Feb. 18

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February 18, 2022

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See Page 13 • Rendering by Becker Morgan Group

Contractors Seeking Pay Increases

Boardwalk Project: The first phase of the Boardwalk reconstruction project continues in Ocean City with the south part of the promenade currently being tackled.

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See Page 15 • Photo by Charlene Sharpe

Seaside Boat Show Returns To OC

See Page 26 • File Photo

Cutest Pet Of The Month The winner of last month’s Cutest Pet of the Month Contest was Buxton, a 3month-old chocolate lab owned by the Fager family.

See page 49 for this month’s contestants.

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February 18, 2022

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Town’s Plans To Increase Room Tax Placed On Hold

February 18, 2022

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SNOW HILL – The Town of Ocean City’s plans to increase room tax have been put on hold until next year.

Though the Worcester County Commissioners agreed in January to ask the state for the ability to raise the room tax – an initiative pushed by the Town of Ocean City – they confirmed this week it would not happen this legislative session.

“It’s something that’s probably going to be looked at next year,” said Commissioner Joe Mitrecic.

After increasing the room tax from 4.5% to 5% in 2019, resort officials last year asked the county to seek the authority to raise the room tax to up to 6%.

In January, the commissioners agreed to ask for a change in state law that would give the county the authority to increase the tax. As Del. Wayne Hartman prepared the legislation, however, officials learned that the proposed change would need the support of three other Eastern Shore counties – Kent, Caroline and Queen Anne’s. That’s because Worcester is a code home rule county. While that gives the county broad legislative authority, under the state’s constitution code counties are not allowed to levy any tax without a general law enacted that applies to all code counties in their class.

Worcester is clustered with Kent, Queen Anne’s and Caroline counties. As a result, the county needs their support on the legislation.

“By the time we got working on this there was not enough time to build the consensus we need,” said Weston Young, the county’s chief administrative officer.

“We will be working with our fellow code home rule counties on the Eastern Shore to try to make this bill successful during the next legislative session.”

When asked why this wasn’t an issue the last time room tax was raised, Mitrecic said it was because at that time, moving from 4.5% to 5%, the county’s 5% room tax cap wasn’t being exceeded.

“In order for that cap to be moved, we’re a code county, we have to have the concurrence of the other code counties on the Eastern Shore,” he said. “We cannot ask for a change in the legislation unless they agree also.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said at a meeting Tuesday the resort would work with the county to be ready for the next session. Meehan was asked if there was hope for getting the room tax increase in place for 2024.

“If we get this passed and the state approves it in the next legislative session,” he said. “That’s the reason we wanted to authority to go to that level, so when we were ready to do it, we could do it on January 1 so it would not throw everything out of balance. In all likelihood, if we get the concurrence during the next legislative session, the earliest we could pass that would then be January of 2024. That’s more realistic.”

(Managing Editor Shawn Soper contributed to this story.)

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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“GHOSTS IN THE SURF”

Page 6

Council Supports Bay Bridge Plan

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Resolution Calls For 8-Lane Span

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

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February 18, 2022

OCEAN CITY – While the state continues to wrestle with alternative Chesapeake Bay bridge crossings, resort officials this week lent their support for a replacement eight-lane span at the existing location.

For the last few years, the Maryland Transportation Authority has been exploring options to replace the existing William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay. The state legislature has approved funding for a two-tiered study for the best options, the first of which has been completed.

Options explored have included replacing the existing spans along Route 50 that run between Queen Anne’s County at the eastern terminus and Anne Arundel County at the western terminus. Other options have included a new crossing in southern Maryland connecting that area of the state to the lower Eastern Shore, or a new crossing north on the existing spans.

On Tuesday, at the request of both Queen Anne’s and Anne Arundel counties, the Mayor and Council approved a

resolution supporting a replacement of the existing spans in their current locations. Mayor Rick Meehan pointed out while jurisdictions on both sides of the bay will ultimately be affected by whatever plans for a new crossing are finally approved, Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s stand the most to lose or gain.

“We were requested to support this by the other counties and the reason I feel support is warranted is the fact that it is supported by the counties that are directly affected,” he said. “These are the counties where the bridge will reside basically.”

Meehan said the request to support the resolution came from both counties, but the final decision could have an impact on Ocean City.

“I’ve never been one, and I don’t think the council is either, to interfere with local jurisdictions or their decisions,” he said. “In this case, we are being asked to support the decision and the preferences of those local jurisdictions. Of course, in the long-range and in the future, the expansion and the track they are trying to do here with a third bridge certainly will benefit the Town of Ocean City as well.”

The original two-lane bridge was completed in 1952, and at the time was the longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973 and the two bridges remain in the same place today.

According to the resolution, the five lanes of the Bay Bridge that currently cross the Chesapeake Bay have not been adequate to effectively manage peak period traffic for many years and the approaching six-lane segments of Route 50 are not geometrically compatible with the five lanes crossing the bay.

As a result, MDOT frequently opens one lane in either direction in an effort to compensate for traffic demands during times of peak congestion with a plan called contraflow. Even with contraflow efforts, the congestion has now become routine in both directions and traffic often backs up for miles.

According to the resolution approved by the Mayor and Council on Tuesday, “the best solution to maintain forward progress, support the investments already made along the US Route 50301 corridor, specifically from I-97 to MD 404, and address the existing and future traffic capacity shortfalls is to replace the current two spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with a single new replacement bridge, constructed at the same location, that includes a minimum of eight travel lanes to provide adequate capacity and dependable and reliable travel times.”

The council voted unanimously to support the resolution calling for a new eight-lane span roughly in the location of the existing Bay Bridge spans.

County Officials Seek Change In School Mask Policy

February 18, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials urged the Maryland State Board of Education this week to rescind the mask requirement for public schools.

On Monday, the Worcester County Commissioners sent a letter to the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBOE) expressing support for Gov. Larry Hogan’s call to end the mask requirement in public schools. The MSBOE is expected to review the mask mandate at its Feb. 22 meeting.

“Because Maryland now has one of the highest vaccination rates for adults and children, coupled with the lowest COVID-19 case rate in the nation, we recognize that it is critical to return normalcy to the classroom by no longer requiring students and faculty to wear masks,” the letter signed by Joe Mitrecic, president of the commissioners, reads. “This will reestablish an optimal learning environment for all school-age children.”

Last week, Hogan wrote to the MSBOE applauding the board’s efforts to support in-person instruction but said it was now time to move toward normalcy for students by rescinding the masking policy adopted in December 2021.

“We must all learn to live with this virus, not in fear of it,” he wrote.

Hogan cited the growing number of medical professionals and health officials now calling for the elimination of the temporary masking measures. He reiterated that message in an interview on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had created confusion with its delayed decision making.

“We were at the White House with all the governors, a week or so ago, and it is nearly universal, bipartisan support for moving forward and putting this thing behind us and not living in fear of the virus but finding a way to live with it…,” he said on CNN. “The kids have suffered so much, and I think the CDC will likely have to take action, but in the meantime, I believe our schools, our state Board of Education is going to act in the next week or so to move forward and take masks off the kids. We’re at the point now where kids are having a difficulty catching up and learning. We had all the closures, people working remotely, now working with masking. I think it’s safe enough for our kids to get back to normal.”

In their letter to the MSBOE, the commissioners expressed similar concerns.

“On behalf of the Worcester County Commissioners, I am writing to voice our strong support of Governor Larry Hogan’s request for the Maryland State Board of Education to rescind the mask requirement in Maryland public schools,” the letter reads. “We recognize the wearing of masks during the height of the pandemic was a critical component in assuring that faculty, staff and students remained safe and school facilities remained open for in-person learning, which is critical to the academic and social success of our youth.”

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The county’s education officials are hoping to be able to make decisions regarding issues like masking locally. Noting the commissioners had written to the state, the Worcester County Board of Education agreed Tuesday to petition MSBOE as well.

“As superintendent I think this is appropriate to support our county commissioners,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said.

School board members want to see COVID-19 guidance reconsidered.

“It’s been a long haul here for two years, off and on,” said Elena McComas, president of the school board. “Worcester County has kept our schools open more than anyone else in the state of Maryland despite all of the mandates, etc. It’s time to get back to normal, it really is.”

Other board members agreed. Board member Bill Gordy pointed out most of

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the current protocols had been developed at the start of the pandemic.

“The quarantine standards now were set when the pandemic was really surging,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to send letters to both MSBOE and the Maryland Department of Health asking that decision making regarding health and safety protocols be returned to local school boards.

“While we recognize the important role that face masks have played in keeping our students and staff safe during the height of the pandemic, we feel strongly that the significant improvement in statewide metrics coupled with Maryland’s high vaccination rates indicate that decisions regarding health and safety protocols for schools should be returned to the local educational agencies (LEAs),” the letter to MSBOE reads.

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“We remain grateful to you, the Maryland Department of Health, and the State Legislature for taking the necessary steps to protect public health not only through the Omicron spikes of COVID19, but throughout the entire pandemic.

It is now time for local LEAs to demonstrate our leadership by continuing to protect our students and staff in the ways that our school system communities determine to be the most effective.”

The letter to the state’s health officials references the letter to MSBOE and questions having local boards adopt recommendations from the CDC. “By requiring school systems to adopt these recommendations in their return plans, local education agencies’ (LEAs) ability to design their own protocols and procedures to keep students in school is significantly limited,” the letter to the Maryland Department of Health reads.

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Parcel Sought For Berlin Community Center County Bond Bill Includes

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials are hoping a county-owned parcel could be added to the site being considered for a community center.

The Town of Berlin asked the Worcester County Commissioners this week for a 3.4-acre lot near the multi-purpose building on Flower Street. Municipal leaders would like to combine the county parcel with property owned by the town and property owned by the Berlin Community Improvement Association to create a 6.5acre site for a new community center.

“At a high level, the county owns property behind the SHORE UP facility off Flower Street and the Town of Berlin’s interested in acquiring that,” Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young said.

While Mayor Zack Tyndall wasn’t present at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting,

a letter he sent to the commissioners outlines the town’s plan to combine multiple properties to create a 6.5-acre site for a community center.

Tyndall wrote that the town was working with the Berlin Community Improvement Association (BCIA) and SHORE UP to combine four parcels—one owned by the town, one owned by the county and two owned by BCIA—to create a larger site for the much-anticipated community center. The county site being sought by the town is made up of open space as well as an offline wetland the county let the town build to help reduce flooding in the area.

The commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing on the request.

Berlin leaders have been talking about a community center for years and in recent months have taken steps toward making it a reality. In the fall, the town spent $45,000 to purchase a half-acre lot adja-

cent to the BCIA parcels containing the multi-purpose building and SHORE UP’s facility. In the months since, town leaders have been working with BCIA representatives to advance plans for combining the properties so a community center can be built at what was once the site of the historic Flower Street School.

According to a statement Tyndall shared on social media, the town will continue to meet with the BCIA to work toward combining its two parcels.

While it’s too soon for details of the new facility to be known, Tyndall said it would include classrooms for SHORE UP as well as community meeting space.

“The community center will create a safe environment where residents can gather to learn, play, and celebrate,” Tyndall said in his statement. “It is the goal to create a multigenerational facility that will meet the needs of the youngest to the oldest members of our community.”

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$11M For Sports Complex

February 18, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials narrowly approved a list of bond bills that includes $11 million for a sports complex.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-3 to introduce bond bills related to six major projects.

Those who opposed the bill objected to the inclusion of $11 million designated to go toward a sports complex.

“I don’t know how we can advance forward with a sports complex,” Commissioner Jim Bunting said. “We don’t know anything. It may be the best thing in the world… but without knowing what it is going to cost, we have not had any definite facts to prove that it’s going to make one penny. This is all just thoughts.”

Phil Thompson, the county’s finance officer, presented the commissioners this week with a list of projects meant to be funded with a general obligation bond.

Projects referenced included the $10 million addition at Stephen Decatur Middle School, a roof replacement at Snow Hill Middle and Cedar Chapel Special School, improvements at the jail, an Ocean Pines wastewater project, a public safety logistical storage facility and a sports complex.

The commissioners have been talking about a sports complex for the past five years and in recent months have begun negotiating with owners of properties that could be suitable.

Commissioner Chip Bertino said he couldn’t support the bill when it included $11 million for a sports complex.

“We haven’t vetted that, we have no plan, all the things we’ve talked about before,” he said. “I think it’s premature to say that we’re going to spend taxpayer dollars without having had a public hearing on that particular issue, the sports complex. We have no land, partnership, none of that stuff.”

Bertino made a motion to approve the bill without the sports complex included.

Other commissioners objected.

“I feel removing that would be contrary to what the county really wants to do,” Commissioner Bud Church said.

Commissioners Josh Nordstrom and Diana Purnell agreed. Bunting, however, echoed Bertino’s concerns. He added that the property the commissioners were considering for a complex was in the county, not in the Town of Berlin.

“I would assume we’re going to have to figure out how we’re going to handle it with sewer and water,” he said. “We don’t know what that’s going to cost.”

He added that the bond bill stated it was to finance “a portion” of the cost of the project.

“We’re admitting right here we don’t know what the project’s going to cost,” he said.

Bertino’s motion to approve the list of projects without the sports complex failed with just three votes of support. A motion to approve the bond projects as presented passed 4-3, with Bertino, Bunting and Commissioner Ted Elder opposed. A public hearing on the bond bills is expected to be held March 15.

Officials Consider New Space For State’s Attorney’s Office

February 18, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials continue to explore the possibility of moving a portion of the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office to Ocean City.

Since the Town of Ocean City offered space to the state’s attorney’s office as it expands in preparation for the implementation of police body camera programs, several Worcester County Commissioners have toured the location.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said there were still questions that needed to be answered and that the board would be discussing the proposal in the future.

“We’re going to put the space up in Ocean City back on the agenda once we get all the details in front of us,” he said.

Commissioner Chip Bertino brought the issue up at the end of Tuesday’s meeting, citing concerns he had after touring the offered space. The town said State’s Attorney Kris Heiser could use 1,500 square feet on the ground floor of the town’s new public works building while the second floor of the building was being finished. Once it’s set up for offices in 2023, the county would be able to lease the space for five years with an additional five-year renewal. The cost of the lease would be the annual debt service, prorated based on the space used by the state’s attorney’s office.

Bertino, who toured the space with Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins last week, said he appreciated the resort’s offer but had some concerns.

“I was told there was no parking available for any state’s attorney employees that would be there, save for one parking space that would be reserved for the state’s attorney,” he said.

He said it also wasn’t clear how many employees Heiser wanted in Ocean City.

“The numbers range anywhere from seven employees up to 45 employees,” Bertino said. “That’s a lot of cars. And with a firehouse being constructed in front of that area they’re losing 100 parking spaces. Has that been, is that a conversation that’s being had?”

Mitrecic said questions regarding the potential move were still being answered.

“As far as the parking goes, as much respect as I have for Mr. Adkins, he wants to build a parking garage up there so he’s going to make the parking issues up there sound more dire than they may be,” Mitrecic said.

Bertino said he also wasn’t sure the state’s attorney’s office should move.

“There are a fair amount of cases that come out of Pocomoke and Snow Hill and I don’t think those people of those areas should be disenfranchised if in fact we’re moving the entire state’s attorney’s office or a great portion thereof up to Ocean City,” he said.

Mitrecic said Heiser would still have a presence in Snow Hill.

“A lot of her case load is up there at the court house in Ocean City,” he said.

“A majority I would think she would say…

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

I’m just saying what I was told. Now do I think she would rather have a fiveminute ride to work than a 30-minute ride? Maybe. That’s something we have to iron out with her definitely as we move forward.”

Earlier this month, the commissioners approved Heiser’s plan to hire six new attorneys and six legal assistants.

She said her office had to expand staffing to handle the influx of video as police throughout the area begin to implement body camera programs. The Ocean City Police Department is expected to have body cameras in place by the summer while Maryland State Police will have cameras in place in 2023. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is also moving toward implementing cameras before the state’s 2025 deadline.

Page 9

Commissioner Chip Bertino was one of several county officials who toured space in Ocean City’s new public works building proposed for the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

OC Officials Discuss Options For Continuous Bike Path

Page 10

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – In a continuing effort to make Ocean City more bicycle-friendly and create a contiguous bike route off Coastal Highway, resort officials this week reviewed options for two major thoroughfares and the various town alleys.

In recent years, the Town of Ocean City has been putting together an alternative bike route that would take bicycle traffic off Coastal Highway. The plan is to implement an unofficial bike path for the

entire length of town and thus far, the effort has been somewhat successful, if not tedious.

Town staff has been working with the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) in recent years to achieve the coveted Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designation. In the last round of balloting, the town received only honorable mention status, which only ramped up the efforts to achieve the full designation.

With grant funding, the town contracted the services of consultant Toole Design to assist with options for the next

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phase of links in the chain. On Tuesday, City Engineer Paul Mauser and Toole Design’s Rob Pinckney presented options for three new significant segments, including the 94th Street corridor, 146th Street and town alleys that run parallel to Coastal Highway through much of the middle and north sections of the town.

“What would it look like to have a north-south bike lane from 27th Street to 146th Street?” Mauser said. “The alleys are low speed, low traffic. Staff is not providing a recommendation for the town alleys, just providing information to the Mayor and Council to come up with the best solution.”

The proposed options would likely be largely grant-funded, although some aspects could require supplements from the town’s general fund. Mauser and Pinckney presented the options for each of the next proposed segments on Tuesday.

94th Street Plans for a nearly one-mile section of 94th Street on the west side of Coastal Highway were presented. Three options were presented, each with varying degrees of change from the existing configuration and varying price tags.

Option 1 would include the construction of a continuous, narrower median with a dedicated bike lane similar to the reconfiguration of St. Louis Avenue with an island. That option would retain all the existing on-street parking. It comes with

February 18, 2022

an estimated cost of $410,000.

Option 2 for 94th Street would include removing the existing medians west of Chesapeake Drive and adding curb extensions. It too would retain all existing on-street parking. Option 2 comes in with a slightly lower estimated cost at around $300,000. The third, and apparently least favored option, would simply be to add crosswalks and sharrows, which are those V-shaped markings on the roadway that indicate where bicycles should most safely travel. The option comes with a price tag of just $13,000.

Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, who chairs the BPAC, suggested Option 2 be chosen.

“Staff is recommending Option 2 and the BPAC unanimously supported it,” he said. “What you’re doing with 94th Street is re-creating St. Louis Avenue. The second reason is you don’t lose any parking.”

DeLuca said the funding source for each of the proposed improvements would likely come from state and federal grants. In the meantime, he suggested choosing a preferred option and putting it in the capital improvement plan as a placeholder until grant funding is determined.

“The vote today is simply choosing the option. Forget the funding for right now.

We’ll take care of that when we get the grants,” he said.

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Ocean City Chamber To Recognize 2022 Award Winners

Page 12

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of its 2022 Annual Awards.

On Friday, Feb. 25, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2022 Annual Awards Celebration to honor five individuals and one nonprofit for their contributions to the community.

Nominations for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Businessperson of the Year, Citizen of the Year, First Responder of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year were vetted by the Chamber’s awards committee, which selected one winner from each category.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ruth Waters,

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

corporate director of sales for Harrison Group Resort Hotels and Restaurants.

“This award recognizes an individual for a lifetime of consistent community leadership and philanthropic endeavors that have made a lasting impact on their community,” a news release from the Chamber reads. “Their actions, achievements and contributions evoke admiration and respect.”

In addition to her role at Harrison Group Hotels, Waters serves on the board of directors for the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and is president of the Ocean City Chamber Foundation.

She also serves on the Worcester County Tourism Commission and the American Bus Association Marketplace committee.

She has previously served on the boards of the Maryland Tourism Coalition, Art League of Ocean City and the American Red Cross.

“I’m certainly humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award from the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “I’ve worked in this town for 37 years and have enjoyed my tenure with the Harrison Group immensely and working on projects to take our town to the next level.”

The Chamber has also named Walter “Buck” Mann of Mann Properties as its 2022 Businessperson of the Year.

“The nominee should exhibit business leadership and vision, displaying a significant commitment to the success of both business and the area,” the news release reads. “The honoree serves as a positive role model for others, demonstrates a commitment to their community and is widely recognized as a successful business manager or owner.”

In addition to founding Mann Properties, Inc. in 1973, Mann has served on the

February 18, 2022

Ocean City Council and on the Ocean City Board of Zoning Appeals. He currently serves on the Ocean City Paramedic Foundation and on the board of directors for the Children’s House by the Sea. In addition, he has been president of the Delmarva Irish-American Club and has co-chaired the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade since its inception 39 years ago.

“It’s easy doing business in Ocean City,” he said. “It’s such a great town. I was part of generation that came here 40 years ago and started working. It’s an easy place to work, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

The Chamber has also named Jonathan Bauer, vice president of information services at Atlantic General Hospital, as its Citizen of the Year award recipient for 2022. The honoree is being recognized for his heroism during a multi-vehicle accident last May. He jumped off the Route 90 bridge to save an infant who had been ejected from a car into the bay below.

