April 22

April 22, 2022

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Field Complex Near Berlin Advances

Berlin’s Administrator Retires Early

Major Redevelopment Project Continues

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

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Wild OC Spree Includes Attempted Dog Theft, Vandalism

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Delaware man was arrested last weekend after trying to steal a dog and then smashing liquor and wine bottles.

Around 5:30 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to the area of 29th Street in reference to an attempted theft of a dog. While on their way, OCPD officers received numerous other calls in reference to the same male. Officers observed Jamal Gambrel, 29, of Wyoming, Del., walking north near 30th Street.

An OCPD officer exited his vehicle and ordered Gambrel to stop. Two of the complainants yelled to the officer Gambrel had been the suspect who attempted to steal their dog. The officer again yelled to Gambrel to stop, but he turned

back and yelled, “no, you stop,” according to police reports.

Gambrel then reportedly ran across the highway, causing numerous vehicles to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting him. The officer did not cross the highway on foot due to the large volume of traffic and alerted other officers in the area to locate him. Gambrel was now on the opposite side of the highway, and as the officer observed, Gambrel then picked up a large rock and threw it into the windshield of a vehicle parked in a hotel parking lot.

By now, the original complainants and a large crowd were also chasing Gambrel. Another officer located Gambrel in a liquor store at 33rd Street and placed him under arrest. The initial officer arrived and observed an abundance of broken liquor bottles on the floor of the establishment. OCPD officers spoke with

store employees, who reportedly told officers Gambrel had just run into the store and immediately began breaking bottles of alcohol.

All in all, it was determined Gambrel had run into the store, picked up bottles of alcohol and smashed them on the floor. A total of 18 bottles of alcohol were destroyed during the incident with an estimated value of $450 to $530.

The couple reportedly told police they were walking their dog when Gambrel ran up to them, grabbed the dog by its harness and started yelling, “It’s a free animal, let her go,” as he tried to undo the leash. The male in the couple said he pushed Gambrel away, but Gambrel still tried to free the dog. Fearing for the couple’s safety and the dog, the male victim said he pulled out his pocket knife and told Gambrel to go away, according to police reports.

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Police interviewed employees at another convenience store, who reportedly advised Gambrel entered the store and walked straight to the wine collection and broke at least five bottles of wine by smashing them on the floor. Gambrel then left the store, but not before stealing several bags of candy and a bottle of Gatorade.

Gambrel was charged with counts of theft, malicious destruction and numerous other counts.

Buckingham School Process Underway

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – The school system is set to interview firms to conduct a feasibility study as plans for the replacement of Buckingham Elementary School move forward.

The Worcester County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to have staff set up interviews with three firms that responded to a recent request for proposals (RFP). A committee is tasked with choosing one of the firms to conduct a feasibility study.

“The replacement of Buckingham Elementary School is our next major school construction project,” said Vince Tolbert, the school system’s chief financial officer. “Construction is supposed to start in FY26. The first step in that process is to do a feasibility study.”

In January, the school system issued an RFP for architectural/engineering services for a Buckingham Elementary feasibility study. The RFP was forwarded to 27 firms and a walk-through was held at the Berlin school. The school system received proposals from eight firms, according to Facilities Planner Joe Price.

Those proposals were graded and Price said he was seeking the board’s approval to interview three of the firms—Becker Morgan Group, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates and GWWO Inc. The board voted unanimously to have Price set up the interviews.

On Tuesday the board also approved the replacement of the stadium fence at Stephen Decatur High School for $225,780. The new fence will match what is in place at Pocomoke and Snow Hill high schools.

“We’re here today to recommend approval to replace the stadium fencing in Stephen Decatur High school due to age and degradation...,” said Sam Slacum, maintenance and operations manager.

“The existing fence is in need of desperate repair and replacement.”

Slacum said the school system would have Anderson Fence Company do the work through the Wicomico County Board of Education contract. He added that the visiting team’s bleachers at Stephen Decatur High School would be replaced before the new fence was installed. The bleachers will be assembled on site in time for use during the spring sports season.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Berlin Administrator’s Retirement Effective Friday

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

‘Operational Announcement’ Monday

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Administrator Jeff Fleetwood had offered to stay with the town until early June, but Mayor Zack Tyndall ordered his retirement effective Friday. Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BERLIN – Despite a contract into 2023, Berlin Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood will step down this week.

Fleetwood, who has served as town administrator since 2019, informed officials Monday he wanted to retire.

Though he offered to stay into June, Mayor Zack Tyndall advised him Friday would be his last day.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities the mayor, council, citizens and employees have provided me,” Fleetwood said. “I’ve enjoyed every day I’ve

been at work here.”

Fleetwood, who has worked for the town for the last 12 years in various capacities, was appointed administrator in 2019 after Laura Allen was fired. In 2020, the council extended his contract another three years.

Fleetwood said he started considering retirement about six months ago and informed Tyndall of the decision Monday. Fleetwood wanted to stay through June 3, as the town’s budget process should be complete by then.

Tyndall, however, advised him his last day would be Friday but Fleetwood will be paid until June.

Though several council members wanted Fleetwood to stay into June as well, they told him after an executive session Tuesday the mayor’s decision stood.

“They were told they could not override what’s been done,” Fleetwood said.

He added that he was looking forward to retirement nonetheless.

“I am retiring,” he said. “Am I going on the terms and date I wanted to go?

No. But I’m not angry. I’m tired and I’m ready to retire.”

Council members expressed their appreciation for Fleetwood’s efforts as town administrator.

“Jeff Fleetwood’s commitment and dedication to his job is unparalleled,” Councilman Jay Knerr said. “Without question, his knowledge, experience and leadership made the Town of Berlin a better place for all the residents. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols agreed.

“Jeff was very dedicated to our town,” she said. “Walking the neighborhoods at the early morning hours and making himself available to mayor, council, town employees and residents of Berlin long after close of business was greatly appreciated and will be missed. We thank you Jeff Fleetwood for your time, service and dedication to Berlin.”

Councilman Jack Orris also expressed his gratitude.

“I wish him the best for a relaxing retirement along with a thank you for the years of service to the town,” he said.

Tyndall said he would not comment on Fleetwood’s retirement.

“It is a personnel matter,” he said. “If there are any organizational changes they’ll be shared at Monday’s meeting.

I also think since things are personnel matters there’s a certain level of confidentiality expected in the roles we serve in. It would be nice to have more people take the same stance.”

The agenda for Monday’s council meeting includes an “Operational Announcement” from Tyndall as well as a deputy town administrator’s report in lieu of the usual town administrator’s report.

Filing Deadline Passes, Local Candidates Set

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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BERLIN – With the latest filing deadline passed, voters now know candidates for this year’s local elections.

Though a case involving legislative redistricting delayed the primary election and filing deadlines, candidates were required to file by April 15. Many of Worcester County’s races will be decided with the July 19 primary election. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 1.

For more information, visit elections.maryland.gov.

County Commissioners District 1 Caryn Abbott (R) Josh Nordstrom (D)

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Microbrewery Planned For Ocean City Embers Redevelopment Moves Forward

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

Plans for a microbrewery at the redeveloped Embers property in Ocean City were presented to the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners this week. Above, a rendering of the new site is shown.

Submitted Image

OCEAN CITY – A microbrewery is now being planned as part of the redevelopment of the Embers property in Ocean City.

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC), which oversees the sale of alcoholic beverages in Worcester County, approved changes to the plans for the site occupied by The Embers Restaurant for decades.

The new facility, which is meant to transform the property into a more versatile space with multiple shopping and dining opportunities, is also now expected to include a microbrewery. Though the

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brew operation still needs approval from the state and federal government, construction at the site is moving along and parts of the property could open next month.

“We do anticipate the cafe to be open before Memorial Day Weekend,” Taustin Group CEO Cole Taustin said. “In spite of the difficult weather we have had this winter, the construction team has worked very hard and we hope to have everything open this summer.”

Taustin and representatives of Embers went before the BLC this week to seek approval for the addition of live music in the property’s courtyard as well as changes to the premises with the addition of a microbrewery. Though the brewery will be small, it will occupy what was formerly shown as retail space on the Embers plans.

Taustin said the live entertainment was proposed for the courtyard to entertain visitors that might be waiting to get into one of the property’s eateries.

“It’s just to be able to add some atmosphere,” he said.

A sound engineer said he’d measured the noise output that would be associated with having the proposed fourpiece band and it would not exceed allowable levels once it left the property.

Residents of the nearby condo Harbour Towne said that while they’d been worried about the possibility of noise from the Embers property, representatives had met with them and addressed the concerns.

A resident of the Isle of Wight Mobile Home Park said he’d lived just across the canal from the Taustin property for years and never had a complaint.

“I think it’s a great addition,” he said of the redevelopment project.

As for the microbrewery, it will be located in what was previously shown on plans as retail space on the first floor of the three-story section of the facility. The taproom will include about 30 seats and will offer a limited menu. Though the one-barrel system is small, attorney Lisa Sparks said Embers would have the only brewery in Ocean City. She added that the microbrewery would complement the other uses on the Embers site.

“It’s an incredibly unique opportunity for one of Ocean City’s family owned and most loved restaurants to have its own brand of beer,” she said.

The board voted unanimously to approve the changes to the plans, though the brewery itself will need approval from the state and federal government.

At Wednesday’s meeting the BLC also approved a beer, wine and liquor license for Layton’s on 92nd Street, a transfer and upgrade to beer, wine and liquor for Assateague Crab House and a transfer to Captain’s Table.

Pines Public House & Eatery was fined $500 for the sale of alcohol to a minor while The Globe in Berlin was fined $1,500 for the sale of alcohol to a minor.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 9

License Reader Leads To Stolen Truck, Weapons, Drugs

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Virginia couple was arrested last week for stealing a funeral home’s truck after a license plate reader on the Route 50 Bridge alerted resort police.

Around 2:15 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers patrolling in the downtown area got a ping from a license plate reader about a stolen Ford Ranger pickup truck from Virginia entering the resort.

Officers observed the vehicle travel-

ing north on Baltimore Avenue as it drove through a red traffic signal, according to police reports. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop in the parking lot of a hotel at 15th Street and made contact with the driver, identified as Sean Martin, 35, of Winchester, Va., and his passenger, Kelsi Turner, 20, of Front Royal, Va. Martin reportedly told police he had purchased the truck a week earlier in Pennsylvania from an individual he did not know through a social media marketplace site. Martin reportedly told police he paid $500 for the truck, but the

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seller did not have the title and he did not have a receipt with him. Martin told officers he “should have known better” than to buy a truck from a stranger for $500. Martin also told police he did not have a valid driver’s license and that he was a convicted felon from Virginia, according to police reports.

Officers interviewed Turner, who reportedly told police she had taken her father’s vehicle to pick up Martin and taken him to a farm in West Virginia, so he could buy a truck. Turner advised an individual gave Martin the keys to the truck, and that she had seen Martin sign a receipt, but she had never seen the actual receipt or any title to the vehicle.

Turner told resort police she returned her father’s vehicle and she and Martin then traveled in the truck from West Virginia to Virginia and then from Pennsylvania to Ocean City for a visit.

Officers contacted Virginia law enforcement, who advised the truck had been reported stolen three days before from Rinker and Frye Memorial Inc., a funeral and cemetery company. The owner of the truck said it had been on a trailer and last seen April 11, according to police.

Officers reportedly cleared the truck to be empty and safe and detected an odor of marijuana coming from the passenger compartment. Also in the passenger compartment was a silver hand-

gun partially concealed in a black sock.

The handgun was loaded with a magazine containing 10 live cartridges of .45caliber ammunition, although there was not a cartridge loaded in the chamber, according to police reports.

The Maryland Gun Center advised Martin was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Martin was placed under arrest at that point for the theft of the truck. During a search of his person, OCPD officers located more ammunition along with an eyeglass case containing a crystal substance Martin characterized as bath salts. OCPD officers also located several bags of the same substance in an amount suggesting distribution, according to police reports.

OCPD officers reportedly noticed the gray truck and been splashed around the exterior with black and orange paint.

Martin reportedly told officers he bought the paint in Pennsylvania and splashed it on the exterior of the truck to “make it look like Halloween,” according to police reports.

Martin was charged with numerous counts including motor vehicle theft, and multiple weapons and drug distribution charges. Turner was also charged with motor vehicle theft because of her conflicting stories about how Martin had acquired the vehicle and her suspicions that it was stolen, according to police reports.

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Commissioners Support Bay Bridge Replacement Effort

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BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials this week agreed to send a letter of support for replacement of the Bay Bridge.

The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 5-2 to grant a request from Queen Anne’s County to issue a letter of support for replacement of the Bay Bridge in its current location.

“We need the entire shore and state to support this so there’s no way they can say no we’re not going to do this,” said Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jim Moran.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Moran, Queen Anne’s County Administrator Todd Mohn and lobbyist Bruce Bereano met with the commissioners this week to ask for a letter of support in efforts to get the Bay Bridge replaced with an eight-lane span. Moran said the current bridges were built in 1952 and 1973. In the years since, highways all over the state have been expanded but the spans over the bay have not. Moran said officials were grateful that Gov. Larry Hogan had started the study process associated with replacement but that the project was still a ways from completion.

The next step in the process is a phase two NEPA (National Environmental Pol-

icy Act) study. After that four-year study, engineering and construction could begin.

“We’re looking at another 10 years before anybody drives over a new bridge,” Moran said.

He said the bottleneck created by the bridge was creating safety issues in his county.

“I’ve been a commissioner for nine years and all nine years has been working on this problem,” he said. ‘We are hoping that we are getting to a point now that everybody sees the economic value of a replacement bridge.”

Bereano said letters from jurisdictions throughout the state would show widespread support for the massive project, which is expected to cost $7-10 billion.

“It’s going to take some time but if we all work together as we’re trying to do we can do it,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Bunting asked how the new bridge tied in to the traffic issues in Worcester County.

“What we’ve been told by the state is they won’t look at the other choke points until this project is funded,” Moran said.

Commissioner Josh Nordstrom said he wanted to see a new bridge but worried that projects needed in Worcester County—such as improvements to Route 90 and Route 589—weren’t happening. He said they were getting little more than lip service from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

“If you want to make it easier for them

April 22, 2022

to get here you need to make it easier for them to get home as well,” he said.

Bereano said he would relay Worcester’s concerns to transportation officials and see if there was anything that could be done.

Commissioner Chip Bertino reiterated Nordstrom’s frustrations.

“We’ve been told repeatedly they listen to us and they hear what we have to say and are empathetic but nothing gets done,” he said.

Bertino said it seemed counterproductive to support a new bridge when the traffic issues in Worcester County weren’t being addressed.

“Nothing’s happening on our end,” he said. “That’s very frustrating.”

Moran said the curse was Ocean City, as that was where most of the traffic that came to the Eastern Shore was headed.

He said counters showed that just 10% of traffic in his county was Queen Anne’s County traffic.

He stressed that the bridge had to be addressed before officials would entertain other major projects.

“We don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel without this project moving forward,” Moran said.

Though Bertino made a motion to revisit the letter of support after Bereano spoke to transportation officials, it failed with just two votes. The commissioners then voted 5-2, with Bertino and Bunting opposed, to draft a letter in support of a replacement Bay Bridge.

County’s Divided Vote On Sports Complex Land Buy Mirrors Crowd

April 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – After hours of public input, county officials voted 4-3 to move forward with purchasing land west of Stephen Decatur High School for a sports complex.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to proceed with buying 95 acres for a sports complex and to bond $11.2 million for the project. The decision came after more than 50 people — roughly half in favor of the proposal and half opposed — shared comments during a three-hour public hearing.

“This is the right thing to do,” Commissioner Josh Nordstrom said. “Not only for the people who live here but for the people who come here and spend money here and pour tax dollars into this county, which is what we need.”

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young told the crowd of about 100 at Tuesday’s public hearing, held at Stephen Decatur High School, that the commissioners were seeking input before voting on the acquisition of the 95-acre parcel. He said after two appraisals the county was planning to buy the site for $7,150,000, or $75,000 per acre.

“A contract has been signed to enable the commissioners to purchase the property and it includes a 180-day study period allowing the commissioners to terminate the contract any time before that period ends for any reason,” he said.

While a 2017 market analysis found that a sports complex of eight to 10 fields could be supported by the county, Young said detailed planning had been on hold while a site was selected.

“Should the commissioners vote in favor of the property acquisition tonight, that process shall begin,” he said, adding that things like traffic, water and sewer connections and environmental issues would be studied.

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall kicked off the public comments by stating the town wasn’t taking a position on the project and hadn’t been included in any discussions about it. He noted the project would impact town infrastructure.

Terry McGean, city manager in Ocean City, talked about his family’s experiences with sports tourism in places like Virginia and Pennsylvania.

“A facility like this in Worcester County is long overdue,” he said.

Lachelle Scarlato, executive director of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, said a sports complex would benefit residents and visitors. Mary Knight, a former council member in Ocean City, said the county didn’t have enough sports fields for its youth and that improving quality of life was a basic function of government. She said the project would also spur economic development.

Berlin resident Trey Stokely said the county needed more sports fields for local children.

“It’s pretty embarrassing the situation Berlin is in when it comes to athletic fields,” he said.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Others, however, said there were still too many unknowns related to the proposed sports complex. Several people expressed concern about the impact a facility would have on traffic at what is already a busy intersection. Berlin resident Ron Cascio said the location was one of the worst that could have been chosen and said that if the project was a good investment, private entities would have pursued it.

Ocean City restaurant owner Garvey Heiderman said he supported a complex because it would bring families to the resort area. He said a lot of the concerns being expressed were similar those shared before the convention center was built in Ocean City and yet that project had been a huge benefit to the area.

Snow Hill resident Jerry Lynch said he supported a sports complex in the county but thought it should be located in the southern end. Susan Jones of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association said the issue with that was families would stay in Chincoteague and Worcester County wouldn’t see the economic benefit. She said Worcester County could dominate sports tourism with a facility like the one proposed in Berlin.

“Sports tourism is not going away,” she said.

Vince Gisriel, a former council member in Ocean City, expressed concern about the land’s $7.1 million price. He said the county had been offered 171 acres in the southern section of the county for $2.8 million. He also cited a recent study in St. Mary’s County showing numerous facilities have been built in recent years or are under construction around the state.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said the infrastructure that was needed existed in the north part of the county. He said the Town of Ocean City wanted to partner with the county on an indoor facility for the complex.

“This is where we’ve been working to get for many years,” he said.

He added that residents had opposed construction of Walmart and Home Depot and yet now shopped there. “You have to look to the future,” he said.

Terry Hasseltine of the Maryland Sports Commission said the Eastern Shore could use a facility like the one proposed. He said sports tourism was recession proof and grew more than 3% a year.

Amy Peck, a member of the Ocean Pines Association’s board of directors, said the studies that had been done in Worcester included concerning statistics.

She said the sports complex market in the area was saturated and pointed out that a 2017 study said visitors to a Worcester complex could range from 89,000 to 819,000.

Resort business owner John Fager said the county should have developed a sports complex years ago and urged officials to consider something even grander than proposed. He said there had been doubts about the convention center and SEE PAGE 14

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

w n e i c F k n I I s g l a n i n r d p !

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FROM PAGE 13 Atlantic General Hospital and both had been successful.

“What is it going to cost the county if we don’t do this?” he said.

Dave Engelhart, planning director for the Town of Berlin, said it was vital that the county communicated with the town on the proposal. He said staff envisioned massive negative impact on the town’s infrastructure with no financial benefit. He said the town needs more information so it can fairly evaluate the project.

Ron Strickler, a Beach Lacrosse coach, said he supported a sports complex because local kids didn’t have enough field space. He said as many as 55 kids could be found sharing a field during practice nights at the complex in Berlin.

Berlin resident Gina Velong said she worried the complex would cost the town.

“It’s my tax dollars that are going to pick up all the annexation costs,” she said.

Jay Phillips said he’d been involved in the development of the Mid-Atlantic Youth Sportsplex in Wicomico County, which had a $5 million economic impact. He said that while a facility in Worcester could have some huge benefits it could also be expensive. He said the county had “no idea” what it would take to run a facility like that.

“If we have something that’s affordable and attractive we have a chance,” he said.

Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting, both of whom have been vocal in their opposition to taxpayer dollars being used to fund a sports complex, reiterated their concerns following the public comments. Bertino said the sports complex in Frederica, Del. had been built with no money from Kent County, though it had received bonding from the state after submitting a business plan and sponsorship program. He said it’s run by a nonprofit corporation.

“Government does not belong in business,” he said.

He and Bunting both referenced the riverboat the Town of Snow Hill had purchased with a loan from the county that now needs $600,000 in repairs to be usable. They said more information was needed before the county proceeded with such an expensive venture.

Nordstrom disagreed and said the sports complex had been studied ad nauseum. He said economic stimulus projects like this one were often advanced by government.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic agreed. He said the county needed more revenue if citizens didn’t want to start seeing services cut or taxes increased. He added that there were funding opportunities available that could help with the project.

“This will not be borne by the taxpayers of Worcester County,” he said.

The commissioners voted 4-3, with Bunting, Bertino and Commissioner Ted Elder opposed, to move forward. Following Tuesday’s decision, the county is expected to arrange a comprehensive environmental study of the property prior to proceeding with the purchase.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 15

BAHAMAS

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OC’s Paddack Apologies In Letter Hunting:

More than 100 kids of all ages took part in last Saturday’s Berlin Spring Celebration’s Easter egg hunt on the lawn of the Taylor House Museum.

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Embattled Ocean City Councilman Mark Paddack was contrite in a letter released Wednesday, discussing an incident earlier this month that has him swirled in a court of social media and colleagues questioning whether he should continue to serve on committees.

Paddack sent a letter to the editor on Wednesday attempting to clarify some of the details of the April 8 incident at a northend restaurant where he first was involved in a fender-bender in the parking lot and then got into a heated verbal altercation with his teenage son inside the establishment.

The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) responded and determined Paddack had exchanged the appropriate information with the driver of the struck vehicle before going inside the restaurant and it’s important to note no charges were filed nor were any citations issued. As for the verbal altercation with the child inside the restaurant, OCPD officers took the teenage child to police headquarters for his safety and the Department of Social Services was notified about the domestic dispute, according to an official release about the incident.

