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High Bids Derail Resort Park Plans

Berlin Police Pay Concerns Continue

Two Locals Killed In Collisions

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High Bids Put Downtown Park Project On Hold

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BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The planned redevelopment of the downtown recreation and parks complex was put on pause this week after the contractor bids came in significantly higher than what was budgeted.

In recent years, town officials have been planning for a major redevelopment of the downtown recreation and parks complex along the bayside between 3rd and 4th streets. The large swath of open space in an otherwise densely developed downtown area has served many purposes over the years, but is showing its age and is generally unpleasing and unwelcoming aesthetically.

To that end, the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department two years ago initiated a process to begin redeveloping the

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complex. A consultant was hired to redesign certain elements of the park and add new amenities. Those plans have been reviewed and tweaked at different levels during the process, but the town was ready to pull the trigger with funding included in a bond sale for the first phase of the project.

During Tuesday’s work session, the submitted contractor bids for the first phase of the project were opened with disappointing results. Just two bids were submitted for the budgeted $2.2 million project, and each were significantly higher than what was budgeted. For example, one of the bids came in at around $3.8 million, while the second came in at nearly $5 million, or more than twice what was budgeted.

As a result, the recommendation from City Manager Terry McGean was to put the project on the back burner for now in

order to better gauge fluctuations in the construction market and rebid the project at a later date. The council ultimately voted unanimously to put the project on hiatus for now and rebid the first phase again later. McGean said there is some grant funding available, but it comes with some contingencies including the town’s financial commitment to the project.

“I think it’s indicative of the market,” he said. “We have some grant funding available, but one of the conditions is the amount of money we spend ahead of time. We can’t get the grant until December.”

As a result, McGean said the recommendation was to simply put the redevelopment of the downtown recreation complex on hold.

“My recommendation is we delay this project for one year,” he said. “I suggest we stand down on this project.”

July 15, 2022

Councilman Mark Paddack, who serves on the town’s Recreation and Parks Committee, made a motion to put the project on hold for now, a motion approved unanimously by his colleagues.

“I know how hard the staff and the committee worked on this,” he said. “These bids are totally way outside our fiduciary responsibility to the citizens and the taxpayers.”

Later that day, during a Recreation and Parks Committee meeting, Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito referenced the bloated bids for the downtown recreation complex redevelopment again.

“The bids came in way, way high,” she said. “The recommendation was to delay the project and give our contractors more time.”

Petito said despite the setback, progress could still be made on certain elements of the redevelopment project.

“We will continue to work on the skate park expansion aspect of the overall project,” she said. “We’re going to back off of the overall project for right now and we’ll get a better understanding of where we are. We continue doing what we can to keep the project moving forward.”

The park redevelopment will eventually be done in phases, with the first phase covering the infrastructure for both the east and west sections. Included in the first phase will be paths, utilities, stormwater management, landscaping, lighting, the relocation of the basketball courts, the expansion of the Ocean Bowl skate park and the construction of a new skate park office and restroom.

The second phase includes a new playground in the northwest corner of section of the complex on the west side of St. Louis Avenue. The third phase includes new tennis and pickleball courts and new restrooms on the western portion of the complex. The fourth and final phase includes another playground on the western portion of the complex, along with exercise equipment.

For the east section, the plan includes an expanded skate park, relocating the existing basketball courts in the area of the park closest to Philadelphia Avenue and an improved inclusive playground area.

The east section would be connected to the west section via the raised pedestrian walkway across St. Louis Avenue. There was some early discussion about closing that portion of St. Louis Avenue, but that idea got little traction.

The section to the west would be less developed and more passive. It includes a vast flexible lawn in the center surrounded by trees for pickup sports and other events, a playground area, a spot for a pavilion or future temporary band stage for future special events and new restrooms for the entire complex. The recreational fishing areas along the bulkhead would also be retained.

A key element in the overall park complex redevelopment is the expansion of the decades-old Ocean Bowl skate park.

Again, the plan calls for an upgrade of the existing facility along with the addition of popular street-skate elements. The expansion will take the skate park from its existing 10,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet.

July 15, 2022

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July 15, 2022

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Police Seek Suspect In Fatal Hit-And-Run Collision

July 15, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

BERLIN – A 14-year-old Ocean Pines male was killed in a hit-and-run collision late Monday night.

The Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run crash around 10:45 p.m. on Monday on Grays Corner Road near Riddle Lane in Berlin. The victim, a 14-year-old boy from Ocean Pines, was pronounced deceased at Atlantic General Hospital.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was a pedestrian on Grays Corner Road around Riddle Lane when he

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was struck by a vehicle traveling east on Grays Corner Road. The victim was crossing the roadway to return to a passenger vehicle. As the victim was crossing the road, he was struck by a motor vehicle, which fled the scene and did not return.

Attempts are being made to identify the suspect vehicle through camera footage. Some information about the suspected vehicle is known and has been shared with area law enforcement agencies. Based on evidence at the scene and through the continuing investigation, Maryland State Police troopers believe the vehicle that struck the victim is a dark-col-

ored Mercedes, likely a 2011 or 2012, according to police reports. Officers believe the vehicle sustained damage to the driver’s side mirror and the headlight.

MSP officers continued all week to search for the vehicle that struck and killed the victim. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the suspect vehicle is urged to contact the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101, or Corporal Kevin Moore of the MSP Crash Team at 410-819-4721.

As of Thursday morning, no suspect or suspected vehicle had been located in the fatal hit-and-run case. Friends of the victim’s family have set up a GoFundMe

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donation account to help with expenses.

As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe account had surpassed $32,000. The fund organizer said the money will be used “to honor [name removed] in a way that shows how much he was loved and cherished by so many.”

The popular teen, who was to enter high school in the fall, was described as an avid fisherman, hunter, skateboarder, surfer and soccer player. A portion of the funds donated through the GoFundMe account will be donated to the Surfers Healing program, which would have meant so much to the victim, according to friends and family.

Police Captain Tapped For Deputy City Manager Post

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A familiar name and face was tapped this week to fill the resort’s newly-created deputy city manager position.

Earlier this year, City Manager Terry McGean recommended creating a new deputy city manager position to assist with running the day-to-day operations of the city. McGean pitched the idea after determining there were 15 town departments that report directly to the city manager.

McGean recommended creating the deputy city manager position to siphon off some of the direct reports to his office, giving him more time to be an effective and proactive city manager.

In April, the Mayor and Council ap-

proved the new position and the process to find an individual to fill the spot began in earnest. McGean stressed from the beginning he believed the position could be best filled internally.

On Tuesday, McGean recommended the deputy city manager position be filled by Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Captain Elton Harmon, a recommendation the council ultimately approved.

“We discussed the ELTON creation of a deputy city HARMON manager position and you approved it,” he said. “I stressed at the time I probably had strong internal candidates, particularly in the public safety division. During that meeting I stated my intentions to advertise the position internally only

based on my belief we had strong talent in-house.”

McGean explained the process by which Harmon was ultimately recommended.

“We received five strong applications,” he said. “I then appointed a committee to assist with interviewing the candidates. Each candidate was asked a series of questions and able to provide additional remarks and ask questions of the committee.”

The list of five potential candidates was winnowed to two, and McGean was left with the decision to make on the finalists.

“After the interview process, two candidates stood out and I met individually with both,” he said. “It gives me great pleasure to make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council to appoint Elton

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Harmon as the deputy city manager.”

Harmon joined the OCPD as a seasonal officer in 1996 and was part of the first class of seasonal officers to be trained in bicycle patrol in 1997. He became a full-time officer in 1997 and has since served the department in several capacities including patrol sergeant, acting patrol lieutenant, assistant commander for the support services division, special projects and community services lieutenant, assistant commander of the criminal investigation division, and, most recently, captain of the patrol division.

Harmon has also served as defensive tactics unit coordinator, departmental armorer and as a 20-year veteran of the OCPD’s quick response team. McGean said those attributes are part of what made Harmon an attractive candidate for the deputy city manager position.

“Some of the reasons that I have for making the recommendation is his diverse experience working with the police department,” he said. “He worked his way through the ranks, and he served as captain of two divisions. He has worked with virtually every department in the city in some form or fashion.”

McGean said Harmon really shined in his ability to handle large budgets as the administrative captain for the department.

“As the administrative captain, he handled the largest budget in the city,” he said. “He also has extensive experience serving as the special events and special projects coordinator for the police department. He has a proven record of leadership and the knowledge and understanding of what I believe are all of the issues that will affect the city.”

When it came down to making a final decision, McGean said Harmon’s intangible traits are what separated him from the other qualified applicants for the position.

“He has shown intelligence and flexibility and an excellent personality,” he said. “Most importantly, and what I came back to over and over as I made my decision, is his experience as a police captain during arguably some of the toughest periods in the history of Ocean City.”

He continued, “His leadership addressing crime on the Boardwalk speaks for itself. We just had a police commission meeting and crime in June was down significantly, and I think Captain Harmon has had a lot to do with that.”

Mayor Rick Meehan applauded the choice and agreed the pool of potential final candidates reflected well on the leadership in the ranks of department heads and employees.

“I think it was an excellent choice,” he said. “I think the city manager went through an excellent process to come up with the recommendation. I understand there were other good candidates as well, and that speaks well for our staff and our employees as a whole. Everybody up here looks forward to working with you.”

Berlin Stormwater Fees To Double

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols is pictured addressing resident Gabe Purnell’s stormwater complaints at Monday’s town council meeting.

Photo by Charlene Sharpe

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Stormwater fees in Berlin will double in September following a decision by the town council this week.

On Monday, the Berlin Town Council voted 3-1 to increase the residential stormwater fee from $50 a year to $100 a year effective Sept. 1. The increase is meant to fund capital projects that the stormwater utility hasn’t had funding for during the past four years.

“We’ve been looking at a stormwater fund with no investment in capital projects,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “We hear that as one of the chief complaints from the residents, that our streets are flooding and our stormwater system is not up to par.”

While the town is using some of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to focus on stormwater projects, a resolution doubling the annual stormwater fee was up for consideration Monday.

The resolution doubled the residential rate and increased the non-residential rate to $35 per ERU (equivalent residential unit) annually with a minimum of $100.

Tyndall said the increase would cover capital projects that have been identified previously but the stormwater department hasn’t been able to pursue because of its lack of funds.

Resident Marie Velong said she didn’t feel the proposed rates were fair. She said it seemed like in some cases residents paid more than businesses. She added that as more houses had been built in her neighborhood, she’d seen stormwater issues increase.

“I’ve been here 48 years,” she said.

“My property has only gone and sunk because of the houses around me.”

Flower Street property owner Gabe Purnell said the town seemed to lack stormwater planning.

“It’s scary as hell what I’m hearing,” he said.

Purnell said the town had permitted a major construction project on Maple Avenue and yet wasn’t taking care of the drainage issues that already existed in

that neighborhood.

“All the water drains to the east side… ,” he said. “It’s sad. Nobody’s doing anything about it.”

He added that his wife, Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell, had looked into the matter and determined the ditch causing problems belonged to the town.

Town staff however said that when they’d researched the issue they found the tax ditch in question was the responsibility of the county.

Purnell remained adamant the town could have done more to address flooding there. He added that the town would have allowed a second major construction project on Maple Avenue if residents hadn’t come out and voiced concerns.

“The east side you don’t give a damn about it as far as I’m concerned in some cases,” he said.

Councilman Dean Burrell said different people had different perceptions.

“I perceive there are good things going on in the east side of Berlin,” he said.

Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said she’d met with Maple Avenue residents and tried to help with the situation.

“Due diligence don’t stop in Snow Hill,” she said. “We try very hard to do that here. I live on the east side, born and raised, and until the day I leave this place, meaning in a casket, I am going to do my due diligence for the east side. It’s wrong to say we don’t do a damn thing because we try every day to do so.”

Purnell said he just wanted to see something get done to alleviate the flooding in the area.

“Let’s do something about it,” he said.

Resident and Berlin business owner Steve Green, who pointed out that his commercial stormwater bill was four times what his residential bill was, asked how much additional review the increase would bring the town.

Staff said the increased fee would bring in $75,400 from residences and $48,000 from businesses.

The council voted 3-1, with Councilman Jack Orris opposed, to approve the fee increase.

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Washed Up Military Ordnance Detonated

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Local Killed Crossing 50 Bridge

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BERLIN – The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office along with the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office Bomb Squad and the United States Air Force 436th Civil Engineer Squadron - Emergency Ordnance Disposal team responded to Assateague Island National Seashore Wednesday for a suspected military ordnance that washed ashore.

Maryland State Park Rangers reported the suspicious device, which triggered the response of the Fire Marshal’s Office and other teams to investigate. Technicians determined the ordnance, which had been in the ocean for an unknown amount of time, needed to be rendered safe in place.

After clearing the beach of bystanders, the ordnance was rendered safe and the beach was detonated around 8 p.m.

From 1944 to 1947, during World War II, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Corps used the Maryland portion of Assateague Island as a bombing and strafing range. Air crews would fly from Chincoteague, Va. and Manteo, N.C. would fire practice rockets, bombs and machine guns from the air at targets on the ground. If a member of the public observes any suspicious devices washing up on local beaches immediately report it to local authorities for further investigation.

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July 15, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A local man has died after being struck by a vehicle on Wednesday attempting to cross the Route 50 Bridge.

Around 8:05 p.m. on Wednesday, Maryland State Police troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to the Route 50 Bridge for a reported single-vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. The preliminary investigation revealed a pedestrian was attempting to cross both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the bridge from the westbound pedestrian walkway.

While crossing the road, the pedestrian, later identified as Daniel Joseph Hicken, 33, of Bishopville, was struck by

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a 1997 Chevrolet truck operated by Anthony Capriotti, Jr., 19, of Levittown Pa., in the first lane of the westbound side of the bridge. Due to injuries sustained, Hicken was transported by Delaware State Police aviation to Christiana Hospital. By mid-morning on Thursday, social media posts from family and friends indicated Hicken had died from injuries sustained in the collision.

All lanes of the Route 50 bridge were closed for about four hours while the investigation was conducted. The State Highway Administration responded to assist with traffic control. Additional assistance was provided by the Ocean City Police Department, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Ocean City FireEMS. Charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing.

OCEAN CITY – Resort police continue to actively look for a suspect wanted on several outstanding warrants this morning after a chase during which he entered a north-end hotel and resort.

Around 2 a.m. on Monday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 31st Street. During the traffic stop, OCPD officer believed the driver was under the influence and the passenger was giving a false name. In addition, the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.

When officers asked the occupants to step out of the vehicle, the vehicle fled from the traffic scene and traveled north on Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed with no lights on, according to police reports. OCPD officers did not pursue but kept a visual on the vehicle.

Officers successfully deployed stop sticks twice, flattening the vehicle’s front tires. The vehicle then turned onto Old Bridge Road and came to a stop. Both the driver and passenger then fled on foot. Officers established a perimeter and began a search for the suspects, according to police reports.

During the search, with the assistance of Maryland State Police helicopter

Trooper 4, the driver was located and taken into custody. The passenger was identified as Terrell Jones, who has several active warrants, according to police reports. An empty gun holster was located during a search of the vehicle.

About two hours later, Jones was observed crossing Coastal Highway at Old Landing Road. Officers attempted to stop Jones and a foot pursuit ensued. Jones fled into a nearby hotel. After an extensive search of the hotel, it was determined to discontinue the search TERRELL JONES inside the hotel because of an event arriving at the establishment.

As of Thursday, Jones remained atlarge and the investigation is active. At the time of the incident, Jones was last seen wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt, pink flamingo swim-style shorts and was carrying a fanny pack over his shoulder, according to police reports. Later on Monday, the suspect was observed running westbound across Baltimore Avenue at 12th Street.

Anyone with information is urged to call the OCPD at 410-723-6600. Anonymous tips can also be provided to the Crime Tip Line at 410-520-5136 or email crimetips@oceancitymd.gov.

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Page 13

Three Arrested In Bizarre Incident Involving Shots Fired

Page 14

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

MANAGING EDITOR

Sunset Delight:

The sky on Sunday evening throughout the region was a sight to behold. Above was the scene over Coastal Highway near 94th Street.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Berlin – Three local individuals are being held without bond this week in Wicomico County for attempted first-degree murder and other serious charges for their alleged roles in the pistol-whipping of a man in Worcester County on Monday night.

Around 9:53 p.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a 911 call advising an individual with possible gunshot wounds at a residence on Hayes Landing Road. Upon arrival, troopers located a victim identified as Joseph Cooper III, 26, of Newark, with traumatic injuries to his head, according to police reports.

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Cooper was transported by MSP Aviation to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. He was treated and released the following day. It was determined the victim had not suffered gunshot wounds, according to police reports.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was called to the scene to assume the investigation. Detectives learned three suspects, identified as Kimberly Worley, 31, of Pittsville; Avontae Fortt, 27, of Salisbury; and Jaquan Cannon, 31, of Salisbury, had gone to Cooper’s residence in Newark for a pre-arranged purchase of a PlayStation gaming device, according to police reports.

During the exchange, Fortt allegedly struck the victim in the back of the head with a pistol, while also firing several rounds from the gun. The suspects then fled the scene in a white Chevrolet Impala. A description of the vehicle was broadcasted to all local law enforcement agencies in surrounding jurisdictions.

Around 10:35 p.m. on Monday, MSP troopers and Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputies located the suspects’ vehicle traveling north on business Route 13 in Salisbury. After failing to stop for emergency vehicles, the suspects’ vehicle failed to control its speed and collided with a fence in the area of Liberty Street and Route 13 around 10:45 p.m. on Monday, according to police reports.

Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to detain all three suspects.

During the arrest, Fortt allegedly assaulted Wicomico County deputies. In addition, illegal narcotics and a loaded 9mm handgun were located in the vehicle.

Worley has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and numerous other charges for the Worcester County incident. She was also held on numerous outstanding warrants from Wicomico County and Worcester County including burglary, assault and trespassing. As of midweek, she was being held in the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Fortt has been charged with attempted first-degree and attempted seconddegree murder, first- and second-degree assault, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and multiple other charges. He is also being held in the Wicomico County Detention Center this week.

Cannon was charged as being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun and a loaded firearm and possession of illegal drugs. He also had outstanding warrants in Wicomico County for burglary, assault and trespassing.

He also is being held this week without bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Berlin Man Pleads Guilty To Theft

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Thousands Stolen From HOA

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A Berlin man awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to a theft scheme involving a local homeowners association.

Berlin resident Andrew Charles Riley, 60, faced multiple charges related to the theft of close to $16,000 from the Henry Mill Home Owners Association. Riley accepted a plea offer from the state and pleaded guilty to a count of theft scheme from $1,500 to $25,000.

“Sentencing was postponed for a pre-sentence investigation and so that the victims can be present to give impact statements to the court,” Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser said in an email.

According to charging documents, the Berlin Police Department received a complaint regarding embezzlement/theft from the Henry Mill Home Owners Association (HOA) in April.

The treasurer of the HOA reportedly told police he’d noticed inconsistencies in the organization’s financial statements. As he reviewed the statements, he identified several questionable transactions made by the HOA’s previous treasurer, Riley. The complainant told police he’d identified $15,823.18 in transactions that occurred between 2016 and 2020 and had brought the information to the HOA’s board of directors, which opted to bring the matter to the police.

Investigators identified several checks written from the HOA account

by Riley either to himself, his company or his wife, according to charging documents. While several ranged from $130 to $675, one check for $9,550 included a memo of tree removal while another for $3,600 listed just an invoice number on the memo line.

“When asked, Riley told Investigators that he didn’t remember writing any fraudulent checks,” charging documents read. “Riley went on to state that the scope of his company, Riley & Company LLC was for bookkeeping and tax preparation services only.”

When asked what services his company provided the HOA, Riley told police he filed the yearly tax return form.

When investigators asked how much money the company made from the HOA, Riley said he’d charged “a couple hundred dollars” a year for invoices and postage.

“When asked about the check written for tree removal, Riley stated that he didn’t remember writing those,” documents read. “Riley went on to state that he often paid for HOA expenses from his own account and reimbursed himself through the HOA account. Ri-

ley stated he did this to make things whole.”

Riley reportedly told investigators he’d provide legitimate invoice documentation to prove his statements.

Instead, they received a call from his attorney inquiring if Riley could pay back the money he was accused of taking “to avoid further investigation and possible prosecution.” According to charging documents the attorney was advised that the HOA wanted to further the official police investigation.

On June 1, Riley was charged with one count of theft $10,000 to under $100,000, one count of theft scheme $10,000 to under $100,000, one count of theft $1,500 to under $25,000 and one count of theft scheme $1,500 to under $25,000.

Heiser said Riley accepted a plea offer and plead guilty to the latter count of theft scheme.

“Full restitution of nearly $16,000 has already been provided by the Defendant prior to sentencing, and the State is recommending that the Defendant serve a period of incarceration to be determined by the court,” Heiser said.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Hardwire Donates Emergency Shields To County Schools

July 15, 2022

NEWARK – In an effort to continue to improve and enhance existing safety protocols, the Worcester County Board of Education accepted an in-kind donation of emergency response shields from Hardwire, LLC. At its July 12 meeting, the Worcester County Board of Education accepted a donation from Pocomoke City-based company Hardwire, LLC to fully outfit every school in Worcester County with the latest generation of its Emergency Response Shields.

In 2018, Hardwire had previously donated two Emergency Response Shields to each school as well as the Worcester County Board of Education Office, and outfitted Pocomoke High School with 30 shields as part of a whole-school pilot program.

“We remain incredibly grateful for the generosity and support shown by our local business community, and Hardwire, LLC, is no exception. George and Emily Tunis have been an instrumental partner to WCPS in this critical area for schools,” Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor said. “It’s clear that learning cannot happen if students don’t feel safe within their learning environment. The shields donated by Hardwire provide us with another tool in our multi-faceted approach to safety and security in our schools.”

The Emergency Response Shields, manufactured locally by Hardwire, LLC, meet the Level III ballistic protection standards of the National Institute of Justice, meaning they are built to withstand ammunition from assault rifles, handguns and shotguns.

Each school will receive an appropriate number of shields to be installed strategically throughout each building alongside other life-saving tools such as fire extinguishers. This placement, according to Hardwire, is designed so the shields are easily accessible throughout each building for use by able-bodied individuals inside the school as well as by first responders arriving on site in a crisis.

This deployment mimics fire code where fire extinguishers are already evenly distributed in case of a fire; in this case, Emergency Response Shields are distributed in the case of gunfire.

In conjunction with the installation of the shields, Hardwire will continue to provide a comprehensive training program for administration, teachers and staff which will be implemented and maintained in partnership with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

“Events like Uvalde are family and community-shattering. The safety of students and teachers in our local community is extremely important to us,” said George Tunis, CEO of Hardwire. “Hardwire is proud to take a proactive role in providing security and peace of mind to Worcester County and the Lower Shore, and we applaud Worcester County for its leadership in ensuring tools are available to staff and students to deter and protect against active shooters.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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New Assault Charge In June Incident

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A Waldorf, Md. man was charged with first-degree assault this week after resort police discovered from surveillance video he allegedly brandished a knife during an incident in June.

Around 2:15 a.m. on June 22, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to the area of 28th Street for a reported verbal argument in progress. Officers met a female victim who advised she had been in a nearby bar when she was approached by another acquaintance, identified as Brandon Hudson, 34, of Snow Hill, according to police reports.

The victim told police Hudson was making her uncomfortable, so she gathered her belongings and went out to the establishment’s parking lot. According to police reports, Hudson followed her outside, displayed a large pocketknife then threatened to stab her, according to police reports. Hudson reportedly lunged at the victim at least four times with the knife and the victim believed he was actively trying to kill her.

Hudson was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree assault and other counts. He remains behind bars after being ordered to be held without bond. During the course of the investigation, OCPD officers determined there was a second suspect involved in the in-

July 15, 2022

cident who brandished a knife, later identified as Michael Schilling, 48, of Waldorf, Md. Last week, OCPD officers were reviewing surveillance video of the incident in preparation for the adjudication of the first-degree assault charge against Hudson. In the surveillance video, officers observed Hudson and the female victim involved in an altercation during which Hudson brandished a knife.

However, officers observed in the video Schilling enter the scene in the parking lot and also brandish a knife, according to police reports. The video revealed an apparently intoxicated Schilling pacing around the parking lot. Hudson re-entered the scene and began arguing with Schilling, according to police reports.

Schilling reportedly brandished a knife and displayed it to Hudson in an attempt to intimidate him. Hudson retreated and Schilling advanced toward him with the knife at his side, according to police reports.