The Chamber will recognize Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro as its 2022 First Responder of the Year. This award honors one first responder from the 21842-zip code for exemplary acts of valor, outstanding community service, as well as going above and beyond the call of duty.

“I am humbled by the nomination of First Responder of the Year,” Buzzuro said. “I look forward to accepting this award, not for myself but the entire Ocean City Police Department. All of us at the Ocean City Police Department dedicate ourselves to the community of Ocean City and it is a tremendous honor to serve as the Police Chief. This humbling recognition speaks volumes to the work we do here every day and the relationship we continue to build within our community.”

The 2022 Young Professional of the Year award goes to Allyson Knight of the Commander Hotel. This award recognizes a person between the ages of 21 and 39 who is employed by or owns a business that is a member of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

“Assistant General Manager at the Commander Hotel, Allyson supports nonprofits in Ocean City and coordinates monthly volunteer events among her staff,” the Chamber reports. “She is an active member of the OC Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals and currently serves on the Events Committee.”

Lastly, the Chamber has announced Hudson Behavioral Health as its 2022 Nonprofit of the Year. Formed in 1980, the nonprofit brought the first residential addiction treatment program to the Eastern Shore.

The Awards Celebration will be held Feb. 25, from 6-10 p.m., at the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel. Tickets are $95 per person, which includes cocktail hour, plated surf & turf dinner, professional photos by Kyle Hughes and Dana Marie Photography, and music by Full Circle Duo. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Chamber’s website or contact Events Manager Heather LaFollette at 443-664-3268 or email heather@oceancity.org. Sponsorships are available.

Margaritaville Application Advances February 18, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite some reservations about the changing downtown landscape, resort planners this week voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council for a planned overlay district for the proposed Margaritaville project.

The off-again, on-again Margaritaville project, if approved, would encompass virtually an entire city block downtown on the oceanside facing the Boardwalk between 13th and 14th streets. On Tuesday, the project took two steps closer to becoming a reality with the Mayor and Council in the afternoon voting to move the air rights request over Washington Lane, which bisects the massive property, to a future public hearing.

On Tuesday evening, the planning commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council on the application for a planned overlay district (POD) needed to accomplish the project.

The proposed project over 12 different lots would include 265 hotel rooms and three restaurants, including the JWB Grill with high-end steaks and seafood, the Landshark Bar and Grill and a coffee shop and provisions store in the lobby. The project would also include three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, a wellness center and gym, 14,000 square feet of flexible convention space, retail stores facing the Boardwalk and many other up-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

scale amenities.

By way of a timeline for the proposed project, last August the planning commission reviewed conceptual plans for the proposed Margaritaville Hotel and Resort.

And in November, the planning commission hosted a spirited public hearing on the proposed POD. However, in December, the developer, NOSC, LLC, withdrew the request and pulled back the application for the POD in order to tweak the plans and address some of the concerns raised by the commission at the public hearing level. Earlier this month, the developer returned with a revised application for the POD. Among the changes proffered by the developer was the project would be under single ownership. The initial proposal called for a condominium regime form of ownership with the retail elements of the project.

The developer has also engaged a consultant to develop enhanced landscapes in the setback areas. The developer is also working to pursue workforce housing opportunities within walking distance of the vast property. Another issue to resolve is the conveyance of the alley that bisects the property from north to south. The existing 16-foot alley bisects the property and the developer originally requested the town abandon that portion of Washington Lane in order to build a consolidated project on the properties.

However, the developer is now requesting air rights over the alley, which would allow for the consolidation of eleSEE PAGE 14

Page 13

… Planned Overlay District Proposed For Development

Page 14

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FROM PAGE 13 ments of the project while the town retains ownership of it. The developer has proffered to widen the alley to 23 feet and make the appropriate improvements. That issue was before the Mayor and Council on Tuesday afternoon and the elected officials voted unanimously to move it to a future public hearing.

The lynchpin for the project, however, is the approval of the POD for the site.

Again, the planning commission reviewed the proposed changes earlier this month, but withheld any decision on a favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council at that time until staff could organize the proposed changes and the notes from that presentation.

On Tuesday evening, the commission got a brief review of the organized version of the notes and recommendations and the proposed conditions placed on approval by the staff. After some debate, the planning commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council on the POD application for the properties. Pam Buckley, planning commission chair, acknowledged the decision would not be popular with all stakeholders.

“This has been a long time coming,” she said. “I do feel we have worked and tried to come up with the best plan for this site. There are some people that are very happy about it, and some others not so happy about it and I understand that.”

Buckley drew from long experience on

Resort planners voted Tuesday to send a planned overlay district application for the Margaritaville Hotel and Resort complex to the Mayor and Council with a favorable recommendation. Above, a rendering shows the proposed development from the Boardwalk.

Image courtesy of Becker Morgan Group

the commission to rationalize the decision to forward a favorable recommendation on the requested POD for the property.

“This is my 33rd year up here and we’ve done a lot of nays and yeas on projects over the years,” she said. “It’s always difficult when you see a big change. The Cambria Hotel was one, South Beach was one, the Gateway Grand was one and the Princess Royale was one. We’ve seen a lot of different projects and the city has changed. The only thing we can hang our hat on is the Mayor and Council, who have been elected to their offices, get to put their say on it.”

The abbreviated commission ultimate-

ly voted 4-0 to forward a favorable recommendation. Buckley and Planning Commissioners Joe Wilson and Palmer Gillis voted in favor. Recently appointed Planning Commissioner Maryellen Rosenblit participated in the presentation, but did not vote because she had not been involved in prior deliberations. Planning Commissioner Lauren Taylor initially did not vote on the motion, citing concerns about the changing downtown landscape.

“I just want to echo some of the things Pam said,” she said. “I’ve been here since I was a baby and I spent my high school and college years working between 2nd and 3rd streets. Change is really hard

for me because of the doubts I have for downtown and the sense of place that Ocean City has. This structure is the Phillips Beach Plaza put on top of the Commander. Now, it is set back, but it erases a lot of sight lines for a lot of people.”

Taylor voiced other concerns about traffic in the area, but eventually changed her mind and voted yes on the motion to forward the POD request to the Mayor and Council, asserting there would be ample time to address some of her concerns at site plan review and other steps in the process.

“I also have concerns about the traffic issues going up toward the 15th Street intersection,” she said. “There are two lanes going north and one lane going south, and a lot of people don’t know what they’re doing already. When the site plan comes back, I’d like to see a plan that makes that work because it almost doesn’t work now and if you add more cars to it, it’s going to be a real problem. I’m going to vote yes to move it forward and allow the Mayor and Council to make a decision.”

For his part, Gillis said the developer and his staff made a strong case for the redevelopment of the property at different stages of the approval process.

“I’d like to commend the applicants,” he said. “Having served on the Salisbury and Wicomico planning commissions, that was one of the best presentations I’ve ever seen. It was very thorough, and I tip my hat to the applicant for such a great presentation.”

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Bus Contractors Seek Pay Increase

February 18, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – School bus drivers in Worcester County are seeking a pay increase to deal with rising fuel and maintenance costs.

Dozens of school bus contractors attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Worcester County Board of Education to ask for increases in their hourly and per-mile pay. They said they couldn’t provide the service the county expected at current compensation levels.

“We are not asking you for what we want, we are begging you for what we need to stay safely on the road,” bus contractor Lori Thompson said.

Thompson and several other bus contractors approached the board Tuesday to share their concerns in the wake of the board’s Feb. 1 budget discussion.

Thompson thanked the school system for continuing to pay contractors during the height of the pandemic, as that had allowed them to resume service seamlessly when schools reopened. As a result, she said Worcester was one of just three counties that didn’t have any interruptions in student transportation.

Thompson said contractors were asking the board to reconsider the rates included in the proposed budget. As proposed, it would increase the hourly rate from $22.58 to $25 and would pay drivers $1.62 per mile.

Thompson said that with the increased costs they were facing, contractors were asking for $26.29 an hour and $1.80 per mile.

“We simply cannot operate our buses safely without it,” she said.

Thompson said the cost of labor and parts had increased so that drivers were struggling with maintenance of their buses.

“Today we have school bus contractors in essence working for free because their bus is out of service, the parts they need are unavailable for the foreseeable future,” Thompson said. “They are paying a bus payment and having to pay to rent a bus to ensure that they are delivering on their commitment to you … Our current compensation doesn’t allow us to save for a rainy day.”

Thompson said she hoped the board valued the service bus contractors performed and the care they showed to their young passengers daily.

“Our community needs us,” she said.

“Someone somewhere once said you know, school bus contractors are the first and last touch points a parent and student has to our Worcester County school system. Yes, that is true but there is more to it than that. We wear many hats. In some cases, we are the first person to exchange kind words with a child today.”

Driver Harry Wimbrow said Wicomico County had recently increased its bus contractors’ rates.

“These items are not items of greed, they’re items we need to maintain a viable, profitable business,” Wimbrow said.

When there’s a maintenance issue

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

with a bus, because it’s a specialized piece of equipment it has to be repaired at the dealership, Wimbrow explained.

The dealership that once charged $125 an hour is now charging $195 an hour, he said. Wimbrow added that people weren’t clamoring to become bus drivers, as they could make more money elsewhere.

Thompson said that in Baltimore, the school system had paid parents to transport their children to school because there weren’t enough school bus drivers.

“The reality is it’s not lucrative,” Thompson said.

The contractors said that some counties paid a flat hourly rate and provided benefits. Thompson said in Worcester County drivers didn’t get benefits.

“We love what we do, we just want to make a living as well,” she said.

Page 15

Buses are pictured outside the Worcester County Board of Education’s central office Tuesday. School bus contractors are seeking pay increases to deal with rising costs.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

2 20, 202 February PM 1-5

Ocean City To Fund New Outboard Motors For Fire Boat

Page 16

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Despite some misgivings about a perceived antiquated funding formula, resort officials this week approved a roughly $192,000 expenditure to get the fire department’s Fire Boat 1, which has been dry-docked for over a year, back into service.

During Tuesday’s work session, the Mayor and Council had before them a request to transition Fire Boat 1 from twin inboard motors to outboard motors. The entire cost of the project, which includes the price of the motors and the new equipment and fabrication needed to complete the transition, comes with an estimated price tag of over $241,000, but the department has secured a Maryland Waterways grant of $50,000, bringing the town’s expenditure down to around $192,000.

The fire-rescue boat was put into service in 2013. It had twin 350 horsepower diesel engines along with twin pumps for fire suppression that can pump 1,250 gallons per minute. It also has an integrated 25-gallon foam suppression system for flammable liquid fires. It also includes state-of-the art EMS and patient care equipment, onboard rescue swimmer equipment and dive team equipment. The fire-rescue boat has the unique ability to respond

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

to fire and EMS incidents in shallow areas not always navigable for larger fire boats.

However, in August 2020, during an emergency response in the ocean, one of the vessel’s two inboard motors blew and the fire boat had to limp in on one engine. The fire boat has been drydocked since as department officials and a consultant explored the most cost-efficient way to get it back in the water. After careful research, it was determined the best way to accomplish that was to transition to the twin outboard motors, according to Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers.

“It’s been out of service for a year because of a blown motor,” he said. “We worked with a local marine engineer and the best option is to transition from inboard motors to outboard motors.”

When asked about alternative solutions, First Assistant Chief Will Savage said replacing the fire boat entirely would be cost prohibitive. He also said if the boat was not repaired and put back into service, the town ran the risk of having to pay back a portion of the state grant that helped fund the original vessel.

“In 2020, we blew a motor and it has been out of service since,” he said. “If we blow one motor, we’re going to have to do the other one. To replace the boat would be $750,000 and it would be

smaller.”

Mayor Rick Meehan asked if changing from the inboard motors to the outboard motors would affect the fire boat’s functionality in terms of getting into shallow areas. Savage explained the fire boat with the inboard motors would draw around 18 inches, while the outboards would draw about 22 inches, so the change would be negligible. Meehan also asked if the fire boat with the outboard motors would be limited to the back bays and canals, but Savage said it would still have offshore capability.

Councilman Mark Paddack asked for some examples of recent uses of the department’s fire boat. Savage said a couple of examples included responding to a waterfront house fire in Ocean Pines, and a sportfishing vessel on fire offshore with people on board. Savage also said the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) often calls on the department’s fire boat to assist with missing persons in the water, or for suspects in crimes who have run and maybe entered the water.

When asked just where the fire boat responds, Savage said Ocean City town limits are the first-due response area, although there are times when the fire boat assists allied agencies outside city limits, which, on the water, extends roughly to the center of the bays.

“The majority of our calls for service

February 18, 2022

are in our first-due areas,” he said. “We respond to calls in our canals or waterfront homes.”

Councilman John Gehrig asked if the fire boat had missed many calls since being out of service and asked for examples. Bowers explained some of the larger incidences of missed calls.

“Last summer, we had a boat on fire just outside the Inlet with multiple people on board,” he said. “The Coast Guard had to take that call because we were out of service.”

Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Fire Chief John Fisher explained some of the (OCVFD) boat’s other responsibilities.

“It’s also a rescue boat,” he said.

“We have at least one jet ski accident every day in the summer. This boat can go out and bring two victims back. Our smaller boats can only handle one victim at a time.”

The fire boat’s swim platform needs to be modified with the transition from twin inboard motors to the new outboard motors. The changes are required so victims can be more easily loaded onto the boat and the rescue swimmers and divers can exit and enter the boat from the water.

Other operational expenses due to the transition from inboards to outboards includes a new fire pump as the old moSEE NEXT PAGE

… OCFD Reports Replacement ‘Most Cost-Effective Way’

February 18, 2022

tors operated the current fire pump.

The transition to outboards renders the existing fire pump setup useless. In addition, the transition requires a change from diesel from the old inboards to gasoline for the outboards, resulting in some operational changes and additional expense.

The council ultimately voted to approve the transition to outboard motors for the fire boat and the estimated cost, but not before a larger discussion about how and who should pay for it. It was explained the OCVFC owns the fire apparatus based on an arrangement that goes back decades. Gehrig questioned if the town does not own the fire boat, why was the town buying the new motors. Budget Manager Jennie Knapp explained.

“The fire apparatus is titled to the volunteer fire company,” she said. “It is not eligible for the Vehicle Trust Fund, which is in place for municipally-owned vehicles. It’s a liability issue. That’s how it started.”

Meehan tried to provide some historical context.

“If you go back 40 years ago, the volunteer fire company was the fire service,” he said. “That was before we merged the volunteers with the career paid fire department. The volunteer company owned the apparatus and the town provided 50% of the cost. Things changed, and the city now pays 80% of the cost and the volunteer company pays 20% of the cost. We established a fire apparatus fund to avoid any major one-time expenses.”

Despite questions about the funding formula, not only for the current fire boat, but future fire apparatus, Bowers said it was imperative to get it back in the water.

“It is really needed,” he said. “This is the most cost-effective way to get it back in the water.”

The council ultimately agreed and approved the expenditure to transition the dry-docked fire boat from inboards to outboards. However, Gehrig and Council Secretary Tony DeLuca continued to question if the formula should be revisited in the future.

“We really should change something,” said DeLuca. “This should be in the Vehicle Trust Fund or the Fire Apparatus Fund. It needs to be somewhere. We need to eliminate these surprises and out-of-budget-cycle requests.”

The council voted 6-1, with Councilman Peter Buas opposed, to approve the $192,000 expenditure. Gehrig then made a motion to look into the whole relationship with the OCVFC and apparatus expenditures, a motion which passed unanimously.

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police activity decreases in ocean city

Page 18

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OCEAN CITY – A decrease in police activity highlighted a report in this week’s meeting of the Ocean City Police Commission.

Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Chief Ross Buzzuro told commission members this week police activity declined in the month of January.

He noted the department reported a decrease in officer calls for service when compared to data from January 2020, the most recent pre-pandemic year. Service calls, he explained, decreased from 1,981 to 1,261.

“In terms of January activity, you can see a considerable decrease in officer calls for service when you look at 2020 versus 2022 …,” he said. “That’s a dropoff of 720 calls for service.”

Buzzuro told commission members citizen calls for service also decreased from 2,530 in 2020 to 1,761 in 2022.

“Citizen calls for service dropped by a-

February 18, 2022

bout 10%,” he said.

In the top 25 calls for service, traffic stops decreased from 411 to 360, 911 hang-ups decreased from 79 to 63 and suspicious activity decreased from 71 to 53.

“In the top 25 calls for service, there’s nothing glaring,” Buzzuro said. “But I can tell you that in the top 10 calls for service, most of those line items experienced a decrease.”

Under January enforcement, drug arrests decreased from 14 in 2020 to six in 2022, DUI arrests increased from 14 to 25 and weapons arrests increased from one to 11.

“Those two last line items, DUI arrests and weapons arrests, are obviously indicators of our proactive enforcement efforts that continue,” Buzzuro told commission members this week.

The police chief on Monday also highlighted the department’s year-end report for 2021.

“When we get into 2022, 2021 becomes a thing of the past,” he said. “That’s prob-

ably as it should be, but we obviously will be showcasing our efforts in what occurred in 2021 from a police department standpoint.”

Buzzuro explained the annual report, which details the department’s achievements in 2021, would be presented to the full Mayor and Council at an upcoming meeting.

“We’re finishing up and ready to present,” he said. “There’s a lot of information in this annual report … It truly showcases our efforts and shows once again we’re back in a situation where we need to be moving in 2022.”

Councilman Peter Buas questioned if the report included the town’s efforts to control noise pollution on the Boardwalk.

Buzzuro said it didn’t.

“I don’t think it is,” he said. “We have a lot of statistical information, but we can certainly add it. There’s certainly time to put it in there.”

Buzzuro said a completed report would be available to the Mayor and Council, and posted online, in the coming weeks.

entation that showed how much the revenue would increase with different tax rates. A rate of $0.82 would bring in $311,973 in extra revenue while a rate of $0.84 would bring in $408,280.

“This is just for discussion/informational purposes,” she said.

Tyndall noted that the majority of properties had increased in value according to the latest assessment, which is why the town’s property tax revenues were set to increase. He said the town’s assessable base was $486 million and was set to increase to close to $500 million.

Officials also reviewed various departments’ requested capital expenditures.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood noted that the town had lower levels of spending on capital items in recent years. In 2017 and 2018, capital expenditures, highlighted by the new police station, surpassed

$2 million. In 2019, the town’s general fund revenues were slightly more than $6 million and capital outlay was $780,000.

In 2020, capital expenditures totaled $284,000 and in 2021, when revenues were over $7 million, capital expenditures totaled $592,000.

Among the items requested Monday included security upgrades to town hall, including cameras and the installation of a vestibule at the rear entrance formerly used by the police department.

“We‘ve explored the possibility of external and internal cameras. Number two the entryway that’s been closed by the parking lot, what I’d like to propose is we change that door and basically build a vestibule there,” Fleetwood said.

Various departments are also requesting vehicles and equipment such as lawn mowers to replace aging machines.

Berlin’s property tax revenues increase

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials kicked off the budget process with a review of department needs and projected revenues.

The Berlin Town Council on Monday held a budget work session to begin reviewing financial projections for the coming fiscal year. The town’s revenues are set to increase $143,948 if the tax rate remains $0.815 per $100 of assessed value.

“It’s pretty evident our assessable base has grown,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said.

Finance Director Natalie Saleh explained that if the tax rate was not adjusted, the town would receive $3,924,509 in property tax revenues—up from the $3,780,561 received last year.

Saleh included projections in her pres-

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Page 19

School Renovation Project Moves Ahead Page 20

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Officials say a memorandum of understanding will allow Wicomico County Public Schools to receive Built to Learn funds for its Mardela Middle and High School renovation project.

Last week, the Wicomico County Board of Education voted unanimously to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Wicomico County to receive Built to Learn funds for a renovation and addition project at Mardela Middle and High School. Leisl Ashby, the school system’s facility services director, noted that funds distributed by the Maryland Stadium Authority would be used as a supplemental funding source toward the state’s cost share for the project.

“To receive the IAC allocation of approximately $13.8 million in Build to Learn funds, it requires the execution of an MOU signed by the board, county and Maryland Stadium Authority,” she explained.

Enacted in 2020, the Built to Learn Act allows the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue revenue bonds to fund school construction projects and provides for its management of the projects. As part of the legislation, the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) and the Maryland Sta-

dium Authority approved its own MOU that governs the program.

Wicomico’s allocation of school construction funds through the program is estimated at $13.8 million. Ashby told board members last week that the proposed MOU had been reviewed by school system staff and the county.

“This has also been reviewed and recommended by the School Building Commission,” she added. “In addition, it has been reviewed by board construction counsel and general counsel in consultation with the chief finance and operations officer.”

Ashby also noted the MOU received positive feedback from the Maryland With no further discussion, the board voted 7-0 to accept the MOU, and to submit the MOU to the county executive for approval.

In recent years, a renovation and addition project at Mardela has topped the school system’s priority list for school construction projects. Officials say the school, which was last renovated in 1980, needs new HVAC systems, safety improvements and adequate instruction space for a growing population on the west side of Wicomico County.

“My job as principal is to ensure my students are provided with a safe environment that is conducive to instruction,” Principal Liza Hastings said in a public hearing late last year. “Unfortunately, the condition of our current building makes this difficult to achieve.”