The Department of Social Services contacted the child’s mother and she later picked up her son at police headquarters, according to the OCPD release. OCPD officers told Paddack at the restaurant to make arrangements for a sober driver to take him home and he left the establishment a short time later, according to the OCPD release at the time.

When the OCPD release about the incident was issued and the news spread quickly, Paddack was swirled up again in controversy on social media, including Facebook, a medium that has not been entirely friendly to the councilman following a separate exchange last year. During a council work session in the days following the incident, some councilmembers called out Paddack for a perceived continued pattern of behavior unbecoming an elected official. Councilman Peter Buas made a motion requesting Mayor Rick Meehan, who was not present at that work session, to remove Paddack from any boards and commissions on which he serves.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

It should be noted there is no mechanism in the city charter for removing a councilman short of a felony charge or evidence of embezzling funds. Buas’ motion essentially died for lack of a second and it was decided to review the charter and let the process play out before action, if any, was taken, prior to the next open Mayor and Council meeting, which took place on Monday.

In the lead up to that meeting, Paddack continued to take his lumps on certain social media platforms with many vowing to attend Monday’s meeting to attempt to SEE PAGE 24

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Planning Commission Approves Light Vehicle Operation

Page 16

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Somewhat reluctant resort planners on Tuesday approved a conditional use request for a new business including light vehicle rentals and Segway tours on the Boardwalk.

The Ocean City Planning Commission on Tuesday was asked to grant a conditional use for a new business proposed for a location at 21st Street and Philadelphia Avenue. The conditional use approval was requested for a new proposed business called Light Riders, which would rent Polaris Slingshot vehicles, essentially three-wheeled scoot coupes, electric scooters, low-powered light mopeds and Segways out of their location at 21st Street.

The business would also include

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guided Segway tours on the Boardwalk for groups, families or corporate teambuilding exercises. In that scenario, groups would make arrangements at the store and the Segways would be delivered to the north end of the Boardwalk at 27th Street where guides would lead the outings. The Segway tours would be conducted early in the morning and would be gone from the Boardwalk before the daily crowds started building.

Light Riders would be owned and operated by Robert and Alicia Jenkins, who currently own the Vahalla Indoor Axe-Throwing franchise business with locations around the country. At the store, Light Riders would also sell onewheelers and hoverboards along with other retail merchandise.

Under the proposal, the facility at

21st Street and Philadelphia Avenue would include training areas inside including a simulated roadway and there would be extensive training, safety equipment checks and license and insurance checks before any renters would be allowed on public roadways including Coastal Highway.

The planning commission ultimately approved the conditional use for the new business, but not before a marathon debate about safety concerns and other issue. Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy gave an overview of the staff report and recommendations to the planning commission.

“It’s basically talking about the type of vehicles,” she said. “The two slingshot vehicles for rent would be parked on two spaces to the rear of the building. Everything else, including the Seg-

April 22, 2022

ways and the electric scooters for rent would be inside with a training area for the renters before they go out.”

Alicia Jenkins explained a little about the couple’s background.

“Our main business is franchising indoor axe-throwing businesses,” she said. “We know this is different, but we know a lot about safety. We’ll be here year-round. We got married here and we’re living here, so we’re very excited.”

Alicia Jenkins explained the rigorous training renters would go through before being allowed out on the streets.

“The training program will be inside the venue itself,” she said. “There will be a simulated roadway down the middle inside the facility with cones and stop signs and other traffic markings.

Each person will be given a physical and written exam and we’ll make sure helmets and all other safety equipment is being used properly before we send anyone out. We won’t rent to anyone who does not meet our requirements.”

Alicia Jenkins said the Segway rental tours on the Boardwalk would be held in the early morning hours and explained bicycles are allowed between 2 a.m. and noon. She said Light Riders would likely start their Boardwalk activity at 7 a.m., however.

“We would like to rent the same hours bicycles are allowed on the Boardwalk, which is 2 a.m. to noon,” she said. “We would like to start at 7 a.m. with a focus on the early morning hours for the guided Segway tours. We don’t want to do anything at night. The customer would meet with the guides and everybody will enjoy a safe experience.”

Planning Commissioner Kevin Rohe expressed concern about the number of rented Segways on the Boardwalk during the summer months when there are families with small children on bikes or walking even in the early hours.

“Safety is critical,” he said. “That concerns me with little children on the Boardwalk. I’ve seen it first-hand.”

Alicia Jenkins attempted to allay concerns about the Segways, which would only reach about six mph.

“These Segways are pretty slow for the most part,” she said. “If you go too fast, they will stop you. I would like to do the tours at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and then be done for the day. We will not be out there when the Boardwalk starts to get crowded.”

Planning Commissioner Palmer Gillis voiced concern about adding rented vehicles of all shapes and sizes to the already-congested area of town. He asked about the Segway tours and how the equipment gets from the 21st Street shop to the Boardwalk.

“My biggest concern is getting the equipment from the shop to the Boardwalk,” he said. “Is this all going on Coastal Highway? That’s what really scares me.”

Planning Commissioner Lauren Taylor voiced some safety concerns, and SEE PAGE 60

Summer Shooting Suspects Convicted

April 22, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

SNOW HILL – One suspect involved in a shooting at a downtown hotel last June has been sentenced to five years with all but 151 days suspended, but the primary suspect found guilty last week of first-degree assault still awaits his fate pending a pre-sentence investigation.

Antonio Epps, now 28, of District Heights, Md., was charged initially for his role in the incident with attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and numerous other charges for allegedly shooting a male victim who had fallen through the sunroof of a vehicle he was occupying last June 13. Last week, Epps was found guilty of first-degree assault and numerous other counts and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.

A second suspect, Jameal McLeod, 28, of Capital Heights, in January pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for his role in the incident. Back in court last Friday for sentencing, McLeod was also placed on supervised probation for three years upon his release after his 151 days.

Around 2:50 a.m. last June 13, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a downtown hotel for a reported shooting incident. Upon the officers’ arrival, witnesses advised both the suspects and the victim had left the scene, according to police reports. The victim, a 21-year-old male from Reisterstown, Md., was located a short time later. Ocean City EMS treated the victim for two gunshot wounds and transported him to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital.

The investigation revealed the suspects’ vehicle was parked in the hotel parking lot. The victim, believing the vehicle was unoccupied, walked on top of the vehicle and fell through the sunroof.

The occupants of the vehicle got out and confronted the victim. During the confrontation, one of the vehicle’s occupants, later identified as Epps, shot the victim two times. The suspects then fled.

Officers broadcasted a description of the vehicle and the suspects to allied law enforcement agencies in the area.

Berlin police officers located the suspect’s vehicle at a convenience store on Route 50. During the stop, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, along with a loaded, large-capacity drum-style magazine was recovered.

Epps was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, firstand second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and numerous weapons charges.

The second suspect, McLeod, was charged with three counts of accessory after the statute and carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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April 22, 2022

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Page 19

City Council Signs Off On Inlet Location For Marlin Fest

Page 20

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – After a two-year stint at the downtown 3rd Street park, Marlin Fest, the spinoff event associated with the White Marlin Open, is moving to the Inlet this August after resort officials signed off on the event this week.

In August 2020, amid pandemic distancing requirements and gathering size restrictions, White Marlin Open (WMO) producers created a modified plan to open a venue for spectators at the downtown recreation complex between 3rd and 4th streets on the bayside. The downtown venue included a large LED screen streaming the weighins from traditional host Harbour Island along with waterfront areas along the bay from which spectators could watch the boats returning to the scales and other amenities.

Last August, with COVID restrictions eased, WMO officials brought back a more-formalized edition of Marlin Fest at the 3rd Street park with the same LED screen concept for watching the weighins along with vendors, food sales, alcoholic beverage sales and other amenities as a satellite location from which to enjoy the tournament.

However, the town is in the process of redeveloping the downtown recre-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

ation complex with a multi-phased project and the area that has hosted Marlin Fest the last two years might not be entirely available. To that end, WMO officials in November pitched the idea of moving Marlin Fest to the Inlet parking lot and a portion of the beach and the Mayor and Council endorsed the concept, although there were many details still to be worked out through a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU).

On Monday, the Mayor and Council had before them an addendum to the preliminary agreement with the WMO, laying out some more of the details of the proposal. The Marlin Fest addendum was included in the Mayor and Council’s consent agenda. Typically, items on the consent agenda are approved as a matter of course with little or no broader discussion, and that was the case for the most part on Monday.

The Marlin Fest event at the Inlet will include a large LED screen facing west that will allow spectators to view the weigh-ins from Harbour Island against the backdrop of the Inlet and the ocean as boats return to the scales at 14th Street. There will also entertainment, sponsor and vendor tents, WMO and Marlin Fest retail tents along with food and beverage sales including liquor, beer and wine.

With the proposed layout, a total of

169 Inlet parking lot spaces would be impacted during the five-day event, or roughly 14% of the Inlet lot spaces. The promoter has agreed to reimburse the town for the lost Inlet parking lot revenue during the event, estimated at nearly $2,900. The council ultimately voted 5-0 with Councilmen Lloyd Martin and Mark Paddack absent to approve the Marlin Fest addendum as part of the consent agenda, but not before Councilman John Gehrig raised some questions about the parking revenue agreement.

“I do have questions about the parking lot for Marlin Fest,” he said. “I know the promoter is going to pay for the parking revenue. Are those spots closed just during the event, or for the entire 24 hours?”

Special Events Director Frank Miller explained the parking revenue was calculated based on the hours of the event. Gehrig then questioned if moving Marlin Fest to the Inlet this year was a one-time occasion.

“I’m a huge fan and supporter,” he said. “Is this a one-year thing? It’s not just the revenue from the parking spots.

It’s the revenue for the businesses whose customers use those spaces.

Has there been a conversation about that? Do we know if this is going to be a persistent thing?”

April 22, 2022

Miller said in his conversations with WMO officials, the plan all along has been to move Marlin Fest back to the 3rd Street park when the renovations and redevelopment work are completed. The section of the park complex closest to the bay is part of the first phase of the redevelopment plan and will include lots of open space and vistas of the bay and the boats coming in, so the expectation is Marlin Fest could return to the park at some point. However, if the Inlet lot version is successful, there could be decision pending about the future location of the event.

“We’re going to see how it goes this year,” he said. “Their plan initially was to hold Marlin Fest at 3rd Street again once that is completed and they see that new venue. They may very well go back regardless if they have a successful year at the Inlet parking lot. There are so many variables on the table at the moment.”

Marlin Fest is set for the week of the WMO, Monday, Aug. 8 to Friday, Aug. 12. Marlin Fest is proposed to complement the annual tournament at Harbour Island and provide an alternative for attendees throughout the week. Many guests chose last year to visit Harbour Island headquarters one day and Marlin Fest on a different day to enjoy both experiences.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 21

Page 22

Fenwick Parking Solutions Explored

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – The first meeting of a new Fenwick Island committee kicked off this week with discussions on residential and commercial parking.

On Tuesday, the Town of Fenwick Island held its first Ad Hock Parking Committee meeting to discuss ongoing parking issues.

“In the beginning there were only a couple of businesses … and traffic and parking really weren’t a problem,” Mayor Vicki Carmean said. “But now there are more businesses and the town has gotten busier.”

Last month, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted to establish an Ad Hoc Parking Committee for the purpose of exploring potential parking solutions in town.

While such issues were initially brought to the town’s Charter and Ordinance Committee for review, Carmean said told council members in March she was recommending the creation of a separate workgroup.

“At first, I thought I couldn’t do anything about our existing problems, all I could do was plan for the future to make sure we don’t come up short on parking places for any new business,” she said at the time. “But I started think-

April 22, 2022

ing about it, and I talked to Pat [Schuchman, town manager], we talked about it some more and we decided we would like the town to consider a plan B to address current parking problems.”

In this week’s committee meeting, committee member Ed Bishop said residents have seen an increase in employees and customers parking along the side streets within the residential district.

“We’re starting to see more of the business community move into the residential area with parking,” he said.

“And I’m afraid it will continue to grow.”

Committee member Scott Mumford, whose family owns Warren’s Station, said adequate business parking continues to be an issue, particularly for restaurants and particularly during dinner hours.

He said his family had purchased a property, which they allow employees to use during the busy summer months.

“We’re doing the best we can with what we have,” he said, noting that the property had 71 parking spots for a restaurant that seats 225. “You’re talking about an eight-week window where it’s really stressful when it comes to parking.”

Committee member Ann Riley suggested the restaurants and businesses work with other property owners within the commercial district to find additional parking, particularly for its employees.

“Maybe the direction we should think about is if we can find additional parking for employees …,” she said. “We know we’ve got some parking lots here not in use during the evening hours, like the bank and the church.”

Committee members, however, noted that liability concerns and wear and tear were often deterrents when seeking additional parking.

“We tried that and most of the time the property owners are against it because of liability issues,” Mumford said.

Committee member Kurt Zanelotti, however, said he was most concerned about daytime beach parking.

“I personally liked the way it was a few years ago,” he said, “when we had a rather high daily parking fee and season permits.”

Carmean said the issue of parking fees would be referred to the Charter and Ordinance Committee for review.

She also suggested the town look at new parking regulations for newly constructed businesses.

“I think there’s a difference between adequate parking for businesses and required parking,” she said.

Carmean added that she also liked the idea of finding commercial properties that would work with restaurants on employee parking.

After further discussion, the committee agreed to find possible locations before its next meeting, scheduled for May 16.

“We’re not going to solve all the parking problems today,” Carmean said.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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... OC Councilman Explains Incident April 22, 2022

FROM PAGE 15 have the councilman address some of their concerns. On Monday, Paddack was conspicuously absent from his seat at the dais and there were no public comments related to the councilman or the incident.

On Wednesday, Paddack sent a letter to the editor outlining his version of the events and apologizing to the residents and visitors of Ocean City. He said in the letter the initial vehicle collision was minor in nature.

“I want to address a recent family matter in which I was involved,” he wrote.

“In a small parking lot at a north Ocean City restaurant, I accidentally bumped into a parked vehicle. The owner and I exchanged vehicle and personal information as required by law in Maryland.”

Paddack then explained the nature of the verbal altercation with his teenage son inside the establishment.

“My teenage son and I the proceeded to dine in a restaurant, where I had a public verbal disagreement with him,” he said.

“There was an exchange of words between my son and me. Have you ever disagreed with your children, especially your teenagers? However, as a public official this should have been discussed privately, and not in a public venue where I interrupted the dining environment of the patrons. My apologies to all diners who were at the restaurant to enjoy their meal and the people with whom they were dining.”

In the letter, Paddack said he was contrite about the incident during the work session days later.

“Thereafter, my brief ordeal was referred to in an official police press release,” he wrote. “To be clear and set the record straight, I apologized publicly during the next council work session for what transpired. The town’s City Solicitor advised city council members this was an unfortunate family matter and that was outside any authority of city charter law.

That should have been the end of the story.”

In the letter, Paddack dismissed any perceived public notion about special treatment.

“To be open and honest, an official inquiry by the police was completed and unbiased,” he said. “They did their jobs, and I commend them for doing so. I would expect nothing less.”

Paddack wrote what is essentially a formal apology to his constituents in the letter.

“To the people of Ocean City, whom I serve, may personal public disagreement, which should have been done in our home, and not at a diner, was unacceptable and I offer my sincere apologies once again,” he said. “I simply ask the citizens of Ocean City, whom I serve, do we believe everything on social media? Do we let those individuals who have unfounded accusations usurp the power of social media when the truth is not what they seek? … Let me be clear … There was no evidence of a crime being committed, or that some rule or regulation was broken. I write this letter to explain what truly happened. I believe I owe you that as your councilman and as an elected official.”

Bonfire Permit Fee To Remain The Same In Ocean City

April 22, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – In a bit of an aboutface, resort officials this week did not vote to increase the fee for a beach bonfire after approving the proposed change at budget wrap-up earlier this month.

During budget deliberations, the Mayor and Council considered increasing the permit fee for a beach bonfire from the existing $75 to $85. The number of nightly beach bonfires has soared in recent years, largely because of COVID restrictions on gatherings and indoor activities. As a result, the cost of monitoring the program and cleaning the beach has gone up in kind.

During a budget wrap-up session earlier this month, a divided council voted 4-3 to hike the beach bonfire fee from $75 to $85, a measure that would have to be completed by resolution. On Monday, that resolution was presented, and Councilman John Gehrig made a motion to approve it.

However, Gehrig’s motion to approve the resolution died for lack of a second among the five sitting councilmembers with Councilmen Lloyd Martin and Mark Paddack not present. Absent a second, Gehrig’s motion died and, as a result, the bonfire permit fee will remain at the existing $75.

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In addition, the motion as presented would have eliminated language in the beach bonfire permit ordinance that called for a non-refundable deposit from beach bonfire permit holders if they did not clean up appropriately after their fire.

However, during budget deliberations, Ocean City Fire Marshal Josh Bunting pointed out the deposit was a moot issue because his department did not have a mechanism to collect it after going to the online permit booking system a few years back. Again, the motion to approve the resolution as presented died for a lack of second, so that language about the security deposit will presumably remain in the existing ordinance.

While four of the sitting councilmembers on Monday did not second Gehrig’s motion, the resolution did have support from a different, albeit it non-voting source. Mayor Rick Meehan said he still supported the modest hike in the bonfire permit fee.

“I just want to go back and let it be known for the record I support the resolution that would have increased the fees for bonfires from $75 to $85,” he said. “I think you’re going to see an increasing number of bonfires and the cost associated with those and making sure we address any issues as a result of those bonfires.”

Meehan said he believed the bonfire fee even at $85 represented a good bargain for participants, considering the increased costs of monitoring and cleaning up after the program.

“I still believe it’s a very good deal for people to be able to go out and spend an evening and do something like this on a public beach,” he said. “That revenue is in the budget that was just passed is it not?”

The beach bonfire program began in the 1970s and has steadily gained popularity over the years. From a low of just 68 beach bonfire permits in 2010, the number grew to 251 in 2016. In 2017, the Fire Marshal’s Office explored the possibility of replacing the cumbersome paper application process with an online version and it was fully implemented in 2019. Residents and visitors could, practically in real time, apply for and gain a bonfire permit from their phone, computer or mobile device without making the trip downtown to City Hall to get a permit.

In the first year of implementation of the new system, the number of bonfire permits jumped to 479 in 2018 and 727 in 2019. When COVID broke out in 2020, the number of beach bonfire permits increased exponentially to 2,400.

The pandemic was the driving force behind the one-year leap in bonfire permits

Page 25

issued. With restaurants closed or operating a limited capacity, movie theaters closed for much of the year along with limitations on other amusements and concerns about an overcrowded Boardwalk, for example, many residents and visitors opted to enjoy the beach at night with family and friends around a beach bonfire.

Now that the pandemic has waned and there has been some sense of a return to normalcy, the beach bonfire program has continued to grow. Many who discovered the program during the pandemic have grown accustomed to the program and continue to enjoy the bonfire program, especially with the streamlined permit process.

There were over 3,000 permits issued in 2021. The revenue from the beach bonfire permits was $192,000 last year, and the estimate for the fiscal year 2023 budget is a conservative $195,000. That budget estimate was based on the proposed permit fee increase from $75 to $85. With no action taken on Monday on the resolution that would have affected that change, those revenue projections might need to be adjusted at some point, but the working belief is an anticipated increase in the number of permits issued in the coming year will offset the difference in the permit fee.

Room Tax Percentage Change Will Be Decided In Fall Election

Page 26

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

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OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s electorate will have the opportunity to vote on an ordinance passed late last year that will scale up the percentage of room tax revenue dedicated to marketing after the town’s elections board this week ratified the number of signatures in a petition for referendum.

In December, the Mayor and Council narrowly passed an ordinance altering the formula for how a percentage of room tax generated in the resort is distributed to marketing and advertising. By way of background, Ocean City’s room tax in 2019 was raised from 4.5% to 5% with about 44% percent of the revenue dedicated to marketing and advertising and 56% dedicated to the town’s general fund to help offset the increased cost of tourism, including fire and police services, public works, and salaries and overtime from the growing list of special events, particularly in the offseason.

In December, a divided council approved an ordinance that would gradually scale up the percentage of room tax revenue dedicated to destination marketing, advertising, promotions, sponsor-

April 22, 2022

ships, special events and the like over the coming years. For example, for fiscal year 2023, 2% of the room tax revenue would be dedicated to destination marketing, with that figure increasing to 2.1% in fiscal year 2024 and 2.2% in fiscal year 2025.

Local resident and former councilman Vince Gisriel from the beginning publicly challenged the ordinance on the grounds the scaled increases in the amount of room tax dedicated under the broad umbrella of marketing and advertising would exponentially grow those budgets at a rate faster than the general fund growth. To that end, in December, Gisriel sent a letter and a draft petition for a referendum on the room tax ordinance to the city solicitor for approval.

The city solicitor approved the draft petition on the room tax ordinance, setting in motion a 40-day window in which Gisriel and the petitioners would need to acquire the requisite number of signatures to bring the question to referendum. The city charter requires signatures representing 40% of those who voted in the last municipal election to put the referendum question on the ballot in the next municipal election.

With 1,528 votes cast in the last municipal election, the target number for a successful petition was 612. At the conclusion of the petition for referendum drive, Gisriel submitted 168 petition pages consisting of 807 signatures, or well beyond the 612 required.

The next step was for the town’s Board of Supervisors of Elections to ratify the signatures contained in the petition pages. The process is now complete, and, on Monday, Board of Supervisors of Elections Chair Mary Adeline Bradford presented to the results to the Mayor and Council.

Of the 807 signatures submitted, 13 were deemed invalid, leaving a total of 794 verified and valid voter signatures on the petition, or still well above the required 612 based on the town’s charter.

As a result, the petition for referendum challenging the room tax formula alteration will appear as a ballot question on the November 8 municipal election. As a mere formality, the council voted 5-0 with Councilmen Lloyd Martin and Mark Paddack absent to ratify the petition and include as a ballot question at the November election.

Councilman John Gehrig questioned if the ratified petition meant the room tax ordinance the council passed in December was still valid.

“In here is a copy of the petition,” he said. “Does this mean our ordinance is repealed? We have a budget based on that figure.”

City Solicitor Heather Stansbury said the ordinance would remain in place pending the results of the November election.