In the video, officers observed several other individuals attempt to stop Schilling from advancing on Hudson. Schilling was waving the knife around carelessly while others were attempting to subdue him, putting the other individuals involved at risk, according to police reports. Schilling this week was formally charged with firstdegree assault for his role in the altercation. He was initially held without bond, but was later released on a $10,000 bond.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Gun Found During Traffic Stop OCEAN CITY – An Aberdeen, Md. man was arrested on multiple charges last week after allegedly being found with a handgun shoved where the sun doesn’t shine.

Around 12:20 a.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers observed a vehicle traveling on Coastal Highway with a headlight out in the area of 45th Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop near the Convention Center and determined the driver was wanted on outstanding warrants.

The officer also detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, according to police reports.

The officer asked the occupants to step out of the vehicle and identified a rear passenger as Jonathan McClendon, 24, of Aberdeen, Md. McClendon was reportedly carrying a backpack, which the officer advised him to put back into the vehicle. McClendon threw the backpack back into the vehicle.

A search of the backpack revealed sev-

COPS & COURTS eral packets of suboxone and plastic bags of heroin, according to police reports. McClendon was arrested at that point for drug possession. While searching McClendon subsequent to his arrest, an OCPD officer located an unidentified object in McClendon’s anus, according to police reports.

OCPD officers tried unsuccessfully to remove the object from McClendon’s person. He was reportedly loaded into a transport vehicle, where he moved around in his seat as if he was uncomfortable, according to police reports. McClendon reportedly fell between the seat and the metal cage as if he had fallen on purpose, according to police reports.

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When officers removed McClendon from the transport vehicle at police headquarters, they discovered a silver handgun on the floor of the transport vehicle, according to police reports. OCPD officers determined the unknown object they could not remove from McClendon was the handgun they had discovered on the floor of the transport vehicle, according to police reports.

McClendon reportedly admitting possession of the handgun, although he denied knowing anything about drugs in the vehicle. All in all, OCPD officers located in the vehicle 76 individually-wrapped packages of suboxone along with over $3,400

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July 15, 2022 in fake currency. McClendon was charged with possession of a firearm on his person and in a vehicle, and possession of suboxone and heroin.

Resort Flasher Charged OCEAN CITY – A Bellcamp, Md. man was arrested on multiple counts of indecent exposure last week after allegedly flashing two women in the midtown area and later running naked and exposing himself to another female at a downtown condo complex.

Around 2 a.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to the area of 70th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported indecent exposure incident. OCPD officers met with two female individuals who advised they were walking north on Coastal Highway when they observed a man, later identified as Jason Morgan, 45, of Bellcamp, Md., standing in a municipal bus stop.

According to police reports, Morgan walked up to the two females and exposed his private parts to them. The female victims told police Morgan asked them if they wanted to have a threesome, according to police reports. The female victims continued walking north on Coastal Highway and called 911. The victims told police they would be able to positively identify Morgan if he was apprehended.

About 2:20 a.m., OCPD officers received another call from dispatch about an indecent exposure incident at 37th Street. OCPD officers met with a female victim who advised a man later identified as Morgan was running around a condominium parking lot at 37th Street completely naked. The victim reportedly told police Morgan jumped out at her on a sidewalk and exposed his private parts to her before getting into a car completely naked and driving off with no lights on.

A short time later, OCPD officers located the vehicle in the parking lot of a hotel at 66th Street with Morgan inside.

The victims from the original incident at 70th Street were brought to the scene and positively identified Morgan as the suspect who had exposed himself to them, according to police reports.

When interviewed, Morgan reportedly told police “I’m sorry,” and “I didn’t mean any harm, I just wanted to go skinny dipping.” A background check revealed Morgan was a registered sex offender in Maryland. However, Morgan told police during a subsequent interview he was not required to check in prior to coming to Ocean City and that he was off the sex offender registry and was no longer on probation, according to police reports.

When asked about the first incident, Morgan reportedly told police he saw some girls walking on the side of the road while he was driving and only asked them if they wanted to go skinny dipping. When asked if he flashed anyone, Morgan told police he took his shorts off and that he didn’t have anything on under his shorts.

He was charged with multiple counts of indecent exposure.

More Indecent Exposure OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania woman was arrested last weekend after allegedly exposing herself to a female victim multiple times at a Boardwalk hotel.

Around 3 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were SEE NEXT PAGE

July 15, 2022

... COPS & COURTS dispatched to a Boardwalk hotel for a reported indecent exposure incident. Officers interviewed a female victim who reported a suspect later identified as Evelyn Garcia-DeJesus, 35, of Lancaster, Pa. was in the lobby of the hotel and exposed her breasts to her, according to police reports.

The victim reportedly told police Garcia-DeJesus was getting close to her, trying to touch her and was flirting with her.

The victim told police Garcia-DeJesus would not leave the lobby area, kept going behind the front desk and into an employee-only area, according to police reports.

The victim told police Garcia-DeJesus kept flashing her and lifting up her skirt, exposing her private area. While speaking with the victim, Garcia-DeJesus exited a hotel elevator and she was placed under arrest for indecent exposure. The victim said after Garcia-DeJesus flashed her and flirted with her in the lobby, she went outside to sit in front of the hotel and Garcia-DeJesus followed her and exposed her vagina to her again. Garcia-DeJesus was arrested and charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.

Dine-And-Dash, Drugs OCEAN CITY – A Hancock, Md. man was arrested on theft and drug possession charges last week after allegedly skipping out on a bill at a downtown restaurant.

Around 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to a downtown restaurant

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch for a reported theft of service. The officer met with a server, who reported he had waited on three people at a table. When the server brought the bill to the table, the patrons advised they did not like one of the menu items they were served and a manager took the item off the check.

When the server returned with the modified check of around $49, the patrons left just $7 on the table and left the establishment, according to police reports. The officer spoke with a manager, who advised his security staff followed the three suspects out of the bar and yelled to them if they did not return to pay their bill, the police were going to be called.

The manager reportedly told police the suspects walked away faster and entered a vehicle at 19th Street. The restaurant’s security staff was unable to locate the vehicle and its occupants, according to police reports. Around 3:20 a.m. on Thursday, OCPD officers located the suspect vehicle at 14th Street and St. Louis Avenue and observed three suspects sleeping in it. The vehicle make, model and tag number matched the vehicle seen leaving the area where the alleged theft of service occurred the night before at the downtown restaurant, according to police reports.

The female front seat passenger was identified as Joshalyn Morris, 22, of Hancock, Md. The vehicle was determined to be unregistered and uninsured and a tow truck was called. During an inventory of the vehicle’s contents, OCPD officers located various amounts of heroin and fentanyl and paraphernalia, according to police reports.

OCPD officers interviewed Morris, who said she left $8 for her part of the $49

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restaurant bill, but only $7 total was left at the table before the suspects fled the scene. Morris then reportedly told police she wasn’t going to pay the bill until the item which the party wasn’t happy with was taken off the check. However, the receipt indicated the manager had taken the item off the check. In the end, Morris was arrested and charged with theft, possession of heroin and fentanyl and possession of paraphernalia.

Hit-and-Run Arrest OCEAN CITY – A Virginia man was arrested last weekend and charged with leaving the scene after allegedly colliding with another vehicle in a downtown restaurant parking lot.

Last Saturday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to

the area of 12th Street and Philadelphia Avenue in an attempt to locate the driver involved in a reported hit-and-run collision. The officer observed a vehicle matching the description provided driving erratically at a high rate of speed and cutting off other vehicles, according to police reports.

The officer followed the vehicle across the Route 50 bridge where it had been stopped by a Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy near Route 611. The driver was identified as Messiah Johnson, 19, of Petersburg, Va. During an interview, it was determined Johnson had collided with a vehicle at a downtown restaurant parking lot and had left the scene. Johnson denied being in any type of collision. He was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and multiple other traffic violations.

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 23

Underage Sales Result In Two-Month Suspension, $12K Fine

Page 24

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Beer and wine sales have been suspended at an Ocean City store following underage alcohol sales.

Seaside Deli Beer and Wine received a 60-day suspension and $12,000 in fines at a hearing with the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Monday. The suspension came after police reported six incidents in the month of June where underage customers purchased alcohol at the store. Four of the incidents occurred on the same evening.

“Clearly there’s a problem,” said Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Sgt. Doug Smith.

The BLC scheduled Monday’s hearing after being advised of alcohol sales to minors at Seaside Deli on 72nd Street. According to members of the OCPD, they received complaints that Seaside Deli was selling alcohol to minors. On June 3, they set up a surveillance detail outside the store. Four incidents of sales to minors were witnessed that night and other sales were reported on June 5 and June 24.

OCPD Corporal Chris Snyder told the board he had officers across the street watching the store and when customers that appeared to be under 21 came out with beer they checked license plate numbers to determine whether those shoppers were likely under 21. As a result, several local teenagers were stopped within minutes of leaving the store. Several told police they’d purchased alcohol from Sea-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

side Deli before and that they were not asked for identification.

At Monday’s hearing, seven teenagers recounted their experiences purchasing alcohol at Seaside Deli.

“People just know you can purchase alcohol there without an ID,” one girl said.

An 18-year-old girl told the board she’d been buying alcohol at Seaside Deli since she was 16.

Mark Cropper, the attorney representing Seaside Deli owner Mahmoud Alhamad and clerk Ace Owies, pointed out police had set up surveillance across the street from the store and hadn’t witnessed the actual sales of the alcohol. He also noted that in one case referenced, the buyer had been in possession of a fake ID. According to Cropper, during the compliance checks routinely conducted by law enforcement, Seaside Deli had not sold to minors in previous years.

“There are roughly 17 incidents where efforts were made to have this licensee sell to a minor and it didn’t happen,” he said.

Cropper acknowledged that there was no good excuse for the incidents recounted during the hearing. Alhamad showed the board a stack, several inches thick, of fake IDs the store’s clerks had confiscated over the years. Owies said he checked identifications but admitted that if he had checked an individual’s ID once he didn’t always card them when they returned to the store in the future.

Owies stressed that he loved the community and obeyed the law.

July 15, 2022

“Mistakes happen,” he said. “I’m human.”

When asked if teenagers were paying him to be able to purchase alcohol, Owies said they were not.

“I would never do that,” he said. “I would never hurt the community.”

Smith told the board the OCPD had initially received complaints about sales to minors at Seaside last year. Those complaints came in again this spring. He said he’d heard from both parents and teenagers that Seaside was known for selling to minors.

“They all say the same thing,” he said.

“It was like Groundhog Day.” Smith said he told some of the teens who’d testified he’d talk to the state’s attor-

ney about possibly not prosecuting their citations for underage possession of alcohol if they cooperated and talked to the BLC. “I thought this was the best community service when they can come down here and actually see the effects of these sales to minors and what it can do to a business,” he said.

Smith added that he didn’t know why the store had a problem with sales to minors now when it had passed so many compliance checks in the past. When asked if he’d ever seen a situation like this before, Smith said there had been other stores known as hotspots for sales to minors.

“This is the first one that’s been this extensive,” he said.

BY SHAWN J. SOPER

children threw trash at her son, used profanity and taunted him to fight, according to police reports. Ahalt then brandished a knife as she attempted to pull her son back into the house.

Officers located Ahalt near Teal Drive.

Officers interviewed the victim, who advised Ahalt had threatened him with a knife and lunged at him with the blade exposed, according to police reports.

An officer located the knife Ahalt had attempted to discard in a nearby construction site. Ahalt was charged with firstand second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

Random Knife Threat In Neighborhood

MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – A West Virginia man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last week after allegedly threatening a victim with a knife.

Around 2:35 a.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a residence on Teal Drive for a reported weapons violation. Officers met with a complainant who advised John Ahalt, 37, of Falling Waters, West Va., had threatened her son with a knife.

The female complainant reportedly told police Ahalt, an adult female and three

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Resort Police Activity Down In June

July 15, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

OCEAN CITY – A review of police statistics for the month of June revealed fewer calls for service and a decrease in drug and weapons arrests, among other things.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Chief Ross Buzzuro presented members of the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on police activity for the month of June.

Compared to the two previous years, Buzzuro reported this week that the month of June saw fewer calls for service.

“It’s a very telling indicator as to where we were in 2020 and last year, and where we are now,” he said.

In June, officer calls for service decreased from 6,144 in 2021 to 5,182 in 2022. And citizen calls for service decreased from 3,141 to 2,739.

“June activity saw a true shift in terms of calls for service,” Buzzuro said.

Under the top 25 calls for service, Buzzuro noted that city ordinance violations decreased from 1,685 to 1,441, parking violations decreased from 726 to 440 and collisions decreased from 319 to 231.

“That’s good news for public safety, but it’s also good news for us,” he said.

“By not tying us up, it allows us to do other things and continue to be proactive.”

Buzzuro also noted that traffic stops had increased from 1,002 to 1,133 and controlled dangerous substance violations had increased from 190 to 255.

“We are seeing an uptick of those … ,” he said. “Once again, that’s because of really proactive enforcement.”

Under June enforcement, custodial arrests decreased from 773 in 2021 to 519 in 2022, drug arrests decreased from 78 to 48 and weapons arrests decreased from 111 to 79.

“We saw a drop-off from last year to this year,” Buzzuro said.

Reviewing statistics from last month, Buzzuro said overall calls for service declined.

He noted, however, that the department continued in its enforcement efforts, particularly in the downtown areas.

“Calls for service and activity kind of give you a good idea of how we are performing our operations,” he said. “We are very proactive and it’s very structured as far as what we are doing downtown on the Boardwalk.”

He added, “All in all, a very promising month compared to what we’ve experienced the last couple of summers.”

Councilman Lloyd Martin, commission chair, agreed.

“It’s been a good June,” he said.

Mayor Rick Meehan applauded the OCPD, as well as its seasonal officers and public safety aides.

“They are very engaging this year,” he added. “They’re making eye contact and talking to people more so than

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

we’ve ever seen, which is what we want them to do. They’ve really done a great job.”

Officials also highlighted the department’s body-worn camera program, which was implemented ahead of the summer season.

“It’s worked, probably in some ways a little better than we anticipated …,” Buzzuro said. “It’s going very well.”

Meehan said the body-worn cameras have been an effective de-escalation tool during public interactions.

“You can see it when the officer goes up to somebody and lets them know that they are being recorded,” he said.

“Right away, sometimes, it helps calm the situation down.”

Buzzuro agreed.

“Body cameras seem to take the air out of the scenario, so to speak …,” he said. “All in all, it’s extremely valuable, and we are grateful for the support.”

Buzzuro also highlighted the department’s use of City Watch cameras.

While the camera system includes locations along the entire Boardwalk, the town last year began expansion efforts along the Baltimore Avenue corridor.

“It’s allowing us further depth, and it’s working out good for us as well,” he said. “A number of incidents were captured through City Watch. With a combination of the two, we are moving in the right direction with our statistical data.”

Page 25

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Nice Lunch: This cormorant shows off his survival skills in the back bays

June Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested with this toadfish that he quickly swallowed.

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Resort police have identified and charged two suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery in June after they were located in Baltimore County.

Around 10:40 p.m. on June 15, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives began an investigation into an armed robbery that had occurred in the area of 16th Street and Philadelphia Avenue. The 18-year-old male victim reportedly told police three individuals approached him and engaged in a conversation before robbing him at gunpoint.

The suspects left the area with the victim’s belongings before police arrived.

With assistance from the victim, a witness at the scene and the City Watch surveillance camera system, OCPD officers were able to obtain a description of the suspects. The City Watch surveillance system also showed the suspects had discarded some of the victim’s stolen property in a trash can on Baltimore Avenue near 13th Street. The victim was able to identify the discarded items as his property stolen during the armed robbery.

Photo by Jim Halvorsen/OC Yacht Shots

Five days later on June 20, OCPD detectives were notified Baltimore County Police had arrested two individuals on unrelated charges. During the arrest, Baltimore County Police located personal property belonging to the victim in the armed robbery in Ocean City back on June 15.

On June 22, OCPD officers traveled to Baltimore County to retrieve the property of the victim from the armed robbery in Ocean City. OCPD detectives at that time interviewed the two suspects, identified as Takala Robinson, 19, of Pasadena, Md., and a 16-year-old juvenile from Glen Burnie, Md. With the assistance of the victim, a witness, the City Watch system and the Baltimore County Police, OCPD detectives were able to charge Robinson and the juvenile with armed robbery, robbery, and first- and second-degree assault.

The juvenile is being waived to adult status in the case. The OCPD is reminding citizens if they see something suspicious or have concerns about possible criminal activity to reach out to the department.

The tip line number is 410-520-5136 and the tip email is crimetips@oceancitymd.gov. Citizens can also call the department directly at 410-723-6610.

Public Shares Police Staffing Concerns

July 15, 2022

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – An emotional plea from the municipality’s police chief highlighted law enforcement staffing concerns voiced during a council meeting this week.

Several members of the public, including two former Berlin Police Department (BPD) officers and the spouse of a current BPD officer, asked elected officials to increase police retention efforts in town. Police Chief Arnold Downing echoed their concerns.

“No one has ever retired from this agency,” he said. “Think about it. It's ridiculous.”

At this week’s meeting, Councilman Jack Orris suggested dedicating funding that Mayor Zack Tyndall had proposed for a roundabout on Flower Street to police retention efforts instead. When Tyndall pointed out that those funds were impact fees — which are meant to be used for infrastructure — Orris said maybe the town could provide $100,000 from its reserve fund to the department to aid in police retention efforts.

Tyndall said there was money in the budget already that would help with police retention and that he didn’t have any information on Orris’s proposal.

“This is the first I’m hearing about it,” Tyndall said.

He added that there was a pathway for requests to be made.

“The chief is fully capable of making those requests,” he said.

Orris said he just wanted to discuss the idea of boosting police funding with his

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

peers.

“We’re responsible for the safety of everybody here,” he said. “Not that people are unsafe but it’s getting into a situation that’s getting concerning.”

Councilman Dean Burrell said there was no reason officials couldn’t look into the proposal and discuss it at a later date.

When Tyndall opened the floor for public comments, Berlin resident JB Bunting said he was speaking to urge officials to address the situation at the Berlin Police Department. He said he’d been in law enforcement 15 years and had gotten his start in Berlin but couldn’t afford to stay with the department.

“The only reason I can afford to live in Berlin now is because I don’t work for the Town of Berlin anymore,” he said.

He said working for the BPD was a job many officers would love to have if the pay was competitive.

“People should be knocking down the door to be working here,” he said, adding that doing foot patrols in Berlin was like something you’d see in a movie.

Bunting said the town desperately needed LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officers Pension System), which officials are now pursuing, and it needed to increase police pay.

“We could do better as a town for our cops,” he said.

Staff noted that while the LEOPS study was underway, the soonest the town would be able to enter the program was July 1, 2023.

Berlin resident Michael Hickman, anSEE PAGE 68

Page 27

Christina Bireley, the wife of a current Berlin Police Department officer, is pictured at Monday night’s town council meeting voicing her concerns regarding officer safety.

Photo by Steve Green

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 29

Board Approves Alcohol License For OC Special Events New Festival Prompts Resort Request

Page 30

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – Officials agreed to license a portion of the Inlet parking lot, the beach and the Boardwalk so that alcohol can be served there during special events.

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) approved a request from the Town of Ocean City this week for an “entertainment facility” seven-day beer, wine and liquor license. While the license will make it easier for the town to serve drinks during events like Sunfest, the request for it was prompted by the new Oceans Calling Festival.

“This type of license would facilitate these events taking place until a more permanent type of situation can be arranged,” said Mark Cropper, the attorney representing the town.

Cropper told the board the town was seeking an entertainment facility license for a portion of the beach, Boardwalk and Inlet parking lot in order to serve alcohol at a handful of events.

“In that area, the city would be permitted to hold events in which alcohol

would be served,” he said. “It may be limited to the parking lot, it may be a combination of the parking lot and the beach, it can be one, the other, both.

Access to this entertainment facility would be provided not only from the south end but also through the Boardwalk which is the reason the Boardwalk has been included.”

He said the town would be responsible for the events, not an organizer.

“The town would be responsible for anything and everything that takes place within the parameters of this entertainment facility,” Cropper said. “It’s no different than being in the convention center.”

He said those events could include Sunfest and Oceans Calling, among others. He submitted letters of support from Trimper Rides as well as Ocean Amusements Inc. In the past, nonprofits have often sold drinks at events like Sunfest. Cropper said that could continue under the

new license. He added that this license was likely a temporary measure for the town.

“It is the intent of the Mayor and Council to pursue a way to conduct these events on a more permanent basis, possibly through the legislature but you really haven’t gone that far,” Cropper said.

BLC member Marty Pusey said she was aware that the new Oceans Calling event had prompted the request but asked how the new license would serve the public need.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said the town received a lot of requests for more events, particularly in the offseason. He said the resort wanted to create the sort of events visitors wanted to see and that the license would make that easier.

“It’s going to provide an amenity to encourage people to visit in the time we start to slow down,” he said.

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expected to attend Oceans Calling.

Meehan said the town was estimating 40,000 people but that their visits would be spread out over the three-day event.

He added that not all of the area proposed for the license would be used at one time.

“It’s an expanded area over any event we’ve had before,” he said.

Tom Perlozzo, Ocean City’s tourism and business development director, reiterated that. He noted that there were multiple stages with rotating performances for the event. He added that one of the stages would be used for a culinary exhibition during the festival.

Pusey said that still sounded like a lot going on.

“We work hard on noise levels in other parts of Ocean City,” she said.

William Esham, chairman of the BLC, said the license wasn’t something the resort had to have in order to host the event.

“They can have this event without us,” he said, adding that the BLC should focus on security measures proposed.

Perlozzo said the company behind Oceans Calling, C3 Presents, had various measures in place. He said attendees would be issued an RFID bracelet that identifies them. They’ll also be required to go through metal detectors and bag checks similar to those at NFL stadiums. The entire 51-acre site, which extends up to Talbot Street, will be fenced in. C3 Presents will also be working closely with the town’s police department and fire marshal.

“They’ve been by far of all the events in Ocean City the most prepared,” Perlozzo said.

He said C3 would have about 400 employees working the event and that the town would have about 100 employees working the event.

“It’s all hands on deck,” he said.

Though Pusey said she would have liked to hear from some Boardwalk bar owners in the area, there were none in attendance.

“We advertised it,” Esham said. “They had an opportunity to be here.”

The board voted 3-0 to approve the license request.

July 15, 2022

Controlled Burn In OP:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

A planned controlled burn of the Seasons Plaza commercial building on Route 589 took place last Saturday. The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) has held training sessions at the site since April.

Chief Steve Grunewald said the fire department acquired the rights to the commercial building, near the snowball stand and Walgreens on Route 589, between Cathell Road and Racetrack Road. It’s the future site of a Royal Farms store, and Grunewald said the company granted rights to use the property for training. The opportunity was also extended to neighboring agencies.

“It is very rare to have an opportunity to train in a commercial structure, so department leadership offered to share our access with neighboring fire and police departments,” he said. “To ensure the highest level of safety, a representative from the OPVFD was always on-site while neighboring agencies trained.” Submitted Photos

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Former Childcare Worker Pleads Guilty To 6 Charges

Page 32

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – A former childcare worker pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to sex abuse of a minor and manufacturing child pornography, among other charges.

Bruce William TraBRUCE vers, 37, the childcare TRAVERS worker facing more than 30 charges related to child porn and

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

sex abuse, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to six charges. A jury trial had been set for July 12 and 13.

“The court has not yet set the sentencing date, however I would anticipate it being set in October,” Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser said in an email Tuesday. “He continues to be held pending sentencing.”

Travers, who worked at several local daycare centers and in county schools as recently as the spring of 2021, was charged in August 2021 after a tip led to his arrest. Travers was charged with

four counts of sex abuse of a minor family or household member with the offense date listed from June 1, 2018 to July 31, 2021. Travers was charged with 15 counts of child porn film in sex act and 15 counts of possession of child pornography. According to charging documents, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit was contacted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which operates “CyberTipline” to handle reports of child sexual exploitation. The CyberTip included a file that was uploaded to Bing, according to charging documents, and depicted child pornography.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation went on to seize laptops, cellphones, thumb drives, camera memory cards and several pieces of children’s clothing from Travers’ residence on Brandywine Drive. According to charging documents, Travers admitted to possessing child porn and said he used children’s clothing to fantasize.

Travers reportedly told police three children — all elementary-school aged kids — had stayed at the house in the past.

When interviewed, the children’s guardian told investigators she met Travers through his employment at a local daycare, which was not named in the charging documents, and eventually en-

July 15, 2022

trusted Travers with the children, according to charging documents. Travers reportedly stayed with the family off and on between 2018 and 2021 and was also permitted to care for the children at his residence, according to documents.