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Replica Handgun Arrests

Railroad Tie Destruction

OCEAN CITY – Two Selbyville, Del., men were arrested last week after a replica handgun was found in the vehicle in which they were traveling following a traffic stop.

Around 11:50 p.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling uptown observed a minivan failing to stop at a stop sign on Dukes Avenue at 146th Street. The officer also reportedly observed the van’s side tail light was so severely damaged bare metal was showing where the light should have been.

The officer conducted a traffic stop at Anchor Chain Road and the minivan struck the curb before stopping. The officer approached the vehicle and observed a passenger in the rear of the van not properly restrained with a seat belt. The officer reportedly asked the driver, identified as Alexander Saure, 19, of Selbyville, to open the van’s side door in order to talk to the unrestrained passenger in the back.

The officer identified the front seat passenger as Calvin Oates, 19, also of Selbyville.

When Saure opened the van door automatically, the officer detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the passenger compartment. The officer returned to his patrol vehicle to positively identified Saure, Oates and the rear passenger.

The information on Oates did not show up on file and officers asked Oates again for his name, but Oates told police he would not provide his real name, according to police reports.

The officer then asked Saure for the vehicle’s registration and Saure leaned forward toward the glove compartment before stopping and sitting back down in his seat, according to police reports. Saure then reportedly sifted through some items in the center console before telling officers he had just purchased the vehicle and did not have the registration with him.

Oates reportedly made furtive and nervous movements when asked to open the glove compartment, according to police reports. When asked again for his identification, Oates reportedly provided a false name and date of birth.

Oates reportedly told police there were no official papers in the glove compartment, only napkins. OCPD officers reportedly told Oates to open the glove compartment, to which he said “There is a BB gun in the glove box. It’s unloaded, but it’s in there,” according to police reports.

Saure and Oates were ordered to step out of the vehicle and they were frisked for weapons. During a search of the van, officers located a black handgun replica.

Saure reportedly told police he was using the van to move, but there were no clothes or other belongings consistent with moving in the van. Saure told police the replica handgun was his and he forgot to take it out of the vehicle earlier that day when he had removed his other belongings.

Saure and Oates were each arrested and charged with carrying a concealed replica handgun.

OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested on malicious destruction of property charges last week after allegedly damaging a door and a light fixture with a railroad tie.

Around 9:55 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area observed a male, later identified as Jude Hutchinson, 34, of Berlin, walking through a parking lot at 2nd Street with both hands under a large wooden object. The officer later determined the large wooden object was a railroad tie.

The officer observed Hutchinson walk down Wilmington Lane and continued to follow him until the officer heard a large crashing sound. The officer observed Hutchinson continue to walk south, but he no longer had the railroad tie in his hands, according to police reports.

The officer drove to the area where Hutchinson had last been seen just south of the parking lot at 2nd Street. The officer observed the roughly eight-foot railroad tie leaning up against the front door of a residence on Wilmington Lane. The officer also observed the front door was scratched and there was a large light fixture broken and dangling from the siding.

The light fixture was broken from its mount and no longer lit, according to police reports.

The officer stopped Hutchinson, who appeared to be intoxicated, according to police reports. At that point, Hutchinson was placed under arrest for malicious destruction of property. During a search incident to the arrest, the officer located a bottle of Fireball whiskey with the seal broken and the lid on in Hutchinson’s jacket pocket and additional open container charges were tacked on.

Coat, Purse Swiped OCEAN CITY – A Crofton, Md., man was arrested on theft charges last weekend after allegedly swiping a coat and a purse from a midtown nightclub.

Around 1:30 a.m. last Sunday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a midtown nightclub for a reported theft that had already occurred.

Bar security had called 911 after a female patron had reported her long, black coat and purse had been stolen, according to police reports.

OCPD officers responded and met with the female victim, who reportedly told police she was speaking with friends and left items briefly unattended on a chair in the bar area. She described the items as a trench coat valued at around $30 and a Michael Kors purse valued at around $400. The purse contained miscellaneous cards and an iPhone valued at around $1,000. When the victim noticed her property missing, she notified security.

Bar staff reviewed security footage and observed a male suspect removing the victim’s items. When OCPD officers arrived, bar security was detaining a susSEE NEXT PAGE

February 18, 2022

... COPS & COURTS pect matching the description in the video footage, later identified as Jeremy Weller, 34, of Crofton, Md. According to police reports, Weller was argumentative and told police he did not know what they were talking about.

OCPD officers reviewed the bar security footage and reportedly observed Weller talking with two other men before picking up the victim’s long coat and then the purse, before wrapping the purse with the coat. Weller then walked out of the bar with the purse wrapped in the coat and walked toward a truck in the parking lot where he placed the stolen items in the rear passenger compartment. Weller then returned to the bar area, according to police reports.

By the time officers arrived, the truck had left the area. However, it returned a short time later to the parking lot and OCPD officers conducted a traffic stop.

Officers interviewed the occupants and searched the truck, but did not locate any of the stolen items. The rear passenger area where Weller was observed on video footage placing the stolen items was empty, according to police reports. The trucks occupants told police they had observed Weller’s girlfriend remove the stolen coat and purse from the rear of the truck and walk away. OCPD officers later located Weller’s girlfriend in the area of 32nd Street, but she was not in possession of the stolen items, according to police reports.

Back at the scene, Weller was arrested and charged with theft and theft less than

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch $1,500. During processing, Weller reportedly agreed to speak with officers without an attorney present, but then recanted and told police he did not want to speak with officers any longer until he reviewed the video evidence with an attorney.

Traffic Stop Yields Drug Bust OCEAN CITY – A Salisbury man was arrested on drug possession charges last week following a traffic stop in the downtown area.

Around 11:50 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling in the downtown area observed a vehicle traveling through an apartment complex parking lot and enter Philadelphia Avenue without coming to a complete stop. As the officer observed, the vehicle traveled north on Philadelphia and made a U-turn at 15th Street before slowly traveling onto the sidewalk in front of the fire department headquarters, according to police reports.

Prior to initiating a traffic stop, the officer positively identified the front seat passenger using multiple law enforcement databases and determined she was wanted on a potential warrant, according to police reports. After the traffic stop, the warrant for the passenger was confirmed and she was taken into custody.

OCPD officers identified the driver as James King III, 30, of Salisbury, who did not have a driver’s license in his possession and advised the vehicle belonged to his grandmother. A background check revealed King had been issued an identification card that had expired in 2015, or nearly six years earlier.

The background check revealed King had never possessed a valid driver’s li-

cense. According to police reports, King told officers he had to gather the requisite information to take to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a driver’s license, but had not yet done so. King was also arrested at that point.

Because both occupants had been arrested, OCPD officers requested a tow for the vehicle, which was still parked on the sidewalk, blocking the entrance to the firehouse, according to police reports. During an inventory of the vehicle’s contents prior to the tow, officers located two clear glass pipes with burn marks and white residue consistent with crack cocaine. Officers also located a ball of copper wire in the pipes commonly used to smoke crack cocaine.

Because the pipes were located in a cigarette pack in the center console within easy reach of the driver’s seat, King was

Page 23 arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia, along with traffic violations.

Wrong Suspect Identified OCEAN CITY – Based on police reports provided by the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD), an individual identified as William Wood III last week was wrongly identified as a suspect arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, second-degree assault and other charges.

Wood brought the error to the attention of the OCPD after seeing it in the crime beat section of the newspaper. The OCPD this week reported the actual identity of the suspect involved in the case is William Charles Bobst, 64, of Ocean City. The OCPD this week was in the process of correcting the information and charging documents for Bobst on its end.

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Assault Charge For Lamp Knockout

February 18, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Dundalk, Md. woman was arrested on first-degree assault charges last weekend after allegedly knocking her boyfriend out with a lamp.

Around 2:00 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a residence on St. Louis Avenue for a reported 911 hang-up. Ocean City Communications advised the caller was female, but they could hear a male named “Mike” screaming for help.

Officers noted they had been at the same residence around 7:10 p.m. for a report of separated parties. At that time, officers arrived and located Mandy Morris, 45, of Dundalk, Md., crying in a chair on the front porch of the residence, according to police reports. Morris reportedly told police she was upset because she had lost her boyfriend while out drinking and returned to the unit, but could not enter because her boyfriend had the keys.

Morris told police just before their arrival, her boyfriend had been brought home by strangers. Both Morris and her boyfriend exhibited signs of intoxication at that point, according to police reports.

OCPD officers made a report of that interaction and cleared the scene.

Around 2:20 a.m., OCPD officers returned to the same residence for the aborted 911 call. Upon entering the unit, officers observed chards of ceramic and blood splatter patterns.

Officers also observed a male lying on his right side and he was bleeding profusely from the back of his head and nose, according to police reports. The victim’s eyes were reportedly closed, his arm was twitching, and he was unresponsive, according to police reports.

Officers determined the victim was unconscious and called for EMS. While officers were rendering aid to the victim, Morris reportedly said unprovoked, “He tried to choke me with the lamp cord, so I hit him in the head with the lamp,” and, “I kept hitting him while he was laying there.” Officers observed the cord and base of the broken and bloodied lamp next to the victim’s head. The victim eventually woke up, according to police reports.

OCPD officer attempted to interview the victim, but due to his alleged level of intoxication and his recent head trauma, he was unable to recall many details. He merely said, “I came into the room and she beat me up,” according to police reports. OCPD officers noted in the report the injuries to the victim’s hands and forearm could be indicative of defense wounds as he attempted to shield his face from the lamp, according to police reports.

Based on the evidence and testimony, Morris was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault.

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 25

Annual Seaside Boat Show Returns To Ocean City Feb. 18-20

Page 26

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – After a year’s hiatus, a boat show to benefit local youth will return to Ocean City this weekend.

The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club will host its 39th annual Seaside Boat Show at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center Feb. 18-20. While the show was canceled last year in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Publicity Chair Charles Smith said organizers are eager to bring the event back to Ocean City.

“The goal is to raise money for all the programs that the Optimist Club supports during the year …,” he said. “Based on what other boat shows are experiencing, we expect a very good crowd this year.”

Held each year on Presidents Day weekend, the Seaside Boat Show attracts thousands of water and boating enthusi-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

asts to view and purchase the newest and most popular boat models and water-related items. With more than 350 boats, 150 exhibitors and 50 boat dealers, it’s become one of the most popular boat shows on the east coast.

“Everybody who lives on the Eastern Shore lives within 75 miles of the ocean or the Chesapeake Bay, and many have boats,” Smith said. “There’s been two years of COVID, which has limited the number of boats available and the parts available, and now it’s starting to open up.

We’ll be providing the latest in electronics and every other thing relating to boats and fishing. We hope to see lots of people.”

Organizers say visitors will have an opportunity to see an array of sport cruisers, sport fishing, performance and “super boats,” and browse marine electronics, trailers, canvas tops, motors, jewelry, art and fishing gear. Dealers and exhibitors

will offer special show prices throughout the weekend, and financing and insurance companies will be on hand.

Smith added that one of the biggest attractions is the boat show’s door prizes.

Each person who purchases an admission ticket has a chance to win a pontoon boat and motor, courtesy of North Bay Marina owners Scott and Mary McCurdy.

“They’ve been doing it for over 30 years, which is awesome,” he said. “The Optimist Club will also be selling 50/50 tickets for our scholarship fund, and at 5 o’clock on Sunday there will be a drawing for the boat and the 50/50 raffle.”

Smith noted that this year’s event will also feature speaking engagements, as well as a special visit from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.

“Around 10 o’clock, the governor is coming to the boat show on Saturday and he’s going to use the Performing Arts

February 18, 2022

Center and they are going to bless and anoint the addition to the convention center,” he said.

Dubbed “the boat show that works for kids,” proceeds raised from the annual event allows the Optimist Club to support local youth through contests, awards banquets, recreational and sports activities, scholarships and more. For example, the organization has donated a total of $150,000 to Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services and roughly $2.5 million in scholarships to Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur high schools.

As the pandemic prevented the Optimist Club from holding its annual fundraiser last year, Smith encouraged everyone to come out to this year’s Seaside Boat Show. The event is held Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the convention center, and admission is $10 for adults, $1 for kids and $15 for a weekend pass.

“We’ve put a ton of money back into the community and it’s by these folks coming and visiting that helps us provide these programs for the children,” he said.

“We’re trying to make sure these kids can be all they can be.”

Smith noted the organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year and encouraged anyone to join the Optimist Club. He noted applications will be available at the boat show.

For more information on the Seaside Boat Show, visit ocboatshow.com.

Pines House Fire Under Investigation

February 18, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – The cause of a Sunday house fire in Ocean Pines remains under investigation this week.

At around 4:24 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department was alerted to a residential structure fire at 79 Clubhouse Drive.

While there were initial reports that occupants could be trapped, Worcester Central advised that all occupants were out of the house with one person unconscious.

Additional responses were requested from the Berlin, Bishopville, Ocean City, Showell, Selbyville and Frankford fire departments. Ocean Pines Fire Chief Steve Grunewald, who was first on the scene, established command and confirmed heavy fire in the garage had extended to the house, vehicles in the driveway, and a neighboring home.

“When I first got there the front of the house was well involved with fire on the roof,” he said in an interview Monday.

Upon arrival, the crew from Ocean Pines Engine 1102 immediately placed an attack line in service while simultaneously establishing a water supply and deploying a secondary line to protect the neighboring homes, a news release reads.

Ocean Pines and Showell EMS units tended to the occupants of the home.

“The Red Cross is working with the family,” Grunewald said this week. “But there were no injuries.”

Officials say initial efforts to extinguish the fire where made more challenging by the collapse of the roof over the garage, arching electrical wires in the garage and two vehicles in the driveway that were also on fire. As neighboring departments arrived, crews began additional extinguishment and ventilation efforts while also working to secure power to both vehicles.

“One thing that created a bit of trouble was that Clubhouse Drive is very narrow,” Grunewald said. “With our equipment it was difficult, but we were able to adapt and overcome that.”

In an interview this week, Grunewald recognized the efforts of responding volunteer and career firefighters, who were able to limit the bulk of the fire damage to the initial home, with only exterior damage to one neighboring home.

With the fire under control, crews remained on scene for an extended period completing overhaul.

“Without mutual aid it’s hard to do it by ourselves,” he said.

Assisting units on the scene included Ocean Pines Engine 1102, Special Ops 11, Command 11, 1100 A2, and FP 11, as well as apparatus from Berlin, Showell, Ocean City, Bishopville, Frankford and Selbyville fire departments, Ocean Pines Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, Ocean City Emergency Management, the Red Cross and the Wor-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

cester County Fire Marshal's Office.

The fire department reports that the scene was turned over to the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office for further investigation into the cause of the fire.

In the meantime, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is reminding citizens that working smoke detectors save lives and that detectors need to be replaced every 10 years. The age of a smoke detector can be found by removing them from the wall or ceiling and looking at the back of the alarm for the date of manufacture.

“The OPVFD would like to thank all our neighboring departments who assisted us today on scene as well as covered our stations during the incident,” a news release reads, “and to our administrative members who provided a canteen for the duration of the incident.”

Page 27

What remains of an Ocean Pines residence after Sunday’s house fire is pictured later that same day.

Photo courtesy of Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department

Page 28

Concerns Over Proposed Gun Show

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A multi-faceted special event proposed for this September to potentially help offset the unsanctioned pop-up event continues to move forward, but there are issues to resolve with the proposed gun show element.

The Tourism Commission this week got an update on the proposed Ocean City Adventure Fest proposed for the week of Sept. 19-25 this fall, which would overlap with the often-troublesome unsanctioned pop-up event. In October, promoter Cliff Sutherland, who has produced motorcycle events in Ocean City and his native West Virginia in the past, pitched to the Mayor and Council the conceptual plans for the series of special events during that week in conjunction with the Hogs and Heroes Foundation, which supports public safety and military organizations.

Sutherland, who owns a Harley Davidson dealership and a Greene Turtle franchise in his hometown of Morgantown, W.Va., has produced successful motorcycle rallies in Ocean City in the past and hopes to build on that success with the series of events in the resort in September. He told the Mayor and Council in October the concept came to him when he received notice from the town to avoid coming to Ocean City during the unsanctioned pop-up event last September.

Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo and Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino have been working with the promoter to iron out some of the details with the proposed Ocean City Adventure Fest, which would take place largely in and around the convention center.

It would include police K-9 competitions and training, a police motorcycle rodeo in the parking lot, concerts at the Performing Arts Center and a hunting and fishing expo, including a gun show.

The latter has caused some heartburn for some city officials. It’s important to note the gun show would be part of a larger hunting and fishing fall expo, although no one would be able to walk

February 18, 2022

into the show and purchase a gun.

The vendors would be vetted, and the producer would provide security.

Buyers could make purchases with the appropriate waiting times applied and would later complete the transaction at an authorized dealer after considerable vetting. However, permitting the gun show at the larger series of events would require some ordinance changes approved by the Mayor and Council.

Noccolino said the time was quickly approaching for the Mayor and Council to pull the trigger on the gun show and the larger series of events.

“We need a yes or no at some point soon, or bring Cliff back before the Mayor and Council,” he said. “His position is, if there is no gun show, there is no show. I know there are some ordinance issues to work through and I know there are some issues to resolve with the police department.”

City Manager Terry McGean said he has had discussions with the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) on some of the issues regarding the larger event series in general and the gun show specifically.

“The police department has some concerns,” he said. “They’re worried about two things. They are going to have to have personnel on hand to inventory all of the stuff. They want to make sure the promoter is providing security from the second the first gun shows up to the second the last one leaves.”

McGean said a larger concern for the OCPD is the potential loss of the convention center parking lot during the unsanctioned pop-up event. The OCPD and its allied partners utilize the parking lot as a staging area during the unsanctioned event, but the lot would largely be used by the Ocean City Adventure Fest events. Last year, the town and its law enforcement partners made good strides in curtailing some of the illicit activities associated with the pop-up event, and McGean said there was some concern about back-sliding this year.

“We feel like we’re getting a handle on H2O,” he said. “We are maybe over SEE PAGE 34

Recruitment Challenges Continue For OC Police

February 18, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – As the summer season inches closer, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Chief Ross Buzzuro says opportunities remain to recruit seasonal officers and public safety aides.

On Monday, Buzzuro presented members of the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on recruitment efforts for the coming summer season. While he noted the applicant pool was smaller this year, Buzzuro pointed out the department anticipated additional candidates to attend its upcoming testing dates.

“We remain optimistic as we finish up,” he said this week.

For decades, the OCPD has enhanced its workforce with seasonal officers and public safety aides (PSAs) during the summer months. And while interest in the seasonal program gained some momentum last summer, Buzzuro told commission members in December that recruitment efforts ahead of the 2022 season were slow-moving.

“As previously mentioned, we’ve been challenged with recruitment,” he said this week. “So far we have 75 new seasonal officers that have applied. There were almost 200 in 2021.”

Through the month of January, the police department reported having 75 seasonal officer applicants, with 19 failures, 9 conditional hires and 34 still in the recruitment process.

The department also reported having 35 PSA applicants, with 10 total failures, six conditional hires and 17 still in the recruitment process. Buzzuro noted the number of PSA applicants was less than the 65 that OCPD received last year.

Buzzuro said that inclement weather had also hindered recruitment efforts.

“I also want to point out that we did have to cancel the previously scheduled recruitment testing weekend due to inclement weather,” he said. “So that also puts us kind of behind the eight ball with testing.”

Buzzuro told commission members, however, that the department would host two more testing dates in February and March.

“We do have 30-plus [seasonal officers] that have indicated that they will show up and test, so that looks promising,” he said. “Also, we do have seasonals that are interested in coming back, upwards of 18 and four have confirmed.”

When asked about reserve officers later in the meeting, Buzzuro said they were typically assigned to in-house jobs.

“In no way, shape or form are those officers looked at as being put back into the field, handling calls,” he said. “That’s not the nature of the reserve officers.”

He noted many reserve officers – those law enforcement officers who come back to work for the OCPD after retiring – assist in the vetting of applicants during recruitment.

“It’s not like an alternative or panacea to offset the deficit we have for seasonal officers and plugging them out on the streets,” Buzzuro explained. “It’s not what they’re there for.”

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Page 30

Town Hall On Bylaw Changes Set

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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On Saturday, March 12, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors will hold a town hall meeting to give residents an opportunity to comment on several proposed bylaw revisions reviewed by board members at a Feb. 7 special meeting.

“The Ocean Pines Board of Directors has undertaken a review of our bylaws, which were last revised in 2008,” a statement issued by the board reads. “Motions proposing changes to our bylaws were voted on during a special meeting on Feb. 7 … By consensus, several motions were withdrawn. Those that remained passed unanimously and reflect the language changes that will be put to a vote by the membership in a referendum.”

The motions supported during the Feb. 7 meeting included proposed revisions to several sections of the bylaws, including general manager and director responsibilities and the resignation and removal of a director. The board also considered motions related to the candidate verification process and certain candidate eligibility requirements.

In total, board members voted in favor of 31 motions, with several being amended from the original versions.