SEE PAGE 32

OCHMRA Installs Latest Officers, Board Members

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 27

Above left, new OCHMRA Board of Directors members include Michael James, Carl Bozick, Spencer Byrd, Jeremy Brink, Ruth Waters, Keith Whisenant, Dan Jasinski, Shawn Harman, Garvey Heiderman, Ryan Wilde and Spiro Buas. Above right, UMES Scholarship recipient Bilal Syed is pictured with Hospitality & Tourism Management Department Chair Dr. George Ojie-Ahamiojie and OCHMRA Executive Director Susan Jones.

Submitted Photos

through advocacy, education, and partnerships with the goal of advancing Ocean City as a leading tourism destination. OCHMRA assists in solving common issues relative to the industry and acts as a clearinghouse for dissemination of information.

Outgoing President Danelle Amos of Beach Walk Hotel was presented with a plaque in appreciation of her hard work and dedication as HMRA President.

The evening’s festivities also featured the UMES Scholarship presented to Hospitality & Tourism Management stu-

dent, Bilal Syed.

Worcester Technical High School Culinary students prepared the desserts and instructor Phillip Cropper accepted OCHMRA’s donation to the Hospitality Program. The new board will have their first meeting on May 12.

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OCEAN CITY – Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development Director Melanie Pursel installed the 20222023 Officers and Board of Directors of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association at last week’s annual Installation Banquet.

Close to 230 members gathered at the Ocean City Convention Center for this annual ceremony where Spiro Buas of OC Rooms was installed as the incoming president. Ryan Wilde of BEST Motels became 1st Vice President and Garvey Heiderman of The Hobbit was installed to serve as the 2nd Vice President. Shawn Harman of Fishtales/Bahia Marina, continues his role as Secretary/Treasurer.

The three-year Board of Directors installed included Carl Bozick of Macky’s Bar & Grill, Jeremy Brink of Ocean 13 and Michael James of James Hospitality Carousel Group. Two-year Directors included Dave Robinson of Boardwalk Hotel Group, Ruth Waters of the Harrison Group and Keith Whisenant of Residence Inn. Serving as one-year directors are Spencer Byrd of Bluewater Hospitality, Mike Gershenfeld of The Taustin Group and Dan Jasinski of Real Hospitality Group.

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Page 28

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April 22, 2022

First Responders Recognized: The American Legion Synepuxent Post #166 hosted a First Responders Awards Program on March 30 at the 23rd Street

hall. Numerous individual awards were presented to high achievers within the various agencies throughout the county. Pictured above are all the honorees at the event.

Individual awards were presented to Jeff McMahon, Worcester County Fire Marshal; Deputy Austin McGee, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; TFC Seth Shubert, Maryland State Police Trooper of the Year; Dave Brininger, Maryland State Police PCO of the Year; Eric Olsey, Ocean City Career Firefighter of the Year; Marvin “Bud” Timmons, Ocean City Volunteer Firefighter of the Year; Jeffrey R. Aperance, Ocean City Paramedic of the Year; PFC Chelsea Kautz, Ocean Pines Police Department Police Officer of the Year; Cindy Ward, Ocean Pines Police Department Dispatcher of the Year; David Collins, Ocean Pines Fire Department Paramedic of the Year; Joe Enste, Ocean Pines Firefighter of the Year; Adam Smith, Showell Volunteer Firefighter of the Year; Avery Marshall, Berlin Police Officer of the Year; Byron Hauck, Girdletree Volunteer Firefighter of the Year; Tom Hemman, Newark Volunteer Firefighter of the Year; and George Ward, Stockton Volunteer Fire Department Volunteer of the Year.

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Public Bike Workshop Near In OC Dealer Pleads Guilty In Fed Court

April 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – Officials say a public workshop on proposed bike path improvements will be held next month.

In last week’s meeting of the Ocean City Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, City Engineer Paul Mauser, committee president, presented members with an update on the town’s bike strategic plan.

In February, the Ocean City Mayor and Council reviewed plans for possible bike path improvements along 94th Street, 146th Street and alleyways from 27th Street to 94th Street.

As a result of those discussions, Mauser said, the town plans to hold a public hearing next month on the proposed corridor improvements at 94th and 146th streets.

“The update there is that we have a public workshop that is to be scheduled,” he said. “It was originally planned for the mid- to late-April timeframe, but we moved that to May.” Mauser said the event will be structured as a public workshop, with display boards and officials on hand to answer questions.

“You don’t want to turn it into a public hearing where someone stands at the podium …,” said Public Works Director Hal Adkins. “This allows a person who has a specific concern to focus in on what is of interest to them.”

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Earlier this year, the town hired Toole Design Group, a national consultant, to develop a strategic plan that will be used to expand its bicycle network.

In recent years, the resort has embarked on a multi-phased initiative to install a continuous bike path from one end of town to another without using Coastal Highway.

With the help of a strategic plan, officials say the town will have designs and cost estimates for several proposed biking corridors, including Coastal Highway, 94th Street, 146th Street and town alleys from 27th to 94th streets.

As part of its strategic planning process, Mauser and Toole Design came before the council in February to present options for three significant bike path projects – one at 94th Street, one at 146th Street and another along the town alleyways from 27th to 94th streets.

After considerable debate, however, the Mayor and Council agreed to throw out plans for utilizing the town alleyways after it was learned the proposed bike path called for the elimination of 125 parking spaces.

Instead, the council recommended having a workshop to discuss potential design options for improved biking paths along 94th and 146th streets.

It’s not something we have to do, it’s an optional project,” Mauser said. “We just want public feedback for those corridors.”

Page 29

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – A Berlin man pleaded guilty in federal court last week to possession of over 300 grams of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to guilty pleas by Marcus Pitts, 49, in September 2018, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team (WCCET) were investigating Pitts for suspected drug distribution. WCCET members executed a search warrant on Pitts’ residence and recovered roughly 396 grams of crack cocaine, baking soda, a glass Pyrex

dish, plastic baggies, an empty digital scale box, three cell phones and nearly $1,500 in cash.

An additional cell phone was recovered from Pitts. A subsequent search warrant of the cell phones revealed numerous text messages indicating Pitts was involved in trafficking crack cocaine. Pitts was released from state custody on bail in September 2018. He was arrested again on a federal warrant in January 2019 dealing.

Pitts and the federal government have agreed that if the court accepts the plea agreement, Pitts will be sentenced to seven years in federal prison.

WORCESTER COUNTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY 2023 REQUESTED OPERATING BUDGETS The Worcester County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budgets as requested by the Agencies and Departments which are funded by the Worcester County Commissioners. If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to pre-register by calling the County Administration office at 410-632-1194. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 2, 2022 in the County Commissioners’ Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. All commenters must identify themselves by their full name and address to be included in the public record. Written comments received by the deadline will be read into the record by Worcester County staff during the public comment portion of the meeting. Anyone not planning to speak may view the public hearing live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. The Public Hearing will be held at: 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 3, 2022 WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, SNOW HILL, MD General Fund requested expenditures exceed available revenues (based upon current tax rates) by $11,287,404. This difference must be reconciled by the County Commissioners either through reductions in expenditures or increases in taxes, fees and/or use of Budget Stabilization Funds. Copies of the requested budgets are available for public inspection on the Worcester County website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED REVENUES Requested Budget Property Taxes $ 152,507,544 Licenses & Permits Income Taxes 34,500,000 Charges for Services Other Local Taxes 16,941,000 Fines & Forfeits State Shared 2,572,746 Interest Federal Grants 378,886 Misc/Sale of Assets/& Other State Grants 4,344,131 Transfers In – Casino/ Local Impact Grant Funds

Requested Budget 2,496,231 1,510,055 29,000 100,000 411,986 2,499,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES $218,290,579 GENERAL FUND REQUESTED EXPENDITURES Requested Budget Requested Budget Board of Education: $100,983,605 Library 2,877,546 Operating Expenses 12,726,490 Maintenance 1,533,278 Debt Payments to be paid on behalf Boat Landings 381,250 Mosquito Control 157,946 Circuit Court 1,439,592 Natural Resources 612,489 Commission On Aging 1,514,783 Orphan's Court 36,400 County Administration 1,152,345 Other General 1,759,588 Government 2,796,402 Debt Service less Education Debt) Development Review Other General & Permitting 2,075,878 Government: Economic Development 443,150 (State Dept. of Assessment Operating Exp.) 555,440 Elections 1,355,240 Parks 1,625,297 Emergency Services 3,703,761 Public Works Environmental Programs 1,593,459 Administration 999,511 Extension Office 242,678 Recreation 1,850,067 Fire Marshal 661,470 Recreation & Culture 242,439 Grants to Towns 7,013,867 Recycling 942,809 Health Department 5,999,817 Sheriff 10,203,690 Homeowner Convenience Social Service Groups 838,368 Centers 793,992 State’s Attorney 2,619,551 Human Resources 519,825 Taxes Shared w/ Towns 2,644,157 Information Technology 644,914 Tourism 1,359,429 Insurance & Benefits: Treasurer 1,308,580 (Includes OPEB-all employees) 24,790,008 Vol. Fire Co. Jail 9,740,911 & Ambulance Co. 9,609,321 Roads 4,698,398 Wor-Wic Community College 2,530,242 TOTAL REQUESTED EXPENDITURES $229,577,983

Machines To Be Used Green Team Launches Environmental Survey IceFor Upcoming Springfest

Page 30

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City committee is seeking respondents to a new environmental survey.

The Ocean City Coastal Resources Legislative Committee, also known as the Green Team, has released a survey for both residents and visitors to gauge the community’s environmental interests, behaviors and needs.

Ocean City Environmental Engineer Gail Blazer, a Green Team member, said information gathered through the community survey will allow the committee to develop a three-year action plan, which will ensure the community’s wants are addressed in the goals that are set.

The survey also helps Ocean City to become recertified by Sustainable Maryland, a state program that helps the town and its members save money, protect the environment and be recognized for its environmentally friendly actions.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“We are required to create a Green Team Action Plan for the Sustainable Maryland application,” she explained.

“This plan should consider community input. Thus, the survey. We need to know where we want to focus our effort in for the next three years.”

Blazer noted initiatives such as pollinator gardens were included in the town’s latest action plan. She said the town was now looking to the community to develop new initiatives.

“This survey will help us understand the direction the community would like us to go with environmental initiatives,” she said, “enabling people to be part of developing the focus.”

Since 2011, Sustainable Maryland has supported the state’s 157 municipalities as they look for cost-effective and strategic ways to protect their natural assets and revitalize their communities. Using best practices in areas such as water resources, energy, planning, health, food and economy, municipalities including

Ocean City worked to earn points toward sustainability.

In 2016, Ocean City was recognized as one of 14 Sustainable Maryland Certified Award winners for its efforts in developing sustainable programs such as Adopt Your Beach and Adopt Your Street. And since it is a three-year program, the town will need to recertify in 2022.

To that end, the Green Team has established a community survey ahead of the application deadline.

Officials are asking residents and visitors to visit https://arcg.is/0XOCXm and complete the brief Green Team Action Plan Survey. Questions on environmental practices, composting, communications and Green Team focus are among the list of topics.

“I need this data by May 15, so I can put it in our Sustainable Maryland application that is due in June,” Blazer said.

For more information, contact Gail Blazer at gblazer@oceancitymd.gov.

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April 22, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The way the town provides ice for Springfest vendors will likely be a little different this year.

During last week’s Tourism Commission meeting, Special Events Director Frank Miller provided a brief overview of the status of some the upcoming special events in the resort. Miller said his department is finalizing the fireworks contract, working to finalize contracts with the tent provider for special events, reviewing the value-added special events and, finally, preparing for a modified Springfest set for May 4-8 at the Inlet lot.

Miller said there were some subtle changes with Springfest this year, including how the town will provide ice to the various vendors for the food and beverage products. Traditionally, the town provides large bags of ice to the vendors, but Miller said there have been discussions about a private provider bringing in ice machines to the event.

“There is one thing we’re doing a little different this year,” he said. “Usually, we provide bagged ice for sale for our vendors. This year, we’re going to provide a water and ice vending machine.

The machine will keep our cost down.

It produces 1,900 pounds of ice per day.

It does have a green element because it eliminates the plastic bags.”

Miller said using the large ice machines at Springfest could be a pilot program of sorts and said there could be applications in other areas around the resort.

“This type of machine could be used elsewhere in town,” he said. “There is an opportunity here. We could place them at different locations on the Boardwalk. It would provide ice for special events such as the air show or the sand soccer tournament, for example.”

Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo agreed there could be more opportunities to place ice machines around the resort.

“We could set up two machines at the Inlet lot,” he said. “The provider would operate and maintain them, but the town would get $2 per bag.”

Miller said the plan is already in place to utilize the machines at Springfest next month.

“We’re moving forward with it for Springfest,” he said. “There is a much broader opportunity. It’s not only open to us. It’s open to local businesses.”

City Manager Terry McGean said he would like to see more details from the provider before a discussion about placing more of them around town.

“I think they need to come with a proposal,” he said. “We need to know what they want to do and what to town needs to do. We also need to find out how many locations are being proposed and where.”

Berlin Scores $76K Grant For Security Cameras, Barricades

April 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Security cameras and other safety improvements are coming to downtown Berlin thanks to a state grant.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development advised the Town of Berlin officials last week that the municipality would be receiving the $76,300 Community Safety Works Business District Grant it applied for. The grant will allow for the purchase of security cameras, barricades and modular vehicle barriers.

“Events are a large part of our downtown,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

and community development director.

“With everything going on in the world, safety is our number one concern.”

With the town waking up to turned over trash cans and knocked over planters and signage along Main Street Friday morning, Wells said the news regarding funding for increased security came at the perfect time.

She said the town applied for the grant in January and learned this week the application had been successful. She said the bulk of the $76,300 would be used to purchase 12 modular vehicle barriers.

She first saw them at a football game several years ago and knew they’d be use-

ful in Berlin during events. The grant will also fund the purchase of 20 security cameras that will be placed in the parking lots and on the main side streets.

Police will be able to use an app to monitor the feeds any time, which will make it easier for them to address issues downtown.

“There’s been some instances where if police had security cameras they’d be able to mitigate problems quicker,” Wells said.

In addition to the cameras and the barriers, the grant will allow the town to purchase new barrels and barricades to help with street closures. The ones currently in use are 20 years old and have needed re-

Page 31

placement for some time.

Wells said the security enhancements, which she hopes will be in place by summer, will increase safety downtown, particularly during Berlin’s popular special events.

“People have a better time when they feel safe,” she said.

Wells said she is grateful state officials approved the municipality’s application.

“We’re very happy and I’d like to say thank you to Governor Hogan and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for offering this opportunity to the downtown business district,” she said. “We are very appreciative.”

Page 32

Teacher Staffing Crisis Discussed

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – Wicomico’s superintendent says the use of recruitment programs and the adoption of negotiated agreements have allowed the school system to maintain an adequate level of staffing, despite reports of a growing teacher shortage.

Earlier this month, Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin presented the Wicomico County Board of Education with an update on recruitment and retention efforts within Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS).

“There’s a lot in the media right now about the teacher crisis, the staffing crisis,” she said, “and I thought it would be helpful to speak to that specifically where Wicomico County is concerned.”

Hanlin noted that each year WCPS loses between 100 and 140 teachers to retirement, transfers, or simply individuals leaving the profession. But despite reports of a growing teacher shortage, she told officials the school system is estimated to have lost 100 teachers this school year.

“We feel fortunately we have been able to retain teachers to about the same degree we have in previous years,” she said.

Hanlin told board members, however, officials are seeing a shortage in the supply of teachers coming to WCPS from local universities. She said critical short-

April 22, 2022

age areas include special education, mathematics, and elementary education.

To that end, Hanlin said the school system is working with local colleges to encourage individuals to join the teaching profession through programs such as dual enrollment. WCPS has also introduced a Teacher Academy of Maryland program within its schools, allowing students the opportunity to explore careers as an elementary, middle or high school teacher.

“We have a lot of efforts going into this,” she said. “But I wanted to clarify we do not have teachers leaving the profession in Wicomico County to any greater degree than we ever have before.”

As efforts continue to recruit individuals to the profession, Hanlin said work is also being done to retain the school system’s existing educators.

At Tuesday’s meeting, for example, the board of education voted to approve negotiated agreements for teachers, administrative staff and classified employees that include salary increases and a cost-of-living adjustment.

“I know the 1,300 teachers and roughly 800 support staff and all employees thank you for your commitment as shown by these negotiated agreements, as we gave probably the largest cost-ofliving adjustment we’ve ever given here in Wicomico County,” said Human Resources Director Vince Pavic. “It’s put us in the rare area of being one of the higher paid on the Eastern Shore.”

… Voters To Decide Room Tax Change

FROM PAGE 26 “It wouldn’t be repealed until after the results of the election in November, if the votes go that way,” she said.

Gehrig said the fiscal year 2023 budget was based largely on aggressive estimates on room tax for the upcoming season.

“We approved a budget based on this,” he said. “I’m just trying to make sure we’re okay on this.”

From the beginning, Gisriel outlined his reasons for seeking a repeal of the room tax ordinance passed by the council in December by petitioning for a referendum vote by the town’s electorate.

“This new ordinance replaces an earlier one passed in 2007, which was flawed from the outset,” he has said.

“The old ordinance was supposed to dedicate one-half percent of the room tax to advertising. However, instead it dedicated an amount equal to 2% of gross room revenue to advertising. This resulted in an enormous increase in the amount of money being spent to promote the town.”

According to Gisriel, under the original ordinance passed in fiscal year 2007, the town’s advertising budget was just over $1.76 million. By fiscal year 2021, it had grown to over $7.46 million.

Berlin Eyes Sponsors For Annual July 3 Fireworks Display

April 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – The town will seek sponsorships to cover the cost of this year’s July fireworks display.

Last Monday, the Berlin Town Council approved a sponsorship program for the annual Independence Day fireworks show, which typically takes place July 3.

“We started the fireworks five years ago and now it’s become a tradition here in Berlin,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. “Families can enjoy them right in their own backyards. After cutting the fireworks funding in the budget, the mayor and council recommended we seek business sponsorships for funding.”

The issue of sponsorships initially came up in a budget work session. While Wells acknowledged that sponsorships helped cover costs, she pointed out they could also add to her department’s expenses if not handled carefully.

When a business sponsors an event, there are added expectations for advertising and promotion from that business.

Wells also noted that she didn’t want any one corporate entity to completely take over a particular event.

Officials opted to cut half of the $10,000 usually included in the budget for fireworks.

At last Monday’s regular meeting Mayor Zack Tyndall presented the council with a draft of a potential sponsorship form for the town’s 2022 event.

“This really is designed to help offset a portion of our annual expense for the Independence Day fireworks show,” he said. “We previously used to accept contributions or sponsorships for this.

This is an effort to be able to return back to that and offset that expense. It’s open for discussion.”

Councilman Jack Orris said he shared the concerns voiced by Wells during the budget work session but was willing to give the program a try.

“I am willing to try it out for a year and see how it goes,” he said.

As proposed, the town would accept sponsorships of $2,500 (gold), $1,000 (silver), $500 (bronze) or a level of the donor’s choice for the fireworks display.

Tyndall said that the maximum donation to be accepted would be $2,500 so that no one business could dominate the sponsorship.

Councilman Jay Knerr suggested changing the sponsorship levels to red, white and blue in honor of the holiday.

The council agreed and voted unanimously to approve the Independence Day fireworks sponsorship program.

Wells said those who would like to contribute to the fireworks fund should visit the “Economic and Community Development” tab on the town’s website or email info@berlinmd.gov.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 33

WORCESTER COUNTY NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Board of County Commissioners of Worcester County proposes to increase real property taxes.

1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2022, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 1.9% from $16,485,090,727 to $16,796,158,998.

2. If Worcester County maintains the current tax rate of $0.845 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 1.9% resulting in $2,628,527 of new real property tax revenues.

3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.8294, the constant yield tax rate.

4. The County is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The County proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.845 per $100 of assessment.

This tax rate is 1.9% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $2,628,527 in additional property tax revenues.

A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:00 P.M., on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to preregister by calling the County Administration office at 410-6321194.

The meeting will also be streamed live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 2, 2022 in the County Commissioners’ Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.

All commenters must identify themselves by their full name and address to be included in the public record. Written comments received by the deadline will be read into the record by Worcester County staff during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call (410) 6321194 for further information.

Local Bills Make It Through General Assembly Session

Page 34

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The 2022 Maryland General Assembly session closed with sine die last Monday with several weighty statewide issues resolved and a handful of bills germane to the local area making it through.

The session closed with a flourish last Monday as state lawmakers closed the books on another session. After two years of COVID restrictions and Zoom hearings, the 2022 General Assembly session represented somewhat of a return to normal this year.

During the session, legislators debated and voted on thousands of pieces of legislation, including some of local importance, which breezed through with unanimous votes.

For example, a bill that would allow family farmers in Worcester County to diversify and take advantage of the growing agritourism market breezed through the state Senate and House and was signed by Gov. Larry Hogan last week.

Senate Bill 32, pre-filed by State Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and cross-filed in the House by Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38C), will add Worcester County to the list of 18 other jurisdictions around the state in which farm structures used for the growing agritourism industry would be exempt from certain building code requirements.

As the name implies, agritourism includes any activity that links traditional agriculture production to tourism and draws visitors onto a farm, such as corn mazes, pumpkin patches, barn weddings or winery tastings, for example.

The legislation was strongly supported by the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, Worcester County Tourism, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association and the Maryland Tourism Commission among other advocacy groups. The bill passed on a 45-0 vote in the Senate and a 135-0 vote in the House.

“The Worcester County agritourism legislation allows for a successful tool to give more local farm families the opportunity to offer agritourism activities on their farms,” said Carozza. “It’s a win-win for both the farm families who may need to diversify and pull in additional revenue just to keep the farm, and for tourists who will have more opportunities to explore and experience our local farms.”

Another bill of local importance that was passed unanimously by state legis-

The Town of Berlin Salutes Marvin Smith For His Many Years Of Dedicated Service And Wishes Him The Best In His Retirement – We Will Miss You Sir To My Berlin, First, I want to honor the Lord because he’s the reason I live, move and have my beings.

I would like to take a moment to say thanks to the Mayor and Council, both past and present, and to my wonderful co-workers, both past and present. You all made me feel so special.

To the wonderful citizens of this town, I say thank you. It’s been a real pleasure working for you. I don’t take it lightly.