Forensic examinations on the electronic devices seized revealed various explicit nude photos of the children, according to charging documents.

Travers was charged with more than 30 counts in multiple cases last August and pleaded guilty to six of those counts Tuesday. In the first case, Travers plead guilty to one count of sex abuse of a minor and one count of manufacturing child pornography. Sentencing was postponed for a pre-sentence investigation, according to Heiser.

In the second case, Travers plead guilty to one count of sex abuse of a minor, one count of manufacturing child pornography, one count of sex abuse of a minor by a household member and one count of manufacturing child pornography.

Travers was working at Little Lambs Learning Center prior to his arrest and had been approved to be hired as an educational assistant by Worcester County Public Schools. He had previously worked as a substitute teacher in county schools.

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Fenwick Shares Delays In Resiliency Plan Development

July 15, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

FENWICK ISLAND – With a town-wide resiliency study at a standstill, members of a Fenwick Island committee this week agreed to reach out to state officials to expedite the process.

In a Fenwick Island Infrastructure Committee meeting Tuesday, Councilman Richard Benn, committee chair, presented members with an update on a town-wide resiliency study.

While the town has received grant funding from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to complete the study, Benn told the committee this week the town was awaiting contract approval between the department and AECOM, the company the town selected to complete the project.

“DNREC gave us a grant to pay for the study, so we don’t have to use the town’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds …,” he explained. “It saved the town $50,000. The problem is the way the grant is awarded, DNREC is AECOM’s boss, and they have been hashing out wording in their contract.”

Late last year, the committee began working alongside officials to develop the scope of work for a proposed resiliency study and GIS mapping of the town. Officials say the goal of the project is to take a proactive approach to sea level rise and flooding through the development of short, mid- and long-term solutions.

“This study is so important to us,” Benn

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

said.

Since selecting AECOM to complete the work, the company has updated sea level rise maps and identified sea level ride projections. But with the project now at a standstill, Benn told committee members this week he was looking to reach out to state representatives to expedite the process.

“The resiliency study is still, unfortu-

nately, being held up by DNREC …,” he said. “So I’m reaching out.”

Representatives with AECOM also came before the committee this week to discuss alternative backflow preventers, which are used to address flooding along the bayside. Benn also provided an update on traffic studies for Bunting Avenue, Island Street and Maryland Street.

“They are zooming through there,” he

Page 33

said.

Benn noted a Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) representative had visited Fenwick Island and would make recommendations to address traffic concerns in the area.

“He’s supposed to get back to me today,” he explained. “He’s been out to Fenwick Island, and he will tell us next steps and recommendations.”

Page 34

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July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

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Page 35

Line Of Duty Death Benefit Discussed

Page 36

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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SALISBURY – County officials this week introduced emergency legislation to allow the family of a county employee killed in the line of duty to retain health insurance coverage.

On July 5, nearly a month after Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Hilliard was killed in the line of duty, the Wicomico County Council voted to introduce an amendment to the county’s personnel manual to expand health care benefits for the families of county employees who die in the line of duty.

“Under our current policy we have two sections, a deceased employee eligible for retirement and then a deceased employee not eligible for retirement,” said Human Resources Director Jaclyn Curry. “Under that section, the family that has the insurance would have to continue that in the method of COBRA …

However, it is at an extremely high premium rate.”

Curry said the emergency legislation would allow survivors to pay a lower monthly premium.

“What we’re proposing is if an employee is killed in the line of duty, that the family that is current on their plan would be able to continue that in the capacity of a retired employee’s family, which is a much cheaper monthly premium,” she explained.

July 15, 2022

Last month, the county council met in a special session to discuss health care benefits for a service in the line of duty death and ways to assist family members. Major Tod Richardson of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office urged council members to make the necessary changes before July 31, when Hilliard’s health care benefits are set to expire.

“Currently the family is covered until July 31 under this current situation,” he said at the time.

Back on the agenda for introduction this week, council attorney Andrew Mitchell said the proposed manual changes would address line-of-duty death benefits for families of all county employees, not just law enforcement personnel.

“In essence, they would retain the insurance coverage in the same manner as would be a retired employee …,” he explained. “It’s not just someone who happens to die on the 9-to-5. It has to do with what they are doing.”

Councilman Bill McCain questioned if there was a definition for line-of-duty death.

“From a definition standpoint, we use the term ‘killed in the line of duty,’” he said. “Say someone has a heart attack while they’re at work. Is that killed in the line of duty? … Is there a difference between natural causes or an action that caused the event?”

Curry said certain criteria had to be met.

“I did reach out to the workers compensation representative we have, and the language in the proposed policies say ‘arising out of and in the course of employment,’” she explained. “What that language means is it’s not sufficient for an injury or condition such as a heart attack to just have occurred at work. The burden must also be met to show ‘there was a causative danger peculiar to the employment to be deemed compensable.’”

Councilman Josh Hastings questioned if the county had any other death benefits.

“A lot of this comes out of the Hilliard [incident], the unfortunate situation there,” he said. “But what other death benefits does the county have?”

Curry noted that the county also had an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

“For the FOP, we have an agreement that they have a separate death benefit for the rest of the employees,” she said.

“It’s a one-year annual salary, and it’s actually included … in the policy, and it’s in the language for the proposal as well.”

With no further discussion, the council voted unanimously to introduce the emergency legislation. A public hearing on the amendment will be held in a special meeting scheduled for July 26.

“I thank you very much for putting this on the agenda as emergency legislation,” said Acting County Executive John Psota. “I will certify that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety and welfare, which requires immediate action.”

Hundreds Of Softball Teams Squaring Off In Regional Tourney

July 15, 2022

OCEAN CITY – Over the next three weeks, nearly 350 girls’ softball teams will make their way to the Lower Eastern Shore for the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Eastern National Championships.

This year’s Eastern National marks the 16th year of the event on the Eastern Shore. Teams will travel from 14 states and Canada to compete in this year’s event.

The tournament is a major economic driver for the area. This year’s estimated economic impact is $19 million.

“We always look forward to the return of the USSSA Eastern Nationals,” said Kristen Goller, tourism manager for Wicomico County. “The tournament has chosen Maryland’s Eastern Shore as its base since 2007, and the impact for our local community has been tremendous. We are grateful to the local businesses that support the tournament each year.”

The growth of the tournament is due in part to the Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance (MAASA), a formal sports marketing partnership between Wicomico and Worcester Counties and the Town of Ocean City. MAASA was formed in 2014 to accommodate the growth of the Eastern National, which had expanded beyond Wicomico County’s borders.

“USSSA East and the MAASA partners worked for years to grow the Eastern National,” Goller said. “Because of the dedication from all sides, this event is now one of the largest fast-pitch tournaments in one location in the nation.”

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 37

Members of a softball team are pictured last summer enjoying a break from play in Ocean City.

The Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury provides the main fields of play for the tournament. Other fields tentatively scheduled for use in Wicomico County include East Wicomico Little League, Mason-Dixon Sports Complex and WinterPlace Park. In Worcester County, games are scheduled at Showell Park

and John Walter Smith Park. In the Town of Ocean City, games will be played at Northside Park.

The Eastern National is divided into three tournament weeks: Week 1: July 1217, 10U Open, 12U Open; Week 2: July 19-24, 14U Open, 14U B; and Week 3: July 25-30, 16U Open, 18U Open, 18U B.

Submitted Photo

Tournament games are open to the public with no admission fee charged. For more information on the Eastern National, visit www.WicoSports.org. In accordance with USSSA national guidelines, schedules will be released at the beginning of each tournament week and will be posted to the USSSA website.

Page 38

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Heroin, Fentanyl Drug Dealing Arrests

July 15, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

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The Ocean City Public Works Department’s beach cleaners are pictured at work priming the beach for another summer day.

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OCEAN CITY – Two Berlin men were arrested last week following a distribution investigation in which detectives seized more than 200 bags of heroin.

During the month of June, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Narcotics Unit initiated a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) distribution investigation into two local individuals allegedly involved in distributing fentanyl/heroin in the Ocean City and Worcester County area.

Through coordinated and investigative efforts, it was determined that two individuals identified MARK ADAMS as Mark Adams, 36, of Berlin, and Jason Bumgarner, 50, also of Berlin, were traveling to the Philadelphia, Pa., area to pick up heroin regularly, according to police.

On July 7, detectives were conducting surveillance on their vehicle as they traveled toward Philadelphia. There, Philadelphia Police Department assisted with the surveillance and investigation while Adams and Bumgarner were in the Kensington area. Once Adams and Bumgarner returned to Maryland, a traffic stop was conducted by the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team in the area of Route 113 and Bishopville Road.

Adams and Bumgarner were taken into custody without incident, where they were then transported to the Ocean City Police Department. Several search warrants were conducted during the investigation, and detectives seized 276 bags of fentanyl/heroin, approxiJASON BUMGARNER mately one gram of cocaine, various scheduled prescription pills, $800 in U.S. currency, cellphones, and a vehicle.

Adams and Bumgarner were each charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute schedule 1 narcotics and three counts of controlled dangerous substance – not marijuana.

Both were seen by a Maryland District Court commissioner and were held without bond.

The Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the FBI Violent Gang and Narcotic Task Force assisted in the investigation.

The OCPD reports fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. Even in small doses, it can be deadly.

The police department is reminding citizens to report suspicious activity. Tips can be submitted through the OCPD Tip Line, 410-520-5136, or by contacting the department directly at 410-723-6610.

Tips can also be sent by email to crimetips@oceancitymd.gov.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 40

Office Building Project Moves Ahead

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Harrison Group Eyes 18th Street Site

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The initial site plan for a proposed two-phase office building for a major resort business group was approved this week for a downtown site that has been home to a miniature golf course for decades.

The Planning Commission on July 6 had before it a site plan review for a proposed significant office building for the Harrison Group, a business that owns and operates several significant hotels and restaurants in the resort. The project is planned for a site on the north side of Kingfish Street at 18th Street on a lot just north of the Holy Savior Catholic Church.

For decades, the site has been home to a Nick’s Mini Golf course but is slated for redevelopment as an office complex for the Harrison Group. The project would be completed in two phases, the first phase proposed to include around 8,000 square feet. The second phase, for which no timetable has yet been provided, would include over 3,000 square feet of additional space, bringing the total square footage of the project to over 11,000 when completed. Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy explained what the commission was looking at.

“This is a review for Phase I,” she said. “Phase II would have to come back for site plan review when they are ready to do that. They have laid out the lot as it would be when both phases are completed.”

Gordy explained the project as proposed has sufficient parking available on site to meet the minimum requirements.

Planning Commissioner Lauren Taylor asked what the plan was for the second phase.

“It looks like they have the parking,” she said. “Normally, if a project is phased, we ask for an estimated time of completion for the second phase. The parking availability will define the scope of the second phase.”

Applicant Lauren White, representing Fisher Architecture, the project’s de-

signer, said the first phase will be the most significant element of the overall project.

“With regards to phase II, as you can see there will not be much lot space left after the first phase,” she said. “It will not be a huge expansion.”

Staff and the planning commission expressed a desire to get a bus shelter on the site as part of the redevelopment plan. White said adding a municipal bus shelter in the area proposed could be challenging.

“Providing a bus stop has been discussed,” she said. “It would be difficult to get a bus shelter at that spot as proposed.”

Planning Commissioner Joel Brous suggested a bus shelter could be provided in a different location on the redevelopment site.

“Is there a better area for the bus shelter?” he said. “I think we really need to do something for the bus.”

Planning Commissioner Palmer Gillis said there was precedent for providing a parking exception in exchange for gaining a bus shelter on site. He said the Harrison Group office building project as proposed had an excess of parking, so one space or possibly two could be dedicated to providing a bus shelter.

“At that Hilton, we gave them a onespace credit to get a bus shelter there,” he said. “I would rather have that bus shelter than one more parking space.

Right now, you have a surplus of 10 spaces. I believe you can do it with one space, but even if it had to be two, it’s doable.”

White explained the office complex would be different than other commercial properties because people would tend to get there and stay there during the workday.

“People will be coming every day for work,” she said. “It’s a little different than a large hotel with a lot of transient traffic.

It’s probably possible to relocate the bus shelter to a different location on the site.”

The planning commission ultimately approved the site plan for the first phase of the office complex.

Wicomico Considers Storage Tank Zoning Legislation

July 15, 2022

BY BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – As a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for certain agricultural storage tanks is set to expire at the end of this year, county leaders last week convened to discuss proposed zoning amendments.

In a work session last week, the Wicomico County Council met with the Wicomico County Planning and Zoning staff to discuss a recommended text amendment regarding dissolved air flotation (DAF) storage tanks that hold poultry rending waste.

While the storage of the liquid organic fertilizer is currently permitted in various zoning districts, Planning Director Lori Carter told council members a recommended text amendment from the Wicomico Planning and Zoning Commission restricts the use of such tanks to the A-1 district and establishes a special exception process.

“If enacted, any DAF storage for use on a farm will only be considered in the A1 zoning district …,” she said. “It’s important to remember that this would have to be done through the actual Board of Appeals, based on achieving certain criteria, based on a per-site evaluation, and conducted during an open process for public comments.”

The topic of DAF tanks was first introduced in 2019, when Wicomico County Planning, Zoning and Community Development issued a building permit allowing

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

a local farmer to construct a three-milliongallon storage tank containing byproducts on his property in the area of Porter Mill Road. Several nearby residents, however, have since shared their concerns with the council regarding the smells and potential hazards associated with the tank. There has also been litigation in Wicomico County Circuit Court challenging the validity of that storage tank and the permit issued for its construction.

In the years since the issue was first brought to the council’s attention, the legislative body has enacted – and extended – a moratorium on the issuance of building permits related to the construction of DAF tanks.

Now, with the latest moratorium set to expire at the end of the year, officials got to work last week to review a proposed text amendment aimed at addressing citizens’ concerns.

“This is the information of where we’ve been, what we’ve gone through and where we are now,” Carter said.

The proposed amendment presented to the council last week recommends the use of DAF tanks be limited to the A-1 agricultural zone, with setbacks of 200 feet from all property lines, or 400 feet from any residential dwellings. The amendment also recommends the use of DAF tanks be approved through a special exception by the Wicomico County Board of Appeals.

“The recommendation from the planning and zoning committee to be a use allowed by special exception opens any fur-

ther tank request to go through the public hearing process with public notification and posting at the property …,” said Planning and Zoning Administrator Clark Meadows.

“It’s a strict review process.”

Members of the council, however, took some issue with the zoning recommendation. Councilman Bill McCain noted more than 70% of the county was zoning agricultural.

“This is an industrial product,” he said.

“It is not produced on the farm, it was produced in an industrial setting and brought to these tanks. That’s why it should be in the I-2 zone, as a majority of this council recommended.”

Carter noted that the county’s industrial zones were densely populated and limited in size. She noted, however, that the council could make any modifications to the proposed legislation.

“You as a council have an opportunity to add as many restrictions as you choose,” she said. “This is the framework that the planning commission started and what they felt based upon the information they had.”

Councilman Ernie Davis said the issue of DAF storage was not the tanks, but the matter that was found in them.

“It’s what’s in the tank that’s the problem, and who approved that,” he said.

Officials, however, noted that DAF was considered a soil amendment and regulated by the state.

“It sounds like an issue that needs to be addressed with the Maryland Depart-

Page 41

ment of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Agriculture, not Wicomico County Planning and Zoning,” said Meadows.

Council attorney Andrew Mitchell questioned if the county could prohibit the storage of DAF product.

“You said the state does safety, use, application and inspection, but the county does storage,” he said. “Could the county say you can use it hear, but you can’t store it here?”

County attorney Paul Wilber said it was something to consider.

County residents also came before the council last week to voice their concerns regarding the proposed legislation. Porter Mill Road property owner Lynette Kenney suggested legislation that addressed the size of the tanks, site acreage, traffic and grading, to name a few.

“We respectfully submit that this does not offer the needed safeguards to prevent another situation such as ours,” she said.

Wicomico County Farm Bureau President Eugene Lowe agreed.

“We’re quickly becoming a collector for everybody else’s waste out of these plants,” he said. “It’s not something generated on a farm, it’s something generated in a processing plant.”

After further discussion, the council agreed to hold a future work session on the issue.

“We’ll start with what we have before us,” said President John Cannon.

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BERLIN – State and local officials gathered in Berlin last Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new recovery campus.

On July 7, the connections of Hope4Recovery held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new 2,500-square-foot facility at the site of the H4R Recovery Campus, located across from Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Tish Ottey, the nonprofit’s founder, said the facility is expected to complement the property’s existing residential treatment facility by offering behavioral health, counseling, job search and educational services.

“Everybody is lacking mental health and addiction services, so to bring another entity to Worcester County is huge,” she said.

In 2018, Hope4Recovery – a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating clean, safe and sober homes for those in recovery – opened its first facility on Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin. And in 2021, the organization announced plans to build a 2,500-square-foot recovery center toward the back of the property, where the Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health operated for years.

“Shortly after opening we realized there was a strong vision to expand services for the recovery community in our county,” she said. “We thought having one location for all things recovery – a one-stop shop, if you will – was really important.”

With funding from the National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research, work soon began to expand the existing building. Today, the new facility features enough space to accommodate the Grace Center, Worcester Goes Purple and Cove Recovery, among other things.

“In 2022 the dream came true, and the H4R Recovery Campus became a reality,” Ottey said. “We now have an over 2,500square-foot facility comprised of the Grace Center, Cove Recovery, Worcester Goes Purple, a H4R resource center for job search and computer use and a meeting space for AA, NA and educational classes.”

During last week’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza applauded the nonprofit’s efforts to develop a recovery campus and resource center.

“I look at this and I realize you all are serving those who need these services, but in a dignified way, in a way that is welcoming,” she said.

Carozza added that resources found at the recovery campus were vital to the community.

“Before COVID, we were all focused on the opioid crisis,” she said. “Then COVID hit and because of the isolation and other related issues, we – unfortunately – in Maryland and across the county saw those numbers spike. It’s even more of a reason for what we are doing today.”

Ottey said more information on the new recovery center and its hours of operation will be announced in the coming weeks.

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OC Art Show: The Art League of

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Ocean City held its monthly First Friday opening reception on June 3 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts. Above left, Reeves Dark, second from left with the Bassford family, won Best in Show in the 22nd Annual Beverly Bassford Memorial Juried Art Show. The exhibit continues through July 30 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street.

Above, the Art League of Ocean City opened a new exhibit space at the Ocean City Center for the Arts in July.

The "Staircase Gallery" features a new ceiling-to-floor mural by artists Francisco Madera and Ian Postley and an art show of original art by Madera.

Below, Claire Stoner won first place and Jacqueline Bruce-Yamin, bottom, won third place in the 22nd Annual Beverly Bassford Memorial Juried Art Show.

Submitted Photos

July 15, 2022

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People in Society The H4R Recovery Campus in Berlin hosted an open house on July 7. Pictured are Terri Bradford, Brandon O’Brien, Tish Ottey, Sarah Hooper, Daryl McCready, Kristina Watkowski and Tracey Simpson.

by Charlene Sharpe Featuring Those Helping Causes In The Resort Area

Becky and Mike Johnson were among the attendees at Sunday’s concert on the lawn hosted by the Taylor House Museum.

Erv Cassell, Linda Sears, Vincent Paez and Frank Hill Jr. of Old School OC Band performed at the Taylor House Museum Sunday.

Celeste and Paul Smith showed off one of their “Posh Picnics” displays at the museum’s concert on the lawn Sunday.

Kevin Ladd and Toby Gilbert of Gilbert’s Provisions served breakfast on a busy market day in Berlin.

Erich Pfeffer and Jeannie Vander Clute of Splendid Earth Farm paused for a photo at the Berlin Farmers Market.

David Esch and Skyler Nottingham served drinks at Sunday’s concert on the lawn at the Taylor House Museum.

Matthew Harhai and Anmei Yang showed off some of the blackberries available from Goat Plum Tree Farm at the market Sunday.

Megan Hines and Margaret Mudron are pictured at Courtney Blackford is pictured at the Berlin Farmers the opening weekend for Jun and Juice, a new Berlin business.

Market with Rogan and Killian.

Freeman Arts Pavilion Continues 15th Season Celebration

July 15, 2022

SELBYVILLE – Freeman Arts Pavilion is just over four weeks into its 15th season and along with the milestone year, the outdoor performing arts venue still has plenty to celebrate.

Upcoming performances include a variety of free shows, cultural performances, Grammy Award winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Don’t miss Eric Dittelman: Comedy Mind Reader on July 16; Gina Chavez on Aug. 2; Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience on Aug. 4; Boz Scaggs on Aug. 6; Fitz & the Tantrums and Andy Grammer on Aug. 9; IL Divo with special guest vocalist Steven LaBrie on Sept. 2; Crowded House on Sept. 3 and many more. Our Young Audience Series will continue every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. through Sept. 3 as well.

“There are many reasons to celebrate our 15th year of presenting the arts,” said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. “After two years of modified seasons, we have been able to return to a more traditional concert-going experience.”

She added, “This is also the second year in our new venue space, which is a great reminder that we’ve been able to provide 14 amazing seasons of arts experiences to residents and visitors of Delmarva and we also have so much to look forward to as we continue to evolve.”

In celebration of its 15th season, this

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The crowd at the Cole Swindell concert is pictured earlier this summer.

Photo by Kenny Pusey/Freeman Arts Pavilion

year features special events and chances to celebrate Freeman Arts Pavilion patrons with giveaways, surprise seat upgrades and celebration shout-outs. Two special events slated to take place are “Let’s the Good Times Boil,” a seafood boil on Aug. 4 and “Delmarvalous,” which will feature Delmarva specialties on Sept.

17. These ticketed events are for those ages 21 and over and are pre-show cel-

ebrations ahead of performances by Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience and University of Delaware Music Spectacular.

“As a nonprofit, we are thankful for the continued support our community has given us as patrons, volunteers and donors,” Grimes said. “We wanted this year to be a celebration of them as well.”

Guests can also share if they are cel-

100’ Wide Lots (Not 60’ Wide)

ebrating a milestone at the venue, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or a special night out, and a few lucky celebrations will be selected for a shout-out from the stage. To learn more about our “Cheers to 15 Years” events, or to submit a celebration, visit www. freemanarts.org /cheersevents.

New this season, Freeman Arts Pavilion has added a Park & Ride shuttle service for select events. The shuttle is located at 36258 Zion Church Road, Selbyville, Del. 19975 and runs throughout the evening, with pick-up at the Park & Ride Parking Lot beginning at 6 p.m. and running every 15 minutes.

Once on-site parking is full, patrons will be directed to the Park & Ride. The shuttle will return riders to the Park & Ride Parking Lot following the performance and will continue to run until guests have been returned to their vehicles.

Learn more about this new service, at freemanarts.org/parking.

“While our summer season at Freeman Arts Pavilion tends to snag the spotlight more often, our work doesn’t end after the last performance of 2022,” Grimes said. “Our Arts Access Initiative provides free, high-quality arts experiences to area families and students yearround, including through our Arts Education programming. We will be back in the schools for the 2022-23 school year with a variety of programs, including dance, music and visual arts.”

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Pines Pool Hours Adapt With Labor

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OCEAN PINES – Like many organizations, the Ocean Pines Association has been affected by a nationwide shortage of lifeguards, and that has caused some changes to operating hours.

General Manager John Viola said this month staff continually evaluates the situation to ensure pool members receive the expected value for their membership.

“We do strive to supply added benefits to our swim members, including exclusive members-only swim times on mornings at the Yacht Club and Sports Core pools, which we have publicized,” Viola said.

“We also admit members first upon opening, at all our pools.”

Viola said efforts to recruit and train new lifeguards have included offering higher wages, free training and certificattions, and paid advertising for the positions.

Despite those efforts, the aquatics department lifeguarding staff is at roughly 50% of what it needs to be to run five pools simultaneously.

“Because of that, several of our pools are running on abbreviated hours, which

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Museum Field Trip: During the last week of school last month, students in the fifth grade from Pocomoke Middle School took part in a field to visit the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum and learn about the resort’s history.

we have communicated through weekly posts both online and at each pool,” Viola said. “We do not anticipate the situation improving this summer, and we appreciate the patience of our homeowners and residents.”

Pool hours are updated weekly and communicated on the Ocean Pines website and social media, and in a direct e-

mail to more than 8,500 people. Hours are also posted at each pool.

In all cases, pool members are let in first when pools open. The Sports Core pool offers members-only swimming hours from 6-10 a.m., Monday through Friday, and the Yacht Club pool offers membersonly swimming hours from 8-10 a.m., seven days a week, weather permitting.

Submitted Photo

“We will continue to explore every option to supply quality service and a safe environment for everyone at our five pools,” Viola said.