Five motions, including those relating to “duration of ownership” and “felonyspouse,” were withdrawn.

The public hearing has been scheduled for Saturday, March 12, at 9 a.m. in the Clubhouse Banquet Room of the Ocean Pines Golf Club, located at 100 Clubhouse Drive. The association will also hold the meeting in a hybrid format using Microsoft Teams. The meeting link, as well as the motions that will form the basis for the referendum questions, are available at oceanpines.org.

“Following the town hall meeting, the referendum questions will be prepared, reflecting the changes noted in the summary document,” the state-

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ment reads. “The referendum questions will then be sent to the membership in a referendum for their vote. The referendum questions that receive a majority vote by the membership will determine the revised version of our bylaws.”

Association officials noted eligibility requirements for voting on the proposed bylaw changes must be met by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25 in order to receive a ballot for the referendum.

Assessments for 2021 must be paid by that date.

“You are not required to pay the 2022 assessment, arriving in the mail around the same time, by the above date,” the statement reads. “Please check with the Membership Department at 410-641-7717 if you have any questions regarding your voting eligibility status.”

The voting deadline for the referendum will be 4 p.m. on April 29.

“At the end of the day, the changes to the language of our bylaws are in your hands,” the statement reads. “It is your vote on the referendum questions that will determine what changes will be made. Please join us for this important town hall meeting, so your voice can be heard on the proposed changes.”

The Ocean Pines Strategic Planning Committee will also hold a town hall during the month of March to discuss the results of a recent community survey, which had 1,838 respondents.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, March 2, at 6 p.m., with some seating available in the administration building’s board room. Those wishing to participate virtually can access the Microsoft Teams link available on the association’s website, oceanpines.org.

On March 2, Chairperson Bernie McGorry and Strategic Planning Committee members will discuss the full survey results with the Ocean Pines membership, as well as the next steps in the strategic planning process. The Communications Committee will moderate the town hall.

“We had an outstanding response to the survey from property owners,” McGorry said in a statement, “and we look forward to sharing the results and answering any questions.”

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Ward Museum Exhibit Features Berlin-Based Artist

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 31

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – A new exhibit at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art focuses on the generational history of Black families on the Eastern Shore.

Inspired by a collection of historic photographs, well-known Berlin artist Patrick Henry has spent the past several years painting scenes from the Eastern Shore’s past. The new body of work, “Another View,” is now on display at the Ward Museum.

“The opening was beautiful,” Henry said. “Every day since then I’ve gotten messages and follow-up phone calls. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response.”

Henry, known for his local landscapes and images of the Eastern Shore, said in 2017 he began a few paintings that chronicled the African American journey in the United States – one referenced the underground railroad, another depicted Black troops liberating slaves and another showed slaves entertaining themselves by making music in their cabin. With the onset of COVID19 and in the wake of the high profile deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Henry decided to continue chronicling the African American journey. He realized he had inspiration right under his own roof.

“It came to my attention I had all these

Artist Patrick Henry, above, has 25 paintings on display at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art. Submitted Photo

vintage photos,” he said. “The eyes of these people just spoke loudly to me.”

The 25 paintings that make up “Another View” feature the style and color that has come to define Henry’s work through the decades but depict people instead of landscapes. One shows World War I soldier James Franklin upon his return home. Another evokes an Easter Sunday morning. Others show groups such as the staff at Burley Manor or hotel workers in Ocean City.

Several years ago, this collection of

photographs came my way and I started looking into the eyes of my ancestors from not only my family, but from others in my community, and the powerful refection back showed me that in spite of very adverse conditions they maintained their integrity – they maintained their spirit,” Henry said in a release about the exhibit. “It’s a crossroad that we as a country have come to ... the representation that we are all in this together; that we are all equal.”

The exhibit opened Jan. 28 and

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runs until May 15. Henry has been overwhelmed by the feedback he’s received so far. He believes that no matter their background, those who view the exhibit will connect with the work. Each painting includes a copy of the source photo that inspired it as well as information on historical context.

“I had a friend from Latvia who said it reminded him of his cultural history,” Henry said. “That’s the beauty of it—it’s to celebrate our diversity and learn about other cultures.”

Museum officials are hopeful that Henry’s exhibit will inspire conversation locally.

“We are thrilled to work with Patrick Henry to debut ‘Another View’, an exhibit that powerfully interprets so many untold stories of our region,” said Kristin Sullivan, Ward Museum Executive Director, in a release about the exhibit.

“Patrick is a gift to the Eastern Shore, and I know that in his hands, this exhibit has the potential to inspire much-needed conversation about our diverse but intertwined heritages and our shared future.”

While Henry has been sharing his work with the public since he was 16, he says this exhibit was the most intense.

“It struck a chord with people spiritually,” said Henry, who turns 70 this month. “As an artist, that’s what you want to do. It gives me incentive to build upon what has happened.”

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Fenwick Funds Comp Plan Review

Page 32

Draft School Calendars Presented

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Town officials will soon begin the process of reviewing Fenwick Island’s comprehensive plan.

In this month’s meeting of the Fenwick Island Town Council, officials voted unanimously to a $5,000 funding request from the town’s planning commission. Mayor Vicki Carmean noted the money would be used to engage the services of consulting firm AECOM in the commission’s comprehensive planning review.

“We are mandated by the state of Delaware to prepare a comprehensive plan consistent with state guidelines to address local issues and ensure coordination with the state, county and other municipalities,” she explained. “Fenwick’s plan was completed and approved in 2017. The state requires each plan to be reviewed every five years to determine whether updates or changes are warranted. A review is due in 2022, this year.”

Carmean said the town had hired AECOM in recent years for several projects.

In 2017, for example, the firm was employed to develop the town’s most recent comprehensive plan.

“Fenwick Island does not have any planning staff. We’re not like some of the other communities, and we’ve relied on the consulting firm of AECOM to develop the 2017 plan …,” she said. “AECOM conducted research and analysis that supported the 2017 planning process, provided planning expertise, wrote and produced the planning document, and designed and

conducted public engagement.”

Regarding the current review process, officials noted the commission would use the $5,000 to engage with AECOM during the scoping phase of the project. The funding will allow for the updating of certain materials, disclosure and production of sources, planning expertise and the production of different document formats, among other things.

“The Commission intends to conduct a scoping process involving town committees and administration and external stakeholders including businesses, residents and property owners,” Carmean said. “The planning commission seeks funding to access AECOM support during the scoping phase, and they are asking for $5,000.”

Commission Chair Amy Kyle noted AECOM’s services would benefit the town, as the firm had worked with Fenwick Island in the past to develop its comprehensive plan.

“We’re ready to move forward,” she said, “and we need to get the stuff from these guys – they have the materials and information and everything else – and get their advice on how to move forward in this next phase.”

The council voted 6-0, with Councilman Richard Benn absent, to approve the $5,000 funding request.

“This is mandated and has to be done,” Carmean said. “It should be done well, or we just end up redoing everything. The amount that was budgeted for this year’s budget was zero, and we need to remedy that.”

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Community members will have an opportunity to provide their thoughts on two draft school calendars.

Last Tuesday, the Wicomico County Board of Education approved on first reading the drafts of two proposed school calendars for the 2022-2023 academic year. Kim Miles, assistant superintendent for student and family services, noted that both versions of the school calendar were similar, but proposed different winter breaks and school end dates.

“Drafts A and B are very similar with the exception of two months,” she said.

“Those are December and June.”

In Draft A, the academic year would begin on Sept. 6 and end on June 9. It also proposes a winter break from Dec. 22 through Dec. 30, with students returning to school Jan. 2. In Draft B, the academic year would begin on Sept. 6 and end on June 14. The winter break would run from Dec. 19 through Dec. 30, with students returning Jan. 2.

With the board’s approval last week, officials say both calendars will be posted on www.wcboe.org. Miles noted that the school system will also seek the community’s input on both calendars using an online survey.

“That window for the survey will be open through February 28, with anticipation that if all goes as planned we’d come back to you in March with feedback and seeking approval of the final calendar for

February 18, 2022

next year,” she said.

The Board last week also voted to use Presidents Day, celebrated on Feb. 21, as an inclement weather makeup day for students.

“By using Presidents Day, we would not have to have students come back on the 17th of June, but it would also allow us the potential for requesting a waiver from the state for the 16th and later days in June,” Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin said.

“Based upon my experience with the state board and requesting such waivers, I think we have a much greater opportunity to have that happen by making this adjustment to our school calendar.”

A motion to revise the 2021-2022 school calendar passed 5-2, with board members Michael Murray and Tonya Laird Lewis opposed.

“I’m concerned we’ve made so many changes here recently,” Lewis said. “I appreciate your efforts, but I personally do not feel that going on Presidents’ Day is what I’m going to choose.”

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rick Briggs also announced that the school system has adjusted its virtual learning plan to include four hours of synchronous instruction on inclement weather days. He noted Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements included taking attendance and providing opportunities for students to make up missed work on virtual inclement weather days. It also required a Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan to be presented to the community and posted on the school system’s website.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 33

… Event’s Rally Weekend Conflict Raises Concerns In Ocean City Page 34

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FROM PAGE 28 the hump, but we’re not at the end of the road yet. They have concerns about losing this facility. It might be better to do it on a different weekend to be honest. If the direction comes from the Mayor and Council, we can make it work.”

Noccolino said moving the Adventure Fest events to a different weekend could be challenging.

“Are there other weekends? There’s really not a lot available,” he said. “He wants the entire property. It’s not just a weekend. It’s an entire week.”

Councilman and commission member John Gehrig also voiced some concern about back-sliding with the pop-up event.

“We went to Annapolis and showed the video,” he said. “It should come back to the Mayor and Council. All of this looks great. The gun show piece is the emotional piece. … We need to keep putting the pressure on. We haven’t knocked them out. It’s only one punch and you don’t let your guard down after landing one punch.”

For his part, Noccolino said he has reached out to other convention cen-

ter directors in the region about the proposed gun show element and has heard nothing but good things.

“I’ve talked to my colleagues and they can’t put high enough praise on the promoter that runs it,” he said. “The FBI and ATF are all involved. I’ve questioned my colleagues at other convention centers and they all support it. We just need some direction.”

Noccolino explained the OCPD and allied law enforcement agencies would have the area around the north loading dock to stage during the pop-up event after Thursday of Adventure Fest week.

He also said the south loading dock area at the convention center would be available all week for law enforcement.

Perlozzo said City Solicitor Heather Stansbury would work out the details in terms of what the town needed to do on its end to permit the gun show as part of the larger event. There are strict federal regulations in place regarding the sale and transfer of weapons.

“Heather should be able to tell us what we have to do in terms of ordinance changes,” he said. “Heather is

February 18, 2022

not concerned about the federal regulations.”

McGean said the OCPD’s main concern is about losing some or all of the space it uses as a staging area at the convention center during the pop-up event. He pointed to Gehrig’s reference about not letting up when some ground was made up with the pop-up event last year.

“It’s not the gun show that bothers the police department,” he said. “Their concern is about the space they need to operate. Like you said, it’s like spiking the ball before you cross the goal line.”

Gehrig said the intent of scheduling the Ocean City Adventure Fest and its series of events during that week was to absorb much of the town’s hotel and motel inventory, thus making it more difficult for the pop-up event attendees.

“All of these points are legitimate,” he said. “If we fill the town that weekend and we’re booked, we make it more inconvenient for them. The more inconvenient and expensive we make it, the better it is for us.”

Noccolino said he was certain the

larger Ocean City Adventure Fest would fill hotel rooms, but that he wasn’t sure about the demographic for the proposed hunting and fishing expo and gun show elements.

“The larger event will fill rooms,” he said. “I’m not sure we get a lot of roomnights from the gun show. It’s a lot of day-trippers because it’s a regional thing. I think it will draw a lot of people.”

Gehrig said the town for years has tried to find special events with different demographics to fill rooms and offset the pop-up event each September.

“This saturation idea is not a new idea,” he said. “We’ve been talking about this for 10 years. This is why we went from a couple of hundred cars to thousands of cars. We have never tried it. This is the first time.”

After considerable debate, Perlozzo said it was likely time to bring Sutherland back to the council, which will ultimately hold sway over the decision.

“We need to get him on an agenda,” he said. “Let the Mayor and Council figure it out. They need to figure out the gun show part. We just need some direction.”

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st. Patrick’s Parade & Festival Returning march 12

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City will once again be aglow in green as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, returns Saturday, March 12.

While COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of this Ocean City tradition in 2020 and 2021, the DIAC has confirmed the parade will return this year and will be bigger and better than ever.

The event, which began in 1980, has grown to become the largest St. Patrick’s Parade in Maryland and is the seasonal kick-off for many local businesses.

Over the years, the DIAC — a 501(c)(3) social organization — has donated more than $600,000 from the proceeds of the parade and festival, including more than $500,000 alone in scholarships to local high school students. Other recipients include local schools, charities and organizations. The DIAC is especially proud to have made a $50,000 donation to the Macky and Pam Stansell House at Coastal Hospice.

Pipe and drum bands will bring the sounds of Ireland to the streets of Ocean City, along with high school marching

A popular entrant in a previous St. Patrick’s Day Parade is pictured heading south on Coastal Highway.

File Photo

bands and festively decorated floats sponsored by local businesses, groups and organizations.

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Trophies will be awarded for best marching band, best commercial float, best

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In addition to the celebration on the parade route, the 45th Street Shopping Center will once again be transformed into a spirited Irish festival complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, Irish apparel and souvenirs for sale and plenty of food and drink. Spectators can enjoy the free-admission festival beginning at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.

To avoid traffic delays, viewers are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 57th Street south to 45th Street.

The DIAC was founded in 1980, and its first membership drive resulted in 75 members. Today, there are close to 300 members. The club is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent or just likes things Irish.

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Reasons For Optimism In 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 18, 2022

Wealth of Knowledge

BY KRISTIN COANE

SPECIALS TO THE DISPATCH

BERLIN – Year-end brought a resurgence of COVID-19 panic, led by the onset of the Omicron variant in the United States. Families and friends met in large gatherings during the holiday season, the weather got cooler — sending people indoors — and hospitals became overwhelmed with new coronavirus cases. It made for a messy and chaotic end of 2021.

However, there are reasons to be encouraged going into the new year.

Setting aside the ongoing threat of the pandemic and new variants that may lay on the horizon, the U.S. economy has been remarkably resilient through it all. And the coming year offers a lot of good reasons to remain positive.

Everyone’s situation is different. If you feel the need to take stock of your finances and safety nets, please contact us for an insurance review. For a general view of the economic outlook in 2022, the following are insights and predictions from a variety of financial organizations.

Chief Investment Officer Lisa Shalett of Morgan Stanley believes that the new

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infrastructure bill out of Washington, D.C., will sustain fiscal spending and improve labor market participation as well as the development of new, clean energy-related technologies. As companies continue to adapt to the pandemic, there will be an increase in the digitization of services businesses and adaptive technologies. The savings trend that has characterized the past two years looks to shift toward more consumerism by millennials and Gen Z, especially in the housing market. In fact, today’s well-capitalized U.S. banks and household balance sheets are poised to increase lending capacity.

The current economic expansion, which began after the dramatic decline of March 2020, is now 20 months strong. While that doesn’t hold a candle to the record 128-month long expansion following the Great Recession, this recent economic trend is marked by record low KRISTIN unemployment. In DeCOANE cember, the unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 4.2%. Perhaps even more encouraging, labor market participation bumped up to 61.8% in November, which represents the highest level yet since the lockdown of March 2020.

As for rising inflation, the general view is that higher prices are largely due to supply chain disruptions and transportation issues, not a breakdown in economic fundamentals. Even with the new spending bills passed by Congress, both Moody’s and Fitch ratings agencies do not expect them to add to inflationary pressures.

The Federal Reserve, which is responsible for the nation’s monetary policy, is a bit more concerned. Regardless of the reasons for rising inflation, it announced after its December meeting that the agency would reduce net asset purchases beginning in January but would maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25%. Not for the first time, the Fed emphasized that, “the path of the economy continues to depend on the course of the virus.”

As of early December 2021, J.P. Morgan investment bank was highly optimistic that 2022 would mark the end of the pandemic, followed by normal economic and market conditions. This outlook is based on its belief that new therapeutics for preventing and treating COVID-19 will be widely accessible — and presumably embraced — which will alleviate supply-chain bottlenecks.

Moreover, the subsequent resumption of global competition will bring the rising price of goods back in check.

(The writer is an investment advisor with Key Financial Services. The entire KFS team can be reached at 410-629-0357.)

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Sports Network Launched SALISBURY – Draper Media, which owns and operates local television and radio stations on the Delmarva Peninsula including WBOC and WRDE, has launched the area’s first and only local sports television station, Delmarva Sports Network (DSN).

“The Draper family has always been committed to serving our audience and advertising partners with top-quality content,“ says Craig Jahelka, President of Draper Media. “With the addition of Delmarva Sports Network we will offer a unique channel like nothing else on the Peninsula. DSN will be the premiere, local station for sports.”

Jahelka has tapped Sussex County native Bill Vernon to lead the DSN team.

“Growing up in Delmar, I wrestled and played football. I know how passionate people here on Delmarva are when it comes to sports,” says Vernon, DSN Vice President/General Manager. “We are giving viewers quality production unlike anything they would expect to see for local sports. Delmarva Sports Network will air games, highlights, and sports news.

We’ll cover boy’s and girl’s athletics from area high schools, colleges and minor league pro teams.”

DSN will be on the air 24/7. DSN will air a local sports program called The Final Score at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday in addition to providing sports coverage in local newscasts on WBOC, WRDE and FOX21.

DSN will go in depth with sports specials, scoreboards, live and taped games. Coverage will include instant replay, slowmotion, play-by-play and color commentary.

New Practitioner Announced BERLIN – Kerri Ellinger, PA-C, joined Atlantic General Health System this month to provide care at Atlantic General Women’s Health in West Ocean City.

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Ellinger moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2000 and since then has focused on women’s health and urology.

She is passionate about helping women

BUSINESS And Real Estate News

Avery Hall Insurance recognized The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence as the Avery Hall Cares Spotlight Non-Profit for January through March 2022. In support of the agency's charitable efforts, Avery Hall ties its community giving and referral program together. Since the Avery Hall Referral program was started in 2018, the agency has donated over $16,000 to local nonprofit clients through the program alone. The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, or BASSE, seeks to provide innovative and equitable educational opportunities for all students. Pictured, from left, are Katherine L Cauley, BASSE board member, Chantall Ashford, BASSE founder and co-chair, Bryan Allan Stevenson, BASSE principal, Alonna Berry, BASSE founder, and Dr. Teresa Berry, BASSE co-chair and founding board member.

at all stages of life take care of themselves – physically, emotionally and mentally.

Employee Welcomed SEAFORD, Del. – TidalHealth welcomed Amanda Caputo, APRN, FNP, to TidalHealth Cardiology in Seaford.

Caputo received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Chamberlain University in 2018. She then earned her Family Nurse Practitioner degree AMANDA CAPUTO from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky, where she focused on family practice, women’s health, cardiology and pediatrics.

Foundation Reaccredited SELBYVILLE, Del. – The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation has announced the renewal of its Standards for Excellence Institute’s Seal of Excellence.

The foundation — a fundraising arts

nonprofit, with programs that include Freeman Arts Pavilion, an outdoor performances venue in Selbyville, and its Arts Access Initiative, which provides students and underserved families of Delmarva year-round, high-quality arts experiences at no cost — was first awarded the Standards for Excellence Institute’s Seal of Excellence in 2019 after the organization voluntarily opened itself up to analysis by a jury of its peers. The peer review team examined the organization for compliance with the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector, in areas including: mission, strategy and evaluation; leadership; board, staff, and volunteers; legal compliance and ethics; finance and operations; resource development; and public awareness, engagement, and advocacy.

The Standards for Excellence Institute evaluates fundamental values such as honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility, and accountability, all of which are inherently important in the non-

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The foundation’s programs — which include Freeman Arts Pavilion performances as well as its Arts Access Initiative — and services, management, fundraising and financial practices were subjected to in-depth examination prior to earning accreditation.

The Standards for Excellence Institute requires organizations to renew after the initial three years to ensure they are maintaining the policies and good governance and compliance as well as their programs continue to reflect their mission. This accreditation is good for five years, at which time Freeman Arts will have to renew again.

“Achieving our renewed accreditation for Standards for Excellence is a measure of our commitment to the people and communities we serve,” said Patti Grimes, executive director. “As a public charity, we want to assure our stakeholders that we remain committed to delivering on our mission and serving our community while achieving and implementing the highest standards in governance, management and operating systems.”

Director Announced SALISBURY – The Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland is pleased to announce Leslie Porter-Cabell as the new Lower Shore Workforce Alliance Director.

“Leslie brings a wealth of experience from regions ranging from New York City and Boston to DC and Philadelphia,” said Greg Padgham, Executive Director of the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. “Her thoughtful and comprehensive approach LESLIE PORTERto partnership building CABELL between governmental, nonprofit and private sector entities will be a significant asset as she applies that experience to the Lower Shore.”