We’ve had some happy times together and some sad times. I want to say thanks to my wife and family because of the all-nighters.

I haven’t always crossed every “T” or dotted every “I” and maybe I’ve offended on a time or two. Please forgive me if so and I ask that you charge it to my head and not my heart.

I love you Berlin and thank you.

Sincerely, Marvin Smith

April 22, 2022

lators will allow for limited expansion or repairs to town-owned structures on the east side of the Boardwalk.

The bill filed by Carozza and Hartman will amend the state’s old beach erosion control district to allow for the repair or replacement of a structure on the east side of the Boardwalk owned by the Town of Ocean City or the state of Maryland only.

The catalyst for the bill is needed repairs at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, although there are other applications.

Last year, the General Assembly adopted the capital budget which included $600,000 for improvements to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum to bring the century-old-plus building into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance along with meeting current fire codes. The building was a working lifesaving station in the early 1900s and was moved to the end of the Boardwalk were it was converted to a museum.

It has remained unchanged for decades, however, and while the building maintains its quaint charm, the facility has somewhat outgrown is usefulness as a public museum. There are ADA issues that need to be addressed and the historic building is often bursting at the seams with various exhibits, offices, restrooms, a gift shop and other uses.

However, without a legislative change to the decades-old beach erosion control district, improvements to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum cannot be made and the $600,000 appropriated by the state last year cannot be expended.

To that end, Carozza filed Senate Bill 64 and Hartman cross-filed House Bill 1300 in an effort to amend the beach erosion control district regulations to allow for certain improvements with specific limitations, and the bills breezed through the legislature.

Another bill of local importance that was approved by state lawmakers will clarify the rules for developing a shrimp fishery pilot program in the state with implications for the resort area and the Lower Shore.

Shrimp, a staple on most resort area restaurant menus, has heretofore always been considered a southern transport and hasn’t been targeted for commercial harvesting in Maryland.

However, in recent years, shrimp have been showing up more and more in local waters, off the Atlantic coastline and in the lower end of the Chesapeake Bay. To that end, last year the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that would allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a pilot program to establish a commercial shrimp fishery in the state.

Last year’s bill established a potential pilot program for a commercial shrimp industry. This year, a companion bill filed in the Senate and House will create a framework by which the pilot program could be implemented by the DNR.

Annual Marine Plunder Planned

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

An abandoned crab pot is pictured being removed from the bay last year.

Submitted Photo

BERLIN – Citizens are invited to help Captain Jack Sparrow, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Ocean Pines community plunder the bays in search of marine debris Sunday, May 15, from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for the 3rd Annual Marine Debris Plunder.

Boaters and land lubbers alike are encouraged to join the plunder to pick up debris that has been carelessly discarded in the bays, beaches, and streets and bring their loot to the Ocean Pines White Horse Park Boat Ramp for a weigh-in.

Captain Jack Sparrow along with his pirate crew will be on hand to assist with the weigh-in and properly dispose the debris.

You must preregister for this event either online at the Maryland Coastal Bays Program website www.mdcoastalbays.org, or call Sandi at 410-213-2297, ext. 106 and register by phone. Registration is now open. There will be no registration at the event.

Thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the support of Worcester County, supplies will be provided for those who preregister (while supplies last). Supply packets can be picked up at Pure Lure in the West Ocean City Harbor at a pre-arranged date.

When participants bring their loot to the weigh-in, the pirate crew will grab their trash and present them with an event T-shirt (while supplies last).

The intent of this event is to engage the community in picking up debris in our waterways and streets and bringing it to one location where it will be weighed and disposed of properly. All participants will be asked to fill out data sheets on the debris. This data will be used for an outreach campaign next year reminding visitors the importance of keeping local waterways clean.

Boaters pursuing debris in the water will receive specific instructions as to what is marine debris and what is a live trap as crabbing season is in effect. It is illegal to tamper with any live traps.

The Natural Resource Police will attend the event in case participants have any questions as to what is marine debris, and what is not, in case something is unclear to a participant.

Boaters will be encouraged to pursue abandoned crab pots, derelict crab pots that have been clearly abandoned and are sitting in shallow water and marshes.

Every year crabbers lose their pots to careless boaters who do not pay attention and run over crab pot floats, floats identifying pot location. Once these floats are cut, the pot becomes untraceable until it washes into shallow water or on top of a marsh. Unfortunately, ghost pots continually re-bait as crabs crawl inside, eventually die, and new crabs arrive to eat those.

Page 35

Page 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

Mayor Not Signing Rental Ordinance

Plans For West OC Brewery Reviewed

BERLIN – A short-term rental ordinance will take effect in Berlin without the signature of Mayor Zack Tyndall.

Tyndall confirmed this week that he would not be signing the ordinance approved by the Berlin Town Council last month regulating short-term rentals. He said he didn’t agree with the residency requirements worked into the ordinance by the council.

“I did not sign the short-term rental ordinance because, as I stated previously when I was a council member, I believe the owner-occupied provision provides a negative impact on some of our residents that call Berlin home,” he said.

In March, the council voted 3-2 to approve an ordinance setting up short-term rental regulations for the town. Though officials initially discussed a requirement to allow short-term rentals in the R-1 and R-2 districts only if the home was the owner’s primary residence per state records, the ordinance presented last month did not include that provision.

Tyndall acknowledged he’d removed it after hearing concern about it. Dozens of residents in attendance for the March

SNOW HILL – County officials last week reviewed conceptual plans for a new brewery on Route 611.

The Worcester County Technical Review Committee looked at plans for O.C. Beer Works, a brewery proposed for the former Ocean City Service Co. property, at a meeting last Wednesday. While there are still a lot of issues to be worked out, the connections of the brewery said they were eager to make progress with the plans.

“You gave us some ideas for our next step,” Steve Kansak said.

O.C. Beer Works is proposed as a 8,904-square-foot brewery, tasting room and restaurant/entertainment facility with a 75,000-square-foot beer garden at 9724 Stephen Decatur Highway. The brewery, which would be a Class 7 microbrewery, would require a text amendment, according to county staff, as it is intended to include manufacturing for distribution as well as on-site consumption.

“The distribution component would require a text amendment, which would need to be reviewed and approved by

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

public hearing, however, said they felt it was necessary to protect Berlin’s neighborhoods.

In the end, the council’s approval of the ordinance came after it was amended to work the owner occupancy requirement back in.

Tyndall said this week he was not signing the ordinance. While he didn’t feel strongly enough about the issue to veto the ordinance, he said it would go into effect July 1 without his signature.

Any time an ordinance is approved, the mayor has the option of signing it, not signing it or vetoing it.

“The mayor has a few tools at their disposal,” he said.

Tyndall said he supported the ordinance the way it had been introduced, without the primary residence requirement.

“In my opinion it still protected the integrity of the neighborhood,” he said.

Town staff are currently in the process of implementing the changes mandated by the new ordinance. Planning Director Dave Engelhart says a short-term rental license application is being drafted and inspection procedures developed. He said the program will be ready to kick off in July.

April 22, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

the planning commission and the county commissioners,” a staff report reads.

The brewery also needs to purchase the necessary sewer capacity and address requirements mandated by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). SHA wants entrances to the property adjusted and an acceleration/deceleration lane constructed.

The agency will also require a traffic study for the proposed development to determine how many trips per day it will generate.

The brewery’s connections said they were hoping to establish an operation with a laid back, “beachy” feel that would feature an entertainment pavilion, picnic tables and corn hole.

The technical review committee last Wednesday also reviewed plans for the second phase of the Triple Crown community near Gum Point Road as well as a site plan for a new Diakonia facility on Route 611. Representatives of the nonprofit said the new facility on a four-acre parcel on Route 611 would include multiple buildings that will provide space retail, office, storage and conference space in addition to 48 one-bedroom housing units.

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local Painter Restores Trimper’s Ticket Booth The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

OCEAN CITY – For years, the winged fairy sat covered with black soot high above the lightbulb-centered flowers and chipped cherubs below her.

The old ticket booth at Trimper’s Rides in Ocean City, an Art Nouveau masterpiece from the early 20th century, had seen better days. And for years, Joanne Guilfoil, an active member and instructor at the Art League of Ocean City, had pestered the Trimper family to let her restore and repaint it.

“Since 2016, I have been asking the Trimper family once or twice a summer if I can please work on it … for free,” Guilfoil said. “I was always told politely no – liability and insurance. In February, I was introduced to Scott Savage, the president of the board. I told him I had insurance and still wanted to work on the ticket booth.”

Trimper’s gave her the go-ahead and paid for the paint. The artist’s time was a donation in the name of the Art League.

“That was the deal,” Guilfoil said. “I knew the Art League did community service projects, and this was going to be one of them.”

Once Guilfoil received the approval to

start the project, she began by researching paint type and colors. Her reference source was Maria Schlick of West Ocean City, the artist responsible for painting and caring for the historic Herschell-Spillman carousel the Trimpers had ordered in 1912 that is still carrying children on the backs of its flying horses and exotic animals. Schlick and her brother, John Bilous, had already put the ticket booth “back together” once for the late Granville Trimper.

No one seems certain where the old Art Nouveau ticket booth originally came from, but Schlick believes it predates the 1912 carousel.

“When Trimper’s first opened, there was a theater there, and they sold tickets out of the booth,” Schlick said. “When I was a kid, there used to be string game inside that ticket booth.”

Guilfoil borrowed scaffolding from friend Kevin Martin, owner of Atlantic Auto Repair in Ocean View, who set it up for her, and got to work cleaning with rags and degreaser.

“I started the beginning of March, and I finished the end of March,” she said.

“There were a few gouges, scratches, and

Page 39

many dinged areas to repair in the plaster.

I sanded and then applied a gray primer.

The only thing Maria told me was to keep the colors as close as possible to what she originally used. So she is the one who gets the credit for assigning color. I just matched what she did and tried to restore it as close as I could to her original work.”

Guilfoil worked through March in the unheated Trimper’s Rides building with cold fingers but a determined attitude.

“I went upstairs to the bathroom at least three times just to run my hands under the hot water,” she said. “I will admit there were a couple of times I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew.

Then I told myself to shut up and get back to work. And in the end, I had a blast.”

Guilfoil was attracted to the Art Nouveau style ticket booth lady and the carousel, even as an art student. In fall 2021 when she was recuperating from hip replacement, Guilfoil made a painting of her favorite carousel animal: the white horse with blue sash and red rose.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have restored the ticket booth, and I’m really happy that the Art League supports this project and will get the word out about

Local artist Joanne Guilfoil spent the entire month of March repainting the early 20th century ticket booth at Trimper’s Rides. Above, Guilfoil is pictured with the booth and its Art Nouveau motif.

Submitted Image

this wonderful iconic piece of Art Nouveau sculpture.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

People in Society Donna Compher, Melissa Reid and Jack Orris spent the evening of April 8 as guest bartenders at Sisters in Berlin to raise money for the Taylor House Museum.

by Charlene Sharpe Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Mary Bohlen, Mike Wiley and Patricia Dufendach, representing the Berlin Parks Commission, passed out nature-themed crafts at Berlin’s Spring Celebration.

At an informal monthly breakfast meeting, Billy Apostolou, Jess Foy, Cate Nellans and Ricky Pollitt of the Ocean City Young Professionals met at Rise Up in West Ocean City to talk about the group’s upcoming activities.

Amanda Buckley, Wren and Brian Robertson walked down Main Street Saturday during Berlin’s Spring Celebration.

Josh and Zooey Davis, joined by pup Indy, stopped by the Taylor House Museum for an egg hunt during the town’s spring festivities Saturday.

Ted and Susie Tomalewski, better known as the musicians that make up Celtic Pierogi, pictured on a break between performances at Berlin’s Spring Celebration.

Berlin residents Cate Nellans and Larnet St. Amant paused for a picture during Saturday’s Spring Celebration.

Volunteers Mike Ross and Laura Walter helped set up for Saturday’s egg hunt at the Taylor House Museum.

Barrett Moncure and Heather Nottingham served up drinks to benefit the Taylor House Museum.

Volunteer Ethan Justice pictured with the Easter Bunny during Saturday’s Spring Celebration in Berlin.

OPA Mails Out Ballots For Bylaws Referendum

April 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – Ballots for a community referendum on 28 bylaw revisions are being mailed out this week.

The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) reports all eligible voters will soon receive ballots for an upcoming referendum on proposed bylaw revisions. Ballots will be due back by 4 p.m. on May 19.

"We ask that homeowners consider the changes, which were vetted by the board and by several committees, and discussed in public with the membership. These were also reviewed by Ocean Pines’ attorney,” said Association President Colette Horn. “We believe these changes are necessary to clear up some inconsistencies in the bylaws, and to help protect the association from future litigation.”

In February, the OPA Board of Directors voted to support several motions involving amendments to sections of the association’s bylaws, including those related to the candidate verification process and candidate eligibility requirements.

Nearly 30 motions advanced to a public hearing last month, during which several residents asked the board to reconsider the referendum.

Horn, however, noted the proposed changes come after more than a year of review by a board committee, the Bylaws and Resolutions Advisory Committee, and the full Board of Directors. She said several public meetings were also held to review the proposals. In late March, the board voted to have legal counsel develop the appropriate amendments for an upcoming vote.

In total, homeowners will be asked to consider 28 revisions to the OPA bylaws.

Explanations of the proposed changes have been included on the association’s website, oceanpines.org, and in the referendum mailing.

Officials say ballots may be returned by mail or to the ballot box inside the Ocean Pines Police Department lobby on 239 Ocean Parkway. All ballots, however returned, must be sealed in the return envelope provided in the mailing. Use of a different envelope or no envelope will void the ballot.

Association members are strongly encouraged to use the ballot box due to current uncertainties with the U.S. Postal Service. The ballot box is accessible 24 hours a day.

To be eligible to vote, homeowners must have paid their 2021 assessment by 4 p.m. on April 15.

For more information on the upcoming referendum, or to request a duplicate ballot, email elections@oceanpines.org or call 410-208-3989. For questions about voter eligibility, email member@oceanpines.org.

Ballots will be counted on May 20 in the Peach Room of the Ocean Pines Administration Building on 239 Ocean Parkway, starting at 10 a.m. The count will be open to the public and will be recorded and posted to the association website.

OC Committee Considers Dedication Program The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – The possibility of a bike rack dedication program along the Boardwalk highlighted discussions at a resort committee meeting.

Last week, the Ocean City Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) resumed its discussions on plans to replace the existing galvanized Boardwalk bike racks, some of which date back nearly three decades.

“They are heavily used …,” Council Secretary Tony DeLuca, committee liaison, said earlier this year, “and the way they look now, it’s not good.”

In January, DeLuca presented committee members with a proposal to replace 47 aging bike racks along the Boardwalk.

While BPAC members have spent recent years identifying locations to add bike racks near the oceanfront street ends,

DeLuca noted the idea of replacing the Boardwalk bike racks came forward as part of those discussions.

With options for replacement racks narrowed down, committee members last week began looking at ways to fund the potential project. While there has been some discussion of purchasing the racks with leftover funds from the Boardwalk redecking project, Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) Executive Director Glenn Irwin also presented the idea of a bike rack dedication program.

“We’re not expecting any grant money to come for this,” said City Engineer Paul Mauser, committee president. “What we’re looking at as potential funding sources is, one, the Boardwalk redecking project, if we have any money left over … and, two, is the potential of a bike rack dedication program.”

Officials said the potential funding mechanism would be similar to the town’s

Page 41

Boardwalk bench dedication program, in which benches purchased by families and dedicated to loved ones. Public Works Director Hal Adkins noted that in recent years, the bench dedication initiative has reached a waiting list of 700 people.

“We had to cut it off …,” he said. “Once the people have them, they are renewing them every 10 years and paying a fee for maintenance. They aren’t letting them go.”

Adkins noted a bike rack dedication program could be another option for those looking to honor loved ones.

“It’s a policy decision of the Mayor and Council if you want to go with it,” he said.

Irwin noted the OCDC, a nonprofit, could also act as a passthrough for funding. Officials noted it would take roughly $70,000 to replace the 47 bike racks currently on the Boardwalk.

DeLuca agreed to bring the idea before the council.

Page 42

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

New Facility Planned

March Housing Report

OCEAN CITY – Popular high-quality cabin manufacturer, Great Outdoor Cottages, has begun the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in the Georgetown, Del., Business Park to keep up with a large increase in demand. Founded by Ocean City, Maryland-based outdoor hospitality specialist Blue Water, along with Mike Scheid and John Longino, Great Outdoor Cottages currently has over 60 employees and a management team with over 185 years of combined experience in park model construction.

Great Outdoor Cottages will be moving from its temporary facility in Millsboro, Del., to the new factory as soon as construction has been completed. While the current facility proved to be adequate for producing the companies’ initial units, sales had to be cut off at 171 units due to overwhelming demand and production space limitations. Of those units, 35 have already been completed and delivered, with the first ones delivered to a thirdparty campground in North Carolina in January 2022.

The new manufacturing facility will be constructed in partnership with the Sussex County Government with a final size of 50,000 square feet. It will be dedicated to constructing cottages and will serve areas east of the Mississippi from Maine to Georgia. The cottages themselves will be constructed using top-of-the-line building materials and technology to ensure they are great investments for the properties that purchase them. The cottages will be able to sleep six people comfortably and will include plenty of storage, a full kitchen, a walk-in shower along with a full bathroom, and a back porch.

“Our motto is to build the nicest and strongest park models in the industry,” said Todd Burbage, CEO of Blue Water and lead investor of Great Outdoor Cottages. “This means we won’t cut corners while using innovative building techniques to create great cottages with cool space-saving amenities and exciting features.”

BERLIN – Mortgage rates have been climbing recently and are reaching levels not seen since 2011, according to the Coastal Association of REALTORS (CAR).

As rates go up, the organization says it would expect to see a cooling off of the market but because of low inventory and an urgency to get into a home before rates get any higher, March continued to be a very strong month.

The most notable change this month was the Median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) which had been slowly going up for the last eight months, dropped significantly from 17 days in February to eight days in March. Buyers are not waiting to decide on a property.

The CDOM is down 33.3% from March 2021 and down 53% from February 2022.

The median home price is 10.8% higher than it was in March 2021 but is down 2.3% from February 2022. There are currently only 368 active listings in the lower three counties compared to 490 in March 2021 and 1,389 in March 2020 when the pandemic began.

In all three counties throughout March, new settlements were down 17% compared to the same time last year. Individually, new settlements throughout March were up by 11.5% in Somerset and down 20.6% in Wicomico, and 18% in Worcester.

New listings in March were down 15.6% compared to the same time last year in all three counties. Individually, new listings were down by 22.1% in Worcester, 3.3% in Wicomico, and 7.7% in Somerset from March of 2021.

Active listings in all three counties were down by 24.9% from March of 2021.

Individually, there were 179 active listings in Worcester, 132 in Wicomico, and 57 in Somerset.

“The market is still very strong but with interest rates starting to rise we may see some slowing as buyers leave the market,” said Coastal Association of REALTORS President Grace Masten. “We still have very little inventory, only 0.9 months in March, and buyers taking a little more time and increasing the days on market would help stabilize our market.”

She continued, “There are many factors that are contributing to our housing crisis. We have years of underbuilding.

The cost of materials like lumber and concrete have skyrocketed over the last two years and though we can’t predict the future, if interest rates continue to increase then now is the time to buy a home and lock in a low-interest 30-year rate.”

Executive Director Announced SALISBURY – David Mayonado, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake Housing Mission (CHM), has announced Michael Franklin as its new executive director to lead the continued growth of the nonprofit organization moving forward. Don Taylor, founder and executive director for the past 13 years, asked to step back from the day-to-day operation to focus on starting similar non-

BUSINESS And Real Estate News profits in the surrounding counties. Taylor will hold the title of director of development and sits on the Advisory Board of Directors.

Franklin, a resident of Berlin, Md., comes to CHM following a sixteen-year career as president/CEO of the Atlantic General Hospital and Health System.

During his tenure, AGH accumulated impressive ratings and accomplishments, and consistently performed in the top of Maryland acute care hospitals. A graduate of Old Dominion University and MICHAEL FRANKLIN Virginia Commonwealth University, Franklin’s resume also includes chief operating officer at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Md., vice president at UT Health East Texas Medical Center Health System, and director of oncology services at hospitals in Birmingham, Ala., and Portsmouth, Va. Chesapeake Housing Mission serves low-income families in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties by providing critical home repairs and the construction of wheelchair ramps for those who are unable to pay for them.

CHM partners with volunteer teams from local organizations, businesses, and churches, giving them the opportunity to give back.

According to Taylor, “Michael’s background in healthcare will provide the organization with significant expertise in CHM demonstrating how their work generates health care savings for their clients and the organizations that treat them. Expanding the Healthy Homes Initiative will be a top priority.”

As CHM’s new executive director, Franklin will work directly with the CHM chairman and Board of Directors to recommend and implement policies adopted by the Board for the effective operation and growth of the organization. He’ll also work with donors, agencies, clients and volunteers to help meet the needs of the community and assign resources to proj-

ects.

“Accepting this important role in our community is a result of seeing the need for improving the healthiness of homes in our region over the past several years,” Franklin said. “As a society and a community, we underestimate the importance of the condition of the home on the health of individuals, particularly the elderly.

CHM has created a unique organization that is changing the lives of people.”

Medical Director Appointed SALISBURY – TidalHealth is pleased to announce that Gopal Kowdley, MD, PhD, has been appointed medical director of TidalHealth’s General Surgery Residency Program, which the health system hopes to receive accreditation for in the fall.

Kowdley comes from St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md., where he was the program director of general surgery and served as the chief medical information officer and chairman of the Robotics Committee. He was previously responsible for training residents and GOPAL medical students, and KOWDLEY has a special interest in breast surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, while using minimally invasive techniques.

Kowdley attended Johns Hopkins University for his bachelor’s degree in premed, graduating with honors in economics and biology. He earned his medical degree and PhD in biophysics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Va., while involved in the Medical Scientist Training Program. He has authored many publications and abstracts.

Kowdley completed his residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals in Chicago, Ill., where he was chief resident of general surgery for five years before serving in the U.S. Army as the chief of general surgery and commander of the 67th Forward Surgical Team at Wuerzburg Army Hospital in Germany.