For more information, including the current schedule of pool operating hours, visit the aquatics page, found on the Ocean Pines Association website, www.oc eanpines.org.

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July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

SALISBURY – A regional broadband company has been awarded $9.8 million to develop broadband internet service in Wicomico County.

Last Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the Office of Statewide Broadband, through the Connect Maryland initiative, had awarded more than $127.6 million in grant funding to local jurisdictions, internet service providers and community organizations in an effort to increase high-speed internet access and affordability.

Among the list of award recipients was Talkie Communications, a Chestertown, Md., company, which will use $9,817,497 to build out fiber-optic broadband internet service in Wicomico County’s unserved areas.

“With support from the Wicomico County Executive’s Office, Talkie Communications applied for and has been awarded grant funding from the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband to construct fiber-optic broadband inter-

net service in Wicomico County, Md,” a statement from the executive’s office reads. “The coordination between Wicomico County’s Executive Office, the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband and Talkie Communications will make broadband internet service available for purchase to more than 700 homes and businesses that are currently unserved in Wicomico County.”

While the project is expected to cost an estimated $13.3 million, officials say no county funds will be used, as Talkie Communications would pay the unfunded balance of $3.5 million. Once started, the project is estimated to take up to three years to complete.

“This grant award will significantly enhance the ability to provide broadband internet service availability to unserved residences and businesses here in Wicomico County and we will continue to explore additional opportunities,” said John Psota, Wicomico’s acting county executive.

The governor’s office noted the $127 million in broadband funding was made possible through four grant programs –

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the Neighborhood Connect Broadband Grant Program, the Connected Communities Program, the Maryland Emergency Education Relief Grant and the Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program.

“Last summer, we supercharged our broadband investment with the launch of Connect Maryland, for a total new investment of $400 million for the expansion of broadband access, and to fully address the digital divide for everyone all across our state,” Hogan said.

“As a result of these efforts, broadband is now available to well over 95% of Marylanders, and a new national survey ranked Maryland as the most improved state in America for business and they cited our progress on infrastructure and broadband access as a part of that success.”

He continued, “Our goal is to ensure universal broadband to everyone in every single corner of the state. Connect Maryland is the game-changing initiative that is going to help us get there, and it is one more way that we are changing Maryland for the better.”

Grants awarded through the latest round of funding will help provide broadband service to an estimated 15,000 households that are currently unserved or underserved while specific education grants will both expand infrastructure and provide wireless devices and equipment to Maryland’s K-12 students, according to the governor’s office.

Created by executive order in 2017, the Office of Rural Broadband, housed in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, was established to expand broadband capabilities statewide in underserved, rural areas of Maryland.

Recognizing that there are different needs beyond rural areas and that different solutions may be needed, it was re-codified as the Office of Statewide Broadband in 2021, to ensure that all Maryland households that want broadband have access to it.

To date, the office has invested approximately $195.7 million into broadband infrastructure and access projects and programs.

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July 15, 2022

COMMUNITY News In Photos

Members of the charity committee for the Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645 presented a $2,000 check to Children’s House by the Sea. Pictured from left to right are committee member James Flaig, Children’s House By the Sea representative Wayne Littleton, and committee members Carolyn Kuhn, Susan Caldwell and Bruce Martinek.

Submitted Photos

Bill and Susan Mariner presented a $10,000 donation to the Rackliffe House Trust Endowment Fund during a reception held on the grounds of the historic house.

The Rotary Club of Wicomico County recognized Molly Hilligoss, the club’s treasurer, and Donald Hackett, a charter member, as the 2021-2022 Rotarians of the Year. Hilligoss and Hackett are pictured with A. Gillis Allen III, left, the club’s outgoing president.

Worcester County NAACP and the Residence Inn Marriott in Ocean City hosted a meet and greet for Negro League Baseball players on June 11. Judy Johnson, Snow Hill native and Baseball Hall of Famer 1975, was also remembered. Pedro Sierra, Detroit Stars, and Sam Allen, Kansas City Monarchs, are pictured with the celebratory cake, which was donated by Malinda Purnell.

Members of the Wicomico Retired School Personnel Association (WRSPA) recently attended the annual business meeting of the Maryland Retired School Personnel Association. Jani Long, left, was recognized for her contributions to the community through the awarding of WRSPA’s Individual Community Service Award. Long was also nominated on the state level. Pictured are Jani Long, Cheryl Kennedy, Allen Brown and Bev Yurek, WRSPA president.

The Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645 donated $5,000 to Diakonia. Diakonia Executive Director Ken Argot, second from left, is pictured accepting the check from members of the Elks charity committee, James Flaig, Carolyn Kuhn, Susan Caldwell and Bruce Martinek.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE NEWS and patient care.

Housing Report BERLIN – Interest rates have been rising steadily and the Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) is seeing a slowdown in the market because of that.

Between rising costs of homes and now higher interest rates, buyers, especially first-time buyers, are having a harder time finding and qualifying for their dream home.

The median home price is 22.7% higher than it was in May 2021 and up 1.9% from the last month, April 2022. Individually, the median home price was $390,000 in Worcester, $241,990 in Wicomico, and $226,00 in Somerset. We currently have only 420 active listings in the lower three counties compared to 532 in May 2021 and 1,104 in May 2020 when the pandemic began.

In all three counties throughout May, new settlements were down 15.8% compared to the same time last year. Individually, new settlements throughout May were up by 63.6% in Somerset and down 29% in Wicomico, and 15.5% in Worcester.

New listings in May were down 12.8% compared to the same time last year in all three counties. Individually, new listings were down by 9.7% in Worcester, 22.4% in Wicomico, and up 2.6% in Somerset from May of 2021.

Active listings in all three counties were down by 21.1% from May of 2021. Individually, there were 233 active listings in Worcester, 117 in Wicomico, and 70 in Somerset. The median days on market for May 2022 was 10 which was up 42.9% from May of 2021.

“Due to rising interest rates, we are starting to see a real change in the market,” said CAR President Grace Masten.

“For the last two years, we have talked about inventory and lack of options for home buyers pushing the price of homes up. Now you couple that with rising interest rates and buyers are starting to leave the market because they cannot afford to buy. Historically speaking, rates are still low, but they are not trending in the right direction, and we are seeing a slowing in the housing market because of that.

Hopefully, this will bring some new inventory and balance to a market that has needed it.”

Hospital Awards Announced SALISBURY – Hannah Bethel, RN, of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s 3 Lay-

New Scholarship

Gillis Gilkerson recently partnered with Pinnacle Hospitality Group to construct a 97,000-square-foot Cambria Hotel on the corner of Lexus Way and Hood Road in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The three-story accommodation will feature 106 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, a fitness center and indoor pool, and multiple outdoor pools and spas. Company representatives are pictured late last month celebrating the commencement of construction with an onsite groundbreaking ceremony. The hotel is expected to open in late summer of 2023.

Submitted Photo

field patient care area in Salisbury, has been selected as the June recipient of the Daisy Award for her care and compassion shown recently to a patient and family.

The husband of the patient recently wrote the following in support of her nomination for the nursing caregiver award.

“My family and I have known Hannah and have been friends with her for years,” the nomination reads. “She has always been a special person to us, but never as much as recently, when my wife was admitted to 3 Layfield for a series of very serious lung complications.”

The nomination continues, “At the time, TidalHealth was not allowing visitors because of COVID restrictions, and due to my wife’s respiratory conditions, she was not capable of contacting us by phone. Hannah, who was the 3 Layfield Charge Nurse, checked in on her regularly, reported back to us and even arranged a FaceTime call so we could have a brief visit with my wife.

“When we learned a short time later that she was nearing the end of her life, we were allowed to be with her for her final days. Hannah, again, went above and beyond by looking out for my wife and our entire family. She arranged for dinner to be brought to us in the room, and then delivered us breakfast the next day as she reported for work. Hannah is a special, wonderful and caring nurse and is truly deserving of the Daisy Award.”

Bethel was recently honored with the Daisy Award in a ceremony before her colleagues. She received certificates com-

mending her for being an extraordinary nurse, and a sculpture called “A Healer's Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease.

The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

The health system also announced that Marie “Joy” Graves, of patient care area 3 Layfield, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, is the June 2022 Sunshine Award recipient for her kindness, professionalism and compassion.

Graves, who works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and a primary unit assistant (PUA), was nominated by a peer for consistently going above and beyond for her patients.

It is said of Graves that she is a great mentor for young team members, and that she regularly reaches out to others to offer them on different methods to provide outstanding performance and patient care.

Graves was honored in a ceremony before her coworkers, and presented with fresh flowers, a pin and a certificate recognizing her exceptional devotion to team

BERLIN – Students in the Mock Trial Club at Stephen Decatur High School will now have an opportunity to apply for a $1,000 scholarship, funding for which will be provided by local attorney Tom Maronick, Jr. “On behalf of Maronick Law, we are excited to be able to support Stephen Decatur High School’s talented Mock Trial team through this new scholarship,” said Maronick, senior partner at Maronick Law LLC. “It is our hope that this scholarship opportunity will help make the road to college a little easier for the winning students.”

The Mock Trial season for participating Maryland public and private high schools runs from January through May. The team at Decatur faces opponents from across the Lower Shore, from Cambridge to Salisbury.

Maronick Law LLC is a Maryland law firm with a year-round office at 50th Street in Ocean City, focusing on the areas of criminal defense, DUI, and auto and boat accident law.

Founder Tom Maronick, Jr., is a multitime Super Lawyers honoree. He is the co-chair of the Criminal Law Committee of the Maryland Association for Justice and serves as a board member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

The firm has supported other local charities including Atlantic General Hospital’s recent 29th Anniversary Gala, Ocean City Paramedics, and a fallen officer scholarship supporting children of members of the Ocean City Police Department.

Bank Promotion SALISBURY – John W. Breda, president and CEO of The Bank of Delmarva, recently announced that Wende Palmer was promoted within the company to AVP – branch manager of the bank’s Seaford location.

Palmer joined the bank in 2011 and resides in Laurel, Del., with husband Henry, and daughWENDE PALMER ters Zoey and Jada. Palmer enjoys meeting new people, spending time with family and friends, fishing and hunting.

Page 54

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Eric Runk: The Adventures, Memories Of A Lifetime

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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OCBP ALUMNI OF THE WEEK

(Editor’s Note: The following is a series on the men and women who have spent their summers protecting all those who came to Ocean City for fun and safe vacation.)

OCEAN CITY – Every person who tries out for the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) has a story to tell. It’s a very difficult and stressful event that tests not only one’s speed and strength, but also their sheer determination. The OCBP wants guards who won’t quit, no matter what situation is thrown at them. Some people are swimmers who hope they can make it through the run. Others are runners who have trained their hardest to make the swim.

Eric Runk, however, was in a category by himself.

“I played baseball in college, and I knew swimming wasn’t my strong point.”

Eric had grown up in Baltimore County and was attending Towson University. It was the fall of 1996, and Eric began hearing stories from his friends about their time guarding that summer in Ocean City.

The more he heard, the more the idea of joining in on the adventures at the beach began appealing to him.

“I remember during the winter of 1997, discussing the upcoming tryouts taking place at Salisbury University,” he said.

By the 90’s, the OCBP had begun testing during the off season at various college and university pools throughout the state in an effort to get more recruits for the patrol and to get them sooner.

“That winter, I trained with a few guards for the upcoming test. I still remember showing up to the pool at Salisbury knowing I had to pass that swim test at all costs to make it on the OCBP,” he said. “I passed.”

When Eric arrived in Ocean City for beach patrol duty, he had no idea the kind of summer he was about to have. But like many people who become guards, once he started, he was hooked.

“I look back and still consider the OCBP as one of the best jobs I ever had,” said Eric, who took the stand on 138th Street and would guard from that post for the next four summers.

Eric Runk is pictured in competition.

And as for the adventures his friends at Towson told him about, Eric would have more than his share.

“During my time with the OCBP, I dealt with a lot of incidents, good and bad,” he recalled. “From a plane crashing in front of my stand, to a little girl falling out of a hotel window. I’ve experienced boat fires and party pool rescues. I even saved a jet skier after he hit the pier at Northside Park.”

Not every adventure ended with a rescue. Eric laughs when he remembers, “I know I wasn’t perfect during those years, and I probably gave the captain, lieutenants, and sergeants headaches at times.”

One of those headache-causing moments occurred for Eric during the morning of the “re-test”. All OCBP guards not only have to take a grueling physical test to get onto the patrol, they have to endure another test every summer that they return. Knowing that you have done it once before is little comfort when the job is on the line again and the conditions you face that day may not be ideal. It’s tough for every guard, but once again, Eric was in a category by himself.

“Wes Smith pulled up in front of my stand. He had all my roommates inside the jeep, and he informed me that all of us were to take the test in front of the city council and members of the media. We had a party the night before and someone reported us to the mayor’s office,” he said.

Sometimes, you have to pay the price for having a good time. In the end, Eric passed and chalked it up as another great adventure.

Sometimes, the memories can be traumatic, but that often makes them that much more important to share.

“The one memory that has always stuck with me took place in 1999. While sitting on my stand on a busy day in July, people began running up to my stand screaming that a little girl was buried in the sand,” he said. “I called it in, and ran down to where they said she was buried. I remember just digging and screaming at people to get back because they were causing the sand to cave in. After about five minutes of dig-

Submitted Photo

ging, I reached the little girl’s foot, upside down and facing me. After pulling her out, I knew she was not breathing. I remember running with her to the beach access to meet the EMS that just arrived. Once they took her, they continued CPR until the medivac arrived, which then flew her to Shock Trauma. I was told later that she had started breathing again. I know that I was meant to be there at that time to rescue her.”

Eric would finish his guarding days after the 2000 season.

“The OCBP still has a big place in my heart, and it was truly an amazing experience that guided me into the career path I’m in today,” he said. “I made lifelong friends. My career has taken me all over the world and I’ve done and seen so many things, but I still consider my time with the OCBP as one of the best experiences of my life. When I sit in my office in Washington, I still have a picture on the wall of my OCBP crew.”

Eric currently runs European Operations for the U.S. Marshals Service.

Page 56

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Freeman Arts Pavilion’s Photo Of The Week: Each week during the season the Freeman Arts Pavilion submits a photo of the week from the Selbyville venue. Above, the “9 to 5: The Musical” presented by Clear Space Theatre Company was performed on Thursday, July 7. Tickets are still available Photo by Natalee DeHart/Freeman Arts Pavilion for 2022 performances at freemanarts.org.

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Tips To Remember When Properly Setting Umbrella

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 57

Guarding the Beach

BY DAMIEN SANZOTTI

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

OCEAN CITY – Umbrellas swept by wind gusts often barrel down the beach at speeds of up to 20 mph. High winds and gusts are common on the shoreline, and these conditions which often change rapidly, mixed with an improperly set umbrella, can mean trouble.

Unfortunately, every summer beach patrols along the east coast respond to medical emergencies caused by flying umbrellas. In some cases, injuries are serious enough to require a paramedic response. Fortunately, in Ocean City this is a rare occurrence, compared to the huge number of umbrellas along our 10 miles of beach. These accidents can often be prevented and are basically caused by an umbrella that was not set properly in the sand. Not only does a flying umbrella often result in some type of injury, it can also have legal ramifications. The owner of the flying umbrella can be held responsible for any injury caused to another person. Here are a few important tips to follow when setting a beach umbrella.

If you rent an umbrella, make sure the beach stand operator is the person that sets it in the sand for you. If you move or reset the umbrella on your own, you are responsible.

When setting the umbrella, just jabbing it into the ground is not enough. You must jab and then rock the whole umbrella pole back and forth until about 18 inches (a cubit or length of an adult forearm) of the pole are beneath the sand. Screwing the umbrella into the sand is not effective.

Make sure the umbrella is tilted into the wind. This will prevent a gust from getting up under the umbrella. The greater the wind speed the smaller the angle should be between the beach and umbrella.

Use common sense. If winds are high and you are using a low-quality plastic or light metal umbrella or your umbrella setting skills are poor, do not set your umbrella up in the dangerous conditions.

If you leave the beach for any reason, do not leave your umbrella open and unattended. Close it up and take it down until you return because the weather and wind conditions can change without warning.

Part of a Surf Rescue Technician’s training is how to properly place an umbrella in the sand, so that they may instruct you, if you do not know how to do it safely. The lifeguard on duty may give you these tips and suggestions but will not set your umbrella for you. Lifeguards will also try to warn people of high winds, although a gust of wind (unpredictable) may dislodge an improperly installed umbrella while other surrounding umbrellas may remain secure. You should also speak with your lifeguard about where umbrellas should be placed on the beach. Umbrellas set east of the lifeguard stand impede the lifeguard’s view and violate a city ordinance. If you arrive at the beach before lifeguards are on duty, be sure to set your umbrella a few yards behind the high tide line.

Also remember to still use sunscreen even if you are planning to spend your time under the shade of a well-placed umbrella.

If you want to watch some informative videos about how to set an umbrella properly, you can go to our website and click on the safety link. www.ococean.com/ocbp.

Happy shading under your properly set umbrella and remember, “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand.”

(The writer has been with the beach patrol for 19 years and is currently a sergeant. He is a physical education teacher for the Worcester County Public School system.)

A crowded Ocean City beach is pictured with dozens of umbrellas in use.

Photo by Chris Parypa

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Page 58

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Chris Parypa’s Photo Of The Week: Each week staff photographer Chris Parypa is tasked with submitting a photo from his vast library to be featured in this space. Above this man finds the beach to be the perfect place for an afternoon nap. To purchase any of Parypa’s photos, click over to www.chrisparypa.com.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

THE DISPATCH Crossword Puzzle

ANSWERS ON PAGE 94

HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 to April 19): your goals and ignore those naysayers You're not Sheepish when it comes to who might try to discourage you. You're asserting your opinions on what you on the right track. The challenge now think is right or wrong. Be assured that is to stay on it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21): you're being heard, and something You'll soon get news that is supposed positive will follow.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): to help you with a troublesome situaYour sense of justice makes it difficult tion. Use your sharp Scorpion instincts not to speak up about a recurring mat- to determine if the information is reliter involving a co-worker. But, once able. again, you need facts to back you up SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. before you can act.

21): If you learn someone has beGEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Ro- trayed your trust, don't just accept it mance is still dominant, and if Cupid and walk away. You need to know why misfired before, don't worry. He'll take that person decided to do what he or better aim at someone new this time she did. around. Expect favorable news about CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19): a financial matter.

A painful family relationship problem CANCER (June 21 to July 22): could finally begin to heal. Be prepared The zodiac's Moon Children can ex- to show more flexibility than you might pect things to work out pretty much as like. It could be worth it. planned. One negative note involves AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18): a minor relationship problem that sud- It's a good idea to enhance your career denly turns serious. skills so you'll be prepared to accept a LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22): You're more responsible position when it's ofsuddenly being asked to make choic- fered. A friend returns a favor just when es between two practically equal of- you need it. fers. Which one to choose? Easy. The PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20): one most likely to gladden your Lion's Show that strong, steely backbone that heart. you usually hide and demand to be VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22): included in any family decision-makOnce again, you're confronted by a ing that could affect the well-being of a workplace problem you thought you'd loved one. already resolved. This time, you might BORN THIS WEEK: You can be need to go higher up to find a just res- happy being alone at home. But you olution. also love exploring the world outside LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22): Good and meeting new people. (c) 2022 King Features Syndicate, Inc. for you: You're determinedANSWERS to stick with ON PAGE 46

Page 59

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 60

vanishing

OCEAN CITY

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

July 15, 2022

WITH BUNK MANN

Weigh station reactions from tourney fishermen A line for early voting Kites on the beach

Good news in the mail from the IRS A good teacher’s caring heart Poolside weekends

Burgers hot off the grill

Jackson’s Casino was Ocean City’s most popular nightclub in the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s. Music, drinks and slot machines were the main attraction at the big wooden building on the Boardwalk between 9th and 10th streets.

Jackson’s was where the locals hung out and many still recall the special façade built to meet blackout requirements during World War II. Slot machines were prevalent in Ocean City during that period and when State’s Attorney Jack Sanford cracked down on gambling in the early 1950s it is said over 30 slots were put out of commission at Jackson’s Casino.

Jackson’s became the Ocean Casino in 1953 and was then a popular pinball arcade and teenage gathering spot on the mid-town Boardwalk. Heavily damaged in the March Storm of 1962, the iconic frame building was demolished and replaced by the masonry building that sits on the same site today.

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

People who don’t feed seagulls on the beach

Steamed crabs as a random dinner Watching a dog walk its owner Overnight summer rain

Historic Church Launches Restore The Light Campaign

Photo courtesy Stacy Crockett, The Baltimore Sun

BY BETHANY HOOPER

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – With the help of grant funding and community support, a local church is hoping to restore its 110-year-old stained glass windows.

Stevenson United Methodist’s Restore the Light Committee has launched a campaign to restore more than 34 stained glass windows at the church. Now, with a grant from the Humphreys Foundation, church members are hoping to raise the remaining funds to preserve a piece of history.

“We are excited and want to preserve the building for the next generation,” said Beth Sise, chair of the church’s Restore the Light Committee.

Efforts to restore the building’s stained glass windows -- installed in 1912, when the granite church was built -- began in earnest last fall, Sise said, when an assessment revealed roughly $211,000 of work was needed to address the glass panes and acrylic covers, many of which had been damaged by the sun.

“It’s mainly the east and south side where the sun is prominent … It’s actually caused the most damage,” she said. “We had a survey and assessment done in October and the price took us aback. It’s a daunting task, so once we got our thoughts together, we pursued the grant to make it possible.”

In April, Restore the Light Committee members submitted an application to the Humphreys Foundation seeking a $100,-

000 grant to assist in restoration efforts.

And in late June, the church learned it had received $50,000, with an opportunity to receive $50,000 more as a match.

“If we can raise $50,000, the Humphreys Foundation will match it, so there is an incentive there,” she said. “Ultimately, we have the potential to receive $100,000.

We are completely humbled and grateful by such a generous gift. It’s a true blessing.”

To work toward the matching grant, Sise says the church will now seek the support of congregation members and the community.

On June 24, for example, the church held a hymn sing and BBQ dinner to benefit restoration efforts. Sise noted the church is also looking into other grant opportunities, mailing campaigns and more.

“The people that gave money to install the 1910 windows were established businessmen in the community …,” she added.

“So we’re also looking to see if their family members would support the windows their ancestors helped install 110 years ago.”

Sise said the process of restoring the windows is highly involved and requires the expertise of professionals. She noted that 14 of the windows will be removed and

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taken to Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser Stained Glass Studio in Minnesota, where they will be disassembled, cleaned and repaired. The remaining windows will stay in place as they are repaired and the trim is repainted.

“New acrylic covers on the exterior will then go in to protect the windows,” she said.

While it is not the first time the church has taken efforts to restore the windows -the three biggest stained glass windows at the church were repaired in the 1990s -Sise said it will be the first time a majority of the windows will be refurbished.

“The integrity of those three windows are intact because of the work done 30 years ago …,” she said. “So it’s not the first time we’ve tried to raise money for the windows, but this is the first time we are doing all the windows.”

Through the pandemic, the stained glass windows served as an inspiration to the community, as they were illuminated through the night to lift up motorists and pedestrians passing by.

Sise said those interested in supporting the church’s window restoration efforts can donate through the Stevenson United Methodist Church website, stevensonchurch.org/give. Checks, with “Restore the Light” written in the memo line, can also be sent to 123 N. Main Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.

“We appreciate any community support,” she said, “because it’s going to take the whole community to raise this money.”

SU Surpasses $75 Million Fundraising Campaign Goal

July 15, 2022

SALISBURY – Following three years of the public phase of friend-raising and fundraising, Salisbury University and the SU Foundation, Inc. have surpassed the ambitious $75 million goal for “We Are SU: The Campaign for Salisbury University,” the largest such initiative in campus history.

In all, the campaign raised more than $75.1 million.

“This is an exciting day for Salisbury University,” said SU President Charles Wight. “This campaign has been an incredible effort from each and every person associated with SU who helps to play a part in the stories and successes of our institution. SU has always been focused on the student experience, and the beneficiaries of ‘We Are SU’ are current and future students who will thrive as a result of the generosity of donors and friends to SU.” Wight launched the campaign in June 2019 and counts the success of the venture among his many accomplishments as he approached his retirement as SU’s president on July 14.