Over the span of her 20-year career, Porter-Cabell has successfully developed programs that target youth and underrepresented populations, partnered with community institutions to advance education to career pipeline programs, and managed the administration of several major grant-funded projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Boston University and a certificate in Environmental Impact Statements.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 18, 2022

People in Society Enjoying themselves at the February After Dark event were Bob Weinhold and Karen McIntosh of the Ocean City Development Corporation Downtown Association Committee.

by Jeanette Deskiewicz Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

50/50 raffle tickets sales were hot at the Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff, with Richard Wagner and Ed Vazarian on the job.

Dunes Manor Hotel’s Catering and Sales Directors, Angelique Litheland and Wajih Allam, hosted the Ocean City Development Corporation Downtown Association Committee After Dark earlier this month.

Happy helpers Sandy Perrone, Joyce Pool and Pat Sherman kept the utensils stocked at the tasting tables for the Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff benefiting the Millville Volunteer Fire Company.

Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff volunteer Velicia Melson and event organizer Michelle Steffens had their hands full Saturday morning checking in all the tasters.

In charge of the beer sales at the Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff were Millville Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief Walter Johnson and Fire Chief Guy Rickards.

Directing the crowd through the ticket line were Millville Volunteer Fire Company volunteer Janel Murphy and Lifetime Member Kenny Johnson at the Fire & Ice Chili Cookoff.

During last weekend’s Sip ‘n Shop, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 1st Vice President Kirsten Brown and Debbie Helmle sold t-shirts for the group.

Delmarva Health Thru CBD’s Dawn and Nathan Gears had a variety of products for sale during the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 Sip ‘n Shop.

Greeting guests at the door for last Friday’s Sip ‘n Shop, were Pat McConnell and Lois Bartis of The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166.

February 18, 2022

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

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Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above a resident and his best friend take a walk on a snow-covered beach earlier this month. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 18, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos

Members of the Stephen Decatur Middle School Builders Club are pictured working on a quilt for Showell Elementary School student Lakelyn Draheim, who is battling cancer. They’re also participating in a “LakelynStrong” fundraiser at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City on March 2 from 5-9 p.m.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Feb. 1 presented a proclamation to Cynthia Heselbach of the Worcester County Dental Center in Berlin recognizing February as Children’s Dental Health Month in Worcester County. The dental center, which operates under the auspices of the Worcester County Health Department, serves those under age 21 or pregnant who are low income, uninsured, or enrolled in the Maryland Medicaid Program.

Submitted Photos

The Republican Woman of Worcester County (RWWC) held their general meeting and luncheon on January 20th at The Grand Hotel in Ocean City. Beth Rodier, RWWC member and Maryland Federation of Republican Women Eastern Region chair, presented MFRW 2022 legislative priorities of Fair Redistricting, Better Education, and Safer Communities. Pictured left to right is Rodier, past president of RWWC, and Sandy Zitzer, president of RWWC.

Ocean City Lioness Lions President Bev Topfer and Vice President Donna Greenwood presented a check for $2,000 to Ocean City Lions Club. Accepting the check, which is for new front doors to the Lions Den, is 22B Past District Governor and Ocean City Lion Norman Cathell.

Worcester County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom swore in the 2022 Democratic Women's Club Board at the club's holiday luncheon in December. Pictured in the back row are Board Members at-Large: Susan Buyer, Rosie Bean and Rebekah Simonds. Pictured in the front row are Sue Challis, corresponding secretary, Pat Tarr, recording secretary, Bev Thomas, vice president, and Deborah Fisher-Reynolds and Mary Anne Whitcomb, co-presidents.

In memory of the Reverend Harry “Skip” McComas, Elena McComas donated $1,000 through the Kiwanis Club Foundation to the Berlin Intermediate School music department. Pictured left to right are BIS Music Department faculty Elizabeth Newman and Kelly Feagans, Elena McComas, who is also a Worcester County Board of Education member, BIS Principal Ryan Cowder and Kiwanis Club President Tim Lund at the donation presentation.

February 18, 2022

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February 18, 2022

STUDENTS In The News

Kristie Fogle’s second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School has been working on solving two-digit addition problems using a number line. Pictured, from left, are Tucker Ashton, Roman James, Lucy Bergeman and Franny Bergeman. Each student is showing a different way to solve the same problem.

Submitted Photos

Students from Worcester County recently inducted into the Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Wor-Wic Community College were, from left, Amanda Schmidt, Leslie Shaffer and Michael Siddell of Berlin and Brenda Smith of Ocean City.

The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club sponsored an art contest run by the Worcester County Arts Council, with the winners announced Feb. 11. Honorees were, front from left, Aria Islam, Gloria Richards (judge) and Cadie Littleton; back, Alyssa Garner, Kayla Halbig, Nadia Bullock and Jacob Payne. Not pictured were winners Izzy Huber and Brianah Shockley.

The annual Junior Ring Ceremony took place at Worcester Preparatory School on Feb. 9. It is tradition seniors present the juniors with their rings along with a few insightful comments as to why the recipient is special to them. The Ring Ceremony is an inspiring event showing the bond and friendship between peers.

Above, The Junior Class of 2023 following the Ring Ceremony, along with Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School Mike Grosso (top row, far left), Head of School Dr. John McDonald (top row, far right), Senior Class Advisor and teacher Madelyn Beebe (front, far left) and Junior Class Advisor and teacher Liz Nally (front, far right).

Below, members of the junior class stand with WPS members of administration. Pictured, from left, are Jack Gardner, Head of School Dr. John McDonald, Griffin Jones, Harrison Humes, Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School Mike Grosso, Austin Gentry and Logan Ginnavan. Second from bottom, from left, are juniors Jenna Hess, Haris Gjikuria, Nicole Telo, Morgan Schoch, Anne Carter and Caitlyn Hoen. Bottom, three juniors from the Class of 2023 show off their new class rings along with their WPS alumni parents. Pictured, front from left, are Chris Hoen ‘90 and his daughter Caitlyn and Anna Bushnell ‘96 with her son Brody Bushnell, and, back, Reid Tingle ‘92 with his son Parker.

Wicomico Officials Look To Implement New Salary Program

February 18, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – County officials say they are looking to implement a new base pay salary program as early as April.

On Tuesday, Acting County Executive John Psota, Finance Director Pam Oland and Bolton representative Dan Ripberger came before the Wicomico County Council to present the results of a long-awaited salary study. Psota told council members this week the study not only presented recommendations, but included a plan for implementing and funding those recommendations in the coming months.

“The purpose and objective of this study was to analyze the market-to-market payrate for our county positions,” he said, “so as to make the county competitive as it relates to recruiting and retaining qualified employees to ensure high-quality core services are continuously delivered to our citizens.”

Ripberger said that his company worked with the county to improve upon its current compensation program. He noted that he had interviewed 12 department heads and conducted a pay survey of 12 surrounding counties to present pay grade and job classification recommendations that would make Wicomico more attractive to current and potential employees.

“The purpose of this report is to provide the results of the study and also outline a program we’re recommending the county adopt because I think the program that’s in place now really is not meeting the needs in a lot of different facets,” he said.

In addition to proposed job title and classification changes, Ripberger presented council members with new pay structures and grading systems. He noted that salaries for correctional staff were 7% below market, while salaries for all other county employees were 13% below market. Overall, 77.2% of employee salaries fell below the county’s desired market range.

“To me, this sort of further highlights there are some competitive issues to try and address with actual pay,” he said.

Oland told council members this week

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

the county’s administration was recommending the implementation of a new base pay salary program beginning the first pay period in April. To do so, the council must approve a budget amendment, which will be presented next month.

“For the current positions that are filled, we’re almost $1.8 million short on salaries for all positions,” she said. “If we add in the concept of vacant positions at corrections and throughout the county, that comes up to almost $2.25 million.”

Specifically, Oland said the implementation included pay raises for salaries considered below market, with actual pay rates to be based on the number of years in a position.

“This is not a merit-based system,” she said. “This is a system based on longevity in a position.”

In addition to the budget amendment, Oland said administration would present its fiscal year 2023 budget with the recommended pay adjustments. Each fiscal year thereafter would include a 3% pay increase.

“We feel it is appropriate to implement the whole thing and not do it piecemeal,” she said. “We’ve tried to do it piecemeal

in the past and it has not worked.”

Officials told council members this week the proposed implementation plan would be funded by money the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act, which allowed for worker retention incentives.

“If we are not competitive in the market, we are not retaining our people,” she said. “This would be reasonable, so we feel some of our American Rescue Plan money can help fund this for the last part of this fiscal year and next fiscal year.”

Psota said he was eager to implement a new base pay program as soon as possible.

“The bottom line is we need to take care of the employee for retention and recruitment,” he said.

The council on Tuesday also voted to increase the sheriff’s salary from $95,000 to $117,000. However, a resolution to increase the county executive’s salary from $85,000 to $124,000 was postponed after failing to secure the required supermajority vote.

During discussions this week, Councilman Joe Holloway made a motion to amend the proposed salary from $124,000, a 46% pay increase, to $100,000,

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a 17% pay increase.

“All this money comes from the taxpayer, it doesn’t come from the money tree,” he said. “I think bringing this salary up to $100,000 is more than fair.”

Council President John Cannon, however, noted the salary for the county executive position had not been increased since 2006.

“What would the executive be making today if we gave a 3% increase annually?” he said. “If you were to do that math, by 2023 it would be a $140,500.”

Holloway told Cannon the salary being proposed was for an elected position, not a hired position.

“People run for elections because they want to serve …,” he said. “They should not run for an elected position because it pays $124,000.”

After further discussion, a motion to increase the salary to $100,000 instead of the recommended $124,000 failed with Holloway, Councilman Larry Dodd and Councilwoman Nicole Acle in favor and Cannon and Councilmen Josh Hastings, Bill McCain and Ernie Davis opposed.

A motion to postpone the resolution to the next council meeting passed 4-3.

WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT & SAFETY INSPECTION

A $249 VALUE FOR ONLY $99 • Check the electrical service panel and wiring • Tighten screws and lugs on circuit breakers to ensure proper functioning • Apply Noalox on branch circuits’ aluminum wires • Check all outlets with tester for loose connections, open grounds, neutral wires, proper polarity

• Test/inspect GFCI outlets and breakers • Check for double tapped breakers to eliminate overloading a circuit breaker • Survey for proper surge protection • Check smoke detectors and make recommendations for compliance with local electrical codes

Call 410-641-1434 Worcester County Lic. #M917 • Maryland Lic. # 3506

Stevenson United Methodist Resuming In-Person Church Services Every Sunday At 9 a.m.

– Sunday School Back in Session

Stevenson United Methodist Church

123 North Main St., Berlin, Md. 410-641-1137 • www.stevensonchurch.org

– Service Also Livestreamed On Facebook

Challenger Baseball Program Eyes Spring Return

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SALISBURY – Field 7 ½ welcomes back Little League Challenger, an adaptive baseball program designed to provide individuals with physical and intellectual challenges the opportunity to participate in a Little League environment structured to their abilities.

With the goal of providing an opportunity for everyone to play, there are two divisions. Little League Challenger Division is for players ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if the individual is still enrolled in school. Senior League Challenger Division is for players age 15 and above, with no maximum age restriction.

“The relationships cultivated between players, buddies and families are part of what makes Challenger Little League a really special program,” said Wicomico County Recreation, Parks &

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Tourism Director Steve Miller. “We had a lot of great moments last year and I’m excited to continue to build upon those and make even more lasting memories this year.”

Players from Maryland District 8 (Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties) can register for this program. There is no fee to participate.

Opening Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 30. Games will typically be played on weekends April 30-June 5 at Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex’s Field 7 ½. An awards presentation for the players will take place on June 9 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium prior to the Delmarva Shorebirds’ game against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

“Opening Day and the awards presentation at the Shorebirds really elevate the experience for these athletes,” said

Miller. “We want everyone to have a great time and the community continues to rally and help us make that happen.”

The program is also looking for Buddies. Buddies are volunteers that protect the Challenger players and assist with batting, fielding and running the bases, but only as needed. High school students, Boy/Girl Scouts and other athletes make great buddies. Buddies should be at least 9 years of age.

Registration is open for both buddies and players now through April 4. Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org or in person at the Wicomico Civic Center Box Office Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.. For more information, contact Steve Miller at 410-548-4900, ext. 106, or email smiller@wicomicocounty.org.

Trimper’s, OCDC Partner On Spring Safety Celebration

February 18, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Following the success of a month-long festival series, Trimper’s Rides is looking to create a new safety event geared toward children.

Last week, John Shutter and Megan Petro of Trimper’s Rides came before members of the Ocean City Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to present plans for a day-long safety event being held at the park this spring.

Similar to some of the activities held at last year’s Kids Fest, Shutter said the celebration will focus on all aspects of safety and cycling.

“We did this event last year over a span of four weeks and it was very successful,” he said. “So we are putting it into a one-day event. We have already reached out to beach patrol, the Coast Guard, fire and ambulance, and also the sheriff’s K-9 unit. So far all have agreed to participate.”

Last year, Trimper’s Rides opened the park during the month of April to host Kids Fest, a series of themed family-friendly events held over four weekends. Inviting families to enjoy rides and games at the beach, the month-long event featured carnival foods, special activities and unlimited ride wristbands, among other things.

One of the most popular events, Shutter noted, was Kids Unite, which taught kids how to handle emergency situations and gave park attendees a close look at emergency vehicles that were on display.

“Last year, we actually had 3,000 attendees to the park during the safety event,” he said. “It was a very big event. It was also the week after Easter, so it was very well attended.”

Expanding on that concept, Shutter told committee members last week the park is partnering with the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) to host its inaugural spring safety event April 23 from noon to 4 p.m.

In addition to ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and community vendors, the event is expected to include bicycle safety initiatives, including bike registrations and bike light installations.

“We thought that would be something that would also be great as part of this safety event,” he said.

Officials told committee members the goals of the safety event are to raise funds for OCDC and promote safety initiatives in and around Ocean City. When asked if the park had applied for a special event permit, Shutter said it would do so in the coming days.

“The plan is to position most of the vehicles on South 1st Street,” he added. “I think the vendors are going to be inside the park.”

Shutter also noted the park has been in contact with Special Events Director Frank Miller as well as the police department to request the presence of its mounted unit, K-9 unit and bike unit.

“It’s coming together very nicely,” he said.

February 18, 2022

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Who’s Where When COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Saturday, Feb. 19: Lennon La Ricci & Leftovers

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Best Beats

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, Feb. 18

On The Beach

CORK BAR Saturday, Feb. 19: Chris Diller Sunday, Feb. 20: Skid Lid

BEATS BY WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, Feb. 18: Opposite Directions Tuesday, Feb. 22: Monkee Paw Wednesday, Feb. 23: Brian Bishop CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, Feb. 18: Rogue Citizens Saturday, Feb. 19: Lincoln City

February 18, 2022

Pickles Pub: Mondays Karaoke with Wood

THE BUZZER BAND Ocean Club/Clarion: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 18 & 19 BRYAN CLARK Fager’s Island: Monday, Feb. 21

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, Feb. 18: DJ, Greg, DJ Robcee Saturday, Feb. 19: Blue Miracle, In Too Deep DJ Greg, DJ Hook Monday, Feb. 21: Bryan Clark HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, Feb. 19: Side Project, DJ Jeremy Sunday, Feb. 20: Opposite Directions Thursdays: DJ Billy T

CHRIS DILLER Cork Bar: Saturday, Feb. 19

LINCOLN CITY Crawl Street Tavern: Saturday, Feb. 19

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays, Wednesdays

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, Sundays, Thursdays

OCEAN CLUB 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The Clarion Hotel Friday & Saturday, Feb. 18 & 19: The Buzzer Band Sunday, Feb. 20: On The Edge PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Styler Saturday, Feb. 19: Desert Shade Sundays: Beats By Styler Mondays: Beats By Styler Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 18: Jexxa Duo, Nowhere Slow, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff Saturday, Feb. 19: Full Circle, Steal The Sky, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff Sunday, Feb. 20: John McNutt Band Thursday, Feb. 24: Full Circle Duo

IN TOO DEEP Fager’s Island: Saturday, Feb. 19

DJ TUFF Seacrets: Friday, Feb. 18 Saturday, Feb. 19

BLAKE HALEY Greene Turtle West: Tuesdays

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Crabcake Factory Bayside: Friday, Feb. 18 Harborside: Sunday, Feb. 20

LENNON LaRICCI & THE LEFTOVERS Coins Pub: Saturday, Feb. 19

DESERT SHADE Pickles Pub: Saturday, Feb. 19

September 24, 2021

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Who’s Where When

SMOOTH & REMY Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wednesday, Sept. 29

THE DUNEHOUNDS Pickles Pub: Saturday, Sept. 25

THE CHEST PAINS Coconuts Beach Bar: Sunday, Sept. 26

LIVE WIRE (AC/DC TRIBUTE) Seacrets: Friday, Sept. 24

RICK & REGINA Coins Pub: Saturday, Sept. 25

LIME GREEN BAND Greene Turtle West: Friday, Sept. 24 Cocnuts Beach Bar: Saturday, Sept. 25

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, Sept. 26

SCRAPPLE Crwl St. tavern: Saturday, Sept. 25

SHOTS FIRED Purple Moose: Sunday, Sept. 26

HOLLY MONTGOMERY BAND Fager’s Island: Friday, Sept. 24

February 18, 2022

Every Monday: TOPS Meeting 5-6:30 p.m. Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support group promoting weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call Rose 443-880-8444.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus will host with doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Held at the Columbus Hall at 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke's Church. Play every game for just $24. Light refreshments available. Call 410-524-7994 with any questions.

Every Tuesday: Dancing The Delmarva Hand Dance Club holds dancing at the Selbyville Elks Lodge 2173 from 5:30-9 p.m. delmarvahanddancing.com.

Every Wednesday: Bingo Elks Lodge 2645, corner of Sinepuxent Avenue and 138th Street in Ocean City.

Has bingo all year. Doors open 4:30 p.m. with first game sharply at 6:30 p.m.

Kitchen open for light fare. 410-2502645.

Feb. 18: Oyster Fritter Sandwiches From 2 p.m. till at the American Legion Post 123, 10111 Old Ocean City Blvd.

Public is welcome. Cost $9.

Feb. 18: Spaghetti Dinner Friday night carryout dinner at the Berlin Fire Company offering spaghetti with meat sauce, salad and garlic toast for $12, 4:30-7 p.m. Next dinner is fried chicken on March 18.

Feb. 18-19: Chess Tournaments Show off your skills and compete against other chess players during the annual Adult & Youth Chess Tournaments at the Wicomico Civic Center.

The youth tournament, for ages 5-18, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18.

Players are guaranteed four matches and can register in advance for $7, or day-of for $12.

The adult tournament, for participants 18 and older, begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. Registration is $20 in advance or $25 at the door and players are guaranteed three matches. Rated youth players are welcome in the adult tournament.

Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners of each division.

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Things To Do

join together to present “Black American History & NAACP.” Organizers invite you to participate via Zoom with shore NAACP branches. See Worcester County NAACP Facebook page for more information or email president@wcnaacp7028-branch.org for Zoom information.

Players are also encouraged to bring their own chess sets and clocks.

Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org.

Feb. 18-20: Boat Show Sponsored by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, the 39th annual event will feature over 350 boats, 150 exhibitors and 50 boat dealers. Hours are 11 a.m.7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20.

Feb. 19: Fried Chicken Dinner Drive-thru pickup only from 11 a.m.-until at New Hope United Methodist Chuch in Willards. Menu includes mashed potatoes, greens, string beans, roll and dessert. 410-543-8244.

Feb. 19: Virtual Dr. Walk Check out Atlantic General Hospital’s Facebook page at 9 a.m. where there will be a short presentation from a provider. You can then walk your favorite route and share selfies online using #walkedwithagh. tsimmons@atlanticgeneral.org.

Feb. 19: History Session Interested in the history of African American entrepreneurship in Worcester County? At the Germantown School (10223 Trappe Road) from 10 a.m.-noon, Gabe Purnell and Vaughn White will lead a session on this little known aspect of Worcester County’s past. Seating will be limited. Register by email germantownschool@gmail.com or call Karen Prengaman (443-235-9803). COVID protocols will be followed. For more information, visit the Germantown School Facebook page.

Feb. 19-20: Go Red Walk Events As part of this year’s Go Red for Women campaign, girls and women of all ages are encouraged to get in their steps and move their way to increase daily physical activity. During the month of February, the Worcester County Health Depart-

ment and Atlantic General Hospital will be sponsoring walk events in the county.

To register, call 410-632-1100, ext. 1108.

Residents can get in their steps from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at one for the following park locations: Byrd Park in Snow Hill; Cypress Park in Pocomoke and Stephen Decatur Park in Berlin.

Feb. 20: Sports Day At The Beach Located at the Westside Route 50 Shopping Center, the annual sports cards and memorabilia show will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting Believe In Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. Admission donation of $5 and under 10 years old $2.

Feb. 21: General Meeting 10 a.m. Democratic Women's Club of Worcester County General Meeting. (via Zoom). Guest speaker will be civil rights activist Carl O. Snowden. Email suechallis68@gmail.com for Zoom information.