Next Month’s Springfest In OC Adds Beach Tennis Component

April 22, 2022

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s Springfest Arts and Crafts Festival returns this year for the 31st anniversary, May 5-8.

Come to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for live music, art, crafts, food and more – all located in the Inlet parking lot, adjacent to Ocean City’s Boardwalk and beach.

Springfest comes to life with a diverse variety of live outdoor musical entertainment all day long for four days. Visitors should bring their appetite as the event includes delicious offerings from famous Eastern Shore delicacies to a wide assortment of food, beer and wine. Springfest, one of the top Arts and Crafts Show in the United States, features over 250 vendors selling art and crafts.

New to this year’s Springfest, there will be free opportunities for the public to watch, learn, and even try beach tennis, which combines elements of tennis and volleyball on a court size the same as beach volleyball. Open play will be offered with clinics planned and an exhibition tournament on designated courts set up behind the indoor entertainment stage.

Springfest is fun for people of all ages and admission to the four-day event is free, including daytime entertainment.

Headliners for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows include Romeo De-

Annual Bay Day Date Announced

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

light “The Ultimate Van Halen Experience,” Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.

Tickets can be purchased online at ococean.com.

Since parking in the downtown area is limited, the Town of Ocean City will offer Springfest transportation. The Coastal Highway Beach Bus will be operating for only $3 all day boarding. Take advantage of the Town’s Park & Ride location on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Park your car for free and ride the shuttle to Springfest for $3 all day boarding. At this time, masks are required to ride public transportation. For more information about transportation, please call 410723-1606.

BERLIN – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) and Ocean Pines Association will host the 3rd Annual Bay Day on Sunday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at White Horse Park in Ocean Pines.

Bay Day is a collaborative effort to offer the community a free opportunity to learn about the environmental efforts happening in the area and inspire individuals to care for the watershed right from their backyards.

This family friendly event is made possible by the efforts of numerous volunteers. Volunteer responsibilities include exhibition set up, assisting in the workshop pavilion, monitoring large exhibits, welcoming attendees, and more. If you, or anyone you know,

Hours for the popular free-admission event are Thursday to Saturday 10 a.m.

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may be interested in volunteering please email kkavanagh@mdcoastalbays.org.

An additional part of the festivities will include the collection of plastic grocery bags and alkaline batteries for recycling. Upon arrival there will be large recycling boxes where you can deposit your saved plastic bags and batteries. Go Green OC will also be collecting compost during the event. Be sure to freeze your compost and bring the contents on May 15.

For more information on the Bay Day event or if are interested in participating as an exhibitor, contact Liz Wist at lwist@mdcoastalbays.org or 410213-2297 ext. 110, or visit mdcoastalbays.org.

until 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Page 44

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos

Susan Koster and Brandon Martin are exhibiting their fine art photographs at the Coffee Beanery on 94th St. and Coastal Highway through June 2022. The coffee shop is a satellite gallery of the Art League of Ocean City.

Submitted Photos

Ocean City Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1091 members Bob Gilmore, left, and Chuck Porter presented a check for $1,000 to William Kozma to help finance his Eagle Scout project, building a gazebo at Most Blessed Sacrament School for the students and teachers to use. The gazebo will be dedicated in memory of Mark Record, the school’s former principal and Kozma’s mentor.

Kozma is a member of Selbyville Scout Troop 2173. He is a junior at Stephen Decatur High School.

Local seamstresses from Dress Ministry (formerly Pillowcase Ministry) recently met at Snow Hill Library with Tom and Beverly Brumbley, seated at the left, of Evangelistic World Outreach (EWO) for an update on their Haitian ministry.

EWO has served the people of Haiti since 1972. Dress Ministry supplies dresses, shirts, sleep mats, shower kits, dignity bags, and backpacks to EWO. Ocean City Lioness Lions Club President Bev Topfer presented a check for $5,000 to Ocean City Lion and 22B Past District Governor Norm Cathell for a new roof on the Lions Den on Airport Road which was badly damaged in a recent storm. It was a gesture of appreciation for the support that the original Lions Club has given the Lionesses for over 40 years.

At the April meeting of the Ocean City Lioness Lions Club, President Bev Topfer and Vice President Donna Greenwood presented their guest speaker Nicolas Cranford, executive director of Worcester County GOLD—Giving Other Lives Dignity—with a donation. The organization, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, serves vulnerable children and adults in the community who find themselves in an emergency situation until long term help is available.

The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club welcomed three new members at its dinner meeting on April 7. Pictured from left to right are Optimist Club President Bill Hickey, new members Chris Short, Chris Thomas, Angela Short, and membership chairman Roger Pacella.

April 22, 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 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. 410-250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302-4369577 or BeachSingles.org.

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.

April 23: Bikers For Autism Join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation for the Inaugural Bikers for Autism ride. This premier event will raise funds for the Autistic Children’s Support Group of Worcester County. Bike registration will be held from 9-11 a.m. at The Cork Bar (motorcycles park along Wicomico St.) followed by the ride, escorted by the Wicomico and Worcester County Sheriff’s departments. Following the ride, join the Bikers Without Borders Foundation and other enthusiasts from noon to 3 p.m. for a block party sponsored by The Cork Bar, The Bearded Clam and Crawl Street Tavern with live music from The Chest Pains.

The $25 registration fee includes a buffet lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. All are welcome to join the ride and the block party. There will be silent auctions, raffles, and a 50/50 raffle.

April 23: Drive Thru Church Lunch From 10 a.m. until sold out at the Powellville UM Church located at 35606 Mount Hermon Road, Powellville. Drive thru luncheon features oyster fritter sandwiches, homemade chicken salad, homemade soups including peas and dumplings and veg. beef. Bake sale items will

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Things To Do be available. No pre-orders. Call 410835-8796 or 443-880-8804 for more details.

April 23: Fenwick Cleanup Fenwick Island Environmental Committee to sponsor Bay to Beach Cleanup in celebration of Earth Day. Event begins at 8:30 a.m. Gather at Town Hall for refresments, assignments, supplies and a commemorative token.

April 23: Church Rummage Sale Ocean City Presbyterian Church on 13th Street will host from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

April 23: Zoo Stampede 5K The Salisbury Zoo will host the Zoo Stampede 5K sponsored by VP Shoes at 9 a.m. The run/walk starts at the zoo’s east gate and runs through the City Park and its wooded trails. This race is catered to all runners and walkers and is fun for the whole family. Race awards and random prizes will be given after the race. Prizes will be given to the top finishers in every age category. A free race tech shirt will be given to the first 150 participants. Participants can pre-register for $25 at VP Shoes or search online for event. Participants may also register on the day of the race for $30 between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. at the Zoo’s East Gate (opposite Ben’s Red Swings).

April 24: CRICKET Center Walk The CRICKET Center, Worcester County’s only Child Advocacy Center, will hold the 9th annual “5K Fun Walk for Kids” event on the Ocean City Boardwalk from noon until 3 p.m. A rain date has been scheduled for Saturday April 30. Proceeds from the event will directly support children that have witnessed or experienced abuse in Worcester County. Registration is $25 per person and includes the walk, admission to a reception following the walk with refreshments, swag bag, and other kid-friendly activities. Trophies will be awarded during the reception for both the top individual fundraiser and team fundraiser. www.thecricketcenter.com to register or call 410-641-0097 or on the day of the event beginning at 11 a.m. at Hooters Restaurant, 5th Street and the Boardwalk.

April 30: Breakfast Buffet AUCE breakfast buffet at the Whaleyville

United Methodist Church located at 11716 Sheppards Crossing Road. $8/adult and $4/child from 7-10 a.m. Buffet will include pancakes, bacon, sausage, scrapple, scrambled eggs, chipped beef, hash brown potatoes, toast, fruit and assorted beverages.

May 6: Spring Dinner Meeting The Worcester County Historical Society will hold its annual spring dinner meeting at the Pocomoke Community Center on Market Street. Dinner guests will learn about Worcester County’s past from Dr. Ray Thompson, retired history professor at Salisbury University while enjoying a delicious meal of chicken and dumplings with all the fixings prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary. Doors will open for the event at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by sending a check to Robert Fisher, WCHS Treasurer, 230 South Washington St., Snow Hill, Md. 21863. The deadline for reservations for the dinner, which is open to the public, is April 29.

May 11: Hospice Fundraiser Coastal Hospice will be hosting its annual signature event, Taste of Finer Things! featuring a pairing of fine wine and delectable food from local restaurants. This spectacular evening is a chance to sample some of the best that the Ocean City area has to offer. Reservations for this sell out event are $100/person and includes open bar, wine and food pairings, live entertainment and dancing by “On the Edge”, free play, and so much more at the Ocean Downs Casino 6-9 p.m. To learn more about Taste of Finer Things, sponsor or attend, www.coastalhospice.org/taste/.

May 12: Wine Night At Museum The Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum is partnering with The Buzzed Word to bring “Wine Night at the Museum.” Free from 5-7 p.m, offering wine, refreshments, music by Jack Worthington and book signing with local author and historian Bunk Mann.

May 14: Town Cats Food Drive Join Town Cats and the Ocean City Jeep Club at 1 p.m. at the PetSmart parking lot for a cat food drive. There will be raffles for a Jeep quilt, Huk bucket, auto supplies basket and golf package. Bring cat food,

Page 45 litter, supplies.

May 14: Fun Pines Run Families of all ages are invited to enjoy a day of fitness fun as the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department hosts its first one-mile fun run/walk on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The event, which will include a 1-mile walk or run around the South Gate Pond and a variety of other fun activities, is designed to encourage families to exercise together. The afterwalk party at the park will last until 2 p.m. and will feature moon bounces, face painting, music, vendors and giveaways, all of which are included in the registration fee. Food will also be available for purchase. To register, call at 410-641- 7052.

May 21: Museum Benefit To celebrate the Delmarva Discovery Museum's growth with programs, like STEM for our children's education, the public is asked to support and attend a full Hawaiian dinner, with dancing, and a silent auction. The dinner, dance and party will be held at 6 p.m. at the newly renovated Ocean City Golf Club on Country Club Drive in South Point, near Berlin. The live band will be performing with Dawn Jones and Rewind. Admission to attend the event is $75 per person and can be purchased online at delmarvadiscoverycenter.org or by calling Christy Gordon at the Museum, at 410-957-9933, for tickets.

June 11: MAC Walk Registration is under way for MAC’s Soles for Seniors, a one-mile walk stepping off from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Registration and check-in starts at 8 a.m., the walk begins at 9 a.m., and awards and food are planned for 10 a.m. Registration is $10 and includes a visor, breakfast and the awards ceremony. Donate a total of $50 (which includes registration) and also get an event T-shirt. All ages are welcome. Children under age 5 walk for free and don’t need to register. Proceeds will benefit MAC’s Life Bridges Dementia Dare Day Program and Connections senior center activities. To register, visit www.macinc.org.

May 14: Plant Sale Worcester County Garden Club Plant Sale and Gathering at Windmill Creek Winery in Berlin, noon-3 p.m. Rain date is May 21. Club will have seed and bulb planting workshops for kids and adults, floral demonstrations, 50-50 raffle and ask a local gardener and Master Gardener table.

Page 46

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above is a scene from the Boardwalk last summer at sunset. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 70

HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): help you deal with a sudden rush of reTemper your typical Aries urge to sponsibilities that would threaten somecharge into a situation and demand an- one less able to balance his or her priswers. Instead, let the Lamb's gentler orities.

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Page 47

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 48

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

vanishing

OCEAN CITY

April 22, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

Stocked shelves at a grocery store

A short, funny acceptance speech Facebook Memories

A baseball catcher’s mentality When my kids get haircuts Silly acronyms

The hype ahead of the NFL Draft

Following Jay Copeland on American Idol Reading newspapers from other areas Being home during a storm

A smiling kid walking out of school

Ocean City’s Easter parade and sunrise service began in 1947. Centered on the bandstand at Somerset Street, it became an annual tradition for over 25 years.

Many locals recall getting dressed up and parading down the Boardwalk in hope of winning a prize for their Easter outfits. Others remember the Lions Club sponsoring an Easter egg hunt and their famous “animal hunt” where live rabbits, pigs and chickens were prizes for children quick enough to capture one for a pet.

Easter was a popular holiday in the mid-20th century Ocean City but as the town grew in the 1970s the Easter parade faded from the scene.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishinPhoto from Bunk Mann’s collection goc.com.

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 49

Page 50

Who’s Where When COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 22: Wes Davis Saturday, April 23: TBA Wednesdays: DJ Wax

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Best Beats BEATS BY WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Wednesdays

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, April 22: Old School Sunday, April 24: Brian Bishop Tuesday, April 26: Darren O’Neil Wednesday, April 27: Jack Bannon

FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 • 60th St. In The Bay Friday, April 22: DJ RobCee, Pebble To Pearl, Experience Saturday, April 23: DJ Greg, DJ Groove, Groovalicious, Hit Parade Monday, April 25: DJ Greg, Tranzfusion, DJ RobCee

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, April 22 & Monday, April 25

On The Beach

CORK BAR Sunday, April 24: Skid Lid

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St., Downtown O.C. Friday, April 22: Fuzzbox Piranha Saturday, April 23: Chest Pains, Rogue Citizens

April 22, 2022

Pickles Pub: Mondays Karaoke with Wood

ON THE EDGE Ocean Club: Friday & Saturday, April 22 & 23

CHEST PAINS Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, April 23 WES DAVIS Coins Pub Friday, April 22

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 • Rte. 611, West O.C. Saturday, April 23: Fox & Mac Sundays: Karaoke w/ DJ Jeremy Tuesdays: Bingo w/ Blake Haley HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, April 23: Rogue Citizens, DJ Jeremy Sunday, April 24: Pickin’ Party, DJ Billy T Thursdays: DJ Billy T

DJ TUFF Seacrets: Friday, April 22

SLAMM Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, April 22 &23

LIMA BEAN RIOT Seacrets: Friday, April 22

BEATS BY STYLER Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays, Wednesdays

OCEAN CLUB 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The OC Friday & Saturday, April 22 & 23: On The Edge PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Styler Saturday, April 23: Sydney Smith & Royal Flush Sundays: Beats By Styler Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Styler Thursdays: Beats By Wax

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, Sunday & Thursday

TRANZFUSION Fagers Island: Monday, April 25

ROGUE CITIZENS Harborside: Saturday, April 23 • 1 p.m.

Crawl St. Tavern: Saturday, April 23 • 8 p.m.

SKID LID Cork Bar: Sunday, April 24

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON Between Talbot & Caroline Streets On The Boardwalk 410-289-6953 Friday & Saturday, April 22 & 23: Slamm Saturdays: DJ Adam Dutch SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 22: DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Abby Lee Duo, Late Last Night, Lima Bean Riot Saturday, April 23: DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, The Malones, Nowhere Slow, Crash The Party Thursday, April 28: Opposite Directions, DJ Bobby O

BLAKE HALEY Greene Turtle West: Tuesdays

HIT PARADE Fager’s Island: Saturday, April 25

SYDNEY SMITH& ROYAL FLUSH Pickles Pub: Saturday, April 23

KAROAKE WITH JEREMY Harborside: Saturdays Greene Turtle West: Sundays

Eastern Shore Delegation Recaps Legislative Issues

April 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A review of this year’s Maryland General Assembly session highlighted this week’s county council meeting.

On Tuesday, members of the Eastern Shore Delegation joined the Wicomico County Council for a recap of the 2022 General Assembly session.

“This was a remarkable year coming off of the pandemic with an infusion of federal funds,” said Sen. Addie Eckardt (R-37). “We had a budget surplus of $7 billion … That in and of itself was pretty remarkable.”

Eckardt said session achievements included the passage of retiree tax relief legislation and sales tax exemptions on diabetic and medical device products.

Among Wicomico County’s initiatives, the senator noted bills pertaining to the orphans’ court salary and a limited alcohol license for dinner theaters and banquets passed in the legislature.

The governor’s $61 billion fiscal year 2023 budget also included $1 million in funding for the Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, while the capital budget featured $250,000 for the Salisbury Zoo and around $200,000 for the Christian Shelter.

“When we’re able to bring that money back to the community, it helps them at a lever we will never even realize,” added Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A).

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Del. Carl Anderton (R-38B) said a significant shore priority was the return of highway user revenues. Through the passage of a legislative bill, Wicomico will see an increase in the share of transportation funding.

“As you know highway user revenues were dramatically cut 10 years ago, and we have been working to bring these funds back …,” he said. “It’s a dramatic increase for the county, and this bill doesn’t have a sunset.”

In addition to the budget surplus and debates of redistricting, Del. Chris Adams (R-37B) said other issues taking center stage in this year’s session include the passage of a climate change bill, which will accelerate the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goal, as well as paid family leave legislation, which will be funded by a new payroll tax.

“Paid medical and family leave is a

real issue for many people …,” added Del. Johnny Mautz (R-37B). “It’s not a lighthearted issue, it’s not a political issue … I think it’s more about the approach to how we address that issue.”

Mautz added that the coming year’s budget had increased significantly.

“You need to look at our spending,” he said. “The budget increased greatly this year, and it increased because of federal money … Looking forward to next year, it’s something we need to be mindful of.”

While noting that productiveness of the 2022 session, officials said not much was done to address issues linked to police reform and education. Councilman Joe Holloway added that the council had expressed interest in bills relating to board of education transparency, tenant evictions and greywater.

“Are there any comments on why they didn’t get anywhere?” he said.

Page 51

The delegation noted that challenges involving implementation and language had some part in some of those bills not passing. Sample-Hughes added that legislation pertaining to those issues were not delegation bills.

“We had a hard time getting bills through this year,” Eckardt said. “It’s one of the most unusual years I’ve seen …

Some of the bills that were important to the counties, that were passed the first week in the senate, never saw the light of day.”

Overall, the delegation reported having a successful 2022 session.

“It was a good session locally,” Anderton said. “All the local priorities were met.”

Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38), Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) and Del Charles Otto (R-38A) were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

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Page 52

Seahawks Rout WiHi, Record Now 9-0

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SPORTS Worcester Boys Run Win Streak To Four In The News

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team routed Wicomico, 22-0, last week to run their season record to a perfect 9-0.

After a narrow 5-4 win over Snow

April 22, 2022

Hill early last week, their closest margin of victory on the season, the Seahawks routed Pocomoke, 21-1, last Wednesday, followed by the 22-0 blanking of Wicomico the following day. In the pair of wins, Decatur scored 43 runs while allowing one. The Seahawks are now a perfect 9-0 on the season.

Seahawks Sweep Pair Against Bayside North Foes

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team last week reeled off a pair of impressive wins against Bayside North opponents to improve to 4-2 on the season.

After a narrow 12-11 loss to Easton, the Seahawks have won a pair of im-

pressive games last week against Bayside North opponents. Decatur beat North Caroline, 15-5, last Tuesday, followed by a 19-0 rout of Kent County the next day. Things will get tougher for the Decatur boys, who will face old nemesis Kent Island at home on Friday, followed by a match-up with neighborhood rival Worcester Prep at home next Monday.

Worcester’s Brice Richins defends against Gunston in a 12-5 win over the Herons last week.

Photo by Chris Hoen

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team has reeled off four straight wins to improve to 5-1 on the season.

The Mallards routed Smyrna, 20-4, on the road last Friday. After a 17-7

loss to Bennett in the second game of the season, the Worcester boys have now won four in a row. The streak includes wins over Saints Peter and Paul, Caravel, Gunston and now Smyrna last Friday. Worcester faces crosstown rival Stephen Decatur on the road on Monday in a make-up of a game postponed back on March 30.

Worcester Tennis Teams Improve To 5-1

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s varsity tennis teams each beat Sussex Central, 6-1, last week to both improve to 5-1 on the season.

On the boys’ side, Aleksey Klimmins and Riley Schoch each won singles matches. Ian Lewis and J.R. Hamer

won their doubles match, while James Haley and Dylan Simons won their doubles match.

On the girls’ side, Sumira Sehgal, Morgan Schoch and Lebby Becker each were victorious in their singles matches.

Ava Nally and Grace Baeurle won their doubles match, while Savannah Palmisano and Angeline Todorov won their doubles match.

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

Mallards Cursh Indians:

Worcester Prep’s Caitlyn Hoen prepares for a draw against Indian River last week. The Mallards beat the Indians, 19-3, to end a two-game skid. Hoen led the Mallards with five goals in the game.

Photo by Chris Hoen

April 22, 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.

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FRONT DESK AGENTS, NIGHT AUDITOR, HOUSEKEEPING, LAUNDRY Starting $15-$18 We require satisfactory background check by all applicants.

Must work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Apply On Site - Safari Motel 13th Street & Boardwalk | 410-289-6411

NOW HIRING NOW HIRING FULL TIME •COOK •DRIVER Call Pam at 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street

PRAY FOR THE UKRAINE

Line Cooks Prep Cooks Host/Hostess

Now Hiring For:

Call Matt at 302-593-4141 or email thesterlingtavern@gmail.com

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 5-02-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

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

•HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES •FRONT DESK AGENTS 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.

AUTOMOTIVE GREAT-GREAT-GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!!!!

We are part of a large automotive group with parts stores, service centers and a used car dealership.Fast paced, energetic atmosphere with advancement opportunities!

We are now taking applications for:

Technicians- Call Matt – 302-344-9846 Used Car Salesman- Call David – 302-339-6910 Exc. Pay & Benefits !!

Locations in Long Neck, Ocean View & Ocean Pines

Associa is currently hiring a Maintenance and Contract Sales Specialist in the Ocean City, MD Area!

This position will be instrumental in helping us grow our sub-contracting business and ensure tasks are completed on schedule.

If interested please apply on-line at Associaonline.com or Email your resume to msmith@associaonline.com

Page 54

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Classifieds CONTACT INFORMATION $15/Week for Minimum of Five Lines • $2 Thereafter Per Line Display Classified Ads: $20/Week Per Column Inch Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Deadline for Insertions, Cancellations & Payment is 3pm Tuesday Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Pre-Payment is Required. We Accept Visa & MasterCard Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811

April 22, 2022

THE SPINNAKER NOW HIRING FULL-TIME: ALL SHIFTS MAINTENANCE/ HOUSEMAN DAYTIME HOUSEKEEPING STAFF APPLY IN PERSON 1800 Baltimore Avenue Monday-Friday 10am-3pm

Now Hiring •Server • Busser •Hostess •Line Cook •Restaurant Manager •Kitchen Manager Call 667-221-0691

2 15th St, OC, MD

NOW HIRING! PAYING TOP DOLLAR! •LINE COOKS •DISHWASHER •SERVERS •BARBACK

Follow Us On

EDEN ROC MOTEL NOW HIRING DAY-TIME FRONT DESK CLERK

**** TOP PAY **** 410-603-1731

Please apply in person.