While previous campaigns have focused on infrastructure updates and improvements, “We Are SU” was dedicated to growing the university’s endowment through scholarships and program support, directly benefiting students, faculty and staff – the people of SU. During the campaign, the SU Foundation’s endowment topped an all-time high of more than $115 million in assets.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

“The goal of raising more money than any other effort in SU history was a daunting one, but it is an accomplishment I am honored to have been a part of,” said Dave Rommel, “We Are SU” chair. “Our teams on the campaign committee and campus campaign committee have dedicated many hours to the success of this initiative. It truly has been a team and community effort, all in the name of assisting SU students and future leaders.”

The funding is timely as SU’s enrollment rebounds following COVID-19. This fall, the university expects to welcome one of the largest first-year classes in campus history.

“As a regional comprehensive institution, SU values the vast array of educational programs, research opportunities, athletics, student life, cultural performances and other transformative experiences offered,” said Jason Curtin, vice president of advancement and external affairs, and executive director of the SU Foundation.

“Our generous donors come from backgrounds as diverse as SU’s offerings - from regional, national and international business leaders; to Broadway stars; professional athletes; and alumni from across all academic programs who have historically shown up at a higher percentage than other University System of Maryland institution. Every gift that has been pledged during the campaign, no matter the amount, will make a difference in the life of a future Sea Gull.”

Page 61

A festive announcement of the “We Are SU: The Campaign for Salisbury University” was held three years ago.

Submitted Photo

SU’s campus and community partners are invited to a campaign celebration this

fall. The date and location will be announced later this summer.

Page 62

Photo Challenge Winner Named

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Jennifer DeGiovanni won the Visit Worcester County Parks Photo Challenge, for her photo capturing the wetlands at Herring Creek Nature Park in West Ocean City. The contest was hosted by the Worcester County Wellness Committee for Worcester County employees and photos were judged by Recreation and Parks staff.

DeGiovanni’s photo will be on display at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill during July. The scenic Herring Creek Nature Park, which is open to residents and visitors, features a pavilion that is available for picnics and gatherings, as well as walking/jogging paths and bird watching stations. Submitted Photo

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 63

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Mid-Atlantic Symphony To Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Page 64

BERLIN – As it welcomes Music Director and Conductor Michael Repper to the podium, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will mark its 25th anniversary season – a “Season of Celebration” – with the introduction of a new four-concert Ensembles Series to complement its traditional five-concert Masterworks Series and New Year’s Eve concert.

Both series will be presented at multiple venues on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and in Southern Delaware.

“With growing interest in live performances, we are adding a series of programs featuring brass, jazz, string, and woodwind ensembles comprised of Mid-Atlantic Symphony musicians to make the joy and diversity of music more widely available,” said Board President Jeffrey Parker. “The new Ensem-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

bles Series will allow our audiences to become more familiar with individual players from the Orchestra as they perform together in these smaller groups.

The series will offer programs that appeal to a variety of musical tastes, as well as lower ticket prices to make the experience more affordable for families.

Our established Masterworks Series will continue to feature new and familiar repertoire for full orchestra, with acclaimed guest performers from around the world.”

Masterworks Series programs include Florence Price’s rarely performed Symphony No. 1 as well as symphonies by Dvorak and Schumann; Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”), with celebrated Irish pianist Michael McHale as guest soloist; Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, with

internationally acclaimed cellist Dominique de Willencourt as guest soloist; and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with BBC Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Igor Yuzefovich as both guest soloist and conductor.

A complete schedule of 2022-2023 Masterworks and Ensembles programs, venues and times is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony also will celebrate its silver anniversary with its traditional non-subscription New Year’s Eve concert in Easton, MD., featuring acclaimed young singer Anna Kelly and Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition finalist Rachel Blaustein. Tickets are $65 for general admission or $90 for premium seating.

Subscriptions for the five-concert Masterworks Series, which includes the

July 15, 2022

popular Holiday Joy program, are $210, a savings of $50 from individually purchased tickets. Single tickets for Masterworks programs are $50 for the September, November, and March concerts, and $55 for both the December and April programs.

Ensembles Series subscriptions, including a December performance of seasonal favorites by a six-person brass and percussion group of Mid-Atlantic Symphony musicians, are $125 for four concerts, a savings of $15 from individually purchased tickets, which are $35 each. The series also includes performances by a woodwind quintet, a string quartet, and a jazz ensemble.

In addition to single tickets and series subscriptions, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony offers a group discount for the purchase of 10 or more tickets to a single subscription concert.

The Orchestra also makes a limited number of free tickets available for students 18 years and under, with accompanying parents admitted for $10 each.

Reservations are required for the free tickets and may be made by calling 888-846-8600.

For additional information about the 2022-2023 season or to order tickets, visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

Tickets also may be ordered by telephone at 888-846-8600.

The only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council; the Talbot County Arts Council; the Worcester County Arts Council; the Sussex County, DE Council; and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

Concertmaster Igor Yuzefovich will serve as guest soloist and conductor.

Submitted Photo

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 65

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The symbolic transition of power recently took place between new SU President Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre and outgoing President Dr. Charles Wight. Submitted Photo

SALISBURY – In ancient Greece, sacred flames were ritually shared between altars via a relay of torch runners, passing the flame from person to person. Each accepted the duty of ensuring the fire was not extinguished on their watch.

Recently, Salisbury University (SU) similarly ensured that the flame of education will continue burning brightly at the Eastern Shore campus and its satellite locations, not with the passing of a torch, but with the passing of a mace.

The traditional ceremony signified the transition between SU’s ninth President, Dr. Charles Wight, and its 10th, Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre. The ritual took place in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall.

“I feel the gravity of what we do, and why it’s important, just a little bit more when I’m in the Great Hall,” said Wight.

“For the last year and a half, this space has been used for COVID-19 testing.

I’m so proud of the way that our campus came together and persevered through such challenging times, but I’m also happy that this space is now going to be a place where we gather and celebrate once more. To me, that symbolizes both our perseverance and commitment to mission. This is a special place with amazing people.”

Lepre said, “It’s difficult to express how honored I am to be joining such a prestigious and accomplished group of

people. I’m coming to an institution with a strong foundation, one with a rich history of student success both in and out of the classroom. I know that such success can only take place when there are talented and dedicated faculty, with a skilled and committed staff and a university community that wraps its arms around our students to ensure that they can make tomorrow theirs.”

The mace has been a symbol of the university since 1997. Designed and donated by alumnus Clinton Bradway ’56, it is comprised of a mahogany staff adorned with 10 pewter rings, each engraved with the name and term of each president since 1925. A separate ring features the names of SU’s schools and colleges. Its head includes four oval surfaces, representing the SU seal, iconic Holloway Hall clocktower, the dates when SU began conferring degrees, and the evolution of the university’s name from Maryland State Normal School in 1925 to Salisbury University in 2001.

The head is surrounded by eight wooden spikes, crafted from a historic linden tree that stood in front of Holloway Hall for 70 years, from its planting in 1925 until it was felled by a storm in 1995. The mace is crowned by a golden Sea Gull, representing the university’s mascot and varsity athletic teams.

Lepre begins her tenure as president on Friday, July 15.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Free Art Fun: On summer

Saturdays, beginning at 11 a.m., the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 94th Street bayside, hosts free children’s craft projects with unique new projects every week.

The projects are outside in the arts center’s waterfront courtyard, weather permitting, and move indoors on rainy days. All ages are welcome, but an adult must accompany the child. Pictured, above from left, are Ashley Fiastro of Timonium; Charlotte Kulik, Berlin; Lewin Johnson, Manchester; and below left, Xander Fiastro, Timonium; and, at right, Tucker Strano, Ellie Stahl, Kit Strano, and Maggie Stahl of Havertown, Pa., and DowningSubmitted Photos town, Pa.

Page 67

… Chief Makes Plea To Improve Officer Retention

Page 68

FROM PAGE 27 other former BPD officer, echoed Bunting’s comments. He said turnover at the agency was high because Berlin was often considered a stepping stone to larger agencies.

“I’d like to see that change,” he said. “A lot of money goes into training, the academy, everything costs money. I had to pay back the town (when I left) and I gladly did it because I got a $15,000 raise to leave the town and go to the agency I ended up retiring from.”

He said that while the town had increased police pay not too long ago, the BPD was still not competitive. He said staffing was not where it needed to be now and even if rates were increased it would still take time to get officers on patrol.

“Every time you put someone in the academy you're eight months away from having a viable officer performing patrol func-

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

tion on the street,” he said. “Six months in the academy, two months of field training... In my opinion this is a critical issue.”

The 2021 death of Delmar Cpl. Keith Heacook and last month’s shooting death of Wicomico County Deputy Glenn Hilliard have reminded many of the dangers officers face in the line of duty.

“We aren’t that much different than Delmar,” Hickman said. “You have to think about that. What happened in Delmar could very easily have happened here in Berlin.”

Christina Bireley, wife of a current BPD officer, said she was worried about her husband’s safety when he was on duty.

“He and other officers are forced to work alone at night due to the staffing shortage,” she said.

She said there were more officers on staff at the department 25 years ago than there are today.

“With the recent and devastating ev-

ents that have happened in Delmar and Wicomico County, as a wife I feel obligated to speak up,” she said. “I could not live with the guilt knowing I didn’t try to improve the situation.”

Downing said she’d nearly brought him to tears.

“If we want to do something we have to make it a priority,” he said.

Downing said if the town wanted to do something to improve the situation money would have to be spent.

“When somebody wants to complain that we're too slow and we’re not there when they want us to be there, there's a reason,” he said.

Downing said he’d been with the agency 31 years. While he’s always sorry to see people leave the department, he knows they’re leaving as better officers than when they arrived. He said if the town wanted to keep those officers, police

July 15, 2022

funding would have to be a priority. He said the talk of LEOPS had gone on for years.

“I’ve been at the doorstep more than once,” he said. “I've heard it before. We’ll believe it when we see it.”

Downing added that the town could’ve had LEOPS in place this year if officials had acted earlier. He said he’d heard support voiced for moving into the program but knew officials’ votes could change once the cost was laid out.

Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of the town’s law enforcement.

“You're not going to have good schools, you're not going to have a good business community, you're not going to have anybody want to be here or live here, if they don’t feel safe,” he said.

He added that houses in Berlin were selling fast and there was a waiting list for commercial space. He said businesses wouldn’t be leaving because of a slight increase in costs from the town. He closed his comments by encouraging officials to institute LEOPS and increase pay.

“Folks are going to come here because of the dollars, they stay because of retirement,” he said. “You have to fix both those things. You can't do one and not the other.”

Tyndall thanked those who commented for speaking.

“We have some things to overcome,” he said. “We're aware of those, we're working through some of those … None of us want to see anything bad happen to any of our officers.”

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 69

with Scott Lenox Greetings all. We had an exciting weekend of fishing with the 35th edition of the Ocean City Tuna Tournament in town at the Ocean City Fishing Center and we had some pretty darn good back fishing to boot. There was some weather that came through over the weekend to dampen the Tuna Tournament, literally, but it was out of the area by Monday and it was back to fishing. The 35th Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament was definitely one for the record books -- 109 boats registered and the prize purse reached a record $1.1 million.

With a weather forecast that had things getting rough on Sunday, all but one boat fished on Friday and another 102 boats fished on Saturday. That left only seven boats left to fish on Sunday in rough conditions and the weather proved a worthy adversary as there were no leaderboard changes on the final day. It may have been an anticlimactic conclusion, but there were literally already thousands of pounds of tuna on the board. Over the course of three days of fishing, there were over 20, 200pound bigeye weighed and over 12,000 pounds of fish. The big money winners

were the two boats that had the heaviest total stringer and the heaviest single fish. The crew of the Talkin’ Trash with Captain Chris Little not only won first place in the total stringer category, but they also had the second place heaviest fish with a huge 256-pound bigeye.

Talkin’ Trash was across the board in the added entry levels and received a check for over $316,000 on Sunday night.

Many thought that Talkin’ Trash’s huge bigeye was going to walk away with the heaviest fish category, but the final fish of the day on Saturday would not only take first place, it would also break a tournament record. The crew of the Reel Crazy cruised into the Ocean City Fishing Center on Saturday evening and dropped a behemoth 275-pound bigeye on the dock catapulting themselves into first place in the heaviest fish category and setting a new tourney record. Reel Crazy was in all of the right added entry levels as well and received a check of over $308,000. Congratulations to all of the winners of the 35th Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament and to the Ocean City Fishing Center for an awesome event.

SEE PAGE 70

The crew of Reel Crazy set a new OC Tuna Tournament record with their 275pound bigeye that cashed over $308,000.

Submitted Photos

Page 70

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Above top left, Blake Gunther and crew jigged up six keeper flounder up to 23.5” and 5 pounds, 12 ounces. Above top center, Captain John Prather of Ocean City Guide Service had a great day with this crew putting five keeper flounder and two bluefish in the boat. Above top right, Danielle Robertson took second place in both the Lady and Junior Angler categories fishing with her dad Paul on the FFMD. Above left, Wayne Breneman from Lancaster, PA used a live sand flea to land this stud 23”, 10-pound sheepshead. Above right, Kallie Lucas was top lady angler in the OC Tuna Tournament with her 57-pound yellowfin caught on Reel Trips.

Opposite page, top left, these anglers found some doormat flounder fishing with Captain Kane Bounds on the Fish Bound. Opposite page, top right, top money winner in the 35th Annual OC Tuna Tournament was the crew of Talkin’ Trash who celebrated a check for over $316,000. Opposite page, middle left Captain Doug Bramble and the crew of the Shorebilly won over $58,000 for their 70 pound bluefin tuna. Opposite page, middle right, Jase Weaver won first place Junior Angler in the OC Tuna Tournament fishing on board the Reel Fin Addict. Opposite page, bottom left, Paul Supplee and his crew on the Hot Shot toasted to a big 184-pound bigeye tuna during the OC Tuna Tournament. Opposite page, bottom right, Vince Cannuli used the Fish in OC tog jig to land this beauty of a 23” tautog.

... Fish In OC FROM PAGE 69 Away from the tournament there was some good bottom fishing for the ocean going fleet with plenty of sea bass and some flounder and triggerfish. Captain Kane Bounds of the Fish Bound has been seeing catches of flounder between 18 and 32 keepers with some very nice fish in the mix up to 7 or 8 pounds. Flounder fishing isn’t great over ocean structure yet, but if you work for them you can put together a nice catch of fish. The party boat fleet is also doing pretty well with nice sea bass, some ribbonfish and a few triggerfish over the past week or so.

The Angler, Morning Star, Judith M and Ocean Princess aren’t catching limits of sea bass anymore, but the keeper to throwback ratio is better. Remember sea bass have to be 13” this year and anglers are allowed 15 fish per person.

Back bay flounder fishing was good on the high tide this week with some bigger fish coming from the East Channel and OC Inlet areas. There are still plenty of fish and plenty of keepers coming from behind Assateague Island and the Thorofare, but the larger fish are being caught in deeper water from 9th street down to the south jetty. Larger baits like live bunker, spot or mullet on single hook rigs like our Live Bait Rig will give you your best chance at a doormat between now and October. Fish the last two hours of the high tide and the first two

hours of the outgoing tide on the cleanest water and you should get some flounder bites. Blake Gunther and his crew had six nice keepers over the weekend with three fish over 20” and one that was 23.5” and over 5.5 pounds.

There is still a surprisingly good bluefish and rockfish bite at the route 50 bridge lately with keeper rockfish and bluefish to over 30”. Anglers casting Thing A Ma Jigs and Roy Rigs are having success with both rockfish and bluefish from 15” to 24”. The larger bluefish and keeper rockfish over 28” are being caught on larger live baits like spot, or being dredged up with “stretch” lures.

Fish the middle of the incoming or outgoing tide close to the bottom directly under the bridge for your best chances.

This weekend sees one of my favo-

rite tournaments of the season in the Kid’s Classic Tournament put on by the Ocean City Marlin Club. The Kid’s Classic is a junior angler event open to any kid 19 years old or younger and is a fish one of two, or two of two day event.

There are inshore and offshore categories and every angler receives an award. Scales action takes place at Sunset Marina on Saturday, July 16 from 3 until 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 17 from 3 until 6 p.m. For more information call the club at 410-213-1613. Until next week, tight lines.

(The writer is the owner of Fish in OC and host of Ocean City’s fishing television show Hooked on OC. He has worked in the fishing industry and been fishing the waters in and around Ocean City for over 25 years.)

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Things To Do Every Sunday: Berlin Farmers Market From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., several streets will be closed to allow producers to display their goods. Live music from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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 Monday: Acapella Chorus All ladies who love to sing are invited to the Delmarva Woman’s Acapella Chorus, Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Contact Mary 410-629-9383 or Carol 302242-7062.

Every Tuesday: TOPS Meeting Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.

Meetings are held at the Worcester County Berlin Health Department at 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin from 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. 410289-4725.

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. 410250-2645.

Every Thursday: Beach Singles Join the club, 55 plus, at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island, 4-6 p.m. 302436-9577 or BeachSingles.org.

Every Friday: Bingo Knights of Columbus hosts 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.

July 16: Chicken BBQ Dinner From 5 p.m. until sold out at Bethany United Methodist Church, 8648 Stephen Decatur Highway. Includes choice of sides: baked beans, green beans, mac-n-cheese, oven potatoes, salad, roll and drink. Indoor dining or takeout available. Baked Goods available for an additional charge. Pre-orders recommended a tbethany21811@gmail.com or 410-641-2186.

July 16: Harmony Fundraiser The Delmarva Chorus, a chapter of the Sweet Adeline International (501c3), is hosting its annual fundraising event, "Coffee, Tea and Which Witch Harmony," at 7 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Maryland Community Center.

The chorus, under the direction of Carol Ludwig, has been volunteering performances of acapella harmony to communities for many years. For a donation of $10, there will be free coffee, tea and homemade baked goods, a 50-50 raffle, raffle baskets, door prizes, lots of fun and more. For tickets and information, call Joann at 215828-5521.

July 16: Fried Chicken Platters Only $8 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 8607 Ironshire Station Road, Berlin, from 10:30 a.m. until sold out.

Platter includes fried chicken, roll and two sides.

July 16: Pulled Pork Carryout The Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will be holding a pulled pork platter carryout, noon-2 p.m. at the main station. $12 per platter to include one pint of pulled pork, cole slaw and baked beans. $10 for pint of pulled pork and $6 for pint of baked beans.

Call 619-922-9950 by July 9 to reserve your smoked pulled pork.

July 16: Youth Fishing Contest The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will host the annual Art Hansen Memorial Youth Fishing Contest at the South Gate Pond at Veterans Park in Ocean Pines. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and

the contest will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Youths should bring their own fishing rod and reel. Bait is provided. Three age groups; 4-7, 8-11, 12-16. A trophy will be awarded for the biggest fish in each age group with special awards for the top three. Grand Prize awards will be a Mike Vitak custom Rod & Reel and a fishing trip aboard the Angler. Children younger than age 4 can fish but will not be eligible for a trophy. This is a free event. All registrants will receive a prize compliments of the Anglers Club and the Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club. Questions to John McFalls, 610505-1697.

July 16: Book Signing Please join the Taylor House Museum for a book signing event with author Robert Craig at 3 p.m. He is the son and namesake of Captain Robert S. Craig who headed the Ocean City Beach Patrol from 1946-1987. The younger Craig served on the beach patrol from 1960-65 and his son Christopher became the first third-generation member of the beach patrol in 1999.

July 18: Expungement Clinic The Worcester County Library is offering a free expungement clinic in partnership with Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pocomoke Library (301 Market Street). The event will give those who qualify the opportunity to expunge their criminal record in the state of Maryland with the assistance of an attorney. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and to bring with them the following: income information for all members of your household; the value of your house and car (if you own either); and the amounts in your checking, savings, and/or investment accounts.

Once the required forms are complete, a paralegal and an attorney will guide you through the expungement process. Space is limited to 12 individuals. Register at WorcesterLibrary.org under “Events,” or call for assistance at 443-783-6164 or ecoelho@worcesterlibrary.org.

July 19: Quarter Auction

The Church of the Holy Spirit is having a Quarter Auction with doors opening at 6 p.m., and the games start at 7. Food will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 and include a paddle. Additional paddles are $2 each, or three for $5. They are limited, so get yours now.

The church is located at 100th St. and Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Call Jackie at 443-735-4275 for further information and for tickets.

July 22-23, 25: Pines Book Sale The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library announced the Annual Book Sale at the Ocean Pines Library. This event is open to the public and is scheduled as follows: Friday, July 22, 6-8 p.m., club members enjoy first access to this year’s books on sale; Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., General Sale with all books, audio and DVD's priced 50 cents to $2; and Monday, July 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., sale continues with all books sold at half price, including the Specials Room. This popular Annual Book Sale offers over 20,000 books that have been donated throughout the year by patrons, community members and businesses. All sales are cash or check only – no credit cards will be accepted. All monies go to benefit the Ocean Pines Library and its resources, programs and events.

Aug. 27: Furnace Town Bike Ride The 12th Annual Iron Furnace Fifty Bike Ride at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill.

Check in at Furnace Town from 7-9 a.m. Pre-registration required. Go to https://www.ironfurnacefifty.org/ for more information. 410-632-2032.

Sept. 24-25: Renaissance Faire From 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the 2nd Annual Renaissance Faire at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill. Cost is $15/adult, $10/children ages 5-14. www.furnacetown.org.

October 22: Furnace Town Halloween From 4-8 p.m., Halloween in the Forest at Furnace Town Historic Site, 3816 Old Furnace Rd., Snow Hill. Spooktacular games, music and trick-or-treating.

Cost is $5/person. www.furnacetown.org.

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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

HELP WANTED YEAR ROUND HOUSEKEEPER : Private home in Ocean City. Part time, morning shift, 3 days per week. Excellent pay. references required. Please call Heather at 410289-5444 btwn. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HELP WANTED: Top pay for experienced exterior painter/concrete mechanic. Must have own transportation. Call - 410-430-4286.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KITCHEN:Cooks, Kitchen Help, Food Runners wanted. Flexible schedule, clean kitchen, new equipment.Weekly pay checks.

Friendly work environment. American Legion Post #166. Contact Sam Wiley 443-235-0876 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– MAINTENANCE: Custodial/light maintenance. Full-time. Call 410250-2262.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: For busy Landscape Contractors office in Berlin. This is a multi-tasking position for detail oriented individual including customer scheduling & routing crews. Must have strong computer skills and a pleasant personality. Call The Moore Companies, 410-641-2177 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

LANDSCAPE WORKERS NEEDED: Must have reliable transportation to work. Call 410641-2177. The Moore Companies, Berlin, MD. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– CLEANERS WANTED FOR OC: If you are a conscientious individual or team looking for great pay & minimal hours on summer Saturdays in OC, then we are the cleaning company for you. Exp. preferred. Cell phone and vehicle required. (443)880-0525. ___________________________ C L E A N E R S / VAC AT I O N RENTALS: Needed for Ocean City and Ocean Pines. Experience preferred but not necessary. Text or call 443-397-1189.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ELECTRICIAN Full-time, Year-round Now accepting applications.

Established company, 5+ years exp, service type projects, health, dental, paid vacation, 401k w/matching, company van.

Hawkins Electric 443-856-2001 ask for John Ross.

PRAY FOR THE UKRAINE

ENGLISH TEACHER

Worcester Preparatory School is located in beautiful Berlin, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The school is an independent, coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 500 students in grades PK -12. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Upper School English Teacher for the 2022-2023 school year.

This vibrant individual will have a strong education background and be capable of teaching the highest levels of high school English. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in English, successful classroom experience, and the ability to participate in other areas of school life are requirements forth is position. Advanced Placement experience and advanced degree would be desirable.

Interested candidates should mail or email resume with cover letter to: Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, 508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811 or lwatson@worcesterprep.org

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

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

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

White Horse Park General Maintenance for Mobile Home Community: Part time including Saturdays, 8am - 4pm, No Experience Required.

Call White Horse Park 410 641 5102 for interview.

The Dispatch Is On Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEACHER

Worcester Preparatory School seeks an experienced full-time Middle School math teacher. This position reports to the Head of Middle School.

Candidates for this position should possess a BS degree in Mathematics, with the demonstrated ability to teach Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry at the above referenced level. Previous experience teaching middle school students is desirable. State certification is not required. Candidates with the experience and interest to coach are desirable.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Berlin, just fifteen minutes from the Ocean City beaches, Worcester Preparatory School is a co-ed independent day school of over 500 students in grades pre-K – 12. The school has comprehensive facilities on a 45-acre campus just a mile from the vibrant town center in Berlin.

Governed by an independent board of trustees, WPS was founded in 1970 and enjoyed rapid growth in the decades that followed. It is the premier independent school on the Eastern Shore, drawing students from Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, some traveling over an hour to reach campus. All graduates matriculate to four-year colleges or universities, many among the most selective in the nation.