Feb. 22-23: Auditions The Ocean Pines Players announces Youth Auditions for the May production of “The Big Bad Musical” at the Ocean Pines Community Center located at 235 Ocean Pkwy. With no experience necessary, these auditions are open to ages 8-17 and designed to be safe, casual, and fun. A cast of 18 is necessary. For more information and the audition form, please go to: http://sites.google.com/view/oceanpinesplayers or email Director, Frank Pasqualino BigBadMusicalOPP@google.com.

Feb. 23: Grief Support Group From 5:30-7p.m. in Atlantic General Hospital’s Conference Room 1, the goal of the support group is to provide hope for the future at a difficult time. Gail Mansell, 410-641-9725, gmansell@atlanticgeneral.org.

Feb. 24: NAACP Gathering At 7 p.m. Wicomico County NAACP with coalition members, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, will

Things To Do activities are printed free of charge. To ensure that an event is listed in a timely manner, please submit information as early as possible, since all items will be listed in advance as space permits. Be sure to include the date, name of event, time, location, address and a contact number. Email to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com; fax to 410-641-0966; or mail to The Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Feb. 26: Spa Day This popular event returns to the Community Center with a Mardi Gras-style twist! Kids can enjoy an hour of pampering including nail painting, hair styling, a Mardi Gras craft, and snacks on Saturday, Feb. 26. Appointments are available from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Preregistration is required. Call 410-6417052.

Feb. 26: Drive Thru Dinner Chicken parmesan with spaghetti or homemade meatballs with spaghetti, both served with salad, garlic bread and dessert, $18 per dinner, pick-up time: 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin. To place your order, call or email the church with the following information: Your Name, Phone Number and Dinner Choice. Orders at the door accepted on a first come first served basis: 410-641-2186 or bethany21811@gmail.com.

March 3-6: OC Film Festival In partnership with the Art League of OC, this festival features films by local and international filmmakers of every background and genre. Screenings at multiple venues around OC. ocmdfilmfestival.com.

March 11-13: Wool, Fiber Expo At the Ocean City Convention Center, there will be vendors associated with the wool industry with raw and finished products for sale. Many classes available.

Visit www.woolandfiber.com for class information and sign up. $4 admission or $5 for the weekend. 443-235-2926 for more information.

March 12: St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, the procession begins at noon on Coastal Highway at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing bleachers and judging stand will be located.

Live music festival at 45th Street during and after parade.

100 Films Set For Screening At OC’s Annual Festival

Page 48

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

‘In-Person Experience This Year’

OCEAN CITY – The 6th Annual Ocean City Film Festival will come to theaters and venues in the resort March 3-6, screening 100 independent films from around the world, with 20 films connected to Maryland. Tickets are currently on sale at OCMDFilmFestival.com.

The festival is an initiative of the Art League of Ocean City that produces the festival along with broad support from the Town of Ocean City and the Ocean City community. The event is organized by Film Festival Director and Towson University alumni B.L. Strang-Moya.

The sixth year of the festival will showcase independent films in multiple genres: animation, dramatic shorts, environmental and aquatic, feature length, funny shorts, horror/sci-fi, short documentary, youth short films, and short feel-good films. Many of the shorter films will be grouped into blocks for easy viewing.

“We are returning to an in-person experience this year, with our films playing around the resort in iconic Ocean City venues including Morley Hall

at Seacrets, Flagship Cinemas, Fox Gold Coast Theater, Ocean Downs Casino, and the Ocean City Performing Arts Center,” Strang-Moya said.

“As a bonus, our $99 all-access pass holders can stream our entire film library for an additional week after the festival ends. This gives everyone an opportunity to see the films they may have missed or watch favorites a second time. We are also offering single day passes starting at $20 and party passes starting at $25.”

The festival kicks off Thursday, March 3 at Ocean City’s Performing Arts Center at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center with a night of locally-produced films and an opening night party complete with red carpet.

Friday, March. 4, offers a day of films culminating with a reception at the Art League’s Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th St. bayside, that also coincides with the Art League’s First Friday art opening party. Five new art shows will be opening that evening.

Saturday, March 5 features a day of films with a happy hour reception at

February 18, 2022

Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin. Sunday closes the festival with films and a closing ceremony with a presentation of awards at Seacrets Morley Hall.

Complete information about the festival, including a list of films, is available at OcMdFilmFestival.com.

Also listed on the website are special, off-season hotel rates for festival goers, with rooms starting at $89 per night.

“Traveling to Ocean City is incredibly affordable this time of year, even more now that our hotel sponsors are offering festival attendees discounted rates starting at $89 a night,” Strang-Moya said. “These are waterfront rooms in major hotels that are booked solid in the summer season.”

The festival has grown in scope and attendance since the Art League launched it six years ago.

"We are grateful that since our launch of the festival in 2017, we have entertained more than 3,500 audience members, received more than 1,500 film submissions, and maintained a consistent monthly and yearly film program,” he continued.

The films have not been rated, and some feature adult content. Viewer discretion is advised. For the safety of festival goers, masks will be sug-

A graphic promoting next month’s event is pictured.

Submitted Photo

gested in all venues.

Festival passes are now on sale at OCMDFilmFestival.com or by calling 410-524-9433. All-access passes are $99 and include access to all films, parties, and workshops plus one bonus week of online streaming of all the films. Day passes start at $20 and party passes start at $25.

Adopt A Pet From The Shelter These Loving Animals, Sponsored Each Month By Local Businesses, Are Available For Adoption At The Ocean City Humane Society: 410-213-0146.

To Sponsor A Pet, Call 410-641-4561 • Annually, 10% Of The Proceeds From This Page Are Donated To The Shelter The Humane Society Desperately Needs Volunteers To Help Care For The Cats And Dogs. Any Amount Of Time You Can Spare Will Be Appreciated.

BANDIT

BRENDA

CASSANDRA

CRASH

JIMBO

Adkins Of Berlin Harrison Avenue 410-641-2200

Bank Of Ocean City Ocean Pines 410-208-9380

Taylor Bank Main Street, Berlin, Md. 410-641-1700

Casual Designs Rte. 54, Fenwick 302-436-8224 Rte. 50, Berlin 410-629-1717

Shore Results Realty Kim McGuigan, Broker, OC 443-992-4990

LATTE

MA CHERIE

MACCHIATO

SPIKE

TAWNEY

Pit & Pub 4 Locations www.pitandpub.com

The Shark Restaurant 12429 Sunset Ave., WOC 410-213-0294

The Dough Roller Five Locations In Ocean City

Maryland Title Service 11500 Coastal Hwy., Suite 7, OC 410-723-2000

Elliott’s Hardware Rte. 611, West Ocean City 410-213-1088

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

The Dispatch’s Pets of the Month

Pet’s Name: Lily & Mason Pet’s Age/Breed: 7 and 4 years old Poodle mixes Pet’s Owners: Julie & Sherry Lauer

Pet’s Name: Morti Pet’s Age/Breed: 7-month-old miniature golden doodle Pet’s Owners: Dane & Sharon Williams

Pet’s Name: Macey Pet’s Age/Breed: 15-month-old Australian labradoodle Pet’s Owner: Terri Mohr

Pet’s Name: Cooper & Buck Pet’s Age/Breed: 11 and 3 years old Labradors Pet’s Owners: Jimmy, Terri & Colby Morris

EDITOR

STEVE GREEN

Pet’s Name: Tux Pet’s Age/Breed: 5-year-old short-hair tuxedo Pet’s Owners: Yvonne & Steve Babcock

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

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

On the front page is last month’s winning entry, Buxton, owned by The Fager Family.

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

Please be sure it’s a high-quality photo suitable for reproduction and to include your mailing address, the pet’s name, age and breed and the owner’s first and last name. The next series will appear in this space on March 11.

Pet’s Name: Thor Pet’s Age/Breed: 3-month-old Brussels Griffon Pet’s Owner: Rich Sim

Seahawks Win Third Straight State Championship The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

In The News

SPORTS

Page 50

Decatur Girls Win Two More, Improve To 17-0

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team picked up two more wins this week to improve to 17-0 on the season.

The Seahawks have steamrolled through their regular season schedule, remaining unbeaten through 17 games and dominating on the scoreboard on most nights. This week, the Decatur girls picked up a rare 2-0 forfeit win over Kent County, followed by a 57-9 rout of Nandua on Monday.

The Seahawks were scheduled to face Parkside on Thursday at home in the regular season finale game played too late to be included in this edition. The Rams gave the Decatur girls their stiffest test all season with a 68-62 win by the Seahawks back on January 13. Next week, the Decatur girls will compete in the Bayside Conference championship game at Queen Anne’s.

February 18, 2022

Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling last weekend won its third straight state 2A championship, beating Huntingtown in the semifinals and edging Middletown in a close one in the title match. Pictured above, the Seahawks are all smiles as they show off the championship hardware for the third straight time.

Submitted photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team captured its third straight Maryland 2A championship last weekend, edging Middletown, 30-27, in a tight title match.

After winning the state championship in 2019 and 2020, the Seahawks had to wait out last year when the state tournament was not held because of COVID concerns. Last week, Decatur traveled to North Point High School for the state 2A championship meet and emerged with the title, their third in a row.

Decatur beat Huntingtown, 61-18, in the state semifinals, and then edged Middletown, 30-27, in a match that came down to the last bout. The third straight state championship was especially sweet for Coach Todd Martinek, who has announced he is retiring as the head wrestling coach after this season. Martinek’s record at Decatur is 266-71, including the three state championships and a handful of individual state championships for his wrestlers.

Against Huntingtown in the semifinals, Logan Intrieri beat Luke Johnson at 132, Coby Drummond beat Dylan

Bishop at 138, Evan Haworth beat Kyle Starks at 145, Gavin Solito beat Hayden Kelly at 152, Parker Intrieri beat Ryan Smith at 160, Noah Reho beat Hugo Frazier at 170, Jack Quisguard beat Daniel Aragona at 182, Alex Koulikov beat Cameron Rochon at 195, Henry Brous won by forfeit at 220 and Michael Rayne beat Trenton Wilks at 285.

In the championship match against Middletown, Drummond beat Henry Graham at 138, Solito beat Asher White at 145, Parker Intrieri beat Liam Wilson

at 160, Reho beat Aidan Waters at 182 and Koulikov beat Kirean Hofgesang at 195. The Seahawks then lost five straight bouts from the 220-pound weight class to the 120-pound weight class and trailed, 27-24, with two bouts to go. Reid Caimi beat Peyton Hills at 126 to tie the match at 27-27. Logan Intrieri then beat Jack Camarote at 132 to put the Seahawks ahead for good at 30-27 to claim the state 2A championship. The Seahawks will compete in the Bayside Conference championships this weekend.

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

beat Holly Grove, 22-19. The Mallards led 12-11 at the half and held on for the win in the decidedly low-scoring matchup.

The Mallards opened the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) playoffs this week with a game against Salisbury Christian. Meanwhile, the Worcester Prep boys (7-4) opened ESIAC tournament play against Holly Grove. The Worcester boys just beat Holly Grove in the regular season finale last Friday, 68-34.

Mallards Sweep Pair, Improve To 12-4

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team swept two games last week to improve to 12-4 on the season.

The Mallards beat Salisbury Christian, 59-41, last Wednesday. Morgan White led Worcester with 27 points, while Lily Baeurle scored 20. White and Baeurle combined for 47 of the Mallards’ 59 points. Last Friday, Worcester

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 51

HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Your ideas are finally reaching those who can appreciate them. But don't expect any immediate reactions. That will come later. Meanwhile, a personal matter needs your attention.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your energy levels are rising, and you're feeling restless and eager to get into some activity, whether it's for profit or just for fun. In either case, the aspects are highly favorable, so go for it.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A relationship seems to be winding down from passionate to passive. It's up to you to decide what the next step will be. But don't wait too long to take the initiative. Delay could create more problems.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): A decision looms. But be very sure that this is what you really want before you sign or say anything. Once you act, there'll be little or no wiggle room for any adjustments.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): Money matters improve, but you still need to be cautious with your spending. Also, set aside that Leonine pride for a bit and apologize for contributing to that misunderstanding.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): A tempting financial situation could make the usually unflappable Virgo rush in before checking things out. Be alert to possible hidden problems. Get the facts before you act.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): It's

nice to know that you're finally getting due credit for your efforts. You also should know that new opportunities will follow. A family member brings important news.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): Any uncertainty that begins to cloud an impending decision could signal a need to re-examine your reasons for wanting to take on this commitment.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21): You benefit from taking time out of your currently hectic schedule to do more contemplation or meditation. This will help re-energize you, both in body and soul.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): Nursing hurt feelings can zap the energies of even the usually self-confident Sea Goat. Best advice: Move forward.

Success is the best balm for a painful ego.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): A display of temperament surprises you, as well as those around you. It could be all that pressure you're under. Consider letting someone help you see it through.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): Some things don't seem to be working out as you'd hoped. Don't fret. Instead, take some time out to reassess your plans and see where changes could be made.

BORN THIS WEEK: You enjoy traveling and meeting people. You are especially good with children and would make an excellent teacher.

TRUSTS

Trust Planning To: • Protect Assets • Protect Children • Protect Privacy • Simplify, and 9748 Stephen Decatur Hwy. #112 Ocean City, MD 21842 www.batielaw.com

443-856-4676 Monday-Friday

(c) 2022 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

• Avoid Probate

Call us for a free 30 minute phone consultation.

HOME OF THE ORIGINAL FRESH -SQUEEZED “ORANGE CRUSH”

over a million sold!

SPECIALS SUNDAY: ALL DAY: 30% Off Entrees

HAPPY HOUR

Monday-Friday 3-6 p.m.

$3 Domestic Drafts & Rail Drinks $5 Glasses Of Wine $6.50 Original Orange Crush $8.99 Jerk Chicken $10.99 Wings $8.99 1/2-Lb. Steamed Shrimp $10.99 Steamed Mussels $20.99 2 Dozen Steamed Clams

MONDAY: ALL DAY: $3 Off Margaritas & 1/2 - Off Tacos, Quesadillas & More TUESDAY: 3 P.M. : Italian Night 3-Course Meal $20 1/2 Price Bottle of Wine WEDNESDAY: ALL DAY: $9.99 Burger & Chicken Breast Sandwiches

(Mussel Style Add $2)

FRIDAY: LADIES’ NIGHT 6-9 P.M. $5 Glasses Of Wine $6.50 Original Orange/Grapefruit Crushes $3 Domestic Drafts & Rail Drinks

FRIDAY: DJ Billy T 3 pm

THURSDAY: 3 P.M.: $19.99 AYCE Ribs & Steamed Shrimp Specials are not to be combined with any other offer, discount or coupon. Some restrictions apply. No substitutions, dine in only. Excludes holidays & holiday weekends.

ENTERTAINMENT SUNDAY: SATURDAY: Side Project • 1 pm Opposite Directions • 1 pm DJ Billy T • 6 pm DJ Jeremy • 6 pm

THURSDAY: DJ Billy T 3 pm

Open Fri. & Sat. 11am-9pm • Sun.-Thurs. 11am-8pm ANSWERS ON PAGE 62

South Harbor Rd • West End, Ocean City • 410-213-1846 Waterfront WiFi • www.weocharborside.com

vanishing

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 52

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

OCEAN CITY

February 18, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

Crawl Street’s Super Bowl Feast

The feeling after public speaking Super Bowls with few penalties A parenting win

At least two vacations a year

The Sopranos-themed commercial

Plants looking to bloom in February The show, “As We See It”

All the support for the Draheim family

When a team trades an unhappy player Transparent governing

In 1869 Isaac Coffin opened a lodge on the beach in the area of today’s S. 1st Street and Boardwalk. Known as the Rhode Island Inn (and later the Ocean House), it catered to hunters and fishermen on the remote barrier island of what would become Ocean City.

The property would be sold to Philadelphia native William Selby in 1880 who renamed it Congress Hall and added a three-story addition increasing the size of the hotel to 110 rooms. He also enlarged the dining room which featured a menu of oysters, crabs, fresh fish, and terrapin. Rooms rented from $10 to $12.50 a week and advertised an ocean view from all parts of the property.

Congress Hall was badly damaged in the hurricane of 1903 and never regained the prominence of its first two decades. After several ownership and name changes, the once popular hotel was lost to a fire on May 17, 1924.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

Image courtesy of the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 53

The Dispatch Classifieds $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch (Contract Discounts Available) Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard

HELP WANTED YEAR ROUND POSITIONS: Small Engine Mechanic, Maintenance Man, Certified Pool Operator.

Competitive Wages.

443-754-1047.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– P/T DENTAL HYGIENIST: Small, family oriented Dental Office seeking part time Dental Hygienist.

Please send a resume to dentistryinthepines@gmail.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NOW HIRING FULL TIME BARTENDER Call 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS Must have:

Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License

TEQUILA MOCKINGIRD NORTH: 129th Street. Hiring year round server must be flexible with hours.

Hiring year round bus person.

Email jenvank@yahoo.com for application and to set up interviews.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Call 410-641-9530

Bartenders • Servers Kitchen All Positions Host/Hostesses Food Runners • Bussers

54

Apply in Person

FENWICK ISLAND

Looking For Reliable Carpenters and Carpenters Helpers

Must Have Transporation, Nail Pouch, Tape, Square, Chalk Line, and Hammer.

All Other Tools Including Power Tools Are Supplied by Company.

Please Contact Robert Holland at 443-496-1303

Bartenders • Servers Front of House Manager Kitchen All Positions Hostess • Food Runners Bussers Apply in Person IN THE OF FENWICK

NOW HIRING

•FRONT DESK AGENTS •NIGHT AUDITORS •PM DESK MANAGER

Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

•ALL POSITIONS Experienced applicants are preferred, but not required.

We require satisfactory pre-employment background check by all applicants.

Please contact Bob or Jeff at 410-289-6846 for further information or to schedule an interview.

HELP WANTED EXTERIOR PAINTERS & CAULKERS

TOP PAY!!!

PLEASE CALL 443-614-0234

Sealevel LLC Is Now Hiring!

16+ year experienced underground excavation company in search of skilled laborers for installation of underground utility work.

Experience preferred but willing to train.

Requirements: strong work ethic, positive attitude.

Position is full time, year round 40+ hours/week, overtime provided. Pay rate based on experience.

Call 443-497-4216 to schedule interview.

INDIAN RIVER MARINA IS NOW HIRING! •NIGHTWATCH •BOATYARD •MAINTENANCE •FUEL DOCK

Apply Online at delawarestatejobs.com For additional information, please contact the Marina office at 302.227.3071 AA/EOE

NOW HIRING AWESOME PEOPLE

OFFICE PERSONNEL Front Desk Assistant

Ocean Aviation Flight Academy seeks professional motivated individual for Front Desk Assistant position.

Must have excellent customer service skills. We are seeking a candidate that is organized and has at least two years of office experience. Must be computer proficient. Interested candidates should e-mail their resume to mfreed@flyoceanaviation.com

HELP WANTED

CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN/ MARINA TRAVEL LIFT OPERATOR

Position will be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the travel lift and forklifts. Duties will include the operation and maintenance of the marine travel lift, proper boat docking and large forklift operation plus daily supervision of the boatyard staff.

Apply online at delawarestatejobs.com

For further assistance, you may contact us by phone at 302.739.5458 or email at jobs@delaware.gov

Holding open interviews

EVERY SAT & SUN 11am-2pm for:

•SERVERS •HOSTS •BUS STAFF •KITCHEN STAFF •SECURITY

Come by and join our 2022 family!

54th ST OCMD 410-723-5565

Behind Chauncey’s Surf Shop

HOTEL MAINTENANCE WORKER: ENTRY LEVEL Hourly/Full-Time/Year Round Position, located at Castle in the Sand Hotel, Ocean City, MD. Must have reliable transportation and be available to work, weekends, holidays and evenings. Candidate will work under general supervision assisting in maintenace and repairs of two hotel properties, condominiums and cottages to include painting, carpentry, minor electrical and general building maintenance. Required to perform physical labor and must be able to lift up to 75lbs and use hand and power operated tools and machinery.

Requirements: •High School Diploma or Equivalent preferred •Ability to perform manual physical labor •Strong verbal and written communication skills •Ability to multi-task •Flexible schedule a must This position offers full-time, year round benefits such as Medical & Dental Plans, Vacation, and Holiday Time.

We require satisfactory pre-employment background check by all applicants.

Please contact Bob at 410-289-6846 for further information or to schedule an interview.

Currently Hiring Manpower For:

Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work o Experience preferred. o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus. o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

Please Apply Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers

Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER FLOATER Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker/Floater position available for our North Ocean City and Millsboro locations.

Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please email resume to kelly.drexel@fbwbank.com or call Kelly at 410-250-1512 Application cut off is 2-28-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer” The Dispatch Is On Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

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Page 54

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch Classifieds

The Dispatch Legal Notices

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline for all legal advertising is Tuesday at noon.

For more information call 410-641-4563 or fax 410-641-0966.

Third Insertion

FULL-TIME PERSONAL BANKER Farmers Bank of Willards has a full-time Personal Banker position available at our West Ocean City location. Looking for professional and motivated individuals with extraordinary customer service skills. Cash handling experience & excellent computer skills a must.

