10A
D E T A I L S O N 0A G E