Greene Turtle West Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500 WEST OC’S MOST FUN PLACE TO WORK AND MAKE $$$$

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT For Beautiful Award Winning Master Planned Community in Ocean View, DE Administrative Assistant/Front Desk Help Needed.

Year-Round, Full Time Employment. Excellent people skills and Microsoft Office a must! Experience taking meeting minutes and website knowledge a plus.

Holidays, vacation, and personal time offered along with a competitive salary.

Please send resume with salary history to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz

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

EOE

Sunset Island, Ocean City, MD Come Join Our Team in a Friendly, TeamOriented Environment at the Beach, in a Beautiful Bayside Community, with Stunning Water Views, in Ocean City, MD. Now Hiring - Clubhouse / Pool Attendants Part-Time up to 15-40 hours. Seasonal Employment. Excellent people skills are a must, and you must be able to work mornings, nights, and weekends. 5 and 8 hour shifts available. Start dates in May and the position runs through October 1st.

Send resume to Olivia.Smith@casinc.biz or fax 410-520-0398.

Beautiful Community in Ocean View, DE is seeking part-time seasonal staff to work in our clubhouse and pool areas, May through Mid-September.

Availability to include days, nights, weekends & holidays.

Excellent people skills a must! Some computer skills preferred. Competitive salary offered.

Perfect position for individuals looking for extra income.

Send resume to: Susan.Brewer@casinc.biz

EOE

CUSTODIAL STAFF We are currently looking for Part Time custodial employees.

Hours are 3:30pm-6:30pm. Monday through Friday.

Apply to Linda Watson at lwatson@worcesterprep.org or mail application to Linda Watson 508 S Main St Berlin, MD 21811.

Looking for a rewarding summer job?

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 5-02-2022 “Equal Employment Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer”

Coastal Kayak is hiring all positions! No experience necessary, just the desire to learn!

CoastalKayak.com for more info & application.

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS Must have:

Tools, Transportation, Driver’s License Exp. Required!

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

THUNDERBIRD BEACH MOTEL NOW HIRING

ALL POSITIONS! APPLY IN PERSON Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Thunderbird Beach Motel 32nd Street, Ocean City

Facebook Instragram & Twitter

B.E.S.T. Motels Now Hiring

B.E.S.T. Motels Now Hiring

Housekeepers

Desk Clerks

for 2022 Season

for 2022 Season

Apply In Person, ONLY

All Shifts Available

12 noon-3pm Tuesday-Friday ONLY

Apply In Person, ONLY 12 noon-3pm Tuesday –Friday ONLY Executive Motel 3001 N. Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD

Executive Motel 3001 N. Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD

DELIVERY DRIVER Reliable newspaper delivery person needed for Thursday night route to distribute The Dispatch. Two hours of work to complete the route.

Solidpay. Reliable vehicle needed.

Email Steve Green with a note of interest to editor@mdcoastdispatch.com

Associa is currently hiring for a Custodial/Maintenance role in the Ocean City, MD Area!

This position will assist the Manager in ensuring the community’s grounds and buildings are clean and in working order.

Full-time position with a great hourly rate and benefits.

If interested please apply on-line at Associaonline.com or Email your resume to msmith@associaonline.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE/CASHIER Looking for Fun, Energetic, Fun-Spirited Person to work Day or Night.

Cool Company to work for.

Competitive Wages.

Serious Inquires Only. 410-250-5678

INDIAN RIVER MARINA IS NOW HIRING! •FUEL DOCK •DOCK HANDS •RAMP ATTENDANTS •BOATYARD •NIGHTWATCH •MAINTENANCE •SHIP STORE CLERK •GENERAL CLERICAL (SEASONAL YEAR ROUND)

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

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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

RENTALS

WEEKLY RENTALS Rooms-SuitesApartments Utilities & Internet Included

Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave.

410-289-8581

BERLIN, YR RENTAL: 1BR, Apt for rent.YR, $900. per mo.+$900 sec. dep. Partial Util.’s incl. Good rental ref.’s req. 443-783-3529.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

HOUSING NEEDS SEEKING HOUSING OR ROOMMATE: Local real estate broker/widower looking for a small apt/studio or room. Will pay top $$.

Non smoking. Have a small, welltrained dog. Call 443-859-3210.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SEEKING HOUSING: I am looking for a small apartment in Ocean

City, Ocean Pines, or Berlin. Need ASAP. Please call 443-754-7054.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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

Plenty of Parking. 443-497-4200.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

YARD SALE YARD SALE: Sat, 4/30, 8am-2pm.

Stereo equip. & electronics, crabbing gear, clothing & hshld. items.

11111 Charlie Dr, Holiday Harbor, Bishopville, Md 21813.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YARD SALE: GlenRiddle Community Yard Sale. Open to the Public.

Sat. 5/14, 8am-1pm.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Got Yard Sale?

THE DISPATCH

gets the word out!

Print & Online www.mdcoastdispatch.com

The Dispatch Legal Notices 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 email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Third Insertion DON E. RICHARDSON ESQ. P.O. BOX 258 SALISBURY, MD 21803 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 11729 To all persons interested in the estate of ANNA MARY COARD AYRES, ESTATE NO. 11729. Notice is given that DEBORAH J MILES, 29994 GREENSPRING DRIVE, PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853, was on, MARCH 31, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANNA MARY COARD AYRES, who died on DECEMBER 18, 2004, 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 30TH day of SEPTEMBER, 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 APRIL 08, 2022 DEBORAH J MILES 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 04-08, 04-15, 04-22

Third Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19088 To all persons interested in the estate of MICHAEL LOJEWSKI, ESTATE NO. 19088.

Notice is given that DIANNE DENMARK, 508 BAYSHORE DRIVE #3, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, MARCH 28, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MICHAEL LOJEWSKI, who died on DECEMBER 27, 2021, 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 (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 28TH day of SEPTEMBER, 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 APRIL 08, 2022 DIANNE DENMARK 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 04-08, 04-15, 04-22

Third Insertion ARLETTE K BRIGHT ESQ. THE LAW OFFICES OF ARLETTE K. BRIGHT, PC 1002 EASTERN SHORE DRIVE, #B SALISBURY, MD 21804 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19111 To all persons interested in the estate of JOHN YODER JR., ESTATE NO. 19111. Notice is given that NICOLE GROFT, 31784 SCHOONER DRIVE, MILLSBORO, DE 19966, and SARAH LOY, 146 JAMES STREET, LANDISVILLE, PA 17538 and DANA MOORE, 4090 COLUMBIA AVENUE, COLUMBIA, PA 17512 was on, MARCH 30, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN YODER JR., who died on DECEMBER 8, 2021, 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 30TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2022.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the un-

Page 55 dersigned 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 APRIL 08, 2022 NICOLE GROFT Personal Representative SARAH LOY Personal Representative DANA MOORE 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 04-08, 04-15, 04-22

Third Insertion PATRICIA CLEARY, ESQ. LAW OFFICES OF PATRICIA CLEARY, LLC 10294 ERIE WAY NEW MARKET, MD 21774 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19160 To all persons interested in the estate of MARGARET P. TRESSA, ESTATE NO. 19160.

Notice is given that LAWRENCE FINERAN,3740A MADISON LANE, FALLS

CHURCH, VA 22041, and ANNA MARY FREEMAN, 205 SENATORS WAY, BERLIN, MD 21811 was on, MARCH 30, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARGARET P. TRESSA, who died on DECEMBER 6, 2021, 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 30TH day of SEPTEMBER, 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 APRIL 08, 2022 LAWRENCE FINERAN Personal Representative ANNA MARY FREEMAN Personal Representative True Test Copy TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for

NEPA/S106 PUBLIC NOTICE American Towers LLC is proposing to increase the ground space for an existing telecommunications tower compound by 9'10" x 19' along with a 30ft buffer surrounding the current and proposed lease area at 9696 Mill Haven Road, Berlin, Worchester County, MD. American Towers LLC seeks comments from all interested persons on any potential significant impact the proposed action could have on the quality of the human environment pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Section 1.1307, including potential impacts to historic or cultural resources that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Interested persons may comment or raise concerns about the proposed action by submitting an e-mail to: enviro.services@americantower.com.

Paper comments can be sent to: American Towers LLC, Attn: Environmental Compliance, 10 Presidential Way, Woburn, MA 01801.Requests or comments should be limited to environmental and historic/cultural resource impact concerns and must be received on or before May 15, 2022. This invitation to comment is separate from any local planning/zoning process that may apply to this project.

2x 4-15, 4-22

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Legal Notices 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 email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 04-08, 04-15, 04-22

Third Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19172 To all persons interested in the estate of COLLEEN LAWSON HEARN, ESTATE NO. 19172. Notice is given that MARCIA LYNN DAYTON, 8077 FARM HOUSE DRIVE, HEBRON, MD 21830, was on, APRIL 04, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of COLLEEN LAWSON HEARN, who died on MARCH 19, 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 4TH day of OCTOBER, 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:

Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 08, 2022 MARCIA LYNN DAYTON 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 04-08, 04-15, 04-22

Second Insertion IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CIVIL NO. C-23-CV-22-000069 ROBERT JAY HUDSON 58 Lookout Pt. Ocean Pines, MD 21811 Plaintiff VS. DONALD L. FRANCIS 2680 Shadow Ridge Kamas, UT 84036 And WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND Serve on: Phillip G. Thompson, Treasurer, P.O. Box 248, Snow Hill, Md. 21863 And All persons or Corporations having or claiming to have interest in the hereinafter described properties situate in Worcester County, Maryland Defendants

of April, 2022 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 5th day of June, 2022, and redeem, "The property located in Worcester County, further described as List Number: 27 Parcel Number: 10025893 Property Description LOT 127 24467 SQ FT FOX RUN & KNOLL HILL assessed to: Francis Donald L." and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Failure to answer or redeem this property within the time allowed may result in a Judgment foreclosing the right of redemption.

Judge Beau H. Oglesby Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Worcester County 3x 4-15, 4-22, 4-29

Second Insertion NOTICE TO BIDDERS Purchase of Propane Gas Worcester County Government Facilities and Generators

ORDER OF PUBLICATION (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:

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the County of Worcester and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: "The property located in Worcester County, further described as List Number: 27 Parcel Number: 10025893 Property Description LOT 127 24467 SQ FT FOX RUN & KNOLL HILL assessed to: Francis, Donald L." The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

IT IS thereupon this 5th day

The Worcester County Commissioners are currently accepting bids for the purchase of propane gas for County Government buildings and emergency standby generators located throughout the County for a period of two years plus informational pricing for additional years of service. Bid specification packages and bid forms are available from the Office of the County Commissioners, Room 1103 Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863, may be obtained online at www.co.worcester.md.us or by calling the Commissioners’ Office at 410-632-1194 to request a package by mail.

Sealed bids will be accepted until 1:00 p.m., Monday May 2, 2022 in the Office of the County Commissioners at the above address, at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. Envelopes will be marked “2022 Propane Gas Bid” in the lower left-hand corner.

After opening, bids will be forwarded to the Department of Public Works for tabulation, review and recommendation to the County Commissioners for their consideration at a future meeting. In awarding the bid, the Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive formalities, informalities and technicalities herein, and to take whatever bid they determine to be in the best interest of the County considering lowest or best bid, quality of goods and work, time of delivery or completion, responsibility of bidders being considered, previous experience of bidders with county contracts, or any other factors they deem appropriate.

All inquiries will be directed to Michael N. Hutchinson, Maintenance Superintendent via email at: mhutchinson@co.worcester.md.us or office at (410) 632-3766.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 2x 04-15, 04-22

Second Insertion NOTICE TO BIDDERS Purchase of Petroleum Products Worcester County Government Facilities and Equipment

The Worcester County Commissioners are currently accepting bids for the purchase of petroleum products via delivery service for County Government buildings, generators in various locations throughout the County, and off-road vehicles for the Public Works Solid Waste Division for a period of two years, with an option to extend for up to a total of five years. Bid specification packages and bid forms are available at www.co.worcester.md.us or from the Office of the County Commissioners Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863. Sealed bids will be accepted until 1:00 p.m., Monday, April 25, 2022 the Office of the County Commissioners at the above address, at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. Envelopes will be marked “2022 Petroleum Products Bid” in the lower left-hand corner. After opening, bids will be forwarded to the Department of Public Works for tabulation, review and

April 22, 2022 recommendation to the County Commissioners for their consideration at a future meeting. In awarding the bid, the Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive formalities, informalities and technicalities herein, and to take whatever bid they determine to be in the best interest of the County considering lowest or best bid, quality of goods and work, time of delivery or completion, responsibility of bidders being considered, previous experience of bidders with county contracts, or any other factors they deem appropriate.

All inquiries will be directed to Michael N. Hutchinson, Maintenance Superintendent via email at mhutchinson@co.worcester.md.us or office at (410) 632-3766.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 2x 04-15, 04-22

Second Insertion NOTICE TO BIDDERS Worcester County Commissioners Worcester County, Maryland Proposal for South Point Boat Ramp Bulkhead Design

The County Commissioners of Worcester County Maryland are currently soliciting bids for engineering services for the South Point Boat Ramp Bulkhead Design project. This project consists of the complete design for 500+- feet of bulkhead, all associated drawings, all associated permits, and assisting with bid specifications for construction. Interested engineers are encouraged to attend a pre-bid meeting at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 25, 2022, at the South Point Boat Ramp located at 5820 South Point Road, Berlin, MD 21811.

Last day for bid questions shall be Friday, May 6, 2022.

Sealed bids will be accepted until 1:00 PM on Monday, May 9, 2022 in the Office of the County Commissioners, at Room 1103, Worcester County Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863, at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. Envelopes shall be marked "Proposal for South Point Boat Ramp Bulkhead Design" in the lower lefthand corner. After opening, bids will be forwarded to the Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department for tabulation, review and recommendation to the County Commissioners for their consideration at a future meeting. In awarding the proposal, the Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, waive formalities, informalities and technicalities therein, and to take what-

ever proposal they determine to be in the best interest of the County considering lowest or best proposal, quality of goods and work, time of delivery or completion, responsibility of subcontractors being considered, previous experience of subcontractors with County contracts, or any other factors they deem appropriate. Bid documents are available by contacting the Worcester County Recreation and Parks Department at 410-632-2144 Ext. 2521 or by email at jstephens@co.worcester.md.us THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 2x 04-15, 04-22

Second Insertion NOTICE TO BIDDERS Custodial Services Worcester County Government The Worcester County Commissioners are currently accepting sealed bids for Custodial Cleaning Services for 26 county-owned or leased office buildings. Bid specification packages and bid forms are available from the Office of the County Commissioners, Room I I 03 - Worcester County Government Center, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863 or may be obtained online at www.co.worcester.md.us or by calling the Commissioners' Office at 410-632-1194 to request a package by mail. Interested bidders are encouraged to attend a pre-bid meeting to be held on Thursday April 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Worcester County Government Center's 3rd Floor Training Room A, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland where the county's Department of Public Works-Maintenance Division will explain the scope of the bid specifications and answer questions about the bidding process. After the pre-bid meeting, bidders are encouraged to visit each county building to meet with the facility manager where they will be required to sign in. During the site visit, the facility manager will provide a walk through so each bidder can evaluate the building's requirements, current condition, hours of operation and limitations. A property listing with address and point of contact shall be provided as part of the bid specification package. Each bidder shall contact the building facility manager to arrange their independent walk through. Additional requests for information (RFI's) will be accepted by Worcester County's Department of Public Works Maintenance Division until 04:00 PM on Friday April 29, 2022.

April 22, 2022

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 RFI's will be responded to promptly via email and will be made a part of the bid.

Only written responses shall be considered binding.

Sealed bids will be accepted until 1:00 PM, Monday, May 9, 2022 in the Office of the County Commissioners at the above address, at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. All sealed bid envelopes shall be marked "Custodial Services Bid" in the lower lefthand corner. After opening, bids will be forwarded to the Public Works Department for tabulation, review and recommendation to the County Commissioners for their consideration.

In awarding the bid, the Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all bids, waive formalities, informalities and technicalities herein, and to take whatever bid they determine to be in the best interest of the County considering lowest or best bid, quality of goods and work, time of delivery or completion, responsibility of bidders being considered, previous experience of bidders with county contracts, or any other factors they deem appropriate. All inquiries should be directed to Michael Hutchinson Maintenance Superintendent at mhutchinson@co.worcester.md.us or (410) 632-3766 or by facsimile at (410) 6321753.

THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 2x 04-15, 04-22

died on JANUARY 07, 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 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 APRIL 15, 2022

Second Insertion REENA J. PATAL, ESQ. 9748 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY SUITE 112 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 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

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 04-15, 04-22,0 4-29

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-21-000194 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

DODD FANALE, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-21-000194 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval 402 402 402 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 403 404 404 404 404 404 404 405 405 405

45 48 52 1 3 8 10 12 15 37 45 46 48 50 51 6 7 8 44 47 49 1 6 7

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no war-

ranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: The full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such payment to be made by e-check or credit card. Bids for intervals will open at $50.00. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the payment made may be forfeited and the property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-6728107, or email at afletcher@mdpropertyattorney.com.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000005 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

GROUPWISE INC., ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No.

Page 57 C-23-CV-22-000005 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:15 AM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 409 409 409

20 22 36

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: The full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such payment to be made by e-check or credit card. Bids for intervals will open at $50.00. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the payment made may be forfeited and the property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-6728107, or email at afletcher@mdpropertyattorney.com.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000029 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES SMITH, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000029 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Unit 206 206 206 208 301 301 311 311 401 403 409 409 410 410 410 411 411 411 501 501 501

Time Interval 49 51 52 39 2 6 38 39 6 37 22 36 20 25 36 27 38 39 1 2 4

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and

Page 58

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022 subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

The Dispatch Legal Notices 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.

Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000045 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.

P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES LANDIS, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000045 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 11:45 AM the following timeshare intervals: Condomimium Time Unit Interval 205 14 205 40 205 43 205 45 205 50 205 51 206 2 206 6 206 7 206 9 206 11 206 14 206 16 206 18 206 31 206 34 206 37 206 39 206 40 206 41 206 42 206 43 206 44 206 46 206 47 Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

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

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000049 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307

Plaintiff vs.

DANIEL HARRIS, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000049 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 12:00 PM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 501 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502 502

8 11 13 14 16 17 18 33 50 51 1 2 3 6 14 15 17 18 21 38 40 41 42 43 45

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000055 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

MILDRED BUTT, ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester

County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000055 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL30, 2022 at 12:15 PM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 409 409 409 410 411 412 412 507 508 508 508 509 509 510 510 510 510 510 511 512

17 18 20 18 17 18 19 17 17 18 20 20 37 18 19 20 36 38 19 18

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

The Dispatch Legal Notices 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 email classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

210 210 211 211 211 212 212 307 308 308 309 309 310 310 401 405 407 407 407 408 408

19 21 17 18 38 17 21 18 20 36 18 19 17 19 46 16 17 18 20 17 36

Second Insertion AYRIKA FLETCHER, ESQ. IN-HOUSE COUNSEL BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MD 21843-3307 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000062 BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. BOX 3307 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21843-3307 Plaintiff vs.

CYRIL BYRON, SR., ET AL. Defendants TRUSTEE’S SALE OF TIME SHARE INTERVALS IN BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, OCEAN CITY, MD By virtue of a certain Claim of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to the Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, Case No. C-23-CV-22-000062 the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the entrance of the BAY CLUB RESORT, located at, 302 32ND STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND the following described property located in Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland, on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 at 12:30 PM the following timeshare intervals: Time Condomimium Unit Interval 207 208 210

18 19 18

Each time interval being one week per year in the corresponding unit, each unit being part of the Bay Club Condominium, including an undivided interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Declaration of Condominium and Timeshare recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland and subsequent Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, as to each condominium unit and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records.

The property will be sold in an “as is” condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranties and guarantees. A secured party may bid and shall be excused from deposit requirements. The Trustee reserves the right to withdraw any interval from the sale and/or to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the full amount of the sales price per time interval will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or check. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes, 2022 maintenance fees and all other settlement costs shall be borne by the purchaser. The date of settlement shall be within fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal

or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser.

For more information, call: Ayrika Fletcher, Esq., Trustee, at 443-672-8107.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication APRIL 15, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 04-15, 04-22, 04-29

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19173 To all persons interested in the estate of GRAFTON H. GRISWOLD, ESTATE NO. 19173. Notice is given that RICHARD GRISWOLD, 3 CROSSBOW TRAIL, BERLIN, MD 21811, was on, APRIL 13, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GRAFTON H. GRISWOLD, who died on MARCH 23, 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 13TH day of OCTOBER, 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 APRIL 22, 2022 RICHARD GRISWOLD 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

First Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19181 To all persons interested in the estate of MARY ARLENE YOUNG, ESTATE NO. 19181.

Notice is given that JAMES LOUIS YOUNG, 12422 WINDSOR ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842, was on, APRIL 13, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY ARLENE YOUNG, who died on MARCH 16, 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 13TH day of OCTOBER, 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 APRIL 22, 2022

Page 59 JAMES LOUIS YOUNG 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

First Insertion SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19174 To all persons interested in the estate of DEBORAH LYNN ARCHER, ESTATE NO. 19174. Notice is given that JAMIE MARIE MARKEE ARCHER, 225 CORDELL CIRCLE, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28540, was on APRIL 14, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of DEBORAH LYNN ARCHER, who died on MARCH 28, 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 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 APRIL 22, 2022 JAMIE MARIE MARKEE ARCHER 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 04-22

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. 19180 Notice is given that the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS of CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, appointed MICHAEL J. WARD, 6544 MISTY HARBOR COURT, FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542, as the ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JOSEPH L. WARD, who died on OCTOBER 26, 2021, domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is VICTORIA L. O’NEILL, whose address is 6200 COASTAL H I G H WAY, S U I T E 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 before the earlier of the following dates: (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 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 APRIL 22, 2022 MICHAEL J. WARD 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 04-22, 04-29, 05-06

Page 60

… Segway Tours OK’d On Boards

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

FROM PAGE 16 also some concerns about the amount of parking the operation would take up at the Boardwalk’s end at 27th Street.