WPS strives to keep its curriculum relevant to the dynamic world of the 21st Century, while remaining true to its values as a traditional college prep school. WPS is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS) and an NAIS member.

In the spirit of “bricks & mortar do not a school make”, WPS’s greatest strength is the tremendous passion the educators, students, parents, friends and trustees have for the school. It is a wonderful school and community in which to work and a great opportunity for new faculty.

Worcester Preparatory School is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compensation and benefits are competitive with other area private schools and are adjusted based on experience level and credentials. Interested persons should send a letter of interest, employment application, resume, and educational philosophy (if available) to Linda Watson, Director of Human Resources, at lwatson@worcesterprep.org.

Interested persons should send an Application for Employment, letter of interest, resume, to Linda Watson Director of Human Resources at lwatson@worcesterprep.org

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

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

HELP WANTED

CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN/ MARINA TRAVEL LIFT OPERATOR

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

NOW HIRING! PAYING TOP DOLLAR! •LINE COOKS •FOOD RUNNER •SERVERS •BARBACK Please apply in person.

Greene Turtle West Rt. 611, West OC 410-213-1500

Apply online at delawarestatejobs.com

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

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

WEST OC’S MOST FUN PLACE TO WORK AND MAKE $$$$

CARPENTERS & CARPENTERS HELPERS Must have:

JOIN THE BETHANY BREWING TEAM! Ocean View, DE Now taking applications:

•BAR MANAGER

•BARBACK

For inquires, contact 402-430-6929 or 315-750-8248

Now Hiring For: Line Cooks Prep Cooks Host/Hostess

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

THE DISPATCH IS ONLINE WWW.MDCOASTDISPATCH.COM

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

PATTERSON & SONS BUILDERS

Call 410-641-9530

ROOMMATE MATURE, RESPONSIBLE PERSON WANTED: Rent negotiable for the right individual. Minute’s from Ocean Pines. Must love animals! Call 443-783-3553.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Check Here First!

NOW HIRING FULL TIME •DRIVER •YR BARTENDER •COOK

Call Pam at 410-726-7061 Or Apply Within at 56th Street 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 7/16, 8am to NOON. West OC. WEST TORQUAY ROAD Boating supplies, art supplies, books, twin bed frame, assorted bedding, jewelry, framed art, assorted kitchen items Cash-Venmo-Paypal –––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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.

Third Insertion REGAN J.R. SMITH, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY AND HARISON, LLP 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19283 To all persons interested in the estate of PEGGY ANNE PILCHARD, ESTATE NO. 19283. Notice is given that

EUGENE MAURICE PILCHARD, 3410 REDDEN ROAD, POCOMOKE CITY, MD 21851, was on JUNE 27, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of PEGGY ANNE PILCHARD, who died on DECEMBER 07, 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 27TH day of DECEMBER, 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

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

JULY 01, 2022 EUGENE MAURICE PILCHARD 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 07-01, 07-08, 07-15

Third Insertion Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication

PETER S. BUAS, GUARDIAN OF PROPERTY

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, L.L.P. CASE NO. C-23-FM-21-000414 SALE OF VALUABLE RESIDENTIAL PROPOERTY KNOWN AS 1 IVY LANE, BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811 Under and by virtue of an Order of the Worcester County Circuit Court dated June 21, 2022, in Case No. C23-FM-21-000414, the undersigned Guardian of Property will sell the following described property at public

July 15, 2022

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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. auction, to be held on site at: 1 IVY LANE BERLIN, MARYLAND 21811 ON JULY 19, 2022, AT 11:30 A.M. Property Description: All that lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in the Section called “Bainbridge” of the development known as “Ocean Pines” in the Third Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, and described as Lot No. B-03-034, as designated and distinguished on the plat entitled “OCEAN PINES, SECTION THREE”, made by B. Calvin Burns, Registered Professional Engineer No. 2583 of the State of Maryland, which said plat is duly recorded among the Land Records for Worcester County, Maryland, in Plat Book FWH No. 11, folio 45, et seq.

The improvements thereon being known as 1 Ivy Lane, Berlin, Maryland.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) will be required of the purchaser in the form of cash, certified or cashier’s check at the time and place of sale, or other form of security, at the sole discretion of the Guardian; the balance to be secured to the satisfaction of the Guardian and represented by a Promissory Note, conditioned upon the conveyance of good and marketable title. The balance in cash will be due at settlement which shall be within thirty (30) days after the date of the auction unless said period is extended by the Guardian, his successors or assigns for good cause shown. Time is of the essence for the Purchaser.

The Property will be sold subject to all conditions, liens, restrictions, and agreements of record affecting same, if any. Taxes, water charges, sanitary commission charges, condominium fees and assessments, assessments and liens or encumbrances for sewer, water, drainage, or other public improvements completed or commenced on or prior to the date of sale or subsequent thereto, if any, are to be adjusted and apportioned as of the date of sale and are to be assumed and paid thereafter by purchaser, whether assessments have been levied or not as of date of settlement. The cost of all documentary stamps, transfer

taxes, document preparation and title insurance shall be borne by the Purchaser.

Purchaser is responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property, and assumes risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale. If Purchaser fails to pay the balance of the purchase price with thirty (30) days from the date of the sale, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser. If the Guardian is unable to convey good and marketable title to the property, the purchaser’s sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit to the purchaser. Upon refund of the deposit, the sale shall be void and of no effect, and the Purchaser shall have no further claim against the Guardian.

The improvements are being sold in an “AS IS” condition, with no warranties expressed or implied, with Purchaser responsible for any and all housing or zoning code violations. The risk of loss passes at date of sale.

The Guardian reserves the right to reject any and all bids in his sole discretion.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 01, 2022

PETER S. BUAS, ESQ., Guardian of Property Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, L.L.P. 3509 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 (410) 289-3553 3x 07-01, 07-08, 07-15

appointed RICHARD W. MUTO, 14516 E. SHADOW CANYON DRIVE, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ 85268, as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of MALCOLM G. MUTO, who died on FEBRUARY 23, 2022, domiciled in DELAWARE, USA. The Maryland resident agent for service of process is RAYMOND D. COATES, JR, whose address is 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300, OCEAN CITY, MD 21842.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following MARYLAND counties: WORCESTER. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the foreign 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. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 01, 2022

Third Insertion

RICHARD W. MUTO Personal Representative True Test Copy

COATES, COATES & COATES, P.A. RAYMOND D. COATES, JR. ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

TERRI WESTCOTT Register of Wills for Worcester County Room 102 - Court House One W. Market Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 3x 07-01, 07-08, 07-15

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 19281

Notice is given that the REGISTER OF WILLS of NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE,

Third 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

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO. C-23-CV-22-000049

TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 07-01, 07-08, 07-15

BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307 Plaintiff

Third Insertion

vs.

DANIEL HARRIS, et al.

Defendants ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 24TH day of JUNE, 2022,that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 25th day of July, 2022 provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 18th day of JULY, 2022.

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval: TIMESHARES SOLD: BC = BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. PCP = PALMETTO BEACH CLUB, LLC. DBC = DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC CONDO- TIME MINIUM INTERUNIT VAL 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

PRICE

PURCHASER

$100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $5,200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,000.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00

BC PCP PCP BC PCP PCP PCP DBC PCP PCP BC BC BC BC BC PCP PCP PCP DBC PCP PCP PCP PCP BC BC

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 01 2022

Law Offices of CIPRIANI & WERNER, P.C. 6411 IVY LANE, SUITE 600 GREENBELT, MARYLAND 20770 SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES’ SALE OF VALUABLE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND, GENERALLY KNOWN AS 2 DORCHESTER STREET, CONDO UNIT 711 BELMONT TOWERS, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in that certain Indemnity Deed of Trust, dated November 24, 2014, executed and delivered by Todd E. Spahr and Tessa M. Spahr (collectively, the “Grantors”) to the trustee named therein and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in 6472, folio 114 (the “Deed of Trust”), the holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust (the “Noteholder”) having subsequently appointed Jason W. Hardman and Paul J. Cohen as Substitute Trustees under the Deed of Trust, by Deed of Appointment of Substitute Trustees, dated May 5, 2021, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Liber 8221, folio 283, default having occurred under the terms of said Deed of Trust and at the request of the party secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustees (collectively, the “Trustees”) will offer for sale to the highest qualified bidder at a public auction to be held AT THE COURT HOUSE ENTRANCE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, AT THE COURT HOUSE STEPS, LOCATED AT ONE WEST MARKET STREET, SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863, ON: MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.

ALL that property lying and being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, and any improvements thereon, and

being more particularly described as follows (the “Property”): ALL that property situate, lying and being in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, described as Condominium Unit No. 711 in Phase Two in the “Belmont Towers Residential Condominium”, together with an undivided percentage interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Condominium Declaration (including By-Laws) dated May 24, 2007, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Liber S.V.H. No. 4933, folio 287, et. seq., as amended; and pursuant to the several plats described in said Declaration and recorded as aforesaid in Plat Book S.V.H. No. 218, folio 7, et seq., as amended.

BEING the same and all the land conveyed by and described in a Deed dated October 17, 2012 from John E. Billheimer and Patricia C. Billheimer to Todd E. Spahr and Tessa M. Spahr and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Liber No. 06000, folio 00474.

The Property is believed to be a 1,474 +/- square foot condominium unit located on the seventh floor of the Belmont Towers Residential Condominium building (the “Building”) in Ocean City, Maryland. The Property is believed to contain 3 bedrooms, 2.1 bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, central air conditioning, an outdoor balcony, and views of the Atlantic Ocean and Assateague Island.

The Property is also believed to have an assigned parking space #711 and to have access to certain common elements of the Building, including an elevator, pool, and fitness room. The Property is also believed to be served by, or to have access to, adequate parking and public water, sewer, telephone and electric. According to public tax records, the Property has been assigned the following address and tax identification number: 2 Dorchester Street, Condo Unit 711, Ocean City, Maryland 21842 (Tax Account Number 10-758017).

TERMS OF SALE: A deposit in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), payable in

Page 76

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

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. cash, certified check (made payable to “Cipriani & Werner, P.C.”) or other form acceptable to the Trustees, will be required from the successful bidder (the “Purchaser”) at the time and place of sale. The Purchaser shall be required to increase the amount of the deposit to ten percent (10%) of the successful bid amount within seven (7) calendar days of the date of the sale by delivering to the Trustees certified funds in the amount necessary to increase the deposit amount as required above, unless said period is extended by the Trustees for good cause shown. The Trustees will require all potential bidders to qualify prior to the commencement of bidding by showing evidence of their ability to deliver the required deposit at the time of the sale. The balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid balance of the purchase price from the date of sale to and including the date of settlement, shall be due at settlement in cash or by cashier’s check. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance of the purchase price at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the date of sale to and including the date of settlement.

If settlement is delayed for any reason, there will be no abatement of interest. In the event the Noteholder, or an affiliate or subsidiary of the Noteholder, is the successful bidder at the sale, such party will not be required to tender a deposit to the Trustees or to pay interest on the unpaid purchase money.

Taxes, water and all other municipal charges and liens owed against the Property that are not otherwise extinguished as a matter of law as a result of the foreclosure sale shall be the responsibility of the Purchaser and shall be paid by the Purchaser at settlement. The Trustees reserve the right to reject any and all bids, to extend the time for settlement, and to withdraw the Property from the sale for any reason and at their sole discretion.

The Property will be sold in an “AS IS” condition and without any warranties or representations, either express or implied, as to the nature, condition or description of the improvements thereon. In addition, the Property will be sold subject to all existing housing, building and zoning code vi-

olations which may exist on or with respect to the Property, subject to all conditions or hazards which may exist on or with respect to the Property, subject to all critical area and wetland violations which may exist on or with respect to the Property, subject to all environmental problems or violations which may exist on or with respect to the Property, and subject to all matters, recorded documents and restrictions of record affecting the Property to the extent such matters, recorded documents or restrictions of record are senior to the Deed of Trust.

The Property will be sold subject to all senior liens and encumbrances that are not extinguished by operation of law or by the foreclosure sale of the Property and subject to all easements, conditions, restrictions, rights of redemption, covenants, agreements, such state of facts that an accurate survey or physical inspection of the Property might disclose, and all other agreements and documents of record affecting the Property, but only to the extent that such agreements or documents are senior to the Deed of Trust. The Property will not be sold subject to any written or oral lease or rental agreements that may exist in favor of any tenants or occupants of the Property.

The Purchaser shall assume the risk of loss for the Property immediately after the sale takes place. It shall be the responsibility of the Purchaser to obtain possession of the Property following final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland and conveyance of the Property by the Trustees to the Purchaser.

The Purchaser shall pay, at settlement, all state and local transfer taxes, documentary stamps, recordation taxes and fees, title examination costs, attorneys’ fees, conveyance fees, real estate taxes, water charges, other municipal liens and charges, and all other settlement costs and other costs associated with conveying the Property to the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall settle and comply with all sale terms contained herein within twenty (20) days following final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for

Worcester County, Maryland, unless said period is extended by the Trustees for good cause shown. Time is of the essence. Settlement shall be held at the offices of Cipriani & Werner, P.C., 6411 Ivy Lane, Suite 600, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770, or such other place as may be agreed to by the Trustees.

In the event the Purchaser fails to go to settlement as required herein, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies available to the Trustees, the Trustees may, without further order of the court: (i) declare the aforementioned deposit forfeited, (ii) resell the Property at the Purchaser’s sole risk and expense, and (iii) retain and apply the aforementioned deposit to any deficiency in the purchase price sustained by the Trustees and/or the Noteholder, all costs and expenses of both sales, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and any other damages sustained by the Trustees and/or the Noteholder as a result of the Purchaser’s default, including, without limitation, all incidental damages. In the event a resale of the Property results in a purchase price in excess of the amount originally bid by the defaulting Purchaser, the defaulting Purchaser shall not be entitled to receive payment of any such excess amount and shall not be entitled to any distribution whatsoever from the resale proceeds.

If the Trustees are unable to convey any of the Property as described above, the Purchaser’s sole remedy at law or in equity shall be limited to the refund of the Purchaser’s deposit without any interest thereon. Upon refund of the deposit to the Purchaser as aforesaid, the sale of the Property shall be void and of no force or effect, and the Purchaser shall have no claims against the Trustees, the Noteholder or the Auctioneer. The parties’ respective rights and obligations regarding the terms of sale and the conduct of the sale shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of Maryland.

The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. The Trustees, the Noteholder and the Auctioneer do not make any representations or warranties with respect to

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

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 01, 2022 Jason W. Hardman Paul J. Cohen, Substitute Trustees 3x 07-01, 07-08, 07-15

Second Insertion NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19285

forceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 8, 2022 LUCINDA BRATTEN, 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 07-08, 07-15, 07-22

Second Insertion To all persons interested in the estate of EDWARD BRATTEN, ESTATE NO. 19285. Notice is given that LUCINDA BRATTEN, 6740 FOREST LANE ROAD, SNOW HILL, MD 21863, was on JUNE 29, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EDWARD BRATTEN, who died on JANUARY 20, 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 29TH day of DECEMBER, 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 unen-

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

BC = BAY CLUB TIME SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. DBC = DELMARVA BEACH CLUB, LLC PCP = PALMETTO COAST PROPERTIES I, LLC CONDO- TIME PRICE PURMINIUM INTERCHASER UNIT VAL 206 206 206 208 301 301 311 311 401 409 409 410 410 410 411 411 501 501 501

49 51 52 39 2 6 38 39 6 22 36 20 25 36 38 39 1 2 4

$50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,500.00 $50.00 $50.00 $3,000.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $150.00 $100.00 $100.00

BC BC BC BC PCP PCP PCP PCP PCP DBC BC BC DBC BC BC BC BC PCP PCP

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 08, 2022 TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD 3x 07-08, 07-15 07-22

First Insertion BAY CLUB TIME-SHARE OWNERS ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 3307 Ocean City, Maryland 21842-3307 Plaintiff vs.

JAMES SMITH, et al Defendants ORDERED, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland this 1st day of JULY, 2022, that the foreclosure sale of the properties mentioned in these proceedings, made and reported by Ayrika Fletcher, Trustee, be RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 1st day of August, 2022 provided a copy of this Order be inserted in some daily newspaper printed in Worcester County, Maryland once in each of three successive weeks, before the 25th day of JULY, 2022.

The Report of Sale filed in the above case states the amount of the sales to be as indicated below for the referenced time-share interval: TIMESHARES SOLD:

SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS ESTATE NO. 19296 To all persons interested in the estate of JEANETTE MAE BAKER. Notice is given that KIMBERLY LATCHUM, PO BOX 321, BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813, was on JULY 07, 2022, appointed Personal Representative of the SMALL ESTATE of: JEANETTE MAE BAKER, who died on MAY 11, 2022, without a will.

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

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

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 77

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. 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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine 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 JULY 15, 2022 JEANETTE MAE BAKER 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 07-15

MARYLAND C-23-CV-22-000152 PRINCESS ANNE PROPERTIES, LLC 12 WILLIAM STREET BERLIN, MD 21811 Plaintiff vs HENRY H. LEE, JR. (deceased) (no estate openend) 10134 GERMANTOWN RD. BERLIN, MD 21811 Defendant and

First Insertion RYAN T. WEST. ESQ. WEST AND WEST. PA. 12 WILLIAM ST BERLIN. MD 21811 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY,

WORCESTER COUNTY. MARYLAND Serve on County Attorney ROSCOE LESLIE, ESQ. 1 WEST MARKET STREET ROOM 1103 SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 Defendant

The Dispatch Can Be Viewed In Its Entirety

ONLINE

and

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 410-641-4563 • Fax: 410-641-0966 Email: classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com Mail: P.O. Box 467, Berlin MD 21811 All persons that have or claim to have any interest in property located in Worcester County, Maryland, described as : 1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858.

ASSESSED TO Anna E. Lee for life.

Defendant and Unknown owner of property located in Worcester County, Maryland, described as 1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858, assessed to Anna E. Lee for life, the unkown owner’s heirs, devisees, and personal representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title and interest.

Defendant and The testate and intestate successors of Henry H. Lee, Jr., deceased, and all persons claiming by, through,

or

under the decedent.

Defendant

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property located in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the State of Maryland and Treasurer of Worcester County to the Plaintiff in these proceedings.

1.39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, Parcel Number 03021858. Assessed to Anna E. Lee for life, and generally known as 10134 Germantown Road, Berlin, Md 21811.

The complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 6th day of JULY, 2022, by the circuit court for Worcester County, Maryland, Ordered that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order

in The Dispatch having a general circulation in Worcester County, Maryand, once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 5th day of SEPTEMBER, 2022, and redeem the property described as: 1 .39 ACS W SIDE GERMANTOWN ROAD, and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgement will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Name of Newspaper: Maryland Coast Dispatch Date of Publication JULY 15, 2022 BEAU H. OGLESBY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE TRUE TEST COPY SUSAN R. BRANIECKI CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT WORCESTER COUNTY, MD 3x 7-15, 7-22, 7-29

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Page 80

Who’s Where When 45TH ST. TAPHOUSE 443-664-2201 45th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 15: John Zorn Saturday, July 16: Trailer Park Romeo BUXY’S SALTY DOG 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 15: DJ Wax Saturday, July 16: Aaron Howell Duo Sunday, July 17: DJ BK COCONUTS BEACH BAR & GRILL Oceanfront Castle In The Sand 37th & 38th St. 410-289-6846 Friday, July 15: Royal Flush Duo, Lime Green Band Saturday, July 16: Kevin Poole & Joe Mama, Buckskin Whiskey Band Sunday, July 17: Matt Tichon, Rick & Regina Monday, July 18: Nate Clendenen, Smooth Rhythm Tuesday, July 19: Ben Davis, Matt Tichon & Joe Mama Wednesday, July 20: Kevin Poole Solo, Beach Bandits Thursday, July 21: Matt Tichon, The Dunehounds

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Best Beats

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, July 15

On The Beach BEATS BY WAX Buxy’s: Friday, July 15 Pickles Pub: Tuesdays & Thursdays Coins Pub: Wednesdays

DJ BK Greene Turtle West: Saturday, July 15 Buxy’s Salty Dog: Sundays

MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ OC Fontainebleu Resort: Friday & Saturday, July 15 & 16

BRYAN CLARK Fager’s Island: Tuesday, July 19

COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th St. Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 15: Shortcut Sunny Saturday, July 16: Jim Long, Full Circle Trio Wednesdays: DJ Wax

JIM LONG BAND Coin’s Pub: Saturdays

CORK BAR Sunday, July 17: Going Coastal, CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE 302-988-5000 37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54 Selbyville, DE Friday, July 15: Monkee Paw Sunday, July 17: Lost N Found Tuesday, July 19: Shattered Wednesday, July 20: Smooth & Company

MATT TICHON Coconuts Beach Bar: Sunday, July 17 & Thursday, July 21 Pier 23: Thursday, July 21

CRAWL STREET TAVERN 443-373-2756 Wicomico St. Downtown O.C. Friday, July 15: Chesapeake Sons Saturday, July 16: Mercury Agenda Sundays: Karaoke W/DJ Rut Thursdays: DJ DeoGee FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th St. In The Bay Friday, July 15: DJ RobCee, Petty Coat Junction, Shake The Room Saturday, July 16: DJ Groove, Seperate Ways, Shake The Room, Jumper Sunday, July 17: The 1974, Carpool (Cars Tribute), DJ Willoughby Monday, July 18: The 1974, Goodman Fiske, DJ Hector Tuesday, July 19: DJ Hector, DJ Hook, Bryan Clark Wednesday, July 20: DJ Adam Dutch Thursday, July 21: DJ Groove, Ed Neenan, The Rogue Citizens

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, Sunday &Thursday

CHESAPEAKE SONS Crawl St. Tavern: Friday, July 15

DJ PAPI ROISTEROUS Lookout Lounge: Sundays Purple Moose: Wednesdays

DJ DEOGEE Pickles Pub: Fridays, Sundays & Wednesdays Crawl St. Tavern: Thursdays

ALTER EGO Purple Moose: Friday & Saturday, July 15 & 16

KAROAKE W/JEREMY Harborside: Saturdays Greene Turtle West: Sundays

GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Rt. 611, West O.C. Saturday, July 16: DJ BK Sundays: Karaoke w/ DJ Jeremy HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Rd., West O.C. Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, July 16: The Rogue Citizens, DJ Jeremy Sunday, July 17: Opposite Directions, DJ Billy T

ANNA BURGESS OC Eateries: Thursday, July 21

CLIFF CODY Seacrets: Wednesday & Thursday, July 20 & 21

CARPOOL (Cars Tribute) Fager’s Island: Sunday, July 17

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 81

Who’s Where When Thursdays: DJ Billy T OC EATERIES 443-252-3700 12849 Ocean Gateway Rte. 50 West OC Friday, July 15: Bryan Dorsey Saturday, July 16: Chris Robertson Thursday, July 21: Anna Burgess

GOING COASTAL Cork Bar: Sunday, July 17

AARON HOWELL DUO Pier 23: Friday, July 15 Dry Dock 28: Saturday, July 16

OC FONTAINEBLEU RESORT 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy. In The OC Friday, July 15: Brian McConell, Movin’ & Groovin’ Saturday, July 16: Brian McConell, On The Edge, Movin’ & Groovin’ Sunday, July 17: Mike (Rook) Richards, Wes Davis Monday-Thursday, July 18-21: On The Edge OCEAN PINES YACHT CLUB 410-641-7501 1 Mumford’s Landing Road, OP Friday, July 15: Kono Nation Saturday, July 16: The Funsters Sunday, July 17: Rockoholics Thursday, July 21: Nelly’s Echo

THE ROGUE CITIZENS Harborside: Saturday, July 16 • 1 p.m.

Pickles Pub: Saturday, July 16 • 9 p.m.