Please send resume to 12641 Ocean Gateway, OC, MD 21842 or email: jennie.rice@fbwbank.com Application cut off is 2-28-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

RENTAL NEEDS

REAL ESTATE

SEEKING HOUSING: I am looking for a small apartment in Ocean City, Ocean Pines, or Berlin. Need ASAP. Please call 443-754-7054.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FOR SALE BY OWNER: Huge spacious double wide with outside building in nice park in West OC. Excellent condition. Fully furnished. All real wood furniture. All appliances, etc., etc. Call for more details and appointment to see.

443-523-7878.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

COMMERCIAL STORAGE WEST OCEAN CITY: 2 car garage with attached work room. 775 sqft. Call 410-7260075.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEST O.C. OFFICE/RETAIL SPACES AVAILABLE: 2 Office/Retail Spaces for Lease.

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Commercial Office in Ocean Pines Area Approx. 1000SF Available Now 410-977-7254

RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTALS Poolfront: $245 Efficiency: $275 2 BR Apartment: $350 3 BR Suite: $425

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

BOATS 2021 SUNCHASER VISTA LR 22: Pontoon boat with 115 hp Yamaha Outboard. Crusing model with many upgrades. Excellent condition. Upgrading to larger boat.

Boat can be seen at Harbor Marine Inc., West OC. Call for price and more information. 240-429-7735.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– THREE BOATS FOR SALE: 1994 19’ Sunbird bowrider, 115 hp Johnson (rebuit in 2017), EZ-Loader bunk trailer. Reduced to $5000.

2013 22’ Sunchaser pontoon boat, 115 hp Evinrude ETEC, no trailer.

Reduced to $14,900. 1992 PROLINE dual console, 2012 150 hp Evinrude ETEC 2016 Loadrite galvanized roller trailer. Reduced to $10,990. Call 410-213-1383.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2016 SUNCHASER 22’ LOUNGER DH: Side by side Captain’s chairs, 115 hp Evinrude ETEC with factory warranty. Many options. $27,500. Call for more info. Leave msg at 443-546-0889.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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The Dispatch Classified Pages Can Point You in the Right Direction!

Help Wanted, Roommates, Rentals, Yard Sales, Real Estate & More!

W. HANK FISHER III, ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000020 DELORES O. ADKINS 2716 BYRD ROAD POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851 Plaintiff vs.

DANIEL G. GUNBY JR. 2711 ELLICOTT DRIVE BALTIMORE, MD 21216 AND ROBERTA COTTMAN 711 WESTOVER CIRCLE SALISBURY, MD 21801 AND WORCESTER COUNTY ATTN: PHIL THOMPSON, COLLECTOR OF TAXES 1 W. MARKET STREET, ROOM 1105 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 AND ALL PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN PROPERTY SITUATE IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MD DESCRIBED AS: 84’ X 336’, JENKINS ORCHARD NR S SIDE BYRD RD, TAX ACCOUNT NO. 01-004654 Defendants ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property described below and located in Worcester County, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: ACCOUNT NO. 01-004654, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 84’ X 336’, JENKINS ORCHARD NR S SIDE BYRD RD, DEED REFERENCE: 0028/0439, ASSESSED TO DANIEL GUNBY AND MARY E. GUNBY, BUT CURRENTLY OWNED BY DANIEL G. GUNBY JR. AND ROBERTA COTTMAN. The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for re-

demption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 26TH of January, 2022 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland,

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

JUDY SPENCER OR MARTESHA M. SPENCER OR ANY PERSON WHO MAY CLAIM THROUGH JUDY SPENCER OR MARTESHA M. SPENCER

(6) months have passed since that date.

It is thereupon this 28TH of January, 2022 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland,

AND ORDERED that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland once a week for three (3) successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 28th day of March, 2022, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgement will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 04, 2022 BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 02-04, 02-11, 02-18

Third Insertion RUSS ROBINSON, III 152 W. WASHINGTON ST. HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000021 KELVIN P. SMITH Plaintiff vs.

JUDY SPENCER AND MARTESHA M. SPENCER AND CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND MARINER FINANCE, LLC AND ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS OF

WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND (for Maryland Annotated Code 14-836(b)(1)(v) purposes only) SERVE: ROSCOE LESLIE, COUNTY ATTORNEY ONE W. MARKET STREET, ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 AND ALL PERSONS THAT HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN PROPERTY IN ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 3, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND, DESCRIBED AS 1 1/2 ACRES NEAR SOUTH SIDE FLOWER STREET NEAR PITTS BRIDGE, AND ASSESSED IN ACCOUNT NO. 03-014649 TO JUDY SPENCER AND MARTESHA M. SPENCER. Defendants ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the following property in Worcester County, State of Maryland, sold by the Finance Officer of Worcester County, State of Maryland, to the Plaintiff, Kelvin P. Smith, the parcel of land as described as follows: ALL THAT PROPERTY IN ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 3, WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND, DESCRIBED AS 1 1/2 ACRES NEAR SOUTH SIDE FLOWER STREET NEAR PITTS BRIDGE, AND ASSESSED IN ACCOUNT NO. 03-014649 TO JUDY SPENCER AND MARTESHA M. SPENCER AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE DEED RECORDED AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND IN LIBER 5438 FOLIO 188.

ORDERED that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in one newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for three consecutive weeks, on or before the 2nd day of April, 2022, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 2nd day of April, 2022, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or thereafter the final judgement will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff to said property of fee simple title, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 04, 2022 BEAU H. OGLESBY JUDGE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 02-04, 02-11, 02-18

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, TRUSTEE PINES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 11029 CATHELL ROAD BERLIN, MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000182 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 Plaintiff

More than six (6) months have passed since the date of the sale and the property has not been redeemed by any party in interest.

v.

JEROME SIMMONS, ET AL. Defendants

The Complaint states among other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

The sale date was on May 21, 2021, and more than six

NOTICE ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, this 4th day of February, 2022, that the foreclosure sale of the proper-

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch sentative or the attorney.

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com ties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 7th day of March, 2022, provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 28th day of February, 2022.

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval: TIMESHARES SOLD: BC=Bay Club Time Share Owners Associates, Inc. Condominium Unit 308 Time Interval 24 Price $3500.00 Purchaser BC Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 11, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 02-11, 02-18, 02-25

Second Insertion B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET PO BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 18865 To all persons interested in the estate of JAMES E. HARMON, ESTATE NO. 18865.

Notice is given that NONA C. HARMON, 113 MAY DRIVE, SALISBURY, MD 21804, was on, FEBRUARY 02, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES E. HARMON, who died on AUGUST 7, 1999, 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 2ND day of AUGUST, 2022.

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; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 11, 2022 NONA C. HARMON Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-11, 02-18, 02-25

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19036 To all persons interested in the estate of NANCY MILLIONIE, ESTATE NO. 19036.

Notice is given that KATHERINE TWEEDLE, 1812 HILLCREST ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038, was on, FEBRUARY 03, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of NANCY MILLIONIE, who died on JANUARY 7, 2022, without a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal repre-

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 3RD day of AUGUST, 2022.

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; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 KATHERINE TWEEDLE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-18, 02-25, 03-04

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19063 To all persons interested in the estate of ELEANOR JEAN BROWN, ESTATE NO. 19063. Notice is given that DEBORAH DOUGHERTY, 17 BEARBERRY ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811, and PATRICK BROWN, 1 MULBERRY LANE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on FEBRUARY 04, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of ELEANOR JEAN BROWN who died on JANUARY 8, 2022 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 shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date

Page 55

of publication of this Notice.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

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:

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them 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; or

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Thirty days 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 claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 DEBORAH DOUGHERTY Personal Representative PATRICK BROWN Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 02-18

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19067 To all persons interested in the estate of ANTHONY D SMITH AKA: ANTHONY DAVID WEST, ESTATE NO. 19067. Notice is given that TERESA A. WEST, 32 BOATSWAIN DRIVE, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, FEBRUARY 09, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANTHONY D SMITH, who died on JANUARY 2, 2022, 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 9TH day of AUGUST, 2022.

Any person having a claim

(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 TERESA A. WEST Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-18, 02-25, 03-04

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19071 To all persons interested in the estate of MAUREEN CANALE, ESTATE NO. 19071. Notice is given that DOMINIC CANALE, 2701 SPARROW LANE #11, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on FEBRUARY 09, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of MAUREEN CANALE who died on JANUARY 26, 2022 without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.

All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them 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; or (2) Thirty days 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 claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 DOMINIC CANALE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 1x 02-18

First Insertion VICTORIA L. O’NEILL ESQ. AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, P.A. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19075 To all persons interested in the estate of JUDITH M. JONES, ESTATE NO. 19075.

Notice is given that CRAIG A. JONES, 1 PLAYER CIRCLE, MASHPEE, MA 02649, was on, FEBRUARY 09, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JUDITH M. JONES, who died on JANUARY 30, 2022, 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 9TH day of AUGUST, 2022.

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; or (2) Two months after the personal representative

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Legal Notices LEGAL RATES Legal advertising rate is $7 per column inch.

The deadline is Tuesday at noon. For more information call 410-641-4563 or email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com 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.

(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or 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 claim within

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Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022

before the earlier of the following dates:

CRAIG A. JONES Personal Representative

True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-18, 02-25, 03-04

First Insertion

AYRES, JENKINS, GORDY & ALMAND, P.A. VICTORIA L. O’NEILL ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19076

Notice is given that the CIRCUIT COURT of MANATEE COUNTY, FL, appointed KATHLEEN C HERMAN, 2925 TERRA CEIA BAY BOULEVARD, PALMETTO, FL 34221 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES of the Estate of MAURICIO M HERMAN, who died on JULY 18, 2021, domiciled in FLORIDA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTORIA L. O’NEILL, whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY, SUITE 200, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER COUNTY. All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY with a copy to the foreign personal representative on or

two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 KATHLEEN C HERMAN Foreign Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-18, 02-25, 03-04

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19082 To all persons interested in the estate of ROSE MARIE JAUREGUI, ESTATE NO. 19082. Notice is given that CYNTHIA M MAGEE, 41 CATOCTIN COURT, SILVER SPRING, MD 20906, was on, FEBRUARY 15, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROSE MARIE JAUREGUI, who died on NOVEMBER 27, 2021, with a will.

First Insertion

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.

CHRISTOPHER S ROBINS, ESQ. ROBINS & ROBINS, P.A. 128 EAST MAIN STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the

February 18, 2022 Register of Wills on or before the 15TH day of AUGUST, 2022.

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; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim

forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication FEBRUARY 18, 2022 CYNTHIA M MAGEE Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 02-18, 02-25, 03-04

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Resort, New Ad Upgrades Underway At Eagle’s Landing Course Firm Get To Work

February 18, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Although some staffers have already been working with the town’s new advertising agency in the early weeks since the contract was inked, resort tourism officials this week got a formal introduction to the new firm.

In December, the Mayor and Council confirmed BVK as the town’s new advertising firm. While BVK is already in the process of developing a new brand and new campaigns for Ocean City, the Tourism Commission on Monday heard from the firm and Marketing and Communications Director Jessica Waters.

“We’ve had great meetings with them,” she said. “We’re trying to create a brand for Ocean City. We’re all in agreement about taking our time and getting it right. … They want to tell the special stories in Ocean City. Everybody has something unique to tell. It will allow our business community to tell their stories and send them directly to us. There is a lot of opportunity there.”

BVK Senior Vice President Matt Stiker said the firm is already developing a strategy for Ocean City.

“It’s a really fired up team,” he said.

“The contract was signed just two weeks ago today and we’re hitting the ground running. We’re going to give you a really good foundation.”

Stiker outlined the process for developing Ocean City’s branding and marketing strategy. The steps include an audit of the current brand and category, developing a brand strategy, design and activate the creative elements, and, finally, learn and optimize that strategy.

“We must build Ocean City’s brand on a strong and strategic foundation,” he said. “We’re in this for the long haul. We believe in the destination. Research is happening, stakeholder interviews are happening. We are running on three parallel paths. There is too much of an economic impact at stake.”

Those parallel courses include an immediate path, which is utilizing the existing creative assets. The short-term path includes creating an interim campaign for spring and summer. Finally, the medium to long-term path is developing a full brand campaign going forward.

Business and Tourism Development Director Tom Perlozzo is excited about the quick turnaround for the BVK team.

“They spent two-and-a-half days with us to get their feet wet,” he said. “They have a very talented team and we’re excited to have them on board.”

Perlozzo said the resort’s business community is ready to have a fresh start with rebranding and marketing.

“One of the things I’ve heard from many of our businesses is we really need to create a unique brand,” he said.

“We’re anxious to see how that works. It needs to be a constant trickle of positive information.”

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s municipal golf course Eagle’s Landing is in need of some major and minor repairs, resort recreation officials learned this week.

During Tuesday’s Recreation and Parks Committee meeting, Eagle’s Landing Superintendent Joe Perry outlined the progress on some of the maintenance and repair projects.

The municipal golf course is an enterprise fund, and as such, it’s supported largely through user fees. In a perfect year, round fees and other user-generated fees support the golf course with little or no contribution needed from the town’s general fund. With a healthy fund balance for the golf course, Perry said Eagle’s Landing is tackling some muchneeded repairs and maintenance proj-

ects.

“We’ve been on a really good roll for the last four years,” he said. “We’ve been able to pay off our expenses and still maintain a healthy fund balance.”

Perry said the entrance loop to the clubhouse is getting repaved and the maintenance building is getting roof repairs. Other improvements include replacing the windows in the clubhouse and repairing a section of wall that has water damage.

“These projects are from our current fund balance,” he said. “It all comes to around $94,000. All of these things make us even better.”

While the maintenance projects will improve Eagle’s Landing, still looming is the flood mitigation for some of the waterfront holes. The goal is to develop a golf course renovation master plan, perform survey and engineering work, obtain per-

Page 57

mits and retain the services of a design or build firm to make changes to certain identified holes in order to reduce damage from recurring tidal flooding events.

A pre-master plan assessment has been completed, which identified needed repairs and improvements to the course.

The highest priority are measures to reduce repeat damage and hole closures due to tidal flooding by raising the elevation on five low-lying holes, replacing storm drain outfalls and installing additional flood control improvements. Perry said the consultant has prepared a needs assessment in advance of the master plan and it could soon be time to act on it.

Perry said the committee, and ultimately the Mayor and Council, needed to act on some of the mitigation issues in order to retain the lofty status Eagle’s Landing has earned.

Page 58

Robert Reid Godfrey SNOW HILL – Robert Reid Godfrey, age 88, died on Sunday Jan. 23, 2022, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.

Born one of 12 children to William and Catherine (Beauchamp) Godfrey, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol Ann (Hill) Godfrey and nine of his siblings. He is survived by his daughters, Patti (Bruce) Godfrey of Mappsville, Va. ROBERT REID and Michele Godfrey of GODFREY Snow Hill; grandson Marcus Robins who was his riding partner since he was a little boy; two brothers, Norman and Donald (Tomie) Godfrey; several wonderful nieces and nephews; and a lot of wonderful friends who would chauffer Robert around for the last year, including Kevin Douglas and Roy Robins. Also we can’t leave out his “Matthews Market” family.

Robert had served in the United States Army and later became owner/operator of Elite Cleaners in Snow Hill, where his nickname became “Elite” which means the best. Robert’s all-time favorite passion was his garden. Every year he would plant his garden, and with hard work and a lot of love, he would give most of his vegetables away. When asked why he didn’t sell the vegetables, he responded by saying “because I enjoy giving them away”. Robert joined Bates Memorial United Methodist Church in 1943, and although he did not attend regularly he was a strong believer in God, and that is why we know he is at peace now.

Services were held. A donation in his memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, Md. 21804, or Snow Hill Fire Department, Ambulance Div., P.O. Box 83, Snow Hill, Md. 21863, or Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Gladys Edwina Flannagan WEST OCEAN CITY – Gladys Edwina Flannagan, age 87, of Millville, Del. formerly of Ellicott City and West Ocean City, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at her home with family by her side.

Edwina was born in Baltimore on Jan. 8, 1935 to the late James Edwin Oliver and the late Mary Gladys Oliver. She attended Western High School in Baltimore.

For many years until her retirement in 1988, Edwina worked for the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn.

Edwina was a member of Bethany United GLADYS EDWINA Methodist Church in BerFLANNAGAN lin.

Edwina was the heart of her family.

She loved to entertain, hosting many parties and cook-outs. She was especially known for her fabulous Christmas Eve parties. She loved the beach, traveling, shopping and doing counted crosstitch. Later in life she enjoyed reading, watching TV and admiring the wildlife around the pond just outside of her window.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OBITUARIES Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Scott Flannagan and her daughter Colleen Flannagan Carlile.

Edwina is survived by her daughter, Kellie (Gary) Obusek of Millville, Del.; her grandchildren Corey (Amanda) Smith of Gamber, Md., Steven Obusek of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Gabrielle Obusek of Washington, DC; great grandsons Gunner William Smith and Wyatt Oliver Smith; and many other extended family members.

Services will be private.

In her memory, please consider a donation in her memory to Mercy Chefs (mercychefs.com), Justin In Power Kids (justinpowerkids.org) or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com

Robert L. Walker, Sr. MILTON, Del – Robert L. Walker, Sr., age 84 of Milton, Del. formerly of Ocean City, went to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday Feb. 9, 2022, departing from Hospice Center in Milford, Del. Bob was born on Oct. 18, 1937, in Arnold, Pa. to the late James H. Walker, Sr. and Ella J. McCutcheon Lochwood.

Upon graduating from Saltsburg High School in Indiana County, Pa., Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. During his enlistment, Bob spent time in the MediterraneROBERT L. an and Cuba. It was on a WALKER, SR. “Weekend Pass” and attending a dance at the YMCA that he met the “Love of his Life” Dolores E. Unger, who later became the wife and forever partner on Nov. 2, 1958. Upon completing his four-year active duty and two years of Reserve, Bob and his bride made their home in Baltimore. At this time, he became a correctional officer at the Maryland Penitentiary when his name’s sake Robert L. Walker, Jr. was born. Several years passed and Bob left the Penitentiary, worked for Roy Baughman and learned his plumbing trade and later to have the birth of his second son Michael C. Walker.

After spending fun filled weekend trips to the beach in Ocean City, he decided to move in 1974 to make Ocean City his permanent residence. He opened his prosperous Walker Plumbing business where he retired from in March 2021. His business continues to be successful being operated by his son Mike.

Bob was always a very active person outside of the home. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and American Legion Post #0166 in Ocean City.

Bob was not a stranger to the sewing machine. He made numerous couples costumes which awarded him and Dolores first place. He was an avid bowler, which resulted in becoming a Maryland State Team Champion.

As his family grew, his active role evolved into an avid field hockey, tennis and softball fan rooting for his precious granddaughters born to his son Bob and Terry (Wyatt) Walker. He would be seen on the sidelines of Pop Warner football

games and YMCA basketball games cheering his grandsons born to his son Michael and Sandi (Hopkins) Walker. He was an important part of the coaching staff of Lewes Little League and standing next to his son Mike. Bob was known by many members in the League as “Pop”.

Bob longed for the work week to end because he knew it was time for the beach. Most weekends were spent on the beach with his entire family together.

His granddaughter quoted “she would love watching the joy on people’s faces as they watched this white-haired man body surf all day long”. He grew a love for surf fishing which he learned from both of his sons. He never lost the ability to “Get his Groove on” on the dance floor, which is photographed at his grandchildren’s weddings. Bob thoroughly loved and enjoyed his life and had a contagious smile and personality.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James H. Walker, Jr.; his sister, Barbara A. (Walker) Green; his brother, Donald G. Walker; and his first born and name’s sake, Robert L. Walker, Jr.; and his mother-inlaw and father-in-law who thought of Bob as a son, Alvin Edward and Ethel Marie (Nash) Unger.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dolores (Unger) Walker of Milton, Del.; his son, Michael C. (Sandi) of Lewes; his granddaughters, Lindsay Harrington (Nick) of Frankford, Del., Caitlin Daw (Joe) of Berlin; his grandsons Steven (Sara) of Bealeton, Va. and Bradley of Lewes, Del; his great grandchildren, Makenzie and Madelyn Harrington, Teagan and Wyatt Daw and Marshall Walker; his always and will be daughter-in-law Terry (Wyatt Walker) Pouliot (Brian) of Berlin; his sister in law Nancy (Unger) Ledger (Sandy) of Thurmont; and his numerous nieces and nephews and their additional family members; and his beloved best feline friend Charlie.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Final care for Bob has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, Del. Please visit Bob's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.

Darold Dennis Berry BISHOPVILLE – Darold Dennis Berry, age 81, died on Friday Feb. 11, 2022 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.

Born in Freeport, Pa., he was the son of the late Levi and Bernice (Helms) Berry. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Ann Berry, and children, Donald Blake Berry and his wife Lynn of Frederick and Traci Lea Hines of Ocean City. There are two grandsons, two great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are three sisters, DAROLD Frances, Pauline and EDENNIS BERRY vonne. He leaves behind his dog and “sunroom buddy,” Blackjack.