“I have two grandchildren,” she said.

“I want to know the operation. So, does someone go into the shop and make a reservation for the next morning for their group or family for the guided Segway tours? People on the guided tours will be parking on a public parking lot and there might be six people on the tour. That could be six cars on the public parking lot there.”

Robert Jenkins attempted to allay concerns about the operation’s impact on parking in the area. She said the company would target groups from hotels along the Boardwalk, who could walk from their accommodations to the early morning tours.

“The Boardwalk operation will be very early in the morning,” he said. “It will not be an all-day thing up there.”

Still, the planning commission had concerns about the safety of adding more and more traffic to the already congested Boardwalk, especially in the summer.

“I ride all the time up there,” said Rohe. “There will be a lot of people up there even early in the morning. On the Fourth of July it will be packed that early. I just have concerns about the safety. This board’s primary function is life and safety.”

The lone citizen speaking in opposition to the proposal during the public hearing was local resident Shawn Harman, who owns and operates businesses in close proximity to the proposed location, including Fish Tales and Bahia Marina, for example.

“We have two head boats going out at 7 a.m.,” he said. “We start renting boats at 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. The amount of traffic coming down 22nd Street is phenomenal. It’s hard to cross Coastal Highway. The amount of traffic in that area is ridiculous.

Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville said the proposed rental of electric scooters on the Boardwalk would not be allowed under the current code. A couple of years ago, the Mayor and Council prohibited all electric vehicles on the Boardwalk.

“E-bikes are not allowed on the Boardwalk at any time,” he said. “The majority of the council voted against E-bikes of any kind on the Boardwalk.

Their concern was no motorized vehicles of any kind. They only thing allowed are the Segways.”

Neville also said delivering the Segways and setting up the tours at 27th Street tiptoed around what is allowed under the code.

“We don’t allow any business of this kind to be conducted on the Boardwalk or on the street ends,” he said. “This is close to crossing a line with the proposed use of the drop-off plan at 27th Street.”

Attorney Pete Cosby, who represented the Jenkins’ and Light Riders at the

April 22, 2022

hearing, made a case for his clients citing the town’s comprehensive plan. He acknowledged the business plan was a little different, but urged the commission to give his clients a chance to prove their safety record.

“I just want to point out a couple of things from the comprehensive plan,” he said. “It calls for supporting small local businesses and enhancing commercial. We are on a frontier here. I know I’ve learned a lot tonight.”

Planning Commissioner Joe Wilson seemed inclined to approve the conditional use request with several conditions attached and made a motion to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council.

“These applicants have demonstrated a safety record,” he said. “I think we need to at least consider this with some conditions attached.”

Gillis said he was inclined to agree if the safety issues were addressed with the conditions attached to approval.

“I’m trying to find a way to say yes to this,” he said. “If there was anybody to say yes to, it would be you guys. It’s the right idea. I’m just thinking it’s not the right place. You guys are awesome. I just have life-safety concerns. I’m not quite sold on your location.”

Rohe said he still had concerns about the street safety issues in the congested area.

“Your presentation was great and it’s a unique business,” he said. “Again, I reiterate the congestion in that area is unbelievable. I’m not quite sold on your location.”

Planning Commission chair Pam Buckley explained the double-edged purview of the advisory body.

“We are here for health and safety,” she said. “We are also here to keep activity alive and provide unique things for the visitors.”

Buckley agreed the presentation was a good one, but was still on the fence about approving the conditional use request over safety issues.

“You are adorable, and we would love to have you here as a business,” she said. “I just have life-safety concerns.

It’s a tough one for me. We don’t want you not to be able to have a business here.”

Buckley suggested the approval could be conditioned as a trial basis of sorts.

“We can do it for a year with the conditions in place and if there are no violations or problems, we can review it again after the summer,” she said.

After considerable debate, Wilson amended his motion to include all of the conditions and recommendations of the staff, along with conditions imposed by the planners. The favorable recommendation was conditioned on an 18-month trial basis, or essentially two seasons, with the business owners coming back with an overall review of any safety issues after the first season. That motion passed on a 5-1 vote with Taylor opposed.

Pines GM Introduces Plan For Water Taxi

April 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – A potential partnership between the association and a resort business could bring a water taxi service to Ocean Pines.

On Wednesday, General Manager John Viola presented the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors with a proposal to bring a water taxi service to the community. He noted the association was currently in discussions with OC Bay Hopper to incorporate the Ocean Pines Yacht Club into its daily stops.

“I believe we actually have an agreement that they will be coming in and they will be performing a service,” he said. “We will update this, communicate this, we are working on it.”

Viola told board members this week it would not be the first time a water taxi has operated in Ocean Pines, as some type of boat service had existed in years past. He noted, however, that the potential partnership with OC Bay Hopper would deliver customers to various locations throughout Ocean City.

“This service will go from several points, some of them being Seacrets, Harborside, 118th Street in Ocean City, and there will be three stops and three pickups with the Yacht Club …,” he said.

“We’re looking at something around $15 a trip, or maybe $25 for round trip.”

Viola said the idea is to provide a service to community members and potentially bring new customers to the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.

“So you’ll be able to go to the Yacht Club, have some drinks, do whatever, and then go over to Seacrets or Harborside and then come back, and vice versa …,” he said. “With the great venue we have there as far as bands on Friday and Saturday nights, we anticipate that we will advertise along with this company to get people to come to the Yacht Club.”

Viola added that the idea was supported by the Matt Ortt Companies, which manages food and beverage operations at the Yacht Club.

“Ralph [DeAngelus, managing partner] and I have talked extensively about this,” he said, “and there is excitement on both sides.”

During public comments, resident Joe Reynolds cautioned that the proposed water taxi operation could end up costing the association.

“People can park at the Yacht Club, get a water taxi and then go over to Ocean City to spend their money,” he said.

“I know we think we’re going to get loads of people from Ocean City going to the Yacht Club, but I think that’s questionable.”

In an effort to provide a unique transportation service, four business partners joined together in 2018 to open OC Bay Hopper, a water shuttle and taxi service with dropoffs at resort-area bars and restaurants. Since that time, the company has grown to include private charters, sunset cruises and water tours.

OC Planners Approve Midtown Escape Room The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – In yet another example of diverse activities for residents and visitors, resort planners this week approved a conditional use application for a captive escape room at a midtown location that was formerly Hall’s Restaurant.

The Planning Commission on Tuesday had before them a conditional use request for a captive escape room in a portion of a facility that for years housed Hall’s Restaurant at 59th Street. Captive escape rooms have steadily increased in popularity in recent years, and the proposal for the 59th Street location would be a family-friendly activity, or an activity geared toward groups or corporate team-building events.

The applicant for the conditional use already operates a similar escape room in the downtown area on Baltimore Avenue, and the proposed 59th Street location

would complement the existing business with a different twist. The activity requires groups of individuals solving a series of clues to advance to the next room in the multi-room game.

The proposed new captive escape room at 59th Street would be called Pieces of Eight, and would require teams of participants to solve clues and move on to the next room in order to escape the ship of the famous pirate Black Beard, according to the company’s website.

At the outset of Tuesday’s public hearing on the conditional use application, Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy explained the proposed business meets the zoning requirements for the location and there is ample parking. Gordy outlined for the commission the basic premise of the business plan.

“Basically, they are looking to be able to put in a captive escape room,” she said.

“As you are aware, there have been sev-

Page 61

eral where they have these different rooms for an activity for teams or groups. This one is for ages 13 and up and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The game includes mysteries that unlock the next room. The doors are unlocked at all times and you can leave any time you wish.”

Applicant Shawn Bauer further explained the concept.

“It’s an interactive game, almost a human video game,” he said. “The rooms are living, breathing puzzles that people have to work their way through. It’s for a lot of families and a lot of corporates. Nothing is ever locked behind you and you’re never locked in a room. It’s well lit and there is nothing dangerous or threatening in any way.”

With little debate, the planning commission voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation for the conditional use request to the Mayor and Council.

Page 62

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Chuck Webb

OBITUARIES

The family of Chuck Webb would like to announce a celebration of his life is planned for Seacrets’ nightclub on Thursday, April 28 from 3-6 p.m.

Tranzfusion and Bird Dog & the Road Kings bands will perform. The celebration will be livestreamed on Seacrets website. Friends and family welcome.

A formal obituary to follow next week.

Norma Jean Brodsky OCEAN CITY – Norma Jean Brodsky (nee Teague) of Havre de Grace and formerly of Bel Air died Tuesday, April 12, 2022 of heart failure at the Senator Bob Hooper House in NORMA Forest Hill. She was 91. BRODSKY She was the beloved wife of the late

Donald Lee Brodsky, a former federal mediator in Baltimore, and they were married for 49 years.

Born in Eagan, Tenn. on Nov. 12, 1930, Norma Jean was the fifth of eight children born to Marshall and Lavannah Teague (nee Tye). Upon graduation from high school, she moved to Baltimore where she obtained her beautician’s license and worked for Mario’s Salon. After her marriage to Donald on January 31,1953 she continued to work until their first child Donna was born in late November. Six years later their second child Pamela was born. As the children got older, Jean began working in retail at Joss, a small gift shop in Towson, then in later years at Lohmeyer’s Clothiers in Baltimore and in Towson.

Jean was an active member of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air for 51 years. She enjoyed gardening, long walks in nature, and listening to classical music. She excelled at being a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

She is survived by two daughters, Donna Tower Lenzner (Ronald) of Havre de Grace and Pamela Berger (Richard) of Ocean City; grandchildren John “Hutch” Tower (Kathryn) of Havre de Grace, Addison Tower Kline (John) of Havre de Grace, Hunter Tower (Jill) of Kennett Square, Pa., Jackson Berger of Ocean City and Arella Berger of O-

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cean City; and four great grandchildren.

Granddaughter Aliya Berger predeceased her in 1995.

A viewing was held at Schimunek Funeral Home in Bel Air on Tuesday, April 19. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 20 at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jean’s name may be made to the Deacons’ Fund at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be left at www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com.

Jenny Mary Sweeney SELBYVILLE – Jenny Mary Sweeney, age 96, died Sunday, April 17, 2022, at her home in Selbyville, Del. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Antonio Badolato and Maria Basso Badolato. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norwood “Norm” J. Sweeney in 2002.

She was also preceded in death by a son N. Joseph Sweeney and his wife, Linda.

She is survived by a son, Michael Anthony Sweeney of Selbyville, and a daughter, Gina Marie Sweeney of SelJENNY byville. There are three grandchildren, Nicole SWEENEY Laumann and her husband Paul, Andrew Streib and his wife Rhonda, and Dawn Stutzel and her husband Jeff.

There are also four great-grandchildren, Katherine Streib, Brianna Streib, Paul Anthony Laumann, III and Nina Marie Laumann. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bartholomew Badolato and Abbondanzio, and a sister Carmela Horwath.

She is survived by a brother, Anthony Badolato, and his wife Charlotte of Berlin.

Mrs. Sweeney had worked at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Md. She was a member of Saint Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City where she served as a choir member, cantor, alter guild, and bereavement committee. She was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Ancient Order of Hibernians.

She was a recipient of the Order of Merit from the Diocese of Wilmington, presented by Bishop Michael Salterelli.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at noon at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 100th Street and Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Friends may call one hour prior to the mass, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Reverend John Lunness will officiate.

Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Luke’s Catholic Church, 14401 Sinepuxent Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842. Letters of condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Robert T. Hastings, Sr. BERLIN – Robert T. Hastings, Sr., Chief Warrant Officer, US Army retired, age 83, passed away on Monday April 18, 2022.

Born in Ocean City, he was the son of the late Preston F. Hastings and Lilly Mae Allen.

Robert served for more than 30 years in the Army, Army Reserve, Maryland National Guard, and Maryland Defense Force. He retired from the Town of Ocean City as Wastewater Supervisor. As a Vietnam combat veterROBERT an, he was active in vet- HASTINGS, SR. erans’ affairs and served in various elected positions with the VFW including State Commander for Maryland.

He is survived by his wife, Edith Marie Hastings; two sons, Brig. Gen. Robert T. Hastings, Jr. (Leigh), and Charles Dean Hastings, Sr. (Kathleen); five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 11 a.m. Friends may call one-hour prior. Interment will follow at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron. Letters of condolences can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

COPS & COURTS First-Degree Assault Charge For Choke-Out OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on first-degree assault charges last weekend after allegedly choking his friend to the point he lost consciousness during a domestic altercation.

Around 11:50 p.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a hotel at 25th Street for a reported domestic dispute. The officer met with the female complainant who reportedly advised she was staying in a different hotel with her family, and that she had gone to the other hotel to pick up her sister, who had texted her to come get her because her boyfriend had been in a fight and she was scared.

The complainant was able to identify her sister’s boyfriend as Ethan Welch, 18, of Kirkwood, Pa., according to police reports. While the officer was speaking with the complainant in the lobby, Welch and the other individual involved in the alleged fight emerged from the elevator.

The officer spoke with the two men about what had happened.

Welch advised he got into a verbal altercation with the other man because the other man kept telling him he could beat Welch up in front of his girlfriend. Welch reportedly told police he went after the other man first and started a physical altercation by tackling him to the ground.

Welch admitted placing the victim in a

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choke hold until he “tapped out,” at which point he released his grip.

OCPD officers interviewed the victim, who reportedly advised he had a verbal argument with Welch because of Welch’s level of intoxication and Welch’s belief that the victim was flirting with his girlfriend, according to police reports. The victim said when he went to get something from the refrigerator, Welch approached him from behind and put him in a “rear naked choke hold,” according to police reports.

The victim reportedly advised Welch squeezed his neck so hard that he lost consciousness for three to four seconds.

When the victim started to wake up, he was still seeing stars, but was able to get away from Welch’s grip. The victim told police he had never seen Welch so angry and believed he was going to kill him.

OCPD officers observed numerous red marks around the victim’s neck and he was transported to the hospital. Welch was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault.

Child Abuse Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man was arrested last week after allegedly assaulting a juvenile child during a domestic incident at a midtown hotel.

Around 5 a.m. last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a hotel at 54th Street SEE NEXT PAGE

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April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 65

... COPS & COURTS for a reported domestic situation. The officer met with the hotel’s night auditor, who advised he had received multiple complaints about a room on the fourth floor, according to police reports.

The night auditor said he made contact with the occupants of the room in question, including an adult male and female and three to four young children.

When the auditor spoke with the occupants, they were adamant they were not arguing, but rather just speaking loudly, according to police reports.

The night auditor told the officer he had been to the room multiple times before calling police as the complaints continued, according to police reports. The night auditor said the adult male occupant, later identified as Bryan Galvez, 33, of Bethlehem, Pa., had left just prior to the officer’s arrival.

OCPD officers met with the adult female occupant of the room. OCPD officers had previously encountered the female and Galvez hours before at a midtown nightclub. Galvez was reportedly intoxicated and was attempting to drive back to their hotel, but the female had the keys and would not let him drive. The couple then walked north toward their hotel.

The female told police the couple argued about the car keys and how they were missing when they were back at the hotel. OCPD officers observed four children in the room, ranging in age from six to 12 years old. Each of the juveniles confirmed the couple had been arguing, according to police reports.

One of the juveniles told police Galvez had struck her with an open hand as she attempted to intervene in the couple’s argument, according to police reports.

The juvenile reportedly told the officers Galvez was intoxicated and turned his attention toward her during the argument, calling her an expletive. The victim said she tripped on the bed when Galvez walked toward her aggressively. The victim told police Galvez got on top of her and struck her on her left side with an open hand. The other juveniles in the room corroborated the victim’s story.

Galvez was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, child abuse and other charges.

Assault Arrest For Phone Throwing OCEAN CITY – A North Carolina man was arrested for second-degree assault last weekend after allegedly throwing a cell phone at a female victim and hitting her in the face during a domestic incident at a midtown hotel room.

Last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a hotel at 67th Street for a reported 911 hang-up. Ocean City Communications advised a female had called 911 to report she had gotten into a fight with her boyfriend, but then disconnected the line and would not answer calls back from Ocean City Communications, nor did they have a room number.

OCPD officers arrived and located the female victim in the hotel lobby. The victim advised she and her boyfriend were

drinking in the hotel room when they got into an argument. The argument was about the boyfriend, identified as Austin Richardson, 25, of West End, N.C., taking the victim’s cell phone from her and not giving it back, according to police reports.

The victim told police as the argument about the phone escalated, Richardson began pushing her around the room and then threw his cell phone at her, striking her in the face. The victim told police she was able to exit the hotel room and called the police, according to police reports.

When interviewed, Richardson admitted having an argument with the victim, but that he did not have her phone.

Richardson also advised he did not know how the victim received a bloody lip, according to police reports. OCPD officers observed a cut on the inside of the victim’s lip and fresh blood in the hotel room’s bathroom sink. The victim told the officer the cut was from her being struck in the face with the phone, according to police reports. Based on the evidence and testimony, Richardson was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Local Arrested For Trespassing OCEAN CITY – A local man was arrested on multiple charges last weekend after allegedly feuding with a Boardwalk bar manager and then running from police.

Around 6:30 p.m. last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) bicycle officer was dispatched to a Boardwalk bar at Talbot Street for a reported disorderly male. The officer arrived on the scene and observed the suspect, later identified as Yonatan Yoseph, 33, of Ocean City, in front of the establishment and arguing with the manager, according to police reports.

Yoseph was reportedly yelling expletives at the manager and became agitated with his fists clenched, according to police reports. The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation and get Yoseph, who was reportedly intoxicated, to calm down. The manager reportedly issued an indefinite trespass warning to Yoseph in the officer’s presence.

The officer told Yoseph to keep his voice down and not to use profanity, to which Yoseph replied he knew the officer was right and thanked the officer for intervening, according to police reports.

Yoseph then began walking north on the Boardwalk and it appeared the incident was over. The officer cleared the area, but kept an eye on the situation and both the bar and Yoseph. The officer reportedly observed Yoseph run toward the manager and urged him to hit him, calling him a racist expletive in the process, according to police reports.

While he was yelling at the manager, Yoseph was on the bar’s property in violation of the trespass order. The officer reportedly followed Yoseph as he ran away north on the Boardwalk and then west on Caroline Street. Because of Yoseph’s past tendencies for resisting arrest and assaulting police officers, the

initial officer called for backup, according to police reports.

As the officer approached, he observed Yoseph stumble through a crowd of people on the corner of Caroline Street attempting to cross Baltimore Avenue, according to police reports, because of his level of intoxication. He was arrested and charged with trespassing, failure to obey a lawful order, and endangering the safety of civilians attempting to cross the roadway.

Suspended Sentence For Hit-And-Run OCEAN CITY – A local woman arrested in January for driving under the influence after colliding with a state truck on Philadelphia Avenue pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to one year, which was then suspended in favor of probation.

Around 2:40 a.m. on January 29, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to the area of 9th Street and Philadelphia Avenue for a reported hit-and-run incident. The officers met with the victim, who reportedly told police he was driving southbound on Philadelphia Avenue in the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) truck when he observed a vehicle approaching his truck from the rear at a high rate of speed, according to police reports.

The victim told police he attempted to move out of the path of the vehicle, but the vehicle struck the passenger side door of his MDOT truck. The victim told officers the other driver, later identified as Kelsey Snyder, 27, of Ocean City, initially stopped, exited her vehicle and spoke to the victim, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police Snyder asked him “Do I need to stay?” She then fled the scene in her vehicle and headed north on Baltimore Avenue. The victim was able to provide a description of the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, along with a description of the vehicle. The victim told police Snyder’s vehicle should have front-end damage.

Other OCPD officers located a vehicle matching the description with frontend damage in the area of 36th Street and conducted a traffic stop. Officers identified the driver as Snyder, who exhibited signs of intoxication, according to police reports. Meanwhile, the victim was brought to the scene by a Maryland State Police trooper to identify Snyder as the driver who had allegedly struck his MDOT truck and fled the scene.

Based on the victim’s identification, Snyder was arrested at that point for hitand-run and other traffic violations. At the Public Safety Building, Snyder reportedly consented to a battery of field sobriety tests, which she did not pass to the officers’ satisfaction. She then reportedly agreed to a breath test, which returned a result of .22. Last Friday, she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence per se and was sentenced to one year. All of that sentence was suspended, and she was placed on unsupervised probation for 18 months.

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Page 66

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

April 22, 2022

STUDENTS In The News The Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club held its oratorical contest last month at Stephen Decatur Middle School. Pictured, from left, are Lily Sperry (third place); Jessica Beck (first place); Sharon Sorrentino (Optimist Club member who coordinated the contest); Saylor Amos (second place); and Jonah Ridgely (fourth place).

Worcester Preparatory School thanked the Bank of Ocean City for sponsoring the Spring 2022 EverFi Financial Literacy Program for seniors in Paul Cyryca’s Contemporary Issues course. Forty students participated and are now Certified Young Adults.

The EverFi Program assists future community leaders in becoming financially responsible at an early age. Pictured, front row from left, are Bank of Ocean City Vice President Nancy Bradford, seniors Anna McDonald, Josie Gonzalez, Hannah Brasure and Bank of Ocean City Vice President Earl Conley (WPS alum ’90); back, Cyryca and seniors Natalie Brushmiller, Hugh Thomas Cropper and Jarett Sofronski Submitted Photos

Worcester Preparatory School fourth grade student Anna French placed second in the state in this year’s American Legion’s Essay Contest for her division (grades three and four) after placing first in the region.

Kathy Huyett's PM PreK-4 class at Ocean City Elementary recently read the story “When Spring Comes” by Kevin Henkes and learned about some of the things that happen when the seasons change. Their favorite part of the day was the April Showers Bring May Flowers culminating activity.

Worcester Preparatory School Sophomores Sara Freih and Dylan McGovern worked as Delegates to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and will have another opportunity to serve again later this year. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Students in Laura Black's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary have been learning about forces. They worked together to save a Tiny Town from boulders rolling down the mountain by placing push pins to act as poles, which changed the direction of the boulder. Pictured are Da'Marri Williams, Maddie DelliGatti and Colton Metcalf.