ON THE EDGE OC Fontainebleu Resort: Monday-Thursday, July 18-21

PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th St. & Philadelphia Ave. Fridays: Beats By Deogee Saturday, July 16: The Rogue Citizens Sundays: Beats By Deogee Mondays: Karaoke with Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Wednesdays: Beats By Deogee Thursdays: Beats By Wax PIER 23 410-289-3323 12817 Harbor Rd., West OC Friday, July 15: Aaron Howell Duo Saturday, July 16: Smooth & Remy Sunday: July 17: Kaleb Brown & Chino Rankin Wednesday, July 20: Colossal Fossil Sauce Thursday, July 21: Matt Tichon

FULL CIRCLE Coins Pub: Saturday, July 16 (Trio) Seacrets: Monday, July 18

KEVIN POOLE & JOE MAMA Coconuts Beach Bar: Saturday, July 16

TRAILER PARK ROMEO 45th St. Taphouse: Saturday, July 16

MONKEE PAW Crabcake Factory Bayside: Friday, July 15

KONO NATION OP Yacht Club: Friday, July 15 Seacrets: Wednesday, July 20

BEACH BANDITS Coconuts Beach Bar: Wednesday, July 20

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON Between Talbot & Caroline Sts. On The Boardwalk 410-289-6953 Friday & Saturday, July 15 & 16: Alter Ego Sunday & Monday, July 17 & 18: Fantasm Saturdays, Tuesday, July 19 & Thursday, July 21: DJ Adam Dutch Wednesdays: DJ Papi Roisterous SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, July 15: DJ Bobby O, APS, S.T.O.R.M., Kristen & The Noise DJ Tuff, DJ Davie Saturday, July 16: DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, DJ Cruz, The Malones, S.T.O.R.M., The Way Outs, Stealing Savanah Sunday, July 17: DJ Davie, DJ Tuff, DJ Bobby O, Triple Rail Turn, S.T.O.R.M., The Event Horizon Monday, July 18: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, Full Circle, DJ Tuff, New Direction, Liquid A Tuesday, July 19: DJ Davie, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, John McNutt Band, Spokey Speaky, Late Last Night Wednesday, July 20: DJ Davie, DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, Cliff Cody, Zion Reggae Band, Kono Nation Thursday, July 21: DJ Cruz, DJ Bobby O, DJ Tuff, Cliff Cody, New Direction, GoGo Gadjet

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Low Tide Fun:

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

A tidal pool on the beach can mean hours of safe fun for youngsters still weary of the ocean’s currents. Above was the scene in the downtown area on Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Chris Parypa

Md. Coastal Bays Launching Latest Project Next Week

July 15, 2022

WEST OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is launching a new program titled “Voices of the Coastal Bays” next week in Ocean City.

The initiative begins on Monday night, July 18, starting at 5:30, at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, located on the Boardwalk at 813 S. Atlantic Avenue.

“Voices of the Coastal Bays” is a fisheries heritage project and consists of three components.

The first component of the project is a virtual, interactive timeline that takes the user through the history of commercial fishing in Ocean City and how the West Ocean City Harbor came to be.

This timeline features historic archived photographs donated by the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, quotes from fishermen of the past and present and photographs captured by local photographer Zach Garmoe of the present-day commercial fishing industry.

The second component of this project provided local fishermen and women of today a platform to share their stories and highlight the local seafood businesses that keep the legacy of the West Ocean City Harbor alive. Three local fishing companies partnered for this project – Skilligalee Seafood, Martin Fish Co., and Seaborn Seafood.

The third component of the program is a Smart Seafood Guide for Ocean City. This guide covers the seafood caught locally in Ocean City and the months they are in season to encourage more informed and localized seafood choices.

This guide will be available at the launch and will also be featured on the Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s website and at area businesses.

Coastal Bays Program representatives invite the visiting public and local community to join in celebrating the unique fishing heritage of the area and help support the hardworking fishers to maintain a sustainable and local commercial fishery continue to keep it alive.

Those interested are encouraged to register online.

Funding for this project came from a mini grant from the Beach to Bay Heritage Area. For more information about this project, contact Cailyn Joseph at cjoseph@mdcoastalbays.org.

Expanding Our Reach.

Broadening Our Commitment.

The Dispatch Is On The Web: www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Company Lands Fed Contract For Body Armor Plates

July 15, 2022

POCOMOKE – On July 1, Hardwire, LLC began execution of its newly awarded Rifle Resistant Steel Plate and Spall Protection Contract for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The $7,000,000 maximum contract makes available high performance body armor plates that are paramount to FBI agent survival during execution of their law enforcement duties.

The FBI is the U.S. federal government’s principal agency responsible for investigating violations of more than 260 federal statutes.

“Hardwire’s team has worked with FBI agents for many years, and we understand the challenges, complexities, and dangers they face in their daily work,” said George Tunis, CEO of Hardwire.

“We are honored to provide lifesaving protection for these agents who diligently work alongside other partner law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served.”

Variants of this Hardwire armor system are also available to other law enforcement organizations.

Hardwire armor is already worn by tens of thousands of police officers and U.S. military personnel and has saved several law enforcement officers in the last year alone.

"Our team delivers superior, form-fitting technology to ensure the comfort and safety of our customers. We focus only on durable, rigorously-tested protection that performs flawlessly under fire,” said Tunis. “The FBI can rest assured that the Hardwire team will continue to provide technology with a military pedigree and unparalleled consistency manufactured with precision automation to keep their agents alive and well.”

This five-year contract makes available five sizes of torso plates and two sizes of side plates to deliver protection from multiple threats and multiple impacts.

Hardwire is a leading developer and supplier of advanced armor systems for military, law enforcement, homeland security, and public facility applications. The company has provided armored police vehicles for large cities and municipalities, covered miles of the nation’s critical bridges with armor, outfitted countless police officers with life-saving protection, and supplies the U.S. military with hard and soft body armor. Hardwire is located in Pocomoke City.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Headed Home:

One of the hundreds of offshore fishing yachts is pictured returning west through the Inlet to its home marina after a trip Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Chris Parypa

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Record Bigeye Highlights Tuna Tournament

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

SPORTS

July 15, 2022

Maryland Surfing Championships In The Books In The News

The happy crew on the Reel Crazy took first place in the single heaviest fish category in the 35th Ocean City Tuna Tournament last week with a new tournament record 275-pound bigeye. Pictured above, the Reel Crazy crew celebrates the amazing catch.

Submitted Photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

Local surfer Austin Bren took first place in the open shortboard division in the Maryland State Surfing Championships last weekend. Pictured above, a happy Bren is hoisted by his teammates and competitors after claiming the state title.

Submitted Photo

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) Delmarva District last weekend hosted the Maryland State Surfing Championships with champs crowned in several age groups and divisions.

The state championships were held last weekend at 35th Street as part of the summer-long ESA Delmarva contest series. Dozens of surfers ranging from ages five to 70 competed in several different divisions in decent surf conditions.

Points earned during the contest will help qualify competitors for the Mid-Atlantic Regionals and Easterns later this year.

In the signature open shortboard division, it was Austin Bren taking first, while Kai Sommers was second and Yemaya Chatel was third. In the boys’ under-12 division, it was Christian Winter taking first, followed by Reef Henson and Karver Henson.

In the boys’ under-14 division, Gavin Bren was first, followed by Christian Winter and Reef Henson. Gavin Bren also took first in the boys’ under-16 division, while Logan Dawson was second and Morgan Cushing was third. In the junior men division, Joey Biasotto was first, followed by Kai Sommers and Finn Ramnarian.

In the men’s final, Yemaya Chatel was first, while Jacob Punoric was second. In the legends division, Brian Gloyd

was first, Drew Rathgeber was second and Charles Labin was third. In the menehune division, Morgan Cushing was first, Karver Henson was second and Kallea Eleazar was third.

In the girls’ under-12 division, Kate Delligati was first, Vivianna Grinestaff was second and Sadie Absher was third.

In the women’s final, Molly Hoffman was first, followed by Kallea Eleazar and Ashley Kim. In the men’s final, Dillon Scopp finished first, followed by Ryan Allen and Seamus Orth. In the open longboard division, Dillon Scopp finished first, Brian Gloyd finished second and Logan Dawson finished third. Luca Russo finished first in the girls’ under-16 division, while Carolina Labin was second and Stella Martin was third.

In the open bodyboard division, it was Mike Strawley finishing first, while Sam Butz was second and Dwayne Dunlap was third. In the legends division, it was Brian Gloyd finishing first, while Dwayne Dunlap was second and Tony Evans was third. Bill Helmuth took first in the grand legends division, while Tom Pastirik was second. In the women’s division, Cat Volmer was first and Samantha LeCrone was second.

Again, the Maryland State Surfing Championships last weekend was a qualifying event with points accumulated going toward major regional competitions later this year including the Easterns in the Outer Banks in September.

OCEAN CITY – The 35th Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament was memorable for a lot of reasons including a new tournament record 275-pound bigeye caught by the crew on the Reel Crazy.

The tournament officially got underway with the first of three fishing days last Friday and there was no shortage of action at the scale at the host Ocean City Fishing Center and at Sunset Marina. The tournament featured 109 boats competing for over $1.1 million in prize money.

Nearly all of the boats fished the first two days, last Friday and Saturday.

Rough seas kept all but nine of the competitors at the docks on Sunday. When the dust settled after the whirlwind weekend tournament, it was the crew on the Reel Crazy taking first place with a new tournament record 275-pound bigeye worth $307,852. The Talkin Trash was second in the single heaviest tuna category with a 256-pound bigeye worth $316,042. The Talkin Trash also won the heaviest stringer category with 140 pounds on day one and 395 pounds on day two for a two-day total of 535 pounds.

The Fin Planner was third in the single heaviest tuna category with a 224-pound bigeye worth $53,707. Again, the Talkin Trash took first place in the heaviest stringer category with a total of 535 pounds. The Sea Hag was second in the heaviest stringer category with 241 pounds on the first day and 267 on day two for a total of 508 pounds worth $106,677. The Take Em was third in the heaviest stringer category with 473 total pounds worth $79,140.

The heaviest bluefin tuna award went to the Shorebilly with a 70-pounder worth $58,050. Jase Weaver was the top junior angler, while Danielle Robertson was second. Kallie Lucas was the top lady angler, while Shari Swope and Danielle Robertson tied for second.

Each year, thousands cram into the Ocean City Fishing Center over the weekend for the four-day event, a celebration of fishing, food, drinks, live entertainment and, of course, the daily weigh-ins. From modest beginnings in 1988, when just 38 boats competed for $9,000 in prize money, the tuna tournament has grown by leaps and bounds over the years with 109 boats competing for over $1.1 million this year.

The crew on the Talkin Trash took first place in the heaviest stringer category of the 35th Ocean City Tuna Tournament last weekend with a two-day total of 535 pounds worth a tournament-high $316,042 in prize money.

Submitted Photo

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 85

State Surfing Titles Handed Out: The Maryland State Surfing Championships were held in Ocean City by the Eastern Surfing Associ-

ation Delmarva District. Numerous awards were distributed after the event including top honors going to 17-year-old Ocean City resident Austin Bren, who took home the title of state surfing champion by capturing first place in the men’s open division. Pictured, above left from left, are open men’s finalists Drew Rathgeber, Kade Sommers, Kai Sommers, Yemaya Chatel, Austin Bren and Gavin Bren. Above right, Luca Russo, pictured getting a lift by dad Bryan and volunteer Adam Winter, captured first-place honors in the U-14 and U-16 girls shortboard categories.

Photos courtesy of ESA Delmarva

Winning the open longboard division was Dillon Scopp, above left. Above right, boys under-14 division winner Gavin Bren, right, is pictured with other finalists Cade Chester, Karver Henson, second place finisher Christian Winter and third-place finisher Reef Henson. Below left, Joey Biasotto took first place in the junior men division. He is pictured with the other contestants including Kai Sommers, left, who finished in second place and Finn Ramnarian, second from right, who took third. Below middle, Christian Winter gets a boost after winning the boys under-12 division. Below right, Kate DelliGatti, joined by family and friends, won first place in the under-12 division.

Berlin Creates New Water, Sewer Capital Service Fee

Page 86

BY CHARLENE SHARPE

STAFF WRITER

BERLIN – Town officials voted 3-1 this week to begin charging capital service fees to water and sewer customers.

The council on Monday approved a resolution establishing water and sewer capital service fees. The fees amount to $19.50 a month for residential customers and will go into effect Sept. 1.

“It’s hard on people with fixed income, its hard on people with inflation but we’re at a point now we don’t have any money to divert to the infrastructure that is breaking,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “It’s tipping into the general fund which is your tax rate. We’re trying to even out the funds so it’s not continuing to tip into the general fund.”

Jean Holloway of SERCAP Maryland (Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project) on Monday presented the council with a recap of the recommendations she made last year regarding the town’s water and sewer rates. While the town is working toward installing smart water meters, her primary recommendation, another suggestion was implementing a new rate to begin building a capital reserve for replacements and improvements.

“Neither the water or the sewer system is financially sustainable under the present circumstances and rate structure,” she said.

She said that would impact the town’s credit worthiness and ability to get grants.

Tyndall said that as a result of Holloway’s recommendation regarding the capital reserve, the resolution for council consideration Monday would implement monthly capital service fees beginning Sept. 1. The resolution sets a water capital fee of $5 a month for residential customers and $10 a month for commercial customers. The sewer capital fee would be $14.50 a month for residential customers and $29.50 a month for commercial customers.

Councilman Jack Orris said the fees would amount to an additional $19.50 a

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

month for most residents and pointed out that the new charge was being implemented before the smart meters — which are expected to lead to more accurate billing — were in place.

“I feel like we’re putting the cart before the horse,” he said.

Tyndall said officials were cognizant of the fact that residents’ bills would go up.

“We don’t take this lightly,” he said.

The new charge is expected to generate $139,600 for the water fund and $394,500 for the sewer fund. Tyndall said the influx of money was needed to help improve the financial condition of the water and sewer funds. Holloway added that this fee was an interim measure until the smart meters were in place and the town restructured its water and sewer rates entirely.

Tyndall said that once the smart me-

July 15, 2022

ters were in place usage measurements would be so much more accurate that small households could see their bills go down. Nevertheless, he said the interim measure was needed to improve the condition of the water and sewer funds.

“The water and sewer side of things we really need to act presently,” he said.

The council voted 3-1, with Orris opposed, to enact the new fee.

Cause Of Boardwalk Apartment Fire Electrical

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – The cause of a fire at a downtown Boardwalk apartment building has classified as electrical by the Ocean City Fire Marshal.

Around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, the Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched to a working fire at the Colony Apartments on the Boardwalk. First-arriving crews found smoke coming from the old apartment building on the Boardwalk at 3rd Street.

Around 10:15 p.m., a second alarm was struck, and more crews and apparatus responded and set up on the Boardwalk. Fire companies from Berlin, Ocean Pines and Showell responded to the second alarm. In addition, the utility company was called to the scene after it was determined a fire in the basement of the building was caused by faulty electric panels.

By 10:45 p.m., there was still an active fire from the electric panels in the basement. The fire was brought under control a short time later. By 11 p.m., command staff began releasing the second alarm units and by 11:30 p.m., all of the fire apparatus was cleared from the Boardwalk.

Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) spokesman Ryan Whittington said this week the fire marshal’s office has classified the cause of the fire as electrical and

there were no injuries reported. Whittington said the incident was a good reminder for property owners to evaluate their fire protection systems.

“The OCFD want to remind businesses to check all fire protection systems and

have them inspected and maintained as required,” he said. “This is also a great time to remind our residents and businesses that having working smoke alarms provides early notification to occupants and can save lives.”

throughout the county, I get that,” Mitrecic said. “But I also know that if you’re having a heart attack all the internet connectivity in the world ain’t going to help you.”

Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young told the commissioners that while they’d already agreed to spend the remaining ARPA funds on broadband and fire/EMS, he was hoping they’d decide on an amount for each. Once staff had an amount, he said they could reach out to the three internet service providers actively working in the county to explore possibilities.

“I think all three would be open to a match of the funds to help them go further,” he said.

When asked if the county’s fire and EMS work group had prioritized the county’s needs, Young said group members had identified $4.6 million in needs but had not prioritized the list of projects.

“I was expecting to see a list today of their priorities and decide what we’re going to fund and what we aren’t,” Commissioner Josh Nordstrom said.

He added that deciding on a hard number could hurt the process, if the fire companies hadn’t yet decided on the most pressing needs.

“The way I understand, we’re reserving the amount for the fire departments and we’re reserving the amount for the broadband, but we still have to determine how we’re going to break that

down,” Commissioner Ted Elder said.

Commissioner Diana Purnell asked if the money would be evenly split between the county’s various companies. Young said that was a possibility but wasn’t what he expected to happen.

“What they’ve explained is it’s a fragile system, there are certain parts that are near failure,” he said. “I would imagine the money would go toward those needs rather than split evenly. I don’t know what they’ll come back to us with.

They have a big wish list.”

The commissioners voted 6-1, with Mitrecic opposed, to allocate $1.5 million in APRA funds to the fire companies and the remaining $7.1 million to broadband efforts.

Fire trucks are pictured on the scene of an electrical fire Tuesday night at the Colony Apartments in Ocean City.

Photo by Campos Media

ARPA Funds To Support Fire, EMS, Broadband Access

BY CHARLENE SHARPE STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL – County officials agreed to devote more than $8.6 million in federal relief funds to expanding broadband and supporting the fire and EMS service.

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 6-1 last week to spend $1.5 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on fire and EMS and to spend the remaining $7.1 million on expanding broadband access in Worcester County. Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, who voted against the motion, said he wanted to give more funding to the fire companies.

“I understand we need the broadband

Ocean City Transit System ‘Doing More With Less’

July 15, 2022

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – Getting more done with less has been the mantra for the town’s municipal bus system thus far this summer with a driver shortage still acute.

During Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, members got their typical briefing on bus driver recruitment and retention efforts and the message has remained consistent. Finding qualified transportation department employees, including bus drivers, has been particularly challenging because of the special skill sets needed, including, in most cases, commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), drug screening and other training and qualifications.

At peak times in recent years, the town has employed as many as 150 municipal bus drivers with the seasonal employees, full-timers and part-time school bus drivers that fill out the ranks during the summer season. Currently the number of bus drivers available stands at 56, including 46 seasonal drivers and 10 full-time drivers.

Operations Manager George Peake pointed out other departments in town are facing the same challenges.

“We’re struggling with the same trends as some of our other departments,” he said. “We’re barely putting out as many as we did last year. It’s a function of staffing issues.”

Mayor Rick Meehan asked if the fewer deployments were related to the number of drivers available or the number of buses available. Peake said it was largely a staffing issue, although there have been times when buses were down.

“We don’t have a situation where drivers are coming in and don’t have buses

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

available,” he said. “We do have some buses out of service though.”

Public Works Director Hal Adkins said supply chain issues have made getting parts for the buses out of service challenging.

“We have three buses waiting for the same part,” he said. “They are cannibalizing the other down buses for parts in some cases. That’s how we’re surviving right now.”

Adkins said it’s not an entirely dire situation.

“If deployments are trending down and ridership is up, that’s a good thing,” he said. “We’re doing more with less and we’re not getting any complaints.”

Adkins said returning to that 150mark seen in years past will not likely happen given the current climate. How-

ever, he said the town’s articulating buses (artics) were helping the limited number of drivers available meet the demand.

“I don’t see going back to hiring 150 people,” he said. “It’s not going to happen. The artics are making a huge difference though.”

Transit Manager Rob Shearman said the buses are full during most peak times, but there aren’t a lot of people getting passed by on bus stops. He said his department has received few complaints.

“I think people are understanding,” he said. “They understand the demand for services. We have people standing and we’re white-lining on most days.”

While the driver shortage is impacting the number of buses deployed on a

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given day, the transportation department is still meeting or exceeding the number of deployments as last year. However, the town is deploying about half as many buses as during the pre-COVID benchmark in 2019.

For example, in June 2019, there were 1,541 bus deployments. This June, there were 779 bus deployments, compared to 766 in June 2021. In June 2020, at the height of the pandemic with mass transit essentially on hold, there were just 230 deployments.

A look at the ridership numbers tells a similar story. This June, the transit system carried 317,916 riders. In June 2021, 247,089 rode the bus. In the height of COVID in 2020, just 97,150 riders took the bus. In the benchmark June 2019, 575,582 rode the bus.

Residential Bulk Collection Fees To Increase In Ocean City

BY SHAWN J. SOPER MANAGING EDITOR

OCEAN CITY – It will soon cost more for residents of the resort to have bulk items collected by the city after town officials this week approved an increase in the bulk pickup fees.

Resort residents currently can call the city’s public works department to pick up discarded items such as old furniture, appliances or even large tree trimmings, for example, for a modest fee. There are also private sector businesses that offer the same service, but the price is often higher than what the city charges.

To that end, the Mayor and Council had before them on Tuesday a request to increase the bulk pickup fees that had not been changed in nearly a decade.

The request, ultimately approved by the council, would increase the fee for a single item to be picked up to $40. The cost would be $75 for up to three items, and another $10 for each additional item over three. Deputy Public Works Direc-

Standing Guard: A member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol keeps a close eye on swimmers during a busy beach day on July 8 in downtown Ocean City.

tor Woody Vickers explained the reason for the proposed hike in bulk pickup fees.

“The current bulk pickup fees were last updated in May 2013,” he said. “This fee schedule is not structured to cover cost, but simply set to balance our fees versus private industry fees. By balancing these fees, we avoid residents dumping an item on the street in the middle of the night.”

Vickers explained the town’s solid waste department was currently trying to handle a large backlog in scheduled bulk item pickups.

“Our current bulk pickup schedule has an approximate wait time of twoand-half weeks due to the volume of requests,” he said. “Our increase in bulk pickup is mostly due to the increase in private industry fees and, in some cases, the elimination of these services by private industry. That’s why we need to update our bulk collection fees to rebalance the fees.”

Councilman Mark Paddack ques-

Photo by Chris Parypa

tioned the prolonged wait time to have bulk items picked up by the city.

“I believe you said two-and-a-half weeks,” he said. “In the height of summer, I know people put stuff out there on the sidewalk and it makes the town look trashy sometimes.”

Mayor Rick Meehan clarified the bulk pickup program is for residential uses only.

“This is just for residential uses,” he said. “It’s not for commercial properties.

Do we ever find commercial properties making calls for bulk pickup?

Vickers explained that does happen quite frequently. Meehan explained the genesis of the town’s bulk pickup policy.

“I know the reason we initiated this program a long time ago was so we wouldn’t have articles discarded in empty lots or on the streets or in other places,” he said. “It’s concerning that you have to wait sometimes two-and-a-half weeks, but I can see where you guys have your hands full.”

Meehan said he hoped the modest

increase would not discourage people from using the program and simply discarding items elsewhere.

“Hopefully, this will encourage people not to just discard things,” he said. “If they do discard things on an empty lot and you get a call to pick them up, you do bill that lot owner correct? It’s not always fair to the lot owner, but it has to be billed somehow.”

Vickers said the department is well aware of known trouble areas around the city where people tend to dump bulk items without using the service.

“Even with the rates where they are now, we can tell you there are some hotspots,” he said. “We know where they are, and we make sure we get out there and pick it up. We address that.”

Meehan said even with the cost increase for utilizing the service, it still represented a good bargain for those who need to get rid of bulk items.

“It is a great service for the people of Ocean City,” he said. “The cost is the cost.”

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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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Martin Allen Sharpless BISHOPVILLE – Martin Allen Sharpless, age 80, of Bishopville, formerly of Severna Park, departed this life on July 6, 2022.

He was born in Elkins, W.Va. to the late Wilson L. and Louise B. Sharpless.

Martin graduated from Alleghany High School in Cumberland and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Industrial Relations from UniversiMARTIN ty of Maryland in College SHARPLESS Park.

Martin is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Elizabeth F. Sharpless; four loving children, Chanin Sharpless Wisler (Eric), Jeffrey Martin Sharp (Nicole), Lorianne Nicole Menzel (John) and Suzanne Elizabeth Hearn (partner Bob); and grandchildren, Zachary (Alyssa) and Gavin Hearn, Katelyn and Lindsey Menzel and Ryan Wisler.

Martin started his 30-year banking career in 1965 at First National Bank of Maryland and left there as a V.P. in commercial lending in 1974. He joined Citizen’s National Bank, a Mercantile Bank and Trust affiliate, as V.P. and senior loan officer. He became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1988. Along with being President of Citizen’s National Bank, Martin was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1990.

In addition to his banking career, Martin was a member of The Greater Laurel Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, Robert Morris Associates and American Bankers Association. He served his country for six years in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam conflict. Martin helped to support the First Generation College Bound endeavor. He participated in the “Christmas in April” event which helped with home improvements for others. He was treasurer of Harundale Presbyterian Church in Glen Burnie for five years. At Ocean Pines Community Church, Martin was a greeter and on the finance committee. He was also the treasurer for three years during the transition to a computerized system.

Love of basketball and a fan, Martin had season tickets for over 30 years to Maryland “Terps” basketball games; He also played basketball with friends until he was 58. Martin was a Severna Park Green Hornets basketball coach for all of his children. Martin also played tennis, racquet ball and golf. He also enjoyed skiing in Colorado.

Martin was self-taught when it came to fixing things. From the foundation to the roof, he built a laundry room addition to his second house and completed a large clubroom in his Severna Park home. As a car enthusiast, he took his British convertible TR6 completely apart and put it back together. He taught all four children how to drive that car which was a stick shift.