February 18, 2022 He was preceded in death by a sister, Jocelyn Wood.

Mr. Berry had served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Back in the States, he worked as a machinist for the US Treasury Department.

He was a 52 Degree Mason at Masonic Lodge 198 in Kensington, MD, Member of the American Legion, and was a 32 Degree member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. An avid Redskins and NASCAR fan, he also enjoyed fishing on his boat at Wachapreague and Tangier Sound. Darold loved anything to do with outdoors- including gardening, riding his bicycle, and feeding the wild birds. His son always said he loved being raised by a “hillbilly in the city” as he taught him all about nature.

Cremation followed his death. No formal services are planned at this time. A donation in his memory may be made to the Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com

Antoinette Marie Christello DAVENPORT, Fla., Mrs. Antoinette Marie Christello, age 74, a resident of Davenport, Fla., passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by family.

Mrs. Christello was born Aug. 5, 1947 in Baltimore to John Linwood and Adelaide Marie (Baumgartner) Hammett.

She was a Davenport resident coming from Ocean City in 1994. Antoinette retired as a guest experience manager of Disney Hollywood Studios in 2022 after 25-plus years of service. She enjoyed socializing, going to the Hard Rock Casino and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Andrew Christello, Sr., in 2013. Antoinette is survived by her children, Christine Marie (Joseph) Tristani of Auburndale, Fla., John William (Pam) DeLeo of Davenport, Fla. and Clifford Andrew (Maria) Christello of Auburndale, Fla.; two brothers, John Hammett of Delaware and William Hammett of Maryland; and five grandchildren, Anthony, Gabrielle, Julianne, Jasmyne and Jacob. The family will hold a private gathering.

Arrangements by Kersey Funeral Home, 108 Lake Stella Dr., Auburndale, Fla. 33823.

William Howard Ward Jr. BERLIN – William "Bill" Howard Ward Jr., age 72, died Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 at his home.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late William H. Ward Sr. and Loretta Elizabeth Ditzel Ward. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Pennington Ward, and children William Michael Ward and his fiancée, Rachel of Baltimore, Lance Cody Ward of Bishopville, and Elizabeth Grace Ward of Bishopville. There are two grandchildren, Lia Kathleen Ward and Trent William Ward. Also surWILLIAM viving are his sisters, HOWARD Sharon Jones-Ward of WARD, JR. Olathe, Kansas, Regina Rodrick of Towson and Kathleen Ward and Carol Gaul of Perry Hall. He was preceded in death SEE NEXT PAGE

Fenwick Council Approves Amendments On First Reading

February 18, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – Ordinance amendments involving low-speed vehicles, holiday construction hours, and parking were approved on first reading last week.

Last Thursday, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted to accept the first reading of a slew of ordinance amendments, including an addition to prohibit low-speed vehicles on town streets.

Councilwoman Natalie Magdeburger, chair of the town’s charter and ordinance committee, said the prohibition – which exempts construction equipment, lawnmowers, emergency vehicles and assistive mobility devices – was developed based on a proposed ordinance from the previous town council and supported by Police Chief John Devlin and Town Manager Pat Schuchman.

“Chief Devlin had done a great deal of work and vehemently said it was a bad idea,” she told the council. “Although nothing has happened to date, there’s a lot of historical information out there from other jurisdictions that have permitted it that resulted in catastrophic loss of life and injury. He certainly thought that having a no low-speed ordinance would be in Fenwick’s best interest, and I believe that is also something that’s been shared

by Town Manager Schuchman as well.”

Devlin asserted the use of low-speed vehicles on town streets not only posed a safety risk, but could set a precedent.

... OBITUARIES by his brother, Dennis Ward.

Mr. Ward was a United States Marine Veteran. He worked at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard at Sparrows Point for 25 years before relocating down to the Eastern Shore. He had worked as a carpenter with Best Drywall and then established his own business, William Ward Trim Company. As a young man he worked at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore City setting up the team’s uniforms and equipment in the club house. He enjoyed fishing, boating, the Ravens, Orioles, and most of all his family.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Interment will follow in Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Overlea at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project by mail at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kan. 66675. Letters of condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com

Obituaries cost $50 to appear in The Dispatch and photos are no extra charge. Direct all inquiries to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com, fax to 410-641-0966 or mail to P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Md. 21811.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“If you allow them, you also open the door to numerous low-speed vehicles, like golf carts,” he said, “privately owned and shuttles.”

After further discussion, the council voted 6-0, with Councilman Richard Benn absent, to approve the amendment on first reading.

The council last week also voted to approve the first reading of an amendment listing town-designated holidays.

The proposal, Magdeburger said, would clarify any prohibitions on construction hours.

“The previous ordinance just said that no construction shall take place on any Sunday or holiday,” she said. “We have many holidays that are the day before a real holiday or the day after a real holiday, and this will clarify the code so that it is consistent with the big six (holidays).”

The proposed amendment stems from a situation that occurred on Dec. 31, when construction crews throughout town were ordered to halt work after it was mistakenly believed to be a holiday.

The amendment would now list town holidays as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. “I think this is a great idea, especially since there was so much confusion and negativity surrounding this over New Year’s Day,” said Councilwoman Jacque Napolitano.

Magdeburger last week also introduced a first reading on a proposed zoning amendment that would require all mechanical equipment to be screened, and to prohibit mechanicals in the rear setback of the commercial district.

“Residential properties have to have a 10-foot setback from their rear me-

Page 59

chanicals to anything behind them,” she said. “This is going to maintain that for the commercial district as well.”

With no further discussion, a motion to approve the first reading passed unanimously. The town council also voted to approve the first reading of an amendment prohibiting commercial parking on residential property, with the exception of home occupations and professional offices lawfully located on a lot in the residential zone.

“We’ve gone through counsel and we are aware of four areas in town that have had those non-conforming uses,” Magdeburger added. “That would not be affected by this.”

Second readings of the proposed code revisions will be held on March 4, following a public hearing on low-speed vehicles, mechanical equipment and residential parking.

… Alley Usage A Major Challenge For Bike Path Concept

Page 60

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FROM PAGE 10 Councilman Mark Paddack said he could support Option 2 for 94th Street.

“A lot of residents in that area have dogs and they walk the dogs in the median,” he said. “I never understood why the median was so broken up. Option 2 is a much safer option than what we have up there now.”

Council President Matt James said he understood the comparison to St. Louis Avenue, but said the 94th Street corridor was uniquely different.

“I don’t know that we have a lot of kids running out in the street on St. Louis Avenue,” he said. “I think we have more families in the 94th Street corridor that walk or ride their bikes to the beach and the stores.”

Councilman John Gehrig questioned if the residents in the area should weigh in before an option was chosen for 94th Street. Paddack agreed, pointing out a similar process was followed during the recent redesign of Robin Drive.

“I agree the residents at 94th Street and Little Salisbury should weigh in on this,” he said. “This is just conceptual at this point. As we get the grants and we move forward, we can have a public hearing to get input from them.”

DeLuca said there was no harm in waiting for public input.

“There is no sense of urgency timewise,” he said. “I can change my motion to move all three options presented to a public hearing.”

After considerable debate, the council voted unanimously to move all three options to a future public hearing before deciding on one.

146th Street As for the 146th Street corridor, the challenges were similar, but the options presented differed. Option 1 would maintain parallel parking on both sides of the roadway, maintain the existing median and add a dedicated bike lane. That option comes with an estimated price tag of $50,000.

Option 2 for 146th Street, which appeared to be the most controversial based on the discussion, would maintain parallel parking on the south side of the roadway, eliminate parallel parking on the north side of the road, maintain the existing median and create a 10-foot twoway bike lane on the north side. That comes with an estimated cost of $200,000.

The third and final option is simply installing thermoplastic crosswalks and sharrows. It comes with a $36,000 estimated price tag. Mayor Rick Meehan questioned the wisdom of creating a twoway bike lane on the south side of 146th Street with considerable traffic coming from side streets.

“Doesn’t having a two-way bike route from east to west create a traffic safety issue?” he said. “People coming out of the side streets might not be used to looking in both directions. It just seems contrary to all of the rules of the road we

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February 18, 2022

have been taught.”

For his part, DeLuca said he shared the same concerns.

“The BPAC recommendation was for Option 2,” he said. “I was the lone no vote in a 5-1 vote. I supported Option 1.

I like the bikes to be separate on opposite sides of the street. I don’t like the option of one big bike lane on the north side of the road.”

The council essentially approved the same motion as the 94th Street motion with each of the options brought to a public hearing.

Town Alleys Perhaps the most challenging element of the strategic bicycle plan presented on Tuesday is how best to use the existing town-owned alleys from 27th Street to create a seamless bike path and take bicycle traffic off of Coastal Highway. Pinckney said there were considerable safety issues with promoting the use of the various alleys that cross side streets throughout the town.

“The challenge with the alleys is the stopping sight distance,” he said. “There are issues with braking distance for vehicles stopping when bicycles cross the streets. It’s a major challenge. The only solution is the loss of parking.”

Pinckney presented various charts and graphs illustrating sight stopping distance for the alleys and vehicles on the side streets. In the end, however, the potential loss of on-street parking sacked the alley idea.

Option 1 would be to proceed with design and construction of a bike route utilizing the town alleys. Because of sight stopping distance concerns, under the proposal, each intersection would lose as many as two to four parking spaces, or a total of 125 on-street parking spaces.

Using the town alleys would be cost-prohibitive as well. At a cost of $10,000 to $30,000 per intersection, times roughly 60 intersections, the estimated cost could run from $600,000 to $1.8 million.

James said losing 125 on-street parking options on an ocean block made that option for the alleys unpalatable.

DeLuca agreed, saying, “I’m obviously an Option 2 person for a lot of reasons.

Paid parking in Ocean City is inevitable.

Not in my lifetime probably, but it’s going to be a reality someday.”

Option 2 for the town alleys is to determine the parking loss and funding resources for design and construction in other areas, including 94th Street and 146th Street, for example. The council ultimately voted unanimously for that option. Paddack said that was the only way to go in terms of utilizing the town alleys for a bike path.

“I understand the concept of getting bikes off Coastal Highway,” he said.

“When I ride in those alleys, I go much slower and much more tentative than Coastal Highway. There is no way the residents in that area are going to give up 125 parking spaces. It’s just not going to happen.”

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February 18, 2022

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

Berlin, Md. 21811 PHONE: 410-641-4561 FAX: 410-641-0966 ONLINE WEBSITES: mdcoastdispatch.com facebook.com/thedispatchoc twitter.com/thedispatchocmd instagram.com/thedispatchocmd J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

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The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices. The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year. Subscription rates are $260 per year.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Maryland Coast Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are located at Route 346 and Graham Avenue, Berlin, Maryland.

Schools Need Mask, Protocol Changes

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

How We See It

There is major push underway to remove all mask requirements in Maryland public schools in favor of allowing local school boards to make their own decisions based on their own data.

It’s easy to support the facial covering change, but it will be counterproductive if it’s not accompanied by loosening close contact tracing rules.

Under current protocols governing schools during the pandemic, students who are not wearing a mask within three feet of a positive person for more than 15 minutes must quarantine. If there is a mask being worn, there is no quarantine time required. The weight placed on masking has always been a problem.

Though studies have shown it’s not an absolute, the rule maintains masking prevents the transmission of the virus. It’s why students have worn masks as long as they have, but it should not be the case. Worcester County Public Schools has shown great resolve with its “test to stay” approach minimizing quarantine times.

Though the county school system deserves credit for bobbing and weaving throughout this pandemic, it’s time for these quarantine rules to be changed.

The CDC agreed as much this week, saying mask rules and associated vaccination status guidance will be relaxed.

Included in this change of direction away from treating it as a pandemic must be school guidance that no longer quarantines groups of students due to proximity to a student later found to be COVID positive. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said this week, “We all share the same goal – to get to a point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives, a time when it won’t be a constant crisis – rather something we can prevent, protect against, and treat.”

We encourage the State Board of Education to remove the off-ramp concepts and allow the local school officials to make their own decisions based on their own knowledge. Removing the mask mandate, however, only works if close contact protocols are calmed as well.

In a letter last Friday to families announcing the shift to mask optional for catholic schools Monday, the Archdiocese of Baltimore said the schools would still require unvaccinated close contact students to quarantine and for vaccinated students impacted to wear a mask for 10 days following exposure.

This is counterproductive and not moving forward. Student quarantine numbers will skyrocket when cases increase in the future. Infections from the virus will continue. We just need to manage it better.

If we don’t move away from these quarantine rules, unmasking the kids will result in keeping more kids out of school. This cannot happen.

Page 61

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green Like most municipalities following the most recent reassessment process, the Town of Berlin has seen its property values jump tremendously. The town’s gross assessable real property base will jump by 8% on July 1, 2022, from $486.3 million last July to $525.5 million. Based on this change, the town could reduce its tax rate from 81.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to the constant yield rate of 78.6 cents to bring in the same amount of tax revenue as the current year.

It’s uncommon for governments to reduce taxes and use the constant yield rate to balance the budget. It’s likely to get no attention in Berlin during budget talks. However, what should be a focus is retaining the same tax rate as the rising property values will bring in an additional $143,948 to the town at the 81.5-cent rate, representing a 3.8% increase.

Town officials were presented with tax increase options this week just as a launching point for budget conversations. Raising the property tax rate to 82 cents would bring in an additional $311,973, 4.4% more in revenue; jumping to 82.5 cents would boost revenues by $336,050, a 5.0% increase; 83 cents, $360,127, 5.72%; and 84 cents, $408,280, 6.99%.

It was telling there was no scenario presented to reduce the property tax rate aside from the constant yield level. The town could decrease the tax rate for residential and commercial property owners and still see a gain in revenue, thanks again to the rising property values from the reassessment. The fact is governments rarely reduce taxes. Though it would have been interesting to see what shaving a penny or half of a penny off the existing tax rate would have netted the town in new revenues, it seems logical for Berlin to retain the same tax rate as the year before given its financial difficulties. Of course, keeping the same tax rate for Berlin property owners will result in residents having to pay more taxes because of their booming assessments.

It seems a certainty the town will focus on increasing water, sewer and stormwater fees in the next budget. Some even want the increases pushed forward for the last quarter of this fiscal year. This would be unfair and irresponsible. The town’s utility funds have long been a problem and it’s not an emergency to get them right sized before the next budget. The new funding injection from town users can be spread out over the next budget.

If the town is going to increase its utility fees to the degree discussed already at town hall, there should be no consideration of a property tax rate increase. The council would be wise to remove a tax hike from the table and clearly articulate this to property owners early in the budget process.

For many years, there was an aggressive approach supported by many in Ocean City to combat the pop-up rally weekend. The idea was squeeze out the troublemakers by filling up available rentable rooms with guests from other events. This rationale seems to be coming into play now.

The timing may be right on the heels of a few years of major crackdowns by allied law enforcement agencies armed with new legislative approaches on towing, speed limit and tactical measures. It has become an uncomfortable weekend for the young people intent on wreaking havoc on public roads and destroying private property. Ocean City is essentially turned into a police state with advance notices from town officials to prospective visitors to stay away. It was much quieter than it has been with mild hopes the intense enforcement is paying off.

With the heightened police presence expected to continue at least this September, Ocean City seems to be ready to transition toward filling the weekend with events. The shoulder seasons are all about weekend special events serving as economic catalysts. Though details are scant at this point, a major concert festival is planned on the beach downtown for the typical pop-up rally weekend. Additionally, more details are coming forward on the proposed Ocean City Adventure Fest, which is looking to book the entire convention center for a full week. Anticipated events include a motorcycle rodeo in the parking lot, concerts in the performing arts center, a hunting and fishing expo and a gun show. Concerns heard this week included law enforcement’s need to use the convention center parking lot as a staging area for its command post as well as police worries about manpower needs regarding the gun show concept.

City Manager Terry McGean and Councilman John Gehrig were right with their comments about this event and its coinciding with the pop-up rally. McGean said, “We feel like we’re getting a handle on H2O (pop-up rally). We are maybe over the hump, but we’re not at the end of the road yet. They have concerns about losing this facility. It might be better to do it on a different weekend to be honest ...” On the concept of booking events to push out the pop-up rally crowds, “If we fill the town that weekend and we’re booked, we make it more inconvenient for them. The more inconvenient and expensive we make it, the better it is for us … This saturation idea is not a new idea. We’ve been talking about this for 10 years.

This is why we went from a couple of hundred cars to thousands of cars.

We have never tried it. This is the first time.”

I like the scheduling conflict concept, but two significant events could be too much too soon on the heels of one successful pop-up rally weekend. My feeling is pick one of the events and encourage the other promoter to select a different date or try again next year.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Puzzle Answers

P

February 18, 2022

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

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arenting an early teen is not for the weak, and there are some days I come up short.

I’m inconsistent. By the end of the work day, I am just exhausted, and all too often take the easier route when it comes to keeping my 13-year-old in check.

One thing I am consistent about is homework. If I have had a bad day at work, I don’t want to come home and make sure homework is completed. If I have had a good day at work, I don’t want to come home and make sure homework is completed.

My parents never checked in on my schoolwork. Though they were present and did all the right things as memory serves me, I am not sure it was on their radar to ensure my school work was done. They would ask about school and all, but I don’t think they even knew if I had a big test on a certain day.

It’s not that way today, at least in my house. Maybe it’s because my kid is not a self-starter and seems to prefer waiting until the last minute on just about everything. Whatever the reason, Pam and I at times feel as if we are back in middle school ourselves. There is the school work to keep tabs on, but there are also the social struggles that seem to pop up each day as major distractions and give us anxiety over his mental health.

Because the struggle is real, I needed a laugh and found a story on Raising Teens Today called, “21 Things Only Parents of Teenagers Would Understand.” Some highlights were: The Smelliness: Their B.O., their P.E. uniform, their FEET! Man, the smell will literally knock you over! The tough part is that, for some reason, they can’t smell themselves. My son would plop himself next to me on the couch and I’d nearly faint from the smell and he’d be like, “Wait… what? Do I smell?” Umm… yeah, dude, you smell. Go take a shower.

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ute they’re gleefully enjoying life and the next, the world is crashing in around them. One minute they’re sweet and kind and loving children and the next they’re slamming doors, rolling their eyes, and blaming you for ruining their life. Oh, their swinging hormones… it’s the real reason parents of teens want to escape to a cabin in the woods for a month with a case of their favorite booze ….

Constantly Hearing “There’s Nothing to Eat”: It doesn’t matter how much you spend on groceries or how hard you try to keep a stocked fridge with all their favorite food, your kids will always walk in the door after school and complain that “there’s nothing to eat.” It’s a fact.

Worrying… About Everything: No one warned me about this one. I worry about everything… my kids’ grades, their physical and mental health, if they’re lonely, if they’re happy, their future, their safety, the amount of time they spend on their phone and computer, that they’ll make good choices when the chips are down, that they won’t cave into peer pressure, that they’re listening to anything I have to say… and on and on and on. Even though I know no problem has ever been solved by worrying, I still do it.

Their Closed Bedroom Door: Heads up, parents of littles. One day, when you least expect it, your tween or teen is going to go into their bedroom and they won’t come out for 5 or 6 years. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit, but I think we can all agree that our kids’ bedrooms become their sanctuary and we’re only invited in on their terms. The best we can do is … not to take it personally.

Their Messy (Okay, Slightly Disgusting) Bedroom: Someone once told me, “If I strategically placed five hampers all over my teen’s room, they’d still manage to throw their clothes where there wasn’t one.” But it isn’t just the clothes. Teenagers (most, anyway) turn into slobs. Cups, bowls, spoons, empty

water bottles, papers, makeup, unidentified objects… sure, they might clean it on a Saturday afternoon after you put the hammer down, but within two days it looks exactly the same.

They’ll Argue About Anything…

Literally: At the drop of that first hormone, they’ll fight you, argue with you, debate you or challenge you on just about everything. It’s really irritating until you realize that they’re just trying to find their voice and stand on their own two feet.

Knowing How Much They Still Need You (Even if They Don’t Admit It): Yep, teenagers are notorious for acting all cool with their “I don’t need you anymore” attitude. But, parents of teens know better. “Mom, can you drive me to my friend’s house?” “Dad, I need help with my math homework.” “Mom, can you make me my favorite dinner tonight?”

“Can you give me a backrub?”

The Endless Laundry: Piles and piles and piles of never-ending laundry.

Enough said.

They’re Glued to Their Cell Phone: I don’t remember the last time I had a full conversation with my son where he didn’t at least glance at his phone. Truth is, I have a love/hate relationship with cell phones. Yeah, my kids stare at their phones all the time, but at least I have the comfort of knowing I can contact them when I need them AND they can always get a hold of me.

Lovin’ Them on Their Good Days, Bad Days and Every Day In-Between: Oh, it’s so hard. In fact, no one tells you how damn hard it is. But every parent of teens inherently does it. We love our kids through it all – their calm and sweet and good days, their “chaotic, drama-ridden, hormonal as hell days” days and every day in-between. Why? Because it’s what parents do.

(The writer is the publisher and editor of The Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com.)

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February 18, 2022

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February 18, 2022