A group of both Middle and Upper Worcester Preparatory School students completed an intensive educational outreach program, U.S. Constitution Course: An American View of Law, Liberty and Government. The course was administered by the Institute on the Constitution. Pictured with their certificates, from left, are Laney Hoch, Isabella Fernley, Lara Owens, Olivia Owens, Cole Myers, Sage Myers and Eliza Myers.

Jackson Fernley is not pictured.

$173M Budget Proposed In Wicomico

April 22, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A proposed operating budget of $173 million was submitted to county leaders this week.

On Tuesday, Acting County Executive John Psota presented the Wicomico County Council with his proposed operating budget beginning July 1. He said the spending plan, totaling $173,908,637, represents an 7.6% increase over the current year’s budget.

“The budget is balanced as required by the charter,” he said. “The focus of the budget is to address the county’s core service needs: public safety, health, education and infrastructure.”

Psota noted that the budget features a proposed tax rate of $0.9070 and an increase in income tax revenue.

“Real property net assessable base increased 4.43%, resulting in our tax rate decreasing from $0.9195 to $0.9070, just over a cent,” he said. “Projections for income tax revenue is $63 million, or an 11.7% increase.”

Council President John Cannon questioned why income tax revenues had significantly increased. Finance Director Pam Oland said much of it had to do with federal changes.

“This is something that’s being experienced across the state,” she said. “So we’re not the only ones who have been seeing these increases. As you saw in our audit, and as we are seeing in this year’s results, we are still experiencing

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

increases and thus we are budgeting to recognize those.”

Psota told council members this week that the spending plan also included the implementation of a new pay plan – which will result in new salaries for most employees – as well as additional funding for fire and EMS. While the budget features an increase in payments to each volunteer company, Psota said he was also recommending the implementation of a Length of Service Award, a retention and recruitment initiative that financially rewards volunteers based on length of service.

“These two together represent a 24% increase to their funding,” he said.

Other items in the proposed budget include a $1.2 million increase in maintenance of effort funding to the Wicomico County Board of Education, contributions for a renovation and addition at Mardela Middle and High School, and $325,000 in ARPA funding for the creation of sewer service in certain areas of the county. Psota is also recommending the establishment of a $500,000 grant program to help homeowners who have failing septic systems.

“We in Wicomico County face the same economic challenges and uncertainty as the rest of the country at this time,” he said. “My proposed budget reflects our best effort to meet those challenges given our current circumstances.”

Officials say a public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on May 3.

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN PINES – The association’s board this week voted to approve a $55,000 purchase request to repair several pickleball courts.

On Wednesday, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to authorize a purchase request in the amount of $55,260 to repair cracks in the association’s pickleball courts.

General Manager John Viola said staff was recommending the association use ATC Corporation – the company charged with constructing new courts at the Ocean Pines Racquet Center – to complete the work.

“We received back two bids as well as several contractors who opted not to bid because they couldn’t because of costs, the environment, COVID, lack of labor … ,” he told the board. “I do have a bid from the contractor. The staff recommended the same one that’s doing the new courts.”

Viola said it was recently brought to his attention by members of the pickleball community that cracks in some of the pickleball courts had spread. He said the cracks had become a safety issue.

“There’s two in the back, which turns out to be eight pickleball courts, and then there’s two in front of that we call the tennis ball courts …,” he said, “there are cracks there, cracks that definitely from a safety side have gotten bigger.”

Page 67

Viola said those pickleball courts would have to be shut down in order to make the necessary repairs. As a result, he said he and Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue were working with the pickleball community.

“I’ve spoken to the leaders of pickleball, went through everything we are going to do there, and they are in agreement with it,” he said.

Association President Colette Horn questioned if the purchase request was an unbudgeted item. Viola said it was.

“It’s not in this year’s budget, nor next year’s,” he replied. “What I’m requesting is that we pay for this kind of like how we did the T-docks last year. We ordered them and said once we realize at the end of the year the favorability, we’ll use that to pay for the T-docks. We allocated that at the end of the year. I’m asking for the same here.”

With no further questions, the board voted unanimously to approve the purchase request.

In addition to repairs at the pickleball complex, Viola said the association would soon begin site work for the new pickleball courts.

Last month, the association’s board approved a $175,244 contract with ATC Corporation for the construction of new pickleball courts. The company’s bid, which includes the construction of courts and fencing, does not include site work, which will be completed in house at a total of $40,000.

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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

NEWS DEPARTMENT SHAWN J. SOPER Managing Editor ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com CHARLENE SHARPE Staff Writer/Copy Editor csharpe@mdcoastdispatch.com BETHANY HOOPER Staff Writer/Copy Editor bhooper@mdcoastdispatch.com

April 22, 2022

Bold, Risky Move Confounded By Site Questions How We See It

In the end, it became a rush job.

Whether in support or oppose to the sports complex proposal at the selected site west of the high and middle schools off Route 50, there is no disputing the $11 million bond to buy the land and develop it has been fast tracked.

Yes, the sports complex talk has been around for about 15 years, but it’s wrong to say a tremendous amount of work has gone into this effort. A handful of sites were explored with the county being locked in on the chosen site for about a year. The county says due diligence and major evaluations of county land took place. We doubt it.

As expected, the public hearing was a charade. The vote was already in – the $7.1 million property acquisition through an $11 million bond (remainder for site development) was going to pass no matter what the speakers had to say. In fact, legitimate questions were posed about traffic configurations, water and sewer services, annexation into Berlin, public availability, impact on the nearby schools, recreation league usage, private party operators and indoor building space. There were no answers

provided because the public hearing format precludes it, but the reality is nobody knows. There are no answers to many questions.

Work will now begin on figuring out all the details. It’s been an odd process, fueled by the election in July that could drastically reshape the commissioners’ makeup. It seems obvious to us the $11 million price tag is far too conservative. Unless Ocean City is going to chip in a sizable amount of partnership funding – a point evidently under consideration – the financial model does not add up. Other facilities across the state and mid-Atlantic topped out at double the county’s bond amount, and those efforts were completed pre-pandemic and without the current inflation crisis.

As far as back as 2012, we have been in support of a sports complex for the county. We worry about the site and without assurances on potentially negative impacts on our schools and the Town of Berlin it’s tough to support moving forward at this time.

County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom, who made the motion to approve

the bond, said, “it not only should go here it has to go here.” The commissioner is wrong. It does not have to be built on this site. There must be other options worthy of consideration.

Perhaps most disturbing about the whole rushed effort is the lack of discussion with Berlin. The assumption is the county must not want the town to annex the property to provide water and sewer service. Nonetheless, there is no excuse for no communication with the town on this project. Even if the county can figure out a way to handle its own sewer and water, there will be negative impacts on the town from an infrastructure standpoint. How those will be mitigated are unclear. The fact is nobody knows at this point.

No matter whether in support or opposed to the project in general and the specific site, it’s indisputable this was rushed and has not been thought out.

Sure, there have been lots of public and private talks about a sports complex, but the real planning has been absent. We can only hope for the best now as the county truly dives into the effort with real work.

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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.

What’s The Hurry?

Editor: In 2017 the County ordered a study through the Stadium Authority who referred Crossroads Consulting Services to prepare a Study on the viability of a sports complex in the County for a fee of $75,000. After staff’s review, they commented on August 30, 2017 “staff has reviewed the economic analysis and determined that while the report provides good baseline data, we believe that the projected economic impact is overly optimistic (emphasis added).”

In 2019 Ocean City went through the same process and had Cross Roads Consulting Services prepare another report on the same topic for a fee of $49,400. Then the Ocean City Council failed to release the report for 19 months raising my curiosity about its content.

One interesting contradiction between the two reports done by the same entity was the County report had rightly placed us in the Mid-Atlantic region while the less expensive Ocean City report had wrongly placed us in the Southern, where participation rates for outdoor activities were higher. But this wasn’t a reason to conceal the report from the public for 19 months. Maybe Ocean City didn’t pay enough money to be put in the right region?

The top of page 31 may reveal a reason for the concealment. There was a graph of participation rates in outdoor sports from 2014 through 2018 that showed significant declines in outdoor

participation: Soccer declined 10%, Baseball declined 27%, Softball declined 30%, Football touch declined 38%, Football flag declined 13% and Lacrosse declined 47%. Wow! The County better hurry up and invest $15 million before we lose the opportunity! With those declines no wonder the Ocean City report was slow to be released.

During Covid our politicians have been busy little beavers planning and plotting to spend our tax dollars on a bigger, better Sports Complex than the others. Aren’t we lucky?

All seven council members in Ocean City support the County spending money on a Sports Complex and want to build an indoor field at the Sports Complex. In the county the vote has been 4 to 3. Purnell, Nordstrom, Mitrecic and Church voting for. With Bud Church retiring and an election in November the four supporters are trying to ram it through now, fully realizing that the effort would likely fail after the election, as well it should.

The race to a public hearing and a bond is at a time when economists are calling for a 40% chance of a recession by next year and a very uncertain economic future facing us. With that backdrop our politicians are putting us in more debt.

In the Commissioners and Town Councils closed door preparations they overlooked Lou Pagliarini’s 50-acre property for $600,000 just North of Ocean Pines with road frontage and a-

butting route 113 and opted instead for the Harrison’s 95-acre property with no egress to route 50 and no access to Seahawk Road for a price of $7,150,000 more than twice the County’s Assessment of the 95 acres.

What they are not disclosing is the OC report cautions to expect many years of operating losses not to mention borrowing the $15 million for the land and build out at a higher interest rate.

I love athletics, I did football, wrestling and track in HS as well as class president. In College I was a division one wrestler. I placed second in the National Wilkes Tournament and was a Finalist in the Olympic Trails in ‘68.

However, the children in this County don’t lack athletics, there are plenty of athletic options. The children lack parenting largely due to work loads and single parent families. Maybe we should invest the money in our families?

My strong advice would be to hold off on indebting the County till next year when we might have more clarity about where we are heading with the economy. To rush this through now is highly irresponsible.

I think of the poorer people in District One (Pocomoke area) who are essentially having their tax dollars taken and given largely to the richest family on the Eastern Shore under the hope that this new trinket, the Sports Complex will benefit business in the County. It is not up to the Taxpayers to pay tax dollars to “benefit businesses”.

SEE NEXT PAGE

April 22, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Letters To The Editor In Ocean City we have done that at least four times: 1) the Airport, 2) the Golf Course, 3) the Convention Center and 4) the Performing Arts Center. All underutilized and loosing money each year from annual operations. Even if the State of Maryland paid for some of the development is this wise at this time? All bond debt from Ocean City’s four loosing projects is ongoing and will be rolled over to more expensive debt when it expires. Does the County want to be saddled with bond debt, higher interest rates and operating losses like Ocean City?

With present economic uncertainty it would be better to wait till next year and make sure we can service the debt, pay the interest and the annual operating expenses.

I encourage the Public to attend the hearing on Tuesday April 19, at 6PM at Stephen Decatur High School.

Tony Christ Falls Church, Va. Ocean City

Shameful Marketing Effort Editor: As a more than 40 year very hardworking employee of Ocean City and resident of Ocean City and Berlin, I was appalled and embarrassed at OC Today’s headline tag on Facebook this week “Ocean City’s ad plan targets affluent crowd”. It seems the Town of Ocean City, City Council members, Worcester Tourism, OCHMRA, Convention Center, Worcester County Commissioners are not on the same page when it comes to bringing guests into our county and Ocean City.

As we await BVK, Tom Perlozzo and City Council to tease “affluent people” to come to Ocean City the same people are bringing bull riding, a C3 multi day concert event of still undisclosed entertainment, a gun show as well as still entertaining bike week, cruisers, Sunfest and Springfest just to name a few. At the same time this week scores of parents, business members and resident will fill Stephen Decatur High School’s auditorium the make an impassioned plea to bring a multi-use recreational facility to our county which will attract scores and scores of families. I guess all of the monies spent by the abovementioned visitors and residents are good enough for now until the “affluent people” start coming.

Lest we forget the town’s desire to hire and put in place a “diversity position” What? I hope that round room you are running around in is padded. I don’t know what flavor Kool-Aid BVK and Perlozzo are serving up, but I for one am not interested. It’s shameful to even speak these words let alone try to put it into action.

Kim Holloway Berlin

Paddack Apologizes Editor: When I first ran for Ocean City Council, I used the phrase, “I believe in Ocean City.” No matter what adversity

one might face, I can rely on this fact, “I believe in Ocean City.”

My never-ending commitment to Ocean City remains steadfast. I want to address a recent family matter in which I was involved. In a small parking lot at a North Ocean City restaurant, I accidentally bumped into a parked vehicle.

The owner and I exchanged vehicle and personal information, as required by law in Maryland. My teenage son and I then proceeded to dine in a restaurant, where I had a public verbal disagreement with him. There was an exchange of words between my son and me. Have you ever disagreed with your children, especially your teenagers? However, as a public official, this should have been discussed privately, and not in a public venue where I interrupted the dining environment of the patrons. My apologies to all diners who were at the restaurant to enjoy their meal and the people with whom they were dining.

Thereafter, my brief ordeal was referred to in an official police press release. To clear the air and set the record straight, I apologized publicly during the next council work session for what transpired. At that time, the Town’s City Solicitor advised City Council members that this was an unfortunate family matter and that this was outside any authority of City Charter law. That should have been the end of the story.

However, some people have used social media to turn a simple family matter into an overblown political situation of unfavorable labels, lies, negative conjectures, and fabrications to change the truth. To be open and honest, an official inquiry by the police was completed and unbiased. They did their jobs, and I commend them for doing so. I would expect nothing less.

To the people of Ocean City, whom I serve, my personal public disagreement with my son, which should have been done in our home and not at a diner, was unacceptable, and I offer my sincere apologies once again. I simply ask the citizens of Ocean City, whom I serve, do we believe everything on social media? Do we let those individuals who have unfounded accusations usurp the power of social media when the truth is not what they seek?

Let me be clear. There was no evidence of a crime being committed, or that some rule or regulation was broken. I ask that you not let social media manipulate and alter the truth. I write this letter to explain what truly happened. I believe I owe you that as your Councilman and as an elected official. I continue to serve with openness so that you, the citizens of Ocean City, can come to your own conclusions. I trust you. “I believe in Ocean City.” No matter what adversity one might face, I can rely on this fact, “I believe in Ocean City.” Despite the social media lies, my belief in you to see the truth has not wavered.

Thank you for reading this letter.

Respectfully, Mark Paddack

Page 69

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green It’s a shame to see Administrator Jeff Fleetwood leave Berlin. He made it clear this week he is retiring by his own volition. He is ready to move on and grateful for the almost 13 years he spent in Berlin.

Fleetwood had the respect of the citizens and most elected officials as well as his work colleagues. Fleetwood had the respect of most citizens who were disturbed this week by the suddenness of his departure. There are numerous stories to illustrate his dedication. When a utility cover was dislodged on my street on a Sunday a few years ago, causing a hazard, I texted him with a picture. He replied, “on it.” Within 20 minutes, it was replaced by a town staff member on call. I saw him for years each morning around 6 walking the streets of Berlin. Just this past week, he asked for a favor with help putting together a public recognition advertisement for Marvin Smith, who is retiring from the town after 30 years next week. He did not sound like a guy ready to walk out the door, but he says he has been planning to retire for about a year.

Fleetwood dismissed the idea his obviously tense relationship with Mayor Zack Tyndall led to his departure one year before the end of his contract. While acknowledging he and Tyndall have contrasting leadership styles, Fleetwood said he would be retiring this year even if Gee Williams was still mayor. Fleetwood clearly did not want to go out with a huge controversy over his retirement. He maintained the high road saying, “I am retiring. I am tired,” multiple times this week. For his part, Tyndall refused to comment on a personnel matter, but other council members bid a fond farewell to Fleetwood when asked for comment by a reporter.

While I can appreciate the ease of the high road, as a newspaper editor, it’s incumbent to look a bit deeper. Fleetwood and Tyndall were rarely on the same page, especially on finances. Budget time was always a difficult process and this year has been the most challenging yet under Tyndall’s term. Differing leadership styles aside, there were fundamental differences on most matters pertaining to Berlin as well as communication issues. Fleetwood expressed his desire Monday night after a budget meeting to retire in early June, but the mayor wanted him gone by week’s end and said the town would pay him until June. This outcome, which the council did not support, confirms the state of the working relationship.

Though the original stop work date of June 3 is still not enough time to find a replacement, Fleetwood’s sudden departure leaves town hall short staffed and losing a leader valued by his colleagues. There is no transition plan and no obvious internal candidate to promote like Fleetwood was when his predecessor was fired in 2019. It will take months to conduct a search and find a replacement, especially when word gets around in government circles about the friction between the former administrator and the current mayor. There is veteran leadership at town hall with Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen assuming Fleetwood’s duties, but it’s going to take some time and money to replace Fleetwood.

It’s best for Ocean City Councilman Mark Paddack to simply step away.

His attempt at an apology through a letter to the editor only exacerbated the situation. Rather than be contrite and sincere in his attempt to “clear the air,” the first-term councilman’s words only hurt the public’s perception of him. He explained the most recent situation that occurred between him and his son, while railing against the manipulations of social media, saying, “Do we let those individuals who have unfounded accusations usurp the power of social media when the truth is not what they seek?”

The apology letter missed the mark, but especially the part about his son when he said after the accident in the restaurant parking lot, “My teenage son and I then proceeded to dine in a restaurant, where I had a public verbal disagreement with him. There was an exchange of words between my son and me. Have you ever disagreed with your children, especially your teenagers? However, as a public official, this should have been discussed privately, and not in a public venue where I interrupted the dining environment of the patrons. My apologies to all diners who were at the restaurant to enjoy their meal and the people with whom they were dining. … To the people of Ocean City, whom I serve, my personal public disagreement with my son, which should have been done in our home and not at a diner, was unacceptable, and I offer my sincere apologies once again. I simply ask the citizens of Ocean City, whom I serve, do we believe everything on social media? Do we let those individuals who have unfounded accusations usurp the power of social media when the truth is not what they seek?”

There has been some speculation of late over whether a county petition to referendum could block the bond for the sports complex from moving ahead. At this week’s County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Chip Bertino asked, “is there anything within the county code for a countywide referendum?” Commission President Joe Mitrecic replied, “We are home rule, so no.” It’s interesting how things have changed if that’s true, as there have been county referenda in the past – including several to dissolve the liquor board monopoly with the most recent being in 1998.

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Puzzle Answers

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April 22, 2022

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

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hen I reflect back on parenting years from now, I am certain there will not be a longing for the morning rush hour around the house.

A friend and I caught up recently over some local politics. After we solved all the current issues, the conversation quickly divulged into a commiseration about our early mornings.

It went like this: Me: Hey, just saw you at school drop off, so thought we could catch up or do you need some quiet time after the morning?

Him: [Laughing] No I’m good, but yeah I am feeling it. [Child’s name] fell asleep in the shower and [other child’s name] was having a day and will be late.

Me: Yeah, I parked across the street one day a year ago so now we have to make the long walk every single morning, no matter rain, snow, sleet …

Him: Yeah, I see you guys and giggle every day.

Me: Yeah me too, but that is one sweet walk back after he goes into school.

Him: I feel that way driving off, too.

Me: Do you think you will miss these days later in life?

Him: Ummm Me: Because I will not. I know we are told to not wish it away, but I’m going to be fine without all the morning drama.

Him: Agreed, nope not going to miss it.

We then reviewed the chaos that ensues at our individual houses.

Though both my sons go to school in the mornings at different times – Carson at 7:30 and Beckett at 8 -- I purposely start making noise about 6:30 each morning. I run the blender and open and close a door or three louder than usual. I want them to know the wake-up call is imminent.

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Carson has always been an early riser, but over the last month I have needed to wake him up every school day morning. The routine – it’s an Autism thing -- is one I have come to accept but nonetheless I marvel over the absurdity of it all.

I walk into his room intentionally trying to wake him up. Once he is awoken, he pulls the covers over his head.

I know that means I must leave the room. He then stomps at the top of the stairs for me to come back upstairs. I go into his room, pull off his weighted blanket, which he says he can’t pull off on his own (it’s a fib). He’s capable but chooses not to because it’s the routine we have created. He then orders me out of the room. He then makes his bed in his meticulous fashion with the pillows arranged in a certain peculiar way. He likes for me to hand him his pillows.

After he makes his bed, he gets dressed and hangs out in his room until 7:15 when he is to come downstairs.

He will not come down on his own, however. Pam or I must go back upstairs and remind him (usually involving a threat or two about losing something). He acts surprised by the news.

He knows it’s coming because a nearby alarm clock is reminding him. I then must leave the kitchen for him to come into it to have his breakfast. Once he’s seated, I can then return to the kitchen. After he eats, another new routine starts, leading us to the car. It’s an Autism thing.

Oddly enough, on weekend mornings, Carson wakes up especially early.

It’s because we do not let him have his iPad before school on weekdays and we do on weekends. He wants to take advantage of it. Last Saturday, in fact, he came into our room at 4:42 in the morning. “No way Carson, way too early,” I said.

He stood there and through his nonverbal mannerisms I could tell he was

bummed. I told him to sleep for another hour. He was back at 5:42. I am not sure if he actually went back to sleep.

As for Beckett, he is a bear to wake up every single morning without fail.

If he does get up on his own, it’s usually because he’s not feeling well or when he was younger wet the bed. On school days, I dread the task of getting him out of bed. He can’t be trusted to just stir a bit and then get up. He requires prodding.

Though he has gotten better about it, a few times a month he falls asleep in the shower because there is a stool in it. He’s just not a morning person. At 13 years old, I understand it but without us around I wonder if he would ever make it to school on time.

Equally challenging is the getting dressed part. He wears a uniform to school, but it doesn’t make the process easier. He gets dressed in shifts. He puts his pants on and has his breakfast. He then puts a shirt on and makes his bed. The last to get put on are the belt, socks, shoes and tie. Last because last to be found. Somehow it all comes together by the time to go school, but it’s not without some anxious moments and raised voices followed by deep breaths at drop off.

When a fellow parent with older kids read a recent column, one bemoaning how ridiculous some aspects of parenting are, she sent me a text reminding not to wish anything away. She wrote, “just don’t forget to really enjoy the good times. Eventually, they will be all you remember, and you don’t want to feel like you missed any minute.”

This is sound advice. Ten years from now, I will have forgotten all about the nuttiness of the mornings (and I will not miss them one bit).

(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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April 22, 2022