On his mom’s side of the family, John Browning came to settle in Virginia in the ship Abigail in 1621. His great great grandfather, Meshach Browning, wrote a book about his 40 years in the life of a hunter in West Virginia and Western Maryland. On his dad’s side of the family, Martin is the 10th direct descendant of John Sharpless who landed in 1682 in West Chester, Pa.

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

OBITUARIES A memorial service was held on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coastal Hospice/The Stansell House, P.O. Box 1733 Salisbury, Md. 21802, The Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Rd. Berlin, Md. 21811, or The Worcester County Humane Society, 12330 Eagles Nest Rd. Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home.

Deloris Ann Burbage OCEAN VIEW, Del. – Deloris Ann Burbage, “Dee,” age 83, died Monday, July 4, 2022, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Del. Born in Seaford, Del., she was the daughter of the late Doris Megee.

Deloris was the first female police officer on the East Coast and the first woman to graduate from the Ocean City Police Academy. She loved the Ocean Downs Casino, gardening, bingo, cooking and watching cooking shows on The Food Network. She had formerly worked as an assistant with Mayor DELORIS Harry Kelley in Ocean BURBAGE City. She retired in 2017 after working 33 years for the government of South Bethany Beach, Del. as a municipal clerk and an administrator. She was also a member of the Delaware Municipal Clerks Association.

She is survived by her son, Gregory Scott Burbage of Ocean View; a brother, Douglas Megee of Salisbury; two sisters, Mary Jane Megee of Frankford and Betty Jean Rickards of Ocean View; and a niece, Pam Browne (Mark) of Dagsboro.

A funeral service was held at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin on Monday, July 11. Internment followed at Buckingham Cemetery on South Main Street in Berlin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the charity of your choice. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Lola Marie Bradford NEWARK – Lola Marie Bradford, age 95, passed away peacefully, on July 6, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, at her home in Newark.

Born in Whiton, she was the daughter of the late Fred K. Adkins and Marie Tilghman Bradford. She is survived by her children, Ricki Harrington (Mike), Joan Scott (Jim), Teresa Bauer (Len) and Brian Bradford (Lori). She was an adored grandmother to 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Lola graduated from Snow Hill High School, LOLA BRADFORD and Peninsula General School of Nursing. She had a long career as an acute care nurse, office practice, public health, and home health

nurse. She was also a “special nursing consultant” to the entire community of family, friends and neighbors. Lola volunteered for Peninsula General Hospital, American Heart Association, Worcester County Health Department, Newark Volunteer Fire Company, and her Bowen/Trinity Churches where she was a member. She enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing cards, “frappes”, clothes, jewelry and good meals. The family would like to give a special thanks to her wonderful and empathetic care givers at her home in recent months.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 17 at Trinity Memory Garden Cemetery, at 3 p.m. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service in the Trinity Methodist Church.

Pastor Shirley Evans and Pastor Zack Brown will officiate. Interment will be in Trinity Memory Garden. A donation in her memory may be sent to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

JoFran K. Falcon CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – JoFran K. Falcon, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Maryland, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids.

A celebration of JoFran’s life was held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at The Sedlacek Hall at Cottage Grove Place located at 2115 1st Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. JoFran was buried beside her husband in the Jordan’s Grove Cemetery in JOFRAN K. FALCON Central City, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, Iowa, is assisting the family.

JoFran was born on March 23, 1930, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to Robert Richard and Eva Frances (Slapnicka) Kouba. Her father was employed there by the International General Electric Co. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when JoFran was three years old.

She attended Cedar Rapids schools and graduated from McKinley High School.

JoFran went on to attend and graduate from the University of Iowa in 1952, where she met the love of her life, James “Jim” C. Falcon. While attending, JoFran was president of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. On June 6, 1953, she and James were united in marriage. They enjoyed 63 years together before he passed away in 2016.

JoFran was a teacher and Librarian / Media Specialist for 25 years with the Montgomery County Maryland School System. In June 1988, she and Jim retired and moved to Ocean Pines, Maryland to be near the Ocean City Beach.

There she was active with the Ocean Pines Women’s Club, Garden Club, Library and Boat Club. JoFran was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City. She was a member of the

July 15, 2022 Board of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. JoFran established a program between the Symphony and the Worcester County Public Schools. Her work was recognized by the Yale University School of Music in 2015 with the “Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award”, “Commendation from the Worcester County Government”, “Certificate of Recognition from the Worcester County Public Schools” and an Ocean Pines “Gem”.

JoFran will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

JoFran is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jenanne Francis Falcon-Hosier (Ken Hosier) of Pittsville; son, William “Bill” Robert Falcon of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; four nieces, Monica Patten of Fairfax, Iowa, Janice Patten of Raeford, N.C., Geri (Ned) Bergman of Casa Grande, Ariz. and Mary Preen of Gretna, La.; nephew, Nathan Patten (Michelle Berger) of Las Vegas, Nev.; and several great-nieces and great-nephews including, Brycen Meyer, Tyler Patten, Hannah Patten, Carol Patten and Jenny Patten.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James C. Falcon; and several extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in JoFran’s memory may be made to either the First Presbyterian Church at 1301 Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City, Md. 21842; or to Worcester County Arts Council at 6 Jefferson Street in Berlin, Md. 21811; or to Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra at P.O. Box 3381 in Easton, Md. 21601; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Please share a memory of JoFran at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Warren George Bevard NEWARK – Warren George Bevard, age 54, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022, peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 9, 1967, he was the son of the late Ronald Bevard and Betty Livingston Bevard.

He worked as a mechanic for many years.

Warren was a member of Bowen United Methodist Church of Newark.

He was also a firefighter at Snow Hill Fire Depart- WARREN BEVARD ment ending his volunteer services with the Newark Fire Department after many years. He graduated Snow Hill High School class of 1985. Warren enjoyed many things in life but most of all enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends and his dog Cletus.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Helen Bevard. Also surviving is his son, W. Drew Bevard (Amanda); daughter Jennifer Witt (Matthew); sisters Ronna Pishtey (Joe), and Beth Costello (David); grandchildren Liam, and Landon; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Charlotte Donaway, and brother-in-law Edward L. Donaway Jr. (Marylynn).

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his father-in-law, Edward L. Donaway, Sr., and a granddaughter named Faith Bevard.

SEE NEXT PAGE

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 91

... OBITUARIES A full fireman’s service will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at noon. Friends may call two hours prior to the service.

Interment to follow at Bowen Cemetery.

Letters of condolences may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

Gregory Ronald Spurrier BERLIN – Gregory Ronald Spurrier, age 75, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at his home in Berlin.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Harvey E. Spurrier and Elizabeth L. Heagerty.

Greg grew up in Catonsville, graduated from Woodlawn High School and the University of Maryland with a degree in transportation. He worked in the transportation industry for most of his career.

He enjoyed traveling and GREGORY loved to play golf. After SPURRIER he retired, he split his time between Ocean City, and Venice, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Carole Spurrier; a son, Matthew Spurrier (Kristin); a daughter, Hilary Fooks (Edward); a brother, Jeffrey Spurrier (Terry); and a grandson, Alexander Spurrier.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family in September. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Harbour School, 1277 Green Holly Dr., Annapolis, Md. 21409. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Beautiful Summer Days: Ocean City can be a photographer’s dream during sunrise and sunset. Above left was the sunset scene off 94th Street last Sunday. Above right was the sunrise vista on 89th Street Wednesday.

Photos by Marylee Kline

ise Trahan (Michael) of Newark, Del.; and a grandson, Christopher Trahan.

She is also survived by her sisters, Henrietta “Hedy” Wimbrow of West Ocean City and Minerva Mowery of Potomac, Md. She was a graduate of Johnstown High School in Johnstown, Pa.

Mrs. Michels was a United States Navy veteran serving as a Seaman, and she had been a homemaker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City.

Rev. Paul Jennings will officiate. Internment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cem-

etery in Dagsboro, Del. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733 Salisbury, MD 21802.

Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

Louise Catherine Michels OCEAN CITY – Louise Catherine Michels, age 92, died Monday, July 11, 2022, at her home in Ocean City.

Born in Houtzdale, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Archie Becquet and Stella Bizak Becquet.

LOUISE She is survived by her MICHELS husband, Bernard Michels of Ocean City; two daughters, Barbara Phillips of Salisbury and Mary Lou-

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

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The Dispatch’s Primary Election Endorsements The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

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.

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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.

July 15, 2022

How We See It

An important primary election is approaching next Tuesday. Ever since the July 19 date was announced, we have worried about turnout throughout this resort and agricultural area at a busy time. This is a critical election and more than 10,000 people participated in early voting, according to poll watchers this week. We urge everyone to vote next Tuesday if they have not already.

There is much on the line.

An important role of a community newspaper is to offer endorsements at election time. Endorsements, which are not to be confused with predictions, are educated opinions on races for elected office.

When it comes to weighing endorsement decisions, which we take seriously and consider over months, the process begins with evaluating the incumbent if seeking re-election. The incumbent’s background, votes, positions and effectiveness are all ripe for critical analysis.

Did the incumbent (or someone who held elected office elsewhere) carry himself or herself in a professional fashion befitting of the honor of holding elected office? If the answer to that is yes, then we match the incumbent up against the challenger(s). If the answer to that is no, then we don’t support that individual. Is there a need for new insights and perspective? Does the challenger bring an improved skill set for public service? When the answer to those questions is yes, we support the nonincumbent.

The following is a look at our endorsements for a number of local elections. These endorsements are intended to give readers a glimpse into why we have decided to support certain candidates after independent and careful review.

Most important of all, we encourage voters to let their voices be heard on Tuesday if they didn’t already take part in early voting. We also ask each citizen to consider each race individually.

These decisions require attention.

Governor: We are hoping for a general election matchup between Republican Kelly Schulz and Democrat Peter Franchot.

Republican primary voters would be wise to advance Schulz next week.

If Marylanders like how two-term Gov. Larry Hogan has run the state, they should vote for Schulz, a former Hogan cabinet member as the commerce secretary from 2019-22 and previously secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. She has the experience and knowledge required to lead Maryland and is best suited to represent the Republican Party in November.

Franchot, the current comptroller since 2007, is the most moderate of

Polling sites will be open on Tuesday, July 19 from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Above, Worcester County’s early voting site, Worcester Preparatory School, is pictured.

Photo by Steve Green

Democratic candidates seeking to be governor. Franchot is no stranger to the shore and has shown a desire to work with Ocean City on statewide issues, specifically the post-Labor Day school start bill that he advocated for over many years. For the lower shore, Franchot is the best candidate on the ballot for the dominant party in Maryland.

Worcester County Commissioner District 2: Diana Purnell is the better choice in this district. Though we don’t think she did her constituents any favors by casting a critical vote in support of a sports complex that will drastically impact her district if it materializes, we think Purnell is better suited to represent the county’s minority district. We do have concerns she may be out of touch with her constituents, however, specifically on her sports complex support. We suggest once re-elected she organize town hall meetings in her district to allow citizens the opportunity to discuss concerns and opinions on matters of local importance.

Worcester County Commissioner District 3: In a four-man race with no incumbent, this is a fascinating matchup with only one individual having elected office experience. Represented

by Bud Church for the last 20 years, our choice to replace him is Eric Fiori, a local business owner, husband of a teacher and parent to kids in the school system.

Fiori has demonstrated a depth of knowledge of the local issues during his campaign. When asked for the three biggest facing the county currently, he listed “first responder funding, comprehensive rezoning and growth planning and educational funding.” On the topic of growth, he called it “inevitable, but

controlled growth is a fiscal responsibility.” This demonstrates an understanding of the county and challenges facing it in the near future. When asked his views on the sports complex, he said he would have voted no because of the process the county led in selecting the proposed site and the numerous questions that remain unanswered today.

His view seems to jive with the majority of citizens – support the sports complex as a general concept but oppose the chosen site and the process that led to it.

Though he does not have elected office or government experience, which is a negative, Fiori will bring a new energy and perspective to the commission in Snow Hill. He’s approachable and well-known to many in the district.

There will be a learning curve, but he will rise to the challenge to represent well the West Ocean City-Berlin district.

Worcester County Commissioner District 4: We think it’s time for a new perspective in the vast western district, and Jeff McMahon is the pick in an interesting four-person race. McMahon worked for more than 40 years in public safety, including 35 years in county government highlighted by 28 years as the county’s fire marshal. He knows the county’s budget process and how government works on a micro and macro level. Through his career with the county, he worked with 25 different county commissioners. He understands the role of a commissioner and has seen how the good ones operate.

Thanks to his experience and knowledge, McMahon will be able slide right into office ready to work. There will be no learning curve for him, and he has SEE NEXT PAGE

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022

Letters To The Editor Early Voting Impact On Informed Electorate Editor: I am a new resident in Worcester County having moved to Ocean City in 2019 from another state.

Due to Covid fears, I decided to submit an early mail-in ballot for the 2020 election and did so for convenience and figured I would do the same for my local state and Worcester County election this year. I filed to receive the PDF ballot but I struggled with who was on the ballot not knowing my local political candidates as well as some higher offices including governor. I researched extensively online but found little to support many candidates.

Finally, I voted a few weeks back as best I could – feeling guilty like one might when choosing racehorses by name or colors – but I had little choice at that time.

Now a few weeks later and only a week or so before the July 19 deadline, I am inundated with news about various candidates from local printed press, candidate mailers and on the web.

Bottom line – early voting doesn’t lead to a more informed electorate. In previous years, pre-Covid, I would get this same information but I voted inperson on election day. Now, voting in advance hampered my ability to be well-informed and I’m sure I would have voted differently had I done so in person on July 19.

I will not repeat this mistake next

election but more importantly, there are many out there who might.

Jim Trombino Ocean City

Poor Choices For Voters Editor: How disappointing, the options we have for commissioners for District 6.

We'll be at the mercy of a complacent toad who can't muster a response or the same breed of Shari'a Christian who overturned Roe v Wade.

While I agree with Mr. Addis' sentiments on the nature of our representation on a career vs. volunteer spectrum and the perils of debt, his constitutionalist views happily overlook the intervening 250 years of industry, advancement and precedent. Mr. Addis doesn't want businesses to be deemed non-essential. That's a lovely sentiment, but it's impractical and speaks to the recurring theme we find among socalled "constitutionalists" and "originalists."

This variety of conservatism is oblivious to compromise, to good sense and reason. It's oftentimes outright hostile to the very science that ensured the success of this first-generation farmer.

I've watched and listened in increasing discomfort as those who would cherry pick bible verses now deem themselves worthy of cherry picking our constitution.

What a selection we have.

Ryan Nellans Berlin

How We See It demonstrated through his social media activity and YouTube video a solid understanding of the issues. He has managed the best campaign by far of the individuals seeking the seat. Through his traditional messaging, such as mailers, and online distributions, the lifelong county resident has proven to be ready for public office.

Worcester County Commissioner District 5: Chip Bertino is the type of elected official every government body should have. He’s outspoken, informed and accessible. He is looking for a third term representing Ocean Pines and we believe he should get it.

Bertino is arguably the most visible commissioner. His Town Hall sessions during his two terms have been popular among his constituents, attracting typically about 100 people each time. Bertino is a true conservative, and his votes and views mirror his district in most instances. He believes in limited government, and there’s no better example than his stance on the sports complex.

He has become the face of the sports complex opposition in recent years. He believes it should be a private sector development, and many people agree with the stance.

Bertino is the right candidate to rep-

resent Ocean Pines over the next four years.

Worcester County Commissioner District 6: Though it’s confusing and inexcusable he did not allocate the time to participate in a question-and-answer session as part of our election preview, Jimmy Bunting is the better choice. A fourth term is warranted for the former commission president who previously served on the county’s planning commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Worcester County Sheriff: Matt Crisafulli deserves another term. We see no reason to make a change and Crisafulli clearly wants to continue to serve, and the same cannot be said for his opponent.

Through his first term, Crisafulli has done a solid job of being a visible official in our community. He attends community functions and participates in activities important to constituents.

Crisafulli has the right priorities and understands public safety issues. He has advocated for growth within his department before the commissioners and prioritizes school safety among everything else. He is leading the Sheriff’s Office in the right direction and merits another term to continue his work.

Page 93

Between The Lines

by Publisher/Editor Steve Green There is much work to do in Berlin on police pay. It’s nothing new. It’s been a problem for many years. It just has not been made a priority by the town’s elected officials. While a couple raises have been given in recent years, the fact remains Berlin pays its police officers far less than comparable size municipalities and the result is several ongoing job vacancies within the department. This needs to be addressed.

At this week’s meeting, emotions came into play as two former town police officers and a current police officer’s wife urged the Mayor and Council to act on these matters after years of similar requests from Police Chief Arnold Downing, who spoke from the heart as did former officers JB Bunting and Michael Hickman and Christina Bireley, a current police officer’s spouse. In her eloquent comments, Bireley maintained Berlin’s police force was larger 25 years ago than it is today. “With all the growth and annexation over the last 25 years, how does this make sense?,” she asked.

Though the comments from Bunting, Hickman and Bireley were impactful, it was Downing’s comments that stayed with me days later after hearing them in person. The chief was blunt, emotional and sincere. It’s going to take more money to improve the situation. Until the council admits and commits to allocating more funding – likely through some sort of property tax increase – the situation will continue to be a concern in Berlin. “No one has ever retired (non-medical) from this agency. Think about it. It’s ridiculous … If we want to make it a priority, it will happen. I have been at the doorstep more than once. I have heard it before. We will believe it when we see it,” Downing said. “LEOPS is the ghost. We were promised and listen to this statement. In January, we made the statement, if we sign the paper in February, it could have been done and we could have it in 2022.

Period, so again we are going to have to go all the way around the circle again and wait for the vote. As soon as someone says it’s going to cost another dime, what’s the priority? You’re not going to have good schools, you’re not going to have a good business community, you’re not going to have anybody want to be here or live here if they don’t feel safe … When somebody wants to complain that we’re too slow and we’re not there when they want us to be there, there’s a reason … Folks are going to come here because of the dollars, they stay because of retirement. You have to fix both those things. You can’t do one and not the other.”

While the council was clearly moved by all the speakers, no promises were made. Mayor Zack Tyndall said, “We have some things to overcome.

We’re aware of those, we’re working through some of those ... None of us want to see anything bad happen to any of our officers.”

A clear first step is agreeing to move ahead with the required study of the LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officers Pension System). It costs money to study – funds are included in the budget – and will probably carry a new annual cost of approximately $250,000 for the town’s budget. The town is dragging its feet on this issue because of the funding. Downing is right when he maintains this process should already have happened, but now the earliest this pension will be available for town officers is next July at the start of the new fiscal year. It will come with a cost and could result in a penny or two being weighed as far as a property tax increase. It’s a discussion that must move forward. I think most town residents will accept an incremental bump up in taxes when it’s properly explained why the new revenue is needed.

The Board of License Commissioners handed down one of the heftiest fines and suspensions in recent history this week. The punishment seemed to fit the crime, as it was clear the Seaside Deli Beer and Wine store was beyond sloppy with its underage drinking checks.

Seven teenagers, who bought beer and wine at the store, told their stories of how they purchased the booze. Each acknowledged there being a known awareness “you can purchase alcohol there without an ID.” In fact, an 18-year-old woman testified she had been buying alcohol at the store for at least the last two years. Police had reportedly been hearing from parents and teens about the store’s sales to minors.

The BLC slapped a 60-day suspension (meaning no summer sales) and $12,000 in fines on the store owner after this week’s hearing. It was the egregiousness of the offenses that merited the heaviness and understandably so.

In what could be a sign of the times, Ocean City has shelved a proposed redevelopment of its downtown park between 3rd and 4th streets. The first phase of the project – including paths, utilities, stormwater management, landscaping, lighting, the relocation of the basketball courts, the expansion of the Ocean Bowl skate park and the construction of a new skate park office and restroom – was budgeted for $2.2 million. Only two bids were received – one at $3.8 million and the other at nearly $5 million. The council ultimately decided to put the project on hold, but officials are hoping to inch forward with the skate park expansion and renovation in the meantime.

Due to these rising costs stemming from inflation and supply issues, there could be more of these types of situations where projects are stalled moving ahead, especially if a recession is on the horizon as feared by many.

Page 94

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Puzzle Answers

I

July 15, 2022

The Adventures of Fatherhood

by Steve Green

PUZZLE ON PAGE 59

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n past conversations with parents who have lost children, they have said people often misunderstand how they feel and are confused about discussing their loss.

It’s not about avoiding the topic of their lost child. It’s about remembering her or him. All too often people think (or assume) they should avoid talking about a child who passed in front of their parents. Evidently, it’s the opposite for many parents.

I know a little about this as my cousin died in an accident while in college in 2003. I remain close with her parents, my aunt and uncle. For a long time, I wasn’t sure whether to talk about my cousin, Katie Wessells. Only in recent years have I felt comfortable talking with my Aunt Linda and Uncle Henry about her. I think it’s a good thing to talk about her and talking about memories. They seem to enjoy it as well.

I started recalling hearing that news on that Saturday in February 2003 – the same day the Columbia space shuttle exploded – and the days that followed once word spread this week about the fatal accident involving the death of the 14-year-old boy. He’s the same age as my oldest son and they played against each other in youth soccer for several years. They were acquaintances with many shared friends.

Like so many others, the teen’s death has been on my mind constantly all week. Beckett has spoken about the tragedy every day since. He has been moved to tears trying to wrap his head around it. In an abrupt departure from the norm, he shared his feelings many times this week about the situation. It impacted him. I hope it’s a lesson in mortality for he and his friends and pray he understands the magnitude of this situation.

I found it difficult all week to concentrate on the matter at hand before me.

A major reason was this preoccupation

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with this family’s loss and the horrific circumstances surrounding it. In an effort to maybe help the family or close friend, here’s a piece from a parent who suffered a tremendous loss, courtesy of scarymommy.com. The letter from Jamala in May 2020 was titled, “An Open Letter To Grieving Parents, From A Fellow Child Loss Mom.” Words seem too shallow, and even the act of writing feels like an offense in the face of your heartbreak, but I had to acknowledge your pain.

Writing to you about the road ahead also seems like an affront — yes, I have lost a child too, but by no means do I dare suggest that I know what you are feeling. We each walk along these wretched shores alone, and it is impossible for me to give a map of the terrain.

Even on the same beach, each walk is completely new, because the beach is constantly changing.

Telling you of my experiences puts the spotlight back on me when you are now suddenly sitting in darkness. Your eyes have not yet adjusted to the dark, and the spotlight is blinding — navigating this paradox is a challenge I have yet to master. …

In the first weeks, when the tears escape freely in floods, and you feel an emptiness so deep, you think you now know the location of your soul, you may wonder if you will ever stop crying again. When you realize that this day is the first day you have not cried, you may feel a sadistic longing for the emptiness again, because it seemed to be the only remaining connection to your child. In some ways, it may feel easier to navigate the days where the tears come to your eyes before you open them on a new day. In that strange way, you almost know what to expect … because there isn’t room for anything other than to be wholly consumed by the hole your child left behind.

I am only three and a half months into my walk along the shores of life

without my baby son, Jasper. Most days, I am no longer completely knocked over by waves of audible quiet in our childless house, or the dead weight of my empty arms. But I could be standing in line at the grocery store, listening to a podcast about nothing in particular, watching reality trash on television, or participating in a conference call at work and feel the sudden rising of a new tide of sadness within me. It could last for a few minutes or all day.

I never know what to expect in this infancy of my grief.

In some ways, I equate my grief to what it may have been like to parent my son, as a first time mother. In the early days, there is crying, eating, pooping and small intervals of sleep.

You are consumed, and in awe, and afraid of this new being. As you navigate this new world together, with every emotion imaginable, you know with a tinge of fear that the life you knew before has been obliterated. … The reality is that there are so many ups and downs, and frustration on both sides as this new being is still trying to figure out how to communicate with the people who love them the most, so you know what they need or when they have had enough.

Also, as soon as you start to sleep through the night again and have forged into a new normal, … you start to learn the personality of this new being, and slowly, you learn how to speak the same language. You learn to nurture and mold them, but they also fight for control. The years continue to fly by, and you continue to learn and grow together and independently. … In so many ways, our grief and parenting run parallel courses, whether you get to raise your child or not. Both are forever.

(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.)

Locally INSIDE SEATING & CARRYOUT Famous OPEN 7 A.M. DAILY For 42 Years!

Cafe

Breakfast Try Our Casino Omelette SUBS • SANDWICHES Rt. 50-West Ocean City • 410-213-1804

Located Between Comfort Inn Suites & Starbucks Across From Outback Steak House

July 15, 2022

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

Page 95

Page 96

The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch

July 15, 2022